Alex Wetherell topped the 198-boat field at the Oneida Lake Bassmaster Northern Open today with an 18-09 stringer.
The Connecticut angler had his limit within 90 minutes of making his first cast and slowly culled up throughout the day. He estimated he caught 25 to 30 smallmouth to put together a bag that was anchored by a pair of 4 1/2-pounders.
“I think my smallest fish was 3-3,” Wetherell said. “Last year, I was going after largemouth, but I gave up on that in practice this year. It looks like it was a good decision.”
Despite storms that plagued some anglers on day 1, Oneida's post-spawn bass seem to be in a feeding mode this week, aided in part by a mayfly hatch.
“I had mayflies and crawfish all over my boat today,” Wetherell said. “There are gobies and perch in there everywhere, and I even had two shad spit up in my livewell today. So the bass, they’re chewing.”
Here's a look at the top 12 after day 1:
1. Alex Wetherell: 18-09
2. Chris Groh: 18-05
3. Stan Sypeck Jr: 18-01
4. Charlie Machek: 18-00
5. Josh Douglas: 17-14
5. Patrick Walters: 17-14
7. Kyle Kempkers: 17-13
8. Wesley Strader: 17-10
9. Derek Hudnall: 17-09
10. Robert Pearson: 17-06
11. Wesley Coy Jr: 17-06
12. Cody Pike: 17-05
12. David Williams: 17-05
