Kissimmee, Fla. — Team tournament partners Brad Knight and Wesley Strader got one big fish on the Kissimmee Chain and are neck and neck in the pro division after the first round of the Bassmaster Southern Open Thursday. Knight holds the lead with a 22-pound, 11-ounce limit that included a 9-6 bass, while Strader is in second place with 21-9.
“Wesley is a great friend of mine,” said Knight. “We have fished team tournaments together.”
Both anglers found big bass either nesting or moving up to spawn. “I had a terrible execution day because I had a chance at four or five other fish that were of that (9-6) caliber or more,” said Knight, the reigning Forrest Wood Cup champion from Lancing, Tenn. Knight noted he lost most of his bass when they burrowed into the vegetation.
“I would have liked to have had another hour today, but I just didn’t put it all together,” he said. “My fish kind of moved around and things are changing pretty rapidly for me out there. I am looking forward to going back out there tomorrow because I know where they are living. I figured out a few things this afternoon and hopefully I can put together another good bag. Some of the fish are prespawn, but they have really made a move the last day or two to spawn.”
Knight knew he was around big fish when he had a decent day of practice on Tuesday. The Tennessee angler verified that point when he caught his 9-pounder and another bass that probably weighed around 8 pounds today. Strader found his fish in practice when he visited an area where he did well in last year’s Southern Open.
“It is just a place where they come to spawn, and I knew these fish are dying to spawn but the weather conditions haven’t been right for them to do it,” Strader said.
The Spring City, Tenn., angler tried other spots in the morning because he believed the place he found in practice was just loaded with 2-pounders. However when he didn’t have a fish in the livewell by 11:15, he decided to make a move to the keeper-size bass.
“I just went to that area where I knew there were some smaller fish up spawning,” he said. “Those 2-pounders turned into great big ones, so I am pleased with that.”
Rounding out the Top 5 in the pro division are Jade Keeton, Killen, Ala., third, 20-0; Chad Morgenthaler, Reeds Spring, Mo., fourth, 19-10; and Jason Williamson, Wagener, S.C., fifth, 18-8.
Winter Springs, Fla., angler Nate Bloom celebrates his 40th birthday tomorrow, but he received an early birthday present when he got to fish with Koby Krieger, who was his partner when Bloom won the 2003 Southern Open at Lake Okeechobee. Krieger turned into a good luck charm again for Bloom who caught a three-fish limit weighing 11-10 to take the lead in the non-boater division.
“My first day fishing with Koby Krieger and I am in first place,” Bloom said. “It is just meant to be.”
2016 2016 Bassmaster Southern Open 1/28-1/30
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee FL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Brad Knight Lancing, TN 5 22-11 200
Day 1: 5 22-11
2. Wesley Strader Spring City, TN 5 21-09 199
Day 1: 5 21-09
3. Jade Keeton Killen, AL 5 20-00 198
Day 1: 5 20-00
4. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 19-10 197
Day 1: 5 19-10
5. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 18-08 196
Day 1: 5 18-08
6. Eric Panzironi Longwood, FL 5 17-15 195
Day 1: 5 17-15
7. Sam George Athens, AL 5 17-08 194
Day 1: 5 17-08
8. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 17-00 193
Day 1: 5 17-00
9. Jordan Card Knoxville, TN 5 16-10 192
Day 1: 5 16-10
10. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 5 16-04 191
Day 1: 5 16-04
11. Greg Pugh Cullman, AL 5 16-02 190
Day 1: 5 16-02
12. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 16-01 189
Day 1: 5 16-01
13. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 5 15-13 188
Day 1: 5 15-13
14. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 15-06 187
Day 1: 5 15-06
15. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 15-04 186
Day 1: 5 15-04
16. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 5 15-03 185
Day 1: 5 15-03
17. Derek Hudnall Baton Rouge, LA 5 15-02 184
Day 1: 5 15-02
18. Andrew Iversen Maple Plain, MN 5 14-15 183
Day 1: 5 14-15
18. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 14-15 183
Day 1: 5 14-15
18. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 5 14-15 183
Day 1: 5 14-15
21. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 5 14-08 180
Day 1: 5 14-08
22. Cody Detweiler Orlando, FL 5 14-07 179
Day 1: 5 14-07
23. Patrick Bone Cleveland, GA 5 14-05 178
Day 1: 5 14-05
23. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 14-05 178
Day 1: 5 14-05
23. Mark Rose West Memphis, AR 5 14-05 178
Day 1: 5 14-05
26. Jared Dial Winter Haven, FL 5 14-03 175
Day 1: 5 14-03
27. Rich Howes Oviedo, FL 5 14-00 174
Day 1: 5 14-00
28. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 13-14 173
Day 1: 5 13-14
29. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 13-13 172
Day 1: 5 13-13
30. Scott Canterbury Springville, AL 5 13-10 171
Day 1: 5 13-10
31. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 13-06 170
Day 1: 5 13-06
32. Brian Elder Locust Grove, GA 5 13-05 169
Day 1: 5 13-05
33. Kyle Fox Lakeland, FL 4 13-04 168
Day 1: 4 13-04
34. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 13-03 167
Day 1: 5 13-03
35. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 13-02 166
Day 1: 5 13-02
36. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 5 13-00 165
Day 1: 5 13-00
37. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 12-13 164
Day 1: 5 12-13
38. Jason Quinn Rock Hill, SC 5 12-12 163
Day 1: 5 12-12
39. Rex Chambers Baileyton, AL 5 12-08 162
Day 1: 5 12-08
40. Kendal Beaty Spring City, TN 5 12-07 161
Day 1: 5 12-07
40. Ronnie Green Sebring, FL 5 12-07 161
Day 1: 5 12-07
42. Scott Luster Prattville, AL 4 12-04 159
Day 1: 4 12-04
43. Guy Eaker Sr. Cherryville, NC 5 12-03 158
Day 1: 5 12-03
43. Arnie Lane Lakeland, FL 5 12-03 158
Day 1: 5 12-03
45. Kazuki Kitajima Orlando, FL 4 12-03 156
Day 1: 4 12-03
46. Jimmy Johnson La Crosse, WI 5 12-02 155
Day 1: 5 12-02
47. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 12-01 154
Day 1: 5 12-01
48. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 5 11-15 153
Day 1: 5 11-15
49. Garrett Rocamora Lithia, FL 5 11-13 152
Day 1: 5 11-13
50. Cecil Douberly Lakeland, FL 5 11-11 151
Day 1: 5 11-11
51. Clayton Batts Warner Robins, GA 5 11-06 150
Day 1: 5 11-06
51. Sven Hilland Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA 5 11-06 150
Day 1: 5 11-06
53. Charlie Evans Berea, KY 5 11-05 148
Day 1: 5 11-05
54. James Christian Dickson, TN 4 11-05 147
Day 1: 4 11-05
54. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 4 11-05 147
Day 1: 4 11-05
56. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 11-04 145
Day 1: 5 11-04
57. Steven Crafton Clarksville, TN 5 11-01 144
Day 1: 5 11-01
57. Douglas Workman Cleveland, GA 5 11-01 144
Day 1: 5 11-01
59. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 11-00 142
Day 1: 5 11-00
60. Tim Arnold Cullman, AL 5 10-15 141
Day 1: 5 10-15
60. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 10-15 141
Day 1: 5 10-15
60. Michael Neal Dayton, TN 5 10-15 141
Day 1: 5 10-15
63. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 5 10-12 138
Day 1: 5 10-12
64. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 10-11 137
Day 1: 5 10-11
64. Kazunori Okuma Moriyama-Shi Shiga JAPA 5 10-11 137
Day 1: 5 10-11
66. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 5 10-10 135
Day 1: 5 10-10
66. Kendall Newson Lagrange, GA 5 10-10 135
Day 1: 5 10-10
68. Anthony Gagliardi Prosperity, SC 5 10-09 133
Day 1: 5 10-09
69. John Dial Winter Haven, FL 5 10-08 132
Day 1: 5 10-08
69. JT Kenney Palm Bay, FL 5 10-08 132
Day 1: 5 10-08
71. Jp Prouty Satellite Beach, FL 5 10-07 130
Day 1: 5 10-07
71. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 10-07 130
Day 1: 5 10-07
73. Matt Stefan Junction City, WI 5 10-06 128
Day 1: 5 10-06
74. Shane Powell Midland City, AL 5 10-05 127
Day 1: 5 10-05
75. John Cox Debary, FL 5 10-04 126
Day 1: 5 10-04
75. Jon Englund Farwell, MN 5 10-04 126
Day 1: 5 10-04
77. Mike Jackson San Mateo, FL 5 10-03 124
Day 1: 5 10-03
78. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 10-01 123
Day 1: 5 10-01
79. Aaron Owens Birmingham, AL 4 10-01 122
Day 1: 4 10-01
80. Samuel Fish Calera, AL 5 09-14 121
Day 1: 5 09-14
81. Eric Jackson Walling, TN 5 09-13 120
Day 1: 5 09-13
82. Lionel Botha Palm Bay, FL 5 09-11 119
Day 1: 5 09-11
83. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 09-10 118
Day 1: 5 09-10
83. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 09-10 118
Day 1: 5 09-10
85. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 4 09-09 116
Day 1: 4 09-09
86. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 09-08 115
Day 1: 5 09-08
87. Jeff Shelton Hanceville, AL 5 09-05 114
Day 1: 5 09-05
88. Patrick Pierce Jacksonville, FL 5 09-04 113
Day 1: 5 09-04
89. Clabion Johns Jr Covington, GA 3 09-04 112
Day 1: 3 09-04
90. Bradley Dortch Windemere, FL 5 09-03 111
Day 1: 5 09-03
91. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 09-02 110
Day 1: 5 09-02
92. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 3 09-01 109
Day 1: 3 09-01
93. Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL 5 09-00 108
Day 1: 5 09-00
93. Roland Martin Naples, FL 5 09-00 108
Day 1: 5 09-00
95. Derek Yasinski Senoia, GA 5 08-15 106
Day 1: 5 08-15
96. Jason Rice Swannanoa, NC 4 08-15 105
Day 1: 4 08-15
97. Chris Adams Oviedo, FL 5 08-12 104
Day 1: 5 08-12
97. Chris Heath North Augusta, SC 5 08-12 104
Day 1: 5 08-12
97. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 5 08-12 104
Day 1: 5 08-12
97. Kyle Walters Grant Valkaria, FL 5 08-12 104
Day 1: 5 08-12
101. Ray Hashimoto San Francisco, CA 4 08-12 100
Day 1: 4 08-12
102. Jon Canada Pelham, AL 5 08-11 99
Day 1: 5 08-11
102. Al Farace Cockeysville, MD 5 08-11 99
Day 1: 5 08-11
104. Shin Fukae Palestine, TX 5 08-10 97
Day 1: 5 08-10
104. Daniel Lanier Jr. Winter Springs, FL 5 08-10 97
Day 1: 5 08-10
104. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 08-10 97
Day 1: 5 08-10
107. Brent Crow Hartselle, AL 5 08-09 94
Day 1: 5 08-09
107. Toby Lillard Clarksville, TN 5 08-09 94
Day 1: 5 08-09
109. Ryan Hoover Valrico, FL 3 08-09 92
Day 1: 3 08-09
110. Bill Day II Frankfort, KY 5 08-07 91
Day 1: 5 08-07
110. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 08-07 91
Day 1: 5 08-07
112. Jamey Caldwell Carthage, NC 5 08-06 89
Day 1: 5 08-06
112. Dylan Fulk Concord, NC 5 08-06 89
Day 1: 5 08-06
114. Matt Fair Ocoee, FL 3 08-05 87
Day 1: 3 08-05
115. Gary Clouse La Vergne, TN 5 08-04 86
Day 1: 5 08-04
115. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 08-04 86
Day 1: 5 08-04
117. Christiana Bradley Goldvein, VA 5 08-01 84
Day 1: 5 08-01
118. Michael Murphy Lexington, SC 2 08-01 83
Day 1: 2 08-01
119. Randy Haynes Counce, TN 5 08-00 82
Day 1: 5 08-00
120. Ronald Young Round Rock, TX 5 07-14 81
Day 1: 5 07-14
121. Grayson Smith Clarksville, TN 5 07-13 80
Day 1: 5 07-13
122. Trait Crist Fort Worth, TX 5 07-11 79
Day 1: 5 07-11
123. Christopher Murphy Warrenton, VA 4 07-09 78
Day 1: 4 07-09
124. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 07-07 77
Day 1: 5 07-07
125. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 07-06 76
Day 1: 5 07-06
126. Paul Pagnato Reston, VA 4 07-06 75
Day 1: 4 07-06
127. Bob Morin Seymour, TN 4 07-02 74
Day 1: 4 07-02
127. Darrell Pons Gainesville, FL 4 07-02 74
Day 1: 4 07-02
129. Danny Lavoie Franklin, GA 5 07-01 72
Day 1: 5 07-01
130. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 4 06-14 71
Day 1: 4 06-14
131. Josh Douglas Mound, MN 5 06-13 70
Day 1: 5 06-13
131. Mitch Liss Saint Cloud, FL 5 06-13 70
Day 1: 5 06-13
133. Kyle Schutta Forest Lake, MN 4 06-13 68
Day 1: 4 06-13
134. James Bailey Warrenton, VA 5 06-09 67
Day 1: 5 06-09
135. Randy Elliott Bowie, MD 5 06-08 66
Day 1: 5 06-08
136. Greg Buie Athens, AL 3 06-07 65
Day 1: 3 06-07
137. Eric Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN 3 06-05 64
Day 1: 3 06-05
138. Bill Weidler Bessemer, AL 2 06-03 63
Day 1: 2 06-03
139. John Brazzell Winter Garden, FL 4 06-01 62
Day 1: 4 06-01
140. Chris Hensley Marbury, AL 5 05-12 61
Day 1: 5 05-12
141. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 3 05-12 60
Day 1: 3 05-12
142. William Shipes Williston, SC 4 05-11 59
Day 1: 4 05-11
143. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 2 05-11 58
Day 1: 2 05-11
144. Ed Loughran III Mechanicsville, VA 2 05-08 57
Day 1: 2 05-08
145. Chris Moody Brooks, GA 3 05-07 56
Day 1: 3 05-07
146. AJ Slegona Jr Walker Valley, NY 3 05-06 55
Day 1: 3 05-06
147. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 4 05-05 54
Day 1: 4 05-05
148. Dave Sampson Miramar, FL 4 05-03 53
Day 1: 4 05-03
149. Jeff Barth Marshfield, WI 4 05-00 52
Day 1: 4 05-00
150. Greg Mansfield Olathe, KS 3 04-15 51
Day 1: 3 04-15
150. Chris Neau Gretna, LA 3 04-15 51
Day 1: 3 04-15
152. Hunter Eubanks Inman, SC 3 04-13 49
Day 1: 3 04-13
152. Bradley Sears Covington, GA 3 04-13 49
Day 1: 3 04-13
154. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 3 04-12 47
Day 1: 3 04-12
155. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 3 04-09 46
Day 1: 3 04-09
156. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 2 04-07 45
Day 1: 2 04-07
157. Preston Johnson Rice Lake, WI 3 04-05 44
Day 1: 3 04-05
158. Wil Hardy II Harlem, GA 3 04-02 43
Day 1: 3 04-02
158. Ricky Shepherd Mosheim, TN 3 04-02 43
Day 1: 3 04-02
160. Jim Tomsovic Sparta, WI 3 04-01 41
Day 1: 3 04-01
161. Shawn Carnahan Gilbert, AZ 2 04-01 40
Day 1: 2 04-01
161. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 2 04-01 40
Day 1: 2 04-01
163. Rick Shannon Woodlawn, TN 3 03-12 38
Day 1: 3 03-12
164. Michael Johnson Talking Rock, GA 2 03-12 37
Day 1: 2 03-12
165. Rick Pierce Mountain Home, AR 3 03-11 36
Day 1: 3 03-11
165. Chuck Pippin Jr Gotha, FL 3 03-11 36
Day 1: 3 03-11
167. Jeff Cox Saline, MI 2 03-11 34
Day 1: 2 03-11
168. Ryan Davidson Branchland, WV 3 03-10 33
Day 1: 3 03-10
169. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 3 03-08 32
Day 1: 3 03-08
170. Gerald Sensabaugh Kingsport, TN 2 03-07 31
Day 1: 2 03-07
171. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, FL 2 03-01 30
Day 1: 2 03-01
172. Kyle Worsham Cherokee, AL 2 02-15 29
Day 1: 2 02-15
173. Russell Ludwig IV Auburn, GA 2 02-14 28
Day 1: 2 02-14
173. Brad Webb Hampton, VA 2 02-14 28
Day 1: 2 02-14
175. Chris Cline Stafford, VA 1 02-09 26
Day 1: 1 02-09
176. Matt Brown Corbin, KY 2 02-06 25
Day 1: 2 02-06
177. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 1 02-06 24
Day 1: 1 02-06
178. Trevor Lo Maplewood, MN 2 02-03 23
Day 1: 2 02-03
179. Dow Cox Jonesborough, TN 2 02-02 22
Day 1: 2 02-02
180. David Smith Del City, OK 2 02-01 21
Day 1: 2 02-01
181. Clay Dyer Fayetteville, TN 1 01-13 20
Day 1: 1 01-13
181. Steve York Bronson, MI 1 01-13 20
Day 1: 1 01-13
183. Donald Herwick III Springboro, OH 1 01-11 18
Day 1: 1 01-11
184. Carroll Blevins Jonesboro, GA 1 01-10 17
Day 1: 1 01-10
184. Tom Huynh Moorehead, MN 1 01-10 17
Day 1: 1 01-10
186. William Hensley Chattaroy, WV 1 01-06 15
Day 1: 1 01-06
187. Dustin Neat Dunnville, KY 1 01-04 14
Day 1: 1 01-04
188. Mccoy Borja Johnson City, TN 1 01-02 13
Day 1: 1 01-02
188. Deron Patrick Cullman, AL 1 01-02 13
Day 1: 1 01-02
190. Larry Gaines Valparaiso, FL 1 00-15 11
Day 1: 1 00-15
191. Billy Briere Mooresville, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
191. Jeffrey Brooks Boca Raton, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
191. Parker Cann Abbeville, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
191. Travis Dehart Greenville, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
191. Willy Hicks Chester, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
191. Jamie Jacobus Johnstown, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
191. Che Johnson Rochester, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
191. Matt Lowe Walhalla, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
191. Brian Mathis Cornelius, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
191. Ernest Morris Seneca, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG
Day
1 Brad Knight Lancing, TN 09-06 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 116 780 1720-01
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116 780 1720-01