OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (April 21, 2005) – Pro Dave Donham of Highlandville caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 38 pounds, 2 ounces to lead the opening round of the EverStart Series Central Division event on Lake of the Ozarks presented by Garmin. While several impressive limits were caught the first two days, very few were more impressive than the two daily limits Donham caught of 20 pounds, 12 ounces and 17 pounds, 6 ounces respectively.
“I’m just fishing main lake points,” Donham said. “I fished a different arm of the lake today. I’m just resting one area and going to another each day. It seems to be working so far.”
Donham was reluctant to divulge the lure he’s using this early in the tournament but likes his chances in the final round. “I feel pretty confident I can catch them tomorrow,” he said.
Rounding out the top-five pros are Gene Brown of West Point, Miss. (10 bass, 36 pounds, 12 ounces); Paul Tormanen of Lees Summit (10 bass, 35 pounds, 2 ounces); Troy Eakins of Nixa (10 bass, 35 pounds, 2 ounces); and Eric Ambort of Mabelvale, Ark. (10 bass, 34 pounds, 15 ounces).
Mark Taylor of Mansfield caught a two-day total of seven bass weighing 24 pounds, 7 ounces to lead the Co-angler Division.
“I’m throwing a Texas-rigged Zoom Brush Hog,” Taylor said. “I’m fishing behind sight fishermen and just trying to pick up what they leave behind. Most of my bites are coming 1- to 7-feet deep.”
Rounding out the top-five co-anglers are Mark Guin of Crossett, Ark. (10 bass, 23 pounds, 1 ounce); Jim McDevitt of Eldon (eight bass, 22 pounds); Tom Medlock of Licking (eight bass, 21 pounds, 1 ounce); and Brett Pinion of Webb City (nine bass, 19 pounds, 11 ounces).
Brown caught a 6-pound, 12-ounce largemouth to win the $725 Snickers Big Bass Award in the Pro Division while Anton Silvester of Benld, Ill., caught a 6-pound, 3-ounce largemouth to win $245 for big bass in the Co-angler Division.
Anglers caught 819 bass weighing 2,124 pounds.
EverStart Series tournaments are four-day events consisting of two rounds. The entire field competes Wednesday and Thursday, and the top 10 pros and co-anglers – based on two-day accumulated weights – advance to the final round. Anglers start at zero Friday, and pro and co-angler winners are determined Saturday based on two-day accumulated weights.
For more information on the EverStart Series or any of FLW Outdoors’ eight tournament trails, visit FLWOutdoors.com.
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