By MLF Communications Staff
Matt Becker padded his lead at the Lake Murray FLW Pro Circuit in South Carolina on Saturday, bringing a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 17-08 to remain in control of the leaderboard after day 3. Becker’s three-day total of 15 bass for 58-10 gives him a 7-04 cushion heading into the fourth and final day of competition.
Derrick Snavely held on to 2nd place with four bass weighing 13 pounds even for a three-day total of 51-06. Rookie Tai Au jumped from 24th place into 9th with a 17-11 stringer, while Cody Huff made the biggest leap from 39th place, barely squeezing into the 10th spot by a mere ounce.
With a substantial lead, Becker is set up nicely for the final round and with the current weather forecast, it seems the sun – and his herring-spawn streak – will continue to shine. However, with a stacked field in the Top 10, Becker said he is hedging his excitement and focused on hard fishing on day 4.
“It doesn’t really matter to be in the lead now,” said Becker. “Some of the best fishermen in the world are right behind me – [Anthony] Gagliardi, the hottest fisherman in the world right now Michael Neal – those are some real hammers and they’re right behind me.”
Despite the weather change and rainy conditions Saturday, the 2018 Pro Circuit Rookie of the Year continued his risk vs. reward pattern, hitting the edges of points in hopes of finding schooling fish – a pattern that once again kept him at the front of the pack.
“I caught a lot more small fish today, and didn’t catch as many (keepers),” said Becker. “I caught three in 10 minutes in the morning and only had two small flurries where I caught three in three casts right before the last storms hit this afternoon. It was not as hot and heavy as it has been, but I’m hoping it was just the weather.”
Becker said once the rain started coming down hard, he was basically just wasting time.
“It was crowded [on the points today], and I got in a bad rotation,” said Becker. “There was a boat on a lot of the spots I wanted to fish. Fortunately, we cut 40 guys after today, so hopefully that opens the lake up more.”
Becker said now it’s just a matter of finishing strong.
“I can’t look in the rearview mirror,” said Becker. “I just have to go out and do my thing. All that really matters is that I catch them because the other guys will really have to catch them to pass me. Hopefully the sun pops out, the fish bite, and I sack up another 17 to 20 pounds to seal the deal.”
The final 10 anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. ET on Sunday from Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity. Weigh-in will also be held at the park on Sunday at 3 p.m. Attendance is limited to competing anglers, family, essential staff and media covering the event. Fans are encouraged to follow the action online through the MLF NOW! livestream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
