Cody Stahl is in complete command at the Kissimmee Chain Bassmaster Open, posting back-to-back 28-pound stringers to take a massive lead heading into the final day on Saturday.
The Georgia angler weighed in a 28-09 bag on Day 1, then followed it up with a 28-00 limit Friday, giving him a staggering 56-09 total through two days. Stahl holds a 19-07 advantage over second-place Cliff Prince. Only 11 bags in the first two days surpassed 19-07, while 113 competitors failed to hit that mark.
Prince caught 11-00 Friday and maintains just a one-ounce cushion over third-place Jonathon VanDam, who jumped seven spots with a 19-11 bag to reach 37-01 overall.
“This is one of those events where practice really pays off,” Stahl said. “You mentally prepare for the conditions and where these fish are headed, and it actually pans out. I found a spot during practice where the fish were moving, and I stuck with it.”
Stahl focused on a lower section of Lake Toho, targeting prespawn bass feeding up before spawning. While practice catches were modest, he trusted the location’s potential. Anchoring his bag with an 8-14 largemouth, Stahl rotated between baits on Day 1 but relied solely on a lipless crankbait for Friday’s catch, narrowing in on key sections of his chosen spot.
Despite Winter Storm Fern bringing cold air and water temperatures just before the event, Stahl’s knowledge of seasonal patterns and the approaching full moon (Feb. 1) helped him anticipate big catches.
“I knew with the rising water temperatures and the conditions that these fish were going to react in a certain way,” he said. “I put myself in the perfect spot, and when the weather changed, the females moved right in with the bucks I’d seen in practice. That’s exactly what happened.”
Heading into Saturday’s final day, Stahl is poised for a commanding victory, demonstrating the perfect blend of preparation, patience, and on-the-water instinct.
