DEL RIO, Texas - After months of hype from BASS, 106 professional bass anglers launched the Bassmaster Elite Series bass fishing tournament on Lake Amistad, dubbed the No. 1 bass fishery in the nation, according to ESPN2's BassCenter (ESPN owns BASS).
Those who couldn't attend in person can catch the Battle on the Border on ESPN2's Bassmasters on Saturday, March 18, at 10 a.m. ET.
Anglers fought high winds and choppy waters to bring in nearly 20 sacks weighing more than 25 pounds. Several pros reported breaking their personal best records in a BASS event as well.
Six-time BASS tournament winner Ken Cook of Meers, Okla., who is ranked 73rd on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index, brought in a five-fish limit weighing 31 pounds, 10 ounces Thursday, securing the Day 1 lead by two ounces.
"This is the biggest bag I've weighed in at a BASS tournament," said Cook. "I felt confident in practice, but to take the lead is just awesome."
Cook threw a swimbait in shallow flats and keyed in on schooling fish. He caught all of his fish in two 50-yard stretches, which he will seek out again on Friday. Cook's sack also was the of the Day, earning him a $1,000 bonus. If it remains one of the 10 heaviest in Elite Series season, he will qualify for the BUSCH Shootout later in the year.
Matt Reed, 43, of Madisonville, Texas, was in second place with 31-8. The Classic qualifier focused on sight fishing and threw both spinnerbaits and Senkos.
"I am having a blast," said Reed. "I fished my area today harder than I would have because of the wind. But, I am happy. The wind didn't hurt me; it just made me change location."
Currently ranked 53rd on the Power Index, Pete Ponds of Madison, Miss., was in third with 31 pounds, 7 ounces. He said the sack - which included a 10-5 largemouth that earned him the Purolator Big Bass bonus of $1,000 - was the largest he has ever caught in a BASS tournament.
Rounding out the top five were Terry Segraves of Kissimmee, Fla., with 30-6 and Michael Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J., with 30-5.
In the co-angler division, Texans led the race. Allan Chandler of Cat Spring is in first with a three-fish limit of 14-2. He was followed by Houston's Mark Wright with 13-15 in second and Gordon Karstedt of Pearland with 13-10 in third.
2006 Battle on the Border Pro 03/09-03/12
Lake Amistad, Del Rio Texas
(PRO Division) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 5 31-10 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 31-10
2. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 5 31-08 295
Day 1: 5 31-08
3. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 5 31-07 290 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 31-07
4. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 5 30-06 285
Day 1: 5 30-06
5. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 30-05 280
Day 1: 5 30-05
6. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 27-14 276
Day 1: 5 27-14
7. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 5 27-05 272
Day 1: 5 27-05
8. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 27-03 268
Day 1: 5 27-03
9. Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 5 26-15 264
Day 1: 5 26-15
10. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 5 26-06 260
Day 1: 5 26-06
11. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 5 26-03 257
Day 1: 5 26-03
12. Jarrett Edwards Page, Ariz. 5 25-15 251
Day 1: 5 25-15
12. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 25-15 251
Day 1: 5 25-15
12. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Calif.5 25-15 251
Day 1: 5 25-15
15. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 25-11 245
Day 1: 5 25-11
16. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 25-09 243
Day 1: 5 25-09
17. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 25-08 241
Day 1: 5 25-08
18. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 5 25-04 238
Day 1: 5 25-04
18. Robert Hamilton Jr Nashville, Tenn. 5 25-04 238
Day 1: 5 25-04
20. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 24-12 235
Day 1: 5 24-12
21. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 5 24-04 233
Day 1: 5 24-04
22. Bill Lowen Cincinnati, Ohio 5 23-15 231
Day 1: 5 23-15
23. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 23-13 229
Day 1: 5 23-13
24. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 23-11 227
Day 1: 5 23-11
25. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 23-06 225
Day 1: 5 23-06
26. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 5 23-05 223
Day 1: 5 23-05
27. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 5 22-15 221
Day 1: 5 22-15
28. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 22-04 219
Day 1: 5 22-04
29. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 5 22-01 217
Day 1: 5 22-01
30. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 5 21-14 215
Day 1: 5 21-14
31. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 21-11 213
Day 1: 5 21-11
32. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 5 21-10 211
Day 1: 5 21-10
33. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 21-03 209
Day 1: 5 21-03
34. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 20-11 207
Day 1: 5 20-11
35. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 5 20-10 205
Day 1: 5 20-10
36. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 5 20-08 203
Day 1: 5 20-08
37. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 5 20-06 200
Day 1: 5 20-06
37. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 5 20-06 200
Day 1: 5 20-06
39. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 5 20-01 197
Day 1: 5 20-01
40. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 19-15 195
Day 1: 5 19-15
41. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5 19-13 193
Day 1: 5 19-13
42. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 19-07 191
Day 1: 5 19-07
43. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 19-06 188
Day 1: 5 19-06
43. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 5 19-06 188
Day 1: 5 19-06
45. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 5 19-02 185
Day 1: 5 19-02
46. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 19-01 183
Day 1: 5 19-01
47. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 5 19-00 180
Day 1: 5 19-00
47. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 19-00 180
Day 1: 5 19-00
49. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 5 18-15 177
Day 1: 5 18-15
50. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 5 18-11 175
Day 1: 5 18-11
51. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5 18-06 173
Day 1: 5 18-06
52. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 18-04 171
Day 1: 5 18-04
53. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 18-02 169
Day 1: 5 18-02
54. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5 17-07 167
Day 1: 5 17-07
55. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 5 17-06 165
Day 1: 5 17-06
56. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 17-03 162
Day 1: 5 17-03
56. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 17-03 162
Day 1: 5 17-03
58. Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 5 17-02 159
Day 1: 5 17-02
59. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 17-01 155
Day 1: 5 17-01
59. Britt Myers Mt. Holly, N.C. 5 17-01 155
Day 1: 5 17-01
59. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 5 17-01 155
Day 1: 5 17-01
62. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 5 16-14 151
Day 1: 5 16-14
63. Aaron Martens Leeds, Calif. 5 16-07 147
Day 1: 5 16-07
63. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 5 16-07 147
Day 1: 5 16-07
63. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 5 16-07 147
Day 1: 5 16-07
66. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 16-00 142
Day 1: 5 16-00
66. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 5 16-00 142
Day 1: 5 16-00
68. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 5 15-12 138
Day 1: 5 15-12
68. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 5 15-12 138
Day 1: 5 15-12
70. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 15-09 134
Day 1: 5 15-09
70. Charlie Youngers Oviedo, Fla. 5 15-09 134
Day 1: 5 15-09
72. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 5 15-02 130
Day 1: 5 15-02
72. Morizo Shimizu Murrita, Calif. 5 15-02 130
Day 1: 5 15-02
74. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 14-13 127
Day 1: 5 14-13
75. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 5 14-11 124
Day 1: 5 14-11
75. David Gliebe Benton, Ky. 5 14-11 124
Day 1: 5 14-11
77. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 5 14-06 121
Day 1: 5 14-06
78. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 5 13-11 119
Day 1: 5 13-11
79. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 5 13-09 115
Day 1: 5 13-09
79. William Smith, Jr Somerset, Ky. 5 13-09 115
Day 1: 5 13-09
79. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 5 13-09 115
Day 1: 5 13-09
82. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 5 13-07 111
Day 1: 5 13-07
83. Vince Hurtado Waterford, Calif. 5 13-00 109
Day 1: 5 13-00
84. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 12-14 107
Day 1: 5 12-14
85. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 5 12-11 104
Day 1: 5 12-11
85. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 5 12-11 104
Day 1: 5 12-11
87. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 5 12-09 101
Day 1: 5 12-09
88. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 5 12-07 99
Day 1: 5 12-07
89. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 12-04 97
Day 1: 5 12-04
90. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 12-03 95
Day 1: 5 12-03
91. Kurt Dove Warrenton, Va. 5 11-12 93
Day 1: 5 11-12
92. Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 5 11-04 91
Day 1: 5 11-04
93. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 5 11-03 88
Day 1: 5 11-03
93. Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 5 11-03 88
Day 1: 5 11-03
95. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 5 11-02 85
Day 1: 5 11-02
96. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 3 10-15 83
Day 1: 3 10-15
97. Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 5 10-09 81
Day 1: 5 10-09
98. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 5 9-13 79
Day 1: 5 9-13
99. Conrad Picou Scott, La. 5 9-10 77
Day 1: 5 9-10
100.Keith Phillips Calera, Ala. 5 9-03 76
Day 1: 5 9-03
101.Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 5 7-15 75
Day 1: 5 7-15
102.Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 5 7-14 74
Day 1: 5 7-14
102.Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 3 7-14 74
Day 1: 3 7-14
104.Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 5 5-15 72
Day 1: 5 5-15
105.Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 4 5-14 71
Day 1: 4 5-14
106.Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 1 2-03 70
Day 1: 1 2-03
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 10-05 $1,000.00
Busch Heavyweight
Day
1 Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 31-10 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 521 1932-00
----------------------------------
102 521 1932-00
2006 Battle on the Border NB 03/09-03/12
Lake Amistad, Del Rio Texas
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Allan Chandler Cat Spring, Texas 3 14-02 305
Day 1: 3 14-02
2. Mark Wright Houston, Texas 3 13-15 295
Day 1: 3 13-15
3. Gordon Karstedt Pearland, Texas 3 13-10 290
Day 1: 3 13-10
4. Albert Hudson Austin, Texas 3 13-06 285 $500.00
Day 1: 3 13-06
5. David Stewart Cedar Park, Texas 3 13-02 280
Day 1: 3 13-02
6. Darrell Shadwick Del Rio, Texas 3 13-01 276
Day 1: 3 13-01
7. Sam Mize Muscle Shoals, Ala. 3 12-15 272
Day 1: 3 12-15
8. Jarod Ballardo Manteca, Calif. 3 12-06 268
Day 1: 3 12-06
9. Jeff Cloud Pampa, Texas 3 12-01 262
Day 1: 3 12-01
9. David Meza San Jose, Calif. 3 12-01 262
Day 1: 3 12-01
11. Charlie Raia Gardendale, Ala. 3 11-06 257
Day 1: 3 11-06
12. Andy Whitehead Round Rock, Texas 3 11-03 254
Day 1: 3 11-03
13. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 3 11-02 251
Day 1: 3 11-02
14. Allen Burkhalter Columbus, Ga. 3 11-01 246
Day 1: 3 11-01
14. David Hernandez Birmingham, Ala. 3 11-01 246
Day 1: 3 11-01
16. Kirk Lizama Oakdale, Calif. 3 10-15 243
Day 1: 3 10-15
17. Michael Bass Austin, Texas 3 10-09 241
Day 1: 3 10-09
18. Jerry Brooks Odessa, Texas 3 10-08 239
Day 1: 3 10-08
19. James Anderson Miami, Fla. 3 10-00 237
Day 1: 3 10-00
20. John Basinger Slaton, Texas 3 9-13 235
Day 1: 3 9-13
21. Jimmy Harrison Boyd, Texas 3 9-10 233
Day 1: 3 9-10
22. Billy Breiten Pecos, Texas 3 9-08 231
Day 1: 3 9-08
23. Lawrence Hiller Eagle Pass, Texas 3 9-06 229
Day 1: 3 9-06
24. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 3 9-03 225
Day 1: 3 9-03
24. James Jones Pinson, Ala. 3 9-03 225
Day 1: 3 9-03
24. Allen Ruddick Las Cruces, N.M. 3 9-03 225
Day 1: 3 9-03
27. Timothy Lybrand Wilson, N.C. 3 9-02 221
Day 1: 3 9-02
28. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 3 8-14 218
Day 1: 3 8-14
28. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 3 8-14 218
Day 1: 3 8-14
30. Chris Reining West Dundee, Ill. 3 8-13 215
Day 1: 3 8-13
31. Steve Hernandez Del Rio, Texas 3 8-10 213
Day 1: 3 8-10
32. Tracy Tolbert Boerne, Texas 3 8-08 211
Day 1: 3 8-08
33. Dalton Arnold Kermit, Texas 3 8-04 209
Day 1: 3 8-04
34. David Hickman Ferriday, La. 3 8-00 206
Day 1: 3 8-00
34. Alexander Meza San Jose, Calif. 3 8-00 206
Day 1: 3 8-00
36. Mario Rivas Del Rio, Texas 3 7-14 203
Day 1: 3 7-14
37. William Adams Exeter, Calif. 3 7-13 201
Day 1: 3 7-13
38. Larry Triplett Parker, Colo. 3 7-09 199
Day 1: 3 7-09
39. Danny Bickom Canastota, N.Y. 3 7-06 195
Day 1: 3 7-06
39. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 3 7-06 195
Day 1: 3 7-06
39. Harry Parten Columbiana, Ala. 3 7-06 195
Day 1: 3 7-06
42. David Parise Lower Burrell, Pa. 3 7-03 191
Day 1: 3 7-03
43. Bret Myers Keller, Texas 3 7-02 188
Day 1: 3 7-02
43. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 3 7-02 188
Day 1: 3 7-02
45. Juan Huerta Del Rio, Texas 3 7-01 184
Day 1: 3 7-01
45. Robert Lane Lakeland, Fla. 3 7-01 184
Day 1: 3 7-01
47. Jonathan Jones Del Rio, Texas 3 7-00 180
Day 1: 3 7-00
47. Brian Penso Houston, Texas 3 7-00 180
Day 1: 3 7-00
49. Gene Eisenmann Little Elm, Texas 3 6-14 176
Day 1: 3 6-14
49. Tony Murray Porter, Texas 3 6-14 176
Day 1: 3 6-14
51. Gil Phillips Alba, Texas 3 6-09 173
Day 1: 3 6-09
52. Clay Kemper Midland, Texas 3 6-08 170
Day 1: 3 6-08
52. Steven Oliver Westminster, Calif. 3 6-08 170
Day 1: 3 6-08
54. Brian Brandon Elgin, Texas 3 5-15 167
Day 1: 3 5-15
55. Carl Hibler Bertram, Texas 2 5-14 165
Day 1: 2 5-14
56. Jay Curtis Hobbs, N.M. 1 5-13 163
Day 1: 1 5-13
57. Harry Potts Ozark, Ala. 1 5-11 161
Day 1: 1 5-11
58. Bill Huston Sunset, S.C. 3 5-09 159
Day 1: 3 5-09
59. Mike Barron Midland, Texas 3 5-07 157
Day 1: 3 5-07
60. Freddy Giron Del Rio, Texas 3 5-06 155
Day 1: 3 5-06
61. Allen Rhoden Huntsville, Texas 3 5-05 153
Day 1: 3 5-05
62. Charles Bonner Williamsburg, N.M. 3 5-01 151
Day 1: 3 5-01
63. Brad Young Artesia, N.M. 3 4-14 148
Day 1: 3 4-14
63. Michael Vintges Tyler, Texas 1 4-14 148
Day 1: 1 4-14
65. Kevin Booty Dequincy, La. 3 4-13 142
Day 1: 3 4-13
65. Chester Hurlburt San Angelo, Texas 3 4-13 142
Day 1: 3 4-13
65. Ron Castle Del Rio, Texas 2 4-13 142
Day 1: 2 4-13
65. Craig Moore Monahans, Texas 2 4-13 142
Day 1: 2 4-13
69. Roger Howell Clayton, Ala. 2 4-08 137
Day 1: 2 4-08
70. Mike Van Brocklin Burnet, Texas 3 4-06 135
Day 1: 3 4-06
71. James Milburn Waterloo, Ill. 2 4-05 133
Day 1: 2 4-05
72. Scott Darragh Dallas, Texas 3 4-04 131
Day 1: 3 4-04
73. Buddy Hicks Hobbs, N.M. 2 4-02 128
Day 1: 2 4-02
73. Gabe Pray Amite, La. 1 4-02 128
Day 1: 1 4-02
75. Mike Warren Wink, Texas 1 3-10 125
Day 1: 1 3-10
76. Kevin Cunningham Farmingdale, N.Y. 2 3-02 122
Day 1: 2 3-02
76. Walter Stringer Tallassee, Ala. 2 3-02 122
Day 1: 2 3-02
78. Mannie Lackey Kerrville, Texas 2 2-14 118
Day 1: 2 2-14
78. David Norwood Kermit, Texas 2 2-14 118
Day 1: 2 2-14
80. Donald Stringer Huntsville, Texas 2 2-12 115
Day 1: 2 2-12
81. Mark Stargardt Riverview, Fla. 1 2-10 113
Day 1: 1 2-10
82. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 1 2-08 111
Day 1: 1 2-08
83. Richard Drake San Antonio, Texas 1 2-00 109
Day 1: 1 2-00
84. Ronnie Stinnett Mertzon, Texas 1 1-13 107
Day 1: 1 1-13
85. Kent Caulfield Cherryvale, Kan. 1 1-11 105
Day 1: 1 1-11
86. Donald Bishop Verona, Pa. 1 1-10 102
Day 1: 1 1-10
86. Tony Ojeda Del Rio , Texas 1 1-10 102
Day 1: 1 1-10
88. Michael P. Klimaszewsk Harker Heights, Texas 1 1-06 98
Day 1: 1 1-06
88. Brett Watts Charlotte, Texas 1 1-06 98
Day 1: 1 1-06
90. Shannon Pierce Del Rio, Texas 3 0-00 85
Day 1: 3 0-00
90. Glenn Barberee Crestview, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
90. Jimmy Curtis Hobbs, N.M. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
90. Mike Frazier Orlando, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
90. Kurt Heil Wellman, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
90. John Justice Hobbs, N.M. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
90. Travis Manson Winneconne, Wisc. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
90. Eddie Matteson Farmington, Mich. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
90. Donny Miller Huntley, Ill. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
90. Jeremy Murray Porter, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
90. Michael Tafoya Marana, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Albert Hudson Austin, Texas 7-14 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 65 231 639-07
----------------------------------
65 231 639-07