MADISON, Tenn. — Cheryl Bowden said the bite Thursday on Old Hickory Lake was light, but she landed enough timid bass to end up with 11 pounds, 0 ounces, and the first-day lead at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour.
A pro from Plano, Texas, Bowden was 2 pounds in front of Heather Broom of Sylva, N.C., who was second with 9-0 on the first day of the competition that rounds out the WBT’s regular season.
“The bite was light, you could hardly feel it,” said Bowden, who declined to give many details on her pattern this early in the game.
She did say she worked a Gambler Mega Daddy most of the day in five areas she had pinpointed in practice. The soft craw produced most of her five-fish limit, which were all largemouth bass.
“I had a great practice,” said Bowden, “and once I found my fish, I left them alone, didn’t go back to them. Today, I kept thinking, ‘are they going to be there,’ and they were.”
Unlike most other competitors, Bowden said she did not spend her time measuring fish to adhere to the length limits of 12 inches for spotted bass, 14 inches for largemouths and 18 inches for smallmouth bass.
“I hardly caught any short fish” said Bowden. “Almost all the fish I hooked were big fish.”
Broom said she used two types of lures to get her limit, and stayed in one area, having faith the bite would turn on again after a lull.
“I fished all day for five fish,” she said, adding that her fifth fish for a limit went into the livewell at about 1:30 p.m., 45 minutes before check-in with tournament officials.
Third after Day One with 7-14 was Judy Wong, the Many, La., pro who won the WBT Championship in February 2008 on South Carolina’s Lake Keowee. Wong managed three fish, all largemouths.
“I was fortunate to get the big bite, I just couldn’t get my limit, but I caught big numbers,” she said.
Wong pulled in front of Emily Shaffer of Mount Juliet, Tenn., who considers Old Hickory one of her home lakes. Shaffer had 7-7.
Much is at stake for all the competitors in the pro division. They are competing for money and prizes — the first prize is $1,000 cash and a boat rig valued at $55,000 — and for enough points to qualify for the Oct. 16-18 Academy Sports + Outdoors WBT Championship on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
Only the top 20 in the points standings after Old Hickory will advance to the championship, where the newly crowned Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year will claim her qualification for the 2010 Classic. She’ll follow pioneer Kim Bain-Moore, who as the 2008 AOY was the first woman to qualify for a Classic.
Besides a Classic qualification, the new AOY will score a 2010 Toyota Tundra.
Leading this year’s race is Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., who had 850 points going into Old Hickory. The full standings can be found on Bassmaster.com. Just nine points behind is Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas. Martin-Wells was 23rd place after the first day of the Tennessee tournament with 3-14. Robinson was fifth with 7-2.
In the co-angler division, where the first prize is $500 and a boat rig valued at $25,000, Monica Altman of Angier, N.C., picked up the Day One lead with 6 pounds, 8 ounces. In second place was Colleen McKay of Worcester, Mass., with 6-7. Third was Jada Tidmore of Union Grove, Ala., who bagged 6 pounds, 0 ounces.
Co-anglers are competing for qualifying points for the championship as well. Only the top 20 will go to the Louisiana event.
The Old Hickory competition will resume Friday at 6:15 a.m. CT, when the full field launches from Sanders Ferry Park, 100 Sanders Ferry Road in Hendersonville, Tenn. The weigh-in is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. CT at the Academy Sports + Outdoors store, 2350 Gallatin Pike N., Madison.
All WBT events are free and open to the public.
The local sponsor is Sumner County Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.sumnercvb.com).
Media Contact: Doug Grassian; doug.grassian@espn.com; 407-566-2216,
ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS- BASSMASTER WOMEN’S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- DAY 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 5 11-00 305
Day 1: 5 11-00
2. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 5 09-00 295
Day 1: 5 09-00
3. Judy Wong Many, LA 3 07-14 290
Day 1: 3 07-14
4. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 4 07-07 285
Day 1: 4 07-07
5. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 5 07-02 280
Day 1: 5 07-02
6. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, AL 5 07-00 276
Day 1: 5 07-00
7. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 4 06-15 272
Day 1: 4 06-15
8. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 3 06-14 268
Day 1: 3 06-14
9. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, TX 5 06-11 264
Day 1: 5 06-11
10. Jo Dee Lake Helena, AL 4 06-11 260
Day 1: 4 06-11
11. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 5 06-08 257
Day 1: 5 06-08
12. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 4 05-07 254
Day 1: 4 05-07
13. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 4 05-06 251
Day 1: 4 05-06
14. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 4 05-04 248
Day 1: 4 05-04
15. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 3 04-13 245
Day 1: 3 04-13
16. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 5 04-09 243
Day 1: 5 04-09
17. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 2 04-09 241
Day 1: 2 04-09
18. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 3 04-07 239
Day 1: 3 04-07
18. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 3 04-07 239
Day 1: 3 04-07
20. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 4 04-05 235
Day 1: 4 04-05
21. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, KY 2 04-05 233
Day 1: 2 04-05
22. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 2 04-00 231
Day 1: 2 04-00
23. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 3 03-14 229
Day 1: 3 03-14
24. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 2 03-12 227
Day 1: 2 03-12
25. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 3 03-10 225
Day 1: 3 03-10
26. Tami Kashiwabara London JAPAN 3 03-08 223
Day 1: 3 03-08
27. Karen Elkins Oxford, AL 3 03-06 221
Day 1: 3 03-06
28. Secret York Benton, KY 2 03-06 219
Day 1: 2 03-06
29. Cheryl Turner Gallatin, TN 2 03-05 217
Day 1: 2 03-05
30. Lila Bass Austin, TX 2 03-04 215
Day 1: 2 03-04
31. Tammy Sawyer Brush Creek, TN 2 03-03 213
Day 1: 2 03-03
32. BJ Carson Inola, OK 2 03-02 211
Day 1: 2 03-02
32. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 2 03-02 211
Day 1: 2 03-02
34. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, AR 2 03-01 207
Day 1: 2 03-01
35. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 1 03-01 205
Day 1: 1 03-01
36. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 2 02-15 203
Day 1: 2 02-15
37. Tammy Richardson Amity, AR 1 02-14 201
Day 1: 1 02-14
38. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 1 02-11 199
Day 1: 1 02-11
39. Kali Weatherford Eustace, TX 2 02-08 197
Day 1: 2 02-08
40. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 2 02-06 195
Day 1: 2 02-06
41. Lori Masters Gonzales, LA 1 02-02 193
Day 1: 1 02-02
42. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 1 01-12 191
Day 1: 1 01-12
43. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 1 01-11 189
Day 1: 1 01-11
43. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 1 01-11 189
Day 1: 1 01-11
45. Teri Neal Cumming, GA 1 01-10 185
Day 1: 1 01-10
46. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 1 01-09 183
Day 1: 1 01-09
46. Kim Tywater Fairview, TN 1 01-09 183
Day 1: 1 01-09
46. Kimberly White Glen Carbon, IL 1 01-09 183
Day 1: 1 01-09
49. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 1 01-09 177
Day 1: 1 01-09
50. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 1 01-05 175
Day 1: 1 01-05
51. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Cindy Caperton Ashland City, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Lisa Craig Chandler, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Terri Elkins Red Oak, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Teresa Poole Blue Springs, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 7 131 208-01
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7 131 208-01
ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS BASSMASTER WOMEN’S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- CO-ANGLER- DAY 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Monica Altman Angier, NC 5 06-08 305
Day 1: 5 06-08
2. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 5 06-07 295
Day 1: 5 06-07
3. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 4 06-00 290
Day 1: 4 06-00
4. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 3 06-00 285
Day 1: 3 06-00
5. Jill Matheis Jasper, IN 5 05-09 280
Day 1: 5 05-09
6. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 3 05-08 276
Day 1: 3 05-08
7. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, MO 3 04-13 272
Day 1: 3 04-13
8. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 3 04-07 268
Day 1: 3 04-07
9. Regina Pierpaoli Gallatin, TN 2 04-07 264
Day 1: 2 04-07
10. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 3 03-12 260
Day 1: 3 03-12
11. Jennifer Helgren Park City, IL 2 03-12 257
Day 1: 2 03-12
12. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 2 03-09 254
Day 1: 2 03-09
13. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 2 03-07 251
Day 1: 2 03-07
14. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 2 03-05 248
Day 1: 2 03-05
15. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 2 03-03 245
Day 1: 2 03-03
16. Victoria Hellmer Hermitage, TN 2 03-01 243
Day 1: 2 03-01
17. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 2 02-15 241
Day 1: 2 02-15
17. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 2 02-15 241
Day 1: 2 02-15
17. Susan Orton Apex, NC 2 02-15 241
Day 1: 2 02-15
20. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 2 02-13 235
Day 1: 2 02-13
20. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 2 02-13 235
Day 1: 2 02-13
22. Lesli Lively Palestine, TX 2 02-12 231
Day 1: 2 02-12
23. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 2 02-07 229
Day 1: 2 02-07
24. Jennifer Rice Grant, AL 2 02-05 227
Day 1: 2 02-05
25. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 2 02-02 225
Day 1: 2 02-02
26. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 1 02-00 223
Day 1: 1 02-00
27. Lori Steele Tulsa, OK 1 01-13 221
Day 1: 1 01-13
28. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, IL 1 01-12 219
Day 1: 1 01-12
29. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 1 01-10 217
Day 1: 1 01-10
29. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 1 01-10 217
Day 1: 1 01-10
31. Renee Brisendine Cary, NC 1 01-09 213
Day 1: 1 01-09
31. Jane Brunner Byhalia, MS 1 01-09 213
Day 1: 1 01-09
33. Bonnie Betts Saint Ann, MO 1 01-06 209
Day 1: 1 01-06
33. Sarah Davis Livingston, LA 1 01-06 209
Day 1: 1 01-06
35. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 1 01-05 205
Day 1: 1 01-05
35. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 1 01-05 205
Day 1: 1 01-05
37. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 1 01-05 201
Day 1: 1 01-05
38. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, SC 1 01-04 199
Day 1: 1 01-04
38. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 1 01-04 199
Day 1: 1 01-04
38. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 1 01-04 199
Day 1: 1 01-04
41. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 1 01-03 193
Day 1: 1 01-03
42. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 1 01-01 191
Day 1: 1 01-01
43. Kat Arnold Shreveport, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Linda Berry Madison, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Marilyn Biszmaier Louisville, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Neva Brown Lufkin, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Teri Cindric Hermitage, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Lisa Diehl Pittsburg, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Katelynn Gray Bastrop, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Katie Hogan Bon Aqua, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Renee Johnston Beaumont, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Mary Lipka Wentzville, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Kim Mendoza Garland, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Dianna Montgomery Lebanon, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Sharon Seaton Buchanan, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Kelly Wells Grovetown, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Susan Wild St Petersburg, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 3 83 122-07
----------------------------------
3 83 122-07
