John Murray – Days 1 & 2 4/28/2007
> Day 1: 5, 12-00
> Day 2: 5, 13-15
> Total = 10, 25-15 (58th)

I knew I'd be about a pound short of a check – I knew I'd be just shy. I had one 4-pounder that kept chasing my bait – it was guarding fry or something – but I never hooked up. But I never lost any fish either.

I had a little hump outside where I caught a 7-pounder in practice. I started there each day and caught a limit the first day, then three today dropshotting a Roboworm.

After that, I did a lot of fishing in the bedding areas, were I threw a dropshot and Senko. I was just never around any big fish I guess, although my partner did catch a 5-pounder the first day.

Guntersville's always been one of those deals where I can usually hang close. If I'd have gotten that 5-pounder yesterday, I would have probably been okay.

To fish outside on the ledges, you really have to put the time in with a spinnerbait and crank and commit to it in practice. I've just never done that.

John Murray – Practice 4/25/2007
It's a lot of fun. I don't know about size – whether I can catch it or not – but I've caught a lot of 2 1/2- to 3-pound bass. I don't think that's enough for a check though. I think it'll take 14-plus to get a check.

I did catch one 7-pounder in practice, which was sort of a freak deal. It's just going to be one of those deals where you'll need a couple of those 4- to 7-pound bites.

Everything good that I've caught has been shallow, so I'm thinking the shallower the better. I've caught some deep, especially in the morning when the shad are spawning, but I haven't seen any difference in size out there.

There are some fish spawning, some in pre-spawn, and some it post-spawn. It's starting to look like last time we were here – whatever you want to do, just go do it.

I think a good day for me would be 14 or 15 pounds. I'd be pretty happy with that. I know you need more to do very well here, but 15 would be a good start for me.