Tim Horton waxed the rest of the field today at the BASSMASTER Tour event on Florida's lake Toho. His 18 pounds, 1 ounce today plus his 2nd-place total of 18-00 yesterday gives him 36-01 and puts him a comfortable 9 1/2 pounds ahead of Larry Nixon, who is in 2nd.
Though Horton has nearly a 10-pound lead and his limit today was anchored by an 8-02 (big bass of the day), like he said yesterday, he's still a little worried about his spot.
One reason is that he's getting few bites. "This place is so iffy, I might not get a bite tomorrow," he said. "I say that because I'm not getting many bites each day. I'm just hoping that the high pressure will stay with us and the wind doesn't blow."
A second reason is that he's losing bass in the thick hydrilla he's fishing, despite the fact that he's using 50-pound McCoy braided line. He said he had two more 8-pounders on, but lost them. "The grass is so thick, you'd better get them moving right away," he said. "If you don't, they'll pull off. You get an 8-pound bass tangled up in 30 or 40 pounds of grass and pull on it, they just come loose."
Horton Doing Something Different
According to B.A.S.S., Horton is fishing an open-water hydrilla bed in 8 feet of water. Texan Lee Knight, in 40th place, said Horton is visible from one of the spots Knight is fishing.
"It's a huge area," Knight said. "Several guys are out there. Tim Horton is there, but he's away from everyone. Obviously he's doing something different."
Nixon Has Trouble
Larry Nixon was in 1st yesterday with 18-10, but today struggled to catch a limit weighing 8-01.
"The big ones just didn't bite today for me," Nixon said. "They may have moved because of the boat pressure (on Wednesday). I just never got on the better fish. In fact, I struggled just to catch a limit."
Mickey Bruce caught only 8 pounds, but gained ground on Nixon. Other anglers in the Top 5 are Lee Bailey Jr. of Amston, Conn. (23-15) and George Cochran of Hot Springs, Ark. (22-12).
Hite Within Striking Distance
Going into this tournament, red hot Davy Hite told BassFan.com that his winning philosophy this year was to stay within striking distance until the last tournament day. Well, he's there. Another solid limit put him in 7th today -- but he's uncertain what will happen tomorrow.
"I always hope that I'll have a chance," he said. "Who knows what could happen if I fish two more days.
"But I didn't think coming into the first day of the tournament that I was on the fish to win," Hite added. "I knew the quality of fish here were good, and that someone would figure out to catch the big ones.
"I caught quite a few yesterday, but today I only caught five. That makes me nervous about tomorrow.
"If I come out with a Top 20, I'll be elated," Hite said. "Florida lakes have been bad to me the last few years. But who knows. With the kind of roll I've been on, I'd hate to say that I feel like I'm not in it."
Summer-Type Weather a Factor
Several anglers commented that the unusually warm weather is causing Toho's bass to act like they're on a summer pattern.
"It is summer," Hite said, who like most of the anglers is flipping and pitching soft plastics. "It's in the 80s every day."
Hite added that he practiced under the assumption that a cold front would arrive. "With flipping soft plastics, it would be better for me if we have had a front," he said.
Knight said that on Sunday, a practice day, "it was bright and relatively calm." The bass were schooling well and could be caught on a "Rat-L-Trap or whatever you wanted to throw at them." But since then, the weather "has warmed up and the fish aren't biting as well."
Schultz: Typical Toho
Though Bernie Schultz said his fishing has "gotten worse with each day" from practice through today, he doesn't blame that on the weather.
"To me (Toho) is fishing like it always does, except for the spawn," said Schultz, a Florida resident. "You either catch spawning fish or bass in the hydrilla -- schooling or flipping. That's how it has fished for years."
He feels bigger bass will be caught by flipping or if someone finds a good topwater bite. His fishing has been fair to good -- he's in 19th with 18-07 -- but he said he "doesn't feel good about tomorrow."
"I struggled to get a limit today. I had one by 8:30, another by 9:30 and caught the rest of my limit around 11:00. I culled couple the rest of the day, but that was it," he said. "The fish (in his spot) are getting fewer and fewer."
He added that Kentucky's Mark Menendez is fishing nearby and has "caught some of the fish," but said "there's no problem there. He's really cordial."
Kevin VanDam moved way up today and is now in 11th. Check back tomorrow for an update on his first 2 days.
Weather
According to the Weather Channel, the weather will be stable over the next two days. Tomorrow's S-SE wind (10 mph) should contribute to that.
> Fri, 12/14 -- Partly Cloudy, high 83°F, low 64°F
> Sat, 12/15 -- Partly Cloudy, high 82°F, low 64°F
Day 2 Standings
1. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 9 36-01
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 4 18-01
2. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark. 10 26-11
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 8-01
3. Mickey Bruce Buford, Ga. 10 24-13
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 8-00
4. Lee Bailey, Jr. Amston, Conn. 10 23-15
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 11-05
5. George Cochran Hot Springs, Ark. 10 22-12
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 9-06
6. Brent Chapman Shawnee, Kan. 10 20-12
Day 1: 5 9-07 Day 2: 5 11-05
7. Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 10 20-03
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 9-06
8. Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 10 20-02
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 8-14
9. Rick Lillegard Atkinson, N.H. 10 19-13
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 9-07
10. David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 10 19-07
Day 1: 5 7-08 Day 2: 5 11-15
11. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 7 19-01
Day 1: 2 2-05 Day 2: 5 16-12
12. Chuck Economou Redington, Fla. 10 18-14
Day 1: 5 9-13 Day 2: 5 9-01
13. Ishama Monroe Phoenix, Ariz. 10 18-12
Day 1: 5 9-09 Day 2: 5 9-03
13. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 10 18-12
Day 1: 5 6-00 Day 2: 5 12-12
15. Paul L Elias Pachuta, Miss. 10 18-11
Day 1: 5 8-06 Day 2: 5 10-05
15. Jeff Magee Mendenhall, Miss. 10 18-11
Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 5 9-05
17. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 10 18-10
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 6-14
18. Randy Howell Trussville, Ala. 10 18-09
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 8-01
19. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 10 18-07
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 7-11
20. Joel G. Richardson Kernersville, N.C. 10 18-06
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 7-10
21. Mark Rose Marion, Ark. 10 18-05
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 8-02
22. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 10 18-04
Day 1: 5 7-07 Day 2: 5 10-13
23. Todd Auten Gastonia, N.C. 10 18-03
Day 1: 5 9-12 Day 2: 5 8-07
24. Fred Bland Birmingham, Ala. 10 18-01
Day 1: 5 7-14 Day 2: 5 10-03
24. Dalton Bobo Northport, Ala. 9 18-01
Day 1: 5 9-09 Day 2: 4 8-08
24. Roland Martin Clewiston, Fla. 10 18-01
Day 1: 5 7-05 Day 2: 5 10-12
27. Keith Green Arkadelphia, Ark. 10 18-00
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 7-13
27. Chip Harrison, Jr. Bremen, Ind. 9 18-00
Day 1: 4 4-09 Day 2: 5 13-07
27. Sam Swett Covington, La. 10 18-00
Day 1: 5 8-03 Day 2: 5 9-13
30. Gary Yamamoto Mineola, Texas 10 17-14
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 7-08
31. David Walker Cannon, Ky. 10 17-13
Day 1: 5 6-15 Day 2: 5 10-14
32. John Sappington Wyandotte, Okla. 10 17-07
Day 1: 5 8-06 Day 2: 5 9-01
33. Peter E. Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 10 17-03
Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 5 7-13
34. Darren Wolf Longview, Texas 10 17-02
Day 1: 5 8-01 Day 2: 5 9-01
35. Scott Canelas Pelham, N.H. 9 17-00
Day 1: 4 5-01 Day 2: 5 11-15
36. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 10 16-13
Day 1: 5 7-12 Day 2: 5 9-01
36. O. T. Fears III Sallisaw, Okla. 10 16-13
Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 5 7-08
38. Carl Maxfield Summerville, S.C. 10 16-11
Day 1: 5 6-01 Day 2: 5 10-10
39. Gerry Williams Winter Garden, Fla. 10 16-06
Day 1: 5 9-01 Day 2: 5 7-05
40. Lee Knight Mineola, Texas 10 16-05
Day 1: 5 7-10 Day 2: 5 8-11
41. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 10 16-04
Day 1: 5 7-13 Day 2: 5 8-07
42. Johnny Lesesne Blue Ridge, Ga. 9 16-02
Day 1: 4 9-15 Day 2: 5 6-03
43. Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 10 15-15
Day 1: 5 9-03 Day 2: 5 6-12
44. Kim Stricker Howell, Mich. 10 15-13
Day 1: 5 7-07 Day 2: 5 8-06
44. Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 10 15-13
Day 1: 5 7-02 Day 2: 5 8-11
46. Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 10 15-11
Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 6-09
47. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 7 15-09
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 2 2-01
47. Aaron A. Hastings Boonsboro, Md. 10 15-09
Day 1: 5 7-12 Day 2: 5 7-13
47. Danny Kirk Bartow, Ga. 10 15-09
Day 1: 5 6-11 Day 2: 5 8-14
50. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 10 15-08
Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 5 8-11
51. Mark Rizk Redding, Calif. 9 15-05
Day 1: 4 7-15 Day 2: 5 7-06
52. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 10 15-03
Day 1: 5 6-15 Day 2: 5 8-04
53. Kotaro Kiriyama New Milford, N.J. 10 15-01
Day 1: 5 6-06 Day 2: 5 8-11
54. Mike Auten Benton, Ky. 10 15-00
Day 1: 5 7-14 Day 2: 5 7-02
55. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 10 14-14
Day 1: 5 8-00 Day 2: 5 6-14
55. Tom Mann, Jr. Buford, Ga. 9 14-14
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 4 5-10
55. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 10 14-14
Day 1: 5 7-03 Day 2: 5 7-11
58. Marty Fourkiller Sylva, N.C. 10 14-13
Day 1: 5 7-08 Day 2: 5 7-05
59. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 10 14-12
Day 1: 5 7-00 Day 2: 5 7-12
60. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 10 14-09
Day 1: 5 9-01 Day 2: 5 5-08
61. Brian Snowden Springfield, Mo. 9 14-06
Day 1: 4 4-03 Day 2: 5 10-03
61. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 10 14-06
Day 1: 5 6-15 Day 2: 5 7-07
61. Mike Hicks Mineral, Va. 10 14-06
Day 1: 5 8-05 Day 2: 5 6-01
64. Tom Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 10 14-04
Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 5 4-14
64. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 7 14-04
Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 2 4-14
66. Dan Morehead Paducah, Ky. 8 14-00
Day 1: 5 8-09 Day 2: 3 5-07
66. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 10 14-00
Day 1: 5 6-10 Day 2: 5 7-06
68. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 10 13-15
Day 1: 5 8-07 Day 2: 5 5-08
68. Gary Alverson Soddy Daisy, Tenn. 10 13-15
Day 1: 5 6-08 Day 2: 5 7-07
68. Michael Johnson Talking Rock, Ga. 9 13-15
Day 1: 4 5-00 Day 2: 5 8-15
71. Ken Cook Meers, Okla. 10 13-13
Day 1: 5 7-04 Day 2: 5 6-09
71. Tony Couch Buckhead, Ga. 8 13-13
Day 1: 5 8-08 Day 2: 3 5-05
73. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 8 13-12
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 3 4-08
74. Michael Iaconelli Woodbury Heights, N.J. 10 13-11
Day 1: 5 6-12 Day 2: 5 6-15
75. Art Ferguson III St. Clair Shores, Mich. 6 13-10
Day 1: 3 4-02 Day 2: 3 9-08
76. Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 8 13-09
Day 1: 3 2-13 Day 2: 5 10-12
76. Gerald Gostenik Dearborn, Mich. 10 13-09
Day 1: 5 6-12 Day 2: 5 6-13
78. Chris Elliott Raleigh, N.C. 10 13-07
Day 1: 5 7-10 Day 2: 5 5-13
79. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 10 13-04
Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 5 6-07
80. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 10 13-03
Day 1: 5 7-10 Day 2: 5 5-09
80. Dustin Wilks Raleigh, N.C. 10 13-03
Day 1: 5 6-02 Day 2: 5 7-01
80. Warren Wyman Castaic, Calif. 10 13-03
Day 1: 5 6-09 Day 2: 5 6-10
83. Charles Ingram Santa Fe, Tenn. 10 13-02
Day 1: 5 7-03 Day 2: 5 5-15
84. Doyle Hodgin Durham, N.C. 8 13-01
Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 3 3-03
85. Roger Boler Slidell, La. 6 12-15
Day 1: 3 4-11 Day 2: 3 8-04
86. Rob Vander Kooi Mesa, Ariz. 10 12-14
Day 1: 5 5-00 Day 2: 5 7-14
86. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 10 12-14
Day 1: 5 8-00 Day 2: 5 4-14
88. Pete Gluszek Franklinville, N.J. 10 12-13
Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 5 6-00
89. Tom Burns Carbondale, Ill. 10 12-11
Day 1: 5 7-05 Day 2: 5 5-06
89. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 10 12-11
Day 1: 5 7-00 Day 2: 5 5-11
91. Danny Correia Marlboro, Mass. 7 12-09
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 4 4-14
91. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 9 12-09
Day 1: 5 8-07 Day 2: 4 4-02
93. Roger Schofield Killen, Ala. 6 12-08
Day 1: 5 7-14 Day 2: 1 4-10
93. Dave Barnes Sr. Weeks Mills, Maine 8 12-08
Day 1: 5 7-03 Day 2: 3 5-05
93. Mark Sabbides Pollock, La. 8 12-08
Day 1: 3 5-03 Day 2: 5 7-05
96. Tom Dolin Palatine Bridge, N.Y. 10 12-07
Day 1: 5 7-06 Day 2: 5 5-01
97. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 9 12-05
Day 1: 5 6-09 Day 2: 4 5-12
98. Terry Bolton Jr. Paducah, Ky. 9 12-04
Day 1: 5 7-10 Day 2: 4 4-10
99. Rufus Johnson Knoxville, Tenn. 7 12-02
Day 1: 4 8-00 Day 2: 3 4-02
100. Paul Hanley Hull, Ga. 10 12-01
Day 1: 5 7-11 Day 2: 5 4-06
101. Terry Baksay Monroe, Conn. 10 12-00
Day 1: 5 5-06 Day 2: 5 6-10
102. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 10 11-14
Day 1: 5 5-14 Day 2: 5 6-00
103. Jack A. Gadlage Logandale, Nev. 9 11-12
Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 4 4-15
104. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 9 11-11
Day 1: 5 7-03 Day 2: 4 4-08
104. Larry Lazoen Port Charlotte, Fla. 9 11-11
Day 1: 5 6-01 Day 2: 4 5-10
106. Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 7 11-10
Day 1: 5 7-15 Day 2: 2 3-11
106. James A. Parker Fayetteville, N.C. 9 11-10
Day 1: 4 3-09 Day 2: 5 8-01
106. Jack L. Wade Knoxville, Tenn. 8 11-10
Day 1: 3 4-06 Day 2: 5 7-04
109. Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 10 11-09
Day 1: 5 5-15 Day 2: 5 5-10
110. Chet Douthit Clewiston, Fla. 9 11-08
Day 1: 4 3-12 Day 2: 5 7-12
111. Dion Hibdon Stover, Mo. 8 11-07
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 5 6-08
112. Charlie Youngers Oviedo, Fla. 10 11-05
Day 1: 5 5-07 Day 2: 5 5-14
113. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 8 11-03
Day 1: 5 8-09 Day 2: 3 2-10
114. Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 9 11-02
Day 1: 5 6-06 Day 2: 4 4-12
115. Robert Graham Mooresville, N.C. 7 10-14
Day 1: 5 7-14 Day 2: 2 3-00
116. David Dudley Manteo, N.C. 8 10-12
Day 1: 5 6-03 Day 2: 3 4-09
117. Basil E Bacon Springfield, Mo. 5 10-11
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 10-11
117. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 7 10-11
Day 1: 2 5-05 Day 2: 5 5-06
119. Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 10 10-10
Day 1: 5 4-14 Day 2: 5 5-12
120. Mark Tucker Kirkwood, Mo. 10 10-09
Day 1: 5 5-05 Day 2: 5 5-04
121. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 7 10-08
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 5 6-11
122. Stacey D. King Reeds Spring, Mo. 4 10-02
Day 1: 3 9-01 Day 2: 1 1-01
123. Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 6 10-01
Day 1: 3 6-11 Day 2: 3 3-06
124. Ben Matsubu Mineola, Texas 8 10-00
Day 1: 5 5-14 Day 2: 3 4-02
125. Tommy Stiles McMinnville, Tenn. 8 9-14
Day 1: 5 5-11 Day 2: 3 4-03
126. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz. 8 9-06
Day 1: 3 3-07 Day 2: 5 5-15
127. Guy H. Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 8 9-04
Day 1: 4 5-00 Day 2: 4 4-04
128. Randy Dearman Onalaska, Texas 7 9-00
Day 1: 5 4-10 Day 2: 2 4-06
129. Clark Wendlandt Cedar Park, Texas 6 8-14
Day 1: 5 7-13 Day 2: 1 1-01
130. Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 7 8-12
Day 1: 5 6-02 Day 2: 2 2-10
131. Elton Luce Jr. Nederland, Texas 8 8-07
Day 1: 3 2-13 Day 2: 5 5-10
132. Mike McClelland Springdale, Ark. 7 8-05
Day 1: 2 3-01 Day 2: 5 5-04
132. Tim Sainato Branson, Mo. 7 8-05
Day 1: 2 2-03 Day 2: 5 6-02
134. Lendell Martin, Jr. Nacogdoches, Texas 7 8-04
Day 1: 3 4-00 Day 2: 4 4-04
135. Mark Hardin Canton, Ga. 6 8-01
Day 1: 5 6-15 Day 2: 1 1-02
135. Curt Lytle Suffolk, Va. 6 8-01
Day 1: 3 3-11 Day 2: 3 4-06
137. Jeffrey Thomas Broadway, N.C. 6 8-00
Day 1: 5 6-15 Day 2: 1 1-01
138. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 6 7-15
Day 1: 2 2-02 Day 2: 4 5-13
139. David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 7 7-14
Day 1: 5 5-03 Day 2: 2 2-11
139. Marty Carter Hamilton, Ala. 3 7-14
Day 1: 1 4-07 Day 2: 2 3-07
141. David Hall Kunkletown, Pa. 6 7-12
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 5 5-11
142. Timothy Wilson Gas City, Ind. 6 7-10
Day 1: 5 6-06 Day 2: 1 1-04
143. Mark Tyler Concord, Calif. 6 7-09
Day 1: 4 5-02 Day 2: 2 2-07
144. Rodney Wagley Baton Rouge, La. 6 7-02
Day 1: 1 0-14 Day 2: 5 6-04
145. Robert L. Kilby Hot Springs, Ark. 6 6-13
Day 1: 3 3-01 Day 2: 3 3-12
146. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 6-11
Day 1: 5 6-11 Day 2: 0 0-00
147. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 4 6-07
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 4 6-07
148. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 4 6-00
Day 1: 2 3-11 Day 2: 2 2-05
149. Jim Murray, Jr. Arabi, Ga. 4 5-12
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 4 5-12
150. Rickie Harp Cottondale, Ala. 4 4-13
Day 1: 4 4-13 Day 2: 0 0-00
151. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 4 4-11
Day 1: 4 4-11 Day 2: 0 0-00
152. Bill Wilcox Burleson, Texas 5 4-09
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 4-09
153. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 1 2-06
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-06
154. Tim Loper Terry, Miss. 1 1-02
Day 1: 1 1-02 Day 2: 0 0-00
Big Bass, Tim Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala., 8-02
