Big kicker lifts Johnson to Day 1 lead at B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Arkansas River

Muskogee, Okla. —  Persevering an agonizingly slow start, Chris Johnson kept his head in the game until favorable conditions allowed him to sack up a five-bass limit of 19 pounds, 6 ounces to lead Day 1 of the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at the Arkansas River presented by Lowrance.

Hailing from Farmington, Ark., Johnson anchored his leading catch with a hulking largemouth that weighed 5-15. He heads into the second round with a lead of 1-5 over Jeff Clark of Van Buren, Ark.

“That big fish helped massively,” Johnson said. “That’s a total gift on this river.

“I only caught five fish today. I had three others that were in the 3-pound class and one that was right at 15 inches.”

Johnson said he caught his big fish at noon. Prior to that he had a few missed bites; a frustration he attributes to the shivering, windy morning. Improving weather and river hydrology got things moving in the right direction.

“I think a lot of it had to do with the river began to rise midday and the sunshine — that made it happen,” Johnson said. “It was cold this morning; about 45 degrees at takeoff. All the fish came from noon on.”

Noting that he was targeting prespawn bass, Johnson said he struggled with the day’s blustery conditions.

“I really fought the wind all day long,” Johnson said. “I had to fish really, really slowly. I think these fish are trying to move up to spawn and it was hard to hold my boat in position to fish for them.”

Johnson said he fished a few miles upriver from takeoff and fished something he described as unique in that region of the river. He basically targeted main-river structure — classic prespawn staging spots in 1 to 3 1/2 feet of water — but his specific zone comprised something with distinct appeal.

Johnson said the area where he caught his bass is something of an anomaly, so he opted to keep the details guarded.

Johnson said his big fish was his first catch. That bass, he said, brought a lightbulb moment.

“I got into a little area, and caught that big one and then three others pretty quickly,” he said. “It was just grinding all day, but once I got that bite, it clued me in on what I needed to be doing.

“I was catching them on a bait I like to use back home. The key was slow, methodical presentations.”

Johnson said his ideal Day 2 game plan would find him right back where he took the first-round lead. However, he realizes he may need to consider his options.

“I’m really concerned with pressure tomorrow,” Johnson said. “A lot of the anglers aren’t going to want to go to Kerr Reservoir tomorrow, especially if they didn’t do well there today.

“Unfortunately, this area of the river doesn’t have many spots like the one I’m fishing and it can’t handle much pressure. You can’t put three boats in there. That may be a major factor.”

Clark is in second place with 18-1, and Hunter Litchfield of Macomb, Ill., is in third with 17-11.

Johnson is in the lead for Big Bass with his 5-15.

Kevin Turner of Sand Springs, Okla., leads the co-angler division with 11-12.

Mike Estrada of Belen, N.M., holds the Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 4-14.

In the second qualifying event in the new B.A.S.S. Nation format, the Top 20 anglers will qualify for the 2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance, scheduled for Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Grove, Okla., Nov. 6-8.

Thursday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. CT at Three Forks Harbor. The weigh-in will be held at the harbor at 3 p.m.

The tournament is being hosted by Visit Muskogee.

2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury

2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance

2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC

2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano

About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

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Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 865-201-6458, cgay@bassmaster.com

2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Arkansas River presented by Lowrance 4/3-4/5
Arkansas River, Muskogee  OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

 

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

1.  Chris Johnson          Farmington, AR           5  19-06    0
  Day 1: 5   19-06   
2.  Jeff Clark             Van Buren, AR            5  18-01    0
  Day 1: 5   18-01   
3.  Hunter Litchfield      Macomb, IL               5  17-11    0
  Day 1: 5   17-11   
4.  Bradley Sullivan       Shawnee, OK              5  16-12    0
  Day 1: 5   16-12   
5.  Brett King             Kinta, OK                5  16-10    0
  Day 1: 5   16-10   
6.  Blake Capps            Muskogee, OK             5  16-01    0
  Day 1: 5   16-01   
7.  Brandon Morton         San Tan Valley, AZ       5  16-00    0
  Day 1: 5   16-00   
8.  Chad Schmidt           Clearwater, KS           5  15-12    0
  Day 1: 5   15-12   
9.  Jeremy Norris          Ama, LA                  5  14-05    0
  Day 1: 5   14-05   
9.  Jesse Parks            Goodyear, AZ             5  14-05    0
  Day 1: 5   14-05   
11. Scotty Pennington      Crossett, AR             5  14-00    0
  Day 1: 5   14-00   
12. Dalton Ross            Centerton, AR            5  13-13    0
  Day 1: 5   13-13   
13. Chris Jones            Bokoshe, OK              5  13-11    0
  Day 1: 5   13-11   
13. Lane Kindle            Stilwell, OK             5  13-11    0
  Day 1: 5   13-11   
15. John Clayman III       Dover, TN                5  13-10    0
  Day 1: 5   13-10   
16. Greg Vance             Delhi, IA                5  13-07    0
  Day 1: 5   13-07   
17. Mike Rhinehart         Pottsville, AR           5  12-13    0
  Day 1: 5   12-13   
18. Nic Conger             Fort Smith, AR           5  12-12    0
  Day 1: 5   12-12   
18. Jesse Jordan           Stilwel, KS              5  12-12    0
  Day 1: 5   12-12   
20. Dale Hightower         Mannford, OK             5  12-09    0
  Day 1: 5   12-09   
20. Chance Woodard         Paris, TX                5  12-09    0
  Day 1: 5   12-09   
22. Ben Burk               Norman, OK               5  12-02    0
  Day 1: 5   12-02   
22. Kazuki Kitajima        Corinth, TX              5  12-02    0
  Day 1: 5   12-02   
24. Corey Stewart III      Lees Summit, MO          5  11-14    0
  Day 1: 5   11-14   
25. Scott Dooley           Ashland, MO              5  11-13    0
  Day 1: 5   11-13   
26. Tony Baldridge         Oklahoma City, OK        5  11-10    0
  Day 1: 5   11-10   
27. Alex Torkleson         Coweta, OK               5  11-06    0
  Day 1: 5   11-06   
28. Marc Caldwell          Rifle, CO                5  11-00    0
  Day 1: 5   11-00   
29. Chad Poulsen           Longview, TX             5  10-15    0
  Day 1: 5   10-15   
30. Randy Campbell         Tijeras, NM              4  10-15    0
  Day 1: 4   10-15   
30. Cole Findley           Forsyth, MO              4  10-15    0
  Day 1: 4   10-15   
32. Michael Louviere       New Iberia, LA           4  10-12    0
  Day 1: 4   10-12   
33. Brent Breznik          Borger, TX               4  10-07    0
  Day 1: 4   10-07   
34. Joseph Sanderson       Channahon, IL            3  10-04    0
  Day 1: 3   10-04   
35. Steven Caldwell        Whitesboro, TX           4  10-03    0
  Day 1: 4   10-03   
36. Hunter King            North Platte, NE         5  10-01    0
  Day 1: 5   10-01   
37. Casey Welch            Aurora, CO               4  10-00    0
  Day 1: 4   10-00   
38. Jake Capps             Muskogee, OK             4  09-15    0
  Day 1: 4   09-15   
39. Jared Miller           Norman, OK               3  09-15    0
  Day 1: 3   09-15   
40. Corey Smith            Perry, OK                4  09-11    0
  Day 1: 4   09-11   
41. Tye Grissom            Austin, TX               3  09-10    0
  Day 1: 3   09-10   
42. Adam Hollingsworth     La Vergne, TN            5  09-05    0
  Day 1: 5   09-05   
43. Ryan Latch             Lafayette, LA            4  09-01    0
  Day 1: 4   09-01   
44. Tony Halford           Perkins, OK              5  09-00    0
  Day 1: 5   09-00   
45. Mike Hill              Carlsbad, NM             4  09-00    0
  Day 1: 4   09-00   
46. Rodney Copeland        Sallisaw, OK             3  08-15    0
  Day 1: 3   08-15   
47. Steve Wilson           Union City, TN           4  08-14    0
  Day 1: 4   08-14   
48. Josh Cruse             Pocahontas, AR           3  08-14    0
  Day 1: 3   08-14   
49. Steve Lund             Cave Creek, AZ           5  08-13    0
  Day 1: 5   08-13   
50. Greg Yates             Oak Point, TX            4  08-13    0
  Day 1: 4   08-13   
51. Robert Capps           Muskogee, OK             2  08-13    0
  Day 1: 2   08-13   
52. Grayson Morrow         San Angelo, TX           3  08-11    0
  Day 1: 3   08-11   
53. Brock Enmeier          Bixby, OK                4  08-10    0
  Day 1: 4   08-10   
54. Connor Jacob           Auburn, AL               3  08-09    0
  Day 1: 3   08-09   
55. Billy Elbert           Reeds Spring, MO         3  08-07    0
  Day 1: 3   08-07   
56. Shawn Clark            Afton, OK                4  08-02    0
  Day 1: 4   08-02   
57. Brian Hickey           Pueblo, CO               3  08-01    0
  Day 1: 3   08-01   
58. Cole Tullis            Peculior, MO             3  07-14    0
  Day 1: 3   07-14   
59. Christopher Dollard    Mountain Home, AR        2  07-14    0
  Day 1: 2   07-14   
60. David Bishop           Gilbert, AZ              3  07-13    0
  Day 1: 3   07-13   
60. Jeremy Fuentes         Carlsbad, NM             3  07-13    0
  Day 1: 3   07-13   
62. Jon Harshbarger        Kaufman, TX              4  07-10    0
  Day 1: 4   07-10   
63. Sam Mitchell           Kiowa, OK                2  07-10    0
  Day 1: 2   07-10   
64. Matthew Adamson        Farmington, NM           3  07-09    0
  Day 1: 3   07-09   
64. Brandon Soliz          Robert Lee, TX           3  07-09    0
  Day 1: 3   07-09   
64. Shawn St Pierre        Paulina, LA              3  07-09    0
  Day 1: 3   07-09   
64. Jason Westrip          Crane, MO                3  07-09    0
  Day 1: 3   07-09   
68. Matthew Abeyta         Albuquerque, NM          2  07-09    0
  Day 1: 2   07-09   
69. John Hammersmith       Branson, MO              3  07-04    0
  Day 1: 3   07-04   
69. Drew Porto III         Greenbrier, AR           3  07-04    0
  Day 1: 3   07-04   
71. Samuel Collins         Surprise , AZ            3  07-00    0
  Day 1: 3   07-00   
71. Tim McSorley           Underwood, IA            3  07-00    0
  Day 1: 3   07-00   
73. Jess Stewart           Brock, NE                3  06-15    0
  Day 1: 3   06-15   
74. Richard Vizcarra       Peoria, AZ               3  06-13    0
  Day 1: 3   06-13   
75. Justin Russell         El Dorado, KS            3  06-12    0
  Day 1: 3   06-12   
76. Mike Harris            Cowgill, MO              2  06-07    0
  Day 1: 2   06-07   
77. Gunner West            Spiro, OK                3  06-06    0
  Day 1: 3   06-06   
78. Jamie Carson           Greenwood, AR            2  06-06    0
  Day 1: 2   06-06   
79. Paul Morley            Kaysville, UT            2  06-04    0
  Day 1: 2   06-04   
80. Marin Marinov          Broomfield, CO           3  06-02    0
  Day 1: 3   06-02   
81. Shannon Green          Lebanon, MO              3  06-00    0
  Day 1: 3   06-00   
82. Tommy Abel             Inola, OK                2  05-15    0
  Day 1: 2   05-15   
82. Hal Pinho Jr           Patterson, LA            2  05-15    0
  Day 1: 2   05-15   
84. Kris Lee               Coweta, OK               2  05-14    0
  Day 1: 2   05-14   
85. Dustin Berry           Dayton, TX               3  05-12    0
  Day 1: 3   05-12   
86. Trevor Rogge           Canyon Lake, TX          2  05-12    0
  Day 1: 2   05-12   
87. Reese David            Sand Springs, OK         3  05-11    0
  Day 1: 3   05-11   
88. Austin Abadie          Saint Amant, LA          2  05-11    0
  Day 1: 2   05-11   
88. Ted Daniels            St. Louis, MO            2  05-11    0
  Day 1: 2   05-11   
88. Daniel Vine            Page, AZ                 2  05-11    0
  Day 1: 2   05-11   
91. Jay Beffa              Festus, MO               2  05-10    0
  Day 1: 2   05-10   
91. Eric Stong             Apopka, FL               2  05-10    0
  Day 1: 2   05-10   
93. Nathan Cummings        Peoria, AZ               2  05-09    0
  Day 1: 2   05-09   
93. Robert Degraffenreid   Oklahoma Cty, OK         2  05-09    0
  Day 1: 2   05-09   
95. Kelley Hudson          Graham, TX               3  05-08    0
  Day 1: 3   05-08   
96. Cory Leita             Victoria, TX             2  05-08    0
  Day 1: 2   05-08   
97. Kris Bosley            Amarillo, TX             3  05-07    0
  Day 1: 3   05-07   
98. Stephanie Hemphill - Pellerin Village Mills, TX        2  05-06    0
  Day 1: 2   05-06   
99. Rick Mason             Phoenix, AZ              2  05-04    0
  Day 1: 2   05-04   
100. Luke Plunkett          Pinson, AL               3  05-01    0
  Day 1: 3   05-01   
101. Boyd Gautreau          Saint Amant, LA          2  05-01    0
  Day 1: 2   05-01   
102. Hunter Neuville        New Iberia, LA           3  05-00    0
  Day 1: 3   05-00   
103. Ryan Heavener          Tulsa, OK                2  04-12    0
  Day 1: 2   04-12   
104. Cameron Tull           Norman, OK               2  04-11    0
  Day 1: 2   04-11   
105. Kyle Caldwell          Marshfield, MO           2  04-11    0
  Day 1: 2   04-11   
106. David Henderson        Great Bend, KS           2  04-10    0
  Day 1: 2   04-10   
107. George Carroll         Guyton, GA               2  04-09    0
  Day 1: 2   04-09   
108. Troy Stinson           Peyton, CO               2  04-08    0
  Day 1: 2   04-08   
109. Keith Harmoney         Hays, KS                 1  04-07    0
  Day 1: 1   04-07   
110. Brian Stangel          Albuquerque, NM          2  04-06    0
  Day 1: 2   04-06   
111. Michael Furgerson      Tulsa, OK                1  04-06    0
  Day 1: 1   04-06   
112. Chris Ogan             Bixby, OK                2  04-05    0
  Day 1: 2   04-05   
113. Randy Fleeman          Copperas Cove, TX        2  04-04    0
  Day 1: 2   04-04   
114. Dennis Carroll         Ashland, NE              2  04-03    0
  Day 1: 2   04-03   
115. Kevin Late             Maynard, AR              2  04-02    0
  Day 1: 2   04-02   
116. Bill Gaddis            Afton, OK                1  04-02    0
  Day 1: 1   04-02   
117. Mick Fenn              Grove, OK                2  04-00    0
  Day 1: 2   04-00   
118. Kevin Slate            Eufaula, OK              1  03-15    0
  Day 1: 1   03-15   
119. Lance Goodfellow       Wagoner, OK              2  03-13    0
  Day 1: 2   03-13   
119. Jacob Sepeda           Paradise, TX             2  03-13    0
  Day 1: 2   03-13   
121. Adam Condito           Alamogordo, NM           1  03-13    0
  Day 1: 1   03-13   
122. Bill Brown             Grand Junction, CO       2  03-11    0
  Day 1: 2   03-11   
123. Ryan Webb              El Dorado, AR            1  03-10    0
  Day 1: 1   03-10   
124. Cole Buser             Pullman, WA              2  03-08    0
  Day 1: 2   03-08   
125. Jason Clark            Bixby, OK                1  03-07    0
  Day 1: 1   03-07   
126. Zack Holwerda          Wittmann, AZ             1  03-06    0
  Day 1: 1   03-06   
127. Mark Warren            Kiowa, CO                1  03-02    0
  Day 1: 1   03-02   
128. Rickey York            Cherokee Village, AR     1  03-01    0
  Day 1: 1   03-01   
129. Joe Conway             Colorado Springs, CO     1  02-15    0
  Day 1: 1   02-15   
129. Bob Glasgow            Omaha, NE                1  02-15    0
  Day 1: 1   02-15   
131. Jerry  Pape            Bella Vista, AR          1  02-12    0
  Day 1: 1   02-12   
132. Mark Vote              Omaha, NE                1  02-11    0
  Day 1: 1   02-11   
133. Carey Goldberg         Colorado Springs, CO     1  02-10    0
  Day 1: 1   02-10   
134. Dallas Cole            Omaha, NE                1  02-06    0
  Day 1: 1   02-06   
135. Andrew Wren            Wylie, TX                1  02-03    0
  Day 1: 1   02-03   
136. Jaron Cooper           Sutherland, NE           1  02-02    0
  Day 1: 1   02-02   
136. Larry Krueger          Colorado Springs, CO     1  02-02    0
  Day 1: 1   02-02   
138. Jacob Bruener          Douglass, TX             1  02-01    0
  Day 1: 1   02-01   
139. Matt Dobson            Edmond, OK               1  02-00    0
  Day 1: 1   02-00   
140. Mark Williams          Carrolton, TX            1  02-00    0
  Day 1: 1   02-00   
141. Travis Ledford         Tuttle, OK               1  01-15    0
  Day 1: 1   01-15   
141. Ronnie Provence        Canehill, AR             1  01-15    0
  Day 1: 1   01-15   
141. Daniel Rodriquez       New Braunfels, TX        1  01-15    0
  Day 1: 1   01-15   
144. Joseph Gamboa          Elephant Butte, NM       1  01-13    0
  Day 1: 1   01-13   
144. Don Glick              Zurich, KS               1  01-13    0
  Day 1: 1   01-13   
144. Brandon Pedigo         Lawton, OK               1  01-13    0
  Day 1: 1   01-13   
144. Jay Spencer            Lincoln, NE              1  01-13    0
  Day 1: 1   01-13   
148. Pam Horne              Bella Vista, AR          1  01-12    0
  Day 1: 1   01-12   
148. Royce Scheetz          Lubbock, TX              1  01-12    0
  Day 1: 1   01-12   
150. Jon Stewart            Grove, OK                1  01-11    0
  Day 1: 1   01-11   
151. Jacob Altman           Edgewood, TX             1  01-10    0
  Day 1: 1   01-10   
152. Joshua Bauer           Great Bend, KS           1  01-09    0
  Day 1: 1   01-09   
153. Jason Switzer          Sapulpa, OK              1  01-08    0
  Day 1: 1   01-08   
154. Dave Garrett           Trinidad, CO             1  01-05    0
  Day 1: 1   01-05   
155. Brandon Ackerson       Afton, OK                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Keith Allen            Okemah, OK               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Nicholas Ault          Gravois Mills, MO        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Matthew Barnes         Schertz, TX              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Brock Bila             Ozark, MO                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Paul Browning          Monahans, TX             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Nickalas Butler        Lawrence, KS             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Glenn Connors          Springfield, MO          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Shelby Crites Jr       Bearden, AR              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Ronnie Duncan          Hampton, AR              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Richard Everest        Hobbs, NM                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Kevin Flurry           Roland, OK               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Ronald Giebel          Penrose, CO              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Will Hughes            Nashville, TN            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Mark Jenkins           Ville Platte, LA         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Gerald Kimzey          Willcox, AZ              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Jared Knuth            Wahoo, NE                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Mike Leibhart          North Platte, NE         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Jim Lopez              Littleton, CO            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Jeremy Loud            New Castle, CO           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. John Madison           Yukon, OK                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Doug McClung           Prairieville, LA         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Tom McGovern           Warsaw, MO               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Brandon Moss           Blanchard, OK            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Gregory Oehring        Lees Summit, MO          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Sam Page               Moab, UT                 0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Dashon Peck            The Colony, TX           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Jared Pittman          Avondale, AZ             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Jeff Richards          Colorado Spgs, CO        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Tanner Richardson      Wilson, TX               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Connor Santos          Fountain, CO             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Curry Schaubhut        Hester, LA               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Dick Smith             Oklahoma City, OK        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Hunter Stanley         Mustang, OK              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Ron Strickland         Pueblo West, CO          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Chris Torkleson        Sand Springs, OK         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Dalton Warrington      Tishimingo , OK          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Bruce White            La Ward, TX              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Richard Wilson         Lubbock, TX              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
155. Michael Wooten         Cross Plains, TN         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1        33       433      1112-01
----------------------------------
          33       433      1112-01