GROVE, Okla. - Fighting spectator and weekend boat traffic, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., on Saturday maintained his lead in the Elite Series' Sooner Run bass fishing tournament on Grand Lake, bringing in 18 pounds, 3 ounces for a tournament total of 64-15.
McClelland kept his wits - and his concentration - despite being surrounded by nearly 40 spectator boats throughout the day. His limit included a 5-pound, 6-ounce bass that earned him the Purolator Big Bass bonus. That fish helped keep a comfortable cushion between McClelland and the rest of the field. For the second consecutive day, the nearest competitor to McClelland, Matt Reed of Texas, was still more than 11 pounds behind.
"It's been a great week," said McClelland. "I've never won a tournament here on Grand Lakeand I would sure love to put this one away."
McClelland caught his first bass at 7:30 a.m. and had five by 9 a.m. He fished a variety of lures, including crankbaits, jigs and Zoom Brush Hogs.
"Getting off to a good start this morning boosted my confidence and when the big ones bit, it just made it better," said the three-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier.
Reed moved from fourth to second place on Saturday and also earned the Busch Heavy Weight Bag of the Day with 19-3, boosting his three-day total to 53 pounds. The one-time Classic qualifier keyed in on offshore structure, fishing jigs and worms along the bottom of rock piles.
This is Reed's first visit to Grand Lake and he described the fishery as phenomenal. "I was fishing a rock pile when my lure got stuck, As I popped it lose, a 5-pounder just came up and ate it," he said. "This is just an awesome lake."
Californian Greg Gutierrez was in third, marking his first cut to the Elite 12 this season. Gutierrez weighed in 15-14 for a three-day total of 48-5. He fished jigs in shallow, offshore areas.
"I've got some great areas with a lot of fish to go to Sunday," said Gutierrez, ranked 42nd on the Power Index. "Making the cut today really boosted my confidence and rejuvenated my desire to fish harder."
Oklahomans Edwin Evers of Talala (7th) and Ken Cook of Meers (8th) are representing the Okies for the home crowd as they advance to the Elite 12 on Sunday. Evers weighed in 12-9 for a three-day total of 45-9, while Cook reeled in 11- 4, for a total of 44-12.
Also making the cut to the Elite 12 was Jeff Connella of Louisiana in fourth (48-2); Paul Elias of Mississippi and rookie Jami Fralick of South Dakota tied for fifth (47-3); Chad Brauer of Missouri, Aaron Martens of Alabama and Mike Iaconelli tied for ninth (44-1); and Dean Rojas of Arizona in 12th (43-10).
Also, Chris Koester of Rogers, Ark., beat out 49 other co-anglers with a three-day total of 26-6 to take home the trophy and a fully rigged Triton boat with Mercury engine worth $45,000. Koester has fished as a co-angler in other tournaments, the Sooner Run marked his BASS debut. "This is something I've always felt capable of doing," he said, adding that he will try to repeat when he fishes last Elite Series tourney of the season at Table Rock Lake in Kimberling City, Mo., in September.
The top 25 co-anglers competed for $115,400 in cash and merchandise.
2006 Sooner Run Pro 06/01-06/04
Grand Lake, Grove Okla.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 15 64-15 315 $4,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 25-03 Day 3: 5 18-03
2. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 15 53-00 295 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 19-03
3. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 15 48-05 290
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 15-11 Day 3: 5 15-14
4. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 15 48-02 285
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 5 14-11
5. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 15 47-03 278
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 13-12
5. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 15 47-03 278
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 5 13-02
7. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 15 45-09 272
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 12-09
8. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 15 44-12 268
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 11-04
9. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 15 44-01 260
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 5 12-11
9. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 15 44-01 260
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 5 10-12
9. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 15 44-01 260
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 11-14
12. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 14 43-10 254
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 4 8-15
13. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 15 42-14 250 $10,750.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 15-11 Day 3: 5 10-12
13. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 15 42-14 250 $10,750.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 13-05
15. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15 42-13 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 10-03
16. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 15 42-01 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 10-10
17. Keith Phillips Calera, Ala. 15 41-11 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 12-12
18. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 15 41-07 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 11-07 Day 3: 5 14-04
19. Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 15 41-05 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 12-13
20. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 15 41-03 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 11-02
21. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 15 41-02 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 12-13 Day 3: 5 9-05
22. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 40-15 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 15-06
23. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 15 40-12 228 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 10-02
23. David Gliebe Benton, Ky. 15 40-12 228 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 5 15-10
25. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 15 40-09 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 14-15
26. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 40-07 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 11-02
27. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 15 40-03 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 9-13 Day 3: 5 13-07
28. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 15 40-02 219 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-07 Day 2: 5 10-11 Day 3: 5 8-00
29. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 15 39-13 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 10-13
30. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 15 39-10 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 5 11-11
31. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 15 39-06 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 9-02
32. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 15 39-03 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 13-07
33. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 15 38-07 209 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 7-12
34. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 15 38-01 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 5 12-00
35. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 15 37-14 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 11-06
36. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 14 37-13 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 4 7-10
37. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 15 37-12 201 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 9-09
38. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 15 37-09 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 9-01
39. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 15 37-07 196 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 11-11 Day 3: 5 10-10
39. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 15 37-07 196 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 11-08
41. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 15 37-06 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 8-11
42. John Crews Salem, Va. 15 37-05 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 9-01
43. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 15 36-13 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 8-15
44. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 15 36-04 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 6-13
45. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 14 34-13 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 10-06 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 10-04
46. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 15 33-15 182 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 11-10 Day 3: 5 8-12
46. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 15 33-15 182 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 8-12
48. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 14 33-03 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 4 8-01
49. Charlie Youngers Geneva, Fla. 14 32-02 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 4 7-03
50. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 12 28-09 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 9-11 Day 3: 2 3-01
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Big Bass
Day
1 Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 7-10 $1,000.00
2 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 7-07 $1,000.00
3 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5-06 $1,000.00
Busch Heavyweight
Day
1 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 21-09 $1,000.00
2 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 25-03 $1,000.00
3 Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 19-03 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 94 499 1284-03
2 89 480 1210-01
3 45 243 560-12
----------------------------------
228 1222 3055-00
2006 Sooner Run NB 06/01-06/04
Grand Lake, Grove Okla.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chris Koester Winston Salem, N.C. 9 26-06 0 $45,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 3 8-07 Day 3: 3 10-01
2. Tom Frink Simi Valley, Calif. 9 26-05 0 $25,000.00
Day 1: 3 10-13 Day 2: 3 5-15 Day 3: 3 9-09
3. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 9 25-12 0 $10,500.00
Day 1: 3 7-08 Day 2: 3 12-08 Day 3: 3 5-12
4. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 9 24-01 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-06 Day 2: 3 7-11 Day 3: 3 8-00
5. Joel Clark Tulsa, Okla. 9 23-11 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-03 Day 2: 3 7-08 Day 3: 3 10-00
6. Scott Darragh Dallas, Texas 9 23-07 0 $3,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-10 Day 2: 3 8-01 Day 3: 3 6-12
7. John Aber Piedmont, Okla. 9 23-04 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 3 8-13 Day 3: 3 7-06
8. Mike Dickinson Grove, Okla. 8 22-13 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 5-01 Day 2: 2 7-08 Day 3: 3 10-04
9. Terry Canady Skiatook, Okla. 9 22-10 0 $1,800.00
Day 1: 3 7-04 Day 2: 3 5-11 Day 3: 3 9-11
10. David Evans Afton, Okla. 9 22-04 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 3 6-09 Day 2: 3 5-12 Day 3: 3 9-15
10. Jeff Tolle Jenks, Okla. 8 22-04 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 3 8-03 Day 2: 3 9-00 Day 3: 2 5-01
12. Sam Mize Muscle Shoals, Ala. 9 22-00 0 $1,300.00
Day 1: 3 5-04 Day 2: 3 6-05 Day 3: 3 10-07
13. Scott Ventimiglia Kansas City, Mo. 9 21-14 0 $1,200.00
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 3 5-03 Day 3: 3 6-03
14. Robert Reedy Rose Bud, Ark. 8 21-06 0 $1,100.00
Day 1: 3 8-01 Day 2: 3 7-10 Day 3: 2 5-11
15. Michael Mohr Mitchell, S.D. 9 21-03 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-10 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 3 6-13
16. Mike Lewis Ponca City, Okla. 7 20-14 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 3 14-04 Day 2: 1 1-06 Day 3: 3 5-04
17. Dennis Huggins Broken Arrow, Okla. 9 20-11 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-15 Day 2: 3 8-12 Day 3: 3 5-00
18. Todd Eggers Smithville, Mo. 8 20-10 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 5-05 Day 2: 3 7-11 Day 3: 3 7-10
19. Bill Adams Exeter, Calif. 9 20-09 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-03 Day 2: 3 9-13 Day 3: 3 4-09
20. Matt Cussigh Overland Park, Kan. 8 20-05 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-07 Day 2: 3 7-03 Day 3: 2 5-11
21. David Stewart Cedar Park, Texas 9 19-14 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 6-09 Day 2: 3 5-14 Day 3: 3 7-07
22. Raymond Renfroe Delaware, Okla. 9 19-12 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 5-10 Day 2: 3 8-04 Day 3: 3 5-14
22. Brent Hibbets Enid, Okla. 9 19-12 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 5-12 Day 2: 3 6-08 Day 3: 3 7-08
24. Kirk Smith Edmond, Okla. 9 19-07 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-04 Day 2: 3 5-15 Day 3: 3 6-04
25. Philip Hudnall Newkirk, Okla. 9 19-06 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-07 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 3 5-04
26. Darin Compton Cheney, Kan. 7 19-02 0
Day 1: 3 8-13 Day 2: 1 1-07 Day 3: 3 8-14
27. Mike Rumple Afton, Okla. 9 19-00 0
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 3 5-01 Day 3: 3 6-09
28. Gil Phillips Alba, Texas 9 18-04 0
Day 1: 3 4-13 Day 2: 3 7-09 Day 3: 3 5-14
28. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, Ariz. 6 18-04 0
Day 1: 2 5-07 Day 2: 3 10-07 Day 3: 1 2-06
30. Roger Howell Clayton, Ala. 9 18-03 0
Day 1: 3 5-10 Day 2: 3 6-04 Day 3: 3 6-05
31. Art Hines Joplin, Mo. 9 18-02 0
Day 1: 3 6-00 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 3 5-07
32. Scott Alspach Delaware, Okla. 9 17-14 0
Day 1: 3 6-13 Day 2: 3 5-07 Day 3: 3 5-10
33. Ronnie Kane Gardner, Kan. 8 17-13 0
Day 1: 3 7-08 Day 2: 3 7-05 Day 3: 2 3-00
34. Derrick Wright Chanute, Kan. 8 17-12 0
Day 1: 3 6-03 Day 2: 3 8-09 Day 3: 2 3-00
35. Matt Storr Tulsa, Okla. 9 17-10 0
Day 1: 3 5-02 Day 2: 3 5-12 Day 3: 3 6-12
36. Tony Pratt Paso Robles, Calif. 8 17-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-02 Day 2: 3 5-05 Day 3: 2 5-15
37. Troy Enmeier Enid, Okla. 8 17-04 0
Day 1: 3 6-03 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 2 3-15
38. Hub Bechtol Austin, Texas 7 17-02 0
Day 1: 2 3-00 Day 2: 3 10-08 Day 3: 2 3-10
39. Gene Eisenmann Little Elm, Texas 8 16-15 0
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 3 5-05 Day 3: 2 3-12
40. Robert Heath Wellsville, Kan. 8 16-13 0
Day 1: 2 5-00 Day 2: 3 7-00 Day 3: 3 4-13
41. Steve Harrison Little Elm, Texas 8 16-12 0
Day 1: 3 5-07 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 2 3-09
42. David Templeton Wagoner, Okla. 8 16-09 0
Day 1: 3 5-01 Day 2: 3 8-06 Day 3: 2 3-02
43. Les Williams Mcalester, Okla. 7 16-01 0
Day 1: 3 8-07 Day 2: 3 5-06 Day 3: 1 2-04
43. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 7 16-01 0
Day 1: 2 4-10 Day 2: 3 6-07 Day 3: 2 5-00
45. Shannon Mcclelland Bella Vista, Ark. 7 16-00 0
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 3 6-03 Day 3: 1 2-07
46. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 8 15-10 0
Day 1: 3 5-03 Day 2: 3 6-13 Day 3: 2 3-10
47. Chip Porche Bixby, Okla. 8 14-15 0
Day 1: 3 6-02 Day 2: 3 5-08 Day 3: 2 3-05
48. Michael Bass Austin, Texas 7 14-02 0
Day 1: 3 5-07 Day 2: 3 7-08 Day 3: 1 1-03
49. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 6 12-11 0
Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 0 0-00
50. Chuck Harney Lakeside, Calif. 7 11-15 0
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 3 4-04 Day 3: 1 1-05
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Big Bass
Day
1 Mike Lewis Ponca City, Okla. 5-00 $500.00
2 Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 6-06 $500.00
3 Mike Dickinson Grove, Okla. 5-13 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 61 234 508-10
2 57 211 486-06
3 30 123 283-11
----------------------------------
148 568 1278-11