Story & Photos Courtesy of FLW

Buddy Gross won his first FLW Tour event on Pickwick Lake in May of 2016 fishing a shad spawn on eelgrass along the Tennessee River channel. Today, Gross rekindled those old memories from four years ago to bring in 24 pounds, 1 ounce and take the day one lead in the Toyota Series Central Division event on Pickwick.

Top five patterns 

Complete results

While he is fishing the same general area where he won before, Gross says the cover is much different this time around.

“Last time it was all about the eelgrass,” he says. “This time the eelgrass is not as dominant – it’s not as tall – to create current breaks. This time there is more hydrilla there. But the common denominator is the shad spawn. The shad are still spawning, but it doesn’t last long. I caught a few big ones quickly, but it died fast.”

Gross says he normally likes to fish out much deeper on Pickwick than the 6- to 7-foot zone he is targeting now. But since he had a late boat draw (128) he figured the best deep community spots would be covered up, so he took a chance on the shallow grass first thing this morning because the spot was “open” and the gamble paid off.

Though Gross didn’t want to give up his exact baits just yet, he did say they are all big gizzard shad imitating baits.

“They are big baits and difficult to fish in that stringy hydrilla,” he adds. “I fought the grass all day, constantly slapping baits in the water to clear them. But if I could ever get a bait to come through the right zone clean, it would get inhaled.”

Gross has an earlier boat position tomorrow morning, which will give him a few more precious minutes in the height of shad spawn to make hay.

“There was no one on it this morning and no one ever tried to stop on it all day, so I should have it to myself first thing tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it.”

 

Top 10 pros

1. Buddy Gross – Chickamauga, Ga. – 24-1 (5)

2. Justin Atkins – Florence, Ala. – 21-14 (5)

3. Brent Anderson – Kingston Springs, Tenn. – 20-8 (5)

4. Michael Brewer – Lawrenceburg, Tenn. – 19-11 (5)

5. Josh Butler – Hayden, Ala. – 18-14 (5)

6. Seth Davis – Harrison, Tenn. – 18-13 (5)

7. Sloan Pennington – Childersburg, Ala. – 18-8 (5)

8. Keith Amerson – Bethel Springs, Tenn. – 18-6 (5)

9. Jacob Wheeler – Harrison, Tenn. – 18-2 (5)

10. Jason Lambert – Michie, Tenn. – 17-9 (5)

Complete results

 

Corkern leads co-anglers

Daniel Corkern of Florence, Miss., leads the Co-angler Division after day one with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 4 ounces. Corkern is no stranger to Pickwick as he has racked up three top 10’s in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League. This is his first Toyota Series event and he has now put himself in the pole position going into day two.

 

 

PLACE	ANGLER	CITY/STATE	DAY 1 WT (Fish)	DAY 1-3 WT (Fish)	DAY 1-4 WT (Fish)	WINNINGS
1	BUDDY GROSS	CHICKAMAUGA, GA	24 – 1 (5)	24 – 1 (5)	24 – 1 (5)
2	JUSTIN ATKINS	FLORENCE, AL	21 – 14 (5)	21 – 14 (5)	21 – 14 (5)
3	BRENT ANDERSON	KINGSTON SPRINGS, TN	20 – 8 (5)	20 – 8 (5)	20 – 8 (5)
4	MICHAEL BREWER	LAWRENCEBURG, TN	19 – 11 (5)	19 – 11 (5)	19 – 11 (5)
5	JOSH BUTLER	HAYDEN, AL	18 – 14 (5)	18 – 14 (5)	18 – 14 (5)
6	SETH DAVIS	HARRISON, TN	18 – 13 (5)	18 – 13 (5)	18 – 13 (5)
7	SLOAN PENNINGTON	CHILDERSBURG, AL	18 – 8 (5)	18 – 8 (5)	18 – 8 (5)
8	KEITH AMERSON	BETHEL SPRINGS, TN	18 – 6 (5)	18 – 6 (5)	18 – 6 (5)
9	JACOB WHEELER	HARRISON, TN	18 – 2 (5)	18 – 2 (5)	18 – 2 (5)
10	JASON LAMBERT	MICHIE, TN	17 – 9 (5)	17 – 9 (5)	17 – 9 (5)
11	NATHAN MARTIN	SHEFFIELD, AL	17 – 6 (5)	17 – 6 (5)	17 – 6 (5)
12	MICHAEL BEAN	BOWLING GREEN, KY	17 – 2 (5)	17 – 2 (5)	17 – 2 (5)
13	CAMERON GAUTNEY	SHEFFIELD, AL	16 – 15 (5)	16 – 15 (5)	16 – 15 (5)
14	WAYNE DENNISON	SHEFFIELD, AL	16 – 4 (5)	16 – 4 (5)	16 – 4 (5)
14	JOHN MURRAY	SPRING CITY, TN	16 – 4 (5)	16 – 4 (5)	16 – 4 (5)
16	JIM NEECE JR	BRISTOL, TN	16 – 2 (5)	16 – 2 (5)	16 – 2 (5)
17	RICKY ROBINSON	GREENBACK, TN	15 – 14 (5)	15 – 14 (5)	15 – 14 (5)
18	MARSHALL DEAKINS	DUNLAP, TN	15 – 12 (5)	15 – 12 (5)	15 – 12 (5)
19	LAWSON TILGHMAN	SOMERVILLE, TN	15 – 11 (5)	15 – 11 (5)	15 – 11 (5)
20	GRANT GALLOWAY	HOULKA, MS	15 – 10 (5)	15 – 10 (5)	15 – 10 (5)
21	RYAN SALZMAN	HUNTSVILLE, AL	15 – 7 (5)	15 – 7 (5)	15 – 7 (5)
22	RICK BOWEN	JACKSON, TN	15 – 6 (5)	15 – 6 (5)	15 – 6 (5)
23	RAYMOND OWEN	IUKA, MS	15 – 2 (5)	15 – 2 (5)	15 – 2 (5)
24	WILLIAM MERRICK	MOUNT JULIET, TN	15 – 1 (5)	15 – 1 (5)	15 – 1 (5)
25	COLE FLOYD	LEESBURG, OH	15 – 0 (5)	15 – 0 (5)	15 – 0 (5)
26	CURREY HOLLEY	MADISON, AL	14 – 14 (5)	14 – 14 (5)	14 – 14 (5)
27	DONNY BECK	KILLEN, AL	14 – 12 (5)	14 – 12 (5)	14 – 12 (5)
28	NICK RATLIFF	VINE GROVE, KY	14 – 11 (5)	14 – 11 (5)	14 – 11 (5)
29	ANDY COY	CORINTH, MS	14 – 10 (5)	14 – 10 (5)	14 – 10 (5)
30	GARY ISGRIGG	MT. WASHINGTON, KY	14 – 8 (5)	14 – 8 (5)	14 – 8 (5)
31	CURT MCGUIRE	BUCHANAN, TN	14 – 6 (5)	14 – 6 (5)	14 – 6 (5)
32	MATT ROBERTSON	KUTTAWA, KY	14 – 2 (5)	14 – 2 (5)	14 – 2 (5)
33	SPENCER SHUFFIELD	HOT SPRINGS, AR	14 – 1 (5)	14 – 1 (5)	14 – 1 (5)
33	BRENT BUTLER	VONORE, TN	14 – 1 (5)	14 – 1 (5)	14 – 1 (5)
35	BRYAN WALDON	FALKNER, MS	13 – 15 (5)	13 – 15 (5)	13 – 15 (5)
36	MICHAEL NEAL	DAYTON, TN	13 – 12 (5)	13 – 12 (5)	13 – 12 (5)
37	MICHAEL CORBISHLEY	RALEIGH, NC	13 – 11 (5)	13 – 11 (5)	13 – 11 (5)
37	JOE RUCKER	NICHOLASVILLE, KY	13 – 11 (5)	13 – 11 (5)	13 – 11 (5)
39	MICKEY BECK	LEBANON, TN	13 – 10 (5)	13 – 10 (5)	13 – 10 (5)
40	CODY HARRISON	TUSCUMBIA, AL	13 – 9 (5)	13 – 9 (5)	13 – 9 (5)
41	ETHAN FRANKLIN	EMPIRE, AL	13 – 6 (5)	13 – 6 (5)	13 – 6 (5)
42	RUSTY WHITE	SODDY DAISY, TN	13 – 5 (5)	13 – 5 (5)	13 – 5 (5)
42	DREW BOGGS	LEBANON, TN	13 – 5 (5)	13 – 5 (5)	13 – 5 (5)
44	NATHAN ASHMORE	BALDWYN, MS	13 – 3 (5)	13 – 3 (5)	13 – 3 (5)
44	BILL SMITH JR	BURLINGTON, KY	13 – 3 (5)	13 – 3 (5)	13 – 3 (5)
46	FREDDY PALMER	ESTILL SPRINGS, TN	13 – 2 (5)	13 – 2 (5)	13 – 2 (5)
47	BOB BLACKERBY	CHELSEA, AL	13 – 0 (5)	13 – 0 (5)	13 – 0 (5)
47	JEFF CANNON	DOUGLASVILLE, GA	13 – 0 (5)	13 – 0 (5)	13 – 0 (5)
47	JORDAN NETTLES	LUMBERTON, MS	13 – 0 (5)	13 – 0 (5)	13 – 0 (5)
50	MATT BECKER	FINLEYVILLE, PA	12 – 15 (5)	12 – 15 (5)	12 – 15 (5)
51	WILLIAM CAMPBELL	MIDDLESBORO, KY	12 – 13 (5)	12 – 13 (5)	12 – 13 (5)
52	ANTHONY HAGEWOOD	HERNDON, KY	12 – 9 (5)	12 – 9 (5)	12 – 9 (5)
53	BRODY CAMPBELL	OXFORD, OH	12 – 8 (5)	12 – 8 (5)	12 – 8 (5)
53	JOEY WALTERS	SUMMERTOWN, TN	12 – 8 (5)	12 – 8 (5)	12 – 8 (5)
53	JORDAN HARTMAN	MURRAY, KY	12 – 8 (5)	12 – 8 (5)	12 – 8 (5)
56	BRANDON PERKINS	COUNCE, TN	12 – 7 (5)	12 – 7 (5)	12 – 7 (5)
57	KYLE HALL	GRANBURY, TX	12 – 6 (5)	12 – 6 (5)	12 – 6 (5)
58	DENNIS SHAWN PERRIGO	RIENZI, MS	12 – 4 (5)	12 – 4 (5)	12 – 4 (5)
58	JACK DALZELL	ELYRIA, OH	12 – 4 (5)	12 – 4 (5)	12 – 4 (5)
58	ALEX HESTER	CROSSVILLE, TN	12 – 4 (5)	12 – 4 (5)	12 – 4 (5)
61	GIL SUMMERLIN	GUNTERSVILLE, AL	12 – 2 (5)	12 – 2 (5)	12 – 2 (5)
61	TIMMY HORTON	MUSCLE SHOALS, AL	12 – 2 (5)	12 – 2 (5)	12 – 2 (5)
63	DUSTIN BERRYMAN	RUSSELLVILLE, AL	12 – 1 (5)	12 – 1 (5)	12 – 1 (5)
64	WESLEY STRADER	SPRING CITY, TN	12 – 0 (5)	12 – 0 (5)	12 – 0 (5)
64	JIMMY WASHAM	COVINGTON, TN	12 – 0 (5)	12 – 0 (5)	12 – 0 (5)
66	KRISTOPHER QUEEN	CATAWBA, NC	11 – 14 (5)	11 – 14 (5)	11 – 14 (5)
66	CHRIS MALONE	IRONTON, OH	11 – 14 (5)	11 – 14 (5)	11 – 14 (5)
68	LOGAN COLLIER	SAVANNAH, TN	11 – 11 (5)	11 – 11 (5)	11 – 11 (5)
69	MATT STANLEY	ALEXANDRIA, TN	11 – 9 (5)	11 – 9 (5)	11 – 9 (5)
69	JIM LITTLE	CORINTH, MS	11 – 9 (4)	11 – 9 (4)	11 – 9 (4)
71	CODY NICHOLS	FAYETTE, AL	11 – 6 (5)	11 – 6 (5)	11 – 6 (5)
71	ROBERT REAGAN	BYRDSTOWN, TN	11 – 6 (4)	11 – 6 (4)	11 – 6 (4)
73	JONATHAN BOWLING	HARRIMAN, TN	11 – 5 (5)	11 – 5 (5)	11 – 5 (5)
74	KOTA KIRIYAMA	GUNTERSVILLE, AL	11 – 1 (5)	11 – 1 (5)	11 – 1 (5)
75	TRAVIS LOYD	MCGEE, MS	10 – 15 (5)	10 – 15 (5)	10 – 15 (5)
76	DUSTIN EVANS	EADS, TN	10 – 13 (5)	10 – 13 (5)	10 – 13 (5)
77	JEFF MCLAIN	COLUMBUS, MS	10 – 6 (5)	10 – 6 (5)	10 – 6 (5)
78	MICHAEL ROACH	OLIVE BRANCH, MS	10 – 3 (5)	10 – 3 (5)	10 – 3 (5)
79	JASON REYES	HUFFMAN, TX	10 – 1 (5)	10 – 1 (5)	10 – 1 (5)
80	DEREK MILLS	SELLERSBURG, IN	10 – 0 (5)	10 – 0 (5)	10 – 0 (5)
81	BRENNON MCCORD	JOHNSTON CITY, IL	9 – 13 (4)	9 – 13 (4)	9 – 13 (4)
82	BLAKE SCHROEDER	WHITEHOUSE, TX	9 – 11 (4)	9 – 11 (4)	9 – 11 (4)
83	BILL DAY	FRANKFORT, KY	9 – 6 (5)	9 – 6 (5)	9 – 6 (5)
84	JOSEPH WEBSTER	WINFIELD, AL	9 – 4 (4)	9 – 4 (4)	9 – 4 (4)
85	RON SMITH	WALTON, KY	8 – 14 (3)	8 – 14 (3)	8 – 14 (3)
85	CRISPIN POWLEY	CAMDEN, TN	8 – 14 (4)	8 – 14 (4)	8 – 14 (4)
87	BRENT CROW	HARTSELLE, AL	8 – 13 (4)	8 – 13 (4)	8 – 13 (4)
88	ROBB YOUNG	ROGERSVILLE, AL	8 – 11 (3)	8 – 11 (3)	8 – 11 (3)
89	BRAD ADKINS	WEST LIBERTY, KY	8 – 9 (3)	8 – 9 (3)	8 – 9 (3)
90	SHAWN HAWKS	VINTON, OH	8 – 8 (4)	8 – 8 (4)	8 – 8 (4)
91	SCOTTY ESTES	HOLLY POND, AL	8 – 7 (3)	8 – 7 (3)	8 – 7 (3)
92	KEVIN MEUNIER	LAMAR, IN	8 – 6 (4)	8 – 6 (4)	8 – 6 (4)
93	JASON FOSTER	RIPLEY, MS	8 – 3 (4)	8 – 3 (4)	8 – 3 (4)
94	BRAD ROBERTS	FAUBUSH, KY	8 – 2 (4)	8 – 2 (4)	8 – 2 (4)
95	MASON SAPP	CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY	7 – 15 (4)	7 – 15 (4)	7 – 15 (4)
96	JIMMY GAYHART	SADIEVILLE, KY	7 – 6 (2)	7 – 6 (2)	7 – 6 (2)
96	WAYNE COOK	GAUTIER, MS	7 – 6 (4)	7 – 6 (4)	7 – 6 (4)
98	JIMMY BREWER	MARSHALL, TX	6 – 15 (3)	6 – 15 (3)	6 – 15 (3)
99	TIM WILSON	MARION, IN	6 – 14 (2)	6 – 14 (2)	6 – 14 (2)
100	SHANE MELTON	KOKOMO, IN	6 – 13 (3)	6 – 13 (3)	6 – 13 (3)
101	JOSH SHIRLEY	CABOT, AR	6 – 12 (3)	6 – 12 (3)	6 – 12 (3)
102	JOHN JANICK	ADAMS, TN	6 – 9 (3)	6 – 9 (3)	6 – 9 (3)
103	JEFF DYER	OAK HILL, OH	6 – 8 (3)	6 – 8 (3)	6 – 8 (3)
104	EDWARD GETTYS	PARIS, TN	6 – 6 (3)	6 – 6 (3)	6 – 6 (3)
104	CHARLES WATTS	CORINTH, MS	6 – 6 (3)	6 – 6 (3)	6 – 6 (3)
106	BRAD MCCLURE	BRENTWOOD, TN	6 – 3 (1)	6 – 3 (1)	6 – 3 (1)	$141
107	JIM MOYNAGH	SHAKOPEE, MN	6 – 2 (4)	6 – 2 (4)	6 – 2 (4)
108	CHRIS HURD	NANCY, KY	6 – 1 (3)	6 – 1 (3)	6 – 1 (3)
109	TOMMY BROWN	LOUISVILLE, TN	5 – 12 (3)	5 – 12 (3)	5 – 12 (3)
110	DUSTIN NEAT	DUNNVILLE, KY	5 – 11 (2)	5 – 11 (2)	5 – 11 (2)
111	JOEY SCHMIDT	HICKORY, KY	5 – 10 (2)	5 – 10 (2)	5 – 10 (2)
112	DAVID DOVE	COLUMBUS, MS	5 – 8 (2)	5 – 8 (2)	5 – 8 (2)
112	KYLE GLASGOW	GUIN, AL	5 – 8 (3)	5 – 8 (3)	5 – 8 (3)
114	JEFF CARMAN	LIBERTY, KY	5 – 7 (3)	5 – 7 (3)	5 – 7 (3)
115	JACOPO GALLELLI	FLORENCE, FI	5 – 5 (2)	5 – 5 (2)	5 – 5 (2)
116	PARKER MAPLES	AMORY, MS	5 – 4 (2)	5 – 4 (2)	5 – 4 (2)
117	BILLY HURT	SPRING CREEK, TN	5 – 3 (3)	5 – 3 (3)	5 – 3 (3)
118	COLE LOGSDON	WINDYVILLE, KY	4 – 9 (2)	4 – 9 (2)	4 – 9 (2)
118	MICHAEL WOOLEY	BOONEVILLE, MS	4 – 9 (2)	4 – 9 (2)	4 – 9 (2)
120	JOSH NORRIS	SPRING CITY, TN	4 – 8 (2)	4 – 8 (2)	4 – 8 (2)
120	JEFF RICHEY	GLASGOW, KY	4 – 8 (2)	4 – 8 (2)	4 – 8 (2)
122	JASON HAGEWOOD	CADIZ, KY	4 – 3 (2)	4 – 3 (2)	4 – 3 (2)
122	BRIAN BAKER	OLMSTEAD, KY	4 – 3 (2)	4 – 3 (2)	4 – 3 (2)
124	TONY PRINCE	PULASKI, TN	4 – 0 (2)	4 – 0 (2)	4 – 0 (2)
124	CLAY REECE	LEXINGTON, KY	4 – 0 (1)	4 – 0 (1)	4 – 0 (1)
126	BRIAN HATFIELD	SPRING CITY, TN	3 – 15 (2)	3 – 15 (2)	3 – 15 (2)
126	ALLEN BROOKS JR	CANTON, GA	3 – 15 (2)	3 – 15 (2)	3 – 15 (2)
128	HERMILO SALGADO	ARTEMUS, KY	3 – 13 (2)	3 – 13 (2)	3 – 13 (2)
129	WESLEY ANDERSON	MOSCOW, TN	3 – 12 (2)	3 – 12 (2)	3 – 12 (2)
130	TRENT SURATT	LAWRENCEBURG, TN	3 – 11 (2)	3 – 11 (2)	3 – 11 (2)
131	JOHN WELLS	NASHVILLE, TN	3 – 6 (2)	3 – 6 (2)	3 – 6 (2)
132	STEVE WHITAKER	SCOTTSVILLE, KY	3 – 4 (1)	3 – 4 (1)	3 – 4 (1)
133	RYAN DAVIDSON	BRANCHLAND, WV	2 – 7 (1)	2 – 7 (1)	2 – 7 (1)
134	JAMES TAYLOR	HUMBOLDT, TN	2 – 6 (1)	2 – 6 (1)	2 – 6 (1)
135	JAMES CHRISTIAN	DICKSON, TN	2 – 4 (1)	2 – 4 (1)	2 – 4 (1)
135	STEVE BARNES	HARRISON, TN	2 – 4 (1)	2 – 4 (1)	2 – 4 (1)
137	COLVIN HENSON	BATTLEFIELD, MO	2 – 3 (1)	2 – 3 (1)	2 – 3 (1)
137	THOMAS ESCUE	POINT PLEASANT, WV	2 – 3 (1)	2 – 3 (1)	2 – 3 (1)
139	COLTON BREEDING	SPARTA, TN	1 – 15 (1)	1 – 15 (1)	1 – 15 (1)
140	DAVID WOOTTON	COLLIERVILLE, TN	1 – 13 (1)	1 – 13 (1)	1 – 13 (1)
	BRIAN ELDER	LOCUST GROVE, GA	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	CHRIS WOOTEN	WEST POINT, MS	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	KURT MITCHELL	MILFORD, DE	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	JADE KEETON	FLORENCE, AL	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	DAKOTA EBARE	DENHAM SPRINGS, LA	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	ANDREW LUXON	RICHMOND, KY	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	WALTER OGLE	ROCKFORD, TN	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	WILLIAM CRUM	MOSHEIM, TN	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	DILLON SAFFLE	BALLWIN, MO	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	ANTHONY ROY	LANCASTER, KY	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)
	ADAM HORNBERGER	TROY, IL	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)	0 – 0 (0)