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The Webcast will start just before weigh in which is scheduled for 5pm CST
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Bull Shoals, Arkansas – June 26, 2008 –

Bill Ortiz once again proved he’s the man to beat on Bull Shoals brining in an impressive 5 walleye basket weighing 17.17 pounds giving him a 2 day total of 31.55 pounds and jumping him into 1st place.

Ortiz, who won this event in 2005 and placed 16th in 2004 is once again proving his dominance on Bull Shoals.  “The change I made yesterday is working.  I figured out something different than what I think the other anglers are doing” stated Ortiz.

 “I’m still catching a lot of under fish [under 18 inches] but I’m also getting those bigger bites.  These fish are fighting hard all the way up and they don’t seem to be hooked great. I had 2 fish come off in the net today.” Added Ortiz.

Ortiz will be bringing nearly a 4 pound lead into the final day.  Which could be tough to overcome but on a lake such as Bull Shoals anything could happen.

Sitting in 2nd place is yesterday’s leader Jim Orcutt from Ely, MN adding 9.45 pounds today giving him a 2-day total of 9 walleyes weighing 27.83 pounds.

“It was much tougher for me out there today.  It started off good, we had three keepers in the box by 11, but I couldn’t get another keeper until 4:30.

Taking the 3rd spot is Mark Brumbaugh coming in with 5 fish weighing 13.84 pounds giving him a 3 day total of 9 walleyes 26.82 pounds.

“It’s a challenge out there.  At times it’s a lot like work.  We are snagging so many trees all day long.  By the time I’m done the trees where I’m fishing are going to look like Christmas trees when the water goes down.” Exclaimed Brumbaugh.

Rest of the Best in the Pro Division

4. Joe Thelen-25.58
5. Todd Riley-25.53
6. Dave Anderson-25.39
7. Jim Muzynoski-24.94
8. Dan Stier-23.81
9. Dave Anderson-25.39
10. Steve Bohn-22.98

Alfred Denninger of Thedosia, MO brought in 17.17 pounds today giving him a total of 10 walleyes weighing 31.40 pounds and the top spot in the Co- Angler division.

“I got the equivalent of a college education in the boat today with Bill [Ortiz].  We had a ton of fun and caught a lot of fish” said Denninger.

Rest of Best Co-Angler

2. David Kinscherff- 27.78
3. Norbert Belz-25.37
4. Larry Dahler-24.13
5. Hal Fontinelle-21.76

Fishing has continued to very hit and miss for the PWT anglers.  Some are talking about going through as many as 50 fish a day but only a handful that are long enough to weigh.  There is an 18 inch minimum on Bull Shoals.  There is also a lot of talk that pre-fishing was very good to many, but their fish have since moved (normal to most tournaments, but a lot of chatter none the less).

Another frustrating factor to Bull Shoals is the flooded timber.  Not only does make it difficult to find contours and a consistent depth to run it also creates a big problem when a big fish gets hooked.  Most of these guys are fishing just over the tops of the flooded forest and when a good fish gets hooked it obviously is going to want to escape down in the cover.  Numerous anglers have spoken of fish getting down in the trees only to lose both lure and the fish.

Most anglers are staying tight to the trees near the bank.  But a few are catching suspended fish out in deeper water.  Trolling cranks seems to be the most common method but a few are live bait rigging as well.

The lake is also filled with other kinds of fish that are more than willing to take a crawler or bite at a crank bait.  “I’m going through at least 250 crawlers a day.  The Blue Gills and the Perch are everywhere. ” exclaimed Todd Riley. Adding to the Blue Gills and Perch anglers are catching, Gar, Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass and one angler talked of having to beat of a Water Moccasin so it wouldn’t come in the boat.

Weather conditions were pleasant this morning with overcast skies until around 11 or so.  Around noon it started getting hot again (around 90) and with no breeze and high humidity it was very uncomfortable by weigh-in.  Tomorrow’s forecast is much of the same.  Hot and very humid!

Take off will be at 8am CST out of the Bull Shoals Marina and the final day weigh-in is scheduled for 5pm CST at the Lions Park Lookout.

As always stay tuned to www.liveleaderboard.com for live weights and daily photos.