WAGONER, Okla. - School's out for the summer, but Oklahoma school teacher Royce Dennington appears to still be giving some lessons at the BASS Federation Nation's Central Divisional bass fishing tournament at Fort Gibson Lake.
Rather than teaching the Golden Rule today, the 38-year-old teacher from Barnsdall, Okla., used a Golden Rule Measuring Board to bump his five-fish limit weighing 11 pounds, 14 ounces. The limit allowed Dennington to jump from fifth to first place with a two-day total of 24-3, while Day 1 leader George Toalson of Claremore, Okla., dropped to second place with 22-11.
Competing in his first Divisional, Dennington keyed on offshore structure to catch all of his fish. "I have fished new water every day and the fish have come differently every time," said the Bartlesville Bassmasters Club member. "Today, I fished a little deeper with a 3/4-ounce CR custom football head jig, dragging it along some ledges and other structure."
The wind made it difficult for Dennington to feel bites but he still managed to catch a limit. "Even though it's a deep bite I caught my fish early," said Dennington. "I kept banging the jig down in those rocks and every once in a while I would get a fish."
The Oklahoma angler has noticed the dropping lake level has changed the fishing since the first practice day. "I caught fish pretty good that first day but that bite is gone and now I have to go offshore to catch them," said Dennington, who believes the fish are just starting to bunch up on the offshore structure. "They had been off roaming around a little bit but now the structure is a little bit better for me."
The top finisher from each Federation Nation advances to the BASS Federation Nation Championship, and possibly earning a berth to the Bassmaster Classic. Leading their states after the second round are Dennington for Oklahoma, James Elvis Jeanminett, (Louisiana), Mike Edrington (Kansas), Rob Weberg (Nebraska), Luke Payne (Missouri), Hoyt Atkins (Arkansas), Jimmy Johnson (Texas) and Teb Jones (Mississippi).
The tournament also pits 12-man teams from eight states vying for a total payout of $41,000, with the prize monies to be allocated to each states' conservation, civic and fishing outreach programs. Oklahoma still leads with an accumulated weight of 184 pounds, 6 ounces while Arkansas has moved into the runner-up spot with 172-1.
The Central Divisional is the third of six regional qualifying events for the BASS Federation Nation National Championship. The event is scheduled for January 2007 at Lake Neely Henry in Alabama.
The final Central Divisional weigh-in begins at 2:30 p.m. CT tomorrow at Taylor Ferry North Ramp near Wagoner.
2006 Central Divisional 06/14-06/16
Ft. Gibson Lake, Wagoner Okla.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Royce Dennington Barnsdall, Okla. (OK) 9 24-03
2. George Toalson Claremore, Okla. (OK) 9 22-11
3. Lee Sanders Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 10 21-04
4. Rob Weberg Council Bluffs, Iowa ( 8 21-00
5. Luke Payne Warsaw, Mo. (MO) 10 20-15
5. James Elvis Jeanminett Jeanerette, La. (LA) 10 20-15
7. Jeff Tolle Jenks, Okla. (OK) 9 20-13
8. Bruce Shockley Hammond, La. (LA) 7 20-11
9. Pat Klausen Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 9 20-09
10. Hoyt Atkins Alexander, Ark. (AR) 10 20-04
11. Glenn Cunningham Piedmont, Okla. (OK) 10 20-02
11. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, La. (LA) 10 20-02
13. Zachary King Clarksville, Ark. (AR) 9 19-07
14. Jimmy Johnson Ganado, Texas (TX) 9 19-04
15. Shawn Holly Council Bluffs, Iowa ( 9 19-00
16. Cole Garrett Calvin, La. (LA) 9 18-09
17. Ryan Lavigne Breaux Bridge, La. (LA 9 18-07
18. Shawn Gordon Russellville, Ark. (AR 8 17-14
18. Tony McBride West, Texas (TX) 7 17-14
20. Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. (KS) 9 17-13
20. Justin Lancaster Plainview, Ark. (AR) 8 17-13
22. Shane Malone El Dorado, Ark. (AR) 8 17-04
23. Matt Morris Shreveport, La. (LA) 8 17-00
23. Steven Corbett Washburn, Ark. (AR) 7 17-00
25. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, Okla. (O 7 16-11
26. Duane Hanzlik Lake Ozark, Mo. (NE) 7 16-07
27. Chris Brimager Andover, Kan. (KS) 7 16-00
28. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. (MS 8 15-13
29. Mark Wilkinson Pearlington, Miss. (MS 5 15-08
30. Bob Thomsen Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 8 15-05
31. Logan Sherrer Shongaloo, La. (LA) 7 14-09
32. Patrick Chapman Hamburg, Ark. (AR) 8 14-07
33. Quinn Wilson Amarillo, Texas (TX) 6 14-00
34. Alan Smith Maize, Kan. (KS) 5 13-14
34. Larry Dugger Russellville, Ark. (AR 5 13-14
36. Kevin Miller Augusta, Kan. (KS) 7 13-13
36. Jim Talley St Joseph, Mo. (MO) 7 13-13
38. John Goin Three Rivers, Texas (T 5 13-12
39. Ted Daniels Crestwood, Mo. (MO) 7 13-08
40. Mike Kernan Dallas, Texas (TX) 6 13-07
41. Trent Huckaby Fort Stockton, Texas ( 5 13-05
42. Mark Jeffreys Norman, Okla. (OK) 7 11-14
43. Brad Petty Columbus, Miss. (MS) 7 11-13
44. Bob Ramsdell Sour Lake, Texas (TX) 6 11-11
45. Danny Fulks San Angelo, Texas (TX) 6 11-06
45. Joel Jacobs Oklahoma City, Okla. ( 6 11-06
47. Randy Haynes Starkville, Miss. (MS) 5 11-02
48. Scott Dean Terrell, Texas (TX) 5 11-01
49. John Kite Festus, Mo. (NE) 5 10-15
50. Derick Kuyrkendall Bergheim, Texas (TX) 6 10-10
50. Alvin Kendall Gulfport, Miss. (MS) 5 10-10
52. Will Skucius Sterling, Kan. (KS) 6 10-09
52. Dennis Hamel Plainville, Kan. (KS) 5 10-09
54. Cliff Crochet Pierre Port, La. (LA) 4 10-08
55. Keith Blackstone Choctow, Okla. (OK) 5 10-03
56. Harry (Buzz) Hoffman Seward, Neb. (NE) 5 9-15
57. Dale Roden Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 6 9-13
58. Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, La. (LA) 5 9-12
58. Mike Echols Shreveport, La. (LA) 4 9-12
60. Kerry Kruep Paola, Kan. (KS) 5 9-11
60. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. (LA) 5 9-11
62. Michael Smith Harrison, Ark. (AR) 5 9-09
63. Bruce Johnson Montrose, Ark. (AR) 5 8-11
64. Mance Fowler Ft Smith, Ark. (AR) 4 8-06
65. Will Acton Oklahoma City, Okla. ( 4 8-03
66. Ron Osberg Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 5 8-01
66. Jeff Hamilton Blue Springs, Mo. (MO) 5 8-01
66. Larry Riffey Pratt, Kan. (KS) 3 8-01
69. Robert Duggar El Dorado, Ark. (AR) 4 7-08
70. Brad Eads Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 4 7-03
71. Harold Stark Eldon, Mo. (MO) 4 7-01
72. Tim Merkh Knob Noster, Mo. (MO) 4 7-00
73. Greg Clark , United States Of Ame 2 6-12
74. Kevin Johnston Sedalia, Mo. (MO) 4 6-11
74. Troy Krodinger Fletcher, Mo. (MO) 4 6-11
76. James Nobles Hattiesburg, Miss. (MS 4 6-07
77. Billy Vogle Saucier, Miss. (MS) 2 6-03
78. Larry Wecker Norfolk, Neb. (NE) 3 6-00
79. James Powers Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 3 5-13
80. Jason Brin Desoto, Kan. (KS) 3 5-05
81. Greg Copeland Saucier, Miss. (MS) 3 5-00
82. Rick Rickman Martindale, Texas (TX) 2 4-15
83. John Goul Philadelphia, Miss. (M 2 4-13
84. Jason Griffin Gulfort, Miss. (MS) 3 4-09
84. Ricky Stock Hewitt, Texas (TX) 2 4-09
86. Gary Skeens Pleasant Hill, Mo. (MO 3 4-03
87. Johnny Starks Spearville, Kan. (KS) 1 3-11
88. Charles Edgar Warsaw, Mo. (MO) 1 3-09
89. Brad Outersky Pleasant Hill, Mo. (MO 2 3-08
90. Roger Vanranken Hazelton, Kan. (KS) 2 3-03
91. Chris Sarakas Cape Girardeau, Mo. (M 2 2-12
92. Mark Borchers Akron, Iowa (NE) 1 2-11
93. Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, Iowa ( 1 1-15
94. Mickey Aldridge Starkville, Miss. (MS) 1 1-08
95. Hollis Polk Gulfort, Miss. (MS) 1 1-06
96. Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. 0 0-00
96. John Gaul Philadelphia, Miss. 0 0-00
96. Damon Hoffpauir Sulphur, La. (LA) 0 0-00
96. Alan Smith Maize, Kan. 0 0-00
----------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 25 284 602-06
2 17 244 519-07
----------------------------------
42 528 1121-13
TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 OKLAHOMA 184-06
2 ARKANSAS 172-01
3 LOUISIANA 170-00
4 TEXAS 145-14
5 NEBRASKA 137-11
6 KANSAS 119-05
7 MISSOURI 97-12
8 MISSISSIPPI 94-12
9 0-00
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
-------------------------------------------------------------OKLAHOMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Royce Dennington Barnsdall, Okla. 9 24-03
2 George Toalson Claremore, Okla. 9 22-11
3 Lee Sanders Stillwater, Okla. 10 21-04
4 Jeff Tolle Jenks, Okla. 9 20-13
5 Glenn Cunningham Piedmont, Okla. 10 20-02
6 Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, Okla. 7 16-11
7 Mark Jeffreys Norman, Okla. 7 11-14
8 Joel Jacobs Oklahoma City, Okla. 6 11-06
9 Keith Blackstone Choctow, Okla. 5 10-03
10 Dale Roden Stillwater, Okla. 6 9-13
11 Will Acton Oklahoma City, Okla. 4 8-03
12 Brad Eads Stillwater, Okla. 4 7-03ARKANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Hoyt Atkins Alexander, Ark. 10 20-04
2 Zachary King Clarksville, Ark. 9 19-07
3 Shawn Gordon Russellville, Ark. 8 17-14
4 Justin Lancaster Plainview, Ark. 8 17-13
5 Shane Malone El Dorado, Ark. 8 17-04
6 Steven Corbett Washburn, Ark. 7 17-00
7 Patrick Chapman Hamburg, Ark. 8 14-07
8 Larry Dugger Russellville, Ark. 5 13-14
9 Michael Smith Harrison, Ark. 5 9-09
10 Bruce Johnson Montrose, Ark. 5 8-11
11 Mance Fowler Ft Smith, Ark. 4 8-06
12 Robert Duggar El Dorado, Ark. 4 7-08LOUISIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 James Elvis Jeanmine Jeanerette, La. 10 20-15
2 Bruce Shockley Hammond, La. 7 20-11
3 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, La. 10 20-02
4 Cole Garrett Calvin, La. 9 18-09
5 Ryan Lavigne Breaux Bridge, La. 9 18-07
6 Matt Morris Shreveport, La. 8 17-00
7 Logan Sherrer Shongaloo, La. 7 14-09
8 Cliff Crochet Pierre Port, La. 4 10-08
9 Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, La. 5 9-12
9 Mike Echols Shreveport, La. 4 9-12
11 James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 5 9-11
12 Damon Hoffpauir Sulphur, La. 0 0-00TEXAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jimmy Johnson Ganado, Texas 9 19-04
2 Tony McBride West, Texas 7 17-14
3 Quinn Wilson Amarillo, Texas 6 14-00
4 John Goin Three Rivers, Texas 5 13-12
5 Mike Kernan Dallas, Texas 6 13-07
6 Trent Huckaby Fort Stockton, Texas 5 13-05
7 Bob Ramsdell Sour Lake, Texas 6 11-11
8 Danny Fulks San Angelo, Texas 6 11-06
9 Scott Dean Terrell, Texas 5 11-01
10 Derick Kuyrkendall Bergheim, Texas 6 10-10
11 Rick Rickman Martindale, Texas 2 4-15
12 Ricky Stock Hewitt, Texas 2 4-09NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Rob Weberg Council Bluffs, Iowa 8 21-00
2 Pat Klausen Lincoln, Neb. 9 20-09
3 Shawn Holly Council Bluffs, Iowa 9 19-00
4 Duane Hanzlik Lake Ozark, Mo. 7 16-07
5 Bob Thomsen Lincoln, Neb. 8 15-05
6 John Kite Festus, Mo. 5 10-15
7 Harry (Buzz) Hoffman Seward, Neb. 5 9-15
8 Ron Osberg Lincoln, Neb. 5 8-01
9 Larry Wecker Norfolk, Neb. 3 6-00
10 James Powers Lincoln, Neb. 3 5-13
11 Mark Borchers Akron, Iowa 1 2-11
12 Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, Iowa 1 1-15KANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. 9 17-13
2 Chris Brimager Andover, Kan. 7 16-00
3 Alan Smith Maize, Kan. 5 13-14
4 Kevin Miller Augusta, Kan. 7 13-13
5 Will Skucius Sterling, Kan. 6 10-09
5 Dennis Hamel Plainville, Kan. 5 10-09
7 Kerry Kruep Paola, Kan. 5 9-11
8 Larry Riffey Pratt, Kan. 3 8-01
9 Greg Clark , United States Of Americ 2 6-12
10 Jason Brin Desoto, Kan. 3 5-05
11 Johnny Starks Spearville, Kan. 1 3-11
12 Roger Vanranken Hazelton, Kan. 2 3-03MISSOURI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Luke Payne Warsaw, Mo. 10 20-15
2 Jim Talley St Joseph, Mo. 7 13-13
3 Ted Daniels Crestwood, Mo. 7 13-08
4 Jeff Hamilton Blue Springs, Mo. 5 8-01
5 Harold Stark Eldon, Mo. 4 7-01
6 Tim Merkh Knob Noster, Mo. 4 7-00
7 Kevin Johnston Sedalia, Mo. 4 6-11
7 Troy Krodinger Fletcher, Mo. 4 6-11
9 Gary Skeens Pleasant Hill, Mo. 3 4-03
10 Charles Edgar Warsaw, Mo. 1 3-09
11 Brad Outersky Pleasant Hill, Mo. 2 3-08
12 Chris Sarakas Cape Girardeau, Mo. 2 2-12MISSISSIPPI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. 8 15-13
2 Mark Wilkinson Pearlington, Miss. 5 15-08
3 Brad Petty Columbus, Miss. 7 11-13
4 Randy Haynes Starkville, Miss. 5 11-02
5 Alvin Kendall Gulfport, Miss. 5 10-10
6 James Nobles Hattiesburg, Miss. 4 6-07
7 Billy Vogle Saucier, Miss. 2 6-03
8 Greg Copeland Saucier, Miss. 3 5-00
9 John Goul Philadelphia, Miss. 2 4-13
10 Jason Griffin Gulfort, Miss. 3 4-09
11 Mickey Aldridge Starkville, Miss. 1 1-08
12 Hollis Polk Gulfort, Miss. 1 1-06
1 Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. 0 0-00
1 John Gaul Philadelphia, Miss. 0 0-00
1 Alan Smith Maize, Kan. 0 0-00