Gamecock anglers build day one foundation (+ video)
With overcast skies and a temperature in the mid-50s, 45 pairs of college anglers cruised Lake Murray for coveted fishing locations in an effort to have the chance to be crowned the FLW College Fishing National Champion.
There was optimism for better weather, but clouds and rain stuck around for the day, forcing the teams to slightly readjust their strategy on the lake just a few miles northwest of Columbia.
The event features the top 10 teams from each of the five conferences, including the lone Palmetto State duo of Patrick Walters and Gettys Brannon from the University of South Carolina.
The overall leaders after the first day of weigh-ins are the team of Travis Rulle and Caleb Eppler From Liberty, who finished with 22 pounds 2 ounces – nearly four pounds ahead of second. Brannon and Walter sit in the sixth slot with a weigh-in of 17 pounds, six ounces.
“We’re in a good position, but we need to pick up the weight if we really want to win,” Walters said of the team’s performance. “We caught plenty of fish today, but we have to get up into that 20 lbs. range. I thought today was going to be the toughest day of competition, but they bit a lot better than I thought they would.”
According to the FLW mid-day report, the USC team had about 13 pounds by 11 a.m. indicating a strong afternoon.
Anthony Gagliardi, who won the Forest Wood Cup on Lake Murray last year, said teams will need to be consistently bringing 18 to 20 pounds to each weigh-in to become champion.
When asked about what type of bait or lure the hometown team is using, Walters was guarded in his response, and for good reason, as the winner of the event will be awarded a $30,000 prize package, including a top-notch boat and an entry into the 2015 Forrest Wood Cup.
“Uhh, a hook,” he said with a slight smirk. “We still have 10 fish to catch.”
The tournament runs from Thursday through Saturday with daily weigh-ins set for 5 p.m. and the final weigh-in is at 4 p.m. at the University of South Carolina’s baseball stadium.
Coverage of the championship is expected to be broadcast on NBC Sports Network from 7-8 p.m. Nov. 16.
Top Five
Travis Rulle and Caleb Eppler, Liberty; 22-5
Kyle Raymer and Ethan Snyder, Eastern Kentucky; 18-15
Kennedy Kinkade and Josh Worth, Colorado Mesa; 18-10
Wyatt Stout and Cade Laufenberg, Winona State; 17-8
Ben Curry and Timmy Ward, Auburn; 17-8
This story was originally published April 16, 2015 at 8:47 PM with the headline "Gamecock anglers build day one foundation (+ video)."