Yoder uses the force

Texarkana, Ark., pro takes 7-pound lead

ZAPATA, Texas – The weather wasn’t much better, but any improvement was welcomed with open arms after the conditions experienced on day one of the FLW American Fishing Series opener. The wind, although steady, diminished slightly on day two but the temperature continued to plummet. Considering the circumstances, the fishing this week on Falcon Lake has been surprisingly good – especially for pro leader Michael Yoder.

After sacking up a staggering 38 pounds, 4 ounces yesterday, Yoder put together another 27-11 today. Anchoring that limit was the Pro Division Big Bass, a brute that went 9 pounds, 14 ounces. That fish earned Yoder $600 but paired with a successful day three it could be worth much, much more.

“It took me almost five hours to catch my fish today,” said Yoder. “Yesterday I caught them much earlier.”

Yoder is using mainly a football-head jig produced by the company Fish Diffee. He tips the jig with a Gene Larew craw in green pumpkin.

“The fish are keying on a lot of red and orange. Those seem to be the best jig colors right now.”

Yesterday the pro leader used a tilapia-pattern deep-diving crankbait made by 6th Sense Custom Tackle to catch three keepers but today the fish wanted a much slower presentation.



“I worked the same general area; the fish were relating to rocks today. And you had to move it slower than slow. I was bumping my jig about every 15 seconds. It was a tough, tough bite. I literally made the same cast 40 times to catch that 9-pounder.”

The Texarkana, Ark., native works the jig in water 3 to 8 feet deep. His primary area is located approximately 18 miles south towards the dam.

“The sack looks great, but I am struggling to get each one. If it stays cold, I think the jig will continue to be the go-to bait.”

Yoder than reflected on what lies ahead tomorrow.

“This is probably the biggest tournament I’ve ever led. I’m just glad to be here at Falcon. The weather has been terrible but I’ve had a blast.”

Cremo rallies to second

At the conclusion of day one, Richard Cremo was just outside the top 10 with 24 pounds, 9 ounces. At the end of day two, he was knocking on the door for an improbable comeback win. This is only Cremo’s second season fishing with FLW Outdoors. Last year’s results weren’t great, but he took it in stride.

“For the longest time my dream was just to make a check,” said the Champion pro. “This is my first top 10 and I’m just thankful for the opportunity. I’m not even thinking about winning.”

Although Cremo lives in nearby Laredo, Texas, he doesn’t get to fish Falcon that often. On open weekends, he’ll drive the hour south and spend some time on the water. But he doesn’t consider himself a true local.

“Yesterday I went six miles northwest of here and fished a point in 12 to 15 feet of water. I was able to stay out of the wind, which was very important. I am using three baits – a spinnerbait, a Carolina rig and a jig.”

Cremo’s 34-pound, 1-ounce day-two limit was the heaviest of the day and the second-heaviest of the tournament overall. Like his day-one stringer, it too came from the area northwest of Zapata. Despite a consistent performance from Yoder, he saw his lead shrink from 9 pounds to 7 pounds.

White up to third

After catching 28 pounds even on day one, Randy White managed another five-bass limit weighing 25 pounds, 8 ounces on day two. His opening-round total weight is 53 pounds, 8 ounces.

“The water temperature in my area dropped three degrees and that slowed the bite down,” said the Haslet, Texas, pro.

To adjust, White went to a bigger bait and fished more methodically.

“I’m throwing an 11-inch ribbontail worm made by Kicker Fish Bait Company. The two colors I’m using are watermelon red and watermelon candy.”

White pegs his worm with a 1/2-ounce weight and throws it towards a point in 12 to 21 feet of water.

“I fished the same area today as I did yesterday – the north end in the river. I caught two 8-pounders, one at 10:01 a.m. and one at 10:45 a.m. and then I left. Hopefully there will be enough saved for tomorrow.”

Mullins, Herron round out top five

Coppell, Texas, pro David Mullins slipped to the fourth spot after catching a limit Friday weighing 24-9. His two-day total stands at 53 pounds, 6 ounces.



Rallying to fifth was Paris, Texas, native Michael Herron. On day one, Herron sacked 25 pounds, 7 ounces and he caught an identical 25-7 today. That consistency pushed him from eighth to fifth.

Rest of the best

Rounding out the top 10 pros after day two on Falcon Lake:

6th: Justin Morton of Etoile, Texas, 49-1

7th: Keith Combs of Del Rio, Texas, 46-13

8th: Tim Reneau of Del Rio, Texas, 43-11

9th: Rob Burns of Plano, Texas, 43-4

10th: Christopher Brasher of Spring, Texas, 42-12

Each of the top 10 pros caught limits Friday.

Jeser takes co-angler lead

Paired with pro George Jeane Jr. on day one and Thanh Le on day two, co-angler Tom Jeser has been around fish all week. And to his credit, he’s capitalized on his opportunities.

The first day he fished shallow with Jeane and caught a 19-pound, 1-ounce stringer. Today with Le he probed the deeper water and caught 22-3, finishing the opening round with 41 pounds, 4 ounces.

“Yesterday I was worm fishing and throwing a spinnerbait,” said the leader. “Today we used a variety of baits like Brush Hogs and Flukes.”

This is not only Jeser’s first time to Falcon, it’s his first time in the top 10.

“I’ve never led before and I’ve never made the cut. It’s all pretty exciting. I live about 650 miles away in El Paso, Texas, and Falcon has quite the reputation. It really is some lake.”

With another successful day on the water, Jeser may be headed home with a $10,000 check.

Standley retains second

Bo Standley finished day one in second place with 20 pounds, 1 ounce. After catching an additional 18 pounds, 13 ounces on day two the Silsbee, Texas, native is still in second place.

“The bite was much slower today,” said Standley, who won the 2001 Texas Division qualifier on his home lake of Sam Rayburn. “Yesterday we didn’t lose any but today we lost a few fish.”

Standley was working a prespawn pattern today in water 14 to 30 feet deep. To catch his fish, he employed a Carolina rig.

“This is my first time here. I can only imagine what this lake is like with halfway decent conditions.”

Rest of the best

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Kevin Carter of Spring, Texas (34-5); Steve Hope of Ovilla, Texas (34-4); and Daniel Hocking of Houston, Texas, (31-0).

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers who will fish day three on Falcon Lake:

6th: Robert Royal of Vidor, Texas, 30-5

7th: John Ellender Jr., of Hemphill, Texas, 28-12

8th: Stacy Miller of Lubbock, Texas, 27-11

9th: Ryan Parker of Kaufman, Texas, 26-3

10th: Randall Vaughan of Blanco, Texas, 26-2

The final day of competition begins as the top 10 pros and top 10 co-anglers take off from the Zapata County Boat Ramp at 7:30 a.m. Central time Saturday.