It was a frozen start to the day for West Virginia angler Jeremy Starks. The two time Elite Series tournament winner made his first Bassmaster Classic cast amid frigid temperatures on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake. Once the butterflies were out of the way, Starks settled in to fishing.
“The cold didn’t hurt the fishing, but it just made everything harder,” said Starks from Scott Depot, WV. “Things like tying on a hook and your micro guides on your rod icing up, those things were just made tougher.”
Things started well for Starks who’s first fish was short, but his next two bested three pounds. By 9am Starks boated a third keeper fish and felt good about his chances.
He motored around a point and into another creek where he finished his limit within 10-minutes.
However, as the sun rose and wind died down, the fish seemed to become more finicky.
“I need a big one,” he said. “I need to go find a spot where I know I could catch a six-pounder. That’s what I really need.”
Starks original plan had to be scuttled when his Plan-A spot was dotted with three competitors by the time he arrived Friday morning. Starks had a high draw number in the batting order. However, on Saturday the order is reversed and he’ll be among the first to reach the spot.
“It was a lot of fun, but it would have been a lot more fun with a big bag,” he said. “It kind of slowed down and I’ll try a few different things tomorrow and maybe try another part of the lake.”
Starks sits in 32nd position after his day 1 weight of 10-pounds 14-ounces.