February 9, 2018  by Jody White

Day one of the Costa FLW Series presented by Ranger on Lake Havasu featured great weather and very tight weights. Though no 20-pound bags hit the scale, 10 pros bested the 16-pound mark and Carl Limbrick Jr. of Bonita, Calif., weighed 17 pounds, 7 ounces to take the lead.

With weights as tight as they are and so many boats on the water most of the pros were pretty cagey about their patterns. For Limbrick, getting off to a hot start early was key.

“It started off good in the morning, I didn’t catch many fish, but I caught decent ones – 3- and 4-pounders,” says the California angler. “I’m not sure I can replicate it, I only got six fish today and that sixth one came later. I went a long time without a bite.”

Limbrick did divulge his methods and location to a degree – finesse fishing in the main basin. Weighing three smallmouths and two largemouths on the day, Limbrick says he isn’t particularly targeting either species, he’s just focusing on areas where both are present.

Prior to 2018, Limbrick has fished almost entirely as a co-angler, but he did end the 2017 season with an 18th-place finish from the front of the boat at Clear Lake. He’s got a great shot to follow that up with an even better finish if he can keep it rolling at Havasu.

 

Top 10 pros 

1. Carl Limbrick Jr. – Bonita, Calif. – 17-7 (5)

2. Ted Stewner – Winnipeg, Manitoba – 17-3 (5)

2. Chris Kinley – Lake Havasu City, Ariz. – 17-3 (5)

4. Cody Murray – Nampa, Idaho – 17-2 (5)

5. Shaun Bailey – Lake Havasu City, Ariz. – 16-14 (5)

6. Jason Borofka – Salinas, Calif. – 16-12 (5)

7. Michael Caruso – Peoria, Ariz. – 16-7 (5)

8. Joe Uribe Jr. – Surprise, Ariz. – 16-6 (5)

9. Mitch Southern – Yucaipa, Calif. – 16-4 (5)

10. Jason Milligan – Cottonwood, Calif. – 16-0 (5)

 

 

Cunningham blows past the co-angler field

Had he been fishing on the pro side, Joseph Cunningham would still be in the lead. The co-angler from El Dorado Hills, Calif., smashed 18-2 on day one and leads over Tony Zanotelli by nearly 4 pounds.

Fishing behind Gregg Brown, Cunningham says he simply got a little lucky.

“Believe it or not it was actually a really slow day,” says Cunningham. “We came in on a spot and I caught three good ones back-to-back and then we had a lull until the end of the day when I caught my last two keepers. It feels good, I just hope I can go out there and get five tomorrow and then do it again on Saturday. It’s an adrenaline rush every time you get a bite.”

Complete results

 

PLACE	ANGLER	CITY/STATE	DAY 1 WT (Fish)	DAY 1&2 WT (Fish)	WINNINGS
1	CARL LIMBRICK JR	BONITA, CA	17 – 7 (5)	17 – 7 (5)
2	TED STEWNER	WINNIPEG, MB	17 – 3 (5)	17 – 3 (5)
2	CHRIS KINLEY	LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ	17 – 3 (5)	17 – 3 (5)
4	CODY MURRAY	NAMPA, ID	17 – 2 (5)	17 – 2 (5)
5	SHAUN BAILEY	LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ	16 – 14 (5)	16 – 14 (5)
6	JASON BOROFKA	SALINAS, CA	16 – 12 (5)	16 – 12 (5)
7	MICHAEL CARUSO	PEORIA, AZ	16 – 7 (5)	16 – 7 (5)
8	JOE URIBE JR.	SURPRISE, AZ	16 – 6 (5)	16 – 6 (5)
9	MITCH SOUTHERN	YUCAIPA, CA	16 – 4 (5)	16 – 4 (5)
10	JASON MILLIGAN	COTTONWOOD, CA	16 – 0 (5)	16 – 0 (5)
11	BRETT LEBER	DIXON, CA	15 – 10 (5)	15 – 10 (5)
12	JACOB WALL	JACKSONVILLE, OR	15 – 9 (5)	15 – 9 (5)
13	MARTY LAWRENCE	MESA, AZ	15 – 8 (5)	15 – 8 (5)
14	PETE MARINO	MORENO VALLEY, CA	15 – 4 (5)	15 – 4 (5)
15	TODD KLINE	SAN CLEMENTE, CA	15 – 3 (5)	15 – 3 (5)
16	SHANE SPINNING	CANYON LAKE, CA	15 – 1 (5)	15 – 1 (5)
17	DAVID VALDIVIA	NORWALK, CA	14 – 12 (5)	14 – 12 (5)
18	JUSTIN KERR	SIMI VALLEY, CA	14 – 6 (5)	14 – 6 (5)
18	JIMMY REESE	WITTER SPRINGS, CA	14 – 6 (5)	14 – 6 (5)
20	KEVIN FINLEY	PHOENIX, AZ	14 – 3 (5)	14 – 3 (5)
21	JON GRIFFITH	MESA, AZ	14 – 0 (5)	14 – 0 (5)
22	TOM LEEDOM	ESCONDIDO, CA	13 – 15 (5)	13 – 15 (5)
23	TED HOLVERSON	EL CAJON, CA	13 – 14 (5)	13 – 14 (5)
24	JORDAN COLLOM	TEMECULA, CA	13 – 12 (5)	13 – 12 (5)
25	NICK NOUROT	BENICIA, CA	13 – 7 (5)	13 – 7 (5)
25	RONALD BRUGGEMAN	POTTER VALLEY, CA	13 – 7 (5)	13 – 7 (5)
27	JASON CORDIALE	ORINDA, CA	13 – 5 (5)	13 – 5 (5)
28	JASON SIDEBOTTOM	SAN JACINTO, CA	13 – 3 (5)	13 – 3 (5)
29	JAY WRIGHT	SEAL BEACH, CA	13 – 1 (5)	13 – 1 (5)
29	RAYMOND TAK	LOS ANGELES, CA	13 – 1 (4)	13 – 1 (4)
31	JASON HICKEY	WEISER, ID	13 – 0 (5)	13 – 0 (5)
32	PATRICK SPENCER	MARANA, AZ	12 – 7 (5)	12 – 7 (5)
33	BLAKE DYER	MORAGA, CA	12 – 3 (3)	12 – 3 (3)	$300
34	MARK LASSAGNE	SAN RAMON, CA	12 – 1 (5)	12 – 1 (5)
34	CORY SCHLEIDEN	YUCAIPA, CA	12 – 1 (5)	12 – 1 (5)
36	JIM HAWKES	APACHE JUNCTION, AZ	12 – 0 (5)	12 – 0 (5)
37	GREGG LEONARD	ELK GROVE, CA	11 – 14 (5)	11 – 14 (5)
37	ANDY SCHOLZ	RENO, NV	11 – 14 (4)	11 – 14 (4)
37	TAI AU	GLENDALE, AZ	11 – 14 (5)	11 – 14 (5)
40	JIM VRETZOS	FOLSOM, CA	11 – 13 (5)	11 – 13 (5)
40	RYAN LAMPRECHT	PEORIA, AZ	11 – 13 (4)	11 – 13 (4)
40	MARK WILLIAMS	LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ	11 – 13 (4)	11 – 13 (4)
43	PATRICK WHITAKER	GILBERT, AZ	11 – 12 (5)	11 – 12 (5)
44	INDER LOPEZ	SPRING VALLEY, CA	11 – 11 (5)	11 – 11 (5)
45	TIM RATH	LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ	11 – 7 (4)	11 – 7 (4)
46	ROBERT LEE	ANGELS CAMP, CA	11 – 3 (5)	11 – 3 (5)
47	KYLE GROVER	TRABUCO CANYON, CA	11 – 2 (3)	11 – 2 (3)
47	JIM WAITS	YUMA, AZ	11 – 2 (5)	11 – 2 (5)
49	TRAVIS HUCKABY	MODESTO, CA	11 – 1 (5)	11 – 1 (5)
50	CHRIS COSTELLO	GILROY, CA	10 – 13 (5)	10 – 13 (5)
51	SEAN MINDERMAN	GREENACRES, WA	10 – 10 (5)	10 – 10 (5)
52	JEFF MICHELS	LAKEHEAD, CA	10 – 9 (5)	10 – 9 (5)
53	ANDREW LOBERG	ROCKLIN, CA	10 – 8 (5)	10 – 8 (5)
54	MANAS MALIKIAN	HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA	10 – 6 (4)	10 – 6 (4)
54	MIKE PHUA	CHINO, CA	10 – 6 (5)	10 – 6 (5)
56	TONY LAIN	MENIFEE, CA	10 – 3 (4)	10 – 3 (4)
57	RUSTY SALEWSKE	ALPINE, CA	10 – 2 (5)	10 – 2 (5)
58	TERRENCE RATH	LAKEWOOD, CA	10 – 0 (5)	10 – 0 (5)
59	GARRETT HOWARD	RIVERSIDE, CA	9 – 9 (4)	9 – 9 (4)
59	MATT DAL PORTO	SUTTER, CA	9 – 9 (3)	9 – 9 (3)
61	TOSHITADA SUZUKI	TOKYO JAPAN 125-0061,	9 – 5 (5)	9 – 5 (5)
62	DANIEL LEUE	COLUSA, CA	9 – 3 (4)	9 – 3 (4)
63	JIGGS BENN	MYRTLE CREEK, OR	9 – 2 (5)	9 – 2 (5)
64	MIKE STAHLMAN	BUCKLEY, WA	9 – 1 (3)	9 – 1 (3)
65	JON STRELIC	EL CAJON, CA	8 – 12 (5)	8 – 12 (5)
66	LANE OLSON	FOREST GROVE, OR	8 – 7 (3)	8 – 7 (3)
67	COLT ROBERTS	BAYFIELD, CO	8 – 4 (4)	8 – 4 (4)
68	RICK FOERSTER	VAIL, AZ	8 – 1 (3)	8 – 1 (3)
69	CLIFF KING	HERALD, CA	8 – 0 (4)	8 – 0 (4)
70	VINCENT BERNAL	LOS BANOS, CA	7 – 14 (5)	7 – 14 (5)
71	JEFF ALLEN	FLAGSTAFF, AZ	7 – 12 (3)	7 – 12 (3)
72	BRIAN NOLLAR	HOMER, AK	7 – 8 (2)	7 – 8 (2)
73	SCOTT HELLESEN	BENICIA, CA	7 – 2 (2)	7 – 2 (2)
74	NATHAN BROMLEY	ALBANY, OR	6 – 15 (3)	6 – 15 (3)
75	RUSS BARGER	BOISE, ID	6 – 14 (2)	6 – 14 (2)
76	GREG HUEY	MCMINNVILLE, OR	6 – 11 (3)	6 – 11 (3)
77	SHAWN O’CONNELL	BREWSTER, WA	6 – 10 (3)	6 – 10 (3)
78	TRAVIS BOUNDS	CHICO, CA	6 – 9 (2)	6 – 9 (2)
79	NICK YOUNG	NYSSA, OR	6 – 8 (3)	6 – 8 (3)
80	JIM GIANCOLA	SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA	6 – 5 (2)	6 – 5 (2)
80	TODD WOODS	LOS ANGELES, CA	6 – 5 (2)	6 – 5 (2)
82	DAVID MAES	SPARKS, NV	6 – 4 (3)	6 – 4 (3)
82	SHANE MEISEL	RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA	6 – 4 (3)	6 – 4 (3)
84	MIKE NICHELINI	NAPA, CA	6 – 2 (3)	6 – 2 (3)
85	SUNNY HAWK	SALT LAKE CITY, UT	6 – 1 (2)	6 – 1 (2)
86	YUAN LIU	HAYWARD, CA	5 – 15 (3)	5 – 15 (3)
87	VU AU	TUCSON, AZ	5 – 12 (3)	5 – 12 (3)
87	TYLER ELLIS	SPRINGFIELD, MO	5 – 12 (3)	5 – 12 (3)
89	CY FLOYD	HENDERSON, NV	5 – 11 (3)	5 – 11 (3)
89	STEPHEN PRICE	GLENDALE, AZ	5 – 11 (2)	5 – 11 (2)
89	RYAN GERMAN	FAIRFIELD, CA	5 – 11 (2)	5 – 11 (2)
92	JOHNNY NGUYEN	TUCSON, AZ	5 – 10 (3)	5 – 10 (3)
93	MATT SHURA	GILBERT, AZ	5 – 9 (1)	5 – 9 (1)
94	JERRED JENNINGS	STOCKTON, CA	5 – 5 (3)	5 – 5 (3)
95	JAMES SHAW	COOLIDGE, AZ	5 – 4 (2)	5 – 4 (2)
95	LOGAN ERAUTT	YUCAIPA, CA	5 – 4 (2)	5 – 4 (2)
97	HUNTER SCHLANDER	MODESTO, CA	5 – 3 (2)	5 – 3 (2)
98	CLAYTON ESLICK	GILROY, CA	5 – 2 (2)	5 – 2 (2)
99	ROBERT NAKATOMI	SACRAMENTO, CA	5 – 1 (3)	5 – 1 (3)
100	WES WEZENBERG	LACEY, WA	4 – 15 (2)	4 – 15 (2)
101	SERGIO ARGUELLO	N. HOLLYWOOD, CA	4 – 13 (1)	4 – 13 (1)
101	JUSTIN PATTI	PHOENIX, AZ	4 – 13 (3)	4 – 13 (3)
103	CAMERON KARBER	SCOTTSDALE, AZ	4 – 9 (1)	4 – 9 (1)
103	KEVIN HUGO	CANYON LAKE, CA	4 – 9 (3)	4 – 9 (3)
105	KEVIN JOHNSON	WADDELL, AZ	4 – 8 (2)	4 – 8 (2)
106	ED ARLEDGE	VALLEY CENTER, CA	4 – 7 (2)	4 – 7 (2)
107	MICHAEL TAFOYA	LAPLATA, NM	4 – 6 (2)	4 – 6 (2)
108	MIKE POWELL	MIDWAY, UT	4 – 5 (2)	4 – 5 (2)
109	PHILIP ROESENER	LOGANDALE, NV	4 – 2 (2)	4 – 2 (2)
110	MIKE BRILLHART	WADDELL, AZ	4 – 0 (3)	4 – 0 (3)
111	BENJAMIN BYRD	MOAB, UT	3 – 15 (2)	3 – 15 (2)
112	HOBBY NELSON	PEORIA, AZ	3 – 14 (1)	3 – 14 (1)
113	ROBERT GRITSKI	PENDLETON, OR	3 – 9 (1)	3 – 9 (1)
114	JUSTIN CAMPBELL	PASCO, WA	3 – 8 (1)	3 – 8 (1)
114	CHARLEY ALMASSEY	OAKLEY, CA	3 – 8 (1)	3 – 8 (1)
116	LESTER HAWKINS	PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO	3 – 3 (1)	3 – 3 (1)
116	ANDREW JANKE	SCAPPOOSE, OR	3 – 3 (1)	3 – 3 (1)
118	JAKE BOOMER	SPOKANE VALLEY, WA	3 – 2 (1)	3 – 2 (1)
119	DAVE PHILLIPS	NAMPA, ID	3 – 0 (2)	3 – 0 (2)
120	ALLEN BRATTON	CEDAR CITY, UT	2 – 14 (1)	2 – 14 (1)
121	GREGG BROWN	HENDERSON, NV	2 – 11 (1)	2 – 11 (1)
121	JOSHUA IRELAND	ST.CLOUD, FL	2 – 11 (1)	2 – 11 (1)
123	BRET GOUVEA	REDDING, CA	2 – 9 (2)	2 – 9 (2)
124	KEITH DIFFEY	ELK GROVE, CA	2 – 8 (1)	2 – 8 (1)
125	CHARLIE WEYER	WEST HILLS, CA	2 – 7 (1)	2 – 7 (1)
125	BOBBY LANHAM	CAVE CREEK, AZ	2 – 7 (1)	2 – 7 (1)
127	CHAD HULBERT	GILROY, CA	2 – 6 (1)	2 – 6 (1)
128	TRAVIS JEWELL	SANDY, UT	2 – 2 (1)	2 – 2 (1)
129	LAYTHE MOORE	BANNING, CA	1 – 14 (1)	1 – 14 (1)
130	JIM HALLAUER	ALPINE, CA	1 – 12 (1)	1 – 12 (1)
131	CARLOS GARCIA	MURRIETA, CA	1 – 11 (1)	1 – 11 (1)
132	DAVID DAVIS	BIG PINEY, WY	1 – 7 (1)	1 – 7 (1)
133	JIM LYON	RENO, NV	1 – 5 (1)	1 – 5 (1)
	NATHAN HARBISON	CLOVIS, CA
	NEIL FLORES	SUN CITY, CA
	MELVIN WILLIAMS	CHULA VISTA, CA
	GARY COLLINS	UPPER LAKE, CA
	DAVID KROMM	KENNEWICK, WA
	MAYNARD HEBERT	EDMONTON, AB
	VINCE HURTADO	TURLOCK, CA
	KIM PFAFF	DEER LODGE, MT
	KAZUKI KODAMA	TORRANCE, CA
	JOHNNY JOHNSON	LAKESIDE, AZ
	JUSTIN RALEIGH	PASADENA, CA
	KEVIN CARUSO	GLENDALE, AZ
	ROBERT RATZLAFF	COLUMBIA, CA
	GUY SAVIDAN	NORCO, CA
	JONAS PETTIT	AUBURN, WA
	JASON CAINE	LAS VEGAS, NV
	CLAYTON MEYER	HENDERSON, NV
	JEFF REID	VANCOUVER, WA
	JASON CHRISTY	SCOTTSDALE, AZ
	BRYANT SMITH	CASTRO VALLEY, CA
	CARL NELSON	HANFORD, CA