Alabama fisherman leads Bassmaster Elite Series tournament

Matt Herren of Ashville, Ala., took the first-round lead Thursday in a historic Bassmaster Elite Series tournament in the Ozarks.

For the first time, an Elite Series event will be held on two reservoirs — Norfork and Bull Shoals. The four-day tournament started Thursday on Norfork Lake and the fishing was tough.

Herren topped the leader board with a limit of 5 bass weighing 17 pounds. He also caught the day’s biggest bass, 6 pounds, 1 ounce.

Mark Menendenz of Paducah, Ky., was second with 16 pounds, 12 ounces.

Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, the leader in the Elite Series Angler of the Year points race going into the tournament, had a bad day, dropping to 97th place with 3 bass weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces.

The fishing shifts to Bull Shoals Lake on Friday and Saturday before ending Sunday at Norfork.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 6:35 PM with the headline "Alabama fisherman leads Bassmaster Elite Series tournament."