CHARLES COUNTY, Md. - Rick Morris has always done well in Bassmaster bass fishing tournaments on the Potomac River.
After catching yet another solid limit Saturday on the third day of the Capitol Clash , Morris is poised for his best finish ever.
The Virginia Beach, Va., pro brought five bass weighing 16 pounds, 10 ounces to the scales at Smallwood State Park for a three-day total of 43-10 and a 2-ounce lead over 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli.
Alabama's Steve Kennedy, who is second behind Iaconelli in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year point standings, was 6 ounces behind Iaconelli in third place with 43-2. Texan Kelly Jordon with 42-10 and Californian Skeet Reese with 42-4 rounded out the top five. The top angler Sunday wins $100,000.
"I've probably fished 10 BASS events here over the past 15 years," said Morris, who finished third in the 2003 Bassmaster Northern Open, third in the 2002 Bassmaster Eastern Open and fourth in the 1998 Bassmaster Top 150- all on the Potomac. "Before that, I used to fish Federation Nation tournaments on the Potomac, so I've got 20 years experience here."
That experience has helped Morris, whose best finish this year was a second in the Bassmaster Classic on Lake Tohopekaliga in February, stay focused on fishing a creek south of the launch site that several of the other athletes who made the top 12 cut Saturday have been fishing.
While some of those anglers struggled to catch five keepers and left to check out some other areas, Morris stayed in the creek and waited for a late bite, keyed by a falling tide, to happen.
"I had five bites today and that was after everybody left," said Morris, who was in 20th place Thursday and moved up to 15th Friday before jumping into the lead. "It gets better late in the day."
Iaconelli, of Runnemede, N.J., a five-time BASS winner who won the Southern Challenge on Lake Guntersville in April, went from 14th place to second with a limit weighing 16-5 for a total weight of 43-8. After placing 41st the first day of the tournament, Iaconelli moved to an area with three grass beds and caught all of his fish Friday from the second of the beds.
"I started out fishing at that bed today and stayed there," Iaconelli said.
Kennedy, of Auburn, Ala., moved from seventh place into third with a limit weighing 13-14. He caught one keeper in the morning, then went through a dry spell until he pulled up on a patch of grass that he'd found during practice, but hadn't fished during the tournament.
"I caught all but one of my fish [that he weighed] from that spot in less than an hour," said Kennedy, who is 50 points behind Iaconelli in the AOY standings. "Then the tide dropped out and I never got another bite."
Brian Snowden of Reeds Spring , Mo., had the stringer of the day- a 19-14 limit- to jump from 33rd to sixth at 42-2. Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., had the Big Bass of 5-1. McClelland sits in seventh with 41-9.
Mike Frazier of Orlando, Fla., held onto his lead in the co-angler division to finish with nine bass weighing 22-5 and win a Triton boat package valued at $45,000. Shawn Huwar was second at 20-10 and fellow Virginian Mark Letosky was third at 20-3.
2006 Capitol Clash Pro 08/10-08/13
Potomac River, Charles County Md.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 15 43-10 305
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 13-10 Day 3: 5 16-10
2. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 15 43-08 295
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 16-05
3. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 43-02 290
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 5 13-14
4. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 14 42-10 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 4 12-14
5. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 13 42-04 285
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 3 8-15
6. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 14 42-02 276 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 7-09 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 19-14
7. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 15 41-09 272 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 9-03
8. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 15 40-15 268
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 10-06
9. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 15 40-12 264
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 5 12-05
10. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 15 39-05 260
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 10-05
11. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 15 39-03 257
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 5 12-09
12. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 15 38-15 254
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 5 11-06
13. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 15 38-08 251 $10,800.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 5 11-11
14. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 15 38-04 246 $10,650.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 5 13-02
14. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 14 38-04 246 $10,650.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 4 6-01
16. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 12 38-02 243 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 4 14-05 Day 3: 3 10-03
17. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 15 37-08 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 5 7-08
18. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 15 36-11 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 7-11 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 15-12
19. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 14 36-09 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 13-06 Day 3: 4 8-02
20. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 15 36-03 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 9-06 Day 3: 5 13-07
21. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 15 35-13 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 8-12 Day 3: 5 9-04
22. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 15 35-12 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 11-00 Day 3: 5 13-01
23. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 15 35-08 229 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 10-06 Day 3: 5 13-07
24. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 15 35-06 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 8-15 Day 3: 5 14-03
25. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 14 34-14 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 4 7-15 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 5 9-05
26. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 15 34-02 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 6-10 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 12-01
27. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 15 33-08 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 5 10-01
28. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 13 32-03 219 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 13-11 Day 3: 3 4-12
29. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 14 31-15 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 8-01 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 4 10-07
30. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 12 31-09 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 2 6-13
31. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 15 31-03 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 9-04 Day 3: 5 8-05
32. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 13 31-00 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 10-11 Day 3: 3 7-07
33. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 11 30-07 209 $11,000.00
Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 3 7-03
34. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 14 30-02 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 8-15 Day 3: 4 6-13
35. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 15 29-15 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 10-02 Day 3: 5 8-01
36. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 15 29-14 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 6-02 Day 3: 5 9-04
37. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 13 29-12 201 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-02 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 8-14
38. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 15 29-11 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 8-12 Day 3: 5 8-08
39. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 14 28-13 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 10-09 Day 3: 4 5-15
40. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 28-12 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 10-03 Day 3: 5 7-01
41. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 15 28-10 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-00 Day 2: 5 11-00 Day 3: 5 8-10
42. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 13 28-05 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 3 5-10
43. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 15 27-14 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 8-13 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 6-09
44. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 13 27-08 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 3 4-04
45. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 11 26-06 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 1 2-00
46. Charlie Youngers Geneva, Fla. 14 25-15 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 7-14 Day 3: 4 6-00
47. Britt Myers Mt. Holly, N.C. 15 25-13 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 7-01 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 6-01
48. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 15 25-11 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-08 Day 2: 5 10-04 Day 3: 5 5-15
49. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 11 23-00 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 1 2-12
50. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 8 22-13 180 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 2 4-00 Day 3: 1 0-12
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Big Bass
Day
1 Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5-12 $1,000.00
2 Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 5-15 $1,000.00
3 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5-01 $1,000.00
Day
1 Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 18-01 $1,000.00
2 Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohio 17-11 $1,000.00
3 Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 19-14 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 72 443 994-15
2 74 439 966-07
3 32 214 469-14
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178 1096 2431-04
2006 Capitol Clash NB 08/10-08/13
Potomac Ricer, Charles County Md.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike Frazier Orlando, Fla. 9 22-05 0 $45,000.00
Day 1: 3 9-14 Day 2: 3 6-09 Day 3: 3 5-14
2. Shawn Huwar Fredericksburg, Va. 8 20-10 0 $25,500.00
Day 1: 2 1-09 Day 2: 3 9-10 Day 3: 3 9-07
3. Mark Letosky Warrenton, Va. 7 20-03 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 10-11 Day 2: 1 1-03 Day 3: 3 8-05
4. Chad Hicks Rockville, Va. 8 19-12 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 3 9-06 Day 3: 2 4-00
5. Mike Acord Lancaster, Pa. 9 19-07 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-13 Day 2: 3 9-00 Day 3: 3 3-10
6. Tony Fraser Woodbridge, Va. 9 19-02 0 $3,000.00
Day 1: 3 4-05 Day 2: 3 8-13 Day 3: 3 6-00
7. Michael Schmeltzer Akron, Ohio 8 18-10 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 2 3-08 Day 3: 3 7-07
8. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 9 18-08 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-04 Day 2: 3 6-09 Day 3: 3 5-11
9. Marty Scoggins Trion, Ga. 9 17-08 0 $1,800.00
Day 1: 3 9-11 Day 2: 3 2-13 Day 3: 3 5-00
10. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 8 17-05 0 $1,600.00
Day 1: 3 7-05 Day 2: 2 3-05 Day 3: 3 6-11
11. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 7 17-03 0 $1,400.00
Day 1: 3 7-09 Day 2: 1 0-15 Day 3: 3 8-11
12. Donald Muir Nottingham, Md. 7 17-02 0 $1,300.00
Day 1: 3 8-09 Day 2: 3 7-11 Day 3: 1 0-14
13. Andy Montgomery Grover, N.C. 7 17-01 0 $1,200.00
Day 1: 3 7-04 Day 2: 3 7-13 Day 3: 1 2-00
14. Steven Brinster Highland Lakes, N.J. 7 16-14 0 $1,100.00
Day 1: 1 1-14 Day 2: 3 6-15 Day 3: 3 8-01
15. James Funk Portsmouth, Va. 7 16-10 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 9-02 Day 2: 1 1-00 Day 3: 3 6-08
16. Josh Kolbinsky Lawrenceburg, Ind. 8 16-09 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-14 Day 2: 2 3-12 Day 3: 3 3-15
16. David Woodall Angier, N.C. 8 16-09 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 3-05 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 3 6-09
18. Richard Roselle La Plata, Md. 8 16-05 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-06 Day 2: 3 4-10 Day 3: 2 3-05
19. Mike Phillips Clayton, Del. 9 16-04 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 3 4-01 Day 3: 3 7-04
20. Ian Dunevant Baltimore, Md. 6 16-02 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-10 Day 2: 3 7-08 Day 3: 0 0-00
21. Harry Parten Columbiana, Ala. 8 15-14 0 $1,400.00
Day 1: 3 6-04 Day 2: 3 4-06 Day 3: 2 5-04
22. Vic Hofer Chesapeake, Va. 8 15-10 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 6-02 Day 2: 2 4-11 Day 3: 3 4-13
23. Wade Grooms Bonneau, S.C. 9 15-05 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 2-13 Day 2: 3 5-01 Day 3: 3 7-07
23. Craig Townsend Mount Holly, N.J. 8 15-05 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 5-10 Day 2: 2 3-05 Day 3: 3 6-06
25. Allan Engelmeyer Severn, Md. 9 15-00 0 $300.00
Day 1: 3 4-12 Day 2: 3 4-03 Day 3: 3 6-01
25. Steve Tosh Modesto, Calif. 8 15-00 0 $300.00
Day 1: 3 4-06 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 2 2-14
25. David Printz Bryans Road, Md. 8 15-00 0 $300.00
Day 1: 2 5-06 Day 2: 3 4-13 Day 3: 3 4-13
28. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 6 14-07 0
Day 1: 3 5-14 Day 2: 3 8-09 Day 3: 0 0-00
29. Ricky Bodsford Richmond, Va. 7 14-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-10 Day 2: 2 3-14 Day 3: 2 3-14
30. Andrew Kuboff Poland, Ohio 8 14-02 0
Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 3 4-12 Day 3: 2 3-13
30. Art Edsall Dunkirk, Md. 7 14-02 0
Day 1: 3 6-00 Day 2: 3 5-13 Day 3: 1 2-05
32. Wesley Hood Annandale, Va. 6 14-01 0
Day 1: 3 7-07 Day 2: 2 5-05 Day 3: 1 1-05
33. Tim Love Blairs, Va. 9 13-09 0
Day 1: 3 3-06 Day 2: 3 4-10 Day 3: 3 5-09
34. Joel Etheredge Springville, Ala. 7 13-04 0
Day 1: 2 2-03 Day 2: 2 6-03 Day 3: 3 4-14
35. Mark Finley Palmyra, Va. 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 3 8-08 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 2 4-05
36. Paul Morton Knightdale, N.C. 9 12-10 0
Day 1: 3 3-05 Day 2: 3 5-08 Day 3: 3 3-13
37. Christopher Wyer Stafford, Va. 5 12-07 0
Day 1: 3 8-06 Day 2: 1 3-04 Day 3: 1 0-13
38. Jeff Williamson Kent, Ohio 6 12-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-00 Day 2: 3 6-06 Day 3: 0 0-00
39. Jason Sherwood Damascus, Md. 9 12-04 0
Day 1: 3 3-14 Day 2: 3 4-14 Day 3: 3 3-08
40. Tom Mclean Reston, Va. 5 12-03 0
Day 1: 2 7-09 Day 2: 2 3-10 Day 3: 1 1-00
41. Scott Hale Wheelersburg, Ohio 7 11-12 0
Day 1: 2 5-03 Day 2: 3 4-14 Day 3: 2 1-11
42. Chuck Rife Townsend, Del. 6 11-07 0
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 2 3-04 Day 3: 1 0-13
43. Anthony Roberts Virginia Beach, Va. 6 11-06 0
Day 1: 3 4-04 Day 2: 2 5-03 Day 3: 1 1-15
44. Chuck Solley Glen Burnie, Md. 5 10-13 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 8-08 Day 2: 1 0-14 Day 3: 1 1-07
45. Louis Kish Goshen, Conn. 7 10-04 0
Day 1: 3 4-12 Day 2: 3 3-07 Day 3: 1 2-01
46. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 5 9-11 0
Day 1: 2 4-00 Day 2: 2 4-01 Day 3: 1 1-10
47. Mike Kenny Rockville, Md. 4 8-14 0
Day 1: 3 8-01 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 1 0-13
48. Rex Johnsonbaugh Altoona, Pa. 5 8-09 0
Day 1: 3 5-10 Day 2: 2 2-15 Day 3: 0 0-00
49. Harry Potts Ozark, Ala. 6 8-07 0
Day 1: 3 4-04 Day 2: 3 4-03 Day 3: 0 0-00
50. Roger Howell Clayton, Ala. 5 8-02 0
Day 1: 3 5-02 Day 2: 2 3-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Big Bass
Day
1 Chuck Solley Glen Burnie, Md. 5-02 $500.00
2 Shawn Huwar Fredericksburg, Va. 5-05 $500.00
3 Harry Parten Columbiana, Ala. 4-01 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 56 226 436-06
2 40 188 339-14
3 24 100 192-07
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120 514 968-11