GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Only ounces separate Mark Pierce from second-place angler John Proctor going into the final round of the B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional tournament on the Pee Dee River Basin. Ounces might separate the leader today and the winner tomorrow. However, include pounds in the equation of who will be declared the overall champion.
Pierce, of Kentucky, has the lead with 22 pounds, 13 ounces. Just 12 ounces behind is Day 1 leader Proctor, of South Carolina. Three pounds behind Proctor is fifth-place angler Hayes Hudson with 19-4. Take away the 4-11 big bass caught today by Pierce, and you have a wide-open race. Pierce earned earned a $250 bonus as the Livingston Lures Leader Award on Day 2.
Proctor, of nearby Conway, S.C., has the edge with experience on this challenging tidal fishery. Pierce, of Radcliff, Ky., is applying a practical approach to his strategy.
“I never fished a tidal river before this tournament,” said the Montgomery Bass Club member. “What I discovered is a lot of black, stained water that I’m not accustomed to fishing.”
By the process of elimination and intuition, he found something different.
“The tide does not affect where I am fishing,” he added. “And it has plenty of current with 2 feet of visibility.”
Even familiar conditions require a persistent presentation for Pierce, who is fishing for the Tennessee team.
“I’m having to grind it out because the fish are so spread out,” he said.
Even so, consistency is on his side. That is a plus in this tournament with narrow weight margins across the scoreboard. Yesterday Pierce weighed 11-7 compared to his catch weighing 11-6 today. With the scores so close and much at stake, Pierce declined to disclose his location and lures. The same applied to runner-up Proctor, although he abandoned a bed-fishing pattern in favor of expanding his fishing area.
That’s a good idea on a tournament fishery with six river systems available to the competition. The Pee Dee River Basin includes the Sampit, Great Pee Dee, Waccamaw, Black, Santee and Little Pee Dee rivers. The area covers 232 river miles.
South Carolina widened its lead in the competition between states. The team’s cumulative weight is 187-11. Alabama is second with 164-5 and Georgia has 157-7 for third place. Tennessee is fourth with 147-6. The winning state team is awarded a Triton 189 TrX rigged with a Mercury outboard, Lowrance electronics and a MotorGuide trolling motor. The complete package is valued at $33,340.
The contestants from seven states qualified from local bass clubs and state championships to at the Nation Southern Divisional. Each team has 14 members. Two of them are high school students taking part in another competition also concluding tomorrow.
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. Leading the high school rankings is Jake Mims and Jace Garrett of Alexander High School. The Georgia anglers caught 8-9 to take the lead. Caden Watson and Cole Sams of Tennessee are second with 7-15. The anglers represent Marion County High School. Each adult angler winning his state here advances to the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in the fall.
Takeoff for the final day, Friday, 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.
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional 4/22-4/24
Pee Dee River Basin, Georgetown SC.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mark Pierce Radcliff, KY (TN) 10 22-13 0
2. John Proctor Conway, SC (SC) 10 22-01 0
3. Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL (AL) 10 20-05 0
4. Drew Cook Midway, FL (FL) 10 19-15 0
5. Hayes Hudson Conway, SC (SC) 10 19-04 0
6. Brad Durden Atlanta, GA (GA) 9 18-11 0
7. Bryan Gunter Ninety Six, SC (SC) 10 18-05 0
8. Marty Giddens Alpine, AL (AL) 10 18-03 0
9. Chad Mcmurrian Perry, GA (GA) 10 17-15 0
10. Wayne Black San Mateo, FL (FL) 9 17-03 0
11. Jeffrey Allison Jr. Gaffney, SC (SC) 10 16-13 0
12. Steve Ingram Tallassee, AL (AL) 10 16-12 0
13. William Grantham Mobile, AL (AL) 10 16-05 0
14. William Palmer Floyds Knobs, IN (KY) 7 15-15 0
15. Jackie Stanford Gaffney, SC (SC) 10 15-08 0
16. Eric Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN (TN) 10 15-07 0
17. Carson Orellana Mooresville, NC (NC) 10 15-03 0
18. Kim Neal Easley, SC (SC) 10 15-02 0
19. Gary Twelkemeier Cartersville, GA (GA) 10 14-15 0
20. Brian Colson Lake Mary, FL (FL) 7 14-13 0
21. Lee Byrd Pell City, AL (AL) 9 14-12 0
22. Chris Jones Conway, SC (SC) 10 14-12 0
23. Lance Freeman Eddyville, KY (KY) 10 14-07 0
24. Lee Cannon Conway, SC (SC) 10 14-06 0
25. Roger Thomas Snow Hill, NC (NC) 9 14-00 0
26. Mike Prance Palatka, FL (FL) 7 13-11 0
27. Jim Keith Newberry, FL (FL) 10 13-11 0
28. Rickey Boggs Shephersville, KY (KY) 10 13-11 0
29. Eric Holder Canton, GA (GA) 9 13-00 0
30. Randall Blackmon Berry, AL (AL) 9 12-08 0
31. Mark Blevins Palatka, FL (FL) 9 12-08 0
32. Stan Gunter Saluda, SC (SC) 8 12-04 0
33. James Gazaway Whitesburg, GA (GA) 10 12-02 0
34. Michael Moore Dover, TN (TN) 10 12-00 0
35. Mark Swink Shelby, NC (NC) 6 11-15 0
36. Brad Smith Brownsville, TN (TN) 9 11-15 0
37. Rob Digh Denver, NC (NC) 9 11-14 0
38. Tom Walsh Eustis, FL (FL) 9 11-07 0
39. Carl Logan Winder, GA (GA) 8 11-05 0
40. Kirt Pequignot Clarksville, TN (TN) 8 11-03 0
41. Steven Thames High Springs, FL (FL) 8 11-01 0
42. Scott Brison Clarksville, TN (TN) 8 11-00 0
43. Tim Carini Shirley, NY (GA) 8 10-15 0
44. David Swain Wilson, NC (NC) 8 10-07 0
45. Drew Sanford Springfield, MO (AL) 7 10-05 0
46. Barry Hooper Monticello, GA (GA) 8 10-03 0
47. Scott Jones Louisville, KY (KY) 9 10-03 0
48. Angelo Koundourakis Bainbridge, GA (GA) 6 10-01 0
49. John Roth Lawrenceburg, IN (KY) 8 10-00 0
50. Brendan Smith Roswell, GA (GA) 8 09-13 0
51. Rick Shannon Woodlawn, TN (TN) 8 09-12 0
52. Jimmy Miller Eclectic, AL (AL) 7 09-11 0
53. Jeff Narron Sims, NC (NC) 6 09-07 0
54. Chuck Camp Shelby, NC (NC) 7 09-07 0
55. Joshua Lanaville Goldsboro, NC (NC) 7 09-04 0
56. Houston Smith Clarksville, TN (TN) 8 09-04 0
57. Scott Hamrick Denver, NC (NC) 7 09-04 0
58. Jason Holland Gastonia, NC (SC) 8 09-03 0
59. Greg Marcum Willisburg, KY (KY) 7 08-15 0
60. Joseph Kirbo II Defuniak Springs, FL (F 7 08-13 0
61. Grayson Smith Clarksville, TN (TN) 8 08-10 0
62. GA-Garrett & Mims DOUGLASVILLE, GA (GA) 5 08-09 0
63. Colby Wells Pace, FL (AL) 6 08-08 0
64. Scott Holmes Moody, AL (AL) 9 08-08 0
65. Alan Blumenthal Hendersonville, TN (TN) 6 08-07 0
66. Phil Bain Youngsville, NC (NC) 5 08-06 0
67. Tim Hennemann Florence, KY (KY) 7 08-06 0
68. Adam Richardson Nashville, NC (NC) 8 08-05 0
69. Mark Johnson Georgetown, SC (SC) 6 08-00 0
70. TN-Sands & Watson Cleveland, TN (TN) 5 07-15 0
71. Eric Quaglio Lexington, KY (KY) 4 07-15 0
72. SC-McNeil & Smith Abbeville, SC (SC) 5 07-10 0
73. Jerry Craig Hiddenite, NC (NC) 6 07-10 0
74. KY- Nick Denham Louisville, KY (KY) 5 07-09 0
75. David Roddy Inman, SC (SC) 5 07-09 0
76. Jack White Vance, AL (AL) 4 07-05 0
77. Jason Brennan Roswell, GA (GA) 6 07-03 0
78. Don Hogue Cropwell, AL (AL) 6 06-11 0
79. Jonathan Edwards Lawrenceburg, TN (AL) 5 06-10 0
80. Raymond Trudeau Saint Cloud, FL (FL) 5 06-07 0
81. Chuck Murray Louisburg, NC (NC) 6 06-07 0
82. Stephen Noble Newport, KY (KY) 5 06-06 0
83. Mike Morris White, GA (GA) 5 06-05 0
84. Mickey Lewis Huntington, TN (TN) 5 06-04 0
85. NC-Camut & Barnes Apex, NC (NC) 5 06-02 0
86. Leon Olson Champmansboro, TN (TN) 4 05-14 0
87. Robert Carter Pamplico, SC (SC) 4 05-12 0
88. Donald Odor Butler, KY (KY) 5 05-07 0
89. Gregory Weber Louisville, KY (KY) 4 05-02 0
90. Richard Cooper Clayton, NC (NC) 3 05-00 0
91. Dan Fay Orlando, FL (FL) 4 04-12 0
92. Ryan Rakestraw Lithia Springs, GA (GA) 4 04-09 0
93. AL-Shirley & Barnes Northport, AL (AL) 4 04-06 0
94. Greg Hoskinson Louisville, KY (KY) 3 04-06 0
95. Mike Hoover Jackson, TN (TN) 4 03-15 0
96. Hank Golden Tallassee, AL (AL) 3 03-08 0
97. Dean Favorite Paris, KY (KY) 3 03-08 0
98. Nick Manfredo Beverly Hills, FL (FL) 3 03-01 0
99. Jeff Giarrizzo Clarksville, TN (TN) 2 02-15 0
100. Matthew Marinelli Lake Mary, FL (FL) 2 02-13 0
101. FL-Tomlinson & Cook Ocala, FL (FL) 2 02-05 0
102. John Roth Moores Hill, IN (KY) 2 02-00 0
103. David Pettis Tifton, GA (GA) 2 01-13 0
104. Joe Collins Longwood, FL (FL) 1 01-11 0
105. Brian Epps Abbeville, SC (SC) 1 01-02 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 52 369 566-01
2 39 354 501-08
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91 723 1067-09
TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
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State Lbs-Oz
1 SOUTH CAROLINA 187-11
2 ALABAMA 164-05
3 GEORGIA 157-07
4 TENNESSEE 147-06
5 FLORIDA 144-03
6 NORTH CAROLINA 142-11
7 KENTUCKY 123-14
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
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GEORGIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brad Durden Atlanta, GA 9 18-11 0
2 Chad Mcmurrian Perry, GA 10 17-15 0
3 Gary Twelkemeier Cartersville, GA 10 14-15 0
4 Eric Holder Canton, GA 9 13-00 0
5 James Gazaway Whitesburg, GA 10 12-02 0
6 Carl Logan Winder, GA 8 11-05 0
7 Tim Carini Shirley, NY 8 10-15 0
8 Barry Hooper Monticello, GA 8 10-03 0
9 Angelo Koundourakis Bainbridge, GA 6 10-01 0
10 Brendan Smith Roswell, GA 8 09-13 0
11 GA-Garrett & Mims DOUGLASVILLE, GA 5 08-09 0
12 Jason Brennan Roswell, GA 6 07-03 0
13 Mike Morris White, GA 5 06-05 0
14 Ryan Rakestraw Lithia Springs, GA 4 04-09 0
15 David Pettis Tifton, GA 2 01-13 0
SOUTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 John Proctor Conway, SC 10 22-01 0
2 Hayes Hudson Conway, SC 10 19-04 0
3 Bryan Gunter Ninety Six, SC 10 18-05 0
4 Jeffrey Allison Jr. Gaffney, SC 10 16-13 0
5 Jackie Stanford Gaffney, SC 10 15-08 0
6 Kim Neal Easley, SC 10 15-02 0
7 Chris Jones Conway, SC 10 14-12 0
8 Lee Cannon Conway, SC 10 14-06 0
9 Stan Gunter Saluda, SC 8 12-04 0
10 Jason Holland Gastonia, NC 8 09-03 0
11 Mark Johnson Georgetown, SC 6 08-00 0
12 SC-McNeil & Smith Abbeville, SC 5 07-10 0
13 David Roddy Inman, SC 5 07-09 0
14 Robert Carter Pamplico, SC 4 05-12 0
15 Brian Epps Abbeville, SC 1 01-02 0
FLORIDA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Drew Cook Midway, FL 10 19-15 0
2 Wayne Black San Mateo, FL 9 17-03 0
3 Brian Colson Lake Mary, FL 7 14-13 0
4 Mike Prance Palatka, FL 7 13-11 0
5 Jim Keith Newberry, FL 10 13-11 0
6 Mark Blevins Palatka, FL 9 12-08 0
7 Tom Walsh Eustis, FL 9 11-07 0
8 Steven Thames High Springs, FL 8 11-01 0
9 Joseph Kirbo II Defuniak Springs, FL 7 08-13 0
10 Raymond Trudeau Saint Cloud, FL 5 06-07 0
11 Dan Fay Orlando, FL 4 04-12 0
12 Nick Manfredo Beverly Hills, FL 3 03-01 0
13 Matthew Marinelli Lake Mary, FL 2 02-13 0
14 FL-Tomlinson & Cook Ocala, FL 2 02-05 0
15 Joe Collins Longwood, FL 1 01-11 0
ALABAMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL 10 20-05 0
2 Marty Giddens Alpine, AL 10 18-03 0
3 Steve Ingram Tallassee, AL 10 16-12 0
4 William Grantham Mobile, AL 10 16-05 0
5 Lee Byrd Pell City, AL 9 14-12 0
6 Randall Blackmon Berry, AL 9 12-08 0
7 Drew Sanford Springfield, MO 7 10-05 0
8 Jimmy Miller Eclectic, AL 7 09-11 0
9 Colby Wells Pace, FL 6 08-08 0
10 Scott Holmes Moody, AL 9 08-08 0
11 Jack White Vance, AL 4 07-05 0
12 Don Hogue Cropwell, AL 6 06-11 0
13 Jonathan Edwards Lawrenceburg, TN 5 06-10 0
14 AL-Shirley & Barnes Northport, AL 4 04-06 0
15 Hank Golden Tallassee, AL 3 03-08 0
NORTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Carson Orellana Mooresville, NC 10 15-03 0
2 Roger Thomas Snow Hill, NC 9 14-00 0
3 Mark Swink Shelby, NC 6 11-15 0
4 Rob Digh Denver, NC 9 11-14 0
5 David Swain Wilson, NC 8 10-07 0
6 Jeff Narron Sims, NC 6 09-07 0
7 Chuck Camp Shelby, NC 7 09-07 0
8 Joshua Lanaville Goldsboro, NC 7 09-04 0
9 Scott Hamrick Denver, NC 7 09-04 0
10 Phil Bain Youngsville, NC 5 08-06 0
11 Adam Richardson Nashville, NC 8 08-05 0
12 Jerry Craig Hiddenite, NC 6 07-10 0
13 Chuck Murray Louisburg, NC 6 06-07 0
14 NC-Camut & Barnes Apex, NC 5 06-02 0
15 Richard Cooper Clayton, NC 3 05-00 0
KENTUCKY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 William Palmer Floyds Knobs, IN 7 15-15 0
2 Lance Freeman Eddyville, KY 10 14-07 0
3 Rickey Boggs Shephersville, KY 10 13-11 0
4 Scott Jones Louisville, KY 9 10-03 0
5 John Roth Lawrenceburg, IN 8 10-00 0
6 Greg Marcum Willisburg, KY 7 08-15 0
7 Tim Hennemann Florence, KY 7 08-06 0
8 Eric Quaglio Lexington, KY 4 07-15 0
9 KY- Nick Denham Louisville, KY 5 07-09 0
10 Stephen Noble Newport, KY 5 06-06 0
11 Donald Odor Butler, KY 5 05-07 0
12 Gregory Weber Louisville, KY 4 05-02 0
13 Greg Hoskinson Louisville, KY 3 04-06 0
14 Dean Favorite Paris, KY 3 03-08 0
15 John Roth Moores Hill, IN 2 02-00 0
TENNESSEE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Pierce Radcliff, KY 10 22-13 0
2 Eric Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN 10 15-07 0
3 Michael Moore Dover, TN 10 12-00 0
4 Brad Smith Brownsville, TN 9 11-15 0
5 Kirt Pequignot Clarksville, TN 8 11-03 0
6 Scott Brison Clarksville, TN 8 11-00 0
7 Rick Shannon Woodlawn, TN 8 09-12 0
8 Houston Smith Clarksville, TN 8 09-04 0
9 Grayson Smith Clarksville, TN 8 08-10 0
10 Alan Blumenthal Hendersonville, TN 6 08-07 0
11 TN-Sands & Watson Cleveland, TN 5 07-15 0
12 Mickey Lewis Huntington, TN 5 06-04 0
13 Leon Olson Champmansboro, TN 4 05-14 0
14 Mike Hoover Jackson, TN 4 03-15 0
15 Jeff Giarrizzo Clarksville, TN 2 02-15 0