Pro Jared Lintner takes the Day 1 lead at the Toledo Bend Bassmaster Elite Series tournament.
Toledo Bend was kind to the vast majority of the Bassmaster Elite Series pros today. All but four Elite Series pros caught a 5-fish limit of bass. Top dog after Day 1 is Shimano pro Jared Lintner, who busted a big bag of bass today, 25 pounds 7 ounces to be exact. Lintner came across the stage early in the weigh-in and didn't relinquish his grip on first place.
Not far behind in second is Pro J. Todd Tucker with 25 pounds of bass.
Rounding out the Top 5 are in third Livingston Lures pro Jacob Powroznik with 24-14. Fourth goes to Pro Chris Zaldain weighing 22-6. In fifth is Mercury pro Randy Howell with 22-4.
Lintner fortunate
"I fished one extreme to the next today," said Lintner. "I feel pretty fortunate. God blessed me for sure today. I had the fortunate bites.
"This year has been going well for me. I'm fishing the way I like to fish and I'm having fun."
Lintner came into this event second in the Angler of the Year race.
Tucker started fast
"I caught all my fish I weighed in the first 45 minutes of the day," said Tucker. "I had my livewell full by 7:30 this morning. I moved off the fish and didn't catch them too hard. I ended the day practicing around. I didn't want to hurt anything for tomorrow. You never know, 12 pounds might be golden tomorrow."
Powroznik dreaded the morning
"I had a good spot to fish to start the day," said Powroznik. "I dreaded heading there this morning. I was afraid other anglers were gonna be on it. Nobody was there. I caught a few big ones there. I'm ready to go fishing tomorrow."
Big bass for Zaldain
"I've had a rough season so far," said Zaldain. "I caught my biggest bass first this morning. It gave me some positive momentum. Once that happens you can make some right decisions. I caught a 5-pounder, too. There are a ton of fish there and plenty of areas to find them. I can't wait to get out again."
The California Kid whacked the big bass of Day 1, an 8-pound, 12-ouncer.
Slow practice for Howell
"I was excited to catch big fish this morning," said Howell. "My practice was slow. I went to bed fish. Then I went to another area. I caught fish on my Livingston Howler crankbait. Livingston needs to get me a few more. I broke my best one."I also caught a good one fishing beds. I kept skipping a Senko to one 4-pounder. He kept swimming off. I finally aggravated him. I saw that pink disappear and set the hook."
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