MORGAN CITY, La. — Dale Hightower continued on his path toward a win at the 2012 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Central Divisional bass fishing tournament on the Atchafalaya Basin today with a bag of five bass that weighed 13 pounds, 7 ounces. That gave the Sand Springs, Okla., angler a total weight of 30 pounds, 12 ounces, and a firmer grasp on the lead.
Jason Pecoraro, fishing for Louisiana, moved into second place with the heaviest weight of the day: 15 pounds, 1 ounce. That put him 5 pounds, 6 ounces, off Hightower’s mark. Understandably, he was somewhat reluctant to say much about where he was fishing or what he was doing.
Nebraska’s Jared Knuth had a tough day after a super first day. He caught three bass that weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces. That moved him down from second into third place.
“I have no excuses,” said a disappointed Knuth. “The rain last night muddied up my water and the fish just weren’t there, or if they were they weren’t biting. But hey, I’m less than 7 pounds out, so it’s still possible. I’m going to fish as hard as I can tomorrow. I know that for sure.”
Hightower indicated that his first spot was still producing although he did have to move around some. He switched from his fast-moving bait to one that worked along the bottom.
“I think I can put together a bag that’ll weigh around 10 or 12 pounds tomorrow,” said Hightower. I might be able to do better but it’ll depend on how the fish react to the pressure and the heat. And, if we get rain tonight that could change things, too.”
Dylan Hays (Arkansas), Ryan Lavigne (Louisiana) and Robbie Latuso (Louisiana) were within striking distance of the three leaders. Hayes was 6 pounds, 11 ounces short; Lavigne was 6 pounds, 14 ounces away; and Latuso was 7 pounds, 11 ounces back.
The Louisiana team led the competition with a total weight of 199 pounds, 7 ounces. Nearly every angler on the team caught fish and contributed to the two-day weight.
Oklahoma ranked second with 138 pounds, 11 ounces; and Kansas held down third with 131 pounds, 11 ounces. In fourth place was Missouri with 120-11; Arkansas ranked fifth with 119-2; and Texas was in the sixth slot with 114-1. Mississippi and Nebraska were seventh and eighth, respectively.
Kenneth Ryals (Mississippi) and Robbie Latuso (Louisiana) tied for big bass of the day. Each man weighed in a 4-pound, 15-ounce Atchafalaya Basin largemouth.
The Central Divisional will wrap up Friday. One winner from each state will qualify for the Oct. 25-27 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship on Wheeler Lake out of Decatur, Ala. Six regional winners of that event will advance to the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
6/6/2012 - 6/8/2012
BFN Central Division Championship
Atchafalaya River Basin - Jessie Fontenot Boat Landing - Morgan City, LA
STANDINGS ANGLER DAY 2
Today's Activity
Name City, State # Fish Lbs - Oz
1 Dale Hightower Sand Springs, OK 5 5 13- 7 10 10 30-12 0
2 Jason Pecoraro Youngsville, LA 5 5 15- 1 10 10 25- 6 0
3 Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 3 3 7-10 8 8 24- 5 0
4 Dylan Hays Greenbrier , AR 5 5 12- 8 10 10 24- 1 0
5 Ryan Lavigne Gonzales, LA 5 4 10-12 10 9 23-14 0
6 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 5 15- 9 9 9 23- 1 0
7 Tim Dycus Carlisle, AR 5 5 10-15 10 10 22- 6 0
8 Preston Frazell Glenpool, OK 5 5 9- 3 10 10 20-13 0
9 Billy Lemon Sapulpa, OK 5 5 12- 8 10 9 20- 7 0
10 Jason Benjamin Lawrence, KS 5 5 10- 0 10 10 20- 2 0
11 Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK 5 5 10-12 10 9 19- 3 0
12 Tim Carmouche Gonzales, LA 5 5 9- 1 10 10 19- 1 0
13 Brett Bellard Duson, LA 5 4 8- 1 10 9 19- 1 0
14 Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA 5 5 10- 5 10 9 18-14 0
15 Greg Cooper Monroe City, MO 3 3 5-11 8 8 18- 8 0
16 Jim Simpson Canyon, TX 3 3 5-13 8 8 18- 4 0
17 Joel Porter Yates Center, KS 5 5 11-13 8 8 18- 2 0
18 Charlie Harrington New Cambria, MO 3 3 6-14 8 8 17-13 0
19 Cort Heimsoth Omaha, NE 4 4 8- 5 9 9 17- 7 0
20 Harold Stark Eldon, MO 5 5 9- 2 10 10 17- 5 0
21 Scott C Buxton Napoleonville, LA 3 3 5- 8 8 8 15-14 0
22 Justin Pace Raymore, MO 4 4 7- 4 7 7 15- 9 0
23 Byron Albrecht Waco, TX 4 4 8-11 8 8 15- 6 0
24 Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 5 5 9- 9 8 8 14- 7 0
25 Jan Hebert Houma, LA 4 4 7- 0 7 7 13-15 0
26 Yancey Hartzer Culbertson, NE 3 3 7- 7 6 6 13-12 0
27 Josh Wray Omaha, AR 4 4 10- 3 6 6 13-11 0
28 Johnny Starks Conway Springs, KS 2 2 3- 2 7 7 13-10 0
29 David Cavell Prairieville, LA 4 3 6-13 7 6 13-10 0
30 Kenneth Ryals Hattiesburg, MS 2 2 3- 2 5 5 13-10 0
31 Albert Collins Nacogdoches, TX 5 5 8- 6 8 8 13- 9 0
32 Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 2 2 4- 0 6 6 13- 5 0
33 Travis Tunnell Benton, KS 2 2 4-14 6 6 13- 3 0
34 Bobby Myers Jenks, OK 3 3 5- 0 7 7 13- 0 0
35 Kevin Spahn San Antonio, TX 1 1 2- 0 6 6 12- 6 0
36 Bill Keesee Scott City, MO 1 1 1- 9 6 6 12- 0 0
37 Josh Stewart Albany, LA 1 1 3-11 6 6 11-13 0
38 Lee Sanders Stillwater, OK 4 4 6- 5 6 6 11-13 0
39 John Smith Bartlesville, OK 2 2 3-14 6 6 11-12 0
40 Corey Smith Perry, OK 3 3 5-13 6 6 11- 5 0
41 Robbie Cumbest Lucedale, MS 4 3 7- 1 6 5 10-13 0
42 Jackie Gordon Hideaway, TX 3 3 7- 2 5 5 10-11 0
43 Beau Branine Haysville, KS 2 2 3-14 5 5 10- 9 0
44 Jack Wood Benton, AR 5 5 8-11 6 6 10- 3 0
45 Dan Phifer Grapevine, TX 5 5 10- 2 5 5 10- 2 0
46 Benjamin King Garnett, KS 2 2 3- 0 5 5 9-15 0
47 Destre Dedeaux Meadville, MS 1 1 3- 0 4 4 9-13 0
48 Randy Craft Seminary, MS 2 2 4- 7 4 4 9-13 0
49 Jody Herring Meadville, MS 3 3 5- 4 5 5 9-12 0
50 Jeff Hinton Moss Point, MS 5 4 9-11 5 4 9-11 0
51 Sam Sorrells Russellville, AR 5 5 8- 2 6 6 9-10 0
52 Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, LA 4 4 7- 5 5 5 9-10 0
53 Kevin Smith Lincoln, MO 1 1 1-13 5 5 9- 7 0
54 Ted Daniels Crestwood, MO 5 5 8-14 5 5 8-14 0
55 Marks Wilkinson Pearlington, MS 2 2 3-11 4 4 8-12 0
56 Charles Dodd Woodville, TX 2 2 4- 3 4 4 8- 4 0
57 Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, IA 3 3 5-15 4 4 7-14 0
58 Ian Schaben Raymore, MO 2 2 3- 5 4 4 7- 4 0
59 Wayne Crowder Olathe, KS 1 1 1- 8 4 4 7- 3 0
60 Cory Leita Victoria, TX 4 4 7- 1 4 4 7- 1 0
61 Kavan Maybee Alpena, AR 2 2 4- 1 3 3 6-12 0
62 David Mulcahy Kennedale, TX 0 0 0- 0 3 3 6- 0 0
63 Tim Bankston Raytown , MO 3 3 5-12 5 5 5-12 0
64 Keith Blackstone Choctaw, OK 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5-12 0
65 Shawn Clark Claremore, OK 2 2 3-11 3 3 5-11 0
66 Michael Anthamatten Terlton, OK 3 3 5- 8 3 3 5- 8 0
67 Wayne Garrison Liberty , MO 2 2 3- 9 3 3 5- 8 0
68 David Bond Poplarville, MS 3 3 5- 5 4 4 5- 5 0
69 Keith Alton Sarepta, LA 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5- 4 0
69 Cary Beard Baton Rouge, LA 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5- 4 0
71 Dennis Kotas Milligan, NE 2 2 3- 8 3 3 5- 4 0
72 Lee Wubbels Lincoln, NE 1 1 1-11 3 3 5- 3 0
73 Larry Fralick Wichita, KS 1 1 1- 9 3 3 5- 2 0
74 Glenn Hahn San Antonio, TX 2 2 3- 2 3 3 5- 1 0
75 Billy Graves Hot Springs Village, AR 2 2 3- 0 3 3 4-12 0
76 Gerald R Pelzel Centralia, MO 2 2 4- 7 2 2 4- 7 0
77 Ronnie Davidson Fayetteville, AR 1 1 2- 6 2 2 4- 3 0
78 Donald Glick Zurich, KS 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3-15 0
79 James Lynn Georgetown, TX 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3-12 0
80 David Smith Harrisonville, MO 1 1 2- 2 2 2 3-11 0
81 Stephen White Dalhart, TX 2 2 3- 9 3 3 3- 9 0
82 Kent Priel No Platte, NE 1 1 1-11 2 2 3- 7 0
83 Roger Coleman Lincoln, NE 0 0 0- 0 2 1 3- 2 0
84 Terry D Smith Fort Smith, AR 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3- 0 0
85 Troy Enmeier Enid, OK 1 1 2- 2 1 1 2- 2 0
85 Jess Stewart Brock, NE 1 1 2- 2 1 1 2- 2 0
87 Roger Morris Fayetteville, AR 1 1 1-15 1 1 1-15 0
88 Dan Chickering Bloomfield, IA 1 1 1-13 1 1 1-13 0
88 Alvin Kendall Gulfport, MS 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1-13 0
88 Matthew Lynch Lone Jack, MO 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1-13 0
91 Richard Risewick Norton, KS 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1-12 0
91 Chuck Smith Saraland, AL 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1-12 0
93 Richard Minyard El Reno, OK 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1- 6 0
94 Nathan Adams House Springs, MO 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Jeremy Barbour Lucedale, MS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Blake Jordan Betz Baton Rouge, LA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Mark Borchers Akron, IA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Christopher Chandler Ragley, LA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Jesse Heflin Topeka, KS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Colton Kelle Beatrice, NE 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Eli Kemmet Lowell, AR 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Jacob Kenom Meeker, OK 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Trevor Ladner Poplarville, MS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Trent Ladner Poplarville, MS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Nick Luna Grain Valley, MO 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Markus Devereux Mills Norman , OK 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Dustin Moreno Shepherd, TX 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Dennis Nickols Culbertson, NE 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Brian Pahl Wildwood, MO 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Clayton Robbins Sparkman, AR 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Brad Schaefer Omaha, NE 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
94 Sterlyn Wood Christoval , TX 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
Name City,State Lbs-Oz
BIG BASS
Day
1 Kenneth Ryals Hattiesburg, MS 4-15
2 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 4-15
Day # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
TOTALS
# Fish
1 246 242 508-15 23
2 245 240 494- 9 22
3 0 0 0- 0 0
6/6/2012 - 6/8/2012
BFN Central Division Championship
Atchafalaya River Basin - Jessie Fontenot Boat Landing - Morgan City, LA
STANDINGS BY TEAM DAY 2
Today's Activity
Name City, State # Fish Lbs - Oz
ARKANSAS
1 Dylan Hays Greenbrier , AR 5 5 12- 8 10 10 24- 1
2 Tim Dycus Carlisle, AR 5 5 10-15 10 10 22- 6
3 Josh Wray Omaha, AR 4 4 10- 3 6 6 13-11
4 Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 2 2 4- 0 6 6 13- 5
5 Jack Wood Benton, AR 5 5 8-11 6 6 10- 3
6 Sam Sorrells Russellville, AR 5 5 8- 2 6 6 9-10
7 Kavan Maybee Alpena, AR 2 2 4- 1 3 3 6-12
8 Keith Alton Sarepta, LA 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5- 4
9 Billy Graves Hot Springs Village, AR 2 2 3- 0 3 3 4-12
10 Ronnie Davidson Fayetteville, AR 1 1 2- 6 2 2 4- 3
11 Terry D Smith Fort Smith, AR 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3- 0
12 Roger Morris Fayetteville, AR 1 1 1-15 1 1 1-15
13 Eli Kemmet Lowell, AR 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
13 Clayton Robbins Sparkman, AR 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
KANSAS
1 Preston Frazell Glenpool, OK 5 5 9- 3 10 10 20-13
2 Jason Benjamin Lawrence, KS 5 5 10- 0 10 10 20- 2
3 Joel Porter Yates Center, KS 5 5 11-13 8 8 18- 2
4 Johnny Starks Conway Springs, KS 2 2 3- 2 7 7 13-10
5 Travis Tunnell Benton, KS 2 2 4-14 6 6 13- 3
6 Beau Branine Haysville, KS 2 2 3-14 5 5 10- 9
7 Benjamin King Garnett, KS 2 2 3- 0 5 5 9-15
8 Ian Schaben Raymore, MO 2 2 3- 5 4 4 7- 4
9 Wayne Crowder Olathe, KS 1 1 1- 8 4 4 7- 3
10 Larry Fralick Wichita, KS 1 1 1- 9 3 3 5- 2
11 Donald Glick Zurich, KS 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3-15
12 Matthew Lynch Lone Jack, MO 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1-13
13 Jesse Heflin Topeka, KS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
13 Nick Luna Grain Valley, MO 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
LOUISIANA
1 Jason Pecoraro Youngsville, LA 5 5 15- 1 10 10 25- 6
2 Ryan Lavigne Gonzales, LA 5 4 10-12 10 9 23-14
3 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 5 15- 9 9 9 23- 1
4 Tim Carmouche Gonzales, LA 5 5 9- 1 10 10 19- 1
5 Brett Bellard Duson, LA 5 4 8- 1 10 9 19- 1
6 Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA 5 5 10- 5 10 9 18-14
7 Scott C Buxton Napoleonville, LA 3 3 5- 8 8 8 15-14
8 Jan Hebert Houma, LA 4 4 7- 0 7 7 13-15
9 David Cavell Prairieville, LA 4 3 6-13 7 6 13-10
10 Josh Stewart Albany, LA 1 1 3-11 6 6 11-13
11 Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, LA 4 4 7- 5 5 5 9-10
12 Cary Beard Baton Rouge, LA 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5- 4
13 Blake Jordan Betz Baton Rouge, LA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
13 Christopher Chandler Ragley, LA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
MISSISSIPPI
1 Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 5 5 9- 9 8 8 14- 7
2 Kenneth Ryals Hattiesburg, MS 2 2 3- 2 5 5 13-10
3 Robbie Cumbest Lucedale, MS 4 3 7- 1 6 5 10-13
4 Destre Dedeaux Meadville, MS 1 1 3- 0 4 4 9-13
5 Randy Craft Seminary, MS 2 2 4- 7 4 4 9-13
6 Jody Herring Meadville, MS 3 3 5- 4 5 5 9-12
7 Jeff Hinton Moss Point, MS 5 4 9-11 5 4 9-11
8 Marks Wilkinson Pearlington, MS 2 2 3-11 4 4 8-12
9 David Bond Poplarville, MS 3 3 5- 5 4 4 5- 5
10 Alvin Kendall Gulfport, MS 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1-13
11 Chuck Smith Saraland, AL 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1-12
12 Jeremy Barbour Lucedale, MS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
12 Trevor Ladner Poplarville, MS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
12 Trent Ladner Poplarville, MS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
MISSOURI
1 Greg Cooper Monroe City, MO 3 3 5-11 8 8 18- 8
2 Charlie Harrington New Cambria, MO 3 3 6-14 8 8 17-13
3 Harold Stark Eldon, MO 5 5 9- 2 10 10 17- 5
4 Justin Pace Raymore, MO 4 4 7- 4 7 7 15- 9
5 Bill Keesee Scott City, MO 1 1 1- 9 6 6 12- 0
6 Kevin Smith Lincoln, MO 1 1 1-13 5 5 9- 7
7 Ted Daniels Crestwood, MO 5 5 8-14 5 5 8-14
8 Tim Bankston Raytown , MO 3 3 5-12 5 5 5-12
9 Wayne Garrison Liberty , MO 2 2 3- 9 3 3 5- 8
10 Gerald R Pelzel Centralia, MO 2 2 4- 7 2 2 4- 7
11 David Smith Harrisonville, MO 1 1 2- 2 2 2 3-11
12 Dan Chickering Bloomfield, IA 1 1 1-13 1 1 1-13
13 Nathan Adams House Springs, MO 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
13 Brian Pahl Wildwood, MO 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
NEBRASKA
1 Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 3 3 7-10 8 8 24- 5
2 Cort Heimsoth Omaha, NE 4 4 8- 5 9 9 17- 7
3 Yancey Hartzer Culbertson, NE 3 3 7- 7 6 6 13-12
4 Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, IA 3 3 5-15 4 4 7-14
5 Dennis Kotas Milligan, NE 2 2 3- 8 3 3 5- 4
6 Lee Wubbels Lincoln, NE 1 1 1-11 3 3 5- 3
7 Kent Priel No Platte, NE 1 1 1-11 2 2 3- 7
8 Roger Coleman Lincoln, NE 0 0 0- 0 2 1 3- 2
9 Jess Stewart Brock, NE 1 1 2- 2 1 1 2- 2
10 Richard Risewick Norton, KS 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1-12
11 Mark Borchers Akron, IA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
11 Colton Kelle Beatrice, NE 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
11 Dennis Nickols Culbertson, NE 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
11 Brad Schaefer Omaha, NE 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
OKLAHOMA
1 Dale Hightower Sand Springs, OK 5 5 13- 7 10 10 30-12
2 Billy Lemon Sapulpa, OK 5 5 12- 8 10 9 20- 7
3 Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK 5 5 10-12 10 9 19- 3
4 Bobby Myers Jenks, OK 3 3 5- 0 7 7 13- 0
5 Lee Sanders Stillwater, OK 4 4 6- 5 6 6 11-13
6 John Smith Bartlesville, OK 2 2 3-14 6 6 11-12
7 Corey Smith Perry, OK 3 3 5-13 6 6 11- 5
8 Keith Blackstone Choctaw, OK 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5-12
9 Shawn Clark Claremore, OK 2 2 3-11 3 3 5-11
10 Michael Anthamatten Terlton, OK 3 3 5- 8 3 3 5- 8
11 Troy Enmeier Enid, OK 1 1 2- 2 1 1 2- 2
12 Richard Minyard El Reno, OK 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1- 6
13 Jacob Kenom Meeker, OK 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
13 Markus Devereux Mills Norman , OK 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
TEXAS
1 Jim Simpson Canyon, TX 3 3 5-13 8 8 18- 4
2 Byron Albrecht Waco, TX 4 4 8-11 8 8 15- 6
3 Albert Collins Nacogdoches, TX 5 5 8- 6 8 8 13- 9
4 Kevin Spahn San Antonio, TX 1 1 2- 0 6 6 12- 6
5 Jackie Gordon Hideaway, TX 3 3 7- 2 5 5 10-11
6 Dan Phifer Grapevine, TX 5 5 10- 2 5 5 10- 2
7 Charles Dodd Woodville, TX 2 2 4- 3 4 4 8- 4
8 Cory Leita Victoria, TX 4 4 7- 1 4 4 7- 1
9 David Mulcahy Kennedale, TX 0 0 0- 0 3 3 6- 0
10 Glenn Hahn San Antonio, TX 2 2 3- 2 3 3 5- 1
11 James Lynn Georgetown, TX 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3-12
12 Stephen White Dalhart, TX 2 2 3- 9 3 3 3- 9
13 Dustin Moreno Shepherd, TX 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
13 Sterlyn Wood Christoval , TX 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
6/6/2012 - 6/8/2012
BFN Central Division Championship
Atchafalaya River Basin - Jessie Fontenot Boat Landing
TEAM STANDINGS DAY 2
Today's Activity Accumulative
Name # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz
1 LOUISIANA 46 91 99- 2 95 91 199- 7
2 OKLAHOMA 33 64 69- 0 66 64 138-11
3 KANSAS 27 65 52- 4 65 65 131-11
4 MISSOURI 31 62 58-14 62 62 120-11
5 ARKANSAS 32 58 65-13 58 58 119- 2
6 TEXAS 31 59 60- 1 59 59 114- 1
7 MISSISSIPPI 27 45 51- 2 47 45 95- 9
8 NEBRASKA 18 38 38- 5 39 38 84- 4