WAGONER, Okla. - Owning a lure company sure was beneficial for George Toalson on the first day of the BASS Federation Nation Central Divisional bass fishing tournament at Fort Gibson Lake.
The 55-year-old Toalson took the lead in the three-day tournament by catching a five-fish limit weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces to nudge runner-up Bruce Shockley of Hammond, La., who finished the day with a 14-10 limit. Toalson owns Gene Larew Lures Company and is competing in his first Central Divisional.
After making an adjustment, the North Oklahoma City Bassmasters Club member used plenty of his company's Hoo Daddy and Ring Shad lures to catch all of his keepers.
"The fishing was a lot slower than I thought it would be," said Toalson, who joined the Federation Nation this year. "It was a long time before we started catching them. We tried all the shallow stuff and the water was dropping and it was all bad. We finally started going off shore and caught every single one of our fish out 10 to 15 feet deep."
During practice, Toalson tried both shallow and off-shore patterns and had success both ways. "Since we started practicing Sunday the lake has probably dropped 18 inches to 2 feet," said Toalson. "The off-shore fishing was slower but the fish were bigger."
When he switched to fishing deeper water today, Toalson finally landed his first keeper around 11 a.m. "I caught my last fish on the last cast I made," he disclosed.
The Claremore, Okla., angler made a milk run of chunk rock points to amass his limit. "I hit a lot of spots and we would seem to get just one fish to a spot," he said.
The Central Divisional is the third of six regional qualifying events that advance top Federation Nation competitors from America and abroad to the fish-off for amateur anglers, the BASS Federation Nation National Championship. The event is scheduled for January 2007 at Lake Neely Henry in Alabama.
The tournament is two contests in one. The individual competition will determine the overall winner and the top finisher from each Federation Nation that advance to next January's championship and possibly on to the Bassmaster Classic. Leading their states after today are Toalson for Oklahoma, Shockley (Louisiana), Kevin Miller (Kansas), Rob Weberg (Nebraska), Luke Payne (Missouri), Shawn Gordon (Arkansas), Mike Kernan (Texas) and Mark Wilkinson (Mississippi).
State bragging rights will also be claimed by one of the eight Federation Nations competing here. Oklahoma's 12-man team accumulated 93 pounds, 12 ounces today to lead the state competition. Texas is in second place with 92-05. The teams are vying for a total payout of $41,000, with the prize monies to be allocated to each states' conservation, civic and fishing outreach programs.
The Central Divisional weigh-ins begin at 2:30 p.m. CT the next two days at Taylor Ferry North Ramp near Wagoner.
2006 Central Divisional 06/14-06/16
Ft. Gibson Lake, Wagoner Okla.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. George Toalson Claremore, Okla. (OK) 5 15-03
2. Bruce Shockley Hammond, La. (LA) 5 14-10
3. Shawn Gordon Russellville, Ark. (AR 5 13-02
4. Rob Weberg Council Bluffs, Iowa ( 4 12-15
5. Royce Dennington Barnsdall, Okla. (OK) 4 12-05
6. Pat Klausen Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 5 11-15
7. Mike Kernan Dallas, Texas (TX) 5 11-14
8. Mark Wilkinson Pearlington, Miss. (MS 4 11-12
9. Luke Payne Warsaw, Mo. (MO) 5 11-04
10. Glenn Cunningham Piedmont, Okla. (OK) 5 11-02
10. Tony McBride West, Texas (TX) 4 11-02
12. Scott Dean Terrell, Texas (TX) 5 11-01
13. Shawn Holly Council Bluffs, Iowa ( 5 11-00
13. Larry Dugger Russellville, Ark. (AR 3 11-00
15. John Kite Festus, Mo. (NE) 5 10-15
16. John Goin Three Rivers, Texas (T 3 10-12
17. Kevin Miller Augusta, Kan. (KS) 5 10-10
18. Bob Ramsdell Sour Lake, Texas (TX) 5 10-06
19. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, La. (LA) 5 10-04
20. James Elvis Jeanminett Jeanerette, La. (LA) 5 10-00
20. Shane Malone El Dorado, Ark. (AR) 5 10-00
22. Jim Talley St Joseph, Mo. (MO) 5 9-13
23. Jimmy Johnson Ganado, Texas (TX) 5 9-09
23. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. (MS 5 9-09
25. Hoyt Atkins Alexander, Ark. (AR) 5 9-07
26. Danny Fulks San Angelo, Texas (TX) 5 9-03
26. Ryan Lavigne Breaux Bridge, La. (LA 5 9-03
28. Jeff Tolle Jenks, Okla. (OK) 4 9-01
29. Duane Hanzlik Lake Ozark, Mo. (NE) 4 8-13
30. Matt Morris Shreveport, La. (LA) 5 8-12
31. Zachary King Clarksville, Ark. (AR) 4 8-09
32. Lee Sanders Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 5 8-07
32. Dale Roden Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 5 8-07
34. Logan Sherrer Shongaloo, La. (LA) 5 8-05
35. Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, La. (LA) 4 8-01
36. Cole Garrett Calvin, La. (LA) 4 7-12
37. Randy Haynes Starkville, Miss. (MS) 3 7-09
38. Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. (KS) 4 7-07
38. Joel Jacobs Oklahoma City, Okla. ( 4 7-07
40. Justin Lancaster Plainview, Ark. (AR) 3 7-06
41. Brad Petty Columbus, Miss. (MS) 4 6-09
42. Mark Jeffreys Norman, Okla. (OK) 4 6-08
43. Steven Corbett Washburn, Ark. (AR) 3 6-06
44. Bruce Johnson Montrose, Ark. (AR) 3 6-02
45. Ted Daniels Crestwood, Mo. (MO) 3 6-00
45. Larry Wecker Norfolk, Neb. (NE) 3 6-00
47. Trent Huckaby Fort Stockton, Texas ( 3 5-11
48. Will Skucius Sterling, Kan. (KS) 3 5-09
48. Bob Thomsen Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 3 5-09
50. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. (LA) 3 5-08
51. Patrick Chapman Hamburg, Ark. (AR) 3 5-06
51. Harold Stark Eldon, Mo. (MO) 3 5-06
53. Tim Merkh Knob Noster, Mo. (MO) 3 5-02
53. Mance Fowler Ft Smith, Ark. (AR) 2 5-02
55. Troy Krodinger Fletcher, Mo. (MO) 3 5-01
56. Greg Clark , United States Of Ame 1 5-00
57. Dennis Hamel Plainville, Kan. (KS) 2 4-12
58. Jason Griffin Gulfort, Miss. (MS) 3 4-09
59. James Powers Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 2 4-08
60. Jeff Hamilton Blue Springs, Mo. (MO) 3 4-07
61. Will Acton Oklahoma City, Okla. ( 2 4-06
62. Quinn Wilson Amarillo, Texas (TX) 2 4-05
63. Cliff Crochet Pierre Port, La. (LA) 2 4-02
64. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, Okla. (O 2 3-15
65. Chris Brimager Andover, Kan. (KS) 2 3-14
66. Robert Duggar El Dorado, Ark. (AR) 2 3-13
67. Keith Blackstone Choctow, Okla. (OK) 2 3-12
68. Larry Riffey Pratt, Kan. (KS) 1 3-11
69. Charles Edgar Warsaw, Mo. (MO) 1 3-09
70. Jason Brin Desoto, Kan. (KS) 2 3-08
71. Ron Osberg Lincoln, Neb. (NE) 2 3-07
71. Michael Smith Harrison, Ark. (AR) 2 3-07
73. Ricky Stock Hewitt, Texas (TX) 1 3-04
74. Brad Eads Stillwater, Okla. (OK) 2 3-03
74. Derick Kuyrkendall Bergheim, Texas (TX) 2 3-03
74. Billy Vogle Saucier, Miss. (MS) 1 3-03
77. Harry (Buzz) Hoffman Seward, Neb. (NE) 2 3-02
78. Greg Copeland Saucier, Miss. (MS) 2 2-13
79. Chris Sarakas Cape Girardeau, Mo. (M 2 2-12
79. Gary Skeens Pleasant Hill, Mo. (MO 2 2-12
81. Kerry Kruep Paola, Kan. (KS) 1 2-01
82. Brad Outersky Pleasant Hill, Mo. (MO 1 2-00
83. Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, Iowa ( 1 1-15
83. Rick Rickman Martindale, Texas (TX) 1 1-15
85. Mike Echols Shreveport, La. (LA) 1 1-12
86. Kevin Johnston Sedalia, Mo. (MO) 1 1-10
87. Mickey Aldridge Starkville, Miss. (MS) 1 1-08
87. James Nobles Hattiesburg, Miss. (MS 1 1-08
89. Alvin Kendall Gulfport, Miss. (MS) 1 1-07
90. Hollis Polk Gulfort, Miss. (MS) 1 1-06
91. Mark Borchers Akron, Iowa (NE) 0 0-00
91. Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. 0 0-00
91. John Gaul Philadelphia, Miss. 0 0-00
91. John Goul Philadelphia, Miss. (M 0 0-00
91. Damon Hoffpauir Sulphur, La. (LA) 0 0-00
91. Alan Smith Maize, Kan. 0 0-00
91. Alan Smith Maize, Kan. (KS) 0 0-00
91. Johnny Starks Spearville, Kan. (KS) 0 0-00
91. Roger Vanranken Hazelton, Kan. (KS) 0 0-00
----------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 25 284 602-06
----------------------------------
25 284 602-06
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 OKLAHOMA 93-12
2 TEXAS 92-05
3 ARKANSAS 89-12
4 LOUISIANA 88-05
5 NEBRASKA 80-03
6 MISSOURI 59-12
7 MISSISSIPPI 51-13
8 KANSAS 46-08
9 0-00
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
-------------------------------------------------------------
OKLAHOMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 George Toalson Claremore, Okla. 5 15-03
2 Royce Dennington Barnsdall, Okla. 4 12-05
3 Glenn Cunningham Piedmont, Okla. 5 11-02
4 Jeff Tolle Jenks, Okla. 4 9-01
5 Lee Sanders Stillwater, Okla. 5 8-07
5 Dale Roden Stillwater, Okla. 5 8-07
7 Joel Jacobs Oklahoma City, Okla. 4 7-07
8 Mark Jeffreys Norman, Okla. 4 6-08
9 Will Acton Oklahoma City, Okla. 2 4-06
10 Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, Okla. 2 3-15
11 Keith Blackstone Choctow, Okla. 2 3-12
12 Brad Eads Stillwater, Okla. 2 3-03
TEXAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mike Kernan Dallas, Texas 5 11-14
2 Tony McBride West, Texas 4 11-02
3 Scott Dean Terrell, Texas 5 11-01
4 John Goin Three Rivers, Texas 3 10-12
5 Bob Ramsdell Sour Lake, Texas 5 10-06
6 Jimmy Johnson Ganado, Texas 5 9-09
7 Danny Fulks San Angelo, Texas 5 9-03
8 Trent Huckaby Fort Stockton, Texas 3 5-11
9 Quinn Wilson Amarillo, Texas 2 4-05
10 Ricky Stock Hewitt, Texas 1 3-04
11 Derick Kuyrkendall Bergheim, Texas 2 3-03
12 Rick Rickman Martindale, Texas 1 1-15
ARKANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Shawn Gordon Russellville, Ark. 5 13-02
2 Larry Dugger Russellville, Ark. 3 11-00
3 Shane Malone El Dorado, Ark. 5 10-00
4 Hoyt Atkins Alexander, Ark. 5 9-07
5 Zachary King Clarksville, Ark. 4 8-09
6 Justin Lancaster Plainview, Ark. 3 7-06
7 Steven Corbett Washburn, Ark. 3 6-06
8 Bruce Johnson Montrose, Ark. 3 6-02
9 Patrick Chapman Hamburg, Ark. 3 5-06
10 Mance Fowler Ft Smith, Ark. 2 5-02
11 Robert Duggar El Dorado, Ark. 2 3-13
12 Michael Smith Harrison, Ark. 2 3-07
LOUISIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bruce Shockley Hammond, La. 5 14-10
2 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, La. 5 10-04
3 James Elvis Jeanmine Jeanerette, La. 5 10-00
4 Ryan Lavigne Breaux Bridge, La. 5 9-03
5 Matt Morris Shreveport, La. 5 8-12
6 Logan Sherrer Shongaloo, La. 5 8-05
7 Ricky Mabile Pierre Part, La. 4 8-01
8 Cole Garrett Calvin, La. 4 7-12
9 James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 3 5-08
10 Cliff Crochet Pierre Port, La. 2 4-02
11 Mike Echols Shreveport, La. 1 1-12
12 Damon Hoffpauir Sulphur, La. 0 0-00
NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Rob Weberg Council Bluffs, Iowa 4 12-15
2 Pat Klausen Lincoln, Neb. 5 11-15
3 Shawn Holly Council Bluffs, Iowa 5 11-00
4 John Kite Festus, Mo. 5 10-15
5 Duane Hanzlik Lake Ozark, Mo. 4 8-13
6 Larry Wecker Norfolk, Neb. 3 6-00
7 Bob Thomsen Lincoln, Neb. 3 5-09
8 James Powers Lincoln, Neb. 2 4-08
9 Ron Osberg Lincoln, Neb. 2 3-07
10 Harry (Buzz) Hoffman Seward, Neb. 2 3-02
11 Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, Iowa 1 1-15
12 Mark Borchers Akron, Iowa 0 0-00
MISSOURI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Luke Payne Warsaw, Mo. 5 11-04
2 Jim Talley St Joseph, Mo. 5 9-13
3 Ted Daniels Crestwood, Mo. 3 6-00
4 Harold Stark Eldon, Mo. 3 5-06
5 Tim Merkh Knob Noster, Mo. 3 5-02
6 Troy Krodinger Fletcher, Mo. 3 5-01
7 Jeff Hamilton Blue Springs, Mo. 3 4-07
8 Charles Edgar Warsaw, Mo. 1 3-09
9 Chris Sarakas Cape Girardeau, Mo. 2 2-12
9 Gary Skeens Pleasant Hill, Mo. 2 2-12
11 Brad Outersky Pleasant Hill, Mo. 1 2-00
12 Kevin Johnston Sedalia, Mo. 1 1-10
MISSISSIPPI
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Wilkinson Pearlington, Miss. 4 11-12
2 Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. 5 9-09
3 Randy Haynes Starkville, Miss. 3 7-09
4 Brad Petty Columbus, Miss. 4 6-09
5 Jason Griffin Gulfort, Miss. 3 4-09
6 Billy Vogle Saucier, Miss. 1 3-03
7 Greg Copeland Saucier, Miss. 2 2-13
8 Mickey Aldridge Starkville, Miss. 1 1-08
8 James Nobles Hattiesburg, Miss. 1 1-08
10 Alvin Kendall Gulfport, Miss. 1 1-07
11 Hollis Polk Gulfort, Miss. 1 1-06
12 John Goul Philadelphia, Miss. 0 0-00
KANSAS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kevin Miller Augusta, Kan. 5 10-10
2 Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. 4 7-07
3 Will Skucius Sterling, Kan. 3 5-09
4 Greg Clark , United States Of Americ 1 5-00
5 Dennis Hamel Plainville, Kan. 2 4-12
6 Chris Brimager Andover, Kan. 2 3-14
7 Larry Riffey Pratt, Kan. 1 3-11
8 Jason Brin Desoto, Kan. 2 3-08
9 Kerry Kruep Paola, Kan. 1 2-01
10 Alan Smith Maize, Kan. 0 0-00
10 Johnny Starks Spearville, Kan. 0 0-00
10 Roger Vanranken Hazelton, Kan. 0 0-00
1 Mike Edrington Olathe, Kan. 0 0-00
1 John Gaul Philadelphia, Miss. 0 0-00
1 Alan Smith Maize, Kan. 0 0-00