Kevin Short, seeking his third career Bassmaster Classic berth and first since 2010, grabbed the early lead at the Fort Gibson Lake Central Bassmaster Open today with a 16-11 bag that put him a pound clear of the field.
“I’m working the fish-my-butt-off pattern,” he said. “I fished about five different areas and caught seven or eight bass – all keepers – but I had to work for every bite.”
Short won last year's Central finale at Table Rock, but couldn't claim the accompanying Classic slot because he hadn't fished the two previous events on the circuit. That's not the case in 2012, as he competed at both Table Rock and Lewisville earlier this year.
The 153 anglers were confronted by tough conditions – air temperatures that exceeded 100 degrees and water temps in the 90s. Twenty-three competitors failed to catch a keeper.
Texan Scott Dean sacked 15-11 to claim the No. 2 spot. Wayne Diffee of Oklahoma was the only other angler to top the 15-pound mark – his 15-05 stringer left him in 3rd.
Elite Series Angler of the Year Brent Chapman put himself in position for a run at an unheard-of fourth qualification for next year's Classic at Oklahoma's Grand Lake as his 14-06 stringer was good for a tie for 5th place.
Here are the totals for the current Top 10:
1. Kevin Short: 16-11
2. Scott Dean: 15-11
3. Wayne Diffee: 15-05
4. Gerald Brown: 14-14
5. (tie) Nathan Kawlewski: 14-06
5. (tie) Brent Chapman: 14-06
7. Bradley Hallman: 14-03
8. James Elam: 14-03
9. Jason Christie: 14-00
10. Seth Feider: 13-15
