Kentucky Lake Stren Series leader Mike Ward of Paris, Tennessee plans to fish his same ledges with a 3/4-ounce football head jig again today. Photo by Rob Newell. Angler: Mike Ward.

July 26, 2008 • Rob Newell • Archives

MURRAY, Ky. – For three days in a row, Mike Ward of Paris, Tenn., has fished the ledges on his home water in Kentucky Lake to catch nearly 20 pounds per day.

If he can do it one more time on the fourth and final day, he’ll likely be a Stren Series champion. He enters the day with over a 5-pound lead.

“I want some sun,” Ward said just before take-off this morning. “These clouds need to get out of here.”

Ward is ledge fishing, like many of the top-10 finalists, and contends he is doing nothing different than anyone else fishing the same areas.

“I’m just fishing a big worm and dragging a jig like everyone else,” Ward said simply. “It’s not like I’ve unlocked any big secrets down there: I’m fishing common areas with common baits. I am fishing a lot shell beds instead of wood. But other than that, I’ve just gotten lucky that I’ve done it three days in a row, that’s all.”

The day three weigh-in of the Stren Series Central Division event will take place at the Wal-Mart in Murray, Ky., this afternoon at 3 p.m.

Saturday’s conditions

Sunrise: 5:55 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 72 degrees

Expected high temperature: 92 degrees

Water temperature: 85 degrees

Wind: NNW 5 to 10 MPH

Day’s outlook: 40% chance of thunderstorms