Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
The NPFL’s fourth stop of the season is underway, and last year’s champion, Trent Palmer, feels confident as he takes an almost two-pound lead into day two. The Georgia pro brought 25 pounds, 4 ounces to the scales on day one, securing the top spot and expressing optimism about his chances for the rest of the week.
Palmer’s smallmouth area may require a long run, but on day one, he had his weight early, allowing him to spend more time exploring and identifying additional key spots nearby. During practice, Palmer also located other productive areas that he hadn’t needed to tap into yet during the event. Despite the wind projection, Palmer was confident he could get to, and fish, his main areas.
Trailing Palmer, Ohio pro Kevin Martin is determined to improve his previous strong finishes at Saginaw Bay. Martin, who has weighed in mixed bags of largemouth and smallmouth in the past, is fully committed to targeting smallmouth this week. His day one total of 23 pounds, 5 ounces has him in the second-place spot and in the hunt for the win.
2022 Saginaw Bay Champion Gary Adkins is right on Martin’s heels, sitting just two ounces behind him. Adkins is always a threat when smallmouths are in play. Meanwhile, Jesse Wise weighed in 22 pounds, 14 ounces of smallmouth on day one, and is eager to get back on his fish today.
Rounding out the top five, Zack Birge brought 22 pounds, 11 ounces to the scales, edging out Progressive AOY Leader Kyle Welcher by just one ounce after day one.
AOY Update
Alabama pro Kyle Welcher remains the Progressive AOY leader after the first day of competition, while Drew Cook, currently 10th in the event, holds his second-place spot in the AOY race, trailing Welcher by 10 points. Jason Burroughs and Hunter Sales started the week just one point apart in third and fourth place, respectively. Burroughs struggled on day one, which will likely drop him in the standings, while Sales, sitting in 47th place, did enough to stay in contention.
Top Ten Anglers:
Trent Palmer 25-4
Kevin Martin 23-5
Gary Adkins 23-3
Jesse Wise 22-14
Zack Birge 22-11
Kyle Welcher 22-10
Jason Williamson 21-1
Brock Bila 20-8
Matt Looney 19-14
Drew Cook 19-9
Weather Watch
It’s a bit different in Bay City this morning with isolated storms in the area this morning. As the day progresses, 60-degree temps will increase to the mid-80s, and the storms will pass and give way to clouds in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are likely, with winds expected SSW at 10 to 15 MPH.
How to Watch
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