ANDERSON, S.C. — Tray Huddleston is playing a waiting game at the bass tournament on Lake Hartwell and so far he is winning. Saturday, he hopes to seal the deal by winning the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. The Arkansas construction worker caught 15 pounds, 5 ounces Friday, to move from second place into the lead. His two-day total is 29-8.
Huddleston, 32, and a member of the Natural State Bass Club, got this far after testing his bass fishing skills at the local, state and regional levels. The bass are testing his patience, however, at the championship. Huddleston is fishing offshore areas where bass are staging to feed on schools of passing baitfish. The challenge occurs after the surviving baitfish move out of range.
“I can’t figure out how to catch the bass when they aren’t feeding on the baitfish,” he explained.
So far, that’s not too serious of a problem. Huddleston has dialed into a textbook, seasonal pattern on Hartwell. In fall, the structure-oriented bass move from deep water to shallower main-lake points to ambush the baitfish.
“Timing is everything, and I have to be ready without much notice when they finally show up,” Huddleston said.
He plans to stick it out in a tight rotation of three primary areas. Being patient and avoiding the temptation to move around too much is the plan. Coincidentally, patience helped Caleb Sumrall move into second place. The Louisiana angler added a limit weighing 15-10 to complete his overall total of 26-15.
“I had a promising area with a lot of fish that I couldn’t get to bite,” he said. “So I hunkered down and realized that slowing down and being patient might be best.”
The longer he stayed in one area, the more fishing improved. Moving offshore was another wise move. Taking advantage of the same fall textbook pattern in play by Huddleston and other top anglers was the payoff. He hopes to continue that success tomorrow.
“I have a good school of bass that are concentrated in one area,” he said. “When they turn on I can catch them.”
The game changer today was a thick blanket of fog that drifted over the launch site at the 7:30 a.m. takeoff time. B.A.S.S. officials delayed the start by one hour for safety reasons. That posed a challenge for the anglers. Many depended on a productive early-morning bite to jumpstart their day. Initially, Marty Giddens welcomed the one-hour delay.
“A topwater bite isn’t working for me like it is for most of the anglers,” said Giddens, the Day 1 leader.
The Alabama home and plumbing contractor is catching bass in shallow water. Sunshine pushes the bass tighter to cover and makes them easier to catch. Abundant sunshine proved of no benefit for Giddens Friday. He managed to catch just 4-15, but it only dropped him to third place.
Competing are anglers from 47 states and nine nations from the continents of North America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. The field of 120 anglers is divided between boaters and nonboaters.
Mike Powell of Midway, Utah, claimed the nonboater title. The member of the Top of Utah Bassmasters scored the win with a two-day total of 23 pounds, 12 ounces. Powell won a Skeeter TZX190 boat and trailer rigged with Yamaha SHO 150 Outboard, Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance electronics. The used truck sales owner also earned paid entries in the division of his choosing of the 2018 Bassmaster Opens. He also received a Marshal spot for the Classic at Lake Hartwell. Powell will also compete tomorrow in the championship round as a boater.
The final day begins at 7:30 a.m. ET, with the competition ending at 3:45 p.m. The final launch and weigh-in are at Green Pond Landing and Event Center in Anderson County.
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
10/19-10/21
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tray Huddleston Russellville, AR 10 29-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 15-05
2. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 26-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 15-10
3. Marty Giddens Eclectic, AL 10 22-08 0
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 04-15
4. Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT 10 20-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 07-11
5. James Van Rooyen Lidwigsdorf Windhoek NA 10 20-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 07-13
6. Luke Gritter Otsego, MI 10 19-15 0
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 11-01
7. Wyatt Smith Stroud, OK 10 19-09 0
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 10-14
8. Rick Svoboda Cockeysville , MD 9 19-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 4 06-01
9. Matt Pangrac Norman , OK 10 18-14 0
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 05-08
10. Dean Silvester Boonah Queensland AUSTR 10 18-11 0
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 5 10-05
11. Kalib Lund Glendale, AZ 10 18-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 05-11
12. Mark Lodge Alfred, ME 8 17-13 0
Day 1: 3 05-14 Day 2: 5 11-15
13. Jared Thompson Marvell, AR 10 17-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 06-06
14. Ken Golubjatnikov Pittsford, NY 10 17-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 08-05
15. Soshi Kataoka Ohtsu-Shi Shiga-Ken Jap 10 17-02 0
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 07-04
16. Beau Govreau Cedar Hill, MO 10 16-13 0
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 09-00
17. Jason Hooper Salem, OR 9 16-01 0
Day 1: 4 05-02 Day 2: 5 10-15
18. Rick Hamer Charleston, WV 8 16-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 3 05-06
19. Mike Seal Richmond, IN 10 15-10 0
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 5 07-09
20. Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO 10 15-10 0
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 5 07-12
21. Kyle Fox Lakeland, FL 10 15-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 05-11
22. Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA 9 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 4 06-15
23. Tim Hartman Effingham, IL 10 14-12 0
Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 5 08-00
24. Nicholas Papotto Meriden , CT 10 14-12 0
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 07-01
25. Tom Jessop Dalhart, TX 7 14-07 0
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 4 09-10
26. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 10 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 5 07-14
27. Craig Torkleson Sand Springs, OK 9 14-04 0
Day 1: 5 05-12 Day 2: 4 08-08
28. Justy Varkevisser Johannesburg SOUTH AFRI 8 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 3 04-04
29. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 10 13-08 0
Day 1: 5 05-09 Day 2: 5 07-15
30. Gary Bonnet Borden, IN 8 13-02 0
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 5 07-15
31. Tim Johnston Kalispell , MT 7 12-13 0
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 5 09-08
32. Tony Lind Auburn , WA 9 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 07-03 Day 2: 4 05-09
33. James Gildea Weston, MA 10 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 05-09 Day 2: 5 07-02
34. Justin Spraske Ashuelot, NH 6 12-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 5 10-08
35. Tadd Johnson Lakeview, MN 7 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 2 02-13
36. Ed Berndt III Grandon, WI 7 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 2 03-07
37. Chris Carnes York, SC 10 12-02 0
Day 1: 5 06-00 Day 2: 5 06-02
38. Jordan Bellendier Cedar Rapids, IA 8 11-15 0
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 5 06-07
39. Bryson Mort Post Falls, ID 7 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 2 03-15
40. Michael McAdams Cincinnati, OH 8 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 3 04-00
41. Ben Bilott Larimer, PA 8 11-09 0
Day 1: 5 07-07 Day 2: 3 04-02
42. Michael Sentore Gloucester City, NJ 10 11-08 0
Day 1: 5 05-10 Day 2: 5 05-14
43. Ryan Lavigne Gonzales, LA 10 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 05-14 Day 2: 5 05-09
44. Richard Hladky Yankton, SD 9 11-06 0
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 4 04-04
45. David Collyer Harare ZIMBABWE 7 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 2 03-02
46. Keith Webb Virginia Beach, VA 6 10-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 1 01-01
47. Tim Carini Marietta, GA 6 09-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 1 01-07
48. Mark Williams Taylorsville, NC 5 09-04 0
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 2 02-09
49. Jay Hotzak Auroro Ontario CANADA 6 08-11 0
Day 1: 4 05-12 Day 2: 2 02-15
50. Nick Wood Yreka, CA 8 08-09 0
Day 1: 3 02-12 Day 2: 5 05-13
51. Jeff Thompson Camby, IN 7 07-09 0
Day 1: 5 04-12 Day 2: 2 02-13
52. Kevin Wiggins Las Vegas, NV 5 07-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 4 05-11
53. Alfredo Kury San Luis Potosi MEXICO 6 07-04 0
Day 1: 3 03-11 Day 2: 3 03-09
54. Russell Phillips Guilford, VT 6 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 03-01 Day 2: 3 03-04
55. Steve Vann Goldsboro, NC 4 05-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-08 Day 2: 2 02-01
56. Brian Croteau Blackstone, MA 4 04-11 0
Day 1: 4 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
57. Luigi Papa 6132 ITALY 3 03-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 2 02-12
58. Chris Barnett Russellville, TN 2 03-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 1 01-14
59. Johnny Johnson Farmington, NM 3 03-03 0
Day 1: 3 03-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
60. Ramon Menezes Fernao Ferro PORTUGAL 2 02-12 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-12
61. Kent Priel No Platte, NE 2 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 1 00-13
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 41 253 436-09
2 32 230 370-15
----------------------------------
73 483 807-08
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
10/19-10/21
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike Powell Midway, UT 10 23-12 0 $49,835.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 09-06
2. Mike Spurlock Ripley, WV 10 18-04 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 08-15
3. Damien McMahon Pilot, VA 10 16-07 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 5 09-08
4. Brandon Rickman Marietta, GA 9 15-06 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 4 06-05
5. Michael Restifo Hoover, AL 9 15-04 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 08-11 Day 2: 5 06-09
6. John Ryan Troy, MI 9 14-14 0 $250.00
Day 1: 4 07-13 Day 2: 5 07-01
7. Dylan Fryer Hervey Bay Queensland A 8 14-04 0 $250.00
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 3 06-03
8. Steve Sage Brownville, TN 9 12-14 0 $250.00
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 4 04-15
9. James Topmiller III Orlando, FL 9 11-14 0 $250.00
Day 1: 4 05-02 Day 2: 5 06-12
10. Kevin Simon Reserve, LA 6 11-12 0 $250.00
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 3 06-12
11. Jody Adkins Navarre, OH 10 11-08 0 $250.00
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 5 05-00
12. Stewart Weber Louisville, KY 9 11-03 0 $250.00
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 4 04-12
13. Brian Cogburn Oakdale, CA 9 11-02 0
Day 1: 4 05-11 Day 2: 5 05-07
14. Garrett McCrackin Jennings, OK 6 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 1 01-13
15. Chris Simons Cromwell, CT 8 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 3 02-09
16. Allan Ross-Watt Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA 6 10-10 0
Day 1: 4 07-09 Day 2: 2 03-01
17. Justin Dodd Kennewick, WA 6 10-00 0
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 3 04-05
18. Chuck Harrison Ft Collins, CO 7 09-10 0
Day 1: 4 05-04 Day 2: 3 04-06
19. Gavin Fraser Bulawayo ZIMBABWE 7 09-08 0
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 2 02-13
20. Josh Cotier Clinton, MA 6 09-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 4 05-07
21. Francesco Nucciarelli Perugia ITALY 8 09-02 0
Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 5 05-12
22. Steven Congdon North Stonington, CT 6 09-00 0
Day 1: 4 06-00 Day 2: 2 03-00
23. Brian Velasquez Yuma, AZ 6 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 1 01-00
24. Brad Jamieson Bradford Ontario CANADA 8 08-10 0
Day 1: 5 05-05 Day 2: 3 03-05
25. Rob Tipton III Williamstown, NJ 6 08-08 0
Day 1: 5 04-08 Day 2: 1 04-00
26. Andre Fidalgo Parreira PORTUGAL 5 08-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
27. Eddie Charlton Alma, IL 3 08-07 0
Day 1: 3 08-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
28. Michael Liska Espanola, NM 6 08-07 0
Day 1: 4 05-14 Day 2: 2 02-09
29. Kyle Power Cape Fair, MO 6 08-07 0
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 3 03-12
30. Gregory Ruff Jr Bloomington, MN 6 08-05 0
Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 4 05-14
31. Spencer Strope Orchard, NE 7 08-04 0
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 5 05-14
32. Mark Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 7 08-03 0
Day 1: 5 05-09 Day 2: 2 02-10
33. Nathan Tumelson Lewiston, ID 6 08-02 0
Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 4 05-10
34. Will Smith Moncks Corner, SC 5 07-14 0
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 3 03-14
35. Logan DeGree Redmond, OR 5 07-08 0
Day 1: 3 03-05 Day 2: 2 04-03
36. Jason Betourney Bridgeport, VT 5 07-05 0
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 2 03-05
37. Artemio Campos Nueva Rosita MEXICO 6 07-03 0
Day 1: 4 04-13 Day 2: 2 02-06
38. Bailey Madere Madisonville, LA 6 07-03 0
Day 1: 4 04-12 Day 2: 2 02-07
39. Liam Blake Fairport , NY 5 06-06 0
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 3 03-09
40. Chad Dorney Macungie, PA 4 06-01 0
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 1 02-07
41. Mike Rennie Pioche, NV 6 05-14 0
Day 1: 5 04-12 Day 2: 1 01-02
42. Brock Enmeier Enid, OK 5 05-14 0
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 2 01-14
43. Austin Johnson Noxon, MT 3 05-13 0
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
44. Frank Mixon Abilene, TX 5 05-12 0
Day 1: 4 04-11 Day 2: 1 01-01
45. Grant Callaway Bethel, DE 6 05-08 0
Day 1: 2 01-11 Day 2: 4 03-13
46. John Fisette Bowdoinham, ME 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
47. Khris Williams Mount Holly , NC 4 05-06 0
Day 1: 3 03-15 Day 2: 1 01-07
48. Jim Burrows Nashua, NH 4 05-00 0
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 2 02-01
49. Thinus Williams Windhoek MEXICO 3 04-13 0
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Luke Koch Campbellsport, WI 4 04-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 3 03-08
51. Brett Daniel Lamar, AR 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 1 01-08
52. Kevin Mullins Brooklyn, IN 3 04-00 0
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 2 02-10
53. Scott Spencer Raleigh, NC 3 03-08 0
Day 1: 2 02-04 Day 2: 1 01-04
54. Brian Wilson Bloomfield, IA 2 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 1 01-07
55. Naoyuki Kosa Tsu Mie JAPAN 2 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 00-12 Day 2: 1 01-01
56. Neal Normand Gonzales, LA 1 00-13 0
Day 1: 1 00-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
57. Charles Capehart Olathe, KS 1 00-12 0
Day 1: 1 00-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
58. Jerry Johnson Fremont, NE 1 00-10 0
Day 1: 1 00-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
59. Mark Pryal Silver Springs, MD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 17 193 292-02
2 10 143 200-04
----------------------------------
27 336 492-06