Williams Leads 2014 Southern Open on Norman

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   
———————-