HomeNewsKeith Combs Leads Day 1 TTBC with 42lbs What happens when you bring fifty of the best bass pros in the world to one of the best bass lakes in the world? Well, this is what happens… Fourteen of those pros weigh 30+ pound five-bass limits on Day One of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on the fabled trophy bass factory that is Lake Fork in Quitman, Texas. Two-time TTBC champ Keith Combs knocks 42 pounds even out of the park. Russ Lane in 2nd place sacks the best limit of his pro career with 38 pounds 4 ounces, catching and releasing 40 good-sized bass today. Stetson Blaylock in 3rd has his best day ever. He catches and releases an 11 pounder that anchored Blaylock’s 36 pound 8 ounce limit. Randy Haynes in 4th with 34 pounds 8 ounces is ready to go home already because he’s plumb tuckered out from reeling in too many hefty Fork porkers all day. Luke Clausen in fifth with 33 pounds 12 ounces is the only pro in the TTBC to have won both the Bassmaster Classic and the FLW Forrest Wood Cup – and although Clausen feels it will be tough to make up ground on the likes of Combs and Lane, winning the TTBC and attaining the “triple crown” of bass fishing is not entirely out of Clausen’s reach today. READ FULL STORY DAY 1: NOTES & QUOTES Day 1 at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic was nothing short of amazing. The big bass were the story of day one..and they were very big. The event invites the top anglers from the Bassmaster Elite Series, FLW Tour and Professional Anglers Association and consists of the best in the world who fish for a living across the country. All of these seasoned pros were in disbelief at just how good today was but in the back of their mind – they knew it was possible on famed Lake Fork. Big Bass Capital In a state as bass crazy as Texas, it takes a lot for a city to be able to claim the title of big bass capital of Texas. Nearby Quitman, TX has made that claim and can back it up after today’s weigh in. They even have the mural to prove the title and it would be hard to find someone here who disagreed with them. Notes from the Pros “I did bad, I only had 26lbs 8oz” overheard from Rathdrum, Idaho pro Brandon Palaniuk who sits in 19th place in the 50 angler field. Those words may not ever be said again from a tournament bass fisherman. “Fun doesn’t even begin to describe my day. We were listening to the radio all day because we were able to hear other judges calling in the weights of each fish. It was entertaining and also pretty scary,” said Guntersville, AL pro Justin Lucas. READ FULL NOTES & QUOTES LEADERBOARD 1. Keith Combs – 42 lbs. 2. Russ Lane – 38 lbs. 4 oz. 3. Stetson Blaylock – 36 lbs. 8 oz. 4. Randy Haynes – 34 lbs. 8 oz. 5. Luke Clausen – 33 lbs. 12 oz. ATX Wheels Big Bass Standings: 1. Keith Combs 10lbs. 14 oz. 2. Russ Lane 10lbs. 7oz. 3. Terry Scroggins 10lbs. 4. Kevin VanDam 8lbs. 11oz. 5. John Murray 8lbs. 110oz. Saturday, May 10 Tournament Day: Round 2 Schedule: 6:00am – 8:00am – Gates Open for Angler Take-Off (SRA) Free Admission and Parking (Take-Off Only) 7:00am – Anglers Take-Off (SRA) 10:00am – 7:30pm – Event Gates Open (SRA) *Ticket Required* TPWD Adventures Area, Outdoor Expo, BBQ Cook-Off & BPS Kids Zone 1:00pm- Live Concert: Southern Slang 3:00pm – Live: Ugly Stik® Presents: Backroad Anthem 5:00pm – Weigh-in, BBQ Awards 6:30pm – Headline Concert: Little Big Town On-Site Activities Take-Off: Come out to the SRA to see the top 50 pro anglers in the world each morning. Get angler autographs, see the latest gear/equipment, listen to angler interviews and cheer on your favorites as they take-off to do battle with Lake Fork’s giant bass (Take-Off parking and admission is free. Take-Off Gates open at 6:00am). Outdoor Adventures Area: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Adventures Area features kid-friendly activities that highlight the TPWD’s youth fishing programs. Activities include archery, Operation Game Thief- Wall of Shame, kids casting challenge and a host of other outdoor-themed educational and interactive exhibits. Toyota Drive Center: Where you can try out brand new Toyota vehicles on an off-road test track. Fans can enjoy hands-on driving experiences in the latest Toyota makes and models including the 2014 Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia, 4Runner and FJ Cruiser at the off road test track. Yamaha Test Track: Fans can test various Yamaha ATVs and side-by-sides on the 25,000 square foot test track that includes bumps, twists, log-filled roads and obstacles. Outdoor Expo: Families and fans are encouraged to come early and visit the 80,000 square foot expo center featuring the latest in outdoor gear & products from Bass Pro Shops & Nitro Boats. Take in a seminar at the Berkley seminar tank or see the latest line of Toyota vehicles. There is plenty to see and do in the Outdoor Expo! Bass Pro Shops Kids Zone: This Outdoor Kids Zone will feature entertainment for all ages. Families can enjoy several brand new activities in the Kids Zone including an inflatable obstacle course and Velcro wall, BB gun shooting range, kayak pool and the ever popular mechanical bull riding. Good Eats: BBQ Teams will compete for best brisket, chicken and ribs! First place in each category will walk away with $1,500. Johnsonville Big Taste Grill,The world’s largest touring grill will be on site grilling up more than 750 brats at a time. Not your average backyard barbeque, the grill weighs more than 53,000 pounds and measures 65 feet long. An array of food trucks will be on hand to cater all fan’s savory needs. From a Cajun meat pie to snow cones, ice cream and gourmet treats, TTBC has it covered! For more tournament information visit www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com Facebook.com/ToyotaTexasBassClassic Twitter @TxBassClassic
