DENISON, Texas – Pro Rick Turner of Tyler, Texas, caught a two-day total of 10-bass weighing 31 pounds to lead day two of the Stren Series Central Division event on Lake Texoma.
Pros are competing for as much as $64,500 and valuable points that could qualify them for a trip to the $1 million Stren Series Championship for a shot at $140,000. The highest-finishing pro from each division at the Stren Series Championship will also earn a spot in the new $2 million 2007 Forrest Wood Cup where they will compete against top pros from the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League and Ranger owners’ tournaments for bass fishing’s first $1 million top award.
“The fish just bit better for me today,” said Turner, who was in 11th place following yesterday’s weigh-in with five bass weighing 13 pounds, 4 ounces. “I have plenty of fish left if I can just get them in the boat tomorrow. Those smallmouths are so mean. They jump, pull and shake to get rid of that hook. ”
Turner concentrated his efforts on rocks in deeper water targeting smallmouths with a Spot Remover jighead and Zoom green-pumpkin finesse worm.
Rounding out the top five pros are James Fredieu of Saint Martinville, La. (10 bass, 28 pounds, 15 ounces); Darryl Folse of Addis, La. (10 bass, 26 pounds, 5 ounces); Don McFarlane of Gordonville, Texas (10 bass, 26 pounds, 4 ounces); and Jeremy Guidry of Opelousas, La. (10 bass, 25 pounds, 8 ounces).
Joe Keene of Delhi, La., earned $625 for the Snicker’s Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 6-pound, 9-ounce bass.
Bill Rogers of Jasper, Texas leads the Co-angler Division in the chase for a top award worth as much as $35,000, including a 519VX Ranger if contingency guidelines are met. His two-day total of 10 bass tipped the scale at 31 pounds, 14 ounces. In a rare occurrence, Rogers’ two-day weight is more than that of the leading professional angler.
“I’m having a heck of a tournament,” said Rogers, who has 15 top-10 finishes competing in FLW Outdoors events. “It could change tomorrow. You never know, but right now, I’m enjoying it.”
Rogers switched tactics on day two when his pro decided to fish docks. He threw a Shaky Head and a spinnerbait to 15 pounds, 2 ounces.
“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow,” Rogers said. “I’ll be fishing with a good friend and the guy I practiced with.” Rogers will be paired with Turner on day three.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Phillip Hudnall of Newkirk, Okla. (nine bass, 19 pounds, 15 ounces); Billy G. Yelverton of Baton Rouge (eight bass, 19 pounds, 13 ounces); Eugene Moore III of Little Rock, Ark. (eight bass, 18 pounds, 6 ounces) and Tim Webb of Olpe Kan. (eight bass, 17 pounds, 13 ounces).
Charlie Porter of Malvern, Ark. earned $225 for the Snicker’s Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division thanks to a 6-pound, 4-ounce bass.
Anglers take off at 7 each morning from Highport Marina located at 120 Texoma Harbor Drive in Pottsboro, Texas. Friday and Saturday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 401 Highway 75 North in Denison, Texas beginning at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
Stren Series tournaments are four-day events consisting of three rounds. The entire field competes Wednesday and Thursday, and the top 20 pros and co-anglers – based on two-day accumulated weights – advance to day three. Anglers start at zero Thursday and compete for 10 spots in each division in the final round. Winners are determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four.
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series. These circuits offer combined purses exceeding $36.5 million through 235 events in 2006.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournament programs, browse FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world’s leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Wal-Mart.com.