ULM anglers grab lead

Being in first place can bring good dreams. Thinking about the ones that got away can be a nightmare. That’s the situation that University of Louisiana Monroe anglers Brett Preuett and Jackson Blackett are in after day one of the 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional on the Ouachita River.

The Warhawk anglers brought in 10 pounds, 15 ounces of bass to lead the first day. The championship will be determined today. Takeoff is at 6:30 a.m. from Forsythe Park and the weigh-in will be held in Warhawk Circle near the ULM library beginning at 3:15 p.m.

Brett Preuett and Jackson Blackett of the University of Louisiana at Monroe caught 10 pounds, 15 ounces of bass on the Ouachita River to lead on Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional. Bassmaster photos

Despite the lead, Preuett and Blackett looked back at two good ones that got away Friday. They would have given a little more cushion over second place Evan Smith and Aaron Sarna of Arkansas Tech who have 10-12.

With the river muddy and high, fish were hard to find. Today that may get worse as another tournament on the river will crowd anglers who are on fish. Still, under the conditions, the college anglers caught a large number of fish Friday.

“There’s a local tournament with 60 boats in it Saturday that will hurt us some,” said Preuet. “There are only so many places where you can catch fish with the water like this, so I’m sure some of those guys (from the other tournament) will be in there. We should still be able to go behind people and catch some fish, though, because we’re doing something a little different.” He declined to elaborate on his technique.

Two teams are tied for third, 1 pound, 10 ounces behind the leaders. Matthew Loetscher and Caleb Boudreaux of Louisiana Tech University and Trent Newman and Jacob Sepeda of Dallas Baptist University each weighed in 9-2. Clayton Godfrey and Garret Lindsey of Stephen F. Austin State University brought in the Day 1 Carhartt Big Bass weighing 5- 1.

The two-day competition ends Saturday. The Top 13 teams will move on from the Central Regional to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship, to be held this summer.

You can viedw loads of pictures from today on the BASS college website,  http://www.bassmaster.com/slideshow/day-1-ouachita-river

Here’s a look at the Top 20 teams after Friday:

Matthew Loetscher and Caleb Boudreaux of Louisiana Tech University sit in 3rd with 9-2.

1. Brett Preuett – Jackson Blackett, ULM,10-15; 2. Evan Smith-Aaron Sarna, Ark. Tech, 10-12; 3. Matthew Loescher-Caleb Boudreaux, Louisiana Tech, 9-2; 4. Trent Newman – Jacob Sepeda, Dallas Baptist, 9-2; 5.Dakota Jones-Michael Romagosa, Dallas Baptist; 6.Trapper Munn – Dusin Perkins, ULM, 8-3; 7. Austyn Fowler – Zach Hurst, Tarleton State, 8-2; 8. Brando Greco – Austin Watkins, Louisiana Tech, 8-2; 9. Jacob Slade, ULM, 8-2; 10. Tyler Rivet-Jess Robertson, Nicholls State, 8-0;

11. Nick Farrell-James Mathews, Louisiana Tech, 7-12; 12. Jay Robertson-Brent Davis, Southeastern, 7-3; 13. Dylan Duncan-Devin Duncan, Northwestern State, 6-9; 14. Derek Mangold-Blake Crabb, Texas A&M, 6-9; 15. Zackery Hines – Cameron Burger, Dallas Baptist, 6-9; 16. Tyler Stewart-Blake Alford, ULM, 5-10; 17. Shelby Hutchins-Owen Best, SFA, 5-9; 18. Nick LaDart-Brian Eaton, ULM, 5-6; 19. John Ledet-Justin Cooper, Northwestern State, 5-5; 20. John Tilbury – Jeremy Rainbold, Delta Community College, 5-5; 20.