An update on Day 1 from the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on Kentucky Lake from outdoor writer Alan Clemons, who is on the scene:
PARIS, Tenn. -- When you get to the weigh-in site about two hours before the official start and Bobby Lane's standing there at the tanks, you know something's either wrong with his boat or he put a serious smackdown on them.
Lane did the latter Wednesday, with a limit weighing 29 pounds 14 ounces, including one just an ounce shy of 8 pounds. Due to a "fish care" penalty for a dead bass he was docked a few ounces, so he actually had more than 30 pounds. Amazing, but not unexpected for Kentucky Lake and its incredible ledge fishing this time of year.
As the anglers rolled in to the docks, word spread quickly about the incredible catches. More than 30 guys with limits of 20 pounds or better, and guys with 17 or 18 pounds bunched like moths around the candle light down in the 40s and 50s in the standings. Steve Kennedy of Alabama whacked two 4-pounders on one cast on a crankbait, and had another double two casts later.
"The second time it was a 4-plus pounder and a squeaker, and the big one came off," Kennedy said. "I've never had anything like that happen before. This was just stupid."
TVA ran a little current through the lake early and then shut it down, but the bite didn't slow down too much. Between catching fish and returning to the Paris Landing State Park dock through a torrential thunderstorm, the Elite guys put on quite a show.
Stay tuned for more of the same on Thursday.
