Strader Striding, Kenney Gaining Steam

Midday Update: Slow morning for Kenney puts his lead at risk as Strader lands 9-pounder

Wesley, Wesley, Wesley.

If anyone is going to catch JT Kenney and overtake his 12-pound, 8-ounce lead, it appears as if Wesley Strader is the man to do it.

He lit up the leaderboard and FLW’s On The Water feed yesterday when he caught more than 21 pounds in one short midday flurry. Now he’s doing it again on day four. Strader has a 9-pounder in the boat and a limit estimated at more than 20 pounds. Most of that limit was in the boat by about 9:30, leaving him plenty of time to upgrade.

At the time this story was written, Kenney had a small limit in his livewell. But assuming Kenney will bring in no less than 12 pounds by day’s end, Wesley needs to catch at least 25 pounds to have a long shot and more like 28 pounds to truly scare the leader.

If Kenney can catch one good kicker, it’s all but over. Shortly before lunchtime, he reported to FLW’s OTW crew that his “window” was opening in the Lake Toho sunshine. If he’s right, and Kenney’s bite picks up this afternoon, he’ll have a wire-to-wire victory.

Moving baits are working for many pros today. The bite around the Toho lock was hot for Scott Canterbury in the morning. Randy Blaukat, who’s been catching fish on crankbaits, has also put together a solid 14-plus-pound limit this morning.

The rest of the field is catching fish, though few have surpassed the 11- to 12-pound range. It really looks like this afternoon will be a battle between Kenney and Strader.

Who will win? Stay tuned to the FLW OTW feed for updates, and then tune in to the FLW Live weigh-in show at 4 p.m. ET.