Bassmaster Elite Series pros Mike McClelland and Kevin Short set the early pace at the Ross Barnett Reservoir Bassmaster Central Open out of Ridgeland, Miss. with bags weighing 23-05 and 22-06, respectively.
“My first five bass weighed only 5 pounds,” said McClelland, who won a Mississippi Invitational at Ross Barnett 19 years ago. “The bigger fish bit better later in the day. Ross Barnett matches up well with the way I like to fish this time of year."
Short's bag included an 8-pound bruiser.
“I got a lot of bites on practice Wednesday, but I didn’t know how big they were,” Short said. “I was fishing without a hook.”
Oklahoman Jay Brainard, competing in his first Open, was 3rd with 22-01.
Here's a look at the day-1 Top 12:
1. Mike McClelland: 23-05
2. Kevin Short: 22-06
3. Jay Brainard: 22-01
4. Brett Preuett: 18-06
5. Jason Christie: 17-08
6. Keith Shelton: 17-06
7. Travis Loyd: 16-14
8. Chris Jones: 16-09
9. Jason Cordell: 16-06
10. Matthew Delaney: 16-04
11. Jon Englund: 15-11
12. Brock Mosley 15-10
