By Dan O'Sullivan
Following the cancellation of the first scheduled day of the 2018 WON Bass U.S. Open due to extreme winds, Jason Borofka battled the post-frontal conditions to post a 13.84-pound limit to grab the lead on the initial day of competition.
He is followed in 2nd place by Bub Tosh with 13.20 pounds, and 3rd-place by FLW Tour pro Kurt Dove with 12.85 pounds.
Borofka said he made a 40-minute run and fished a few key areas to get his limit, and left fish biting at mid-day.
“I made the long run, which took a little longer than usual because of the wind, and caught 25 to 30 fish, finishing our final limit by 11 o'clock this morning,” he said. “I have four rods on my deck, and when I get to grass, I pick one up/ When I get rock, I pick up a different one; it was a good day, and I feel pretty good about tomorrow.”
Tosh said that he had a pair of lost fish that cost him, but that he really enjoyed the day.
“I made a long run and lost a couple of big ones, so I had to regroup, but it worked out,” he said. “I really covered a lot of water, fished far and close, and junk-fished with several baits. My partner caught a big one and was really excited, and that is what this is all about. I’m happy to be here and we’ll see what tomorrow holds.”
Dove, from Del Rio, Texas, is fishing his second U.S. Open and is excited to be where he is.
“I had to scramble a little to catch ‘em, but that’s the name of this game,” he said. “I feel good about what I did today and am looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow.”
The final day of the weather=shortened event will occur tomorrow, and the pro winner will receive the keys to a 2018 Bass Cat Puma FTD powered by a Mercury Pro XS 250 outboard.
Here's how the top 10 stacks up:
1. Jason Borofka: 13.84
2. Bub Tosh: 13.84
3. Kurt Dove: 12.85
4. Matt Stefan: 12.75
5. Kona Borja: 12.44
6. Chase Colby: 12.24
7. Randy Blaukat: 11.84
8. Chris Bozarth: 11.74
9. Bill Brown: 11.61
10. Ricky Shabazz: 11.47
