Tennessee angler Adam M. Wagner caught a 17.34-pound stringer Wednesday to take the day-1 lead at the Bassmaster Weekend Series championship at Old Hickory Lake.
His effort was bolstered by a 5.81-pound kicker.
“I’m not a local, but I fish here a lot,” Wagner said. “I know the lake pretty well. I caught everything I weighed by cranking shallow wood. I also had some good bites flipping. If I could win this event and make the Bassmaster Classic, that would be awesome. That’s my goal.”
Marty Giddens bagged 15.85 and held down 2nd, while Jeff Cannon had 15.01 in 3rd. Josh Tramel caught 14.87, including a 5.9-pounder, and sits in 4th. Daniel Johnson had 13.46 to complete the Top 5.
Competition continues through Saturday, with the winner earning a berth in next year's Bassmaster Classic at Lake Guntersville.
