With a limit weighing 18-10, Larry Nixon leads the field in the BASSMASTER Tour event on Florida's Lake Toho. But he's fishing in an area with a bunch of other boats, and fears that the extra fishing pressure could hurt his chances.

Nixon Fishing Like a Turtle

"It's not winter at all," Nixon said. "The fish are still on summer pattern, as best as I can tell. They're still schooled up."

Schoolers mean small bass, so to catch better-quality fish Nixon fished "real slow. After having a horrible practice, I fished a Texas-rigged worm, just taking my time," he said. "I have a good little area, and I fished it like a turtle today."

He thinks his chances of another quality limit are "really good" if the 10 or so boats in the open-water area he's fishing leave him alone tomorrow. "They homed in on me pretty hard today," he said, without naming names. "They weren't doing what I was doing, but (once they saw his success) they started dropping rods and re-rigging. It could get ugly tomorrow."

Horton Right Behind

In contrast to Nixon's fears, Alabama's Tim Horton -- in 2nd with 18 pounds even -- feels good about his chances over the next few days, particularly if the weather holds.

"I caught a few off a bed this morning, but they were smaller fish," Horton said. "The main area I have is open-water hydrilla. If the wind blows, it will hurt me." Today's wind was 9-10 mph, and he said that as long as it stays 10-15 mph or below he'll be okay. "If it lays down slick, it will be great. We'll just have to see."

Horton noted that he isn't getting a lot of bites. In fact, his bites are coming 1 1/2 to 2 hours apart. "But when I do catch one, usually it's a good one," he said. His biggest bass today was a 6-02. Big fish of the day was Mickey Bruce's 7-07.

Horton is optimistic that no one else will find the area he is fishing. His pattern involves flipping a Riverside crawfish.

He added that he started out in Nixon's area, and that "20 or 30 boats were in there."

Bruce Has a Big-Fish Spot

A few weeks ago, Bruce -- in 3rd with 16-13 -- and a few other pros fished a charity tournament on Toho. Bruce finished 5th. But more importantly, he learned a little about the lake, including a spot that is producing heavier bass.

With the abundance of schoolers, having such a spot could mean the difference between winning the big bucks or merely making a check. "Right now a lot of fishing are biting on the lake," Bruce noted. "The key is figuring out how to catch a big one."

He spent the first 1 1/2 hours fishing his big-bass spot and caught the 7-07 (on a Japanese lipless crankbait), a 3-pounder and one close to 3 pounds. They were not spawners, he said. He's fishing open water over scattered grass -- much the same pattern as Nixon.

After catching those three, he said, "I left the area and caught schooling fish to finish off my limit. I probably caught 30 fish today, and only half of them were keepers."

The lack of wind is also helping Bruce, who said that it has enabled him to fish without running his trolling motor. Though the water he's fishing isn't super-shallow, "if you run your trolling motor a lot you can spook the bass," he said.

Bruce feels that the bass are in a pre-spawn pattern, and could move up to spawn with the next full moon.

Big Separation in Top 10

Barring any serious change in the weather, predictions of a 10 pounds per day average to make the Top 10 now seem understated -- at least for the Top 3. That is, between 1st and 5th place there's a 5-pound gap, and between 1st and 10th there's nearly an 8-pound gap.

Since only the Top 15 caught 10 pounds or more today, that could make today's catch very important -- particularly if the weather turns sour. On the other hand, these are the best fishermen in the world so anything could happen.

Tough Day

More than a few pros lamented the fishing in the last BASSMASTER Tour event on the Red River. The bite was tough and limits were small. But as first days go, Toho is fishing about the same: at the Red River, everyone below 14th place on day 1 caught less than 10 pounds.

How tough a day was it? Try this on for size: Kevin VanDam is in 144th place with two bass weighing 2-05.

Also: Rick Clunn is tied for 80th with a limit weighing 6-15; Denny Brauer is tied for 85th with a limit weighing 6-13; and Shaw Grigsby and New Jersey's Michael Iaconelli -- who finished 1st and 2nd at the Toho Top 150 in January 2000 -- are right next to each other with 6-13 and 6-12 (limits) respectively.

Notable

> Louisiana angler Homer Humphreys is not competing due to the death of his father. This is the first BASSMASTER tournament he's missed in 25 years as a professional angler.

> Denny Brauer feels good about his fishing -- physically. He said he still isn't standing the whole day, but his back is "doing pretty well. I'm still heading in the right direction -- I just haven't found any good fish. I did not have a good practice so I'm just kind of practicing."

Weather

The Weather Channel's forecast still looks stable.

> Thurs, 12/13 -- Partly Cloudy, high 82°F, low 65°F. Wind from E-SE at 10 mph.

> Fri, 12/14 -- Partly Cloudy, high 83°F, low 63°F

> Sat, 12/15 -- Partly Cloudy, high 82°F, low 66°F

Day 1 Standings

1. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark. 5 18-10
2. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 18-00
3. Mickey Bruce Buford, Ga. 5 16-13
4. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 5 13-08
5. George Cochran Hot Springs, Ark. 5 13-06
6. Lee Bailey, Jr. Amston, Conn. 5 12-10
7. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 5 11-12
8. Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 5 11-04
9. Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 5 10-13
10. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 10-12
10. Joel G. Richardson Kernersville, N.C. 5 10-12
12. Randy Howell Trussville, Ala. 5 10-08
13. Gary Yamamoto Mineola, Texas 5 10-06
13. Rick Lillegard Atkinson, N.H. 5 10-06
15. Keith Green Arkadelphia, Ark. 5 10-03
15. Mark Rose Marion, Ark. 5 10-03
17. Johnny Lesesne Blue Ridge, Ga. 4 9-15
18. Doyle Hodgin Durham, N.C. 5 9-14
19. Chuck Economou Redington, Fla. 5 9-13
20. Todd Auten Gastonia, N.C. 5 9-12
21. Ishama Monroe Phoenix, Ariz. 5 9-09
21. Dalton Bobo Northport, Ala. 5 9-09
23. Brent Chapman Shawnee, Kan. 5 9-07
24. Tom Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 9-06
24. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 5 9-06
24. Peter E. Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 5 9-06
24. Jeff Magee Mendenhall, Miss. 5 9-06
28. O. T. Fears III Sallisaw, Okla. 5 9-05
29. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 9-04
29. Tom Mann, Jr. Buford, Ga. 5 9-04
31. Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 5 9-03
32. Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 5 9-02
33. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 9-01
33. Gerry Williams Winter Garden, Fla. 5 9-01
33. Stacey D. King Reeds Spring, Mo. 3 9-01
36. Dan Morehead Paducah, Ky. 5 8-09
36. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 8-09
38. Tony Couch Buckhead, Ga. 5 8-08
39. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 8-07
39. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 8-07
41. Paul L Elias Pachuta, Miss. 5 8-06
41. John Sappington Wyandotte, Okla. 5 8-06
43. Mike Hicks Mineral, Va. 5 8-05
44. Sam Swett Covington, La. 5 8-03
45. Darren Wolf Longview, Texas 5 8-01
46. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 8-00
46. Rufus Johnson Knoxville, Tenn. 4 8-00
46. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 5 8-00
49. Mark Rizk Redding, Calif. 4 7-15
49. Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 5 7-15
51. Mike Auten Benton, Ky. 5 7-14
51. Fred Bland Birmingham, Ala. 5 7-14
51. Robert Graham Mooresville, N.C. 5 7-14
51. Roger Schofield Killen, Ala. 5 7-14
55. Clark Wendlandt Cedar Park, Texas 5 7-13
55. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 5 7-13
57. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 5 7-12
57. Aaron A. Hastings Boonsboro, Md. 5 7-12
59. Danny Correia Marlboro, Mass. 3 7-11
59. Paul Hanley Hull, Ga. 5 7-11
61. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5 7-10
61. Lee Knight Mineola, Texas 5 7-10
61. Chris Elliott Raleigh, N.C. 5 7-10
61. Terry Bolton Jr. Paducah, Ky. 5 7-10
65. David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 5 7-08
65. Marty Fourkiller Sylva, N.C. 5 7-08
67. Kim Stricker Howell, Mich. 5 7-07
67. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 7-07
69. Tom Dolin Palatine Bridge, N.Y. 5 7-06
70. Tom Burns Carbondale, Ill. 5 7-05
70. Roland Martin Clewiston, Fla. 5 7-05
72. Ken Cook Meers, Okla. 5 7-04
73. Charles Ingram Santa Fe, Tenn. 5 7-03
73. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 7-03
73. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 5 7-03
73. Dave Barnes Sr. Weeks Mills, Maine 5 7-03
77. Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 5 7-02
78. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 7-00
78. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 5 7-00
80. Mark Hardin Canton, Ga. 5 6-15
80. Jeffrey Thomas Broadway, N.C. 5 6-15
80. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 6-15
80. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 6-15
80. David Walker Cannon, Ky. 5 6-15
85. Pete Gluszek Franklinville, N.J. 5 6-13
85. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 6-13
85. Jack A. Gadlage Logandale, Nev. 5 6-13
85. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 5 6-13
89. Michael Iaconelli Woodbury Heights, N.J. 5 6-12
89. Gerald Gostenik Dearborn, Mich. 5 6-12
91. Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 3 6-11
91. Danny Kirk Bartow, Ga. 5 6-11
91. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 6-11
94. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 6-10
95. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 5 6-09
95. Warren Wyman Castaic, Calif. 5 6-09
97. Gary Alverson Soddy Daisy, Tenn. 5 6-08
98. Kotaro Kiriyama New Milford, N.J. 5 6-06
98. Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 5 6-06
98. Timothy Wilson Gas City, Ind. 5 6-06
101. David Dudley Manteo, N.C. 5 6-03
102. Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 5 6-02
102. Dustin Wilks Raleigh, N.C. 5 6-02
104. Carl Maxfield Summerville, S.C. 5 6-01
104. Larry Lazoen Port Charlotte, Fla. 5 6-01
106. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 5 6-00
107. Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 5 5-15
108. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 5 5-14
108. Ben Matsubu Mineola, Texas 5 5-14
110. Tommy Stiles McMinnville, Tenn. 5 5-11
111. Charlie Youngers Oviedo, Fla. 5 5-07
112. Terry Baksay Monroe, Conn. 5 5-06
113. Mark Tucker Kirkwood, Mo. 5 5-05
113. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 2 5-05
115. David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 5 5-03
115. Mark Sabbides Pollock, La. 3 5-03
117. Mark Tyler Concord, Calif. 4 5-02
118. Scott Canelas Pelham, N.H. 4 5-01
119. Rob Vander Kooi Mesa, Ariz. 5 5-00
119. Guy H. Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 4 5-00
119. Michael Johnson Talking Rock, Ga. 4 5-00
122. Dion Hibdon Stover, Mo. 3 4-15
123. Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 5 4-14
124. Rickie Harp Cottondale, Ala. 4 4-13
125. Roger Boler Slidell, La. 3 4-11
125. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 4 4-11
127. Randy Dearman Onalaska, Texas 5 4-10
128. Chip Harrison, Jr. Bremen, Ind. 4 4-09
129. Marty Carter Hamilton, Ala. 1 4-07
130. Jack L. Wade Knoxville, Tenn. 3 4-06
131. Brian Snowden Springfield, Mo. 4 4-03
132. Art Ferguson III St. Clair Shores, Mich. 3 4-02
133. Lendell Martin, Jr. Nacogdoches, Texas 3 4-00
134. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 2 3-13
135. Chet Douthit Clewiston, Fla. 4 3-12
136. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 2 3-11
136. Curt Lytle Suffolk, Va. 3 3-11
138. James A. Parker Fayetteville, N.C. 4 3-09
139. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz. 3 3-07
140. Mike McClelland Springdale, Ark. 2 3-01
140. Robert L. Kilby Hot Springs, Ark. 3 3-01
142. Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 3 2-13
142. Elton Luce Jr. Nederland, Texas 3 2-13
144. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 2 2-05
145. Tim Sainato Branson, Mo. 2 2-03
146. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 2 2-02
147. David Hall Kunkletown, Pa. 1 2-01
148. Tim Loper Terry, Miss. 1 1-02
149. Rodney Wagley Baton Rouge, La. 1 0-14
150. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 0 0-00
150. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 0 0-00
150. Jim Murray, Jr. Arabi, Ga. 0 0-00
150. Basil E Bacon Springfield, Mo. 0 0-00
150. Bill Wilcox Burleson, Texas 0 0-00

Big Bass, Mickey Bruce, Buford, Ga., 7-07