Thrift Slides Ahead Of Morgan With 1 Day Left

By BassFan Staff

Magic vs. Bird. McEnroe vs. Connors. Jack vs. Arnold.

While Thrift vs. Morgan may not resonate on the same level of those mainstream sports rivalries, it’s not often BassFans get the opportunity to see two of the top anglers of their era – two former occupants of the top spot in the BassFan World Rankings and winners of the four of the last five (and five of the last eight) FLW Tour Angler of the Year titles – basically go toe to toe on the final day of a four-day tournament.

They’ll get such a chance Sunday.

Bryan Thrift and Andy Morgan, friends and competitors for many years, will leave the dock at General Burnside Island State Park at Lake Cumberland on Sunday morning separated by a mere 7 ounces.

Each has averaged just over 17 pounds per day so far with Thrift surging into the lead today with an 18-11 stringer that gave him 51-08 overall. Morgan, the leader after the first two days, countered with 16-06 and sits at 51-01.

If there wasn’t so much money on the line – and their own shot at the victory – there’s a good chance the other eight finalists would spend Sunday watching Thrift and Morgan go cast for cast against each other in what’s turned into a throwback sort of tournament, where everyone has plenty of water to fish and a spinnerbait has dominated throughout.

Morgan, who has slipped to 46th in the latest BassFan World Rankings after two triple-digit results already in 2018, has found Cumberland’s high water and seemingly endless flooded shallow cover to his liking. Thrift, on the other hand, has thrived on slowing down, a contrast to his usual run-and-gun style, but a necessary adjustment based on how productive a particular stretch of water has been for him.

As attractive as the Thrift-Morgan matchup is, neither has much room for error as just 2 pounds, 3 ounces separates the top 5.

Allen Boyd shot up to 3rd today with a tournament-best 19-09 to push his total to 50-06. Greg Bohannan had his best day of the event with 18-11, which moved him into 4th with 49-04. Clent Davis logged at least 16 pounds for the third straight day – the only competitor to do so – and his 16-06 effort has him in 5th with 49-05.

Here's a look at the top 10 entering the final day of competition, with deficit margin from Thrift indicated by red numbers in parentheses:

1. Bryan Thrift: 51-08
2. Andy Morgan: 51-01 (0-07)
3. Allen Boyd: 50-06 (1-02)
4. Greg Bohannan: 49-09 (1-15)
5. Clent Davis: 49-05 (2-03)
6. Kerry Milner: 48-01 (3-07)
7. Darrel Robertson: 47-02 (4-06)
8. Chris McCall: 45-15 (5-09)
9. James Watson: 45-10 (5-14)
10. Chris Johnston: 45-08 (6-00)

After a few hours of decent weather this morning, the 30 competitors spent the balance of the day in their rain suits, but the fishing only seemed to improve. On Friday, with 183 boats on the lake, there were 18 stringers that weighed 16 pounds or more. Today, there were 11 such bags with 30 competitors in action.

Among them were James Watson, who bagged 16-07 to move up five spots to 9th with 45-10, and Chris Johnston, who improved seven places to 10th with 45-08 behind a 17-01 stringer. It’s Johnston’s third top-10 cut in four outings this season. Ramie Colson, Jr. (9th to 13th) and Carl Jocumsen (10th to 15th) saw their tournaments end after starting the day in the top 10.

A cold front is set to move in overnight, knocking the forecasted high for Sunday down into the 60s with more rain to come. Few think it’ll have much of a bearing on the fish, which have begun the move to their spawning areas in droves.

Thrift Has A Reliable Area

> Day 3: 5, 18-11 (15, 51-08)

Thrift says his and Morgan’s kinship has a simple theme – “We’re just good ol’ country boys, I reckon,” he said – and nothing about that will change based on Sunday’s outcome.

Thrift is quick to say he never anticipated being in this position prior to the tournament beginning. Now, he’s hoping the stretch that’s been productive for him for three days has a few more fish to send his way.

“I caught a lot of fish today, but I think my main area is about done,” he said. “When I left there, I probably had 16 pounds and it took 2 1/2 hours to catch that.”

While others are averse to go back through stretches a second time, Thrift feels compelled to try yet again.

“I don’t know why it’s been so good,” he said. “It’s weird. I’m just starting on a bank for a couple miles. I’ve probably fished a 3-mile stretch all three days, but I catch them on a different section every day. I don’t know if they’re moving or more are pulling up.”

He said three of his weigh-in fish today came from that key stretch and each weighed around 3 1/2 pounds.

“I think I have to start there in the morning and give it a couple hours,” he added. “If I can catch 15 or 16 (pounds) by 11 or 12, I’ll feel like I have a chance. Even if I go and don’t catch one, I still have to go try it.”

A win Sunday would be the sixth Tour victory for Thrift, who relishes being out front.

“I want to be leading,” he said. “I want every ounce I can get. I don’t care if I’m leading by an ounce.”

2nd: Morgan Not Counting Himself Out

> Day 3: 5, 16-06 (15, 51-01)

After surrendering the lead Saturday, Morgan was lamenting some missed opportunities from Friday, but is grateful for the chance to capture his second career Tour win on Sunday.

“It was a decent day,” he said. “I got off to a good start, then it mellowed out and got random again. I thought it would be better. I thought we’d annihilate them and I guess we did, but it didn’t show its true potential.”

One thing that’s puzzled him is the lack of a jig bite. He tried it for a while today, but switched back to the spinnerbait that has accounted for most of his weigh-in fish.

“I figured at some point, I could pick it up and catch them (with it), but right now, the moving bait is at the top of the heap. You can’t touch it. It has to change. I’m not sure when, but it has to soon.”

Still, he believes he’s capable of bringing in another 17 or 18 pounds.

“The way I’m fishing, that weight is definitely possible,” he said. “Every day I’ve been here, it’s been doable and I don’t see it changing. Everybody is around them and everybody will catch a few. You’re just hoping the good fortune will fall your way.”

3rd: Boyd Excited for Opportunity

> Day 3: 5, 19-09 (15, 50-06)

When Boyd got home from the Lake Lanier FLW Tour, he immediately turned his focus to Cumberland. He’s fished other similar lakes in Kentucky and felt a measure of confidence heading into this event.

“I said to my girlfriend that if I ever have a shot to win one, this is it,” he said. “I felt really good about it.”

And after what he saw today, his hunch was again confirmed as he jumped into 3rd and finds himself just over a pound out of the lead.

“I think those big ones are coming,” he said. “I saw some big fish today and had some big ones that swiped at my bait that didn’t get it.”

He wound up weighing all largemouth and has done his damage with a spinnerbait and swim jig. He figures he tallied 40 keepers Saturday.

“I caught so many fish it’s unbelievable,” he said. “I’m very excited to be sitting where I’m at.”

He’s been rotating through the same area and expects to be back there tomorrow.

“I’m learning more about the area I’m in,” he said. “Each time I fish through there, I think the falling water might actually be helping me. At first, I thought it was hurting.

“When I came in on day 1 I said I wouldn’t fish the same pocket two times in one day, but with what I’ve seen the last few days, when you catch those big fish, it’s hard to leave. I think I’m going to go all in and hunker down in that area and go after those big fish.”

4th: Switch to Largemouth Paid Off for Bohannan

> Day 3: 5, 18-11 (15, 49-09)

Bohannan spent the first couple hours today chasing smallmouth, but called an audible and went shallow to target largemouth and came out with his best day of the tournament.

“I’m just running new water each day and trying to run a pattern,” he said. “Today, I was fortunate to have three quality bites.”

Prior to the tournament, he figured 13 to 16 pounds a day was possible as he was getting 10 bites a day on a spinnerbait and jerkbait. He didn’t envision having a shot at the win.

“The largemouth are farther along and coming on strong and that’s helped me,” he said. “If I have another day like today and get another big one, I’ll give myself a shot.”

He said chasing down the likes of Thrift and Morgan would add another layer of excitement to it.

“I’ve had seconds and thirds before so it’d be cool to have to beat the best up there,” he added.

5th: Davis Headed to New Water (Again)

> Day 3: 5, 16-06 (15, 49-05)

Davis thought he could get away with recycling water today that he’d fished Thursday. It took until 1 p.m. for him to conclude that wasn’t wise.

With a 13-inch smallmouth and a 4-pounder in his livewell, he made the switch to a new area with similar characteristics – “stuff I’ve never fished before,” he said – and tapped into a group of feeding smallmouth. If anything, the move clued him in to what not to do on Sunday.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to fish all new water,” he said. “If I finish 10th, oh well. I’ve already made a bunch of money and points. I don’t know what I’ll catch, but I’m not going back to anything I’ve fished already.”

He has had the most success with a swimbait this week and weighed in all smallmouth again. He’s not too concerned about the cold front coming in tonight.

“I don’t think it’s enough to change much,” he said. “If you get around them they’re going to bite.”

Being just 2-03 off Thrift’s pace comes as a surprise to Davis, who pre-practiced at Cumberland, but had to reacquaint himself with the lake in official practice as it had cleared up considerably.

“It would mean a lot to win,” he said. “I didn’t know if I could get paid coming into this one. If you’d have told me I’ll catch 16 pounds for 4 days (straight) and lose, I’d call you a liar.”

12th: Sprague Still Stung by Day-1 Gaffe

> Day 3: 5, 16-15 (15, 45-00)

Jeff Sprague is still kicking himself over a decision he made on day 1 that, in hindsight, likely cost him a place among the 10 finalists rather than a 12th-place finish.

“I tried to boat-flip a 4-pound smallmouth and didn’t realize how big it was because they’re so deceiving,” he said. “When I flipped it, my rod wouldn’t bring it in the boat. It only came up halfway and banged off the side of the boat. I tried again and banged it off the boat again and it came off.”

He said the fish would’ve given him roughly a 2-pound upgrade, which when coupled with his output over the last two days would’ve easily put him in the top 10.

“It’s crazy to catch 17 and 17 and not make the cut,” he said. “It’s another lesson learned the hard way.”

He said it took him most of day 1 to relocate the staging fish he’d found during practice after the water was drawn down on the off day.

“I got dialed back in Friday and they bit well today,” he said. “Honestly, I could’ve caught more, but I thought I had enough to make the cut. When you dial them in like I feel I did, you want to be out there every day.”

He did some damage with a spinnerbait and vibrating jig, but most of his fish came flipping a Gene Larew Hammer Craw into the tops of submerged bushes on the lower end of the lake.

Notable

> Day 3 stats – 30 anglers, 30 limits.

Weather Forecast

> Sun., April 15 – Rain - 62°/37°
- Wind: From the SSW at 10 to 15 mph

Day 3 Standings

1. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, NC -- 15-9 (5) -- 17-4 (5) -- 32-13 (10) -- 18-11 (5) -- 51-08 (15)

2. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 18-15 (5) -- 15-12 (5) -- 34-11 (10) -- 16-06 (5) -- 51-01 (15)

3. Allen Boyd -- Salem, In -- 16-5 (5) -- 14-8 (5) -- 30-13 (10) -- 19-09 (5) -- 50-06 (15)

4. Greg Bohannan -- Bentonville, Ar -- 14-2 (5) -- 16-12 (5) -- 30-14 (10) -- 18-11 (5) -- 49-09 (15)

5. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, Al -- 16-2 (5) -- 16-13 (5) -- 32-15 (10) -- 16-06 (5) -- 49-05 (15)

6. Kerry Milner -- Bono, Ar -- 13-10 (5) -- 17-12 (5) -- 31-6 (10) -- 16-11 (5) -- 48-01 (15)

7. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 15-15 (5) -- 17-6 (5) -- 33-5 (10) -- 13-13 (5) -- 47-02 (15)

8. Chris McCall -- Palmer, Tx -- 14-14 (5) -- 15-13 (5) -- 30-11 (10) -- 15-04 (5) -- 45-15 (15)

9. James Watson -- Lampe, Mo -- 12-7 (5) -- 16-12 (5) -- 29-3 (10) -- 16-07 (5) -- 45-10 (15)

10. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 11-15 (5) -- 16-8 (5) -- 28-7 (10) -- 17-01 (5) -- 45-08 (15)

The following anglers missed the cut and will not compete on day 4.

11. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 14-12 (5) -- 15-2 (5) -- 29-14 (10) -- 15-05 (5) -- 45-03 (15) -- $12,000

12. Jeff Sprague -- Point, Tx -- 10-2 (5) -- 17-15 (5) -- 28-1 (10) -- 16-15 (5) -- 45-00 (15) -- $12,000

13. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 14-3 (5) -- 16-5 (5) -- 30-8 (10) -- 14-02 (5) -- 44-10 (15) -- $12,000

14. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, Ar -- 12-10 (5) -- 15-9 (5) -- 28-3 (10) -- 16-02 (5) -- 44-05 (15) -- $12,000

15. Carl Jocumsen -- Frisco, Tx -- 14-13 (5) -- 15-8 (5) -- 30-5 (10) -- 13-15 (5) -- 44-04 (15) -- $12,000

16. Zack Birge -- Blanchard, Ok -- 11-12 (5) -- 15-10 (5) -- 27-6 (10) -- 16-07 (5) -- 43-13 (15) -- $12,000

17. Mark Rose -- West Memphis, Ar -- 14-12 (5) -- 15-7 (5) -- 30-3 (10) -- 13-03 (5) -- 43-06 (15) -- $12,000

18. Billy Hines -- Vacaville, Ca -- 15-15 (5) -- 11-13 (5) -- 27-12 (10) -- 15-10 (5) -- 43-06 (15) -- $12,000

19. Bob Morin -- Seymour, Tn -- 14-6 (5) -- 15-5 (5) -- 29-11 (10) -- 13-08 (5) -- 43-03 (15) -- $12,000

20. Clayton Batts -- Macon, Ga -- 12-7 (5) -- 15-14 (5) -- 28-5 (10) -- 14-13 (5) -- 43-02 (15) -- $12,000

21. Kyle Cortiana -- Coweta, Ok -- 15-11 (5) -- 12-13 (5) -- 28-8 (10) -- 13-13 (5) -- 42-05 (15) -- $10,000

22. Grae Buck -- Harleysville, Pa -- 16-13 (5) -- 11-0 (5) -- 27-13 (10) -- 14-00 (5) -- 41-13 (15) -- $10,000

23. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 15-11 (5) -- 13-5 (5) -- 29-0 (10) -- 12-12 (5) -- 41-12 (15) -- $10,000

24. Shawn Murphy -- Nicholasville, Ky -- 14-7 (5) -- 13-5 (5) -- 27-12 (10) -- 13-14 (5) -- 41-10 (15) -- $10,000

25. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 14-2 (5) -- 13-11 (5) -- 27-13 (10) -- 13-04 (5) -- 41-01 (15) -- $10,000

26. James Niggemeyer -- Van, Tx -- 14-4 (5) -- 13-0 (5) -- 27-4 (10) -- 13-08 (5) -- 40-12 (15) -- $10,000

27. Brian Latimer -- Belton, SC -- 12-10 (5) -- 15-13 (5) -- 28-7 (10) -- 12-02 (5) -- 40-09 (15) -- $10,000

28. Justin Atkins -- Florence, Al -- 11-13 (5) -- 15-7 (5) -- 27-4 (10) -- 13-01 (5) -- 40-05 (15) -- $10,000

29. Terry Bolton -- Paducah, Ky -- 11-1 (5) -- 16-3 (5) -- 27-4 (10) -- 10-11 (5) -- 37-15 (15) -- $10,000

30. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 12-2 (5) -- 15-14 (5) -- 28-0 (10) -- 9-07 (5) -- 37-07 (15) -- $10,000