PALATKA, Fla. -- Alton Jones is leading the Power-Pole Citrus Slam with 26 pounds, 9 ounces, and he sweated every ounce.

"It's a grind," he said. "You have to work for every one of those big bites."

Jones meant not only himself, but all the Bassmaster Elite Series anglers. Like Jones, most are trying to get big bass off the spawning beds of the lakes that are part of the St. Johns River system. The bass are proving to be skittish and tough to trick.

Jones led Brent Chapman by 1-5. Behind Chapman's 25-4 was Todd Faircloth with 23-10. In fourth was South Carolina's Jason Williamson with 22-5. Rounding out the top five was Tim Horton of Alabama, who had 22-4. Complete Story