Caleb Sumrall Takes Lead In Bassmaster Opens Championship At Table Rock

Caleb Sumrall of New Iberia, La., takes the lead on the second day of the 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Championship held on Table Rock Lake with a two-day total weight of 27 pounds, 4 ounces.

                                                                                                                     Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.

RIDGEDALE, Mo. — Caleb Sumrall is turning a handicap in his favor, and today it earned him the lead at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Championship on Table Rock Lake.

Fishing from a borrowed boat, Sumrall has no fish-finding electronics to function as his underwater eyes in his search for bass. Instead, he is relying on his own vision to pattern what is emerging as a winning pattern.

Sumrall, of New Iberia, La., today added 12 pounds, 3 ounces to his overall total of 27-4. Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande, Calif., is second with 26-1, while Justin Atkins of Florence, Ala., moved into third place with 24-6. Brandon Lester is fourth with 23-3, and Tyler Rivet holds down fifth place with 22-13.

Sumrall, a Bassmaster Elite Series rookie, is targeting bass in transition between summer and fall fishing patterns. The bass are moving from deeper areas in the main lake into shallower creeks to feed on baitfish. Sumrall is wisely choosing to stay shallow to let the bass come to him.

He said the heavier largemouth he had been catching were being replaced by more aggressive, but smaller, spotted bass. “I made a key adjustment so I could get dialed back into the largemouth,” he said.

The payoff was adding a much-needed 4-pound largemouth to his livewell.

“Fishing without the electronics makes me think how many times we overthink, overanalyze the simple basics of finding fish,” he noted. “Honestly, with fishfinders I would probably be more distracted, not so dedicated to finding these key areas that are visible above water.”

For Sumrall that is the right combination of trees, rock and depth that are rest stops and ambush cover for the migrating bass.

“It’s likely I wouldn’t have found that combination if not forced to visually search while I fished,” Sumrall explained. “I’m literally going in and out of creeks, reading the water as I go, fishing with my eyes.”

Catching so many smallmouth in textbook areas normally favored by largemouth pleasantly baffles Lintner. On Thursday smallmouth filled his weigh-in bag; today only one largemouth occupied the space.

“I don’t get it at all because I’m flipping jigs into cedar trees in shallow water — classic largemouth areas,” he said.

Vital to the success of his pattern is wind, which adds a prismatic effect to break up the water clarity. Lures are less easy to identify, and the bass can be more easily fooled into biting.

“Cloudy wind, sunny wind, it doesn’t really matter,” he added. “I caught eight keepers off one windblown stretch where yesterday there were none.”

Sunny, mild weather on Thursday gave way to rainy, chilly conditions on Friday. Daytime temperatures struggled to reach the mid-40s and rain chilled the water even more.

Fishing in such miserable weather seems absurd unless you are fishing for the most coveted prizes in the sport. Those are seven coveted berths in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

The Opens Championship is the climax of a year featuring eight events in as many states. The Top 28 pros and co-anglers in the point standings from the Central and Eastern divisions qualified for the championship.

The overall winner earns a Classic berth, $10,000 cash and a Triton 19 TrX with Mercury 200 Pro XS and accessories worth $45,000.

The Top 3 pro anglers in points from each division following the championship are also invited to the Classic, set for next March in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Thursday leaders of the Phoenix Big Bass Award still hold those spots. They are Mark Rose of Wynne, Ark., with a largemouth weighing 6-1, and co-angler Alex Heintz of Denham Springs, La., with a largemouth weighing 4-7.

Winning the co-angler division with a weight of 13-7 was Mandel Pettus. The angler of Miller Place, N.Y., won a Nitro Z18 with a Mercury 150 Pro XS outboard and accessories, $10,000 cash and paid entry fees in the 2019 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens division of his choice.

Pettus won the title in his rookie season as a co-angler in 2014, and is now able to make a dream come true.

“I just fished my last event as a co-angler, am going to live my dream, hone my trade as a boater and pro angler,” said Pettus, a fitness business owner.

The Top 12 anglers launch at 7:15 a.m. CT from Long Creek Marina. The Saturday weigh-in begins at 4:30 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield.

On Saturday you can follow the action live on a special edition of Bassmaster LIVE, from 8-11 a.m. and Noon until 3 p.m. CT. Find the show on Bassmaster.com and see BASSTrakk real-time scores, updated photo galleries, videos, a live blog and articles.

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Huk

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine, Carhartt, Livingston Lures, Lowrance

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster  Opens Championship 10/18-10/20
Table Rock Lake, Springfield   MO.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1.  Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA          10  27-04  200
Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   12-03
2.  Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA       10  26-01  199
Day 1: 5   12-14     Day 2: 5   13-03
3.  Justin Atkins          Florence, AL            10  24-06  198
Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 5   14-02
4.  Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN        10  23-03  197
Day 1: 5   10-10     Day 2: 5   12-09
5.  Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             8  22-13  196
Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 3   08-07
6.  Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          9  22-11  195
Day 1: 4   08-13     Day 2: 5   13-14
7.  Derek Hudnall          Baton Rouge, LA         10  22-08  194
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   12-08
8.  Scott Suggs            Alexander, AR            9  22-04  193
Day 1: 4   08-09     Day 2: 5   13-11
9.  Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             9  21-12  192
Day 1: 4   08-06     Day 2: 5   13-06
10. Mark Rose              Wynnee, AR               8  21-10  191
Day 1: 5   15-09     Day 2: 3   06-01
11. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TX AUSTRALIA  9  21-01  190
Day 1: 4   07-12     Day 2: 5   13-05
12. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK             9  20-11  189
Day 1: 5   10-09     Day 2: 4   10-02
13. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX              10  20-10  188
Day 1: 5   09-04     Day 2: 5   11-06
14. Rob Digh               Denver, NC               8  20-04  187
Day 1: 3   06-07     Day 2: 5   13-13
15. Toby Hartsell          Afton, OK                9  20-04  186
Day 1: 4   08-15     Day 2: 5   11-05
16. Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC           8  20-00  185
Day 1: 3   07-05     Day 2: 5   12-11
17. Harvey Horne           Bella Vista, AR          9  19-11  184
Day 1: 4   09-07     Day 2: 5   10-04
18. Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN          9  19-07  183
Day 1: 4   07-00     Day 2: 5   12-07
19. Mike Huff              Corbin, KY               9  18-15  182
Day 1: 4   08-01     Day 2: 5   10-14
20. John Cox               Debary, FL               8  18-08  181
Day 1: 3   06-05     Day 2: 5   12-03
21. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              9  18-07  180
Day 1: 4   09-06     Day 2: 5   09-01
22. Ed Loughran III        Mechanicsville, VA       8  17-14  179
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 3   05-02
23. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               7  17-05  178
Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 4   11-02
24. Patrick Walters        Ladson, SC               6  12-06  177
Day 1: 2   03-08     Day 2: 4   08-14
25. Frank Talley           Temple, TX               6  11-12  176
Day 1: 4   07-14     Day 2: 2   03-14
26. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX               5  11-04  175
Day 1: 2   04-06     Day 2: 3   06-14
27. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         3  07-00  174
Day 1: 2   04-11     Day 2: 1   02-05
28. Drew Cook              Midway, FL               3  05-11  173
Day 1: 3   05-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        10       111       250-00
2        18       117       285-10
———————————-
28       228       535-10

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster  Opens Championship 10/18-10/20
Table Rock Lake, Springfield   MO.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1.  Mandel Pettus          Miller Place, NY         6  13-07  200  $33,000.00
Day 1: 3   07-07     Day 2: 3   06-00
2.  Alex Heintze           Denham Springs, LA       5  12-07  199  $10,250.00
Day 1: 3   08-09     Day 2: 2   03-14
3.  Austin Bonjour         Templeton, CA            5  10-08  198  $10,000.00
Day 1: 2   04-12     Day 2: 3   05-12
4.  Gary Haraguchi         San Jose, CA             5  09-14  197   $2,000.00
Day 1: 2   03-09     Day 2: 3   06-05
5.  Todd Lee               Jasper, AL               4  09-06  196   $4,000.00
Day 1: 1   02-01     Day 2: 3   07-05
6.  Brian Murphy           Sulphur, LA              4  08-14  195   $2,000.00
Day 1: 1   02-10     Day 2: 3   06-04
7.  Jordan Lane            Conroe, TX               4  08-12  194   $1,500.00
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 3   06-15
8.  Jared Rudd             Salyersville, KY         4  08-08  193     $800.00
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 3   06-11
9.  Jonathan Hankins       North Tazewell, VA       4  08-05  192   $1,500.00
Day 1: 3   06-06     Day 2: 1   01-15
10. Noel Allen Jr          Brandon, MS              4  07-10  191   $3,000.00
Day 1: 2   03-07     Day 2: 2   04-03
11. Jeff Wallace           West Monroe, LA          3  06-11  190     $750.00
Day 1: 3   06-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
12. Brett Walker           Pleasant Valley, MO      2  06-07  189   $1,300.00
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   06-07
13. Chad Smith             Minnetonka, MN           4  06-07  188   $5,000.00
Day 1: 3   05-10     Day 2: 1   00-13
14. Todd Walters           Ladson, SC               3  06-01  187   $1,300.00
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 2   04-04
15. John Connell           Marion, IL               3  06-00  186   $4,000.00
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   06-00
16. Mark Powers            Platteville, CO          3  05-11  185   $2,500.00
Day 1: 2   03-13     Day 2: 1   01-14
17. Bobby Bakewell         Orlando, FL              2  04-12  184   $2,500.00
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   04-12
18. Steve Robbins          Piketon, OH              2  04-12  183     $700.00
Day 1: 1   02-11     Day 2: 1   02-01
19. Joe Lee                Midlothian, TX           2  04-01  182   $5,000.00
Day 1: 1   02-07     Day 2: 1   01-10
20. Paul Tabisz            Virginia Bch, VA         2  03-14  181     $750.00
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-14
21. Daniel Corkern         Florence, MS             2  03-12  180   $1,000.00
Day 1: 1   01-12     Day 2: 1   02-00
22. Beau Browning          Hot Springs, AR          2  03-09  179     $900.00
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-09
23. Eulon Lee Jr.          Eclectic, AL             2  03-07  178   $1,000.00
Day 1: 1   01-11     Day 2: 1   01-12
24. Dennis Akers           South Portsmouth, KY     2  03-05  177     $900.00
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-05
25. Justin Leet            Bartlett, TN             1  03-00  176     $700.00
Day 1: 1   03-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
26. Stephen Parnell        Brandon, MS              1  02-07  175     $800.00
Day 1: 1   02-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
27. Skyler Anderson        Harlem, GA               0  00-00    0     $550.00
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
27. William Mcnutt II      Bossier City, LA         0  00-00    0     $550.00
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1         5        34        74-06
2         8        47        97-09
———————————-
13        81       171-15