EVANS, Ga. - Battling sickness and a lackluster practice period, Denny Brauer of Camdenton, Mo., decided to "wing it" on the first day of competition at the Pride of Georgia bass fishing tournament on massive Clarks Hill Lake. The 16-time BASS winner managed to boat a limit Thursday that weighed 22 pounds, distancing himself from his closest competitor, Davy Hite of Prosperity, S.C., by more than 3 pounds.
Brauer's credentials are impeccable - a 1998 Bassmaster Classic title, 16 BASS wins and the 1987 Bassmaster Angler of the Year -but the 59-year-old has struggled in 2008, sitting in 54th place in the AOY standings.
"I put myself in the right type of water to be successful," said Brauer, who has more than $2 million in BASS career earnings. "But this kind of weight is going to be hard to duplicate and I honestly don't have all that much figured out."
Brauer worked a Strike King football jig to precise areas to entice the biggest bass. His day didn't start well, hooking an 8-pound behemoth that he was unable to get in the boat, but the versatile veteran rallied, capitalizing on a strong early-morning bite.
While he was concerned with periods of inactivity he experienced, he said that a later flight Friday would help him take advantage of a later bite. He said it was key to either catch bass either early or late as the afternoon was very slow.
Lurking behind Brauer, Hite too has struggled in 2008, in 79th in the AOY standings. Hite took advantage of his home waters Thursday to put himself in position for his eighth BASS win. Hite took victory on Clarks Hill at a 2006 Elite event and lives within an hour of the spacious reservoir and has fished it hundreds of times.
In fact, Hite spent much of his time in an area that he fished in a BASS Federation Nation event in 1988.
"I'm fishing memories, no doubt about it," said Hite, who has earned more than $1 million in BASS career earnings. "And I'm not going to back off. I'm fishing for big fish because that is what wins tournaments. I have no interest in fishing to make a check."
Hite played it close to the vest on the specifics of his pattern but did say he was doing something different from the rest of the field. Like Brauer, Hite is an ex-Classic champion and Angler of the Year, setting up an interesting battle of decorated veterans at the top.
Behind Hite was Elite rookie David Sherrer of Shreveport, La., with 18-8. Placing fourth was Dave Smith of Del City, Okla., with 17 pounds, 4 ounces. Smith boated the Purolator Big Bass of the Day, a 7-1 brute. Kenyon Hill of Norman, Okla., was fifth with 18 pounds, 0 ounces.
Defending Clarks Hill champion Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., weighed in a solid 15 pounds, 9 ounces, and is within striking distance in 10th place.
In the co-angler division, amateurs are battling for a top prize of $25,000. Georgia's Kenny Newborn leads with 11 pounds, 15 ounces, leading fellow Peach State angler Mike Harris (11-14) by 1 ounce and Massachusetts' J Flaherty (11-13) by 2 ounces.
2008 Pride of Georgia 5/1-5/4
Clarks Hill Lake, Columbia County GA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 5 22-00 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-00
2. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 18-15 295
Day 1: 5 18-15
3. David Sherrer Shreveport, LA 5 18-08 290
Day 1: 5 18-08
4. David Smith Del City, OK 5 17-04 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04
5. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 17-00 280
Day 1: 5 17-00
6. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 16-13 274
Day 1: 5 16-13
6. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 5 16-13 274
Day 1: 5 16-13
8. Alton Jones Waco, TX 5 16-12 268
Day 1: 5 16-12
9. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 16-07 264
Day 1: 5 16-07
10. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 15-09 260
Day 1: 5 15-09
11. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 5 15-03 257
Day 1: 5 15-03
12. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 15-01252.5
Day 1: 5 15-01
12. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 5 15-01252.5
Day 1: 5 15-01
14. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 14-15 248
Day 1: 5 14-15
15. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 14-11 245
Day 1: 5 14-11
16. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 5 14-08 243
Day 1: 5 14-08
17. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 5 14-07 241
Day 1: 5 14-07
18. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 14-01 239
Day 1: 5 14-01
19. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 13-13 237
Day 1: 5 13-13
20. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 13-09 235
Day 1: 5 13-09
21. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 13-07 233
Day 1: 5 13-07
22. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 13-05 231
Day 1: 5 13-05
23. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 13-04 227
Day 1: 5 13-04
23. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, CA 5 13-04 227
Day 1: 5 13-04
23. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 13-04 227
Day 1: 5 13-04
26. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 13-00 223
Day 1: 5 13-00
27. John Crews Salem, VA 5 12-12 221
Day 1: 5 12-12
28. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 12-06 219
Day 1: 5 12-06
29. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 12-03 214
Day 1: 5 12-03
29. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 12-03 214
Day 1: 5 12-03
29. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 5 12-03 214
Day 1: 5 12-03
29. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 12-03 214
Day 1: 5 12-03
33. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 5 12-02 209
Day 1: 5 12-02
34. Jason Quinn York, SC 5 12-01 207
Day 1: 5 12-01
35. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 12-00 205
Day 1: 5 12-00
36. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 11-12 203
Day 1: 5 11-12
37. James Kennedy Lacombe, LA 4 11-11 201
Day 1: 4 11-11
38. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 5 11-10 199
Day 1: 5 11-10
39. Chris Lane Lakeland, FL 5 11-09 197
Day 1: 5 11-09
40. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 5 11-08 195
Day 1: 5 11-08
41. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, CA 5 11-07 193
Day 1: 5 11-07
42. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 11-06 191
Day 1: 5 11-06
43. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 11-05 189
Day 1: 5 11-05
44. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 5 11-03 185
Day 1: 5 11-03
44. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 5 11-03 185
Day 1: 5 11-03
44. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 5 11-03 185
Day 1: 5 11-03
47. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 11-02 181
Day 1: 5 11-02
48. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 11-01 178
Day 1: 5 11-01
48. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 5 11-01 178
Day 1: 5 11-01
50. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 5 11-00 175
Day 1: 5 11-00
51. Rick Ash Pottstown, PA 5 10-14 171
Day 1: 5 10-14
51. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 5 10-14 171
Day 1: 5 10-14
51. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 10-14 171
Day 1: 5 10-14
54. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 5 10-12 167
Day 1: 5 10-12
55. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 10-11 164
Day 1: 5 10-11
55. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 5 10-11 164
Day 1: 5 10-11
57. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 10-09 161
Day 1: 5 10-09
58. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 10-06 159
Day 1: 5 10-06
59. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 10-05 155
Day 1: 5 10-05
59. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 10-05 155
Day 1: 5 10-05
59. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 10-05 155
Day 1: 5 10-05
62. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 10-01 151
Day 1: 5 10-01
63. Preston Clark Palatka, FL 5 10-00 149
Day 1: 5 10-00
64. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 09-15 147
Day 1: 5 09-15
65. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 09-13 145
Day 1: 5 09-13
66. Jay Fuller Kingston, OK 5 09-11 143
Day 1: 5 09-11
67. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 09-09 140
Day 1: 5 09-09
67. Pat Golden High Point, NC 5 09-09 140
Day 1: 5 09-09
69. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 09-07 136
Day 1: 5 09-07
69. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 5 09-07 136
Day 1: 5 09-07
71. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 09-05 133
Day 1: 5 09-05
72. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 5 09-04 131
Day 1: 5 09-04
73. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, PA 5 09-03 129
Day 1: 5 09-03
74. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 09-01 127
Day 1: 5 09-01
75. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 5 08-15 125
Day 1: 5 08-15
76. Kurt Dove Fairfax, VA 5 08-14 123
Day 1: 5 08-14
77. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 08-13 121
Day 1: 5 08-13
78. Billy Brewer Bruceville, TX 5 08-12 119
Day 1: 5 08-12
79. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 4 08-10 117
Day 1: 4 08-10
80. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 5 08-08 114
Day 1: 5 08-08
80. Glenn Delong Bellville, OH 4 08-08 114
Day 1: 4 08-08
82. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 5 08-07 111
Day 1: 5 08-07
83. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 5 08-03 108
Day 1: 5 08-03
83. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 5 08-03 108
Day 1: 5 08-03
85. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 08-00 105
Day 1: 5 08-00
86. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 07-14 103
Day 1: 5 07-14
87. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 5 07-09 101
Day 1: 5 07-09
88. Jon Bondy Windsor CANADA 5 07-07 98
Day 1: 5 07-07
88. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 5 07-07 98
Day 1: 5 07-07
90. Matt Amedeo Clinton, OH 5 07-04 94
Day 1: 5 07-04
90. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 4 07-04 94
Day 1: 4 07-04
92. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 07-03 91
Day 1: 5 07-03
93. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 07-00 89
Day 1: 5 07-00
94. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 3 06-13 87
Day 1: 3 06-13
95. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 3 06-07 85
Day 1: 3 06-07
96. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 06-00 82
Day 1: 5 06-00
96. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 5 06-00 82
Day 1: 5 06-00
98. Kevin Langill Terrell, NC 3 05-15 79
Day 1: 3 05-15
99. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 3 05-12 77
Day 1: 3 05-12
100. Steve Daniel Clewiston, FL 5 05-10 76
Day 1: 5 05-10
101. Elton Luce Jr. Brookeland, TX 3 05-08 75
Day 1: 3 05-08
102. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 05-06 73.5
Day 1: 5 05-06
102. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 3 05-06 73.5
Day 1: 3 05-06
104. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 3 04-13 72
Day 1: 3 04-13
105. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, TX 5 04-08 71
Day 1: 5 04-08
106. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 3 03-15 70
Day 1: 3 03-15
107. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 3 02-15 69
Day 1: 3 02-15
108. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 2 02-10 68
Day 1: 2 02-10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS
Day
1 David Smith Del City, OK 07-01 $1,000.00
Day
1 Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 22-00 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 94 515 1152-06
----------------------------------
94 515 1152-06
2008 Pride of Georgia 5/1-5/4
Clarks Hill Lake, Columbia County GA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kenny Newborn Hephzibah, GA 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
2. Mike Harris Watkinsville, GA 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
3. J Flaherty Topsfield, MA 4 11-13 0
Day 1: 4 11-13
4. Dave Elder Tuscaloosa, AL 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
5. Paul Ham West Columbia, SC 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
6. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, AL 5 10-05 0
Day 1: 5 10-05
7. Mark Heatwole Harrisonburg, VA 5 10-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-04
8. Justin Hamner Birmingham, AL 5 10-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-01
9. Chris Gould Martinez, GA 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
10. Chris Heath North Augusta, SC 5 09-08 0
Day 1: 5 09-08
11. Bryan Talmadge Pell City, AL 5 09-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-03
12. David Whyte Augusta, GA 5 09-02 0
Day 1: 5 09-02
13. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, OH 5 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-14
14. Charles Covington Anderson, SC 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
15. Lance Spencer Lincoln, VA 5 08-08 0
Day 1: 5 08-08
16. Ed Amos Chatsworth, GA 5 08-06 0
Day 1: 5 08-06
16. Craig Sowinski Martinez, GA 5 08-06 0
Day 1: 5 08-06
18. Mike Kirkley Gastonia, NC 5 08-05 0
Day 1: 5 08-05
19. Charles Harbin Anderson, SC 3 08-01 0
Day 1: 3 08-01
20. Brad Smith Clarks Hill, SC 5 07-15 0
Day 1: 5 07-15
21. Ivan C Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 07-13 0
Day 1: 5 07-13
22. Harry Potts Ozark, AL 4 07-11 0
Day 1: 4 07-11
23. Jon Stringfield Evans, GA 5 07-09 0
Day 1: 5 07-09
24. Greg Smith Lula, GA 5 07-03 0
Day 1: 5 07-03
24. Tom Frink Simi Valley, CA 5 07-03 0
Day 1: 5 07-03
24. Lee Sisson Winter Haven, FL 4 07-03 0
Day 1: 4 07-03
27. Jason Berg Minnetonka, MN 5 07-02 0
Day 1: 5 07-02
27. John Yarbrough Columbia, SC 5 07-02 0
Day 1: 5 07-02
29. Ronnie Tyson Marietta, GA 5 07-01 0
Day 1: 5 07-01
30. Gene Eisenmann Frisco, TX 4 06-14 0
Day 1: 4 06-14
31. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 06-13 0
Day 1: 5 06-13
32. Joel Etheredge Springville, AL 4 06-11 0
Day 1: 4 06-11
32. Takuji Naruo Moriyama JAPAN 4 06-11 0
Day 1: 4 06-11
32. Patrick Brown Swainsboro, GA 2 06-11 0
Day 1: 2 06-11
35. Matthew Roesch Toccoa, GA 5 06-08 0
Day 1: 5 06-08
35. John Farr Anderson, SC 3 06-08 0
Day 1: 3 06-08
37. David Rush Summerville, SC 5 06-06 0
Day 1: 5 06-06
37. Howard Stephens Columbia, SC 4 06-06 0
Day 1: 4 06-06
39. Fred Hood Monroe, GA 5 06-05 0
Day 1: 5 06-05
39. Bill Harvey Grovetown, GA 3 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-05
41. Harold Chapman Greenville, SC 4 06-01 0
Day 1: 4 06-01
42. Ken Smith Lula, GA 4 06-00 0
Day 1: 4 06-00
43. Travis Cockburn Marion, IL 4 05-10 0
Day 1: 4 05-10
44. Greg Davis Evans, GA 2 05-07 0
Day 1: 2 05-07
45. Sean Ravenscroft North Augusta, SC 5 05-06 0
Day 1: 5 05-06
46. Stephen Williams Columbus, MS 1 05-02 0 $500.00
Day 1: 1 05-02
47. Barry Hooper Monticello, GA 2 05-01 0
Day 1: 2 05-01
48. Bobby Purvis Eastover, SC 5 04-15 0
Day 1: 5 04-15
49. Michael Head Gray, TN 4 04-13 0
Day 1: 4 04-13
49. Alton Jones Woodway, TX 4 04-13 0
Day 1: 4 04-13
49. Gary Thomas Bogart, GA 4 04-13 0
Day 1: 4 04-13
49. Gene Davis Lincolnton, GA 3 04-13 0
Day 1: 3 04-13
53. Terry Watson Douglasville, GA 4 04-12 0
Day 1: 4 04-12
54. Bradley Bagwell Martinez, GA 3 04-09 0
Day 1: 3 04-09
55. Todd Gordon Horton, AL 2 04-07 0
Day 1: 2 04-07
56. Harry Parten Sweet Water, AL 2 04-05 0
Day 1: 2 04-05
57. Kentaro Amagai New Port Richey, FL 4 04-04 0
Day 1: 4 04-04
58. Jason Atterton Augusta, GA 4 04-03 0
Day 1: 4 04-03
58. Derrick Bridges Greenville, SC 4 04-03 0
Day 1: 4 04-03
58. John Hayes Sherwood Park Alberta C 2 04-03 0
Day 1: 2 04-03
61. Preston Frazell Kincaid, KS 2 04-02 0
Day 1: 2 04-02
62. Matthew Leavell Tuscaloosa, AL 3 03-15 0
Day 1: 3 03-15
62. Craig Rozema Greer, SC 3 03-15 0
Day 1: 3 03-15
64. Bruce Andrews Sunset, SC 4 03-14 0
Day 1: 4 03-14
64. John Wentzell Columbia, SC 3 03-14 0
Day 1: 3 03-14
64. Bart Blackburn North Augusta, SC 2 03-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-14
67. Will Petty Charlotte, NC 2 03-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-09
68. John Grantham Clinton, TN 3 03-08 0
Day 1: 3 03-08
69. Scott McGregor Warrenville, SC 1 03-04 0
Day 1: 1 03-04
70. Travis Moon Belton, SC 3 03-03 0
Day 1: 3 03-03
71. Phil Sanders Hoschton, GA 3 02-14 0
Day 1: 3 02-14
72. Charles Fulghum Aiken, SC 2 02-13 0
Day 1: 2 02-13
73. Chris Hadden North Augusta, SC 3 02-10 0
Day 1: 3 02-10
74. Craig Daino Central Square, NY 2 02-07 0
Day 1: 2 02-07
74. John Elliott Mc Minnville, TN 2 02-07 0
Day 1: 2 02-07
74. Barry Frazier Evans, GA 1 02-07 0
Day 1: 1 02-07
77. Robert Tarlton Lake City, FL 2 02-06 0
Day 1: 2 02-06
78. Brian Easler Inman, SC 2 02-05 0
Day 1: 2 02-05
78. Tye Smith Fort Gibson, OK 1 02-05 0
Day 1: 1 02-05
80. Jason Seaton Martinsville, IN 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
81. James Lee Snellville, GA 2 02-01 0
Day 1: 2 02-01
82. Billy Boyd Kingston, TN 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
83. Jason Goude Georgetown, SC 2 01-14 0
Day 1: 2 01-14
84. Jimmy Dudley White, GA 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
85. Bill Todd Elmvale ONTARIO CANADA 2 01-11 0
Day 1: 2 01-11
85. Rick Burns Madison, GA 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
87. Bob Sanders Ulmer, SC 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
88. Al Odom Irmo, SC 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07
89. Lonnie Dumas Stone Mountain, GA 1 01-06 0
Day 1: 1 01-06
90. Brian Purvis Eastover, SC 1 01-05 0
Day 1: 1 01-05
91. Junichi Kaneko Peachtree City, GA 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03
92. Deron Donohoo Sumter, SC 1 00-14 0
Day 1: 1 00-14
92. Mike Frazier Clermont, FL 1 00-14 0
Day 1: 1 00-14
92. Butch Pitts Watkinsville, GA 1 00-14 0
Day 1: 1 00-14
95. Clint Pack Gable, SC 1 00-13 0
Day 1: 1 00-13
96. Thomas Rogers Keller, TX 1 00-12 0
Day 1: 1 00-12
97. Taylor Barnes Chickamauga, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Barry Burford Charlotte, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Benny Colson Lake Park, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Mary Delgado Tampa, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Charles Doyle Augusta, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Wendell Gaddy Cameron, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Jay Mabry Meridian, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Jim McDevitt Eldon, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Spiro Papadopoulo Augusta, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Charles Smith Augusta, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Jason T. Wiley Swainsboro, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS
Day
1 Stephen Williams Columbus, MS 05-02 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 31 315 513-13
----------------------------------
31 315 513-13