Wil Dieffenbauch of Morgantown, W.Va.., is leading after Day 1 of the 2022 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Pickwick Lake with 15 pounds, 4 ounces.
Photo by Chase Sansom/B.A.S.S.
November 9, 2022

Dieffenbauch Takes Early Lead At B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Pickwick Lake

FLORENCE, Ala. — Wil Dieffenbauch was the second-to-last boater to weigh in on Day 1 of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, but he’s first on the leaderboard.

Dieffenbauch, 33, of Morgantown, W.Va., caught a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 4 ounces to seize the early lead in this three-day event in northeast Alabama.

Not that Dieffenbauch’s day started with a bang. He went to what he thought was his best spot as soon as he took off Wednesday morning, but with his late draw, two boats were already positioned there. Dieffenbauch tooled around the same general area for two hours with little production before deciding to scrap the spot and look for something better.

It was a wise move.

“I stayed shallow in a 3-mile section of water,” he said. “There was a good amount of wind blowing today which helped me and there’s bait everywhere, at least where I am.”

Dieffenbauch said he caught his best bass on a lure he makes. That was the only detail he was sharing for the time being, though.

“I’ve been making it for a long time, and it’s taken me a long time to perfect it,” he said.

While many of the 100-plus competing anglers struggled mightily on Pickwick, Dieffenbauch said a 2-foot drop in water overnight didn’t affect his bite. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is pulling water on Pickwick currently to get the 47,500-acre impoundment down to winter pool.

“I didn’t even notice a difference, really,” Dieffenbauch said. “I actually saw more shad popping today than I did in practice.”

Will Davis Jr. of Sylacauga, Ala., held the lead for most of the afternoon but dropped to second after Dieffenbauch charged from behind in the waning minutes of the weigh-in. Davis, 30, weighed a 13-13 limit with his two biggest bass coming later in the afternoon on a Davis Bait Company Shaky Fish — a lure his family makes.

“I only had three fish at 1:20 (p.m.), but then I pulled into a different area and caught those two big ones,” he said. “One weighed 3-14 and the other was a largemouth that was a 3 1/2-pounder.

“It was just a lot of different things today,” Davis continued, noting that two earlier keepers came on a spinnerbait and another on a swim jig. “You have to keep the faith and keep on grinding. Today’s a day when you could easily spin out (mentally).”

Kris Bosley of Amarillo, Texas, certainly is within striking distance, ending Day 1 in third place among boaters with a 13-4 limit.

“I had five keepers today on five keeper bites using five different baits,” Bosley said. “It was typical fall fishing. You just have to fish what’s in front of you; cover water. I’ve got two large areas and I’m just picking everything I can apart. There’s not a lot of cover, but I’m fishing riprap, grass, a channel ledge … being around bait is the whole key.”

Tim Talento of Meriden, Conn., is in fourth place after catching a limit that weighed 12-15. He used a myriad of baits but said his catches came “running across fish” rather than a particular pattern. He’s targeting largemouth, saying his smallmouth bite was too sporadic in practice.

“It’s a real grind out there,” Talento said. “I must have made 10,000 casts and I covered a lot of water. I have a couple of small spots that have been producing, and I lost a couple key fish today that would have really helped me out.”

Doug Thompson, of Mabelvale, Ark., caught a 4-15 to grab the early lead for the Big Bass Award and the $1,000 cash prize that goes with it.

The Top 3 anglers in the tournament will qualify for the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic scheduled for March 24-26 on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn. The overall winner on Pickwick also will earn an invitation to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series for 2023 and the use of a fully-rigged Nation’s Best boat for the year.

A total of 58 pros and 56 nonboaters are competing in the event. Only five boaters caught limits on Wednesday and no nonboaters caught a three-bass limit.

David Porter, of Rockwall, Texas, caught two bass and leads all nonboaters with a 6-5 total. Pheerayout See of Rochester, Minn., is second with 6-3 and JJ Dickens of Beaver, W.Va., is third with 5-12.

Porter is in the lead for the $500 Big Bass among nonboaters with a 4-6.

The Top 12 anglers in both divisions will claim cash prizes, with $20,000 cash going to the top boater and $10,000 to the leading nonboater.

The full field will compete again Thursday, with the nonboater champion being crowned after the Day 2 weigh-in. The Top 10 boaters will advance to Day 3, as will the two leading boaters from each of the five B.A.S.S. Nation regions (if not already in the Top 10), the nonboater champion and any nonboaters that have enough weight to be among the Top 10 boaters overall.

Day 2 competition will begin Thursday at McFarland Park at 6 a.m. CT. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2 p.m. Follow all the action on Bassmaster.com.

2022 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship 11/9-11/11
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. Wil Dieffenbauch Morgantown, WV 5 15-04 0
Day 1: 5 15-04
2. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 13-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-13
3. Kris Bosley Amarillo, TX 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
4. Tim Talento Meriden, CT 5 12-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-15
5. Mike Wolfenden Warwick, RI 4 12-14 0
Day 1: 4 12-14
6. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 4 11-08 0
Day 1: 4 11-08
7. Nick Uebelhor Jasper, IN 4 11-00 0
Day 1: 4 11-00
8. Brian Jones Conroe, TX 5 08-08 0
Day 1: 5 08-08
9. Doug Thompson Mabelvale, AR 2 08-04 0
Day 1: 2 08-04
10. Jeremy Montgomery Overland Park, KS 2 06-14 0
Day 1: 2 06-14
11. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 2 06-10 0
Day 1: 2 06-10
12. Cole Findley Forsyth, MO 3 06-09 0
Day 1: 3 06-09
13. Marco Burighel Pianiga VE ITALY 3 06-07 0
Day 1: 3 06-07
14. Tanner Bock Davenport, IA 3 06-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-06
15. Amos Dixon Camden Wyoming, DE 3 06-03 0
Day 1: 3 06-03
15. Keegan Graves Meridian, ID 3 06-03 0
Day 1: 3 06-03
17. Aaron Orsi Millbury, MA 2 05-01 0
Day 1: 2 05-01
18. Joe Johnson Clarksville, TN 2 04-15 0
Day 1: 2 04-15
19. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 1 04-13 0
Day 1: 1 04-13
20. Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO 2 04-01 0
Day 1: 2 04-01
21. Monty Fralick Martin, SD 2 03-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-14
22. Brad Brodnicki Buffalo, NY 2 03-12 0
Day 1: 2 03-12
23. Jurgen Geiger Windhoek Namibia NAMIBI 1 03-11 0
Day 1: 1 03-11
24. Matt Martin Brookhaven, MS 2 03-08 0
Day 1: 2 03-08
25. Justy Varkevisser Johannesburg Gauteng SO 1 03-07 0
Day 1: 1 03-07
26. Eddie Levin Westerville, OH 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10
26. Brent Tullis Tyrone, GA 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10
28. Frank Scarla Amity, OR 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09
28. Brent Shores Boise, ID 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09
30. JJ Gibbs IV Lake Havasu City, AZ 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
30. Thomas Waltz St. Albans, VT 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
32. Brandon Pedigo Lawton, OK 1 02-06 0
Day 1: 1 02-06
33. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 1 02-05 0
Day 1: 1 02-05
34. Matt Judy Moncks Corner, SC 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
35. Conor Cahill North East, MD 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01
35. Paul Gietka Abingdon, MD 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01
37. Barry Launder Harare Chisipt ZIMBABWE 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
37. Frankie Mueller Kingman, AZ 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
39. Tim Carmouche Gonzales, LA 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14
39. James Graves III Syria, VA 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14
39. Jared Miller Norman, OK 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14
42. Justin Campbell Pasco, WA 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
42. Danny McGarry Newcastle CANADA 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
44. Nicholas Holt Ellsworth, ME 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
45. Jorge Barraza Col Juan de Dios Batiz 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Michael Boggs II Wheelersburg, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Ruben Burgos Yecora Agoncillo SPAIN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Nuno Cesar Montemor-o-novo PORTUGA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Kenneth Cleveland Bakersfield, CA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Chris Fredrick Marshfield, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Kurt Glass Grovetown, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Steve Lee Minneapolis, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Joel Leiser Kalispell, MT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Dan Mundy Swartz Creek, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Pete Saele New Lenox, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Dave Turner Citrus Springs, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. David Winters Rock Hill, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
45. Kentaro Yamada Osaka JAPAN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 5 92 230-14
———————————-
5 92 230-14

2022 TNT TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship 11/9-11/11
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. David Porter Rockwall, TX 2 06-05 0
Day 1: 2 06-05
2. Pheerayout See Rochester, MN 2 06-03 0
Day 1: 2 06-03
3. JJ Dickens Beaver, WV 2 05-12 0
Day 1: 2 05-12
4. Ray Cates Overland Park, KS 2 05-02 0
Day 1: 2 05-02
5. JT Fitzgerald Lincoln, DE 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00
6. Jon Pollock Lakewood, CO 1 03-08 0
Day 1: 1 03-08
7. Grant Aumiller Trout Creek, MT 2 03-07 0
Day 1: 2 03-07
8. Dwight Minogue Benton, LA 2 03-05 0
Day 1: 2 03-05
9. Bailey Madere Madisonville, LA 1 03-03 0
Day 1: 1 03-03
10. Eric Frazier Newport, VA 1 02-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-13
11. Colton Haney Baldwin, WI 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12
12. Luis Jimenez Calahorra SPAIN 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10
12. Tim Meeks Elk Grove, CA 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10
14. Tom Leblanc Jr Omaha, NE 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
14. Jacob Zaremski Rochester, NY 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
16. Brandon Logue Greenwood, NE 1 02-07 0
Day 1: 1 02-07
17. Anthony Dulac Harpswell, ME 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01
18. Kristopher Gaertner Morris, IL 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14
19. David Eades Lexington, KY 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
20. Scott McNeely Acworth , GA 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08
20. Kenji Suzuki Aichi JAPAN 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08
22. David Bertsch Harrison, ID 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Jacob Bull Seymour, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Johnny Clark Northport, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Nigel Dalton West Haven, UT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Colten Didion Mount Vernon, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Lanny Dooley Mountain Home, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Neil Engelbrecht Windhoek Khomas NAMIBIA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Matthew Furtado Attleboro, MA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Josh Giran Elizabeth, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Matt Goltz Monona, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Francesco Guazzi Modena ITALY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Eric Hammer Peoria, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Tyler Hatfield Augusta, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Devin Hines West Haven, CT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. James Hollingshead Clarkston, WA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Jonathan Lee Honea Path, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Brian Marino Vineland, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Lewis Mendall Winthrop, MA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Jesus Morales Apodaca Nuevo Leon MEX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Hieu Nguyen Stillwater, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Andrew Nienaber Cape Town Western Cape 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Peter Owen Barnstead, NH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Terry Peterson West Jordan, UT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Tristan Pierce Hollister, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Paulo Ramos STA-Clara PORTUGAL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Tracy Rich North Bay CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Ricky Schlauch Chester, MD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Garrett Sicely Albany, VT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Michael Smith Laurel Hill, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Dustin Sortor Lafayette, OR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Fraser Speirs Harare ZIMBABWE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Keith Thompson Mooresville, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Jeff Wehner Fishers, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Darren Wilson Las Vegas, NV 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
22. Terry Wilson Carlsbad, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 28 67-11
———————————-
0 28 67-11