ORANGE, Texas — With
many areas flooded and the tide playing havoc with others, Alabama angler Chris
Lane figured he would have a one-hour window to make a big score during Thursday’s opening round of the
Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River presented by STARK Cultural Venues.
He was right — and he made the most of it, bringing in five bass that weighed
15 pounds, 10 ounces to claim the opening-round lead on a day that was delayed
nearly two hours by fog. Terry “Big Show” Scroggins is a close second with
15-2, followed by Aaron Martens (13-14), Shaw Grigsby (13-4) and 2014 Toyota
Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney (12-9).
Lane, who caught all of his fish from 2 feet of water or less, said that one
magic hour when the tide was just right proved to be his best ever on the
Sabine.
“With tidal water, there are times to really capitalize,” said Lane, who
finished 22nd in the 2013 Elite Series event on the Sabine. “Those windows are
very short. But when you find what really works on a certain fishery during
that hour window that you have, you can really put some good fish in the boat.”
Lane already had a limit before his magic hour began, but he culled his three smallest fish for his three biggest of the
day during that window of opportunity.
“I culled three times within that hour, and that made all the difference
between bringing in 10 and 15 pounds,” Lane said. “Those were the three biggest
fish I think I’ve ever caught in the Sabine River — two pushing 4 pounds and
one almost 3.”
Considering the fishery’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the tide plays a big
role in any event held on the Sabine River. But with three days left to fish,
Lane wouldn’t go into specifics about the tide or how he identified the perfect
hour for fishing.
It was understandable, considering he’s sharing at least some of his areas with
the third-place angler, Martens. The two met head-on around lunchtime as
Martens was leaving a narrow, grass-lined canal and Lane was attempting to
enter, but exchanged only friendly gestures.
Whatever secrets Lane has unlocked seem to have been figured out by Martens as
well. The California native, who now lives in Leeds, Ala., had a five-fish
limit well before lunch and steadily culled fish from super-shallow water
throughout the day to manage his total of 13-14.
“I think a lot of the big ones are a little bit smarter,” Martens said. “If you
catch them on the right tide, they’ll bite. But if you catch them on the wrong
tide, they won’t. It’s just a matter of timing.”
Again, because he’s sharing water with Lane, Martens wouldn’t explain what
makes the “right tide.”
Sharing water was also an issue for Scroggins, who caught 15-2 from an area he
described as “100 yards long and 50 yards across,” while fishing alongside
Kansas angler Brent Chapman.
“Brent was in there going down the other side, and I watched him catch a
3-pounder,” Scroggins said. “But then a little bit later, I caught my biggest
fish of the day. That made me feel a little better.”
Scroggins’ best fish weighed 6-10 and took big bass honors for the day. Chapman
brought only four bass to the scales that weighed 10-0 and is in 23rd place.
“It’s hard to say what will happen the rest of the way,” Scroggins said. “The fish
aren’t really replenishing once you catch them out of an area. So who knows
what tomorrow might look like?”
The most secretive angler from the Top 5 was veteran Florida pro Shaw Grigsby.
After bringing in five bass that weighed 13-4, Grigsby said only that he was
using “Strike King lures tied onto Seaguar line.”
After Friday’s round, the field will
be reduced to the Top 53 anglers in the standings. Then after Saturday’s round, only the Top 12
will advance to Sunday’s championship.
Daily takeoffs are scheduled for 7:10 a.m. CT at City of Orange Boat Ramp with weigh-ins
scheduled at the same location at 4 p.m. CT. The Outdoor Expo and Orange County River
Festival open daily at 11 a.m. All Bassmaster events are free.
Follow daily live coverage online at Bassmaster.com.
The Bassmasters TV show on ESPN2 will feature the Sabine event on Sunday, April 5 at 8
a.m. ET.
2015
Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams
Bourbon, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015
Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Accessories, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Huk
Performance Fishing, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries,
Shimano
About
B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture
of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member
organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading
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Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45
years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The
Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level
of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster
Open Series presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events,
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Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship
and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster
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