EVANS, Ga. - Chris Lane of Winter Haven, Fla., put together a commanding five-pound advantage at the Bassmaster Elite Series' Pride of Georgia bass fishing tournament on Clarks Hill Lake, pushing Pete Ponds of Madison, Miss., firmly into second place.
Lane held tight to his Friday lead with a Saturday catch of 18-13. The one-time BASS winner has focused on one creek all days of competition to produce a total of 56 pounds, 12 ounces.
"I am going to win or lose this tournament on that spot," Lane said, who is vying for the event's $100,000 top prize. "I plan to milk my area for all it is worth tomorrow and I feel I have an excellent shot."
Lane steadily built his limit throughout the day and caught his biggest fish of the day at 1:30 p.m. - nearly a four-pounder on a swimbait. He had a variety of baits in his arsenal, including worms, swimbaits, lizards and topwaters.
The 31-year-old said he would throw a Smithwick Devil's Horse, a wooden prop bait, to start off the tournament Sunday in honor of his grandfather, Bill, who helped him get his start in fishing. Lane said his grandfather used to give him a Devil's Horse as a reward for doing well in school.
Finishing the day in second with 51-12, Ponds is optimistic about Sunday, the final day of the event.
"I certainly don't mind being in second place," the 47-year-old said. "I have plenty of fish left in my area and I feel pretty good about tomorrow."
Ponds qualified for his second consecutive final-day cut. A one-time BASS winner who also scored an 11th place finish at last month's tournament on California's Clear Lake, Ponds said he plans to work large baits in an attempt to entice bigger bass.
Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., slipped from second to third with 50 pounds, 8 ounces. Kevin Short of Mayflower, Ark., with 47 pounds, 4 ounces, was in fourth, moving up from ninth. Red-hot Toyota Rookie of the Year leader Derek Remitz of Madison, Ala., with 46 pounds, 4 ounces, slid to fifth from fourth.
Besides the top prize, pro anglers are also competing for points in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, the main qualifying avenue for the Bassmaster Classic. Current Angler of the Year leader Skeet Reese qualified for his fourth-straight final-day cut and will start Sunday in eighth position.
Moving up nearly 30 places into 10th was Californian Ish Monroe. The two-time BASS winner weighed a 19-pound, 12-ounce limit Saturday and qualified for his second final-day cut of the season.
The co-angler competition ended Saturday with Joe Buddin of Sumter, S.C., posting a three-day total of 29 pounds, 0 ounces, to take home the first-place co-angler prize of a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $50,000. Buddin's winning weight was just three ounces more than the 28-13 of Sean Ravenscroft of North Augusta, S.C., who took second, thanks to his Saturday haul of 13-2.
Finishing third was Alabama's Joel Etheredge, who was the Day 2 leader, with 27-11. In fourth was Georgia's Tony Postell with 25-13 and in fifth was Alabama's Dave Elder with 24-12.
Only the top 12 pros qualified for the final day of competition on Sunday.
2007 Elite Series
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 15 56-12
Day 1: 5 20-06 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 18-13
2. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 15 51-12
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 16-05
3. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 15 50-08
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 12-11
4. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 15 47-04
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 15-07
5. Derek Remitz Hemphill, Texas 15 46-04
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 20-00 Day 3: 5 10-11
6. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 15 46-03 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-06 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 9-05
7. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 15 45-03
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 10-08
8. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 15 44-10
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 17-00
9. John Crews Salem, Va. 15 44-05
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 14-12
10. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 15 43-15 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 19-12
11. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 15 43-14
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 14-12
12. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 15 43-01
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 13-14
13. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 15 42-12 251 $10,800.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 17-07 Day 3: 5 9-10
14. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 15 42-08 248 $10,700.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 12-06
15. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 13 42-07 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 3 8-11
16. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 15 41-14 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 14-03
17. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 15 41-02 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 10-02
18. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 15 40-12 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 12-05
19. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 15 39-09 237 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 10-09 Day 3: 5 10-05
20. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 15 39-07 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 15-11
21. Jim Murray Arabi, Ga. 14 39-06 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 4 8-07 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 16-07
22. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 15 39-04 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 9-12 Day 3: 5 15-06
23. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 15 39-02 228 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 9-09 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 5 12-06
23. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 15 39-02 228 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 12-03
25. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 14 38-12 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 4 10-06 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 14-06
26. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 15 38-08 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 12-11
27. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 15 38-03 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-09 Day 3: 5 11-01
28. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15 36-15 219 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 9-11 Day 3: 5 13-03
29. Brent Chapman Moneta, Va. 15 36-10 217 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 10-05
30. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 15 36-09 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 7-15 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 10-11
31. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 15 36-07 212 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 13-02
31. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 13 36-07 212 $11,000.00
Day 1: 3 5-00 Day 2: 5 21-12 Day 3: 5 9-11
33. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 13 36-04 209 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 3 5-09
34. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 15 35-15 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 5 8-06
35. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 15 35-03 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-10 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 11-11
36. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 15 35-01 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 7-04 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 9-12
37. Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 15 35-00 200 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-11 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 11-06
37. Matt Amedeo Clinton, Ohio 15 35-00 200 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 11-07
39. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 15 34-13 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 8-12
40. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 15 34-04 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 5 7-14
41. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 15 33-13 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 10-15 Day 3: 5 10-15
42. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 15 33-01 190 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 8-11 Day 3: 5 9-04
42. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 15 33-01 190 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 9-03
44. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 13 33-00 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 3 5-14
45. William Smith Somerset, Ky. 13 32-10 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 3 5-10
46. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 12 31-13 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 2 6-14
47. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 15 30-07 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 10-12 Day 3: 5 6-10
48. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 14 29-06 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 4 5-05
49. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 13 28-03 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 10-04 Day 3: 3 3-14
50. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 11 25-05 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 14-02 Day 3: 1 0-15
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Big Bass
Day
1 Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 8-02 $1,000.00
2 Brent Chapman Moneta, Va. 8-05 $1,000.00
3 Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 7-10 $1,000.00
Day
1 Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 22-06 $1,000.00
2 Russell Lane Prattville, Ala. 21-12 $1,000.00
3 Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 19-12 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 84 491 1119-05
2 97 513 1282-01
3 42 232 558-00
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223 1236 2959-06
2007 Elite Series
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Joe Buddin Sumter, S.C. 13 29-00 0 $50,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 3 7-13 Day 3: 5 9-10
2. Sean Ravenscroft North Augusta, S.C. 15 28-13 0 $25,500.00
Day 1: 5 8-00 Day 2: 5 7-11 Day 3: 5 13-02
3. Joel Etheredge Springville, Ala. 14 27-11 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 8-11 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 4 6-11
4. Tony Postell Appling, Ga. 11 25-13 0 $3,500.00
Day 1: 2 6-03 Day 2: 4 9-04 Day 3: 5 10-06
5. Dave Elder Tuscaloosa, Ala. 11 24-12 0 $2,750.00
Day 1: 4 6-04 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 2 3-14
6. James Lee Snellville, Ga. 13 24-10 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 9-00 Day 3: 3 5-11
7. William Todd Elmvale, Canada 12 24-07 0 $2,250.00
Day 1: 4 8-09 Day 2: 5 10-01 Day 3: 3 5-13
8. Patrick Pierce Saint John, Fla. 12 22-03 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 8-13 Day 2: 4 5-08 Day 3: 5 7-14
9. Brandon Pedigo Lawton, Okla. 12 21-14 0 $1,750.00
Day 1: 3 6-11 Day 2: 5 10-11 Day 3: 4 4-08
10. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 10 21-13 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 3 5-00 Day 2: 2 6-15 Day 3: 5 9-14
11. Mike Frazier Clermont, Fla. 9 21-10 0 $1,250.00
Day 1: 3 4-11 Day 2: 4 11-13 Day 3: 2 5-02
12. Kenny Newborn Hephzibah, Ga. 11 21-06 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 2 4-02 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 4 5-08
13. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 13 21-03 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 5 7-15 Day 3: 3 6-07
14. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 14 21-00 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 7-10 Day 2: 4 5-08 Day 3: 5 7-14
14. Mike Harris Watkinsville, Ga. 11 21-00 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 7-07 Day 3: 1 2-04
16. Stephen Williams Columbus, Miss. 10 20-12 0 $750.00
Day 1: 1 1-02 Day 2: 4 9-12 Day 3: 5 9-14
17. Gene Popp Belle Vernon, Pa. 9 19-15 0 $750.00
Day 1: 3 4-01 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 1 1-07
18. Ken Smith Lula, Ga. 11 19-10 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 5-01 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 2 2-09
19. James Jones Pinson, Ala. 12 19-01 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 6-12 Day 2: 4 5-05 Day 3: 3 7-00
19. Harold Chapman Greenville, S.C. 11 19-01 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 6-08 Day 2: 5 9-03 Day 3: 2 3-06
21. Bart Blackburn North Augusta, S.C. 9 18-12 0 $750.00
Day 1: 3 6-00 Day 2: 5 9-15 Day 3: 1 2-13
22. Mark Hannah Commerce, Ga. 9 18-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 1 1-03 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 3 5-02
23. Jimmy Swindle Gardendale, Ala. 10 18-03 0 $750.00
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 4 5-15 Day 3: 3 7-05
24. Johnny Urbon Laurens, S.C. 9 18-00 0 $750.00
Day 1: 3 8-09 Day 2: 5 7-02 Day 3: 1 2-05
25. Chris Heath North Augusta, S.C. 10 17-14 0 $750.00
Day 1: 3 6-04 Day 2: 5 8-04 Day 3: 2 3-06
26. Rick Bowen Jackson, Tenn. 13 17-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 3-04 Day 2: 5 7-10 Day 3: 5 6-12
27. Bill Williams Corbin, Ky. 11 17-05 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 2-14 Day 2: 5 8-07 Day 3: 4 6-00
27. James Whitman Ozark, Ala. 10 17-05 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 1 0-14 Day 3: 4 7-02
29. David Hendrick Cherryville, N.C. 10 16-13 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 6-15 Day 2: 5 8-01 Day 3: 1 1-13
30. Bob Sanders Ulmer, S.C. 12 16-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 4-10 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 5 5-07
30. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 11 16-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 6-09 Day 2: 3 4-05 Day 3: 3 5-14
32. Terry Chapman Stanley, N.C. 10 16-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 6-02 Day 2: 5 8-01 Day 3: 1 2-07
33. Don Artman Anderson, S.C. 6 16-05 0 $500.00
Day 1: 1 1-00 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 0 0-00
34. David Rush Summerville, S.C. 10 15-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 4-04 Day 2: 5 8-09 Day 3: 2 2-13
35. Johnny Graham Tulsa, Okla. 10 15-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 5 7-15 Day 3: 2 2-11
36. Fred Hood Monroe, Ga. 10 15-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 5-04 Day 2: 5 9-05 Day 3: 1 0-15
37. Chris Gould Martinez, Ga. 8 15-05 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 3-06 Day 2: 4 10-15 Day 3: 1 1-00
37. Greg Abbott Conyers, Ga. 8 15-05 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 7-15 Day 2: 4 6-02 Day 3: 1 1-04
39. Kerry Partain Elberton, Ga. 12 14-11 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 4-13 Day 2: 5 6-11 Day 3: 4 3-03
40. Justin Walker Markham, Canada 7 14-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 5-04 Day 2: 3 7-01 Day 3: 2 2-05
41. Robert Giffin Augusta, Ga. 7 14-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 5 10-12 Day 3: 0 0-00
42. Brent Jackson North Augusta, S.C. 9 14-00 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 3-12 Day 2: 5 6-07 Day 3: 2 3-13
43. Michael Head Johnson City, Tenn. 9 13-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 4-15 Day 2: 5 5-01 Day 3: 2 3-09
44. Eulon Lee Montgomery, Ala. 9 11-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 4-05 Day 2: 5 6-00 Day 3: 1 1-07
44. Jon Stringfield Evans, Ga. 9 11-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 4-01 Day 2: 5 5-09 Day 3: 1 2-02
46. L. E. Clark Palatka, Fla. 7 11-00 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 2-06 Day 2: 5 8-10 Day 3: 0 0-00
47. Marty Scoggins Trion, Ga. 8 10-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 6-01 Day 2: 3 3-14 Day 3: 1 0-13
48. Richard Coldiron Somerset, Ky. 7 10-11 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 5-04 Day 2: 4 5-07 Day 3: 0 0-00
49. Harry Parten Columbiana, Ala. 5 10-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 10-01 Day 3: 0 0-00
49. Patrick Brown Swainsboro, Ga. 4 10-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 1 2-07 Day 2: 3 7-10 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Big Bass
Day
1 Patrick Pierce Saint John, Fla. 6-12 $500.00
2 Kenny Newborn Hephzibah, Ga. 5-12 $500.00
3 Sean Ravenscroft North Augusta, S.C. 4-10 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 25 233 379-12
2 14 330 572-12
3 7 122 211-03
----------------------------------
46 685 1163-11