Alabama's Shaye Baker caught a 19-06 sack on day 2 of the Bassmaster Wild Card to build a 6-pound lead going into the final day at Florida's Lake Okeechobee. The winner will garner the final berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
Only four anglers will start the final day within 10 pounds of Baker's 48-14 total. Chad Morgenthaler is 2nd with 43-01, followed by Jesse Tacoronte with 39-15 and Russ Lane with 39-06.
The anglers tell much the same story so far. All of the contenders seem to be pitching, flipping and punching thickly matted vegetation on the west side of the lake.
“My main area was beat to shreds,” Baker said. “There were about 10 other boats in there today, including several of the anglers in the Top 10. I mostly stayed put so I could guard my best patch of hyacinths. I plan to start there tomorrow.”
Morgenthaler described the fishing on Day 2 as “a grind.”
“I had to move out from my main area from the first day and worked really hard for my fish,” he said. “I think there’s a pile of bass in my area, but they’re not being very cooperative.”
Here are the totals for the 12 anglers who'll return to the water on Saturday:
1. Shaye Baker: 48-14
2. Chad Morgenthale: 43-01
3. Jesse Tacoronte: 39-15
4. Russ Lane: 39-06
5. Gary Clouse: 36-08
6. Jeff Kriet: 36-07
7. Greg Hackney: 36-06
8. Derek Remitz: 35-09
9. Arnie Lane: 35-05
10. Keith Poche: 34-10
11. Drew Benton: 30-12
12. Cliff Prince: 30-07
