Brandon Card of Knoxville, Tenn., takes the lead on the first day of the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett, bringing 22 pounds, 14 ounces to the scales on Thursday.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
April 27, 2017
RIDGELAND, Miss. — While 33,000 acres of fishable water seems like it should easily support a 109-angler field, most Elite Series anglers would say they’re sharing water at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett.
Ross Barnett Reservoir is the smallest venue on the schedule this year, but the quality is evident as the Top 6 anglers weighed limits of bass near or exceeding the 20-pound mark.
The question is can weights like Brandon Card’s impressive 22 pounds, 14 ounces be reproduced during Friday’s second round of competition.
“That’s a great question,” Card of Knoxville, Tenn., said following weigh-in. “I spent some time here during pre-practice, and the fishing was on fire. But that bite has changed dramatically since then, and I found an area during our official practice days, which is where I caught them today. I know the number of quality fish are available to have another 20-pound day, but I think it’ll take about a 17-pound average per day to remain in contention for the win.”
Like most of the field, Card is sharing water with other anglers because the best bass fishing seems to be concentrated in certain locations on Ross Barnett.
“The fishing pressure is certainly a factor at this event,” he said. “But to keep my mind in the game, I slow down and focus on making a good cast every time. You can catch fish behind people by doing it that way. I know I’m on the right fish to win this thing, but it’s too early to make any predictions. All I’m able to do at this point is hit the water again tomorrow and do the best I can.”
The old saying goes: “You can’t win a tournament on the first day of a tournament, but you can lose it on the first day.”
Bobby Lane, of Lakeland, Fla., repeated those exact words, and will be starting out Friday morning in second place with 20-14.
“What’s great about this tournament is I’m right at home fishing for bass in shallow water,” Lane said. “I have almost zero experience on Ross Barnett, and not having any preconceived notions has helped me to fish clean and not worry about the other anglers fishing in my area.”
Lane said he was very encouraged by what he learned today, and he’s ready to get out and do it again.
“Who knows what tomorrow is going to bring with stronger winds and fewer clouds,” he said. “But I’m not going to change anything, and I expect the bass to be feeding in a similar locations as they did today. I’m going to be there when they do.”
Mount Ida, Ark., resident and 1995 Bassmaster Classic champion Mark Davis said fishing with extreme patience was key to his impressive five-bass limit that weighed 20-10, good enough for third place after Day 1.
“I like to fish slow and steady,” Davis said. “And with the crowded waters here at Ross Barnett, I felt my style of fishing would be very productive. I’m sharing a piece of the lake with another angler, and we both weighed very similar limits of bass today. We’ve talked and have agreed to work with each other to make it happen again on Friday.”
Rounding out the Top 10: Keith Poche (20-2), Brandon Lester (19-15), Dustin Connell (19-12), Dave Lefebre (18-4), Brent Chapman (18-1), Marty Robinson (18-0) and Brandon Coulter (17-5).
Lester is in the lead for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award with his 7-2 largemouth bass.
Competition will resume Friday with the full field taking off at 6:15 a.m. CT from Madison Landing. The weigh-in will be held at Old Trace Park at 3:15 p.m.
The event is hosted by the Ridgeland Tourism Commission.
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Triton Boats, Shell Rotella, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Minn Kota, Power-Pole
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: T-H Marine, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Phoenix Boats, Lowrance, Shimano, Advance Auto Parts, Livingston Lures
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. 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), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett 4/27-4/30
Ross Barnett Reservoir, Ridgeland MS.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 5 22-14 110
Day 1: 5 22-14
2. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 20-14 109
Day 1: 5 20-14
3. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 20-10 108
Day 1: 5 20-10
4. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 20-02 107
Day 1: 5 20-02
5. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 19-15 106
Day 1: 5 19-15
6. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 5 19-12 105
Day 1: 5 19-12
7. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 5 18-04 104
Day 1: 5 18-04
8. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 18-01 103
Day 1: 5 18-01
9. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 18-00 102
Day 1: 5 18-00
10. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 17-05 101
Day 1: 5 17-05
11. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 17-00 100
Day 1: 5 17-00
12. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 16-11 99
Day 1: 5 16-11
12. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 16-11 99
Day 1: 5 16-11
14. Seth Feider Isle, MN 5 16-04 97
Day 1: 5 16-04
15. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 15-15 96
Day 1: 5 15-15
16. Fred Roumbanis London, AR 5 15-14 95
Day 1: 5 15-14
17. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 15-13 94
Day 1: 5 15-13
17. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 15-13 94
Day 1: 5 15-13
19. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 15-07 92
Day 1: 5 15-07
20. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 14-10 91
Day 1: 5 14-10
21. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 14-09 90
Day 1: 5 14-09
22. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 14-08 89
Day 1: 5 14-08
23. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 14-07 88
Day 1: 5 14-07
24. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 5 14-06 87
Day 1: 5 14-06
24. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 14-06 87
Day 1: 5 14-06
26. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 5 14-05 85
Day 1: 5 14-05
26. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 14-05 85
Day 1: 5 14-05
28. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 14-03 83
Day 1: 5 14-03
29. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 13-13 82
Day 1: 5 13-13
30. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 13-07 81
Day 1: 5 13-07
30. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 13-07 81
Day 1: 5 13-07
32. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 13-03 79
Day 1: 5 13-03
33. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 5 13-01 78
Day 1: 5 13-01
34. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 13-00 77
Day 1: 5 13-00
35. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 5 12-15 76
Day 1: 5 12-15
36. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 12-14 75
Day 1: 5 12-14
37. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 12-12 74
Day 1: 5 12-12
38. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 12-11 73
Day 1: 5 12-11
39. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 12-07 72
Day 1: 5 12-07
40. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 12-06 71
Day 1: 5 12-06
40. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 12-06 71
Day 1: 5 12-06
42. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 5 12-05 69
Day 1: 5 12-05
43. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 12-04 68
Day 1: 5 12-04
44. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 5 12-00 67
Day 1: 5 12-00
45. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 5 11-13 66
Day 1: 5 11-13
46. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 11-11 65
Day 1: 5 11-11
46. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 11-11 65
Day 1: 5 11-11
48. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 11-08 63
Day 1: 5 11-08
49. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 11-06 62
Day 1: 5 11-06
49. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 11-06 62
Day 1: 5 11-06
51. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 11-05 60
Day 1: 5 11-05
51. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 11-05 60
Day 1: 5 11-05
53. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 11-03 58
Day 1: 5 11-03
53. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 11-03 58
Day 1: 5 11-03
55. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 11-01 56
Day 1: 5 11-01
55. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 5 11-01 56
Day 1: 5 11-01
57. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 11-01 54
Day 1: 5 11-01
58. James Elam Tulsa, OK 4 11-00 53
Day 1: 4 11-00
58. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 4 11-00 53
Day 1: 4 11-00
60. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 5 10-15 51
Day 1: 5 10-15
60. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 10-15 51
Day 1: 5 10-15
60. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 10-15 51
Day 1: 5 10-15
60. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 10-15 51
Day 1: 5 10-15
64. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 5 10-09 47
Day 1: 5 10-09
65. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 5 10-07 46
Day 1: 5 10-07
66. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 10-06 45
Day 1: 5 10-06
66. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 10-06 45
Day 1: 5 10-06
68. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 10-04 43
Day 1: 5 10-04
69. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 10-02 42
Day 1: 5 10-02
70. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 10-00 41
Day 1: 5 10-00
71. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 09-14 40
Day 1: 5 09-14
72. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 4 09-14 39
Day 1: 4 09-14
73. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 3 09-14 38
Day 1: 3 09-14
74. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 09-13 37
Day 1: 5 09-13
74. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 09-13 37
Day 1: 5 09-13
76. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 4 09-10 35
Day 1: 4 09-10
77. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 3 09-10 34
Day 1: 3 09-10
78. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 4 09-09 33
Day 1: 4 09-09
79. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 4 09-08 32
Day 1: 4 09-08
80. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 4 09-04 31
Day 1: 4 09-04
81. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 09-01 30
Day 1: 5 09-01
82. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 4 09-00 29
Day 1: 4 09-00
83. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 5 08-13 28
Day 1: 5 08-13
84. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 5 08-11 27
Day 1: 5 08-11
85. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 08-09 26
Day 1: 5 08-09
86. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 4 08-09 25
Day 1: 4 08-09
87. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 4 08-05 24
Day 1: 4 08-05
88. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 08-03 23
Day 1: 5 08-03
89. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 4 07-12 22
Day 1: 4 07-12
90. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 4 07-11 21
Day 1: 4 07-11
91. David Walker Sevierville, TN 4 07-02 20
Day 1: 4 07-02
92. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 4 06-15 19
Day 1: 4 06-15
92. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 4 06-15 19
Day 1: 4 06-15
94. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 4 06-14 17
Day 1: 4 06-14
95. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 4 06-12 16
Day 1: 4 06-12
96. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 4 06-06 15
Day 1: 4 06-06
97. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 3 06-01 14
Day 1: 3 06-01
98. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 3 05-09 13
Day 1: 3 05-09
99. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 3 05-06 12
Day 1: 3 05-06
99. John Murray Spring City, TN 3 05-06 12
Day 1: 3 05-06
101. David Williams Newton, NC 3 04-10 10
Day 1: 3 04-10
102. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 2 03-08 9
Day 1: 2 03-08
103. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 1 03-04 8
Day 1: 1 03-04
104. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 2 03-03 7
Day 1: 2 03-03
104. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 2 03-03 7
Day 1: 2 03-03
106. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 1 02-01 5
Day 1: 1 02-01
107. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 1 01-13 4
Day 1: 1 01-13
108. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 1 01-11 3
Day 1: 1 01-11
109. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 0 -1-00 0
Day 1: 0 -01-00
