Figured I'd just start a thread for the remaining 6 opens.  Doesn't matter if you're like @AlabamaSpothunter , @PhishLI , or myself pulling for Milliken or just here to enjoy big fish at weigh ins.  What do we think? 15-16 pound bags gonna cut it this week at Wheeler or are they going to do better than that? Post spawn and smallies mixed in.  Let's have some fun.

LET'S GO SLAUNCH HUNTERS! ?

 

Glad you started a thread, as usual Ben isn't on the Basstrak.   Man I wish they televised these Opens, and I know BASS regrets not doing it now seeing as Ben Milliken is one of their biggest drawing competitors.  

 

Wheeler is on the upswing of a boom, they've let some grass come back, and the LGMs have been thriving because of it.    So many great anglers in this Open, but then again the first two had a ton of hammers in them as well.   Lots of Elite guys.  

 

I got 20lbs a day to win...........Ben's gonna win it with a total weight 63.5lbs ?

 

If Ben doesn't win, I'd like to see Brandon Palaniuk win to make up for last weekend.  

I think I'll drive up for the weigh in on Sunday if Ben makes the cut.   

 

This lake is really, really suited to Ben's style.   My PB SM came from it.

 

 

I'd guess big bag today is 23 and change lbs. Hmmm. Milliken said on insta that fish were caught in practice, but with no rhyme or reason. No discernable pattern. We'll see!

5 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

I'd guess big bag today is 23 and change lbs. Hmmm. Milliken said on insta that fish were caught in practice, but with no rhyme or reason. No discernable pattern. We'll see!

Yeah it's gonna take 40+ to make the top 10 I think 

1 hour ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Lots of Elite guys

Pretty crazy list of guys. I can imagine a regular Joe pulling up to the ramp and thinking WT.......?

Just now, PhishLI said:

Pretty crazy list of guys. I can imagine a regular Joe pulling up to the ramp and thinking WT.......?

Lol, we share a brain, I was literally just trying to count all the Elite guys in this derby.

 

So many good hammers in this field.   

57 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Yeah it's gonna take 40+ to make the top 10 I think 

Agreed and agreed on Milliken's type of fishing.  He seemed to be licking his chops in pre tourney interviews.  I think he'll put up a better outing than the last open.  Pangrac didn't seem to be nearly as confident about fishing here.  Looks like Ben will weigh in in about 2 hours

No discernible pattern? Sounds like TN river. Hash tag the puzzle is never put together 

He's gonna drop a bag I can just feel it.

 

I have to think he's catching quality fish if he's dragging around one of his favorite offshore baits, a swing head. 

 

Hi co angler is catching em too, that's always a good sign.

Milliken, Mazy and McKinney making moves - Bassmaster

 

That last one is a real good one.  I'm pumped now.  Can almost smell a 20 pound bag lol

Look at the pressure on some of these spots, crazy

 

Mckinney seems destined for the Elite series as well.  

 

Here we go, gents.

You guys got sound on the feed?

 

eta: sounds good nvm

 

LET'S GO!

19-11 out of the gate ain't a bad way for the tourney to start lol

Gotta root for Ben, we’re both hometown Omaha boyz.  Reppin the 402! ??

18-4.  Good start

LET'S GO!   He's looking good at 18lbs

Yeah McKinney is the real deal, he's an absolute hammer, and he's so young.   Sky is limit for this kid!

50 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Yeah McKinney is the real deal, he's an absolute hammer, and he's so young.   Sky is limit for this kid!

He’s been fantastic. Milliken in 13th after 1. Hopefully he gets 20 tomorrow and we can watch him Saturday 

Appears Brandon Palaniuk is making a hard charge, it would incredible to see him make back to back 10 cuts.   Cannon sandbagging a 20lb bag on Basstrak, I'd imagine that's closer to 21-22lbs.    

 

Ben's gonna have to really catch them today it seems.   

 

These Opens are crazy hard to win.  You got Elite hammers, local hammers, huge fields, co anglers, if you win one you certainly deserve to fish the Classic.  

I really hope Brandon gets this win. I feel for the guy after last week and then this morning he posts this on his IG story.

 

7-6 today. Yikes 

3 hours ago, Texas Flood said:

I really hope Brandon gets this win. I feel for the guy after last week and then this morning he posts this on his IG story.

 

Can you repost whatever you linked, it's not showing up.

 

Agree 1000%, he was pretty devasted over losing Lay on a dead fish.  

1 hour ago, hokiehunter373 said:

7-6 today. Yikes 

I was watching it while fishing, and what do you know my feed cut out a few anglers before Ben weighed in.

 

When I looked on the leaderboard my mouth about hit the floor.

 

My only guess is that he went swinging for the win, instead of his approach at Bug's Island.  That first day's bag put him in a position that he wasn't in at Bug's.  

 

Dang that stinks, I really want this dude to be the next goat, but fishing is just a different animal.   

1 hour ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Can you repost whatever you linked, it's not showing up.

 

Agree 1000%, he was pretty devasted over losing Lay on a dead fish.  

I was watching it while fishing, and what do you know my feed cut out a few anglers before Ben weighed in.

 

When I looked on the leaderboard my mouth about hit the floor.

 

My only guess is that he went swinging for the win, instead of his approach at Bug's Island.  That first day's bag put him in a position that he wasn't in at Bug's.  

 

Dang that stinks, I really want this dude to be the next goat, but fishing is just a different animal.