Velvick Leads Elite Series WildCard

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – Rebounding from a disappointing 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series campaign, Byron Velvick of Del Rio, Texas, took a commanding lead at the Bassmaster Elite Series WildCard on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee with a limit of bass weighing 21 pounds, 5 ounces.

His closest competitor, Rich Ash of Pottstown, Pa., weighed in 16 pounds, 2 ounces, putting him more than 5 pounds behind Velvick. While the two, both of whom were Elite pros in 2007, are competing for the top spot, the field of 34 anglers is fighting for the final 10 qualifying berths in the 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series.

The WildCard tournament is a second-chance competition for 2007 Elite pros who didn’t qualify via their performance on the top-level circuit as well as 2007 Bassmaster Open pros who put together solid seasons.

Live, streaming video footage of the daily weigh-ins and real-time leaderboard information can be viewed on www.espnoutdoors.com.

Velvick’s banner day was achieved with two different worms and a Rat-L-Trap fished in 4 to 8 feet of water. The 43-year-old located two key areas in the three-day practice period and rotated between them throughout the day Thursday.

“The key to success is fishing really slowly,” said Velvick, who owns a resort on fish factory Lake Amistad in Texas. “I feel like my areas still have more to yield and I’m crossing my fingers that I can put together two decent limits.”

It was an unsatisfactory season for Velvick in the Elite Series as he finished in 107th out of 108 anglers in the season-long points chase, the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. But the WildCard tournament gives the BASS winner a chance to qualify for fishing’s most prestigious circuit.

“I feel good,” Velvick said. “My practice period was very efficient. I covered a lot of water and feel I have a good handle on the lake.”

While Ash trails Velvick by a significant margin, his day put him safely ahead of the cut for next year’s Elite Series. The 56-year-old played it close to the vest on his choice of lure but said he targeted precise areas on Okeechobee with rocky bottoms, concentrating on 1 foot to 3 feet of depth.

Ash was optimistic about his chances in the season-ending WildCard event despite a disappointing Elite Series season.

“If you are an Elite angler and in this tournament, you obviously didn’t have a great season,” Ash said. “But to wrap up the season on a positive note would be a huge confidence booster.”

Among the 34 pros fishing for Elite Series berths are Bobby Myers of Tulsa, Okla., in ninth with 11 pounds, 15 ounces, and Terry Segraves of Kissimmee, Fla., who finished 14th with 10 pounds, 12 ounces.

In the co-angler division, Jimmy Dudley of White, Ga., leads the chase for a top prize of more than $4,000 with 13 pounds, 5 ounces. Trailing White were Robbie Anderson of Crystal River, Fla., with 11 pounds, 13 ounces, and Jeff Sullivan of Frostproof, Fla., with 10 pounds, 11 ounces.



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



1. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 5 21-05 305

Day 1: 5 21-05

2. Rick Ash Pottstown, PA 5 16-02 295

Day 1: 5 16-02

3. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 5 15-05 290

Day 1: 5 15-05

4. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, TX 5 14-08 285

Day 1: 5 14-08

5. Billy Brewer Lorena, TX 5 14-07 280

Day 1: 5 14-07

6. Bobby Stanfill Greenwood, SC 5 14-00 276

Day 1: 5 14-00

7. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 5 13-01 272

Day 1: 5 13-01

8. Keith Phillips Crosby, TX 5 12-09 268

Day 1: 5 12-09

9. Bobby Myers Tulsa, OK 5 11-15 264

Day 1: 5 11-15

10. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, IL 5 11-14 260

Day 1: 5 11-14

11. Eric Nethery Acworth, GA 5 11-13 257

Day 1: 5 11-13

12. Dave Parsons Yantis, TX 5 11-05 254

Day 1: 5 11-05

13. Darrin Schwenkbeck Varysburg, NY 5 11-03 251

Day 1: 5 11-03

14. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, FL 5 10-12 248

Day 1: 5 10-12

15. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, OH 5 10-08 245

Day 1: 5 10-08

16. Kenneth Chapman Woodlawn, TN 5 10-07 243

Day 1: 5 10-07

17. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, TX 5 10-06 241

Day 1: 5 10-06

18. David Sherrer Shreveport, LA 5 10-02 239

Day 1: 5 10-02

19. Kyle A. Fox Lakeland, FL 5 09-15 237

Day 1: 5 09-15

20. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 5 09-11 234

Day 1: 5 09-11

20. Brett Mitchell Timmonsville, SC 5 09-11 234

Day 1: 5 09-11

22. Steve Daniel Clewiston, FL 5 09-10 230

Day 1: 5 09-10

22. Sean Dassau Helena, AL 5 09-10 230

Day 1: 5 09-10

24. Scott Dean Terrell, TX 5 09-08 227

Day 1: 5 09-08

25. Mike Pickett Brandenburg, KY 5 09-02 224

Day 1: 5 09-02

25. Trevor Rogge Champlin, MN 5 09-02 224

Day 1: 5 09-02

27. Preston Henson Vacaville, CA 5 09-01 221

Day 1: 5 09-01

28. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 5 08-14 219

Day 1: 5 08-14

29. Ron Klys Gainesville, FL 5 08-09 217

Day 1: 5 08-09

30. Patrick Pierce Saint John, FL 5 08-08 215

Day 1: 5 08-08

31. John Cox Debary, FL 5 08-00 213

Day 1: 5 08-00

32. Robert Byrd Dallas, TX 4 07-15 211

Day 1: 4 07-15

33. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 4 06-07 209

Day 1: 4 06-07

34. Luke Estel Murphysboro, IL 3 03-06 207

Day 1: 3 03-06

 

From BASS