Gross’ early flurry

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Day 2 leader Buddy Gross ran straight to a point of Kissimmee grass separating the main Lake Harris from a bay, and started working the edges of the standing grass with a lipless crank bait.
Day 2 leader Buddy Gross ran straight to a point of Kissimmee grass separating the main Lake Harris from a bay, and started working the edges of the standing grass with a lipless crank bait.
That yielded almost instant results. This was the first of three bass in as many casts, breaking the ice for the day and keeping him in the early lead.
That yielded almost instant results. This was the first of three bass in as many casts, breaking the ice for the day and keeping him in the early lead.
he bass wasn’t a whopper, going about 3 pounds. But it got Gross’ day off to a solid start and confirmed his pattern would still produce.
he bass wasn’t a whopper, going about 3 pounds. But it got Gross’ day off to a solid start and confirmed his pattern would still produce.
Another cast, another keeper.
Another cast, another keeper.
Each of his first catches of the day came off the edge of the standing grass.
Each of his first catches of the day came off the edge of the standing grass.
Gross retied his lipless crank bait to ensure he didn’t have any issues with nicks in his line.
Gross retied his lipless crank bait to ensure he didn’t have any issues with nicks in his line.
He didn’t move the boat at all before making another cast to the grass line. In fact, he was poled down to keep him set up perfectly.
He didn’t move the boat at all before making another cast to the grass line. In fact, he was poled down to keep him set up perfectly.
A couple of casts later, No. 4 was in the boat.
A couple of casts later, No. 4 was in the boat.
Kissimmee grass lines much of Lake Harris and its islands, but Gross hasn’t been fishing inside the line of vegetation. Instead, he’s working baits just off the edge.
Kissimmee grass lines much of Lake Harris and its islands, but Gross hasn’t been fishing inside the line of vegetation. Instead, he’s working baits just off the edge.
Gross’ fifth keeper came within 30 minutes of his first cast, and he never moved the boat.
Gross’ fifth keeper came within 30 minutes of his first cast, and he never moved the boat.
Once the bite on his first point died, Gross ran to a nearby island to repeat the pattern on another Kissimmee grass-covered point.
Once the bite on his first point died, Gross ran to a nearby island to repeat the pattern on another Kissimmee grass-covered point.
Fellow Elite angler Josh Stracner was working the other side of the point as a rain shower moved across the lake.
Fellow Elite angler Josh Stracner was working the other side of the point as a rain shower moved across the lake.
Gross had a number of rods laid out on his deck, but his bites this morning came mostly on a lipless crank bait. One fish also fell for a vibrating jig.
Gross had a number of rods laid out on his deck, but his bites this morning came mostly on a lipless crank bait. One fish also fell for a vibrating jig.
The Day 2 leader attracted a number of spectators
The Day 2 leader attracted a number of spectators
Gross never strayed from his focus on the edges of Kissimmee grass.
Gross never strayed from his focus on the edges of Kissimmee grass.
By about 9 a.m., the lake was chopped up with a brisk breeze.
By about 9 a.m., the lake was chopped up with a brisk breeze.
The Tennessee angler headed out to find other points on the lake he hoped would allow him to cull up and stretch his lead.
The Tennessee angler headed out to find other points on the lake he hoped would allow him to cull up and stretch his lead.