By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor


The unpredictability of Georgia's Lake Lanier was on full display on day 2 of the second Bassmaster Elite Series stop of the new season as two of the top 3 from day 1 failed to catch a limit and fell far down the standings sheet. The other, meanwhile, boxed a tournament-best stringer and now has an advantage of more than 2 pounds headed into the weekend.

Tennessean David Mullins, who has two top-10 finishes in 5-plus years on the circuit, weighed 19-06 for a two-day total of 37-02. He has a 2-03 lead over 2nd-place Paul Mueller, whose 18-04 effort gave him a 34-15 aggregate.

Keith Combs and Chris Zaldain are tied for 3rd with 33-05 after weighing 16-16 and 16-06, respectively, on day 2. Stetson Blaylock, whose 18-11 haul improved his total to 32-07, completes the top 5.

Chris Johnston, the runner-up last week at Florida's St. Johns River, leads the bottom half of the top 10 with 31-10 (16-09 on day 2). He's followed by 2018 Forrest Wood Cup winner Clent Davis with 30-14 (15-00) and rookies Garrett Paquette (30-06, 16-14) and Drew Cook (29-14, 14-00). Brandon Card (29-11, 13-12) rounds out the list.

Blaylock and Paquette made the biggest upward moves as each climbed 30 places.

Day-1 leader Jeff Gustafson got just two keeper bites for 5 pounds even and plummeted all the way to 48th place. Rick Morris, who started the day in 3rd, weighed a four-fish, 10-04 bag that dropped him to 30th.

Another rookie, Randy Pierson, claimed the 35th-place cut position. Rick Clunn, the winner at the St. Johns, finished 52nd.

The WeatherChannel.com forecast for the Lawrenceville, Ga. area predicts gray skies and at least moderate wind for the weekend – conditions that most of the leaders view as positive. Rain and a big drop in the air temperature is anticipated for Sunday.

The field will be reduced to the top 10 after the day-3 weigh-in.

Mullins said he pulled the majority of his weight from a single location. He had a flurry early and another late and got random bites during the middle portion of the day.

"I'm not fishing deep – I'd call it shallow," he said. "I'm pretty much going with one rod and one bait."



B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito
Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito

Paul Mueller came into the event hoping to average 17 pounds per day and he's about a half-pound ahead of that pace.

His bag was topped by a 4 1/4-pounder and he weighed nothing lighter than 3 1/2. He lost one big fish late in the day.

"Reliability is a mythical term on this lake because you just don't know what's going to happen from day to day," he said. "If it's cloudy tomorrow, or at least a little bit windy, I think I can keep catching them."

Mueller is running three different patterns and has caught fish as shallow as 8 feet and as deep as 45. He's slightly above the 17-pound average he'd set as his goal prior to day 1 and is running new water each day.

"Consistency is what I'm aiming for," he said. "A big bag is possible, but I think if you can average 17 a day, you're going to be in the mix of things. You'll see changes again tomorrow, but hopefully they're not on my end."

His bag was topped by a fish weighing just under 4 pounds.

"I've changed baits a little each day depending on where I'm fishing and what the mood of the fish is. The Garmin Panoptix and the LakeVü HD mapping are really helping me. There's still a lot of unknowns and hopefully I can stay ahead of the curve."

Combs got off to a faster start than he did on day 1 and came in with a bag that was half a pound heavier. He would've had even more weight had he not lost a fish at the side of his boat that he estimated at 5 1/2 to 6 pounds.

B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito
Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito

Keith Combs' 16-15 bag moved him up seven places to 3rd.

"I fought it for a long time and was fixing to land it, then it just came off and swam away," he said. "It was weird – I thought it was totally played out."

His bag was headed up by four spots in the 3 3/4-pound class. He went through 10 keepers – three more than the previous day.

"If we have some clouds and wind tomorrow, I think I can really catch them. I had a couple of 20-pound days in practice under those conditions. If it's like yesterday, sunny and calm and nothing stirring, I won't be too excited about that."

Zaldain did most of his work during the early part of the day. A 4-10 spot that came from deep water was his biggest specimen.

"The first quarter of the day was when those deep fish really turned on," he said. "Then I fished a lot of new stuff and tried to waypoint some areas that had an abundance of fish in case I needed them later in the day or later in the tournament.

"I came back to some of those and there was nothing there, so I learned that you have to catch them when they're there."

He plied both the ends and middle portions of points and also fished in the backs of some coves. He lost a big bite late in the day from shallow water.

B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito
Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito

Chris Zaldain is plying different depths with a variety of baits.

"Tomorrow's going to be the same thing – in and out from shallow to deep. The winner's going to have to mix it up every day because it's going to be hard to win on one particular thing."

Gustafson was stunned by his lack of productivity in the wake of such a stellar opening day (19-02).

"I didn't really see this one coming," he said. "I don't even know what just happened out there. I stuck to my program and I was pretty confident in it and I think if I could go out again tomorrow I'd have a shot at another big bag.

"I only got the two bites and I didn't lose anything – it's pretty disappointing and it's a low point in my career, for sure, but I'll get over it quick. I was looking forward to this one for months, ever since I got the invite (to join the Elite Series).

"If this had been at Winyah Bay or somewhere, I'd be like, 'Yeah, whatever,' but I love this lake and I like fishing for spots. I just took it on the chin today."

Notable

> Day 2 stats – 75 anglers, 54 limits (14 fewer than day 1), 7 fours, 10 threes, 3 twos, 1 one.

Weather Forecast

> Sat., Feb. 16 – Cloudy - 64°/46°
- Wind: From the W at 9 mph

> Sun., Feb. 17 – Rain - 50°/49°
- Wind: From the E at 7 mph

Day 2 Standings

1. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 10, 37-02 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 19-06

2. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 10, 34-15 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 16-11 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04

3. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 10, 33-05 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 16-06 -- Day 2: 5, 16-15

3. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 10, 33-05 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 16-15 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06

5. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 10, 32-07 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 13-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-11

6. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, ON 10 -- 31-10 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 15-01 -- Day 2: 5, 16-09

7. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 10, 30-14 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 15-00

8. Garrett Paquette -- Canton, MI -- 10, 30-06 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 13-08 -- Day 2: 5, 16-14

9. Drew Cook -- Midway, FL -- 10, 29-14 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 14-00

10. Brandon Card -- Knoxville, TN -- 10, 29-11 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 15-15 -- Day 2: 5, 13-12

11. Shane Lineberger -- Lincolnton, NC -- 10, 29-11 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 14-06 -- Day 2: 5, 15-05

12. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 10, 29-09 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 13-13 -- Day 2: 5, 15-12

13. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 10, 29-08 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 16-11 -- Day 2: 5, 12-13

14. Bill Weidler -- Helena, AL -- 10, 29-05 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 14-10 -- Day 2: 5, 14-11

15. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 10, 29-00 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 13-03 -- Day 2: 5, 15-13

16. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 10, 28-15 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 16-01 -- Day 2: 5, 12-14

17. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 10, 28-11 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 15-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-04

18. Patrick Walters -- Summerville, SC -- 10, 28-09 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 11-13

19. Randy Sullivan -- Breckenridge, TX -- 10, 28-08 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 15-11 -- Day 2: 5, 12-13

20. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 28-07 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 14-08 -- Day 2: 5, 13-15

21. Jesse Tacoronte -- Kissimmee, FL -- 10, 28-03 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 12-05

22. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 10, 28-01 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 15-01 -- Day 2: 5, 13-00

23. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 9, 28-00 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 16-11 -- Day 2: 4, 11-05

24. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 28-00 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 11-13 -- Day 2: 5, 16-03

25. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 10, 27-15 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 13-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-10

26. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 10, 27-13 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 15-06 -- Day 2: 5, 12-07

27. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 10, 27-12 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 11-00

28. Hunter Shryock -- Newcomerstown, OH -- 10, 27-12 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 14-15 -- Day 2: 5, 12-13

29. Mike Huff -- Corbin, KY -- 10, 27-12 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 13-11 -- Day 2: 5, 14-01

30. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 9, 27-10 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 17-06 -- Day 2: 4, 10-04

31. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 10, 27-09 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 15-15 -- Day 2: 5, 11-10

32. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 10, 27-08 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 11-00 -- Day 2: 5, 16-08

33. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 10, 27-06 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 13-02 -- Day 2: 5, 14-04

34. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 10, 27-00 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 12-12 -- Day 2: 5, 14-04

35. Randy Pierson -- Oakdale, CA -- 10, 26-07 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 14-08 -- Day 2: 5, 11-15

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on day 3.

36. Drew Benton -- Panama City, FL -- 10, 26-02 -- 65 -- $5,000
Day 1: 5, 12-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-11

37. Shane Lehew -- Catawba, NC -- 10, 25-14 -- 64 -- $5,000
Day 1: 5, 10-06 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08

38. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 10, 25-14 -- 63 -- $5,000
Day 1: 5, 12-08 -- Day 2: 5, 13-06

39. Rob Digh -- Denver, NC -- 10, 25-12 -- 62 -- $5,000
Day 1: 5, 10-13 -- Day 2: 5, 14-15

40. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 10, 25-12 -- 61 -- $5,000
Day 1: 5, 11-00 -- Day 2: 5, 14-12

41. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 10, 25-10 -- 60 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-03 -- Day 2: 5, 14-07

42. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 10, 25-05 -- 59 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-15 -- Day 2: 5, 11-06

43. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 10, 25-05 -- 58 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-15 -- Day 2: 5, 13-06

44. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 10, 25-01 -- 57 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-00 -- Day 2: 5, 11-01

45. Derek Hudnall -- Baton Rouge, LA -- 10, 24-13 -- 56 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-04 -- Day 2: 5, 10-09

46. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 9, 24-08 -- 55 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-00 -- Day 2: 4, 11-08

47. Greg DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 10, 24-08 -- 54 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-13 -- Day 2: 5, 11-11

48. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, ON -- 7, 24-02 -- 53 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 19-02 -- Day 2: 2, 05-00

49. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 10, 23-05 -- 52 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-04 -- Day 2: 5, 12-01

50. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 9, 23-05 -- 51 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 11-04 -- Day 2: 5, 12-01

51. Tyler Carriere -- Youngsville, LA -- 10, 23-01 -- 50 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 09-05 -- Day 2: 5, 13-12

52. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 10, 23-01 -- 49 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-15 -- Day 2: 5, 10-02

53. Kyle Monti -- Okeechobee, FL -- 9, 22-13 -- 48 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-14 -- Day 2: 4, 10-15

54. Chad Pipkens -- Lansing, MI -- 8, 22-11 -- 47 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-12 -- Day 2: 3, 07-15

55. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 10, 22-09 -- 46 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-05 -- Day 2: 5, 11-04

56. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 8, 21-15 -- 45 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-04 -- Day 2: 3, 07-11

57. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 8, 21-13 -- 44 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 15-08 -- Day 2: 3, 06-05

58. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 10, 21-10 -- 43 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-14 -- Day 2: 5, 09-12

59. Quentin Cappo -- Prairieville, LA -- 8, 20-12 -- 42 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 06-03 -- Day 2: 5, 14-09

60. Jay Yelas -- Lincoln City, OR -- 10, 20-08 -- 41 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-01 -- Day 2: 5, 09-07

61. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 7, 20-07 -- 40 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 15-02 -- Day 2: 2, 05-05

62. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 8, 19-15 -- 39 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-10 -- Day 2: 3, 06-05

63. Harvey Horne -- Bella Vista, AR -- 9, 19-05 -- 38 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 10-10 -- Day 2: 4, 08-11

64. Jake Whitaker -- Fairview, NC -- 9, 19-03 -- 37 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 10-02 -- Day 2: 4, 09-01

65. Brett Preuett -- Monroe, LA -- 8, 19-02 -- 36 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-07 -- Day 2: 3, 07-11

66. Chris Groh -- Spring Grove, IL -- 7, 18-15 -- 35 -- $2,500
Day 1: 2, 05-06 -- Day 2: 5, 13-09

67. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 9, 18-15 -- 34 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-11 -- Day 2: 4, 06-04

68. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 8, 18-12 -- 33 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-09 -- Day 2: 3, 07-03

69. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, AL -- 8, 18-01 -- 32 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 09-10 -- Day 2: 3, 08-07

70. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 7, 17-07 -- 31 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-04 -- Day 2: 2, 05-03

71. Robbie Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 7, 15-14 -- 30 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 09-10 -- Day 2: 3, 06-04

72. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 5, 15-03 -- 29 -- $2,500
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 5, 15-03

73. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 7, 15-03 -- 28 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 10-13 -- Day 2: 3, 04-06

74. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 7, 14-14 -- 27 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 08-07 -- Day 2: 3, 06-07

75. Dale Hightower -- Mannford, OK -- 6, 12-13 -- 26 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-03 -- Day 2: 1, 01-10