Knight had shot at Big Bag on Day 1, focused and ready for Day 2. 

When the last fish crossed the scales on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of lakes. Reigning FLW Cup Champ Brad Knight of Lancing, TN held a small lead over fellow team tournament partner and good friend Wesley Strader.  “I should have blown the door wide open on this deal today but I just couldn’t capitalize.” said Knight, after weighing in a 22.11-pound limit to take the early lead.

“I started the day on Toho trying to avoid the lock traffic early and get a few fish on the board,” explains Knight, who when he finally locked down to Lake Kissimmee at 10:00, had 2 small keepers and one just over 8 pounds in the live-well. Once in Lake Kissimmee Knight said he checked several areas and “bounced around” quite a bit.

“The fish just weren’t taking the bait good like they do when the sun is out. Those bigger females like to float up in the water column to sun and get warm before they spawn and the cloud cover and rain hurt that today.”

Late in the day Knight explains he made a move to an area he found in practice that he knew held some better quality fish. “I had about an hour and a half to locate these fish and I started on the inside of this little deal and worked my way around.” “I am keying on areas that hold a mixture of flat pads, larger lily pads and Kissimmee grass.”

Knight explains that within that last little bit of time on day 1, he caught the larger 9.06lb fish that is currently the Big Bass of the tournament, but lost a few key fish as well.

“I caught that big fish but then proceeded to lose two or three more that were as big or bigger than she was.” Knight explains.

“You become real religious when the only thing between you and a 9-pounder is 20 feet of string and a ton a Kissimmee grass and pad stems.”

On how he plans to approach day 2, Knight stated, “I know where they live, the forecast is calling for some sun today and that will help the bite but it’s a little windy. I’ll keep throwing my frog and flipping that Strike King Rodent and make adjustments as needed until I can get them all in the boat, and I’ll probably pray a lot more today too.” he said laughing.

Follow along the Bassmaster Blog on www.bassmaster.com and the love weigh-ins today at 3:00pm EST.