South Carolina pro Jason Williamson got the right sight bites to lead day one of the Elite Series event on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia with 5 bass weighing 22 pounds 9 ounces. He fished a
Zoom lizard and trick worm to catch his fish. He fished a little deeper water than his competitors for the catch.
While Williamson fished for deeper spawners Bobby Lane was working the extreme shallows, one to two foot of water depth, for bedding bass. Lane, who finished 25th on Smith Mountain last year, used his '09 experience to his advantage Thursday, working two areas that he found then. He managed 21 pounds 7 ounces for the day.
Right behind Lane in third was another Florida-based shallow water expert, Terry Scroggins of Palatka, with 19-13. In fourth was Marty Robinson of Lyman, S.C., with 19-2. Rounding out the top five was Jason Quinn of York, S.C., with 18-11.
Other notables included 70-year-old Guy Eaker of Cherryville, N.C., who continued his 2010 tear and was eighth. He also tied Marty Robinson with big bass of the day with a 6-12.
Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader Skeet Reese of Auburn, S.C., posted another stellar day and was 10th. Kevin VanDam, who took victory here last year, was 34th.
