UltimateBassin.com - The Full Story

UltimateBassin.com

The Full Story

BASS Tour: Table Rock Lake, MO

Tour Event # 6 of 6

Preview: Table Rock: BASS Tour Finale

KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. — For the majority of the CITGO Bassmaster Tour pros, it all comes down to four pressure-packed days on Missouri’s Table Rock Lake and the $618,000 season finale.

A whirlwind Tour season that began in Florida in late January wraps up with its sixth and final event March 31-April 3 in Kimberling City with the four most important days of 2005 for many Bassmaster pros. Consider what will be decided on the waters of the 52,300-acre bass haven:

(a) A $100,000 first-place prize;
(b) The $100,000 CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year award;
(c) The $25,000 Toyota Horizon Award;
(d) The $10,000 Toyota Rookie of the Year award;
(e) 25 coveted invitations to the 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic in Pittsburgh this summer;
(f) 10 berths in the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic (Due to BASS’ restructuring of the 2006 tournament season and the move of the 2006 Classic to the beginning of the season, the top 10 finishers in the 2005 Angler of the Year race will earn invitations to the next two Classics); and
(g) Valued spots on the CITGO Bassmaster Elite 50 Tour, a lucrative four-event all-star circuit with no entry fee.

With all that at stake, you can see why the Table Rock event is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal regular-season tournaments in BASS’ 35-year history.

And, in Stacey King’s opinion, the seasonal showdown couldn’t be held on a better lake at a better time.

“I think Table Rock is the perfect place for such an important tournament,” he said. “Everybody’s going to catch fish, and whoever gets on the better quality fish and lands the bigger fish is going to do well and move up in the standings.”

King should know. The 10-time Classic qualifier is a longtime former guide on the lake and knows it as well as any angler.

“I think it’s going to be a real good tournament for the whole field,” he continued. “We haven’t had any severe weather up here all winter. A lot of fish are up shallow and active. They’re going to be biting all kinds of different lures in all kinds of different areas.

“It may be past the prime time to catch the really big stringers, but I think there will still be some real good stringers caught. Typically, the first of March to the first of April is the best time to catch the really big stringers, but around the first of April the size goes down a little bit and you start to catch more fish. I’m expecting lots and lots of limits and lots of real nice fish.”

Situated on the Arkansas-Missouri border, the 47-year-old White River impoundment is unique in that it’s home to quality populations of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.

“The smallmouth fishing should be fantastic,” King said. “We ought to be hitting it right on the head. Smallmouths will definitely come into play more than last year. There will be lots of good limits of smallmouth that will get people well up in the money. I’m not saying it’ll be won that way, but it could be.

“I don’t think it’ll be won with smallmouths because our largemouth fishery has come back so much since our bout with Largemouth Bass Virus a few years ago. We’re really catching a lot of quality largemouths here now.

“And of course there are always the spots that come into play. There are a lot of big spots in the lake.”

Proving his point, King and a friend spent an afternoon on Table Rock during the first week in April last year. In addition to catching several limits, their six-best bass eclipsed the 26-pound mark, topped by a 6.02 smallmouth. The stringer consisted of four smallmouth and two spotted bass — all four pounds or larger.

“You very well could see something like that during our tournament,” King said. “The weather last year was very radical. It should be more stable this time. That’s why we usually catch a lot more numbers the first of April compared to the first of March.”

The veteran Missouri pro predicts that it will take a three-pound-plus average to have a shot at making the cut to 12 boats after Day Two. The winner’s weight will require close to a four-pound average.

“The fish are going to be caught a lot of ways,” he said. “There will be jerkbait fish, jig fish; there will probably still be a lot of crankbait fish. If it’s windy or raining, we’ll catch them on spinnerbaits. It could be anything.”

Daily weigh-ins will take place at What’s Up Dock Marina at 3:00 p.m. Anglers launch from What’s Up Dock Marina beginning at 6:00 a.m.

From BASS

Day 1: Hibdon Leads at the Rock

KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. --- Dion Hibdon got mad at himself about 8 o’clock Thursday morning and basically bowled over the field in the Citgo Bassmaster Tour event on Table Rock Lake.

It might be more correct to say "body-slammed." Hibdon, back from a couple years hiatus on the Tour, sports a bald head and goat-tee that on his massive frame makes him look more like a WWF Wrestler than a Bassmaster professional.

His slamming off-the-top rope came in the form of a 23 pound, 5 ounce stringer that gave him a four pound lead in a tournament where just over four pounds would get you in the top 75 and walking away with a check.

Greg Hackney who is once again rattling his saber in the final regular-season event of the year follows Hibdon. He is second with 19 pounds, 4 ounces. Pete Ponds is third with 18 pounds, 15 ounces, while Kevin VanDam is fourth with 18 pounds, 3 ounces and John Crews is fifth with 17 pounds, 6 ounces.

While those anglers showed off the riches that Table Rock could produce, the weights dropped considerably from there. Of the more than 150 professional anglers in the field, only 24 could manage a limit. And there were a whole slew of zeroes and 1-fish bags.

Several of those included anglers who were making a run at the Citgo Angler of the Year title. Rick Clunn, for instance could only manage one keeper (2 pounds, 3 ounces) and is in 104th place; Michael Iaconelli and George Cochran could only mange two fish for 4 pounds, 12 ounces and 3 pounds, 13 ounces respectively. And Skeet Reese zeroed.

Consequently, there have been minor shake-ups in the Angler of the Year race. Marty Stone will keep the top position with an unofficial point total of 1,360. Stone is in 22nd place with 11-13. But Terry Scroggins, who has lurked around the top of the standings, made up some ground on Stone. He is in 19th place with 12-5, approximately 23 points back.

That race, though, was over shadowed some by those who were catching them and those who weren’t.

Hibdon, who realistically could be called a local on Table Rock, pulled out an Ozark-lake standard to amass his weight. And before you jump to conclusions, that lure isn’t what you’re thinking. He’s keeping that a secret for at least another day.

The bait, though, is so unique that it’s likely Hibdon is the only angler in the field with one in his boat.

Until the tournament, Hibdon had yet to catch a fish on the bait. But he had hung into a big fish during the final hours of practice on Wednesday. The rest of his practice had been extremely tough. When he told his dad, legendary angler Guido Hibdon, of the bite on one of their secret lures, "He said, ‘We’ll you haven’t got any bites on anything else, strap that thing on and get after it,’’’ Dion Hibdon said.

That’s basically what he did and at 8 a.m., he had two fish in the boat a 3-pounder and a 4-pounder.

"And I laid it down,’’ Hibdon said. "Then I thought, you know I haven’t won a damn thing this season. To hell with it, I’m going to fish for big fish. I put everything else in the box except a jig and my bait started covering water. I basically fished the whole lake."

By the end of the day, Hibdon had eight bites, all of them keepers, including a 6 pound, 10 ounce lunker and one that was almost its twin, all of them on his "strange-but-true" bait.

"You don’t get many bites on it, but the ones you do are big,’’ Hibdon said.

Through it all, Hibdon said he figured out what kind of things the bass were holding in the lake and has a pretty good idea of where they will be for the rest of the tournament.

"I figured out where they are living,’’ Hibdon said. "But that doesn’t mean that I can catch them. Things can change in a blink of an eye on Table Rock."

A lot of anglers hope it does. Hibdon doesn’t need much weight, if any, to make the final-12 cut. The rest of the field, though, has a variety of things at stake.

Topping the list is the Angler of the Year race, where Stone seems to be in the driver’s seat. But along with that is who will finish in the top 10. With the new 2006 Bassmaster Tour format, the top 10 in Angler of the Year points after this event will qualify for the 2005 and 2004 Bassmaster Classic.

If that weren’t enough, Friday’s competition will likely set the field for the upcoming Elite 50 field, the Rookie of the Year and the Horizon Awards.

There’s enough sidelines to this event that you almost need a calculus degree to keep up with it all. And Table Rock’s finicky nature provides enough potential changes to make Friday almost dramatic.

For instance, while Stone is leading the Angler of the Year race, he’s not necessarily "body-slamming" them. He only caught four. And more than one angler is hoping the Table Rock shuffle could strike, leaving Stone with a zero and opening the door for a slew of others to vault to the top.

Those who can make up ground and turn things around, or more correctly, those who have the opportunity to gain the most points if Stone loses some of his is long. They include Reese, who even with zero is only about 200 points behind. A banner day and he’s back in the mix.

That’s a stretch. But Michael Iaconelli and Rick Clunn, each needing about 14 or 16 pound stringers, could vault back into the works. As can George Cochran and Edwin Evers. All of them have room to move up.

But all of them have to hope Stone falters, which isn’t likely. While Thursday was tough, Friday is expected to be the best fishing day of the week as a front moves through the area, creating low-pressure skies and rain, which is a typical turn-on for fish in Ozark lakes.

How it plays out will be either good or bad, depending on what you need or want to happen. Regardless, Friday will be a day for the calculators.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts. Winnings

1. Dion Hibdon Stover, Mo. 5 23-05 305
Day 1: 5 23-05
2. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 19-04 295 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-04
3. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 5 18-15 290 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-15
4. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 18-03 285
Day 1: 5 18-03
5. John Crews Jetersville, Va. 5 17-06 280
Day 1: 5 17-06
6. Stacey D King Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 16-01 276
Day 1: 5 16-01
7. Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 5 15-14 272
Day 1: 5 15-14
8. Mike McClelland Vella Vista, Ark. 3 14-09 268
Day 1: 3 14-09
9. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 5 13-14 264
Day 1: 5 13-14
10. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 13-11 260
Day 1: 5 13-11
11. Andre Moore Scottsdale, Ariz. 5 13-05 257
Day 1: 5 13-05
12. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 12-13 254
Day 1: 5 12-13
13. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 5 12-12 251
Day 1: 5 12-12
14. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 4 12-08 248
Day 1: 4 12-08
15. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 12-07 245
Day 1: 5 12-07
15. Jack Wade Knoxville, Tenn. 5 12-07 245
Day 1: 5 12-07
15. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5 12-07 245
Day 1: 5 12-07
18. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 5 12-06 239
Day 1: 5 12-06
19. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 5 12-05 237
Day 1: 5 12-05
20. Jason Reyes Humble, Texas 5 12-00 235
Day 1: 5 12-00
20. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 4 12-00 235
Day 1: 4 12-00
22. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 4 11-13 231
Day 1: 4 11-13
23. Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 3 11-11 229
Day 1: 3 11-11
24. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 4 11-10 227
Day 1: 4 11-10
24. Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 3 11-10 227
Day 1: 3 11-10
26. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 5 11-03 223
Day 1: 5 11-03
27. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 3 10-14 221
Day 1: 3 10-14
28. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 10-10 219
Day 1: 5 10-10
28. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 10-10 219
Day 1: 5 10-10
30. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 10-05 215
Day 1: 5 10-05
31. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 3 10-04 213
Day 1: 3 10-04
32. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 5 10-00 211
Day 1: 5 10-00
33. Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 4 9-12 209
Day 1: 4 9-12
34. Scott Suggs Bryant, Ark. 4 9-11 207
Day 1: 4 9-11
35. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 5 9-08 205
Day 1: 5 9-08
36. Mark Rose Marion, Ark. 4 9-07 203
Day 1: 4 9-07
37. Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 4 9-03 201
Day 1: 4 9-03
38. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 3 9-02 199
Day 1: 3 9-02
39. David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 3 9-00 197
Day 1: 3 9-00
40. David Dudley Lynchburg, Va. 3 8-14 195
Day 1: 3 8-14
41. Gary Yamamoto Mineola, Texas 4 8-13 193
Day 1: 4 8-13
42. Johnny Lesesne Blue Ridge, Ga. 3 8-06 191
Day 1: 3 8-06
43. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 3 8-03 189
Day 1: 3 8-03
44. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 4 8-01 187
Day 1: 4 8-01
45. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 3 7-15 185
Day 1: 3 7-15
46. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 3 7-13 183
Day 1: 3 7-13
46. Chip Hawkins White Hall, Ark. 2 7-13 183
Day 1: 2 7-13
48. Robert Hamilton Jr Hattiesburg, Miss. 3 7-11 179
Day 1: 3 7-11
48. Jesse Draime Long Beach, Miss. 2 7-11 179
Day 1: 2 7-11
50. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 2 7-02 175
Day 1: 2 7-02
51. Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 3 6-14 173
Day 1: 3 6-14
52. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 3 6-13 171
Day 1: 3 6-13
53. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 3 6-12 169
Day 1: 3 6-12
54. Chris Bielert Danbury, Conn. 3 6-06 167
Day 1: 3 6-06
55. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 3 6-05 165
Day 1: 3 6-05
56. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 2 6-02 163
Day 1: 2 6-02
57. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 2 6-00 161
Day 1: 2 6-00
58. Roger Boler Slidell, La. 3 5-15 159
Day 1: 3 5-15
58. Darryl Burkhardt Gresham, Ore. 3 5-15 159
Day 1: 3 5-15
60. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 3 5-14 155
Day 1: 3 5-14
61. Lee Bailey Hebron, Conn. 3 5-11 153
Day 1: 3 5-11
62. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 3 5-10 151
Day 1: 3 5-10
63. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 3 5-09 149
Day 1: 3 5-09
64. Homer Humphreys, Jr Minden, La. 3 5-08 147
Day 1: 3 5-08
65. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 2 5-07 145
Day 1: 2 5-07
66. Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 3 5-05 143
Day 1: 3 5-05
66. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 2 5-05 143
Day 1: 2 5-05
68. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 2 5-04 139
Day 1: 2 5-04
69. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 2 5-03 137
Day 1: 2 5-03
69. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 2 5-03 137
Day 1: 2 5-03
71. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 2 5-02 133
Day 1: 2 5-02
72. Roland Martin Naples, Fla. 2 5-01 131
Day 1: 2 5-01
73. Tom Mann, Jr Buford, Ga. 1 4-15 129
Day 1: 1 4-15
74. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 2 4-14 127
Day 1: 2 4-14
75. Terry Baksay Monroe, Conn. 2 4-13 125
Day 1: 2 4-13
75. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 2 4-13 125
Day 1: 2 4-13
77. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 2 4-12 121
Day 1: 2 4-12
78. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 2 4-11 119
Day 1: 2 4-11
79. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 1 4-07 117
Day 1: 1 4-07
80. Curt Lytle Zuni, Va. 1 4-06 115
Day 1: 1 4-06
81. Marcel Veenstra Brighton, Mich. 2 4-04 113
Day 1: 2 4-04
82. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 1 4-03 111
Day 1: 1 4-03
83. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 2 4-02 109
Day 1: 2 4-02
83. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 1 4-02 109
Day 1: 1 4-02
85. Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 2 4-00 105
Day 1: 2 4-00
86. George Cochran Hot Springs, Ark. 2 3-13 103
Day 1: 2 3-13
86. Sean Hoernke Magnolia, Texas 2 3-13 103
Day 1: 2 3-13
88. Jack A Gadlage Benton, Ky. 1 3-12 99
Day 1: 1 3-12
89. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 1 3-10 97
Day 1: 1 3-10
90. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 2 3-09 95
Day 1: 2 3-09
90. Tim Carroll Owasso, Okla. 2 3-09 95
Day 1: 2 3-09
92. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 1 3-08 91
Day 1: 1 3-08
93. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 2 3-07 89
Day 1: 2 3-07
94. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 2 3-02 87
Day 1: 2 3-02
94. David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 2 3-02 87
Day 1: 2 3-02
96. Luke Clausen Spokane Valley, Wash. 1 3-00 83
Day 1: 1 3-00
97. R J Bennett Roseville, Calif. 1 2-14 81
Day 1: 1 2-14
98. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 1 2-11 79
Day 1: 1 2-11
99. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 1 2-10 77
Day 1: 1 2-10
100.Mark Rizk Arab, Ala. 1 2-09 76
Day 1: 1 2-09
101.Rick Morris Lanexa, Va. 1 2-06 75
Day 1: 1 2-06
102.Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 1 2-05 74
Day 1: 1 2-05
103.Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 1 2-04 73
Day 1: 1 2-04
104.Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 1 2-03 72
Day 1: 1 2-03
104.Jay Kendrick Ooltewah, Tenn. 1 2-03 72
Day 1: 1 2-03
104.Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 1 2-03 72
Day 1: 1 2-03
107.Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 1 2-01 69
Day 1: 1 2-01
108.Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 1 2-00 68
Day 1: 1 2-00
109.Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 1 1-15 67
Day 1: 1 1-15
109.Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 1 1-15 67
Day 1: 1 1-15
111.Mike Auten Benton, Ky. 1 1-13 65
Day 1: 1 1-13
112.Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 1 1-12 64
Day 1: 1 1-12
112.Jeff Magee Mendenhall, Miss. 1 1-12 64
Day 1: 1 1-12
114.Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 1 1-11 62
Day 1: 1 1-11
114.Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 1 1-11 62
Day 1: 1 1-11
116.Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 1 1-10 60
Day 1: 1 1-10
116.Tim Loper Terry, Miss. 1 1-10 60
Day 1: 1 1-10
116.Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 1 1-10 60
Day 1: 1 1-10
119.Randy Dearman Onalaska, Texas 1 1-09 57
Day 1: 1 1-09
119.Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 1 1-09 57
Day 1: 1 1-09
121.Frank Ippoliti Smithsburg, Md. 1 1-07 55
Day 1: 1 1-07
122.Harold Allen Shelbyville, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Woo Daves Spring Grove, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.O T Fears III Sallisaw, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.David Gliebe Stockton, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Pete Gluszek Franklinville, N.J. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Gerald Gostenik Dearborn, Mich. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Kyle Mabrey Birmingham, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.David Mansue Robbinsville, N.J. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Morizo Shimizu Murrita, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Tommy Stiles Mc Minnville, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Thad Takes Center Point, Iowa 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Norio Tanabe Tokyo 153, Japan 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
122.Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00

Day 2: VanDam Takes the Lead

KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. --- Even a suspense and drama addict, would have had a hard time scripting a more compelling outcome for the second day of the Citgo Bassmaster Tour event on Table Rock Lake.

Kevin VanDam is in the lead with a two-day total of 35 pounds, 4 ounces, while first-day leader, Dion Hibdon, stumbled badly. Hibdon, though, is still in the top 10. He caught one fish (3 pounds, 10 ounces) to drop to 10th with 26 pounds, 15 ounces overall.

But that isn’t even close to the most interesting part of the day. That begins with Aaron Martens, who was in 19th place coming into the day. He put together an amazing stringer of 21 pounds, 15 ounces, anchored by a 9-pound largemouth, to vault to second place. But more importantly that move put him in the lead of the Citgo Angler of the Year race, snatching it from the grasp of Marty Stone, who put together his own little charge on the second day to move from 22nd to 13th place.

Stone is now in second place in the Angler of the Year standings and as eerie as it seems will have to stand on the bank Saturday and possibly Sunday to find out whether or not he will win the title.

The way it currently stands, Martens has to finish in fourth place or better to win the title. Anything below that and the title is Stone’s.

"This is way too spooky,’’ Stone said. "Gee whiz, I was wanting this to be done and over."

Last season, Stone’s roommate, Gerald Swindle, was virtually in the same position during the season finale. But this race may not be decided until Sunday, unless of course Martens fails to make the final-six cut Saturday.

As Table Rock has already proven, anything is possible. Who would have thought a 9-pounder would have come from this lake and played such a huge role? Who could have guessed that Hibdon would have gone from blowing the doors off the competition to having the door slammed shut with one fish?

With this semifinal 12, the list of questions could be endless.

Pete Ponds, one of the few anglers who have been consistent, is third with 33 pounds, 8 ounces. He’s followed by yet another example of Table Rock serving up a one-day flash. Brent Chapman is fourth, after weighing a 22 pound, 5 ounce stringer that gives him 32-15 total.

And interestingly enough Greg Hackney is in fifth with 32-12. Hackney almost played the role of spoiler in his rookie season last year. He was to Swindle what Martens is to Stone.

"And I hated every minute of it,’’ Hackney said. "This year, I’m glad it’s them and not me."

But Hackney once again could play the spoiler or at least a quarter of it, if he moves ahead of Martens.

Ironically enough, behind him are this year’s rookies Dave Wolak (29 pounds) and Andre Moore (28 pounds, 3 ounces) in sixth and seventh respectively. Wolak has already locked down the Rookie of the Year title, but he and Moore could strike a blow for rookies by once again being the deciding factor on who wins the Angler of the Year.

Add Stacey King, the local favorite, in 8th place and expected to move up with former Angler of the Year title holders Jay Yelas (9th place, 27 pounds) and Tim Horton (12th place, 26-13) and Hibdon and the possibilities are open for anything.

"Table Rock is one of those lakes where it’s really hard to catch them two days in a row,’’ VanDam said. "It changes real quick."

Which makes it the almost perfect lake to decide the outcome of the Angler of the Year. VanDam is leading the event by cranking and using a jerkbait. Those have been the prevailing patterns for most of the leaders. But they aren’t ones that seem to bless anglers with double-up type days.

Hibdon, for example, caught his big stringer on day one on a jerkbait. Although It wasn’t your ordinary jerkbait. This one was Rapala 19, measuring about 10-inches long, and mostly used for saltwater fishing. The big bait, sometime referred to as an "Ozark Swimbait" is used occasionally by anglers in local events.

"It only works a few days out of every year,’’ Hibdon said. "We call it the grappler, because it’s got hooks the size of your hands.’’

The bait, though, didn’t get a bite on day two for Hibdon. Although O.T. Fears and Kenyon Hill, each weighed in 12-pound plus stringers on it during the second day.

But it shows fairly accurately the feast or famine type nature of Table Rock, as does Martens so-so day on day one compared to his magical day Friday.

"Really, that’s how this whole tournament will be decided along with everything else,’’ Hackney said. "I hope I can stay consistent, but it’s more likely the winner will have to have one of those great days and fight to survive the rest of the time.

"It’s hard to knock them in the head every day on this lake. It can be done, I think. But the more likely scenario is that there will be a lot of us who will find things totally different when the tournament starts in the morning."

That, of course, follows perfectly with the script that has already taken place. A few more twists and turns and it’s anybody’s guess on how all the story lines will turn out.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts. Winnings
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 35-04 305
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 17-01
2. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 9 33-09 295 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 5 21-15
3. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 10 33-08 290 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 14-09
4. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 10 32-15 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 22-05
5. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 10 32-12 280 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 13-08
6. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 10 29-00 276
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 16-09
7. Andre Moore Scottsdale, Ariz. 9 28-03 272
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 4 14-14
8. Stacey D King Reeds Spring, Mo. 10 27-14 268
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 11-13
9. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 9 27-00 264
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 4 15-13
10. Dion Hibdon Stover, Mo. 6 26-15 265
Day 1: 5 23-05 Day 2: 1 3-10
11. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 10 26-14 257
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 14-02
12. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 9 26-13 254
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 4 13-02
13. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 9 26-07 251 $5,400.00
Day 1: 4 11-13 Day 2: 5 14-10
14. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 10 25-10 248 $5,300.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 13-05
15. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 10 25-00 245 $5,200.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 12-09
16. Terry Baksay Monroe, Conn. 7 24-14 243 $5,100.00
Day 1: 2 4-13 Day 2: 5 20-01
17. Jack A Gadlage Benton, Ky. 6 24-13 241 $5,000.00
Day 1: 1 3-12 Day 2: 5 21-01
18. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 10 24-11 239 $4,900.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 12-05
19. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 10 23-12 237 $4,750.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 13-12
19. Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 8 23-12 237 $4,750.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 3 7-14
21. Jason Reyes Humble, Texas 9 23-09 233 $4,600.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 4 11-09
22. Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 7 23-04 231 $4,500.00
Day 1: 3 11-10 Day 2: 4 11-10
23. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 10 23-00 229 $4,350.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 10-03
23. David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 7 23-00 229 $4,350.00
Day 1: 3 9-00 Day 2: 4 14-00
25. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 6 22-12 225 $4,200.00
Day 1: 1 1-15 Day 2: 5 20-13
26. John Crews Jetersville, Va. 7 22-10 223 $4,100.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 2 5-04
27. Gary Yamamoto Mineola, Texas 9 22-03 221 $3,900.00
Day 1: 4 8-13 Day 2: 5 13-06
28. Chris Bielert Danbury, Conn. 8 21-11 219 $3,800.00
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 5 15-05
29. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 8 20-08 217 $3,600.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 3 6-10
29. Jack Wade Knoxville, Tenn. 8 20-08 217 $3,600.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 3 8-01
29. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 7 20-08 217 $3,600.00
Day 1: 3 8-03 Day 2: 4 12-05
32. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 7 19-12 211 $3,400.00
Day 1: 3 7-15 Day 2: 4 11-13
33. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 7 19-06 209 $3,300.00
Day 1: 2 3-02 Day 2: 5 16-04
34. Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 8 19-04 207 $3,200.00
Day 1: 4 9-03 Day 2: 4 10-01
35. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 8 19-03 205 $3,050.00
Day 1: 3 6-12 Day 2: 5 12-07
35. Mark Rose Marion, Ark. 8 19-03 205 $3,050.00
Day 1: 4 9-07 Day 2: 4 9-12
37. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 6 18-14 201 $2,900.00
Day 1: 1 4-03 Day 2: 5 14-11
38. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 6 18-10 199 $2,800.00
Day 1: 3 9-02 Day 2: 3 9-08
39. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 8 17-15 197 $2,700.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 3 7-10
40. Johnny Lesesne Blue Ridge, Ga. 7 17-14 195 $2,600.00
Day 1: 3 8-06 Day 2: 4 9-08
41. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 7 17-12 193 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 4-02 Day 2: 5 13-10
42. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 17-07 191 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 10-14 Day 2: 2 6-09
43. Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 7 17-05 189 $2,400.00
Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 4 10-07
44. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 5 17-03 187 $2,400.00
Day 1: 2 4-13 Day 2: 3 12-06
45. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 7 17-02 185 $2,350.00
Day 1: 5 9-08 Day 2: 2 7-10
46. Mike McClelland Vella Vista, Ark. 4 16-14 183 $2,350.00
Day 1: 3 14-09 Day 2: 1 2-05
47. Scott Suggs Bryant, Ark. 7 16-11 181 $2,300.00
Day 1: 4 9-11 Day 2: 3 7-00
48. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 6 16-08 179 $2,300.00
Day 1: 4 12-08 Day 2: 2 4-00
49. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 7 16-06 177 $2,200.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 2 5-12
50. Frank Ippoliti Smithsburg, Md. 6 15-14 175 $2,200.00
Day 1: 1 1-07 Day 2: 5 14-07
51. Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 6 15-09 173 $2,150.00
Day 1: 4 9-12 Day 2: 2 5-13
52. Mike Auten Benton, Ky. 6 15-08 171 $2,083.33
Day 1: 1 1-13 Day 2: 5 13-11
52. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 6 15-08 171 $2,083.33
Day 1: 1 2-10 Day 2: 5 12-14
52. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 6 15-08 171 $2,083.33
Day 1: 1 2-11 Day 2: 5 12-13
55. Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 7 15-07 165 $2,000.00
Day 1: 2 4-00 Day 2: 5 11-07
55. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 5 15-07 165 $2,000.00
Day 1: 2 6-02 Day 2: 3 9-05
57. David Dudley Lynchburg, Va. 5 15-03 161 $1,950.00
Day 1: 3 8-14 Day 2: 2 6-05
58. Thad Takes Center Point, Iowa 5 15-00 159 $1,925.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 15-00
59. Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 4 14-15 157 $1,925.00
Day 1: 3 11-11 Day 2: 1 3-04
60. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 6 14-02 155 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 4-14 Day 2: 4 9-04
61. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5 13-15 153 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 3-07 Day 2: 3 10-08
62. Lee Bailey Hebron, Conn. 7 13-07 151 $1,925.00
Day 1: 3 5-11 Day 2: 4 7-12
63. Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 6 13-04 149 $1,925.00
Day 1: 3 5-05 Day 2: 3 7-15
64. Marcel Veenstra Brighton, Mich. 5 13-03 147 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 4-04 Day 2: 3 8-15
65. Curt Lytle Zuni, Va. 3 13-02 145 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 4-06 Day 2: 2 8-12
66. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 4 13-00 143 $1,925.00
Day 1: 3 10-04 Day 2: 1 2-12
67. Robert Hamilton Jr Hattiesburg, Miss. 4 12-15 141 $1,925.00
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 1 5-04
68. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 12-12 139 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 2-03 Day 2: 4 10-09
68. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 5 12-12 139 $1,925.00
Day 1: 3 6-13 Day 2: 2 5-15
70. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 12-03 135 $1,925.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 12-03
71. Darryl Burkhardt Gresham, Ore. 5 12-01 133 $1,925.00
Day 1: 3 5-15 Day 2: 2 6-02
72. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 4 12-00 131 $1,925.00
Day 1: 4 12-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
73. Mark Rizk Arab, Ala. 5 11-05 129 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 2-09 Day 2: 4 8-12
74. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 4 11-04 127 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 6-00 Day 2: 2 5-04
75. Jeff Magee Mendenhall, Miss. 5 11-02 125 $962.50
Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 4 9-06
75. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 4 11-02 125 $962.50
Day 1: 2 7-02 Day 2: 2 4-00
77. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 10-13 121
Day 1: 2 4-12 Day 2: 3 6-01
78. Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 4 10-11 119
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 4 10-11
79. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 10-10 117
Day 1: 4 8-01 Day 2: 1 2-09
79. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 4 10-10 117
Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2: 1 2-13
81. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 4 10-01 113
Day 1: 3 6-05 Day 2: 1 3-12
82. Tom Mann, Jr Buford, Ga. 3 10-00 111
Day 1: 1 4-15 Day 2: 2 5-01
83. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark. 4 9-09 109
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 4 9-09
84. Homer Humphreys, Jr Minden, La. 5 9-08 107
Day 1: 3 5-08 Day 2: 2 4-00
85. Roland Martin Naples, Fla. 3 9-02 105
Day 1: 2 5-01 Day 2: 1 4-01
86. Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 4 8-15 103
Day 1: 1 1-10 Day 2: 3 7-05
86. Norio Tanabe Tokyo 153, Japan 3 8-15 103
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 8-15
88. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 4 8-14 99
Day 1: 2 3-09 Day 2: 2 5-05
89. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 3 8-10 97
Day 1: 1 4-02 Day 2: 2 4-08
90. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 3 8-08 95
Day 1: 2 5-04 Day 2: 1 3-04
91. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 3 8-07 93
Day 1: 2 5-07 Day 2: 1 3-00
92. George Cochran Hot Springs, Ark. 4 8-01 91
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 2 4-04
93. Tim Carroll Owasso, Okla. 4 7-13 89
Day 1: 2 3-09 Day 2: 2 4-04
93. Chip Hawkins White Hall, Ark. 2 7-13 89
Day 1: 2 7-13 Day 2: 0 0-00
95. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 3 7-12 85
Day 1: 1 1-11 Day 2: 2 6-01
96. Jesse Draime Long Beach, Miss. 2 7-11 83
Day 1: 2 7-11 Day 2: 0 0-00
97. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 4 7-07 81
Day 1: 3 5-10 Day 2: 1 1-13
98. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 3 7-06 79
Day 1: 1 2-04 Day 2: 2 5-02
99. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 4 7-05 77
Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 1 1-12
100.O T Fears III Sallisaw, Okla. 3 7-02 76
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 7-02
100.Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 3 7-02 76
Day 1: 2 5-05 Day 2: 1 1-13
102.Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 3 6-11 74
Day 1: 1 2-00 Day 2: 2 4-11
102.Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 2 6-11 74
Day 1: 1 2-03 Day 2: 1 4-08
104.Morizo Shimizu Murrita, Calif. 2 6-10 72
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 6-10
105.Sean Hoernke Magnolia, Texas 3 6-05 71
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 1 2-08
106.Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 3 6-04 70
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 6-04
106.Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 3 6-04 70
Day 1: 1 1-10 Day 2: 2 4-10
106.Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 2 6-04 70
Day 1: 1 4-07 Day 2: 1 1-13
109.Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 3 6-03 67
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 6-03
110.Roger Boler Slidell, La. 3 5-15 66
Day 1: 3 5-15 Day 2: 0 0-00
111.Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 3 5-14 65
Day 1: 3 5-14 Day 2: 0 0-00
112.Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 2 5-12 64
Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 1 4-00
113.David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 3 5-08 63
Day 1: 2 3-02 Day 2: 1 2-06
113.Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 2 5-08 63
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 5-08
115.Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 2 5-03 61
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 5-03
115.Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 2 5-03 61
Day 1: 2 5-03 Day 2: 0 0-00
115.Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 2 5-03 61
Day 1: 2 5-03 Day 2: 0 0-00
115.Rick Morris Lanexa, Va. 2 5-03 61
Day 1: 1 2-06 Day 2: 1 2-13
119.Harold Allen Shelbyville, Texas 2 5-02 57
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 5-02
119.Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 2 5-02 57
Day 1: 2 5-02 Day 2: 0 0-00
121.Luke Clausen Spokane Valley, Wash. 2 4-14 55
Day 1: 1 3-00 Day 2: 1 1-14
122.Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 2 4-13 54
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 4-13
123.R J Bennett Roseville, Calif. 2 4-12 53
Day 1: 1 2-14 Day 2: 1 1-14
124.Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 2 4-11 52
Day 1: 2 4-11 Day 2: 0 0-00
125.Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 3 4-05 51
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 4-05
126.Jay Kendrick Ooltewah, Tenn. 2 3-15 50
Day 1: 1 2-03 Day 2: 1 1-12
126.Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 2 3-15 50
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 1 1-14
128.Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 2 3-14 48
Day 1: 1 1-15 Day 2: 1 1-15
129.Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 1 3-13 47
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 3-13
130.Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 1 3-10 46
Day 1: 1 3-10 Day 2: 0 0-00
131.Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 1 3-08 45
Day 1: 1 3-08 Day 2: 0 0-00
132.Tim Loper Terry, Miss. 2 3-04 44
Day 1: 1 1-10 Day 2: 1 1-10
133.Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 1 3-03 43
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 3-03
134.Gerald Gostenik Dearborn, Mich. 1 2-11 42
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-11
135.Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 1 2-05 41
Day 1: 1 2-05 Day 2: 0 0-00
136.Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 1 2-00 40
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-00
137.David Gliebe Stockton, Calif. 1 1-12 39
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 1-12
138.Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 1 1-11 38
Day 1: 1 1-11 Day 2: 0 0-00
139.Randy Dearman Onalaska, Texas 1 1-09 37
Day 1: 1 1-09 Day 2: 0 0-00
139.Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 1 1-09 37
Day 1: 1 1-09 Day 2: 0 0-00
141.Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
141.Woo Daves Spring Grove, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
141.Pete Gluszek Franklinville, N.J. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
141.Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
141.Kyle Mabrey Birmingham, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
141.David Mansue Robbinsville, N.J. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
141.Tommy Stiles Mc Minnville, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
141.Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00

Day 3: Hackney Leads the Final Six

KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. --- Just when you thought it couldn’t get anymore dramatic, Greg Hackney and Aaron Martens write another chapter in an already suspense-filled tournament.

Hackney has taken the third-day lead in the Citgo Bassmaster Tour event on Table Rock. And Martens, who lead the Citgo Angler of the Year race going into Saturday, has relinquished the top spot but still has a chance to win the title on Sunday.

Marty Stone currently has a 7-point lead that rests squarely on the shoulders of Martens. If Martens narrowly missed losing the title, but caught just enough (two fish, 3 pounds, 15 ounces) to slip into the sixth-place spot and keep his chances alive, while Stone will have to wait another day to see which way the title will go.

Judging by the ups and downs of the anglers in this event so far, the question is decidedly undecided.

The only angler who has shown any sort of consistency is Hackney, who weighed in his third five-fish limit (and the only limit of the day) totaling 14 pounds, 13 ounces. Hackney’s total 47 pounds, 9 ounces gives him a two-ounce lead over Kevin VanDam, who slipped from first to second with 47 pounds, 7 ounces.

The rest of the top six looks like this: Brent Chapman (three fish, 7 pounds, 12 ounces) is third with 40-11; Pete Ponds (two fish, 6-14) is fourth with 40-6; Jeff Reynolds (four fish, 10 pounds, 12 ounces) is fifth with 37-10 and Martens is sixth with 37-8.

The close race between the two leaders has almost taken a backseat to the one shaping up between Stone and Martens. But they are all related allowing this event to tell the tale on the importance of every fish weighed and every ounce culled even among those who may not have a shot at winning anything.

Martens has to finish in fourth place or better to win the title. Anything under that and Stone wins the race. So it not only boils down to whether or not Martens catches them or not, but whether or not the rest of the field can catch a few or not.

Obviously Hackney is in the driver’s seat for the overall tournament, which will have a bearing on who wins the Angler of the Year race. Hackney wouldn’t have it any other way, he seems to be enjoying the fact that he can pay back some of the drama that surrounded him and Gerald Swindle in last season’s race. But he likes it even more because most of the attention and pressure is diverted to who wins the race rather than this tournament.

"This is kind of nice,’’ Hackney said. "Payback is kind of fun.’’

He’s joking of course. Even though Stone is certainly crossing his fingers that Hackney will keep catching them. And it looks like he should.

Hackney is concentrating on the lower end of the lake, within 10 or 12 miles of Kimberling City. His main pattern has been to concentrate on points that have a medium slope to them but once they get to 8-feet deep they drop to 12 feet.

"Because of the weather, the timing of the spawn and the fact that they are sucking the soup out of the lake, the fish are just packing into those drops,’’ Hackney said. "They are staging there and just getting ready to explode. I’ve already seen some bumping bellies and getting ready, but the conditions haven’t been right.’’

Which has been a good thing for Hackney. He’s been able to catch a limit off those drops each day by either throwing a 5/16 or 7/16th-ounce jig, a crankbait or a finesse worm on an 1/8-ounce jighead.

Saturday he boated 11 keepers. But the thing he’s been missing has been the big bite.

"In practice I was catching some giants, from 6 to 10 pounds,’’ he said. "And I have no idea why I haven’t caught them yet. But I’m hoping they will show up. I’m wanting to catch a big bag and really seal this deal."

Count stone as a hoper too. But Stone has to also hope that the rest of the six, with the exception of Martens, can find them as well.

Martens, who has basically lived and died by throwing an old Wiggle Wart crankbait, will continue to try and crank out a limit in the final. He caught four on day one and a monster bag on day two. But day three was a different story.

The weather swung wildly from what it had been. Clear skies and very little wind aren’t conducive to cranking on Table Rock. But unless you are Hackney, they aren’t conducive to anything. What the weather does on Sunday will certainly have an impact, expectations are it will be more of the same clear skies, but with a possibility of more wind. That and the timing of it being the second day after the cold front that brought the clear skies has many of the anglers at least feeling a little more confident for the final.

Martens said that on day three he got several bites that he lost, and the keeper fish that he has caught this week are all coming in the back treble hook of his crankbait.

"They aren’t really taking it very well,’’ Martens said. "I’ll have to make some adjustments and hope it works."

The rest of the field, while catching them well enough to be in the final, haven’t really centered on what they should be doing or the weather has knocked them off balance.

Rank Name State Bass Weight
1. Greg Hackney LA 15 47-9
2. Kevin VanDam MI 14 47-7
3. Brent Chapman KS 13 40-11
4. Pete Ponds MS 12 40-6
5. Jeff Reynolds OK 14 37-10
6. Aaron Martens AL 11 37-8
7. Andre Moore AZ 11 35-1
8. Tim Horton AL 11 33-4
9. Stacey D. King MO 12 32-14
10. Dave Wolak PA 11 32-6
11. Jay Yelas TX 11 31-6
12. Dion Hibdon MO 7 29-7

Day 4: Hackney, Martens Take Titles

KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. --- The Hack attacked, Stone crumbled and Aaron’s Magic turned the tide in the Citgo Bassmaster Tour event on Table Rock Lake.

Greg Hackney basically walked away with the tournament, weighing in 10 pounds even to post a 57 pound, 9 ounce total, that gave him a more than 7-pound winning margin.

In second place and the big winner of the day was Aaron Martens, who adjusted in the final hours of the tournament to weigh in the heaviest limit of the day (12 pounds, 11 ounces) to finish second and win the Citgo Angler of the Year race.

The also-rans shaped up like this: Brent Chapman (three fish, 7 pounds, 3 ounces) was third with 47-14; Kevin VanDam (zero) was fourth with 47-7; Jeff Reynolds (three fish, 8 pounds, 13 ounces) was fifth with 46-7 and Pete Ponds (two fish, 5 pounds, 15 ounces) was sixth with 46-5.

In a tournament full of twists and turns in both races, both victories basically boiled down to destiny.

The best example of that for the tournament is a zero scored by VanDam, who normally rocks on Table Rock, but the high-pressure skies of the final day proved too much. His zero also helped Martens, who needed to finish in the top four to take home the coveted AOY title.

But Martens destiny was basically sealed with his first keeper of the day. Minutes after taking off, Martens settled on the first point outside of the take-off area casting a Wiggle Wart crankbait. In the middle one of those first casts, he realized that he needed to adjust his trolling motor and laid his rod down on the deck to make the necessary change. While he was working on the motor, his first keeper came up and swallowed the rising Wiggle Wart.

That destiny was nailed shut by 11 o’clock when he started feeling the pressure of not having a limit. He again laid down the crankbait and this time picked up a 4-inch Robo Worm named Aaron’s Magic. After that he never looked back, boating his limit while much of the rest of the field struggled.

“That’s what makes a great champion,’’ said Marty Stone, runner up in the AOY race. “His instinct told him to pick up a worm, that’s what great anglers do. He’s a world-class angler and he deserves to win.”

That argument is settled. But you have to go over the scenarios that would have made things turn out differently. The very things that made this an exciting event. Like the second day of the tournament when Martens weighed in a monster limit anchored by a 9-pound largemouth, while Stone narrowly missed making the semifinal cut by 6 ounces. How differently things might have been with a little twist and turn here or there.

Then on day three, Martens struggled almost falling out of the race, giving Stone the lead but keeping the outcome in Martens hands. And by day three, while Martens was basically wacking them, the rest of the field struggled. VanDam zeroes and no one except Martens and Hackney could boat a limit.

“It’s hard to imagine that some so far out of this could have such a big impact on this race,’’ Pete Ponds said.

While the scenarios were numerous, the one involving the winner of the tournament never seemed to be too much out of the question. Hackney concentrated on the lower end of Table Rock, making a decision prior to practice to fish there because all three species of black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) are present there.

“I just felt like that would give me more chances,’’ Hackney said.

From there, the shallow-water expert, worked his lures in shallow (for Table Rock) water from 8- to 12 feet deep, finding scores of fish situated on drops about 8-feet deep. He caught them on a Wiggle Wart and a Strike King 3X finesse worm on an 1/8-ounce jighead.

“Because of the weather, the timing of the spawn and the fact that they are sucking the soup out of the lake, the fish are just packing into those drops,’’ Hackney said. “They are staging there and just getting ready to explode.”

While Hackney conveniently stayed out of the Angler of the Year fray, he quietly worked his way to the top of the standings by being the only angler to boat a limit each day of the event. The one thing he missed, though, was catching a really head-turner of a big fish.

In the end he didn’t need it basically blowing out the field.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts. Winnings

1. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 20 57-09 310 $102,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 13-08 Day 3: 5 14-13 Day 4: 5 10-00
2. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 16 50-03 295 $42,000.00
Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 5 21-15 Day 3: 2 3-15 Day 4: 5 12-11
3. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 16 47-14 290 $24,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 22-05 Day 3: 3 7-12 Day 4: 3 7-03
4. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 14 47-07 290 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 4 12-03 Day 4: 0 0-00
5. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 17 46-07 280 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 14-02 Day 3: 4 10-12 Day 4: 3 8-13
6. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 14 46-05 276 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 2 6-14 Day 4: 2 5-15

All articles by Steve Bowman, FishFactory.com unless otherwise specified.

Compiled by Brandon Shook

President/Publisher: Brandon Shook.