JASPER, Texas – Pro Jerry Green of Justiceburg caught five bass weighing 14 pounds, 11 ounces to lead the final round of the EverStart Series Central Division event on Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Jasper. Friday and Saturday combined weights will decide who will take home the fully rigged Ranger 519 VX powered by a Yamaha or Evinrude outboard, Minn Kota trolling motor, Garmin electronics and Everstart Batteries plus $10,000 cash. Ranger also awards an additional $10,000 to the winner if he is a qualified Ranger owner.
The rain finally subsided Friday, and following the cold front, bluebird skies appeared. Unfortunately, the bite was much tougher Friday, as only three limits were caught between the 10 pro anglers and 10 co-anglers, and weights were down significantly from the previous two days.
“It was pretty slow out there today,” Green said. “I had six bites all day, and one of those was a short fish, so I only had the five keepers that I weighed today.” He was throwing a spinnerbait and caught all of his bass in one small area. “I have three more areas that I’m going to try Saturday.”
Rounding out the top-five pros are David Curtis of Trinity (five bass, 13 pounds, 5 ounces); Kevin Lasyone of Dry Prong, La. (four bass, 9 pounds, 12 ounces); Castrol Pro Darrel Robertson (three bass, 8 pounds, 4 ounces); and William M. Davis of Russellville, Ala. (four bass, 6 pounds, 10 ounces).
Ernie Hillebrandt of Sam Rayburn caught four bass weighing 11 pounds, 4 ounces to lead the Co-angler Division.
“Well, it wasn’t nearly as good as it was yesterday,” Hillebrandt said. “High pressure really affected everyone’s bite today.” He caught his fish flipping shallow cover and also casting a wacky worm around flooded bushes.
Rounding out the top-five co-anglers are Bobby Lebert of Brookeland (five bass, 10 pounds, 8 ounces); Randy Coffman of Corydon, Ind. (two bass, 7 pounds, 8 ounces); Danny Easley of Clay, Ky. (one bass, 5 pounds, 1 ounce); and Gilbert Herald of Pittsburgh (two bass, 3 pounds, 15 ounces).
Anglers caught 49 bass Friday weighing 125 pounds, 7 ounces.
EverStart Series tournaments are four-day events consisting of two rounds. The entire field competes Wednesday and Thursday, and the top 10 pros and co-anglers – based on two-day accumulated weights – advance to the final round. Anglers start at zero Friday, and pro and co-angler winners are determined Saturday based on two-day accumulated weights.