T-Roy Broussard hunts alligators for a living.
T-Roy Broussard hunts alligators for a living.
On Saturday, he’ll hunt for an even more elusive prize — a berth in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Broussard, who lives 30 minutes away in Port Arthur, Texas, maintained his lead on Friday at the Bass Pro Shops Central Open No. 2 on the Sabine River. Broussard weighed a limit of 11 pounds, 1 ounce, and coupled with his big bag of 15 pounds from Thursday, he now has a two-day total of 26-1. While that’s less than a 1 1/2-pound advantage on his closest competitor, it’s a decent margin given the low weights presented through two days of fishing.
Broussard, who stars on the History Channel television show “Swamp People,” said he’ll swing for the fences if he has to on the final day of the Central Open. He’s knows a chance to fish in the 2018 Classic next March on Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, is on the line.
“I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing,” Broussard said. “I’ve got confidence in the places I’ve been going, but I’ve got another place I haven’t been to yet where I think I can catch some big bass. I’m going to go out there and knock them out.”
For the second consecutive day, Broussard said he narrowly missed at least one sizable bass that would have pushed his weight considerably higher.
“I lost a 2- and 4-pounder in the same spot I caught the 5-pounder yesterday,” he said. “There are some good bass in there, and I have to go get them. I can’t sit back and wait for someone to catch me. I’ve got to go out and win it.”
Broussard already did get a win — he won the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award of $250 for being in first place after Friday. Now he’ll aim for a much bigger prize on the final day of competition.
Light bags were the norm again on the second day of the Central Open, but there may be relief for the 12 surviving pros and the dozen co-anglers who made the cut. Many anglers reported that the water level dropped on Sabine much of Friday, which means that areas upriver (which have been largely unfishable because the river has spilled its banks north of Orange) could come into play on Saturday. And just about every angler has said the key to good bites, regardless of where they are fishing this week, is moving water.
If the weights do get heavier on Saturday, it could be a wild finish. The Top 12 pros are separated by just more than 5 pounds, so one chunky bass in the livewell could shake up the leaderboard in a hurry.
Carl Svebek III of Orange, Texas, is hot on Broussard’s heels with a two-day total of 24-9. He weighed a limit of 12-14 on Friday, including a pair of 4-pounders. Svebek, who only began fishing again competitively last year after being out of the sport since 2010, said he’d like nothing more than to do well again in front of a hometown crowd.
“I’ve fished a lot of tournaments,” Svebek said. “I feel like this is my second chance. I’ve had a lot of hardships, but I’ve bounced back. If you would have told me eight years ago I would have be fishing a Bassmaster Open with a chance to win this thing and fish in the Classic, I’d say you were crazy. So I have just to go out and do my best. I’m excited about my chances.”
Randy Sullivan of Breckenridge, Texas, moved into third place on Friday by virtue of a limit that weighed 13-3, which gave him a two-day total of 24-2. Sullivan said Sabine fished much better for him on Day 2, given the falling water throughout the system.
“It’s definitely fishing better and better out there where I am,” Sullivan said. “The water is dropping, and it’s giving me more of an opportunity. I left my spots alone after a while, and went looking for a big one in community water.”
Sullivan said one of his primary areas holds both clean and dirty water, which shows how fickle Sabine has been this week.
“In one spot I’m doing one thing and literally two feet away, I’m doing something else,” he said. “It’s two completely different presentations. It’s wild.”
Mark Powers of Platteville, Colorado, leads the co-angler field with a two-day total of 14-4. Co-anglers have a three-bass limit each day.
Only the Top 12 pro anglers and Top 12 co-anglers will compete on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open No. 2 beginning with takeoff at 6 a.m. CT from the Orange Boat Ramp. A drive-through weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. The Orange River Festival also is taking place at the park adjacent to the boat ramp on Saturday with food vendors, Midway rides, games, informational and sponsor booths, and live music.
The event is hosted by the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce.
2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Shell Rotella, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Power-Pole
2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Shimano, T-H Marine, Advance Auto Parts
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 website, television show (The Bassmasters), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 45 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, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
By: JamieDay Matthews
