When Harvey Horne received a text message Thursday evening notifying him he would be paired with co-angler Jeff Wallace of West Monroe, La., he knew Friday was going to be a good day at the Arkansas River Bassmaster Central Open.
“We've known each other since kindergarten,” Horne said. “We played football and baseball and other stuff together.”
Horne said he and Wallace “kind of lost touch” when they grew older, and Friday was the first time they had ever fished together. The day went well for Horne, as he caught a 17-07 bag to retain 1st place with a two-day mark of 33-15.
“We absolutely had a ball,” said Horne, who resides in Bella Vista, Ark. “We got to have fun today and from what I've been hearing, a lot of people aren’t having fun. On a day like today when you go have fun catching some great fish and hanging out with a great person like him, it’s a good time.”
The part-time bait shop employee stuck to the game plan that produced a 16-08 limit Thursday. “I went to the same areas and Jeff caught his limit pretty quick,” said Horne, who completed his limit around 10 a.m. “There are still more fish in the area and more are coming to me, so that is what I'm looking forward to tomorrow.”
After two days of sunshine and wind, wet weather is predicted for Saturday’s final round – and Horne said he is unsure how the weather will affect one of his spots. But he has another area he believes should be “pretty solid” because it's protected from the wind and the water is “different” than anywhere else he's fished. He would not divulge how the water was different.
Justin Margraves of Diana, Texas, moved into 2nd place with 31-05 by catching an 18-02 limit Friday. The 35-year-old Lake Fork guide also noticed more bass are moving into his area to spawn.
“I went to the exact same areas and fished the exact same baits as yesterday, but happened to get a couple of better bites today,” he said.
Here are the totals for the 12 anglers who advanced to the final day:
1. Harvey Horne: 33-15
2. Justin Margraves: 31-05
3. David Gillham: 30-09
4. Dustin Reneau: 29-13
5. Derek Hudnall: 29-11
6. Drew Benton: 28-15
7. Greg Vance: 28-00
8. Benjamin Blaschke: 27-14
9. Justin Lucas: 27-12
10. Tyler Rivet: 27-03
11. Brandon Lee: 26-14
12. Frank Talley: 26-10
