Jason Abram stayed atop the standings on day 3 of the Lake Martin FLW Pro Circuit in Alabama as he caught a 12-06 sack to push his total to 41-06.
Abram will start the final round with a 2 1/2-pound advantage over 2nd-place Ron Nelson (38-14), the 2019 FLW Rookie of the Year and current Angler of the Year points leader. Also in contention for the win in 3rd-place is Matt Becker (38-02) All three are seeking their first career FLW pro-level victory.
“This is a dream come true,” said Abram about leading the event heading into the final day of competition. “I set out however many years ago with the goal to win one of these, and I’ve finally got a really good shot at this one. I feel a little nervous – almost like pre-game jitters. Tomorrow is going to be a really fun day.”
Abram's day-3 stringer consisted of two spotted bass and three largemouths.
“I’m starting off every morning throwing a Skinny Dipper and just covering water, trying to catch five spotted bass,” Abram said. “Yesterday I got lucky and caught a big one, and today I had another one hooked up but it pulled off on me.
“I’m just waiting on the sun and heat to come up, then I’m chasing largemouth in the very backs of creeks with a Flirt Worm. I’m catching tons of spots but only getting around 5 or 6 largemouth bites each day.”
Abram said that he is 100-percent committed to his pattern and plans to roll with it all the way through the final day.
“I’m not around big-enough spotted bass to win this thing, so my game plan is not going to change tomorrow. I’m going to throw the Skinny Dipper early, then once it warms up I’ll switch to the Flirt Worm and try to put some big ones in the boat. I think 12 1/2 to 14 pounds is the mark – if I can catch that, I think I can put this one away.”
Here are the totals for the anglers who'll compete on the final day:
1. Jason Abram: 41-06
2. Ron Nelson: 38-14
3. Matt Becker: 38-02
4. Spencer Shuffield: 37-10
5. Derrick Snavely: 37-02
6. Jordan Osborne: 37-02
8. Greg Bohannan: 36-13
9. Laramy Strickland: 36-09
10. Kerry Milner: 36-05
