Tennessee River promise
Friday’s bite could be best one yet of AFS Central Division season
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Lake was generous to many anglers on day one of the Central Division American Fishing Series event, but not quite as good as some think it could be. At the end of Thursday’s weigh-in, AFS Tournament Director (and former Kentucky Lake fishing guide) Ron Lappin nodded with a knowing eye and made a prediction. “They caught them pretty well today – over 2,000 pounds of fish isn’t bad,” he said. “But these bass are moving, and it could get crazy. Get ready for tomorrow – I think they’re really going to catch them.”
The high water has forced competitors to use several different launch ramps (because of limited parking space) near the takeoff site of Buckhorn Bay park, and as a result, it’s been difficult to catch up with the anglers prior to takeoff for a peek at what rods are strapped to their decks and insight into their day’s plans. Leading pro Curt McGuire, who has a comfortable 4-pound, 4-ounce lead heading into today’s competition, will likely be pointed south in hopes of a repeat performance of yesterday, when he caught a limit weighing 24 pounds, 11 ounces fishing a reaction-style pattern.
Most of the anglers in the top five in both the Pro and Co-angler divisions yesterday were staying in Kentucky Lake and throwing reaction baits of some type just outside the “true” shoreline bushes (bushes that would be at the water’s edge at normal summer pool) to catch their fish. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits were all mentioned, and those lures will no doubt be in play again today. 
The forecast calls for a few more clouds ahead of possible thunderstorms later today, but the wind will be much calmer. Calm water has the potential of slowing the reaction bite just a bit, but probably not by much. There’s a flipping bite present as well in the high water, and various anglers could be seen rigging creature baits and other soft plastics as they awaited takeoff this morning. 
Logistics
Portions of both Kentucky and Barkley lakes remain off-limits during this tournament due to the high-water conditions. Today’s weigh-in will be held at Buckhorn Park launch ramp, which is located off Moors Camp Highway in Gilbertsville, Ky., at 2 p.m. After today, the field will be cut to the top 10 anglers in each division for the final day of competition. Those anglers will take off at 6:30 tomorrow morning from Buckhorn Bay. The final weigh-in will be held at Country Chevrolet in Benton, Ky., at 3 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:45 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 68 degrees
Water temperature: 68 degrees
Wind: NNE at 3-7mph
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy and warm; chance of thunderstorms late this afternoon