Paul Elias has had great opening days at Lake Guntersville several times over the course of his career, which spans nearly three decades. None of those became the foundation for a victory, though, so he didn't want to make too big of a deal of the shocking 26-00 bag he brought to the scale on day 1 of the FLW Tour Open.
"The wind helped a lot and I'll be surprised if I can do it again," he said. "I've caught them all week (including practice), but not like today."
The Mississippian holds a lead of nearly 5 pounds over 2nd-place Marshall Deakins, a Tennessee resident who's not a tour pro but is an angler who's had great success in lower-level events at Guntersville. He bagged 21-03.
Alabamian Robert Behrle, who fished two of the three previous Opens this year with no success whatsoever, is 3rd with 19-02. Clent Davis, another local and the co-angler winner at the FLW Tour event at Pickwick in July, caught 18-06 in his pro debut to grab the No. 4 slot.
The red-hot Bryan Schmitt of Maryland, who already has two Top-10 finishes in Opens this year and was the winner of the Potomac River Northern EverStart less than a month ago, is 5th with 17-07.
Here's a look at the lower half of the Top 10:
6. Charles Bebber: 17-04
7. Russ Lane: 17-03
8. Christopher Brasher: 16-11
9. Kelley Jaye: 16-05
10. (tie) Brett Hite: 16-00
10. (tie) Aaron Martens: 16-00
10. (tie) Troy Morrow: 16-00
The wind blew violently out of the west (estimates pegged it at a sustained 20 to 25 mph). It created a moving-water situation that aided both Elias and Deakins, but hindered others.
Less than half the field (69 out of 146 anglers) caught limits, but more than half (77) topped the 10-pound mark. Dozens are within easy striking distance of the initial cut, which will fall at 20th place following the day-2 weigh-in.
The wind is expected to slack off dramatically tomorrow and continue to decrease throughout the remainder of the event as conditions stabilize in the wake of the mid-week cold front. The field will be reduced to the Top 10 for Sunday, with the winner determined by highest cumulative weight.
Elias Went Deep
> Day 1: 5, 26-00
Elias is no stranger to huge stringers – he holds the B.A.S.S. 4-day weight record with 132-08 from Falcon in 2008. The one he caught today was a surprise to most, however, as slumping Guntersville was considered incapable of surrendering such weights in its present state.
He did it without the benefit of a true giant – his biggest fish was a 6 1/2-pounder. He wouldn't reveal how he caught them, but said his boat was in at least 20 feet of water throughout the day.
"I need to keep it a secret for one more day so I can try to bust one more big bag," he said. "I had everything to myself today, but I'm sure tomorrow people will follow me. A handful of people saw me and they know what I'm throwing."
He got a late start – engine trouble kept him from making his first cast until 9:00.
"It was a perfect day after that – I caught everything that bit. The Lord blessed me all day long."
He seriously doubts he can replicate today's weight. He'll be happy if he can boat at least 15 pounds tomorrow.
"I had eight places and I fished three of them today. They're pretty scattered out and they're all current-oriented – if you don't have the current, you're not going to catch them."
2nd: Deakins also Mum
> Day 1: 5, 21-03
Deakins was also reluctant to divulge anything about his pattern, but said he changed his original plan for the day once he saw how hard the wind was going to blow.
David Fritts had a strong practice, but found his fish uncooperative on day 1.
"I had a good practice, but nothing like what I did today," he said. "I didn't have anybody bothering me, but I don't think I'll be able to catch that much tomorrow."
He went through about 15 keepers and his bag was topped by a 6 3/4-pounder.
3rd: Behrle Camped
> Day 1: 5, 19-02
Behrle caught his 19 pounds from a single locale.
"I'd caught a couple of fish in that area in practice – a 4-pounder the first day and a 3 the second day," he said. "Then the last day I was somewhere else, fishing a different way, and I decided to make a quick stop there. On my last cast I caught an 8 1/2-pounder.
"I just put my rods away and said, 'This is your spot.' I banged it hard today and I just hope they replenish."
He only caught about nine keepers, but two were in the 5-pound range. He had no company all day.
"I think that place could be just as good without the wind, and it could get even better. The wind made the shad go away.
"In practice it was better in the afternoon and kind of slow in the morning, but it was the opposite today."
4th: Davis did it All
> Day 1: 5, 18-06
Davis was 2nd in the Guntersville Southeastern EverStart last February and would love to finish one position higher than that in his first tour-level event from the front deck.
"This lake treats me really well," he said. "It fits my style of fishing, I guess. Today was just 100% junk-fishing. I had nine rods out and I think I caught a fish on every one."
He got seven keeper bites and lost two quality fish. His bag was topped by a 4-pounder.
Like Elias, his day was shortened due to engine trouble, but his lost time occurred on the back end. He was back at the launch about 40 minutes before his check-in time.
"I didn't get to fish my best stuff, but maybe it was a blessing that I didn't fish it. I don't know about tomorrow – the lake is fishing so tough and I could go out and catch three fish.
"I know they're in my areas, so we'll see what happens."
116th: Fritts was Baffled
> Day 1: 1, 3-06
David Fritts had no explanation for his one-fish bag in the wake of an excellent practice.
"I don't know what happened – I'm still scratching my head," he said. "I wasn't completely murdering them, but I thought I could catch 20 pounds a day. Today I couldn't get bit. That one and one other bite was all I had all day long.
"I'd been fishing fairly shallow and throwing a crankbait. I could see the fish there, but it blows me away that they wouldn't bite. I had a place where I knew I could catch 12 to 14 pounds, but I couldn't get bit there, either."
He'll go back tomorrow and see if he can figure it out.
"I may change up my timing a little bit, but that's about all."
Notable
> Day 1 stats: 146 anglers, 69 limits, 13 fours, 15 threes, 18 twos, 18 ones, 13 zeroes.
Weather Forecast
> Fri., Oct. 21 - Sunny - 64°/36°
- Wind: From the W/NW at 10 mph
> Sat., Oct. 22 - Sunny - 67°/39°
- Wind: From the N at 7 mph
> Sun., Oct. 23 - Partly Cloudy - 69°/45°
- Wind: From the W/NW at 5 mph
Day 1 Standings
1. Paul Elias -- Laurel, Ms -- 26-00 (5)
2. Marshall Deakins -- Dunlap, Tn -- 21-03 (5)
3. Robert Behrle -- Hoover, Al -- 19-02 (5)
4. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, Al -- 18-06 (5)
5. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, Md -- 17-07 (5)
6. Charles Bebber -- Willis, Tx -- 17-04 (5)
7. Russell Lane -- Prattville, Al -- 17-03 (5)
8. Christopher Brasher -- Spring, Tx -- 16-11 (5)
9. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, Al -- 16-05 (5)
10. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, Az -- 16-00 (5)
10. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, Al -- 16-00 (5)
10. Troy Morrow -- Eastanollee, Ga -- 16-00 (5)
13. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 15-15 (5)
14. Sandy Melvin -- Boca Grande, Fl -- 15-07 (5)
15. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, Nc -- 15-04 (5)
16. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, Pa -- 15-03 (5)
17. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, Ok -- 15-02 (5)
17. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 15-02 (5)
19. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 15-00 (5)
20. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, Al -- 14-13 (5)
21. John Hopkins -- Hendersonville, Tn -- 14-11 (5)
22. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 14-09 (5)
23. Kevin Snider -- Elizabethtown, Ky -- 14-07 (5)
24. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, Ga -- 14-06 (5)
25. Mark Rose -- Marion, Ar -- 14-04 (5)
26. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 14-03 (5)
26. Jason Tucker -- Dutton, Al -- 14-03 (5)
28. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 14-02 (5)
29. Randy Blaukat -- Joplin, Mo -- 14-01 (5)
29. Trevor Fitzgerald -- Belleview, Fl -- 14-01 (5)
31. Christopher Lane -- Guntersville, Al -- 14-00 (5)
32. Alex Davis -- Albertville, Al -- 13-15 (5)
32. Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, Al -- 13-15 (5)
34. Wesley Helton -- Calhoun, Tn -- 13-11 (5)
35. Bill Day -- Frankfort, Ky -- 13-09 (5)
35. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, Sc -- 13-09 (5)
37. Keith Combs -- Huntington, Tx -- 13-07 (5)
37. Kevin Hawk -- Guntersville, Al -- 13-07 (5)
37. Spencer Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 13-07 (5)
40. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 13-05 (5)
40. Blake Nick -- Adger, Al -- 13-05 (5)
42. Randall Tharp -- Gardendale, Al -- 13-03 (5)
43. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 13-01 (5)
44. Bo Cross -- Knoxville, Tn -- 13-00 (4)
44. Derek Yamamoto -- Boulder City, Nv -- 13-00 (5)
46. Andy Montgomery -- Grover, Nc -- 12-14 (5)
46. Rusty Salewske -- Alpine, Ca -- 12-14 (5)
48. Rick Armstrong -- Owens Cross Roads, Al -- 12-13 (5)
48. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, Ar -- 12-13 (4)
48. Ron Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 12-13 (5)
51. Ron Wolfarth -- Oakboro, Nc -- 12-11 (5)
52. David Daily -- Hayden, Al -- 12-09 (4)
52. Chris Wooten -- West Point, Ms -- 12-09 (5)
54. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 12-04 (5)
55. Shinichi Fukae -- Palestine, Tx -- 12-00 (5)
56. Derek Remitz -- Grant, Al -- 11-15 (5)
57. Woody Parks -- Lincolnton, Ga -- 11-14 (5)
57. Brandon Rummel -- Knoxville, Tn -- 11-14 (5)
59. Ken Golub -- Pittsford, Ny -- 11-10 (5)
60. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 11-09 (5)
61. Matt Herren -- Trussville, Al -- 11-07 (5)
61. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, Tx -- 11-07 (4)
63. Thanh Le -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 11-06 (5)
64. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 11-05 (5)
65. Bill Mcdonald -- Greenwood, In -- 11-04 (4)
66. Jay Yelas -- Corvallis, Or -- 11-03 (5)
67. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 11-01 (5)
67. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 11-01 (5)
69. George Cochran -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 11-00 (5)
70. Lloyd Pickett Jr -- Bartlett, Tn -- 10-13 (5)
71. Kyle Mabrey -- Mccalla, Al -- 10-12 (5)
72. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, Fl -- 10-07 (4)
73. Daryl Biron -- South Windsor, Ct -- 10-06 (5)
73. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 10-06 (2)
73. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 10-06 (4)
76. Luke Clausen -- Spokane, Wa -- 10-05 (4)
77. Bill Bowling -- Somerset, Ky -- 10-02 (3)
78. Arnie Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 9-15 (5)
79. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 9-14 (5)
80. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 9-10 (4)
81. Tim Reneau -- Del Rio, Tx -- 9-09 (3)
82. Joseph Thompson -- Glen Mills, Pa -- 9-08 (4)
83. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, Ok -- 9-00 (4)
84. Derek Yasinski -- Senoia, Ga -- 8-12 (4)
85. Leon Knight -- Guntersville, Al -- 8-10 (4)
86. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 8-05 (3)
87. Jay Keith -- Camden, Sc -- 8-01 (3)
88. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Al -- 7-15 (3)
89. Kenneth (Boo) Woods -- Hazard, Ky -- 7-12 (3)
90. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 7-08 (3)
91. Paul Anthony -- Dawson, Ga -- 6-09 (2)
92. Gary Yamamoto -- Palestine, Tx -- 6-06 (2)
93. Brent Anderson -- Kingston Springs, Tn -- 6-05 (3)
93. Jason Cordiale -- Orinda, Ca -- 6-05 (3)
95. Randell Greer -- London, Ky -- 6-04 (2)
96. Keith Monson -- Harrodsburg, Ky -- 6-00 (3)
97. Dion Hibdon -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 5-15 (3)
97. Harry Moore -- Valley, Al -- 5-15 (3)
99. Pat Golden -- High Point, Nc -- 5-07 (3)
100. Brian Travis -- Conover, Nc -- 5-06 (3)
101. Bill Chambers -- North Bay, On -- 5-04 (3)
102. Lance Vick -- Mineola, Tx -- 5-03 (2)
103. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 4-13 (2)
104. Art Ferguson Iii -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 4-12 (2)
104. Jt Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 4-12 (2)
106. Chris Wilkerson -- Conroe, Tx -- 4-09 (2)
107. Troy Weston -- Kingston Springs, Tn -- 4-08 (2)
108. Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Al -- 4-06 (2)
108. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 4-06 (2)
110. Bobby Gaston -- Evans, Ga -- 4-05 (2)
111. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, Oh -- 4-04 (2)
112. John Cox -- Debary, Fl -- 4-02 (1)
113. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, La -- 4-01 (2)
114. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 3-14 (2)
115. Randy Howell -- Springville, Al -- 3-12 (2)
116. David Fritts -- Lexington, Nc -- 3-06 (1)
116. Michael Williamson -- Fort Smith, Ar -- 3-06 (2)
118. Thomas Helton -- Charleston, Tn -- 3-02 (1)
119. Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Il -- 3-01 (1)
120. Tim Mcdonald -- Prestonsburg, Ky -- 2-14 (1)
121. Darrell Davis -- Dover, Fl -- 2-12 (1)
122. Pete Thliveros -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 2-10 (1)
123. Rick Cotten -- Guntersville, Al -- 2-09 (1)
123. Will Jefferies -- Bountiful, Ut -- 2-09 (1)
125. Pat Kelly Sr -- Guntersville, Al -- 2-08 (1)
125. John Mcginnis -- Clarkson, Ky -- 2-08 (1)
127. Robert Boyd -- Russellville, Al -- 2-07 (1)
128. Sean Brehm -- Eddyville, Ky -- 2-06 (1)
129. Anthony Goggins -- Auburn, Al -- 2-05 (1)
129. Michael Mcghee -- Blackstone, Va -- 2-05 (1)
131. Jimmy Houston -- Cookson, Ok -- 2-04 (1)
132. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Al -- 2-02 (1)
133. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 1-14 (1)
Greg Bohannan -- Rogers, Ar -- 0-00 (0)
Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 0-00 (0)
Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, Tn -- 0-00 (0)
Craig Dowling -- Grant, Al -- 0-00 (0)
Nick Gainey -- Charleston, Sc -- 0-00 (0)
Bob Izumi -- Milton, On -- 0-00 (0)
Marty Johnson -- Benton, Ky -- 0-00 (0)
Richard Lowitzki -- St Charles, Il -- 0-00 (0)
Fred Martin -- North Little Rock, Ar -- 0-00 (0)
Jt Palmore -- Blackstone, Va -- 0-00 (0)
Tom Spangler -- Corryton, Tn -- 0-00 (0)
Jack Wade -- Knoxville, Tn -- 0-00 (0)
Jeremy York -- Monroe, Ga -- 0-00 (0)
