Walker Up By 3 1/2 As 15 Anglers Crack 20 Pounds

David Walker has fished Alabama's Lake Guntersville dozens of times over the years, but there's something about the place that continually baffles him.

"I'm amazed at how this body of water holds up to all the fishing pressure and I think it's incredible how it sustains it," he said. "You'd think this would be the top finesse lake in the country because (the fish) see baits constantly. But a lot of times they act like they've never seen one."

They sure liked what the Tennesseean showed them today. He caught a 29-03 sack anchored by an 8-pounder and another fish that was just shy of that mark to take the day-1 lead at the 2009 FLW Tour opener.

He had a 3 1/2-pound edge over North Carolina cranking guru David Fritts, who relied on his past experience at Guntersville to work his way up to a 25-11 stringer. In 3rd was Georgia veteran Tom Mann Jr., who caught a 9-03 brute (barely) that highlighted a 25-05 bag.

California's Brent Ehrler and Florida's Mike Surman ended the day in a tie for 4th at 24-09. Both were surprised by the quality of fish they encountered today after unspectacular practice sessions.

Here's a look at the current Top 10:

1. David Walker: 29-03
2. David Fritts: 25-11
3. Tom Mann Jr.: 25-05
4. (tie) Brent Ehrler: 24-09
4. (tie) Mike Surman: 24-09
6. (tie) Terry Baksay: 23-11
6. (tie) David Dudley: 23-11
8. Craig Dowling: 23-04
9. Scott Canterbury: 22-01
10. Ray Scheide: 21-13

The vast majority of the field is doing the same thing – pulling a lipless crankbait over, around and through the famous Guntersville grass (a mix of hydrilla and milfoil). The whole key is to be on the right grassbed at the right time – a lot of fish are moving (either up from the depths or around the shallows) in preparation for the spawn.

Roughly half of the 157-angler field caught a limit and the Top 15 exceeded 20 pounds. If conditions hold up, tomorrow's Top-10 cut should fall right around the 40-pound mark and it'll probably take at least 30 to make a check (50th place).

Today's weather conditions were sunny and warm (the high temperature was about 65 degrees) with just a light breeze. The front that brought rain and fierce winds a day earlier muddied up some prime areas, but it certainly didn't shut down the bite.

Tomorrow's forecast is for a mix of sun and clouds, with some showers possible in the afternoon. Winds will be out of the southeast at 8 mph.

The entire field will fish again tomorrow, but only the Top 10 will advance to the weekend. The winner will be determined by highest combined weight over the final 2 days.

Walker Unchained

Walker's Forrest Wood Cup berth is already locked up via the FLW Series East/West Fish-Off and he loves the layout of the Tour schedule, which should offer more opportunities to catch big fish from shallow water than ever before. That's got him in a free-and-easy mode and he hopes there will be more days like today.

"The best thing about the new schedule is this is what'll get people hooked on fishing right here," he said, referring to the bevy of 20-pound-plus sacks that came to the scale today. "And with the championship already made, it changes the way you fish. I didn't think it would, but it kind of takes the noose from around your neck. When you're talking about FLW championships or (Bassmaster) Classics, you've got to be there."

He was surprised by his weight today – he figured he had about 24 pounds. His two best fish combined to go nearly 16.

"I was off by about a pound on each of (his five fish). These fish just have such big shoulders on them – they're like St. Clair smallies. They really fooled me."

He caught his first big one at mid-day and the other about 90 minutes later. He ended up catching seven that weighed 4 pounds or more, plus eight or 10 smaller keepers (15 inches or better).

"I really felt going into the day like I was going to catch some fish, but I didn't know how big they'd be. They were as big as I wanted them to be and I managed to land what bit, and that was key.

"There's been more than one event where I've lost fish that would've meant a lot, so I'm pretty excited about it."

He moved around quite a bit, but caught most of his fish from one specific area. He threw the lipless crank all day.

"It's not like I've got any secrets figured out – I just come down here and do what works and hope I can do it a little better than everybody else. You can't always make the bigger ones bite like that – it either happens or it doesn't."

He won't back off tomorrow unless he has at least 20 pounds in the well.

"That should be more than enough (to make the cut), but I don't see any reason to try to sneak into the Top 10. If you can jump in with both feet, then why not?"

2nd: Fritts Fished Some Memories

Fritts didn't have a great practice, so today he simply reverted to places that had produced for him in the past.

"I hadn't been catching much at all, to be honest," he said. "But I've been to Guntersville so much and I know what's worked for me before, and that experience just guided me to the way I fished today."

He caught more than a dozen keepers, and the best was a 7-04. He declined to divulge the specifics of his technique, so that might mean he's got a cranking pattern going that's slightly different than the ones being employed by most of the field.

"I thought I might be able to get 20 pounds, but (the 25-11) was more than I thought I could catch. It was a little bit tough in the morning, but they were biting pretty good in the afternoon right before we came in."

He said he encountered no crowding issues whatsoever. "I was able to fish pretty much wherever I wanted to."

3rd: Net Saves Mann

The 9-pounder that put Mann near the top of the leaderboard was hooked in its side and came unhooked right at the boat. Fortunately for him, that was the exact moment when his co-angler, Terry Chapman, got the net underneath it.

"It was my seventh or eighth cast and I'd already lost one pretty good one," he said. "They've been biting like that all week – just slapping at the bait. Half of them are hooked outside the head or somewhere else on their body.

"Those super-sharp VMC hooks were the only reason I was able to catch that fish – that and my partner scooping it up in the net."

He used two Rapala baits – a Rattlin' Rap and a Clackin' Rap. He caught about a dozen keepers and left his primary area at 11:00.

He and Chapman caught more than 50 pounds between them. "There was no sense staying there and pounding the place because there was no way to do better than we'd already done."

He's sharing the spot with Ray Scheide, who's in 10th, but said they've got an arrangement that'll work for both of them. "A couple of other boats saw where I was at, so hopefully they'll respect my water."

4th: Ehrler Bags an 8 1/2

Ehrler had a decent limit as lunchtime approached, and then he caught a big kicker that ensured he'd end the day near the top.

"Once I caught that one, I knew I had a chance at a good stringer," he said. "I caught some in the morning, and then there was a long stretch when I didn't catch anything.

"It was an okay day with a couple of little flurries. It wasn't a day when you could run around and catch them everywhere."

He's throwing Lucky Craft baits, but wouldn't reveal the precise models. "Several of them are working, but there's one in particular that gets more bites than any other."

He'd like to surpass 20 pounds again tomorrow, but isn't counting on it.

"I'm not positive I can catch a limit. When the bites are coming in flurries like that, timing's the thing. And if your timing's wrong, you might not catch anything.

"I know where I want to spend my time, though, and I'm hoping I make the right decisions."

4th: Surman Surprised

Surman caught his strong sack by bouncing around in an area that's 5 or 6 miles long.

"I'm totally surprised," he said "I really didn't think that area had that kind of quality. I caught a couple of fish there in practice and then left. Then I went back today and the next thing I know I'm carrying a big bag.

"I just think this lake has so many big fish that if you get lucky at all and get eight or 10 bites, you're going to have a pretty good weight.

He caught all his fish on a Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe. He had a 7-05 and another about 5 1/2.

"I had to work for them. I didn't catch that many fish – about nine – but they were really good quality.

"I'll do the same thing tomorrow and just bear down and catch as much as I can, then whatever happens will happen."

6th: Few Bites for Baksay

Connecticut's Terry Baksay parlayed seven bites into a sack that was just a few ounces short of 24 pounds. It contained a 6-pounder, a 5 1/2 and a 5.

He wasn't totally surprised to be where he is, but wouldn't have been shocked if he'd landed down toward the bottom, either.

"I had 2 practice days when I had that much or more, and then 2 that were really bad," he said. "At noon today I had one fish, and then I figured something out about where they're coming from that will hopefully help me catch some tomorrow.

"I have some areas with some really good fish in them, but it's a matter of getting them to bite. I know some guys are getting a lot more bites than I am."

He's running a pattern in different areas and said he found some new water after he had his weight at mid-afternoon.

"I found one spot that has some potential, but that's about it. We'll just have to see what happens tomorrow."

147th: Just One for Browne

Florida's Glenn Browne, a strong contender for the Angler of the Year (AOY) last year, boated just one 2 1/4-pounder.

"I don't know what happened," he said. "I had 2 practice days that were no good, but the last 2 were pretty fair. One day I had 18 or 20 pounds and the last day I had 15, but I had 30 bites.

"It just evaporated on me. I was fishing real shallow and something changed. I think they dropped the water or didn't run it or something because it seemed altogether different."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 157 anglers, 72 limits, 18 fours, 22 threes, 23 twos, 14 ones, eight zeroes.

> Reigning Forrest Wood Cup champion Michael Bennett weighed one keeper for 2-13 and is in 144th place.

> Idaho's Ken Wick turned in one of the eight zeroes. "I got on a pattern with 3 hours left on the last (practice) day and I was fishing in a foot to a foot and a half of water," he said. "The water temperature was down 3 or 4 degrees today, and the bait and the fish both moved back. All I caught was five short fish."

Weather Report

Here's the weather forecast for the remaining tournament days. For more weather information, including satellite and radar imagery, visit OutdoorsFanWeather.com.

> Fri., Feb. 13 - P.M. Showers - 63°/46°
- Wind: From the SE at 8 mph

> Sat., Feb. 14 - A.M. Clouds, P.M. Sun - 63°/38°
- Wind: From the W at 12 mph

> Sun., Feb. 15 - Partly Cloudy - 56°/35°
- Wind: From the N at 7 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tn -- 5, 29-03

2. David Fritts -- Lexington, Nc -- 5, 25-11

3. Tom Mann Jr -- Buford, Ga -- 5, 25-05

4. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 5, 24-09

4. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 5, 24-09

6. Terry Baksay -- Easton, Ct -- 5, 23-11

6. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 5, 23-11

8. Craig Dowling -- Grant, Al -- 5, 23-04

9. Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Al -- 5, 22-01

10. Ray Scheide -- Dover, Ar -- 5, 21-13

11. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 21-07

12. John Tanner -- Quitman, Tx -- 5, 21-06

13. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 5, 21-05

14. Terry Bolton -- Jonesboro, Ar -- 5, 21-00

15. Tim Mcdonald -- Lexington, Ky -- 5, 20-15

16. Ott Defoe -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 19-15

17. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 5, 19-14

18. Stacey King -- Reeds Spring, Mo -- 5, 19-13

19. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, Nc -- 5, 19-10

20. Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 19-09

21. Randall Tharp -- Gardendale, Al -- 5, 19-07

22. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 5, 19-06

22. Sam Newby -- Pocola, Ok -- 5, 19-06

22. Robert Sherry -- Saint Charles, Il -- 5, 19-06

25. Pete Gluszek -- Mt. Laurel, Nj -- 5, 19-05

26. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 19-04

27. Alvin Shaw -- State Road, Nc -- 5, 19-03

28. Tim Johnson -- Dallas, Ga -- 5, 18-15

29. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 5, 18-13

30. Stuart Arthur -- Benton, Mo -- 5, 18-11

30. Jason Reyes -- Huffman, Tx -- 5, 18-11

32. Aaron Mcmanaway -- Altamont, Il -- 5, 18-05

32. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 5, 18-05

32. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 5, 17-15

35. George Cochran -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 17-15

35. Jeff Magee -- Mendenhall, Ms -- 5, 17-15

35. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 5, 17-11

38. Keith Monson -- Burgin, Ky -- 5, 17-10

39. Gabe Bolivar -- Ramona, Ca -- 5, 17-09

39. Glenn Delong Ii -- Bellville, Oh -- 5, 17-09

41. Richard Lowitzki -- St Charles, Il -- 5, 17-09

41. Kim Stricker -- Howell, Mi -- 5, 17-09

41. Jeremiah Kindy -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 17-04

41. Jerry Green -- Cullman, Al -- 5, 17-03

45. Greg Bohannan -- Rogers, Ar -- 5, 16-07

46. Shinichi Fukae -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 16-07

47. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 5, 16-06

48. Mike Todd -- Norman, Ok -- 5, 16-04

48. Mike Hawkes -- Sabinal, Tx -- 5, 16-03

48. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 5, 16-03

51. Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Il -- 5, 16-00

52. Jake Deeds -- El Dorado, Ar -- 5, 15-12

53. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Al -- 5, 15-12

53. Keith Williams -- Conway, Ar -- 5, 15-08

53. Brent Crow -- Hartselle, Al -- 5, 15-06

56. Jimmy Millsaps -- Canton, Ga -- 5, 15-03

57. Christian Romans -- Carrollton, Ky -- 5, 15-00

58. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, In -- 5, 15-00

58. Brian Travis -- Conover, Nc -- 5, 14-13

60. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 5, 14-12

60. Tracy Adams -- Wilkesboro, Nc -- 5, 14-11

62. Keith Combs -- Del Rio, Tx -- 5, 14-10

63. David Kromm -- Kennewick, Wa -- 5, 14-09

64. Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 5, 14-07

64. James Kemper -- Frankfort, Ky -- 5, 14-05

66. Jim Dillard -- Bauxite, Ar -- 5, 13-05

67. Jason Hickey -- Weiser, Id -- 5, 13-04

67. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, Sc -- 5, 13-02

69. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 5, 11-15

70. Mark Rose -- Marion, Ar -- 5, 11-05

71. Nate Wellman -- Jenison, Mi -- 5, 11-04

72. Ricky D Scott -- Van Buren, Ar -- 5, 8-10

73. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 4, 18-05

74. Fred Contaoi -- Maryville, Tn -- 4, 17-10

75. John Devere -- Berea, Ky -- 4, 16-09

76. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, Ok -- 4, 16-07

77. Pat Eichmann -- Nancy, Ky -- 4, 16-03

78. Thanh Le -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 4, 16-01

79. Robbie Dodson -- Harrison, Ar -- 4, 15-08

80. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, Az -- 4, 14-12

81. Charles Sim -- Ottawa, On -- 4, 13-11

82. Jack Wade -- Knoxville, Tn -- 4, 13-09

83. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 4, 12-13

83. Tim Klinger -- Boulder City, Nv -- 4, 12-11

85. Adam Postelle -- Rocky Face, Ga -- 4, 12-11

86. Neil Russell -- Nampa, Id -- 4, 12-06

87. David Young -- Mayfield, Ky -- 4, 12-01

88. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 4, 10-13

89. Eric Ambort -- Mabelvale, Ar -- 4, 10-03

90. Tony Couch -- Buckhead, Ga -- 4, 8-07

91. Guido Hibdon -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 3, 13-06

92. Jt Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 3, 13-03

92. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 3, 12-12

94. Timothy Sisk -- Cherryville, Nc -- 3, 12-03

94. Chip Harrison -- Bremen, In -- 3, 12-02

96. Michael Brown -- Rocky Face, Ga -- 3, 11-09

97. Luke Clausen -- Mount Juliet, Tn -- 3, 11-06

98. Ron Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 3, 11-04

99. Sean Hoernke -- The Woodlands, Tx -- 3, 10-14

100. Jeffrey Thomas -- Broadway, Nc -- 3, 10-10

101. Brennan Bosley -- Benton, Ar -- 3, 10-07

102. Dave Lefebre -- Union City, Pa -- 3, 9-08

103. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 3, 9-07

104. Mark Hardin -- Jasper, Ga -- 3, 9-01

104. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 3, 9-00

106. Kevin Vida -- Clare, Mi -- 3, 8-14

107. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 3, 8-11

108. Gary Riffle -- Bogata, Tx -- 3, 7-12

108. Craig Powers -- Rockwood, Tn -- 3, 7-03

110. George Jeane Jr -- Evans, La -- 3, 7-00

111. Lewis Denney -- Indian Mound, Tn -- 3, 6-14

112. Jesse West -- Strandquist, Mn -- 3, 3-13

113. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, Az -- 2, 11-05

114. Bobby Curtis -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 2, 10-12

115. Clint Brownlee -- Tifton, Ga -- 2, 9-10

116. Jason Mckinnie -- Umatilla, Fl -- 2, 9-07

117. Travis Fox -- Springdale, Ar -- 2, 8-15

118. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 2, 8-15

119. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 2, 8-12

120. Daniel Gray -- Butler, Pa -- 2, 8-09

121. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 2, 8-04

121. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 2, 7-07

121. Dale Evans -- Summerville, Sc -- 2, 6-14

124. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 2, 6-14

125. Dion Hibdon -- Stover, Mo -- 2, 6-11

125. Matt Arey -- Shelby, Nc -- 2, 6-10

127. Art Ferguson Iii -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 2, 6-10

127. Mark Pack -- Mineola, Tx -- 2, 5-14

129. Carl Svebek Iii -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 2, 5-14

130. Bobby Mcmullin -- Pevely, Mo -- 2, 5-11

131. Kyle Mabrey -- Mccalla, Al -- 2, 5-10

132. Kenneth (Boo) Woods -- Hazard, Ky -- 2, 5-00

133. Jason Abrams -- Johnson City, Tn -- 2, 3-14

134. Kevin Snider -- Elizabethtown, Ky -- 2, 3-12

135. Curt Lytle -- Zuni, Va -- 2, 3-11

136. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 1, 5-05

136. Jay Yelas -- Corvallis, Or -- 1, 5-01

138. Randy Blaukat -- Jasper, Mo -- 1, 4-11

139. Chris Elliott -- Morehead City, Nc -- 1, 4-05

140. Bob Blosser -- Lodi, Wi -- 1, 3-14

140. Jamie Feick -- Blanchard, Ok -- 1, 3-11

142. Will Jefferies -- Bountiful, Ut -- 1, 3-05

143. Michael Murphy -- Gilbert, Sc -- 1, 2-14

144. Michael Bennett -- Lincoln, Ca -- 1, 2-13

144. John Billheimer Jr -- Discovery Bay, Ca -- 1, 2-13

146. Al Little -- Greensboro, Nc -- 1, 2-08

147. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 1, 2-05

147. Andrew Veach -- Carol Stream, Il -- 1, 2-05

149. Danny Pierce -- Greenbrier, Ar -- 1, 2-03

Shawn Carnahan -- Chandler, Az -- 0, 0-00

James Christian -- Dickson, Tn -- 0, 0-00

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

Charles Ely -- Roosevelt, Tx -- 0, 0-00

Joe Thomas -- Milford, Oh -- 0, 0-00

John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 0, 0-00

Ken Wick -- Star, Id -- 0, 0-00

Gary Yamamoto -- Mineola, Tx -- 0, 0-00

Big Bass

Day 1: Tom Mann Jr. -- Buford, Ga -- 9-03 -- $1,000