Mize leads at Bassmaster

PITTSBURGH – Jimmy Mize took the first-day lead at the Bassmaster Classic on Friday with five bass totaling 6 pounds, 2 ounces.

Stacey King and Aaron Martens were tied for second, as both recorded totals of 5 pounds, 1 ounce.

“I’d be a lot more excited if this was the third day,” said Mize, making only his third appearance in the Bassmaster Classic.

Mize and Martens were joined by Preston Clark and Skeet Reese as the only contestants who caught the limit of five fish.

“You have to catch a few every day to stay near the top of the standings,” Mize said. “A 3-pounder can make the difference, but five little ones each day might just win this tournament.”

Mize could have had a bigger lead if it weren’t for the bass that eluded him.

“I had a 3-pounder and another that was probably a pound and a half, but both got away,” Mize said.

King caught three fish, including a 2-pound, 14-ounce largemouth bass, tying Kevin VanDam for the biggest bass of the day, which earned each a prize of $500.

Van Dam is in fifth place after catching three fish that totaled 4 pounds, 11 ounces.

The record for the lowest weight total in the 35-year history of the Bassmaster Classic is 15 pounds, 5 ounces, set by George Cochran in 1987.

Defending champion Takahiro Omori caught just one fish.

The 47-man field will be cut to 25 after today.