Sprague surges into lead after day 1 at Guntersville

The Bass Pro Tour season got under way today at Lake Guntersville with Jeff Sprague climbing the leaderboard in the afternoon to overtake Brent Ehrler for the lead.

Sprague finished with 31 bass for 108 pounds, 15 ounces, including a 6-04 big fish. Ehrler boated 38 fish for 108-01. Jacob Walker was the only other angler to crack the century mark on day 1 with 103-14 (26 fish), including the day’s big fish (7-10). Of the top 10, eight of them utilized forward-facing sonar during period 1.

This also marked the first day of BPT competition with a smaller, 51-man field. Under the new format, the top 25 after day 2 will advance to the Knockout Round with the top finisher from the Qualifying Round advancing directly to the Championship Round slated for Sunday.

Here’s how the top 10 looked after Day 1:

1. Jeff Sprague: 31, 108-15

2. Brent Ehrler: 38, 108-01

3. Jacob Walker: 26, 103-14

4. Banks Shaw: 27, 88-09

5. Jacob Wheeler: 29, 83-13

6. Ott DeFoe: 29, 81-08

7. Mark Daniels Jr.: 29, 81-07

8. Andy Montgomery: 25, 75-07

9. Jacob Wall: 23, 70-14

10. Cole Floyd: 22, 67-00

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