Mark Tyler's strategy of relying on past history and “winging it” is giving the former Bassmaster Elite Series pro an edge at the Central Open finale on the Arkansas River out of Muskogee, Okla. Tyler, a resident of nearby Vian, caught a 14-12 bag on Friday to take over the lead with a 2-day total of 30-05.
Tyler said he's been so busy with his cattle ranch this year that he hasn’t been able to fish the river much, so he had to rely on his extensive experience on his home waters.
“Over the past 5 years, I have probably spent a hundred days a year on the river,” said the 41-year-old, who estimated he spent only about 6 hours practicing for this event. “I'm just fishing in the moment and reading the conditions and not tying myself down to a bank where I got bit in practice or anything. I'm just reacting and I think it's really helping me.”
A cold front and north wind has caused him to make changes both days. “I’ve just been flying by the seat of my pants from the first day,” he said. “I am just going where the conditions seem right, where the water clarity is right and where I can make a presentation the way I want.”
Vu Au of Tucson, Ariz. has never fished the river before, but he's found one primary area that's produced 30-04 and he trails Tyler by just 1 ounce. The 32-year-old auto repair shop owner said he missed a couple of quality fish on day 1, but made up for the lost opportunities today with a 17-15 sack.
“I had to mix it up a bit,” he said. “I don’t know what it was today, but they didn’t eat the same thing they ate yesterday.”
The field was cut to the Top 12 after Friday's weigh-in. Rounding out the Top 5 were Elite Series veterans Gary Klein and Tommy Biffle, along with Oklahoman Brian Potter.
Here are the totals for the 12 anglers who'll compete on the final day:
1. Mark Tyler: 30-05
2. Vu Au: 30-04
3. Gary Klein: 29-13
4. Tommy Biffle: 28-00
5. Brian Potter: 27-01
6. Kenta Kimura: 26-15
7. Rick Clunn: 25-06
8. Jordan Lee: 25-02
9. Scott Barnett: 25-01
10. Mark Goines: 24-15
11. Justin Margraves: 24-11
12. Gary Clouse: 24-03
