RIDGELAND, Miss. — Albert Collins is winning a numbers game he’d rather not play at the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional tournament on Ross Barnett Reservoir. Collins, of the Nacogdoches Bass Club, has a slim lead going into the final day with 27 pounds, 3 ounces. Less than one pound behind the Texan is Louisiana’s Jamie Laiche, with 26-6. Behind them is Wednesday’s leader Billy Lemon of Oklahoma with 24-5. Friday, an overall winner will be determined, and the top angler from each of the eight competing states will advance to the premier event, the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
“I’m catching a lot of numbers, but not the consistent quality bite that I need to be the leader,” said Collins, a veteran bass club angler and a 2013 Bassmaster Classic competitor.
To shake the numbers game, Collins admits he needs at least one or more bigger bass. That’s not a stretch. Each of the past two days has produced 5-pound class largemouth.
“On this lake and in this tournament, one big bass like that can make the difference,” he added. “I have an all-day area, so spending time running between a shallow morning spot and deeper midday place isn’t an issue for me.”
Collins described his key area as a main-lake dropoff that sharply tapers from 5 to 20 feet deep. That likely means the bass are feeding and biting early on the shallow side. As the water warms, the fish move deeper in search of cooler water. Finding an all-in-one area means more fishing time and a better chance at catching quality bass.
“I have a shallow and deep bite, and fortunately it’s out in the main lake,” Laiche said. “I don’t need to run anywhere.”
To fill his limit Laiche is using a crankbait, Carolina rig and plastic worm, all of the lures proven fish-catchers in shallow and deep water. By leading the tournament, Collins also goes home with a contingency prize as the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader. The prize is valued at $250.
Oklahoma continues its dominance in the state standings with a cumulative weight of 188 pounds, 10 ounces. Louisiana is second with 177-10 and Mississippi is in third place with 155-15. The winning state team is awarded a Skeeter/Yamaha boat, motor, trailer and accessories package valued at $33,340. The contenders from eight states qualified from local bass clubs and then advanced to state championships. Each team has 14 members. Two of those anglers are part of another competition underway here.
State championship high school teams are competing alongside the adults to hone their skills at the higher level. Their cumulative weight is added to the overall score of the state team. Each adult angler who wins his state here advances to the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in November on the Ouachita River in Louisiana.
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional 6/10-6/12
Ross Barnett Reservoir, Ridgeland MS.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Albert Collins Nacogdoches, TX (TX) 10 27-03 0
2. Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA (LA) 10 26-06 0
3. Billy Lemon Sand Springs, OK (OK) 10 24-05 0
4. Preston Frazell Cleveland, OK (KS) 10 23-06 0
5. Kris Bosley Amarillo, TX (TX) 10 22-12 0
6. Brandon Lee Ratcliff, AR (AR) 10 21-02 0
7. Donald Adcock Richland, MS (MS) 9 20-06 0
8. Frank Morton Purvis, MS (MS) 8 20-05 0
9. Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK (OK) 10 20-04 0
10. Ryan Lavigne Gonzales, LA (LA) 10 19-10 0
11. David Cavell Prairieville, LA (LA) 10 19-09 0
12. Doug Thompson Mabelvale, AR (AR) 9 19-09 0
13. Benjamin King Garnett, KS (KS) 9 18-15 0
14. Blake Betz Baton Rouge, LA (LA) 10 18-10 0
15. Wyatt Smith Stroud, OK (OK) 10 18-05 0
16. Samuel Anthony Independence, LA (LA) 10 18-03 0
17. Michael Valentine Laurel , MS (MS) 10 18-00 0
18. John Soukup Jr Agra, OK (OK) 10 18-00 0
19. Chris Johnson Enid, OK (OK) 10 17-11 0
20. Jason Citta Hershey, NE (NE) 10 17-09 0
21. Chris Torkleson Sand Springs, OK (KS) 10 17-06 0
22. Kevin Vaughan Nowata, OK (OK) 8 16-15 0
23. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE (NE) 10 16-12 0
24. Creighton Sawyer Houston, AR (AR) 10 16-04 0
25. Troy Morrison North Little Rock, AR ( 10 16-01 0
26. Doug Guins Lake Charles, LA (LA) 10 15-14 0
27. Jody Herring Meadville, MS (MS) 10 15-06 0
28. Josh Wray Omaha, AR (AR) 10 15-05 0
29. Trevor Yates Norman, OK (OK) 7 14-10 0
30. Jason Buchanan Burnet, TX (TX) 8 14-09 0
31. Brandon Pedigo Durant, OK (OK) 10 14-07 0
32. Craig Torkleson Sand Springs, OK (KS) 10 14-03 0
33. Danny Carter Hernando, MS (MS) 10 13-12 0
34. Jim Simpson Canyon, TX (TX) 9 13-07 0
35. Kris Lee Coweta, OK (OK) 10 13-03 0
36. Matt Roberts Pulaski, IA (MO) 10 13-00 0
37. Paul Kremers Clarksville, AR (AR) 10 12-13 0
38. James McKee Springdale, AR (AR) 9 12-11 0
39. Will Major Port Allen, LA (LA) 7 12-10 0
40. Bo Middleton Lawton, OK (OK) 9 12-08 0
41. Sam Leintz Linwood, KS (KS) 9 12-02 0
42. Mark Floyd Blue Mountain, MS (MS) 10 12-01 0
43. Richard Risewick Norton, KS (NE) 5 11-15 0
44. Jeffery Lemoine Des Allemands, LA (LA) 10 11-15 0
45. Chuck Halbert Jr West Helena, AR (MS) 6 11-10 0
46. Trevor Rogge San Antonio, TX (TX) 9 11-10 0
47. Jerry Pape Milford, IA (NE) 10 11-10 0
48. Jay Rogers Arlington, TN (MS) 9 11-08 0
49. Aaron Olsen Lenexa, KS (NE) 8 11-05 0
50. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA (LA) 8 11-04 0
51. Justin Foster Bude, MS (MS) 7 10-11 0
52. HS-Caleb Parker/Nathan Walley LAUREL, MS (MS) 5 10-08 0
53. Brian Penning Wichita, KS (KS) 7 10-08 0
54. Jeremy Tibben Stanton, IA (NE) 7 10-07 0
55. Larry Brumley Topeka, KS (KS) 7 10-06 0
56. Chuck Wisdom Jr Beebe, AR (AR) 6 10-02 0
57. HS-Cade Fortenberry/Braden Blanchard St Amant, LA (LA) 5 10-01 0
58. Beau Branine Haysville, KS (KS) 8 09-15 0
59. Josh Stapleton Arlington, TX (TX) 7 09-04 0
60. Kyle Dragulski Mansfield, TX (TX) 8 09-04 0
61. Brad VanRiette Iola, KS (KS) 8 09-02 0
62. Mark Boggs Beggs, OK (OK) 7 09-02 0
63. Charlie Harrington New Cambria, MO (MO) 7 08-08 0
64. Terry Reed Willils, TX (TX) 8 08-08 0
65. HS-Cameron Pappen/Jesse Heflin Topeka, KS (KS) 5 08-04 0
66. Ralph Leonard Tekamah, NE (NE) 5 08-01 0
67. Paul Huse Omaha, NE (NE) 5 07-11 0
68. Mike Ford Peculiar , MO (MO) 4 07-06 0
69. Johnny Starks Wellington, KS (KS) 5 07-02 0
70. Ken Caldwell Wylie, TX (TX) 4 07-02 0
71. Larry Stoafer Leavenworth, KS (MO) 5 07-02 0
72. Scotty Smith Taylor, AR (AR) 3 06-14 0
73. Cary Beard Gonzalez, LA (LA) 6 06-13 0
74. Larry Fralick Wichita, KS (KS) 5 06-11 0
75. HS-Tyler Eagan/Jason Thompson Lees Summit, MO (MO) 5 06-11 0
76. Ron Snyder Georgetown, AR (AR) 5 06-09 0
77. Cody Graff Glenvil, NE (NE) 5 05-14 0
78. Nick Carroccio Plano, TX (TX) 5 05-13 0
79. Jeff Hamilton Blue Springs, MO (MO) 6 05-12 0
80. James Parsons Topeka, KS (KS) 6 05-07 0
81. Kyle Robertson Austin, AR (AR) 5 05-04 0
82. Felix Appelt Goliad, TX (TX) 3 05-03 0
83. Darrin Herndon Soso, MS (MS) 4 05-01 0
84. Troy Montgomery Granbury, TX (TX) 3 04-15 0
85. Duane Crenshaw Irving, TX (TX) 2 04-15 0
86. Jason Boswell Corning, IA (NE) 5 04-14 0
87. Donald Switzer Clarinda, IA (NE) 3 04-12 0
88. HS-Trevor Owens/Matthew Hasenfratz Ponca City, OK (OK) 4 04-11 0
89. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK (OK) 4 04-09 0
90. Dusty Scott Rector, AR (AR) 4 04-06 0
91. HS-Joseph Bruener/Jack Garner Nacodgoches, TX (TX) 3 04-05 0
92. Harold Stark Eldon, MO (MO) 3 04-05 0
93. Faron Morris Clarksburg, MO (MO) 2 04-00 0
94. Heath Willard Brookhaven, MS (MS) 2 03-11 0
95. Joshua Alleman Gramercy, LA (LA) 3 03-07 0
96. Dan Chickering Bloomfield, IA (MO) 3 03-05 0
97. Rob Werner Denham Springs, LA (LA) 4 03-04 0
98. Kevin Parker Sumrall, MS (MS) 2 03-00 0
99. HS-Drake Vines/Brett Avery El Dorado, AR (AR) 3 02-14 0
100. John Blankenbeker Camdenton, MO (MO) 1 02-13 0
101. Jeff Saunders Kearney , MO (MO) 2 02-09 0
102. Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, IA (NE) 2 02-08 0
103. Mike Jackson Cuba, MO (MO) 2 02-04 0
104. HS-Cole Luetkenhaus/Nathan Kmiecik Progue, NE (NE) 2 02-03 0
105. Greg Voss Jefferson City, MO (MO) 2 02-01 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 55 363 623-03
2 46 352 536-08
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101 715 1159-11
TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
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State Lbs-Oz
1 OKLAHOMA 188-10
2 LOUISIANA 177-10
3 MISSISSIPPI 155-15
4 KANSAS 153-07
5 ARKANSAS 149-14
6 TEXAS 148-14
7 NEBRASKA 115-09
8 MISSOURI 69-12
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
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KANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Preston Frazell Cleveland, OK 10 23-06 0
2 Benjamin King Garnett, KS 9 18-15 0
3 Chris Torkleson Sand Springs, OK 10 17-06 0
4 Craig Torkleson Sand Springs, OK 10 14-03 0
5 Sam Leintz Linwood, KS 9 12-02 0
6 Brian Penning Wichita, KS 7 10-08 0
7 Larry Brumley Topeka, KS 7 10-06 0
8 Beau Branine Haysville, KS 8 09-15 0
9 Brad VanRiette Iola, KS 8 09-02 0
10 HS-Cameron Pappen/Jesse Heflin Topeka, KS 5 08-04 0
11 Johnny Starks Wellington, KS 5 07-02 0
12 Larry Fralick Wichita, KS 5 06-11 0
13 James Parsons Topeka, KS 6 05-07 0
OKLAHOMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Billy Lemon Sand Springs, OK 10 24-05 0
2 Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK 10 20-04 0
3 Wyatt Smith Stroud, OK 10 18-05 0
4 John Soukup Jr Agra, OK 10 18-00 0
5 Chris Johnson Enid, OK 10 17-11 0
6 Kevin Vaughan Nowata, OK 8 16-15 0
7 Trevor Yates Norman, OK 7 14-10 0
8 Brandon Pedigo Durant, OK 10 14-07 0
9 Kris Lee Coweta, OK 10 13-03 0
10 Bo Middleton Lawton, OK 9 12-08 0
11 Mark Boggs Beggs, OK 7 09-02 0
12 HS-Trevor Owens/Matthew Hasenfratz Ponca City, OK 4 04-11 0
13 Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK 4 04-09 0
LOUISIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA 10 26-06 0
2 Ryan Lavigne Gonzales, LA 10 19-10 0
3 David Cavell Prairieville, LA 10 19-09 0
4 Blake Betz Baton Rouge, LA 10 18-10 0
5 Samuel Anthony Independence, LA 10 18-03 0
6 Doug Guins Lake Charles, LA 10 15-14 0
7 Will Major Port Allen, LA 7 12-10 0
8 Jeffery Lemoine Des Allemands, LA 10 11-15 0
9 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 8 11-04 0
10 HS-Cade Fortenberry/Braden Blanchard St Amant, LA 5 10-01 0
11 Cary Beard Gonzalez, LA 6 06-13 0
12 Joshua Alleman Gramercy, LA 3 03-07 0
13 Rob Werner Denham Springs, LA 4 03-04 0
NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jason Citta Hershey, NE 10 17-09 0
2 Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 10 16-12 0
3 Richard Risewick Norton, KS 5 11-15 0
4 Jerry Pape Milford, IA 10 11-10 0
5 Aaron Olsen Lenexa, KS 8 11-05 0
6 Jeremy Tibben Stanton, IA 7 10-07 0
7 Ralph Leonard Tekamah, NE 5 08-01 0
8 Paul Huse Omaha, NE 5 07-11 0
9 Cody Graff Glenvil, NE 5 05-14 0
10 Jason Boswell Corning, IA 5 04-14 0
11 Donald Switzer Clarinda, IA 3 04-12 0
12 Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, IA 2 02-08 0
13 HS-Cole Luetkenhaus/Nathan Kmiecik Progue, NE 2 02-03 0
MISSOURI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Matt Roberts Pulaski, IA 10 13-00 0
2 Charlie Harrington New Cambria, MO 7 08-08 0
3 Mike Ford Peculiar , MO 4 07-06 0
4 Larry Stoafer Leavenworth, KS 5 07-02 0
5 HS-Tyler Eagan/Jason Thompson Lees Summit, MO 5 06-11 0
6 Jeff Hamilton Blue Springs, MO 6 05-12 0
7 Harold Stark Eldon, MO 3 04-05 0
8 Faron Morris Clarksburg, MO 2 04-00 0
9 Dan Chickering Bloomfield, IA 3 03-05 0
10 John Blankenbeker Camdenton, MO 1 02-13 0
11 Jeff Saunders Kearney , MO 2 02-09 0
12 Mike Jackson Cuba, MO 2 02-04 0
13 Greg Voss Jefferson City, MO 2 02-01 0
ARKANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brandon Lee Ratcliff, AR 10 21-02 0
2 Doug Thompson Mabelvale, AR 9 19-09 0
3 Creighton Sawyer Houston, AR 10 16-04 0
4 Troy Morrison North Little Rock, AR 10 16-01 0
5 Josh Wray Omaha, AR 10 15-05 0
6 Paul Kremers Clarksville, AR 10 12-13 0
7 James McKee Springdale, AR 9 12-11 0
8 Chuck Wisdom Jr Beebe, AR 6 10-02 0
9 Scotty Smith Taylor, AR 3 06-14 0
10 Ron Snyder Georgetown, AR 5 06-09 0
11 Kyle Robertson Austin, AR 5 05-04 0
12 Dusty Scott Rector, AR 4 04-06 0
13 HS-Drake Vines/Brett Avery El Dorado, AR 3 02-14 0
MISSISSIPPI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Donald Adcock Richland, MS 9 20-06 0
2 Frank Morton Purvis, MS 8 20-05 0
3 Michael Valentine Laurel , MS 10 18-00 0
4 Jody Herring Meadville, MS 10 15-06 0
5 Danny Carter Hernando, MS 10 13-12 0
6 Mark Floyd Blue Mountain, MS 10 12-01 0
7 Chuck Halbert Jr West Helena, AR 6 11-10 0
8 Jay Rogers Arlington, TN 9 11-08 0
9 Justin Foster Bude, MS 7 10-11 0
10 HS-Caleb Parker/Nathan Walley LAUREL, MS 5 10-08 0
11 Darrin Herndon Soso, MS 4 05-01 0
12 Heath Willard Brookhaven, MS 2 03-11 0
13 Kevin Parker Sumrall, MS 2 03-00 0
TEXAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Albert Collins Nacogdoches, TX 10 27-03 0
2 Kris Bosley Amarillo, TX 10 22-12 0
3 Jason Buchanan Burnet, TX 8 14-09 0
4 Jim Simpson Canyon, TX 9 13-07 0
5 Trevor Rogge San Antonio, TX 9 11-10 0
6 Josh Stapleton Arlington, TX 7 09-04 0
7 Kyle Dragulski Mansfield, TX 8 09-04 0
8 Terry Reed Willils, TX 8 08-08 0
9 Ken Caldwell Wylie, TX 4 07-02 0
10 Nick Carroccio Plano, TX 5 05-13 0
11 Felix Appelt Goliad, TX 3 05-03 0
12 Troy Montgomery Granbury, TX 3 04-15 0
13 Duane Crenshaw Irving, TX 2 04-15 0
14 HS-Joseph Bruener/Jack Garner Nacodgoches, TX 3 04-05 0