DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — David Mullins knows the significance of catching a 20-pounds-plus, five-bass limit at Douglas Lake. In recent history, it has taken at least 20-plus per day to win here. So Mullins was happy to have 21 pounds, 5 ounces Thursday at the Bassmaster Southern Open tournament at Douglas Lake. And he was even happier to be the only angler to top 20 pounds the first day.
“Trust me, I know exactly what it takes to win here,” said Mullins. “I’ve finished second two times in a row.”
The 34-year-old Bassmaster Elite Series angler lives in nearby Mount Carmel, Tenn. He was second when Ott Defoe won the Northern Open with 62-5 in 2014, and Mullins was runner-up to Patrick Bone, who won the Southern Open with 65-4 in 2013. The entire 150-boat field of pros paired with co-anglers will compete again Friday before the field is cut to the Top 12 in both divisions for Saturday’s final.
Mullins was the only pro to top 20 pounds, but his lead is slim. Kyle Glasgow Jr. of Guin, Ala., is second with 19-10; Dustin Connell of Clanton, Ala., is third with 19-7; Josh Roark of Morristown, Tenn., is fourth with 19-4; and Elite Series pro Brandon Card of Caryville, Tenn., is fifth with 19-2. With Douglas being three feet below its normal pool level — a lake that’s only 35,000 acres when full — fished really small Thursday.
“I caught most of my fish on my first stop,” said Card, whose bag included a 5-pound, 11-ounce smallmouth. “After that I was fishing behind people all day, and it was tough. In fact, it was brutal after about 10 o’clock.”
Adjusting to the unusually low mid-May lake level appears to be the key to success. Apparently, there are two ways to do that: have a long history of fishing Douglas Lake or have no history here. Mullins is in the first category. Although he lives closer to Cherokee Lake, he considers Douglas his home lake because he grew up fishing it.
“I’ve got some spots to myself,” said Mullins. “It’s some stuff that’s a little bit out of the way, but fish haven’t been on it in 10 years. It must be the water level is right in some of those places. Some of the (traditionally) good places don’t have much water on them at all.”
Glasgow and Connell are in the second category. This marks the first tournament at Douglas for both.
“I’ve got one place where I hope not many people know about,” Glasgow said. “It’s not very obvious. But the fish didn’t bite near as well for me today as they had in practice. I was expecting to just whack ’em. I only caught about eight keepers.”
While there are always some fish shallow here, especially this early in the year, almost every tournament at Douglas is won on a deep-water pattern. Connell committed to that. He spent most of his practice time graphing deeper bass-holding structure.
“This place fishes so small, it’s hard to get on places you want to fish,” he said. “I had a few sneaky holes — sneaky, sneaky places. I caught my biggest fish off a sneaky spot.”
McConnell had a 5-pound, 11-ounce largemouth in his bag. Derrick Snavely of Rogersville, Tenn., weighed in the biggest bass on the pro side with a 6-pound, 5-ounce largemouth.
In the co-angler division, Rodney Tapp of Inman, S.C., leads with a three-bass limit weighing 11 pounds. Andy Simm of Piney Flats, Tenn., is second with 10-14, and Wayne Hauser of Mooresville, N.C., is third with 10-0. Simm also weighed the biggest bass among the co-anglers with a 5 1/2-pounder.
Takeoff begins at 6:15 a.m. Friday at The Point Marina, 122 Boatdock Drive in Dandridge, and the weigh-in starts at 2:15 p.m. at the same location. The weigh-in location shifts for Saturday’s Top 12 final to the Bass Pro Shops at 3629 Outdoor Sportsman’s Place in Kodak, Tenn.
2016 Bassmaster Southern Open Douglas Lake 5/19-5/21
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 21-05 200
Day 1: 5 21-05
2. Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL 5 19-10 199
Day 1: 5 19-10
3. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 5 19-07 198
Day 1: 5 19-07
4. Josh Roark Morristown, TN 5 19-04 197
Day 1: 5 19-04
5. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 5 19-02 196
Day 1: 5 19-02
6. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 5 18-15 195
Day 1: 5 18-15
7. Michael Murphy Lexington, SC 5 18-08 194
Day 1: 5 18-08
8. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 18-06 193
Day 1: 5 18-06
9. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 18-03 192
Day 1: 5 18-03
10. Derrick Snavely Rogersville, TN 5 17-07 191
Day 1: 5 17-07
11. Sam George Athens, AL 5 17-06 190
Day 1: 5 17-06
12. Scott Canterbury Springville, AL 5 17-03 189
Day 1: 5 17-03
13. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 17-01 188
Day 1: 5 17-01
14. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 17-00 187
Day 1: 5 17-00
15. Matt Coughlin Dandridge, TN 5 16-12 186
Day 1: 5 16-12
16. AJ Slegona Jr Walker Valley, NY 5 16-06 185
Day 1: 5 16-06
17. Burton Bryan Sevierville, TN 5 15-14 0
Day 1: 5 15-14
18. Jade Keeton Killen, AL 5 15-12 183
Day 1: 5 15-12
19. Mark Rose West Memphis, AR 5 15-12 182
Day 1: 5 15-12
20. Jp Prouty Satellite Beach, FL 5 15-08 181
Day 1: 5 15-08
21. Seiji Kato Shiga JAPAN 5 15-07 180
Day 1: 5 15-07
22. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 5 15-07 179
Day 1: 5 15-07
23. Wesley Strader Spring City, TN 5 14-15 178
Day 1: 5 14-15
24. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 14-13 177
Day 1: 5 14-13
24. Chris Moody Brooks, GA 5 14-13 177
Day 1: 5 14-13
26. Dow Cox Jonesborough, TN 4 14-06 175
Day 1: 4 14-06
27. Eric Panzironi Longwood, FL 5 14-02 174
Day 1: 5 14-02
28. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 14-01 173
Day 1: 5 14-01
29. Billy Briere Mooresville, IN 5 14-00 172
Day 1: 5 14-00
30. Guy Eaker Sr. Cherryville, NC 5 13-12 171
Day 1: 5 13-12
31. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 5 13-10 170
Day 1: 5 13-10
32. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 5 13-08 169
Day 1: 5 13-08
33. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 13-06 168
Day 1: 5 13-06
34. Steve York Bronson, MI 5 13-05 167
Day 1: 5 13-05
35. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 13-04 166
Day 1: 5 13-04
36. Kyle Schutta Forest Lake, MN 5 13-03 165
Day 1: 5 13-03
36. Matt Stefan Junction City, WI 5 13-03 165
Day 1: 5 13-03
38. Arnie Lane Lakeland, FL 5 12-13 163
Day 1: 5 12-13
39. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 12-12 162
Day 1: 5 12-12
40. Jason Bridwell Gray, TN 5 12-10 161
Day 1: 5 12-10
40. Kendall Newson Lagrange, GA 5 12-10 161
Day 1: 5 12-10
42. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 12-09 159
Day 1: 5 12-09
43. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 5 12-06 158
Day 1: 5 12-06
44. James Bailey Warrenton, VA 5 12-05 157
Day 1: 5 12-05
44. Clabion Johns Jr Covington, GA 5 12-05 157
Day 1: 5 12-05
46. Clayton Batts Warner Robins, GA 5 12-04 155
Day 1: 5 12-04
46. Gary Clouse La Vergne, TN 5 12-04 155
Day 1: 5 12-04
48. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 12-03 153
Day 1: 5 12-03
48. Rich Howes Oviedo, FL 5 12-03 153
Day 1: 5 12-03
48. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 12-03 153
Day 1: 5 12-03
51. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 12-02 150
Day 1: 5 12-02
52. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 5 12-00 149
Day 1: 5 12-00
52. Derek Hudnall Baton Rouge, LA 5 12-00 149
Day 1: 5 12-00
54. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 11-15 147
Day 1: 5 11-15
54. Jim Tomsovic Sparta, WI 5 11-15 147
Day 1: 5 11-15
56. Matt Brown Corbin, KY 5 11-14 145
Day 1: 5 11-14
56. Ronald Young Round Rock, TX 5 11-14 145
Day 1: 5 11-14
58. Parker Cann Abbeville, SC 5 11-14 143
Day 1: 5 11-14
59. Patrick Pierce Jacksonville, FL 5 11-11 142
Day 1: 5 11-11
60. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 11-08 141
Day 1: 5 11-08
61. Bill Day II Frankfort, KY 5 11-06 140
Day 1: 5 11-06
61. Ryan Hoover Valrico, FL 5 11-06 140
Day 1: 5 11-06
63. Sam Mccowan Cedar Bluff, VA 5 11-05 138
Day 1: 5 11-05
64. Jeff Cox Saline, MI 5 11-04 137
Day 1: 5 11-04
65. Jimmy Johnson La Crosse, WI 5 11-02 136
Day 1: 5 11-02
65. Danny Lavoie Franklin, GA 5 11-02 136
Day 1: 5 11-02
67. Jason Rice Swannanoa, NC 5 11-02 134
Day 1: 5 11-02
68. Matt Fair Ocoee, FL 5 11-00 133
Day 1: 5 11-00
68. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 5 11-00 133
Day 1: 5 11-00
70. Jason Sturgill Pennington Gap, VA 5 10-15 131
Day 1: 5 10-15
71. Brian Elder Locust Grove, GA 5 10-14 130
Day 1: 5 10-14
72. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 5 10-13 129
Day 1: 5 10-13
73. Mike Jackson San Mateo, FL 5 10-11 128
Day 1: 5 10-11
74. Jordan Card Knoxville, TN 5 10-11 127
Day 1: 5 10-11
75. Scott Luster Prattville, AL 5 10-09 126
Day 1: 5 10-09
76. Travis Dehart Greenville, SC 4 10-07 125
Day 1: 4 10-07
77. Larry Gaines Valparaiso, FL 5 10-06 124
Day 1: 5 10-06
78. Kyle Fox Lakeland, FL 5 10-04 123
Day 1: 5 10-04
79. Bradley Dortch Windermere, FL 5 10-03 122
Day 1: 5 10-03
79. Andrew Iversen Maple Plain, MN 5 10-03 122
Day 1: 5 10-03
81. Randy Elliott Bowie, MD 5 10-02 120
Day 1: 5 10-02
81. Hunter Eubanks Inman, SC 5 10-02 120
Day 1: 5 10-02
81. Doug Winchell Dandridge, TN 5 10-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-02
84. Jeffrey Brooks Boca Raton, FL 5 10-01 117
Day 1: 5 10-01
85. Cody Detweiler Orlando, FL 5 09-14 116
Day 1: 5 09-14
85. Derek Yasinski Senoia, GA 5 09-14 116
Day 1: 5 09-14
87. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 09-13 114
Day 1: 5 09-13
88. Tim Arnold Cullman, AL 5 09-12 113
Day 1: 5 09-12
89. Kendal Beaty Spring City, TN 5 09-11 112
Day 1: 5 09-11
89. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 5 09-11 112
Day 1: 5 09-11
91. Mccoy Borja Johnson City, TN 5 09-08 110
Day 1: 5 09-08
92. Kyle Worsham Cherokee, AL 3 09-05 109
Day 1: 3 09-05
93. Kazuki Kitajima Orlando, FL 5 09-03 108
Day 1: 5 09-03
94. Rick Shannon Woodlawn, TN 5 09-02 107
Day 1: 5 09-02
95. Grayson Smith Clarksville, TN 5 09-01 106
Day 1: 5 09-01
96. Jon Englund Farwell, MN 5 09-00 105
Day 1: 5 09-00
97. Eddie Ball Newport, TN 5 08-15 104
Day 1: 5 08-15
98. Charlie Evans Berea, KY 5 08-14 103
Day 1: 5 08-14
98. Brad Knight Lancing, TN 5 08-14 103
Day 1: 5 08-14
98. Aaron Owens Birmingham, AL 5 08-14 103
Day 1: 5 08-14
101. Steven Redmond Waynesville, NC 5 08-12 100
Day 1: 5 08-12
102. Patrick Bone Cleveland, GA 5 08-11 99
Day 1: 5 08-11
102. Brent Crow Hartselle, AL 5 08-11 99
Day 1: 5 08-11
104. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 5 08-09 97
Day 1: 5 08-09
105. Roland Martin Naples, FL 5 08-08 96
Day 1: 5 08-08
105. Eric Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN 5 08-08 96
Day 1: 5 08-08
107. Timothy Foster Louisville, KY 5 08-07 94
Day 1: 5 08-07
107. Rick Pierce Mountain Home, AR 5 08-07 94
Day 1: 5 08-07
109. Greg Pugh Cullman, AL 5 08-06 92
Day 1: 5 08-06
110. William Shipes Williston, SC 5 08-05 91
Day 1: 5 08-05
111. William Hensley Chattaroy, WV 4 08-04 90
Day 1: 4 08-04
112. Ricky Shepherd Mosheim, TN 5 08-03 89
Day 1: 5 08-03
113. Chris Gerrein Villa Hills, KY 5 08-02 88
Day 1: 5 08-02
114. Cory Ownby Seymour, TN 3 07-14 87
Day 1: 3 07-14
115. Christiana Bradley Goldvein, VA 4 07-12 86
Day 1: 4 07-12
116. Gabriel Keen Caryville, TN 5 07-09 85
Day 1: 5 07-09
117. Darrell Pons Gainesville, FL 5 07-08 84
Day 1: 5 07-08
117. Gerald Sensabaugh Kingsport, TN 5 07-08 84
Day 1: 5 07-08
119. Christopher Murphy Warrenton, VA 4 07-08 82
Day 1: 4 07-08
120. Toby Lillard Clarksville, TN 5 07-04 81
Day 1: 5 07-04
121. Eric Jackson Walling, TN 4 07-04 80
Day 1: 4 07-04
122. Mark McCowan Pounding Mill, VA 2 07-03 79
Day 1: 2 07-03
123. Michael Johnson Talking Rock, GA 5 07-00 78
Day 1: 5 07-00
124. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 4 07-00 77
Day 1: 4 07-00
124. Sven Hilland Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA 4 07-00 77
Day 1: 4 07-00
126. Clay Dyer Fayetteville, TN 3 07-00 75
Day 1: 3 07-00
127. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 3 06-15 74
Day 1: 3 06-15
128. Dustin Neat Dunnville, KY 5 06-12 73
Day 1: 5 06-12
129. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 4 06-12 72
Day 1: 4 06-12
130. Jeff Barth Marshfield, WI 4 06-11 71
Day 1: 4 06-11
131. Ronnie Green Sebring, FL 5 06-10 70
Day 1: 5 06-10
132. Paul Pagnato Jr Reston, VA 4 06-06 69
Day 1: 4 06-06
133. Bob Morin Seymour, TN 5 06-05 68
Day 1: 5 06-05
134. Mitch Liss Saint Cloud, FL 5 06-01 67
Day 1: 5 06-01
135. Tom Huynh Moorehead, MN 3 05-12 66
Day 1: 3 05-12
136. Eulon Lee Jr. Eclectic, AL 3 05-02 65
Day 1: 3 05-02
137. Jamey Caldwell Carthage, NC 3 05-01 64
Day 1: 3 05-01
138. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 3 05-01 63
Day 1: 3 05-01
139. Bill Weidler Bessemer, AL 4 04-08 62
Day 1: 4 04-08
140. Greg Mansfield Olathe, KS 2 04-05 61
Day 1: 2 04-05
141. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 3 04-01 60
Day 1: 3 04-01
142. Preston Johnson Rice Lake, WI 4 03-15 59
Day 1: 4 03-15
143. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 2 02-09 58
Day 1: 2 02-09
144. Garrett Rocamora Lithia, FL 1 02-09 57
Day 1: 1 02-09
145. Al Farace Jr Cockeysville, MD 2 02-08 56
Day 1: 2 02-08
146. Angie Douthit Okeechobee, FL 1 01-11 55
Day 1: 1 01-11
147. Carroll Blevins Jonesboro, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
147. James Christian Dickson, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
147. Samuel Fish Calera, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
147. Che Johnson Rochester, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 118 679 1585-10
----------------------------------
118 679 1585-10
2016 Bassmaster Southern Open Douglas Lake 5/19-5/21
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Rodney Tapp Inman, SC 3 11-00 200
Day 1: 3 11-00
2. Andy Simm Piney Flats, TN 3 10-14 199
Day 1: 3 10-14
3. Wayne Hauser Mooresville, NC 3 10-00 198
Day 1: 3 10-00
4. Don Bible II Knoxville, TN 3 09-04 197
Day 1: 3 09-04
5. Gary Ownby Clinton, TN 3 09-02 196
Day 1: 3 09-02
6. Mike Isaak Caryle, IL 3 08-08 195
Day 1: 3 08-08
7. Greg Mauldin Archdale, NC 3 08-07 194
Day 1: 3 08-07
8. Chancey Hatfield Morristown, TN 3 08-06 193
Day 1: 3 08-06
9. Josh Olson Chippewa Falls, WI 3 08-05 192
Day 1: 3 08-05
9. Kenneth Underwood Columbus, MS 3 08-05 192
Day 1: 3 08-05
11. Matt Justice Fair Play, SC 3 08-03 190
Day 1: 3 08-03
12. Brandon Bolton West Point, MS 3 08-02 189
Day 1: 3 08-02
13. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 3 08-00 188
Day 1: 3 08-00
14. Kent Biggs Morristown, TN 3 07-15 187
Day 1: 3 07-15
15. Charles Smith Flatwoods, KY 3 07-14 186
Day 1: 3 07-14
16. Joshua Curtis Limestone, TN 3 07-13 185
Day 1: 3 07-13
17. Stephen Davis Blacksburg, VA 3 07-06 184
Day 1: 3 07-06
17. David Stevens Eddyville, KY 3 07-06 184
Day 1: 3 07-06
19. Jenny Sander Byron, GA 3 07-03 182
Day 1: 3 07-03
20. Kenneth Lodwick Dandridge, TN 3 07-01 181
Day 1: 3 07-01
20. Ike Taylor Westerville, OH 3 07-01 181
Day 1: 3 07-01
22. Darrell Pons II Gainesville, FL 3 07-00 179
Day 1: 3 07-00
23. Joe Collins Altamonte Springs, FL 3 06-13 178
Day 1: 3 06-13
23. Brandsford Dean Spring City, TN 3 06-13 178
Day 1: 3 06-13
23. Sam Fish Alexander City, AL 3 06-13 178
Day 1: 3 06-13
26. Todd Lee Jasper, AL 3 06-12 175
Day 1: 3 06-12
27. Joey Aderhold Birmingham, AL 3 06-11 174
Day 1: 3 06-11
27. Alan Blondino Rustburg, VA 3 06-11 174
Day 1: 3 06-11
29. Daniel Beebe Jr Niota, TN 3 06-10 172
Day 1: 3 06-10
29. Charles Fochtman Moneta, VA 3 06-10 172
Day 1: 3 06-10
29. Curtis Hall II Battle Creek, MI 3 06-10 172
Day 1: 3 06-10
29. Clint Harrison II Georgetown, TN 3 06-10 172
Day 1: 3 06-10
33. Marlon Crowder Tampa, FL 3 06-08 168
Day 1: 3 06-08
33. Chuck Hennessey Knoxville, TN 3 06-08 168
Day 1: 3 06-08
33. Tim Leonard Greeneville, TN 3 06-08 168
Day 1: 3 06-08
36. Marshall Hughes Port Neches, TX 3 06-08 165
Day 1: 3 06-08
37. Pete Patterson Kingsport, TN 3 06-06 164
Day 1: 3 06-06
38. Fred Roberts Dandridge, TN 3 06-05 163
Day 1: 3 06-05
39. Gary Carroll Jonesville, VA 3 06-04 162
Day 1: 3 06-04
40. William Freshour Strawberry Plains, TN 2 06-04 161
Day 1: 2 06-04
41. James Mattingly Gravel Switch, KY 3 06-03 160
Day 1: 3 06-03
42. Gus Kneidinger Prospect, PA 3 06-02 159
Day 1: 3 06-02
43. Chuck Thurlow Auburn, AL 3 06-01 158
Day 1: 3 06-01
44. Russell Sapp III Lincoln, AL 3 06-00 157
Day 1: 3 06-00
44. Tom Stark III Angola, IN 3 06-00 157
Day 1: 3 06-00
46. Keith Jones Newport News, VA 3 05-11 155
Day 1: 3 05-11
47. Johnny Taylor Dandridge, TN 3 05-10 154
Day 1: 3 05-10
48. Darin Bledsoe Kingsport, TN 3 05-09 153
Day 1: 3 05-09
48. Zachary Smith Flatwoods, KY 3 05-09 153
Day 1: 3 05-09
50. Rodney Rice Narrows, VA 2 05-09 151
Day 1: 2 05-09
51. Scap Cicero Wetumpka, AL 3 05-08 150
Day 1: 3 05-08
51. Ian Dubee Chapel Hill, NC 3 05-08 150
Day 1: 3 05-08