Kreiger in the Lead

Halloween has passed, but one Florida angler scared up enough bass for almost a two-pound lead in Day Two of the EverStart Championship bass tourney on the Ouachita River. Koby Kreiger of Okeechobee, Florida, has a two-day catch of ten bass weighing  21 pounds, seven ounces, for a 1-pound, 14-ounce lead over second place James Stricklin Jr. of Texarkana, Texas. If he can repeat that trick today and Sunday, he’ll come up with a treat in the form of $50,000 first prize money.

Kreiger said he keeps doing better every day from a practice round that left him scrambling to know where to fish. He is starting the day in the backwaters targeting shallow wood, moving out to the main river about mid-day seeking moving water and then back to the oxbows to finish off the day. He is using a variety of homemade crankbaits and said that there is not any one that is working any better than any other. The top 20 pro anglers from the field get to keep fishing today, with the top 10 from that group going for the championship Sunday along with the same number of co-anglers.

It was a disappointing day for our local and area anglers, but you have to give them applause for just making it to the Championship. Adrian Smiley, Bossier City caught 10 bass in two days weighing 16-7 for 10th place.  Darold Gleason of Leesville led the other Louisiana anglers with 14-01 pounds for 33rd followed by Bert Thompson of Benton with 14-00 in 34th and Buz Craft of Vidalia in 38th at 13-11.  Local favorite Jim Dillard of West Monroe had a fast start Thursday, but landed only one fish Friday for 11-11 and finished out of the money at 57th. He was obviously disappointed, but should be proud for his showing that got him to the championship. Co anglers Brett Rachal of Monroe and Alvin Jones of Downsville didn’t make the co-anglers cut either. But again, congratulations on making the championship.

Anglers will take off from Forsythe Park at 7:30 each morning. Saturday and Sunday’s final weigh-in will be held at Walmart located at 2701 Louisville Ave. in Monroe beginning at 4 p.m. Fans will be treated to the FLW Expo at Walmart Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. prior to the final weigh-ins. The Expo includes Ranger boat simulators, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by sponsors, and fans can learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. All activities are free and open to the public. The following pros will fish Saturday with the top ten from today fishing for the title Sunday:

1st:    Koby Kreiger, Okeechobee, Fla., 10 bass, 21-7
2nd:    James Stricklin Jr., Texarkana, Texas, nine bass, 19-9
3rd:     Larry Jones, Acworth, Ga., 10 bass, 17-12
4th:     Lance Williams, Billings, Mont., 10 bass, 17-10
5th:     Robbie Dodson, Harrison, Ark., 10 bass, 17-8
6th:     George Kapiton, Inverness, Fla., eight bass, 17-6
7th:     Kettle Brand Chips pro Dan Morehead, Paducah, Ky., 10 bass, 17-0
8th:     Bill Chapman, Salt Rock, W. Va., 10 bass, 16-12
9th:     Casey Martin, New Market, Ala., 10 bass, 16-10
10th:   Adrian Smiley, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 16-7
11th:   Joseph Kremer, Osteen, Fla., 10 bass, 16-3
12th:   Currey Holley, Pulaski, Tenn., eight bass, 16-1
13th:   Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Treats pro Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 15-14
14th:   Brandon Medlock, Lake Placid, Fla., six bass, 15-11
15th:   Lamonte Loyd, Gilmer, Texas, 10 bass, 15-11
16th:   Clayton Batts, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 15-11
17th:   Derek Hicks, Rocky Face, Ga., 10 bass, 15-10
18th:   Shane Melton, Greentown, Ind., 10 bass, 15-10
19th:   Zach King, Clarksville, Ark., nine bass, 15-7
20th:   Kent Ware, Wadmalaw Island, S.C., 10 bass, 15-6

WE WILL BRING YOU THE WINNERS OF THE TOURNAMENT AND A FISHING REPORT FROM THE RIVER IN ONE OF NEXT WEEK’S REPORTS.