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Shuffield Leads Day One of Major League Fishing’s Toro Stage 1 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Power-Pole
Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Angler Takes Charge of Group A Qualifying Round with Nine Bass Weighing 29 Pounds, 12 Ounces – Group B to Compete Monday
JASPER, Texas (March 21, 2021) – Fishing in his first career Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour event, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit angler Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, wasted no time in making an immediate impact. Shuffield boated nine scorable bass Sunday totaling 29 pounds, 12 ounces to jump out to the early lead in the Group A Qualifying Round at the Toro Stage 1 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Power-Pole . The six-day competition, which awards a top cash prize of $100,000 to the winner, is being live-streamed online and filmed for television broadcast on the Discovery Channel and the Outdoor Channel later this year.
Just 1-ounce behind Shuffield in second place on the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard is a red-hot Dustin Connell, of Clanton, Alabama, the reigning REDCREST champion who caught 10 bass totaling 29-11. Bass fishing superstar Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, sits in third place, just 2 pounds back of Shuffield with 10 bass weighing 27-12.
The 40 anglers in Group A will now enjoy a day off Monday, while the 40 anglers in Group B will begin their first day of competition. Group A resumes competition on Tuesday.
“I’m really excited about it,” Shuffield said when asked about leading after day one in his first Bass Pro Tour event. “I got on a little something today that I didn’t know was happening, but it’s a way that I really like to catch them. Everything that I’m catching is postspawn, and the way things are looking I think they’re just going to continue coming to me, more and more.”
Shuffield said that he caught all of his fish on two different baits Sunday – a Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait 110 Deep and a drop-shot rig.
“In practice I was catching 50 to 70 fish a day, but today I probably caught around 30,” Shuffield said. “I caught a lot of 1-12 to 1-15 (pound) fish, today. But, all in all, I’m satisfied. Of course, I’d like to have a 5-, 6- or 7-pound cushion over second – one ounce isn’t even really leading – but I’ll take it for my first day.”
Like Shuffield, most of the anglers near the top of the leaderboard were also throwing a jerkbait at certain points of the day, including Connell and VanDam.
“I caught a lot of fish on a jerkbait, today,” Connell said. “These fish are kind of staging up right now. It got pretty slow for me later in the day, so I was kind of bouncing around and practicing in the third period. I found a little zone that I like, so I’ve just been trying to expand on that a little bit.”
VanDam spent a lot of the day looking for schools of bass that were grouped up but didn’t have any luck, and spent the day picking off stragglers.
“I wasn’t really sure how it was going to happen, today, but it ended up being a solid day,” VanDam said. “I caught some good fish in practice, but I couldn’t find the big concentrations of them, and that’s the way it was today. One here, one there. I caught a few good ones and just mixed it up to keep myself in the hunt all day long.”
VanDam credited a Pro Blue-colored Strike King KVD jerkbait as being his key bait for most of the day, but he did also boat a few scorable bass with a gold-colored jerkbait as well.
“I’m just going to grind it out and fish the migration routes where these fish are coming into these big spawning basins – fishing points and ditches.”
The post Shuffield Leads Day One of Major League Fishing’s Toro Stage 1 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Power-Pole appeared first on Bass365.com.
Despite Slower Day, Kreiger Maintains Lead At Bassmaster Elite At Pickwick
FLORENCE, Ala. — Koby Kreiger’s main pattern provided a solid foundation, but a strategic relocation proved essential to maintaining his lead at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake.
Adding a five-bass limit of 19 pounds, 15 ounces to his Day 1 leading catch of 25-12 — the event’s biggest bag — the pro from Alva, Fla., tallied 45-11. Heading into Semifinal Monday, Kreiger leads second-place Bill Lowen by 11 ounces.
Kreiger started his day in the Wilson Dam tailrace, where he targeted the down-current side of a wooded rock island. With the dam releasing an hourly average of 178,170 cubic feet per second, bass were leveraging the intense feeding opportunities.
Heavy rainfall from Wednesday’s massive storm system brought extreme current and flood conditions, which required B.A.S.S. officials to postpone the tournament’s scheduled start from Thursday to Saturday.
“The fish just hunker down behind that (structure) and anything that falls over those rocks, they eat it,” Kreiger said. “It was a grind today. I caught one big smallmouth pretty early this morning and I was lucky to catch three to go with it. Then I struggled for a while.
“I made a move and went down my limit bank and caught a 4-pounder and another one about 3 1/2.”
Kreiger’s second area was a riprap bank near the takeoff site at McFarland Park. He spent about an hour in this spot.
Returning to the tailrace in the afternoon, Kreiger found that the bite had completely shut down. He attributes the decline to increased turbidity.
“The upper end of the lake is getting dirty and I think that’s part of the problem,” Kreiger said. “They didn’t bite after this morning. When I returned (to the tailrace), I never got another bite. It was nowhere near like it was yesterday.
“It has to be because the water got dirty. I mean, the fish are there; they’re not going to go anywhere. Smallmouth are sight feeders, so that has to play a role in it. But I also caught some big largemouth up there yesterday and they didn’t bite either, so I don’t know.”
Kreiger caught his fish on a deep-diving crankbait, a 1-ounce spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades and a balsa Wee Bait in the silver shad color.
Despite today’s downturn, Kreiger said he’ll definitely fish the Wilson tailrace tomorrow.
“There’s no question, if I’m going to win, I’m going to win up there,” he said. “I’m going to go up there and spend a couple of hours up there and see what happens.”
Hailing from Brookville, Ind., Lowen is in second place with an even 45 pounds. Gaining a spot from Day 1, Lowen bolstered Saturday’s limit of 21-3 with 23-13 — the day’s heaviest bag.
“Yesterday I didn’t get a lot of bites and today I didn’t get a lot of bites, but I got the right ones,” Lowen said.
Spending his day near the Natchez Trace Bridge, Lowen fished main river current breaks. Noting that this area is a major offshore community hole when conditions are stable, Lowen strategically pushed shallow and flipped wood with his signature series 3/8-ounce Lure Parts Online jig with a chunk trailer.
“The reason I go with a 3/8 is so it sweeps through the cover instead of getting stuck,” Lowen said. “When it sweeps through there, it looks more natural than if you’re fighting to get it through.”
In his day’s later hours, Lowen fished docks inside a pocket in the same general area. He caught several on his jig, with one making it into his limit.
“My theory is that those fish are getting pushed to the sides,” Lowen said. “I had a really good area out on that flat before (the heavy current) came and I assumed that those fish slid up to the docks.”
Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla., is in third place with 41-2. Mirroring his Day 1 strategy, Martin started the day fishing the slower current areas right outside of McFarland Park.
He added 22-13 to the 18-5 he caught on Saturday.
“I caught a 6 1/2-pounder right outside the takeoff, then I caught some more fish down the (riprap bank bordering McFarland) and ended up with a limit of 15 pounds or so without starting my motor and then I just went fishing,” Martin said. “I didn’t catch as many today, the grade was better. I caught a lot of 3 1/2- to 4 1/2-pound fish.”
After leaving the McFarland area, Martin fished his way down lake, nearly to the Tennessee state line. He targeted current breaks, points and shallow cover and caught his fish on a ChatterBait, swimbait and a balsa crankbait.
Hank Cherry of Linconton, N.C., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-11.
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., leads the Angler of the Year standings with 258 points. Seth Feider of New Market, Minn., is in second with 251, followed by Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., with 249, Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, with 244, and Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., with 242.
Monday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. CT at McFarland Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3 p.m.
Live coverage of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms.
The tournament is being hosted by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism.
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Bass Pro Shops, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Marathon, Rapala
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Conservation Partner: AFTCO
2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake Local Host: Florence-Lauderdale Tourism
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, 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 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 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, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake 3/20-3/23
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 10 45-11 100
Day 1: 5 25-12 Day 2: 5 19-15
2. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 45-00 99
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 23-13
3. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 10 41-02 98
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 22-13
4. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 41-01 97
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 21-08
5. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 10 40-03 96
Day 1: 5 23-03 Day 2: 5 17-00
6. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 39-07 95
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 18-05
7. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 39-04 94
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 20-09
8. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 38-05 93
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 20-09
9. Bryan New Belmont, NC 10 38-03 92
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 19-03
10. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 38-01 91 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 22-09
11. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 37-11 90
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 20-15
12. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 36-12 89
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 23-08
13. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 36-08 88
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 19-11
14. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 35-09 87
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 18-15
15. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 35-04 86
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 18-08
16. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 35-00 85
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 13-14
17. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 10 34-13 84
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 15-00
18. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 34-13 83
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 16-13
19. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 34-12 82
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 21-10
20. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 34-01 81
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 17-11
21. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 33-13 80
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 17-00
22. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 33-12 79
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 15-03
23. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 33-08 78
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 16-13
24. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 9 33-05 77
Day 1: 4 13-08 Day 2: 5 19-13
25. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 9 33-03 76
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 4 14-07
26. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 32-14 75
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 19-02
27. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 32-05 74
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 18-14
28. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 9 32-01 73
Day 1: 4 12-03 Day 2: 5 19-14
29. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 31-15 72
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 15-14
30. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 31-14 71
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 15-00
31. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 10 31-06 70
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 13-08
32. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 31-05 69
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 14-14
33. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 31-04 68
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 17-15
34. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 31-02 67
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 14-09
35. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 31-01 66
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 15-02
36. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 30-07 65
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 15-09
37. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 9 30-05 64
Day 1: 4 11-02 Day 2: 5 19-03
38. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 9 29-14 63
Day 1: 4 12-06 Day 2: 5 17-08
39. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 29-12 62
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 11-15
40. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 10 29-12 61
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 16-11
41. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 8 29-11 60
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 5 20-13
42. Frank Talley Temple, TX 10 27-07 59
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 11-03
43. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 9 27-00 58
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 4 12-09
44. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 26-10 57
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 12-01
45. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 10 26-05 56
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-13
46. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 9 26-03 55
Day 1: 4 11-09 Day 2: 5 14-10
47. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 9 26-00 54
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 4 08-06
48. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 8 25-13 53
Day 1: 3 08-00 Day 2: 5 17-13
49. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 8 25-05 52
Day 1: 4 10-04 Day 2: 4 15-01
50. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 9 25-04 51
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 4 10-14
51. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 6 25-03 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 5 22-02
52. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 9 25-02 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 4 09-03
53. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 8 24-13 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 07-06 Day 2: 5 17-07
54. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 10 24-10 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 10-14
55. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 9 23-07 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 09-02 Day 2: 5 14-05
56. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 9 23-00 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 4 09-04
57. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 6 22-15 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 5 20-04
58. Rob Digh Denver, NC 8 22-14 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 5 14-08
59. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 7 22-12 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 2 06-04
60. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 6 22-03 41 $3,500.00
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 1 02-02
61. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 8 21-14 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 5 14-00
62. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 8 21-13 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 3 07-13
63. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 8 21-10 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 3 10-01
64. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 8 20-14 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 3 07-09
65. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 9 20-13 36 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 08-14 Day 2: 5 11-15
66. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 7 20-08 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 11-00 Day 2: 3 09-08
67. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 6 20-00 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 12-15 Day 2: 3 07-01
68. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 7 19-15 33 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 5 14-08
69. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 7 19-12 32 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 08-03 Day 2: 4 11-09
70. David Fritts Lexington, NC 7 19-10 31 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 5 15-07
71. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 6 19-05 30 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 11-06 Day 2: 3 07-15
72. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 6 19-01 29 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 05-12 Day 2: 4 13-05
73. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 6 18-15 28 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 07-01 Day 2: 4 11-14
74. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 7 18-14 27 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 5 15-01
75. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 7 18-01 26 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 5 14-02
76. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 7 17-14 25
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 5 13-06
77. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 17-13 24
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 4 15-07
78. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 17-12 23
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 17-12
79. John Cox Debary, FL 6 16-14 22
Day 1: 1 03-09 Day 2: 5 13-05
80. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 16-13 21
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 16-13
81. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 6 16-12 20
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 1 02-07
82. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 16-05 19
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 16-05
83. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 6 16-00 18
Day 1: 4 10-12 Day 2: 2 05-04
84. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 5 15-14 17
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 15-14
85. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 15-14 16
Day 1: 1 05-00 Day 2: 4 10-14
86. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 6 14-08 15
Day 1: 4 09-11 Day 2: 2 04-13
87. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 4 14-03 14
Day 1: 1 04-06 Day 2: 3 09-13
88. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 11-04 13
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 2 03-09
89. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 4 10-09 12
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 10-09
90. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 4 10-00 11
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 2 05-05
91. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 4 09-12 10
Day 1: 4 09-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
92. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 3 09-11 9
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 2 07-06
93. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 3 07-13 8
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 2 04-07
94. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 2 07-08 7
Day 1: 1 05-08 Day 2: 1 02-00
95. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 3 07-07 6
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 1 02-13
96. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 3 07-03 5
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 2 05-03
97. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 3 06-13 4
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 1 02-06
98. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 3 06-00 3
Day 1: 2 05-14 Day 2: 1 00-02
99. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 2 04-07 2
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 1 02-06
100. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 07-06 $1,000.00
2 Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 07-11 $1,000.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 51 363 1149-15
2 63 411 1345-02
———————————-
114 774 2495-01
The post Despite Slower Day, Kreiger Maintains Lead At Bassmaster Elite At Pickwick appeared first on Bass365.com.
Rayburn was Love at First Fight for VanDam
In much the same way Kevin VanDam married his high school sweetheart Sherry, his love affair with Sam Rayburn Reservoir dates back to the first time he ever made a cast on the famed East Texas reservoir as a kid from Kalamazoo hell-bent to become the best angler pro bass fishing had ever known.
“I came down here a month before the tournament from Michigan to pre-practice for a B.A.S.S. Invitational in early 1992. It was the very first time I’d ever seen Rayburn. There was a warming trend, and the water was 4-feet high in the bushes. I caught 50 bass over 4-pounds. So yea, you could say I definitely fell in love with this place the first time I saw it,” grins VanDam.
When Kevin makes his first competitive cast of the new 2021 season Sunday on Rayburn at Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour event, things won’t be quite so dreamy. Practice has been a game of trying to figure out where soon-to-be spawners are headed. And after two days, he had not intersected them anywhere near like he did on that magical ‘first date’ 29 years ago.
But that’s not tarnishing his fondness of this 114,500-acre gem.
“That incredible pre-practice day in 1992 was followed by a 5-bass limit in the tournament that weighed 31 pounds 11 ounces — which at the time was the single biggest 5-bass limit in B.A.S.S. history,” recalls VanDam.
“I had a 10-pounder along with a 9-pounder and an 8-pounder in my creel that day that ultimately led to the record. The water was super high, like 12-feet up and going over the spillway, and I caught all those giants on a floating worm and an unweighted lizard,” he remembers in great detail.
Seven years later in 1999, even though the largemouth bass virus had a hugely detrimental effect, VanDam dialed-in a deep cranking bite on “Big Sam’s” inside grass line that led to his win here at the Texas Invitational in mid-February of 1999.
So yes, Rayburn is special to KVD. And while practice has not been nearly as sweet as the memories, never bet against the best there’s ever been. He’s been happily married to Sherry for 28 years, and his love of “Big Sam” is rich with nearly three decades of heartfelt goodness too.
The post Rayburn was Love at First Fight for VanDam appeared first on Bass365.com.
Kreiger Starts And Finishes Strong To Lead Bassmaster Elite At Pickwick Lake
FLORENCE, Ala. — A strong start plus a strong finish was the formula for Koby Kreiger to lead Day 1 of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake.
The veteran pro from Alva, Fla., caught a five-bass limit that weighed 25 pounds, 12 ounces.
“I caught a 6-6 pretty early this morning on a balsa Wee Bait in the silver shad color and I kept that bait in my hand until I caught my limit,” Kreiger said. “It took me a little while to do it, but I got zeroed in on some stuff.”
Working mostly in the 7-Mile Island area, downstream from the tournament’s McFarland Park takeoff, Kreiger targeted rocks and current seams. With Pickwick’s water level swollen by Wednesday’s major storm, Kreiger said he sought to dial in the strike zone relevant to the fluctuating water conditions.
“The current seams may be 5 feet off the bank today and tomorrow, they may be 20 feet off the bank,” he said. “I don’t like for the water to be too muddy because I’m throwing little bitty baits, so I want them to be able to see it.”
Around 2 o’clock, Kreiger relocated to a different part of the lake. He kept his cards low on the particulars, but he noted that the changing conditions likely triggered an opportunity.
“I just went and tried something that hadn’t worked at all in practice, but it worked today,” he said.
“My first limit weighed 19 or 20 pounds and then I told my marshal ‘I need to go catch some big ones.’ I caught two big ones late and jumped another one off. I had a couple more chances to maybe have an even bigger bag, but it was a great start to the tournament.”
After the event’s start was postponed twice by extreme current levels caused by Wednesday’s fierce storm system, plus hazardous wind advisories, Saturday’s warm, sunny conditions starkly contrasted Thursday and Friday’s gloomy chill. Kreiger said brighter conditions helped position his fish.
With his final limit comprising largemouth and smallmouth, Kreiger said he caught both species in both of his areas. Even though his first big bass was a smallmouth, that bite improved as the day progressed.
“Earlier this morning it was cloudy and I don’t think they could see stuff as well,” he said. “But when the sun came out, those smallmouth like sun a lot better and it brings them up off the bottom better.
“I’m catching smallmouth on the same stretches of bank where I’m catching largemouth. It’s just completely random.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s competition, Kreiger said: “I’m going to start doing that tomorrow. But who knows? I may not catch anything. It’s changing every day, so you never know what’s going to happen. They may sack ’em up down the lake. I’m happy to have what I have, for sure.”
Buddy Gross of Chickamauga, Ga., is in second place with 23-3. He committed his day to offshore gravel bars he had marked in practice. Spots located close to spawning areas were most promising, but he had to cover a lot of water before locating the right one.
“I hit 14 spots to find one that had them on it,” Gross said. “So at some point, I might have to go to places I’ve never been just to find another one if that one doesn’t keep producing. All the places I fished today were completely dry during practice.
“I did that on purpose, anticipating the water coming up. I rode around and marked every gravel bar that I thought would have an eddy behind it.”
Gross caught his bass on a mix of red crankbaits and a 3/4-ounce chartreuse spinnerbait with a chartreuse willow-leaf blade and a red Colorado blade. The brilliant colors, he said, were essential in the turbid water.
Bill Lowen of Brookville, Ind., is in third place with 21-3. Stressing that his day was not easy, the highly experienced river fisherman said the key was not sweating the changing conditions.
“When we get high, muddy water, I think it gets in a lot of guys’ heads; but to me, this is clean,” Lowen said. “Where I grew up on the Ohio River, when it floods, it turns to chocolate milk. So to me, this was just another day.”
Lowen caught his bass by targeting current breaks close to spawning areas.
“It’s hard to find those types of spots, but every time I found one today, I caught a big fish,” he said. “I caught them on stuff today where I hadn’t made a cast in practice because it was dry.”
Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-6.
Sunday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. CT at McFarland Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3 p.m.
After Sunday’s round, only the Top 50 anglers will advance to Monday’s semifinal round. The Top 10 will advance to Championship Tuesday with a chance at the $100,000 first-place prize.
Live coverage of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast the action live starting at 7 a.m.
The tournament is being hosted by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism.
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Bass Pro Shops, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Marathon, Rapala
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Conservation Partner: AFTCO
2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake Local Host: Florence-Lauderdale Tourism
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, 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 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 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, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake 3/20-3/23
Pickwick Lake, Florence AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 25-12 100
Day 1: 5 25-12
2. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 5 23-03 99
Day 1: 5 23-03
3. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 21-03 98
Day 1: 5 21-03
4. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 21-02 97
Day 1: 5 21-02
4. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 21-02 97
Day 1: 5 21-02
6. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 20-01 95
Day 1: 5 20-01
7. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 5 19-13 94
Day 1: 5 19-13
8. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 19-09 93
Day 1: 5 19-09
9. Bryan New Belmont, NC 5 19-00 92
Day 1: 5 19-00
10. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 18-12 91
Day 1: 5 18-12
11. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 18-11 90
Day 1: 5 18-11
12. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 18-09 89
Day 1: 5 18-09
13. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 18-05 88
Day 1: 5 18-05
14. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 18-00 87
Day 1: 5 18-00
15. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 5 17-14 86
Day 1: 5 17-14
16. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 17-13 85
Day 1: 5 17-13
17. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 17-12 84
Day 1: 5 17-12
18. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 17-10 83
Day 1: 5 17-10
19. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 16-14 82
Day 1: 5 16-14
20. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 16-13 81
Day 1: 5 16-13
20. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 16-13 81
Day 1: 5 16-13
22. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 16-12 79
Day 1: 5 16-12
22. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 16-12 79
Day 1: 5 16-12
24. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 16-11 77
Day 1: 5 16-11
25. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 16-10 76
Day 1: 5 16-10
26. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 16-09 75
Day 1: 5 16-09
27. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 5 16-08 74
Day 1: 5 16-08
28. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 16-07 73
Day 1: 5 16-07
29. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 16-06 72
Day 1: 5 16-06
30. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 16-04 71
Day 1: 5 16-04
31. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 16-01 70
Day 1: 5 16-01
32. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 15-15 69
Day 1: 5 15-15
32. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 15-15 69
Day 1: 5 15-15
34. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 15-08 67
Day 1: 5 15-08
35. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 14-14 66
Day 1: 5 14-14
36. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 14-09 65
Day 1: 5 14-09
37. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 14-07 64
Day 1: 5 14-07
38. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 14-06 63
Day 1: 5 14-06
39. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 14-05 62
Day 1: 5 14-05
40. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 14-00 61
Day 1: 5 14-00
41. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 13-12 60
Day 1: 5 13-12
41. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 13-12 60
Day 1: 5 13-12
41. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 13-12 60
Day 1: 5 13-12
44. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 4 13-08 57
Day 1: 4 13-08
45. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 13-07 56
Day 1: 5 13-07
46. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 5 13-05 55
Day 1: 5 13-05
46. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 5 13-05 55
Day 1: 5 13-05
48. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 13-04 53
Day 1: 5 13-04
49. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 13-02 52
Day 1: 5 13-02
50. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 13-01 51
Day 1: 5 13-01
51. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 3 12-15 50
Day 1: 3 12-15
52. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 12-08 49
Day 1: 5 12-08
53. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 4 12-06 48
Day 1: 4 12-06
54. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 4 12-03 47
Day 1: 4 12-03
55. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 11-09 46
Day 1: 5 11-09
56. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 4 11-09 45
Day 1: 4 11-09
57. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 3 11-06 44
Day 1: 3 11-06
58. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 4 11-02 43
Day 1: 4 11-02
59. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 4 11-00 42
Day 1: 4 11-00
60. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 4 10-12 41
Day 1: 4 10-12
61. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 4 10-04 40
Day 1: 4 10-04
62. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 4 09-12 39
Day 1: 4 09-12
63. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 4 09-11 38
Day 1: 4 09-11
64. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 4 09-02 37
Day 1: 4 09-02
65. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 4 08-14 36
Day 1: 4 08-14
66. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 3 08-14 35
Day 1: 3 08-14
67. Rob Digh Denver, NC 3 08-06 34
Day 1: 3 08-06
68. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 3 08-03 33
Day 1: 3 08-03
69. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 3 08-00 32
Day 1: 3 08-00
70. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 3 07-14 31
Day 1: 3 07-14
71. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 3 07-11 30
Day 1: 3 07-11
72. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 3 07-06 29
Day 1: 3 07-06
73. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 2 07-01 28
Day 1: 2 07-01
74. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 2 05-14 27
Day 1: 2 05-14
75. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 2 05-12 26
Day 1: 2 05-12
76. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 1 05-08 25
Day 1: 1 05-08
77. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 2 05-07 24
Day 1: 2 05-07
78. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 1 05-00 23
Day 1: 1 05-00
79. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 2 04-11 22
Day 1: 2 04-11
80. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 2 04-10 21
Day 1: 2 04-10
81. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 2 04-08 20
Day 1: 2 04-08
82. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 2 04-07 19
Day 1: 2 04-07
83. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 1 04-06 18
Day 1: 1 04-06
84. David Fritts Lexington, NC 2 04-03 17
Day 1: 2 04-03
85. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 2 03-15 16
Day 1: 2 03-15
86. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 2 03-13 15
Day 1: 2 03-13
87. John Cox Debary, FL 1 03-09 14
Day 1: 1 03-09
88. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 1 03-06 13
Day 1: 1 03-06
89. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 1 03-01 12
Day 1: 1 03-01
90. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 1 02-11 11
Day 1: 1 02-11
91. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 1 02-06 10
Day 1: 1 02-06
92. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 1 02-05 9
Day 1: 1 02-05
93. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 1 02-01 8
Day 1: 1 02-01
94. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 1 02-00 7
Day 1: 1 02-00
95. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
95. Darold Gleason Many, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
95. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
95. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
95. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
95. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 51 363 1149-15
———————————-
51 363 1149-15
The post Kreiger Starts And Finishes Strong To Lead Bassmaster Elite At Pickwick Lake appeared first on Bass365.com.
3 Questions with Sumrall and Zaldain
So far the topic of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite on Pickwick Lake has been change. Weather systems, cold fronts, and other curveballs Mother Nature likes to throw are factors Elite Series pros like Caleb Sumrall and Chris Zaldain are used to dealing with during major events.
The Yamaha pros are experts at managing the general adjustments tournament anglers often face. The conditions along the Tennessee River on legendary Pickwick Lake this week offer an entirely new set of challenges for the entire Elite Series field.
Lake levels are five (or more) feet higher, current flows have more than doubled, and the water clarity is much dirtier; which means Pickwick is going to fish like a completely different lake versus what anglers experienced in practice. And they haven’t been on the water since conditions have changed, so they are effectively going in blind.
We asked Sumrall and Zaldain to answer a few questions pertaining to Pickwick and then compare their answers now, to what they might have been before the weather rolled in on Wednesday.
Q – What are three lures you expect anglers near the top of the leaderboard to be throwing? Earlier in the week versus current conditions.
Zaldain – “In the stable conditions we had earlier in the week, I would have expected lures like a spinnerbait with double willow blades, a green pumpkin chatterbait, and watermelon / green pumpkin type soft plastics.”
“Now that that water has dirtied up, the same techniques will play but it’ll be single Colorado blades on chartreuse spinnerbaits, bright chatterbaits, and a black n’ blue jig. Those kinds of details will be vastly different now.”
Sumrall – “My three baits would be a swimbait, a spinnerbait, and a chatterbait for both current conditions and earlier in the week. The adjustments will come in the details. The size, weight, and color of the lures will change based on faster current and dirtier water.”
Q – What will be the breakdown of smallmouth versus largemouth weighed in this week in terms of percentages? Earlier in the week versus current conditions.
Zaldain – “Earlier in the week I think we would have seen a 60% largemouth and 40% smallmouth split. Now I’d think there would be less smallmouth weighed in because of the color of the water. I’ll say 80% largemouth and 20% smallmouth in the current conditions.”
Sumrall – “The cleaner water we had earlier in the week definitely helped those big river smallmouth feed, so we’ll see less brown ones in current conditions. I’d say 70% largemouth and 30% smallmouth during practice, but now it’ll be 85% green and 15% brown.”
Q – What do you expect the winning weight of this tournament will be? Earlier in the week versus current conditions.
Zaldain – “During practice the number I had in my head to win this event was 22.5-lbs per day. Somewhere around 90-lbs for a four day total. With the changing conditions I really don’t think that number will vary too much. It might be a new crop of anglers catching them, but I still think it’ll take that much weight to win on Tuesday.”
Sumrall – “Based on what I saw in practice I’d have guessed it would take something crazy like 24-lbs a day to win this derby. That’s up around the 100-lb mark for a winning weight. Now, with the current conditions, I’d guess a little less. Like maybe 90-lbs for four days, but these dudes are still going to catch them. There are too many big fish in this place.”
The post 3 Questions with Sumrall and Zaldain appeared first on Bass365.com.