Hackney Leads As The Board Shuffled And Many Fell Behind.
As is often the case in sight fishing derbies, the second round of the Bassmaster Elite Series event on Florida’s St Johns River was a much tougher day at the office for most of the 110 competing pros.
The biggest factor? The low-hanging fruit got picked on Day1.
Randall Tharp shed some light on the subject. “Yesterday I was in an area where there were thousands of fish. It seemed like every white spot had a fish on it. Today I went to the same area and didn’t see a fish.” Tharp rallied late to cull up to his weight of 12-8 today, which gave him a total of 35-2 and put him safely in the cut at 14th place.
“They went through ‘em like a vacuum cleaner yesterday,” said Jacob Powroznik of the eel grass laden spawning flats that ring Lake George. He did not rebound well enough to make the cut.
As fortunes changed Day 1 leader Brandon Lester fell to 6th with a 14-2 limit but with a total weight of 37-15 he is only a pound and 7 ounces off the lead.
How do you succeed in Florida tournaments? Drew Benton of Panama City put it into perspective: “I went looking for a big one and never found it. Tomorrow I’ll go see if I can find another one.” Without those big ‘uns you end up with 9-14 as Drew did today instead of the 22-15 he weighed yesterday.
Benton fell from 2nd to 24th but with 32-13 he is just a big bite away from taking the lead when action resumes Saturday morning.
Speaking of the lead, it now belongs to Greg Hackney with 39-6 (18-1 today).
Terry Scroggins holds down 2nd place with 38-8 (21-10 today).
Jordan Lee (below) is 3rd with 38-7 (17-8 today). Marty Robinson put 19-12 on the scale and ran his total to 38-5 – good for 4th.
Brent Ehrler is in the 5th position with 38-3 following an 18-pound, 11-ounce performance today.
Hometown angler Scroggins is known for his hospitality when Palatka hosts Elite Series tourneys. He’ll cook for his buddies off the water. On the water, however, he’ll take their money. ‘Big Show’ weighed 21-10 today (38-8 total) to place 2nd for the time being. “I’ve been running south each day to catch a limit and then running north. There’s a small window when I can see ‘em (on the heavily tide-influenced north end) and its getting shorter every day.”
After Hackney took the lead from Scroggins he was quick and quite as he exited the stage. Those guys that won’t talk usually have something special going on. We’ll keep an eye on the Hack Attack this weekend.
Many anglers suffered slow starts. Even some of the successful guys went fishless until 10 or 11 o’clock. A lot of guys caught – and in some cases missed – the biggest bass of the day in the closing hour.
Edwin Evers says he missed a couple of opportunities to get quality fish in the boat but he managed to get another giant in the boat today to go along with one from yesterday. The fat girl boosted his total weight to 33-7 (13-2 today) and put him in the 19th spot. The reigning Classic Champ will be looking gun down several competitors and make Sunday’s Top 12 round.
There was definitely a strong late bite and the guys who capitalized on it now sit atop the standings.
Lee caught a 4-pounder and a 6-plus-pounder in the last hour and took a temporary lead before settling into 3rd.
Chris Zaldain climbed into the cut (42nd place) on the strength of a late-breaking pattern. He laments what could have been. “If I would’ve had 20 more minutes,” pleaded Zaldain who said he was throwing a Vision 110 jerkbait in the fastest current he could find. And hooking up with big bass.
By contrast, Justin Lucas caught a big bag today. He filled his limit early and never looked back. The 22-13 effort gave him a total weight of 36-10 and put him in 9th place.
The best showing of the day came as local favorite Cliff Prince rallied the crowd to their feet. He found a bona fide giant weighing 10 pounds, 8 ounces to anchor a 23-pound, 1-ounce sack. “It finally came together. I should’ve had a giant bag but I messed up a couple of them up.”
Prince said that in past Elite Series tourneys on his home water he has lost a few monsters. Today he brought one back to Palatka. It was a great rebound from his start of only 10-12 yesterday. With a total weight of 33-13 Prince will launch in 18th place tomorrow.
SOME RANDOM NOTES:
Topwaters are producing big bites.
Later flights caught ‘em better.
Clunn is looking for postspawn fish. Not sure he’ll be a threat to win, but he does have the momentum coming to him as the sight bite slows and big females leave beds. Clunn begins tomorrow in 31st place, 7 pounds, 14 ounces off the lead.
Shaw Grigsby did 19-2 today to make the cut. On a day when the bed bite got tougher he made a comeback. Does this spell trouble for the rest of the field? He’s tied with fellow Florida veteran Bernie Schultz at 31-11 for 28th place. Look out the Sunshine State veterans!
Ken Iyobe is an underrated sight fisherman. He has his own TV show in Japan. He proved he can find them in Florida. Made the cut.
2016 Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels 3/17-3/20
St. Johns River, Palatka FL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 39-06 110
Day 1: 5 21-05 Day 2: 5 18-01
2. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 38-08 109
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 21-10
3. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 10 38-07 108
Day 1: 5 20-15 Day 2: 5 17-08
4. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 10 38-05 107
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 19-12
5. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 10 38-03 106
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 18-11
6. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 37-15 105
Day 1: 5 23-13 Day 2: 5 14-02
7. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 37-02 104
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 18-13
8. Billy McCaghren Jr Mayflower, AR 10 37-01 103
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 17-00
9. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 36-10 102
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 22-13
10. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 36-05 101
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 17-05
11. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 35-15 100
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 20-13
12. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 10 35-14 99
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 18-06
13. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 35-05 98
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 16-10
14. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 35-02 97
Day 1: 5 22-10 Day 2: 5 12-08
15. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 10 34-08 96
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 19-01
16. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 10 34-05 95
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 16-01
17. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 10 33-15 94
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 15-01
18. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 33-13 93
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 23-01
19. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 33-07 92
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 13-02
20. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 33-04 91
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 11-10
21. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 33-03 90
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 16-10
22. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 33-01 89
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 15-15
23. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 32-15 88
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 5 13-00
24. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 32-13 87
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 5 09-14
25. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 32-05 86
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 14-02
26. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 32-01 85
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 19-01
27. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 10 32-00 84
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 17-09
28. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 10 31-11 83
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 19-02
29. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 31-11 82
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 18-15
30. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 10 31-08 81
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 11-11
31. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 31-08 80
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 14-13
32. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 31-07 79
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 09-13
33. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 31-07 78
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 11-15
34. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 31-04 77
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 17-15
35. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 31-03 76
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 13-09
36. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 31-03 75
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 16-02
37. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 31-01 74
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 14-11
38. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 30-14 73
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 15-06
39. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 10 30-11 72
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 13-06
40. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 30-06 71
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 15-02
41. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 30-00 70
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 10-14
42. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 10 29-14 69
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 16-11
43. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 10 29-12 68
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 14-15
44. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 29-10 67
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 09-01
45. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 29-04 66
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 07-14
46. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 29-02 65
Day 1: 5 19-14 Day 2: 5 09-04
47. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 10 29-02 64
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 11-15
48. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 29-01 63
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 08-01
49. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 8 29-00 62
Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 3 06-02
50. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 28-12 61
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 08-11
51. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 28-12 60
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 14-13
52. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 28-06 59
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 14-00
53. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 10 28-05 58
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 12-05
54. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 10 28-05 57
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 12-08
55. Jay Brainard Enid, OK 10 28-00 56
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 10-00
56. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 10 28-00 55
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 13-01
57. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 27-03 54
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 11-08
58. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 26-15 53
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 12-09
59. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 26-10 52
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 15-06
60. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 10 26-07 51
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 07-00
61. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 9 26-07 50
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 4 07-15
62. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 10 26-03 49
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-04
63. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 9 26-01 48
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 4 09-13
64. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 25-11 47
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 13-12
65. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 10 25-10 46
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 08-06
66. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 25-10 45
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 13-14
67. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 10 25-08 44
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 11-01
68. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 25-03 43
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 09-11
69. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE 10 25-02 42
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 5 16-12
70. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 25-01 41
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 12-05
71. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 10 25-00 40
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 10-07
72. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 10 24-11 39
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 09-02
73. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 10 24-10 38
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 07-15
74. Casey Scanlon Rocky Mount, MO 9 24-10 37
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 4 10-01
75. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 9 24-09 36
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 4 08-04
76. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 10 24-03 35
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 13-06
77. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 23-15 34
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 10-13
78. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 10 23-07 33
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 09-05
79. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 22-15 32
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 10-03
80. David Williams Newton, NC 10 22-14 31
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 13-07
81. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 10 22-13 30
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 10-15
82. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 22-11 29
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 08-07
83. Matt Vermilyea Perrysburg, OH 9 22-11 28
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 4 08-15
84. James Elam Tulsa, OK 10 22-11 27
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 13-10
85. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 10 22-11 26
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 11-15
86. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 10 22-10 25
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 08-04
87. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 22-10 24
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 12-06
88. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 10 22-09 23
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 10-04
89. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 22-03 22
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 08-01
90. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 10 22-02 21
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 09-01
91. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 10 20-15 20
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 11-03
92. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 20-02 19
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 06-13
93. Matt Reed Jr Madisonville, TX 10 20-02 18
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 11-07
94. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 10 20-02 17
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 09-04
95. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 19-15 16
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 08-04
96. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 10 19-14 15
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 06-14
97. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 9 19-04 14
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 4 09-04
98. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 8 19-01 13
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 3 11-01
99. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 10 19-00 12
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 5 11-10
100. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 18-14 11
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 06-05
101. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 9 18-09 10
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 4 06-01
102. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 18-09 9
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 07-12
103. Byron Velvick Boenre, TX 10 18-09 8
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 09-10
104. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 8 18-06 7
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 3 07-11
105. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 17-13 6
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 07-03
106. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 17-00 5
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 05-12
107. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 7 11-10 4
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 2 03-01
108. John Murray Spring City, TN 5 11-08 3
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
109. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 6 11-01 2
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 1 02-04
110. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 2 04-06 1
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
