LUFKIN, Texas — Bass fishing teams from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Sam Houston State University are tied after the first day of competition in the Bassmaster College Series Central Regional tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Tyler Craig and Spencer Lambert of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Dillon Harrell and Dustin Moreno of Sam Houston State share the lead with 24 pounds, 8 ounces each. That gives them a 1-12 margin over third place.
The weather wasn't what anglers expected in Texas with the unseasonably warm temperatures. Winds stayed at a constant 10 miles per hour clip and temperatures were in the low 40s at takeoff. A weather front passed through the Sam Rayburn area late Wednesday night and high winds came with it, but it didn’t seem to hurt the fishing.
Nine teams weighed in five bass limits heavier than 20 pounds to start off the 2017 Bassmaster College Series season. The fishing started hot for the Louisiana-Monroe anglers as they caught their weight by 8 a.m. and left their best spot to save it for the rest of the tournament.
“I found these fish two weeks ago and my first five casts of 2017 were all 3-pounders,” said Craig. “Bigger fish have certainly reloaded there since then.”
Catching a hefty limit that early in the day allowed Craig and Lambert to search for more areas. They believe another quality five-fish limit is possible on Friday.
“It seems to be strictly a morning spot,” Lambert said of their hot spot. “As soon as the sun comes up, they start biting.”
Meanwhile, Harrell and Moreno of Sam Houston State utilized knowledge of Sam Rayburn and a strong fishing connection to share the lead today. The teammates are also cousins and have fished together since childhood. When it comes to a tournament partner and strategy, Harrell thinks it’s hard to beat Moreno.
“The areas we had fish located were barren today,” Moreno said. “Being here so much helped us figure out where they went and how they reacted to the weather.”
Moreno and Harrell put all their eggs into one basket and made a gutsy call to stick it out in one or two areas before leaving in the afternoon.
“These fish have been moving a lot lately because of the weather this area has gotten,” Harrell said. “We swung for the fences and relied on one or two spots that had key fish for us.”
They also tried to manage their fish as they practiced on some newer areas and found places they could catch a quantity of bass if necessary.
Dawson Cranford and Charles Norris of University of Louisiana at Lafayette ended the day in third place with 22-12. Meanwhile, Reed Foster and Colt Benedict of Dallas Baptist University are sitting in fourth with 22-7, in large part because of the 8-14 big bass that anchored their bag. Rounding out the Top 5 is the team of Hunter Mills and Jordan Hartman of Murray State University with 21-14. The entire 115-boat field will compete on Friday, but only the Top 20 teams will advance to the final day of the regional on Saturday. Hunter Freeman and Thomas Solieau of Louisiana-Monroe are on the Top 20 bubble with 15-15.
Takeoffs will happen at Cassell Boykin Park at 7 a.m. CT and weigh-ins will be at the park as well starting at 3:15 p.m.
Bassmaster College Series Central Regional1/26/2017 - 1/28/2017Sam Rayburn Reservoir - Cassells-Boykin - Lufkin, TXSTANDINGS BOATER DAY 1 Name # Fish, # Live, Lbs – Oz, Accumulative # Fish, # Live, Lbs – Oz1 Tyler Craig - Spencer Lambert University of Louisiana at Monroe 5 5 24- 8 5 5 24- 81 Dillon Harrell - Dustin Moreno Sam Houston State University 5 5 24- 8 5 5 24- 83 Dawson Cranford - Charles Norris University of Louisiana at LaFayette 5 5 22-12 5 5 22-124 Colt Benedict - Reed Foster Dallas Baptist University 5 5 22- 7 5 5 22- 75 Hunter Mills - Jordan Hartman Murray State University 5 5 21-14 5 5 21-146 John Jay - Grant Pietsch Texas A&M University 5 5 21- 9 5 5 21- 97 Brandon Simoneaux - Colby Ogden Lamar University 5 5 20-15 5 5 20-158 Matthew Bowden - Barton Courtney Texas Tech University 5 5 20- 9 5 5 20- 99 Tyler Rivet - Cameron Naquin Nicholls State University 5 5 20- 6 5 5 20- 610 Philip Gottsponer - Ethan Stokes Arkansas Tech University 5 5 19- 4 5 5 19- 411 TJ Tucker - Bennett Pierce Arkansas Tech University 5 5 19- 1 5 5 19- 112 Corbin Davis - Michael Rollert Texas A&M University 5 5 18-11 5 5 18-1113 John Moore - Clark Mannas Texas A&M University 5 5 18- 0 5 5 18- 014 Cody Barchenger - Garrett Bradford Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 17- 9 5 5 17- 915 Josh Dugger - Jake Dugger Arkansas Tech University 5 5 17- 5 5 5 17- 516 Alex Murray - Trent Manuel McNeese State University 5 5 16-15 5 5 16-1517 Chris Zins - Zach Holliday University of Central Oklahoma 5 5 16- 9 5 5 16- 918 Tyler Woods - Robert Tweed Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 16- 7 5 5 16- 719 Alex Torkleson - Dillon Roberts Rogers State University 5 5 16- 0 5 5 16- 020 Hunter Freeman - Thomas Soileau University of Louisiana at Monroe 5 5 15-15 5 5 15-1521 Josh Bensema - Bradley Fleming Texas A&M University 5 5 15-13 5 5 15-1322 Justin Seeton - Dakota Ebare Tarleton State University 5 5 15-11 5 5 15-1123 Ryan Wood - Nathan Wood Dallas Baptist University 5 5 15- 9 5 5 15- 924 Gregory Green - Trevor Fox Northwestern State University 5 5 15- 6 5 5 15- 625 Eric Hanna - Jack Minnix Oklahoma State University 5 5 15- 5 5 5 15- 526 Jay Lawson - Wyatt Frankens Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 15- 4 5 5 15- 427 Hunter Fluitt - Maverick Jaggers UAM-CTC 5 5 14-14 5 5 14-1428 Jordan Ogle - Ladd Owens Arkansas Tech University 5 5 14-13 5 5 14-1329 Hutton Leppert - Tanner Mizell Northwestern State University 5 5 14-12 5 5 14-1230 Chandler Burgay - James Marshall Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 14-11 5 5 14-1130 Dalton Warrington - Kooper Marsh Southwestern Oklahoma State Univers 5ity 5 14-11 5 5 14-1132 Blaine Timonera - Nate Sleight University of Oklahoma 5 5 14- 7 5 5 14- 732 Garret Whitley - Clayton Godfrey Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 14- 7 5 5 14- 734 John-Michael Brattlof - Dakota Cline Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 14- 4 5 5 14- 434 Scott McClellan - Adam Forester LA Tech 5 5 14- 4 5 5 14- 436 Tanner Best - John Lange Texas Tech University 5 5 14- 3 5 5 14- 337 Kyle Pasket - Jackson Carrell Sam Houston State University 5 5 14- 1 5 5 14- 138 Bates Enmeier - Brady Lobue Oklahoma State University 5 5 13-15 5 5 13-1539 Aaron Belgard - Logan Laprarie Northwestern State University 5 5 13-14 5 5 13-1440 Lawrence Kuznik - Dakota Moore University of Louisiana at LaFayette 4 4 13-13 4 4 13-1341 Stetson Overton - Cason Kelley Tarleton State University 5 5 13-10 5 5 13-1042 Douglas Bell - Levi Harger Southern Arkansas University 5 5 13- 9 5 5 13- 943 Joseph Cheek - Gavin Watts UAM-CTC 5 5 13- 7 5 5 13- 744 JP Kimbrough - Jared Rascoe LSU Shreveport 5 5 13- 4 5 5 13- 445 Jacob Keith - Brett Clark East Texas Baptist University 5 5 13- 2 5 5 13- 246 Will Hughes - Chandler Hayes Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 12-15 5 5 12-1546 Bo McGraw - Nathan White Texas A&M University 5 5 12-15 5 5 12-1548 Travis McGuire - Layne Bynum Texas Tech University 5 5 12-14 5 5 12-1449 Caleb Young - Marshall White University of Texas at Tyler 5 5 12-13 5 5 12-1350 Turner Mason - Kaito Ajiro Colorado State University 4 4 12-13 4 4 12-1351 Justin Cooper - Johnny Ledet Northwestern State University 5 5 12-10 5 5 12-1052 Adam Deakin - Levi Kirk Colorado State University 5 5 12- 6 5 5 12- 653 Zachariah Edwards - Zach Cantwell University of Central Oklahoma 5 5 12- 4 5 5 12- 454 Logan Wilson - Chance Cobb Tarleton State University 5 5 12- 0 5 5 12- 055 Trent Newman - Zackery Hines Dallas Baptist University 5 5 11-14 5 5 11-1455 Colby Simmons - Brandon Barber East Texas Baptist University 5 5 11-14 5 5 11-1455 Brennan Soileau - Garrett McDonald LA Tech 5 5 11-14 5 5 11-1455 Stephen Thomas - Luke Potter Lamar University 5 5 11-14 5 5 11-1459 Jed Hebert - Grant Curran University of Louisiana at LaFayette 5 5 11-13 5 5 11-1360 Austin Anderson - Heidi Langschied Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 11-12 5 5 11-1261 Phillip Borel - Dustin Nash Northwestern State University 5 5 11-11 5 5 11-1162 Corbin Bogart - James Proctor Tarleton State University 5 5 11-10 5 5 11-1062 Seth Hausman - Ryan Frier Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 11-10 5 5 11-1064 Austin Miles - Tyler Hassler Colorado State University-Pueblo 5 5 11- 9 5 5 11- 964 Tucker Sargent - Wyatt Young Tarleton State University 5 5 11- 9 5 5 11- 966 Dakota Sparks - Levi Sharp LSU 5 5 11- 7 5 5 11- 767 Cameron Simmons - Dexter Flick Oklahoma State University 4 4 11- 4 4 4 11- 468 Ryan Gunter - Samuel Meaders University of Arkansas 5 5 10-14 5 5 10-1469 Chad Poulsen - Jared Penton East Texas Baptist University 5 5 10-13 5 5 10-1370 Hogan Beckley - Koby Dortch University of Louisiana at Monroe 4 4 10- 8 4 4 10- 871 Tyler Stewart - Nick Joiner University of Louisiana at Monroe 5 5 10- 5 5 5 10- 572 Warren Basinger - Dalton Baker Southern Arkansas University 5 5 10- 3 5 5 10- 372 James Hovey - David Bercier McNeese State University 5 5 10- 3 5 5 10- 372 Hunter Wellan - Jacob Curtis LA Tech 5 5 10- 3 5 5 10- 375 Alec Castonguay - Kyle Dragulski Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 10- 1 5 5 10- 176 Devin Nichols - Luke O'Neal University of Louisiana at Monroe 4 4 10- 0 4 4 10- 077 Nate Holman - Jay Powers Northeastern State University 5 5 9-12 5 5 9-1278 Ryan Antee - Harrison Hopkins LSU Shreveport 3 3 9-11 3 3 9-1179 Nicholas Cantarella - Evan Cook Texas A&M University 5 5 9-10 5 5 9-1080 Wayne Figg - Brady McFarland Texas A&M University 5 5 9- 9 5 5 9- 981 Blaise Weimer - Josh Shapland Oklahoma State University 5 5 9- 8 5 5 9- 882 Taylor Tindall - Elijah Cain LA Tech 5 5 9- 5 5 5 9- 583 Chris Bradley - Andy Thurston Southwestern Oklahoma State Univers 5ity 5 9- 2 5 5 9- 284 Jordan Wood - Blake Smith Lamar University 5 5 8- 9 5 5 8- 985 Jose Palma - Andrew Madison University of Central Oklahoma 5 5 8- 8 5 5 8- 886 Daniel Sparlin - Kyle Jessie University of Arkansas 3 3 8- 6 3 3 8- 687 Nick Gill - Cole Daniel University of Central Oklahoma 3 3 7-12 3 3 7-1288 Joey Tuminello - Sebastian Smith University of Louisiana at LaFayette 3 3 7-11 3 3 7-1189 Collin Bode - Colby Bryant Sam Houston State University 4 4 7- 7 4 4 7- 790 Cole Perilloux - Hunter Adams LA Tech 3 3 7- 5 3 3 7- 591 Drake Dunlap - Will Hewat University of Arkansas 4 4 6-11 4 4 6-1192 Robert Ramsey - Tarleton State University 3 3 6- 3 3 3 6- 393 Alex Edgeman - Drew Fazzino University of Oklahoma 4 4 6- 2 4 4 6- 294 Justin Tatum - Blake Bauer Tarleton State University 3 3 6- 2 3 3 6- 295 Lewis Laurent - Bryce Coleman Southeastern Louisiana University 3 3 5-15 3 3 5-1596 Matt Glad - Brent Rome Jr LSU 3 3 5- 6 3 3 5- 697 Matthew Anthony - Taylor Barton Stephen F Austin State University 2 2 4- 9 2 2 4- 998 Connor Whisenant - Carter Henderson Texas A&M University 3 3 4- 6 3 3 4- 699 Tanner Smith - Matthew Lestage McNeese State University 2 2 4- 2 2 2 4- 2100 Brandon Consalus - Wayne Carillo Tarleton State University 2 2 3-14 2 2 3-14101 Jake Biram - Rhett Meyer Oklahoma State University 2 2 3-10 2 2 3-10102 Cody Finkbeiner - Jon Lucas Stephen F Austin State University 1 1 3- 6 1 1 3- 6103 Blake Crabb - Eagan Carnes Texas A&M Corpus Christi 1 1 2-15 1 1 2-15104 Justin Diehl - Hunter Jolly Sam Houston State University 1 1 2- 7 1 1 2- 7104 Jeff Ramsey - LSU Shreveport 1 1 2- 7 1 1 2- 7106 Lane McCartney - Tyler Hastings Rogers State University 1 1 2- 6 1 1 2- 6106 Owen Richard - Mitchell Mayard LSU 1 1 2- 6 1 1 2- 6108 Drew Fleming - Joe Rainwater UAM-CTC 1 1 2- 2 1 1 2- 2109 Mason Beatty - Noah Batts East Texas Baptist University 1 1 1-12 1 1 1-12110 Dylan Matherne - Brandon Daigle Southeastern Louisiana University 1 1 1-11 1 1 1-11111 Cody Hahn - Case Thompson Tarleton State University 1 1 1- 9 1 1 1- 9112 Austin Cleveland - Kyle Everett LA Tech 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0112 Landon Darden - Steven Smith Southern Arkansas University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0112 Jonathan Ham - Gannon Graves Stephen F Austin State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0112 Hunter Kaemmerling - John Forst Stephen F Austin State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 BIG BASSName, City, State Lbs-Oz1 Colt Benedict - Reed Foster Dallas, TX 8-14 TOTALSDay, # Fish, # Live, Lbs-Oz, # Limits1 475 475 1313- 2 792 0 0 0- 0 0