Long’s ledge game revealed
North Carolina pro fishing U-shaped community hole
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – On the surface, pro leader Brent Long’s fishing area looks like the intersection of two creeks and the main river channel. But underneath the water is a defined U-shaped ledge that is teaming with largemouth bass. That spot has produced a 25-pound sack for three consecutive days. The big question is whether or not it can withstand a fourth.
For Long, it was a good news/bad news situation this morning. The bad news was that when he pulled up to this spot shortly after 6 a.m. there was already a boat on it. But the good news is that the local understood the situation and graciously moved.
“The top of the ledge is 13 feet deep and the bottom is about 24,” Long explained. “In the morning, there are fish everywhere chasing bait. But those usually aren’t the biggest ones and eventually they settle back down. During the day, they kind of hang out and suspend on the sides. That’s when I burn that crankbait as fast as I can for a reaction bite. When they’re not suspending I slowly drag a jig.”
Most of Long’s area has baseball-sized rock on the bottom. But the sweet spot is basically clean, which is somewhat surprising, since most of the other pros are fishing over rough shells.
“The best section is probably only 50 feet by 50 feet. There are some good fish in that little area. To be honest, I’m surprised it’s held up for three days. Between me and my co-anglers, I know we’ve caught well over 100 pounds from it already. Because there is so much bait, I think it replenishes each night.”
Long does have backup spots if his primary one doesn’t pan out. In fact, he’s got 70 waypoints to run to if need be.
“I do have other areas, but I haven’t been able to fish them lately because I’ve been guarding this spot. Either way, I think I need about 16 to 18 pounds today. If I catch another 25, I’ll blow it away.”
One pro to keep an eye on is David Fritts. After catching a 28-pound stringer yesterday, Fritts is gathering some serious momentum.
“I need to catch 30 to 32 points today,” he said. “And on Guntersville, you can catch 35 easy if they pull some water.”
Logistics
Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Von Braun Center located at 700 Monroe St. in Huntsville beginning at 4 p.m. Fans will be treated to the FLW Outdoors Expo prior to the final weigh-in from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a Can-Am ATV compliments of the Huntsville Times and rod and reel combos will be given to the first 300 kids under 14 in attendance on Saturday compliments of WDRM.
The pro winner, who will earn $125,000, is determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.
On the Web
For those who can’t catch the weigh-in action in person, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, an online application that brings fans real-time weigh-in results, streaming video and audio.
In addition to FLW Live, FLWOutdoors.com is offering real-time updates from the water throughout each day of the Lake Guntersville event. Simply click on the “On the Water Coverage” banner from any of the FLW Outdoors, Bass and FLW Tour home pages.
Saturday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:35 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 77 degrees
Expected high temperature: 92 degrees
Water temperature: 87-92 degrees
Wind: WSW at 8 mph
Maximum humidity: 68 percent
Day’s outlook: isolated thunderstorms