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Thrift Takes Over at 2013 Forrest Wood Cup

Category: Tournament

 Aug 17th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Aug 17th, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Calling the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup a tight event is a colossal understatement. For the first two days, Everstart pro Randall Tharp from Port Saint Joe, Florida held the lead, but not today. He slipped back into the second spot with 39 pounds 2 ounces. Slipping ahead of Tharp into the pole position for the final day of competition tomorrow is the angler who held the second spot for the first two days, Chevy pro Bryan Thrift out of Shelby, North Carolina. Thrift is holding a 4-ounce lead over Tharp with 39 pounds 6 ounces. Still lurking in the third spot is Chevy/Yamamoto pro Larry Nixon of Bee Branch, Arkansas with 35 pounds 14 ounces.

Rounding out the Top 5 are reigning FWC Champ Plano pro Jacob Wheeler from Indianapolis, Indiana with 35 pounds 15 ounces good enough for 4th and Mercury pro Mark Rose out of West Memphis, Arkansas totaling 34 pounds 6 ounces.

Finesse helped Thrift.

	Bryan Thrift used finesse tactics to take the lead at the 2013 FWC (Joel Shangle)

“Today was a grind,” said Thrift. “Once again, I caught my one big fish on a shaky head and a Damiki finesse worm. I went to my big fish spot today and spent two hours and only caught the one big fish. I sure would like to catch four more big fish tomorrow. This tournament is really close. I like heading into tomorrow with the lead, but I’d like more separation than four ounces.

“Tomorrow I will fish my big fish spot, then check out new water. I plan on putting my Evinrude through the ringer tomorrow and chop up some lily pads.”

Too close to call for Tharp.

“It’s tough out there,” said Tharp. “I would rather be in the lead than 4 ounces behind. It is awful close. With Thrift, Nixon, Wheeler so close, it’s going to be tough. Any angler in the Top 10 could win it. There are plenty of big fish out there. This place has got ’em. I just didn’t do great today.”

Nixon wants it.

“Boy, did I struggle today,” said Nixon. “You just don’t know the pressure there is when there is such big money on the line. My first spot didn’t produce at all today. I fished there until about 10:30, then decided I better get out of there. I had to pick up a flipping stick and fished a little Yamamoto bait to get my limit today.

“I really want this championship bad. I’m really serious. I know I can’t fish like I used to, but I’m still pretty darn good.”