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Vinson Vaults to Lead at Bull Shoals

Category: article

 Apr 19th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Apr 19th, 2013 at 12:00 AM

After a blustery storm moved through Bull Shoals, Arkansas yesterday, the weather soured and the water rose a few feet on Bull Shoals Lake where the Bassmaster Elite Series event is taking place. Even though the weather had many anglers concerned, limits were more common than not. In fact, many anglers reported going through dozens of keepers today. Greg Vinson from Wetumpka, Alabama was one of the limit catchers. His limit weighed 16 pounds 13 ounces, good enough to grab the top spot. One pound behind Vinson is former Classic Champ Skeet Reese of Auburn, California.

	Greg Vinson (Photo BassFIRST)

Rounding out the Top 5 are Cliff Pace with 15 pounds 2 ounces, and Jason Christie and Randy Howell both with 14 pounds 15 ounces.

Vinson is a fan of the change in weather.

“This is a really crazy gig,” said Vinson. “So many different things go through your head trying to figure it out. I struggled to develop a pattern in practice. The big change in the weather was a positive for me today. I made a good decision in what I did to adjust today.”

Reese happy with Bull Shoals this year.

“After how I did here last year, this feels good,” said Reese. “This weather made the conditions good for them to bite. The water came up and the wind helped, too. I caught them better today than I did in practice, but there still is a long way to go.”

	Skeet Reese (Photo BassFIRST)

Pace started over.

“I did not sight fish today,” said Pace. “Because we missed a day yesterday, it is like starting over again. I was fortunate to get my bites early. This allowed me to get clued in and helped me to catch the weight I got today.”

Christie changed up.

“I’ll take my weight today,” said Christie. “I wanted to fish deep, but I had to put my trolling motor on high instead. I covered a lot of water. I hope I can get at least 11 or 12 pounds tomorrow.”

Howell caught cookie cutters.
“This is a great lake,” said Howell. “There are so many bass. It’s hard to catch a big one. I caught five 3-pounders today, all about the same size. It took me all day to cull up.”

The Top 12:

1. Greg Vinson: 16-13
2. Skeet Reese – Professional Angler: 15-13
3. Cliff Pace Fishing: 15-02
4. Jason Christie: 14-15
4. Randy Howell, Professional Angler: 14-15
6. Terry “Big Show” Scroggins: 14-14
7. Casey Scanlon Professional Angler: 14-13
8. Brent Chapman: 14-09
9. Brian Snowden: 14-08
10. Cliff Prince-Bassmaster Elite Angler: 14-03
10. Jeremy Starks: 14-03
12. Fred Roumbanis: 14-00
12. Chris Zaldain: 14-00