Mosley cracks 15-07 for day-1 lead at Lake Martin

Lake Martin is the classic example of a teeter-totter lake. One day, you’re on the upside and the next you’re on the descend hoping to pop back up the following day.

After a so-so practice, Brock Mosley finds himself on top after day 1 of the second Elite Series event of the year. The Mississippi native bagged a limit for 15-07, the lone competitor to eclipse the 15-pound mark.

Mosley, who finished 28th at Lake Guntersville last week, leads second-place Drew Cook by less than a pound after Cook notched 14-11. Cole Sand is third with 13-04 while Joey Cifuentes III is fourth with 12-15 and Carl Jocumsen has 12-11 in fifth.

“I’m ecstatic, mainly because I won’t need but 6 or 7 pounds to make the cut now,” Mosley said. “That’s the kind of practice I had.”

Conditions were flat still today with a good bit of sun with air temps approaching 70 degrees. A continued warming trend will bode well for the pre-spawn bite, but a little wind could also help on the historically clear reservoir.

Last week at Guntersville, a 20-pound stringer served as a benchmark of sorts. This week, that number has seemingly been halved. Fifty-two anglers eclipsed the 10-pound threshold today with every competitor recording a limit.

Mosley said a fast start was the key to his day, but he’s not sure he can count on duplicating it Friday.

“I wasn’t on a whole lot,” he said. “With the conditions changing, I literally put my head down and went fishing. I got lucky and caught a couple decent ones early. That took the edge off a little bit. It’s so hard to catch a 3-pounder on this lake and I caught a 3 and 2 early and that calmed me down and allowed me to make good decisions.”

Mosley says not getting too up or down will be the key on day 2.

“Just keeping an open mind. Today, we had sun for the first time in a few days. These fish, especially the suspended fish, act a lot different when it goes from clouds to sun. I’ll just keep an open mind knowing every bite over 2 pounds is a plus.”

Further down the leaderboard, Mark Menendez finds himself in a tie for 86th after catching a limit for 8-11. He’s less than 1 1/2 pounds from the top-50 cut.

“I went to a place where it was absolutely full of fish a day ago,” he said. “They were everywhere on forward-facing. I got there today and the population had been reduced by 95 percent. I pecked around for a limit to make myself feel good then moved around trying to upgrade. Tomorrow, I’m going to sling for five of the ones I need.”

He did have the good fortune of catching a double to lift his spirits, though.

“This is an event of gratuity when you catch a 2 1/2-pounder and I did not catch that today,” Menendez said. “I made a 4-pound cast when I caught two 2-pounders on one cast with a Strike King crankbait. On two days of practice, I had two big ones, so if those come along, then you look like you know what you doing. Five 2 1/4-pounders is what you have to have here tomorrow. Then if a 4 swims along then you’re set up for making a check real quick.”

Here’s how the top 10 looks after day 1:

1. Brock Mosley: 5, 15-07

2. Drew Cook: 5, 14-11

3. Cold Sands: 5, 13-04

4. Joey Cifuentes III: 5, 12-15

5. Carl Jocumsen: 5, 12-11

6. Luke Palmer: 5, 12-10

7 (tie). Easton Fothergill: 5, 12-06

7 (tie). Jordan Lee: 5, 12-06

9. Trey McKinney: 5, 12-03

10. Kyle Patrick: 5, 11-15

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