EUFAULA, Okla. — Ian Leybas had the right plan, but forces beyond his control limited his access. Today, when more favorable conditions opened the window of opportunity, the McAlester, Okla., angler rocketed into the lead at the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Eufaula presented by Lowrance with a two-day total of 30 pounds, 7 ounces.
After placing 13th on Day 1 with two fish that went 10-10, Leybas knew he was around the right quality. A day later, he added a 5-bass limit of 19-13 and now holds a 2-2 advantage over Day 1 leader Kelley Hudson as they head into Championship Friday.
The difference? Wind.
“I think the weather change is what made the difference today,” Leybas said. “The lighter winds out of the north versus the strong winds out of the south just let me fish stuff better than I was able to fish it yesterday.
“I couldn’t do what I wanted to do with the way the wind was hitting it yesterday, but today I was able to get where I wanted to go.”
Given the warming spring conditions, Leybas knew those Eufaula bass would be approaching their spawning mode, however, he found that they weren’t quite there yet.
“I think the males are starting to get up there, but I don’t think the females are up yet,” Leybas said.
Spending his day in the mid- to south-lake area, Leybas devoted his time to prospecting what he called standard prespawn staging spots. Such habitat features located en route to the spawning grounds offered the big female bass pit stops with feeding opportunities.
“My boat was in 8 feet of water,” Leybas said. “I was fishing a little shallower than other people. I figured it’s April and they’re coming. They’re wanting to move shallow.
“I caught all my fish on one moving bait.”
Leybas said he developed his game plan after a tough practice compelled him to go with what his experience told him the fish should be doing. He saw the potential and decided his best option was to commit his tournament to the way he was catching fish prior to competition.
“Catching that quality of fish (on Day 1) just told me, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing,’” Leybas said. “That’s what I did. I just kept doing that and changed up the rotation to get to some of the places I couldn’t get to yesterday.”
With a different wind complexion, Day 2 saw Leybas work counterclockwise from his first-round milk run. Where he started on Day 1 was his ending spot today.
Leybas said he had his limit by 10 a.m. and completed his weight by 10:30. He hit 15 to 20 different spots, but never returned to a previous location.
“I caught them early and then I tried to find something new for Day 3,” Leybas said. “I also tried to help my co-angler catch a few fish.”
Leybas’ biggest fish was a 5 1/2-pounder, after Day 1 yielded a 6. He’s optimistic about continuing his pattern for one more day.
“I have to go back and start on the same area,” he said. “I know what stuff I want to fish, and if I can get to it, I should be able to catch them again.”
Hailing from Graham, Texas, Hudson is in second place with 28-5. He caught a limit of 14-11 on Day 1 and added four fish for 13-10 on Day 2.
Dale Hightower of Mannford, Okla., is in third with 26-7. He caught a Day 1 limit of 13-3 and followed with four bass for 13-4.
Lane Edwards of Paden, Okla., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-4.
Zach Oliver of Coal Hill, Ark., leads the co-angler division with 17-1. His daily weights were 5-10 and 11-7.
Joe Conway of Colorado Springs, Colo., holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers with an 8-2.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. CT at Nichols Point Boat Ramp. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 3 p.m.
The City of Eufaula is hosting the tournament.