The waters of Table Rock Lake were unusually stained today, giving Benjamin Jackson a chance to fish like he does back home. The Oklahoma angler made the most of his opportunity today at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open.
A recent algae bloom has turned Table Rock’s clear waters to a brownish color, which Jackson is familiar with at home on Grand Lake. “It is like Grand Lake East now except there are bigger fish over here,” said Jackson, who amassed a five-fish limit weighing 20-5 to set the pace in the pro division.
Catching big fish in practice got Jackson fired up for the event.
“I caught about an 8 1/2-pounder on my third cast Monday morning, and I have been catching them ever since,” he said. “I have been ready to go since about noon on Monday. I had tremendous anxiety.”
The Monkey Island, Okla., pro caught both shallow and deep fish today.
“I am just covering a ton of water,” he said. “That is the key to it because the fish are so scattered out. I can catch one here and one there, and then it is three hours without a bite. I probably caught only seven or eight keepers, but it was just a tremendous grind. I caught my big one (a 6-pounder) on the last cast I made. “
The biggest bass of the day was weighed in by Cypress, Texas, pro James Kiser, who had a 6-15 largemouth. The fish bolstered his 19-10 limit of largemouth, helping him move into second place.
“I stayed focused on largemouth all through practice, and that is what I am going to key on in the tournament,” said Kiser, who said his fish are holding up on rocks and wood along steep bluff banks.
“I found these fish Sunday and went back and checked them Tuesday in two different places in a creek, and they were still there today.” He caught a limit from his primary area in the morning and then ran to four other spots and landed his big fish at around 1 o’clock.
Rounding out the Top 5 in the pro division were Justin Hurd, Bartlesville, Okla., and Brady Winans, Greenville, Texas, tied for third place with 19-2; and Gary Klein, Weatherford, Texas, fifth, 18-8.
Retired utility company employee Roger Hackman relied on his experience at Table Rock to move into first in the non-boater division with three fish weighing 10-9. The Harrison, Ark., angler has fished numerous tournaments on Table Rock throughout the years, including five Bassmaster Invitationals in the 1990s.
“I had my limit by 9:30 and culled one fish about 10 o’clock,” said Hackman, who caught all of his fish on a crankbait. “Then I backed off because we were on my pro’s waters.”
The other Top 5 non-boaters included David Bourque, Gonzales, La., in second place with 9-15; Lonnie Miller, Broken Arrow, Okla., third, 9-12; Matthew Goddard, Russellville, Ark., fourth, 9-10; and Rick Emmitt, Nixa, Mo., fifth, 9-1.
Hosting this event is the Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Tomorrow’s launch, weigh-in and the final day launch will be held at the Table Rock State Park Marina, 380 State Park Marina Drive. The final day weigh-in will shift to the Branson Landing water fountains next to Bass Pro Shops at 1 Bass Pro Drive.
2012 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2012 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2012 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsor: Boat U.S., BOOYAH, Carhartt, Humminbird, Luck “E” Strike, Minn Kota, Power-Pole
About B.A.S.S.
For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications ? Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times ? comprehensive Bassmaster website and ESPN2 and Outdoor Channel television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series,Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.By: B.A.S.S. News
