Brandon Hunter, an FLW Tour rookie from Benton, Ky., grabbed the initial lead Thursday at the Kentucky Lake Central Rayovac with a 27-09 stringer that left him nearly 2 pounds clear of the remainder of the 179-angler field.
Tour pros dominated the top of the leaderboard, occupying the Top 6 positions. Tied for 6th was longtime local standout Sam Lashlee, who won the FLW Series (tour-level) derby there in 2006.
There were 29 bags weighing at least 20 pounds on opening day. Here's how the early Top 10 stacks up:
1. Brandon Hunter: 27-09
2. Todd Hollowell: 25-11
3. Randy Haynes: 25-01
4. Tom Redington: 24-12
5. Barry Wilson: 24-10
6. (tie): Jason Lambert: 24-06
6. (tie) Sam Lashlee: 24-06
8. (tie) Brent Anderson: 24-02
8. (tie) Michael Wooley: 24-02
10. Phillip Bates: 24-00
