When Harvey Horne received a text message Thursday evening notifying him he would be paired with co-angler Jeff Wallace of West Monroe, La., he knew Friday was going to be a good day at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on the Arkansas River.
“We have known each other since kindergarten,” Horne said. “We played football and baseball and other stuff together.”
Horne said he and Wallace “kind of lost touch” when they grew older, and Friday was the first time they had ever fished together. The day went well for Horne, as he caught a 17-pound, 7-ounce limit to retain first place in the pro division with a two-day mark of 33-15.
“We absolutely had a ball,” said Horne, who resides in Bella Vista, Ark. “We got to have fun today and from what I have been hearing, a lot of people aren’t having fun. On a day like today when you go have fun catching some great fish and hanging out with a great person like him, it’s a good time.”
The part-time bait shop employee stuck to the game plan that produced a 16-8 limit Thursday. “I went to the same areas and Jeff caught his limit pretty quick,” said Horne, who completed his limit around 10 a.m. “There are still more fish in the area and more are coming to me, so that is what I am looking forward to tomorrow.”
Horne noticed there were fewer boats in his area Friday. “I am in really good shape as far as that goes,” he said. “I just have to stick with it and catch five big ones tomorrow.”
After two days of sunshine and wind, wet weather is predicted for Saturday’s final round — and Horne said he is unsure how the weather will affect one of his spots. But he has another area he believes should be “pretty solid” because it is protected from the wind and the water is “different” than anywhere else he has fished. He would not divulge how the water was different.
Justin Margraves of Diana, Texas, moved into second place in the pro division with 31-5 by catching an 18-2 limit Friday. The 35-year-old Lake Fork guide also noticed more bass are moving into his area to spawn.
“I went to the exact same areas and fished the exact same baits as yesterday, but happened to get a couple of better bites today,” he said.
Margraves said he is running about 80 miles round-trip each day. “I am fortunate I’ve only got a couple of guys around me, and I am fishing a big area,” he said.
David Gillham of Heath, Texas, is in third place in the pro division with 30-9, followed by Dustin Reneau, of Mckinney, Texas with 29-13 and Derek Hudnall of Baton Rouge, La, with 29-11.
Texas angler Joe Lee caught a three-bass limit weighing to 7-6 to take over the lead in the co-angler division with a two-day total of 17-7. The 54-year-old industrial water purification salesman has been fishing a favorite technique both days. “I love flipping and we flipped a lot the last two days,” he said. “That is how I caught most of my fish.”
Hudnall has taken over the lead in the pro division for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award with a 6-3 largemouth. The leader in the co-angler division is Colton Wood of Panhandle, Texas, with a 5-9 largemouth.
The Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event. Saturday’s launch will be held at Three Forks Harbor at 5201 Three Forks Road. The weigh-in will move to the Bass Pro Shops, 101 Bass Pro Drive, in Broken Arrow and will begin at 3:30 p.m. CT.
2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Yamaha, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats
2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: T-H Marine, Carhartt, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
By: JamieDay Matthews
