PRATTVILLE, Ala. - Pro angler Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., fished in the fast lane of the Alabama River to take the Day 1 lead in the Bassmaster Open Bass Fishing Championship on Thursday. McClelland weighed-in a five-bass limit of 17 pounds, 12 ounces. His closest competitor, Matt Reed of Madisonville, Texas, weighed one of the nearly 30 limits caught to score 14-12. Fellow Arkansas angler Doug Garrett was in third place with 13-3.
For those who couldn't see the action on the water today, the Open Championship will air on ESPN2 on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at 10 a.m. EST.
After sunny practice days, anglers awoke Thursday morning to fog, which delayed launch by two hours. Clouds and fluctuating river levels sent many of the anglers rambling and scrambling for new patterns. McClelland, however, was on target. "I hadn't seen anything over 2 pounds in practice," he said. "But today, the current was right and it pushed them shallow, I fished the main river close to an eddy."
But the question remains: Can McClelland keep the lead? Forecasts call for sunshine Friday, clouds on Saturday and rain on Sunday. Also, river levels are yo-yoing as water is released through the dams above and below the check out point, causing fish to reposition themselves at irregular intervals.
While professional anglers are both talented and experienced, some still enjoy a bit of luck every now and then. Garrett caught a surprise fish that turned out to be the largest bass of the day. The 7-pound, 12-ounce bass helped boost him into third. "I was so shocked at the place the largemouth was," he said.
Also, William Beekman of New York took the lead on the non-boater side with 9-9. Jack Farage of California trails behind him with 8-10.
Daily weigh-ins at Cooters Pond Park are free to the public. Weigh-ins begin at 3:30 EST and BASS founder Ray Scott, who was at the tournament today, will lend a hand at the weigh-ins over the weekend.
The field is cut to 10 on Saturday for the semifinal round. The finals will feature the top five pros and weights each day carry over. The winning boater takes home an $80,000 prize package and the top five boaters earn berths into the Classic, Feb. 24-26, 2006, on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla.
2005 Open Championship BO 12/01-12/04
Alabama River, Prattville Ala.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 17-12 305
Day 1: 5 17-12
2. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 5 14-12 295
Day 1: 5 14-12
3. Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 5 13-03 290 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-03
4. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 12-07 285
Day 1: 5 12-07
5. Rick Morris Lanexa, Va. 5 12-00 280
Day 1: 5 12-00
5. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 4 12-00 280
Day 1: 4 12-00
7. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 5 10-04 272
Day 1: 5 10-04
8. Ricky Shabazz Rialto, Calif. 3 10-01 268
Day 1: 3 10-01
9. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 10-00 264
Day 1: 5 10-00
10. Ron Colby Page, Ariz. 4 9-12 260
Day 1: 4 9-12
10. Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 4 9-12 260
Day 1: 4 9-12
12. Mark Rizk Arab, Ala. 5 9-11 254
Day 1: 5 9-11
13. David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 5 9-10 251
Day 1: 5 9-10
14. Larry Jones Acworth, Ga. 5 8-01 248
Day 1: 5 8-01
15. Lawren Wetzel Sharon, Canada 5 8-00 245
Day 1: 5 8-00
16. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 5 7-15 243
Day 1: 5 7-15
16. Homer Humphreys, Jr Minden, La. 5 7-15 243
Day 1: 5 7-15
16. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 7-15 243
Day 1: 5 7-15
16. John Pollard Eclectic, Ala. 5 7-15 243
Day 1: 5 7-15
20. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 5 7-14 235
Day 1: 5 7-14
21. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 4 7-06 233
Day 1: 4 7-06
22. Jeremy Guidry Opelousas, La. 5 7-02 231
Day 1: 5 7-02
23. Shinichi Fukae Osaka, Japan 5 6-14 229
Day 1: 5 6-14
24. Brad Hallman Norman, Okla. 5 6-12 227
Day 1: 5 6-12
25. Jami Norman Sunbury, Ohio 5 6-10 225
Day 1: 5 6-10
26. Mick Karshner Fresno, Calif. 3 6-09 223
Day 1: 3 6-09
27. Michael Johnson Talking Rock, Ga. 3 6-07 221
Day 1: 3 6-07
28. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 6-06 219
Day 1: 5 6-06
29. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 5 6-04 217
Day 1: 5 6-04
30. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 4 6-01 215
Day 1: 4 6-01
30. Tony Chachere Opelousas, La. 3 6-01 215
Day 1: 3 6-01
32. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 3 5-15 211
Day 1: 3 5-15
33. Tom Hamlin Lizella, Ga. 5 5-14 209
Day 1: 5 5-14
33. Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 4 5-14 209
Day 1: 4 5-14
35. Jess Salmon Milford, N.J. 5 5-13 205
Day 1: 5 5-13
36. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 5 5-04 203
Day 1: 5 5-04
36. Jeff Buchanan Lufkin, Texas 4 5-04 203
Day 1: 4 5-04
38. Jay Kendrick Ooltewah, Tenn. 5 5-03 199
Day 1: 5 5-03
39. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 3 4-13 197
Day 1: 3 4-13
40. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 3 4-06 195
Day 1: 3 4-06
40. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 2 4-06 195
Day 1: 2 4-06
42. Ed Allen Lakeview, Ohio 4 4-05 191
Day 1: 4 4-05
42. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 3 4-05 191
Day 1: 3 4-05
44. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 2 4-03 187
Day 1: 2 4-03
45. Chad Martin Sacramento, Calif. 2 4-01 185
Day 1: 2 4-01
46. Rodney Sorrell Stokesdale, N.C. 1 3-15 183
Day 1: 1 3-15
47. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 1 3-12 181
Day 1: 1 3-12
48. Britt Myers Mt. Holly, N.C. 3 3-11 179
Day 1: 3 3-11
49. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 4 3-06 177
Day 1: 4 3-06
50. Gary Howell Stockton, Calif. 3 3-05 175
Day 1: 3 3-05
50. William Smith, Jr Somerset, Ky. 3 3-05 175
Day 1: 3 3-05
52. Justin Riley Woodbine, Md. 2 3-03 171
Day 1: 2 3-03
52. Thomas O'Bryant Cedar Grove, Tenn. 1 3-03 171
Day 1: 1 3-03
54. Joey Rodrigues Danbury, Conn. 4 3-01 167
Day 1: 4 3-01
54. Vince Hurtado Waterford, Calif. 2 3-01 167
Day 1: 2 3-01
56. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 3 3-00 163
Day 1: 3 3-00
57. Johnny Lesesne Blue Ridge, Ga. 1 2-15 161
Day 1: 1 2-15
58. Conrad Picou Carencro, La. 3 2-13 159
Day 1: 3 2-13
59. Randy Dearman Onalaska, Texas 3 2-10 157
Day 1: 3 2-10
60. Steven Clapper Lima, Ohio 2 2-06 155
Day 1: 2 2-06
61. Dean Meckes Clayton, N.Y. 2 2-03 153
Day 1: 2 2-03
61. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 1 2-03 153
Day 1: 1 2-03
63. Ryan Hawthorne Mansfield, Conn. 1 1-14 149
Day 1: 1 1-14
64. Lee Hartley Buford, Ga. 2 1-13 147
Day 1: 2 1-13
64. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 2 1-13 147
Day 1: 2 1-13
66. Craig Dowling Many, La. 2 1-12 143
Day 1: 2 1-12
67. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 2 1-10 141
Day 1: 2 1-10
67. Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 1 1-10 141
Day 1: 1 1-10
69. Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 2 1-06 137
Day 1: 2 1-06
70. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 2 1-05 135
Day 1: 2 1-05
71. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 1 1-01 133
Day 1: 1 1-01
71. Jimmy Reese Ukiah, Calif. 1 1-01 133
Day 1: 1 1-01
73. Paul Ferguson Arp, Texas 1 1-00 129
Day 1: 1 1-00
74. Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 1 0-15 127
Day 1: 1 0-15
74. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 1 0-15 127
Day 1: 1 0-15
74. Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 1 0-15 127
Day 1: 1 0-15
77. Sean Minderman Spokane, Wash. 1 0-12 121
Day 1: 1 0-12
78. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 1 0-11 119
Day 1: 1 0-11
79. Kurt Dove Warrenton, Va. 1 0-10 117
Day 1: 1 0-10
80. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. Ken Cassettari Alamo, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. John Chaffo Pittsburgh, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. Jim Davis San Jose, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. Mike Desforges Burlington, Canada 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. Jamie Fabian Pleasant City, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. Jeff Magee Mendenhall, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. Keith Philips Calera, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
80. Doc Seger Reeds Springs, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 7-12 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 26 254 422-04
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26 254 422-04
2005 Open Championship NB 12/01-12/04
Alabama River, Prattville Ala.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. William Beekman East Quogue, N.Y. 5 9-09 305
Day 1: 5 9-09
2. Jack Farage Discovery Bay, Calif. 5 8-10 295
Day 1: 5 8-10
3. Stanley Chandler Niceville, Fla. 5 8-07 290
Day 1: 5 8-07
4. John Pate Grant, Ala. 5 7-00 285
Day 1: 5 7-00
5. Rommel Bagay Concord, Calif. 3 6-15 280
Day 1: 3 6-15
6. Adrian Coble Brookeland, Texas 5 6-10 276
Day 1: 5 6-10
7. Joe Lee Desoto, Texas 4 6-06 272
Day 1: 4 6-06
8. Tim Windham Jackson, Ala. 3 6-01 268
Day 1: 3 6-01
9. Matt Fair High Springs, Fla. 5 5-15 264
Day 1: 5 5-15
10. James Blount Dothan, Ala. 3 5-13 260
Day 1: 3 5-13
11. Nathan Bourque Prairieville, La. 4 5-07 257
Day 1: 4 5-07
12. Steven Brinster Highland Lakes, N.J. 1 5-01 254 $400.00
Day 1: 1 5-01
13. Dow Cox Jonesborough, Tenn. 3 5-00 251
Day 1: 3 5-00
14. Jim Kline Hagerstown, Md. 2 4-13 248
Day 1: 2 4-13
15. Jason Nixon Wetumpka, Ala. 1 4-09 245
Day 1: 1 4-09
16. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. 4 4-01 243
Day 1: 4 4-01
17. Dean Perkins Cedar Park, Texas 3 3-09 241
Day 1: 3 3-09
18. Shawn Leonard Obetz, Ohio 3 3-08 239
Day 1: 3 3-08
19. Joel Mixon Arlington, Texas 3 3-05 237
Day 1: 3 3-05
20. Bill Bonner Natchitoches, La. 2 3-04 235
Day 1: 2 3-04
21. Tony Pratt Paso Robles, Calif. 2 3-03 233
Day 1: 2 3-03
22. Cody Meyer Grass Valley, Calif. 2 3-02 231
Day 1: 2 3-02
23. Gary Haraguchi Brentwood, Calif. 4 2-15 229
Day 1: 4 2-15
24. Russ Osborne Orlando, Fla. 2 2-14 227
Day 1: 2 2-14
25. Buck Buchanan Flint, Texas 2 2-09 225
Day 1: 2 2-09
25. Harry Durham Houston, Texas 1 2-09 225
Day 1: 1 2-09
27. Scott Burke Oakdale, Calif. 2 2-08 221
Day 1: 2 2-08
27. Brian Merrifield Athens, Texas 1 2-08 221
Day 1: 1 2-08
27. Lewis Southard Chandler, Ariz. 1 2-08 221
Day 1: 1 2-08
30. Mike Aycock Bay Springs, Miss. 2 2-05 215
Day 1: 2 2-05
31. Scott Darragh Dallas, Texas 2 2-03 213
Day 1: 2 2-03
32. Rick Spinney Manteca, Calif. 2 2-02 211
Day 1: 2 2-02
33. Bill Williams Corbin, Ky. 2 2-01 209
Day 1: 2 2-01
34. Kirk Lizama Oakdale, Calif. 2 1-14 207
Day 1: 2 1-14
35. Chris Heath North Augusta, S.C. 2 1-12 205
Day 1: 2 1-12
36. Dell Brown Arlington, Texas 1 1-11 203
Day 1: 1 1-11
37. Matthew Jones Spokane, Mo. 1 1-10 201
Day 1: 1 1-10
38. Frelon Moore Albertville, Ala. 1 1-09 199
Day 1: 1 1-09
39. Tim Gavek Sayre, Pa. 2 1-08 197
Day 1: 2 1-08
39. James Anderson Miami, Fla. 1 1-08 197
Day 1: 1 1-08
39. Carl Hansen Nottingham, Pa. 1 1-08 197
Day 1: 1 1-08
39. Gary Morris Tracy, Calif. 1 1-08 197
Day 1: 1 1-08
43. Christopher Clemence Maple Htgs, Ohio 1 1-06 189
Day 1: 1 1-06
43. Glenn Maxwell Crossett, Ark. 1 1-06 189
Day 1: 1 1-06
45. David Hovanec Unionville, N.Y. 1 1-03 185
Day 1: 1 1-03
46. Mike Wisenbaker Jourdanton, Texas 1 1-01 183
Day 1: 1 1-01
47. Allen Burkhalter Columbus, Ga. 1 1-00 181
Day 1: 1 1-00
47. Jim Mathews Cumberland, Md. 1 1-00 181
Day 1: 1 1-00
49. Austin Banks Madison, Miss. 1 0-15 177
Day 1: 1 0-15
49. Michael Schmitt Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 1 0-15 177
Day 1: 1 0-15
51. Steven Bunt Wallkill, N.Y. 1 0-12 173
Day 1: 1 0-12
51. William Langille Tafton, Pa. 1 0-12 173
Day 1: 1 0-12
51. David Morrissette South Hadley, Mass. 1 0-12 173
Day 1: 1 0-12
54. Wayne Pomeroy Wellington, Fla. 1 0-11 167
Day 1: 1 0-11
55. Chris Zaldain San Jose, Calif. 1 0-10 165
Day 1: 1 0-10
56. Greig Sniffen Campbell, Calif. 1 0-09 163
Day 1: 1 0-09
57. Bennie Anderson Grand Prairie, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Ronny Bates La Porte, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Ray Beck Beaumont, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Matthew Daddio Mahopac, N.Y. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Bradley Dortch Bay Minette, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Bill Gift Alix, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Kevin Girt Savannah, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Jeff Graham Gardendale, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Steve Graziano Phenix City, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Travis Green Grand Blanc, Mich. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Steve Harris Calera, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Rusty Harvey Nederland, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. David Kayda Crosby, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. David Kelly Ft Worth, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Phillip Lee Deltona, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Royce Madden High Point, N.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Hideki Maeda Sakai-City Osaka, Japa 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Clay Morris Jackson, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Donald Muir Nottingham, Md. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Terry Nunnelly Ohatchee, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Clarence Pinkerton Lakehead, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Dave Reminga Grand Rapids, Mich. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Allen Rhoden Huntsville, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Joe Ritzenthaler Sandusky, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. William Sanders Baltimore, Md. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Jeff Smith Richmond, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Del Smith Castalia, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Jim Staszewski West Gardiner, Maine 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Les Underwood Louisville, Ky. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Ralph Wells Castaic, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Robb Williams Calera, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
57. Jesse Wood Bowdon, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Steven Brinster Highland Lakes, N.J. 5-01 $400.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 6 120 174-14
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6 120 174-14