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The Full Story

BASS Tour: Lake Norman, NC

Tour Event # 5 of 6

Preview: The BASS Tour Home Stretch: Lake Norman

CORNELIUS, N.C. — The last time a BASS tournament was held on North Carolina’s Lake Norman it was 1994, and winner Peter Thliveros had a measly 23 pounds, four ounces of bass to show for four days of fishing.

What a difference a decade can make.

The pros will find a considerably different Lake Norman when the CITGO Bassmaster Tour returns to the Charlotte area March 17-20 and heads down the home stretch toward determining a sizeable chunk of contenders for the 2005 and 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classics and several coveted awards, including the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Toyota Rookie of the Year and Toyota Horizon Award winners.

“This lake has really changed,” veteran Bassmaster pro Guy Eaker said. Eaker, 65, should know. A resident of Cherryville, N.C., he’s fished Norman most of his life.

“Norman used to be called the Dead Sea,” he continued. “The problem was we’ve never had enough baitfish in the lake, but then some fishermen hauled in three truckloads of blueback herring – like they have in Clarks Hill and Hartwell – and dumped them in Norman. Now the lake is full of them, and the fish have plenty to eat.

“Since the last BASS tournament was held here, Norman has really improved. The blueback herring are really feeding the bass, and they’re growing like crazy. We’ve also got a lot of spotted bass in the lake now – two and three pounders and some four pounders. It’s full of spots.”

Eaker experienced the rebirth firsthand during a fishing trip just before the lake went off-limits to competitors a month before the tournament.

“My cousin and I fished Norman before the cutoff, and we must have caught 20 fish up to about four pounds,” he recalled. “They just had a tournament there Saturday that took 17 pounds to win, and this is usually a tough time of year to catch 17 pounds at Norman.”

The site of the fifth of six Tour events, Lake Norman, an impoundment of the Catawba River, is the largest body of fresh water (32,500 surface acres) in North Carolina, but it will be considerably smaller when the Bassmaster pros come to town.

“The lake is down about 7 1/2 feet,” Eaker said. “Duke Power pulled it down to do a little work and to let people work on their docks.

“That should make fishing even better. Once the water is pulled down on the lake, it seems like the fish are a little easier to catch. They don’t have that much territory to roam around in. It pulls them out of all the little sloughs and little creeks right out there to where you can catch them a little better.

“With the water level down, I saw a lot of brush that I haven’t seen in all of my years. People are going to see a lot of rock piles, rocky points and brush piles they’d never even have known were there if the water hadn’t been down.”

Fellow North Carolina pro Marty Stone points out that Norman shares some similarities with chain-mate Lake Wylie, site of the 2004 Classic.

“Fortunately, Norman is probably three times the size of Wylie, and it’s going to let us spread out,” Stone said. “From what I’ve seen, I think you can win on either end of the lake and anywhere in between.”

Eaker predicts it will take a catch of at least 28 pounds to make the top-12 cut and as much as 55 to 60 pounds to win the $100,000 top prize.

How will the best stringers of bass be caught?

“You name it,” he replied. “They’re going to be caught on spinnerbaits, jigs, crankbaits and even tubes. I think a guy who fishes the way he likes to fish will do fine.”

Daily weigh-ins take place at Blythe Landing at 3:00 p.m. ET.

From BASS

Day 1: Kiriyama Leads Day 1

LAKE NORMAN, N.C. ---- Freezing temperatures, snow, rain, a little bit of sleet and a whole lot of wind, makes any sane man want to run for cover. And most sane men assume that every thing in the world wants to do the same.

Think again hot shot.

Those conditions on Lake Norman may not spell incredible fishing, but the weights after day one with conditions just like that were a perfect recipe for a better than expected catch in the Citgo Bassmaster Tour event.

On a day when most folks wouldn’t go outside to check their mail, Kotaro Kiriyama boated five fish totaling 19 pounds, 7 ounces to take the lead in the event. And he’s not blowing them out, either. Skeet Reese is second with 18 pounds, 2 ounces. Randy Howell is third with 16 pounds, 4 ounces, Randy Blaukat is fourth with 15 pounds, 13 ounces and Rick Clunn is fifth with 15 pounds, 2 ounces.

“I’m so glad this day is over,’’ a shivering and wet Howell said after he moved into the top of the standings. “It’s rough out there. I can only imagine how miserable it would have been to be out there and not catch them.’’

That may have been the case. But there wasn’t a whole lot who didn’t catch them. Of the 156 professionals in the field, all of them but two caught fish (Bink Desaro and Jeff Magee). Eighty-four of the professionals boated a limit.

“Considering the conditions and the fact that we are on a lake that we expected to be tough in good conditions, this is awesome,’’ Reese said.

And it gets better. All those fish that were expected to run for cover in these conditions did the opposite. Of the leaders, the common thread running through the prevailing, productive patterns is the majority of the fish in the deep, clear lake are being caught dirt shallow.

“I think a lot of the guys were fishing deep,’’ said Ishama Monroe (6th place, 14-8). “The fish moved up Saturday and Sunday with the warm weather. And then this hit, but it was so drastic and fast that I didn’t think they would just jump back.”

For the most part they didn’t. While most of the leading anglers reported catching them shallow, there was a sampling that couldn’t get things going.

“All the shallow water fish I had went to crap,’’ said Guy Eaker, who could be considered a local favorite. But he’s in 116th place with three fish totaling 5 pounds, 9 ounces.

And anglers like Kiriyama were so convinced it would be tough he didn’t set the hook much in practice, wanting to save as many bites as possible. As a result, he had no idea what Lake Norman would produce for him.

“I don’t know what happened,’’ Kiriyama said. “I’m completely surprised.’’

As was most of the field. While most of the leaders are preferring to keep their specific baits and tactics a secret, most admit to being shallow and either cranking or pitching a jig to shallow cover.

It was the type thing that worked perfectly into Reese’s hands. Reese is a shallow-water expert and with his second place standing he moved into the top three of the Citgo Angler of the Year race, with Michael Iaconelli and Aaron Martens. While those guys moved up, Terry Scroggins and Jimmy Mize, who were at the top of the standings, stumbled.

The jockeying in the standings for the day and how it might change is critical going into the second day. Every angler has something major at stake. Finishing in the top of the Citgo Angler of the Year standings can assure some anglers a berth in the 2005 and 2006 Bassmaster Classics, while others like Randy Howell are battling to get back into the Elite 50.

“There’s a lot at stake and there’s no way to now way what’s going to happen tomorrow,’’ Howell said.

The snow and rain are expected to move out for day two, with high pressure, clear days following it. The unstable weather conditions could provide more surprising catches. But this time the surprise could be with fewer fish.

“I have no idea what will happen tomorrow,’’ Reese said. “I’d love to see clouds and wind. But if I can’t have the clouds, please let the wind blow.’’

Regardless, the conditions are changing, setting up a scenario where the second day of this event could set the tone for who wins the Angler of the Year, gets into the E50s and makes the Classic for the next two seasons.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts. Winnings
1. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 5 19-07 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-07
2. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 18-02 295
Day 1: 5 18-02
3. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 16-04 290
Day 1: 5 16-04
4. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 5 15-13 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-13
5. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 15-02 280
Day 1: 5 15-02
6. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 14-08 276
Day 1: 5 14-08
7. Rick Morris Lanexa, Va. 5 14-03 272
Day 1: 5 14-03
8. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 5 13-13 268
Day 1: 5 13-13
9. Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 5 13-12 264
Day 1: 5 13-12
9. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 13-12 264
Day 1: 5 13-12
11. Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 5 13-03 257
Day 1: 5 13-03
12. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 5 13-01 254
Day 1: 5 13-01
13. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 12-12 251
Day 1: 5 12-12
13. Morizo Shimizu Murrita, Calif. 5 12-12 251
Day 1: 5 12-12
15. Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 5 12-09 245
Day 1: 5 12-09
16. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 5 12-08 243
Day 1: 5 12-08
17. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 5 12-06 241
Day 1: 5 12-06
18. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 5 12-03 239
Day 1: 5 12-03
19. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 12-02 237
Day 1: 5 12-02
20. Curt Lytle Zuni, Va. 5 12-01 235
Day 1: 5 12-01
21. Harold Allen Shelbyville, Texas 5 11-15 233
Day 1: 5 11-15
21. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 11-15 233
Day 1: 5 11-15
23. David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 5 11-13 229
Day 1: 5 11-13
23. Jack Wade Knoxville, Tenn. 5 11-13 229
Day 1: 5 11-13
25. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 5 11-12 225
Day 1: 5 11-12
25. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 5 11-12 225
Day 1: 5 11-12
27. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 11-10 221
Day 1: 5 11-10
28. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 11-09 219
Day 1: 5 11-09
29. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 5 11-08 217
Day 1: 5 11-08
30. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 11-07 215
Day 1: 5 11-07
31. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 11-05 213
Day 1: 5 11-05
31. Sean Hoernke Magnolia, Texas 5 11-05 213
Day 1: 5 11-05
33. Roland Martin Naples, Fla. 5 11-04 209
Day 1: 5 11-04
34. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 11-02 207
Day 1: 5 11-02
35. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 4 10-14 205
Day 1: 4 10-14
36. Dion Hibdon Stover, Mo. 5 10-13 203
Day 1: 5 10-13
36. Stacey D King Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 10-13 203
Day 1: 5 10-13
38. John Crews Jetersville, Va. 5 10-12 199
Day 1: 5 10-12
38. O T Fears III Sallisaw, Okla. 5 10-12 199
Day 1: 5 10-12
38. Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 5 10-12 199
Day 1: 5 10-12
38. Scott Suggs Alexander, Ark. 5 10-12 199
Day 1: 5 10-12
42. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 10-11 191
Day 1: 5 10-11
43. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 5 10-10 189
Day 1: 5 10-10
44. Mark Rizk Arab, Ala. 5 10-09 187
Day 1: 5 10-09
45. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 10-08 185
Day 1: 5 10-08
45. George Cochran Hot Springs, Ark. 5 10-08 185
Day 1: 5 10-08
45. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 10-08 185
Day 1: 5 10-08
45. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 10-08 185
Day 1: 5 10-08
49. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 10-07 177
Day 1: 5 10-07
49. Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 5 10-07 177
Day 1: 5 10-07
51. Mike McClelland Vella Vista, Ark. 5 10-06 173
Day 1: 5 10-06
51. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 5 10-06 173
Day 1: 5 10-06
53. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 5 10-04 169
Day 1: 5 10-04
54. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 5 10-02 167
Day 1: 5 10-02
55. Lee Bailey Hebron, Conn. 5 9-15 165
Day 1: 5 9-15
56. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 9-14 163
Day 1: 5 9-14
57. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5 9-13 161
Day 1: 5 9-13
57. Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 4 9-13 161
Day 1: 4 9-13
59. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 9-12 157
Day 1: 5 9-12
60. Mike Auten Benton, Ky. 5 9-11 155
Day 1: 5 9-11
61. David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 5 9-10 153
Day 1: 5 9-10
61. Danny White Milledgeville, Ga. 5 9-10 153
Day 1: 5 9-10
63. Terry Baksay Monroe, Conn. 5 9-09 149
Day 1: 5 9-09
64. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5 9-07 147
Day 1: 5 9-07
65. Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 5 9-06 145
Day 1: 5 9-06
66. Gerald Gostenik Dearborn, Mich. 5 9-05 143
Day 1: 5 9-05
66. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 5 9-05 143
Day 1: 5 9-05
68. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Calif 5 9-04 139
Day 1: 5 9-04
69. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 5 9-03 137
Day 1: 5 9-03
70. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark. 5 9-02 135
Day 1: 5 9-02
71. Tim Carroll Owasso, Okla. 5 9-01 133
Day 1: 5 9-01
71. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 5 9-01 133
Day 1: 5 9-01
73. Andre Moore Scottsdale, Ariz. 5 9-00 129
Day 1: 5 9-00
73. Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 5 9-00 129
Day 1: 5 9-00
73. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 4 9-00 129
Day 1: 4 9-00
76. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 5 8-15 123
Day 1: 5 8-15
77. Norio Tanabe Tokyo 153, Japan 5 8-14 121
Day 1: 5 8-14
78. Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 4 8-13 119
Day 1: 4 8-13
78. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 4 8-13 119
Day 1: 4 8-13
80. Tim Loper Terry, Miss. 5 8-12 115
Day 1: 5 8-12
81. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 5 8-11 113
Day 1: 5 8-11
82. Jack A Gadlage Benton, Ky. 5 8-10 111
Day 1: 5 8-10
83. Darryl Burkhardt Gresham, Ore. 5 8-08 109
Day 1: 5 8-08
83. Randy Dearman Onalaska, Texas 5 8-08 109
Day 1: 5 8-08
83. Mark Rose Marion, Ark. 5 8-08 109
Day 1: 5 8-08
83. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 4 8-08 109
Day 1: 4 8-08
87. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5 8-07 101
Day 1: 5 8-07
87. Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 3 8-07 101
Day 1: 3 8-07
89. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 5 8-03 97
Day 1: 5 8-03
90. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 3 7-14 95
Day 1: 3 7-14
91. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 7-12 93
Day 1: 5 7-12
92. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 5 7-11 91
Day 1: 5 7-11
92. Jason Reyes Humble, Texas 4 7-11 91
Day 1: 4 7-11
94. Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 4 7-10 87
Day 1: 4 7-10
95. Marcel Veenstra Brighton, Mich. 4 7-09 85
Day 1: 4 7-09
96. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 4 7-04 83
Day 1: 4 7-04
97. Jarrett Edwards Del Norte, Colo. 4 7-03 81
Day 1: 4 7-03
98. Gary Yamamoto Mineola, Texas 2 7-02 79
Day 1: 2 7-02
99. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 4 6-15 77
Day 1: 4 6-15
100.Brent Chapman Shawnee, Kan. 4 6-14 76
Day 1: 4 6-14
100.R J Bennett Roseville, Calif. 3 6-14 76
Day 1: 3 6-14
102.Homer Humphreys, Jr Minden, La. 4 6-13 74
Day 1: 4 6-13
102.Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 4 6-13 74
Day 1: 4 6-13
104.Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 4 6-11 72
Day 1: 4 6-11
104.Johnny Lesesne Blue Ridge, Ga. 4 6-11 72
Day 1: 4 6-11
106.Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 3 6-09 70
Day 1: 3 6-09
107.David Mansue Robbinsville, N.J. 3 6-02 69
Day 1: 3 6-02
108.Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 3 6-01 68
Day 1: 3 6-01
109.Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 3 6-00 67
Day 1: 3 6-00
110.Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 3 5-15 66
Day 1: 3 5-15
110.Steve Sennikoff Forney, Texas 2 5-15 66
Day 1: 2 5-15
112.David Cooke Mooresville, N.C. 3 5-14 64
Day 1: 3 5-14
113.Tom Mann, Jr Buford, Ga. 3 5-13 63
Day 1: 3 5-13
114.Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 3 5-11 62
Day 1: 3 5-11
115.Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 3 5-10 61
Day 1: 3 5-10
116.Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 3 5-09 60
Day 1: 3 5-09
116.Chip Hawkins White Hall, Ark. 3 5-09 60
Day 1: 3 5-09
118.Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 3 5-07 58
Day 1: 3 5-07
119.Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 3 5-06 57
Day 1: 3 5-06
120.Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 3 5-04 56
Day 1: 3 5-04
120.Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 2 5-04 56
Day 1: 2 5-04
122.Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 4 4-15 54
Day 1: 4 4-15
123.Kyle Mabrey Birmingham, Ala. 3 4-14 53
Day 1: 3 4-14
123.Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 3 4-14 53
Day 1: 3 4-14
125.Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 2 4-12 51
Day 1: 2 4-12
126.Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 3 4-11 50
Day 1: 3 4-11
126.Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 3 4-11 50
Day 1: 3 4-11
126.Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 2 4-11 50
Day 1: 2 4-11
129.Woo Daves Spring Grove, Va. 3 4-06 47
Day 1: 3 4-06
130.Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 3 4-05 46
Day 1: 3 4-05
131.Chris Bielert Danbury, Conn. 3 4-03 45
Day 1: 3 4-03
131.David Gliebe Stockton, Calif. 1 4-03 45
Day 1: 1 4-03
133.David Dudley Lynchburg, Va. 2 4-02 43
Day 1: 2 4-02
134.Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 3 4-01 42
Day 1: 3 4-01
135.Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 3 3-15 41
Day 1: 3 3-15
136.Pete Gluszek Franklinville, N.J. 2 3-11 40
Day 1: 2 3-11
137.Jay Kendrick Ooltewah, Tenn. 3 3-10 39
Day 1: 3 3-10
138.Alton Jones Waco, Texas 2 3-03 38
Day 1: 2 3-03
139.Jesse Draime Long Beach, Miss. 2 3-01 37
Day 1: 2 3-01
140.Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 2 2-15 36
Day 1: 2 2-15
140.Mike Hicks Mineral, Va. 2 2-15 36
Day 1: 2 2-15
142.Frank Ippoliti Smithsburg, Md. 2 2-13 34
Day 1: 2 2-13
143.Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 2 2-11 33
Day 1: 2 2-11
143.Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 1 2-11 33
Day 1: 1 2-11
145.Robert Hamilton Jr Hattiesburg, Miss. 1 2-00 31
Day 1: 1 2-00
146.Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 1 1-15 30
Day 1: 1 1-15
147.Tommy Stiles McMinnville, Tenn. 1 1-14 29
Day 1: 1 1-14
148.Roger Boler Slidell, La. 1 1-12 28
Day 1: 1 1-12
148.Luke Clausen Spokane Valley, Wash. 1 1-12 28
Day 1: 1 1-12
150.Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 1 1-06 26
Day 1: 1 1-06
151.Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 1 1-05 25
Day 1: 1 1-05
152.Thad Takes Center Point, Iowa 1 0-00 24
Day 1: 1 0-00
152.Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
152.Jeff Magee Mendenhall, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00

Day 2: Quinn Leaps Into Lead

LAKE NORMAN, N.C. --- My how things change.

Bass fishing on Lake Norman has taken an almost Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde quality. One day it’s nice to you, the next it’s kicking you square in the pants. One day’s it’s snowing and the next it’s a sunny 50 degrees.

“It’s hard to get in a rhythm with things changing so drastically,’’ said Skeet Reese.

You can say that again. Reese lead those who discovered the Mr. Hyde side of Lake Norman by falling from 2nd place to 15th, following up an 18-pound stringer with a 4-pound, 2-ounce effort in the Citgo Bassmaster Tour event.

On the flip side, anglers like Jason Quinn and Marty Stone fell into the good side.

Quinn leads the event after posting a 15 pound, 12 ounce stringer that moved him from 11th place to first with 28 pounds 15 ounces overall. Kotaro Kiriyama, followed up his 19-pound sack on day one with a 8 pound, 5 ounce stringer and is in second with 27-12.

Randy Howell has stayed in third with 26-12. While Marty Stone surprised everyone by jumping into the fourth place from 78th with a 16 pound, 12 ounce stringer.

“I just told myself last night that it’s time for me to get aggressive on the second day,’’ Stone said.

Maybe it was Stone who turned into Mr. Hyde?

Whoever he is, his sudden charge on day two set the tone for this tournament and will likely have an immeasurable impact on the Citgo Angler of the Year race. After day one, Stone was slipping badly, but with the turnaround, he now leads the race with a fairly healthy margin.

Going into the third day, he sits in first with 1,157 points, while Michael Iaconelli is in second with 1,119 and Skeet Reese and Terry Scroggins are tied for third with 1,100 points.

The ironic thing about all that is Reese lead the race after day one. And prior to the start of day two, he gave Stone a Lucky Craft crankbait that produced 18 pounds the first day. Wouldn’t you know it, Stone used that bait to catch his whoppers and not only moved into the semifinal 12 but shot past Reese into the standings.

“I shot myself in the foot,’’ Reese said. “What a dumb ….”

Easy there Skeet. He was joking of course. Reese kept enough of the baits to weigh in his own big stringer, but the area he was fishing obviously changed.

“That’s the way this lake is,’’ Quinn said. “It changes enough I don’t think you can get in an area and catch them. This is not a one-spot lake. You’ve got to move around.’’

Quinn said he’s fishing about 30 different spots during the course of the day, primarily concentrating on shallow boat docks with a crankbait on day one and a jig on day one.

“I’m staying in those places maybe two minutes and then moving on to the next place,’’ Quinn said. “If there is a fish there, they’ll eat it so there’s no reason to stay there.”

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts. Winnings
1. Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 10 28-15 305
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 15-12
2. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 10 27-12 300 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 8-05
3. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 10 26-12 290
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 10-08
4. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 9 25-09 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 8-13 Day 2: 5 16-12
5. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 10 25-00 280
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 9-14
6. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 10 24-14 276
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 12-02
7. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 10 24-11 272
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 14-07
8. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 10 23-07 268
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 8-15
9. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 10 23-05 264 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-13 Day 2: 5 13-08
10. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 10 23-04 260
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 10-03
11. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 10 23-00 257
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 9-03
11. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 10 23-00 257
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 11-11
13. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 10 22-11 251 $5,350.00
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 12-03
13. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 10 22-11 251 $5,350.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 10-09
15. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 7 22-04 245 $5,200.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 2 4-02
16. Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 10 22-02 243 $5,100.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 8-06
17. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 21-12 241 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-12 Day 2: 5 12-00
18. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 10 21-11 239 $4,900.00
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 10-04
19. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 10 21-10 237 $4,800.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 9-14
20. Rick Morris Lanexa, Va. 8 21-06 235 $4,700.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 3 7-03
21. Stacey D King Reeds Spring, Mo. 10 21-05 233 $4,600.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 10-08
22. John Crews Jetersville, Va. 10 21-04 231 $4,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 10-08
23. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 9 21-03 229 $4,400.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 4 9-11
24. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 9 21-02 227 $4,240.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 4 8-15
24. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 8 21-02 227 $5,240.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 3 5-05
26. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 9 21-01 223 $4,100.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 4 7-05
27. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 10 21-00 221 $3,900.00
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 10-09
28. Lee Bailey Hebron, Conn. 10 20-12 219 $3,800.00
Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 10-13
29. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 10 20-09 217 $3,700.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 9-00
30. Mark Rose Marion, Ark. 10 20-07 215 $3,550.00
Day 1: 5 8-08 Day 2: 5 11-15
30. Danny White Milledgeville, Ga. 10 20-07 215 $3,550.00
Day 1: 5 9-10 Day 2: 5 10-13
32. Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 10 20-06 211 $3,350.00
Day 1: 5 9-00 Day 2: 5 11-06
32. O T Fears III Sallisaw, Okla. 10 20-06 211 $3,350.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 9-10
34. Steve Sennikoff Forney, Texas 7 20-02 207 $3,200.00
Day 1: 2 5-15 Day 2: 5 14-03
35. George Cochran Hot Springs, Ark. 10 19-15 205 $3,100.00
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 9-07
36. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 10 19-12 203 $3,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 9-01
37. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 9 19-08 201 $2,900.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 4 7-09
38. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 10 19-05 199 $2,800.00
Day 1: 5 7-11 Day 2: 5 11-10
39. Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 9 19-03 197 $2,700.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 4 8-07
40. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 7 19-02 195 $2,600.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 2 7-06
41. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 10 19-01 193 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 8-07
42. David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 10 18-13 191 $2,420.00
Day 1: 5 9-10 Day 2: 5 9-03
42. Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 9 18-13 191 $2,420.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 4 6-04
44. Mike McClelland Vella Vista, Ark. 10 18-12 187 $2,400.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 8-06
45. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 10 18-09 185 $2,350.00
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 5 9-05
46. Darryl Burkhardt Gresham, Ore. 10 18-08 183 $2,325.00
Day 1: 5 8-08 Day 2: 5 10-00
46. Mark Rizk Arab, Ala. 9 18-08 183 $2,325.00
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 4 7-15
48. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 10 18-04 179 $2,300.00
Day 1: 5 8-03 Day 2: 5 10-01
49. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 9 18-00 177 $2,200.00
Day 1: 4 9-00 Day 2: 5 9-00
49. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 8 18-00 177 $2,200.00
Day 1: 3 5-15 Day 2: 5 12-01
51. Terry Baksay Monroe, Conn. 10 17-15 173 $2,150.00
Day 1: 5 9-09 Day 2: 5 8-06
51. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 10 17-15 173 $2,150.00
Day 1: 5 8-11 Day 2: 5 9-04
53. Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 10 17-14 169 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 5 8-08
54. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 10 17-13 167 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 9-07 Day 2: 5 8-06
55. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 10 17-11 165 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-01 Day 2: 5 8-10
56. Gary Yamamoto Mineola, Texas 7 17-10 163 $2,000.00
Day 1: 2 7-02 Day 2: 5 10-08
57. Sean Hoernke Magnolia, Texas 9 17-08 161 $1,950.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 4 6-03
58. Tim Carroll Owasso, Okla. 10 17-07 159 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 9-01 Day 2: 5 8-06
59. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 8 17-06 157 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 3 5-00
59. Jack Wade Knoxville, Tenn. 8 17-06 157 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 3 5-09
61. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark. 9 17-03 153 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 4 8-01
62. Roland Martin Naples, Fla. 7 17-01 151 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 2 5-13
63. Johnny Lesesne Blue Ridge, Ga. 8 17-00 149 $1,925.00
Day 1: 4 6-11 Day 2: 4 10-05
64. Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 8 16-13 147 $1,925.00
Day 1: 4 9-13 Day 2: 4 7-00
65. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 10 16-11 145 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 5 6-13
66. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 8 16-08 143 $1,925.00
Day 1: 4 8-08 Day 2: 4 8-00
67. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 8 16-07 141 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 3 5-15
68. Scott Suggs Alexander, Ark. 9 16-06 139 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 4 5-10
69. Jarrett Edwards Del Norte, Colo. 9 16-05 137 $1,925.00
Day 1: 4 7-03 Day 2: 5 9-02
69. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 9 16-05 137 $1,925.00
Day 1: 4 7-04 Day 2: 5 9-01
71. Curt Lytle Zuni, Va. 8 16-02 133 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 3 4-01
72. David Dudley Lynchburg, Va. 7 15-15 131 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 4-02 Day 2: 5 11-13
73. Mike Auten Benton, Ky. 8 15-11 129 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 9-11 Day 2: 3 6-00
74. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 7 15-06 127 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 2 3-12
75. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 10 15-05 125 $962.50
Day 1: 5 7-12 Day 2: 5 7-09
75. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 8 15-05 125 $962.50
Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 3 6-00
77. Dion Hibdon Stover, Mo. 8 15-03 121
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 3 4-06
77. Pete Gluszek Franklinville, N.J. 7 15-03 121
Day 1: 2 3-11 Day 2: 5 11-08
79. Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 8 15-02 117
Day 1: 3 5-07 Day 2: 5 9-11
80. Chris Bielert Danbury, Conn. 8 15-01 115
Day 1: 3 4-03 Day 2: 5 10-14
80. Andre Moore Scottsdale, Ariz. 8 15-01 115
Day 1: 5 9-00 Day 2: 3 6-01
82. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 8 14-13 111
Day 1: 3 4-01 Day 2: 5 10-12
83. Jason Reyes Humble, Texas 8 14-10 109
Day 1: 4 7-11 Day 2: 4 6-15
84. Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 6 14-08 107
Day 1: 3 8-07 Day 2: 3 6-01
85. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 7 14-07 105
Day 1: 5 8-15 Day 2: 2 5-08
86. David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 6 14-05 103
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 1 2-08
87. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 8 14-04 101
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 3 4-02
88. R J Bennett Roseville, Calif. 8 14-03 99
Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 5 7-05
88. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 6 14-03 99
Day 1: 4 10-14 Day 2: 2 3-05
90. Morizo Shimizu Murrita, Calif. 6 14-01 95
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 1 1-05
91. Chip Hawkins White Hall, Ark. 7 13-15 93
Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 4 8-06
92. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 8 13-14 91
Day 1: 5 8-07 Day 2: 3 5-07
92. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 8 13-14 91
Day 1: 4 6-15 Day 2: 4 6-15
94. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 6 13-12 87
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 1 1-04
94. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 6 13-12 87
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 3 5-14
96. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 8 13-10 83
Day 1: 3 4-11 Day 2: 5 8-15
97. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 6 13-09 81
Day 1: 3 6-09 Day 2: 3 7-00
98. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 7 13-07 79
Day 1: 2 5-04 Day 2: 5 8-03
99. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 7 13-05 77
Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 4 7-12
100.Gerald Gostenik Dearborn, Mich. 7 13-04 76
Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 2 3-15
101.Jack A Gadlage Benton, Ky. 8 13-02 75
Day 1: 5 8-10 Day 2: 3 4-08
101.Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 6 13-02 75
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 1 2-12
103.Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 7 13-01 73
Day 1: 3 6-00 Day 2: 4 7-01
104.Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 8 12-15 72
Day 1: 3 4-05 Day 2: 5 8-10
105.Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 7 12-11 71
Day 1: 2 2-11 Day 2: 5 10-00
106.Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 7 12-04 70
Day 1: 4 7-10 Day 2: 3 4-10
107.Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 7 12-00 69
Day 1: 5 9-03 Day 2: 2 2-13
108.Harold Allen Shelbyville, Texas 5 11-15 68
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 0 0-00
109.Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 7 11-14 67
Day 1: 3 6-01 Day 2: 4 5-13
109.Homer Humphreys, Jr Minden, La. 5 11-14 67
Day 1: 4 6-13 Day 2: 1 5-01
111.Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 6 11-13 65
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 1 1-06
111.Tom Mann, Jr Buford, Ga. 6 11-13 65
Day 1: 3 5-13 Day 2: 3 6-00
113.Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 7 11-11 63
Day 1: 3 4-14 Day 2: 4 6-13
114.Roger Boler Slidell, La. 5 11-05 62
Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 4 9-09
115.Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 6 11-03 61
Day 1: 3 4-11 Day 2: 3 6-08
116.John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 11-02 60
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 0 0-00
117.Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 7 10-15 59
Day 1: 3 5-10 Day 2: 4 5-05
118.Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 7 10-14 58
Day 1: 4 4-15 Day 2: 3 5-15
119.Brent Chapman Shawnee, Kan. 7 10-13 57
Day 1: 4 6-14 Day 2: 3 3-15
119.Luke Clausen Spokane Valley, Wash. 6 10-13 57
Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 5 9-01
121.Tommy Stiles Mc Minnville, Tenn. 6 10-11 55
Day 1: 1 1-14 Day 2: 5 8-13
122.Tim Loper Terry, Miss. 6 10-10 54
Day 1: 5 8-12 Day 2: 1 1-14
123.Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 6 10-09 53
Day 1: 3 5-06 Day 2: 3 5-03
124.Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 10-08 52
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 0 0-00
125.Norio Tanabe Tokyo 153, Japan 6 10-05 51
Day 1: 5 8-14 Day 2: 1 1-07
126.Randy Dearman Onalaska, Texas 6 10-04 50
Day 1: 5 8-08 Day 2: 1 1-12
127.Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 6 10-03 49
Day 1: 4 6-11 Day 2: 2 3-08
128.Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 4 10-00 48
Day 1: 1 1-15 Day 2: 3 8-01
129.Jay Kendrick Ooltewah, Tenn. 7 9-09 47
Day 1: 3 3-10 Day 2: 4 5-15
130.Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 6 9-08 46
Day 1: 4 6-13 Day 2: 2 2-11
131.Marcel Veenstra Brighton, Mich. 5 9-07 45
Day 1: 4 7-09 Day 2: 1 1-14
132.Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 5 9-00 44
Day 1: 3 3-15 Day 2: 2 5-01
133.Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 6 8-14 43
Day 1: 3 5-04 Day 2: 3 3-10
134.Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 4 8-13 42
Day 1: 4 8-13 Day 2: 0 0-00
135.Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 5 8-10 41
Day 1: 3 5-11 Day 2: 2 2-15
136.Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 8-08 40
Day 1: 2 3-03 Day 2: 3 5-05
136.Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 4 8-08 40
Day 1: 1 2-11 Day 2: 3 5-13
138.Kyle Mabrey Birmingham, Ala. 5 8-07 38
Day 1: 3 4-14 Day 2: 2 3-09
139.Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 5 8-03 37
Day 1: 2 2-15 Day 2: 3 5-04
140.David Mansue Robbinsville, N.J. 4 8-01 36
Day 1: 3 6-02 Day 2: 1 1-15
141.Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 4 7-08 35
Day 1: 2 4-11 Day 2: 2 2-13
141.Jesse Draime Long Beach, Miss. 4 7-08 35
Day 1: 2 3-01 Day 2: 2 4-07
143.Woo Daves Spring Grove, Va. 5 7-07 33
Day 1: 3 4-06 Day 2: 2 3-01
144.Jeff Magee Mendenhall, Miss. 3 7-05 32
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 7-05
145.Frank Ippoliti Smithsburg, Md. 4 7-04 31
Day 1: 2 2-13 Day 2: 2 4-07
146.Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 5 7-00 30
Day 1: 1 1-06 Day 2: 4 5-10
147.Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 3 6-15 29
Day 1: 2 4-12 Day 2: 1 2-03
148.Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 4 6-03 28
Day 1: 1 1-05 Day 2: 3 4-14
149.Mike Hicks Mineral, Va. 4 6-00 27
Day 1: 2 2-15 Day 2: 2 3-01
149.David Gliebe Stockton, Calif. 2 6-00 27
Day 1: 1 4-03 Day 2: 1 1-13
151.David Cooke Mooresville, N.C. 3 5-14 25
Day 1: 3 5-14 Day 2: 0 0-00
152.Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 3 4-11 24
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 4-11
153.Robert Hamilton Jr Hattiesburg, Miss. 2 3-09 23
Day 1: 1 2-00 Day 2: 1 1-09
154.Thad Takes Center Point, Iowa 3 3-08 22
Day 1: 1 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-08

Day 3: Quinn Still Leads

LAKE NORMAN, N.C. --- Talk about your literary jump.

After the first two days of the Citgo Bassmaster Tour event resembling Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The final day could be ripped straight from the pages of a DC comic book.

You’ve got Jason "Bling-Bling" Quinn leading the way with 38 pounds, 11 ounces, followed by Kotara "The Ninja" Kiriyama in second with 37 pounds, 6 ounces, Edwin "The Oklahoma Kid" Evers in third with 36 pounds, 3 ounces, Greg "The Hack Attack" Hackney in fourth with 33-8, Rick "the Zen Master" Clunn in fifth with 33-3 and Ish "The Ishama of the West" Monroe rounds out the final six with 31-10.

All of that may be pushing it a bit. But you can’t help the fact that this eclectic group does have its similarities to "The League of Justice."

Judging by the trends of Lake Norman it may take some super-human effort and skill to make up the ground that Bling-Bling has amassed.

Quinn didn’t exactly catch them on day three. But neither did anyone else. The only difference is, he’s been the only one to hold off the ever-changing nature of Lake Norman and keep the lead.

"I’m trying to fish what the fish are doing,’’ Quinn said. "They are changing every day and I’m having to change with them.’’

For the most part that change means changing water. Quinn has kept with the standard patterns of running shallow water docks, and fishing a jig or shallow running crankbait.

His motto has been, "If I can’t see the bottom, then I’m too deep.’’

Relying on the timing (March) and the fact that bass all over the lake are consistently hitting the shallows to find a spot to spawn, Quinn has stayed on top by not waiting on fish in an area but heading them off at the pass all over the lake.

"I’ve said from the start that this isn’t a one spot tournament,’’ Quinn said.

And his prediction has held true. Ask Marty Stone, who went from zero to hero on day two to make the semi final, but returned to the downside of things with one bite on day three or Edwin Evers, who actually had the heaviest stringer of the day (12 pounds, 15 ounces).

‘I’m just covering water,’’ Evers said. "Yesterday, I fished a mile of bank. Today I started at the end of the mile and just kept going. I really haven’t figured a thing out yet. All I know is I don’t know what I’m doing.

"I’ll get keyed onto a deal, catching them on flat clay points on a crankbait, then turn around and catch one in the back of a pocket on a jig. And it’ll throw me for a loop. I’ve found the best way to do it is to fish what’s in front of me.’’

That’s not too far fetched from what all of the finalists are doing. Some of them have had to make constant changes to keep up with Lake Norman. For instance, the first day started in a snowstorm, the second was high pressure with some wind and the third day it was a warm 60-degrees with virtually no wind and sunny skies.

"That’s the type thing that really starts messing with you,’’ Monroe said. "The weather’s changing, the fish are changing and if you don’t stay keyed in you start to lose.’’

Then again, you expect super heroes to stay keyed in no matter what the circumstances. They’ll have to because Sunday promises even more changes. Early weather predictions are calling for a front that will bring in chances of rain and wind, returning Lake Norman to conditions like those of the first day.

"If that happens then the fishing should be really good,’’ Clunn said.

But who will catch them could be as surprising as Kiriyama’s 19-pound stringer from day one.

"I’d think that I would be safe with a 5-pound lead on this lake,’’ Quinn said. "But then again I would have never believed that 19 pounds would have lead the first day.’’

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts. Winnings
1. Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 15 38-11 310
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 9-12
2. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 15 37-06 300 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 8-05 Day 3: 5 9-10
3. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 15 36-03 290 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 10-03 Day 3: 5 12-15
4. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 15 33-08 285
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 11-11 Day 3: 5 10-08
5. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 15 33-03 280
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 9-14 Day 3: 5 8-03
6. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 15 31-10 276
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 8-15 Day 3: 5 8-03
6. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 14 31-10 276 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 4 6-15
8. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 15 31-07 268 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 9-03 Day 3: 5 8-07
9. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 13 29-08 264 $9,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 12-02 Day 3: 3 4-10
10. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 11 29-05 260 $8,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 10-08 Day 3: 1 2-09
11. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 10 28-13 257 $7,000.00
Day 1: 4 8-13 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 1 3-04
12. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 10 23-05 254 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 9-13 Day 2: 5 13-08 Day 3: 0 0-00

Day 4: Evers Snatches Victory

LAKE NORMAN, N.C. --- In a tournament that seesawed back and forth in every extreme, the final day of the Citgo Basssmaster Tour event turned into a battle between the new pros and the old icons.

It was a battle that was won by one of the new pros, Edwin Evers won his second Bassmaster Tour event, snatching it from Jason Quinn by 13 ounces and edging out the old icon, Rick Clunn, by a mere 14 ounces.

Evers weighed in a final-day stringer totaling 10 pounds, 3 ounces to overtake Jason Quinn and hold off a charging Clunn.

Quinn, who eventually fell to the ever-changing aspects of Lake Norman, could only manage four fish totaling 6 pounds, 14 ounces and a 45 pound, 9 ounce total to finish second.

Clunn boated five fish totaling 12 pounds, 5 ounces to finish third. While another new pro, Greg Hackney (11 pounds, 8 ounces) finished fourth with 45 pounds even.

Kotara Kiriyama was fifth with 41-3 and Ishama Monroe was sixth 40-14.

For some Evers win may have signaled a changing of the guard, but to Evers it was a win that he could easily credit to an old icon.

“I’m Rick Clunn’s hugest fan,’’ Evers said. “The things I’ve learned from watching him are the things that help you win tournaments.’’

To illustrate the point: Evers, who spent the tournament saying that he didn’t have any idea on what he was doing, was really right. But taking a note from the Clunn Handbook, he consistently changed with the lake, letting it dictate to him what he needed to do to catch fish rather than him dictate to the lake how he was going to catch them.

“I really had trouble figuring out what to do,’’ Evers said. “Once I thought I had something going, it would change and really throw me for a loop. Then something else would work. Plus in practice, I really had a hard time figuring out or finding any staging fish.

“I just came to the realization that they weren’t staging like they should be. That left me knowing that I had to fish for resident fish. Those fish that live shallow and stay there. I basically put down my trolling motor and fished what was in front of me.”

That tactic was the perfect antidote to the changing lake. For the most part, the leaders would fall off after one good day, an indication that the areas they were fishing weren’t being replenished by move of staging fish. The lack of movement could have been attributed to any number of things from snowstorms on day one, followed by days of high pressure and a falling lake level.

“What ever it was, there weren’t a whole lot of places that were replenishing,’’ Evers said. “The key for me was to fish new water every day and keep fishing it.’’

The tactic was so ingrained that he would often fish for miles on one day, and rather than go over it again, motor the next morning to the place he stopped and continue on his trek of covering water. The only time he deviated from that plan was to fish one point. That point, in the mid-lake area of Lake Norman, produced a limit on day one and two keepers on every day following that.

“But to catch the weight, I had to keep moving,’’ Evers said.

He caught his fish on a homemade jig, hand tied by fellow pro Brian Snowden and a Rapala Shad Rap. And while he was moving, he would specifically key on certain things.

“The best places were the first five or six docks going into smaller pockets,’’ Evers said. “And I wanted the water to be no deeper than 8 or 9 feet on the outside of those pockets. Six-feet was best. And really after that I concentrated on the shadows. They were all shadow related.”

And to take one more page from the Clunn Handbook, the one about paying attention to the little things, Evers remembered a fish he saw eat a shad during practice. That fish was a 4-pounder that swirled and ate a shad in the back of a pocket during practice. Evers had fished the area after that but couldn’t get bit. He opted not to go there during the tournament.

Then in final minutes of the event, and needing one big fish to insure a victory, he remembered that fish.

“I thought, ‘I know there is one good fish up there. It might be only one, but I need to catch it,’’’ Evers said. “I ran up there and with only 10 minutes left to go I caught a 3-pounder. I unhooked it, threw it in the livewell and hightailed it out of there.’’

Evers wasn’t the only one running to and fro in the event. Quinn had been a master of that game plan for three days. But in the final, the bites didn’t come. Quinn could only manage four fish, and his first bite was a big fish that broke him off.

He spent the week, throwing a homemade jig and a Luhr Jensen Speed Trap around shallow docks. Clunn on the other hand basically concentrated on two docks and a row of riprap to mount his comeback. They were all caught on a new Rick Clunn designed Lucky Craft RC1.5 crankbait.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts. Winnings
1. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 20 46-06 305 $103,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 10-03 Day 3: 5 12-15 Day 4: 5 10-03
2. Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 19 45-09 305 $38,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 9-12 Day 4: 4 6-14
3. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 20 45-08 290 $24,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 9-14 Day 3: 5 8-03 Day 4: 5 12-05
4. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 20 45-00 285 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 11-11 Day 3: 5 10-08 Day 4: 5 11-08
5. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 17 41-03 285 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 8-05 Day 3: 5 9-10 Day 4: 2 3-13
6. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 20 40-14 276 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 8-15 Day 3: 5 8-03 Day 4: 5 9-04

Articles by Steve Bowman, FishFactory.com unless otherwise specified.

Compiled by Brandon Shook

President/Publisher: Brandon Shook.