University of North Carolina-Charlotte Team Takes Lead In College Eastern Regional

John Auten (left) and Cole Blythe of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte weighed in 16 pounds, 2 ounces to take lead Thursday in the 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops held on the Lake Norman out of Charlotte, N.C.

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March 26, 2015

University of North Carolina-Charlotte Team Takes Lead In College Eastern Regional

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lake Norman showed out for the 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Eastern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops and University of North Carolina-Charlotte shined brightest Thursday with 16 pounds, 12 ounces. Cole Blythe and John Auten lead after Day 1 but are well aware of change in the air as a nasty front looks to shut down the spawn.

“This lake this time of year is changing so much so fast,” Blythe said. “Most of our fish didn’t change that much from practice, but we did have to do things slightly different from practice.”

As the fish move up to spawn on Norman, there’s enough variation in mood, location and presentation from day to day as it is. Add to that a cold front forecasted to drop the air temperature from the low 80s to the upper 20s, and game plans will have to be modified.

“We probably live 10 to 15 minutes from here,” Auten said. “But it’s still hard to stay on fish out here because they move so much.”

Just knowing that the fish are on the move will help UNCC use their local knowledge to adjust on Friday and attempt to maintain their lead.

“Today was the day to have a big bag,” said Blythe, who brought in the Carhartt Big Bass weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces Thursday. “With the wind, rain and front coming, we’re just looking for a solid limit tomorrow to go with what we had today.”

Edward Rude III and Matthew Combs of West Virginia University pull in close behind UNCC on Day 1 with 16 pounds, 8 ounces to sit in second by a mere quarter of a pound.

“Of all the lakes we’ve fished, this one was my worst finish two years ago,” Rude said. Looks like the tide is turning on Norman for the Mountaineer and his teammate.

Jay Emmert and Christian Peake of the University of Tennessee sit in third with 15 pounds, 13 ounces after Day 1.

Lake Norman fished well on Thursday, with 87 of the 109 teams catching a limit. In addition, it took 8 pounds to place in the Top 80 and 11 pounds, 9 ounces to put teams in position for Saturday’s Top 20 cut.

All of Friday’s Lake Norman action can be found online at Bassmaster.com, or join us at Blythe Landing for the Day 2 launch at 7:30 a.m. ET and weigh-in at 3:45 p.m. ET.

2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt

2015 Bass Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Partners: A.R.E. Accessories, Costa, Dick Cepek Tires, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano

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