SHREVEPORT, La.-April 18, 2002-When fishing strange territory, play your strengths. That was the approach used today by Ken Christ to take the first day lead at the CITGO B.A.S.S. Federation Championship underway through Saturday on the Red River.

Christ feels right at home on the muddy, swollen, swift river. "This is how I fish back home, so it's not a problem to me," he said. "The only problem that I might have tomorrow is boat pressure."

The unusual conditions have sent the fish seeking clearer water. In this case, the oxbow lakes located off the main river channel are where the fish and the fishermen have taken refuge. To catch the finicky fish, Christ and the leaders are using a bass fishing technique called flipping. The process involves using a long fishing rod to make methodical and pinpointed flip casts with lures to isolated habitat such as brushpiles and logs.

Christ said he is fishing not far from the boat ramp at Stoner's Launch near downtown Shreveport. That strategy is a good one, considering it gives him more fishing time. His only concern is being exposed to his competition.

"I had my limit by 9 o' clock and stayed there the rest of the day," he said. "What I'm doing is not rocket science since most of the other guys are doing the same thing. So it will come down to who figures out one little subtle change to give him the edge. So far for me, that has been size and color of the bait."

Christ and the other leaders are among 52 contestants from 46 states, Canada, Italy, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Japan who are competing for five slots in the CITGO BASS Masters Classic. The Classic is the sport's world championship to be held this July 25-27 on Alabama's Lay Lake near Birmingham.

The leaders from this event each come from a geographical division of the B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation, a network of bass clubs affiliated with B.A.S.S., the world's largest fishing organization.

The five current Classic qualifiers include Christ (Central Division), Price (Eastern Division), Jesus "Chunky" Villegas (Southern Division), Ron Colby (Western Division), and Earhardt Tulgestka (Northern Division).

The contestants weigh their catches each day through Saturday at Stoner's Launch in Shreveport. Weigh-in begins at 2:30 p.m. The event also includes exhibits of the latest boats, trucks, and fishing tackle. On Saturday, the BASSMASTER CastingKids national semifinals presented by CITGO and Chevrolet Trucks will be held at Stoner from 8 a.m. until noon. Admission is free to all events.

The CITGO B.A.S.S. Federation Championship will be televised by ESPN2 Saturday, May 25 at 10:30am ET and re-aired Friday, May 31, at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm ET.

Details about the CITGO B.A.S.S. Federation Championship can be found at www.bassmaster.com.