GROVE, Okla. - In the biggest win of his career, 38-year-old Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., outpaced the entire field of Bassmaster Elite Series anglers, taking a wire-to-wire bass fishing tournament win on Grand Lake. McClelland's four-day total of 79 pounds, 7 ounces earned him $100,000 and boosted his total BASS career earnings to nearly $500,000.
McClelland brought in a Day 4 catch of 14-8 and his nearly 80-pound tournament total bested second-place Texan Matt Reed by nearly 16 pounds. McClelland also outweighed prominent Elite anglers including 2005 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens and 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli. Crowd favorites Edwin Evers and Ken Cook of Oklahoma also fell to McClelland.
"It's kind of surreal," said the winner. "I had 50 to 60 boats following me at one point today. Everyone's been great, and the crowd on and off the water just kept me excited and pumped up."
McClelland fished offshore structure the entire week, concentrating on rock and brush piles and throwing jigs and soft plastics.
Celebrating his win with nearly 30 friends and family members, McClelland said the experience was incredible. "It's a special feeling, having all of them here," he said. "This win really solidifies me as an angler and solidifies where I am in my career." With the win, McClelland moved to 27th in Angler of the Year standings and 19th on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index. He's also qualified for the Bassmaster Classic three times, won the 2005 Bassmaster Open Championship and has 11 top-10 BASS finishes.
2003 Classic qualifier Reed finished second overall with a final-day catch of 10-14 and a tournament total of 63-14. Keying in on offshore rock piles and points all week, Reed called Sunday a struggle, as he had just two keeper fish at 2 p.m. Fishing a 10½-inch, plum-colored worm and a 5/8-ounce jig, Reed managed four more catches in the last 40 minutes of competition.
"I caught all I could today and didn't lose a fish," said Reed, ranked 20th on the Power Index. "Mike has just fished phenomenally here. How he figured it out is awesome."
Third place Greg Gutierrez of Red Bluff, Calif., brought in a five-fish stringer weighing 14-11 and earned the bonus, boosting his total to 63 pounds. Gutierrez fished jigs in three 50-yard stretches and concentrated his casts in water 3 to 8 feet deep.
Evers, of Talala, Okla., leapt from seventh to fourth place with a Day 4 catch of 11-14. He caught each day's limits in water 20 to 25 feet deep on jigs and crankbaits. Evers' four-day total of 57-7 bumped him to 16th in Angler of the Year standings.
The remainder of the field finished as follows: Dean Rojas of Arizona in fifth (57-5); Paul Elias of Mississippi in sixth (57-2);Jeff Connella of Louisiana in seventh (56-12); Cook of Oklahoma in eighth (56-8); Martens of Alabama in ninth (56-1); Iaconelli of New Jersey in 10th (54-15); Chad Brauer of Missouri in 11th (54-12); and Jami Fralick of South Dakota in 12th (54-9).
$673,150 in cash was awarded to the top 50 Elite pros and valuable points towards qualifying in the Bassmaster Majors, Classic and the race for the Angler of the Year award.
The next stop on the Elite Series tournament trail is the Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake in Kentucky Dam Village, Ky., June 15-18.
2006 Sooner Run Pro 06/01-06/04
Grand Lake, Grove Okla.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 20 79-07 320 $104,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 25-03 Day 3: 5 18-03 Day 4: 5 14-08
2. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 20 63-14 295 $31,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 19-03 Day 4: 5 10-14
3. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 20 63-00 290 $26,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 15-11 Day 3: 5 15-14 Day 4: 5 14-11
4. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 20 57-07 285 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 12-09 Day 4: 5 11-14
5. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 19 57-05 280 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 4 8-15 Day 4: 5 13-11
6. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 20 57-02 276 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 13-12 Day 4: 5 9-15
7. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 20 56-12 272 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 5 14-11 Day 4: 5 8-10
8. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 20 56-08 268 $14,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 11-04 Day 4: 5 11-12
9. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 20 56-01 264 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 11-14 Day 4: 5 12-00
10. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 20 54-15 260 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 5 10-12 Day 4: 5 10-14
11. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 20 54-12 257 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 5 12-11 Day 4: 5 10-11
12. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 19 54-09 254 $12,300.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 5 13-02 Day 4: 4 7-06
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
4 Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 4-15 $1,000.00
Big Bass of Tournament
Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 7-10 $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
4 Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 14-11 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 94 499 1284-03
2 89 480 1210-01
3 45 243 560-12
4 11 59 136-14
----------------------------------
239 1281 3191-14
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 61 234 508-10
2 57 211 486-06
3 30 123 283-11
----------------------------------
148 568 1278-11
2006 Grove, OK - Sooner Run Pro Points
After Grand Lake, Grove, Okla. Ending 06-04-2006, Day 4
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 1556
2 Dean Rojas Ariz. 1502
3 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1451
4 Greg Hackney La. 1443
5 John Crews Va. 1424
6 Kevin Wirth Ky. 1399
7 Aaron Martens Ala. 1383
8 Gerald Swindle Ala. 1374
9 Jason Quinn S.C. 1367
10 Terry Scroggins Fla. 1323
11 Kelly Jordon Texas 1317
12 Takahiro Omori Texas 1296
13 Denny Brauer Mo. 1294
14 Mike Wurm Ark. 1293
15 Timmy Horton Ala. 1275
16 Edwin Evers Okla. 1273
17 Kevin VanDam Mich. 1262
18 Peter Thliveros Fla. 1261
19 Matt Reed Texas 1246
20 Mark Tucker Mo. 1238
21 Russ Lane Ala. 1230
22 Skeet Reese Calif. 1224
23 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 1219
24 Gary Klein Texas 1213
25 John Murray Ariz. 1212
26 Bill Lowen Ohio 1208
27 Mike McClelland Ark. 1201
28 Davy Hite S.C. 1172
29 Alton Jones Texas 1171
30 Kenyon Hill Okla. 1168
31 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 1138
32 Rick Clunn Mo. 1116
33 Ishama Monroe Calif. 1113
34 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1111
35 Jared Lintner Calif. 1105
36 Zell Rowland Texas 1104
36 Bradley Hallman Okla. 1104
38 Randy Howell Ala. 1096
39 Preston Clark Fla. 1094
40 Terry Butcher Okla. 1083
41 Mark Tyler Ariz. 1073
42 Jeff Kriet Okla. 1072
43 Tommy Biffle Okla. 1069
44 Bernie Schultz Fla. 1063
44 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 1063
46 William Smith, Jr Ky. 1059
47 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 1052
47 Scott Rook Ark. 1052
49 Stephen Browning Ark. 1039
50 Brooks Rogers Texas 1031
51 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 1012
52 Steve Daniel Fla. 1011
53 Lee Bailey Ala. 1007
53 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 1007
55 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 1000
56 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 999
56 Jeff Connella La. 999
58 Paul Elias Miss. 998
59 Todd Faircloth Texas 992
60 Jon Bondy Canada 991
61 Ken Cook Okla. 989
62 Dave Smith Okla. 985
63 Chad Brauer Mo. 979
64 Jarrett Edwards Ariz. 970
65 Pete Ponds Miss. 969
66 Terry Segraves Fla. 966
66 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 966
68 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 958
69 Brent Chapman Kan. 956
70 Jami Fralick S.D. 946
71 Britt Myers N.C. 940
72 Mark Menendez Ky. 937
73 Dave Wolak Pa. 932
73 Keith Phillips Ala. 932
75 Chris Lane Fla. 916
76 Paul Hirosky Pa. 898
77 Kevin Langill N.C. 890
78 Joe Thomas Ohio 888
79 Mike Reynolds Calif. 874
80 Byron Velvick Nev. 863
81 Bink Desaro Idaho 852
82 Charlie Hartley Ohio 839
83 Kurt Dove Va. 830
84 David Gliebe Ky. 820
85 Vince Hurtado Calif. 795
86 Marty Stone N.C. 785
87 Bradley Stringer Texas 777
88 Elton Luce Jr Texas 776
89 Brian Snowden Mo. 767
90 Mike O'Shea Calif. 754
91 Frank Scalish Ohio 753
92 Guy Eaker N.C. 744
93 Charlie Youngers Fla. 742
94 Rick Morris Va. 732
95 Kevin Short Ark. 716
96 Rick Ash Pa. 705
97 Charlie Weyer Calif. 692
98 Grant Goldbeck Md. 688
99 Mark Rogers Fla. 641
100 Jimmy Houston Okla. 627
101 Randy Yarnall Pa. 588
102 Doc Merkin Ill. 578
103 Ken Brodeur Conn. 556
104 Robert Hamilton Jr Tenn. 551
105 Conrad Picou La. 390
106 Dustin Wilks N.C. 151
2006 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
After Grand Lake, Grove, OK ending 06-04-2006, Day 4
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1451
2 Bill Lowen Ohio 1208
3 Jared Lintner Calif. 1105
4 Bradley Hallman Okla. 1104
5 William Smith, Jr Ky. 1059
6 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 1012
7 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 1007
8 Jeff Connella La. 999
9 Jon Bondy Canada 991
10 Jami Fralick S.D. 946
11 Britt Myers N.C. 940
12 Keith Phillips Ala. 932
13 Chris Lane Fla. 916
14 Paul Hirosky Pa. 898
15 Kevin Langill N.C. 890
16 Kurt Dove Va. 830
17 Vince Hurtado Calif. 795
18 Rick Ash Pa. 705
19 Doc Merkin Ill. 578
20 Ken Brodeur Conn. 556
21 Conrad Picou La. 390
2006 Horizon Award
After Grove, OK ending 06-04-2006, Day 4
---------------------------------------------------------
Place Name 2005 Finish 2006 Standings
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Denny Brauer 113 13
2 Stephen Daniel 147 52
3 Brooks Rogers 139 50
4 Fred Roumbanis 133 55
5 Matt Reed 96 19
6 Yusuke Miyazaki 118 47
7 Bink Desaro 149 81
8 Ray Sedgwick 123 56
8 John Murray 92 25
10 Dean Rojas 67 2
11 Bradley Stringer 151 87
12 Peter E Thliveros 79 18
12 Gary Klein 85 24
14 Kelly Jordon 66 11
15 Grant Goldbeck 152 98
16 Shaw E Grigsby, Jr 95 44
17 Ken Cook 110 61
18 Pete Ponds 112 65
18 Elton Luce Jr 135 88
20 Gerald Swindle 53 8
21 Byron Velvick 124 80
22 Mike McClelland 68 27
23 Randy Yarnall 141 101
24 Mike O'Shea 127 90
25 Randy Howell 74 38
26 Jason Quinn 43 9
27 Joe Thomas 109 78
28 Zell Rowland 63 36
28 Kenyon Hill 57 30
28 Chad Brauer 90 63
31 Davy Hite 54 28
32 Charlie Weyer 122 97
33 Takahiro Omori 33 12
34 Terry Butcher 60 40
34 Russell Lane 41 21
36 Mike Wurm 32 14
37 Jimmy Houston 117 100
38 John Crews 19 5
39 Paul Elias 70 58
40 Kevin Wirth 14 6
40 Stephen Browning 57 49
42 Michael Iaconelli 8 1
42 Morizo Shimizu 73 66
44 David Gliebe 87 84
44 Mark Tyler 44 41
46 Timmy Horton 17 15
47 Greg Hackney 5 4
47 Mark Rogers 100 99
Busch Heavy-Weight
After Grove, OK ending 06-04-2006, Day 4
Joe Conway 2006 BASS Federation Championship, 15-7
Preston Clark 2006 Bassmaster Classic, 29-01
Mike McClelland Bassmaster Open Championship, 17-12
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Place Name Body Of Water Day lbs-Ozs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Ishama Monroe Lake Amistad, Texas 3 34-01
2 Aaron Martens Santee Cooper Reservoir, 4 32-10
3 Mike Wurm Santee Cooper Reservoir, 3 32-04
4 Kevin Wirth Santee Cooper Reservoir, 2 31-15
5 Jimmy Mize Lake Amistad, Texas 2 31-14
6 Ken Cook Lake Amistad, Texas 1 31-10
7 Fred Roumbanis Lake Amistad, Texas 4 28-01
8 Greg Hackney Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas 1 22-02
9 Michael Iaconelli Lake Guntersville, Ala. 2 22-01
10 Mark Tyler Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas 3 21-13
10 Kenyon Hill Clarks Hill Reservoir, Ga 1 21-13