Hicks weighed in 19 pounds, 11 ounces and lane has 19-10. But it was co-angler Doug Richardson of Newmarket, Ont., leading the co-angler division with 19 pounds, 12 ounces who had the biggest stringer! Pro Chad Hicks (no relation to Mike the leader) of Rockville, Va. is in third place with 19-8. 2 pounds, 6 ounces separate the top 10 pros.
Now comes the fun part. Who can repeat and who can make up lost ground. This is really still anyone's tournament. Why? The fish are biting just about anything. It's the little mistakes, lost fish, bad casts, even mechanical breakdowns that could end up making the difference.
Today's takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. in Smallwood state park. Weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. anglers who place 11th through 40th will get their checks while places one through 10th will move on to fish Saturday. The final weigh-in is set for 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart in La Plata.
Top 10 professionals
1. Mike Hicks, Goochland, Va., 19 pounds, 11 ounces
2. Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., 19-10
3. Chad Hicks, Rockville, Va., 19-8
4. Terry Olinger, The Plains, Va., 19-4
5. Dave Lefebre, Union City, Pa., 18-9
6. Thomas Wooten, Huddleston, Va., 18-6
7. Michael Ertel, Toms River, N.J., 18-2
8. Chris Baumgardner, Gastonia, N.C., 17-11
9. Chris Johnston, Peterborough, Ont., 17-7
10. Stacey Smith, Stephens City, Va., 17-5
Top 10 co-anglers
1. Doug Richardson, Newmarket, Ont., 19 pounds, 12 ounces
2. Gary McClain, Chesapeake, Va., 19-0
3. Edward Tunny Sullivan, Beaverdam, Va., 17-13
4. David Williams, Fredericksburg, Va., 15-8
5. Kermit Crowder, Matoaca, Va., 15-6
6. Mike Branham, Alexandria, Va., 15-3
7. Robert Clark, Woodbridge, Va., 14-7
8. Justin White, Slippery Rock, Pa., 14-6
9. Larry Drewett, Sterling, Va., 14-0
9. Micah Frazier, Newnan, Ga., 14-0