Kentucky Lake and the FLW Stren Series

6 Plus Big Bass

Lunkers for Ryan 

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 Leading pro caught 19-12 and the leading co-angler busted out 18-2, a weight that would have had him in third on the pro side.

Prespawners and spawners are the name of the game this week on Kentucky/Barkley, and Ryan Chandler of Hobart, Ind., currently holds the top spot on the leaderboard with the aforementioned 19-pound, 12-ounce limit. That edged him past college student Michael Wooley, who ended day one in second with a limit weighing 18-6.

Chandler is no stranger to Kentucky/Barkley success, having racked up four top-10 finishes since 1997 in Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League and Wal-Mart FLW Tour competition. Today he pointed his rig south to collect his leading limit.

“I’m making a long run south,” said Chandler, whose bag included a 5-pound, 15-ouncer. “I really struggled this morning.”

Despite his early troubles, Chandler locked on to a good spot that ultimately yielded his big bag of fish, including a 5-pounder he caught with five minutes to go.

“I’m fishing for prespawners,” Chandler said, adding that he’s catching them on Barkley Lake. “I’m fishing pretty deep for them. I think the next two days it’s going to change, but I think I can catch them shallow.”

What Chandler would not mind changing is the wind, which blew hard enough to convince him to leave his sweet spot to ensure he would make it back in time for weigh-in.

“(The weather) is going to affect me a lot if the wind keeps blowing, as far as getting there and getting back,” he said. “I left at noon today and hopefully left a few down there.”

Day 1: 196 Anglers

1.   Ryan Chandler   19.12

31.  Mark Randolph   14.01

56.  Mike Stetich  12.07 

Luke Smith   OUCH  Good Luck Day 2!