Before the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open No. 3 presented by Allstate at Lake Norman got underway, local Elite Series pro Hank Cherry predicted that it would take a catch of four spotted bass and one kicker largemouth each day to be in contention. Cherry must be clairvoyant.
All of the Top 3 anglers fishing on the pro side of the event weighed in four spotted bass and one largemouth. North Carolinian David Williams nabbed the lead with 14 pounds, 1 ounce.
Williams claims he caught even better quality bass during practice. The fog this morning helped many of the anglers that were in the early flights — and Williams was in the first flight.
“The bass were active the first hour,” Williams said. “I had my limit by 8 a.m. It got tougher after the sun came out, but I did cull four times.”
Williams leads Richard Howes of Oviedo, Fla., by only 6 ounces. Howes’ kicker largemouth weighed 4 pounds, 5 ounces and was the Carhartt Big Bass leader of Day 1.
Although Howes found the bite slow during practice, he did figure out a pattern that was producing better quality bass. While other pros today were catching 20 bass or more and coming in with light limits, Howes caught only 10 bass, but they were the right ones.
Elite Series pro Chad Morgenthaler of Coultetville, Ill., is in third place, only 3 ounces behind Howes. Morgenthaler was catching 30 bass a day during practice and figured he could sack 10 to 11 pounds today. He got fewer bites, but landed bigger bass.
“Several of the guys in the Top 12 are fishing in the same area I am,” Morgenthaler said. “That could make it tougher for all of us tomorrow.”
Leading the co-angler division is North Carolina’s Trey Brown. He boated a three-bass limit early in the day that weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Then he spent the rest of the day experimenting with other techniques that might help him Friday.
The fog this morning wasn’t thick enough to delay the start of the tournament. It hung around until about 10:30 a.m. and gave way to bright sunshine, high pressure and a listless breeze.
Anglers who were targeting docks welcomed the sun. Those who preferred more aggressive power-fishing methods lamented it.
The leaderboard could change drastically Friday. The forecast is for clouds, a falling barometer, a nice breeze and a high potential for rain in the afternoon. That should change what the bass are doing and what the anglers need to do to catch them.
Those who adjust to the changing conditions will be the ones that make the Top 12 cut on Saturday.
The winner on the pro side will pocket $5,980 and receive a Skeeter ZX200 rigged with a Yamaha VF200LA outboard and prop, a Skeeter Single Axle Trailer, a Minn Kota Max 80F 42” 24v trolling motor and an in-dash Humminbird 788.
If the winner fished the two previous Southern Opens this year, he or she will also qualify to fish the 2015 Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina.
The winning co-angler will receive the keys to a Triton 17 Pro rigged with a Mercury 115 Pro XS and prop, a Triton single axle trailer, a MotorGuide FW46 42” 12v trolling motor, Lowrance Mark 5 graphs on the dash and bow and a boat cover.
Since this is the final Southern Open of 2014, the tournament will determine which anglers qualify to compete against the world’s best bass fishermen next year on the Bassmaster Elite Series. The invitation goes to the division’s Top 5 anglers in the point standings.
Matt Lee, one of the Opens anglers in contention, is hoping to join his brother, Jordan, who has already qualified for the Elite Series via the Central Opens. Matt, who sits in fifth place after the first day of the Norman Open, is poised to join his brother on the Elite Series. In the Top 5 spots after Day 1: David Williams (560 points), Todd Auten (548 points), Jesse Wiggins (536 points), Matt Lee (514 points) and John Brazzell (498 points).
1. David Williams Maiden, NC 5 14-01 200
Day 1: 5 14-01
2. Rich Howes Oviedo, FL 5 13-11 199
Day 1: 5 13-11
3. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 5 13-08 198
Day 1: 5 13-08
4. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 13-02 197
Day 1: 5 13-02
5. Doug Easton Huntersville, NC 5 12-11 196
Day 1: 5 12-11
6. Patrick Pierce Jacksonville, FL 5 12-08 195
Day 1: 5 12-08
7. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 12-05 194
Day 1: 5 12-05
8. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 5 12-03 193
Day 1: 5 12-03
9. Jordan Card Knoxville, TN 5 11-14 192
Day 1: 5 11-14
9. Roland Martin Naples, FL 5 11-14 192
Day 1: 5 11-14
11. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
12. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 11-10 189
Day 1: 5 11-10
13. Craig Chambers Charlotte, NC 5 11-07 188
Day 1: 5 11-07
14. Derek Cummings Clayton, NC 5 11-06 187
Day 1: 5 11-06
15. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 5 11-04 186
Day 1: 5 11-04
15. Van Soles Haines City, FL 5 11-04 186
Day 1: 5 11-04
17. Jamey Caldwell Carthage, NC 5 11-01 184
Day 1: 5 11-01
18. Kameron Harbin Abbeville, SC 5 11-00 183
Day 1: 5 11-00
19. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 10-15 182
Day 1: 5 10-15
20. Rob Digh Denver, NC 5 10-13 181
Day 1: 5 10-13
20. Jason Patterson Bluffton, IN 5 10-13 181
Day 1: 5 10-13
22. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 10-12 179
Day 1: 5 10-12
23. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 10-09 178
Day 1: 5 10-09
24. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 5 10-08 177
Day 1: 5 10-08
25. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 10-07 176
Day 1: 5 10-07
26. Drew Montgomery Denver, NC 5 10-05 175
Day 1: 5 10-05
26. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 10-05 175
Day 1: 5 10-05
28. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 10-04 173
Day 1: 5 10-04
29. Kazuki Kitajima Orlando, FL 5 10-03 172
Day 1: 5 10-03
30. George Lambeth Thomasville, NC 5 10-02 171
Day 1: 5 10-02
30. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 10-02 171
Day 1: 5 10-02
32. Alvin Shaw Roaring Gap, NC 5 10-00 169
Day 1: 5 10-00
33. Michael Fox Statesville, NC 5 09-15 168
Day 1: 5 09-15
34. Ryan Payne Culloden, WV 5 09-14 167
Day 1: 5 09-14
34. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 5 09-14 167
Day 1: 5 09-14
36. Jordan Lee Vinemont, AL 5 09-13 165
Day 1: 5 09-13
37. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 09-11 164
Day 1: 5 09-11
38. Shane Lehew Charlotte, NC 5 09-06 163
Day 1: 5 09-06
38. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 09-06 163
Day 1: 5 09-06
40. Smash The Giant Gallelli Firenze ITALY 5 09-05 161
Day 1: 5 09-05
41. John Brazzell Ocoee, FL 5 09-04 160
Day 1: 5 09-04
41. Matt Lee Auburn , AL 5 09-04 160
Day 1: 5 09-04
43. Ryan Davidson Huntington, WV 5 09-03 158
Day 1: 5 09-03
44. Sonar Burghoff Guntersville, AL 5 09-01 157
Day 1: 5 09-01
44. Jimbo Harris Lenoir City, TN 5 09-01 157
Day 1: 5 09-01
46. Kevin Langill Mooresville, NC 5 09-00 155
Day 1: 5 09-00
46. Andrew Slegona Jr Walker Valley, NY 5 09-00 155
Day 1: 5 09-00
46. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 09-00 155
Day 1: 5 09-00
49. Gary Isgrigg Mt Washington, KY 5 08-15 152
Day 1: 5 08-15
49. Michael Johnson Talking Rock, GA 5 08-15 152
Day 1: 5 08-15
51. Pete Bejte Charlotte, NC 5 08-14 150
Day 1: 5 08-14
51. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 08-14 150
Day 1: 5 08-14
53. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 08-13 148
Day 1: 5 08-13
53. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 08-13 148
Day 1: 5 08-13
55. Josh Bragg Jacksonville, AL 5 08-12 146
Day 1: 5 08-12
55. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 08-12 146
Day 1: 5 08-12
57. Stephen Longobardi Northford, CT 5 08-11 144
Day 1: 5 08-11
58. Jared Dial Winter Haven, FL 4 08-11 143
Day 1: 4 08-11
59. Sean Alvarez Seneca, SC 5 08-10 142
Day 1: 5 08-10
59. Rodney Jones Athens, GA 5 08-10 142
Day 1: 5 08-10
59. Ben Parker Mooresville, NC 5 08-10 142
Day 1: 5 08-10
62. Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL 5 08-09 139
Day 1: 5 08-09
63. David Hudson Jasper, AL 5 08-08 138
Day 1: 5 08-08
64. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 08-07 137
Day 1: 5 08-07
64. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 08-07 137
Day 1: 5 08-07
66. Kyle Kempkers Hamilton, MI 5 08-06 135
Day 1: 5 08-06
67. Stanley Gunter Saluda, SC 5 08-05 134
Day 1: 5 08-05
68. Tony Tidwell Horton, AL 4 08-05 133
Day 1: 4 08-05
69. Jeff Holland Winter Springs, FL 5 08-04 132
Day 1: 5 08-04
70. Randy Elliott Bowie, MD 5 08-03 131
Day 1: 5 08-03
70. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 5 08-03 131
Day 1: 5 08-03
70. Kendall Newson Decatur, GA 5 08-03 131
Day 1: 5 08-03
70. Michael Stephens Gastonia, NC 5 08-03 131
Day 1: 5 08-03
74. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 5 08-02 127
Day 1: 5 08-02
75. Hunter Eubanks Inman, SC 5 08-02 126
Day 1: 5 08-02
76. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 4 08-02 125
Day 1: 4 08-02
77. Buddy Cipoletti West Islip, NY 5 08-01 124
Day 1: 5 08-01
78. Cody Green Philadelphia, TN 5 08-00 123
Day 1: 5 08-00
78. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 08-00 123
Day 1: 5 08-00
80. Tim Hawley Linwood, NC 5 07-15 121
Day 1: 5 07-15
80. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 5 07-15 121
Day 1: 5 07-15
82. Eric Conant Lakeland, FL 5 07-12 119
Day 1: 5 07-12
82. Gene Eisenmann Frisco, TX 5 07-12 119
Day 1: 5 07-12
82. Tim Ezell Key West, FL 5 07-12 119
Day 1: 5 07-12
82. Sam George Athens, AL 5 07-12 119
Day 1: 5 07-12
82. Greg Mansfield Burnsville, MN 5 07-12 119
Day 1: 5 07-12
87. Joe Lee Knoxville, TN 5 07-09 114
Day 1: 5 07-09
88. Jim Garrett Tyrone, GA 4 07-08 113
Day 1: 4 07-08
89. Gary Clouse La Vergne, TN 5 07-04 112
Day 1: 5 07-04
90. Matt Lowe Walhalla, SC 4 07-03 111
Day 1: 4 07-03
91. Matthew Mcbee Concord, NC 4 07-02 110
Day 1: 4 07-02
92. Matt Henry Milledgeville, GA 4 06-12 109
Day 1: 4 06-12
93. Scott Hayes Newnan, GA 4 06-11 108
Day 1: 4 06-11
94. Ron Wolfarth Oakboro, NC 5 06-10 107
Day 1: 5 06-10
95. Wayne Murray Baton Rouge, LA 4 06-08 106
Day 1: 4 06-08
96. Kyle Fox Lakeland, FL 3 06-08 105
Day 1: 3 06-08
97. Sandy Melvin Boca Grande, FL 5 06-07 104
Day 1: 5 06-07
98. Cecil Douberly Lakeland, FL 4 06-07 103
Day 1: 4 06-07
99. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 3 06-07 102
Day 1: 3 06-07
100. Josh Douglas Shakopee, MN 4 06-03 101
Day 1: 4 06-03
100. Ernest Morris Seneca, SC 4 06-03 101
Day 1: 4 06-03
102. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 4 06-01 99
Day 1: 4 06-01
103. Waine Pittman Villa Rica, GA 3 05-09 98
Day 1: 3 05-09
104. Jon Englund Farwell, MN 4 05-08 97
Day 1: 4 05-08
105. Warren Barnes Jr Dallas, GA 3 05-07 96
Day 1: 3 05-07
106. Ronald Farrow Rock Hill, SC 3 05-06 95
Day 1: 3 05-06
107. Eric Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN 3 05-02 94
Day 1: 3 05-02
108. Michael Murphy Lexington, SC 3 04-15 93
Day 1: 3 04-15
109. Jeff Jennings Charlotte, NC 3 04-13 92
Day 1: 3 04-13
110. Chris Cline Stafford, VA 4 04-12 91
Day 1: 4 04-12
111. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 3 04-12 90
Day 1: 3 04-12
112. Scott Mcgehee Madison, MS 3 04-11 89
Day 1: 3 04-11
113. Darrell Pons Gainesville, FL 3 04-08 88
Day 1: 3 04-08
114. Josh Herren Pinson, AL 3 04-06 87
Day 1: 3 04-06
115. Carl Whitfield Anderson, SC 2 04-06 86
Day 1: 2 04-06
116. Sambo Fish Hoover, AL 2 04-03 85
Day 1: 2 04-03
117. Hojin Chang Windermere, FL 3 04-01 84
Day 1: 3 04-01
118. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 2 04-01 83
Day 1: 2 04-01
119. Joe Clements Saint Cloud, FL 3 03-15 82
Day 1: 3 03-15
120. Paul Pagnato Reston, VA 2 03-11 81
Day 1: 2 03-11
121. Tim Frederick Leesburg, FL 2 03-10 80
Day 1: 2 03-10
121. Rick Nishio Southside, AL 2 03-10 80
Day 1: 2 03-10
123. Richard Rhodes Calvert City, KY 2 03-06 78
Day 1: 2 03-06
124. Garrett Rocamora Lithia, FL 2 03-04 77
Day 1: 2 03-04
125. Jeff Cloud Lubbock, TX 2 03-03 76
Day 1: 2 03-03
126. Earnie Jones Blythewood, SC 2 03-01 75
Day 1: 2 03-01
127. James Bumgarner Taylorsville, NC 2 03-00 74
Day 1: 2 03-00
127. Michael Reid Perry, GA 2 03-00 74
Day 1: 2 03-00
129. Danny White Milledgeville, GA 2 02-15 72
Day 1: 2 02-15
130. Kevin Clark Leesburg, FL 2 02-13 71
Day 1: 2 02-13
131. David Cooke Mooresville, NC 2 02-12 70
Day 1: 2 02-12
132. Clay Dyer Fayetteville, TN 2 02-09 69
Day 1: 2 02-09
133. Rusty Camp New Albany, MS 1 02-02 68
Day 1: 1 02-02
134. Bigworm Ludwig IV Auburn, GA 1 01-15 67
Day 1: 1 01-15
135. Tim Foster Louisville, KY 1 01-14 66
Day 1: 1 01-14
136. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 1 01-10 65
Day 1: 1 01-10
137. Larry Draughn Fairborn, OH 1 01-09 64
Day 1: 1 01-09
138. James Bailey Warrenton, VA 1 01-05 63
Day 1: 1 01-05
138. David Sheffield Davie, FL 1 01-05 63
Day 1: 1 01-05
140. Steven Priest New Lexington, OH 1 01-04 61
Day 1: 1 01-04
140. Kyle Worsham Cherokee, AL 1 01-04 61
Day 1: 1 01-04
142. Billy Shelton La Crosse, VA 1 01-03 59
Day 1: 1 01-03
143. James Bader Fruitland Park, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
143. Kerry Page Southport, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
143. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
143. Greg Sims China Grove, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————-
