Day one of EverStart Eastern anchored by ‘kickers’
ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. – If local anglers have an advantage on Lake Martin, maybe it’s that they know how to catch fish in the rain. All of the anglers in the EverStart Series event on Lake Martin had to endure drizzly rains for most of the day, but it was hometown anglers that took a large lead in both the Pro and Co-angler divisions.
In the Pro Division, Ted Caldwell of Alexander City, Ala., leads with 20 pounds, 6 ounces. Caldwell’s stringer, which consisted of two largemouth and three big spotted bass, gives him a solid 6-pound cushion over second place.
“I started fishing for spotted bass this morning,” Caldwell said. “I didn’t have a bite for the first couple of hours. The first bite I got was at about 10 o’ clock, and it was the biggest largemouth I caught. That told me I needed to be fishing for largemouths, so I went fishing for largemouths the rest of the day and ended catching another nice largemouth and some big spots.”
Largemouth ‘kickers’ key to big strings
On Lake Martin, one 4- to 6-pound kicker largemouth is what it takes to turn an average 7-pound limit into a bragging-sized 13-pound limit. Just ask these guys.
Tony Christian of Hull, Ga., is in second place with 14 pounds, 6 ounces. He focused his efforts on largemouth bass and stayed in one area all day. He caught his biggest fish – a 6-pound, 6-ounce largemouth – on a spinner bait.
“I was fishing for largemouths, but I caught a couple of decent spots by accident,” Christian said. “I can’t complain. They were good ones.”
William Davis of Centerstar, Ala., is third with 14 pounds, 4 ounces. His stringer was helped tremendously by the weight of a 7-pound, 6-ounce largemouth, which took big-bass honors.
Davis spent most of the day fishing for spotted bass. Once he got his limit, he began to play “a little offense” by fishing for largemouths. “I started flipping piers late in the day, and I caught the big one on the last flip right before we came in,” Davis said.
Kim Carver of Milledgeville, Ga., in fourth, fished one place this morning to catch his five bass that weighed 13 pounds, 12 ounces.
“I fished down one stretch and caught the five bass that I weighed in in about an hour.” said Carver. “Then I went and fished a few other places and then came back to it. I lost a big one, and my partner caught a 3-pounder there.”
Ralph Mixon of Bonaire, Ga., made a last-minute gamble late this afternoon that paid off in putting together 12 pounds, 8 ounces for fifth place.
“I made a long, hard run south right at the end of the day for just a few minutes of fishing. On about my third cast, I caught the big largemouth that anchored my string,” he said. “The Lord really blessed me with that fish.”
Al Gagliardi of Prosperity, S.C., said he needs wind to continue catching fish like the ones that gave him 11 pounds, 8 ounces for sixth today.
“I am running and gunning,” he said. “I will fish a place for about two or three minutes and then crank up and move on. If the wind would blow, I think it would help.”
Another local leads Co-angler Division
Shane Patterson of Alexander City, Ala., leads the Co-angler Division with 12 pounds, 9 ounces. Fortunately for Patterson, his pro partner knew a good thing when he heard it.
Once Patterson explained to his pro that he was a local with a few juicy brushpiles, his pro lent him his ear.
Patterson fished X-wire spinner baits and jigs to pull his limit of spotted bass from deep brushpiles.
“Hopefully my partner will let me fish some of my water again tomorrow,” Patterson said.
In second place in the Co-angler Division is David Holland of Loganville, Ga., with 9 pounds, 3 ounces.
Rest of the best
Rounding out the top five is Darin Mitchell of Rutledge, Ga., in third with 8 pounds, 11 ounces; David Parks of Decatur, Ala., in fourth with 8 pounds, 10 ounces; and Judy Israel in fifth with 8 pounds even.
Competition resumes tomorrow at 7 a.m. at Wind Creek State Park.
Day-one links: