A breezy overcast morning greeted FLW Stren anglers as they kicked off the third stop of the Texas Division’s 2009 season on Lake Amistad this morning.  With water temperatures in the mid 70’s and cloudy skies, expectations were high for big stringers and trophy bass.  By mid morning, winds were pushing 20 mph and many anglers turned from high hopes to scrambling for a good bag.

Louisiana Pro Kevin Lasyon was the only fisherman to break the 20 pound barrier.  He leads the tournament with 20 lbs 8oz.  Del Rio Pro and Lake Amistad guide Ray Hanselman is close behind with solid bag of 19 lbs 13 oz.  Russell Cecil of Willis, Texas is in third at 19lbs 9oz.

On the Co-Angler side, Mike Power of Canyon Lake, Texas leads with 19 lbs 1 oz.  In second, with 18 lbs, 3 oz is Rich Dalbey of Greenville, TX.  Jesse Fry of Round Mountain, TX rounds out the top 3 with 17 lb 2 oz.

While a good portion of the field weighed in limits, there were no double digit fish brought to the scales.  With a field of 384 participants failing to find a big bite, the question everyone was asking is “Where are the big fish?”  According to Elite professional Chad Griffin, “When the water came up 15 feet, it killed all my areas.”  That seems to be the general consensus among most anglers. 

According to co-angler, Bo Middleton “It (Lake Amistad) is great lake with a lot of good opportunity.”  That opportunity showed itself today in plenty of 2 to 3 pound fish.

Tomorrow’s forecast if for a light northeasterly breeze, which is supposed to shift back to the southeast later in the day.  The lighter winds and overcast skies may be just the formula needed for the competitors to work areas they could not access today and maybe find the big girls.