James Watson caught a 13-04 sack on Friday to take of the lead at the FLW Tour Invitational at Norris Lake in Andersonville, Tenn. with a 2-day total of 26-14.
The 7-year FLW Tour veteran is trailed by a contingent of Tennessee and Carolina anglers – Jason Lambert of Pickwick Dam, Tenn. (23-12), Derrick Blake of Rockwood, Tenn. (23-08), Tracy Adams of Wilkesboro, N.C. (22-02) and Wesley Strader of Spring City, Tenn. (21-13), round out the Top 5. Day 1-leader David Williams of Maiden, N.C. (16-13) fell to eighth after weighing just one bass for 1-12.
"I only had two bites a day during practice, but they were the right clues that I needed,” said Watson, who has eight career Top-10 finishes in FLW competition. “Where I am catching them at is very, very specific. I’ve never been so dialed in in my entire life. We’ll have to see what this weather does, though, because it is going to play a big factor.
“I’m catching topwater fish and flipping boat docks,” Watson continued. “I thought the topwater bite would go all day today but it ended quickly when the sun peeked out. I’m fishing in one part of the lake and looking for the right combination of rock."
Here's how the Top 10 stacks up with 1 day remaining:
1. James Watson: 26-14
2. Jason Lambert: 23-12
3. Derrick Blake: 23-08
4. Tracy Adams: 22-02
5. Wesley Strader: 21-13
6. Michael Neal: 19-15
7. Matt Arey: 19-00
8. David Williams: 16-10
9. Eddie Whiten Jr.: 16-10
10. Bill Dunn: 16-08
