CLEWISTON, Fla. — Two former Bassmaster Classic qualifiers are neck-and-neck in the race for the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Southern Divisional title at Lake Okeechobee.
George Crain, 2011 Bassmaster Classic qualifier, took the lead today with a five-fish limit weighing 24 pounds, 13 ounces and nudged past 2009 Classic qualifier Waine Pittman, who finished the day with five bass weighing 24-8.
“I think the fish are scattered,” said Crain, who is targeting postspawn bass in the shallows. The Alabama angler from the Shoal Creek Bass Chasers is competing in his third divisional bass fishing competition.
During practice, Crain avoided setting the hook on any bites and took his chances that the fish were going to be bigger than 12 inches. They were a lot bigger today. “Thank goodness a few of them had some shoulders,” he said. “I may have five that go 7 or 8 pounds tomorrow, though.”
The 59-year-old retired fireman and part-time construction worker caught keepers throughout the day but never culled any fish. He also lost one that would have increased his lead. “I had one that I couldn’t turn around,” he said.
Two patterns are working for Crain, who notes he is getting a chance to fish his strength. Crain has experience fishing on Okeechobee in some major tournaments, including a Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open.
A strong wind gusting up to 24 miles per hour hampered some of the contestants, except Crain and Pittman.
Pittman, 43, caught all of his fish on a jig and said he believes he can catch fish the same way the next two days. He is flipping and punching vegetation he found in practice. “There are more fish moving to it,” said Pittman, a six-time divisional contestant and member of the West Georgia Bass Hunters. The electrical engineer has also fished Okeechobee before in a Bass Club World Championship divisional.
Crain and Pittman are attempting to finish as the top anglers on the Alabama and Georgia teams respectively, which would earn them berths in the Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship (FNC). Other state leaders bidding for FNC berths include Colby Cotterill of Florida; Eddie Cox, South Carolina; Mark Pierce, Tennessee; Chris Kerfoot, Kentucky; and Brent Boyette, North Carolina.
Alabama leads the team competition with 146 pounds, 9 ounces with Georgia in the runner-up spot (137-14).
The Southern Divisional contestants will take off at 7 a.m. tomorrow at Roland Martin’s Marina for the second day of competition.
2012 BFN Southern Division Championship 3/28-3/30
Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston FL.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. George Crain Cropwell, AL (AL) 5 24-13 0
2. Waine Pittman Villa Rica, GA (GA) 5 24-08 0
3. Chuck Thurlow Auburn, AL (AL) 5 20-14 0
4. Colby Cotterill Lakeland, FL (FL) 5 20-13 0
5. Edward Cox Goose Creek, SC (SC) 5 19-09 0
6. Bob Grosso Odessa, FL (FL) 5 18-07 0
7. Mark Pierce Clarksville, TN (TN) 5 17-15 0
8. Chris Kerfoot Louisville, KY (KY) 5 16-10 0
9. Arnie Lane Lakeland, FL (FL) 5 16-08 0
10. Rick Craft Greenup, KY (KY) 5 15-13 0
11. Phillip Lovett Florence, AL (AL) 5 15-08 0
12. Brent Boyette Kenly, NC (NC) 4 14-06 0
12. Tim Hennemann Florence, KY (KY) 4 14-06 0
14. Greg Newman Maryville, TN (TN) 5 14-05 0
15. Frank Raymer Brandenburg, KY (KY) 5 14-00 0
16. Jeremy Pridgen Hahira , GA (GA) 5 13-13 0
17. Kyle Glasgow Guin, AL (AL) 5 13-12 0
18. Angelo Koundourakis Bainbridge, GA (GA) 5 13-05 0
19. Mel Long Hampton, SC (SC) 5 12-11 0
20. Alan Shultz Rutledge, GA (GA) 5 12-07 0
21. Raymond Trudeau Saint Cloud, FL (FL) 5 12-06 0
22. Brian Elder Locust Grove, GA (GA) 4 12-06 0
23. Eric J Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN (TN) 5 12-03 0
24. Josh Smith Guin, AL (AL) 5 12-01 0
25. Jason Reinke North Charleston, SC (S 5 12-00 0
25. David G Williams Maiden, NC (NC) 5 12-00 0
27. Chuck Murray Louisburg, NC (NC) 5 11-12 0
28. Roger Morrow Stockbridge, GA (GA) 5 11-11 0
29. James Roberson Naylor, GA (GA) 5 11-09 0
30. Rocky Rockhill Tuscumbia, AL (AL) 5 11-07 0
31. Joseph T Von Hoene Erlanger, KY (KY) 5 11-06 0
32. Colby Flinn Bradenton, FL (FL) 5 11-02 0
33. Brian Nelson Clarksville, TN (TN) 5 10-14 0
34. Paul Tyre Tallahassee, FL (GA) 5 10-13 0
35. Anthony Goggins Sylacauga, AL (AL) 2 10-07 0
36. Brian W Bowers Franklinton, NC (NC) 5 10-01 0
37. Gary Arnold Mt Pleasant, SC (SC) 5 10-00 0
38. Scott Hamrick Denver, NC (NC) 5 09-15 0
39. Roger Hoover Mooresville, NC (NC) 4 09-12 0
40. Andy Martin Conway, SC (SC) 5 09-07 0
41. Edward Coto Barnwell, SC (SC) 5 09-06 0
42. Don Hogue Cropwell, AL (AL) 5 09-02 0
43. Chad Rice Grayson , KY (KY) 5 08-09 0
44. Bill Spicer Blue Mountain, AL (AL) 5 08-07 0
45. Kyle Raymer Brandenburg, KY (KY) 5 08-06 0
45. Nobel Willits Altamonte Springs, FL ( 5 08-06 0
47. Larry Cahan East Palatka, FL (FL) 5 07-13 0
48. Don Cox Russellville, AL (AL) 5 07-12 0
49. Robert Bogacki Ocala, FL (FL) 2 07-11 0
50. David Swain Wilson, NC (NC) 4 07-07 0
51. Billy Scoggins Mooresboro, NC (NC) 5 07-05 0
52. John L Crisp Mount Washington, KY (K 5 07-01 0
53. Mark Estep Russell , KY (KY) 5 07-00 0
54. Pete Fargo Acworth, GA (GA) 1 07-00 0
55. Gary Kennedy Trion, GA (GA) 4 06-15 0
56. David Cook Hendersonville, TN (TN) 4 06-14 0
56. James David Lockhart II Clarksville, TN (TN) 4 06-14 0
58. Charles Graybeal Jr. Erwin, TN (TN) 5 06-13 0
59. Nickolas Coleman Kuttawa, KY (KY) 5 06-02 0
60. Todd Barbee Mount Pleasant, NC (NC) 5 06-01 0
61. Andy Warren Maury City, TN (TN) 3 06-00 0
62. Jeff Green Gaffney, SC (SC) 5 05-15 0
63. Gary L Bonnet Borden, IN (KY) 5 05-13 0
64. Bill Gordon Birmingham, AL (AL) 3 05-10 0
65. Karl A Schreiber Georgetown, KY (KY) 4 05-09 0
66. Caleb Frazier Citrus Springs, FL (FL) 3 05-08 0
67. Rodney Scott Yavorsky Largo, FL (FL) 4 05-05 0
68. David Beacham Columbia, SC (SC) 3 05-05 0
69. David Glynn Stinson Johnson City, TN (TN) 3 04-14 0
70. Tony South Muscle Shoals, AL (AL) 4 04-11 0
71. Jimmy Hodges McDonough, GA (GA) 5 04-10 0
72. Dustin Snelson Leesburg, FL (FL) 3 04-07 0
73. Joe Smith Rocky Mt, NC (NC) 3 04-01 0
74. James Hooven Lakeland, FL (FL) 3 04-00 0
75. Chris Neely Chattahoochee, FL (GA) 2 04-00 0
76. Sidney Weaver Cherryville, NC (SC) 2 03-13 0
77. Jerry Craig Hiddenite, NC (NC) 3 03-12 0
78. Jerry Last Chattanooga, TN (TN) 2 03-11 0
79. Chris Blair Newnan, GA (GA) 1 03-10 0
80. John Kiely Knoxville, TN (TN) 3 03-07 0
81. Derek Bowden Louisburg, NC (NC) 2 03-01 0
82. Kenneth Jordan Panama City, FL (FL) 1 03-00 0
83. Eulon Lee Jr. Montgomery, AL (AL) 2 02-01 0
84. William Hazel Brunson, SC (SC) 2 02-00 0
84. Warren L Tolson Lexington, KY (KY) 2 02-00 0
86. Jeff Giarrizzo Clarksville, TN (TN) 2 01-11 0
87. Robert Richardson Palmetto, GA (GA) 1 01-11 0
88. Gary Lynn Brooks New Tazewell Drive, TN 2 01-09 0
89. Jason Moyer Troy, SC (SC) 1 01-07 0
89. Jeff Narron Sims, NC (NC) 1 01-07 0
91. Michael Carson Gastonia, NC (SC) 1 01-01 0
92. Ryan West Hartsville, SC (SC) 1 00-15 0
93. Henry J Farmer Jr. Kingsport, TN (TN) 0 00-00 0
93. Bob Harper Orlando, FL (FL) 0 00-00 0
93. Billy Harris Mooresville, NC (NC) 0 00-00 0
93. Ferris Jennings Charleston, SC (SC) 0 00-00 0
93. Daryl Thorp Tuscumbia, AL (AL) 0 00-00 0
93. Rich Young Melbourne, KY (KY) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 52 364 824-11
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52 364 824-11
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
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State Lbs-Oz
1 ALABAMA 146-09
2 GEORGIA 138-06
3 FLORIDA 125-06
4 KENTUCKY 122-11
5 NORTH CAROLINA 101-00
6 TENNESSEE 97-02
7 SOUTH CAROLINA 93-09
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
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GEORGIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Waine Pittman Villa Rica, GA 5 24-08 0
2 Jeremy Pridgen Hahira , GA 5 13-13 0
3 Angelo Koundourakis Bainbridge, GA 5 13-05 0
4 Alan Shultz Rutledge, GA 5 12-07 0
5 Brian Elder Locust Grove, GA 4 12-06 0
6 Roger Morrow Stockbridge, GA 5 11-11 0
7 James Roberson Naylor, GA 5 11-09 0
8 Paul Tyre Tallahassee, FL 5 10-13 0
9 Pete Fargo Acworth, GA 1 07-00 0
10 Gary Kennedy Trion, GA 4 06-15 0
11 Jimmy Hodges McDonough, GA 5 04-10 0
12 Chris Neely Chattahoochee, FL 2 04-00 0
13 Chris Blair Newnan, GA 1 03-10 0
14 Robert Richardson Palmetto, GA 1 01-11 0
SOUTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Edward Cox Goose Creek, SC 5 19-09 0
2 Mel Long Hampton, SC 5 12-11 0
3 Jason Reinke North Charleston, SC 5 12-00 0
4 Gary Arnold Mt Pleasant, SC 5 10-00 0
5 Andy Martin Conway, SC 5 09-07 0
6 Edward Coto Barnwell, SC 5 09-06 0
7 Jeff Green Gaffney, SC 5 05-15 0
8 David Beacham Columbia, SC 3 05-05 0
9 Sidney Weaver Cherryville, NC 2 03-13 0
10 William Hazel Brunson, SC 2 02-00 0
11 Jason Moyer Troy, SC 1 01-07 0
12 Michael Carson Gastonia, NC 1 01-01 0
13 Ryan West Hartsville, SC 1 00-15 0
14 Ferris Jennings Charleston, SC 0 00-00 0
FLORIDA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Colby Cotterill Lakeland, FL 5 20-13 0
2 Bob Grosso Odessa, FL 5 18-07 0
3 Arnie Lane Lakeland, FL 5 16-08 0
4 Raymond Trudeau Saint Cloud, FL 5 12-06 0
5 Colby Flinn Bradenton, FL 5 11-02 0
6 Nobel Willits Altamonte Springs, FL 5 08-06 0
7 Larry Cahan East Palatka, FL 5 07-13 0
8 Robert Bogacki Ocala, FL 2 07-11 0
9 Caleb Frazier Citrus Springs, FL 3 05-08 0
10 Rodney Scott Yavorsky Largo, FL 4 05-05 0
11 Dustin Snelson Leesburg, FL 3 04-07 0
12 James Hooven Lakeland, FL 3 04-00 0
13 Kenneth Jordan Panama City, FL 1 03-00 0
14 Bob Harper Orlando, FL 0 00-00 0
ALABAMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 George Crain Cropwell, AL 5 24-13 0
2 Chuck Thurlow Auburn, AL 5 20-14 0
3 Phillip Lovett Florence, AL 5 15-08 0
4 Kyle Glasgow Guin, AL 5 13-12 0
5 Josh Smith Guin, AL 5 12-01 0
6 Rocky Rockhill Tuscumbia, AL 5 11-07 0
7 Anthony Goggins Sylacauga, AL 2 10-07 0
8 Don Hogue Cropwell, AL 5 09-02 0
9 Bill Spicer Blue Mountain, AL 5 08-07 0
10 Don Cox Russellville, AL 5 07-12 0
11 Bill Gordon Birmingham, AL 3 05-10 0
12 Tony South Muscle Shoals, AL 4 04-11 0
13 Eulon Lee Jr. Montgomery, AL 2 02-01 0
14 Daryl Thorp Tuscumbia, AL 0 00-00 0
NORTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brent Boyette Kenly, NC 4 14-06 0
2 David G Williams Maiden, NC 5 12-00 0
3 Chuck Murray Louisburg, NC 5 11-12 0
4 Brian W Bowers Franklinton, NC 5 10-01 0
5 Scott Hamrick Denver, NC 5 09-15 0
6 Roger Hoover Mooresville, NC 4 09-12 0
7 David Swain Wilson, NC 4 07-07 0
8 Billy Scoggins Mooresboro, NC 5 07-05 0
9 Todd Barbee Mount Pleasant, NC 5 06-01 0
10 Joe Smith Rocky Mt, NC 3 04-01 0
11 Jerry Craig Hiddenite, NC 3 03-12 0
12 Derek Bowden Louisburg, NC 2 03-01 0
13 Jeff Narron Sims, NC 1 01-07 0
14 Billy Harris Mooresville, NC 0 00-00 0
KENTUCKY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Chris Kerfoot Louisville, KY 5 16-10 0
2 Rick Craft Greenup, KY 5 15-13 0
3 Tim Hennemann Florence, KY 4 14-06 0
4 Frank Raymer Brandenburg, KY 5 14-00 0
5 Joseph T Von Hoene Erlanger, KY 5 11-06 0
6 Chad Rice Grayson , KY 5 08-09 0
7 Kyle Raymer Brandenburg, KY 5 08-06 0
8 John L Crisp Mount Washington, KY 5 07-01 0
9 Mark Estep Russell , KY 5 07-00 0
10 Nickolas Coleman Kuttawa, KY 5 06-02 0
11 Gary L Bonnet Borden, IN 5 05-13 0
12 Karl A Schreiber Georgetown, KY 4 05-09 0
13 Warren L Tolson Lexington, KY 2 02-00 0
14 Rich Young Melbourne, KY 0 00-00 0
TENNESSEE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Pierce Clarksville, TN 5 17-15 0
2 Greg Newman Maryville, TN 5 14-05 0
3 Eric J Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN 5 12-03 0
4 Brian Nelson Clarksville, TN 5 10-14 0
5 David Cook Hendersonville, TN 4 06-14 0
5 James David Lockhart II Clarksville, TN 4 06-14 0
7 Charles Graybeal Jr. Erwin, TN 5 06-13 0
8 Andy Warren Maury City, TN 3 06-00 0
9 David Glynn Stinson Johnson City, TN 3 04-14 0
10 Jerry Last Chattanooga, TN 2 03-11 0
11 John Kiely Knoxville, TN 3 03-07 0
12 Jeff Giarrizzo Clarksville, TN 2 01-11 0
13 Gary Lynn Brooks New Tazewell Drive, TN 2 01-09 0
14 Henry J Farmer Jr. Kingsport, TN 0 00-00 0