DECATUR, Ala. - Perhaps the best angler on the planet put on another show Saturday as three-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., seized the lead at the Southern Challenge bass fishing tournament on Alabama's Wheeler Lake. Heading into the final day of competition, VanDam, who has a three-day total of 58 pounds, 2 ounces, clings to a more than 1-pound advantage over his nearest competitor, Jeremy Starks of Charleston, W.Va.
Fishing fans are running out of superlatives to describe VanDam. He is the all-time career earnings leader in BASS competition with nearly $3 million, and he has two Bassmaster Classic titles and an impressive 13 BASS wins. A victory Sunday would mark his second in Alabama and his fourth in Elite Series competition.
He would also earn $100,000 and considerable points in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. Looking for his fourth AOY title, VanDam was in fourth place in the "Trail to the Trophy" heading into Wheeler. He should improve in the AOY rankings with another high finish, although Todd Faircloth (fourth) of Jasper, Texas, and 2007 AOY winner Skeet Reese (14th) of Auburn, Calif., fared well. Faircloth and Reese were both in the top five in the AOY standings heading into Wheeler.
While VanDam's ultimate goal is another AOY title, he is focused on the Wheeler event, the seventh of the 2008 season.
"It's good to be in the lead," said VanDam, 40. "I'm thrilled with how good they were biting out there. The way you have to fish this lake is show them what you have. Keep throwing everything you have at them until you find something that works."
VanDam is using six or seven different baits including crankbaits, worms and jigs. He has keyed on one productive area, and though Saturday started out slow for him, VanDam was able to piece together a limit and significantly upgrade before noon.
He said he culled a number of good-sized fish and decided to lay off his area in the later part of the competition day, hoping to let it rest for the final day. While he is in the lead, he lamented a decision he made Thursday, the first day of competition, to let his area rest.
"After I caught 18 pounds, I left my area alone and went to look for some other stuff," VanDam said. "That could cost me. With these guys and this level of competition, I should know better. You have to maximize your opportunities."
Oddly enough, Starks has not been maximizing his opportunities. The 35-year-old who is in contention for his first BASS victory has found one area that he feels is the winning spot but has thrown less than 25 casts to it. Saturday, he only threw one cast into the area, catching a 6-pounder, the biggest of the day for him.
Through the rest of the day, he worked the outside edges of the spot and was able to catch 20 pounds. He described the spot as a "shell bed on a ledge." Through three days of competition, he estimated he has boated six fish weighing more than 5 pounds on the "honey hole."
"I didn't even get into the meat of the area today," said Starks, who has a three-day total of 53 pounds, 11 ounces. "I can't wait for tomorrow. I feel really good and I know I can bring a big limit to the scales."
Starks is working a 10-inch Berkley power worm and caught a limit Saturday in his first seven casts. He has effectively guarded his spot for four days but plans to spend his whole day in the area Sunday.
Behind Starks was Day 1 and 2 leader Terry Scroggins of Palatka, Fla., with 53 pounds 11 ounces. Rounding out the top five were Faircloth with 51 pounds, 13 ounces, and John Murray of Phoenix with 50 pounds, 13 ounces.
Notable anglers also qualifying for Sunday's cut were Japan's Morizo Shimizu (seventh) and Elite rookie Corey Waldrop of Fort Worth, Texas (eighth).
Mike McClelland, who led the AOY race heading into Wheeler, will relinquish his points lead as he finished the event in 43rd place.
In the co-angler competition, which ended Saturday, Bob McMullin of Pevely, Mo., jumped from second to first with a three-day total of 37 pounds, 2 ounces. With the victory, McMullin earned $25,000. He outdid Brian Hickey of Cadiz, Ky., who had 34 pounds, 15 ounces, and Bryan Talmadge of Pell City, Ala., with 30 pounds, 11 ounces.
Daily weigh-ins and launches at the Southern Challenge are taking place at Ingalls Harbor, 701 Market St. NW, Decatur, Ala. Launches Sunday begin at 6 a.m. CT and weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m.
SOUTHERN CHALLENGE
2008 Southern Challenge 6/5-6/8
Lake Wheeler, Decatur AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 15 58-02 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 16-14 Day 3: 5 22-12
2. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 15 56-11 295
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 19-11 Day 3: 5 20-00
3. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 15 53-11 300 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-03 Day 2: 5 18-07 Day 3: 5 13-01
4. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 15 51-13 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 19-11
5. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 15 50-13 280
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 18-03 Day 3: 5 15-15
6. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 15 49-05 276
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 5 14-15
7. Morizo Shimizu Osaka CA JAPAN 15 48-01 272
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 13-06
8. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, TX 15 45-12 268
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 09-13 Day 3: 5 21-14
9. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 15 45-07 264
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 10-02 Day 3: 5 16-05
10. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 15 43-13 260 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 20-00
11. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 15 43-00 257
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 07-08
12. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 15 41-14 254
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 11-10 Day 3: 5 12-03
13. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 15 41-08 251 $10,800.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 08-06 Day 3: 5 19-03
14. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 15 41-02246.5 $11,650.00
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 08-14 Day 3: 5 13-00
14. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 15 41-02246.5 $10,650.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 5 12-14
16. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 15 41-01 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 12-08
17. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 15 40-15 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 12-14
18. Randy Howell Springville, AL 15 40-11 239 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 20-04 Day 3: 5 09-11
19. David Smith Del City, OK 15 40-08 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 10-02 Day 3: 5 14-14
20. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 15 40-04 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 10-13 Day 3: 5 14-03
21. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 15 39-14 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 10-01 Day 3: 5 14-08
22. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 15 39-09 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 10-07
23. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 15 39-07 229 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 15-00
24. Chris Lane Lakeland, FL 15 38-08 226 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 13-07
24. Glenn Delong Bellville, OH 15 38-08 226 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 13-10 Day 3: 5 11-08
26. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 15 38-04 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 09-00 Day 3: 5 15-02
27. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 15 38-03 220 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 08-05 Day 3: 5 13-04
27. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 15 38-03 220 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 09-01 Day 3: 5 11-12
29. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 15 38-01 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 11-07 Day 3: 5 12-01
30. Jason Quinn York, SC 15 37-15 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 13-12
31. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 15 37-12 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 07-13 Day 3: 5 15-03
32. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 15 37-06 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 11-14
33. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 15 37-02 209 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 10-13
34. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 15 36-13 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 07-06 Day 3: 5 14-05
35. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 15 36-05 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 09-07
36. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 15 36-04 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 09-03 Day 3: 5 12-10
37. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 15 35-15 201 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-06 Day 3: 5 10-00
38. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 15 35-08 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 5 12-12
39. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 15 35-00 196 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 08-10 Day 3: 5 12-00
39. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 15 35-00 196 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 11-07 Day 3: 5 10-00
41. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 15 34-05 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 07-08
42. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 15 33-15 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 10-05 Day 3: 5 09-12
43. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 15 33-14 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 09-01
44. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 15 33-08 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 10-14
45. Pat Golden High Point, NC 15 32-10 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 10-08 Day 3: 5 09-07
46. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 15 32-08 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 5 09-01
47. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 15 32-07 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 10-10 Day 3: 5 09-01
48. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 15 31-12 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 10-13 Day 3: 5 09-07
49. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 15 31-01 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 5 08-12
50. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 15 30-00 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 06-08
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BIG BASS
Day
1 Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 07-10 $1,000.00
2 Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 06-14 $1,000.00
3 Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 07-13 $1,000.00
Day
1 Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 22-03 $1,000.00
2 Randy Howell Springville, AL 20-04 $1,000.00
3 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 22-12 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 106 532 1238-09
2 102 529 1149-04
3 50 250 646-01
----------------------------------
258 1311 3033-14
2008 Southern Challenge 6/5-6/8
Lake Wheeler, Decatur AL.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bob McMullin Pevely, MO 15 37-02 0 $25,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 13-06 Day 3: 5 13-12
2. Brian Hickey Cadiz, KY 15 34-15 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 08-14 Day 3: 5 11-15
3. Bryan Talmadge Pell City, AL 15 30-11 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 5 09-01 Day 3: 5 13-14
4. Taylor Barnes Chickamauga, GA 15 30-09 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 07-15 Day 3: 5 11-04
5. Tim Guinn Goodlettsville, TN 15 30-03 0 $3,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 09-01 Day 3: 5 09-15
6. William Carter Owens Cross Roads, AL 15 29-11 0 $3,000.00
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 07-06 Day 3: 5 14-08
7. Jim Barnette Decatur, AL 13 29-07 0 $2,250.00
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 5 11-06 Day 3: 5 11-02
8. Joel Etheredge Springville, AL 15 28-12 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 09-09 Day 3: 5 10-02
9. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, AL 15 28-11 0 $1,750.00
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 10-12 Day 3: 5 09-06
10. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, AL 15 28-05 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 08-06 Day 3: 5 08-03
11. Jimmy Dudley White, GA 13 28-02 0 $1,250.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 3 02-14
12. Stephen Williams Columbus, MS 15 28-01 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 5 07-13 Day 3: 5 14-00
13. Steven Wisdom Birmingham, AL 15 27-14 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 05-13 Day 3: 5 06-08
14. Chad Caldwell Hampton Cove, AL 15 26-14 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 10-06 Day 3: 5 07-15
15. Nick Cupps Madison, MS 15 26-11 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 07-01
16. Jason Seaton Martinsville, IN 15 26-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 08-07 Day 3: 5 07-12
16. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 14 26-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 05-04 Day 2: 5 08-13 Day 3: 5 12-07
18. Ivan C Morris Virginia Beach, VA 15 26-07 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 11-07 Day 3: 5 06-06
19. Preston Frazell Kincaid, KS 15 26-04 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 08-00 Day 3: 5 08-10
20. Wally Green Gardendale, AL 15 25-13 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 06-15 Day 3: 5 09-00
21. Todd Gordon Horton, AL 15 25-09 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 07-14 Day 3: 5 09-12
21. Dustin Evans Eads, TN 15 25-09 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 07-15 Day 3: 5 05-13
23. Ronnie Tyson Marietta, GA 15 25-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 10-07 Day 3: 5 06-13
24. Jim McDevitt Eldon, MO 15 25-07 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 07-10 Day 3: 5 06-08
25. Tom Frink Simi Valley, CA 15 25-04 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 07-03 Day 3: 5 07-02
26. Ken Callahan Hartselle, AL 15 24-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 07-01 Day 3: 5 07-08
27. Jeff Tolle Jenks, OK 15 24-07 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 07-01 Day 3: 5 07-01
28. Jeremy D Music Wheelersburg, OH 15 24-04 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 07-15 Day 3: 5 08-08
29. Danny Grissett Walnut Hill, FL 15 23-14 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 06-08 Day 3: 5 08-05
30. John Wentzell Columbia, SC 13 23-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 3 02-14 Day 3: 5 08-04
31. Christopher Huffine Raleigh, NC 15 23-11 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 07-12 Day 3: 5 08-05
32. CJ Nichols Alexandria, LA 15 23-03 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 06-08 Day 3: 5 08-03
33. Jason Hampson Cartersville, GA 15 22-14 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 07-03 Day 3: 5 06-07
34. Craig Daino Central Square, NY 14 22-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 5 07-12 Day 3: 4 07-10
35. Alton Jones Jr. Woodway, TX 15 22-06 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 06-00 Day 3: 5 08-02
36. Bj Hannah Dyersburg, TN 15 22-04 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 08-01 Day 3: 5 05-07
37. Jimmy Miller Madison, MS 15 22-02 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 05-05 Day 3: 5 06-08
37. Marcos Malucelli Fort Mill, SC 15 22-02 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 07-07 Day 2: 5 07-08 Day 3: 5 07-03
37. Chad Kallina Nada, TX 13 22-02 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 06-03 Day 2: 5 09-11 Day 3: 3 06-04
40. Richard S Arnold New Brockton, AL 15 21-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 06-03 Day 3: 5 05-01
40. Matthew Ellis Nashville, TN 14 21-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 06-00 Day 3: 4 05-09
42. J Perkins Columbus, MS 15 21-03 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 5 07-02 Day 3: 5 06-12
43. Robert Theilacker Rockledge, FL 10 21-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 3 09-08 Day 3: 2 03-06
44. Scott Hale Wheelersburg, OH 13 20-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 05-08 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 3 02-04
45. Will Stoner Toney, AL 13 19-15 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 3 06-00 Day 3: 5 06-14
45. Stan Mccurdy Piedmont, AL 12 19-15 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 06-08 Day 2: 5 10-07 Day 3: 3 03-00
47. Austin Brooks Indian Spgs, AL 15 19-14 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 5 05-05 Day 3: 5 06-06
48. Justin Carter Owens X Rds, AL 11 19-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 06-07 Day 3: 1 01-11
49. Christopher Lynch Springville, AL 13 16-06 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 5 05-07 Day 3: 3 03-01
50. Joseph Brister Immokalee, FL 6 13-00 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 07-03 Day 2: 2 05-13 Day 3: 0 00-00
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BIG BASS
Day
1 Taylor Barnes Chickamauga, GA 06-01 $500.00
2 Bob McMullin Pevely, MO 05-14 $500.00
3 William Carter Owens Cross Roads, AL06-07 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 69 442 725-09
2 67 415 633-08
3 40 226 380-05
----------------------------------
176 1083 1739-06