Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
With the day one leading weight of 29 pounds, 9 ounces including a 10 pounds, 6 ounces, Brandon Perkins extends his lead at the Epic Baits NPFL Championship on Lake Amistad with a day two weight of 21 pounds, 12 ounces. His two-day total of 51 pounds, 5 ounces gives him a 12 pound lead going into Showdown Saturday.
After a slow start this morning, Perkins started questioning his plan but was able to get his day back on track by putting a big fish in the boat.
“It was so bad I was almost thinking I should leave and do something else,” he said. “The mornings are killing my confidence because it is slow for me, but I was able to stick with it and get it going this afternoon to catch my weight.”
After a 6 pounder to get things started, things still didn’t click until a string a “decent” bites gave him the confidence to stick with his pattern.
“For whatever reason, a lot more smaller fish moved in and I caught several in the two pound range that did not help me, but they would be good fish for tomorrow,” he added. “I think the wind affected things a little bit today, but overall I think I am in better shape than a lot of guys. I practiced for the North wind and I am hoping it will help me tomorrow.”
With a wind advisory expected tomorrow, Perkins is not going to be unprepared on Showdown Saturday. In addition to his shallow, “semi-sight fishing” pattern that has got him this far, he located a big school of smaller keepers closer to the ramp that he is confident could help round out a limit as needed on the final day.
“I will definitely leave some time to spare tomorrow if needed to get back and work on those fish,” he said. “I know the fish are still around and today they just did not bite, and were missing my bait. Tomorrow, I will put some stress on myself but I am confident I can go out and catch some fish.”
Patrick Walters
Patrick Walters began the day in third place with a day one weight of 21 pounds, 15 ounces. Adding 17 pounds, 6 ounces on day two, his two day total of 39 pounds, 5 ounces Walters sits in second place going into Showdown Saturday. With increased winds today, Walters made early work in his main area before pulling the plug and moving around.
“I caught probably half the fish today as I did yesterday, and a lot more non keepers,” said Walters. “I got a quick limit this morning before the wind blew my area out and when it blows 25 mph, there is nothing to block it down here. After that, I culled a few times.”
Walters has been targeting a mixture of grass and wood so far this week but will be forced to change things up on Showdown Saturday.
“There is only so much of the stuff I have been fishing and it is trashed with mud,” he added. “Tomorrow, I will probably have to swap to grass and rock and move around a lot more than I have been.
John Cox
Adding 9 pounds, 2 ounces on day two to his day one second-place weight of 27 pounds, 14 ounces, Flordia angler John Cox sits in the third place with one more day on Lake Amistad. Like others, Cox dealt with muddier water and sustained winds which may have pushed the fish he was targeting back out temporarily.
“With the water being so deeper, I knew that the cooler water was going to push the fish back out when the temperatures dropped but I had so much fun yesterday I just wanted to get two good bites on that Berkley CullShad like I did yesterday,” said Cox. “I thought maybe I could have slowed down and fish a little out more, but I stuck with it.”
Jesse Wise
Staying consistent on Lake Amistad on day two, Jesse Wise caught 17-pounds, 14-ounces to go with his starting weight of 18 pounds, 2 ounces to sit in the fourth place spot with a two day total of 36 pounds.
Jason Wilson
Jason Wilson backed his day one weight of 16 piunds, 9 ounces with 19 pounds, 1 ounce on day two. His two day total weight of 35 pounds 10 ounces has him in the fifth place spot going into the final day.
Rest of the Best:
Darrel Robertson 35-1
Randy Sullivan 33-6
Kevin Martin 31-0
Louis Fernandes 30-5
Trent Palmer 29-11
