Tommy Biffle used a jet-driven aluminum boat to access shallow creeks on day 1 of the Arkansas River Bassmaster Central Open out of Muskogee, Okla. and caught an 18-12 sack to grab the early lead.
“I had to go through some nasty areas with only 6 or 7 inches of water and hard rock bottom,” he said. “The fish in the river system have been beat up in practice the last week or so, so I thought I’d take my aluminum boat and get to where the other anglers can’t get and take my chances. I think I’ve got enough fish for 3 days."
Because Biffle did not compete in the first Central event at Lake Lewisville last February, he's ineligible to claim the Classic berth that goes to the winner. Such is not the case with Janet Parker, the 6th-place finisher at Lewisville who's in 2nd after today with 15-02.
Parker, who attended high school in Muskogee and now resides in Little Elm, Texas, is attempting to become the first female to qualify for the Classic via a route other than the now-defunct Women's Bassmaster Tour. She's also put herself in prime position to become the first woman to ever qualify to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series (the Top 5 in the points after the circuit's third event receive automatic invites and B.A.S.S. may call farther down the list to fill available Elite berths).
Parker is also fishing out of a jet-driven aluminum rig.
“I ran into an area that’s inaccessible to regular outboard motors, caught eight fish and five were keepers,” she said. “It was not an easy day – the river is fishing real tough. Everything is shallow right now and the big fish are eating on top.”
Here's a look at the Top 10:
1. Tommy Bifle -- 5, 18-12
2. Janet Parker -- 5, 15-02
3. DeWayne French -- 5, 14-13
4. Mark Smith -- 5, 14-05
5. Lendell Martin -- 4, 12-13
6. Rick Clunn -- 5, 12-11
7. Shane Williams -- 5, 12-08
8. Ryan Lovelace -- 5, 11-14
9. Tommy Martin -- 5, 11-13
10. Chris Ford -- 5, 11-12
