A Bassmaster Classic Berth on the Line, Louisiana’s Judy Wong Snaps Up Early Lead in Bassmaster Women’s Tour Championship
The Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour Championship is shaping up to be a contest among champions.
After the first day, 2007 WBT champion Judy Wong of Many, La., led with 15 pounds, 5 ounces. That was 2 pounds more than 2006 WBT champ Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., and 5 pounds, 2 ounces ahead of 2007 Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year Sheri Glasgow of Muskogee, Okla.
“After I caught my limit, I felt pretty good about it. But I knew there are some good anglers in this championship, and they might be catching them as well. I was fortunate with the quality of fish I was able to catch,” said Wong.
The field of 20 pros and 20 co-anglers are competing for big prizes. The first-place prize package for pros is $5,000 and a Triton/Mercury boat rig valued at $55,000. Second place pays $4,000 and a $39,000 Skeeter/Yamaha boat rig.
Also on the line for pros are points that count toward the 2009 AOY honors and winnings, a Toyota Tundra and a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala. The pro who wins it will be only the second woman to compete in a Classic.
The WBT Championship was moved two days before its start to Cypress Black Bayou Lake, a bass-rich reservoir north of Shreveport-Bossier City. The original fishery, the Red River, was rising, roily and not safe for a competition.
That last-minute change plus falling temperatures and brighter skies gave rise to the slogan of the day: adapt or die. Wong not only adapted, but turned the situation to work for her.
“When they moved it to this lake, it really worked to my favor,” said Wong, hot off a regular-season win last month in Tennessee. “Everyone went in on an even playing field. I feel I’m able to utilize my instincts and experience, my knowledge from 20-plus years, so it’s really worked in my favor.”
Coming into the championship, Martin-Wells led the 2009 AOY race. Wong was in fourth place, 55 points behind Martin-Wells.
“I have to stay focused, not worry about what the other competitors are doing, all I know is what I need to do,” said Wong.
Martin-Wells is keeping her cool in much the same way.
“The Good Lord smiled on me today. I pulled up and caught four ‘overs’ in six casts,” she said, referring to the lake’s slot limit of under 14 inches to over 17 inches, meaning catches above 14 and just under 17 inches had to be released.”
“It’s a small body of water, tomorrows a different day, and I’ll put my head down and go fishing tomorrow. I think the decision to move was correct — safety’s first, always. This is an excellent fishery, it has a ton of fish in it.
The anglers had one day of practice on Bayou Black before the three-day tournament began Friday. Then the skies cleared — but not the river — and the air temperatures dropped. Some anglers are expecting Saturday’s and Sunday’s competition to change even more.
In the co-angler division, Barbara Gaskins of Suffolk, Va., led after one day with 11 pounds, 13 ounces. In second place was Monica Altman of Angier, N.C., who had 9-11. Third was Vicki Henderson of Ashdown, Ark., with 7-9.
Co-anglers are competing for a piece of a $75,000 payout, including a first-place award of a $40,000 Triton/Mercury rig and $3,250. Second place will pay $2,500 and a Skeeter/Yamaha rig worth $35,000.
Live coverage continues Saturday and Sunday at www.Bassmaster.com with streaming video and real-time leaderboards beginning at 3:30 p.m. CT. The site also features daily standings, results and extensive photo galleries.
The public is invited to the 3:30 p.m. CT weigh-ins at Academy Sports + Outdoors, 2801 Beene Blvd., Bossier City. All events are free and open to the public.
All events are free and open to the public. Fans can visit Academy stores for additional information on the WBT and find out more about the organization at www.Academy.com.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at 407-566-2208 or visit www.Bassmaster.com. Visit www.espnoutdoorsmedia.com for ESPN Outdoors’ latest releases and images.
Live, daily weigh-ins and real-time leaderboards will be available throughout the tournament at Bassmaster.com.
Sponsors of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour: Title Sponsor -- Academy Sports + Outdoors; Official Sponsors -- Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Marine, Ramada, Triton Boats, LaserLure and Legend Boats.
Local sponsors for the event include Shreveport Regional Sports Authority
2009 WBT Championship 10/16-10/18
Cypress Black Bayou Lake, Shreveport/Bossier City LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Judy Wong Many, LA 5 15-05 305
Day 1: 5 15-05
2. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 5 13-05 295
Day 1: 5 13-05
3. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 5 10-03 290
Day 1: 5 10-03
4. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 09-12 285
Day 1: 5 09-12
5. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 5 09-02 280
Day 1: 5 09-02
6. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 4 07-10 276
Day 1: 4 07-10
7. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 4 07-03 272
Day 1: 4 07-03
8. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 5 06-12 268
Day 1: 5 06-12
9. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, AL 5 05-06 264
Day 1: 5 05-06
10. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 5 05-01 260
Day 1: 5 05-01
11. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 5 04-11 257
Day 1: 5 04-11
12. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 4 04-11 254
Day 1: 4 04-11
13. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 4 04-08 251
Day 1: 4 04-08
14. Tammy Richardson Amity, AR 5 04-04 248
Day 1: 5 04-04
15. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, TX 2 03-05 245
Day 1: 2 03-05
16. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 3 02-15 243
Day 1: 3 02-15
17. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 4 02-06 241
Day 1: 4 02-06
18. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 2 02-04 239
Day 1: 2 02-04
19. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 1 01-01 237
Day 1: 1 01-01
20. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 1 00-12 235
Day 1: 1 00-12
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 10 79 120-08
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10 79 120-08
2009 WBT Championship 10/16-10/18
Cypress Black Bayou Lake, Shreveport/Bossier City LA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 5 11-13 305
Day 1: 5 11-13
2. Monica Altman Angier, NC 4 09-11 295
Day 1: 4 09-11
3. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 5 07-09 290
Day 1: 5 07-09
4. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 5 06-05 285
Day 1: 5 06-05
5. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 3 06-05 280
Day 1: 3 06-05
6. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 5 06-04 276
Day 1: 5 06-04
7. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 5 05-09 272
Day 1: 5 05-09
8. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 5 05-06 268
Day 1: 5 05-06
9. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 3 05-02 264
Day 1: 3 05-02
10. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 4 04-12 260
Day 1: 4 04-12
11. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, SC 4 03-12 257
Day 1: 4 03-12
12. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 4 03-06 254
Day 1: 4 03-06
13. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 3 03-05 251
Day 1: 3 03-05
13. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 3 03-05 251
Day 1: 3 03-05
15. Teri Cindric Hermitage, TN 3 03-02 245
Day 1: 3 03-02
16. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 3 02-12 243
Day 1: 3 02-12
17. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 2 02-03 241
Day 1: 2 02-03
18. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 2 02-01 239
Day 1: 2 02-01
19. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 1 01-04 237
Day 1: 1 01-04
20. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 1 00-00 235
Day 1: 1 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 6 70 93-14
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6 70 93-14
