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The Full Story
BASS Elite
Series: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Elite Series Event # 6 of 11
Day 1 | Day 2 |
Day 3 | Day 4
Day 1: Reigning Classic Champ Duckett Leads on
Smith Mountain
Back to top
 MONETA,
Va. – Continuing his whirlwind season, Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala.,
stormed into a 2-pound-plus lead over Bryan Hudgins of Orange Park, Fla., on
the opening day of the Blue Ridge Brawl presented by Advance Auto Parts.
Duckett, who totaled 19 pounds, 5 ounces, kicked off the 2007 Bassmaster
Elite Series with an upset win at the Bassmaster Classic, but has admittedly
struggled on the premier circuit since then.
Fishing fans can watch the Classic champion try to score his second victory
of the year and the $100,000 top prize on The Bassmasters at 9 a.m. ET June
16 on ESPN2.
“I can’t seem to finish off these tournaments,” the 47-year-old Duckett
lamented. “I have been in the top 12 at two events after the first couple of
days, but I have faded for one reason or another.”
But picturesque Smith Mountain Lake provided a familiar playing field for
Duckett. When he lived in Tennessee, he was a regular on Dale Hollow and J.
Percy Priest, both clear-water reservoirs like Smith Mountain.
This tournament marks Duckett’s second visit to Smith Mountain. His first
was in October 2006 at a Bassmaster Northern Tour event, in which he
finished in 63rd place.
Like much of the field, Duckett covered a lot of water Thursday, visiting a
number of productive spots he located during practice. He declined to
discuss his choice of lure, describing it only as a Berkley bait.
“I’m using light line and fishing deep,” said Duckett, who owns a
tank-leasing business in Demopolis. “I did lose a 6-pound smallmouth that
gave me an awesome fight. It just wouldn’t quit.”
In second was Elite Series rookie Hudgins, whose consistent practice period
carried over to the first day of competition. The 27-year-old said he fished
water 12 to 18 feet and had no boat pressure in his areas from other
competitors.
The Blue Ridge Brawl is Hudgins’ first visit to Smith Mountain, so the clear
water was not familiar territory as it is for Duckett. Hudgins is more used
to the muddy waters of his home state of Florida.
Hudgins, who qualified for the Elite Series via his third-place finish in
the 2006 Bassmaster Elite Series WildCard qualifier, said he reserved his
best spots on Smith Mountain Lake for Friday.
“I feel good about tomorrow (Friday) but it is all about timing out there,”
said Hudgins. “I could end up with a ton of weight or I could end up falling
flat on my face.”
Rounding out the top five after Day 1 were two-time BASS winner Ish Monroe
of Hughson, Calif., in third with 16 pounds, 3 ounces; four-time Bassmaster
Classic champion Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., in fourth with 15 pounds, 11
ounces; and Morizo Shimizu of Japan with 15 pounds, 3 ounces.
In the co-angler division, two-time co-angler champion Tom Frink of
California led the field with 11 pounds, 13 ounces. Trailing Frink were
Lance Peck of Oklahoma with 11 pounds, 8 ounces; and Steve Miller of
Maryland with 10 pounds, 12 ounces.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 19-05 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05
2. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 5 16-06 295
Day 1: 5 16-06
3. Ishama Monroe Hughson, CA 5 16-03 290
Day 1: 5 16-03
4. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 15-11 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-11
5. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, CA 5 15-03 280
Day 1: 5 15-03
6. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 15-01 276
Day 1: 5 15-01
7. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 14-05 272
Day 1: 5 14-05
8. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 13-14 268
Day 1: 5 13-14
9. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 13-13 264
Day 1: 5 13-13
10. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 5 13-10 260
Day 1: 5 13-10
11. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 5 13-09 257
Day 1: 5 13-09
12. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 13-06252.5
Day 1: 5 13-06
12. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, NC 5 13-06252.5
Day 1: 5 13-06
14. Marty Stone Fayetteville , NC 5 13-04246.5
Day 1: 5 13-04
14. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 5 13-04246.5
Day 1: 5 13-04
16. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 5 13-02 243
Day 1: 5 13-02
17. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 13-01 240
Day 1: 5 13-01
17. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 13-01 240
Day 1: 5 13-01
19. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 5 13-00 237
Day 1: 5 13-00
20. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 5 12-12 235
Day 1: 5 12-12
21. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, FL 5 12-11 231
Day 1: 5 12-11
21. Lee Bailey Boaz, AL 5 12-11 231
Day 1: 5 12-11
21. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 12-11 231
Day 1: 5 12-11
24. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 12-10 227
Day 1: 5 12-10
25. William Smith Jr. Somerset, KY 5 12-08 223
Day 1: 5 12-08
25. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 12-08 223
Day 1: 5 12-08
25. Chris Lane Winter Haven, FL 5 12-08 223
Day 1: 5 12-08
28. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 5 12-04 218
Day 1: 5 12-04
28. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, TX 5 12-04 218
Day 1: 5 12-04
30. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 5 12-03 215
Day 1: 5 12-03
31. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 12-01 212
Day 1: 5 12-01
31. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 12-01 212
Day 1: 5 12-01
33. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 12-00 207
Day 1: 5 12-00
33. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 12-00 207
Day 1: 5 12-00
33. Charlie Youngers Geneva, FL 4 12-00 207
Day 1: 4 12-00
36. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 11-15 202
Day 1: 5 11-15
36. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 11-15 202
Day 1: 5 11-15
38. Preston Clark Palatka, FL 5 11-14 198
Day 1: 5 11-14
38. Dave Smith Del City, OK 5 11-14 198
Day 1: 5 11-14
40. Kurt Dove Fairfax, VA 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 4 11-11 190
Day 1: 4 11-11
46. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 5 11-08 182
Day 1: 5 11-08
46. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, MD 5 11-08 182
Day 1: 5 11-08
48. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 11-03 179
Day 1: 5 11-03
49. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 11-01 177
Day 1: 5 11-01
50. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 5 11-00 175
Day 1: 5 11-00
51. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 5 10-15 172
Day 1: 5 10-15
51. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 10-15 172
Day 1: 5 10-15
53. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 5 10-13 169
Day 1: 5 10-13
54. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, CA 5 10-11 167
Day 1: 5 10-11
55. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, FL 5 10-09 164
Day 1: 5 10-09
55. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 10-09 164
Day 1: 5 10-09
57. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 10-04 161
Day 1: 5 10-04
58. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 10-01 159
Day 1: 5 10-01
59. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 09-15 157
Day 1: 5 09-15
60. Derek Remitz Hemphill, TX 5 09-12 155
Day 1: 5 09-12
61. James Kennedy Lacombe, LA 5 09-10 153
Day 1: 5 09-10
62. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 5 09-08 150
Day 1: 5 09-08
62. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 09-08 150
Day 1: 5 09-08
64. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 09-07 145
Day 1: 5 09-07
64. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 09-07 145
Day 1: 5 09-07
64. Bradley Stringer Huntington, TX 5 09-07 145
Day 1: 5 09-07
67. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville , FL 5 09-06 140
Day 1: 5 09-06
67. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, PA 5 09-06 140
Day 1: 5 09-06
69. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 09-05 137
Day 1: 5 09-05
70. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 09-01 134
Day 1: 5 09-01
70. Marty Robinson Landrum, SC 5 09-01 134
Day 1: 5 09-01
72. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, IL 3 09-00 131
Day 1: 3 09-00
73. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 08-15 129
Day 1: 5 08-15
74. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 08-13 126
Day 1: 5 08-13
74. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 4 08-13 126
Day 1: 4 08-13
76. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 5 08-12 123
Day 1: 5 08-12
77. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 3 08-09 121
Day 1: 3 08-09
78. Steve Daniel Clewiston, FL 2 08-06 119
Day 1: 2 08-06
79. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 08-02 117
Day 1: 5 08-02
80. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 3 07-12 115
Day 1: 3 07-12
81. John Crews Salem, VA 4 07-11 112
Day 1: 4 07-11
81. Ken Brodeur Niantic, CT 2 07-11 112
Day 1: 2 07-11
83. Eric Nethery Acworth, GA 5 07-09 109
Day 1: 5 07-09
84. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 5 07-05 107
Day 1: 5 07-05
85. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 3 07-03 105
Day 1: 3 07-03
86. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 4 07-01 103
Day 1: 4 07-01
87. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 3 06-09 101
Day 1: 3 06-09
88. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 2 06-02 99
Day 1: 2 06-02
89. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 4 06-01 97
Day 1: 4 06-01
90. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 3 05-15 95
Day 1: 3 05-15
91. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 2 05-10 93
Day 1: 2 05-10
92. Kevin Langill Terrell, NC 3 05-00 91
Day 1: 3 05-00
93. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 3 04-15 89
Day 1: 3 04-15
94. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 1 04-04 87
Day 1: 1 04-04
95. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 2 03-15 85
Day 1: 2 03-15
96. Alton Jones Waco, TX 2 03-09 83
Day 1: 2 03-09
97. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 2 03-08 81
Day 1: 2 03-08
98. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 2 03-05 79
Day 1: 2 03-05
99. Keith Phillips Calera, AL 2 03-01 77
Day 1: 2 03-01
100. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, OH 2 02-12 76
Day 1: 2 02-12
101. Matt Amedeo Clinton, OH 2 02-10 75
Day 1: 2 02-10
102. Jon Bondy Windsor CANADA 1 02-03 74
Day 1: 1 02-03
103. Rick Ash Pottstown, PA 1 01-10 73
Day 1: 1 01-10
104. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 1 01-05 72
Day 1: 1 01-05
105. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
105. Mark Rogers Naples, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
105. Glenn Delong Bellville, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
Day 2: Duckett Maintains Slim Lead on Smith
Mountain Lake
Back to top
MONETA, Va. – On the day he was presented with his Bassmaster
Classic champion’s ring, Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., maintained his
lead at the Blue Ridge Brawl presented by Advance Auto Parts, keeping a
cushion of 13 ounces against his closest challenger, Elite rookie Casey
Ashley of Donalds, S.C.
Duckett said that when the deep bite he had banked on failed to produce
Friday, he salvaged his day by moving into the shallows and catching a limit
that pushed his two-day total to 33 pounds, 14 ounces.
Despite the fact that his Thursday lead of almost 3 pounds eroded to 13
ounces, the 47-year-old said he felt comfortable with his Day 2 position at
the sixth Elite Series event of the season.
Fishing fans can watch the on-the-water action from picturesque Smith
Mountain Lake and see which Elite angler wins the $100,000 top prize on
ESPN2 at 9 a.m. ET. Saturday, June 16.
“My bite completely shut down deep,” said Duckett, who declined to give
specifics about the lures he is using. “But I was able to persevere and find
something that worked. I feel very comfortable with adjusting at deep, clear
fisheries like this.”
It has been somewhat of a disappointing Elite Series season for Duckett
since his groundbreaking Classic victory in February. He has qualified for
only two top-50 cuts and his highest finish is a 26th place at California’s
Clear Lake. But a victory in Moneta would change Duckett’s season, and the
formal presentation of his Classic champion’s ring on Friday seemed to buoy
his spirits.
“I’m right where I need to be right now,” said Duckett, who owns a
tank-leasing company headquartered in Demopolis. “To win these tournaments,
you need a few big bites and I got those Thursday. I’ve got a solid pattern
going and to bring this one home, I just need one or two more of those big
bites.”
Meanwhile, Ashley, the youngest angler in the Elite field, jumped from 49th
place to second. Completely changing strategies after a mediocre Thursday,
the 23-year-old concentrated Friday on main lake points, which he said are
“unique,” to build his two-day weight to 33 pounds, 1 ounce.
Ashley turned in the heaviest limit of the tournament’s first two days: 22
pounds, 0 ounces. He said his primary pattern was working a jig in 15 to 16
feet of water.
“I was struggling early in the day,” Ashley added. “Then I thought about how
the Classic location (Lake Hartwell near Greenville, S.C.) was just
announced, and that it’s my home lake. I said to myself, ‘You better tighten
up.’ I guess it worked.”
Rounding out the top five were Dean Rojas of Grand Saline, Texas, in third
with 31 pounds, 7 ounces; Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., in fourth with 30
pounds, 10 ounces; and Shaw Grigsby of Gainesville, Fla., with 29 pounds, 3
ounces.
Rick Morris’ Day 1 catch was disqualified for violation of Rule 14. The
applicable part of the rule states, “during competition days, competitors
must not depart the boat to land a fish.”
Leading the co-angler division on Friday was home-state favorite Jeff
Freeman of Max Meadows with 20 pounds, 7 ounces. Trailing were fellow
Virginian Robert Peaslee of Roanoke with 20 pounds, 3 ounces; and two-time
co-angler champion Tom Frink of California with 18 pounds, 14 ounces.
Co-anglers are vying for a top prize of a Triton/Mercury boat package valued
at $50,000.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 10 33-14 310 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 14-09
2. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 33-01 295 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 22-00
3. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 10 31-07 290 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 18-05
4. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 30-10 285
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 17-09
5. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, FL 10 29-03 280
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 16-08
6. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 10 28-08 276
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 15-14
7. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 10 27-15 272
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 14-05
8. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 10 27-13 268
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 16-05
9. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, CA 10 26-15 264
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 16-04
10. Chris Lane Winter Haven, FL 10 26-13 260
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 14-05
11. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, CA 10 26-07 257
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 11-04
12. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 10 26-06 254
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 14-05
13. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 10 26-02 251
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 13-14
14. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 10 26-01 248
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 15-13
15. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 10 26-00 245
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 14-05
16. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 25-12 243
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 13-12
17. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 10 25-11 241
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 09-05
18. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 25-08 239
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 13-07
19. Kurt Dove Fairfax, VA 10 25-04 237
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 13-09
20. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 24-12 235 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 09-01
21. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 24-11 233
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 10-13
22. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 9 24-08 231
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 4 10-15
23. Randy Howell Springville, AL 10 24-07 229
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 12-07
24. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 10 24-05 226
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 14-13
24. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 24-05 226
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-13
26. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville , FL 10 24-04 223
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 14-14
27. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 24-02 221
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 13-03
28. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 10 23-15 218
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 13-00
28. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 23-15 218
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 12-04
30. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 10 23-14 214
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 10-14
30. Ishama Monroe Hughson, CA 8 23-14 214
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 3 07-11
32. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 10 23-11 211
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 10-07
33. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 23-04 209
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 08-15
34. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 10 23-03 207
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 10-02
35. Lee Bailey Boaz, AL 10 23-01 205
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 10-06
36. Marty Stone Fayetteville , NC 10 22-11 202
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 09-07
36. Bradley Stringer Huntington, TX 10 22-11 202
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 13-04
38. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 9 22-07 199
Day 1: 4 11-11 Day 2: 5 10-12
39. John Crews Salem, VA 9 22-03 197
Day 1: 4 07-11 Day 2: 5 14-08
40. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 22-01 195
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 10-06
41. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 10 21-13 193
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 09-10
42. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 21-11 191
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 10-00
43. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 21-09 188
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 12-01
43. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 8 21-09 188
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 3 07-12
45. James Kennedy Lacombe, LA 10 21-02 185
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 11-08
46. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 21-00 183
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 11-01
47. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 10 20-12 181
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 09-09
48. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 10 20-11 178
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 07-15
48. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 20-11 178
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 12-09
50. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, IL 8 20-08 175
Day 1: 3 09-00 Day 2: 5 11-08
51. Charlie Youngers Geneva, FL 9 20-07 173
Day 1: 4 12-00 Day 2: 5 08-07
52. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 9 20-05 171
Day 1: 4 07-01 Day 2: 5 13-04
53. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 8 20-03 169
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 5 13-10
54. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 10 19-14 167
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 10-07
55. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 9 19-09 165
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 4 06-14
56. Derek Remitz Hemphill, TX 10 19-08 163
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 09-12
57. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 10 19-06 161
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 08-13
58. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 8 19-05 159
Day 1: 3 07-03 Day 2: 5 12-02
59. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, TX 9 18-13 157
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 4 06-09
60. William Smith Jr. Somerset, KY 9 18-12 155
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 4 06-04
61. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 18-11 153
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 09-06
62. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 8 18-09 151
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 3 06-10
63. Marty Robinson Landrum, SC 10 18-08 148
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 09-07
63. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, FL 9 18-08 148
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 4 07-15
65. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 8 18-02 145
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 3 04-12
66. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 8 17-15 143
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 5 09-06
67. Preston Clark Palatka, FL 8 17-13 141
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 3 05-15
68. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 17-10 139
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 08-11
69. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 10 17-09 137
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 08-02
70. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 8 17-03 135
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 5 11-04
71. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 7 16-11 133
Day 1: 3 07-12 Day 2: 4 08-15
72. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 6 16-10 131
Day 1: 1 04-04 Day 2: 5 12-06
73. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 8 16-09 128
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 3 07-12
73. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, NC 7 16-09 128
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 2 03-03
75. Kevin Langill Terrell, NC 8 16-04 125
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 5 11-04
76. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 8 15-14 123
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 3 04-14
77. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 10 15-12 120
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 08-07
77. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 8 15-12 120
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 3 07-00
79. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 7 15-08 117
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 2 03-09
80. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 6 15-06 115
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 5 14-01
81. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 8 14-15 113
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 3 04-14
82. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 7 14-11 111
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 4 09-12
83. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 7 14-09 108
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 2 03-12
83. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 7 14-09 108
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 5 10-10
85. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 8 14-07 105
Day 1: 4 08-13 Day 2: 4 05-10
86. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 6 14-01 103
Day 1: 2 05-10 Day 2: 4 08-07
87. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 8 14-00 101
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 3 04-15
88. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 7 13-08 98
Day 1: 2 03-08 Day 2: 5 10-00
88. Dave Smith Del City, OK 6 13-08 98
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 1 01-10
90. Keith Phillips Calera, AL 7 13-06 95
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 5 10-05
91. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 8 13-03 93
Day 1: 4 06-01 Day 2: 4 07-02
92. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, MD 6 13-00 91
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 1 01-08
93. Eric Nethery Acworth, GA 8 12-14 89
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 3 05-05
94. Alton Jones Waco, TX 7 12-13 87
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 5 09-04
95. Matt Amedeo Clinton, OH 7 11-12 85
Day 1: 2 02-10 Day 2: 5 09-02
96. Glenn Delong Bellville, OH 4 11-07 83
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 11-07
97. Steve Daniel Clewiston, FL 3 11-01 81
Day 1: 2 08-06 Day 2: 1 02-11
98. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, PA 6 10-11 79
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 1 01-05
99. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, OH 6 10-10 77
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 4 07-14
100. Jon Bondy Windsor CANADA 4 10-04 76
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 3 08-01
101. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 3 09-02 75
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 09-02
102. Ken Brodeur Niantic, CT 3 09-00 74
Day 1: 2 07-11 Day 2: 1 01-05
103. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 3 07-11 73
Day 1: 2 06-02 Day 2: 1 01-09
104. Rick Ash Pottstown, PA 4 06-15 72
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 3 05-05
105. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 4 06-11 71
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 2 03-06
106. Mark Rogers Naples, FL 1 01-13 70
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-13
107. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
Day 3: Casey Ashley Jumps in Front at Elite
Series
Back to top
 MONETA,
Va. – Just 23 years old and the youngest angler in the Bassmaster Elite
Series field, Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., took over the lead on Saturday
in the Blue Ridge Brawl presented by Advance Auto Parts. Ashley was
four-plus pounds in front of Texan Dean Rojas heading into Sunday’s final
day of competition on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.
Ashley moved to the top with 47 pounds, 9 ounces, a full recovery from a
mediocre 49th position on Thursday, the first day of competition. Friday,
thanks to a monster Day 2 bag of 22 pounds, he captured the No. 2 spot.
After boating 14 pounds, 8 ounces Saturday, he easily overtook two-day
leader Boyd Duckett, the 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion.
The field was cut to the top 12 for the final day of action Sunday. Casey
will need to fend off Rojas, Duckett and Californian Skeet Reese, the leader
in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, to capture his
first BASS victory.
Fishing fans can see which Elite angler wins the $100,000 top prize on The
Bassmasters on ESPN2 at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 16.
“I feel if I can entice that big bite like I did yesterday (Friday), then I
can put myself in a very comfortable position,” said Ashley, who has been
drawing motivation from the recent announcement that the Bassmaster Classic
will be on Lake Hartwell, his home fishery.
Just two Elite events ago, Ashley was in a similar position, leading the
Pride of Georgia on Clarks Hill Lake in April after the first day of
competition. The rookie faltered and ended up finishing eighth.
That was a learning lesson for Ashley.
“I feel better about this one than I felt about Clarks Hill,” said Ashley,
who would gain valuable points in the Toyota Rookie of the Year race with a
top finish in Moneta. “I’m not looking to make any adjustments. I know what
is out there and what I need to do to make this happen. I just need to
execute.”
Rojas, who had 42 pounds, 15 ounces over three days, worked a frog in
shallow water. The two-time BASS winner said he has a few productive areas
all to himself.
“The shad are spawning in my areas and anytime you can get around spawning
shad, you know the big bass are active,” said Rojas.
Reese and Duckett are tied for third with 41 pounds, 9 ounces. Two-time BASS
winner Reese is looking to move closer to an Angler of the Year title; he
currently leads the points race.
In fifth was Texan Takahiro Omori with 40 pounds, 1 ounce.
Also making the top-12 cut was local favorite John Crews of Salem, Va. He
had moved up from 81st place Thursday to attain 10th place Saturday.
The co-angler competition, which ended Saturday, was won by home-state
favorite Jeff Freeman of Max Meadows with 33 pounds, 6 ounces. Freeman’s
prize was a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $50,000. Finishing behind
Freeman was fellow Virginian Robert Peaslee of Roanoke with 31 pounds, 12
ounces. Taking third was two-time co-angler winner Tom Frink of California
with 28 pounds even. .
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 15 47-09 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 5 14-08
2. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 15 42-15 295 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 18-05 Day 3: 5 11-08
3. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 15 41-09287.5
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 10-15
3. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 14 41-09297.5 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 4 07-11
5. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 15 40-01 280
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 14-09
6. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 15 39-14 276
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 15-09
7. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 15 39-10 272
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 11-02
8. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 15 39-07 268
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 11-08
9. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, CA 15 38-08 264
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 11-04 Day 3: 5 12-01
10. John Crews Salem, VA 14 38-01 260 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 07-11 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 15-14
11. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 15 37-14 257
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 10-01
12. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 15 37-10 254
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 11-08
13. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 15 37-09 251 $10,800.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 11-09
14. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 15 36-08 248 $11,700.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 10-06 Day 3: 5 14-07
15. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, FL 15 35-11 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 11-07
16. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, CA 15 35-07 242 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 08-08
16. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 15 35-07 242 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 09-11
18. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 15 35-06 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 11-01
19. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 14 35-05 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 4 10-15 Day 3: 5 10-13
20. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 15 35-02 234 $10,375.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 08-15 Day 3: 5 11-14
20. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 15 35-02 234 $10,375.00
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 11-03
22. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 14 35-00 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 4 11-11 Day 2: 5 10-12 Day 3: 5 12-09
23. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 15 34-14 228 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 09-05 Day 3: 5 09-03
23. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 15 34-14 228 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 08-13
25. Randy Howell Springville, AL 15 34-02 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 09-11
26. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 14 34-01 223 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 09-01 Day 3: 4 09-05
27. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 15 33-10 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 09-12
28. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 15 33-09 219 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 07-15 Day 3: 5 12-14
29. Bradley Stringer Huntington, TX 15 32-15 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 10-04
30. Kurt Dove Fairfax, VA 14 32-14 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 4 07-10
31. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 15 32-12 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 10-07 Day 3: 5 09-01
32. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 15 32-07 210 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 11-12
32. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 14 32-07 210 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 09-07 Day 3: 4 09-12
34. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 15 31-13 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 10-00 Day 3: 5 10-02
35. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 14 31-12 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 4 10-03
36. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, FL 11 31-07 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 1 02-04
37. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 13 31-05 201 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 3 04-15
38. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 14 31-04 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 10-02 Day 3: 4 08-01
39. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 15 31-03 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 11-01 Day 3: 5 10-03
40. Chris Lane Winter Haven, FL 12 31-01 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 2 04-04
41. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 15 30-15 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 09-09 Day 3: 5 10-03
42. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 14 29-00 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 09-10 Day 3: 4 07-03
43. Lee Bailey Boaz, AL 13 28-06 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 10-06 Day 3: 3 05-05
44. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 12 27-15 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 10-13 Day 3: 2 03-04
45. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 27-02 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 3 07-12 Day 3: 2 05-09
46. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 12 26-15 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 2 03-00
47. Ishama Monroe Hughson, CA 9 26-02 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 3 07-11 Day 3: 1 02-04
48. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, IL 10 24-09 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 09-00 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 2 04-01
49. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 24-02 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 0 00-00
50. James Kennedy Lacombe, LA 11 22-05 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 1 01-03
Day 4: Rookie Casey Ashley Wins First Elite
Series Event
Back to top
 MONETA,
Va. – With less than an hour remaining in the final day of competition,
Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., boated two keeper fish on back-to-back casts.
The weight of those two fish was enough to bring him victory on Sunday at
the Blue Ridge Brawl presented by Advance Auto Parts on Virginia’s Smith
Mountain Lake.
The Bassmaster Elite Series rookie totaled 57 pounds, 3 ounces, over the
four-day event, besting Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Fla., by 2 pounds.
Just 23 years old and the youngest angler in the Elite Series field, Ashley
clinched his first BASS victory and the $100,000 top prize despite
struggling on the final-day.
Fishing fans can watch Ashley’s victory on The Bassmasters on ESPN 2 at 9
a.m. Saturday, June 16.
“I started feeling the pressure at 11 a.m. and by 2 o’clock I really started
sweating,” said Ashley, whose victory earned him valuable points toward
qualifying for the 2008 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell, the South
Carolina fishery he considers his home lake. “I thought I blew it until I
caught two in a row there.”
Ashley started the tournament with a mediocre first day, finishing in 49th
place. He captured the No. 2 spot Friday with the heaviest limit of the
tournament: 22 pounds, 0 ounces. Saturday, he overtook the lead by a margin
of nearly 5 pounds, then held on Sunday, persevering through hot weather and
recreational boat traffic to bring in 9 pounds, 10 ounces, the third-lowest
weight of the 12 Elite anglers on the final day of competition.
Primarily working a jig on rocky main-lake points and a finesse worm to
docks, Ashley notched his fourth top-25 finish of the season. Sunday, he
became the second rookie to win an Elite event. Rookie Derek Remitz of
Madison, Ala., won the season-opening event on Texas’ Lake Amistad.
“I can’t even speak about it, I’m so excited,” said an elated Ashley, whose
win moved him into a tie for first with Remitz in the Toyota Rookie of the
Year standings. “I never thought I would win a tournament this year in my
rookie season. I just wanted to qualify for next year.”
Scroggins took second with 55 pounds, 3 ounces. His final-day catch of 15
pounds, 5 ounces, was the best bag of the day. The 38-year-old has had a
solid season so far, winning two Bassmaster Open tournaments, and he is now
in seventh place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year
standings.
The five-time BASS winner worked a shaky head worm around points that
featured brush and rocks on the final day. He landed eight to 10 keepers in
the last hour of competition.
“I had the chance to make this tournament a little more interesting,”
Scroggins said. “But I didn’t execute like I needed to. Anytime you finish
second at an area that you’ve never been to, you have to be happy with it.”
Rounding out the top five were 2004 Classic champion Takahiro Omori of
Emory, Texas, in third with 53 pounds, 15 ounces; Bassmaster Angler of the
Year points leader Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., in fourth with 53 pounds,
3 ounces; and Morizo Shimizu of Osaka, Japan, in fifth with 52 pounds, 12
ounces.
Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., the reigning Classic champion who led the
Blue Ridge Brawl for the first two days, finished sixth with 52 pounds, 7
ounces. In seventh with 51 pounds, 5 ounces, was Dean Rojas of Grand Saline,
Texas, who went into the final day in second place.
Local favorite John Crews of Salem, Va., finished eighth with 50 pounds, 11
ounces.
The next tournament stop for the 108 Elite competitors is the Sooner Run
presented by Longhorn Tobacco scheduled for June 21-24 on Oklahoma’s Grand
Lake
1. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 19 57-03 310 $109,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 5 14-08 Day 4: 4 09-10
2. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 20 55-03 295 $31,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 15-09 Day 4: 5 15-05
3. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 20 53-15 290 $26,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 14-09 Day 4: 5 13-14
4. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 20 53-03 285 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 10-15 Day 4: 5 11-10
5. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, Japan 20 52-12 280 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 11-04 Day 3: 5 12-01 Day 4: 5 14-04
6. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 19 52-07 286 $16,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 4 07-11 Day 4: 5 10-14
7. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 18 51-05 272 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 18-05 Day 3: 5 11-08 Day 4: 3 08-06
8. John Crews Salem, VA 19 50-11 268 $15,500.00
Day 1: 4 07-11 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 15-14 Day 4: 5 12-10
9. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 20 49-05 264 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 11-08 Day 4: 5 11-11
10. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 19 48-12 260 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 11-08 Day 4: 4 09-05
11. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 20 48-11 257 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 11-02 Day 4: 5 09-01
12. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 20 47-14 254 $12,300.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 10-01 Day 4: 5 10-00
Articles and images from BASS
Compiled by Brandon Shook
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