COLUMBIA, S.C. - A first-timer on the tournament waters for the sixth Bassmaster Elite Series bass fishing tournament of 2008, Grant Goldbeck of Gaithersburg, Md., ignored his instincts and claimed the lead Thursday with a limit of 20 pounds, 4 ounces, in the Carolina Clash on Lake Murray. Goldbeck holds less than a 1-pound advantage over Oklahoma's Edwin Evers, whose five-fish limit weighed 19 pounds, 5 ounces.
Goldbeck found a pattern during the three-day practice period and stuck with it. After losing two 5-plus-pounders early Thursday, he eventually settled on three or four favorite spots, returning to them repeatedly throughout the day.
The 37-year-old said he experienced a Kevin VanDam kind of day - running from the front of the boat to the livewell and not locking the lid before running back to the front to catch another and another. After the weigh-in, though, Goldbeck wasn't ready to offer the details of his successful day.
"Things started off kind of slow, and I was kind of stressed out about it," he said. "Then I got a 2-pounder in the boat and decided it was time to run and gun and I've got some spots out there that are holding pretty good fish.
"It seemed like if I let them go for 20, 30 minutes, I could go catch another fish. Leave them alone, let them rest for a while, go give them a fresh bait again every once in a while, I'd get two or three bites."
Pleased with his early flight time for Friday's Day 2, Goldbeck was confident his luck and his lead could hold. If so, the victory would be his first in the Elite Series, worth $100,000 and valuable points in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. Goldbeck is 98th in the AOY standings with 573 points, nearly 700 points behind leader Todd Faircloth of Texas. Goldbeck and the other top anglers could stand to gain significant ground on Faircloth, who struggled Thursday and is in 90th place.
"As long as there's a little bit of wind, a little bit of cloud coverage or something to generate a reason for those fish to be up off the bottom, I think it'll hold out," Goldbeck said.
Evers, who led Days 2 and 3 this month at the Pride of Georgia on Clarks Hill Lake, said he, too, found it crucial on Lake Murray to let his spots rest, though unlike Goldbeck he was working crowded waters.
"Once the fish sees your bait and you don't catch that fish, it educates that one, and the rest of them," said Evers, whose practice made him think he'd get a much stronger bite during the tournament. "I caught them probably until about 12 o'clock. I just didn't get as many bites - maybe eight or nine, 10."
Behind Evers was Matt Sphar of Pavilion, N.Y., in his sophomore season as an Elite pro, with 18-14. Placing fourth was Chris Lane of Winter Haven, Fla., with 18-10. Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., currently in second place in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, was fifth with 18-7.
In the co-angler division, amateurs are battling for a top prize of $25,000. Georgia's Travis McDermott is on top with 13 pounds, 11 ounces, leading South Carolina's Lad Hunter (13-4) and North Carolina's Clay Lowder (12-11).
Activities at the Carolina Clash include live musical performances at 12:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday by Black Bottom Biscuits, and Cherry Dillinger. There will be a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 2 p.m. and a "Boat Performance with Skeeter" class daily at 2:15 p.m. both days.
2008 Carolina Clash 5/15-5/18
Lake Murray, Columbia SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 5 20-04 305 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-04
2. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 19-05 295
Day 1: 5 19-05
3. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 5 18-14 290
Day 1: 5 18-14
4. Chris Lane Lakeland, FL 5 18-10 285
Day 1: 5 18-10
5. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 18-07 280
Day 1: 5 18-07
6. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 5 18-04 274
Day 1: 5 18-04
6. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 18-04 274
Day 1: 5 18-04
8. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 18-00 268
Day 1: 5 18-00
9. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 17-13 264
Day 1: 5 17-13
10. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 5 17-12 260
Day 1: 5 17-12
11. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 5 16-12 257
Day 1: 5 16-12
12. Alton Jones Waco, TX 5 16-07 254
Day 1: 5 16-07
13. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 5 16-03 251
Day 1: 5 16-03
14. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, CA 5 15-15 248
Day 1: 5 15-15
15. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 5 15-07 245
Day 1: 5 15-07
16. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 5 15-05 243
Day 1: 5 15-05
17. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, CA 5 15-04 241
Day 1: 5 15-04
18. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 15-03 239
Day 1: 5 15-03
19. Jay Fuller Kingston, OK 5 15-00 237
Day 1: 5 15-00
20. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 5 14-13 235
Day 1: 5 14-13
21. Kurt Dove Fairfax, VA 5 14-12 233
Day 1: 5 14-12
22. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 14-10 229
Day 1: 5 14-10
22. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 14-10 229
Day 1: 5 14-10
22. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 14-10 229
Day 1: 5 14-10
25. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 5 14-09 225
Day 1: 5 14-09
26. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 14-02 223
Day 1: 5 14-02
27. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 14-01 221
Day 1: 5 14-01
28. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 13-13 218
Day 1: 5 13-13
28. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, TX 5 13-13 218
Day 1: 5 13-13
30. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 5 13-12 215
Day 1: 5 13-12
31. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 13-09 213
Day 1: 5 13-09
32. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 13-08 210
Day 1: 5 13-08
32. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 5 13-08 210
Day 1: 5 13-08
34. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 13-05 206
Day 1: 5 13-05
34. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 4 13-05 206
Day 1: 4 13-05
36. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 5 13-04 200
Day 1: 5 13-04
36. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 13-04 200
Day 1: 5 13-04
36. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 5 13-04 200
Day 1: 5 13-04
36. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 13-04 200
Day 1: 5 13-04
40. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 5 13-03 195
Day 1: 5 13-03
41. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 5 13-00 193
Day 1: 5 13-00
42. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 12-14 191
Day 1: 5 12-14
43. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 12-10 189
Day 1: 5 12-10
44. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 12-06 187
Day 1: 5 12-06
45. Kevin Langill Terrell, NC 5 12-02 184
Day 1: 5 12-02
45. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 5 12-02 184
Day 1: 5 12-02
47. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 12-00 180
Day 1: 5 12-00
47. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 12-00 180
Day 1: 5 12-00
49. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 11-15 177
Day 1: 5 11-15
50. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 11-11 174
Day 1: 5 11-11
50. Preston Clark Palatka, FL 3 11-11 174
Day 1: 3 11-11
52. Steve Daniel Clewiston, FL 5 11-10 171
Day 1: 5 11-10
53. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 5 11-09 169
Day 1: 5 11-09
54. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 11-08 166
Day 1: 5 11-08
54. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 11-08 166
Day 1: 5 11-08
56. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 5 11-05 163
Day 1: 5 11-05
57. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 5 11-03 161
Day 1: 5 11-03
58. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 11-02 158
Day 1: 5 11-02
58. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 11-02 158
Day 1: 5 11-02
60. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 11-00 155
Day 1: 5 11-00
61. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 10-15 152
Day 1: 5 10-15
61. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 10-15 152
Day 1: 5 10-15
63. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 5 10-14 149
Day 1: 5 10-14
64. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 10-08 147
Day 1: 5 10-08
65. James Kennedy Lacombe, LA 4 10-07 145
Day 1: 4 10-07
66. Elton Luce Jr. Brookeland, TX 5 10-04 142
Day 1: 5 10-04
66. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 10-04 142
Day 1: 5 10-04
68. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 10-03 139
Day 1: 5 10-03
69. David Sherrer Shreveport, LA 5 10-02 137
Day 1: 5 10-02
70. Matt Amedeo Clinton, OH 5 10-01 134
Day 1: 5 10-01
70. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, PA 5 10-01 134
Day 1: 5 10-01
72. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 5 09-13 131
Day 1: 5 09-13
73. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 5 09-07 129
Day 1: 5 09-07
74. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 09-02 126
Day 1: 5 09-02
74. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 09-02 126
Day 1: 5 09-02
76. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 5 08-15 123
Day 1: 5 08-15
77. David Smith Del City, OK 5 08-14 121
Day 1: 5 08-14
78. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 08-13 119
Day 1: 5 08-13
79. John Crews Salem, VA 5 08-12 116
Day 1: 5 08-12
79. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 08-12 116
Day 1: 5 08-12
81. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 5 08-09 113
Day 1: 5 08-09
82. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 08-05 111
Day 1: 5 08-05
83. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 08-04 109
Day 1: 5 08-04
84. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 3 08-03 107
Day 1: 3 08-03
85. Jon Bondy Windsor CANADA 3 08-02 105
Day 1: 3 08-02
86. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 5 07-15 103
Day 1: 5 07-15
87. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 5 07-12 101
Day 1: 5 07-12
88. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 4 07-11 99
Day 1: 4 07-11
89. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 5 07-06 97
Day 1: 5 07-06
90. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 07-05 94
Day 1: 5 07-05
90. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 07-05 94
Day 1: 5 07-05
92. Glenn Delong Bellville, OH 4 07-04 91
Day 1: 4 07-04
93. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 4 07-03 89
Day 1: 4 07-03
94. Rick Ash Pottstown, PA 3 06-14 87
Day 1: 3 06-14
95. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 3 06-08 85
Day 1: 3 06-08
96. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 4 06-02 83
Day 1: 4 06-02
97. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 4 06-00 81
Day 1: 4 06-00
98. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 3 05-11 79
Day 1: 3 05-11
99. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 3 05-09 77
Day 1: 3 05-09
100. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 3 05-07 76
Day 1: 3 05-07
101. Billy Brewer Bruceville, TX 3 05-05 75
Day 1: 3 05-05
102. Pat Golden High Point, NC 5 05-04 74
Day 1: 5 05-04
103. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 3 05-00 73
Day 1: 3 05-00
104. Jason Quinn York, SC 2 04-13 72
Day 1: 2 04-13
105. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 2 04-03 71
Day 1: 2 04-03
106. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 2 03-14 70
Day 1: 2 03-14
107. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 2 03-08 69
Day 1: 2 03-08
108. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 4 03-05 68
Day 1: 4 03-05
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BIG BASS
Day
1 Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 08-07 $1,000.00
BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT
Day
1 Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 20-04 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 86 500 1229-05
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86 500 1229-05
2008 Carolina Clash 5/15-5/18
Lake Murray, Columbia SC.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Travis McDermott Kennesaw, GA 5 13-11 0
Day 1: 5 13-11
2. Lad Hunter Conway, SC 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
3. Clay Lowder Mayesville, NC 5 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-11
4. Harry Parten Sweet Water, AL 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
5. Kelly Wolfe Eagle Springs, NC 5 12-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-03
6. Brent Laney Pauline, SC 5 11-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-02
7. Mary Delgado Tampa, FL 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
7. Jason Seaton Martinsville, IN 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
9. Mike Frazier Clermont, FL 3 10-13 0
Day 1: 3 10-13
10. Michael Reed Schellsburg, PA 5 10-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-11
11. Jeff Freeman Max Meadows, VA 5 10-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-04
12. Lane Wright Loganville, GA 5 10-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-01
12. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 4 10-01 0
Day 1: 4 10-01
14. Mike Kirkley Gastonia, NC 5 09-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-03
15. Brian Purvis Eastover, SC 4 08-12 0
Day 1: 4 08-12
16. Kevin Gordon Aiken, SC 4 08-10 0
Day 1: 4 08-10
17. Marcos Malucelli Fort Mill, SC 5 08-08 0
Day 1: 5 08-08
18. Alton Jones Woodway, TX 5 08-05 0
Day 1: 5 08-05
18. Mike Lewis Ponca City, OK 3 08-05 0
Day 1: 3 08-05
20. Bill Todd Elmvale ONTARIO CANADA 3 08-03 0
Day 1: 3 08-03
21. Harold Chapman Greenville, SC 4 08-00 0
Day 1: 4 08-00
22. Steve Hauge Savage, MN 4 07-13 0 $250.00
Day 1: 4 07-13
23. John Farr Anderson, SC 3 07-11 0
Day 1: 3 07-11
24. Bob Sanders Ulmer, SC 5 07-08 0
Day 1: 5 07-08
25. Paul Ham West Columbia, SC 5 07-06 0
Day 1: 5 07-06
26. Patrick Brown Swainsboro, GA 5 07-05 0
Day 1: 5 07-05
26. Chris Gould Martinez, GA 5 07-05 0
Day 1: 5 07-05
26. Chris Jones Conway, SC 5 07-05 0
Day 1: 5 07-05
29. James Anderson Hialeah, FL 5 06-12 0
Day 1: 5 06-12
29. Michael Stephenson Bahama, NC 4 06-12 0
Day 1: 4 06-12
31. Ronnie Tyson Marietta, GA 5 06-08 0
Day 1: 5 06-08
32. Mike Baumgardner Enoree, SC 4 06-07 0
Day 1: 4 06-07
33. Joel Etheredge Springville, AL 3 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-05
33. Roger Medlock Sullivans Island, SC 3 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-05
35. Hunter Spivey Conway, SC 3 06-04 0
Day 1: 3 06-04
36. Tom Frink Simi Valley, CA 3 06-03 0
Day 1: 3 06-03
37. Derrick Bridges Greenville, SC 4 06-02 0
Day 1: 4 06-02
38. Chad Kallina Nada, TX 3 06-01 0
Day 1: 3 06-01
39. Craig Rozema Greer, SC 2 05-15 0
Day 1: 2 05-15
40. Jim McDevitt Eldon, MO 4 05-13 0
Day 1: 4 05-13
40. David Whyte Augusta, GA 2 05-13 0
Day 1: 2 05-13
42. John Yarbrough Columbia, SC 4 05-07 0
Day 1: 4 05-07
42. Lancen Halbert Enoree, SC 3 05-07 0
Day 1: 3 05-07
44. Charles Pruitt Greenwood, SC 3 05-06 0
Day 1: 3 05-06
44. Jerry Lancaster Fort Mill, SC 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06
46. Jeff Snyder New Market, MD 1 05-04 0 $250.00
Day 1: 1 05-04
47. Jason Terry Rural Retreat, VA 4 05-03 0
Day 1: 4 05-03
48. Wendell Gaddy Cameron, NC 3 04-14 0
Day 1: 3 04-14
49. Al Odom Irmo, SC 3 04-13 0
Day 1: 3 04-13
50. Bobby Purvis Eastover, SC 3 04-11 0
Day 1: 3 04-11
51. Walter Stringer Jr. Tallassee, AL 3 04-09 0
Day 1: 3 04-09
51. Dane Odom Irmo, SC 3 04-09 0
Day 1: 3 04-09
53. Brett Mitchell Timmonsville, SC 3 04-07 0
Day 1: 3 04-07
54. Justin Hamner Birmingham, AL 4 04-03 0
Day 1: 4 04-03
55. Chris Heath North Augusta, SC 4 04-00 0
Day 1: 4 04-00
56. Scott McGregor Warrenville, SC 4 03-14 0
Day 1: 4 03-14
57. Billy Hill Candler, NC 4 03-12 0
Day 1: 4 03-12
57. Robert Polishan Wapwallopen, PA 2 03-12 0
Day 1: 2 03-12
59. Christopher Huffine Raleigh, NC 3 03-08 0
Day 1: 3 03-08
60. Howard Stephens Columbia, SC 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
61. Wayne Hauser Mooresville, NC 3 03-05 0
Day 1: 3 03-05
61. Ivan C Morris Virginia Beach, VA 2 03-05 0
Day 1: 2 03-05
61. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, AL 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05
61. William Wilson Lexington, SC 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05
65. Mike Gerald Conway, SC 3 03-04 0
Day 1: 3 03-04
65. Joseph Kastner Leesville, SC 2 03-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-04
67. Craig Daino Central Square, NY 1 03-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01
68. Deron Donohoo Sumter, SC 3 03-00 0
Day 1: 3 03-00
69. Matthew Roesch Toccoa, GA 1 02-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-13
70. Jerry Minnick Irmo, SC 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12
71. Barry Hooper Monticello, GA 3 02-11 0
Day 1: 3 02-11
72. Chuck Jones Newfoundland, NJ 2 02-09 0
Day 1: 2 02-09
73. Brad Smith Clarks Hill, SC 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
74. Ron Reynolds Hoover, AL 2 02-04 0
Day 1: 2 02-04
75. David Lindsay Lexington, SC 1 02-03 0
Day 1: 1 02-03
76. George Barefield Hoover, AL 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
77. Bruce Andrews Sunset, SC 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
78. Jeff Adkins Lexington, KY 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
78. Andrew Mcclintock Greeneville, TN 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
80. Jason Goude Georgetown, SC 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
81. Brian Easler Inman, SC 1 01-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-10
81. Robert Kerry Chardon, OH 1 01-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-10
83. Aaron Miles Marshville, NC 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08
84. Ronnie Green Tampa, SC 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07
85. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, AL 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03
86. Lonnie Dumas Stone Mountain, GA 1 01-01 0
Day 1: 1 01-01
86. Bill Harvey Grovetown, GA 1 01-01 0
Day 1: 1 01-01
88. Wes Hood Annandale, VA 1 00-15 0
Day 1: 1 00-15
89. James Bledsoe Martinez, GA 1 00-13 0
Day 1: 1 00-13
89. Max Terry Sumter, SC 1 00-13 0
Day 1: 1 00-13
91. Matthew Goheen Little River, SC 1 00-12 0
Day 1: 1 00-12
92. Wayne Cole Columbia, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Greg Davis Evans, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. John Geddings Sumter, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Bj Hannah Dyersburg, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Stan Harvey Fayetteville, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Ronald Mueller Prosperity, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Clint Pack Gable, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Spiro Papadopoulo Augusta, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Ron Parks Lexington, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Thomas Rogers Keller, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Manning Schumpert Lugoff, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Brad Schwartz Ridgeville, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Gary Thomas Bogart, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Larry Triplett Parker, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. John Wentzell Columbia, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Adam Williamson Ridgeway, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
92. Robbie Wright Ladson, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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BIG BASS
Day
1 Steve Hauge Savage, MN 05-04 $250.00
1 Jeff Snyder New Market, MD 05-04 $250.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 21 273 502-12
----------------------------------
21 273 502-12