PLATTSBURGH -- Pro Pete Gluszek of Mt. Laurel, N.J., widened his lead in the $1 million Walmart FLW Series® BP Eastern Division tournament on Lake Champlain Friday. With a three-day catch of 15 bass weighing 56 pounds, 10 ounces, Gluszek holds a 1-pound, 3-ounce lead over his closest competitor, BP pro Jim Moynagh of Carver, Minn., heading into the final day of competition.

"The beauty of Lake Champlain is that when one pattern fails another one is developing," said Gluszek, who is looking to claim his first FLW Series victory. "I have a lot of confidence on this lake that I can find fish in any condition."

With the change of conditions Friday Gluszek's pattern that he developed Thursday fell apart.

"The sea was angry today (Friday) and it wiped out everything," Gluszek said. "I was able to get a small limit in the boat before the wind really picked up. Then the wind started cranking and picked up to about 25 mph.

"I couldn't hold the areas I wanted to fish and at that time I only had nine pounds. I started to scramble around and take advantage of what the weather was doing. I started looking for a new pattern."

Starting from scratch Friday, Gluszek's pattern was finding a combination of rocks and weeds. He added that largemouths love these conditions and if you can find an area that is protected from the wind you are guaranteed to catch quality fish. This pattern was key for Gluszek today and after he started fishing rocks and weeds he culled up seven pounds.

Gluszek's pattern landed him a 6-pound, 13-ounce fish on his first cast.

"Yesterday, my key pattern was flipping grass," Gluszek added. "On day one my primary pattern was fishing around hard structure like wood and rocks but as the water began to stabilize and warm the fish became active in the grass. I found that I got multiple fish that way."

Gluszek's limit on Day 3 consisted of one smallmouth and four largemouths, which seems to be the winning combination for him.

Thurlow wins

Co-Angler

Chuck Thurlow of Auburn, Ala., won the Co-angler Division and $20,000 Friday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 47 pounds, 15 ounces followed by Bob Snyder of Marion, Ind., in second place with 15 bass weighing 46-02 worth $9,492.

"I feel really blessed to get this opportunity," said Thurlow, who has four top-10 finishes in FLW Outdoors competition. "I have come close to winning before but I have never been able to close the deal.

"I knew that I had to have 16 pounds today to make it close and after I caught my last fish I knew that I had the tournament won."