ANDERSON, S.C. — Kris Lockard and Michael Morse said they knew next to nothing about Lake Hartwell heading into the Bassmaster Team Championship, but they made it look like their local favorite spot on Wednesday. Lockard and Morse, who compete on the Lakeland (Fla.) Bassmaster Team Trail, caught a five-bass limit that weighed 17 pounds, 15 ounces to take the lead on Day 1 of the final event of the 2019 season.
The Florida anglers said they weren’t sure which strategy to employ on Hartwell, so they went “junk fishing” on Wednesday. Their limit (four largemouth and one spotted bass) was heavy enough for a 15-ounce lead over Adam Smith and Jayme Rampey, who live only minutes from Lake Hartwell and know it as well as any tandem in the tournament.
In all, 165 duos from 30 different states and two foreign countries are competing for a total cash purse of $87,200 in the two-day Team Championship portion of this event. The duo with the heaviest two-day total will earn a $20,000 Nitro/Mercury cash prize.
Lockard and Morse put themselves in good position to claim that cash. Their catches were spread throughout the day and covered ample water to entice their bites. That was the case for many teams, who scooted across Hartwell Wednesday, when skies were sunny and temperatures hovered near 50 degrees all day.
“We got lucky fishing this cold and deep water,” Morse said. “We’re from Florida, and there are no buggy whips or lily pads for us to flip here like we have back home. But we found some backwater spots that looked decent and were holding a little bait. We were able to get five good bites.”
The biggest of those was a 5-9 largemouth Morse caught while he was trying to help Lockard free his jig from a Hartwell rockpile.
“(Lockard) was hung up on some rocks, and I was spinning the boat around so he could get loose,” Morse said. “I threw a crankbait down a rock line. There was no reason for that fish to be there. I thought it was a striper. He was digging and shaking hard.”
Lockard, 53, is an operations manager for a fabrication machine shop, and Morse, 45, is a saltwater fishing guide. They’ve competed together in team-trail events for three years, and they qualified for last year’s championship on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes. They know that fishery very well, but they finished 101st of 196 tandems in the tournament.
The irony, faring much better so far on the unfamiliar water of Lake Hartwell, is not lost on either angler.
“Too much history,” Lockard said. “We know (the Harris Chain) too well.”
“We’re just going fishing here,” Morse said. “Not knowing much was OK today.”
Smith and Rampey, who compete on the Palmetto Boat Center Team Trail, caught a 17-0 limit and had the heaviest bass of the day (a 5-14 Rampey hooked early Wednesday morning.) They won a $500 cash prize for that catch, and another $500 big bass award will be presented to the team with the heaviest bass on Thursday. Rampey said he’s not sure how Hartwell will fish on Day 2 of the Championship, but he’s hoping for more quality bites like Wednesday’s big bass.
“That deep bite (for the 5-14) was really good, but (overall) it wasn’t very good today,” he said. “Hopefully that changes up tomorrow. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
Chris Noffsinger and Micheal Ebach of the West Michigan Bassmasters are in third place with 15-4.
The Top 3 teams after Thursday’s weigh-in will have their weights zeroed and those six anglers will fish individually in the Classic Fish-Off on Friday and Saturday. The angler with the heaviest two-day total in the fish-off will claim the 53rd and final spot in the 2020 Bassmaster Classic.
2019 Bassmaster Team Championship 12/11-12/12
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Kris Lockard - Michael Morse Lakeland Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 17-15 Total: 5 17-15
2. Adam Smith - Jayme Rampey Palmetto Boat Center 0
Day 1: 5 17-00 Total: 5 17-00
3. Chris Noffsinger - Micheal Ebach West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 15-04 Total: 5 15-04
4. Brad Jelinek - Brock Reinkemeyer Joe bass team trail 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Total: 5 15-00
5. Roger Fitzpatrick - Chase Fitzpatrick 0
Day 1: 5 14-08 Total: 5 14-08
6. Chip Servant - Josh Cotier Mass Bass Nation Classic Team Tr 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Total: 5 14-07
7. Russ Padgett Jr - Meredith Havird Carolina Bass Challenge 0
Day 1: 5 14-03 Total: 5 14-03
8. Todd Buckingham - Chris Beaudrie KY BN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Total: 5 13-08
9. Travis O'Quinn - Shannon O'Quinn Morristown Marine 0
Day 1: 5 13-05 Total: 5 13-05
10. Steve Addington - Scott Beattie CAROLINA BASS CHALLENGE 0
Day 1: 5 13-01 Total: 5 13-01
10. Eric Morris - Ben Williamson Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 13-01 Total: 5 13-01
12. Josh Chapple - Paul Davis Airport Marine Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Total: 5 12-15
12. Mike Schutte - Ethan Snyder NTBA Thursday Night Grand Taylor 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Total: 5 12-15
14. Bill Perkins - Jacob Perkins Upstate Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Total: 5 12-13
15. Doug Brownridge - David Chong Renegade Bass Tour 0
Day 1: 5 12-10 Total: 5 12-10
16. Josh Busby - Timothy Taylor Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
17. Frederick Clements - James Clements 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
17. Rick Ryver - David Garbrick 10362 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
19. Jesse Riemersma - David Riemersma West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
20. Nick Ratliff - Bradley Dunagan Campbellsville University 0
Day 1: 5 12-02 Total: 5 12-02
21. John Pollard - Dallas Weldon Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Total: 5 12-00
21. Luke Routh - Tyler Weaver Joe bass team trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Total: 5 12-00
23. Anthony Goggins - Jeremy Headley Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
23. Haden Lamb - Trevor Porter Chattanooga Bass Association 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
23. Robert Messenger Jr - John Levesque NH Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
23. Brandon Tallhamer - Nick Pahoundis Frontier Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
27. Joe Ellis - Ron Ellis Tennessee Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-14 Total: 5 11-14
28. Aaron Green - Sean Cummins Standing Stone Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Total: 5 11-13
28. Ed Payne - Terrell Pennington Alabama bass 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Total: 5 11-13
30. Tony Spinks - Cody Spinks Ozark mountain team trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
31. Greg Coleman - Travis Gillett 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
31. Shawn Williams - Shane Williams Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
33. Rusty Rommel - Gary Mccauley Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
34. Ted Milby - Jeff Richey Kentucky Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 11-09 Total: 5 11-09
35. John Cole - Stephen Nicely Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
35. Mike McCullers - Steven Welcher Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
35. Hennie Schoeman - Ruan Wahl SABAA South Africa 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
38. Rob Lee - Steve Winslett Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
38. Bruce Sargent - Jonathan Trowbridge Birmingham Bass Club 0
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
40. Tim Sierota - Jason Rigdon NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
41. Barron Adams - Trevor Prince 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
41. Clay Samples - Tyler Purcell Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
43. Ethan Hall - Tucker Kautz Upstate Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
43. Nolen Spencer - Jonathon Reese Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
45. Grant Hopson - Wesley Ward Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-00 Total: 5 11-00
46. Josh Butler - Randy Tolbert Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-14 Total: 5 10-14
46. Ken Reagan - Matt Reagan West Michigan Elites 0
Day 1: 5 10-14 Total: 5 10-14
48. Eric Galasso - Scooter Lilley Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 10-13 Total: 5 10-13
48. Steven Thames - Mark Blevins Florida BASS Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-13 Total: 5 10-13
50. Todd Nidiffer - Benny Roberts Morristown Marine Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
51. Drew Blackwood - Terry Blackwood Sunflower team trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
52. Raymond Archer - Kirk Albrecht Centennial Bass Club 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
52. Jeff Bradford - Bryan Vote Joe Bass 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
52. Philip Mcclung - Allen Snyder Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
52. John Proctor - John Duarte Jr South Carolina - Conway Bassmast 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
52. Jerry Shawver - Daniel Irish Florida Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
52. Kyle Smith - Bobby Drinnon Morristown Marine Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
58. Roger Gosnell - Gene Barnett Palmetto Boat Center 0
Day 1: 5 10-09 Total: 5 10-09
59. Brad Padgett - Daniel Padgett TN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-09 Total: 5 10-09
60. Mike Heffelfinger - Kyle Colone Michigan NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
61. Dean Donovan - Tonk King Tri Bay Bass Association 0
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
61. Flannagan Fife - Cody Davis Arkansas Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
63. Mike Altizer - Shannon Breeding Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
64. Jason Ehlers - Kyle Wirtz Iowa Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-05 Total: 5 10-05
64. Travis Salo - Garrett Seppala New Hampshire Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-05 Total: 5 10-05
64. Timothy Wells - Tim Wells Cen Cal Elite 0
Day 1: 5 10-05 Total: 5 10-05
67. Matt Beeler - Rodney Beeler TN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-02 Total: 5 10-02
68. Andrus Kung - Evan Kung CSFL 0
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
68. Rick Tilley - Ricky Sr Tilley 0
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
70. Ken Walters - Jason Beasley Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
71. Steve Huegerich - Michael Hanrahan Iowa Bass Nation Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
71. Ryan Kelly - Joshua Schumaker West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
73. Dane Vocelka - Aaron Teal Teal and Vocelka 0
Day 1: 5 09-14 Total: 5 09-14
74. Howard McCallister - Tim Robinson Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 09-13 Total: 5 09-13
74. Myles Palmer - Bj Barnett Bethel University 0
Day 1: 5 09-13 Total: 5 09-13
76. Grant Snabes - Andrew Smolen MICHIGAN BASS NATION TEAM TRA 0
Day 1: 5 09-12 Total: 5 09-12
76. Greg Zumwalt - Keith Hendrix Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 09-12 Total: 5 09-12
78. Brandon Cline - Aaron Strickland great lakes largemouth series 0
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
78. Ryan Swart - Ryan Thompson SABAA South Africa 0
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
80. Mike Polencheck - Brad Longerbone 0
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
80. Jimmy Vanden Berg Jr - Jason Walcott West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
82. Allen Eaker - Josh Quesinberry Carolinas Bass Challenge 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
82. Josh Hilton - Paul Combs Arkansas Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
84. Toby Lillard - Michael Lorden Tennessee BASS Nation 0
Day 1: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
85. Brad Dekraai - Jeff Moore NH BASS NATION 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
85. Andy Hale - Jacob Whitfield winter bass o thon 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
85. Bryce Kalen - Bryan Kalen IN BN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
85. Mitch Mitchell - Candler McCollum Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
85. Kevin Short - Steve Howard Arkansas Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
90. Kyle Healey - Adam Howell RENAGADEBASS BASS TRAIL 0
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
91. Mark McCaig - Tim Hurst Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 09-02 Total: 5 09-02
92. Wade Goins - Bret Fite Angler Nation 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Total: 5 09-01
92. Raymond Lentine - Eli Delany Massachusetts Mass Bass Nation T 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Total: 5 09-01
94. Tom Mccombs - Darryl Brown CBC 0
Day 1: 5 09-00 Total: 5 09-00
95. Mark Hogan - Tony Kibler Delaware BASS Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
96. Robert Colangeli - Bob Macmillan Renegade Bass Tour 0
Day 1: 5 08-13 Total: 5 08-13
96. Timothy Penhollow - kc Choosakul CBC 0
Day 1: 5 08-13 Total: 5 08-13
98. Matthew Rittman - Jay Daily Hammers 0
Day 1: 5 08-11 Total: 5 08-11
98. Richard Sainz - Nick Mcilrath New Mexico BASS Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-11 Total: 5 08-11
98. Damien Willis - Tyler Kiker Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-11 Total: 5 08-11
101. Ronald Belew - Derek Dace Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-10 Total: 5 08-10
101. Brian Carroll - Richard Meuth KY Bass Nation Team Trial 0
Day 1: 5 08-10 Total: 5 08-10
101. Ronnie Dobbs - Troy Eakins Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 08-10 Total: 5 08-10
101. Brian Jones - Matt Russell Texas Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 08-10 Total: 5 08-10
101. Benjie Seaborn - Johnathon Seaborn Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-10 Total: 5 08-10
106. Jeffrey Kyle - Sam Drake Florida Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 08-08 Total: 5 08-08
107. Adam Bain - Kris Colley Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-06 Total: 5 08-06
107. Kyle Metzger - Jeff Currie Upstate Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 08-06 Total: 5 08-06
107. Zach Peaslee - Jason Adams Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 08-06 Total: 5 08-06
110. Jeffrey Brauneck - Fred Brauneck West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
110. Robert Perkins - Spencer Barrow Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
112. Jack Morgan - Joshua Westerink CSFL 0
Day 1: 5 08-03 Total: 5 08-03
112. Russell Pasket - Dale Michael Texas BASS Master Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-03 Total: 5 08-03
114. Tony Campanell - Stephen Humphrey Ntba 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Total: 5 08-00
115. Justen Fain - Ty Fain Great Lake Largemouth 0
Day 1: 5 07-15 Total: 5 07-15
115. Frank Gottschalk - Ben Gottschalk SABAA South Africa 0
Day 1: 5 07-15 Total: 5 07-15
117. Steven Priest - Jarrod Priest 0
Day 1: 5 07-14 Total: 5 07-14
118. Brian Chandler - Jermey Jenks West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 07-13 Total: 5 07-13
118. Kevin Hagerman - Max Suter Cheat Lake Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 07-13 Total: 5 07-13
118. Gary Michaud - Dustin Compton Carolina Bass Challenge 0
Day 1: 5 07-13 Total: 5 07-13
118. John Powell - Matt Powell Powell Brothers 0
Day 1: 5 07-13 Total: 5 07-13
122. Jason Christianson - Kenneth Jeska Team ramrod 0
Day 1: 5 07-12 Total: 5 07-12
123. Kevin Allen - Chris Rhodes Indiana Bass Nation Team Trail 0
Day 1: 4 07-12 Total: 4 07-12
124. Bob Peck - Tony Stoffers IA Bass nation river division 0
Day 1: 5 07-10 Total: 5 07-10
125. Tony Waugh - Brendt Osborne B.A.S.S. Nation Championship 0
Day 1: 5 07-08 Total: 5 07-08
126. Eric Rasmussen - John Frugo US Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 07-07 Total: 5 07-07
127. Ray Chancey - Kenneth Sir Lakeland Bassmasters Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 07-06 Total: 5 07-06
127. Michael Underwood - Ryan Westgate West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 07-06 Total: 5 07-06
129. Fred Hale - Waco Johnson OMTT 0
Day 1: 5 07-05 Total: 5 07-05
129. John Richards - Brent Bowen NH Bass nation 0
Day 1: 5 07-05 Total: 5 07-05
131. Johan Van Veelan - Nikki van Veelen So Africa BN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 07-04 Total: 5 07-04
132. Shandon Hawman - Glen Naude SABAA South Africa 0
Day 1: 5 07-02 Total: 5 07-02
132. Chris Rutland - Coby Carden Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 07-02 Total: 5 07-02
134. Dustin Neat - Katlin Haney NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
135. Brendon Mcdonald - Zach Vankeulen Angler Nation 0
Day 1: 5 06-14 Total: 5 06-14
136. Tony Woodard - Robert Hoyt Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 06-12 Total: 5 06-12
137. Wes Fleming - Jake Hoesli Sunflower Team Trail 0
Day 1: 4 06-10 Total: 4 06-10
138. Rob Johnson - Duane Davis Cheat Lake Bass Club 0
Day 1: 3 06-10 Total: 3 06-10
139. Ronald Cancilla - Leo Cancilla Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 0
Day 1: 5 06-09 Total: 5 06-09
140. Don Cox - Donny Davis Alabama BASS Nation 0
Day 1: 5 06-08 Total: 5 06-08
140. Jared Winland - Brandan Becki Great Lakes Largemouth Series 0
Day 1: 5 06-08 Total: 5 06-08
142. Sam Leintz - Ryan Jobe KC Team Tour 0
Day 1: 5 06-04 Total: 5 06-04
143. Tom Statler - Dillon Statler Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 06-01 Total: 5 06-01
144. Wally Szuba - Dennis Reedy Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 06-00 Total: 5 06-00
145. Matthew Farrabee - Mark Mounts Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 0
Day 1: 5 05-15 Total: 5 05-15
146. Lex Costas - Ben Lee Carolinas Bass Challenge 0
Day 1: 3 05-15 Total: 3 05-15
147. Nicholas Bodsford - Richard Owen James River Priority 0
Day 1: 5 05-14 Total: 5 05-14
148. John Williams IV - Bob Capps Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 05-09 Total: 5 05-09
149. Edward Gad - Aj Klein Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation Team Tr 0
Day 1: 5 05-05 Total: 5 05-05
149. George Lewis - Jeff Burchett ANGLERS OUTPOST 0
Day 1: 5 05-05 Total: 5 05-05
151. Josh Hubbard - Thomas Catlin 0
Day 1: 4 05-04 Total: 4 05-04
152. Mark Mason - Matthew Wolfe U.S. Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 05-00 Total: 5 05-00
153. Mark Thompson - Rusty Darnell Joe Bass TT 0
Day 1: 4 04-08 Total: 4 04-08
154. Justin Orr - Greg Mcwhorter New Mexico BASS Team Trail 0
Day 1: 3 03-12 Total: 3 03-12
155. Ben Bonikowske - Derrek Nelson Angler's choice tournament trail 0
Day 1: 3 03-11 Total: 3 03-11
156. Scott Hamel - Dennis Hamel 0
Day 1: 3 03-09 Total: 3 03-09
157. Brock Harrison - Brent Whitmire Bayou Bassin League 0
Day 1: 2 03-05 Total: 2 03-05
158. Bryan Welch - Mark Inman Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 3 02-14 Total: 3 02-14
159. Caleb Mcneal - Taylor Luna Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 1 02-01 Total: 1 02-01
160. Wayne Hill - Johnny Whitfield winter bass o thon 0
Day 1: 1 01-08 Total: 1 01-08
161. Jack Ebach - William Shermeta 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Total: 1 01-05
162. David Kucish - Gary Ross Benton's Ferry Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
162. Jeffery Lawson - Casey West media south ms 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
162. Chad Smith - Darren Mitchell Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
162. Steven Weber - Sam Phillips joe bass 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 147 774 1511-00
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147 774 1511-00