GEORGETOWN, S.C. — John Proctor has three advantages following the first day of the B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional tournament on Pee Dee River Basin Wednesday. Local knowledge, tidal fishing savvy and the first-day individual lead are the assets. Proctor’s limit weighed 14 pounds, 8 ounces, to give him a narrow lead in the tournament underway on the Pee Dee River Basin. Basin is an understatement in size when compared to the fishable water available to the contestants from seven states. The tournament waters encompass 232 miles. Sheer size is where the second advantage is key in this tournament.
“There is a lot of water here, and that can be intimidating to a newcomer,” said Proctor, of nearby Conway, S.C. “What’s really key here, though, is reading the tide.”
Tidal bass tournaments hinge on the ebb and flow of the water. Timing is everything. A dry fishing area on low tide becomes nutrient rich when covered with water. You must plan to be on spot when the time comes.
“For me there are four good hours and the low tide is best,” the Conway Bassmasters member said.
That practically eliminates one-half of the fishing day. Anglers are due back beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET after departing the dock at 6:30 a.m. Proctor made a 45-mile run to his area, claiming it was best prior to the rising tide. Traveling so far was a gamble that paid off. He targeted an area rich with spawning female bass. The result was the tournament’s biggest bass weighing 7-9.
“That was the plan, to catch a big female and then go fill my limit,” he said.
Thursday’s strategy calls for a change-up. Proctor abandoned the area after catching the lone bedding bass.
“It was a gamble that I don’t plan on making tomorrow,” he said. “I’m going for more of a quality bite all around and not just one kicker.”
He likely will need more than one big bass to hold off his competitors. Anyone in the Top 10 is within striking distance. Only 4 pounds separate Proctor from 10th-place angler Hayes Hudson. Proctor and Bryan Gunter, the current runner-up, have South Carolina leading the team standings. The team’s cumulative weight is 106-7. Alabama is second with 93-3 and Georgia has 78-8 for third place. North Carolina is fourth with 78-7. Notably, all four states are home to tidal bass fisheries. The winning state team is awarded a Triton 189 TrX rigged with Mercury outboard, Lowrance electronics and a MotorGuide trolling motor. The complete package is valued at $33,340.
The contestants from seven states qualified from their local bass clubs and state championships to be here at the B.A.S.S Nation Southern Divisional. Each team has 14 members. Two of the 14 members are high school anglers part of another competition underway here. State championship high school teams are competing alongside the adults to hone their skills. Cumulative weight caught is added to the overall score of the state team. The winning team receives $500, with $250 going to the runner-up. Each adult angler winning his state here advances to the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in the fall.
Takeoff Thursday, Day 2 of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional, will take place at Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex in Georgetown at 6:30 a.m. The weigh-in will occur at the same location at 2:30 p.m. Takeoff and weigh-in for the final day of competition Friday will take place at the same times and location.
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional 4/22-4/24
Pee Dee River Basin, Georgetown SC.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. John Proctor Conway, SC (SC) 5 14-08 0
2. Bryan Gunter Ninety Six, SC (SC) 5 12-03 0
3. Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL (AL) 5 12-00 0
4. Wayne Black San Mateo, FL (FL) 5 11-07 0
4. Mark Pierce Radcliff, KY (TN) 5 11-07 0
6. William Palmer Floyds Knobs, IN (KY) 5 11-06 0
7. Brian Colson Lake Mary, FL (FL) 5 11-04 0
8. Brad Durden Atlanta, GA (GA) 4 10-11 0
9. Jackie Stanford Gaffney, SC (SC) 5 10-05 0
10. Hayes Hudson Conway, SC (SC) 5 10-04 0
11. William Grantham Mobile, AL (AL) 5 10-01 0
12. Chad Mcmurrian Perry, GA (GA) 5 09-13 0
13. Mike Prance Palatka, FL (FL) 4 09-12 0
14. Marty Giddens Alpine, AL (AL) 5 09-09 0
15. Randall Blackmon Berry, AL (AL) 5 09-02 0
16. Steve Ingram Tallassee, AL (AL) 5 08-09 0
17. Phil Bain Youngsville, NC (NC) 5 08-06 0
18. Jeff Narron Sims, NC (NC) 5 08-05 0
18. Carson Orellana Mooresville, NC (NC) 5 08-05 0
20. Lee Cannon Conway, SC (SC) 5 08-02 0
21. Scott Brison Clarksville, TN (TN) 5 07-14 0
21. Jim Keith Newberry, FL (FL) 5 07-14 0
23. Jeffrey Allison Jr. Gaffney, SC (SC) 5 07-07 0
23. Eric Holder Canton, GA (GA) 5 07-07 0
23. Kim Neal Easley, SC (SC) 5 07-07 0
26. Tim Carini Shirley, NY (GA) 5 07-05 0
26. Chris Jones Conway, SC (SC) 5 07-05 0
28. Rickey Boggs Shephersville, KY (KY) 5 07-04 0
28. Drew Cook Midway, FL (FL) 5 07-04 0
30. Joshua Lanaville Goldsboro, NC (NC) 5 07-03 0
30. Colby Wells Pace, FL (AL) 5 07-03 0
32. Lance Freeman Eddyville, KY (KY) 5 07-01 0
33. John Roth Lawrenceburg, IN (KY) 5 06-15 0
34. Mark Johnson Georgetown, SC (SC) 5 06-14 0
34. Tom Walsh Eustis, FL (FL) 5 06-14 0
36. Stan Gunter Saluda, SC (SC) 4 06-14 0
37. Jimmy Miller Eclectic, AL (AL) 4 06-12 0
38. Jonathan Edwards Lawrenceburg, TN (AL) 5 06-10 0
38. Steven Thames High Springs, FL (FL) 5 06-10 0
40. Brad Smith Brownsville, TN (TN) 5 06-09 0
41. Eric Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN (TN) 5 06-07 0
42. James Gazaway Whitesburg, GA (GA) 5 06-07 0
43. Mike Morris White, GA (GA) 5 06-05 0
44. Mickey Lewis Huntington, TN (TN) 5 06-04 0
44. Brendan Smith Roswell, GA (GA) 5 06-04 0
46. Barry Hooper Monticello, GA (GA) 5 06-03 0
47. Kirt Pequignot Clarksville, TN (TN) 4 06-02 0
48. Jason Holland Gastonia, NC (SC) 5 06-01 0
48. Rick Shannon Woodlawn, TN (TN) 5 06-01 0
50. Roger Thomas Snow Hill, NC (NC) 4 06-01 0
51. Michael Moore Dover, TN (TN) 5 06-00 0
52. Tim Hennemann Florence, KY (KY) 5 05-13 0
53. Don Hogue Cropwell, AL (AL) 5 05-12 0
54. Carl Logan Winder, GA (GA) 3 05-10 0
55. Donald Odor Butler, KY (KY) 5 05-07 0
56. Stephen Noble Newport, KY (KY) 4 05-07 0
56. David Swain Wilson, NC (NC) 4 05-07 0
58. Scott Jones Louisville, KY (KY) 5 05-06 0
58. Adam Richardson Nashville, NC (NC) 5 05-06 0
60. Gary Twelkemeier Cartersville, GA (GA) 5 05-02 0
61. Richard Cooper Clayton, NC (NC) 3 05-00 0
61. David Roddy Inman, SC (SC) 3 05-00 0
63. Chuck Camp Shelby, NC (NC) 3 04-14 0
64. Greg Marcum Willisburg, KY (KY) 4 04-09 0
65. Mark Swink Shelby, NC (NC) 3 04-08 0
66. Grayson Smith Clarksville, TN (TN) 4 04-07 0
67. Jerry Craig Hiddenite, NC (NC) 3 04-07 0
68. Mark Blevins Palatka, FL (FL) 4 04-06 0
69. Scott Holmes Moody, AL (AL) 5 04-05 0
70. Scott Hamrick Denver, NC (NC) 3 04-05 0
70. Angelo Koundourakis Bainbridge, GA (GA) 3 04-05 0
72. Rob Digh Denver, NC (NC) 4 04-03 0
73. Houston Smith Clarksville, TN (TN) 3 03-14 0
74. Lee Byrd Pell City, AL (AL) 4 03-12 0
75. Drew Sanford Springfield, MO (AL) 3 03-09 0
76. Hank Golden Tallassee, AL (AL) 3 03-08 0
77. Mike Hoover Jackson, TN (TN) 3 03-02 0
78. Robert Carter Pamplico, SC (SC) 2 02-15 0
79. Joseph Kirbo II Defuniak Springs, FL (F 2 02-11 0
80. Jack White Vance, AL (AL) 1 02-07 0
81. Ryan Rakestraw Lithia Springs, GA (GA) 2 02-02 0
82. Chuck Murray Louisburg, NC (NC) 2 02-01 0
83. Eric Quaglio Lexington, KY (KY) 1 01-15 0
84. Matthew Marinelli Lake Mary, FL (FL) 1 01-12 0
84. Gregory Weber Louisville, KY (KY) 1 01-12 0
86. Dean Favorite Paris, KY (KY) 1 01-07 0
86. Dan Fay Orlando, FL (FL) 1 01-07 0
88. Alan Blumenthal Hendersonville, TN (TN) 1 01-06 0
89. Leon Olson Champmansboro, TN (TN) 1 01-03 0
90. Brian Epps Abbeville, SC (SC) 1 01-02 0
90. Nick Manfredo Beverly Hills, FL (FL) 1 01-02 0
92. Jeff Giarrizzo Clarksville, TN (TN) 1 01-00 0
93. John Roth Moores Hill, IN (KY) 1 00-15 0
94. Jason Brennan Roswell, GA (GA) 1 00-14 0
95. NC-Camut & Barnes Apex, NC (NC) 0 00-00 0
95. AL-Shirley & Barnes Northport, AL (AL) 0 00-00 0
95. Joe Collins Longwood, FL (FL) 0 00-00 0
95. FL-Tomlinson & Cook Ocala, FL (FL) 0 00-00 0
95. KY- Nick Denham Louisville, KY (KY) 0 00-00 0
95. Greg Hoskinson Louisville, KY (KY) 0 00-00 0
95. GA-Garrett & Mims DOUGLASVILLE, GA (GA) 0 00-00 0
95. David Pettis Tifton, GA (GA) 0 00-00 0
95. SC-McNeil & Smith Abbeville, SC (SC) 0 00-00 0
95. Raymond Trudeau Saint Cloud, FL (FL) 0 00-00 0
95. TN-Sands & Watson Cleveland, TN (TN) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 52 369 566-01
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52 369 566-01
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
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State Lbs-Oz
1 SOUTH CAROLINA 106-07
2 ALABAMA 93-03
3 GEORGIA 78-08
4 NORTH CAROLINA 78-07
5 FLORIDA 72-07
6 TENNESSEE 71-12
7 KENTUCKY 65-05
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
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GEORGIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brad Durden Atlanta, GA 4 10-11 0
2 Chad Mcmurrian Perry, GA 5 09-13 0
3 Eric Holder Canton, GA 5 07-07 0
4 Tim Carini Shirley, NY 5 07-05 0
5 James Gazaway Whitesburg, GA 5 06-07 0
6 Mike Morris White, GA 5 06-05 0
7 Brendan Smith Roswell, GA 5 06-04 0
8 Barry Hooper Monticello, GA 5 06-03 0
9 Carl Logan Winder, GA 3 05-10 0
10 Gary Twelkemeier Cartersville, GA 5 05-02 0
11 Angelo Koundourakis Bainbridge, GA 3 04-05 0
12 Ryan Rakestraw Lithia Springs, GA 2 02-02 0
13 Jason Brennan Roswell, GA 1 00-14 0
14 GA-Garrett & Mims DOUGLASVILLE, GA 0 00-00 0
14 David Pettis Tifton, GA 0 00-00 0
SOUTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 John Proctor Conway, SC 5 14-08 0
2 Bryan Gunter Ninety Six, SC 5 12-03 0
3 Jackie Stanford Gaffney, SC 5 10-05 0
4 Hayes Hudson Conway, SC 5 10-04 0
5 Lee Cannon Conway, SC 5 08-02 0
6 Jeffrey Allison Jr. Gaffney, SC 5 07-07 0
6 Kim Neal Easley, SC 5 07-07 0
8 Chris Jones Conway, SC 5 07-05 0
9 Mark Johnson Georgetown, SC 5 06-14 0
10 Stan Gunter Saluda, SC 4 06-14 0
11 Jason Holland Gastonia, NC 5 06-01 0
12 David Roddy Inman, SC 3 05-00 0
13 Robert Carter Pamplico, SC 2 02-15 0
14 Brian Epps Abbeville, SC 1 01-02 0
15 SC-McNeil & Smith Abbeville, SC 0 00-00 0
FLORIDA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Wayne Black San Mateo, FL 5 11-07 0
2 Brian Colson Lake Mary, FL 5 11-04 0
3 Mike Prance Palatka, FL 4 09-12 0
4 Jim Keith Newberry, FL 5 07-14 0
5 Drew Cook Midway, FL 5 07-04 0
6 Tom Walsh Eustis, FL 5 06-14 0
7 Steven Thames High Springs, FL 5 06-10 0
8 Mark Blevins Palatka, FL 4 04-06 0
9 Joseph Kirbo II Defuniak Springs, FL 2 02-11 0
10 Matthew Marinelli Lake Mary, FL 1 01-12 0
11 Dan Fay Orlando, FL 1 01-07 0
12 Nick Manfredo Beverly Hills, FL 1 01-02 0
13 Joe Collins Longwood, FL 0 00-00 0
13 FL-Tomlinson & Cook Ocala, FL 0 00-00 0
13 Raymond Trudeau Saint Cloud, FL 0 00-00 0
ALABAMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL 5 12-00 0
2 William Grantham Mobile, AL 5 10-01 0
3 Marty Giddens Alpine, AL 5 09-09 0
4 Randall Blackmon Berry, AL 5 09-02 0
5 Steve Ingram Tallassee, AL 5 08-09 0
6 Colby Wells Pace, FL 5 07-03 0
7 Jimmy Miller Eclectic, AL 4 06-12 0
8 Jonathan Edwards Lawrenceburg, TN 5 06-10 0
9 Don Hogue Cropwell, AL 5 05-12 0
10 Scott Holmes Moody, AL 5 04-05 0
11 Lee Byrd Pell City, AL 4 03-12 0
12 Drew Sanford Springfield, MO 3 03-09 0
13 Hank Golden Tallassee, AL 3 03-08 0
14 Jack White Vance, AL 1 02-07 0
15 AL-Shirley & Barnes Northport, AL 0 00-00 0
NORTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Phil Bain Youngsville, NC 5 08-06 0
2 Jeff Narron Sims, NC 5 08-05 0
2 Carson Orellana Mooresville, NC 5 08-05 0
4 Joshua Lanaville Goldsboro, NC 5 07-03 0
5 Roger Thomas Snow Hill, NC 4 06-01 0
6 David Swain Wilson, NC 4 05-07 0
7 Adam Richardson Nashville, NC 5 05-06 0
8 Richard Cooper Clayton, NC 3 05-00 0
9 Chuck Camp Shelby, NC 3 04-14 0
10 Mark Swink Shelby, NC 3 04-08 0
11 Jerry Craig Hiddenite, NC 3 04-07 0
12 Scott Hamrick Denver, NC 3 04-05 0
13 Rob Digh Denver, NC 4 04-03 0
14 Chuck Murray Louisburg, NC 2 02-01 0
15 NC-Camut & Barnes Apex, NC 0 00-00 0
KENTUCKY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 William Palmer Floyds Knobs, IN 5 11-06 0
2 Rickey Boggs Shephersville, KY 5 07-04 0
3 Lance Freeman Eddyville, KY 5 07-01 0
4 John Roth Lawrenceburg, IN 5 06-15 0
5 Tim Hennemann Florence, KY 5 05-13 0
6 Donald Odor Butler, KY 5 05-07 0
7 Stephen Noble Newport, KY 4 05-07 0
8 Scott Jones Louisville, KY 5 05-06 0
9 Greg Marcum Willisburg, KY 4 04-09 0
10 Eric Quaglio Lexington, KY 1 01-15 0
11 Gregory Weber Louisville, KY 1 01-12 0
12 Dean Favorite Paris, KY 1 01-07 0
13 John Roth Moores Hill, IN 1 00-15 0
14 KY- Nick Denham Louisville, KY 0 00-00 0
14 Greg Hoskinson Louisville, KY 0 00-00 0
TENNESSEE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Pierce Radcliff, KY 5 11-07 0
2 Scott Brison Clarksville, TN 5 07-14 0
3 Brad Smith Brownsville, TN 5 06-09 0
4 Eric Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN 5 06-07 0
5 Mickey Lewis Huntington, TN 5 06-04 0
6 Kirt Pequignot Clarksville, TN 4 06-02 0
7 Rick Shannon Woodlawn, TN 5 06-01 0
8 Michael Moore Dover, TN 5 06-00 0
9 Grayson Smith Clarksville, TN 4 04-07 0
10 Houston Smith Clarksville, TN 3 03-14 0
11 Mike Hoover Jackson, TN 3 03-02 0
12 Alan Blumenthal Hendersonville, TN 1 01-06 0
13 Leon Olson Champmansboro, TN 1 01-03 0
14 Jeff Giarrizzo Clarksville, TN 1 01-00 0
15 TN-Sands & Watson Cleveland, TN 0 00-00 0