Despite Slower Day, Kreiger Maintains Lead At Bassmaster Elite At Pickwick

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Published: 22 March 2021

B.A.S.S. Report

Day two leader, Koby Kreiger

FLORENCE, Ala. — Koby Kreiger’s main pattern provided a solid foundation, but a strategic relocation proved essential to maintaining his lead at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake.

Adding a five-bass limit of 19 pounds, 15 ounces to his Day 1 leading catch of 25-12 — the event’s biggest bag — the pro from Alva, Fla., tallied 45-11. Heading into Semifinal Monday, Kreiger leads second-place Bill Lowen by 11 ounces.

Kreiger started his day in the Wilson Dam tailrace, where he targeted the down-current side of a wooded rock island. With the dam releasing an hourly average of 178,170 cubic feet per second, bass were leveraging the intense feeding opportunities.

Heavy rainfall from Wednesday’s massive storm system brought extreme current and flood conditions, which required B.A.S.S. officials to postpone the tournament’s scheduled start from Thursday to Saturday.

“The fish just hunker down behind that (structure) and anything that falls over those rocks, they eat it,” Kreiger said. “It was a grind today. I caught one big smallmouth pretty early this morning and I was lucky to catch three to go with it. Then I struggled for a while.

“I made a move and went down my limit bank and caught a 4-pounder and another one about 3 1/2.”

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Kreiger Starts And Finishes Strong To Lead Bassmaster Elite At Pickwick Lake

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Published: 21 March 2021

B.A.S.S. Report

Pickwick Day 1 Leader Koby Kreiger

FLORENCE, Ala. — A strong start plus a strong finish was the formula for Koby Kreiger to lead Day 1 of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake.

The veteran pro from Alva, Fla., caught a five-bass limit that weighed 25 pounds, 12 ounces.

“I caught a 6-6 pretty early this morning on a balsa Wee Bait in the silver shad color and I kept that bait in my hand until I caught my limit,” Kreiger said. “It took me a little while to do it, but I got zeroed in on some stuff.”

Working mostly in the 7-Mile Island area, downstream from the tournament’s McFarland Park takeoff, Kreiger targeted rocks and current seams. With Pickwick’s water level swollen by Wednesday’s major storm, Kreiger said he sought to dial in the strike zone relevant to the fluctuating water conditions.

“The current seams may be 5 feet off the bank today and tomorrow, they may be 20 feet off the bank,” he said. “I don’t like for the water to be too muddy because I’m throwing little bitty baits, so I want them to be able to see it.”

Around 2 o’clock, Kreiger relocated to a different part of the lake. He kept his cards low on the particulars, but he noted that the changing conditions likely triggered an opportunity.

“I just went and tried something that hadn’t worked at all in practice, but it worked today,” he said.

“My first limit weighed 19 or 20 pounds and then I told my marshal ‘I need to go catch some big ones.’ I caught two big ones late and jumped another one off. I had a couple more chances to maybe have an even bigger bag, but it was a great start to the tournament.”

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