Clayton charges ahead in co-angler race
Co-angler field cut to 24 for final-day action on Friday
RICHMOND, Va. – Craig Clayton of Rogers, Ark., took the lead in the Co-angler Division of the 2003 FLW Tour Championship today.
Clayton added two bass weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces to his 3 pounds, 12 ounces from yesterday for a two-day total of 10 pounds, 14 ounces.
Clayton credited his success over the last two days to two grade `A’ pro partners: Clark Wendlandt and Terry Bolton.
“It makes so much difference when you draw somebody who tells you exactly what they are doing and why they are doing it,” he said. “Not because I want to do exactly what they are doing, but because it gives me some idea of how they are fishing and I can make my own game plan.”
The bass that vaulted Clayton into the lead – a 4-pound, 3-ounce largemouth – bit on the very last cast of the day.
“Terry made a long run this morning,” he said. “When we returned to the ramp, we had just a few minutes to fish. So we pulled over to make a few last casts; I threw a finesse worm into a little nook in the bank, felt a spongy feel, and set the hook; that was that four-three. We were pushed for time so I didn’t even unhook the fish. I just put it in the livewell until we checked in and then I unhooked it.”
Brunaugh moves into second
David Brunaugh of Carbondale, Ill., moved into second today with three bass weighing 5 pounds, 10 ounces. His two-day total is 9 pounds, 10 ounces.
Brunaugh has fished with pros Mickey Bruce and Wes Thomas, respectively, over the last two days.
On Wednesday, he caught three fish behind Bruce with a crankbait and Zoom Brush Hog. Today he caught two fish on a Brush Hog and one on a Carolina rig.
“I was using the big Brush Hog because I was pitching way back up under the bushes,” he said. “That big Brush Hog has more weight and will actually crash through the bushes better and penetrate the thicker stuff.”
Kitchens drops to third
John Kitchens of Smyrna, Ga., didn’t catch a fish today. But after the 9-pound, 8-ounce string he weighed in yesterday, he did not need to catch a fish. Even after zeroing today, he only fell to third.
“I kind of experimented today,” Kitchens said. “I changed baits, tried some different colors, stuff like that. But tomorrow I’m going back to how I have been fishing.”
Hudson hangs on
David Hudson, the Zoom finesse worm master from Jasper, Ala., actually broke out of his finesse worm mold today and caught two bass on a spinner bait for 4 pounds even. He is in fourth with a two-day total of 9 pounds, 5 ounces.
“Yeah, I put it down today,” laughed Hudson about his finesse worm habit. “I caught two bass on a spinner bait and I really kind of let up. I felt I had enough to make the cut and I did not want to catch any more of Wesley’s (Strader) fish.”
Hudson said he might not throw the finesse worm tomorrow, either.
“I learned a couple of new things today,” he said. “Wesley showed me a couple of little things that I am going to try tomorrow. But that little worm will still be by my side.”
Chapman in fifth
Terry Chapman of Cornelius, N.C., is in fifth place with 8 pounds even.
“I am throwing those two old faithful back deck lures – a spinner bait and a finesse worm,” he said. “I don’t plan to change anything tomorrow.”
Rest of the best
Finishing out the top 10 co-anglers were Steve Simer of Pardeeville, Wis., in sixth with 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Derek Jones of Chicago, Ill., is in seventh place with 7 pounds even. Jason Abram of Bluff City, Tenn., in eighth with 6 pounds, 11 ounces. Keith Pace of Monticello, Ark., in ninth place with 6 pounds, 9 ounces. And Michael Brown of Rocky Face, Ga., is in 10th with 6 pounds, 8 ounces.
Co-angler champion crowned tomorrow
The co-angler field has been cut to 24 anglers. The final cut was 4 pounds, 4 ounces. The co-anglers start at zero tomorrow for final-day action.
Day-two links:
Photos
Results
Brackets
Tomorrow’s pairings
Press release
`Big guns rebound on James River’
‘Championship Bites: FLW James River, Day 2’