By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor


A couple of really nice bags came to the scale on day 1 of the Kentucky Lake FLW Tour, and the names of the anglers who caught them were no surprise whatsoever.

Randy Haynes and Jason Lambert lived up to the lofty Tennessee River ledge-fishing reputations as they set the early pace on a venue that's fishing much tougher than it traditionally has at this time of year. Haynes boxed 26-03 and Lambert weighed 24-06 to give them more than 3 pounds worth of separation from the rest of the 182-angler field.

With the lake in its current stingy, Asian carp-infested state, however, neither has a clue as to whether he can catch half as much on day 2.

"I could literally go out and zero – it's that tough, in my opinion," Labert said. "I'll just have to put my head down and go out and do what I can do."

Scott Canterbury grabbed the No. 3 position with a 21-05 back. Austin Felix was next with 19-13 and Josh Douglas rounded out the top 5 with 19-10.

Here's how the initial top 10 stacks up (deficit margins from the leader are indicated by red numbers in parentheses):

1. Randy Haynes: 26-03
2. Jason Lambert: 24-06 (1-13)
3. Scott Canterbury: 21-05 (4-14)
4. Austin Felix: 19-13 (6-06)
5. Josh Douglas: 19-10 (6-09)
6. Bradley Hallman: 18-06 (7-13)
7. David Dudley: 18-05 (7-14)
8. (tie) Scott Martin: 17-14 (8-05)
8. (tie) Tom Redington: 17-14 (8-05)
8. (tie) Andy Morgan: 17-14 (8-05)

Many expected Angler of the Year (AOY) points leader Mark Rose to be near the top of the leaderboard along with fellow offshore aces Haynes and Lambert, but the veteran from Arkansas came in one fish shy of a limit and his 12-05 stringer has him in 64th place. Chris Johnston, who came in at No. 2 in the points, is 26th with 15-02.

Only 76 anglers (42 percent of the field) managed to bring five keepers to the weigh-in stage. There were 13 empty bags and another 12 containing just one fish.



FLW
Photo: FLW

Jason Lambert had all of his weight by 10 o'clock on day 1.

The WeatherChannel.com forecast for day 2 predicts thunderstorms with a high temperature of 79 degrees for the Gilbertsville, Ky. area. A light-to-moderate breeze is expected to blow from the northeast.

The field will be reduced to the top 30 after Friday's weigh-in. Only the top 10 will advance to Sunday, when the winner will be determined via cumulative weight.

Fate Smiled Upon Haynes

> Day 1: 5, 26-03

Haynes said he felt blessed to catch such a massive day-1 bag.

"I put in a lot of hard work for this one and I found one place that really panned out," he said. "I'll definitely have to find something different tomorrow. The only way for me to win is to go for broke every day and that's what I did today."

All five of his weigh-in fish came from the same locale, but the bites were spread throughout the day.

"I burned that place down. I left it for a little while, but I didn't find anything else so I had to go back to it."

All of the fish he took to the scale were 5 pounds or just a little over. The only other keeper he caught was a 2-pounder. He caught everything on a deep-running Profound Outdoors Azuma Z Boss 22 crankbait.

"I fished really clean, so I was happy with that. Unfortunately, my record on day 2s this year isn't very good. I'll just have to go fish tomorrow and do what I love to do."

2nd: Lambert Surprised

> Day 1: 5, 24-06

Lambert wasn't anticipating such a strong opening-day haul.

"I knew there was a chance to catch them, but I didn't expect to have a bag like that," he said. "I caught a quick limit this morning and that helped me a lot, even though I only had one good one (a 4 3/4-pounder) in there and four keepers. Then an hour later I caught another 4 1/2, and then another one an hour after that.

"I got a 6 and a 4 on another spot and I had all my weight by 9:30 or 10 o'clock. That place and the one where I caught the little ones were the only ones where I had multiple bites."

His primary offering was a Castaic Jerky J swimbait. He boated 10 keepers on the day.

FLW
Photo: FLW

Scott Canterbury caught three of his weigh-in fish offshore and the other two from shallow bushes.

He plans to start day 2 on the same stuff.

"I did find one new school that I'll spend some extra time on tomorrow and I saved two places that I don't think are getting fished."

3rd: Canterbury was In and Out

> Day 1: 5, 21-05

Canterbury caught three of his weigh-in fish offshore and the other two from shallow bushes. He went through seven keepers, the best of which was a 6-pounder.

"It was spread out (throughout the day)," he said. "I'm not catching many fish, but I was able to catch a couple of good ones.

"I've got some other stuff, but it's such a long run between places where I've caught anything. I may not catch a bass tomorrow. I'll go out and fish as hard as I can and hope that whatever bites, I'm able to land. One good thing today was that I didn't lose anything."

He said each of the five fish he took to the stage was enticed by a different bait.

"This place has still got the quality, but not the numbers we're used to. My biggest fish was bloody and only had half a tail (a result of the reproduction ritual), so a lot of them are just getting out there to the ledges."

4th: Felix Bewildered

> Day 1: 5, 19-13

Felix said he's not sure how he managed to come within 3 ounces of a 20-pound stringer.

"I legitimately caught three keepers in 3 days of practice, all from different places," he said. "Then I pull up to the first place today and caught three, and at the second one I caught two more and one of them was 5 1/2 pounds.

"I didn't get bit at the third one, so I ran some random stuff and then went back to the place where I didn't get bit and caught three more, and one of those was a 5 1/2. I know they're coming – they're so beat up. I had one that was bleeding from the tail, so it just got there. I think if I can just catch five tomorrow, I'll make the weekend."

FLW
Photo: FLW

Austin Felix overcame a lousy practice to have a strong opening day.

He threw a Carolina rig, a football jig, a big swimbait and a large worm.

"It's not like I had a magic pattern – things just kind of went my way. I could easily blank tomorrow."

64th: No Excuses from Rose

> Day 1: 5, 12-05

Mark Rose offered up no alibis for his lackluster performance on day 1.

"I just had a bad day on the water," he said. "I broke one good one off, but other than that, I didn't lose anything. I just didn't bring the five fish across the scales that I should have and I'll have to regroup and go out and try to get them tomorrow.

"The fish are somewhere, but I can't figure them out. I didn't do my job as well as I should have this week. I worked as hard as I could and I didn't slack off or anything, but I just didn't find them."

He said he'll make some changes to his program on day 2.

"Right now I'm more concerned with figuring the fish out than I am with the (AOY race) or making a check or anything like that. There's a piece of the puzzle I haven't found and that's what's driving me."

Notable

> Day1 stats – 182 anglers, 76 limits, 30 fours, 27 threes, 24 twos, 12 ones, 13 zeroes.

Weather Forecast

> Fri., May 18 – Thundertorms - 79°/65°
- Wind: From the NE at 5 mph

> Sat., May 19 – Partly Cloudy - 86°/70°
- Wind: From the WSW at 7 mph

> Sun., May 20 – A.M. T-storms - 91°/70°
- Wind: From the SW at 7 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Randy Haynes -- Ripley, Ms -- 26-3 (5)

2. Jason Lambert -- Michie, Tn -- 24-6 (5)

3. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, Al -- 21-5 (5)

4. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, Mn -- 19-13 (5)

5. Josh Douglas -- Isle, Mn -- 19-10 (5)

6. Bradley Hallman -- Norman, Ok -- 18-6 (5)

7. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 18-5 (5)

8. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 17-14 (5)

8. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 17-14 (5)

8. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 17-14 (5)

11. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, SC -- 17-13 (5)

12. Joseph Webster -- Winfield, Al -- 17-7 (5)

13. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 17-6 (5)

14. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 17-3 (5)

15. John Hunter -- Shelbyville, Ky -- 17-1 (5)

16. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 16-14 (5)

17. Jordan Osborne -- Longview, Tx -- 16-9 (5)

18. Tyler Stewart -- West Monroe, La -- 16-7 (5)

19. John Cox -- Debary, Fl -- 16-6 (5)

20. Rob Jordan -- Flowery Branch, Ga -- 16-4 (5)

21. Kurt Dove -- Del Rio, Tx -- 15-13 (5)

21. Charlie Evans -- Berea, Ky -- 15-13 (5)

21. Furman (Joe) Thompson -- Clayton, Ga -- 15-13 (5)

24. Dylan Hays -- Sheridan, Ar -- 15-7 (5)

25. Miles Howe -- San Juan Capistrano, Ca -- 15-6 (5)

26. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 15-2 (5)

27. Shawn Murphy -- Nicholasville, Ky -- 14-14 (4)

27. Larry Nixon -- Quitman, Ar -- 14-14 (5)

29. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 14-12 (5)

29. Jimmy Brewer -- Marshall, Tx -- 14-12 (5)

31. Cody Kelley -- Conway, Ar -- 14-11 (5)

32. Jason Meninger -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 14-10 (5)

32. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, Mo -- 14-10 (4)

34. Jeremy Lawyer -- Sarcoxie, Mo -- 14-7 (5)

34. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 14-7 (4)

34. Buddy Gross -- Chickamauga, Ga -- 14-7 (5)

37. Timmy Thompkins -- Myrtle Beach, SC -- 14-4 (5)

38. Chris McCall -- Palmer, Tx -- 14-3 (5)

38. Cody Hahner -- Wausau, Wi -- 14-3 (4)

40. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, Tx -- 13-14 (5)

41. Brett Preuett -- Monroe, La -- 13-13 (4)

42. Jason Abram -- Piney Flats, Tn -- 13-9 (5)

43. Kyle Weisenburger -- Ottawa, Oh -- 13-8 (5)

43. Randy Blaukat -- Joplin, Mo -- 13-8 (5)

43. Billy Hines -- Vacaville, Ca -- 13-8 (4)

46. Andy Young -- Isle, Mn -- 13-7 (4)

47. Tim Cales -- Sandstone, WV -- 13-6 (5)

48. Matt Garner -- Seminole, Ok -- 13-5 (5)

49. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 13-4 (5)

50. Carl Jocumsen -- Frisco, Tx -- 13-3 (5)

51. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, On -- 13-2 (5)

52. James Niggemeyer -- Van, Tx -- 13-0 (5)

53. Jim Dillard -- West Monroe, La -- 12-15 (5)

54. Aaron Britt -- Yuba City, Ca -- 12-13 (4)

55. Joey Cifuentes -- Clinton, Ar -- 12-12 (5)

55. Koby Kreiger -- Bokeelia, Fl -- 12-12 (5)

57. David Williams -- Maiden, NC -- 12-10 (5)

57. William (Billy) Shelton III -- La Crosse, Va -- 12-10 (5)

59. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, Md -- 12-9 (5)

60. Cody Meyer -- Auburn, Ca -- 12-8 (5)

60. David Wootton -- Collierville, Tn -- 12-8 (5)

62. Brian Latimer -- Belton, SC -- 12-7 (5)

62. Shane Lehew -- Catawba, NC -- 12-7 (5)

64. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 12-5 (5)

64. Mark Rose -- West Memphis, Ar -- 12-5 (4)

64. Jeff Dobson -- Bartlesville, Ok -- 12-5 (5)

67. Brandon Mosley -- Choctaw, Ok -- 12-4 (5)

68. Matthew Stefan -- Junction City, Wi -- 12-3 (5)

68. Brad Knight -- Lancing, Tn -- 12-3 (5)

68. Jeff Sprague -- Point, Tx -- 12-3 (5)

71. Gary Yamamoto -- Palestine, Tx -- 11-14 (5)

72. Freddy Hurley -- Somerset, Ky -- 11-12 (4)

73. Johnny McCombs -- Morris, Al -- 11-11 (5)

74. Ryan Chandler -- Hebron, In -- 11-10 (5)

75. Zack Birge -- Blanchard, Ok -- 11-9 (4)

75. Kurt Mitchell -- Milford, De -- 11-9 (5)

77. Scott Suggs -- Alexander, Ar -- 11-8 (5)

77. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 11-8 (3)

79. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, Tx -- 11-3 (5)

80. Allen Boyd -- Salem, In -- 11-2 (5)

81. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, Al -- 11-1 (4)

82. Scott Wiley -- Bay Minette, Al -- 11-0 (5)

82. Kerry Milner -- Bono, Ar -- 11-0 (3)

84. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, Tx -- 10-13 (5)

85. Todd Castledine -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 10-12 (4)

86. Keith Bryan -- Novato, Ca -- 10-11 (4)

86. Barry Wilson -- Birmingham, Al -- 10-11 (3)

86. Luke Dunkin -- Lawrenceburg, Tn -- 10-11 (4)

89. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, On -- 10-10 (3)

90. Clint Brown -- Bainbridge, Ga -- 10-9 (4)

91. Christopher Brasher -- Longview, Tx -- 10-8 (4)

92. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, NC -- 10-7 (5)

93. Andy Wicker -- Pomaria, SC -- 10-5 (2)

93. Bill McDonald -- Greenwood, In -- 10-5 (4)

95. Jay Yelas -- Lincoln City, Or -- 10-3 (4)

95. Greg Bohannan -- Bentonville, Ar -- 10-3 (3)

97. Craig Rozema -- Simpsonville, SC -- 10-2 (4)

98. Curtis Richardson -- Belleville, On -- 10-1 (5)

99. Michael Neal -- Dayton, Tn -- 10-0 (4)

99. Casey Scanlon -- Lake Ozark, Mo -- 10-0 (3)

99. Andrew Upshaw -- Tulsa, Ok -- 10-0 (4)

102. Derrick Blake -- Rockwood, Tn -- 9-14 (4)

102. Bradley Dortch -- Atmore, Al -- 9-14 (4)

104. Wes Logan -- Springville, Al -- 9-10 (5)

105. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, Ga -- 9-8 (4)

106. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 9-7 (4)

107. Tony Dumitras -- Winston, Ga -- 9-5 (3)

108. Jamie Horton -- Centerville, Al -- 9-3 (4)

108. Brandon McMillan -- Clewiston, Fl -- 9-3 (3)

110. Evan Barnes -- Hot Springs , Ar -- 9-0 (5)

111. Wade Curtiss -- Lincoln, Ca -- 8-15 (5)

112. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, SC -- 8-13 (4)

113. Alex Davis -- Albertville, Al -- 8-11 (3)

114. Joshua Weaver -- Macon, Ga -- 8-10 (3)

114. Chase Brooks -- Iraan, Tx -- 8-10 (5)

114. Blake Smith -- Lakeland, Fl -- 8-10 (3)

117. Ronald Young -- Lake Wales, Fl -- 8-9 (2)

118. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, Ar -- 8-6 (4)

119. Michael Wooley -- Booneville, Ms -- 8-5 (2)

120. John Devere -- Berea, Ky -- 8-4 (3)

120. Terry Bolton -- Paducah, Ky -- 8-4 (3)

122. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 7-12 (4)

122. Greg Mansfield -- Olathe, Ks -- 7-12 (3)

124. Jared McMillan -- Belle Glade, Fl -- 7-6 (3)

125. Daryl Biron -- South Windsor, Ct -- 7-3 (3)

126. Steven Hatala -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 7-2 (2)

126. Jimmy Reese -- Witter Springs, Ca -- 7-2 (3)

128. Eric Jackson -- Walling, Tn -- 7-0 (3)

128. Peter Thliveros -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 7-0 (3)

130. Clark Reehm -- Elm Grove, La -- 6-15 (3)

131. Jason Johnson -- Dawsonville, Ga -- 6-13 (3)

131. JT Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 6-13 (2)

131. Jason Reyes -- Huffman, Tx -- 6-13 (3)

134. Richard Lowitzki -- Hampshire, Il -- 6-12 (2)

134. Chad Randles -- Elkhorn, Ne -- 6-12 (2)

134. Dennis Tietje -- Roanoke, La -- 6-12 (3)

137. Clayton Batts -- Macon, Ga -- 6-11 (3)

138. Troy Morrow -- Eastanollee, Ga -- 6-3 (2)

138. Chris Neau -- New Orleans, La -- 6-3 (2)

140. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 6-2 (2)

140. Taylor Ashley -- Warrior, Al -- 6-2 (3)

142. Darrell Davis -- Dover, Fl -- 5-13 (3)

142. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, Ok -- 5-13 (2)

144. Jay Kendrick -- Grant, Al -- 5-11 (2)

145. David Larson -- Mound, Mn -- 5-8 (2)

146. Sheldon Collings -- Grove, Ok -- 5-2 (2)

147. Tim Frederick -- Leesburg, Fl -- 5-1 (2)

148. Bill Hutchison -- Bessemer, Al -- 4-15 (2)

149. Kyle Cortiana -- Broken Arrow, Ok -- 4-12 (3)

150. Pete Ponds -- Madison, Ms -- 4-8 (2)

150. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 4-8 (2)

150. Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 4-8 (2)

153. Harry Moore -- Valley, Al -- 4-7 (2)

154. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 4-4 (2)

155. Rex Huff -- Corbin, Ky -- 3-12 (2)

156. Jimmy Houston -- Cookson, Ok -- 3-10 (2)

157. Jim Jones -- Big Bend, Wi -- 3-2 (1)

158. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 2-13 (1)

159. Mark Fisher -- Wauconda, Il -- 2-7 (1)

160. Richie Eaves -- Nauvoo, Il -- 2-5 (2)

160. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 2-5 (1)

160. David Nichol -- Gainesville, Ga -- 2-5 (1)

163. Grae Buck -- Harleysville, Pa -- 2-4 (1)

164. Matt Greenblatt -- Port St Lucie, Fl -- 1-15 (1)

165. Matt Becker -- Finleyville, Pa -- 1-14 (1)

166. Matt Wittekiend -- Angleton, Tx -- 1-13 (1)

167. Braxton Setzer -- Montgomery, Al -- 1-12 (1)

168. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 1-11 (1)

169. James Watson -- Lampe, Mo -- 1-10 (1)

Todd Hollowell -- Fishers, In -- 0-0 (0)

Russell Cecil -- Willis, Tx -- 0-0 (0)

Robert Behrle -- Hoover, Al -- 0-0 (0)

Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 0-0 (0)

Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 0-0 (0)

Bob Morin -- Seymour, Tn -- 0-0 (0)

Justin Atkins -- Florence, Al -- 0-0 (0)

Shane Lineberger -- Lincolnton, NC -- 0-0 (0)

Jim Moulton -- Merced, Ca -- 0-0 (0)

Cameron Gautney -- Muscle Shoals, Al -- 0-0 (0)

William Campbell -- Middlesboro, Ky -- 0-0 (0)

Dean Alexander -- Georgetown, Tx -- 0-0 (0)

Chris Gosselaar -- Fresno, Ca -- 0-0 (0)