Tommy Williams, of Shepherdsville, Ky., is leading after Day 2 of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open at Lewisville Lake with a two-day total of 34 pounds.

Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.

November 20, 2020

LEWISVILLE, Texas — A change in fish behavior led Tommy Williams of Shepherdsville, Ky., to discover a secondary pattern that helped propel him into the Day 2 lead of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open on Lewisville Lake with a two-day total of 34 pounds.

Thursday’s first round saw Williams catch a second-place limit of 18-8 and trail Day 1 leader Brandon Dillard by 6-1. On Friday, Williams added another limit that went 15-8. He enters Championship Saturday with a 6-3 margin over Dillard.

Williams returned to the same windblown pocket he fished on Day 1 and spent much of his time flipping shallow wood. The key to this area, he said, was the baitfish that had been blown into the shallows.

Confident that his area still held quality fish, Williams again flipped the cover with a Texas-rigged creature bait. Just like Thursday, precise casts and slow presentations were essential to getting bit. However, the action was considerably more sparing than he found on Day 1.

“The fish kind of laid me down today; it was a lot harder to get bites,” Williams said. “I had a lot of company and a lot of pressure on those fish. There are a couple of guys in the Top 12 that were fishing in there — we all found the same fish.

“They’re moving around a little bit and we’ve had to fish a little harder for them. Actually, my primary area let me down most of the day.”

Faced with a leaner outlook on his main pattern, Williams backed away from the shallow cover and explored nearby flats. There, he discovered he could get bites with a spinnerbait.

“I may have stumbled onto a little something for tomorrow,” he said. “As long as the wind doesn’t completely lay down, they’re going to eat the spinnerbait. That’s going to be the ticket for me.”

Carrying two potentially productive patterns into the final round gives him cause for optimism, but Williams said he’s unsure if his area will be able to produce a final competitive limit.

“The fish are either going away or they’ve all been caught,” he said. “It is a very small area that I’m fishing in and it has a lot of pressure.”

While solitude would have been preferable, Williams credited his fellow competitors for cooperative interactions.

“I have to hand it to the guys who’ve been in there with me,” he said. “We’ve all been courteous to one another. We have been gunnel to gunnel at times — literally — and we’ve all gotten along.”

Hailing from Grapevine, Texas, Dillard set the high mark on Day 1 with a limit of 24-9. On Friday, Lewisville treated the local guide with far less generosity and he found only two keepers for 3-4. He’s in second with a two-day total of 27-13.

“I ran a lot of the same stuff and I ran a lot of new stuff,” Dillard said. “I’m not really sure what changed. Like I said yesterday, Lewisville is feast or famine. One day you can go out and really wreck ’em and the next day it can be tough as nails. That’s what I experienced today.

“I was bouncing in and out, doing the same thing I did yesterday. I had some bites that just didn’t commit. Tomorrow’s a pre-front day, so maybe they’ll chomp. I’m just glad I get to fish the final day.”

Dillard fished a variety of shallow and deep habitats and caught one of his keepers on a spinnerbait and the other on a shaky head.

Branden Hollingshead of Azle, Texas, is in third place with 27-12. After catching two keepers for 7 pounds and placing 51st on Day 1, he added a limit of 20-12 and gained 48 spots.

“The wind died down and let me fish what I wanted to fish today,” Hollingshead said. “Yesterday I couldn’t fish my spots, so I scrambled and put together what I had. Today, I quit fishing by 9 o’clock.”

Anchoring his Day 2 limit with a 6-9 largemouth, Hollingshead targeted deeper rock on ledges and a couple of isolated trees. Working in 12 to 16 feet, he fished slow presentations. Friday’s lighter wind allowed him to detect subtle bites.

“There’s a lot of bait in my area,” he said. “The fish are starting to move back and I’m getting them at the mouths of these transition areas.”

Dillard is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with the 8-11 largemouth he caught on Day 1.

Joe Lee of Midlothian, Texas, holds the overall lead in the co-angler division with a two-day total of 13-8. He placed third on Day 1 with a limit of 7-13 and rose to the top Friday by adding two keepers for 5-11.

Michael Grossman of Dallas, Texas, holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 6-4 largemouth.

Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., leads the Central Open standings with 719 points, followed by Greg Hackney with 717. Kenta Kimura is third with 713, Marc Frazier is fourth with 688 and Darold Gleason is fifth with 684.

Christie also leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year Standings with 1,179 points.

The Top 12 remaining anglers in each division will take off at 7 a.m. CT Saturday from Lewisville Lake Park. The weigh-in will be held at the Park at 3 p.m.

2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open at Lewisville Lake 11/19-11/21
Lewisville Lake, Lewisville TX.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 10 34-00 200
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 15-08
2. Brandon Dillard Grapevine, TX 7 27-13 199
Day 1: 5 24-09 Day 2: 2 03-04
3. Branden Hollingshead Azle, TX 7 27-12 198
Day 1: 2 07-00 Day 2: 5 20-12
4. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 9 24-11 197
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 4 07-10
5. Bryan New Belmont, NC 8 23-05 196
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 5 16-11
6. Shawn Temple Krugerville, TX 9 22-14 195
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 4 11-10
7. Blake Whatley Harleton, TX 10 22-13 194
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 13-00
8. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 8 21-15 193
Day 1: 4 12-12 Day 2: 4 09-03
9. Billy Cline Argyle, TX 7 21-13 192
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 2 09-12
10. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 9 21-07 191
Day 1: 4 12-02 Day 2: 5 09-05
11. Ken Iyobe Tokoname, Aichi JAPAN 8 20-15 190
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 5 15-00
12. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 8 20-13 189
Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 5 12-15
13. Shaun Haag Montgomery, TX 8 20-13 188 $2,823.00
Day 1: 3 08-00 Day 2: 5 12-13
14. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 8 20-08 187 $2,823.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 3 08-00
15. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 7 20-07 186 $2,823.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 2 07-11
16. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 7 20-06 185 $2,823.00
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 5 16-06
17. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 6 20-06 184 $2,823.00
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 4 16-05
18. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 7 20-01 183 $2,823.00
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 3 10-03
19. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 6 19-15 182 $2,823.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 1 04-09
20. Chris Jones Bokoshe, OK 8 19-13 181 $2,823.00
Day 1: 4 11-06 Day 2: 4 08-07
21. Matthew Nobile Sorrento, LA 8 19-10 180 $2,567.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 3 07-07
22. Cody Ryan Greaney Manchaca, TX 7 18-15 179 $2,567.00
Day 1: 4 10-08 Day 2: 3 08-07
23. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 7 18-11 178 $2,567.00
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 5 15-04
24. Lance Crawford Broken Bow, OK 7 18-11 177 $2,567.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 2 05-09
25. Terry Peacock Royse City, TX 6 18-01 176 $2,567.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 1 03-10
26. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 18-00 175 $2,361.00
Day 1: 4 13-03 Day 2: 1 04-13
27. Terry Bollom Frisco, TX 7 17-05 174 $2,361.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 2 03-03
28. Chandler Stewart Waco, TX 5 17-01 173 $2,361.00
Day 1: 3 11-13 Day 2: 2 05-04
29. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 8 16-12 172 $2,361.00
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 3 06-13
30. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 4 16-08 171 $2,361.00
Day 1: 3 12-08 Day 2: 1 04-00
31. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 6 16-07 170 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 05-03 Day 2: 4 11-04
32. Billy Billeaud Lafayette, LA 7 16-04 169 $2,361.00
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 2 05-05
33. Paul Browning Pecos, TX 6 16-00 168 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 4 10-09
34. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 4 15-12 167 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 2 10-11
35. Drew Sloan Scurry, TX 4 15-09 166 $2,361.00
Day 1: 4 15-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
36. Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX 5 15-05 165 $2,361.00
Day 1: 4 11-05 Day 2: 1 04-00
37. Jake Rossi Columbus, OH 5 15-05 164 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 05-03 Day 2: 3 10-02
38. James Stricklin Fort Smith, AR 6 15-04 163 $2,361.00
Day 1: 4 11-01 Day 2: 2 04-03
39. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 8 15-00 162 $2,361.00
Day 1: 3 06-03 Day 2: 5 08-13
40. Kylie Sparks Denham Spgs, LA 6 14-13 161 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 4 10-03
41. Joel Willert Prior Lake, MN 5 14-09 160
Day 1: 4 10-12 Day 2: 1 03-13
42. Marc Schilling Shady Shores, TX 7 14-07 159
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 4 07-08
43. Spike Stoker Stephenville, TX 5 14-06 158
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
44. David Drinkard Sour Lake, TX 6 14-05 157
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 4 09-13
45. Robert Parkison Marshall, TX 5 14-01 156
Day 1: 4 12-06 Day 2: 1 01-11
46. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 13-11 155
Day 1: 3 08-02 Day 2: 2 05-09
47. Justin Prisock Robinson, TX 6 13-07 154
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 1 02-00
48. Mark Watson Midlothian, TX 4 13-07 153
Day 1: 2 06-10 Day 2: 2 06-13
49. Wes Nofire Tahlequah, OK 4 12-15 152
Day 1: 3 09-04 Day 2: 1 03-11
50. Garrett Rose Pipecreek, TX 5 12-13 151
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 2 04-02
51. Josh Bragg Jacksonville, AL 4 12-11 150
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 12-11
52. Theron Caldwell Decatur, TX 4 12-09 149
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 12-09
53. Brian Latimer Belton, SC 6 12-09 148
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 1 01-09
54. Doug Vahrenberg Higginsville, MO 4 12-01 147
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 3 10-04
55. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 4 11-15 146
Day 1: 4 11-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 4 11-11 145
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 3 10-04
57. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 11-11 144
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 2 04-01
58. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 4 11-06 143
Day 1: 2 06-13 Day 2: 2 04-09
59. Greg Yates Oak Point, TX 5 11-01 142
Day 1: 4 07-03 Day 2: 1 03-14
60. Caleb Gibson Locust Grove, OK 4 11-00 141
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 1 03-03
61. David Gillham Heath, TX 4 10-12 140
Day 1: 4 10-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
62. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 3 10-08 139
Day 1: 2 07-08 Day 2: 1 03-00
63. Dakota Ebare Dehnam Springs, LA 5 10-07 138
Day 1: 4 08-10 Day 2: 1 01-13
64. Shonn Goodwin Moore, OK 4 10-07 137
Day 1: 3 07-12 Day 2: 1 02-11
65. Jed Holt Livingston, TX 5 10-06 136
Day 1: 4 08-10 Day 2: 1 01-12
66. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 6 10-05 135
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 4 06-14
67. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 3 09-14 134
Day 1: 1 03-10 Day 2: 2 06-04
68. Marshall Hughes Hemphill, TX 4 09-10 133
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 2 06-13
69. Greg Mansfield Olathe, KS 4 09-09 132
Day 1: 1 03-02 Day 2: 3 06-07
70. Ron Wells Claremore, OK 3 09-08 131
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 2 07-00
71. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 4 09-07 130
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 3 06-01
72. Billy Smith Montgomery, TX 3 09-06 129
Day 1: 1 05-05 Day 2: 2 04-01
73. James Biggs Euless, TX 4 09-05 128
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 1 02-01
74. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 4 09-05 127
Day 1: 1 03-14 Day 2: 3 05-07
75. Larry Puckett Decatur, TX 4 09-04 126
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 3 07-12
76. Floyd Teat Valley Mills, TX 4 09-03 125
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 1 02-11
77. Jerod Hawkes Eagle Pass, TX 3 09-03 124
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 2 06-06
78. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 4 09-01 123
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 3 07-02
79. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 4 08-15 122
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 3 06-12
80. Travis Ledford Tuttle, OK 5 08-14 121
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 4 07-04
81. Kazuki Kitajima Corinth, TX 4 08-12 120
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 1 01-08
82. Bart Stanisz Brookeland, TX 3 08-06 119
Day 1: 2 04-13 Day 2: 1 03-09
83. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 07-14 118
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 3 04-14
84. Cody Morrison Collinsville, TX 3 07-11 117
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
85. Steve Sennikoff Edgewood, TX 4 07-11 116
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 1 02-15
86. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 4 07-05 115
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 2 04-01
87. Spencer Lambert West Monroe, LA 2 07-04 114
Day 1: 2 07-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
88. Jay Brainard Mountain Home, OK 3 07-03 113
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-03
89. Hunter Denmark Saraland, AL 3 07-02 112
Day 1: 2 05-11 Day 2: 1 01-07
90. Cameron Mattison Bossier City, LA 2 07-02 111
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 1 05-00
91. Matt Pangrac Broken Arrow, OK 4 07-02 110
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 3 04-10
92. Jake Boomer Spokane Valley, WA 4 07-01 109
Day 1: 4 07-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
93. Casey Bennett Waco, TX 3 07-01 108
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 1 01-09
94. Randy Blaukat Joplin, MO 2 07-00 107
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 07-00
95. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 3 06-13 106
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
96. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 4 06-12 105
Day 1: 4 06-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
97. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 3 06-08 104
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 1 02-08
98. Brad Shuflin Windsor, CO 1 06-07 103
Day 1: 1 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
99. Kyle Dorsett Odenville, AL 3 06-04 102
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
100. Brandon Mcdonald Longview, TX 2 06-04 101
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-04
101. Brian Post Janesville, WI 3 05-15 100
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 1 01-15
102. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 3 05-12 99
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
103. Brandon Ackerson Afton, OK 3 05-07 98
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 2 03-13
104. Randy Qualls Streetman, TX 2 05-05 97
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 1 03-07
105. Toby Hartsell Afton, OK 3 05-05 96
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 2 03-00
106. John Hammersmith Branson, MO 3 05-04 95
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
107. Wardell Motley Jr Cleburne, TX 2 05-04 94
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 1 02-09
108. Clark Reehm Elm Groove, LA 2 05-02 93
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 03-07
109. James Davis Jr Ferriday, LA 2 04-13 92
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-13
110. Steven Caldwell Whitesboro, TX 3 04-12 91
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 1 01-06
111. Andy Hribar Lakeville, MN 2 04-11 90
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 1 01-06
112. Jerry Riddle Jr Summit, MS 3 04-10 89
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 1 01-08
113. Wes Logan Springville, AL 2 04-06 88
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
114. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 1 04-04 87
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 04-04
115. Kyle Hogg Hewitt, TX 2 04-00 86
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. RJ Chandler Jr. Vinton, LA 2 03-12 85
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-12
117. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 2 03-10 84
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Andrew Upshaw Tulsa, OK 2 03-06 83
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 1 01-14
119. Neels Beneke Amanzimtoti SOUTH AFRIC 1 03-04 82
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-04
120. Scott Siller Milwaukee, WI 2 03-04 81
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 1 01-15
121. Ryan Dusek Azle, TX 2 03-02 80
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
122. Cody Huff Ava, MO 1 02-15 79
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
122. Ernie Stumpf III Frisco, TX 1 02-15 79
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Jay Stidham China Spring, TX 2 02-14 77
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
125. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 1 02-14 76
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-14
126. Tommy Murray Bedford, TX 1 02-13 75
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Jake Biram Tulsa, OK 1 02-11 74
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. James Caldemeyer Gilmer, TX 1 02-05 73
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-05
129. Greg Vance Delhi, IA 1 02-04 72
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-04
129. Trait Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 1 02-04 72
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-04
131. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 1 02-03 70
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
131. Brian Mathis Cedar Park, TX 1 02-03 70
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
133. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 1 02-00 68
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
134. Jeff Bridges Prosper, TX 1 01-15 67
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 1 01-14 66
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Andrew Wright Plano, TX 1 01-14 66
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
137. Brent Homan Graham, TX 1 01-10 64
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-10
138. Troy O’Rourke Bentonville, AR 1 01-08 63
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
139. Andrew Thomasson Dublin, VA 1 01-04 62
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Chris Bachta Grapevine, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Chris Bailey Eddy, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Lucas Bradley Flippin, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Justin Hallmark Bertram, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Mark Hicks Glouster, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Larry Jenkins Leesburg, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Lyvon Kennard Harker Hts, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Terry Luedtke Burton, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Bill McNutt Henry, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Chad Mrazek Montgomery, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Lance Rose Pipe Creek, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Bill Watts Beaumont, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Dirk Wenzlaff Frisco, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Jd Williams Mckinney, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00