ANDERSON, S.C. — Marty Giddens was so frustrated with his bad luck after practice fishing on Lake Hartwell that he was almost ready to throw in the towel before the tournament on Lake Hartwell began.
“I would have gone home if I could have found a way,” he said. “I tried everything, but nothing worked.”
Of course, that was a lighthearted comment. The Wiregrass Bassmasters member is a finalist in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. He leads the tournament after the first day of competition with a five-bass limit that weighed 17 pounds, 9 ounces. The catch included the heaviest bass of the day, a 5-1 largemouth. Giddens was understandably secretive about details of his lures and tactics. Where he lives in central Alabama offers a clue about why he leads the tournament. The plumbing and home contractor is from Eclectic, a small town located near Lake Martin. That fishery and Lake Hartwell are similar in many ways.
“It looks and fishes a lot like Hartwell,” he admitted. “I’m trying to make some things that work there do well here.”
Both lakes feature a mixed population of spotted and largemouth bass. Annual flood-control procedures lower both lakes during fall and winter. Spotted bass gang up on shoals and points during fall to feed on schools of baitfish. All those scenarios line up with his skill set. Giddens only caught seven bass worth bringing to the scales during four days of practice. That dry streak explains his frustration. Today, he enjoyed a flurry of action after catching his three best bass within an hour.
“I kept going back to the same pattern and never gave up,” he explained. “I pulled up on the right spot, and my guess is the fish moved up into shallower water.”
Can he duplicate the effort tomorrow?
“It should work because today it was just a totally different lake than it was in practice,” he said.
Taking second place with 14-3 was Tray Huddleston, a 32-year-old construction worker from Arkansas. He experienced the same bad luck as Giddens during practice, but a key midday adjustment turned things around for him Thursday.
“I was able to quickly capitalize on how I changed by running a lot of water,” said Huddleston, a member of the Natural State Bass Club.
A topwater lure proved key for Huddleston, who hopes to expand on his turnaround Friday. Running more water is the plan. Oklahoman Matt Pangrac caught 13-6 to take third place. He succeeded at his goal of catching just enough bass to stay in contention for all three days of the tournament.
“I’m running a lot of water, burned a full tank of fuel running from one end to the other of the lake,” said Pangrac, a member of the North Oklahoma City Bassmasters.
“After practice, I decided it would take 12 pounds each day to make the Top 3, and that is my goal.”
Pangrac, fishing his second consecutive Nation Championship, knows well what is on the line at this tournament. Winning the championship is only one goal. The Top 3 anglers advance to the 2018 Bassmaster Classic. Coincidentally, the world championship of bass fishing is also on Lake Hartwell, March 16-18, 2018. After the first day, the Classic qualifiers would be Giddens, Huddleston and Pangrac.
Unseasonably warm weather slowed the typical fall migration of the bass from the main lake into the shallower creek arms of the lake. Normally, bass concentrate in schools and feed on baitfish prior to winter. Those factors make bass easier to find and catch. But the balmy fall has made things tougher.
A plumber, U.S. Marine, farmer and nurse anesthetist represent a snapshot of what the contestants do for a living outside of bass fishing. The anglers belong to bass clubs affiliated with the B.A.S.S. Nation. The global program encompasses the United States and nine foreign nations. Joining anglers from 47 states are those from five continents. Mexico, Japan, Australia, Portugal, Italy, Zimbabwe, Namibia, the province of Ontario and the Republic of South Africa are the foreign nations represented in the championship.
Boater and nonboater anglers from each state or nation qualified for the championship. So did Jeff Thompson, the national champion of the Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Tour. On the nonboater side, Mike Powell of Utah took the lead with 14 pounds, 6 ounces.
“Being able to fish deeper water helped me improve on my pattern,” he said. Powell was paired with boater Larry Triplett of Colorado who is currently in 26th.
Green Pond Landing and Event Center is the venue for the morning launch and afternoon weigh-in events. The tournament begins at 7:30 a.m. ET with weigh-ins beginning at 3:45 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
10/19-10/21
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Marty Giddens Eclectic, AL 5 17-09 0
Day 1: 5 17-09
2. Tray Huddleston Russellville, AR 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03
3. Matt Pangrac Norman , OK 5 13-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-06
4. Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT 5 13-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-02
5. Rick Svoboda Cockeysville , MD 5 12-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-15
6. Kalib Lund Glendale, AZ 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08
7. James Van Rooyen Lidwigsdorf Windhoek NA 5 12-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-03
8. Jared Thompson Marvell, AR 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
9. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 11-05 0
Day 1: 5 11-05
10. Rick Hamer Charleston, WV 5 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-10
11. Soshi Kataoka Ohtsu-Shi Shiga-Ken Jap 5 09-14 0
Day 1: 5 09-14
12. Tadd Johnson Lakeview, MN 5 09-11 0
Day 1: 5 09-11
13. Kyle Fox Lakeland, FL 5 09-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-05
13. Justy Varkevisser Johannesburg SOUTH AFRI 5 09-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-05
15. Keith Webb Virginia Beach, VA 5 09-02 0
Day 1: 5 09-02
16. Ken Golubjatnikov Pittsford, NY 5 09-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-01
17. Ed Berndt III Grandon, WI 5 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-14
17. Luke Gritter Otsego, MI 5 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-14
19. Wyatt Smith Stroud, OK 5 08-11 0
Day 1: 5 08-11
20. Dean Silvester Boonah Queensland AUSTR 5 08-06 0
Day 1: 5 08-06
21. David Collyer Harare ZIMBABWE 5 08-01 0
Day 1: 5 08-01
21. Mike Seal Richmond, IN 5 08-01 0
Day 1: 5 08-01
23. Tim Carini Marietta, GA 5 08-00 0
Day 1: 5 08-00
24. Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA 5 07-15 0
Day 1: 5 07-15
24. Bryson Mort Post Falls, ID 5 07-15 0
Day 1: 5 07-15
26. Michael McAdams Cincinnati, OH 5 07-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-14
26. Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO 5 07-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-14
28. Beau Govreau Cedar Hill, MO 5 07-13 0
Day 1: 5 07-13
29. Nicholas Papotto Meriden , CT 5 07-11 0
Day 1: 5 07-11
30. Ben Bilott Larimer, PA 5 07-07 0
Day 1: 5 07-07
31. Tony Lind Auburn , WA 5 07-03 0
Day 1: 5 07-03
32. Richard Hladky Yankton, SD 5 07-02 0
Day 1: 5 07-02
33. Tim Hartman Effingham, IL 5 06-12 0
Day 1: 5 06-12
34. Mark Williams Taylorsville, NC 3 06-11 0
Day 1: 3 06-11
35. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 06-07 0
Day 1: 5 06-07
36. Chris Carnes York, SC 5 06-00 0
Day 1: 5 06-00
37. Ryan Lavigne Gonzales, LA 5 05-14 0
Day 1: 5 05-14
38. Mark Lodge Alfred, ME 3 05-14 0
Day 1: 3 05-14
39. Craig Torkleson Sand Springs, OK 5 05-12 0
Day 1: 5 05-12
40. Jay Hotzak Auroro Ontario CANADA 4 05-12 0
Day 1: 4 05-12
41. Michael Sentore Gloucester City, NJ 5 05-10 0
Day 1: 5 05-10
42. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 5 05-09 0
Day 1: 5 05-09
42. James Gildea Weston, MA 5 05-09 0
Day 1: 5 05-09
44. Jordan Bellendier Cedar Rapids, IA 3 05-08 0
Day 1: 3 05-08
45. Gary Bonnet Borden, IN 3 05-03 0
Day 1: 3 05-03
46. Jason Hooper Salem, OR 4 05-02 0
Day 1: 4 05-02
47. Tom Jessop Dalhart, TX 3 04-13 0
Day 1: 3 04-13
48. Jeff Thompson Camby, IN 5 04-12 0
Day 1: 5 04-12
49. Brian Croteau Blackstone, MA 4 04-11 0
Day 1: 4 04-11
50. Alfredo Kury San Luis Potosi MEXICO 3 03-11 0
Day 1: 3 03-11
51. Steve Vann Goldsboro, NC 2 03-08 0
Day 1: 2 03-08
52. Tim Johnston Kalispell , MT 2 03-05 0
Day 1: 2 03-05
53. Johnny Johnson Farmington, NM 3 03-03 0
Day 1: 3 03-03
54. Russell Phillips Guilford, VT 3 03-01 0
Day 1: 3 03-01
55. Nick Wood Yreka, CA 3 02-12 0
Day 1: 3 02-12
56. Justin Spraske Ashuelot, NH 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01
57. Chris Barnett Russellville, TN 1 01-14 0
Day 1: 1 01-14
58. Kevin Wiggins Las Vegas, NV 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
59. Luigi Papa 6132 ITALY 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03
60. Kent Priel No Platte, NE 1 01-00 0
Day 1: 1 01-00
61. Ramon Menezes Fernao Ferro PORTUGAL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 41 253 436-09
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41 253 436-09
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
10/19-10/21
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike Powell Midway, UT 5 14-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-06
2. Mike Spurlock Ripley, WV 5 09-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-05
3. Garrett McCrackin Jennings, OK 5 09-04 0
Day 1: 5 09-04
4. Brandon Rickman Marietta, GA 5 09-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-01
5. Michael Restifo Hoover, AL 4 08-11 0
Day 1: 4 08-11
6. Andre Fidalgo Parreira PORTUGAL 5 08-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-07
7. Eddie Charlton Alma, IL 3 08-07 0
Day 1: 3 08-07
8. Dylan Fryer Hervey Bay Queensland A 5 08-01 0
Day 1: 5 08-01
8. Chris Simons Cromwell, CT 5 08-01 0
Day 1: 5 08-01
10. Steve Sage Brownville, TN 5 07-15 0
Day 1: 5 07-15
11. Brian Velasquez Yuma, AZ 5 07-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-14
12. John Ryan Troy, MI 4 07-13 0
Day 1: 4 07-13
13. Allan Ross-Watt Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA 4 07-09 0
Day 1: 4 07-09
14. Damien McMahon Pilot, VA 5 06-15 0
Day 1: 5 06-15
15. Gavin Fraser Bulawayo ZIMBABWE 5 06-11 0
Day 1: 5 06-11
16. Jody Adkins Navarre, OH 5 06-08 0
Day 1: 5 06-08
17. Stewart Weber Louisville, KY 5 06-07 0
Day 1: 5 06-07
18. Steven Congdon North Stonington, CT 4 06-00 0
Day 1: 4 06-00
19. Michael Liska Espanola, NM 4 05-14 0
Day 1: 4 05-14
20. Austin Johnson Noxon, MT 3 05-13 0
Day 1: 3 05-13
21. Brian Cogburn Oakdale, CA 4 05-11 0
Day 1: 4 05-11
22. Justin Dodd Kennewick, WA 3 05-11 0
Day 1: 3 05-11
23. Mark Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 05-09 0
Day 1: 5 05-09
24. John Fisette Bowdoinham, ME 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06
25. Brad Jamieson Bradford Ontario CANADA 5 05-05 0
Day 1: 5 05-05
26. Chuck Harrison Ft Collins, CO 4 05-04 0
Day 1: 4 05-04
27. James Topmiller III Orlando, FL 4 05-02 0
Day 1: 4 05-02
28. Kevin Simon Reserve, LA 3 05-00 0
Day 1: 3 05-00
29. Artemio Campos Nueva Rosita MEXICO 4 04-13 0
Day 1: 4 04-13
30. Thinus Williams Windhoek MEXICO 3 04-13 0
Day 1: 3 04-13
31. Mike Rennie Pioche, NV 5 04-12 0
Day 1: 5 04-12
32. Bailey Madere Madisonville, LA 4 04-12 0
Day 1: 4 04-12
33. Frank Mixon Abilene, TX 4 04-11 0
Day 1: 4 04-11
34. Kyle Power Cape Fair, MO 3 04-11 0
Day 1: 3 04-11
35. Rob Tipton III Williamstown, NJ 5 04-08 0
Day 1: 5 04-08
36. Jason Betourney Bridgeport, VT 3 04-00 0
Day 1: 3 04-00
36. Brock Enmeier Enid, OK 3 04-00 0
Day 1: 3 04-00
38. Will Smith Moncks Corner, SC 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00
39. Khris Williams Mount Holly , NC 3 03-15 0
Day 1: 3 03-15
40. Josh Cotier Clinton, MA 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 2 03-13
41. Chad Dorney Macungie, PA 3 03-10 0
Day 1: 3 03-10
42. Francesco Nucciarelli Perugia ITALY 3 03-06 0
Day 1: 3 03-06
43. Logan DeGree Redmond, OR 3 03-05 0
Day 1: 3 03-05
44. Brett Daniel Lamar, AR 1 03-03 0
Day 1: 1 03-03
45. Jim Burrows Nashua, NH 2 02-15 0
Day 1: 2 02-15
46. Liam Blake Fairport , NY 2 02-13 0
Day 1: 2 02-13
47. Nathan Tumelson Lewiston, ID 2 02-08 0
Day 1: 2 02-08
48. Gregory Ruff Jr Bloomington, MN 2 02-07 0
Day 1: 2 02-07
49. Spencer Strope Orchard, NE 2 02-06 0
Day 1: 2 02-06
50. Scott Spencer Raleigh, NC 2 02-04 0
Day 1: 2 02-04
51. Grant Callaway Bethel, DE 2 01-11 0
Day 1: 2 01-11
52. Kevin Mullins Brooklyn, IN 1 01-06 0
Day 1: 1 01-06
53. Luke Koch Campbellsport, WI 1 01-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-04
54. Brian Wilson Bloomfield, IA 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03
55. Neal Normand Gonzales, LA 1 00-13 0
Day 1: 1 00-13
56. Charles Capehart Olathe, KS 1 00-12 0
Day 1: 1 00-12
56. Naoyuki Kosa Tsu Mie JAPAN 1 00-12 0
Day 1: 1 00-12
58. Jerry Johnson Fremont, NE 1 00-10 0
Day 1: 1 00-10
59. Mark Pryal Silver Springs, MD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 17 193 292-02
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17 193 292-02