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Alabama’s Connell Widens Lead In Bassmaster Elite At Ross Barnett

by | Apr 30, 2017 | | 0 Comments

Dustin Connell of Clanton, Ala., maintains the lead on the third day of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett, bringing 15 pounds, 7 ounces to the scales on Saturday for a three-day total weight of 51-14. 

                                                                                                                       Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
RIDGELAND, Miss. — For the second day in a row, Alabama native Dustin Connell is leading the fourth Bassmaster Elite Series event of his life. The 26-year-old rookie is closing in on his first victory and the $100,000 first-place prize at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett.

The weather forecast for Ridgeland, Miss., is predicting strong thunderstorms and heavy rain for Championship Sunday, which could impact whether the tournament concludes on schedule or gets postponed until Monday.

Connell’s pattern produced 15 pounds, 7 ounces of largemouth bass for a three-day total of 51-14, which is just over 6 pounds ahead of second place.

“I’m fishing up in the Pearl River,” Connell said. “And if we get heavy rain, the potential flood waters could wash out my spots. If that happens, I may have to revert to plan B and pick up a frog. I’m hoping we’ll dodge a bullet and be able to fish on Sunday.”

Connell mentioned that he’s so confident in his fishing spots that if the weather holds off, he believes he can win.

“I’m trying to not focus on the what if’s right now, rather I’m focusing on what I need to do tomorrow to win, provided we get to fish,” he said. “I have been flipping 35 to 40 spots with lots of vegetation this week. The water in that part of the river is starting to stabilize, and fishing seems to be getting better. If we can avoid the rain, I think I could catch the biggest limit of my week.”

The young angler said he caught 12 or 13 fish during the day, and he missed several big bites that could have added to his lead.

“I’m happy to have a 6-pound lead, which on this lake will go a long way,” he said. “If the weather does hit, a 6-pound cushion will play to my advantage. At the very least, it’ll help me sleep tonight.”

Another Alabamian is also in contention for the win. Keith Poche caught 15-6 on Saturday’s semi-final round, pushing his total to 46-8.

“I really don’t know how this is going to end up,” Poche said. “The forecasted weather is a huge variable. I know I’m around some big fish, maybe even the winning fish, but several inches of rain will definitely change things — and if it does I will be starting over.”

Rounding out the Top 12: Kevin VanDam (46-6), Jonathon VanDam (45-15), Brent Chapman (44-13), Mark Menendez (44-13), Fred Roumbanis (44-12), Matt Herren (44-4), Ish Monroe (44-2), Dave Lefebre (44-1), Bobby Lane (43-10) and Skeet Reese (42-11).

Lester remains in the lead for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award thanks to the 7-2 largemouth bass he caught during Thursday’s opening round.

Due to impending weather conditions for Ridgeland, Miss., Bassmaster tournament officials are in regular communication with the National Weather Service. They will make a decision about the final round of competition Saturday evening or early Sunday morning.

According to Bassmaster Elite Series rules, if Championship Sunday is canceled, the tournament will resume on Monday with a projected 6 a.m. CT takeoff and a final weigh-in at 2 p.m.

Connell won the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award of $500 for leading the tournament on Friday’s second day of competition.

The event is hosted by the Ridgeland Tourism Commission.

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Shell Rotella, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Skeeter Boats, Minn Kota, Triton Boats, Power-Pole

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine, Shimano, Advance Auto Parts, Livingston Lures, Academy Sports + Outdoors

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 more than 45 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, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett 4/27-4/30
Ross Barnett Reservoir, Ridgeland  MS.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

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

1.  Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL             15  51-14  110     $500.00
Day 1: 5   19-12     Day 2: 5   16-11     Day 3: 5   15-07
2.  Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL           15  46-08  109
Day 1: 5   20-02     Day 2: 5   11-00     Day 3: 5   15-06
3.  Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI           15  46-06  108
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   17-00     Day 3: 5   18-07
4.  Jonathon VanDam        Kalamazoo, MI           15  45-15  107
Day 1: 5   15-13     Day 2: 5   15-01     Day 3: 5   15-01
5.  Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS        15  44-13  106
Day 1: 5   18-01     Day 2: 5   10-14     Day 3: 5   15-14
6.  Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             15  44-13  105
Day 1: 5   17-00     Day 2: 5   17-11     Day 3: 5   10-02
7.  Fred Roumbanis         London, AR              15  44-12  104
Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   13-14     Day 3: 5   15-00
8.  Matt Herren            Ashville, AL            15  44-04  103
Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   15-03     Day 3: 5   14-11
9.  Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA             15  44-02  102
Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 5   16-02     Day 3: 5   13-09
10. Dave Lefebre           Erie, PA                15  44-01  101
Day 1: 5   18-04     Day 2: 5   15-10     Day 3: 5   10-03
11. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL            15  43-10  100
Day 1: 5   20-14     Day 2: 5   11-10     Day 3: 5   11-02
12. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA              15  42-11   99
Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   12-01     Day 3: 5   16-02
13. Chad Morgenthaler      Reeds Spring, MO        15  41-08   98  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 5   15-11     Day 3: 5   12-00
14. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY           15  41-03   97  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   14-11     Day 3: 5   12-03
15. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR         15  41-01   96  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   15-13     Day 2: 5   12-05     Day 3: 5   12-15
16. Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN           14  40-08   95  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   22-14     Day 2: 5   11-00     Day 3: 4   06-10
17. Luke Clausen           Otis Orchards, WA       15  40-03   94  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-05     Day 2: 5   12-09     Day 3: 5   15-05
18. Brandon Palaniuk       Hayden, ID              15  39-12   93  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 5   13-00     Day 3: 5   13-13
19. Seth Feider            Isle, MN                14  39-11   92  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   16-04     Day 2: 4   08-15     Day 3: 5   14-08
20. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR           14  38-12   91  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   20-10     Day 2: 5   11-04     Day 3: 4   06-14
21. Chad Grigsby           Maple Grove, MN         15  38-12   90  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   13-01     Day 2: 5   11-04     Day 3: 5   14-07
22. Fletcher Shryock       New Philadelphia, OH    15  38-10   89  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   15-15     Day 2: 5   11-14     Day 3: 5   10-13
23. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL        14  38-01   88  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-11     Day 2: 5   13-15     Day 3: 4   11-07
24. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK              15  37-15   87  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 5   15-02     Day 3: 5   13-00
25. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA       11  37-08   86  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 3   14-01     Day 3: 3   06-12
26. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL       15  37-07   85  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   15-08     Day 3: 5   11-00
27. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK           15  37-04   84  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   14-15     Day 3: 5   11-02
28. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX          15  37-03   83  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   13-01     Day 3: 5   11-06
29. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC               15  36-12   82  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 5   07-12     Day 3: 5   11-00
30. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL        14  36-12   81  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   12-03     Day 3: 4   09-02
31. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL            15  36-05   80  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-06     Day 2: 5   12-02     Day 3: 5   12-13
32. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX              14  36-04   79  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   09-11     Day 3: 4   09-14
33. David Walker           Sevierville, TN         14  36-00   78  $10,000.00
Day 1: 4   07-02     Day 2: 5   18-05     Day 3: 5   10-09
34. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC             15  36-00   77  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   14-07     Day 3: 5   09-14
35. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA               15  35-12   76  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   14-05     Day 3: 5   10-06
36. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN           15  35-05   75  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   17-05     Day 2: 5   08-12     Day 3: 5   09-04
37. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR         15  35-02   74  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   13-07     Day 2: 5   12-01     Day 3: 5   09-10
38. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC          13  35-00   73  $10,000.00
Day 1: 4   07-12     Day 2: 5   18-01     Day 3: 4   09-03
39. Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL            14  34-05   72  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   12-07     Day 3: 4   07-08
40. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                 15  34-02   71  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 5   14-01     Day 3: 5   09-13
41. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL          14  34-01   70  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-03     Day 2: 5   10-14     Day 3: 4   09-00
42. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            15  33-15   69  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-02     Day 2: 5   13-07     Day 3: 5   10-06
43. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              15  33-07   68  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 5   13-01     Day 3: 5   10-09
44. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA         14  32-15   67  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-05     Day 2: 5   11-13     Day 3: 4   09-13
45. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS        13  32-14   66  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-10     Day 2: 5   12-03     Day 3: 3   06-01
46. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC          14  32-14   65  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-04     Day 2: 5   11-08     Day 3: 4   09-02
47. Brett Preuett          Monroe, LA              12  32-00   64  $10,000.00
Day 1: 4   08-05     Day 2: 5   16-05     Day 3: 3   07-06
48. Darrell Ocamica        New Plymouth, ID        12  31-06   63  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   13-02     Day 3: 2   03-15
49. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          14  31-05   62  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   10-11     Day 3: 4   08-04
50. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN        10  29-11   61  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-15     Day 2: 3   06-03     Day 3: 2   03-09
51. Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN           11  25-09   60  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   13-03     Day 2: 5   10-08     Day 3: 1   01-14
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        76       483      1228-09
2        73       474      1154-14
3        34       228       554-02
———————————-
183      1185      2937-09

McCombs Vaults to Lead on Day Three of FLW Tour at Beaver Lake

by | Apr 30, 2017 | | 0 Comments

ROGERS, Ark. (April 29, 2017) – The weather was the big story Saturday at the FLW Tour event at Beaver Lake presented by General Tire. After a rainy week that had seen water levels rise more than 8 feet, Mother Nature continued to challenge the FLW Tour pros with another round of heavy storms and flash flooding that forced many of the final 20 Tour pros to seek shelter during the competition day.

After starting the day in 11th place, pro Johnny McCombs of Morris, Alabama, battled through the storms and brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 18 pounds, 15 ounces – the heaviest limit of the tournament and seventh largest at Beaver Lake in FLW Tour history – to vault to the top of the leaderboard. The four-day competition, hosted by Visit Rogers, featured a field of 161 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals casting for a top award of up to $125,000.

“I think the weather affected the fishermen more than the fish,” said McCombs, a three-time Forrest Wood Cup qualifier. “I fished all new water today and had my weight by 8:30 a.m. It wasn’t one spot – it was one here, one there. I caught them all on one bait.”

With one day of competition remaining, McCombs was not yet ready to divulge the specifics of his bait.

“The water is flooded into the bushes, and I’m just fishing down the bank line,” McCombs said. “I’m on a pattern and I know what to look for. If I pull into a place and it doesn’t look right, I’m out of there and on to the next one.

“I actually stopped fishing a few hours early today because of the storms,” McCombs continued. “I’m excited to get back out there tomorrow and hopefully I can get the right bites that I need to win this thing.”

The top 10 advancing to the final day of competition Sunday on Beaver Lake are:

1st:          Johnny McCombs, Morris, Ala., 15 bass, 41-13

2nd:         Jason Reyes, Huffman, Texas, 15 bass, 39-8

3rd:         Cody Meyer, Auburn, Calif., 15 bass, 35-6

4th:         Mud Hole Custom Tackle pro John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 14 bass, 35-3

5th:         Brandon McMillan, Clewiston, Fla., 15 bass, 34-5

6th:         Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Odenville, Ala., 15 bass, 33-4

7th:         Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 33-2

8th:         Keith Bryan, Novato, Calif., 15 bass, 32-6

9th:         Dean Alexander, Georgetown, Texas, 15 bass, 32-1

10th:       Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 32-0

Finishing in 11th through 20th are:

11th:       Randy Blaukat, Joplin, Mo., 14 bass, 30-8, $12,000

12th:       Drew Montgomery, Maiden, N.C., 15 bass, 30-8, $12,000

13th:       Joseph Webster, Fulton, Miss., 15 bass, 30-6, $12,000

14th:       Bradley Dortch, Atmore, Ala., 15 bass, 29-8, $12,000

15th:       Nick Gainey, Charleston, S.C., 13 bass, 29-6, $12,000

16th:       Daniel Kweekul, Bryant, Ark., 12 bass, 29-2, $12,000

17th:       Tim Frederick, Leesburg, Fla., 13 bass, 28-12, $12,000

18th:       Matt Stefan, Junction City, Wis., 14 bass, 28-11, $12,000

19th:       Scott Ashmore, Broken Arrow, Okla., 11 bass, 28-3, $12,000

20th:       Jeff Dobson, Bartlesville, Okla., 15 bass, 26-15, $12,000

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Overall there were 90 bass weighing 172 pounds even caught by pros Saturday. Fourteen of the final 20 pros weighed in five-bass limits.

Charley Slaton of Valliant, Oklahoma, won the co-angler division and $20,000 Friday with a two-day total of nine bass weighing 17 pounds, 15 ounces, followed by Billy Messer of Spartanburg, South Carolina, who finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 17 pounds, 14 ounces, worth $7,550.

In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 322 anglers competed Thursday and Friday. Co-angler competition concluded following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 20 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, Aug. 11-13.

The final 10 anglers will take off from the Prairie Creek Park Boat Ramp located at 9300 N. Park Road in Rogers at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Sunday’s final weigh-in, originally scheduled to be held at Walmart in Rogers, has been moved lakeside to Prairie Creek Park due to inclement weather being forecast for the weekend. The final weigh-in will begin at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-in Sunday, FLW will host a free Fishing Expo at Prairie Creek Park from noon to 4 p.m. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Beaver Lake presented by General Tire will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) June 18 from 6 a.m.-7 a.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.

The FLW Tour has visited Beaver Lake 18 times previously, with 2017 marking the 19th visit in FLW’s 22-year history. The total purse for the FLW Tour at the Beaver Lake presented by General Tire is more than $800,000, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro Division. The tournament is hosted by Visit Rogers.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

About FLW

FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2017 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 274 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.

Meyer Retains Lead on Day Two of FLW Tour at Beaver Lake

by | Apr 29, 2017 | , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

ROGERS, Ark. (April 28, 2017) – Pro Cody Meyer of Auburn, California, caught a five-bass limit weighing 12 pounds, 8 ounces Friday to retain his lead in the FLW Tour event at Beaver Lake with a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 28-9. He now holds a slim 3-ounce lead over second place pro Jason Reyes of Huffman, Texas, in the four-day event, presented by General Tire, that features a field of 161 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals casting for a top award of up to $125,000.

“I started on the same spot where I got the majority of my fish yesterday and caught a limit by 10 (a.m.),” said Meyer, who has two prior top-10 finishes at Beaver Lake in FLW Tour competition. “The fishing was definitely a lot slower and the fish weren’t as big today, but I was happy to have a limit.

“I left that area and went to a spot where I had marked a bedding smallmouth in practice,” Meyer continued. “The water has come up quite a bit, so I couldn’t see her and I was just pitching to where I thought it was. I ended up catching a nice largemouth there – some good luck.”

Meyer said that he ended up catching two more fish later in the day and his five-bass limit that he brought to the scale consisted of two largemouth bass and three smallmouth. He said that the same baits that he used on Day One produced again for him on Friday – a tube, a drop-shot rig, a swimbait and a flipping rod.

“The chances of getting another limit out of my starting area is slim to none,” Meyer said. “Tomorrow I’m just going to go fish. You have to take it one day at a time here and concentrate on getting the right bites. Hopefully tomorrow I can make the right decisions and find the big ones.”

The top 20 pros that made the Buck Knives Cut and will fish Saturday on Beaver Lake are:

1st:          Cody Meyer, Auburn, Calif., 10 bass, 28-9

2nd:         Jason Reyes, Huffman, Texas, 10 bass, 28-6

3rd:         Dean Alexander, Georgetown, Texas, 10 bass, 26-3

4th:         Brandon McMillan, Clewiston, Fla., 10 bass, 24-13

5th:         Nick Gainey, Charleston, S.C., 10 bass, 24-5

6th:         Randy Blaukat, Joplin, Mo., 10 bass, 23-12

7th:         Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 23-9

8th:         Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 23-3

9th:         Mud Hole Custom Tackle pro John Cox, DeBary, Fla., nine bass, 23-2

10th:       Keith Bryan, Novato, Calif., 10 bass, 23-2

11th:       Johnny McCombs, Morris, Ala., 10 bass, 22-14

12th:       Matt Stefan, Junction City, Wis., 10 bass, 22-13

13th:       Tim Frederick, Leesburg, Fla., 10 bass, 22-10

14th:       Daniel Kweekul, Bryant, Ark., nine bass, 22-5

15th:       Jeff Dobson, Bartlesville, Okla., 10 bass, 22-4

16th:       Drew Montgomery, Maiden, N.C., 10 bass, 22-2

17th:       Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 10 bass, 21-10

18th:       Scott Ashmore, Broken Arrow, Okla., eight bass, 21-2

19th:       Joseph Webster, Fulton, Miss., 10 bass, 21-2

20th:       Bradley Dortch, Atmore, Ala., 10 bass, 21-2

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Ashmore earned the Big Bass award on the pro side Friday, weighing a 5-pound, 3-ounce largemouth to win the $500 prize.

Overall there were 651 bass weighing 1,208 pounds, 10 ounces caught by 153 pros Friday. The catch included 97 five-bass limits.

Charley Slaton of Valliant, Oklahoma, won the co-angler division and $20,000 Friday with a two-day total of nine bass weighing 17 pounds, 15 ounces, followed by Billy Messer of Spartanburg, South Carolina, who finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 17 pounds, 14 ounces, worth $7,550.

The top 10 co-anglers on Beaver Lake finished:

1st:          Charley Slaton, Valliant, Okla., nine bass, 17-15, $20,000

2nd:         Billy Messer, Spartanburg, S.C., 10 bass, 17-14, $7,550

3rd:         Ken Harp, Springdale, Ark., 10 bass, 17-11, $5,000

4th:         Michael Allbright, Athens, Texas, 10 bass, 17-4, $4,000

5th:         Rich Dalbey, Greenville, Texas, eight bass, 17-4, $3,000

6th:         Chuck Kavros, Grass Valley, Calif., eight bass, 16-6, $2,500

7th:         Mark Howard, Mesquite, Texas, eight bass, 16-3, $2,000

8th:         Scott Parsons, Rogers, Ark., eight bass, 16-2, $1,800

9th:         Gary Haraguchi, Redding, Calif., 10 bass, 15-5, $1,700

10th:       Drew Barnes, Bella Vista, Ark., nine bass, 15-4, $1,600

Dennis Crawford of Rogers, Arkansas, earned $250 for the Big Bass award in the co-angler division with a 4-pound, 6-ounce bass.

Overall there were 325 bass weighing 552 pounds, 3 ounces caught by 125 co-anglers Friday. The catch included 19 five-bass limits.

In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 322 anglers competed Thursday and Friday. Co-angler competition concluded following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 20 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, Aug. 11-13.

The FLW Tour has visited Beaver Lake 18 times previously, with 2017 marking the 19th visit in FLW’s 22-year history. The total purse for the FLW Tour at the Beaver Lake presented by General Tire is more than $800,000, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro Division. The tournament is hosted by Visit Rogers.

Anglers will take off from the Prairie Creek Park Boat Ramp located at 9300 N. Park Road in Rogers at 6:30 a.m. each day of competition. Saturday and Sunday’s final weigh-ins, originally scheduled to be held at Walmart in Rogers, have been moved lakeside to Prairie Creek Park due to inclement weather being forecast for the weekend. They will begin at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW will host a free Fishing Expo at Prairie Creek Park from noon to 4 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Beaver Lake presented by General Tire will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) June 18 from 6 a.m.-7 a.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

About FLW

FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2017 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 274 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.

Connell Climbs On Top Of Bassmaster Elite At Ross Barnett

by | Apr 29, 2017 | , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

RIDGELAND, Miss. — Twenty-six-year-old Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Dustin Connell took over the lead on Friday’s second round of competition at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett.

Connell of Clanton, Ala., caught a five-bass limit that weighed 16 pounds, 11 ounces pushing his two-day total to 36-7, which is less than 2 pounds ahead of second place.


A big wind picked up during the afternoon pushing sustained speeds of 20 mph, with gusts near 30. On a relatively shallow lake like Mississippi’s Ross Barnett Reservoir, that means muddy water and big waves — something all of the competitors will have to deal with on Saturday’s semi-final round.

“The wind won’t affect my fishing spots, but it will affect my travel time to and from where I’ll be spending my day,” Connell said. “What’s concerning me is that the water level is rising and getting muddier.”

The young angler mentioned that the water conditions seemed to be worsening, but the bass were still active and willing to attack multiple presentations.

“I feel like the bass are holding tighter to the structure, which is requiring repetitive casts to the same spot,” he said. “I have a lot of locations where I know I can catch fish, and I’m confident the fish are big enough for me to stay in the lead. But, if the wind gets worse, making it back to weigh-in will be my biggest concern.”

Connell said he’s excited to be leading an event on the Elite Series during his first year as a touring pro.

“I was humbled to have several boats following me around today,” Connell said. “It wasn’t but a few years ago I was one of those guys following my heroes around. Now, I’m living that dream. It’s important for me to keep my focus and fish smart, and not worry about who’s going to win. Tomorrow, I’m just going fishing.”

Kentucky angler Mark Menendez jumped to second place by weighing in 17-11 for a total of 34-11. He said fishing in tough conditions requires intense focus.

“To be honest, I’m not sure how well my pattern will hold up tomorrow,” Menendez said. “But I know that if I focus on making the best cast possible, as often as possible, I will catch fish. The forecasted winds tomorrow will have an impact on my spots; I’m just hoping I can continue to be consistent. Ross Barnett bass are used to wind and mud, they’ll still bite.”

After weighing 11 pounds for a two-day total of 33-14, Brandon Card of Knoxville, Tenn., fell to third place on Friday after leading the derby’s opening day.

“I think the fishing pressure where I’ve started over the past couple days is taking its toll,” Card said. “The wind and muddy water that is affecting a bulk of the field won’t be as big of an issue for my initial spot. But where I’ve been fishing later in the day will most likely be blown out tomorrow. Hopefully I can get a quick limit early in the morning and build from there.”

Rounding out the Top 10: Dave Lefebre (33-14), Bobby Lane (32-8), Mark Davis (31-14), Keith Poche (31-2), Jonathon VanDam (30-14), Jared Lintner (30-12) and Ish Monroe (30-9).

Lester remains in the lead for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award thanks to the 7-2 largemouth bass he caught during Thursday’s opening round.

Competition will resume Saturday with the Top 51 anglers taking off at 6:15 a.m. CT from Madison Landing. The weigh-in will be held at Old Trace Park at 3:15 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Ridgeland Tourism Commission.

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Power-Pole, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Shell Rotella, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Skeeter Boats, Minn Kota, Triton Boats

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Shimano, Advance Auto Parts, Livingston Lures, T-H Marine

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 more than 45 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, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, jmatthews@bassmaster.com or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com
2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett 4/27-4/30
Ross Barnett Reservoir, Ridgeland  MS.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL             10  36-07  110     $500.00
Day 1: 5   19-12     Day 2: 5   16-11
2.  Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             10  34-11  109
Day 1: 5   17-00     Day 2: 5   17-11
3.  Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN           10  33-14  108
Day 1: 5   22-14     Day 2: 5   11-00
4.  Dave Lefebre           Erie, PA                10  33-14  107
Day 1: 5   18-04     Day 2: 5   15-10
5.  Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL            10  32-08  106
Day 1: 5   20-14     Day 2: 5   11-10
6.  Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR           10  31-14  105
Day 1: 5   20-10     Day 2: 5   11-04
7.  Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL           10  31-02  104
Day 1: 5   20-02     Day 2: 5   11-00
8.  Jonathon VanDam        Kalamazoo, MI           10  30-14  103
Day 1: 5   15-13     Day 2: 5   15-01
9.  Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        8  30-12  102
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 3   14-01
10. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA             10  30-09  101
Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 5   16-02
11. Fred Roumbanis         London, AR              10  29-12  100
Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   13-14
12. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL            10  29-09   99
Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   15-03
13. Chad Morgenthaler      Reeds Spring, MO        10  29-08   98
Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 5   15-11
14. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY           10  29-00   97
Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   14-11
15. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS        10  28-15   96
Day 1: 5   18-01     Day 2: 5   10-14
16. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR         10  28-02   95
Day 1: 5   15-13     Day 2: 5   12-05
17. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI           10  27-15   94
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   17-00
18. Fletcher Shryock       New Philadelphia, OH    10  27-13   93
Day 1: 5   15-15     Day 2: 5   11-14
19. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL        10  27-10   92
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   12-03
20. Darrell Ocamica        New Plymouth, ID        10  27-07   91
Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   13-02
21. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS        10  26-13   90
Day 1: 5   14-10     Day 2: 5   12-03
22. Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL            10  26-13   89
Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   12-07
23. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL        10  26-10   88
Day 1: 5   12-11     Day 2: 5   13-15
24. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA              10  26-09   87
Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   12-01
25. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL       10  26-07   86
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   15-08
26. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX              10  26-06   85
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   09-11
27. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         8  26-02   84
Day 1: 5   19-15     Day 2: 3   06-03
28. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK           10  26-02   83
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   14-15
29. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC             10  26-02   82
Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   14-07
30. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN           10  26-01   81
Day 1: 5   17-05     Day 2: 5   08-12
31. Brandon Palaniuk       Hayden, ID              10  25-15   80
Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 5   13-00
32. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           9  25-13   79
Day 1: 4   07-12     Day 2: 5   18-01
33. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX          10  25-13   78
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   13-01
34. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC               10  25-12   77
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 5   07-12
35. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR         10  25-08   76
Day 1: 5   13-07     Day 2: 5   12-01
36. David Walker           Sevierville, TN          9  25-07   75
Day 1: 4   07-02     Day 2: 5   18-05
37. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA               10  25-06   74
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   14-05
38. Seth Feider            Isle, MN                 9  25-03   73
Day 1: 5   16-04     Day 2: 4   08-15
39. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL          10  25-01   72
Day 1: 5   14-03     Day 2: 5   10-14
40. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK              10  24-15   71
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 5   15-02
41. Luke Clausen           Otis Orchards, WA       10  24-14   70
Day 1: 5   12-05     Day 2: 5   12-09
42. Brett Preuett          Monroe, LA               9  24-10   69
Day 1: 4   08-05     Day 2: 5   16-05
43. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                 10  24-05   68
Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 5   14-01
44. Chad Grigsby           Maple Grove, MN         10  24-05   67
Day 1: 5   13-01     Day 2: 5   11-04
45. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC          10  23-12   66
Day 1: 5   12-04     Day 2: 5   11-08
46. Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN           10  23-11   65
Day 1: 5   13-03     Day 2: 5   10-08
47. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            10  23-09   64
Day 1: 5   10-02     Day 2: 5   13-07
48. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL            10  23-08   63
Day 1: 5   11-06     Day 2: 5   12-02
49. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA         10  23-02   62
Day 1: 5   11-05     Day 2: 5   11-13
50. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          10  23-01   61
Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   10-11
51. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              10  22-14   60
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 5   13-01
52. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, AR         10  22-13   59
Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   12-07
53. Jacob Wheeler          Indianapolis, IN         8  22-06   58
Day 1: 3   09-14     Day 2: 5   12-08
54. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               9  22-03   57
Day 1: 4   07-11     Day 2: 5   14-08
55. Koby Kreiger           Bokeelia, FL            10  22-02   56
Day 1: 5   12-07     Day 2: 5   09-11
56. Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL        10  22-02   55
Day 1: 5   11-08     Day 2: 5   10-10
57. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                 10  22-01   54
Day 1: 5   11-05     Day 2: 5   10-12
58. Brent Ehrler           Newport Beach, CA       10  21-15   53
Day 1: 5   08-13     Day 2: 5   13-02
59. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          9  21-14   52
Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 4   09-08
60. Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL          8  21-13   51
Day 1: 3   09-10     Day 2: 5   12-03
61. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL          10  21-10   50
Day 1: 5   12-14     Day 2: 5   08-12
62. Jordan Lee             Grant, AL                9  21-09   49
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 4   09-12
63. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY             10  21-09   48
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   11-09
64. Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                9  21-07   47
Day 1: 4   11-00     Day 2: 5   10-07
65. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          8  20-02   46
Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 3   07-02
66. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL             10  19-15   45
Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   09-09
67. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            9  19-13   44
Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 4   08-02
68. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL         10  19-11   43
Day 1: 5   08-09     Day 2: 5   11-02
69. Jesse Wiggins          Cullman, AL              8  19-08   42
Day 1: 5   14-09     Day 2: 3   04-15
70. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ             10  19-08   41
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   08-05
71. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  9  19-08   40
Day 1: 4   09-08     Day 2: 5   10-00
72. Gerald Spohrer         Gonzales, LA            10  19-07   39
Day 1: 5   10-09     Day 2: 5   08-14
73. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              8  19-04   38
Day 1: 5   11-06     Day 2: 3   07-14
74. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            8  19-01   37
Day 1: 4   09-04     Day 2: 4   09-13
75. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS                6  18-13   36
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 5   17-00
76. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK              9  18-12   35
Day 1: 5   09-14     Day 2: 4   08-14
77. Britt Myers            Lake Wylie, SC           9  18-11   34
Day 1: 5   08-03     Day 2: 4   10-08
78. Adrian Avena           Vineland, NJ             9  18-11   33
Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 4   08-04
79. Gary Klein             Mingus, TX               9  18-07   32
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 4   07-06
80. Jesse Tacoronte        Orlando, FL              9  18-01   31
Day 1: 5   12-00     Day 2: 4   06-01
81. James Elam             Tulsa, OK                6  17-13   30
Day 1: 4   11-00     Day 2: 2   06-13
82. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX               7  17-11   29
Day 1: 5   13-07     Day 2: 2   04-04
83. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         8  17-11   28
Day 1: 3   06-01     Day 2: 5   11-10
84. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL         6  17-10   27
Day 1: 1   02-01     Day 2: 5   15-09
85. Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX                8  17-10   26
Day 1: 4   09-10     Day 2: 4   08-00
86. John Hunter Jr         Shelbyville, KY          8  16-12   25
Day 1: 3   05-09     Day 2: 5   11-03
87. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ     8  16-10   24
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 3   05-09
88. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            8  16-09   23
Day 1: 4   09-09     Day 2: 4   07-00
89. Matt Lee               Guntersville, AL         9  16-03   22
Day 1: 4   06-06     Day 2: 5   09-13
90. Chris Zaldain          Laughlin, NV             9  15-12   21
Day 1: 5   08-11     Day 2: 4   07-01
91. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         9  15-03   20
Day 1: 4   06-12     Day 2: 5   08-07
92. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL                8  15-03   19
Day 1: 4   06-15     Day 2: 4   08-04
93. David Williams         Newton, NC               8  15-02   18
Day 1: 3   04-10     Day 2: 5   10-08
94. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               7  15-00   17
Day 1: 2   03-03     Day 2: 5   11-13
95. Josh Bertrand          Gilbert, AZ              7  14-12   16
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 2   03-13
96. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              6  14-07   15
Day 1: 4   09-00     Day 2: 2   05-07
97. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               7  14-07   14
Day 1: 4   08-09     Day 2: 3   05-14
98. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         7  14-01   13
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 2   03-02
99. Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC           6  14-00   12
Day 1: 1   01-11     Day 2: 5   12-05
100. Alton Jones Jr.        Lorena, TX               6  13-05   11
Day 1: 4   09-14     Day 2: 2   03-07
101. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN       5  11-09   10
Day 1: 1   03-04     Day 2: 4   08-05
102. John Murray            Spring City, TN          5  11-05    9
Day 1: 3   05-06     Day 2: 2   05-15
103. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            6  10-14    8
Day 1: 5   09-01     Day 2: 1   01-13
104. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               6  10-12    7
Day 1: 2   03-08     Day 2: 4   07-04
105. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            6  10-11    6
Day 1: 4   06-14     Day 2: 2   03-13
106. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             5  08-09    5
Day 1: 3   05-06     Day 2: 2   03-03
107. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              4  06-15    4
Day 1: 4   06-15     Day 2: 0   00-00
108. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          4  06-02    3
Day 1: 2   03-03     Day 2: 2   02-15
109. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            3  05-04    2
Day 1: 0   -01-00     Day 2: 3   06-04
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        76       483      1228-09
2        73       474      1154-14
———————————-
149       957      2383-07

Card Takes Command Of Bassmaster Elite At Mississippi’s Ross Barnett

by | Apr 28, 2017 | , , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

RIDGELAND, Miss. — While 33,000 acres of fishable water seems like it should easily support a 109-angler field, most Elite Series anglers would say they’re sharing water at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett.


Ross Barnett Reservoir is the smallest venue on the schedule this year, but the quality is evident as the Top 6 anglers weighed limits of bass near or exceeding the 20-pound mark.

The question is can weights like Brandon Card’s impressive 22 pounds, 14 ounces be reproduced during Friday’s second round of competition.

“That’s a great question,” Card of Knoxville, Tenn., said following weigh-in. “I spent some time here during pre-practice, and the fishing was on fire. But that bite has changed dramatically since then, and I found an area during our official practice days, which is where I caught them today. I know the number of quality fish are available to have another 20-pound day, but I think it’ll take about a 17-pound average per day to remain in contention for the win.”

Like most of the field, Card is sharing water with other anglers because the best bass fishing seems to be concentrated in certain locations on Ross Barnett.

“The fishing pressure is certainly a factor at this event,” he said. “But to keep my mind in the game, I slow down and focus on making a good cast every time. You can catch fish behind people by doing it that way. I know I’m on the right fish to win this thing, but it’s too early to make any predictions. All I’m able to do at this point is hit the water again tomorrow and do the best I can.”

The old saying goes: “You can’t win a tournament on the first day of a tournament, but you can lose it on the first day.”

Bobby Lane, of Lakeland, Fla., repeated those exact words, and will be starting out Friday morning in second place with 20-14.

“What’s great about this tournament is I’m right at home fishing for bass in shallow water,” Lane said. “I have almost zero experience on Ross Barnett, and not having any preconceived notions has helped me to fish clean and not worry about the other anglers fishing in my area.”

Lane said he was very encouraged by what he learned today, and he’s ready to get out and do it again.

“Who knows what tomorrow is going to bring with stronger winds and fewer clouds,” he said. “But I’m not going to change anything, and I expect the bass to be feeding in a similar locations as they did today. I’m going to be there when they do.”

Mount Ida, Ark., resident and 1995 Bassmaster Classic champion Mark Davis said fishing with extreme patience was key to his impressive five-bass limit that weighed 20-10, good enough for third place after Day 1.

“I like to fish slow and steady,” Davis said. “And with the crowded waters here at Ross Barnett, I felt my style of fishing would be very productive. I’m sharing a piece of the lake with another angler, and we both weighed very similar limits of bass today. We’ve talked and have agreed to work with each other to make it happen again on Friday.”

Rounding out the Top 10: Keith Poche (20-2), Brandon Lester (19-15), Dustin Connell (19-12), Dave Lefebre (18-4), Brent Chapman (18-1), Marty Robinson (18-0) and Brandon Coulter (17-5).

Lester is in the lead for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award with his 7-2 largemouth bass.

Competition will resume Friday with the full field taking off at 6:15 a.m. CT from Madison Landing. The weigh-in will be held at Old Trace Park at 3:15 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Ridgeland Tourism Commission.

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Triton Boats, Shell Rotella, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Minn Kota, Power-Pole

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: T-H Marine, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Phoenix Boats, Lowrance, Shimano, Advance Auto Parts, Livingston Lures

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 more than 45 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, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, jmatthews@bassmaster.com or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com
2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett 4/27-4/30
Ross Barnett Reservoir, Ridgeland  MS.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN            5  22-14  110
Day 1: 5   22-14
2.  Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             5  20-14  109
Day 1: 5   20-14
3.  Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR            5  20-10  108
Day 1: 5   20-10
4.  Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL            5  20-02  107
Day 1: 5   20-02
5.  Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  19-15  106
Day 1: 5   19-15
6.  Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL              5  19-12  105
Day 1: 5   19-12
7.  Dave Lefebre           Erie, PA                 5  18-04  104
Day 1: 5   18-04
8.  Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS         5  18-01  103
Day 1: 5   18-01
9.  Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                5  18-00  102
Day 1: 5   18-00
10. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN            5  17-05  101
Day 1: 5   17-05
11. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  17-00  100
Day 1: 5   17-00
12. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX               5  16-11   99
Day 1: 5   16-11
12. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        5  16-11   99
Day 1: 5   16-11
14. Seth Feider            Isle, MN                 5  16-04   97
Day 1: 5   16-04
15. Fletcher Shryock       New Philadelphia, OH     5  15-15   96
Day 1: 5   15-15
16. Fred Roumbanis         London, AR               5  15-14   95
Day 1: 5   15-14
17. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  15-13   94
Day 1: 5   15-13
17. Jonathon VanDam        Kalamazoo, MI            5  15-13   94
Day 1: 5   15-13
19. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL         5  15-07   92
Day 1: 5   15-07
20. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  14-10   91
Day 1: 5   14-10
21. Jesse Wiggins          Cullman, AL              5  14-09   90
Day 1: 5   14-09
22. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA               5  14-08   89
Day 1: 5   14-08
23. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA              5  14-07   88
Day 1: 5   14-07
24. Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL             5  14-06   87
Day 1: 5   14-06
24. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  14-06   87
Day 1: 5   14-06
26. Darrell Ocamica        New Plymouth, ID         5  14-05   85
Day 1: 5   14-05
26. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY            5  14-05   85
Day 1: 5   14-05
28. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL           5  14-03   83
Day 1: 5   14-03
29. Chad Morgenthaler      Reeds Spring, MO         5  13-13   82
Day 1: 5   13-13
30. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX               5  13-07   81
Day 1: 5   13-07
30. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR          5  13-07   81
Day 1: 5   13-07
32. Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN            5  13-03   79
Day 1: 5   13-03
33. Chad Grigsby           Maple Grove, MN          5  13-01   78
Day 1: 5   13-01
34. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          5  13-00   77
Day 1: 5   13-00
35. Brandon Palaniuk       Hayden, ID               5  12-15   76
Day 1: 5   12-15
36. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  12-14   75
Day 1: 5   12-14
37. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  12-12   74
Day 1: 5   12-12
38. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL         5  12-11   73
Day 1: 5   12-11
39. Koby Kreiger           Bokeelia, FL             5  12-07   72
Day 1: 5   12-07
40. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  12-06   71
Day 1: 5   12-06
40. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  12-06   71
Day 1: 5   12-06
42. Luke Clausen           Otis Orchards, WA        5  12-05   69
Day 1: 5   12-05
43. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC           5  12-04   68
Day 1: 5   12-04
44. Jesse Tacoronte        Orlando, FL              5  12-00   67
Day 1: 5   12-00
45. Jordan Lee             Grant, AL                5  11-13   66
Day 1: 5   11-13
46. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC              5  11-11   65
Day 1: 5   11-11
46. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            5  11-11   65
Day 1: 5   11-11
48. Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL         5  11-08   63
Day 1: 5   11-08
49. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL             5  11-06   62
Day 1: 5   11-06
49. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              5  11-06   62
Day 1: 5   11-06
51. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  5  11-05   60
Day 1: 5   11-05
51. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          5  11-05   60
Day 1: 5   11-05
53. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            5  11-03   58
Day 1: 5   11-03
53. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              5  11-03   58
Day 1: 5   11-03
55. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  11-01   56
Day 1: 5   11-01
55. Gary Klein             Mingus, TX               5  11-01   56
Day 1: 5   11-01
57. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ     5  11-01   54
Day 1: 5   11-01
58. James Elam             Tulsa, OK                4  11-00   53
Day 1: 4   11-00
58. Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                4  11-00   53
Day 1: 4   11-00
60. Josh Bertrand          Gilbert, AZ              5  10-15   51
Day 1: 5   10-15
60. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL        5  10-15   51
Day 1: 5   10-15
60. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         5  10-15   51
Day 1: 5   10-15
60. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI            5  10-15   51
Day 1: 5   10-15
64. Gerald Spohrer         Gonzales, LA             5  10-09   47
Day 1: 5   10-09
65. Adrian Avena           Vineland, NJ             5  10-07   46
Day 1: 5   10-07
66. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, AR          5  10-06   45
Day 1: 5   10-06
66. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  10-06   45
Day 1: 5   10-06
68. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  5  10-04   43
Day 1: 5   10-04
69. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  10-02   42
Day 1: 5   10-02
70. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              5  10-00   41
Day 1: 5   10-00
71. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK              5  09-14   40
Day 1: 5   09-14
72. Alton Jones Jr.        Lorena, TX               4  09-14   39
Day 1: 4   09-14
73. Jacob Wheeler          Indianapolis, IN         3  09-14   38
Day 1: 3   09-14
74. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK               5  09-13   37
Day 1: 5   09-13
74. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  09-13   37
Day 1: 5   09-13
76. Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX                4  09-10   35
Day 1: 4   09-10
77. Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL          3  09-10   34
Day 1: 3   09-10
78. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            4  09-09   33
Day 1: 4   09-09
79. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  4  09-08   32
Day 1: 4   09-08
80. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            4  09-04   31
Day 1: 4   09-04
81. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            5  09-01   30
Day 1: 5   09-01
82. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              4  09-00   29
Day 1: 4   09-00
83. Brent Ehrler           Newport Beach, CA        5  08-13   28
Day 1: 5   08-13
84. Chris Zaldain          Laughlin, NV             5  08-11   27
Day 1: 5   08-11
85. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  08-09   26
Day 1: 5   08-09
86. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               4  08-09   25
Day 1: 4   08-09
87. Brett Preuett          Monroe, LA               4  08-05   24
Day 1: 4   08-05
88. Britt Myers            Lake Wylie, SC           5  08-03   23
Day 1: 5   08-03
89. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           4  07-12   22
Day 1: 4   07-12
90. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               4  07-11   21
Day 1: 4   07-11
91. David Walker           Sevierville, TN          4  07-02   20
Day 1: 4   07-02
92. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL                4  06-15   19
Day 1: 4   06-15
92. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              4  06-15   19
Day 1: 4   06-15
94. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            4  06-14   17
Day 1: 4   06-14
95. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         4  06-12   16
Day 1: 4   06-12
96. Matt Lee               Guntersville, AL         4  06-06   15
Day 1: 4   06-06
97. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         3  06-01   14
Day 1: 3   06-01
98. John Hunter Jr         Shelbyville, KY          3  05-09   13
Day 1: 3   05-09
99. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             3  05-06   12
Day 1: 3   05-06
99. John Murray            Spring City, TN          3  05-06   12
Day 1: 3   05-06
101. David Williams         Newton, NC               3  04-10   10
Day 1: 3   04-10
102. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               2  03-08    9
Day 1: 2   03-08
103. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN       1  03-04    8
Day 1: 1   03-04
104. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               2  03-03    7
Day 1: 2   03-03
104. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          2  03-03    7
Day 1: 2   03-03
106. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL         1  02-01    5
Day 1: 1   02-01
107. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS                1  01-13    4
Day 1: 1   01-13
108. Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC           1  01-11    3
Day 1: 1   01-11
109. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            0  -1-00    0
Day 1: 0   -01-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        76       483      1228-09
———————————-
76       483      1228-09

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