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Findley comes from behind to win B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional on Arkansas River

Cole Findley of Forsyth, Mo., has won the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional at Arkansas River with a three-day total of 36 pounds, 4 ounces.

Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.

May 5, 2023

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Cole Findley didn’t lead the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional at Arkansas River until it mattered most.

And that’s all that mattered.

Findley, a 39-year-old resident of Forsyth, Mo., caught limits of five bass on each of the tournament’s three days, finishing with a total weight of 36 pounds, 4 ounces. He won $5,000 for finishing atop the 80-angler field. Findley also earned a $500 in Garmin Rewards money.

He also locked up a spot in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship scheduled for South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell Oct. 18-20. A Top 3 finish there would earn him a berth in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota which is scheduled for March 22-24 in Tulsa, Okla.

But first thing’s first, and that includes relishing Friday’s B.A.S.S. Nation win on the Arkansas River, the first regional on the Nation calendar in 2023.

“A lot of things have to happen to win a tournament, and everything came together for me this week,” Findley said shortly after lofting the tournament trophy at Three Forks Harbor, where the derby began and ended each day.

“I had a great time this week. The Team (Missouri) was great. My co-anglers were all I could ask for ... It’s just been a perfect week.”

Findley locked downriver into the McClellan-Kerr area where he targeted reaction bites around stands of reeds instead of the rock and wood structures many of his fellow competitors were fishing.

“I needed deeper water, from 4 to 6 feet and 12 to 14 feet,” he said. “I got off the main channel and was flipping a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver (black/blue) and I caught a few on a 6th Sense Vega Frog. But nothing was easy.”

That might be an understatement, considering Findley only had 19 keeper bites throughout the three-day competition.

“I was making a flip every four seconds,” he said. “The lure was going in and coming out just as quick ... I caught a lot of shorts on the first day, but the bigger bites were just not happening often at all.”

Findley has had momentum on his side recently. He finished 11th in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Alabama’s Pickwick Lake last November and paired with Jeffrey Barrickman to place 17th in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship at Hartwell a month later.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve calmed down,” Findley said. “I don’t spin out. I’m easygoing and relaxed.”

As for his pending return trip to the Nation Championship, Findley was single-minded.

“There’s only one goal and that’s to make the Classic,” he said.

Oklahoma’s Tyler Ramsay slipped into second place in the angler field with a cumulative weight of 34-14. He caught 11-12 on Friday, which was the third-heaviest bag caught by the 40 anglers who made the cut.

“I fished in Kerr all three days,” the 33-year-old Sand Springs, Okla., resident said. “I was catching them in around 2 feet of water in some backwaters and oxbows, around lily pads and reeds.”

Ramsay used a SPRO Bronzeye Frog in black and a variety of white swim jigs to boat his best bass. He won $3,000 for finishing second in the angler field.

“The vegetation was important,” he said. “If there was water behind it, postspawn bass were coming in to feed on shad.”

Jesse Jordan of Stilwell, Kan., took home Big Bass of the Tournament honors and $500 for the 5-4 he caught Thursday.

James Seymour, of Oglesby, Texas, led the 80 competitors in the co-angler division with a three-day total of six bass weighing 19-8. Seymour caught a three-bass limit of 11-1 on Friday to jump to the top of his field and earn the $2,500 cash prize.

Seymour, 44, rallied after catching only one bass for 2-4 on Day 1 and a pair of fish totaling 6-3 on Day 2.

“I was grinding and knew I had to do something different,” Seymour said.

That involved Texas-rigging a Zoom Trick Worm (green pumpkin/purple flake) with its tail dipped in red dye. He popped a tungsten nail weight into the other end of the lure, which gave it a unique fall.

Seymour will be making his first trip to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. He also won the co-angler division of the Texas Nation Championship.

“It’s been pretty amazing,” he said. “We have a tough region. To win here and go to Nationals, it’s really a dream coming true.”

A total of 16 anglers qualified for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at this week’s event — the leading angler and co-angler from each of the eight states represented.

The team championship of the derby concluded Thursday. Kansas finished first in that contest, with 71 bass weighing a total of 171-2, which was good for $5,000 for their Nation program. Team Louisiana finished second (77 bass, 166-12) and won $3,000, while Team Oklahoma (67 bass, 155-13) was third and won $2,000.

A total of $34,500 was awarded between individual and team competitions.

Four B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals remain on this year’s schedule — at Tennessee’s Douglas Lake (May 24-26), the Potomac River in Maryland (June 7-9), Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago (June 28-30) and the Western Regional, which is still to be announced.

The tournament was hosted by the Muskogee Tourism Authority.

2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional 5/3-5/5
Arkansas River, Muskogee OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Cole Findley Forsyth, MO (MO) 15 36-04 0
2. Tyler Ramsey Sand Springs, OK (OK) 15 34-14 0
3. Blake Wilson Benton, AR (AR) 14 33-14 0
4. Brock Enmeier Bixby, OK (OK) 11 30-02 0
5. Nate Caldwell Fort Collins, CO (CO) 12 28-07 0
6. Matthew Nobile Sorrento, LA (LA) 11 28-07 0
7. Howard Hartley Jr Berwick, LA (LA) 13 28-02 0
8. Andy Gill Wellsville, KS (KS) 11 27-10 0
9. Matthew Abeyta Albuquerque, NM (NM) 9 27-06 0
10. Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA (LA) 11 25-02 0
11. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR (KS) 10 24-09 0
12. Byron Albrecht Waco, TX (TX) 9 24-08 0
13. Jay Beffa Festus, MO (MO) 10 24-05 0
14. Kris Bosley Amarillo, TX (NM) 9 23-01 0
15. Tray Huddleston Russellville, AR (AR) 7 21-13 0
16. Tyler Wilson Carlsbad, NM (NM) 9 19-08 0
17. Grayson Morrow San Angelo, TX (TX) 8 19-00 0
18. Gabriel Rivera Portales, NM (NM) 8 18-03 0
19. Jesse Jordan Stilwel, KS (KS) 6 17-02 0
20. Keith Allen Okemah, OK (OK) 6 14-07 0
21. Brock Bila Louisburg, KS (KS) 7 14-03 0
22. Joe Conway Colorado Springs, CO (C 6 13-15 0
23. Kenny Turpin El Dorado, KS (KS) 6 13-11 0
24. Johnny Johnson Bloomfield, NM (NM) 5 13-09 0
25. Kevin Crady De Soto, MO (MO) 5 12-14 0
26. Chuck Major Morganza, LA (LA) 5 12-03 0
27. Austin Abadie Saint Amant, LA (LA) 5 11-13 0
28. Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX (TX) 6 11-06 0
29. Ross Roper Lutcher, LA (LA) 6 11-03 0
30. Tucker Pierce Hollister, MO (MO) 6 10-15 0
31. Chad Petrie Scroggins, TX (TX) 4 10-11 0
32. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE (MO) 6 10-09 0
33. Nick Luna Buckner, MO (KS) 5 10-02 0
34. Steve Schneider Tijeras, NM (NM) 5 10-02 0
35. Austin O'Dell Cushing , OK (OK) 5 10-01 0
36. Klint VonFeldt Hays, KS (KS) 4 09-14 0
37. Drew Tabor Harrison, AR (AR) 7 09-14 0
38. Adam Deakin Windsor, CO (CO) 4 09-05 0
39. Teddy Granier Thibodaux, LA (LA) 4 09-03 0
40. Matthew Peter Saint James, MO (MO) 4 08-15 0
41. Dalton Ross Centerton, AR (AR) 4 08-06 0
42. Tony Halford Perkins, OK (OK) 3 08-05 0
43. Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO (CO) 3 08-03 0
44. Adam Johnson Pontiac, MO (AR) 2 07-13 0
45. Ryan Watkins Rockport, TX (TX) 3 07-10 0
46. Larry Stoafer Leavenworth, KS (KS) 4 07-05 0
47. Brian Dickirson Choctaw, OK (OK) 3 07-03 0
48. Brian Reinert Rathdrum, ID (CO) 4 07-02 0
49. David Henning Augusta, KS (KS) 3 07-02 0
50. Tim Cartwright Sand Springs, OK (OK) 3 07-01 0
50. Zachery Fowler Konawa, OK (OK) 3 07-01 0
52. Pete DuBois Mountain Home, AR (AR) 3 06-15 0
53. Kyle Torkelson Coweta, OK (KS) 3 06-13 0
54. Alan Daniels Kansas City, KS (MO) 3 06-02 0
55. Buddy Jorde II Clovis, NM (NM) 2 05-10 0
56. Brent Breznik Borger, TX (NM) 3 05-09 0
57. Kevin Late Pocahontas, AR (AR) 2 05-06 0
57. Casey Welch Arvada, CO (CO) 2 05-06 0
59. Steven Caldwell Whitesboro, TX (TX) 3 05-06 0
60. Boyd Gautreau Saint Amant, LA (LA) 2 04-15 0
61. Christian Gladfelter Winters, TX (NM) 2 04-07 0
62. Corey Stewart III Lees Summit, MO (MO) 1 04-01 0
63. Robert Thierry III Sugarland, TX (TX) 2 04-00 0
64. Charles Dodd Tyler, TX (TX) 2 03-15 0
65. Ron Strickland Pueblo West, CO (CO) 2 03-08 0
66. Wesley Baxley Cypress, TX (TX) 2 03-07 0
67. Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO (CO) 1 03-03 0
68. Bradley Sullivan Shawnee, OK (OK) 2 02-12 0
69. Christopher Dollard Mountain Home, AR (AR) 3 02-09 0
70. Ira Lynn Adkins, TX (TX) 1 02-08 0
71. Preston Havens Mountain Home, AR (AR) 1 02-05 0
72. Chris Jarvis Albuquerque, NM (NM) 1 02-03 0
73. Austin Plaisance Belle Chasse, LA (LA) 1 01-14 0
74. Brian Murphy Sulphur, LA (LA) 1 01-03 0
75. Matthew Cesar Crane, MO (MO) 0 00-00 0
75. Tyler Frahm Kirbyville, MO (MO) 0 00-00 0
75. Jason Gasper Peyton, CO (CO) 0 00-00 0
75. Kris Lee Coweta, OK (OK) 0 00-00 0
75. Derek Leek Monticello, AR (AR) 0 00-00 0
75. Jerod Rosten Windsor, CO (CO) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 10 164 368-02
2 12 166 404-14
3 4 59 135-08
----------------------------------
26 389 908-08

TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 LOUISIANA 200-12
2 KANSAS 196-13
3 OKLAHOMA 194-03
4 ARKANSAS 166-07
5 NEW MEXICO 157-10
6 MISSOURI 150-14
7 TEXAS 140-06
8 COLORADO 105-14

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

KANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Andy Gill Wellsville, KS 11 27-10 0
2 Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 10 24-09 0
3 Jesse Jordan Stilwel, KS 6 17-02 0
4 Brock Bila Louisburg, KS 7 14-03 0
5 Kenny Turpin El Dorado, KS 6 13-11 0
6 Nick Luna Buckner, MO 5 10-02 0
7 Klint VonFeldt Hays, KS 4 09-14 0
8 Larry Stoafer Leavenworth, KS 4 07-05 0
9 David Henning Augusta, KS 3 07-02 0
10 Kyle Torkelson Coweta, OK 3 06-13 0

OKLAHOMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tyler Ramsey Sand Springs, OK 15 34-14 0
2 Brock Enmeier Bixby, OK 11 30-02 0
3 Keith Allen Okemah, OK 6 14-07 0
4 Austin O'Dell Cushing , OK 5 10-01 0
5 Tony Halford Perkins, OK 3 08-05 0
6 Brian Dickirson Choctaw, OK 3 07-03 0
7 Tim Cartwright Sand Springs, OK 3 07-01 0
7 Zachery Fowler Konawa, OK 3 07-01 0
9 Bradley Sullivan Shawnee, OK 2 02-12 0
10 Kris Lee Coweta, OK 0 00-00 0

LOUISIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Matthew Nobile Sorrento, LA 11 28-07 0
2 Howard Hartley Jr Berwick, LA 13 28-02 0
3 Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA 11 25-02 0
4 Chuck Major Morganza, LA 5 12-03 0
5 Austin Abadie Saint Amant, LA 5 11-13 0
6 Ross Roper Lutcher, LA 6 11-03 0
7 Teddy Granier Thibodaux, LA 4 09-03 0
8 Boyd Gautreau Saint Amant, LA 2 04-15 0
9 Austin Plaisance Belle Chasse, LA 1 01-14 0
10 Brian Murphy Sulphur, LA 1 01-03 0

MISSOURI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Cole Findley Forsyth, MO 15 36-04 0
2 Jay Beffa Festus, MO 10 24-05 0
3 Kevin Crady De Soto, MO 5 12-14 0
4 Tucker Pierce Hollister, MO 6 10-15 0
5 Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 6 10-09 0
6 Matthew Peter Saint James, MO 4 08-15 0
7 Alan Daniels Kansas City, KS 3 06-02 0
8 Corey Stewart III Lees Summit, MO 1 04-01 0
9 Matthew Cesar Crane, MO 0 00-00 0
9 Tyler Frahm Kirbyville, MO 0 00-00 0

ARKANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Blake Wilson Benton, AR 14 33-14 0
2 Tray Huddleston Russellville, AR 7 21-13 0
3 Drew Tabor Harrison, AR 7 09-14 0
4 Dalton Ross Centerton, AR 4 08-06 0
5 Adam Johnson Pontiac, MO 2 07-13 0
6 Pete DuBois Mountain Home, AR 3 06-15 0
7 Kevin Late Pocahontas, AR 2 05-06 0
8 Christopher Dollard Mountain Home, AR 3 02-09 0
9 Preston Havens Mountain Home, AR 1 02-05 0
10 Derek Leek Monticello, AR 0 00-00 0

TEXAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Byron Albrecht Waco, TX 9 24-08 0
2 Grayson Morrow San Angelo, TX 8 19-00 0
3 Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX 6 11-06 0
4 Chad Petrie Scroggins, TX 4 10-11 0
5 Ryan Watkins Rockport, TX 3 07-10 0
6 Steven Caldwell Whitesboro, TX 3 05-06 0
7 Robert Thierry III Sugarland, TX 2 04-00 0
8 Charles Dodd Tyler, TX 2 03-15 0
9 Wesley Baxley Cypress, TX 2 03-07 0
10 Ira Lynn Adkins, TX 1 02-08 0

NEW MEXICO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Matthew Abeyta Albuquerque, NM 9 27-06 0
2 Kris Bosley Amarillo, TX 9 23-01 0
3 Tyler Wilson Carlsbad, NM 9 19-08 0
4 Gabriel Rivera Portales, NM 8 18-03 0
5 Johnny Johnson Bloomfield, NM 5 13-09 0
6 Steve Schneider Tijeras, NM 5 10-02 0
7 Buddy Jorde II Clovis, NM 2 05-10 0
8 Brent Breznik Borger, TX 3 05-09 0
9 Christian Gladfelter Winters, TX 2 04-07 0
10 Chris Jarvis Albuquerque, NM 1 02-03 0

COLORADO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Nate Caldwell Fort Collins, CO 12 28-07 0
2 Joe Conway Colorado Springs, CO 6 13-15 0
3 Adam Deakin Windsor, CO 4 09-05 0
4 Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO 3 08-03 0
5 Brian Reinert Rathdrum, ID 4 07-02 0
6 Casey Welch Arvada, CO 2 05-06 0
7 Ron Strickland Pueblo West, CO 2 03-08 0
8 Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO 1 03-03 0
9 Jason Gasper Peyton, CO 0 00-00 0
9 Jerod Rosten Windsor, CO 0 00-00 0

2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional 5/3-5/5
Arkansas River, Muskogee OK.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. James Seymour Oglesby, TX (TX) 6 19-08 0
2. Cole Buser Moscow, ID (NM) 8 17-10 0
3. Kyle Klein Hutchinson, KS (KS) 6 17-00 0
4. Colten Hutson Edmond, OK (OK) 7 16-15 0
5. Jason Campbell Berwick, LA (LA) 6 16-10 0
6. Jeremiah Proulx Cherokee Village, AR (A 6 16-08 0
7. Kevin Sullivan Tecumseh, OK (OK) 7 16-01 0
8. Lanny Dooley Mountain Home, AR (AR) 6 15-09 0
9. Jobie Vongpraphanh Springdale, AR (AR) 7 14-15 0
10. Parker Welch Spring Hill, KS (KS) 4 13-03 0
11. Billy Freeny Sperry, OK (OK) 4 10-13 0
12. Marshal Allen Greeley, CO (CO) 4 10-06 0
13. Travis Bodin Erwinville, LA (LA) 5 10-04 0
14. Dennis Dustmann Oklahoma City, OK (OK) 5 09-12 0
15. Joe Whelan Ozark, MO (MO) 3 09-07 0
16. Ron Darr Kirksville, MO (MO) 4 09-05 0
17. Clayton Smith Montgomery, TX (TX) 4 09-02 0
18. Jesse Cornell Abilene, KS (KS) 3 07-09 0
19. Jonathan Small Pleasant Hill, MO (MO) 4 07-08 0
20. Logan Farrimond Garden City, MO (MO) 2 06-13 0
21. Dylan Eschette Brusly, LA (LA) 4 06-09 0
22. Kit Lueg Stilwell, KS (KS) 2 06-06 0
23. Kelly Ross Solomon, KS (KS) 3 06-05 0
24. Cambre Webb Walker, LA (LA) 3 06-04 0
25. Scott Guitreau St Amant, LA (LA) 2 05-11 0
26. R.J. Leblanc Jr Franklin, LA (LA) 3 05-09 0
27. David Gummow New Roads, LA (LA) 2 05-06 0
28. Aaron Danos Jr Bella Vista, AR (AR) 2 05-03 0
29. Shayne Dupree Haslet, TX (TX) 3 05-02 0
30. Garrett Smith Vidor, TX (TX) 2 05-01 0
31. Levi Evans Ava, MO (AR) 3 05-00 0
32. Korbyn Parker Sand Springs, OK (OK) 2 05-00 0
33. Sean Bowen Midwest City, OK (OK) 2 04-15 0
34. Jake Beach Opelousas, LA (LA) 5 04-14 0
35. Joshua Plott Sumner, TX (TX) 2 04-14 0
36. Lance Henderson Springdale, AR (AR) 2 04-04 0
37. Neil Raedel Colorado Springs, CO (C 2 04-03 0
38. Scott Hausman Owasso, OK (OK) 2 04-02 0
39. Pam Horne Bella Vista, AR (AR) 2 04-01 0
40. Larry Fralick Wichita, KS (KS) 2 04-00 0
41. Melissa Jarvis Albuquerque, NM (NM) 2 04-00 0
42. Mark Warren Kiowa, CO (CO) 2 03-15 0
43. Richard Crine Columbine Valley, CO (C 2 03-09 0
44. Alex Falcon Morgan City, LA (LA) 2 03-08 0
45. Steven Temple Carlsbad, NM (NM) 2 03-05 0
46. Johnnie Large Owasso, OK (OK) 1 03-00 0
47. Zack Busch Festus, MO (MO) 1 02-04 0
48. Tai Hunt Denver, CO (CO) 1 02-01 0
49. Greg Brown Overland Park, KS (KS) 1 02-00 0
49. Mark Laird Springdale, AR (AR) 1 02-00 0
49. Tiger Manuel Jr Sulphur, LA (LA) 1 02-00 0
52. Larry Brumley Topeka, KS (KS) 1 01-15 0
53. Kirk Fulton Nolanville, TX (TX) 1 01-12 0
54. Brezlyn Hightower Choctaw, OK (OK) 1 01-11 0
55. Ronnie Hill Canadian, TX (NM) 1 01-10 0
56. Glenn Hahn San Antonio, TX (TX) 1 01-09 0
57. Cameron Anielak Saint Peters, MO (MO) 1 01-08 0
58. Christopher Sanchez Albuquerque, NM (NM) 1 01-07 0
59. Don Evans Canon City, CO (CO) 1 01-06 0
60. Andrew Bowman Aurora, CO (CO) 1 01-05 0
61. David Porter Rockwall, TX (TX) 3 00-15 0
62. Kevin Hallemann Saint Louis, MO (MO) 1 00-00 0
63. Michael Arndt Potosi, MO (MO) 0 00-00 0
63. Macky Bosley III Canyon, TX (NM) 0 00-00 0
63. Bruce Carter Carrollton, TX (TX) 0 00-00 0
63. Richard Castellese Albuquerque, NM (NM) 0 00-00 0
63. Ray Cates Overland Park, KS (KS) 0 00-00 0
63. Luke Davidson Centennial , CO (CO) 0 00-00 0
63. Mike Estrada Belen, NM (NM) 0 00-00 0
63. Jim Evers Edmond, OK (OK) 0 00-00 0
63. Jon Gipson Magnolia, TX (TX) 0 00-00 0
63. Bob Howard Colorado Springs, CO (C 0 00-00 0
63. Matt Hyde Springfield, MO (MO) 0 00-00 0
63. Ron Kless Rio Rancho, NM (NM) 0 00-00 0
63. Turner Mason Thornton, CO (CO) 0 00-00 0
63. AJ Rongey Osage Beach, MO (MO) 0 00-00 0
63. Jim Vielhauer Shawnee, KS (KS) 0 00-00 0
63. Marty Whisnant Gainesville, MO (AR) 0 00-00 0
63. John Widner Albuquerque, NM (NM) 0 00-00 0
63. Chuck Wisdom Jr Beebe, AR (AR) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 7 66 129-15
2 15 88 211-06
3 5 26 63-02
----------------------------------
27 180 404-07

TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 LOUISIANA 200-12
2 KANSAS 196-13
3 OKLAHOMA 194-03
4 ARKANSAS 166-07
5 NEW MEXICO 157-10
6 MISSOURI 150-14
7 TEXAS 140-06
8 COLORADO 105-14

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

KANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kyle Klein Hutchinson, KS 6 17-00 0
2 Parker Welch Spring Hill, KS 4 13-03 0
3 Jesse Cornell Abilene, KS 3 07-09 0
4 Kit Lueg Stilwell, KS 2 06-06 0
5 Kelly Ross Solomon, KS 3 06-05 0
6 Larry Fralick Wichita, KS 2 04-00 0
7 Greg Brown Overland Park, KS 1 02-00 0
8 Larry Brumley Topeka, KS 1 01-15 0
9 Ray Cates Overland Park, KS 0 00-00 0
9 Jim Vielhauer Shawnee, KS 0 00-00 0

OKLAHOMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Colten Hutson Edmond, OK 7 16-15 0
2 Kevin Sullivan Tecumseh, OK 7 16-01 0
3 Billy Freeny Sperry, OK 4 10-13 0
4 Dennis Dustmann Oklahoma City, OK 5 09-12 0
5 Korbyn Parker Sand Springs, OK 2 05-00 0
6 Sean Bowen Midwest City, OK 2 04-15 0
7 Scott Hausman Owasso, OK 2 04-02 0
8 Johnnie Large Owasso, OK 1 03-00 0
9 Brezlyn Hightower Choctaw, OK 1 01-11 0
10 Jim Evers Edmond, OK 0 00-00 0

LOUISIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jason Campbell Berwick, LA 6 16-10 0
2 Travis Bodin Erwinville, LA 5 10-04 0
3 Dylan Eschette Brusly, LA 4 06-09 0
4 Cambre Webb Walker, LA 3 06-04 0
5 Scott Guitreau St Amant, LA 2 05-11 0
6 R.J. Leblanc Jr Franklin, LA 3 05-09 0
7 David Gummow New Roads, LA 2 05-06 0
8 Jake Beach Opelousas, LA 5 04-14 0
9 Alex Falcon Morgan City, LA 2 03-08 0
10 Tiger Manuel Jr Sulphur, LA 1 02-00 0

MISSOURI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Joe Whelan Ozark, MO 3 09-07 0
2 Ron Darr Kirksville, MO 4 09-05 0
3 Jonathan Small Pleasant Hill, MO 4 07-08 0
4 Logan Farrimond Garden City, MO 2 06-13 0
5 Zack Busch Festus, MO 1 02-04 0
6 Cameron Anielak Saint Peters, MO 1 01-08 0
7 Kevin Hallemann Saint Louis, MO 1 00-00 0
8 Michael Arndt Potosi, MO 0 00-00 0
8 Matt Hyde Springfield, MO 0 00-00 0
8 AJ Rongey Osage Beach, MO 0 00-00 0

ARKANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jeremiah Proulx Cherokee Village, AR 6 16-08 0
2 Lanny Dooley Mountain Home, AR 6 15-09 0
3 Jobie Vongpraphanh Springdale, AR 7 14-15 0
4 Aaron Danos Jr Bella Vista, AR 2 05-03 0
5 Levi Evans Ava, MO 3 05-00 0
6 Lance Henderson Springdale, AR 2 04-04 0
7 Pam Horne Bella Vista, AR 2 04-01 0
8 Mark Laird Springdale, AR 1 02-00 0
9 Marty Whisnant Gainesville, MO 0 00-00 0
9 Chuck Wisdom Jr Beebe, AR 0 00-00 0

TEXAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 James Seymour Oglesby, TX 6 19-08 0
2 Clayton Smith Montgomery, TX 4 09-02 0
3 Shayne Dupree Haslet, TX 3 05-02 0
4 Garrett Smith Vidor, TX 2 05-01 0
5 Joshua Plott Sumner, TX 2 04-14 0
6 Kirk Fulton Nolanville, TX 1 01-12 0
7 Glenn Hahn San Antonio, TX 1 01-09 0
8 David Porter Rockwall, TX 3 00-15 0
9 Bruce Carter Carrollton, TX 0 00-00 0
9 Jon Gipson Magnolia, TX 0 00-00 0

NEW MEXICO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Cole Buser Moscow, ID 8 17-10 0
2 Melissa Jarvis Albuquerque, NM 2 04-00 0
3 Steven Temple Carlsbad, NM 2 03-05 0
4 Ronnie Hill Canadian, TX 1 01-10 0
5 Christopher Sanchez Albuquerque, NM 1 01-07 0
6 Macky Bosley III Canyon, TX 0 00-00 0
6 Richard Castellese Albuquerque, NM 0 00-00 0
6 Mike Estrada Belen, NM 0 00-00 0
6 Ron Kless Rio Rancho, NM 0 00-00 0
6 John Widner Albuquerque, NM 0 00-00 0

COLORADO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Marshal Allen Greeley, CO 4 10-06 0
2 Neil Raedel Colorado Springs, CO 2 04-03 0
3 Mark Warren Kiowa, CO 2 03-15 0
4 Richard Crine Columbine Valley, CO 2 03-09 0
5 Tai Hunt Denver, CO 1 02-01 0
6 Don Evans Canon City, CO 1 01-06 0
7 Andrew Bowman Aurora, CO 1 01-05 0
8 Luke Davidson Centennial , CO 0 00-00 0
8 Bob Howard Colorado Springs, CO 0 00-00 0
8 Turner Mason Thornton, CO 0 00-00 0

by AnglersChannel

Kemp extends his lead at Bassmaster Open on Buggs Island Reservoir

Powell Kemp of Scotland Neck, N.C., is leading after Day 2 of the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Buggs Island Reservoir with a two-day total of 36 pounds, 4 ounces.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

May 4, 2023

CLARKSVILLE, Va. — Persistence delivered a double shot of productivity for Powell Kemp, who sacked up a Day 2 bag of 16 pounds, 12 ounces Thursday to maintain his lead at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Buggs Island with a two-day total of 36-4.

After catching a first-round limit of 19-8 Wednesday, Thursday’s catch sends Kemp into Championship Friday with a 7-4 lead over New York pro Casey Smith.

Despite his 20 years of Buggs Island experience, Kemp said the impact of a pre-tournament cold front, plus the lake’s fluctuating water level, has him struggling to establish consistency. In the absence of dependable patterns, he’s fared well by sticking with what he believes in.

“It’s not any particular areas; it’s just one fish here, one fish there,” Kemp said. “It’s just keeping the trolling motor down and fishing. It’s not really run and gun; it’s just fishing and you get a bite every once in a while.”

Twice, he caught quality keepers just before making a move.

“I got ready to jerk the trolling motor up around 10 o’clock, and I was going to change areas. It was really slow and I had three fish in the livewell,” Kemp said. “There were three bushes left on the shoreline and I threw at the second-to-the-last bush and (an estimated 5-pounder) came up and got my spinnerbait.

“I thought the bite was over, but it kinda regenerated and I caught a couple more keepers.”

In the second instance of last-minute heroics, Kemp decided to run uplake to fish a creek where he caught bass on Day 1. He found the area crowded with boats, but rather than leave, he made a key adjustment.

“I pulled out to a point on the main drag and fished around, but got nothing,” Kemp said. “I fished around the second one really slow, and right as I went to jerk the trolling motor up on the last tree, I caught a 4 1/2 pounder. She wasn’t even where she should’ve been.

“I can’t even describe what’s going on. I don’t know if it will hold up one more day. It’s very random, there’s no pattern, it’s just fishing.”

Noting that he caught all of his fish on a spinnerbait and a flipping bait, Kemp said the day’s relatively calm conditions dramatically contrasted the strong winds and cold air that plagued Day 1.

“I went to a whole different area today; I didn’t fish anything I fished yesterday,” Kemp said. “I got lucky this morning and caught a keeper to get my nerves settled down a little bit.

“I said, ‘I just have to fish. It’s about a bite an hour.’”

Expounding on the day’s randomness, Kemp said: “I caught one in (muddy water) and one in super-clear water. One of them was on a gum tree and one was on buckbrush.

“I think most of what I’ve caught are late spawners. They’re just sitting on the kind of stuff they’d spawn on.”

Despite the inconsistency, Kemp said he has exceeded his expectations.

“I’ve gotten lucky and caught two big females each day (including a 5-13 that took Day 1 Big Fish honors),” Kemp said. “The lake is fishing pretty tough and I told myself, ‘You’ll have a shot if you catch two (5-pounders) over three days.’

“I wasn’t expecting the other good ones I’ve caught. I was thinking one decent fish a day is what anchors your bag.”

Smith, a 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota qualifier who makes his home in Victor, N.Y., caught a Day 1 limit of 12-12 and placed 35th. Adding 16-4 Friday, he jumped all the way into second place with 29 pounds.

“I changed up what I did today from yesterday, based on the wind,” Smith said. “Yesterday, it was hard to even fish. Even back in a pocket or back in a creek, the wind was blowing you around.

“Today, I was running shallow water; literally picking the trolling motor up 50 times. Just bouncing, bouncing, bouncing and fishing the conditions. I based my moves on what the wind was doing, what the sun was doing and all those things.

“I was flipping bushes and flipping trees. I never knew where I was going to go next or where I was going to catch my next one.”

Jack Dice of Lynchburg, Va., is in third place with 28-14 after catching daily weights and of 12-12 and 16-2.

Dice caught his fish on a wacky-rigged 5-inch green pumpkin Yamamoto Senko and a 1/2-ounce homemade shad-colored spinnerbait with double willow-leaf blades and a Yamamoto D-Shad trailer.

“I caught some on rocks and some on wood,” Dice said. “I ran all over the lake; I fished in front of the dam and I fished above the bridge in Clarksville.”

Kemp is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with the 5-13 he caught on Day 1.

Alex Watts of Salem, Va., made his Buggs Island debut by winning the co-angler division with 19-3. Turning in daily three-bass limits of 10-13 and 8-6, Watts edged Jerry Bono of Lexington, N.C., by 3-6 and claimed the $18,361 top prize.

“Today was a grind, but yesterday was a little easier,” said Watts, who anchored his Day 1 bag with a 4-7. “I caught a good one early on and then another good one. Then it was a long time until I got another bite.”

Watts did most of his work on a wacky-rigged Missile Baits Magic Worm. Specific targeting proved essential for his win.

“I was using a floating worm presentation and that was important for my early morning bites because those fish would come up to feed,” Watts said. “Getting it around big gum trees in deep water was the key.”

As part of the St. Croix Rod Rewards Program, eighth-place finisher Bird Jones of Loxahatchee, Fla., earned an extra $250 for being the highest-finishing registered co-angler using St. Croix rods.

Rick Cheatham of Carterville, Ill., won the $250 Phoenix Boats Big Bass bonus among co-anglers for his 6-1.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET at Occoneechee State Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 2:30 p.m.

by AnglersChannel

Holloway and Martin of Emmanuel College strike fast to take lead at Bassmaster College Series event on Red River

Cole Holloway and Brandon Martin of Georgia's Emmanuel College are leading after Day 1 of the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Red River presented by Bass Pro Shops with 15 pounds, 14 ounces. 

Photo by Chase Sansom/B.A.S.S.

May 4, 2023

NATCHITOCHES, La. — Each of the 135 teams in the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Red River presented by Bass Pro Shops had eight hours to fish on Thursday, but Cole Holloway and Brandon Martin only needed about two hours to make their mark.

The duo from Georgia’s Emmanuel College had a limit of five bass in the livewell by mid-morning that weighed 15 pounds, 14 ounces. That was good enough for the Day 1 lead in this two-day collegiate derby in northwest Louisiana.

Holloway, a 20-year-old resident of Madison, Ga., said early success on the Red River boosted his and Martin’s confidence.

“We had everything we weighed today by about 9 a.m.,” Holloway said. “We didn’t make another cast after that. We had a small limit on a shad spawn really early today when we were fishing an oxbow. Then we went to this backwater area and the 2-pounders became 3-pounders.”

The backwater bite was consistent, too, with the tandem’s heaviest bass weighing 3-12. A quartet of smaller 3-pounders rounded out an exciting morning. They targeted a ditch in the backwater where water ebbed and flowed.

“It happened quickly and we didn’t beat up on them,” Holloway said. “There are fish there for tomorrow.”

Martin agreed.

“We found the spot in practice and there really hasn’t been reason to go anywhere else,” said the 20-year-old Lula, Ga., resident.

Seth Elkins and Dale Hansard of Jacksonville (Ala.) State University are in second place with a limit weighing 13-12. That included the day’s biggest bass — a 6-5 largemouth Hansard hooked near a tree stump.

“It was picture perfect, like something you’d see in a magazine,” Hansard said. “It fought like crazy, too. I wasn’t sure it was a bass at first because there are a lot of gar and gators around here ... It catches you off guard when you catch something like that, especially since we were catching 1 1/2-pounders all day.”

Elkins and Hansard made a long run to Pool 5, which is filled with underwater wood. They said they’ll go there again Friday, looking to make up a few pounds and bring a trophy back to Alabama.

Rounding out the Top 5 are, third, Parker O’Bryan and Miller Dowling, University of Montevallo (Ala.), 11-15; fourth, Brayden Nichols and William Tew, LSU-Shreveport, 11-12; and fifth, Reid Farris and Colton Swize, Texas A&M, 11-10.

A total of 88 of the 135 teams caught a five-bass limit on Day 1 on this, the fourth tournament of the 2023 Bassmaster College Series schedule. The top 14 teams here qualify for the College National Championship which will be held later this year at a location yet to be announced.

Day 2 will begin with a 6:10 a.m. CT takeoff from Grand ECORE Recreational Arena. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. back at the arena, with full coverage on Bassmaster.com.

Following the two-day College Series event, the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Junior Series will compete Sunday.

2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Red River presented by Bass Pro Shops 5/4-5/5
Red River, Natchitoches  LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                                       Club/School                       Pts

1.  Cole Holloway - Brandon Martin               Emmanuel College                    250
Day 1: 5   15-14   Total:   5  15-14
2.  Seth Elkins - Dale Hansard                   Jacksonville State University       249
Day 1: 5   13-12   Total:   5  13-12
3.  Parker O'Bryan - Miller Dowling              University of Montevallo            248
Day 1: 5   11-15   Total:   5  11-15
4.  Brayden Nichols - William Tew                LSU - Shreveport                    247
Day 1: 5   11-12   Total:   5  11-12
5.  Reid Farris - Colton Swize                   Texas A&M University                246
Day 1: 5   11-10   Total:   5  11-10
6.  Gus McLarry - Jared West                     Texas A & M Commerce                245
Day 1: 5   11-07   Total:   5  11-07
7.  Blake Bullock - John Mark Berry              Blue Mountain College               244
Day 1: 5   11-01   Total:   5  11-01
8.  Tripp Bowman - Matthew Nesbit                LSU - Shreveport                    243
Day 1: 5   10-14   Total:   5  10-14
9.  Kaden Buchmann - Jared Hubbard               Lander University                   242
Day 1: 5   10-13   Total:   5  10-13
10. Cal Culpepper - Ryan Thomas                  University of Montevallo            241
Day 1: 5   10-12   Total:   5  10-12
11. Cole Rankin - Riley Faulkner                 Carson-Newman University            240
Day 1: 5   10-11   Total:   5  10-11
12. Nicholas Holtgrave - Colsyn Head             McKendree University                239
Day 1: 5   10-09   Total:   5  10-09
13. Kaden Proffitt - Cason Ragsdale              East Texas Baptist University       238
Day 1: 5   10-06   Total:   5  10-06
14. Trey Schroeder - Lane Stephens               McKendree University                237
Day 1: 5   10-04   Total:   5  10-04
15. Hunter McClaskey - Landon Lawson             King University                     236
Day 1: 5   10-03   Total:   5  10-03
15. Levi Mullins - Matthew Cummings              Bethel University                   236
Day 1: 5   10-03   Total:   5  10-03
17. Caleb Dachenhaus - Sam Shoemaker             Adrian College                      234
Day 1: 5   10-01   Total:   5  10-01
18. Bryson O'steen - Ty Jackson                  Florida Gateway College             233
Day 1: 5   10-00   Total:   5  10-00
19. Morgan Miracle - Jake Thornbury              Campbellsville University           232
Day 1: 5   10-00   Total:   5  10-00
20. James Willoughby - Jacob Pfundt              University of Montevallo            231
Day 1: 5   09-10   Total:   5  09-10
21. Hayden Marbut - Tucker Smith                 Auburn University                   230
Day 1: 5   09-09   Total:   5  09-09
22. Tyler Cory - Scott Sledge                    University of Montevallo            229
Day 1: 5   09-08   Total:   5  09-08
22. Tommy Dunaway - Seth Jones                   Florida Gateway College             229
Day 1: 5   09-08   Total:   5  09-08
24. William Travis - Victor Alford               Bryan College                       227
Day 1: 5   09-07   Total:   5  09-07
25. Jeremy Dellinger - Garrett Smith             Lander University                   226
Day 1: 5   09-06   Total:   5  09-06
26. Ryan Park - Sam Niemeyer                     Murray State University             225
Day 1: 5   09-04   Total:   5  09-04
27. Wade Roberts -                               LSU - Shreveport                    224
Day 1: 5   09-00   Total:   5  09-00
27. Levi Thibodaux - Chance Shelby               LSU - Shreveport                    224
Day 1: 5   09-00   Total:   5  09-00
29. Ben Brockwell - Justice Gayhart              Kentucky Christian University       222
Day 1: 5   08-14   Total:   5  08-14
30. Cody Monlezun - Atlan Pfluger                Texas A&M University                221
Day 1: 5   08-13   Total:   5  08-13
30. Seth Slanker - Jackson Swisher               Florida Gateway College             221
Day 1: 5   08-13   Total:   5  08-13
32. Christian Turner - John Gray                 Coastal Carolina University         219
Day 1: 5   08-11   Total:   5  08-11
33. Turner Hart - Summer Dees                    Bryan College                       218
Day 1: 5   08-10   Total:   5  08-10
34. Brendan Vinton - Dalton Eury                 Catawba Valley Community College    217
Day 1: 5   08-07   Total:   5  08-07
35. Chase Hubble - Brent May                     University of Florida               216
Day 1: 5   08-04   Total:   5  08-04
35. Jadon Spencer - Chase Martin                 Catawba Valley Community College    216
Day 1: 5   08-04   Total:   5  08-04
37. Parker Brown - Layton Brown                  Dallas Baptist University           214
Day 1: 5   08-04   Total:   5  08-04
38. Connor Jacob - Sam Smith                     Auburn University                   213
Day 1: 5   08-02   Total:   5  08-02
38. Zach McNary - Mason Phillpotts               Grand Valley State University       213
Day 1: 5   08-02   Total:   5  08-02
40. Carter Koza - Drew Pitts                     Carson-Newman University            211
Day 1: 5   08-01   Total:   5  08-01
41. Harmon Marien - Jack Stephens                McKendree University                210
Day 1: 5   07-15   Total:   5  07-15
42. Corey Morris - Brayden Mercer                East Texas Baptist University       209
Day 1: 5   07-10   Total:   5  07-10
42. Zach Pocos - Trey Budach                     McKendree University                209
Day 1: 5   07-10   Total:   5  07-10
44. Carson Hickman - Jacob Dobbs                 Tarleton State University           207
Day 1: 5   07-09   Total:   5  07-09
45. Clay Osteen - John Mizell                    Tarleton State University           206
Day 1: 5   07-08   Total:   5  07-08
46. Matthew Zdrazil - Easton Lindus              Emmanuel College                    205
Day 1: 5   07-06   Total:   5  07-06
47. Max Heaton - Brooks Anderson                 Emmanuel College                    204
Day 1: 5   07-05   Total:   5  07-05
48. Ashton Hehr - Trevor Johnston                Texas A&M University                203
Day 1: 5   07-04   Total:   5  07-04
48. Jordan Pennington - Andrew Oswalt            University of Montevallo            203
Day 1: 5   07-04   Total:   5  07-04
48. Kyle Zainitzer - Avery Whitwell              University of North Alabama         203
Day 1: 5   07-04   Total:   5  07-04
51. Evan Sutton - Grant Olsen                    McKendree University                200
Day 1: 5   07-02   Total:   5  07-02
52. Dylan Breaux - Joel Richard                  Nicholls State University           199
Day 1: 5   07-01   Total:   5  07-01
52. Caleb Bridges - Matthew Dopp                 Bryan College                       199
Day 1: 5   07-01   Total:   5  07-01
52. Ridge Rutledge - Ryan Daugherty              Campbellsville University           199
Day 1: 5   07-01   Total:   5  07-01
52. Drake Sturgill - Beau Browning               University of Montevallo            199
Day 1: 5   07-01   Total:   5  07-01
56. Brantley Anders - Cameron Dials              Kentucky Christian University       195
Day 1: 5   07-00   Total:   5  07-00
56. Russel Buffa - Dalton Mollenkopf             Adrian College                      195
Day 1: 5   07-00   Total:   5  07-00
56. Easton Fothergill - Nick Dumke               University of Montevallo            195
Day 1: 5   07-00   Total:   5  07-00
56. Matt Short - Pruitt Lansdale                 Eastern Kentucky University         195
Day 1: 5   07-00   Total:   5  07-00
56. Gunner Whitaker - Mitch Johnson              Kentucky Christian University       195
Day 1: 5   07-00   Total:   5  07-00
61. Cody Domingos - Luka Strepacki               University of Tennessee             190
Day 1: 5   06-15   Total:   5  06-15
62. Solomon Glenn - Briggs Alavezos              University of Montevallo            189
Day 1: 5   06-14   Total:   5  06-14
62. Hank Sturm - Mitch Straffon                  Adrian College                      189
Day 1: 5   06-14   Total:   5  06-14
62. William Vega - Will Emmert                   Sam Houston State University        189
Day 1: 5   06-14   Total:   5  06-14
62. Dustin Weinberg - Sawyer Brady               Blue Mountain Christian Universi    189
Day 1: 5   06-14   Total:   5  06-14
66. Brody Robison - Jack Alexander               University of Montevallo            185
Day 1: 5   06-14   Total:   5  06-14
67. Max Gosdin - Andrew Howell                   University of Montevallo            184
Day 1: 5   06-13   Total:   5  06-13
68. Wesley Smith II - Jacob Oliver               Catawba Valley Community College    183
Day 1: 4   06-13   Total:   4  06-13
69. Miles Smith - Zach Henderson                 Georgia College                     182
Day 1: 5   06-12   Total:   5  06-12
70. Giancarlo Russo - Remington Potter           Florida Gateway College             181
Day 1: 5   06-11   Total:   5  06-11
71. Tucker Siminak - Kyle Hopping                McKendree University                180
Day 1: 5   06-09   Total:   5  06-09
72. Reece Keeney - Colby Kerr                    Kentucky Christian University       179
Day 1: 4   06-09   Total:   4  06-09
73. Zach Bushey - Brandon Traw                   Tarleton State University           178
Day 1: 5   06-08   Total:   5  06-08
74. Cy Lambert -                                 University of North Alabama         177
Day 1: 5   06-07   Total:   5  06-07
75. Justin Botts - Tim Herrmann                  Bryan College                       176
Day 1: 4   06-07   Total:   4  06-07
76. Trent Buchholz - Dakota Posey                Lamar State College Orange          175
Day 1: 5   06-05   Total:   5  06-05
76. Gavin Schmitz - Addison Sikes                University of Montevallo            175
Day 1: 5   06-05   Total:   5  06-05
78. Taylor McMullen -                            Emmanuel College                    173
Day 1: 4   06-05   Total:   4  06-05
79. Dylan Benson - Austin Rose                   East Texas Baptist University       172
Day 1: 5   06-04   Total:   5  06-04
80. Chris Baker - Elijah Kelley                  Kentucky Christian University       171
Day 1: 4   06-03   Total:   4  06-03
81. Drake Hemby - Szymon Piton                   Carson-Newman University            170
Day 1: 4   06-02   Total:   4  06-02
82. Carson Kamien - Tyson Verkaik                University of Florida               169
Day 1: 5   06-01   Total:   5  06-01
82. Cole Thompson - Rees Williams                University of North Alabama         169
Day 1: 5   06-01   Total:   5  06-01
84. Hunter Fillmore - Dylan Fogarty              Bethel University                   167
Day 1: 5   06-00   Total:   5  06-00
85. Cross Campbell - Ethan Thurston              East Texas Baptist University       166
Day 1: 4   06-00   Total:   4  06-00
86. Bryant Martin - Luke Batts                   LSU - Shreveport                    165
Day 1: 5   05-15   Total:   5  05-15
87. Brock Blazier - Benjamin Blank               Wabash Valley College               164
Day 1: 5   05-14   Total:   5  05-14
88. Tyler Cain - Cole Dodson                     University of Montevallo            163
Day 1: 3   05-14   Total:   3  05-14
89. Hunter Keller - Grant Harris                 Catawba Valley Community College    162
Day 1: 5   05-13   Total:   5  05-13
90. Wyatt Pearman - Dustin Bauer                 Campbellsville University           161
Day 1: 4   05-12   Total:   4  05-12
91. Trevor Easter - Clayton Easter               Tarleton State University           160
Day 1: 5   05-11   Total:   5  05-11
91. Cade Lipham - Caleb Coleman                  Drury University                    160
Day 1: 5   05-11   Total:   5  05-11
93. Carter Ball - Austin Tapley                  Adrian College                      158
Day 1: 5   05-10   Total:   5  05-10
94. Jaxson Freeman - Maxwell Trotter             McKendree University                157
Day 1: 5   05-07   Total:   5  05-07
95. John Karisny - Brodie Paige                  Louisiana Tech University           156
Day 1: 5   05-07   Total:   5  05-07
96. Matthew Dettling - Austin Wadzinski          University of Tennessee             155
Day 1: 4   05-06   Total:   4  05-06
97. Noah Trant - Evan Howe                       Northwestern State University (8    154
Day 1: 5   05-00   Total:   5  05-00
98. Brett Jolley Jr. - Cade Nettles              East Texas Baptist University       153
Day 1: 5   04-15   Total:   5  04-15
99. Brenton Godwin - Hunter Odom                 University of Montevallo            152
Day 1: 3   04-15   Total:   3  04-15
100. Jacob Autry - Will Niebrugge                 Murray State University             151
Day 1: 4   04-13   Total:   4  04-13
101. Cooper Arthur - Luke Frankowicz              Louisiana Tech University           150
Day 1: 3   04-13   Total:   3  04-13
102. Spencer Brister - Roeh Burton                Lamar State College Orange          149
Day 1: 4   04-12   Total:   4  04-12
103. Colton Hill - Tomas Matual                   McKendree University                148
Day 1: 3   04-10   Total:   3  04-10
104. Derek Rodriguez Jr. - Mathias Dahline        Adrian College                      147
Day 1: 4   04-07   Total:   4  04-07
105. Thomas Mingle - Braxton Simmons              University of Tennessee             146
Day 1: 3   04-06   Total:   3  04-06
106. Seth Jenkins - TJ McKenzie                   Emmanuel College                    145
Day 1: 3   03-13   Total:   3  03-13
107. Stephen Bovia - Preston Madere               Louisiana Tech University           144
Day 1: 2   03-09   Total:   2  03-09
108. Riley Lawson - Dawson Burton                 Kentucky Christian University       143
Day 1: 3   03-04   Total:   3  03-04
109. Kreed Averhoff - Jordan Kalsbeek             Tarleton State University           142
Day 1: 2   03-02   Total:   2  03-02
109. Lane Bailey - Justin Eggers                  Catawba Valley Community College    142
Day 1: 2   03-02   Total:   2  03-02
111. Carter Smith - Gannon Stork                  Wabash Valley College               140
Day 1: 1   03-01   Total:   1  03-01
112. Justin James - Keegan Trahan                 Lamar State College Orange          139
Day 1: 3   02-14   Total:   3  02-14
113. Kyle Knoll - Luke Morgan                     Southern Union State Community C    138
Day 1: 2   02-13   Total:   2  02-13
114. Conner Giles - Christian Wright              Bryan College                       137
Day 1: 2   02-11   Total:   2  02-11
115. Sawyer McCullough - Hunter Bettner           Troy University                     136
Day 1: 2   02-05   Total:   2  02-05
116. Sid Wallace - Broxson Daigle                 Texas A&M University                135
Day 1: 1   02-02   Total:   1  02-02
117. Caleb Jacob -                                Illinois State University           134
Day 1: 2   01-15   Total:   2  01-15
118. Hunter Palmer - Eli Stevenson                Bryan College                       133
Day 1: 1   01-11   Total:   1  01-11
119. Hampton Shull - Landon Surrett               Lander University                   132
Day 1: 1   01-03   Total:   1  01-03
120. Fischer Barber - Tucker Jordan               Troy University                     131
Day 1: 1   01-01   Total:   1  01-01
120. Kaden Liles - Kolby Clark                    University of North Alabama         131
Day 1: 1   01-01   Total:   1  01-01
122. Zeb Roberts - Cabe Mackey                    Catawba Valley Community College    129
Day 1: 1   01-00   Total:   1  01-00
123. Roy Crush - Hunter Hernandez                 Texas A&M University                128
Day 1: 1   00-15   Total:   1  00-15
124. Hunter Starling - William Vickery            Georgia Southern University         127
Day 1: 1   00-14   Total:   1  00-14
125. Luke Iles -                                  Northwestern State University       126
Day 1: 1   00-13   Total:   1  00-13
126. Jacob Butts - Mark Kershaw-Klara             USC Union                             0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
126. Carson Calvert - Austin Thomas               University of North Alabama           0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
126. Marlee Churchman - Ty Gentry                 LSU - Shreveport                      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
126. Cody Clifton - Robert Hunt                   Missouri State University             0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
126. Nathan Coffman - Garrett Mawalls             LSU - Shreveport                      0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
126. Logan East - Rob Lindsey                     Bryan College                         0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
126. Caleb Hart - Connor Vanderploeg              Grand Valley State University         0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
126. Connor Lynch - Domenic Bartel                Grand Valley State University         0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
126. Chandler Pruett - Wes Bailey                 Blue Mountain College                 0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
126. Rudy Worley - Fisher Overton                 Blue Mountain College                 0
Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        88       536       853-13
----------------------------------
88       536       853-13

by AnglersChannel

Kemp takes opening-round lead at Bassmaster Open on Buggs Island Reservoir

Powell Kemp of Scotland Neck, N.C., is leading after Day 1 of the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Buggs Island Reservoir with 19 pounds, 8 ounces.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

May 3, 2023

CLARKSVILLE, Va. — Powell Kemp said the best thing he did this week was take a big eraser to his practice findings and fish what was in front of him. Doing so rewarded the local pro with a five-bass limit of 19 pounds, 8 ounces that leads Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Buggs Island.

With recent rains raising the lake’s water level and a cold front bringing big winds and a sharp temperature drop, anglers largely found unsettled bass and a Roanoke River reservoir whipped into a navigational nightmare. Nevertheless, the pro from Scotland Neck, N.C., said his historical insight served him well.

“When I practiced late Friday and all day Saturday, the lake was at 301 (a foot above normal pool) and I said ‘This isn’t going to be right.’ I actually fished a tournament on Lake Gaston Sunday,” Kemp said. “I didn’t even practice because the lake came up a foot, and I said ‘It’s going to change every day.’

“I knew what I did Friday and Saturday was junk. Any bites I had those days — just throw it out.”

As Kemp notes, knowing what to do during the dramatic change in conditions gave him a significant advantage over anglers trying to figure out the lake’s evolving complexion.

“The lake did exactly what it needed for a local to have an advantage because I’ve seen so much over 20 years of fishing here,” he said. “It was just run here, run there.

“A lot of guys had three days of practice in their minds, but I’ve seen it so much I knew you can’t do what you were doing.”

Kemp, who holds a 3-pound margin over Tennessee pro Brad Knight, said the 15- to 20-mph winds certainly limited his mobility. But while he wasn’t able to run as much water as he’d planned, the curtailment likely aided his cause.

“As rough as it was today, I had to bear down on one area,” Kemp said. “I couldn’t run and gun like I’m used to, but maybe that worked to my advantage.”

Kemp said he caught his bass by throwing a spinnerbait and flipping bushes.

“I was just fishing and keeping them honest because they move so much on this lake,” he said. “Some of them moved farther back than they were in practice. It was really random today. There were some on the points, some on the sides (of creeks) and some in the backs.

“There was no rhyme or reason. It was just a blessing; one of those days you dream about. The Lord blessed me.”

Knowing he’d have to grind through a lean day, Kemp said he was delighted to jumpstart his morning with a 5-13, which leads the Phoenix Boats Big Bass standings.

“The lake is fishing really tough and she was the first bite I got this morning,” Kemp said. “That really settled me down.”

Kemp said he started his day by looking for a shad spawn but to no avail. During his search, he saw a smaller fish swirl and miss his bait. Assuming it was the male from a spawning pair, he targeted the point of attack and connected with a big female.

“I threw to the gum tree just to the right and she came out and ate it,” he said. “Overall, it was still a bite every hour to an hour and a half. It wasn’t (on fire) like the lake should be doing.

“I just think the lake is in a transition, the shad aren’t doing what they’re supposed to do. I think what bass are left (up shallow) are spawning.”

Kemp’s day ended with another stroke of good fortune. With a bass of about 2 1/4 pounds in his bag and 2 1/2 hours left to fish, he started to make a move but had trouble getting his boat on plane.

Pulling into a creek with calm water, Kemp jumped on plane but he could tell something was not right with his engine. With a good run between his position and the check-in point, he decided to return early to make sure he made it.

“I came back to the creek (where the check-in site was located) and while I was just fishing around, I caught one about 3 1/4 to cull out my 2 1/4,” he recalled. “It was really slow to get bit and the lake was fishing tough, but it was an amazing day. Everything went perfectly.”

Knight, a former Forrest Wood Cup winner who hails from Lancing, Tenn., is in second place with 16-8. Coming off a South Texas turkey hunt, he got minimal practice time and, same as Powell, Knight believes that worked to his benefit.

“I rode around on Tuesday and I knew the lake had come up and it was going to be flooded bushes. That fits my strengths — I like to fish shallow,” Knight said. “From there, it was just a matter of adapting to the conditions.”

Knight said he started with about 12 baits on his deck, but whittled that selection down to about half. His top producers were a swim jig, a bladed jig, a spinnerbait and flipping rigs.

“A lot of people call it junk fishing, but to me, it’s reading the bank; knowing when to pick up one bait or another,” Knight said. “I have a lot of experience fishing this way (on the Tennessee River) when things are changing. It was just taking that experience and applying it here.”

Jacob Thompkins of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is third with 16-6. Flipping bushes with a Strike King Rage Bug and throwing a spinnerbait produced his bites.

“I came here a month and a half ago for pre-practice and I caught a 4-pounder while (Garmin) LiveScoping them on some stumps just off the bank,” Thompkins said. “I caught my biggest one today doing that.

“I watched him eat the spinnerbait on LiveScope and barely got him in the boat before the hook popped out. So, I got lucky on that one.”

Alex Watts of Salem, Va., leads the co-angler division with 10-13. Anchoring his bag with a 4-7, Watts holds a 10-ounce lead over David Deciucis of Chester, Va.

Watts caught his big bass on a wacky rig. Later in the day, when he fished more windward areas, a spinnerbait worked best.

Larry Kempler of Bluemont, Va., and George Myers of Franklinton, N.C., are tied for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers, each with a 5-2.

Thursday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET from Occoneechee State Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 2:30 p.m.

The St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Buggs Island Reservoir is being hosted by Mecklenburg County, Va., Tourism.

2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Buggs Island 5/3-5/5
Buggs Island Reservoir, Clarksville  VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Powell Kemp            Scotland Neck, NC        5  19-08  200
Day 1: 5   19-08
2.  Brad Knight            Lancing, TN              5  16-08  199
Day 1: 5   16-08
3.  Jacob Thompkins        Myrtle Beach, SC         5  16-06  198
Day 1: 5   16-06
4.  Dale Hightower         Mannford, OK             5  15-15  197
Day 1: 5   15-15
5.  Clay Samples           South Boston, VA         5  15-14  196
Day 1: 5   15-14
6.  Reese Hudson           Broomall, PA             5  15-07  195
Day 1: 5   15-07
7.  Scout Echols           Monticello, AR           5  14-14  194
Day 1: 5   14-14
8.  Evan Barnes            Dardanelle, AR           5  14-11  193
Day 1: 5   14-11
8.  Casey Scanlon          Eldon, MO                5  14-11  193
Day 1: 5   14-11
10. Cody Detweiler         Guntersville, AL         5  14-07  191
Day 1: 5   14-07
11. Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR              5  14-03  190
Day 1: 5   14-03
11. Brandon McMillan       Clewiston, FL            5  14-03  190
Day 1: 5   14-03
11. Clark Reehm            Elm Grove, LA            5  14-03  190
Day 1: 5   14-03
14. Buck Mallory           Lawton, MI               5  14-00  187
Day 1: 5   14-00
15. John Garrett           Union City, TN           5  13-14  186
Day 1: 5   13-14
16. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI               5  13-12  185
Day 1: 5   13-12
16. JT Thompkins           Myrtle Beach, SC         5  13-12  185
Day 1: 5   13-12
18. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  5  13-11  183
Day 1: 5   13-11
18. Jordan Sanderlin       Kill Devil Hills, NC     5  13-11  183
Day 1: 5   13-11
20. Rich Ortiz             Fort Ann, NY             5  13-10  181
Day 1: 5   13-10
20. Andrew Upshaw          Hemphill, TX             5  13-10  181
Day 1: 5   13-10
22. Jason Meninger         Yulee, FL                5  13-06  179
Day 1: 5   13-06
23. Greg Bohannan          Bentonville, AR          5  13-05  178
Day 1: 5   13-05
24. Destin DeMarion        Harborcreek, PA          5  13-04  177
Day 1: 5   13-04
24. Brad Leuthner          Victoria, MN             5  13-04  177
Day 1: 5   13-04
24. Matt Pangrac           Shawnee, OK              5  13-04  177
Day 1: 5   13-04
27. Tim Frederick          Leesburg, FL             5  13-03  174
Day 1: 5   13-03
27. Kyle Patrick           Cooperstown, NY          5  13-03  174
Day 1: 5   13-03
29. Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN              5  13-01  172
Day 1: 5   13-01
30. Chris Keeble           Lenoir City, TN          5  13-00  171
Day 1: 5   13-00
30. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             5  13-00  171
Day 1: 5   13-00
32. Bo Thomas              Edwardsburg, MI          5  12-15  169
Day 1: 5   12-15
33. Adam Rasmussen         Sturgeon Bay, WI         5  12-14  168
Day 1: 5   12-14
34. Andrew Hargrove        Moody, TX                5  12-13  167
Day 1: 5   12-13
35. Jack Dice              Lynchburg, VA            5  12-12  166
Day 1: 5   12-12
35. Allan Nail             Sand Springs, OK         5  12-12  166
Day 1: 5   12-12
35. Casey Smith            Victor, NY               5  12-12  166
Day 1: 5   12-12
38. Alex Heintze           Denham Springs, LA       5  12-11  163
Day 1: 5   12-11
38. Jake Maddux            Birmingham, AL           5  12-11  163
Day 1: 5   12-11
40. Chris Beaudrie         Princeton, KY            5  12-10  161
Day 1: 5   12-10
41. Jeff Mcbeth            New Phila, OH            5  12-08  160
Day 1: 5   12-08
42. Kyle Austin            Ridgeville, SC           5  12-07  159
Day 1: 5   12-07
42. Cody Stahl             Barnsville, GA           5  12-07  159
Day 1: 5   12-07
44. Jamie Bruce            Kenora Ontario CANADA    5  12-05  157
Day 1: 5   12-05
44. Alex Murray            Lake Charles, LA         5  12-05  157
Day 1: 5   12-05
46. Blake Sylvester        Plaquemine, LA           5  12-04  155
Day 1: 5   12-04
47. Wesley Gore            Clanton, AL              5  12-03  154
Day 1: 5   12-03
48. Ryan Broughman         Corapeake, NC            5  12-02  153
Day 1: 5   12-02
49. Jeff Coble             Manson, NC               5  11-15  152
Day 1: 5   11-15
49. Griffin Phillips       Mount Olive, AL          5  11-15  152
Day 1: 5   11-15
51. Wil Dieffenbauch III   Hundred, WV              5  11-14  150
Day 1: 5   11-14
52. Logan Johnson          Jasper, AL               5  11-13  149
Day 1: 5   11-13
53. Denny Fiedler          Wabasha, MN              5  11-12  148
Day 1: 5   11-12
53. Scott Isaacs           Ladonia, TX              5  11-12  148
Day 1: 5   11-12
55. Hunter Sales           Blaine, TN               5  11-09  146
Day 1: 5   11-09
56. Andrew Mlotek          Indianapolis, IN         5  11-08  145
Day 1: 5   11-08
56. Whitney Stephens       Waverly, OH              5  11-08  145
Day 1: 5   11-08
56. Jack York              Emory, TX                5  11-08  145
Day 1: 5   11-08
59. Trey McKinney          Carbondale, IL           5  11-07  142
Day 1: 5   11-07
59. Ben Milliken           New Caney, TX            5  11-07  142
Day 1: 5   11-07
61. Brandon Tallhamer      Parkersburg, WV          5  11-06  140
Day 1: 5   11-06
61. Jimmy Washam           Stantonville, TN         5  11-06  140
Day 1: 5   11-06
63. Shawn Hammack          Gasburg, VA              5  11-05  138
Day 1: 5   11-05
63. Joey Nania             Cropwell, AL             5  11-05  138
Day 1: 5   11-05
63. David Williams         Newton, NC               5  11-05  138
Day 1: 5   11-05
66. Blake Smith            Lakeland, FL             5  11-04  135
Day 1: 5   11-04
67. Logan Anderson         Catawba, NC              5  11-03  134
Day 1: 5   11-03
67. Rob Digh               Denver, NC               5  11-03  134
Day 1: 5   11-03
69. Jonathan Bowling       Harriman, TN             5  11-02  132
Day 1: 5   11-02
69. Robert Gee             Knoxville, TN            5  11-02  132
Day 1: 5   11-02
71. Justin Kimmel          Athens, GA               5  11-01  130
Day 1: 5   11-01
72. Keith Tuma             Brainerd, MN             5  11-01  129
Day 1: 5   11-01
73. Logan Shaddix          Cummings, GA             5  11-00  128
Day 1: 5   11-00
74. Shayne Berlo           Mclean, VA               5  10-15  127
Day 1: 5   10-15
74. Chris Blanchette       Edisto Island, SC        5  10-15  127
Day 1: 5   10-15
74. Tyler Lubbat           Wheeling, IL             5  10-15  127
Day 1: 5   10-15
77. Paul Browning          Pecos, TX                5  10-14  124
Day 1: 5   10-14
77. Chad Grigsby           Maple Grove, MN          5  10-14  124
Day 1: 5   10-14
79. Matt Henry             Milledgeville, GA        4  10-14  122
Day 1: 4   10-14
80. Jason Carpenter        Castle Pines, CO         5  10-12  121
Day 1: 5   10-12
80. Timmy Thompkins        Myrtle Beach, SC         5  10-12  121
Day 1: 5   10-12
82. Brock Belik            Orchard, NE              5  10-11  119
Day 1: 5   10-11
82. Taylor Watkins         Clinton, TN              5  10-11  119
Day 1: 5   10-11
84. Mike Mayo              Athens, TX               5  10-10  117
Day 1: 5   10-10
84. Danny Ramsey           Trinidad, TX             5  10-10  117
Day 1: 5   10-10
84. JT Russell             Mc Calla, AL             5  10-10  117
Day 1: 5   10-10
84. Jeff Salmon            Mechanicsville, VA       5  10-10  117
Day 1: 5   10-10
88. Logan Parks            Auburn, AL               4  10-10  113
Day 1: 4   10-10
89. Darrell Davis          Dover, FL                5  10-08  112
Day 1: 5   10-08
89. Billy McDonald         Greenwood, IN            5  10-08  112
Day 1: 5   10-08
89. Danny McGarry          Newcastle CANADA         5  10-08  112
Day 1: 5   10-08
89. Chancy Walters         West Des Moines, IA      5  10-08  112
Day 1: 5   10-08
93. Johnathan Crossland    Chapin, SC               5  10-07  108
Day 1: 5   10-07
93. Brian Post             Janesville, WI           5  10-07  108
Day 1: 5   10-07
95. Trey Swindle           Cleveland, AL            5  10-06  106
Day 1: 5   10-06
96. Bailey Boutries        Springfield, MO          5  10-05  105
Day 1: 5   10-05
96. Chase Clarke           Virginia Beach, VA       5  10-05  105
Day 1: 5   10-05
96. Austin Cranford        Norman, OK               5  10-05  105
Day 1: 5   10-05
96. Kyle Goltz             Cornell, WI              5  10-05  105
Day 1: 5   10-05
96. Jason Lambert          Savannah, TN             5  10-05  105
Day 1: 5   10-05
101. John Murray            Spring City, TN          3  10-05  100
Day 1: 3   10-05
102. Brent Anderson         Kingston Springs, TN     5  10-04   99
Day 1: 5   10-04
102. Ish Monroe             Oakdale, CA              5  10-04   99
Day 1: 5   10-04
104. Chris Brummett         Lynch Station, VA        5  10-02   97
Day 1: 5   10-02
105. Craig Chambers         Midland, NC              5  10-01   96
Day 1: 5   10-01
105. Woo Daves              Spring Grove, VA         5  10-01   96
Day 1: 5   10-01
105. Jim Dillard            West Monroe, LA          5  10-01   96
Day 1: 5   10-01
105. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               5  10-01   96
Day 1: 5   10-01
109. Stacey Jefferson       Conway, SC               5  10-00   92
Day 1: 5   10-00
109. Evan Kung              Pickering Ontario CANAD  5  10-00   92
Day 1: 5   10-00
109. Derek Lehtonen         Woodruff, SC             5  10-00   92
Day 1: 5   10-00
109. Jaxon Sullivan         Reagan, TN               5  10-00   92
Day 1: 5   10-00
113. Mike Surman            Boca Raton, FL           5  10-00   88
Day 1: 5   10-00
114. Jacob Bigelow          Cecil, WI                5  09-14   87
Day 1: 5   09-14
115. Hugh Cosculluela       Spring, TX               5  09-12   86
Day 1: 5   09-12
115. Chris Dover            Blacksburg, SC           5  09-12   86
Day 1: 5   09-12
115. Chad Warren            Sand Springs, OK         5  09-12   86
Day 1: 5   09-12
118. Bryan Bickell          Newcastle CANADA         4  09-12   83
Day 1: 4   09-12
119. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC           5  09-11   82
Day 1: 5   09-11
120. Joey Hanna             Corsicana, TX            4  09-11   81
Day 1: 4   09-11
121. David Perdue           Wirtz, VA                5  09-10   80
Day 1: 5   09-10
121. Tyler Williams         Belgrade, ME             5  09-10   80
Day 1: 5   09-10
123. Kayden Tanner          Tolar, TX                5  09-09   78
Day 1: 5   09-09
124. Josh Bragg             Fayetteville, GA         5  09-07   77
Day 1: 5   09-07
124. Wesley Cashwell        Roanoke Rapids, NC       5  09-07   77
Day 1: 5   09-07
124. Steve Morella          Townshend, VT            5  09-07   77
Day 1: 5   09-07
127. Christian Shoda        Homosassa, FL            4  09-07   74
Day 1: 4   09-07
128. Bronk Mcdaniel         Alexandria, LA           5  09-06   73
Day 1: 5   09-06
129. Sterling Bougher       Mannford, OK             5  09-05   72
Day 1: 5   09-05
129. Brett Cannon           Willis, TX               5  09-05   72
Day 1: 5   09-05
129. Jonathan Dietz         Corry, PA                5  09-05   72
Day 1: 5   09-05
129. Takayuki Koike         Otsu-City JAPAN          5  09-05   72
Day 1: 5   09-05
133. Chris Hellebuyck       White Lake, MI           5  09-04   68
Day 1: 5   09-04
133. Louis Monetti          Brielle, NJ              5  09-04   68
Day 1: 5   09-04
133. Marc Schilling         Carrollton, TX           5  09-04   68
Day 1: 5   09-04
136. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           5  09-03   65
Day 1: 5   09-03
137. Jeremy Bogard          Wilkesboro, NC           5  09-02   64
Day 1: 5   09-02
137. Douglas Reed           Bridgeton, NJ            5  09-02   64
Day 1: 5   09-02
139. Bobby Lanham           Eddyville, KY            5  09-01   62
Day 1: 5   09-01
140. Tyrel Faber            Pagosa Springs, CO       5  09-00   61
Day 1: 5   09-00
141. Steven Camp            Mechanicsvlle, VA        5  08-14   60
Day 1: 5   08-14
141. Teb Jones              Yalaha, MS               5  08-14   60
Day 1: 5   08-14
143. Miles Burghoff         Dayton, TN               5  08-13   58
Day 1: 5   08-13
144. Rick Hamer             Charleston, WV           5  08-12   57
Day 1: 5   08-12
145. Jason Abram            Piney Flats, TN          5  08-11   56
Day 1: 5   08-11
146. Daisuke Kita           Ostu Shiga JAPAN         4  08-11   55
Day 1: 4   08-11
147. Scott Kerslake         Okeechobee, FL           5  08-10   54
Day 1: 5   08-10
148. Burke Hutcheson        Hillsborough, NC         5  08-09   53
Day 1: 5   08-09
148. Rick Mitchell          Naples, FL               5  08-09   53
Day 1: 5   08-09
148. Jack Tindel III        Orange, TX               5  08-09   53
Day 1: 5   08-09
151. Andrew Harp            Linden, TX               5  08-08   50
Day 1: 5   08-08
152. Lucas Bogosian         Harrington Park, NJ      5  08-06   49
Day 1: 5   08-06
152. Josh Hubbard           Dunnellon, FL            5  08-06   49
Day 1: 5   08-06
154. Jeffrey Davis Jr       Raleigh, NC              4  08-06   47
Day 1: 4   08-06
154. Jimmy Steed            Zapata, TX               4  08-06   47
Day 1: 4   08-06
156. Kyle Gelles            Pingree, ID              5  08-04   45
Day 1: 5   08-04
156. Jacob Pyles            Nolensville, TN          5  08-04   45
Day 1: 5   08-04
158. Tom Frink              Southside, AL            5  08-03   43
Day 1: 5   08-03
158. Sam George             Athens, AL               5  08-03   43
Day 1: 5   08-03
160. Christiana Bradley     Goldvein, VA             5  08-02   41
Day 1: 5   08-02
160. Tommy Williams         Shepherdsville, KY       5  08-02   41
Day 1: 5   08-02
162. Zeke Gossett           Pell City, AL            5  08-01   39
Day 1: 5   08-01
163. John Conway Jr         Henrico, VA              5  08-00   38
Day 1: 5   08-00
163. Zach Goutremout        Chaumont, NY             5  08-00   38
Day 1: 5   08-00
163. Lucas Murphy           West Columbia, MI        5  08-00   38
Day 1: 5   08-00
166. Kurt Mitchell          Milford, DE              5  07-15   35
Day 1: 5   07-15
167. Matt Messer            Warfield, KY             5  07-12   34
Day 1: 5   07-12
168. Jerry Gallogly Jr      North Tazewell, VA       5  07-11   33
Day 1: 5   07-11
169. Chris Merritt          Chester , VA             5  07-10   32
Day 1: 5   07-10
170. Steve Tennison         Lexington, OK            4  07-05   31
Day 1: 4   07-05
171. Andrew George          Poplar Branch, NC        4  07-03   30
Day 1: 4   07-03
172. Seiji Kato             Outsu Shiga JAPAN        3  07-02   29
Day 1: 3   07-02
172. Angela Mayo            Maiden, NC               3  07-02   29
Day 1: 3   07-02
174. Paul Bouvier           Kingston CANADA          3  07-01   27
Day 1: 3   07-01
175. John Watts Jr          Flushing, MI             4  06-15   26
Day 1: 4   06-15
176. Chris Kingree          Inverness, FL            3  06-15   25
Day 1: 3   06-15
176. Trevor McKinney        Benton, IL               3  06-15   25
Day 1: 3   06-15
178. B.J. Usie              Bourg, LA                3  06-14   23
Day 1: 3   06-14
179. Tripp Noojin           Bryant, AL               4  06-13   22
Day 1: 4   06-13
180. Brian Mullaney         Ijamsville, MD           4  06-09   21
Day 1: 4   06-09
181. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX               3  06-07   20
Day 1: 3   06-07
182. Pete Gluszek           Mount Laurel, NJ         4  06-06   19
Day 1: 4   06-06
182. Scott Hamrick          Denver, NC               4  06-06   19
Day 1: 4   06-06
184. Bart Stanisz           Austin, TX               3  06-06   17
Day 1: 3   06-06
185. Shaine Campbell        Brookeland, TX           3  06-05   16
Day 1: 3   06-05
185. Brayden Rakes          Winston Salem, NC        3  06-05   16
Day 1: 3   06-05
187. Harvey Horne           Bella Vista, AR          3  06-03   14
Day 1: 3   06-03
187. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           3  06-03   14
Day 1: 3   06-03
189. Cameron Smith          Wareham, MA              4  06-01   12
Day 1: 4   06-01
190. Michael Rowe           Providence Forge, VA     4  05-15   11
Day 1: 4   05-15
191. Kenji Yamada           Hixson, TN               3  05-13   10
Day 1: 3   05-13
192. Steve Sennikoff        Edgewood, TX             4  05-09    9
Day 1: 4   05-09
193. Rick Hawkins           Roanoke, VA              3  05-07    8
Day 1: 3   05-07
194. Ryan Clark             Whitby Ontario CANADA    3  05-03    7
Day 1: 3   05-03
194. Caiden Sinclair        Logan, AL                3  05-03    7
Day 1: 3   05-03
196. Cole Drummond          Effingham, SC            3  05-00    5
Day 1: 3   05-00
197. Phil Killian           Solomon, AZ              3  04-09    4
Day 1: 3   04-09
197. Kenny Mittelstaedt     Minnetonka, MN           3  04-09    4
Day 1: 3   04-09
199. Keith Brumfield        Vicksburg, MS            2  04-06    2
Day 1: 2   04-06
200. Nikki Jo Hatten        Clanton, AL              2  04-03    1
Day 1: 2   04-03
201. Lafe Messer            Warfield, KY             2  04-01    0
Day 1: 2   04-01
202. A.J. Menssen           Bloomington, IL          2  04-00    0
Day 1: 2   04-00
203. Jon Canada             Helena, AL               2  03-12    0
Day 1: 2   03-12
203. David Wootton          Collierville, TN         2  03-12    0
Day 1: 2   03-12
205. Joe Labarbera          Montrose, PA             2  03-08    0
Day 1: 2   03-08
206. Clayton Barnes         Clanton, AL              2  03-05    0
Day 1: 2   03-05
207. Willy Dennison         Willoughby Hills, OH     1  03-05    0
Day 1: 1   03-05
208. Chris Whitson          Louisville, TN           2  03-03    0
Day 1: 2   03-03
209. Tony Dumitras          Winston, GA              2  03-02    0
Day 1: 2   03-02
210. Paul Tabisz            Whitmore Lake, MI        1  03-01    0
Day 1: 1   03-01
211. Chris Dillow           Waynesboro, VA           2  03-00    0
Day 1: 2   03-00
212. Lance Owen             Greer, SC                1  02-05    0
Day 1: 1   02-05
213. Jerry Riddle Jr        Summit, MS               1  02-02    0
Day 1: 1   02-02
214. Mark Dimarzio          McDonald, PA             1  01-12    0
Day 1: 1   01-12
214. Jason Tibbetts         Centreville, VA          1  01-12    0
Day 1: 1   01-12
216. Allen Brooks           Canton, GA               1  01-11    0
Day 1: 1   01-11
217. Flash Butts            Roanoke Rapids, NC       1  01-08    0
Day 1: 1   01-08
218. Julius Mazy            Phoenix, AZ              1  01-07    0
Day 1: 1   01-07
219. George Lambeth         Thomasville, NC          1  01-06    0
Day 1: 1   01-06
220. Clemente Gutierrez     Woodbridge, VA           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
220. Matt Mollohan          Batesburg, SC            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
220. Daniel Valois Gomez    Caracas FL VENEZUELA     0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
220. Brady Vernon           Sterrett, AL             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       160       964      2096-08
----------------------------------
160       964      2096-08
 

2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Buggs Island 5/3-5/5
Buggs Island Reservoir, Clarksville  VA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Alex  Watts            Salem, VA                3  10-13  200
Day 1: 3   10-13
2.  David Deciucis         CHESTER, VA              3  10-03  199
Day 1: 3   10-03
3.  David Waack            Cary, NC                 3  08-00  198
Day 1: 3   08-00
4.  Bird Jones             Loxahatchee, FL          3  07-07  197
Day 1: 3   07-07
5.  Jerry Bono             Lexington, NC            3  07-03  196
Day 1: 3   07-03
6.  Burley Langford Jr.    South Chesterfield, VA   3  07-02  195
Day 1: 3   07-02
6.  Alicia Raytrowsky      Delaware CANADA          3  07-02  195
Day 1: 3   07-02
6.  Perry See              Rochester, MN            3  07-02  195
Day 1: 3   07-02
9.  Joshua Geyer           Loganton, PA             3  07-01  192
Day 1: 3   07-01
9.  Kyle Richardt          Weymouth, MA             3  07-01  192
Day 1: 3   07-01
11. Larry Kempler          Bluemont, VA             2  07-00  190
Day 1: 2   07-00
12. Mark Aaron             Gastonia, NC             3  06-11  189
Day 1: 3   06-11
12. Steven Robbins         Piketon, OH              3  06-11  189
Day 1: 3   06-11
14. Jesse Jodon            St Michael , PA          3  06-10  187
Day 1: 3   06-10
14. David Slaybaugh        Colonial Heights, VA     3  06-10  187
Day 1: 3   06-10
16. Tyler Smith            Portage, MI              3  06-09  185
Day 1: 3   06-09
17. George Myers           Franklinton, NC          2  06-09  184
Day 1: 2   06-09
18. William Cross          Brodnax, VA              3  06-07  183
Day 1: 3   06-07
19. John Rico              Daisytown, PA            3  06-05  182
Day 1: 3   06-05
20. Dylan Mayo             Athens, TX               2  06-05  181
Day 1: 2   06-05
21. Tommy Wood             Sippy Downs AUSTRALIA    3  06-04  180
Day 1: 3   06-04
22. Bobby Davis Jr         South Prince, VA         2  06-04  179
Day 1: 2   06-04
22. EJ Thomas              Roanoke, VA              2  06-04  179
Day 1: 2   06-04
24. Michael Leach          Shenandoah, TX           3  06-02  177
Day 1: 3   06-02
25. Dan Murphy             Epping, NH               2  06-01  176
Day 1: 2   06-01
26. Floyd Willis           Grayson, KY              3  06-00  175
Day 1: 3   06-00
27. Bob Bauer              China Grove, NC          3  05-15  174
Day 1: 3   05-15
28. Jonathan Ceaser        Maidens, VA              3  05-14  173
Day 1: 3   05-14
29. Levi Allgeier          Bardstown, KY            2  05-13  172
Day 1: 2   05-13
30. Joe Lineberry          Ramseaur,, NC            3  05-12  171
Day 1: 3   05-12
31. Timothy Mayhew         Danville, VA             3  05-10  170
Day 1: 3   05-10
31. Carter Wijangco        Naperville, IL           3  05-10  170
Day 1: 3   05-10
33. Melvin Bowling         Shenandoah, VA           3  05-08  168
Day 1: 3   05-08
34. Bryce Bason            Mill Hall, PA            3  05-07  167
Day 1: 3   05-07
34. John Higginbotham      Slaughter, LA            3  05-07  167
Day 1: 3   05-07
36. Scott Spencer          Raleigh, NC              2  05-06  165
Day 1: 2   05-06
37. Ricky Fulk             Shenandoah, VA           3  05-05  164
Day 1: 3   05-05
37. Travis Turcotte        Pembroke CANADA          3  05-05  164
Day 1: 3   05-05
37. Mark Whitman           Burlington, NC           3  05-05  164
Day 1: 3   05-05
40. Bobby Barrett          Youngsville, NC          3  05-04  161
Day 1: 3   05-04
40. RD Roulston            Little Rock, AR          3  05-04  161
Day 1: 3   05-04
42. Phil Jarmon            Apex, NC                 3  05-03  159
Day 1: 3   05-03
42. Chad Stahl             Barnesville, GA          3  05-03  159
Day 1: 3   05-03
44. Alton Rockett          Newton, NC               3  05-02  157
Day 1: 3   05-02
44. James Tilley           Aylett, VA               3  05-02  157
Day 1: 3   05-02
46. Gary Haraguchi         Murfreesboro, TN         3  05-01  155
Day 1: 3   05-01
46. Steve Powers           Crestview, FL            3  05-01  155
Day 1: 3   05-01
46. John Sanderlin         Chesapeake, VA           3  05-01  155
Day 1: 3   05-01
49. Jc Condrey             Saxe, VA                 3  05-00  152
Day 1: 3   05-00
49. Joe Sodora             Garfield, NJ             3  05-00  152
Day 1: 3   05-00
51. Jimmy Brumfield        Madison, MS              3  04-15  150
Day 1: 3   04-15
52. Avery Williams         Murrells Inlt, SC        2  04-14  149
Day 1: 2   04-14
53. Todd Long              Midlothian, VA           2  04-13  148
Day 1: 2   04-13
53. Mike Toney             Blacksburg, VA           2  04-13  148
Day 1: 2   04-13
55. Lynn Hoeffer           Chesapeake, VA           2  04-12  146
Day 1: 2   04-12
55. Zach Pringle           Newton, NC               2  04-12  146
Day 1: 2   04-12
57. Ronald Young           New Braunfels, TX        3  04-11  144
Day 1: 3   04-11
58. Bobby Barton           Hardy, VA                3  04-09  143
Day 1: 3   04-09
58. Ricky Meyers           Fredericksburg, VA       3  04-09  143
Day 1: 3   04-09
58. Ryan Patterson         Scott Township, PA       3  04-09  143
Day 1: 3   04-09
61. James Whitehead        Hayes, VA                2  04-09  140
Day 1: 2   04-09
62. Chad Boyer             Elizabethtown, PA        2  04-06  139
Day 1: 2   04-06
62. Russell Davidson, Jr   Lynchburg, VA            2  04-06  139
Day 1: 2   04-06
64. Nick Melcher           Gypsum, CO               3  04-05  137
Day 1: 3   04-05
65. Paul Worthington       Benson, NC               3  04-04  136
Day 1: 3   04-04
66. Lou Britos             Disputanta, VA           2  04-04  135
Day 1: 2   04-04
67. Jimmy Batts            Raleigh, NC              2  04-02  134
Day 1: 2   04-02
68. Tyrone Adams           Fredericksburg, VA       2  04-01  133
Day 1: 2   04-01
69. Kevin Mallow           Kansas, OK               2  04-00  132
Day 1: 2   04-00
69. Joshua Torres          Port Tobacco, MD         2  04-00  132
Day 1: 2   04-00
71. Rick Sweadner          Woodsboro, MD            2  03-15  130
Day 1: 2   03-15
72. Kalin Blount           Timberlake, NC           2  03-14  129
Day 1: 2   03-14
72. Sergio Render          Crockett, VA             2  03-14  129
Day 1: 2   03-14
74. William House          Lynchburg, OH            2  03-13  127
Day 1: 2   03-13
74. Sakae Ushio            Tonawanda, NY            2  03-13  127
Day 1: 2   03-13
76. Brian Langford         Chesterfield, VA         2  03-11  125
Day 1: 2   03-11
76. Matt Leicester         Hertford, NC             2  03-11  125
Day 1: 2   03-11
78. Richard Slomba         Dundalk, MD              2  03-09  123
Day 1: 2   03-09
79. Mike Trivette          Blackstone, VA           2  03-08  122
Day 1: 2   03-08
80. Craig Ferguson         Emporia, VA              2  03-07  121
Day 1: 2   03-07
81. Marty Tanner           Tolar, TX                2  03-06  120
Day 1: 2   03-06
82. Ben Dacey              Powhatan, VA             2  03-05  119
Day 1: 2   03-05
82. Dean Gibbs             North Chesterfield, VA   2  03-05  119
Day 1: 2   03-05
84. Benjamin Fisher        Elizabeth City, NC       2  03-03  117
Day 1: 2   03-03
85. Chris Donavant         Yorktown, VA             2  03-01  116
Day 1: 2   03-01
86. Mikki Sprenkle         Linden, NC               2  03-00  115
Day 1: 2   03-00
87. Ernest McIntyre Jr     Fayetteville, NC         2  02-15  114
Day 1: 2   02-15
88. Curtis Vick            Boydton, VA              1  02-15  113
Day 1: 1   02-15
89. Wayne Morris           Somerdale, NJ            2  02-14  112
Day 1: 2   02-14
90. Brandt Thompson        North Chesterfield, VA   2  02-13  111
Day 1: 2   02-13
91. Michael Andrews        Sandston, VA             2  02-12  110
Day 1: 2   02-12
92. Ty Kenyon              Dodgeville, WI           2  02-11  109
Day 1: 2   02-11
93. Michael Morris         Hubert, NC               1  02-09  108
Day 1: 1   02-09
94. David Chamberlain      Hampton, VA              1  02-07  107
Day 1: 1   02-07
95. Harvey Reece           Chesterfield, VA         2  02-05  106
Day 1: 2   02-05
96. Bill Butler            Chester, VA              1  02-05  105
Day 1: 1   02-05
97. David Camp             Sterling, OH             1  02-04  104
Day 1: 1   02-04
97. Rick Cheatham          Carterville, IL          1  02-04  104
Day 1: 1   02-04
97. Kristofer Goin         Farmville, VA            1  02-04  104
Day 1: 1   02-04
97. Joe Tucker             Osceola, MO              1  02-04  104
Day 1: 1   02-04
101. Johnnie Garrett        Union City, TN           1  02-02  100
Day 1: 1   02-02
102. Randy Goss             Stem, NC                 1  02-01   99
Day 1: 1   02-01
103. Laz Durham             Dumfries, VA             1  01-15   98
Day 1: 1   01-15
103. Zach Huey              Pittsboro, NC            1  01-15   98
Day 1: 1   01-15
103. Shane Jones            Virginia Beach, VA       1  01-15   98
Day 1: 1   01-15
103. Kenneth Ott            Manahawkin, NJ           1  01-15   98
Day 1: 1   01-15
107. Satoshi Egawa          Fort Lee, NJ             1  01-14   94
Day 1: 1   01-14
107. Joey Price             Powhatan, VA             1  01-14   94
Day 1: 1   01-14
107. James Stowers          Narrows, VA              1  01-14   94
Day 1: 1   01-14
107. Bill Turonis Jr        Kill Devil Hills, NC     1  01-14   94
Day 1: 1   01-14
111. Jarred Hall            Richmond, VA             1  01-13   90
Day 1: 1   01-13
111. Tom McDermott          Madison, NC              1  01-13   90
Day 1: 1   01-13
111. Devon Norwood Kitson   Montclair , NJ           1  01-13   90
Day 1: 1   01-13
114. Dallas Blount          Timberlake, NC           1  01-12   87
Day 1: 1   01-12
114. Tyler Caldwell         Portsmouth, VA           1  01-12   87
Day 1: 1   01-12
114. AJ Jones               Lutz, FL                 1  01-12   87
Day 1: 1   01-12
114. Calvin Landsberg       Raleigh, NC              1  01-12   87
Day 1: 1   01-12
114. Michael Rustin         Henrico, VA              1  01-12   87
Day 1: 1   01-12
119. Charles Bowman II      Kernersville, NC         1  01-11   82
Day 1: 1   01-11
119. Seth Gabri             Madrid, NY               1  01-11   82
Day 1: 1   01-11
119. Anthony Glassco        Powhatan, VA             1  01-11   82
Day 1: 1   01-11
119. David Wilson           Brodnax, VA              1  01-11   82
Day 1: 1   01-11
123. Carl Enos              Bracey, VA               1  01-10   78
Day 1: 1   01-10
123. Dan Glosson            Rougemont, NC            1  01-10   78
Day 1: 1   01-10
123. Clancy Hefferly        Taylors, SC              1  01-10   78
Day 1: 1   01-10
123. Mark Ludwig            Chesterfield, VA         1  01-10   78
Day 1: 1   01-10
123. Jason Tinsley          Pamplin, VA              1  01-10   78
Day 1: 1   01-10
123. Wesley Watson          Huntington, WV           1  01-10   78
Day 1: 1   01-10
123. Michael Williams       Mechanicsvlle, VA        1  01-10   78
Day 1: 1   01-10
130. Percy Settle           Pittsboro, NC            1  01-09   71
Day 1: 1   01-09
130. Jacob Stephens         Lynchburg, VA            1  01-09   71
Day 1: 1   01-09
130. David Wright           Ft. Meade, MD            1  01-09   71
Day 1: 1   01-09
133. Josh Hollins           Chapel Hill, NC          1  01-08   68
Day 1: 1   01-08
134. Kevin Hensley          Clarksville, VA          1  01-07   67
Day 1: 1   01-07
134. James Roten            West Jefferson, NC       1  01-07   67
Day 1: 1   01-07
136. Eugene Hall            Glen Allen, VA           1  01-06   65
Day 1: 1   01-06
136. William Stallings      Midlothian, VA           1  01-06   65
Day 1: 1   01-06
138. David Booth            Erin, TN                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138.  Alex Brogan           Fishers, IN              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Kenneth L Brown        Leesburg, VA             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Robert Bruguiere       Roseland, VA             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Travis Chilcot         Denver, NC               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Michael Crocker        Pasadena, MD             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Thomas Crosswhite      Hartwell, GA             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Darrell Curl           Winston Salem, NC        0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Lucas Dewson           Keewatin CANADA          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Justin Dodson          Chesterfield, VA         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Kevin Gonyea           Franklinton, NC          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Gary Hall              Wardville, OK            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Bob Harper             Lombard, IL              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Blake Herrmann         Bremo Bluff, VA          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Brian Howard           Franklinton, NC          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Gary Huff              Semora, NC               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. John Lewis             Centreville, VA          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Tony Long              Moseley, VA              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Ryan Nash              Blackstone, VA           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Will Nutting           Granger, IN              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Jamie Olive            Sanford, NC              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Paul Rush              New Martinsville, WV     0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Randy Tallhamer        Brandenton, FL           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
138. Donald West II         Apex, NC                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
162. Brandon Smith          Knightdale, NC           0  -1-00    0
Day 1: 0   -01-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        49       278       554-12
----------------------------------
49       278       554-12

by AnglersChannel

Palmer slams the door on Bassmaster Elite Series win at Santee Cooper Lakes

Luke Palmer of Coalgate, Okla., has won the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with a four-day total of 96 pounds, 14 ounces.  

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

April 30, 2023

CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — At the Championship Sunday takeoff, an ominous weather forecast told of a coming storm. By day’s end, it was clear Luke Palmer was the storm.

Turning in an absolutely crushing final-round performance, the fifth-year pro from Coalgate, Okla., posted a four-day total of 96 pounds, 14 ounces to win the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes.

Palmer started the event strong with a Day 1 limit of 21-3 that put him in 10th place and followed with a second-round bag of 23-9 that moved him up to third. After adding 26-3 on Semifinal Saturday, Palmer slammed the door on the victory with a massive limit of 25-15 on Championship Sunday.

He earned his first blue trophy and the $100,000 first-place prize, besting second-place angler Mark Menendez (82-11) by a whopping margin of 14-3.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to hear you say that,” Palmer told Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer after his ‘Elite Series Champion’ announcement. “I was so close to doing it last year, to finally get it done — I wanted to break 100 pounds, but I’ll take 96-14.”

Notably, Palmer’s winning margin was the sixth-largest in Bassmaster history. The victory, Palmer said, provided an important shot of confidence.

“This is special,” said Palmer, who finished fourth in the 2022 Elite on Santee Cooper. “You work your whole life and you start second guessing yourself and you wonder ‘Am I good enough to do it?’ I was good one time and one time is better than no time.”

Anchoring his final bag with a 7-5 Santee Cooper stud, Palmer was the only angler to catch a limit every day of the event. The final day would bring significant limitations, but Palmer outpaced the impediments.

After three relatively calm days, Championship Sunday dawned damp from overnight/early morning showers. The mid- to late morning period saw a mix of sun and threatening clouds, with a daunting weather system unleashing substantial rain and strong winds from about noon through the end of the fishing day.

Fortunately, Palmer got all of his work done early. According to BassTrakk’s unofficial standings, he had his weight at 10:05.

Spending all four days on Lake Marion’s southwest side, Palmer’s main technique was old school — big rod, heavy line and flipping to cypress trees. In the early going, he threw a bladed jig with a Gene Larew Long John Minnow through the eelgrass, but switching techniques late on the first day ignited his run to the top.

“It took me until 1:30 of Day 1 to realize what was happening,” Palmer said. “It had warmed up; we finally got some sun. It seems those fish were staging out in that eelgrass (during practice) to go up and spawn on those trees.

“When that sun came out and it warmed up, those fish went ahead and moved to the trees.”

Arming himself with a 7-foot-3 heavy action Falcon Amistad rod with a high-speed reel spooled with 20-pound Sunline Shooter fluorocarbon, Palmer flipped a YUM Wooly Bug and a YUM Bad Mamma, both Texas-rigged with a 3/16- or 5/16-ounce Rougarou Tungsten weight, depending on depth.

With thousands of cypress trees spread throughout Marion, Palmer focused on the ones closest to deep water. Knowing the tournament fell at the tail end of the Santee Cooper spawn, he fished the zone most likely to host the late spawners.

Palmer said his Power-Poles allowed him to hold in perfect position, while his Humminbird MEGA Live forward-facing sonar provided a clear picture of what each tree held. Finding the particular “sweet spot” on each tree he fished was the key to triggering bites from territorial bass.

Menendez, the tenured pro from Paducah, Ky., got off to a good start with a sixth-place limit of 21-14. A Day 2 stumble left him with only four fish for 9-7 and dropped him to 34th place.

Menendez rebounded on Semifinal Saturday by weighing 27-13 — the event’s second-heaviest bag. That pushed Menendez up from 34th place to fourth. He gained two more spots with a final-round limit of 23-9.

“I knew Day 2 would come back to haunt me,” Menendez said. “Anytime you don’t fill a limit, it generally does. I’m really kicking myself because I fished right over those fish on Day 2. I wanted to make sure I made the 50 cut so I could fish Day 3 and I fished too fast.

“I got back to my area on Day 3 and I slowed down. It was just a slow process. You’d male lots of casts and all of a sudden, you’d get a bite and you were off to the races. Sometimes you’d catch a whopper, sometimes it was a double whopper.”

Menendez caught some of his bass on a Strike King 4.0 squarebill, but he did most of his work with a Texas-rigged Strike King Rage Cut-R-Worm in the junebug color. Proximity was key, as Menendez said he had to hit the base of a tree to trigger a bite.

Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., finished third with 74-9. The 2022 Santee Cooper Elite winner, he turned in daily limits that weighed 21-13, 17-12, 23-4 and 11-12.

Despite this year’s event falling considerably later in the season, Cook remained committed to the sight-fishing techniques that delivered his first Elite win. He caught his bass on a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog and the Big Bite Baits Quarantine Craw that he designed — both Texas rigged.

“I can’t complain at all,” he said. “I’ve done exactly what I’ve wanted to do in the last two events (including a seventh place at last week’s Elite at Lake Murray).

“Today, with the weather like it was, I made the decision to stay in Taw Caw Creek (where daily takeoffs occurred). I had seven bites today and caught four.”

Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., took home an additional $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program while ninth-place finisher Jacob Powroznik of North Prince George, Va., earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Menendez earned an additional $2,500 as the highest-placing entrant and Cook claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

Palmer earned the $1,000 daily bonus for catching the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day with his 7-5, while David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., earned Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week — an honor that pays $2,000 — with the 8-5 he caught on Day 1.

Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., won the $2,000 VMC Monster Bag of the Week with his 28-1 limit from Thursday’s opening round.

Veteran pro Clifford Pirch of Payson, Ariz., won the $1,000 BassTrakk contingency award for the most accurate weight reporting.

After three events, Cobb leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 387 points. Cook is in second with 369 points, followed by Tyler Rivet of Raceland, La., with 349,  Carl Jocumsen of Queensland, Australia, with 335 and Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., with 333.

Bryant Smith of Roseville, Calif., leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 300 points.

2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 4/27-4/30
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County  SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK            20  96-14  104 $101,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-03     Day 2: 5   23-09     Day 3: 5   26-03     Day 4: 5   25-15
2.  Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             19  82-11  103  $35,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-14     Day 2: 4   09-07     Day 3: 5   27-13     Day 4: 5   23-09
3.  Drew Cook              Cairo, GA               19  74-09  102  $30,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-13     Day 2: 5   17-12     Day 3: 5   23-04     Day 4: 4   11-12
4.  Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC           18  74-07  101  $27,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-00     Day 2: 5   24-15     Day 3: 5   21-08     Day 4: 3   07-00
5.  Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID            17  68-15  100  $20,000.00
Day 1: 4   21-14     Day 2: 5   14-05     Day 3: 5   21-11     Day 4: 3   11-01
6.  Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT           16  67-02   99  $20,000.00
Day 1: 5   25-10     Day 2: 5   15-15     Day 3: 4   15-08     Day 4: 2   10-01
7.  Bryant Smith           Roseville, CA           15  60-13   98  $18,000.00
Day 1: 5   26-15     Day 2: 3   09-10     Day 3: 4   18-00     Day 4: 3   06-04
8.  Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL              15  58-09   97  $17,000.00
Day 1: 5   17-14     Day 2: 5   22-03     Day 3: 3   12-01     Day 4: 2   06-07
9.  Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA 15  55-10   96  $16,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 5   20-12     Day 3: 5   16-14     Day 4: 0   00-00
10. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY             12  54-04   95  $17,000.00
Day 1: 5   28-01     Day 2: 5   21-13     Day 3: 2   04-06     Day 4: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   David Gaston             Sylacauga, AL       08-05      $1,000.00
2   Brandon Cobb             Greenwood, SC       07-11      $1,000.00
3   Paul Mueller             Naugatuck, CT       07-10      $1,000.00
4   Luke Palmer              Coalgate, OK        07-05      $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
David Gaston             Sylacauga, AL       08-05      $2,000.00
VMC MONSTER BAG
Matt Robertson           Kuttawa, KY         28-01      $2,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        72       450      1465-12
2        54       413      1295-04
3        27       203       646-13
4         2        27       102-01
----------------------------------
155      1093      3509-14

by AnglersChannel

Palmer powers into lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes

Luke Palmer of Coalgate, Okla., is leading after Day 3 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with a three-day total of 70 pounds, 15 ounces.  

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

April 29, 2023

CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Building on the momentum he established through a Friday adjustment, Luke Palmer stepped on the gas to sack up a Semifinal Saturday limit of 26 pounds, 3 ounces. He took over the lead at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with a three-day total of 70-15.

A fifth-year Elite from Coalgate, Okla., Palmer holds a lead of 3-8 over South Carolina’s Brandon Cobb (67-7) heading into Championship Sunday with a $100,000 first-place prize on the line.

“It has been a week; things have finally gone right,” said Palmer, who finished fourth at last year’s Elite at Santee Cooper. “I’ve never led one. It dang sure feels good, I’m not gonna lie about that.”

Palmer placed 10th during Thursday’s opening round with 21-3 and then moved into third with a Friday limit of 23-9.

Friday’s round saw Palmer abandon a bladed jig in favor of flipping a Texas-rigged YUM Wooly Bug with a 3/16- to 5/16-ounce weight. On Saturday, he did most of his work with that bait, along with a YUM Bad Mamma on the same rig.

“Even when you’re struggling, it’s one flip away here,” Palmer said. “I’ve gotten to put those Falcon Rods to work. I’ve gotten to do it my way and I’ve gotten to enjoy it.”

Fishing the southwest side of Lake Marion, Palmer was mainly looking for spawning bass around cypress trees skirted with eelgrass. Gaps between a tree and grass were the most consistent, but Day 2 showed him the need for specificity.

“You gotta find the sweet spot,” he said. “When you find that sweet spot, it’s over. My biggest one this morning, I spent 25 minutes on her. I finally figured out the spot and the angle and once I did, it took me five minutes to catch her.”

Palmer said Sunday’s game plan could find him running new water, with the idea that the fish he caught Saturday were spawners.

“The trees I’m fishing are kind of sporadic,” he said. “I caught one of my fish today off a tree I’ve never fished in my life, and I’ve fished here for four years. I think I need to move around more tomorrow and come across new pairs (of spawning fish). I didn’t move around enough today.”

After two days of mostly dimmer skies and breezy conditions, Day 3 brought a sunny, calm complexion that seemed to favor Palmer’s plan. Despite the ideal setup, Palmer said a slow period prompted him to throw a jerkbait and a drop shot with a YUM Finesse Worm.

“I caught three or four fish (on those baits), so that was crucial for me — one of them was a big one,” Palmer said. “I had a big one come up on the jerkbait and if I could have caught her, it would have been (a big help). Hopefully, that fish is there tomorrow.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s forecast for thunderstorms and strong winds, Palmer believes his positioning could protect him. Nevertheless, he’s prepared to make a key adjustment to overcome any weather interference.

“We’ll see how it’s going to pan out tomorrow with the wind that’s forecast,” Palmer said. “I might just throw a heavier weight so I can crack ‘em harder.”

Cobb remained in second place after adding 21-8 to his previous two bags that went 21-0 and 24-15.

Having earned Top 10 finishes in the previous three Elite Series events — including a third place at the season opener on Lake Okeechobee — and placing 20th at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota, Cobb is riding an unparalleled wave of momentum.

“This is my 10th year of professional fishing and I’ve never had a start like this,” he said. “Everything is going right and when you get on a streak, you have to keep riding it. I’m enjoying every minute.”

Cobb is committed to throwing a wacky-rigged green pumpkin Zoom Fluke Stick around cypress trees. Same as Day 2, he said he only got eight bites, but he’s obviously around the right quality.

“Every day, I think I’m out of fish and then I end up getting two or three big bites,” Cobb said. “I get to go again tomorrow, so hopefully there are at least five big bites to catch because it’s going to take a big bag to win.”

Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., who won last year’s event, is third with 62-13. He’s had daily weights of 21-13, 17-12 and 23-4. Anchoring his Day 3 bag with a 7-pounder, Cook has spent most of his time sight fishing — the same way he won in 2022.

When Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer asked Cook if he believed the general consensus that the Santee Cooper sight-fishing game was virtually done, Cook’s response was emphatic.

“It ain’t over until I say it’s over!” Cook quipped. “There are five left out there — I know, but they’re few and far between.

“I did a whole lot of trolling today and don’t have a whole lot to go to tomorrow. I was fortunate enough to find a 5- and a 7-pounder today. I love this place.”

Cook, the 2019 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, caught his bass by flipping a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog and the Big Bite Baits Quarantine Craw that he designed.

Paul Mueller of Naugatuck, Conn., earned the $1,000 daily bonus for catching the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day with his 7-10. David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., leads the race for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week — an honor that pays $2,000 — with the 8-5 he caught on Day 1.

Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., had his toughest day of the week with only two bass that weighed 4-6, falling from first place to ninth. But he still leads the race for VMC Monster Bag of the Week with his 28-1 limit from Thursday’s opening round.

Cobb leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 389 points. Cook is in second with 369 points, followed by Tyler Rivet of Raceland, La., with 349,  Carl Jocumsen of Queensland, Australia, with 335 and Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., with 333.

Gaston leads the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 299 points.

The Top 10 remaining anglers will take off at 7 a.m. ET Sunday from John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held at the facility at 3 p.m. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders from 8-11 a.m. Live coverage will transition to Bassmaster.com afterward.

2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 4/27-4/30
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 70-15 104
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 23-09 Day 3: 5 26-03
2. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 67-07 103 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 24-15 Day 3: 5 21-08
3. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 15 62-13 102
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 23-04
4. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 14 59-02 101
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 4 09-07 Day 3: 5 27-13
5. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 14 57-14 100
Day 1: 4 21-14 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 21-11
6. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 14 57-01 99 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-10 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 4 15-08
7. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 15 55-10 98
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 20-12 Day 3: 5 16-14
8. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 12 54-09 97
Day 1: 5 26-15 Day 2: 3 09-10 Day 3: 4 18-00
9. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 12 54-04 96
Day 1: 5 28-01 Day 2: 5 21-13 Day 3: 2 04-06
10. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 13 52-02 95
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 22-03 Day 3: 3 12-01
11. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 52-00 94 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 19-02
12. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 14 51-11 93 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-15 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 4 15-02
13. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 14 51-01 92 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 09-06 Day 2: 5 22-05 Day 3: 5 19-06
14. Darold Gleason Many, LA 15 49-15 91 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 5 15-02
15. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 14 49-08 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 20-05 Day 3: 4 15-02
16. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 13 48-13 89 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 3 15-10 Day 3: 5 14-06
17. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 15 48-12 88 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 19-00 Day 3: 5 09-05
18. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 47-07 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 13-11 Day 3: 5 16-00
19. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 15 47-06 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 20-09 Day 3: 5 17-04
20. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Aichi JAPAN 15 45-14 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 5 11-02
21. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 13 45-06 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 3 14-08
22. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 14 45-05 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 4 14-07 Day 3: 5 13-03
23. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 14 45-02 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 4 09-13
24. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 14 45-02 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 4 15-03 Day 3: 5 14-07
25. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 15 45-01 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 09-12 Day 3: 5 17-03
26. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 15 45-01 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 10-05
27. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 12 45-00 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 23-05 Day 3: 2 05-08
28. John Cox DeBary, FL 15 45-00 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 10-15 Day 3: 5 14-09
29. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 13 44-15 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 22-07 Day 3: 3 10-15
30. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 14 44-15 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 4 11-12
31. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 15 44-10 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 20-14 Day 3: 5 10-12
32. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 15 44-09 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 15-03
33. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 15 44-03 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 15-15
34. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 15 43-14 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 15-03
35. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 15 43-08 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 13-03
36. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 13 43-07 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 3 13-02
37. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 15 43-02 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 15-03
38. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 13 42-09 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 3 06-04
39. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 15 42-07 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 5 12-04
40. Seth Feider New Market, MN 14 42-07 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 4 14-06 Day 3: 5 13-10
41. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 13 42-03 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 4 12-09 Day 3: 4 06-10
42. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, Ontario CANADA 14 41-11 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 4 10-13
43. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 12 40-06 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 4 14-11 Day 3: 3 07-11
44. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 12 39-08 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 12-04 Day 2: 5 19-11 Day 3: 3 07-09
45. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 12 38-06 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 2 03-08
46. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 13 36-07 59 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 3 04-09
47. Cole Sands Calhoun, TN 13 35-07 58 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 11-03 Day 3: 3 06-07
48. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 8 35-00 57 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-13 Day 2: 2 07-07 Day 3: 1 02-12
49. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 12 33-08 56 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 2 04-13
50. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 9 32-12 55 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 18-01 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 08-05 $1,000.00
2 Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 07-11 $1,000.00
3 Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 07-10 $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 72 450 1465-12
2 54 413 1295-04
3 27 203 646-13
----------------------------------
153 1066 3407-13

by AnglersChannel

Robertson extends lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes

Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., is leading after Day 2 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with a two-day total of 49 pounds, 14 ounces.  

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

April 28, 2023

CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Matt Robertson was crystal clear about his goals. He’s fishing for big bites and he’s in it to win it.

Sticking to his guns, the third-year Elite from Kuttawa, Ky., powered through a dry spell Friday and retained his lead at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with a five-bass limit that weighed 21 pounds, 13 ounces. His leading two-day total is 49-14.

Robertson set the opening mark Thursday with the current VMC Monster Bag of the Week — a 28-1 limit.

“I feel pretty good about it,” said Robertson, who holds nearly a 4-pound lead over South Carolina pro Brandon Cobb (45-15). “I’m just going out there and fishing how I like to fish.

“I had a bad four hours on the boat today, but I don’t think I said a cuss word all day.”

Prior to his midday dry spell, Robertson kicked off his day by mirroring the game plan that anchored his opening-round effort — hitting the shad spawn in Lake Marion with a giant swimbait.

“You have options for a shad spawn, but we’re on a lake with big fish so we’re fishing for big fish this week. We’re going to try and win this thing,” Robertson said. “Yesterday, I spent about an hour and a half on the shad spawn. Today, I only spent about an hour on it.

“If I had more places to run, I’d like to spend more time on (the shad spawn), but I just don’t have that many places where the fish are shallow. There are a lot of shad spawning, but there’s not a lot of fish around them.”

After the morning pattern tapered off, Robertson ran to Lake Moultrie where he targeted a large eelgrass flat with a topwater bait. Using a fast retrieve to trigger bites, Robertson tried to pinpoint the more productive areas.

“The wind direction was a little different today, so I don’t know if (the wind) caused the dry spell,” Robertson said. “I’m learning more about the area. Some of it is the density of cover. But where I’ve been catching my big ones the last couple of days, the grass is not that dense — it’s more isolated.

“I think I’m going to have to concentrate on that more dense grass tomorrow.”

After placing 11th on Day 1 with 21 pounds, Cobb put himself within striking distance with a second-round limit of 24-15. Anchoring his Day 2 bag with a 7-11 Santee Cooper tank, Cobb said he enjoyed a special day where everything seemed to go right.

“Here’s an example of how good things have been going the last two days: That big one bit a bait that was hung on a tree,” he said. “I was popping my line to try and free my bait and the fish sucked it off the tree and I caught it.

“I’m not catching very many fish. I caught seven today and seven yesterday. It does not look tough with 21 and (nearly 25) pounds, but it’s hard to catch a limit. They’re just really, really big ones.”

Keeping with what produced on Day 1, Cobb caught his bass on a wacky-rigged Zoom Fluke Stick. Two late-day culls helped greatly.

Luke Palmer of Coalgate, Okla., who is in third with 44-12, bolstered his Day 1 limit of 21-3 with another limit that went 23-9.

Palmer attributed his success to a mental shift.

“I quit being dumb,” he grinned. “I finally went and did what I like to do. I picked up the big rod with 20-pound line and started swinging. I caught them exactly how I caught them last year. I’m using Falcon Rods and Sunline fluorocarbon, and I’m cracking them as hard as I can.

“I thought the eelgrass was going to work with the ChatterBait. I caught some big ones doing that in practice, but I haven’t been able to get it going in the tournament. When the sun comes out, those fish go to the trees.”

Finishing fourth in the 2022 Elite at Santee Cooper, Palmer caught his bass by flipping a Texas-rigged YUM Wooly Bug with a 3/16- to 5/16-ounce weight near cypress trees. He’s looking for specific scenarios that welcome the late spawners that are still pulling up.

“It has to have grass and they have to have that void between (tree and grass) just like it was last year,” Palmer said. “If there’s a void, it’s game over.

“They’re all spawners. There’s two to four fish on each tree.”

Cobb’s 7-11 largemouth earned him a $1,000 bonus as the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day. But David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., still holds the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week with the 8-5 he caught on Day 1.

Cobb leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 389 points. Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., is in second with 366 points, followed by Carl Jocumsen of Queensland, Australia, with 364, Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., with 360 and Tyler Rivet of Raceland, La., with 337.

Gaston leads the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 300 points.

The Top 50 remaining anglers will take off at 7 a.m. Saturday from John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held back at the facility at 3 p.m., with only the Top 10 anglers advancing to Championship Sunday with a chance to win the $100,000 first-place prize. FS1 will broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday from 8-11 a.m. Live coverage will transition to Bassmaster.com afterward.

2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 4/27-4/30
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County  SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY             10  49-14  104
Day 1: 5   28-01     Day 2: 5   21-13
2.  Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC           10  45-15  103   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   21-00     Day 2: 5   24-15
3.  Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK            10  44-12  102
Day 1: 5   21-03     Day 2: 5   23-09
4.  Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT           10  41-09  101
Day 1: 5   25-10     Day 2: 5   15-15
5.  Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL              10  40-01  100
Day 1: 5   17-14     Day 2: 5   22-03
6.  Drew Cook              Cairo, GA               10  39-09   99
Day 1: 5   21-13     Day 2: 5   17-12
7.  Drew Benton            Panama City, FL         10  39-08   98
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   23-05
8.  Joshua Stracner        Vandiver, AL            10  39-07   97
Day 1: 5   20-07     Day 2: 5   19-00
9.  Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA 10  38-12   96
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 5   20-12
10. Bryant Smith           Roseville, CA            8  36-09   95
Day 1: 5   26-15     Day 2: 3   09-10
11. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL           10  36-09   94   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-15     Day 2: 5   15-10
12. Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX          10  36-05   93
Day 1: 5   20-11     Day 2: 5   15-10
13. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             9  36-03   92
Day 1: 4   21-14     Day 2: 5   14-05
14. Kyle Welcher           Opelika, AL              9  35-09   91
Day 1: 5   23-00     Day 2: 4   12-09
15. Chris Johnston         Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10  35-05   90
Day 1: 5   20-01     Day 2: 5   15-04
16. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland AUSTRALIA    10  34-14   89
Day 1: 5   19-10     Day 2: 5   15-04
17. Darold Gleason         Many, LA                10  34-13   88
Day 1: 5   21-08     Day 2: 5   13-05
18. Masayuki Matsushita    Tokoname-Aichi JAPAN    10  34-12   87
Day 1: 5   19-06     Day 2: 5   15-06
19. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          10  34-12   86
Day 1: 5   17-12     Day 2: 5   17-00
20. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              8  34-07   85
Day 1: 5   18-13     Day 2: 3   15-10
21. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              10  34-06   84
Day 1: 5   14-01     Day 2: 5   20-05
22. Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK           10  34-00   83
Day 1: 5   11-09     Day 2: 5   22-07
23. Cooper Gallant         Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10  33-14   82
Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 5   20-14
24. Scott Martin           Clewiston, FL           10  33-03   81
Day 1: 5   15-09     Day 2: 5   17-10
25. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD               10  32-14   80
Day 1: 5   14-01     Day 2: 5   18-13
26. Taku Ito               Chiba JAPAN           9  32-12   79
Day 1: 4   18-01     Day 2: 5   14-11
27. Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI            9  32-11   78
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 4   14-11
28. Kyle Norsetter         Cottage Grove, WI        7  32-04   77
Day 1: 5   24-13     Day 2: 2   07-07
29. Gary Clouse            Winchester, TN           9  32-02   76
Day 1: 5   17-11     Day 2: 4   14-07
30. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX               9  31-15   75
Day 1: 4   12-04     Day 2: 5   19-11
31. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC             10  31-14   74
Day 1: 5   14-11     Day 2: 5   17-03
32. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           9  31-11   73
Day 1: 4   09-06     Day 2: 5   22-05
33. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL           10  31-07   72
Day 1: 5   17-12     Day 2: 5   13-11
34. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              9  31-05   71
Day 1: 5   21-14     Day 2: 4   09-07
35. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY             10  30-14   70
Day 1: 5   18-10     Day 2: 5   12-04
36. Jeff Gustafson         Kenora, Ontario CANADA  10  30-14   69
Day 1: 5   14-15     Day 2: 5   15-15
37. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               9  30-11   68
Day 1: 5   15-08     Day 2: 4   15-03
38. John Cox               DeBary, FL              10  30-07   67
Day 1: 5   19-08     Day 2: 5   10-15
39. Jay Przekurat          Stevens Point, WI       10  30-05   66
Day 1: 5   16-05     Day 2: 5   14-00
40. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI               10  30-05   65
Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   15-04
41. Joseph Webster         Hamilton, AL            10  30-03   64
Day 1: 5   19-01     Day 2: 5   11-02
42. Justin Hamner          Northport, AL           10  30-02   63
Day 1: 5   09-09     Day 2: 5   20-09
43. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC              10  29-06   62
Day 1: 5   12-05     Day 2: 5   17-01
44. Cole Sands             Calhoun, TN             10  29-00   61
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   11-03
45. Seth Feider            New Market, MN           9  28-13   60
Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 4   14-06
46. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA              10  28-11   59
Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 5   16-09
47. Michael Iaconelli      Pittsgrove, NJ          10  28-11   58
Day 1: 5   15-08     Day 2: 5   13-03
48. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ           10  28-04   57
Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   16-09
49. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA            10  27-15   56
Day 1: 5   11-08     Day 2: 5   16-07
50. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL             10  27-14   55
Day 1: 5   18-02     Day 2: 5   09-12
51. Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN             9  27-13   54   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-02     Day 2: 4   14-11
52. Larry Nixon            Bee Branch, AR           7  27-09   53   $2,500.00
Day 1: 2   12-13     Day 2: 5   14-12
53. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN        7  27-03   52   $2,500.00
Day 1: 2   06-04     Day 2: 5   20-15
54. Josh Douglas           Isle, MN                 9  26-01   51   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-12     Day 2: 4   08-05
55. Frank Talley           Temple, TX              10  26-01   50   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   10-11     Day 2: 5   15-06
56. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           9  25-10   49   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   12-14     Day 2: 4   12-12
57. Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL            9  25-03   48   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-03     Day 2: 4   08-00
58. Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR             10  25-03   47   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   12-05     Day 2: 5   12-14
59. Koby Kreiger           Alva, FL                 9  25-00   46   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-02     Day 2: 4   09-14
60. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                8  25-00   45   $2,500.00
Day 1: 4   12-00     Day 2: 4   13-00
61. Jonathan Kelley        Old Forge, PA            8  24-14   44   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-05     Day 2: 3   09-09
62. Keith Poche            Cecil, AL               10  24-11   43   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   12-05     Day 2: 5   12-06
63. Wes Logan              Springville, AL          7  24-07   42   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   18-13     Day 2: 2   05-10
64. Derek Hudnall          Zachary, LA              8  24-00   41   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-08     Day 2: 3   07-08
65. Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA             9  23-12   40   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   12-03     Day 2: 4   11-09
66. David Williams         Newton, NC              10  23-07   39   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   11-12
67. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL             8  22-15   38   $2,500.00
Day 1: 3   07-01     Day 2: 5   15-14
68. Logan Latuso           Gonzales, LA             7  22-07   37   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   14-01     Day 2: 2   08-06
69. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL           7  21-15   36   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-10     Day 2: 2   06-05
70. Skylar Hamilton        Jefferson, TN            7  21-12   35   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 2   06-11
71. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             6  21-07   34   $2,500.00
Day 1: 3   06-02     Day 2: 3   15-05
72. Jacob Foutz            Charleston, TN           8  21-07   33   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 3   07-14
73. Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC           4  21-06   32   $2,500.00
Day 1: 3   14-07     Day 2: 1   06-15
74. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             8  21-05   31   $2,500.00
Day 1: 4   08-14     Day 2: 4   12-07
75. Patrick Walters        Eutawville, SC           9  20-14   30   $2,500.00
Day 1: 4   08-07     Day 2: 5   12-07
76. Bryan New              Saluda, SC               6  20-11   29   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-10     Day 2: 1   03-01
77. Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC            6  20-09   28   $2,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-00     Day 2: 1   03-09
78. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          6  20-07   27
Day 1: 2   06-01     Day 2: 4   14-06
79. Chad Pipkens           DeWitt, MI               6  20-04   26
Day 1: 5   17-03     Day 2: 1   03-01
80. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         9  20-04   25
Day 1: 4   08-04     Day 2: 5   12-00
81. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         9  20-02   24
Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 4   06-05
82. Jason Williamson       Aiken, SC               10  19-14   23
Day 1: 5   10-01     Day 2: 5   09-13
83. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             9  19-12   22
Day 1: 5   13-05     Day 2: 4   06-07
84. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  8  19-10   21
Day 1: 4   11-09     Day 2: 4   08-01
85. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX              9  19-08   20
Day 1: 5   10-11     Day 2: 4   08-13
86. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         8  18-03   19
Day 1: 3   07-09     Day 2: 5   10-10
87. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA             5  17-14   18
Day 1: 2   07-03     Day 2: 3   10-11
88. Alex Redwine           Blue Ash, OH             8  17-13   17
Day 1: 3   05-08     Day 2: 5   12-05
89. Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT           7  17-04   16
Day 1: 5   13-02     Day 2: 2   04-02
90. Matty Wong             Honolulu, HI             6  17-03   15
Day 1: 3   08-02     Day 2: 3   09-01
91. Buddy Gross            Chattanooga, TN          7  16-14   14
Day 1: 4   10-09     Day 2: 3   06-05
92. KJ Queen               Conover, NC              5  15-15   13
Day 1: 2   08-02     Day 2: 3   07-13
93. Mike Huff              London, KY               7  15-11   12
Day 1: 4   09-12     Day 2: 3   05-15
94. John Soukup            Sapulpa, OK              6  14-10   11
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 1   03-09
95. Jake Whitaker          Hendersonville, NC       6  14-03   10
Day 1: 1   03-01     Day 2: 5   11-02
96. Bradley Hallman        Edmond, OK               5  14-02    9
Day 1: 3   07-13     Day 2: 2   06-05
97. Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN         4  13-00    8
Day 1: 3   09-02     Day 2: 1   03-14
98. Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN              5  12-15    7
Day 1: 2   07-00     Day 2: 3   05-15
99. Cody Huff              Ava, MO                  3  12-08    6
Day 1: 2   06-00     Day 2: 1   06-08
100. Kyoya Fujita           Minamitsuru, Yamanashi   3  11-10    5
Day 1: 3   11-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
101. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  10-10    4
Day 1: 2   04-15     Day 2: 3   05-11
102. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           3  08-14    3
Day 1: 1   02-12     Day 2: 2   06-02
103. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA               4  06-14    2
Day 1: 1   01-02     Day 2: 3   05-12
104. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            2  04-00    1
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   04-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   David Gaston             Sylacauga, AL       08-05      $1,000.00
2   Brandon Cobb             Greenwood, SC       07-11      $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        72       450      1465-12
2        54       413      1295-04
----------------------------------
126       863      2761-00

by AnglersChannel

Robertson’s postspawn focus delivers opening-round lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes

Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., is leading after Day 1 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes with 28 pounds, 1 ounce.  

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

April 27, 2023

Robertson’s postspawn focus delivers opening-round lead at Bassmaster Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Lakes

CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Capitalizing on an early start, Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., caught a five-bass limit of 28 pounds, 1 ounce to lead Day 1 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes.

Coming off a Top 30 finish at last week’s Elite Series event at Lake Murray, Robertson heads into Friday’s second round leading rookie Bryant Smith of California by just over a pound.

Noting that he's fishing the way he likes to fish, Robertson said he focused mostly on postspawn bass. He spent time in Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie and caught bass in two different areas.

“I’m running a shad spawn early and then later in the morning, I’m going fishing for postspawners,” Robertson said. “I was done by about 10:30 or 11.”

Understandably guarded with his details, Robertson said he believes he dialed in a specific pattern that gave him the opening-round advantage. While he declined to elaborate, Robertson said his choice of habitat played a key role in his success.

“I think I’m doing something a little different from everybody, and hopefully it will hold up,” he said.

Robertson used three different baits to amass his big bag. Despite his dominant day, he said his leading limit was surprising.

“I had a bad practice,” he said. “I got a few bites in an area but I didn’t know I was going to catch what I caught today.

“I don’t know what I’m doing here,” he said. “I didn’t catch ‘em here the last time (the 2022 Elite at Santee Cooper), so I just went out there and approached it totally different from what I did last time.”

After a calm Day 1, Friday’s forecast calls for windier conditions and possible showers. Robertson said he’s unconcerned.

“I don’t care; I have something for (all conditions),” he said. “I like catching big bass, and I hope we can go out there and do it again tomorrow.”

Hailing from Roseville, Calif., Smith is in second place with 26-15. He spent his day in Lake Marion targeting cypress trees. With countless options, he was able to figure out a replicable pattern that allowed him to pick out three trees with the greatest potential.

“I think the positioning of the trees is important, but we’ll find out tomorrow,” Smith said. “There’s something about the trees that I’m looking for that’s kind of the same deal.

“I’m not really going down big lines of trees; I’m trying to pick out the right trees.”

Smith said a single finesse bait proved reliable Thursday, but he’s not sure if he can back up his Day 1 effort with another solid limit on Friday. Even if his pattern holds, he’s dealing with a lot of fishing pressure in his area, and that’s a notorious bite killer.

“I could get in a bad rotation, so I may have to fish fresh water tomorrow,” Smith said. “I don’t think what I’m fishing is going to reload that well. I just have to keep my head down and keep grinding and hopefully, I can run into five bites tomorrow.”

Smith made a big move by boating a 6-pounder around 3:10 Thursday afternoon.

“That got me going in the right direction,” Smith said. “I just got in a good rotation, pulled up on the right tree and (that fish) was there.”

Paul Mueller of Naugatuck, Conn., is in third place with 25-10. Starting the day with a game plan that included both lakes, he ended up spending all of his time in Lake Moultrie.

“I had a couple of areas where I thought I could get bit and the fish moved,” said Mueller, who holds two career Elite Series wins. “I just moved around, fished new water and I was fortunate to get the three good bites that I got off of new water — places I hadn’t practiced.

“This lake is so big, you can’t just run around. The problem is, I had bites in areas that are so spread out, you have to commit and do one thing and hopefully, it’s the right thing for the weather.”

Stating that he caught his fish on one moving bait and two finesse rigs, Mueller pointed out that he’s seen fish in prespawn, spawn and postspawn modes. This, he said, has created a challenging scenario that he believes will become even more difficult with Friday’s weather.

“I’ve got my work cut out for me tomorrow,” Mueller said. “I’m not sure what that’s going to do, but we’ll take it one bite at a time. At least I got off to a good start.”

David Gaston of Sylacauga, Ala., earned the $1,000 daily bonus for catching the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day with his 8-5 largemouth.

Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., leads the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 380 points. Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., is in second with 369 points, followed by Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., with 364, Carl Jocumsen of Queensland, Australia, with 364 and John Cox of DeBary, Fla., with 335.

Smith leads the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 305 points.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held back at the facility at 3 p.m., with only the Top 50 anglers advancing to Semifinal Saturday. Bassmaster LIVE coverage starts at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms.

2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 4/27-4/30
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County  SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY              5  28-01  104
Day 1: 5   28-01
2.  Bryant Smith           Roseville, CA            5  26-15  103
Day 1: 5   26-15
3.  Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  25-10  102
Day 1: 5   25-10
4.  Kyle Norsetter         Cottage Grove, WI        5  24-13  101
Day 1: 5   24-13
5.  Kyle Welcher           Opelika, AL              5  23-00  100
Day 1: 5   23-00
6.  Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  21-14   99
Day 1: 5   21-14
7.  Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             4  21-14   98
Day 1: 4   21-14
8.  Drew Cook              Cairo, GA                5  21-13   97
Day 1: 5   21-13
9.  Darold Gleason         Many, LA                 5  21-08   96
Day 1: 5   21-08
10. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK             5  21-03   95
Day 1: 5   21-03
11. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC            5  21-00   94
Day 1: 5   21-00
12. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL            5  20-15   93   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-15
13. Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX           5  20-11   92
Day 1: 5   20-11
14. Joshua Stracner        Vandiver, AL             5  20-07   91
Day 1: 5   20-07
15. Chris Johnston         Otonabee Ontario CANADA  5  20-01   90
Day 1: 5   20-01
16. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland AUSTRALIA     5  19-10   89
Day 1: 5   19-10
17. John Cox               DeBary, FL               5  19-08   88
Day 1: 5   19-08
18. Masayuki Matsushita    Tokoname-Aichi JAPAN     5  19-06   87
Day 1: 5   19-06
19. Joseph Webster         Hamilton, AL             5  19-01   86
Day 1: 5   19-01
20. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  18-13   85
Day 1: 5   18-13
20. Wes Logan              Springville, AL          5  18-13   85
Day 1: 5   18-13
22. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              5  18-10   83
Day 1: 5   18-10
23. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  18-02   82
Day 1: 5   18-02
24. Taku Ito               Chiba JAPAN              4  18-01   81
Day 1: 4   18-01
25. Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI            5  18-00   80
Day 1: 5   18-00
25. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  5  18-00   80
Day 1: 5   18-00
27. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  17-14   78
Day 1: 5   17-14
28. Cole Sands             Calhoun, TN              5  17-13   77
Day 1: 5   17-13
29. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL            5  17-12   76
Day 1: 5   17-12
29. Josh Douglas           Isle, MN                 5  17-12   76
Day 1: 5   17-12
29. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  17-12   76
Day 1: 5   17-12
32. Gary Clouse            Winchester, TN           5  17-11   73
Day 1: 5   17-11
33. Bryan New              Saluda, SC               5  17-10   72
Day 1: 5   17-10
34. Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL            5  17-03   71
Day 1: 5   17-03
34. Chad Pipkens           DeWitt, MI               5  17-03   71
Day 1: 5   17-03
36. Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC            5  17-00   69
Day 1: 5   17-00
37. Derek Hudnall          Zachary, LA              5  16-08   68
Day 1: 5   16-08
38. Jay Przekurat          Stevens Point, WI        5  16-05   67
Day 1: 5   16-05
39. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  16-03   66
Day 1: 5   16-03
40. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL           5  15-10   65
Day 1: 5   15-10
41. Scott Martin           Clewiston, FL            5  15-09   64
Day 1: 5   15-09
42. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  15-08   63
Day 1: 5   15-08
42. Michael Iaconelli      Pittsgrove, NJ           5  15-08   63
Day 1: 5   15-08
44. Jonathan Kelley        Old Forge, PA            5  15-05   61
Day 1: 5   15-05
45. Koby Kreiger           Alva, FL                 5  15-02   60
Day 1: 5   15-02
46. Skylar Hamilton        Jefferson, TN            5  15-01   59
Day 1: 5   15-01
46. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI                5  15-01   59
Day 1: 5   15-01
48. Jeff Gustafson         Kenora, Ontario CANADA   5  14-15   57
Day 1: 5   14-15
49. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC              5  14-11   56
Day 1: 5   14-11
50. Seth Feider            New Market, MN           5  14-07   55
Day 1: 5   14-07
51. Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC           3  14-07   54
Day 1: 3   14-07
52. Logan Latuso           Gonzales, LA             5  14-01   53
Day 1: 5   14-01
52. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  14-01   53
Day 1: 5   14-01
52. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD                5  14-01   53
Day 1: 5   14-01
55. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  13-13   50
Day 1: 5   13-13
56. Jacob Foutz            Charleston, TN           5  13-09   49
Day 1: 5   13-09
57. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  13-05   48
Day 1: 5   13-05
58. Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN             5  13-02   47
Day 1: 5   13-02
58. Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT           5  13-02   47
Day 1: 5   13-02
60. Cooper Gallant         Bowmanville Ontario CAN  5  13-00   45
Day 1: 5   13-00
61. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  12-14   44
Day 1: 5   12-14
62. Larry Nixon            Bee Branch, AR           2  12-13   43
Day 1: 2   12-13
63. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC               5  12-05   42
Day 1: 5   12-05
63. Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR              5  12-05   42
Day 1: 5   12-05
63. Keith Poche            Cecil, AL                5  12-05   42
Day 1: 5   12-05
66. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX               4  12-04   39
Day 1: 4   12-04
67. Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA             5  12-03   38
Day 1: 5   12-03
68. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               5  12-02   37
Day 1: 5   12-02
69. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                4  12-00   36
Day 1: 4   12-00
70. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ            5  11-11   35
Day 1: 5   11-11
70. David Williams         Newton, NC               5  11-11   35
Day 1: 5   11-11
72. Kyoya Fujita           Minamitsuru, Yamanashi   3  11-10   33
Day 1: 3   11-10
73. Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK            5  11-09   32
Day 1: 5   11-09
74. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  4  11-09   31
Day 1: 4   11-09
75. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             5  11-08   30
Day 1: 5   11-08
76. John Soukup            Sapulpa, OK              5  11-01   29
Day 1: 5   11-01
77. Frank Talley           Temple, TX               5  10-11   28
Day 1: 5   10-11
77. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX              5  10-11   28
Day 1: 5   10-11
79. Buddy Gross            Chattanooga, TN          4  10-09   26
Day 1: 4   10-09
80. Jason Williamson       Aiken, SC                5  10-01   25
Day 1: 5   10-01
81. Mike Huff              London, KY               4  09-12   24
Day 1: 4   09-12
82. Justin Hamner          Northport, AL            5  09-09   23
Day 1: 5   09-09
83. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           4  09-06   22
Day 1: 4   09-06
84. Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN         3  09-02   21
Day 1: 3   09-02
85. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             4  08-14   20
Day 1: 4   08-14
86. Patrick Walters        Eutawville, SC           4  08-07   19
Day 1: 4   08-07
87. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         4  08-04   18
Day 1: 4   08-04
88. Matty Wong             Honolulu, HI             3  08-02   17
Day 1: 3   08-02
89. KJ Queen               Conover, NC              2  08-02   16
Day 1: 2   08-02
90. Bradley Hallman        Edmond, OK               3  07-13   15
Day 1: 3   07-13
91. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         3  07-09   14
Day 1: 3   07-09
92. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA             2  07-03   13
Day 1: 2   07-03
93. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL             3  07-01   12
Day 1: 3   07-01
94. Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN              2  07-00   11
Day 1: 2   07-00
95. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN        2  06-04   10
Day 1: 2   06-04
96. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             3  06-02    9
Day 1: 3   06-02
97. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          2  06-01    8
Day 1: 2   06-01
98. Cody Huff              Ava, MO                  2  06-00    7
Day 1: 2   06-00
99. Alex Redwine           Blue Ash, OH             3  05-08    6
Day 1: 3   05-08
100. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            2  04-15    5
Day 1: 2   04-15
101. Jake Whitaker          Hendersonville, NC       1  03-01    4
Day 1: 1   03-01
102. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           1  02-12    3
Day 1: 1   02-12
103. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA               1  01-02    2
Day 1: 1   01-02
104. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   David Gaston             Sylacauga, AL       08-05      $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        72       450      1465-12
----------------------------------
72       450      1465-12

by AnglersChannel