Posted -  April 24th, 2008 10:02pm CST

Hoernke Second, Moynah Third In a Very Tight Field After Day One

Story by Dru Smith - Photos by Dan O'Sullivan & Matt Pangrac

Huntsville, NC--The Wal-Mart FLW Tour stopped in North Carolina for their third event of the 2008 season. Fans witnessed 200 pros launch their boats from Blythe Landing on Thursday morning. Recent fishing reports indicated bites would be plentiful but the quality could be lacking. The spawn is still going on although the larger females apparently have finished and moved off the banks. 

With the migration of bass back towards the deeper water, the plentiful docks that line the shores of Lake Norman became prime targets for many of the pros. The BASS ZONE witnessed several anglers working beds early Thursday morning with the anticipation of moving to the docks as the day progressed. However, as the weigh-in progressed and patterns revealed, bed fishing was an important component on Thursday.

Expectations of numbers of fish proved true as 90 of the first 100 pros brought five fish limits to the scales. Overall, 185 five bass limits passed across the stage. More than 40 anglers brought limits to the scales that landed in the 10 pound range. 

Brent Crow took the early lead with 13 pounds 14, ounces. His bag was anchored by a big bass coming in just one ounce shy of the five pound mark at 4-15. 

Texan, Sean Hoernke pushed Brent from the top spot with a Lake Norman limit totaling 15 pounds even. Sean held the lead for the majority of the weigh-in, but with just a couple of pros left to cross the stage, Scott Canterbury stepped up with the big limit of the day. 

The Alabama pro brought in five fish, including the day’s big bass at just over five pounds, for a one day total of 18 pounds, 5 ounces. Scott will begin day two with a three pound cushion on the field. Considering just four pounds separates 2nd from 62nd, Scott’s first day total might have secured him a spot in the finals.

Jig expert, Jim Moynagh found himself in third after Thursday’s round. The Carver, Minnesota angler is famous for his rock jig, but worked a plastic worm to the tune of 14 pounds, 10 ounces.

The part-time ping pong pro, Clark brought five fish to scales netting him a day one weight of 14-04 tying him with fellow Texan, Mark Pack. Just one ounce back of the Texas pair was Alabama pro, Jonathan Newton. Newton brought 14-03 pounds to the scales to finish in 6th.

Canterbury On Top
Fresh off his 2nd place finish at the last FLW Tour event on Smith Lake, Scott Canterbury rode the momentum wave to a day one lead on Lake Norman. A Tour rookie, Scott is looking to make his second cut in just three tournaments. “I caught four of my best fish off beds today,” he said. “I went and caught some small fish first before going to the bed fish.”

Scott said he was done fishing around 11 a.m. and spent the rest of the day helping his co-angler boat a limit. “I can just look at the shore and tell if the fish will be there; I know the type of bank they are spawning on.”

Scott will enter Friday’s round more than three pounds ahead of his nearest competitor. “If the good Lord blesses me I could have another great day. I’m hoping for 8 or 9 pounds tomorrow. That should let me make the cut.”

Hoernke Hyped About His Chances
Sean Hoernke had a sub-Sean type of year in ’07 and hoped to rebound this year. However, 2008 has not been kind to the angler from Magnolia, Texas. On Lake Norman Thursday, Sean righted the ship and put five bass in the boat that totaled 15 pounds. “I had 11 pounds by 8 a.m. and just went looking after that,” Sean said. “These were all post-spawn fish.”

Sean credited the sunshine with his success on Thursday. “My pattern got stronger once the sun came out. As long as it stays warm I should be ok.” 

Sean is all alone in the area he is fishing and believes that is key to his success. “The fish are shallow and it doesn’t take long for these guys to find them. My pattern is definitely area specific.”

Moynagh Rocks The Docks
Jim Moynagh finished sixth in the Lake Norman event last year and is looking to at least repeat his ’07 performance. “It is pretty much the same as last year,” he said. “I’m not fishing the Salmo as much as I did last year.” Jim introduced the bass fishing world to the hand crafted Polish bait called the Salmo at last year’s event. 

Targeting docks, Jim is still unsure exactly what the fish are doing. “It is weird. You can catch them on one dock and then fish a bunch more and not get a bite.” Using an undisclosed soft plastic worm, the man from Minnesota worked docks in varying depths to put 14-10 pounds in the boat on Thursday.

“I’m staying in one general area of the lake. I don’t to change spots a lot and I feel comfortable in this area.”

Mark Pulls Away From the Pack
Mark Pack found around 70 fish on beds during practice and went to the best ones on Thursday. “I started at the 151 Bridge and ran all the way to the dam,” he said. “There should be even more fish move up this afternoon.” 

Mark plans to continue his sight fishing pattern until the weekend. “With the conditions we had today, it was perfect. I have some schooling fish found that only come up if it is cloudy. If I make the cut and the weather changes I’ll switch gears completely. I had 
Almost 17 pounds off the schooling fish in practice.

For his bedding bass, Mark is throwing a Lake Fork Tackle Baby Craw. He said he is looking for fish other competitors might overlook, but that doesn’t make them easy to catch. “I spent an hour on a fish today and did not catch her. Sometimes they bite real quick and other times you have to really irritate them.”

Wendlandt Found What He Was Looking For
Clark Wendlandt caught 20 keepers on Thursday and was totally surprised by the day. “I didn’t have a very good practice, but this morning it just kinda started,” Clark revealed. “I am not bed fishing, but I can see the fish. I saw some really nice fish today.”

Clark did say that he is covering a lot of water and found the better fish while moving around. “It was way better today than I thought it could be and it could be even better tomorrow. I think I have potential to do well.”

Newton Looking Up
Jonothan Newton finished almost dead last (181st) on Lake Norman just a year ago, but with 14-03 on day one, the fifth year pro will have a chance to rewrite his Norman experience. “There are a lot of fish coming up,” he said. “I had several fish found in practice, but I only went to two of them, the rest I found today.”

Admittedly saving is best place for Friday, Jonathon is optimistic about his chances. “I actually chased a seven pounder down the bank today. They are moving up, but they are leaving the beds. I saw several fish just cruising today.

THE TOP 100 DAY 1 STANDINGS