FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — Lealand Johnson and Drew Grow of the University of Alabama lead the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional after Day 1 with 16-7 including the Big Bass weighing 7-15. The Southern Regional on the St. Johns started a little slow for many teams. Although most reported more bites on Day 1 than they found during practice, getting the fish into the boat seemed to be a problem for many anglers.
The 7-15 Big Bass caught by Johnson was the biggest bass weighed in on Day 1 by 2 pounds. The near 8-pounder may be a sign of things to come. There’s a full moon approaching that will hit on the final day of this tournament, Jan. 5, and that could bring loads of big St. Johns River females to the bank.
“I was almost to the point of quitting when that big fish bit,” Johnson said. “It’s been a long week with everything that’s happened to us, so we were pretty beat down.”
That long week consisted of a blown trailer hub on the way down, then the top cap came loose from the hull of their boat on Wednesday, and they had to drive to Panama City Wednesday night to borrow a boat from Johnson’s friend. When they got back to Palm Coast at 6 a.m. Friday they went straight back out on the water to practice all day and finally got a little sleep last night. So when the big one bit, they could feel their luck changing.
“We were lucky to get her in,” Johnson said. “I switched to braid about 30 minutes before that, and she wrapped me up in a bunch of stuff. Once we caught that big fish, everything turned around and the momentum changed for us.”
As for now, the Big Bag award of 16-7 caught by Johnson and Grow of Alabama has the bar set. Four teams are within 2-8 of the lead. Thomas Oltorik III and James Oltorik of Daytona State College sit in second with 15-9 and pose the most immediate threat to the University of Alabama.
Thomas Oltorik finished second in the 2013 Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional on the Harris Chain with his then partner Scott Heaberlin. Without a kicker in their Day 1 bag and considering their local knowledge of the area, Daytona State stands a good chance of making a move one step up the leader board on Day 2.
Rounding out the Top 5 are Jacob Reome and Matthew Garvin of Clemson University with 14-4, Frankie Appaluccio and Logan Shaddix of the University of Alabama with 14-1, and Landon Tucker and Grant Colson of Valdosta State University with 13-14.
Anglers will launch from Bull Creek Fish Camp at 7 a.m. and weigh-in at 3 p.m ET Sunday and Monday. On the final day, the field will be cut to the Top 20 teams.
Bassmaster College Series - Southern
1/3/2015 - 1/5/2015
St. Johns River - Bull Creek Fish Camp - Flagler County, FL
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 1
Today's Activity
Name #Fish #Live Lbs - Oz
1 Lealand Johnson - Drew Grow University of Alabama 5 5 16- 7
2 Thomas Oltorik III - James Oltorik Daytona State College 5 5 15- 9
3 Jacob Reome - Matthew Garvin Clemson University 5 5 14- 4
4 Frankie Appaluccio - Logan Shaddix University of Alabama 5 5 14- 1
5 Landon Tucker - Grant Colson Valdosta State University 5 5 13-14
6 Kevin Lucas - Kyle Stafford U. of Central Florida 5 5 13- 9
7 Thompson Fuller - Trey Fyock University of Montevallo 5 5 13- 8
8 Austin Archer - Chase Chastain Jacksonville State University 5 5 12- 6
9 Anderson Aldag - Lee Mattox University of Alabama 5 5 12- 2
10 Ross Dove - Richie Young Emmanuel College 4 4 12- 1
11 Hunter Gibson - Caiden Sinclair University of Alabama 5 5 12- 0
12 Patrick Walters - Josh Rennebaum University of South Carolina 5 5 11- 8
13 Dakota Garner - Sawyer Haney Northeast Alabama Community College 4 4 11- 6
14 Josh Oliver - Nathan George Gadsden State Community College 5 5 11- 5
15 John Duarte - Jonathan Kelley Coastal Carolina University 5 5 11- 4
15 CJ Knight - Tim Ward Auburn University 5 5 11- 4
15 Isaac Payne - Connor Mannina Savannah College of Art & Design 5 5 11- 4
15 Ben Stone - Collin Smith Lander University 5 5 11- 4
19 Baylor Ronemus - Cole Tinsley Clemson University 5 5 11- 1
20 John B Davis - Payton McGinnis University of Alabama 5 5 9-15
21 Austin James Littrell - Ben Wall Auburn University 5 5 9-11
22 Colby S Smith - Adam Hall Gadsden State Community College 5 5 9-10
23 Ross Burns - Richard Nesbitt Clemson University 5 5 9- 9
23 Michael Martindill - Evan French U. of North Florida 5 5 9- 9
25 Jeff Clayton IV - Cody Peak Mississippi State University 3 3 9- 5
26 Tom Brewbaker - Gettys Brannon University of South Carolina 5 5 9- 2
27 James Altmann - Mark Blanar University of Florida 5 5 9- 1
28 Konner Kennedy - Ethan Flack University of Alabama 5 5 9- 0
29 Justin Lynch - Tom Catania U. of North Alabama 5 5 8-14
30 Jordan Heath - Chapman Curtis Auburn University 4 4 8-14
30 Trent Palmer - Dean Mullett Georgia Southern 4 4 8-14
32 Travis King - Madison Webb University of Montevallo 5 4 8-11
33 Justin Rivers - CJ Waters Wallace State CC Hanceville 3 3 8-11
34 Nathan Lain - Grayson Lambert University of Florida 5 5 8- 6
34 Hunter McKamey - Kyle Oliver U. of Central Florida 5 5 8- 6
36 Cody Harrison - Clint Frederick U. of North Alabama 3 3 8- 6
37 Adam Neill - Mitch Naler University of Alabama 5 5 8- 2
38 Myles Bowen - Nick Gresens Georgia College & State University 5 5 8- 0
38 John Maner - Colt Kelso U. of North Alabama 5 5 8- 0
40 Austin Bell - Jerod Gadd Polk State College 4 4 7-15
41 Adam Acker - Christi Rolin Georgia State University 5 5 7-13
42 Mitch Brumbeloe - Ashley Robinson University of West Alabama 4 4 7-12
43 Seth Hanchey - Gunnar McCollough Troy University 3 3 7- 3
44 Lucas Johnson - Anthony McCullough Georgia Regents University 3 3 7- 1
45 Hunter Bozeman - Dylan DeForrest Florida Gulf Coast University 5 5 6-15
46 Clark Lawrence - Ethan Weeks Mississippi State University 2 2 6-15
47 Shawn Callahan - Brian Sweeney U. of South Carolina 5 5 6-11
47 Wade Griffith - Bryan Spellman Gadsden State Community College 5 5 6-11
49 Zachary Edmunds - Nelson Madruga U. of Central Florida 5 5 6-10
50 Joshua Butts - Colin Morrow Wallace State CC Hanceville 5 5 6- 3
51 Phillip Heyde - Kevin Hires Seminole State College 3 3 6- 3
52 Hampton Anderson - Chris Blanchette University of South Carolina 5 5 5-15
53 Dawson Lenz - Evan Horne University of North Alabama 4 4 5-14
54 Alex Schieman - Ryan Stewart Georgia College & State University 5 5 5-13
55 Sandy Teaf - Steven Barker U. of Central Florida 4 4 5-12
56 Justin Brown - Scott Swatscheno U. of Central Florida 5 5 5-10
57 Shelby Concon - Grant Bergeron University of Florida 4 4 5- 7
58 Brett Nelson - Chase Turner Wallace State CC Hanceville 3 3 5- 4
59 Travis Johns - MJ Vihnanek U. of South Alabama 4 4 5- 2
60 Cody Spears - Justin Mahon Florida State University 3 3 5- 0
61 Joe Nakai - Blake Burtram U. of North Alabama 3 3 4-15
62 Eric Fisher - Jake Akin Georgia Highlands College 4 4 4-14
63 Taylor Minick - Micheal Harbach Valdosta State University 3 3 4-14
64 Mitchell Jennings - Kendall Andrews Auburn University 4 3 4-10
65 Charles Conger - Hunter Branham Southern Polytechnic College 5 5 4- 8
66 Zane Xanders - A.J. Hoath Florida Gulf Coast University 3 3 4- 7
67 Matt Oliver - Justin Woodruff UAB 3 3 4- 4
68 Jon Feazell - Alex Bell UAB 1 1 4- 4
69 Brad Davis - Bo Jones Columbus State University 3 3 4- 3
69 Ethan Wages - U. of South Alabama 3 3 4- 3
71 Adam Clark - Matt Cagle Wallace State CC Hanceville 2 2 4- 2
71 Cody Kennedy - Glenn Kennedy Calhoun Comm College 2 2 4- 2
73 Alan Jackson Simmons - Bradley DeLeon Auburn University 1 1 4- 2
74 Denver McLain - Benjamin Chandler Abraham Baldwin Ag College 1 1 4- 1
74 Kirk Savage - William Blount U. of South Alabama 1 1 4- 1
76 Shane Haas - Matthew Cantrell University of Florida 2 2 3-13
77 Ryan Darracott - Zachary Darracott U. of North Alabama 2 2 3-12
78 Tyler Moody - Austin Maynard UAB 3 3 3- 8
79 Jacob Burns - Wesley Minor UAB 4 4 3- 6
80 Nathan Martin - Andrew Tate U. of North Alabama 3 3 3- 5
81 Philippe Brown - Kent Green AUM 1 1 3- 4
82 Brady Bowden - Landon Olson Faulkner University 3 3 3- 3
83 Austin Herring - Tanner Ellis University of Montevallo 2 2 3- 3
84 Hayden Tilley - Cole Gifford Northeast Alabama Community College 1 1 3- 3
85 Hunter Bechtel - Hunter Waller Abraham Baldwin Ag College 2 2 3- 2
85 Garrett Roberts - Ethan Hayes Auburn University 2 2 3- 2
85 Justin Singleton - Zac Bennett Georgia College & State University 2 2 3- 2
88 Toby Roach - Caleb Whitehead Mississippi State University 2 2 2-15
89 Kenneth Ryan - Adam Kemp University of Florida 2 2 2-13
90 Jesse James - Nolan Vinson Troy University 2 2 2-12
91 Murphy Klumpp - Lucas Brown Auburn University 3 3 2-11
92 Wesley Griner - Dalton Dedge Darton State College 2 2 2- 8
93 Grant Galloway - Joe Marty Mississippi State University 2 2 2- 6
94 John Bryant - Trey Coile University of Alabama 2 2 2- 2
95 Andrew Cannon - Drew Herold U. of North Alabama 2 2 2- 1
96 Nathan Felker - Joe Bates Georgia Southern 1 1 1-14
97 Andrew Warbington - Taylor Teague University of West Alabama 1 1 1-10
98 Kyle Alford - Nathan Woodruff Mississippi State University 1 1 1- 3
99 Luke Ferguson - Polk State College 1 1 1- 2
100 Michael Skat - Kaitlyn Nardi Seminole State College 1 1 1- 1
100 Brett Webster - Ryan Williams U. of North Alabama 1 1 1- 1
102 Austin Handley - Alex Wolfe UAB 1 1 1- 0
103 Samuel Bass - Logan Elton Florida State University 1 1 0-15
104 Colby Harville - Hunter Haney U. of North Alabama 1 1 0-14
105 Cale Mathis - Jonathan McLendon Abraham Baldwin Ag College 1 1 0-13
105 Alex Parker - Hunter Franklin U. of South Alabama 1 1 0-13
105 Drew Wilson - Kendall Pierce UAB 1 1 0-13
108 Tanner Malone - Logan Smith Mississippi State University 1 1 0-12
109 Caleb Barksdale - Ean Miles Northeast Alabama Community College 0 0 0- 0
109 Kolby Bowers - Alex Oliver Abraham Baldwin Ag College 0 0 0- 0
109 Scott Cain - Tyler Teal UAB 0 0 0- 0
109 Brandon Easterling - Daniel Perry University of Montevallo 0 0 0- 0
109 Makenzie Henson - Ryan Hayse U. of North Alabama 0 0 0- 0
109 Andrew Himmelreich - Ethan Barrett Young Harris College 0 0 0- 0
109 Kenny Johnson - Brandon Black University of West Georgia 0 0 0- 0
109 Layton Jones - Tyler Schmidt Georgia Southern 0 0 0- 0
109 Skylar Lansdell - Matthew Hand AUM 0 0 0- 0
109 Blake McDaniel - Chet Reaves Auburn University 0 0 0- 0
109 Timothy Parker - Hunter Bland University of Florida 0 0 0- 0
109 Hunter Reeves - Tucker Hill Georgia Southern 0 0 0- 0
109 Andrew Suggs - Chase Coker Darton State College 0 0 0- 0
109 Taylor Thompson - Hunter Coppolino Abraham Baldwin Ag College 0 0 0- 0
109 Brad Vice - Austin Mize U. of North Alabama 0 0 0- 0
109 Stephen Young - Zach Hitt Reinhardt University 0 0 0- 0
BIG BASS TOTALS
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz
Day # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
1 Lealand Johnson Huntsville, AL 7-15
1 367 365 691-12 42
2 0 0 0- 0 0