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The Full Story
BASS Elite Series: Lake
Guntersville, AL
Elite Series Event # 5 of 11
Preview | Day 1 |
Day 2 | Day 3 |
Day 4
Preview: Elite Series to Visit Lake Guntersville
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CELEBRATION, Fla. — For the 108 Bassmaster Elite Series pros,
few fisheries prompt such excited anticipation as Lake Guntersville,
especially in the springtime. That is the backdrop as the world’s best bass
anglers head to the famous Alabama fishery on April 26-29 for the Southern
Challenge presented by Purolator.
The fifth stop of the 11-tournament Elite Series epitomizes the philosophy
of the most visible and prestigious circuit in the world — putting the best
anglers on the best lakes at the best times.
And now it’s Guntersville’s turn to show the world how many largemouth it
can produce on ESPN2’s The Bassmasters.
Consider the last four times that the highest level of BASS competition has
visited the 69,100-acre Tennessee River impoundment:
• 2006 — 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Michael Iaconelli
won the Elite Series event with 71 pounds, 13 ounces.
• 2005 — Texan Zell Rowland won with 87 pounds.
• 2004 — George Cochran’s winning weight was nearly 100 pounds. The two-time
Bassmaster Classic champ posted a four-day total of 99 pounds, 10 ounces.
• 2002 — Texan Kelly Jordon won with 83 pounds, 11 ounces.
The Elite Series pros from Alabama are expecting nothing less this time
around.
“I think it will take 20 to 22 pounds a day to win at Guntersville,” said
Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals. “There will be a lot of big limits brought
in.”
Fellow Elite pro Jimmy Mason of Rogersville, agreed.
“We’re going to hit it at a time period when an angler can catch fish any
way they want to. It should be a great tournament,” said Mason, who also
works as a guide on the lake.
The Alabama pros also said that the Elite anglers will find bass in
different biological modes, primarily spawning and post-spawn. That was the
situation during the same week in April last year when Iaconelli won the
Guntersville Elite primarily working two techniques.
The 2003 Classic champion sight-fished for bedding bass and moved to deeper
grassbeds to tempt fish that had just finished spawning.
“There will be both pre-spawn and post-spawn fish,” Horton said. “Anytime
you go to a lake that’s full of bass like Guntersville, they spawn from
March through May.
“It will be one of those neat tournaments where a number of techniques will
come into play,” Horton said. “Topwater fish in the morning will be
productive and deep crankbait fish will be another choice for many anglers.
A lot will look to sight-fish. There will be a little bit of everything
going on.”
In addition to the $100,000 top prize and gaining valuable mid-season points
toward the coveted 2008 Bassmaster Classic, the Elite Pros will be earning
points towards the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
Daily weigh-ins take place at Guntersville High School at 3 p.m. CT. Anglers
will launch from the Top of the River beginning at 6:50 a.m. CT.
Day 1: Day 1 of Elite Series Event on Lake
Guntersville Canceled
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GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – Due to unsafe weather conditions and in
the best interest of all concerned, BASS announced today the first day of
tournament action, scheduled for Thursday, April 26, for the Bassmaster
Elite Series’ Southern Challenge presented by Purolator has been canceled.
The tournament will begin Friday, April 27 and conclude Sunday, April 29 as
scheduled.
The full field of 108 anglers will fish Friday and Saturday with the top 12
qualifying for the final-day of action on Sunday. The final 12 anglers will
compete for a $100,000 top prize. The co-angler competition will end
Saturday with the champion of that division receiving a Triton boat package
valued at $50,000.
The Guntersville tournament is the fifth of 11 events on the Bassmaster
Elite Series. Elite anglers are building points in the Toyota Tundra
Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, the main qualifying avenue for the
Bassmaster Classic.
Day 2: Oklahoma's Terry Butcher Leads on
Guntersville
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GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – Terry Butcher hasn’t had a great start
to the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series season, but Friday’s opening day of the
Southern Challenge presented by Purolator on Lake Guntersville helped change
things. The Talala, Okla., pro leads Jason Quinn of Lake Wylie, S.C., by
more than three pounds heading into the two final days of competition.
Butcher, who has yet to make a top 50 cut in 2007, put five largemouth bass
weighing 26 pounds, 3 ounces, on the scales at Guntersville High School to
grab the lead of the three-day event. The first day of action scheduled for
Thursday was canceled due to bad weather, giving the 108 pros two days
before the field narrows to the top 12 for Sunday’s finale.
ESPN2 will air coverage of the Southern Challenge presented by Purolator
Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. ET. The top prize for the event is $100,000.
“I just had a great day,” said Butcher, a 35-year old former bull rider. “I
caught fish all day long and they were all big ones. I have a couple of
different patterns, but I caught all of these early, ran to a few other
places and found the same thing in those.”
Butcher said he had about 22 pounds early, upgraded his weight and then
spent time checking other areas for the weekend. While he’s staying
relatively conservative, Quinn was swinging for the fences Friday since
Thursday’s round was canceled. He caught 22-10 and sits in second place.
“My goal coming in was 20 pounds since we only have two days before the cut,
so 22 pounds is a little better,” said Quinn, who is fishing offshore
structure about 6 feet deep that has milfoil. “I think my areas will hold up
because there is so much going on right now on the lake.”
Right behind Butcher and Quinn are three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster
Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., with 21-4; four-time
BASS winner Terry Scroggins of Palatka, Fla., with 21-2; and Pete Ponds of
Madison, Miss., with 20-7.
VanDam has fared well on Guntersville over the years, scoring a fourth-place
finish in a 2006 Elite event, so his appearance in the top five wasn’t
surprising. As with the other leaders, he declined to get into specifics
about his tactics.
“I just like the lake a lot and it’s a great lake,” he said. “The thing is
it just gets tougher each year to find new spots to fish.”
Howard Stephens of Columbia, S.C., leads the co-angler division with 22-9,
with Mark Child of Mansfield, Texas, second with 20-5. Stephens has amassed
over $100,000 in BASS career earnings in his nearly ten years competing as a
co-angler. The champion co-angler, which will be crowned Saturday, will
receive a fully-rigged Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $50,000.
Saturday’s launch will begin at 5:50 a.m. CT at the Top of the River
Restaurant and the daily weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. CT at Guntersville High
School.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5 26-03 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-03
2. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 22-10
Day 1: 5 22-10
3. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 21-04
Day 1: 5 21-04
4. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 5 21-02
Day 1: 5 21-02
5. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 5 20-07
Day 1: 5 20-07
6. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 5 19-12
Day 1: 5 19-12
7. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 5 19-08
Day 1: 5 19-08
8. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 5 19-03 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-03
9. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 18-07
Day 1: 5 18-07
10. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 5 18-06
Day 1: 5 18-06
11. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 5 18-05
Day 1: 5 18-05
12. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 5 18-00
Day 1: 5 18-00
13. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 17-14
Day 1: 5 17-14
14. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 5 17-13
Day 1: 5 17-13
15. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 5 17-07
Day 1: 5 17-07
16. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 17-03
Day 1: 5 17-03
17. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 5 17-01
Day 1: 5 17-01
18. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 16-12
Day 1: 5 16-12
18. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 16-12
Day 1: 5 16-12
20. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 5 16-10
Day 1: 5 16-10
21. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 5 16-09
Day 1: 5 16-09
22. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 5 16-08
Day 1: 5 16-08
23. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 16-07
Day 1: 5 16-07
24. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 5 16-05
Day 1: 5 16-05
24. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 16-05
Day 1: 5 16-05
24. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 16-05
Day 1: 5 16-05
27. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 5 16-04
Day 1: 5 16-04
28. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 5 16-02
Day 1: 5 16-02
28. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 5 16-02
Day 1: 5 16-02
28. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 16-02
Day 1: 5 16-02
31. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 5 15-11
Day 1: 5 15-11
32. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 5 15-10
Day 1: 5 15-10
33. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 5 15-08
Day 1: 5 15-08
34. Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 5 15-05
Day 1: 5 15-05
35. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 5 15-03
Day 1: 5 15-03
36. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 15-01
Day 1: 5 15-01
36. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 15-01
Day 1: 5 15-01
38. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 5 14-12
Day 1: 5 14-12
38. Jim Murray Arabi, Ga. 5 14-12
Day 1: 5 14-12
40. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 14-11
Day 1: 5 14-11
41. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 5 14-10
Day 1: 5 14-10
42. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 14-08
Day 1: 5 14-08
43. Derek Remitz Hemphill, Texas 5 14-05
Day 1: 5 14-05
43. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5 14-05
Day 1: 5 14-05
45. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 5 14-02
Day 1: 5 14-02
46. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 14-01
Day 1: 5 14-01
47. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 5 14-00
Day 1: 5 14-00
48. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 13-15
Day 1: 5 13-15
49. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 5 13-14
Day 1: 5 13-14
49. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 13-14
Day 1: 5 13-14
51. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 5 13-09
Day 1: 5 13-09
52. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 13-08
Day 1: 5 13-08
52. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 13-08
Day 1: 5 13-08
52. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 5 13-08
Day 1: 5 13-08
52. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 5 13-08
Day 1: 5 13-08
56. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 5 13-07
Day 1: 5 13-07
57. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 13-06
Day 1: 5 13-06
58. Matt Amedeo Clinton, Ohio 5 13-05
Day 1: 5 13-05
58. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 5 13-05
Day 1: 5 13-05
60. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 5 13-04
Day 1: 5 13-04
61. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville , Fla. 5 13-03
Day 1: 5 13-03
62. Ken D Cook Lawton, Okla. 5 13-02
Day 1: 5 13-02
63. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 12-10
Day 1: 5 12-10
63. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 5 12-10
Day 1: 5 12-10
65. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 12-08
Day 1: 5 12-08
66. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 5 12-07
Day 1: 5 12-07
67. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 5 12-03
Day 1: 5 12-03
68. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 12-02
Day 1: 5 12-02
69. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, Fla. 5 12-01
Day 1: 5 12-01
70. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 12-00
Day 1: 5 12-00
70. Keith Phillips Calera, Ala. 5 12-00
Day 1: 5 12-00
70. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 12-00
Day 1: 5 12-00
70. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 5 12-00
Day 1: 5 12-00
74. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 5 11-15
Day 1: 5 11-15
74. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 11-15
Day 1: 5 11-15
76. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 11-12
Day 1: 5 11-12
77. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 11-11
Day 1: 5 11-11
78. Marty Robinson Landrum, S.C. 5 11-04
Day 1: 5 11-04
78. Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 4 11-04
Day 1: 4 11-04
80. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 3 11-03
Day 1: 3 11-03
81. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 5 11-01
Day 1: 5 11-01
82. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 4 10-13
Day 1: 4 10-13
83. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 5 10-12
Day 1: 5 10-12
84. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 4 9-03
Day 1: 4 9-03
84. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 4 9-03
Day 1: 4 9-03
86. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 3 9-02
Day 1: 3 9-02
86. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 2 9-02
Day 1: 2 9-02
88. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 3 8-10
Day 1: 3 8-10
89. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 4 8-07
Day 1: 4 8-07
90. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 3 8-05
Day 1: 3 8-05
91. Kurt Dove Fairfax, Va. 3 8-03
Day 1: 3 8-03
92. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 3 7-06
Day 1: 3 7-06
92. Marty Stone Fayetteville, N.C. 3 7-06
Day 1: 3 7-06
94. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 2 7-02
Day 1: 2 7-02
95. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 3 6-10
Day 1: 3 6-10
96. William Smith Somerset, Ky. 2 5-10
Day 1: 2 5-10
97. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 5 5-09
Day 1: 5 5-09
97. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 2 5-09
Day 1: 2 5-09
99. Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas 1 5-06
Day 1: 1 5-06
100.Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 2 5-01
Day 1: 2 5-01
101.Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 2 4-12
Day 1: 2 4-12
102.Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 2 4-04
Day 1: 2 4-04
103.Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 2 3-15
Day 1: 2 3-15
104.Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 2 3-14
Day 1: 2 3-14
105.Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 2 3-13
Day 1: 2 3-13
106.Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
106.Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
106.Charlie Youngers Geneva, Fla. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
Day 3: Butcher Maintains Slim Lead on
Guntersville
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GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – Terry Butcher’s early bite failed to
materialize Saturday morning on Lake Guntersville, but the Talala, Okla.,
pro managed to hold onto the lead heading into the final day of the
Bassmaster Elite Series’ Southern Challenge presented by Purolator.
Butcher caught another five-fish limit weighing 16 pounds, 6 ounces, to push
his total to 42-9 after two days. Jason Quinn, of Lake Wylie, S.C., brought
in a 19-pound, 4-ounce limit and trails by just 11 ounces with 41-14.
The first day of the tournament was canceled due to a weather decision and
the top 12 pros will fish Sunday for $100,000 in the fifth Elite tournament
of the season. ESPN2 will air coverage of the Southern Challenge presented
by Purolator on Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. ET.
To earn his second BASS victory, Butcher will need to hold off a host of
accomplished anglers including four-time BASS winner Terry Scroggins of
Palatka, Fla., who placed third with 41-3 and BASS career earnings leader
Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., who finished in fourth with 40-14. Yusuke
Miyazaki of Mineola, Texas, rounded out the top five with 39-2.
“I need the shad bite and some big bites early and I didn’t get them
Saturday morning,” said Butcher, who won the 2005 Bassmaster Open
Championship. “Friday it was good, but Saturday I caught one and then I
didn’t get any bites for about three hours. Mentally it’s not that big of an
effect, but I just need that big bite early.”
Butcher is throwing an Excalibur Bayou Boogie swimming-jig bait and an
Excalibur ¾-ounce spinnerbait early when the shad are active and bass are
chasing them. When the early bite slows, the 35-year-old ex-bull rider is
moving to docks and pitching a soft plastic creature bait.
“Friday I caught them all day, but Saturday morning it just didn’t happen
early,” he said. “I feel good about the tournament though. I’ve got two good
deals going and if I can get them to pay off, I’ll be fine. I haven’t saved
anything, so we’ll see what happens Sunday.”
Quinn is working mid-depth grasslines with crankbaits, also keying on the
shad bite and bass moving from shallow spawning areas to feed. Scroggins is
doing the same, hoping for big fish during what he calls a “critical 2- to
3-hour window early” before heading out deeper.
VanDam is mixing time between shallow and deeper areas, working Strike King
spinnerbaits and crankbaits around milfoil. He’s in fourth place but said
Friday and Saturday “were the two worst days for me this week on the lake,”
which could indicate he’s primed for something big on Sunday.
“I have a lot of places and it’s a big timing deal,” the three-time Toyota
Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year said. “I feel good about my chances.
I’m fishing big baits in big-fish spots. Morning is definitely better, so
you have to be able to adapt later in the day. My problem is deciding where
to go first.”
Notable Alabama anglers finishing in the top 50 were Steve Kennedy of Auburn
in 20th with 33 pounds, 3 ounces; Gerald Swindle of Warrior in 26th with 31
pounds, 1 ounce; and 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion Boyd Duckett of
Demopolis in 33rd with 29 pounds, 5 ounces.
Bryan Talmadge of Pell City, Ala., totaled 29 pounds, 3 ounces, in the
co-angler division and claimed the co-angler championship and the $50,000
package of a Triton/Mercury boat. Talmadge bested fellow Alabaman Jimmy
Sparks (28-15) by just four ounces for his first BASS victory.
Saturday’s launch will begin at 5:50 a.m. CT at the Top of the River
Restaurant and the daily weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. CT at Guntersville High
School.
Fishing fans can visit www.espnoutdoors.com for live weigh-in footage, a
real-time leaderboard, photo galleries and analysis.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 10 42-09 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-03 Day 2: 5 16-06
2. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 10 41-14
Day 1: 5 22-10 Day 2: 5 19-04
3. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 10 41-03
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 20-01
4. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 40-14
Day 1: 5 21-04 Day 2: 5 19-10
5. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 10 39-02
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 20-12
6. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 10 37-12
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 18-00
7. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 10 37-00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 21-15
8. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 10 35-12
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 17-12
9. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 10 35-09
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 16-01
10. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 10 35-01
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 19-06
11. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 10 34-11
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 18-06
12. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 10 34-06
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 18-01
13. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 10 34-04 251 $11,800.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 22-05
14. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 10 34-02 248 $10,700.00
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 15-13
15. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 10 33-11 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 20-03
16. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 10 33-10 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 17-03
17. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 10 33-07 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 19-02
18. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 10 33-05 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 14-14
19. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 10 33-04 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 16-01
20. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 10 33-03 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 19-05
21. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 10 32-15 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 18-07
22. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 10 32-09 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 20-09
23. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 10 32-02 229 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-07
24. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 10 31-15 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 14-14
25. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 10 31-13 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 15-03
26. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 10 31-01 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 13-04
26. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 10 31-01 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 16-05
26. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 10 31-01 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 16-00
29. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 10 30-15 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 14-03
30. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 8 30-14 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 9-02 Day 2: 5 21-12
31. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 10 30-03 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 12-05
32. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 10 29-12 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 17-02
33. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 9 29-05 209 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 4 10-02
34. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 10 28-15 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 15-11
35. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 10 28-13 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 14-13
36. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 10 28-12 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 15-04
37. Keith Phillips Calera, Ala. 10 28-10 200 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 16-10
37. Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 10 28-10 200 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 13-05
39. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville , Fla. 10 28-08 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 15-05
40. Jim Murray Arabi, Ga. 10 28-06 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 13-10
41. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 10 28-05 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 10-14
42. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 10 28-04 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 11-11
43. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 10 27-15 188 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 12-05
43. Ken D Cook Lawton, Okla. 10 27-15 188 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 14-13
45. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 8 27-08 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 3 7-01
46. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 10 27-05 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 11-03
47. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 10 27-04 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 15-02
48. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 10 27-02 178 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 11-00
48. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 10 27-02 178 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 13-10
50. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 10 27-01 174 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 12-15
50. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 10 27-01 174 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 13-03
52. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 10 27-00 171
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 13-09
53. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 10 26-14 168
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 12-13
53. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 8 26-14 168
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 3 10-02
55. Matt Amedeo Clinton, Ohio 10 26-09 165
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 13-04
56. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 8 26-08 163
Day 1: 3 11-03 Day 2: 5 15-05
57. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 10 26-07 161
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 11-04
58. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 10 25-15 158
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 13-15
58. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 9 25-15 158
Day 1: 4 8-07 Day 2: 5 17-08
60. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 10 25-14 154
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 13-14
60. Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 7 25-14 154 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 4-04 Day 2: 5 21-10
62. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 10 25-13 150
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 11-14
62. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 9 25-13 150
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 4 9-05
64. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 9 25-12 146
Day 1: 4 10-13 Day 2: 5 14-15
64. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 8 25-12 146
Day 1: 3 8-10 Day 2: 5 17-02
66. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 8 25-11 143
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 3 13-08
67. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 10 25-02 141
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 11-13
68. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 10 25-00 139
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 14-04
69. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 9 24-11 137
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 4 11-05
70. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 7 24-04 135
Day 1: 2 7-02 Day 2: 5 17-02
71. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 10 24-03 133
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 10-10
72. Marty Stone Fayetteville, N.C. 8 23-15 131
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 5 16-09
73. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 8 23-12 129
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 3 7-08
74. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 9 23-10 127
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 4 11-03
75. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, Fla. 10 23-05 125
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 11-04
76. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 10 23-00 123
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 10-08
77. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 8 22-09 121
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 3 7-01
78. Kurt Dove Fairfax, Va. 8 22-06 119
Day 1: 3 8-03 Day 2: 5 14-03
79. John Crews Salem, Va. 9 22-03 117
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 4 8-11
80. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 10 22-00 114
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 10-01
80. Derek Remitz Hemphill, Texas 7 22-00 114
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 2 7-11
82. Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 8 21-08 111
Day 1: 4 11-04 Day 2: 4 10-04
83. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 7 21-07 109
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 2 5-05
84. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 7 20-11 107
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 2 4-06
85. Marty Robinson Landrum, S.C. 8 20-07 105
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 3 9-03
86. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 8 19-06 103
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 3 6-12
87. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 8 19-00 101
Day 1: 4 9-03 Day 2: 4 9-13
88. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 7 18-09 98
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 2 6-13
88. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 6 18-09 98
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 1 3-15
90. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 7 17-14 95
Day 1: 3 8-05 Day 2: 4 9-09
91. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 7 17-13 93
Day 1: 2 5-09 Day 2: 5 12-04
92. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 7 16-10 91
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 2 4-15
93. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 7 16-08 89
Day 1: 4 9-03 Day 2: 3 7-05
94. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 6 15-08 87
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 1 4-07
95. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 8 15-05 85
Day 1: 5 5-09 Day 2: 3 9-12
96. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 6 14-15 83
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 3 7-09
97. Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas 4 13-06 81
Day 1: 1 5-06 Day 2: 3 8-00
98. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 3 11-12 79
Day 1: 2 9-02 Day 2: 1 2-10
99. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 6 11-11 77
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 4 7-14
100.Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 5 11-09 76
Day 1: 2 4-12 Day 2: 3 6-13
101.William Smith Somerset, Ky. 4 11-05 75
Day 1: 2 5-10 Day 2: 2 5-11
102.Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 11-00 74
Day 1: 2 3-15 Day 2: 3 7-01
103.Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 4 9-10 73
Day 1: 2 5-01 Day 2: 2 4-09
104.Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 4 8-07 72
Day 1: 3 6-10 Day 2: 1 1-13
105.Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 3 6-12 71
Day 1: 2 3-14 Day 2: 1 2-14
106.Charlie Youngers Geneva, Fla. 2 4-11 70
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 4-11
107.Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 2 4-02 69
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 4-02
108.Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 1 2-04 68
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-04
Day 4: KVD Scores Eleventh Victory on Lake
Guntersville
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 GUNTERSVILLE,
Ala. – Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., is known for his fast-paced style
on the water, but the two-time Bassmaster Classic champion had to shift
gears into low speed Sunday to claim the Bassmaster Elite Series Southern
Challenge presented by Purolator besting Mark Tucker of St. Louis, Mo., by
more than seven pounds.
VanDam, who received a $100,000 top prize, stormed from fourth place and
almost two pounds behind leader Terry Butcher of Talala, Okla., on Sunday
with a catch of 25 pounds, 5 ounces, to finish with 66-3 on Lake
Guntersville for his first victory in a Bassmaster Elite Series event.
VanDam’s catch was the second-heaviest bag of the tournament, which was
shortened a day due to weather.
ESPN2 will air coverage of VanDam’s comeback victory at the Southern
Challenge presented by Purolator on Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. ET.
Tucker was second with 59-1 and Butcher finished third with 58-4. Terry
Scroggins of Palatka, Fla., was fourth with 58-0 and Jason Quinn of Lake
Wylie, S.C., rounded out the top five with 57-2.
The win was VanDam’s 11th career BASS victory and 67th career top 10,
several of them coming on Guntersville Lake where the 39-year-old competed
in the third tournament of his illustrious BASS career. It also put the
three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year winner closer to the
lead in the points chase roughly halfway through the current Elite Series
season. VanDam now has 1,263 points, just 25 behind leader Skeet Reese of
California.
After missing the top 50 cut the week before at an Elite event on Clarks
Hill Lake in Evans, Ga., VanDam, who is in first place on the Bassmaster
Elite Series Power Index, tightened the screws on Guntersville. He hovered
near the lead all three days, concentrating on spawning shad along grass
lines with a ½-ounce Strike King KVD Pro-Model spinnerbait in blue shad and
either a Strike King Series 5 or Series 6 crankbait, depending on the depth
of the milfoil.
“Shad is spawning all over the lake on the ledges or grass,” the 39-year-old
said. “You can throw a spinnerbait in the grass and hardly get it back
because of the shad bumping the bait.
“Bass are up there capitalizing on that and if you can find a pack of them,
you can catch two or three. I really had to slow down and work the
spinnerbait deliberately through those areas and when a bass in that grass
saw it come over their heads, they’d come up and get it.”
VanDam made milk runs to specific spots in the midlake area, keying on areas
near spawning flats where bass would be moving to key on the shad spawn.
Tucker and Butcher also were keying on spawning shad, mixing up a variety of
spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft plastics around grasslines, docks and wood
cover.
“You had to stay around the shad whether they were shallow or deep,” said
Tucker, who worked a ½-ounce Picasso spinnerbait, ¼-ounce Chatterbait and
Zoom crankbait. “If there weren’t any shad following my bait, I’d throw the
crankbait and they usually would follow it, so I knew they still were there
but were just deeper. After 10 a.m., they’re harder to find.”
Butcher, a 35-year-old ex bull-rider, led the first two days of the
tournament but couldn’t close the deal Sunday. He plucked bass from
different areas, never getting the consistent big bites he needed.
“I spent most of the day flipping docks and wood with a Yum Wooly Hawg,” he
said. “They had to be specific docks near spawning areas. I just didn’t have
enough to get the victory.”
After being on the road since Feb. 9 for the Bassmaster Classic and Elite
Series season, VanDam wrapped up his tournament with a vow to be in Michigan
with his family Monday. The tour has a two-week break before the Bassmaster
American presented by Advance Auto Parts on High Rock Lake in Greensboro,
N.C.
He’ll do it with the Elite Series trophy comfortably secured in his truck on
the long drive.
“Anytime you can win on this series with these guys, it’s special,” he said.
“This is awesome.”
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 66-03 305 $102,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-04 Day 2: 5 19-10 Day 3: 5 25-05
2. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 15 59-01 295 $30,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 21-05
3. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 15 58-04 300 $34,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-03 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 15-11
4. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 15 58-00 285 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 20-01 Day 3: 5 16-13
5. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 15 57-02 280 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-10 Day 2: 5 19-04 Day 3: 5 15-04
6. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 15 55-03 276 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 21-15 Day 3: 5 18-03
7. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 15 51-09 272 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 20-12 Day 3: 5 12-07
8. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 15 48-00 268 $14,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 13-10
9. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 14 46-11 264 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 4 11-02
10. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 13 44-13 260 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 3 9-01
11. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 13 43-03 257 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 3 8-02
12. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 13 43-01 254 $12,300.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 18-06 Day 3: 3 8-06
Articles and images from BASS
Compiled by Brandon Shook
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