A highly specific presentation plus one key bite gave Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., the Day 1 lead at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Lake Fork with 29 pounds, 4 ounces.
Spending his day in the mid- to lower-lake region, Clunn targeted docks with an Ichikawa Rick Clunn RC King Kong Shad 10 squarebill. He found one particular structure most productive and relied on a specific undisclosed presentation.
“I fished several docks, but I caught all but one of my (limit fish) off of one dock,” Clunn said. “I found this dock in practice and it had a lot of fish holding in front of it. Today, I pulled up there and I did not see those fish, but I guess they were there.
“You can throw at that dock all day and if you’re not doing it exactly right, you’re not going to catch them,” he said. “I can fish behind three other boats and if they’re not doing (what I’m doing), I’m going to catch fish.”
Midday delivered an unexpected opportunity that propelled Clunn into the lead. Moving to another spot, he passed a round, sandy point that looked appealing enough to merit a few casts with a different reaction bait. One of them tempted an 8-9 largemouth, which stands as the day’s second-largest fish.
“I caught that big one trying to find other places,” Clunn said. “That was just one of those gift fish. I don’t even know where he came from and I couldn’t duplicate the cast.
“In practice, I was catching a few fish late in the day off of stuff like that. Most of the fish I caught, I caught them where I was expecting to catch them. But I didn’t expect to catch that one.”
Noting that Fork’s tremendous number of quality fish justifies its trophy lake reputation, Clunn said he caught about 15 keepers today, but his three big bites (8-9, 6-6 and a 5-9) were the difference-makers.
“This lake is so full of fish, you’re fishing over a thousand to catch one,” he said. “The key here is you have to get those two key bites to get you up over that 20-pound mark.”
Clunn said he plans on fishing a similar game plan on Day 2. He’s confident he’s around plenty of fish, but he said today’s bag was surprising.
“I didn’t expect to catch 29 pounds,” Clunn said. “The thing about the fall is that fish are finicky. But I’m doing something I like to do. This is Act I of a four-act play. Tomorrow’s Act II, so we’ll see what happens.”
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., is in second place with 25-14. Fishing main-lake standing timber in about 20 feet, Walters described his area as fairly obvious. The key, he said, is finding the fish in the right depths for feeding.
“When they’re shallower than 10 and they’re not sitting in 20, or they’re not on the bottom, you can catch them,” Walters said. “There are fish on every inch of this lake, but when you find them in the right position, you can catch them.
“You want to find the bait, but there are certain pieces of structure and when you find it, it is usually the recipe for a good time.”
Walters said he caught his fish on a variety of baits including a big spinnerbait, a jerkbait, crankbait, dropshot and a big Texas-rigged worm.
Seth Feider of New Market, Minn., is in third place with 23-4. He caught his two best fish — a 9-9 and a 5-2 — on a Rapala OG flat-sided crankbait fished over a long, flat point in 4 to 6 feet of water.
“I started on a point where I’d caught three keepers in 18 feet of water in practice,” Feider said. “I wasn’t catching anything, but it was cloudy so I kept sliding up that point and caught those two in shallow water.”
Feider filled out his limit by throwing a 1/2-ounce Z-Man JackHammer ChatterBait with a Z-Man Razor ShadZ trailer.
Feider is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 9-9.
Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, leads the Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year standings with 690 points, while David Mullins of Mt. Carmel, Tenn., follows in second with 681. Minnesota pro Austin Felix is in third with 677, Walters is fourth with 688 and Brock Mosley of Collinsville, Miss., is fifth with 667.
Felix leads the Rookie of the Year standings.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:40 a.m. CT at Sabine River Authority (SRA) — Lake Fork. The weigh-in will be held back at the SRA — Lake Fork at 3 p.m.
Live coverage of the event will start at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster.com and ESPN3.
The tournament is being hosted by the Sabine River Authority and Wood County Economic Development Commission.
2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Yamaha
2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Carhartt, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Mossy Oak Fishing, Rapala
2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Conservation Partners: AFTCO, Huk
2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest Local Hosts: Sabine River Authority, Wood County Economic Development Commission
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 515,000-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 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 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, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.
2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks & Wildlife Department 11/5-11/8
Lake Fork, Emory TX.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 29-04 100
Day 1: 5 29-04
2. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 25-14 99
Day 1: 5 25-14
3. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 23-04 98
Day 1: 5 23-04
4. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 22-09 97
Day 1: 5 22-09
5. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 21-13 96
Day 1: 5 21-13
6. John Cox Debary, FL 5 20-14 95
Day 1: 5 20-14
7. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 20-03 94
Day 1: 5 20-03
8. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 20-01 93
Day 1: 5 20-01
9. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 19-13 92
Day 1: 5 19-13
10. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 19-08 91
Day 1: 5 19-08
11. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 5 19-02 90
Day 1: 5 19-02
12. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 17-15 89
Day 1: 5 17-15
13. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 17-11 88
Day 1: 5 17-11
14. Rob Digh Denver, NC 5 17-05 87
Day 1: 5 17-05
14. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 17-05 87
Day 1: 5 17-05
16. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 17-04 85
Day 1: 5 17-04
17. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 17-02 84
Day 1: 5 17-02
18. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 16-11 83
Day 1: 5 16-11
19. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 16-03 82
Day 1: 5 16-03
20. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 16-00 81
Day 1: 5 16-00
21. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 5 15-13 80
Day 1: 5 15-13
22. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 15-09 79
Day 1: 5 15-09
23. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 15-08 78
Day 1: 5 15-08
24. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 15-03 77
Day 1: 5 15-03
25. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 14-14 76
Day 1: 5 14-14
25. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 14-14 76
Day 1: 5 14-14
27. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 5 14-13 74
Day 1: 5 14-13
28. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 14-00 73
Day 1: 5 14-00
29. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 13-10 72
Day 1: 5 13-10
29. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 13-10 72
Day 1: 5 13-10
31. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 13-07 70
Day 1: 5 13-07
32. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 5 13-01 69
Day 1: 5 13-01
33. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 12-11 68
Day 1: 5 12-11
33. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 5 12-11 68
Day 1: 5 12-11
35. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 12-05 66
Day 1: 5 12-05
36. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 5 12-04 65
Day 1: 5 12-04
37. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 12-03 64
Day 1: 5 12-03
38. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 5 11-08 63
Day 1: 5 11-08
39. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 11-07 62
Day 1: 5 11-07
40. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 4 10-12 61
Day 1: 4 10-12
41. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 10-11 60
Day 1: 5 10-11
42. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 10-09 59
Day 1: 5 10-09
43. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 3 10-06 58
Day 1: 3 10-06
44. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 4 10-05 57
Day 1: 4 10-05
45. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 5 10-04 56
Day 1: 5 10-04
46. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 5 09-11 55
Day 1: 5 09-11
47. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 09-09 54
Day 1: 5 09-09
48. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 4 09-08 53
Day 1: 4 09-08
49. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 09-04 52
Day 1: 5 09-04
50. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 4 09-01 51
Day 1: 4 09-01
51. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 3 09-01 50
Day 1: 3 09-01
52. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 3 08-13 49
Day 1: 3 08-13
53. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 08-12 48
Day 1: 5 08-12
54. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 4 08-12 47
Day 1: 4 08-12
55. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 1 08-12 46
Day 1: 1 08-12
56. David Fritts Lexington, NC 2 08-03 45
Day 1: 2 08-03
57. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 4 08-01 44
Day 1: 4 08-01
58. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 2 08-00 43
Day 1: 2 08-00
59. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 4 07-15 42
Day 1: 4 07-15
60. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 2 07-13 41
Day 1: 2 07-13
61. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 2 07-05 40
Day 1: 2 07-05
62. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 2 07-01 39
Day 1: 2 07-01
63. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 4 06-12 38
Day 1: 4 06-12
64. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 3 06-11 37
Day 1: 3 06-11
65. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 3 06-10 36
Day 1: 3 06-10
66. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 2 06-09 35
Day 1: 2 06-09
67. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 3 06-05 34
Day 1: 3 06-05
68. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 2 06-04 33
Day 1: 2 06-04
69. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 2 05-09 32
Day 1: 2 05-09
70. Frank Talley Temple, TX 2 05-02 31
Day 1: 2 05-02
71. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 2 04-10 30
Day 1: 2 04-10
72. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 3 04-09 29
Day 1: 3 04-09
73. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 2 04-09 28
Day 1: 2 04-09
74. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 2 04-07 27
Day 1: 2 04-07
75. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 2 04-05 26
Day 1: 2 04-05
76. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 2 03-10 25
Day 1: 2 03-10
77. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 2 03-09 24
Day 1: 2 03-09
78. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 2 03-06 23
Day 1: 2 03-06
79. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 2 03-01 22
Day 1: 2 03-01
80. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 1 01-15 21
Day 1: 1 01-15
81. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 1 01-12 20
Day 1: 1 01-12
82. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 1 01-09 19
Day 1: 1 01-09
83. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 1 01-06 18
Day 1: 1 01-06
84. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 1 01-03 17
Day 1: 1 01-03
85. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Seth Feider New Market, MN 09-09 $1,000.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 46 323 957-09
———————————-
46 323 957-09
By: Emily Harley, B.A.S.S. Communications Manager,, B.A.S.S.
