09.Jun.2011
FLORENCE, Ala. - Third place pro Curt McGuire started day one with plenty of options but found himself debating a key decision right up to the last minute. Having found good fish upriver in Lake Wilson and unsure of Pickwick’s potential, he was literally under way this morning before he made the decision.

“It was a weird day,” McGuire said. “I took off this morning and up until I (approached) the takeoff boat, I still didn’t know if I was going to Wilson or staying in Pickwick. I thought I could catch 18 or so at Wilson, but I really didn’t know what I could get on in Pickwick. I got about 100 yards from the lock, spun around and ran back down to Pickwick. It was just a hunch.

“I pulled up to my first spot and caught a good one, but then they quit biting. I ran down to another place and it was slow going – just one every 10-15 minutes. I just kept going around and around in a circle and this afternoon, they started to bite.”

Sacking up 19-14 today, McGuire caught his fish in 19-23 feet of water. His bait selection included a jig, spoon, crankbait and Carolina rig.