The Lincolnton, Ga., pro took her first BASS career win with 27 pounds, 5 ounces, to take the top prize of a $55,000 Skeeter/Yamaha boat rig. Starting the final day in fourth place, she easily cleared her nearest challenger, Secret York of Benton, Ky., by 5 pounds, 11 ounces.
York, the Day One leader, finished in second with 21-10, and Lisa Sternard of Clarksville, Tenn., finished third with 21-8.
Alexander’s winning pattern was hitting grass in 4 to 6 feet of water on secondary points. She said she had three primary spots.
As she weighed in her winning limit, Alexander told three stories of good luck. Two involved encounters with skunks on the highway, nose-jarring incidents she took as good omens. The other story was about stumbling onto one shopworn pack of smoke-purple worms she then used to take many of her keepers.
But on Saturday, the purple worm bite fell off, so she turned to a finesse creature bait in a bullfrog finish, a lure one of her co-anglers had used. It was about noontime, and she had just two small fish in her livewell.
“On the first cast, I threw to about 4 feet of water, felt it hit, and knew it was a toad,†she said. “It came off in the net — I guess I didn’t stick it good. My hands were shaking so hard I could hardly tie on again. I threw again to the same spot, and the rod doubled-up again. I know everyone on that 9,000-acre lake heard me yelling after that.â€
Another cast completed her five-fish limit and she was done for the day.
York worked shallow grass early each day, then moved to an underwater ledge as the sun rose higher. She repeated those two patterns all week.
“I really thought there would be bigger fish deep today,†she said. “Yesterday, about every third cast I could catch a fish on my crankbait. I even had several chasing the crankbait at the same time. They just shut down today — there was a full moon last night and I think they fed all last night.â€
The results of the Maumelle event tightened up the points spread in the Toyota Tundra Women’s Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year race. Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., still leads, but only by 9 points over Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas. Martin-Wells finished eighth in Arkansas to Robinson’s fourth-place finish.
The winner of the season-long points competition will get a Toyota Tundra and an entry into the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
“I’m eyeing the championship and working hard again this year to get there,†Robinson said. “I’m not letting myself hope for AOY and the Classic as much as I did last year. It really dug into me last year and I had a rough winter with medical issues after it was all over. This season, I just decided I’d come out and do the best I can and hopefully it will pay off.â€
In 2008, Robinson lost out on the AOY title by 60 points. Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala., won and became the first woman to compete in a Bassmaster Classic.
In the co-angler division at the Maumelle tournament, Martha Goodfellow of Simpsonville, S.C., won the first-place prize of a $25,000 Triton/Mercury boat rig. Goodfellow, who is fishing the WBT for the first time this season, had 17 pounds, 11 ounces through three days.
A lifelong angler, Goodfellow said she has fished all over the country, and competes in local team tournaments with her husband. Maumelle, though, was a challenge.
“I don’t have much experience with lakes with weeds and ledges, so I learned a lot this week,†she said.
Day Two leader Diane Smith of Fayetteville, Ga., finished in second place with 15-4. A 2006 WBT co-angler champion, Bonnie Ward of Snohomish, Wash., was third with 11-13.
2009 WBT #3 – Little Rock, AR 6/4-6/6
Lake Maumelle, Little Rock AR.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 12 27-05 305 $55,610.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 2 05-09 Day 3: 5 11-12
2. Secret York Benton, KY 15 21-10 300 $3,355.00
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 05-13 Day 3: 5 05-04
3. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 14 21-08 290 $2,745.00
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 5 06-12 Day 3: 4 06-11
4. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 13 21-05 285 $2,440.00
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 5 08-00 Day 3: 3 05-07
5. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 15 20-11 280 $2,135.00
Day 1: 5 07-08 Day 2: 5 06-07 Day 3: 5 06-12
6. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 14 19-08 276 $1,830.00
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 4 05-15 Day 3: 5 07-00
7. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 15 19-05 272 $1,525.00
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 06-01 Day 3: 5 05-15
8. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 14 19-01 268 $1,220.00
Day 1: 5 06-13 Day 2: 5 07-12 Day 3: 4 04-08
9. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 11 18-06 269 $1,068.00
Day 1: 5 06-13 Day 2: 5 10-01 Day 3: 1 01-08
10. Judy Wong Many, LA 13 18-01 260 $915.00
Day 1: 5 04-08 Day 2: 5 09-09 Day 3: 3 04-00
11. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 14 17-14 257 $824.00
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 4 05-12 Day 3: 5 05-11
12. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 13 17-09 254 $671.00
Day 1: 5 05-04 Day 2: 3 07-01 Day 3: 5 05-04
13. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 12 17-08 251 $610.00
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 05-14 Day 3: 2 02-01
14. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, AR 10 17-02 253 $595.00
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 2 02-03 Day 3: 3 04-06
15. Tammy Richardson Amity, AR 15 16-15 245 $580.00
Day 1: 5 06-14 Day 2: 5 05-03 Day 3: 5 04-14
16. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, TX 10 14-08 243 $564.00
Day 1: 5 06-14 Day 2: 3 04-13 Day 3: 2 02-13
17. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 10 14-07 241 $549.00
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 4 04-06 Day 3: 1 02-06
18. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 10 13-08 239 $534.00
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 2 01-15 Day 3: 3 02-11
19. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 11 13-03 237 $519.00
Day 1: 4 04-15 Day 2: 5 05-15 Day 3: 2 02-05
20. Lori Masters Nashville, TN 11 13-02 235 $503.00
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 4 04-06 Day 3: 2 01-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 32 225 304-00
2 14 168 213-00
3 8 70 92-04
———————————-
54 463 609-04
2009 WBT # 3 – Little Rock, AR – WBT #3 – Little Rock, AR Boater Points After Arkansas River, Little Rock, Ark. Ending 06-06-2009, Day 3
——————————————-
Place Name St Pts
——————————————-
1 Pam Martin-Wells Ga. 850
2 Juanita Robinson Texas 841
3 Laura Gober Ga. 807
4 Tammy Richardson Ark. 785
5 Janet Parker Texas 784
6 Sheri Glasgow Okla. 782
7 Debra Petrowski Texas 776
8 Dianna Clark Tenn. 755
9 Paula Alexander Ga. 739
10 Lisa Johnson Ala. 732
11 Melinda Mize Ark. 728
12 Judy Wong La. 726
13 Lucy Mize Ark. 716
14 Lori Masters Tenn. 700
15 Patti Campbell Texas 692
16 Lynda Gessner Mo. 667
16 Mary Croft Va. 667
16 Jennifer Nevans Tenn. 667
19 Cindy Hill Tenn. 657
20 Teri Neal Ga. 653
21 Christiana Bradley Va. 646
22 Sandi Karnes Texas 633
23 Cheryl LaLumandier Mo. 627
24 Meta Burrell Texas 622
25 Marsha Gipson Ark. 621
26 Mary DiVincenti La. 615
27 Robinette Fox Ark. 612
28 Debbie Kemp Texas 611
29 Kali Weatherford Texas 607
30 Robin Babb Texas 606
31 Jan Heavener Ark. 605
31 Heather Broom N.C. 605
31 Tami Kashiwabara Ark. 605
34 Kathy Womack Ala. 603
34 Keri Schieber Ga. 603
36 Secret York Ky. 602
37 Linda Redford Mo. 597
38 Christena Baugh Ark. 587
38 Laura Heflin Kan. 587
40 Helen Gordon Texas 583
41 Kris McClendon Texas 575
42 Danalee Lofton Ark. 569
43 Debra Hengst Texas 559
44 Lila Bass Texas 551
45 Kathi Hurst Miss. 543
46 Susan Gregory Miss. 539
47 Bridget Allen Pa. 537
48 Michelle Armstrong N.C. 529
49 Lisa Craig Texas 519
50 Jo Dee Lake Ala. 513
51 Kim Stapp Ga. 495
52 BJ Carson Okla. 479
53 Emily Shaffer Tenn. 478
54 Pam Bolton Ark. 470
55 Kim Bain-Moore Ala. 464
56 Karen Savik Minn. 455
56 Lisa Sternard Tenn. 455
58 Robbie Hartline Mo. 451
59 Audrey McQueen Ariz. 410
60 Cheryl Bowden Texas 400
61 Kat Ealey Ala. 384
62 Terri Elkins Texas 342
63 Mary Hencken N.C. 320
64 Cindy Van Horn Texas 314
65 Rhonda Pope Ga. 285
66 Karen Elkins Ala. 227
67 Gina Jones Ala. 217
68 Penny Berryman Ark. 213
69 Linda Sands Ala. 195
70 Diane Phillips Texas 193
71 Kathy DiMartino Ala. 191
72 Betty Stahl Ala. 185
73 Barbara Wetzel Ala. 169
74 Kelley Shepherd Ariz. 163
74 Deb Doyal La. 163
76 Caprice Cherry La. 159
77 Sherri Dodson Ala. 155
78 Kimberlee Striker Ala. 151
79 Pat White Texas 149
80 Patsy McDaniel Ala. 137
81 Kim Hicks Ga. 127
82 Judy VanCanneyt Ala. 125
83 Ann Swinks Ga. 119
84 Kathy Freehling Fla. 115
85 Sharon Teague S.C. 0
2009 WBT #3 – Little Rock, AR 6/4-6/6
Lake Maumelle, Little Rock AR.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, SC 11 17-11 305 $25,305.00
Day 1: 3 03-00 Day 2: 5 09-01 Day 3: 3 05-10
2. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 10 15-04 300 $1,830.00
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 4 04-07 Day 3: 1 01-10
3. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 11 11-13 290 $1,525.00
Day 1: 5 06-05 Day 2: 4 03-12 Day 3: 2 01-12
4. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 9 11-05 285 $1,220.00
Day 1: 4 03-14 Day 2: 3 03-11 Day 3: 2 03-12
5. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 6 10-05 285 $1,068.00
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 1 01-01
6. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 9 09-15 276 $915.00
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 3 02-13 Day 3: 1 00-14
7. Brande Branine Haysville, KS 7 09-13 272 $763.00
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 1 00-12 Day 3: 1 00-15
8. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 8 09-11 268 $610.00
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 4 04-01 Day 3: 2 02-06
9. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 9 09-09 264 $549.00
Day 1: 3 04-05 Day 2: 3 02-13 Day 3: 3 02-07
10. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 8 09-08 260 $503.00
Day 1: 3 03-13 Day 2: 4 04-03 Day 3: 1 01-08
11. Jodi Galloway Garland, TX 7 08-07 257 $458.00
Day 1: 2 01-12 Day 2: 4 05-03 Day 3: 1 01-08
12. Linda Berry Madison, NC 7 08-05 254 $427.00
Day 1: 5 05-12 Day 2: 2 02-09 Day 3: 0 00-00
13. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 7 07-11 251 $397.00
Day 1: 3 03-09 Day 2: 3 03-03 Day 3: 1 00-15
14. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 3 07-08 248 $366.00
Day 1: 2 06-07 Day 2: 1 01-01 Day 3: 0 00-00
15. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 6 07-07 245 $351.00
Day 1: 4 05-12 Day 2: 1 00-13 Day 3: 1 00-14
16. Katie Ellis Gulfport, MS 5 07-05 243 $336.00
Day 1: 3 02-13 Day 2: 2 04-08 Day 3: 0 00-00
17. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 6 07-03 241 $320.00
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 1 00-12 Day 3: 0 00-00
18. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 6 07-01 239 $305.00
Day 1: 5 06-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 1 00-15
19. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 5 06-15 237 $290.00
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 3 04-04 Day 3: 0 00-00
20. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 6 06-09 235 $275.00
Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 5 05-10 Day 3: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 9 146 186-03
2 2 88 104-15
3 0 21 26-03
———————————-
11 255 317-05
2009 WBT # 3 – Little Rock, AR – WBT #3 – Little Rock, AR Non-Boater Points After Arkansas River, Little Rock, Ark. Ending 06-06-2009, Day 3
——————————————-
Place Name St Pts
——————————————-
1 Terri Bittner Calif. 870
2 Martha Goodfellow S.C. 817
3 Donna Newberry Ark. 816
4 Debbie Pegoli Ohio 802
5 Gail Wood Ark. 761
6 Kim Martin Ind. 757
7 Teri Cindric Tenn. 741
8 Charlotte Frazier Texas 722
9 Linda Owens Miss. 720
10 Colleen McKay Mass. 712
11 Sherry Melton Tenn. 701
12 Vicki Henderson Ark. 694
13 Bonnie Ward Wash. 688
14 Bertha Cavakis Ark. 672
15 Renee Gumbrecht N.J. 665
16 Donna Rutledge Ill. 659
17 Linda Berry N.C. 658
18 Kala Wright Okla. 654
19 Diane Smith Ga. 650
