Virginia Veteran Lytle Sacks 20-09 On Day 1

Some expected rainy weather to dampen the deep bite on day 1 of the Kentucky Lake FLW Tour, but many of the structure fishermen caught them right along with the shallow flippers today. Three 20-pound bags came to the scales, 31 anglers caught at least 15-00 and Virginia's Curt Lytle led the way with 20-09.

Residents of Mineola, Texas occupied the next two spots – Toshinari Namiki caught 20-01 and Gary Yamamoto brought in 20-00. Alabama's Jonathan Newton (19-14) and Arizona's Gabe Bolivar (19-12) completed the Top 5.

Here's the second half of the Top 10:

6. Ramie Colson Jr.: 19-00
7. Dean Rojas: 18-05
8. Morizo Shimizu: 17-11
9. Brian Hensley: 17-08
10. (tie) Randy Blaukat: 17-07
10. (tie) Scott Martin: 17-07

Some of the leaders stayed on Kentucky and fished deep structure, while others opted for the shallows of Barkley, where there's still a substantial number of fish near the bank. Some laid a foundation of shallow fish early, then went deep in search of kickers.

Those who are on at least some shallow fish could have an advantage tomorrow. Precipitation is in the forecast again, but this time it's expected to be accompanied by westerly winds in excess of 20 mph. Positioning a boat in an unprotected, open-water area might be next to impossible.

The 200-angler field will be cut to the Top 10 after tomorrow's weigh-in. The winner will be determined by highest combined weight over the final 2 days.

Lytle Concerned

Leader Lytle spent all day in a large, shallow area "in the middle of Barkley." He was happy to be in the lead, but his day-best bag was also cause for some consternation.

"I'm very concerned," he said. "I really thought I'd catch a bag of 2-pounders with maybe one kicker. Well, I got all kickers and one 2-pounder, and I ended up culling that one. Frankly, the weights today were a lot higher that I thought they'd be.

"It may go back the other way tomorrow. We'll just have to wait and see how it plays out."

He caught six keepers – all largemouth. The five he weighed in were all about the same size.

"They asked me to hold up my two biggest ones (for photos at the weigh-in), and I had a tough time doing that because they were all so similar," he said. "That's the sign of a healthy fishery, is what that is."

He might have a lot more company on Barkley tomorrow if the wind blows as expected, but that's not a huge worry. "The great thing about these lakes is they're so doggone big that unless you're in the biggest community hole out there, you can get lost. I love that.

"I'm just thankful to Yamaha because I know I've got the freedom to run wherever I need to go and have the clear conscience to know I can make it back. That's very important on these big lakes."

The 10-year veteran has had a rough season, with just one finish higher than 100th (41st last month at Beaver). He's 124th in the Angler of the Year (AOY) race, but he said this is his time of year.

"I've always caught them better later in the season," he said. "I don't function right when the water's too cold."

2nd: Namiki Nails 'Em

Namiki is also in need of a good finish. The runner-up in the points last year is languishing in 95th place in 2006.

He fished shallow in the morning and deep later on and caught 10 keepers. The biggest was a little over 5 pounds.

"The weather was a help to me today," he said. "I don't know the potential of my area for tomorrow, so I'll just have to go out and try."

He said he'll employ the same gameplan tomorrow, regardless of the weather conditions.

"I'll fish both (deep and shallow), even it's windy," he said. "I think that'll be okay for me, but some other people might be hurt by the wind."

He has a target weight in mind. "I'd say 13 pounds. But since it's going to be windy, maybe 12 1/2."

3rd: Yamamoto's Move Pays Off

Yamamoto's bag was anchored by two 6-pounders and a 4. He fished both shallow and deep, but the three big ones all came from skinny water.

"I was hoping for 20 pounds because I'd been catching them deep," he said. "Today I caught one early, but then I didn't get a bite for 2 hours, so I went shallow.

"My first fish was the 4, then I caught the two other big ones."

He's not sure what he'll do first thing tomorrow.

"I'll have to play it by ear," he said. "It seems like a lot of it has to do with the weather. When it rains, they go shallow.

"I've got quite a few areas to fish tomorrow, and I've got a few backup areas that I haven't tried. I have one area that I've fished for quite a few years that's been good off and on, but it's not a place where you can go and say for sure that you're going to catch them."

He'll shoot for a bag that's in the neighborhood of 15 pounds.

"The fish are there – it just depends on whether they bite or not."

4th: Newton Comfortable

Newton pursued a deep bite and caught more than he'd anticipated.

"The fishing was actually better today than it has been," he said. "I think just the change in the weather is what they needed to turn them on a little bit."

He caught 10 keepers, including one about 5 pounds.

"I never expected that much, but I always feel good fishing here," he said. "It's like I'm in my comfort zone."

He said he struggled early, but his bite picked up midway through the day. With the expected wind, he's not sure about tomorrow.

"I have a backup, and it's a shallow thing," he said. "I don't know, I'll just have to wait and see. It depends on how much wind we get, but as long as I can keep a trolling motor in the water, I think I'll be good."

5th: Bolivar Cranks 'Em Up

Bolivar's consistency in his first year on the Tour has been remarkable (he's 4th in the points). The Arizonan by way of California added another highlight today, but he's antsy about tomorrow.

"The thing that worries me is heavy wind," he said. "I'm right out in the open, and if it blows 20 or 30 mph, I won't be able to fish right. It'll blow me all over.

"That's typical for me because I don't know the lake. I can catch them for 1 day because I figure something out (in practice), but then everything changes and I don't have a clue. Why can't it just be like today so I can go fish my spots again?"

He threw a crankbait for deep fish and said a precise presentation was critical. "There's only one angle they like to bite on – otherwise you're wasting your time. You have to be able to position your boat well enough to make that cast."

If it's too windy, he has a shallower backup area.

"It's protected, and I think I can catch 9 to 10 pounds with a finesse worm. I don't know how much I'll need to make the cut, but if it's blowing super-strong, it'll mess up more people than just me.

"Twelve or 13 pounds might do it, but I'm not sure if I can catch that or not."

6th: Colson Bounces

Ramie Colson Jr. of Cadiz, Ky. was tops among the local contingent today. He caught fish both shallow and deep on Barkley and his bag contained two 5 1/2-pounders.

"Not that many fish have moved out (to the structure) on Barkley and I'm having to move around a lot," he said. "But what bites I'm getting, they're pretty good bites.

"Tomorrow I think I'll try to get five flipping and see what they look like, then I'll go try to cull one out with a deep bite and see if I can't make the cut. After that, the whole deal (for me) will probably be nothing but deep fish."

He'd settle for the strong wind tomorrow if he could get some sun along with it.

"Sunshine would help me. It'd position the fish where I can relate to them a little better rather than keeping them so scattered out."

He said he's catching both pre-spawn and post-spawn fish.

"One of the big ones had no belly – it looked like it'd been drug down the highway. The other one was just bulging."

He thinks he'll need 13 to 15 pounds tomorrow, and he's confident he'll get it.

"One of the two (patterns) will work. I've got a good mindset for this tournament and I've kind of got the best of both worlds. I'm not worrying about a lot – I'm just going fishing."

9th: Hensley was Hot

Michigan's Brian Hensley lost count of the number of keepers he caught on Barkley, but it was "three limits, at least." His biggest weighed about 6 pounds.

He was another angler who didn't discriminate as to depth. "I fished kind of a mixutre of both – some are moving up and some are moving out. The key is finding some of those transition areas."

He doesn't have much of a backup plan – he's already using it. "I had been fishing exclusively shallow for the spawning fish, but that died off," he said.

"If I caught what I did today, I think I'd have a good shot (at making the cut)," he added. "The weights usually don't double on the second day.

"But then again, it's Kentucky Lake and it's the FLW. There's a lot of excellent fishermen, so I won't feel real comfortable unless I've got 20 or better."

191st: Wurm Missed Chances

Arkansas veteran Mike Wurm said he got plenty of shallow bites, but he weighed just one fish for 2-01.

"I had enough bites for a limit, but I just didn't execute," he said. "I couldn't get them in the boat.

"One of them was just a mule – it was a giant fish. I should have had over 12 pounds, anyway."

He'll need a huge day tomorrow to earn a check (75th place), so he might pursue some deeper fish if the weather permits.

"I might try to crank a little bit and see if I can get a couple of good bites."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 200 anglers, 123 limits, three zeroes.

> Lytle said his practice sessions were just mediocre. "I caught one or two good fish a day, and I really wasn't expecting to see what I saw today. Who knows, it might get even better."

> It wasn't a good day for anglers who've won FLW Tour events this season: Anthony Gagliardi (Murray) is 148th with 8-03; Shinichi Fukae (Okeechobee, Beaver) is 161st with 6-15; and George Jeane Jr. (Pickwick) is 184th with 3-11. Points leader Darrel Robertson didn't do himself any favors either – he's 164th with 6-10.

Weather Forecast

Here's the Weather Channel's forecast for the remaining tournament days.

> Thur, May 11 – Few Showers/Wind – 62°/50°
- Wind: From the W at 20 mph

> Fri, May 12 – P.M. Showers – 67°/50°
- Wind: From the W at 16 mph

> Sat, May 13 – Few Showers – 68°/49°
- Wind: From the W/NW at 10 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Curt Lytle -- Zuni, Va -- 5, 20-09

2. Toshinari Namiki -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 20-01

3. Gary Yamamoto -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 20-00

4. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 5, 19-14

5. Gabe Bolivar -- Ramona, Ca -- 5, 19-12

6. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 5, 19-00

7. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 5, 18-05

8. Morizo Shimizu -- Suita, Osaka Japan -- 5, 17-11

9. Brian Hensley -- Edwardsburg, Mi -- 5, 17-08

10. Randy Blaukat -- Lamar, Mo -- 5, 17-07

10. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 17-07

12. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 5, 17-06
13. Terry Bolton -- Paducah, Ky -- 5, 17-02
14. Ralph Laster Jr -- Lees Summit, Mo -- 5, 17-00
15. David Curtis -- Trinity, Tx -- 5, 16-12
16. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 5, 16-11
17. David Wolak -- Warrior Run, Pa -- 5, 16-08
18. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 5, 16-05
19. Jimmy Millsaps -- Canton, Ga -- 5, 16-01
20. Mike Hawkes -- Sabinal, Tx -- 5, 16-00
20. Matt Herren -- Trussville, Al -- 5, 16-00
22. Mark Goines -- Shady Point, Ok -- 5, 15-14
23. Katsutoshi Furusawa -- Tokyo Japan, Jp -- 5, 15-13
24. David Fritts -- Lexington, Nc -- 5, 15-12
25. George Cochran -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 15-11
25. Jason Knapp -- Uniontown, Pa -- 5, 15-11
27. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 5, 15-10
28. Michael Bennett -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 15-04
28. David Cooke -- Mooresville, Nc -- 5, 15-04
30. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tn -- 5, 15-02
31. Tom Burns -- Carbondale, Il -- 5, 15-01
32. Danny Correia -- Marlborough, Ma -- 5, 14-15
32. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, Ar -- 5, 14-15
32. Fred Roumbanis -- Auburn, Ca -- 5, 14-15
35. William Davis -- Russellville, Al -- 5, 14-14
35. Sam Newby -- Pocola, Ok -- 5, 14-14
37. Marcus Clouse -- Las Vegas, Nv -- 5, 14-13
38. David Young -- Mayfield, Ky -- 5, 14-12
39. Billy Schroeder -- Paducah, Ky -- 5, 14-11
40. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Al -- 5, 14-08
41. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 5, 14-07
42. Craig Powers -- Rockwood, Tn -- 5, 14-06
43. Jody Cordell -- Flowery Branch, Ga -- 5, 14-04
44. Craig Melton -- Lawrenceburg, Tn -- 5, 14-02
44. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, In -- 5, 14-02
46. Thanh Le -- Davie, Fl -- 5, 13-14
47. Alvin Shaw -- State Road, Nc -- 5, 13-10
48. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, Ks -- 5, 13-07
49. Emily Shaffer -- Mount Juliet, Tn -- 5, 13-06
50. Keith Williams -- Conway, Ar -- 5, 13-04
51. Alton Jones -- Waco, Tx -- 5, 13-03
51. Mark Rose -- Marion, Ar -- 5, 13-03
53. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 5, 13-02
53. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 5, 13-02
53. Carl Svebek Iii -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 13-02
56. Chip Harrison -- Bremen, In -- 5, 13-01
57. Guido Hibdon -- Gravois Mills, Mo -- 5, 13-00
57. Wayne Jeffcoat -- Chapin, Sc -- 5, 13-00
59. Tim Carroll -- Owasso, Ok -- 5, 12-13
60. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 5, 12-12
61. Pat Fisher -- Buckhead, Ga -- 5, 12-11
62. Kevin Lasyone -- Dry Prong, La -- 5, 12-10
63. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 5, 12-09
63. Alfred Williams -- Jackson, Ms -- 5, 12-09
65. Luke Clausen -- Spokane, Wa -- 5, 12-08
65. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 5, 12-08
67. Brennan Bosley -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 12-06
68. Toby Hartsell -- Livingston, Tx -- 5, 12-05
69. Chris Elliott -- Beaufort, Nc -- 5, 12-04
69. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 5, 12-04
69. Jay Yelas -- Tyler, Tx -- 5, 12-04
72. Nick Grebb -- Maumelle, Ar -- 5, 12-03
73. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 5, 12-02
74. Tony Defilippo -- Lake Ann, Mi -- 5, 11-15
75. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, Sc -- 5, 11-13
75. Kevin Vida -- Clare, Mi -- 5, 11-13
75. Art Ferguson Iii -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 5, 11-11
78. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 5, 11-10
79. R J Bennett -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 11-07
80. Terry Baksay -- Easton, Ct -- 5, 11-06
81. Jerry Williams -- Conway, Ar -- 5, 11-06
82. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 5, 11-03
82. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 5, 11-03
84. Ray Scheide -- Russellville, Ar -- 5, 11-03
84. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, Ok -- 5, 11-02
84. Dion Hibdon -- Stover, Mo -- 5, 11-02
87. Dwayne Horton -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 11-02
87. Rick Marsh -- High Point, Nc -- 5, 11-02
87. Wes Thomas -- Hanover, In -- 5, 11-02
87. Jason Abram -- Chuckey, Tn -- 5, 11-00
87. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 5, 11-00
92. Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Il -- 5, 11-00
92. Roger Crafton -- Boca Grande, Fl -- 5, 10-14
92. Bobby Curtis -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 10-14
95. Mike Ellenstein -- Newburgh, In -- 5, 10-14
95. Jeremiah Kindy -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 10-13
95. Pierre Fortin -- Lady Lake, Fl -- 5, 10-12
98. Chris Mccall -- Jasper, Tx -- 5, 10-12
99. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 5, 10-12
99. Lewis Denney -- Indian Mound, Tn -- 5, 10-08
99. Karen Savik -- St. Louis Park, Mn -- 5, 10-08
102. Barrett Moss -- Somerset, Ky -- 5, 10-07
102. Clint Johanson -- Benton City, Wa -- 5, 10-05
104. Robert Karbas Jr -- Wake Forest, Nc -- 5, 10-04
104. Tom Mann Jr -- Buford, Ga -- 5, 10-03
106. Gary Riffle -- Paris, Tx -- 5, 10-03
107. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 5, 10-01
108. David Smith -- Del City, Ok -- 5, 10-01
108. Johnny Crase -- Lexington, Ky -- 5, 9-14
108. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, Sc -- 5, 9-14
111. Tee Watkins -- East Point, Ky -- 5, 9-14
111. Tim Klinger -- Boulder City, Nv -- 5, 9-13
113. Al Little -- Greensboro, Nc -- 5, 9-12
114. Robert Sherry -- Saint Charles, Il -- 5, 9-12
114. Dale Evans -- Ridgeville, Sc -- 5, 9-11
114. Brad Wall -- Clarksville, Oh -- 5, 9-11
114. Mark Pack -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 9-10
118. Steve Wilson -- Lufkin, Tx -- 5, 9-10
119. Harmon Davis -- Marlow, Ok -- 5, 9-09
119. Tracy Adams -- Wilkesboro, Nc -- 5, 9-08
119. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 5, 9-02
122. Sean Minderman -- Spokane, Wa -- 5, 9-01
122. Stephen Tosh Jr -- Modesto, Ca -- 5, 8-02
124. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, Tx -- 4, 11-13
124. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 4, 11-12
124. Jim Dillard -- West Monroe, La -- 4, 10-07
124. Sam Swett -- Covington, La -- 4, 10-03
124. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 4, 9-15
129. John Crews -- Salem, Va -- 4, 9-14
130. Nate Wellman -- Jenison, Mi -- 4, 9-12
131. Mike Leblanc -- Colchester, Vt -- 4, 9-10
132. Craig Taylor -- Tallahassee, Fl -- 4, 9-10
132. Sandy Melvin -- Boca Grande, Fl -- 4, 9-05
134. Keith Pace -- Monticello, Ar -- 4, 9-05
135. Edward Gettys -- Stevenson, Al -- 4, 9-02
135. J T Kenney -- Daytona Beach, Fl -- 4, 9-01
137. Terry Segraves -- Kissimmee, Fl -- 4, 9-00
137. Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 4, 8-14
137. Charles King -- Shreveport, La -- 4, 8-10
140. Dale Teaney -- Williamsburg, Oh -- 4, 8-07
141. Ron Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 4, 8-06
142. Charles Cummings -- Leeds, Al -- 4, 8-04
143. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 4, 8-03
144. Jason Kilpatrick -- Satsuma, Al -- 4, 8-01
145. Tony Couch -- Buckhead, Ga -- 4, 8-00
145. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, Az -- 4, 7-10
147. John Peters -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 4, 7-07
148. Jack Gadlage -- Benton, Ky -- 4, 7-03
149. David Lauer -- South Bend, In -- 4, 7-03
150. Dave Lefebre -- Union City, Pa -- 4, 7-02
151. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 3, 9-10
152. Jeffrey Thomas -- Broadway, Nc -- 3, 9-07
152. Bill Chapman -- Salt Rock, Wv -- 3, 9-04
154. John Tanner -- Quitman, Tx -- 3, 9-01
155. Zack Bull -- Memphis, Tn -- 3, 8-08
156. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 3, 8-06
157. Pete Gluszek -- Franklinville, Nj -- 3, 7-10
157. Bill Stutzman -- Nampa, Id -- 3, 7-09
159. Sean Hoernke -- Magnolia, Tx -- 3, 7-05
160. Shinichi Fukae -- Mineola, Tx -- 3, 6-15
161. Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, Tx -- 3, 6-11
162. Todd Ary -- Moody, Al -- 3, 6-10
162. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 3, 6-10
164. Rodney Hairgrove -- Gilbertsville, Ky -- 3, 6-08
164. Cecil Kingsley -- Lawrence, Ks -- 3, 5-14
166. Bill Mcdonald -- Indianapolis, In -- 3, 5-14
167. Derek Jones -- Chicago, Il -- 3, 5-05
168. Chris Cox -- Appleton, Wi -- 3, 5-01
168. Ishama Monroe -- Hughson, Ca -- 2, 7-01
170. Rock Monteith -- Columbia, Sc -- 2, 6-11
171. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 2, 6-06
172. Kevin Long -- Berkley, Mi -- 2, 5-11
173. Art Berry -- Hemet, Ca -- 2, 5-07
174. Aaron Hastings -- Middletown, Md -- 2, 5-04
175. William Drown -- Roseland, Fl -- 2, 4-10
176. Chic Aydelette -- Thomasville, Nc -- 2, 4-06
177. Yancy Windham -- Gordo, Al -- 2, 4-04
178. John Murray -- Phoenix, Az -- 2, 4-01
179. Andre Moore -- Alabaster, Al -- 2, 3-14
180. Marcel Veenstra -- Brighton, Mi -- 2, 3-14
180. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Al -- 2, 3-12
182. George Jeane Jr -- Evans, La -- 2, 3-11
182. Richard Lowitzki -- St Charles, Il -- 2, 3-08
184. John Sappington -- Willard, Mo -- 2, 3-04
185. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 2, 3-01
186. Jerry Green -- Justiceburg, Tx -- 1, 4-02
187. Charlie Hill -- Franklin, Ky -- 1, 3-12
188. Kim Stricker -- Howell, Mi -- 1, 3-06
189. Thomas Hunnell -- Ashland City, Tn -- 1, 3-03
190. Terry Tucker -- Gadsden, Al -- 1, 2-08
191. Chuck Medley -- Owens Cross Roads, Al -- 1, 2-02
191. Mike Wurm -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 1, 2-02
193. Clay Dyer -- Hamilton, Al -- 1, 2-00
193. Asa Godsey -- Clewiston, Fl -- 1, 2-00
195. Chad Cook -- Summerville, Sc -- 1, 1-15
196. James Parker -- Fayetteville, Nc -- 1, 1-14
197. Joel Richardson -- Kernersville, Nc -- 1, 1-13
Mark Hardin -- Jasper, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Rich Tauber -- Camarillo, Ca -- 0, 0-00
Ken Wick -- Star, Id -- 0, 0-00

Big Bass

Day 1: Ralph Laster Jr. -- Lees Summit, Mo -- 7-05 -- $750