If fishing fans at the Bassmaster Elite Series weigh in show had dollars for everytime an angler said the words “Wiggle Wart”, they would cash-in almost as well as the 50 pros who made it to Day 3 and cut a $10,000 check.

Of course, 12 of them will fish tomorrow for the big check. And a few of them are throwing something other than the out-of-production Storm Wiggle Wart that still fools Table Rock bass by the boatload.

Mike McClelland holds nearly a 4-pound lead over Aaron Martens (49-13 to 45-14). Mclelland is throwing his namesake McStick jerkbait.

No matter the lure choice, 10-lb. fuorocarbon line seems to be a huge key. In fact, along with ‘Wiggle Wart’ and ‘jerkbait’, ’10-lb. fluoro’ was heard repeatedly, again and again, over and over from the 50 pros who fished today.

Who can argue with success? Most anglers reported catches of 50-to-60 bass today. Many of those came before a bright sun rose over a mirror-smooth lake. After that, things slowed a bit.

“My marshal said ‘that’s number 50 right there’ and that was at 9:30 A.M.,” said Jacob Powroznik.

Of course, tournament fishing comes down to the big bite and Kevin VanDam had it. His 7-8 was the big fish of the day and she pushed his weight to 19-7. With a 3-day total of 45-7, KVD is currently in 3rd place.

Red hot Strike King pro Mark Davis continues to fish well. He is in 4th and has strengthened his grip on the Angler of the Year race. Davis has caught 45-7 which ties him for 3rd with VanDam, but KVD comes out ahead due to tie-breaker rules.

Jeff Kriet rounds out the Top 5. ‘The Squirrel’ has quietly found enough acorns to pile-up a total weight of 44-11.

Jared Lintner is last into the cut with 41-7, good for 12th place.

As for the jerkbait bite – Rick Clunn said he caught biggest few fish this week on his signature series Lucky Strike RC STX model. Gerald Swindle wasn’t so fortunate, “I left $3,000 worth of Special 10 jerkbaits in the (submerged) trees in long Creek and when the water goes down y’all can go find them and have some fun with them.”

All kidding aside, the jerkbait seems to be the ticket for quality fish this week. As does 10-lb. fluorocarbon line.

Here’s your top 12 who will fish tomorrow:

1	Mike McClelland	5	15- 6	5	16-14	5	17- 9	15	49-13
2	Aaron Martens	5	18-11	5	14- 5	5	12-14	15	45-14
3	Kevin VanDam	5	14- 0	5	12- 0	5	19- 7	15	45- 7
4	Mark Davis	5	18- 8	5	15- 3	5	11-12	15	45- 7
5	Jeff Kriet	5	14-10	5	14- 4	5	15-13	15	44-11
6	Greg Hackney	5	16- 0	5	14-10	5	13-14	15	44- 8
7	Bill Lowen	5	11- 6	5	14- 2	5	18-13	15	44- 5
8	Edwin Evers	5	17- 4	5	13- 9	5	13- 1	15	43-14
9	Brandon Palaniuk	5	16-13	5	13-10	5	12-10	15	43- 1
10	Kevin Hawk	5	10- 6	5	16- 3	5	15-11	15	42- 4
11	Cliff Prince	5	9- 6	5	19-10	5	12-15	15	41-15
12	Jared Lintner	5	12- 6	5	17-15	5	11- 2	15	41- 7