High-level tournament fishing is all about adjustments and David Williams made a good one Friday at the Lake Norman Bassmaster Southern Open.
Williams had a limit by 8 a.m. on day 1, but his livewell was empty at 10 o'clock on day 2. He switched tactics and caught six keepers en route to a 13-05 stringer that kept him atop the standings with a 27-06 total.
He weighed four largemouths and a spotted bass on day 2, which was a complete reversal from day 1. The reason for the topsy-turvy fishing was the weather – Thursday’s sunny, calm conditions gave way to clouds, wind and rain on Friday.
“The spots just quit on me,” he said. “ I had to go for largemouth.”
Bassmaster Elite Series angler Andy Montgomery moved up two places to 2nd and trails Williams by 8 ounces. Chad Morgenthaler, another Elite pro, remained in 3rd.
Cliff Pace, who returned to competition in this event after sitting out the Elite Series campaign after incurring a serious leg injury in a fall from a tree stand, advanced to day 3 in 9th place.
Here are the totals for the 12 competitors who'll be back on the water for the final day:
1. David Williams: 27-06
2. Andy Montgomery: 26-14
3. Chad Morgenthaler: 24-11
4. Rich Howes: 23-12
5. Shane Lehew: 23-09
6. Jordan Lee: 22-07
7. Hank Cherry: 22-07
8. Greg Vinson: 22-04
9. Cliff Pace: 22-03
10. Ronald Farrow: 22-00
11. Drew Montgomery: 21-08
12. Shane Lineberger: 21-08
