Father & Son Team Lead Bassmaster Team Championship after Day 1 with over 15 pounds!
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – Some anglers like to run and gun, and others like to methodically work a spot looking for the right bites.
David and Sean Mulkey of the Joe Bass Team Trail in Missouri were forced to stay in one spot on Wednesday during Day 1 of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship. Their boat broke down during the first hour of fishing and they had no other choice to remain where they were and hope for the best.
The father-son tandem found the bass they needed, and now they lead the two-day team championship taking place on Lake Norfork in northern Arkansas.
The Mulkeys, who reside in Ash Grove, Mo., boated a five-bass limit that weighed 15 pounds, 3 ounces. That total gave them an edge over brothers Brett and Beau Govreau of St. Louis, Mo. who are in second place with five bass totaling 14-5.
In all, 162 two-person teams (324 anglers) from 33 states and two foreign countries (Canada and Australia) are taking part in the team championship on 22,000-acre Lake Norfork. Each qualified for the event as one of the top performing teams on their local tournament trails this season.
The Mulkeys made the best of what could have been a frustrating day after their motor “blew up” while running in open water shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday.
“We started losing power,” David Mulkey said. “My son heard it blow. We started fishing right where we were. We couldn’t do much else.”
While the elder Mulkey was bent over the outboard assessing the damage, 21-year old Sean hooked a 4-pounder. Soon after, he added another 4-pounder to the live well and David followed with a 3-pounder of his own. Though their bite slowed from that point, they landed two more keepers later in the day to reach their limit.
The Mulkeys relied on their trolling motor to cover about a ½-mile radius of water all day long. Luckily for them, they broke down less than a mile from the launch and were able to easily navigate back to land in time for weigh-in.
“I had no idea we would be leading this tournament after having the motor blow up early in the morning like that,” David Mulkey said after the Day 1 weigh-in was complete. “It could have been bad. But the spot we fished, my son caught a 3-9 there in practice. We knew it had bass on it.”
Now, the issue is finding a boat to use for Day 2 of the team championship. The Mulkeys planned to spend the evening trying to secure another vessel or fix their busted motor in time for Thursday’s 6:45 a.m. launch.
The Govreau Brothers fish with U.S. Anglers Choice Team Trail and they located quality fish during practice. They found them again in the same spot on Wednesday despite a 40-degree temperature drop during the past 48 hours. The Govreaus said they will head to new water on Thursday, however, when the high temperature is expected to be 38 degrees in Mountain Home.
“Same technigue, but different area,” Brett Govreau said. “What we found is just as good if not better than what we were fishing. It’s hard to stay on one spot in what could be a four-day tournament.”
There’s a lot at stake in this championship. The winning duo will win a Nitro Z-20 and Mercury 225 Pro XS boat/motor package valued at $41,995 which also includes a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance Electronics.
But the victors’ spoils bring much more than just prizes. There are bragging rights that go with being the top tournament trail team of the year, as well as the chance to rub elbows with the biggest names in professional bass fishing when all are feted at the annual Bassmaster Night of Champions.
The final spot in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods is on the line too. The six anglers who compose the top three teams after the team portion of the tournament is complete Thursday will fish individually for a Classic berth. Each of that sextet of surviving anglers will have his weight zeroed after Thursday’s weigh-in, and the angler with the heaviest two-day total caught Friday and Saturday will head for the Classic on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell in March.
Georgia’s Barron Adams and Trevor Prince of the Chattanooga Bass Association are in third place with 13-2. They finished third in last year’s team championship.
Keith Allen and Jeffery Montgomery of Angler Nation (OK) are fourth (13-1)and Marc Czachowski and Mike Purse of Joe Bass (Mo.) are fifth (12-13.)
Thursday’s launch will begin at 6:45 a.m. from the 101 Boat Dock and weigh-in will begin at 2:45 p.m from the same location.
The Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.
TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
Place | Name | Day 1 Fish / Weight |
Total Fish / Weight |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | David Mulkey – Sean Mulkey | Joe Bass | 5 / 15- 3 | 5 / 15- 3 |
2 | Brett Govreau – Beau Govreau | US Anglers Choice | 5 / 14- 5 | 5 / 14- 5 |
3 | Barron Adams – Trevor Prince | Chattanooga Bass Association | 5 / 13- 2 | 5 / 13- 2 |
4 | Keith Allen – Jeffery Montgomery | Angler Nation | 5 / 13- 1 | 5 / 13- 1 |
5 | Marc Czachowski – Mike Purse | Joe Bass | 5 / 12-13 | 5 / 12-13 |
6 | Matthew Rittman – Jason Daily | FL BN Team Trail | 3 / 12- 6 | 3 / 12- 6 |
7 | Doyle Epperson – Joshua Muse | NTBA | 5 / 12- 4 | 5 / 12- 4 |
8 | Teddy Bogard – Brandon Rhoden | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 12- 3 | 5 / 12- 3 |
9 | Wayne Dixon – Jared Allen | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 12- 0 | 5 / 12- 0 |
10 | Flannagan Fife – Cody Davis | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 11-11 | 5 / 11-11 |
11 | Ryan Butler – Dustin Lippe | Joe Bass | 5 / 11- 6 | 5 / 11- 6 |
12 | Roger Waters – Larry Brooks | Anglers In Action | 5 / 11- 5 | 5 / 11- 5 |
13 | Richard Bowling – Mickey Ballard | NTBA | 5 / 11- 3 | 5 / 11- 3 |
14 | Shawn Freeman – Justin Hayden | Ozark Mountain | 5 / 11- 2 | 5 / 11- 2 |
15 | Elisa Bernstein – Samuel Lauzon | Renegade Bass | 5 / 10-12 | 5 / 10-12 |
15 | Doug Brownridge – David Chong | Renegade Bass Team Trail | 5 / 10-12 | 5 / 10-12 |
15 | Jason Talbot – Dan Hattabaugh | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 5 / 10-12 | 5 / 10-12 |
15 | Marty Torrence – JC Warrington | Media Bass | 5 / 10-12 | 5 / 10-12 |
19 | Austin Weaver – Pride Weaver | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 10-11 | 5 / 10-11 |
20 | Jesse Riemersma – David Riemersma | West Michigan Bass | 5 / 10- 9 | 5 / 10- 9 |
21 | Ed Young – Joe Penzo | Joe Bass | 5 / 10- 5 | 5 / 10- 5 |
22 | Rusty Darnell – Tim Newberry | Joe Bass Team Trail | 5 / 10- 3 | 5 / 10- 3 |
23 | Mark McDonnel – Quincy Houchin | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 10- 0 | 5 / 10- 0 |
24 | Blake Riddle – John Wilson | Fishers of Men | 5 / 9-15 | 5 / 9-15 |
25 | Dave Frost – Nick Manfredo | FL BN Team Trail | 5 / 9-14 | 5 / 9-14 |
25 | Matt Hicks – John Bomar | Anglers Choice | 5 / 9-14 | 5 / 9-14 |
27 | Chuck Austin – Frank Sinn | US Anglers Choice | 5 / 9-10 | 5 / 9-10 |
28 | Kelly Power – Mark Wiese Jr | Ozark Mountain Team Trail | 5 / 9- 9 | 5 / 9- 9 |
28 | Dean Silvester – Mark Ferguson | Australia BASS Nation | 5 / 9- 9 | 5 / 9- 9 |
28 | Erhardt Tulgestka Jr – Ted Prisbe | MI BN Team Trail | 5 / 9- 9 | 5 / 9- 9 |
31 | Mike Brueggen – Jim Caulum | IA BN Team Trail | 5 / 9- 8 | 5 / 9- 8 |
31 | Robbie Dodson Jr – Robert Dodson Sr | Joe Bass | 5 / 9- 8 | 5 / 9- 8 |
31 | Jason Lee – A-Jay Smith | Anglers Choice | 5 / 9- 8 | 5 / 9- 8 |
34 | Bryce Kalen – Bryan Kalen | IN BN Team Trail | 5 / 9- 7 | 5 / 9- 7 |
34 | Ed Loughran III – Chris Morrison | Priority James River Series | 5 / 9- 7 | 5 / 9- 7 |
36 | Matt Green – Justin Nunley | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 9- 4 | 5 / 9- 4 |
36 | Joe Wieberg – Walon Kleffner | Joe Bass | 5 / 9- 4 | 5 / 9- 4 |
36 | Jeffrey Woods – Dennis Phelps | Weekend Warrior Bass Series | 5 / 9- 4 | 5 / 9- 4 |
39 | Nick Deering – Conner Petropoulos | Maine BN – Man vs Bass | 5 / 9- 3 | 5 / 9- 3 |
39 | Ty Faber – John Gardner | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 5 / 9- 3 | 5 / 9- 3 |
41 | Randy Brickell – Spencer Shuffield | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 9- 2 | 5 / 9- 2 |
42 | Shannon Denson – Doug Perkins | Media Bass | 5 / 9- 1 | 5 / 9- 1 |
42 | Rick Johnston – Connor Cunningham | Ozark Mountain TT | 5 / 9- 1 | 5 / 9- 1 |
44 | Brandon Hoppert – Lucas Knotts | Cheat Lake Anglers | 5 / 8-15 | 5 / 8-15 |
45 | Ryan Claypool – Kyle Claypool | Upstate Anglers | 5 / 8-14 | 5 / 8-14 |
45 | Keith Mayfield – Daryl Adams | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 8-14 | 5 / 8-14 |
47 | Todd Buckingham – Chris Beaudrie | KY BN Team Trail | 5 / 8-13 | 5 / 8-13 |
47 | Mark Cox – Brian Stacy | Morristown Marine | 5 / 8-13 | 5 / 8-13 |
47 | Rickie Knight – Torrey Jones | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 8-13 | 5 / 8-13 |
50 | Tim Hurst – Mark McCaig | Alabama Bass Trail | 4 / 8-13 | 4 / 8-13 |
51 | Mike McCullers – Jason Shockley | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 8-12 | 5 / 8-12 |
52 | Scott Hinds – Aaron Watson | ME BN – Man vs Bass | 2 / 8-11 | 2 / 8-11 |
53 | Jay Hulsey – Bob King | Joe Bass | 5 / 8-10 | 5 / 8-10 |
54 | William Samples – Tom Campagna | Anglers Choice | 5 / 8- 9 | 5 / 8- 9 |
55 | Jonathan Spivey – Derick Livingston | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 / 8- 8 | 5 / 8- 8 |
56 | Tad Dowker – Jeremiah Steffen | West Michigan Bass | 5 / 8- 8 | 5 / 8- 8 |
57 | Lyle Armstrong – Mitchell Armstrong | Anglers in Action | 4 / 8- 8 | 4 / 8- 8 |
58 | Ashton Laird – Daniel Urbino | Upstate Angelrs | 4 / 8- 6 | 4 / 8- 6 |
59 | Hunter Hamilton – Kyle Smith | Morristown Marine Team Trail | 5 / 8- 5 | 5 / 8- 5 |
60 | Marc Wagy – Joshua Wagy | VA Elite 70 | 4 / 8- 5 | 4 / 8- 5 |
61 | Cory Steckler – Ronnie Kane | Ozark Mountain | 5 / 8- 2 | 5 / 8- 2 |
62 | Allan Glasgow – George Crain | Fishers of Men | 4 / 8- 2 | 4 / 8- 2 |
63 | Tim Garner – Martin Villa | Priority James River Series | 5 / 7-15 | 5 / 7-15 |
64 | Cory Hartfield – Eddie Levin | Ohio BASS Nation Team Trail | 5 / 7-13 | 5 / 7-13 |
65 | Rob Messenger Jr – John Levesque | New Hampshire BN Team Trail | 3 / 7-12 | 3 / 7-12 |
66 | Craig Powers – Edward Baker | Tennessee Team Trail | 5 / 7-10 | 5 / 7-10 |
67 | David Craft – Stoney Johnson | Chattanooga Bass Association | 4 / 7-10 | 4 / 7-10 |
68 | Dustin Neat – Mark Wethington | NTBA | 4 / 7- 9 | 4 / 7- 9 |
69 | Scott Clift – Ashley Medley | Joe Bass TT | 5 / 7- 8 | 5 / 7- 8 |
70 | Cody George – Josh Prince | Morristown Marine | 4 / 7- 6 | 4 / 7- 6 |
71 | Greg Ault – Huey Applegate | Arkansas Bass Team Trail | 4 / 7- 4 | 4 / 7- 4 |
71 | Thomas McMillan – Tom Stinson | Media Bass | 4 / 7- 4 | 4 / 7- 4 |
71 | Joey Nania – Zeke Gossett | Tracker Nitro Big Bucks Buddy Trail | 4 / 7- 4 | 4 / 7- 4 |
74 | Greg Bent – Brian Gottfried | Upstate Anglers | 3 / 7- 4 | 3 / 7- 4 |
75 | Brian Shook – Randy Tolbert | Alabama Bass Trail | 4 / 7- 2 | 4 / 7- 2 |
76 | Joe Lee – Jimbo Harris | Tennesee Team Trail | 5 / 7- 1 | 5 / 7- 1 |
77 | Greg Blair – Robert Shackelford | Joe Bass | 4 / 6-15 | 4 / 6-15 |
77 | William Pioch – JJ Dickens | WV BN Buddy Trail | 4 / 6-15 | 4 / 6-15 |
77 | Jason Vance – Roger Mikels | US Anglers Choice | 4 / 6-15 | 4 / 6-15 |
80 | Tom Haynes – George Toalson | Angler Nation | 3 / 6- 9 | 3 / 6- 9 |
81 | Kelly Robinette – Billy Lane | Priority James River Series | 5 / 6- 7 | 5 / 6- 7 |
82 | Michael Slocki – John Hawley | Bassmania Team Trail | 4 / 6- 7 | 4 / 6- 7 |
83 | Michael Hyrtle – Jack Morgan | Bassmania | 4 / 6- 3 | 4 / 6- 3 |
84 | Gale Brown – Darrell Brown | KS BN Team Trail | 4 / 6- 2 | 4 / 6- 2 |
85 | Jacob Coverdale – Bobby Smith | Delaware BN Team Trail | 3 / 6- 2 | 3 / 6- 2 |
86 | Matthew Farrabee – Mark Mounts | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 4 / 6- 1 | 4 / 6- 1 |
87 | Broc Lindauer – Jakob Calkin | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 3 / 6- 1 | 3 / 6- 1 |
88 | Andrus Kung – Evan Kung | Bassmania | 3 / 6- 0 | 3 / 6- 0 |
89 | Christopher Risner – Tim Eaton | West Michigan Bass | 3 / 5-15 | 3 / 5-15 |
90 | Curtis Talbott – Craig Wright | Anglers Choice | 3 / 5-11 | 3 / 5-11 |
91 | Gregory Lewis – Stephen Dement | NTBA | 4 / 5-10 | 4 / 5-10 |
92 | Peter Owen – Mike Deal | NH BN Team Trail | 4 / 5- 9 | 4 / 5- 9 |
93 | Clint Harrison II – Jessie Harrison | Morristown Marine Team Trail | 3 / 5- 9 | 3 / 5- 9 |
94 | Carlton Newhouse – Cameron Newhouse | Anglers Choice | 5 / 5- 8 | 5 / 5- 8 |
95 | Trey McGuire – Jon Richardson | Fishers of Men | 3 / 5- 6 | 3 / 5- 6 |
96 | Bobby Loyd – Jeff Moseley | Ozark Mountain | 3 / 5- 4 | 3 / 5- 4 |
97 | Steve Barnett – Jack Levert | Renegade Bass | 3 / 4-13 | 3 / 4-13 |
97 | Rick Camp – Jamie Hatcher | Chattanooga Bass Association | 3 / 4-13 | 3 / 4-13 |
97 | Dennis Chavez – Donnie Coleman Jr | Ultimate Bass Team Trail | 3 / 4-13 | 3 / 4-13 |
100 | Marvin Olive – Melvin Thompson | Ozark Mountain | 3 / 4-12 | 3 / 4-12 |
101 | Martin Elshout – Mark Price | Fishers of Men | 3 / 4- 9 | 3 / 4- 9 |
101 | Mark Thompson – Jim Smith | Joe Bass TT | 3 / 4- 9 | 3 / 4- 9 |
103 | John Kleinoeder – John Collins | Great Lakes Largemouth Series | 4 / 4- 8 | 4 / 4- 8 |
104 | Mitch Mitchell – Candler McCollum | Alabama Bass Trail | 2 / 4- 8 | 2 / 4- 8 |
105 | Ryan Hubler – Ryan Fingleton | West Michigan Bass | 2 / 4- 6 | 2 / 4- 6 |
106 | Ben Jacobi – Curtis Callahan Jr | Priority James River Series | 3 / 4- 5 | 3 / 4- 5 |
107 | Bryan Humphreys – Maurice Oakes | Fishers of Men | 2 / 4- 5 | 2 / 4- 5 |
108 | Matt McCoy – Terry McWilliams | IN BN Team Trail | 3 / 4- 2 | 3 / 4- 2 |
109 | Danny Lavoie – Todd Mahoney | Alabama Bass Trail | 2 / 4- 1 | 2 / 4- 1 |
110 | Leidy Clark – Rickey West | Priority James River Series | 2 / 3-12 | 2 / 3-12 |
111 | Mike Crowther – Allen Bratton | Ultimate Team Tour | 2 / 3-11 | 2 / 3-11 |
112 | Brian Thompson – Eric Hammond | Joe Bass | 2 / 3-10 | 2 / 3-10 |
113 | Matt Robertson – Wendell Anderson | Priority James River Series | 2 / 3- 9 | 2 / 3- 9 |
114 | Tim Carmouche – Cary Beard | Fishers of Men | 2 / 3- 8 | 2 / 3- 8 |
114 | Ryan Hovatter – Bryson Grimes | Cheat Lake Anglers | 2 / 3- 8 | 2 / 3- 8 |
116 | Tim Goad – Mark Williams | Anglers Choice | 2 / 3- 6 | 2 / 3- 6 |
117 | Jeff Bonner – Steve Coggin | Media Bass | 2 / 3- 4 | 2 / 3- 4 |
117 | Jeff Gee – Steve Majewski | US Anglers Choice | 2 / 3- 4 | 2 / 3- 4 |
119 | Sam Wooten – Jay Mitchell | Media Bass | 2 / 3- 3 | 2 / 3- 3 |
120 | Raymond Trudeau – Fred George | FL BN Team Trail | 2 / 3- 2 | 2 / 3- 2 |
121 | David Perry – Randy Shirley | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 2 / 3- 1 | 2 / 3- 1 |
121 | Travis Salo – Garret Seppala | NH BN Team Trail | 2 / 3- 1 | 2 / 3- 1 |
123 | Roger Hughes – Waynes Hughes | Anglers in Action | 1 / 2-14 | 1 / 2-14 |
124 | Justin Harris – Dell Mettlen Jr | KS BN TT | 1 / 2-11 | 1 / 2-11 |
125 | Kyle Kempkers – Brett Haveman | BBT Bass R Us | 2 / 2- 9 | 2 / 2- 9 |
126 | Dylan Dew – Randy Fox | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 1 / 2- 9 | 1 / 2- 9 |
127 | Kyle Welcher – Chris Haynes | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 2- 7 | 1 / 2- 7 |
128 | Allen Williford – Austin Moore | IL BN Team Trail | 1 / 2- 5 | 1 / 2- 5 |
129 | Jason Hodge – Lonnie Bowlin | AC Tournament Trail | 1 / 2- 4 | 1 / 2- 4 |
129 | Kris Von Ahn – John Von Ahn | Joe Bass | 1 / 2- 4 | 1 / 2- 4 |
131 | Forrest Brown – Chris Van Houten | BBT Bass R Us | 2 / 2- 3 | 2 / 2- 3 |
132 | Ken Walters – Jason Beasley | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 2- 3 | 1 / 2- 3 |
133 | Trent Bowles – Robert McDonald | Anglers Choice | 1 / 2- 1 | 1 / 2- 1 |
133 | William Goots – James Ward | Anglers Choice | 1 / 2- 1 | 1 / 2- 1 |
133 | Robert Paxton – Steven Caldwell | Media Bass | 1 / 2- 1 | 1 / 2- 1 |
133 | Shane Pope – Joel Lee | Dockside Marine Team Trail | 1 / 2- 1 | 1 / 2- 1 |
137 | Alan Agnoli – Fred Boettjer | FL BN Team Trail | 1 / 2- 0 | 1 / 2- 0 |
138 | Douglas Polasek – Ty Nguyen | West Michigan Bass | 1 / 1-15 | 1 / 1-15 |
139 | John McCurdy – Jack McCurdy | Joe Bass | 1 / 1-14 | 1 / 1-14 |
139 | Jack Womack – Kathy Womack | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 1-14 | 1 / 1-14 |
141 | Kelly Pratt – Charles Rackley | James River Priority | 1 / 1-13 | 1 / 1-13 |
142 | James Nuckols – Doug Plemons | Morristown Marine | 1 / 1-11 | 1 / 1-11 |
143 | Stephen Rogers – Jimmy Rogers | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 1- 8 | 1 / 1- 8 |
144 | Keith Carney – Christopher Beeson | Texas BN Team Trail | 1 / 1- 0 | 1 / 1- 0 |
144 | Jason Smith – Sam Spruill | Fishers of Men | 1 / 1- 0 | 1 / 1- 0 |
146 | Bryan Baker – Darren Baker | Joe Bass | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Ronald Cancilla – Leo Cancilla | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Aaron Davis – Matthew Sewell | Media Bass | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Ronald Foley – Dan Corbin | NTBA | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Brant Grimm – Bobby Drinnon | Morristown Marine | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | James Holencik – George Holencik | Western PA Team Bass Series | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Joshua Hubbard – Tom Catlin | IL BN Team Trail | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Logan Johnson – Jeremy Christian | Alabama Bass Trail | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Matthew Klinker – Dusty Chaulk | MA BN Team Trail | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Jerry McCafferty – Josh Benford | Alabama Bass Trail | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Michael Mcknight – Brian Delf | IA BN Team Trail | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Jack Miller – Curt Ferri | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Richard Schultz – Richard Schultz | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Eric Silverstrim – Joe Johnson | TN BN Team Trail | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Lee Sisson – Michael Nicknadarvich | Lakeland Bassmasters Team Trail | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Jason Smith – Chaz McMahan | Alabama Bass Trail | – | 0 / 0- 0 |
146 | Jason Walcott – Jimmy Vanden Berg Jr | BBT Bass R Us | – | 0 / 0- 0 |