MANNING, S.C. - Preston Clark has a shot at rewriting the record books, again. The Palatka, Fla., Elite angler brought in another impressive limit - 23 pounds, 15 ounces - on Day 3 of the Santee Cooper Showdown bass fishing tournament on Santee Cooper Reservoir, the third stop of the 11-event Bassmaster Elite Series. In total, Clark had 92-10 on Saturday and was in position to shatter the BASS record for heaviest four-day catch.
The 41-year-old is just 16 pounds, 3 ounces away from breaking Dean Rojas' BASS record for heaviest four-day weight, currently 108-12. With Clark's dominating performance on three of the four tournament days, the rookie had a commanding 9-pound lead over West Coast mainstay Skeet Reese.
Clark's possible record-breaking performance will be well-documented on The Bassmasters on ESPN2 Saturday, April 8, at 10 a.m. ET.
"With the wind blowing today, I didn't even touch my best fish," Clark said. "I have more big fish to start the day tommorrow than I have had all week. I am fishing for college educations tommorrow," Clark continued, speaking of the triplets he and his wife, Katrina, are expecting in October. "I wanted to fish as a pro for so long and I am just living the dream right now."
Much like Thursday, Clark used a push-pole to locate bedding fish. The increased wind made it necessary and Clark attributed much of his success using it as a navigational tool. Although Clark revealed that he used a ¼ ounce sinker and 20-pound line, he wouldn't say which bait he found success with, though it's been the same one for nearly the entire tournament.
Although Clark had a seemingly insurmountable lead, second-place angler Skeet Reese was not giving up Saturday. The Auburn, Calif., angler - who had a three-day total of 83-1 - remained consistent through the tournament and said he has chosen new water to fish on Sunday that could put pressure on Clark.
The pro angler will start on a pair of large bedding fish he found traveling back in today.
With these tournament weights so massive, Reese is in the strange position of potentially breaking Rojas' record, but still finishing in a distant second to Clark.
"I really want that record to fall because this is such a tremendous fishery," the 36-year-old said. "After I started thinking about it a bit, I realized I had a chance to break that record too. I just hope it's enough to win as well."
Rounding out the Elite 12 were Alabama's Steve Kennedy (83-0) just 1 ounce behind Reese; Kentucky's Kevin Wirth (80-12); Florida's Terry Scroggins (79-14); Lone Star Shootout Elite Series event winner Greg Hackney (78-7); 2004 Bassmaster Tour at Santee Cooper winner Kelly Jordon (78-6); Texan Dean Rojas (77-11); Virginia's John Crews (76-8); 2005 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens (75-10); Arkansas' Mike Wurm (74-5); and Idaho's Bink Desaro (72-4).
Wurm snuck into the Elite 12 with a Saturday bag of 32-4, which secured him the Bag and a $1,000 premium. Additionally, Wurm's biggest bass (8-13) was good enough to split Purolator Big Bass honors with Martens and earn the Arkansas angler an extra $500.
On the co-angler side, Californian Tom Frink took home a Triton boat package with Mercury outboard valued at $45,000 with 34-11 after catching three consecutive limits. Frink was followed by Oklahoma's Lance Peck (33-3) and Alabama's Charlie Raia (29-7).
Rojas, who could potentially break his own record if he catches more than 30 pounds on Sunday, said he is resigned to his five-year record falling - to someone - tomorrow. "I am going down swinging," the pro angler said. "But I have to say, I think they are going to shatter that record tommorrow."
2006 Santee Cooper Showdown Pro 03/30-04/02
Santee Cooper Reservoir, Manning S.C.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 15 92-10 315 $1,500.00
Day 1: 5 39-06 Day 2: 5 29-05 Day 3: 5 23-15
2. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 15 83-01 295
Day 1: 5 29-12 Day 2: 5 30-03 Day 3: 5 23-02
3. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 83-00 290
Day 1: 5 23-06 Day 2: 5 31-13 Day 3: 5 27-13
4. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15 80-12 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 27-06 Day 2: 5 31-15 Day 3: 5 21-07
5. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 15 79-14 280
Day 1: 5 33-06 Day 2: 5 27-12 Day 3: 5 18-12
6. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 15 78-07 276
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 25-11 Day 3: 5 31-03
7. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 15 78-06 272 $500.00
Day 1: 5 31-15 Day 2: 5 31-10 Day 3: 5 14-13
8. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 15 77-11 268
Day 1: 5 25-09 Day 2: 5 31-11 Day 3: 5 20-07
9. John Crews Salem, Va. 15 76-08 264
Day 1: 5 29-09 Day 2: 5 29-04 Day 3: 5 17-11
10. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 15 75-10 260 $500.00
Day 1: 5 22-13 Day 2: 5 27-06 Day 3: 5 25-07
11. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 15 74-05 257 $1,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 27-11 Day 3: 5 32-04
12. Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 14 72-04 254
Day 1: 5 22-08 Day 2: 5 28-15 Day 3: 4 20-13
13. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 15 71-08 251 $10,800.00
Day 1: 5 27-08 Day 2: 5 25-02 Day 3: 5 18-14
14. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 15 71-00 248 $10,700.00
Day 1: 5 32-05 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 23-12
15. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 15 70-06 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 5 26-02 Day 2: 5 20-03 Day 3: 5 24-01
16. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 15 69-09 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 23-08 Day 2: 5 25-15 Day 3: 5 20-02
17. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 15 68-14 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 5 25-07 Day 3: 5 20-07
18. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 15 68-09 238 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 20-06 Day 2: 5 27-14 Day 3: 5 20-05
18. William Smith, Jr Somerset, Ky. 15 68-09 238 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 22-02 Day 2: 5 21-10 Day 3: 5 24-13
20. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 15 68-05 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 29-00 Day 3: 5 17-13
21. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 15 68-04 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 26-15 Day 3: 5 21-12
22. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 15 68-03 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 30-14 Day 3: 5 18-12
23. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 15 67-13 229 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 21-07 Day 2: 5 27-11 Day 3: 5 18-11
24. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 15 66-10 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 22-09 Day 2: 5 18-10 Day 3: 5 25-07
25. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 15 65-14 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 25-12 Day 3: 5 23-08
26. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 15 65-11 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 22-01 Day 3: 5 22-09
27. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 15 64-12 220 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-06 Day 2: 5 17-07 Day 3: 5 20-15
27. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 64-12 220 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-10 Day 2: 5 24-11 Day 3: 5 15-07
29. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 15 63-03 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-15 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 23-04
30. Jarrett Edwards Page, Ariz. 15 62-11 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 22-15 Day 3: 5 21-13
31. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 15 62-10 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 30-03 Day 3: 5 11-15
32. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 15 62-00 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 24-04 Day 3: 5 21-02
33. Robert Hamilton Jr Nashville, Tenn. 15 61-15 209 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-07 Day 2: 5 19-14 Day 3: 5 20-10
34. Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 15 61-13 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 25-05 Day 3: 5 15-13
35. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 15 61-08 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 5 20-04
36. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 15 59-15 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-12 Day 2: 5 23-15 Day 3: 5 13-04
37. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 15 58-10 201 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-09 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 5 17-15
38. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 13 57-12 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 18-03 Day 3: 3 17-14
39. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 14 57-07 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 20-11 Day 3: 4 15-06
40. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 15 56-09 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 14-05
41. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 15 56-07 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 25-07 Day 3: 5 13-14
42. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 15 55-04 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 23-07 Day 3: 5 13-04
43. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 14 52-05 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-03 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 4 12-02
44. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 15 51-14 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 27-11 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 11-00
45. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 14 51-01 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-12 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 4 11-10
46. Kurt Dove Warrenton, Va. 15 50-09 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 22-03 Day 3: 5 10-15
47. Vince Hurtado Waterford, Calif. 14 48-06 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 25-01 Day 3: 4 6-07
48. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 11 42-12 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-14 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 1 3-05
49. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 11 42-00 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 27-01 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 1 2-00
50. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 10 40-04 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-05 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 0 0-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 9-02 $500.00
1 Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 9-02 $500.00
2 Conrad Picou Scott, La. 10-00 $1,000.00
3 Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 8-13 $500.00
3 Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 8-13 $500.00
Busch Heavyweight
Day
1 Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 39-06 $1,000.00
2 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 31-15 $1,000.00
3 Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 32-04 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 82 460 1797-02
2 93 497 2060-00
3 41 230 913-01
----------------------------------
216 1187 4770-03
2006 Santee Cooper Showdown CO 03/30-04/02
Santee Cooper Reservoir, Manning S.C.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tom Frink Simi Valley, Calif. 9 34-11 315 $45,500.00
Day 1: 3 16-08 Day 2: 3 9-08 Day 3: 3 8-11
2. Lance Peck Tulsa, Okla. 9 33-03 295 $25,500.00
Day 1: 3 13-00 Day 2: 3 4-02 Day 3: 3 16-01
3. Charlie Raia Gardendale, Ala. 8 29-07 290 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 11-09 Day 2: 3 13-03 Day 3: 2 4-11
4. John Proctor Conway, S.C. 7 28-13 285 $5,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-12 Day 2: 3 11-14 Day 3: 1 8-03
5. Stephen Williams Columbus, Miss. 8 25-15 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 2 6-15 Day 3: 3 11-05
6. William Todd Elmvale, Canada 9 24-07 276 $3,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-12 Day 2: 3 8-09 Day 3: 3 7-02
7. Lutz Spika Stamford, Conn. 8 23-13 272 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 4-02 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 3 11-01
8. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 7 23-11 268 $2,000.00
Day 1: 1 1-06 Day 2: 3 9-10 Day 3: 3 12-11
9. Billy Schwach Charleston, S.C. 9 23-01 264 $1,800.00
Day 1: 3 6-09 Day 2: 3 10-03 Day 3: 3 6-05
10. Jason Glen Wilson Bessemer City, N.C. 7 23-00 260 $1,600.00
Day 1: 2 10-15 Day 2: 3 8-14 Day 3: 2 3-03
11. Roger Howell Clayton, Ala. 6 22-08 257 $1,400.00
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 2 6-01 Day 3: 3 14-06
12. Earle Atkinson Florence, S.C. 8 22-03 254 $1,300.00
Day 1: 2 5-06 Day 2: 3 6-04 Day 3: 3 10-09
13. Harry Potts Ozark, Ala. 7 20-11 251 $1,200.00
Day 1: 1 2-06 Day 2: 3 6-14 Day 3: 3 11-07
14. Rodney Wrenn Bonneau, S.C. 8 20-08 248 $1,100.00
Day 1: 3 8-00 Day 2: 2 2-09 Day 3: 3 9-15
15. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 7 19-14 245 $1,000.00
Day 1: 1 1-00 Day 2: 3 11-14 Day 3: 3 7-00
16. Steve Galberaith Alpharetta, Ga. 7 19-09 243 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 6-04 Day 2: 3 7-05 Day 3: 2 6-00
17. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 7 18-12 241 $1,000.00
Day 1: 1 4-02 Day 2: 3 5-06 Day 3: 3 9-04
18. Richard Baker Montoursville, Pa. 5 18-09 239 $1,000.00
Day 1: 1 1-15 Day 2: 3 8-01 Day 3: 1 8-09
19. Gary Abernethy Skyland, N.C. 6 18-07 237 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 4-04 Day 2: 3 12-08 Day 3: 1 1-11
20. Lane Wright Loganville, Ga. 7 17-12 235 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 3 8-14 Day 3: 1 1-13
21. Tim Ezell Key West, Fla. 4 17-11 233 $900.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 13-03 Day 3: 1 4-08
22. Kevin Cunningham Farmingdale, N.Y. 6 17-09 230 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-08 Day 2: 3 10-01 Day 3: 0 0-00
22. Jeffrey Prisza Wyandotte, Mich. 4 17-09 230 $900.00
Day 1: 1 6-10 Day 2: 3 10-15 Day 3: 0 0-00
24. James Anderson Miami, Fla. 6 17-05 227 $900.00
Day 1: 3 9-06 Day 2: 3 7-15 Day 3: 0 0-00
25. Marty Scoggins Trion, Ga. 6 16-14 225 $900.00
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 3 8-15 Day 3: 2 5-14
26. Johnny Houser Bishopville, S.C. 5 16-06 223
Day 1: 1 3-01 Day 2: 3 9-09 Day 3: 1 3-12
27. Bobby Fleming Luray, Va. 5 15-10 221
Day 1: 2 4-11 Day 2: 2 8-11 Day 3: 1 2-04
28. Joe Buddin Sumter, S.C. 6 15-08 219
Day 1: 1 2-03 Day 2: 3 9-02 Day 3: 2 4-03
29. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 8 15-06 217
Day 1: 2 4-15 Day 2: 3 4-14 Day 3: 3 5-09
30. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 5 15-04 215
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 10-02 Day 3: 2 5-02
31. Joel Etheredge Springville, Ala. 5 14-08 213
Day 1: 1 2-15 Day 2: 2 4-13 Day 3: 2 6-12
32. Bill Wilson Lexington, S.C. 6 14-01 211
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 2 4-10 Day 3: 1 1-09
33. Mitchell Cook Drexel, N.C. 6 13-14 209
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 3 6-03
34. Ron Parks Lexington, N.C. 4 13-08 207
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 11-09 Day 3: 1 1-15
35. Deron Donohoo Sumter, S.C. 4 13-04 205
Day 1: 1 4-07 Day 2: 3 8-13 Day 3: 0 0-00
36. James Jones Pinson, Ala. 6 13-03 203
Day 1: 3 8-01 Day 2: 1 1-15 Day 3: 2 3-03
37. Larry Triplett Parker, Colo. 5 12-13 201
Day 1: 1 1-03 Day 2: 3 9-06 Day 3: 1 2-04
38. Larry Summey Clermont, Fla. 5 12-12 199
Day 1: 2 3-14 Day 2: 3 8-14 Day 3: 0 0-00
39. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 6 12-09 197
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 3 4-11 Day 3: 0 0-00
40. Robert Vogelsang Jessup, Md. 5 12-06 195
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 9-09 Day 3: 2 2-13
41. Jeffrey Brooks Lake Worth, Fla. 6 12-05 193
Day 1: 1 1-01 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 2 4-02
42. Tim Dungan Cinncinati, Ohio 6 12-04 191
Day 1: 2 4-00 Day 2: 3 5-09 Day 3: 1 2-11
43. Bob Sanders Ulmer, S.C. 3 11-08 189
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 11-08 Day 3: 0 0-00
44. Frank Picha Akron, Ohio 4 10-12 187
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 9-08 Day 3: 1 1-04
45. Johnny Urbon Laurens, S.C. 5 10-04 185
Day 1: 2 4-03 Day 2: 3 6-01 Day 3: 0 0-00
46. Grady Allen Columbia, S.C. 5 9-15 183
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 3 7-14 Day 3: 1 0-00
47. Richard Harris Pittsgrove, N.J. 2 9-11 181 $500.00
Day 1: 1 1-15 Day 2: 1 7-12 Day 3: 0 0-00
48. Billy Hutton Eaton, Ohio 4 8-11 179
Day 1: 1 1-09 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 0 0-00
49. Bob Tarlton Lake City, Fla. 4 8-04 177
Day 1: 3 6-11 Day 2: 1 1-09 Day 3: 0 0-00
50. Allen Burkhalter Columbus, Ga. 3 8-00 175
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 8-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Tom Frink Simi Valley, Calif. 8-04 $500.00
2 Richard Harris Pittsgrove, N.J. 7-12 $500.00
3 Lance Peck Tulsa, Okla. 8-10 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 18 118 307-04
2 43 176 479-10
3 15 78 233-15
----------------------------------
76 372 1020-13