Red's fishing small.....Classic contenders bunched up?

2/19/2009 9:39:28 AM

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Anglers expected the Red River to fish small and yield five or six top "winnable" locations this weekend, so it wasn't a surprise in Wednesday's lone practice day this week that some of them were fishing in the same areas.

Bobby Lane of Florida said patience will be a key during slow idling times to get into some of the key backwater ponds where noise from boats and spectators could change things. A cold front moving into the area also may change strategies this weekend.

While Lane said the Red is capable of a winning weight of 50-60 pounds, a more conservative outlook could be 45-50 pounds if things go well.

"The average fish right now is about 3 to 3.5 pounds," he said. "I'd say 13 to 15 a day, definitely, just to make the Top 25. If you catch fifive, I think they're going to weigh at least 12 to 14 pounds."

Lane is no stranger to a jig and flipping stick, so he expects to have one in his hand along with most of the 51-angler field.

"Absolutely," he said, "and I love it. "I'm going to be about 85 percent flipping and the rest, probably spinnerbait. I've had bites every day, some real nice, quality fish in the 4- to 5-pound range. But how many other people have found those same groups of fish is what we're going to have to find out Friday."