WAGONER, Okla. - An expired fish penalty decided the winner of the BASS Federation Nation Central Divisional bass fishing tournament on Friday at Fort Gibson Lake.
In a barnburner of a finish, Oklahoma angler Royce Dennington edged fellow Oklahoman Lee Sanders by 4 ounces, the amount of an expired fish penalty Sanders received for his final day catch. Dennington managed to win the overall title with a three-day total of 35 pounds, 14 ounces while Sanders took the runner-up spot with 35-10.
Dennington, a 38-year-old high school teacher from Barnsdall, Okla., relied on a 1/2-ounce black CR Custom buzz bait to catch several fish early each day and the lure accounted for some of his heaviest fish throughout the tournament, he said. "I had to reel it real fast and the fish would just annihilate it," said the Bartlesville Bassmasters Club member, who was competing in his first Divisional.
Each afternoon, Dennington would cull some of his keepers by slowly dragging a 3/4-ounce orange-and-red CR Custom football head jig and Zoom Critter Craw along rock ledges. The jig produced two 5-pounders for Dennington on Day 1 and helped him move into fifth place, despite catching only four keepers.
"The buzz bait bite was really good the second day," revealed Dennington, who moved into first place on Day 2 with an 11-14 limit. "I went to a new area where I had pre-fished and the fish were loaded up in there."
Running the buzz bait along weedy points was a key for Dennington. "When they dropped the lake, a lot of people abandoned the grass because they thought the fish weren't there," he said. "The fish were there but I had to get them to react to the bait and not just feed on it. By reeling that buzz bait fast, I was able to get them to react to it."
His familiarity with the lake also helped Dennington because it allowed him to fish new areas each day. He believed some anglers struggled because they would go back to the same spots rather than trying new water.
Dennington caught four keepers on the buzz bait on Friday, including a quality fish that came later in the day and helped him clinch the tournament. A strong wind made it difficult for him to drag the football jig in deeper water, but he still managed to catch two keepers on it. He finished with an 11-11 limit to hold off Sanders' late charge.
While the overall title went to Dennington, seven other winners will join him and advance to amateur angling's only international championship, the BASS Federation Nation National Championship. The Central Divisional is a regional qualifying event that advances the top finisher from each of the eight Federation Nations competing in the tournament to the national championship, which will be held in January on Alabama's Lake Neely Henry.
The other state winners qualifying for the Federation Championship include Mike Edrington (Kansas), Bruce Shockley (Louisiana), Pat Klausen (Nebraska), Luke Payne (Missouri), Hoyt Atkins (Arkansas), Mark Wilkinson (Mississippi) and Jimmy Johnson (Texas).
Oklahoma won state bragging rights and $14,000 of the $41,000 total purse by bringing a total of 127 fish weighing 270 pounds, 10 ounces to the scales during the three-day contest.
"We had quite a few guys who were pretty good on this lake," said Sanders, the Oklahoma BASS Federation Nation president. "We would meet each night and let each guy do what he had confidence in doing."
Oklahoma anglers dominated the top of the standings as Dennington, Sanders and George Toalson, Claremore, Okla., finished first, second and third respectively. Three other members of the 12-angler squad also finished in the top 20 individual standings.
Texas angler Trent Huckaby kept Oklahoma from sweeping all the tournament honors, as he won the $1,000 Big Bass of the Tournament award. He caught a 5-pound, 10-ounce largemouth Thursday while swimming a 5/16-ounce white jig with a white plastic craw trailer under the foam of a dock.
The next divisional tournament will be Sept. 13-15 in Minnesota.
2006 Central Divisional 06/14-06/16
Ft. Gibson Lake, Wagoner Okla.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Royce Dennington Barnsdall, Okla. (OK) 14 35-14
2. Lee Sanders Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 15 35-10
3. George Toalson Claremore, Okla. (OK) 13 34-07
4. Hoyt Atkins Alexander, Ark. (AR) 15 33-03
5. Luke Payne Warsaw, Mo. (MO) 15 31-05
6. Bruce Shockley Hammond, La. (LA) 12 30-06
7. Jeff Tolle Jenks, Okla. (OK) 14 29-04
8. Zachary King Clarksville, Ark. (AR) 14 28-14
9. James Elvis Jeanminett Jeanerette, La. (LA) 14 28-06
10. Matt Morris Shreveport, La. (LA) 13 27-07
11. Shawn Gordon Russellville, Ark. (AR 13 27-02
12. Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. (KS) 13 26-10
13. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, Okla. (O 12 25-13
14. Alan Smith Maize, Kan. (KS) 10 25-00
15. Jim Talley St Joseph, Mo. (MO) 11 24-02
16. Jimmy Johnson Ganado, Texas (TX) 12 24-00
16. Pat Klausen Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 11 24-00
18. Glenn Cunningham Piedmont, Okla. (OK) 12 23-13
18. Mike Kernan Dallas, Texas (TX) 11 23-13
20. Cole Garrett Calvin, La. (LA) 11 23-08
21. Tony McBride West, Texas (TX) 10 23-05
22. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, La. (LA) 12 23-01
23. Bob Thomsen Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 12 22-15
24. Shawn Holly Council Bluffs, Iowa ( 11 22-07
25. Shane Malone El Dorado, Ark. (AR) 10 21-06
26. Rob Weberg Council Bluffs, Iowa ( 8 21-00
27. Larry Dugger Russellville, Ark. (AR 9 20-13
28. Scott Dean Terrell, Texas (TX) 10 19-15
29. Ryan Lavigne Breaux Bridge, La. (LA 10 19-14
30. Patrick Chapman Hamburg, Ark. (AR) 10 18-11
31. Justin Lancaster Plainview, Ark. (AR) 8 17-13
32. Ted Daniels Crestwood, Mo. (MO) 9 17-06
32. Chris Brimager Andover, Kan. (KS) 8 17-06
32. John Kite Festus, Mo. (NE) 8 17-06
35. Michael Smith Harrison, Ark. (AR) 9 17-02
35. Joel Jacobs Oklahoma City, Okla. ( 9 17-02
37. Harry (Buzz) Hoffman Seward, Neb. (NE) 9 17-00
37. Steven Corbett Washburn, Ark. (AR) 7 17-00
37. Mark Wilkinson Pearlington, Miss. (MS 6 17-00
40. Trent Huckaby Fort Stockton, Texas ( 7 16-09 $1,000.00
41. Duane Hanzlik Lake Ozark, Mo. (NE) 7 16-07
42. Quinn Wilson Amarillo, Texas (TX) 7 16-06
43. Dale Roden Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 9 16-03
44. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. (MS 8 15-13
45. Kevin Miller Augusta, Kan. (KS) 8 15-11
46. Mike Echols Shreveport, La. (LA) 7 15-08
46. John Goin Three Rivers, Texas (T 6 15-08
48. Alvin Kendall Gulfport, Miss. (MS) 7 15-05
49. Cliff Crochet Pierre Port, La. (LA) 7 15-03
50. Mark Jeffreys Norman, Okla. (OK) 9 14-14
51. Jeff Hamilton Blue Springs, Mo. (MO) 8 14-13
52. Derick Kuyrkendall Bergheim, Texas (TX) 8 14-09
52. Logan Sherrer Shongaloo, La. (LA) 7 14-09
54. Keith Blackstone Choctow, Okla. (OK) 8 14-08
55. Roger Vanranken Hazelton, Kan. (KS) 6 13-15
56. Will Skucius Sterling, Kan. (KS) 8 13-07
57. Bob Ramsdell Sour Lake, Texas (TX) 7 13-02
58. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. (LA) 6 13-01
59. Troy Krodinger Fletcher, Mo. (MO) 8 13-00
60. Will Acton Oklahoma City, Okla. ( 7 12-12
61. Harold Stark Eldon, Mo. (MO) 7 12-11
62. Brad Petty Columbus, Miss. (MS) 7 11-13
63. Mance Fowler Ft Smith, Ark. (AR) 6 11-11
64. Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, La. (LA) 6 11-07
65. Danny Fulks San Angelo, Texas (TX) 6 11-06
66. Randy Haynes Starkville, Miss. (MS) 5 11-02
66. Billy Vogle Saucier, Miss. (MS) 5 11-02
68. Ron Osberg Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 6 10-11
69. Dennis Hamel Plainville, Kan. (KS) 5 10-09
69. Johnny Starks Spearville, Kan. (KS) 4 10-09
71. Brad Eads Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 5 10-06
72. Greg Copeland Saucier, Miss. (MS) 6 10-02
72. Brad Outersky Pleasant Hill, Mo. (MO 5 10-02
74. Kerry Kruep Paola, Kan. (KS) 5 9-11
75. Jason Griffin Gulfort, Miss. (MS) 5 9-10
76. Robert Duggar El Dorado, Ark. (AR) 5 9-04
77. Bruce Johnson Montrose, Ark. (AR) 5 8-11
78. Jason Brin Desoto, Kan. (KS) 4 8-08
79. Tim Merkh Knob Noster, Mo. (MO) 5 8-05
80. John Goul Philadelphia, Miss. (M 4 8-03
81. Larry Riffey Pratt, Kan. (KS) 3 8-01
82. Rick Rickman Martindale, Texas (TX) 4 7-15
83. Greg Clark , United States Of Ame 2 6-12
84. Kevin Johnston Sedalia, Mo. (MO) 4 6-11
85. James Nobles Hattiesburg, Miss. (MS 4 6-07
86. Mickey Aldridge Starkville, Miss. (MS) 4 6-06
87. Ricky Stock Hewitt, Texas (TX) 3 6-05
88. Larry Wecker Norfolk, Neb. (NE) 3 6-00
89. James Powers Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 3 5-13
90. Gary Skeens Pleasant Hill, Mo. (MO 4 5-08
91. Charles Edgar Warsaw, Mo. (MO) 2 5-01
92. Chris Sarakas Cape Girardeau, Mo. (M 3 4-07
93. Mark Borchers Akron, Iowa (NE) 2 4-02
94. Hollis Polk Gulfort, Miss. (MS) 2 2-13
95. Damon Hoffpauir Sulphur, La. (LA) 1 2-08
96. Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, Iowa ( 1 1-15
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Trent Huckaby Fort Stockton, Texas (TX) 5-10 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 25 284 602-06
2 17 244 519-07
3 13 208 413-04
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55 736 1535-01
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
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State Lbs-Oz
1 OKLAHOMA 270-10
2 ARKANSAS 231-10
3 LOUISIANA 224-14
4 TEXAS 192-13
5 NEBRASKA 169-12
6 KANSAS 166-03
7 MISSOURI 153-07
8 MISSISSIPPI 125-12
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
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OKLAHOMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Royce Dennington Barnsdall, Okla. 14 35-14
2 Lee Sanders Stillwater, Okla. 15 35-10
3 George Toalson Claremore, Okla. 13 34-07
4 Jeff Tolle Jenks, Okla. 14 29-04
5 Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, Okla. 12 25-13
6 Glenn Cunningham Piedmont, Okla. 12 23-13
7 Joel Jacobs Oklahoma City, Okla. 9 17-02
8 Dale Roden Stillwater, Okla. 9 16-03
9 Mark Jeffreys Norman, Okla. 9 14-14
10 Keith Blackstone Choctow, Okla. 8 14-08
11 Will Acton Oklahoma City, Okla. 7 12-12
12 Brad Eads Stillwater, Okla. 5 10-06
ARKANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Hoyt Atkins Alexander, Ark. 15 33-03
2 Zachary King Clarksville, Ark. 14 28-14
3 Shawn Gordon Russellville, Ark. 13 27-02
4 Shane Malone El Dorado, Ark. 10 21-06
5 Larry Dugger Russellville, Ark. 9 20-13
6 Patrick Chapman Hamburg, Ark. 10 18-11
7 Justin Lancaster Plainview, Ark. 8 17-13
8 Michael Smith Harrison, Ark. 9 17-02
9 Steven Corbett Washburn, Ark. 7 17-00
10 Mance Fowler Ft Smith, Ark. 6 11-11
11 Robert Duggar El Dorado, Ark. 5 9-04
12 Bruce Johnson Montrose, Ark. 5 8-11
LOUISIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bruce Shockley Hammond, La. 12 30-06
2 James Elvis Jeanmine Jeanerette, La. 14 28-06
3 Matt Morris Shreveport, La. 13 27-07
4 Cole Garrett Calvin, La. 11 23-08
5 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, La. 12 23-01
6 Ryan Lavigne Breaux Bridge, La. 10 19-14
7 Mike Echols Shreveport, La. 7 15-08
8 Cliff Crochet Pierre Port, La. 7 15-03
9 Logan Sherrer Shongaloo, La. 7 14-09
10 James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 6 13-01
11 Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, La. 6 11-07
12 Damon Hoffpauir Sulphur, La. 1 2-08
TEXAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jimmy Johnson Ganado, Texas 12 24-00
2 Mike Kernan Dallas, Texas 11 23-13
3 Tony McBride West, Texas 10 23-05
4 Scott Dean Terrell, Texas 10 19-15
5 Trent Huckaby Fort Stockton, Texas 7 16-09 $1,000.00
6 Quinn Wilson Amarillo, Texas 7 16-06
7 John Goin Three Rivers, Texas 6 15-08
8 Derick Kuyrkendall Bergheim, Texas 8 14-09
9 Bob Ramsdell Sour Lake, Texas 7 13-02
10 Danny Fulks San Angelo, Texas 6 11-06
11 Rick Rickman Martindale, Texas 4 7-15
12 Ricky Stock Hewitt, Texas 3 6-05
NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Pat Klausen Lincoln, Neb. 11 24-00
2 Bob Thomsen Lincoln, Neb. 12 22-15
3 Shawn Holly Council Bluffs, Iowa 11 22-07
4 Rob Weberg Council Bluffs, Iowa 8 21-00
5 John Kite Festus, Mo. 8 17-06
6 Harry (Buzz) Hoffman Seward, Neb. 9 17-00
7 Duane Hanzlik Lake Ozark, Mo. 7 16-07
8 Ron Osberg Lincoln, Neb. 6 10-11
9 Larry Wecker Norfolk, Neb. 3 6-00
10 James Powers Lincoln, Neb. 3 5-13
11 Mark Borchers Akron, Iowa 2 4-02
12 Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, Iowa 1 1-15
KANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. 13 26-10
2 Alan Smith Maize, Kan. 10 25-00
3 Chris Brimager Andover, Kan. 8 17-06
4 Kevin Miller Augusta, Kan. 8 15-11
5 Roger Vanranken Hazelton, Kan. 6 13-15
6 Will Skucius Sterling, Kan. 8 13-07
7 Dennis Hamel Plainville, Kan. 5 10-09
7 Johnny Starks Spearville, Kan. 4 10-09
9 Kerry Kruep Paola, Kan. 5 9-11
10 Jason Brin Desoto, Kan. 4 8-08
11 Larry Riffey Pratt, Kan. 3 8-01
12 Greg Clark , United States Of Americ 2 6-12
MISSOURI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Luke Payne Warsaw, Mo. 15 31-05
2 Jim Talley St Joseph, Mo. 11 24-02
3 Ted Daniels Crestwood, Mo. 9 17-06
4 Jeff Hamilton Blue Springs, Mo. 8 14-13
5 Troy Krodinger Fletcher, Mo. 8 13-00
6 Harold Stark Eldon, Mo. 7 12-11
7 Brad Outersky Pleasant Hill, Mo. 5 10-02
8 Tim Merkh Knob Noster, Mo. 5 8-05
9 Kevin Johnston Sedalia, Mo. 4 6-11
10 Gary Skeens Pleasant Hill, Mo. 4 5-08
11 Charles Edgar Warsaw, Mo. 2 5-01
12 Chris Sarakas Cape Girardeau, Mo. 3 4-07
MISSISSIPPI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Wilkinson Pearlington, Miss. 6 17-00
2 Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. 8 15-13
3 Alvin Kendall Gulfport, Miss. 7 15-05
4 Brad Petty Columbus, Miss. 7 11-13
5 Randy Haynes Starkville, Miss. 5 11-02
5 Billy Vogle Saucier, Miss. 5 11-02
7 Greg Copeland Saucier, Miss. 6 10-02
8 Jason Griffin Gulfort, Miss. 5 9-10
9 John Goul Philadelphia, Miss. 4 8-03
10 James Nobles Hattiesburg, Miss. 4 6-07
11 Mickey Aldridge Starkville, Miss. 4 6-06
12 Hollis Polk Gulfort, Miss. 2 2-13