The Top 20 after day 1 at the Kentucky Lake FLW Tour is nearly as surprising as the bottom 20.

Legend Larry Nixon leads with 24-03, followed by ex-local Terry Bolton with 23-13.

But Behind Bolton is Jimmy Millsaps (22-01), Travis Fox (21-15), then Keith Williams and Kentucky Lake stud David "Scotty" Young (both with 21-12).



The rest of the Top 10 fills out with John Devere, Stacey King, Jason Christie and Ott Defoe.

Near the bottom of the standings are names like David Fritts (132nd), Ray Scheide (139th), Mike Hawkes (140th), Michael Bennett (145th) and Anthony Gagliardi (150th).

Hawkes was hurt by a penalty that confined him to the waters of Lake Barkley only. Sean Hoernke received an identical penalty. For full reporting on the ruling, click here.

Also a surprise was that many of the good bags came from about mid-lake – not the south end like anticipated. That could largely be due to crowds. It's tough to get on stuff right now, but crowds are reportedly the lightest at mid-lake, which allows the pros fishing there to get on a good rotation and check for schooling activity at several spots without surrendering water.

And BassFans who expected a slew of mid-20s sacks certainly didn't see that at weigh-in today. The lake's been hammered hard – first by the Bassmaster Elite Series field, then the FLW Tour field, as well as a full summer contingent of recreational anglers and local tournaments.

There's not much current running either, which always hurts the bite at this Tennessee River venue.

For the pros who caught 'em today, the pressure's on to repeat tomorrow, since there are certainly 25-pounds sacks swimming all over the lake. At the same time, those who bottomed out could get healthy quick and earn back valuable points.

Here's a look at how the race to the cut sets up right now for the Top 20. Total weight's followed by distance from leader in red.

1. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, AR -- 5, 24-03
2. Terry Bolton -- Jonesboro, AR -- 5, 23-13 (0-06)
3. Jimmy Millsaps -- Canton, GA -- 5, 22-01 (2-02)
4. Travis Fox -- Springdale, AR -- 5, 21-15 (2-04)
5. Keith Williams -- Conway, AR -- 5, 21-12 (2-07)
5. David Young -- Mayfield, KY -- 5, 21-12(2-07)
7. John Devere -- Berea, KY -- 5, 21-11 (2-08)
7. Stacey King -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5, 21-11 (2-08)
9. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 5, 21-07 (2-12)
10. Ott Defoe -- Knoxville, TN -- 5, 21-06 (2-13)
11. Jeremiah Kindy -- Benton, AR -- 5, 21-03 (3-00)
12. Mark Rose -- Marion, AR -- 5, 20-07 (3-12)
13. Bobby Mcmullin -- Pevely, MO -- 5, 20-01 (4-02)
14. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, IN -- 5, 19-09 (4-10)
15. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, KY -- 5, 19-08 (4-11)
16. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, MI -- 5, 19-05 (4-14)
16. John Voyles -- Petersburg, IN -- 5, 19-05 (4-14)
18. Ron Shuffield -- Bismarck, AR -- 5, 19-04 (4-15)
19. George Cochran -- Hot Springs, AR -- 5, 19-02 (5-01)
20. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, AZ -- 5, 18-12 (5-07)

Nixon Went South

Nixon's won his share of stuff on the Tennessee River – most recently the 2002 Wheeler FLW Tour. And it fits him this time of year because he's an offshore guy.

He had a strong practice, he said, and today some of his spots kicked out more big fish than he thought.

He made a 50-mile run south, but didn't run all the way to New Johnsonville. "I'm an old guy – that's not in me," he noted.

About what he fished today, he said: "In practice I found three or four places where I thought I could catch a limit, and the few places where I caught a couple big fish, it turned out there were more big fish.

"I'm fishing around crowds too, but they're not real bad," he added. "I'm not having as many boats trying to fish the places I've got. And I'm not fishing them when anybody's around. I'm trying to stay away from them. It's really hard in a tournament like this – you hate it when you've got boats following you and looking at you. I hate to even show them how I'm catching them."

He noted that he only fished some of his stuff today and has plenty left to work through – or at least he hopes.

"In practice, I'd catch one and leave. Some of the places were a bust today, some were glory holes, but I didn't fish everything I wanted to. I knew I didn't need more weight. It would have been stupid to catch any more. I was ready to go weigh in at 10:30."

In terms of the cut, he won't be "comfortable" tomorrow until he's got 20 pounds, he said.



FLW Outdoors/Brett Carlson
Photo: FLW Outdoors/Brett Carlson

Terry Bolton was able to fire up a few schools today.

2nd: Bolton Stayed North

As Terry Bolton told BassFans yesterday, he never practiced the grass down south and felt he'd regret it. Turns out he caught a nice sack anyway.

"I didn't have a good practice," he said. "I had a couple areas in practice where I caught a couple decent ones, but until you fish them you sometimes don't know what's there. I just kind of went running around today.

"And I actually pulled in a place today where I never got a bite in practice. I figured there had to be some there so I fished and fished and fished and finally got one to bite – a 3 3/4-pounder. That got the school fired up and I caught a 5-13. I figured out that if you could get a school active you could get three or four to bite, then you might as well leave."

He bounced around the rest of the day and caught "one or two here and there."

About what he thinks he'll need to make the cut, he said: "I really don't know. Of course I'm ecstatic with what I caught, but I said coming in that 18 1/2 pounds a day would make it. They might run current tomorrow, though, so I just don't know. Today was kind of my deal because I like it when the fish get off bottom and suspend and you have to mess around and figure out the angles. I was in my element today."

He also noted that at times, he felt like he was "the last man on earth"– the boat traffic was that light in his areas. He was able to move around without worry, which was a big advantage because timing was crucial.

5th: Williams Ran

Williams made the cut at Norman 2 months ago, and with a 21-12 opening bag here is in strong position to make another.

"I hope I can – I've got a chance," he said. "But I don't know. I can catch them, but I think there's going to be somebody there (on a spot) tomorrow."

He said he ran all the way south and when he arrived, a non-competitor was on the hole he planned to fish. Williams said he politely told the non-competitor he ran a long way, and asked him to leave.

FLW Outdoors/Brett Carlson
Photo: FLW Outdoors/Brett Carlson

Keith Williams ran all the way south, but had battery problems and was forced to drift much of the time.

"Right in front of me he caught three or four, then left – I think that took a lot of nerve," Williams said.

Most of his weight came in a five-fish flurry when he hit a school. Right afterthat, he lost battery power.

"I had maybe a quarter of what I should have had for battery power," he said. "All I could do was drift around in the wind. I went to fishing more ledges and drifting and found three more schools that weren't that big. But if I could have fished them right I'd have caught more keepers. I did catch another six or seven keepers drifting around in the wind though."

He said he plans to make the long run again tomorrow.

7th: Devere Hit Points

Devere's made just one FLW Tour cut in his 2 1/2 seasons of competition, but could make it two tomorrow. The part-time pro, full-time builder came in with 21-11 today and might be safe with an additional 19 or so tomorrow.

"I got lucky, I guess," he said of his day. "That's about what I've been catching every day, though. I'm not on a certain spot – I'm catching them on different places. I'll go catch one, then maybe two on another spot. I'm moving around."

He noted that he's fishing about halfway down the lake and there were "a couple of other boats around" but none were on the spots he hit. That's largely because he didn't focus on the ledges. He fished mostly points.

FLW Outdoors/Brett Carlson
Photo: FLW Outdoors/Brett Carlson

John Devere focused more on points than ledges.

"I think I can catch close to that tomorrow," he added. "I don't know if it'll be 22 or not. I think I can catch 18 to 20. But they bit better today than they did in practice. The boys who room with me caught them pretty good, and they weren't catching them like that in practice. I think it'll be real close."

15th: Morehead Ran Too

Kentucky Lake expert and Paducah resident Dan Morehead ran south and sacked 19 1/2 pounds, but thinks he hurt himself.

"I sat on a place too long this morning that I shouldn't have," he said. "I should have just kept moving around. But I can't complain. My goal was I wanted at least 20 pounds today, and I didn't miss it by much. My gameplan was good. I just needed to execute a little better."

About crowds, he said there were "several" boats around, but "it wasn't much of an issue." He could bounce around as he wanted. "There are so many places down there you can get away from everybody."

About the big names that struggled today, he said: "It's like I said, if you zig and zag wrong, it can happen. And I'm sure some guys with early boat numbers are camping on a place. That can make a big difference, no doubt.

"Tomorrow I think I need 22 for sure," he added. "If God blesses me and I catch 23 or 24, I might back off so I can do a little practicing. But I'm going to make the run and catch everything that bites. I've been down this road before, and you'd better not leave them biting until you're in the Top 10 – not on this pond."

42nd: Lefebre Played It Safe

Under different circumstances, Dave Lefebre would have likely risked a run south. But he's 42nd in the FLW Angler of the Year (AOY) race and dangerously close to the Forrest Wood Cup cutoff.

And since the Cup takes place in Pittsburgh – basically down the road from his Union City, Pa. home – he wants to make doubly sure he qualifies. He therefore stuck closer today and weighed a serviceable 16 pounds.

"It wasn't anywhere near as good as I thought it would be," he said. "And I had a couple of big ones get off, and my co-angler caught two 4-pounders. It was a good day though, and I'm happy. I was just hoping for a Top 50 before going into Champlain."

145th: Bennett Drove Too Much

Bennett, the reigning Cup champion, came into the event at 20th in the points and in strong position to requalify for the championship. But a trainwreck today put that in jeopardy. He weighed just two fish for 3-15.

About what happened, he said: "I really didn't catch anything in practice that I felt would put me in Top-10 contention, so I just started the day and tried to catch a bag fishing some areas where I thought I had some opportunity. I did that for a couple of hours, then ran around a little too much. I didn't fish a whole lot.

"I don't know – I never made a good decision all day long. Stuff wasn't flowing for me. Tomorrow I'm not in contention to do a whole lot, but I want to get my pride back – go catch them for my peace of mind."

He estimated that he ran 160 miles today. About the Cup, he said: "I'm a little uneasy about it right now. It's a big priority for me."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 155 anglers, 112 limits, 17 fours, 9 threes, 6 twos, 9 ones, 2 zeroes.

> Points leader Brent Ehrler's currently 86th with 13-03.

> Gagliardi won here in 2004 and needs to finish in the Top 50 tomorrow to crack the $1 million mark in career FLW Outdoors earnings. He came in with a single 2 1/2-pound fish today. "It's been a good year up until today," he said. "I'd like to crack the $1 million mark, but I don't think it's going to happen this time. We'll have to wait until Champlain."

Weather Forecast

Here's the weather forecast for the remaining tournament days.

> Fri., June 12 - Isolated T-Storms - 84°/69°
- Wind: From the NE at 7 mph

> Sat., June 13 - Scattered T-Storms - 88°/71°
- Wind: From the N at 7 mph

> Sun., June 14 - Scattered T-Storms - 84°/71°
- Wind: From the NE at 7 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 5, 24-03

2. Terry Bolton -- Jonesboro, Ar -- 5, 23-13

3. Jimmy Millsaps -- Canton, Ga -- 5, 22-01

4. Travis Fox -- Springdale, Ar -- 5, 21-15

5. Keith Williams -- Conway, Ar -- 5, 21-12

5. David Young -- Mayfield, Ky -- 5, 21-12

7. John Devere -- Berea, Ky -- 5, 21-11

7. Stacey King -- Reeds Spring, Mo -- 5, 21-11

9. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, Ok -- 5, 21-07

10. Ott Defoe -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 21-06

11. Jeremiah Kindy -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 21-03

12. Mark Rose -- Marion, Ar -- 5, 20-07

13. Bobby Mcmullin -- Pevely, Mo -- 5, 20-01

14. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, In -- 5, 19-09

15. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 5, 19-08

16. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 5, 19-05

16. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 5, 19-05

18. Ron Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 5, 19-04

19. George Cochran -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 19-02

20. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, Az -- 5, 18-12

21. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, Nc -- 5, 18-09

22. Joe Thomas -- Milford, Oh -- 5, 18-07

23. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 5, 18-05

24. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 5, 18-00

25. Stuart Arthur -- Benton, Mo -- 5, 17-14

26. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 5, 17-10

27. Kenneth (Boo) Woods -- Hazard, Ky -- 5, 17-08

28. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 17-07

29. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 5, 17-05

30. Ken Wick -- Star, Id -- 5, 17-03

31. Michael Murphy -- Gilbert, Sc -- 5, 17-01

32. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, Sc -- 5, 16-13

32. Kevin Vida -- Clare, Mi -- 5, 16-13

34. Tim Mcdonald -- Lexington, Ky -- 5, 16-11

34. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 5, 16-11

36. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 5, 16-10

37. Jerry Green -- Cullman, Al -- 5, 16-06

38. Ricky D Scott -- Van Buren, Ar -- 5, 16-04

39. Sam Newby -- Pocola, Ok -- 5, 16-02

40. James Kemper -- Frankfort, Ky -- 5, 16-01

41. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 5, 16-00

42. Dave Lefebre -- Union City, Pa -- 5, 15-15

42. Jay Yelas -- Corvallis, Or -- 5, 15-15

44. George Jeane Jr -- Evans, La -- 5, 15-14

45. Jack Wade -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 15-13

46. Curt Lytle -- Zuni, Va -- 5, 15-11

46. Mark Pack -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 15-11

48. Jim Dillard -- Houston, Ar -- 5, 15-09

49. Thanh Le -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 5, 15-08

49. Kim Stricker -- Howell, Mi -- 5, 15-08

49. John Tanner -- Quitman, Tx -- 5, 15-08

52. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 15-05

52. Sean Hoernke -- The Woodlands, Tx -- 5, 15-05

54. Jake Deeds -- El Dorado, Ar -- 5, 15-04

55. Daniel Gray -- Butler, Pa -- 5, 15-02

56. Tom Mann Jr -- Buford, Ga -- 5, 14-15

57. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 5, 14-14

58. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 5, 14-12

59. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 5, 14-11

60. Christian Romans -- Carrollton, Ky -- 5, 14-10

61. Keith Monson -- Burgin, Ky -- 5, 14-08

62. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 14-07

62. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 5, 14-07

64. Tony Couch -- Buckhead, Ga -- 5, 14-06

64. Brent Crow -- Hartselle, Al -- 5, 14-06

64. Kevin Snider -- Elizabethtown, Ky -- 4, 14-06

67. Chris Elliott -- Morehead City, Nc -- 5, 14-05

67. Craig Powers -- Rockwood, Tn -- 5, 14-05

69. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Al -- 5, 14-03

70. Kyle Mabrey -- Mccalla, Al -- 5, 14-02

70. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, Az -- 5, 14-02

72. Matt Arey -- Shelby, Nc -- 5, 14-01

72. Jason Reyes -- Huffman, Tx -- 5, 14-01

72. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 5, 14-01

75. John Billheimer Jr -- Discovery Bay, Ca -- 5, 14-00

75. Greg Bohannan -- Rogers, Ar -- 5, 14-00

77. Art Ferguson Iii -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 5, 13-14

77. Jason Mckinnie -- Umatilla, Fl -- 5, 13-14

79. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 5, 13-13

80. Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 13-12

81. Pete Gluszek -- Mt. Laurel, Nj -- 5, 13-11

82. Jason Abrams -- Johnson City, Tn -- 5, 13-09

82. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 4, 13-09

84. Charles Sim -- Ottawa, On -- 5, 13-07

85. Glenn Delong Ii -- Bellville, Oh -- 5, 13-06

86. Terry Baksay -- Easton, Ct -- 5, 13-05

87. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 4, 13-03

88. Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Al -- 5, 12-15

88. Nate Wellman -- Jenison, Mi -- 5, 12-15

90. Guido Hibdon -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 5, 12-13

91. Gabe Bolivar -- Ramona, Ca -- 5, 12-12

92. Luke Clausen -- Mount Juliet, Tn -- 5, 12-09

92. Dion Hibdon -- Stover, Mo -- 5, 12-09

92. Randall Tharp -- Gardendale, Al -- 5, 12-09

95. Bobby Curtis -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 12-06

95. Jeffrey Thomas -- Broadway, Nc -- 5, 12-06

97. Craig Dowling -- Grant, Al -- 5, 12-05

97. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tn -- 5, 12-05

99. Jt Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 5, 12-04

99. Al Little -- Greensboro, Nc -- 5, 12-04

99. Danny Pierce -- Greenbrier, Ar -- 5, 12-04

102. Jeff Magee -- Mendenhall, Ms -- 5, 12-02

103. Shinichi Fukae -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 11-15

103. Mark Hardin -- Jasper, Ga -- 5, 11-15

105. Keith Combs -- Del Rio, Tx -- 5, 11-14

105. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 5, 11-14

107. Michael Brown -- Rocky Face, Ga -- 5, 11-13

108. Eric Ambort -- Mabelvale, Ar -- 5, 11-11

108. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 5, 11-11

110. Robbie Dodson -- Harrison, Ar -- 5, 11-07

111. Aaron Mcmanaway -- Altamont, Il -- 4, 11-05

112. Alvin Shaw -- State Road, Nc -- 5, 11-02

112. Gary Yamamoto -- Mineola, Tx -- 4, 11-02

114. Bob Blosser -- Lodi, Wi -- 5, 11-01

114. Carl Svebek Iii -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 4, 11-01

116. Brennan Bosley -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 10-15

117. Tim Johnson -- Dallas, Ga -- 5, 10-14

118. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 3, 10-11

118. Andrew Veach -- Carol Stream, Il -- 4, 10-11

120. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 4, 10-03

121. James Christian -- Dickson, Tn -- 3, 10-01

122. Clint Brownlee -- Tifton, Ga -- 4, 9-14

123. Tracy Adams -- Wilkesboro, Nc -- 4, 9-08

124. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 5, 8-15

125. Brian Travis -- Conover, Nc -- 4, 8-11

126. Neil Russell -- Nampa, Id -- 4, 8-10

126. Mike Todd -- Norman, Ok -- 4, 8-10

128. Jason Hickey -- Weiser, Id -- 3, 8-08

129. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 4, 8-05

130. Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Il -- 4, 8-04

131. Pat Eichmann -- Nancy, Ky -- 2, 7-10

132. David Fritts -- Lexington, Nc -- 3, 7-07

133. Gary Riffle -- Bogata, Tx -- 4, 7-03

134. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 4, 7-02

135. Jesse West -- Guntersville, Al -- 3, 6-14

136. Dale Evans -- Summerville, Sc -- 3, 6-12

137. David Kromm -- Kennewick, Wa -- 3, 6-11

138. Tim Klinger -- Boulder City, Nv -- 2, 5-15

139. Ray Scheide -- Dover, Ar -- 2, 5-09

140. Mike Hawkes -- Sabinal, Tx -- 3, 5-08

141. Chip Harrison -- Bremen, In -- 3, 5-05

142. Adam Postelle -- Rocky Face, Ga -- 1, 5-02

143. Charles Ely -- Roosevelt, Tx -- 1, 4-08

144. Richard Lowitzki -- St Charles, Il -- 2, 4-02

145. Michael Bennett -- Lincoln, Ca -- 2, 3-15

146. Jamie Feick -- Blanchard, Ok -- 2, 3-10

147. Will Jefferies -- Bountiful, Ut -- 1, 3-07

148. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 1, 3-04

149. Randy Blaukat -- Jasper, Mo -- 1, 2-13

150. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 1, 2-05

151. Fred Contaoi -- Maryville, Tn -- 1, 2-04

152. Shawn Carnahan -- Chandler, Az -- 1, 1-13

153. Timothy Sisk -- Cherryville, Nc -- 1, 1-00

Clay Dyer -- Hamilton, Al -- 0, 0-00

Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 0, 0-00

Big Bass

> Day 1 -- Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 6-13 -- $750