Weights remained low, thanks to a tough bite, at the TBF Western Divisional at Idaho's Lake Lowell, but Samuel Russell of Wyoming caught 14.01 pounds. When added to his 12.12 day-1 weight, he moved up from 3rd to take the lead with 26.14 total.
John Albidrez of California, who led yesterday, caught 11.00 and fell to 2nd with 25.10 pounds. Bubba O'Neil of Wyoming is currently 3rd with 25.06 pounds, Bill Golightly of Wyoming is 4th with a weight of 24.02 and Ryan Krost of California is 5th with 24.00 pounds.
The rest of the Top 10 looks like this:
6. Dan Jordan: 23.15
7. Tom Melowitz: 23.12
8. Neil Russell: 23.11
9. Randy Pierson: 23.05
10. Charlie Crawford: 23.03
California still leads the state competition with 255.03, but Washington is close behid with 242.09.
The angler with the heaviest weight in his or her state will advance to the TBF National Championship. Here's a quick look at the leaders within each state:
Arizona: Charlie Crawford (23.03)
California: John Albidrez (25.10)
Idaho: Neil Russell (23.11)
Montana: Justin Hoback (20.08)
Oregon: Dan Jordan (23.15)
Utah: Ted Gardiner (22.06)
Washington: Tom Melowitz (23.12)
Wyoming: Samuel Russell (26.14)
Russell Picks His Targets
Russell, who began the day in 3rd place, is now in command. He's focused on sight fishing with Yum baits throughout the tournament and so far, it's paid off.
"I'm picking my targets and picking my fish," he said. "I'm getting visibility down to 4 1/2 feet deep."
He's keyed on a few locations that have seen very little pressure so far.
"I have a couple of spots that seem to be replenishing themselves," he noted. They're real productive spots with a lot of fish. And they're great quality fish – all 2-pound fish."
If he can have another strong day, he thinks he has a shot at winning the individual title.
"I think if I can come in with 11 pounds, I can win this tournament. I feel pretty confident about what I'm doing."
Gardiner Lands His Fish
Ted Gardiner lost too many fish on day 1 and weighed just 8.03, which put him in 67th. But he whacked 14.30 today and moved all the way up to 16th. And oh, he now leads his Utah team and can clinch a National Championship berth tomorrow.
"I had a good day," he said. "The only difference between yesterday and today was I didn't miss any fish today."
"I changed a little bit," he added. "I went a little deeper on the outside edges. I slowed down considerably over yesterday and that made a difference. The fish were holding pretty tight in little pockets and I had to go slow and be patient.
"You get huge stretches where you couldn't get anything, then, all of a sudden, you'd get a 3 1/2-pounder. It was sporadic, but the fish I got were good."
About leading Utah, he said: "I'm leading my state as of right now. If I can get 10 or 11 pounds at least, or more, I think I can do it. I feel pretty confident I can bring in 10 pounds tomorrow, but we'll see."
Cali Can Close Tomorrow
California bagged 128.09 pounds to hang on to 1st in the team standings with a total of 255.03. The team has found a good afternoon bite and stuck with it throughout the tournament.
"In the late afternoon in the heat of the sun, these fish are moving up into shallow water," said team captain Archie Steele. "Most of our strategy has been on the late-afternoon bite."
A focus on team mentality, and sharing information, has also helped the team stay on top.
"Most of our success has been due to the cooperation of the team," he noted. "We communicate and discuss things. If one guy's on decent fish, we share information and we're all on the same page."
California has won three Divisional team titles and wants its fourth tomorrow. The team enters day 3 with a lead of more than 12 pounds over 2nd-place Washington.
"If we can get three-quarters of our guys to get 10 pounds, I think we can hold the lead," he said. "We should do really well. Even though only two guys move on from here, we have 10 other guys that want to win this as a team. The guys are pumped and ready to go."
BassFan Angler
BassFan's Troy Corum, a non-boater from Oregon, had a rough day on the water. He caught just three fish for 4.10 pounds, which brought his 2-day total to 14.11.
"Yesterday the water was clear, but today it was muddy," he said. "The carp came in to spawn and muddied it up. There were so many carp in there you had all you could do just to fish. It was just one of those days you have, but hope it doesn't come on a tournament day."
He's optimistic about tomorrow, because the angler he 's paired with has used a strategy similar to his.
"I'm doing what I want to do all day tomorrow," he said. "I figure I'll need a 12- to 14-pound sack to be in it. I'm just going to swing for the fences."
His main strategy for tomorrow is to get away from the carp and find clean water.
"I'm going to go with the same thing on different water. From what I hear there's clear water in other areas. I'm just going to keep my chin up, never say die and go tomorrow."
Notable
> Three Wyoming anglers are currently in the Top 4, but Wyoming is 4th in the team standings.
> Out of 88 anglers, 82 caught a limit.
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