KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Florida bass are fickle. Just ask Daniel Lanier. Yesterday, he was the King of the Kissimmee Chain. Today, Rick Howes of nearby Oviedo took the throne. He leads 198 professionals with 32 pounds, 8 ounces going into the final round of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open. For Saturday, the field will be cut top 12 professionals and top 12 co-anglers.
Howes rode a limit catch of five bass weighing 20-2 to grab the lead. He ended Day 1 in 29th place with 12-6 and credited “better execution” for his success. “I lost an 8-pounder yesterday,” he said. Today he fished “clean,” making few errors and losing no key fish.
“I’m flipping and pitching isolated cover with soft plastics,” Howes said. “Most of my fish are coming from 5 to 7 feet deep.”
Howes believes the prognosis for the final round is good. “I only made one pass through my key area today, so I think I have a real chance at another 20 pounds.” His catch today was the only one that eclipsed 20 pounds.
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