Triple tangle on day three

Shallow-water patterns leave three pros tied up at 15-10 in Stren Northeast

HENDERSON, N.C. – There was a three-way tangle for first place at the Stren Series Northeast Division event on Kerr Lake Friday, as three different pros weighed in the popular weight of 15 pounds, 10 ounces.

All three pros fished similar shallow-water patterns to amass their catches, furthering the notion that the shallow bite is outperforming the renowned deep-water bite on Kerr Lake this week.

Top anglers reported that a large amount of baitfish are still balled up in the shallows, especially in dark, shady areas, which seems to be keeping the better quality bass shallow.

After the tiebreakers were applied (decided by order of semifinal qualification), Tim McDonald of Hagerhill, Ky., is technically the leader – for now. Saturday’s final round should prove interesting, as each of these anglers will look to separate themselves from the quagmire.

McDonald is continuing to work a dock pattern on several sets of docks throughout the lake. Though he is hesitant to say exactly what lure he is fishing, he did note that each presentation is superslow, and extreme patience is required.

“The five fish I weighed in today were the first five fish I caught this morning,” McDonald said. “I did try out deep for a few minutes this afternoon and can probably catch 8 to 10 pounds on a Carolina rig, but the quality fish for me are definitely coming shallow.”

Powroznik continues hot streak

After making two top-10s in the Wal-Mart FLW Series, Jacob Powroznik of Prince George, Va., has made yet another top-10 cut in FLW Outdoors competition. After the tiebreaker, he sits in second place.

Like other leaders, Powroznik is fishing shallow. His most productive baits have been a big Pop-R, a baby Pop-R and a Zoom Trick Worm, fished on an All-Terrain Tackle jighead.

“The topwater bite really got going this afternoon,” Powroznik said. “I probably caught 15 keepers. At times I could see wolf packs of bass – three or four of them together -cruising down the bank hunting down pods of shad. It’s a pretty awesome sight.”

Evans moves to third

Since Larry Evans of Southpoint, Ohio, qualified in the 20th slot, the lowest, for the semifinal round, he ended up at the bottom of the three-way-tie pile for third, his best position of the week.

Like Powroznik, Evans reported seeing “wolf packs” of bass cruising the shallows.

“I’m mainly catching fish off stumps,” he said. “But every now and then, I’ll look up ahead of me and see a group of bass swimming up shallow. They’re hard to catch like that, but if you lead them with just the right cast before they see you, they will bite.”

Tindall continues seining mid-depths for fourth

Curt Tindall of Brandon, Vt., continued fishing the Nutbush Creek area to amass 13 pounds, 13 ounces for fourth.

“I haven’t changed anything,” Tindall said. “I’m still fishing the same places in 4 to 12 feet of water that I’ve fished all week. My fish do seem to be replenishing, as I’m catching fish off the same underwater cover day after day. I ended up with seven keepers today, but I just never got the big bite I’ve been getting each day.”

Auten also shallow for fifth

Todd Auten of Lake Wylie, S.C., is in fifth place with 13 pounds, 10 ounces.

“I’m just doing classic shallow-water power-fishing,” Auten said. “I’m going down the bank with a topwater and a jig, throwing at any shady or dark spots where the baitfish are gathered up.”

“I’ve tried fishing out deep, but all I catch is catfish,” he laughed. “So I’m covering as much water as possible to make the shallow bite work.”

Rest of the best

Rounding out the top 10 pros, who will fish the final day in the Stren Series Northeast event on Kerr Lake:

6th: Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, S.C., 13-6

7th: Cavin Young of Prince George, Va., 12-10

8th: Keith Monson of Burgin, Ky., 12-9

9th: Ray Griffin of Henderson, N.C., 11-10

10th: Ryan Park of Elizabeth Town, Pa., 11-0

Lineberry leads co-anglers

Greg Lineberry of Galax, Va., leads the Co-angler Division of the Stren Series event with four bass for 8 pounds, 13 ounces.

“I’ve been fortunate this week,” Lineberry said. “All my draws have suited my fishing style. I’ve pretty much been able to cast all around the boat and fish the way I like.”

Today Lineberry shared a boat with pro Chris Baumgardner and fished a Shaky Head finesse worm and a Carolina rig.

“Even when he was fishing right up on the bank, I’d cast out the other side of the boat into the middle of the pocket and get bit,” he added.

High five

Marc Wagy of Dewitt, Va., is in second with four bass for 8 pounds, 7 ounces. Wagy dragged a 1/4-ounce jig behind pro Tracy Watkins to catch his bass.

Michael McMahon of Hackettstown, N.J., holds down third by sacking four bass on a Senko for 8 pounds, 3 ounces.

Gary Cossaboom of Winchester, Ontario, is in fourth with 7 pounds, 13 ounces.

Gary Love of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., is in fifth with 6 pounds, 15 ounces.

Rest of the best

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers who will fish the final day in the Stren Series Northeast event on Kerr Lake:

6th: Daniel Peterman of Hollidaysburg, Pa., 6-11

7th: Tim Privette of Wendell, N.C., 6-6

8th: Tim Elliot of Kenbridge, Va., 6-2

9th: Jay Garrard of Durham, N.C., 5-12

10: Moo Bae of West Friendship, Md., 5-5

The fourth and final tournament day begins Saturday at 6 a.m. at Satterwhite Point Marina.