Prefishing reports of lots of fish held true on day one of the Cabela’s Crappie USA (CUSA) National Championship. Angler after angler reported finding plenty of fish while prefishing, but just as many admitted that big fish were hard to come by.
Roger Milby and Roger Brown were pushing creek channels in 25 feet of water. “We were fishing 15 to 18 feet deep,” said Milby. “We were using minnows and Johnson Bait’s. We used the trolling motor to move at .3 to .5 mph. We caught a lot of fish, probably 125 total fish for the day. We should have done better weight wise, but we missed a few good fish.”
Milby and Brown culled those 125 fish down to 7 that weighed 9.28 pounds, good enough to give them second place in the Amateur Division after one day of fishing.
Just ahead of Milby and Brown is Terry and Jerry Barker. The KY team weighed in 9.87 pounds to claim the top spot in the Amateur Division after day one. They have earned the right to launch as amateur leaders on day two and the challenge to defend their position.
The remaining top five amateur teams includes Ronald Keel and Ronald Taylor in third place with 8.90 pounds; fourth place is held by Tyler Morrow and Zack Clapp with 8.79 pounds; and Cody England and Brent Williams stand in the fifth spot with 8.77 pounds.
The top five in the Semi Pro Division suggests a shootout for sure on day two. Less than one pound separates the top five. They include:
1. Wade Hendren and Roy Logan (10.47)
2. Jerry Trimble and Cliff Edwards (10,28)
3. Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman (10.15)
4. Kyle Schoenherr and Rodney Neuhaus (9.91)
5. Jim Freeman and Garrett Bridges (9.52)
Big fish on the amateur side went to Johnny Clary and Dwain Craig. They weighed a 2.15 to claim the top spot on day one.
Big fish in the Semi Pro Division, at the end of day one, went to James and Barbara Reedy with a 2.37 pound fish.
Fishing begins for day two at 7:00 am on Saturday morning. The weigh-in continues at Paris Landing Marina, 16055 Hwy 79 N, Buchanan, Tn. Fishing ends at 3:00 pm and anglers must be in the weigh-inline by 4:00 pm. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Bring your lawn chairs and your cameras to record the excitement.
For more information on Crappie USA visit their Facebook page or their website at www.crappieusa.com.
