GROVE, Okla. - Arkansan Mike McClelland doesn't call Grand Lake his home waters, but the 38-year-old Bassmaster Elite Series pro has fished it nearly 60 times. As he hauled in an impressive 21 pounds, 9 ounces of bass during Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite Series' Sooner Run bass fishing tournament, McClelland admitted that he knows the lake well, knows how to fish it, and turned that experience to his favor.
McClelland has his eye on the $100,000 tournament top prize and the possibility of being named Sooner Run champion.
"I learned a lot about fishing on this lake," said McClelland. "I learned how to deep crankbait and flip a jig. I know this lake well, and I know how to fish it."
Trailing behind by just two ounces was Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., with a 21-pound, 7-ounce limit. Included in his sack was a 7-pound, 10-ounce Big Bass, earning Horton an additional $1,000.
McClelland, who won the Open Championship in 2005, said he ran from one end of the lake to the other looking for specific brush and rock piles, fishing jigs slowly along the bottom. The overcast skies and light breeze were ideal conditions to get the three-time Classic qualifier dialed in.
Fishing a BASS tournament for the first time on Grand Lake, Horton nipped at McClelland's heels, catching 15 to 20 keeper bites for the day, he said. Horton fished two to three stretches of off-shore structure that he predicted will hold out through the tournament.
"The key is staying with it and fishing with a lot of confidence," said Horton. "Right now it's like finding a needle in a haystack, but when you do find them, you find plenty."
Ken Cook of Meers, Okla. led the Okies of the Elite Series, finishing the day in eighth place with a five-fish limit of 17-11. Cook ran an off-shore structure pattern, keying in on rock piles.
"I had to fish slower than I expected to," said the 1991 Bassmaster Classic champion. "The fish just didn't seem as active as in practice, and I really thought I'd catch twice as many keepers." But Cook was not discouraged. He said he has a dozen more places to visit on Day 2.
Rounding out the top five were Texan Matt Reed in third with 19-6; Ohio's Joe Thomas in fourth with 19 pounds; and Paul Elias of Mississippi with 18-13.
On the co-angler side, Oklahoman Mike Lewis led with 14 pounds, 4 ounces. Also in the co-angler division, Mary Delgado, fiancée of BassCenter analyst Byron Velvick, brought in a three-fish limit of 6-7, finishing 31st for the day. If Delgado puts three more keepers in the livewell tomorrow, she'll be in contention for winning the co-angler top prize, a fully rigged Triton Boat with Mercury outboard worth $45,000. Velvick is currently in 93rd with 9 pounds.
2006 Sooner Run Pro 06/01-06/04
Grand Lake, Grove Okla.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 21-09 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-09
2. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 21-07 295 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-07
3. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 5 19-06 290
Day 1: 5 19-06
4. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 5 19-00 285
Day 1: 5 19-00
5. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 5 18-13 280
Day 1: 5 18-13
6. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 5 18-12 276
Day 1: 5 18-12
7. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 18-09 272
Day 1: 5 18-09
8. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 5 17-11 268
Day 1: 5 17-11
9. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 5 17-01 264
Day 1: 5 17-01
10. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 5 16-15 258
Day 1: 5 16-15
10. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 5 16-15 258
Day 1: 5 16-15
12. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 5 16-12 254
Day 1: 5 16-12
13. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 5 16-10 251
Day 1: 5 16-10
14. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 5 16-07 248
Day 1: 5 16-07
15. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 16-04 245
Day 1: 5 16-04
16. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 15-13 243
Day 1: 5 15-13
17. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 15-12 240
Day 1: 5 15-12
17. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 5 15-12 240
Day 1: 5 15-12
19. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 15-10 237
Day 1: 5 15-10
20. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 15-06 235
Day 1: 5 15-06
21. Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 5 15-05 233
Day 1: 5 15-05
22. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 5 15-02 231
Day 1: 5 15-02
23. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 5 15-01 229
Day 1: 5 15-01
24. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 5 14-15 224
Day 1: 5 14-15
24. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 14-15 224
Day 1: 5 14-15
24. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 14-15 224
Day 1: 5 14-15
24. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 14-15 224
Day 1: 5 14-15
28. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 5 14-12 219
Day 1: 5 14-12
29. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 5 14-10 217
Day 1: 5 14-10
30. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 14-07 214
Day 1: 5 14-07
30. Keith Phillips Calera, Ala. 5 14-07 214
Day 1: 5 14-07
32. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 14-06 211
Day 1: 5 14-06
33. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5 14-03 208
Day 1: 5 14-03
33. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 14-03 208
Day 1: 5 14-03
35. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 13-15 205
Day 1: 5 13-15
36. Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 5 13-14 203
Day 1: 5 13-14
37. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 5 13-12 201
Day 1: 5 13-12
38. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 5 13-09 198
Day 1: 5 13-09
38. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 5 13-09 198
Day 1: 5 13-09
40. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 5 13-08 195
Day 1: 5 13-08
41. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 5 13-06 192
Day 1: 5 13-06
41. William Smith, Jr Somerset, Ky. 5 13-06 192
Day 1: 5 13-06
43. Gerald Swindle Warrioir, Ala. 5 13-03 189
Day 1: 5 13-03
44. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 5 13-02 187
Day 1: 5 13-02
45. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 13-00 185
Day 1: 5 13-00
46. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 5 12-14 182
Day 1: 5 12-14
46. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 12-14 182
Day 1: 5 12-14
48. Charlie Youngers Geneva, Fla. 5 12-11 179
Day 1: 5 12-11
49. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 12-10 177
Day 1: 5 12-10
50. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 5 12-07 175
Day 1: 5 12-07
51. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 12-04 173
Day 1: 5 12-04
52. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 5 12-01 171
Day 1: 5 12-01
53. Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 5 11-14 168
Day 1: 5 11-14
53. Vince Hurtado Waterford, Calif. 5 11-14 168
Day 1: 5 11-14
55. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 5 11-13 165
Day 1: 5 11-13
56. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 5 11-12 163
Day 1: 5 11-12
57. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 5 11-11 161
Day 1: 5 11-11
58. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 11-09 159
Day 1: 5 11-09
59. Kurt Dove Warrenton, Va. 5 11-08 156
Day 1: 5 11-08
59. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 11-08 156
Day 1: 5 11-08
61. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 11-05 151
Day 1: 5 11-05
61. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 11-05 151
Day 1: 5 11-05
61. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 5 11-05 151
Day 1: 5 11-05
64. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 5 11-04 146
Day 1: 5 11-04
64. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 5 11-04 146
Day 1: 5 11-04
66. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 5 11-01 143
Day 1: 5 11-01
67. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5 11-00 141
Day 1: 5 11-00
68. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 5 10-15 139
Day 1: 5 10-15
69. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5 10-13 137
Day 1: 5 10-13
70. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 5 10-11 135
Day 1: 5 10-11
71. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 5 10-10 131
Day 1: 5 10-10
71. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 5 10-10 131
Day 1: 5 10-10
71. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 5 10-10 131
Day 1: 5 10-10
74. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 5 10-09 127
Day 1: 5 10-09
75. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 10-08 124
Day 1: 5 10-08
75. Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 5 10-08 124
Day 1: 5 10-08
77. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 5 10-07 121
Day 1: 5 10-07
78. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 10-06 117
Day 1: 5 10-06
78. David Gliebe Benton, Ky. 5 10-06 117
Day 1: 5 10-06
78. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 4 10-06 117
Day 1: 4 10-06
81. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 10-05 113
Day 1: 5 10-05
82. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 5 10-03 111
Day 1: 5 10-03
83. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 10-02 109
Day 1: 5 10-02
84. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 10-01 107
Day 1: 5 10-01
85. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 9-15 103
Day 1: 5 9-15
85. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 5 9-15 103
Day 1: 5 9-15
85. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 5 9-15 103
Day 1: 5 9-15
88. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 9-14 99
Day 1: 5 9-14
89. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 5 9-12 97
Day 1: 5 9-12
90. Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 5 9-09 95
Day 1: 5 9-09
91. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 9-07 93
Day 1: 5 9-07
92. Jarrett Edwards Page, Ariz. 5 9-02 91
Day 1: 5 9-02
93. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 4 9-00 89
Day 1: 4 9-00
94. Britt Myers Mt. Holly, N.C. 5 8-00 87
Day 1: 5 8-00
95. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 5 7-15 85
Day 1: 5 7-15
96. Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 3 7-08 83
Day 1: 3 7-08
97. Rick Morris Virgina Beach, Va. 4 7-04 81
Day 1: 4 7-04
98. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 3 6-13 79
Day 1: 3 6-13
99. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 3 5-13 77
Day 1: 3 5-13
100.Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 2 4-03 76
Day 1: 2 4-03
101.Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 5 3-11 75
Day 1: 5 3-11
102.Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 2 3-07 74
Day 1: 2 3-07
103.Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 4 0-00 73
Day 1: 4 0-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 7-10 $1,000.00
Busch Heavyweight
Day
1 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 21-09 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 94 499 1284-03
----------------------------------
94 499 1284-03
2006 Sooner Run NB 06/01-06/04
Grand Lake, Grove Okla.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike Lewis Ponca City, Okla. 3 14-04 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 14-04
2. Tom Frink Simi Valley, Calif. 3 10-13 0
Day 1: 3 10-13
3. Scott Ventimiglia Kansas City, Mo. 3 10-08 0
Day 1: 3 10-08
4. Darin Compton Cheney, Kan. 3 8-13 0
Day 1: 3 8-13
5. Scott Darragh Dallas, Texas 3 8-10 0
Day 1: 3 8-10
6. Les Williams Mcalester, Okla. 3 8-07 0
Day 1: 3 8-07
7. Harry Potts Ozark, Ala. 3 8-06 0
Day 1: 3 8-06
7. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 3 8-06 0
Day 1: 3 8-06
9. Jeff Tolle Jenks, Okla. 3 8-03 0
Day 1: 3 8-03
10. Robert Reedy Rose Bud, Ark. 3 8-01 0
Day 1: 3 8-01
11. Gene Eisenmann Little Elm, Texas 3 7-14 0
Day 1: 3 7-14
11. Chris Koester Winston Salem, N.C. 3 7-14 0
Day 1: 3 7-14
13. Bill Huston Sunset, S.C. 3 7-10 0
Day 1: 3 7-10
14. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 3 7-08 0
Day 1: 3 7-08
14. Ronnie Kane Gardner, Kan. 3 7-08 0
Day 1: 3 7-08
16. Matt Cussigh Overland Park, Kan. 3 7-07 0
Day 1: 3 7-07
16. Philip Hudnall Newkirk, Okla. 3 7-07 0
Day 1: 3 7-07
18. Shannon Mcclelland Bella Vista, Ark. 3 7-06 0
Day 1: 3 7-06
18. Mike Rumple Afton, Okla. 3 7-06 0
Day 1: 3 7-06
20. Terry Canady Skiatook, Okla. 3 7-04 0
Day 1: 3 7-04
20. Kirk Smith Edmond, Okla. 3 7-04 0
Day 1: 3 7-04
22. John Aber Piedmont, Okla. 3 7-01 0
Day 1: 3 7-01
23. Dennis Huggins Broken Arrow, Okla. 3 6-15 0
Day 1: 3 6-15
24. Thomas Sears Springfield, Mo. 3 6-14 0
Day 1: 3 6-14
25. Scott Alspach Delaware, Okla. 3 6-13 0
Day 1: 3 6-13
25. Brian Hanes Bernice, Okla. 3 6-13 0
Day 1: 3 6-13
27. Ron Fuller Tulsa, Okla. 3 6-11 0
Day 1: 3 6-11
28. Michael Mohr Mitchell, S.D. 3 6-10 0
Day 1: 3 6-10
29. David Evans Afton, Okla. 3 6-09 0
Day 1: 3 6-09
29. David Stewart Cedar Park, Texas 3 6-09 0
Day 1: 3 6-09
31. Mary Delgado Tampa, Fla. 3 6-07 0
Day 1: 3 6-07
32. Chuck Harney Lakeside, Calif. 3 6-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-06
33. Bill Adams Exeter, Calif. 3 6-03 0
Day 1: 3 6-03
33. Joel Clark Tulsa, Okla. 3 6-03 0
Day 1: 3 6-03
33. Troy Enmeier Enid, Okla. 3 6-03 0
Day 1: 3 6-03
33. Derrick Wright Chanute, Kan. 3 6-03 0
Day 1: 3 6-03
37. Chip Porche Bixby, Okla. 3 6-02 0
Day 1: 3 6-02
37. Tony Pratt Paso Robles, Calif. 3 6-02 0
Day 1: 3 6-02
39. Ken Peaker Edwards, Mo. 2 6-01 0
Day 1: 2 6-01
40. Art Hines Joplin, Mo. 3 6-00 0
Day 1: 3 6-00
40. Clifford Vancanneyt Iuka, Miss. 3 6-00 0
Day 1: 3 6-00
40. John Vancleave Eufaula, Okla. 3 6-00 0
Day 1: 3 6-00
43. Zack Rumple Afton, Okla. 3 5-15 0
Day 1: 3 5-15
44. Brent Hibbets Enid, Okla. 3 5-12 0
Day 1: 3 5-12
45. Roger Howell Clayton, Ala. 3 5-10 0
Day 1: 3 5-10
45. Raymond Renfroe Delaware, Okla. 3 5-10 0
Day 1: 3 5-10
45. Ryan Wilbanks Wagoner, Okla. 2 5-10 0
Day 1: 2 5-10
48. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 3 5-09 0
Day 1: 3 5-09
49. Kent Caulfield Cherryvale, Kan. 3 5-08 0
Day 1: 3 5-08
49. John Fisher, II Owasso, Okla. 3 5-08 0
Day 1: 3 5-08
51. Steve Harrison Little Elm, Texas 3 5-07 0
Day 1: 3 5-07
51. Michael Bass Austin, Texas 3 5-07 0
Day 1: 3 5-07
51. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, Ariz. 2 5-07 0
Day 1: 2 5-07
54. Mike Frazier Orlando, Fla. 3 5-06 0
Day 1: 3 5-06
55. Todd Eggers Smithville, Mo. 2 5-05 0
Day 1: 2 5-05
56. Pat Brainerd Wichita, Kan. 3 5-04 0
Day 1: 3 5-04
56. Sam Mize Muscle Shoals, Ala. 3 5-04 0
Day 1: 3 5-04
58. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 3 5-03 0
Day 1: 3 5-03
59. Matt Storr Tulsa, Okla. 3 5-02 0
Day 1: 3 5-02
59. Jason Beeler Wagoner, Okla. 2 5-02 0
Day 1: 2 5-02
61. Mike Dickinson Grove, Okla. 3 5-01 0
Day 1: 3 5-01
61. David Templeton Wagoner, Okla. 3 5-01 0
Day 1: 3 5-01
63. Robert Heath Wellsville, Kan. 2 5-00 0
Day 1: 2 5-00
64. Gil Phillips Alba, Texas 3 4-13 0
Day 1: 3 4-13
64. Glenn Barberee Crestview, Fla. 2 4-13 0
Day 1: 2 4-13
66. John Settle Larned, Kan. 3 4-11 0
Day 1: 3 4-11
66. David Meza San Jose, Calif. 2 4-11 0
Day 1: 2 4-11
68. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 2 4-10 0
Day 1: 2 4-10
69. Joseph Dorcy Smithfield, Mo. 2 4-00 0
Day 1: 2 4-00
70. David Dudley Dublin, Ohio 2 3-10 0
Day 1: 2 3-10
71. Jeff Cloud Pampa, Texas 2 3-08 0
Day 1: 2 3-08
72. Travis Cockburn Marion, Ill. 2 3-06 0
Day 1: 2 3-06
72. Rick Hamm Oktaha, Okla. 2 3-06 0
Day 1: 2 3-06
72. Michael Widener Neosho, Mo. 2 3-06 0
Day 1: 2 3-06
75. Denny Boyles Grove, Okla. 2 3-05 0
Day 1: 2 3-05
75. Jake Tudor Broken Arrow, Okla. 2 3-05 0
Day 1: 2 3-05
77. Terry Green Westminister, Colo. 1 3-04 0
Day 1: 1 3-04
78. Hub Bechtol Austin, Texas 2 3-00 0
Day 1: 2 3-00
79. James Jones Pinson, Ala. 2 2-15 0
Day 1: 2 2-15
80. Robert Myers Tulsa, Okla. 1 2-13 0
Day 1: 1 2-13
81. Jeffrey Adams Warrenton, Mo. 1 2-06 0
Day 1: 1 2-06
82. Danny Hickman Stroud, Okla. 1 2-04 0
Day 1: 1 2-04
83. John Victor Grove, Okla. 1 2-01 0
Day 1: 1 2-01
84. Steve Pearce Beggs, Okla. 1 1-14 0
Day 1: 1 1-14
85. Charlie Raia Gardendale, Ala. 1 1-12 0
Day 1: 1 1-12
85. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 1 1-12 0
Day 1: 1 1-12
87. Chris Nunnelee Lantana, Texas 1 1-11 0
Day 1: 1 1-11
87. Brad Passmore Claremore, Okla. 1 1-11 0
Day 1: 1 1-11
89. Walter Stringer Tallassee, Ala. 1 1-10 0
Day 1: 1 1-10
90. Larry Wecker Norfolk, Neb. 1 1-07 0
Day 1: 1 1-07
91. James Milburn Coffeyville, Kan. 1 1-06 0
Day 1: 1 1-06
92. Steve Puls Cushing, Okla. 3 0-05 0
Day 1: 3 0-05
93. Alexander Meza San Jose, Calif. 3 0-00 0
Day 1: 3 0-00
93. Tabby Benton Pine Bluff, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Steve Bowman Little Rock, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Donald Canova Marietta, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Randy Hill Bixby, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Mark McKinney Skiatook, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Michael Norman Okmulgee, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Tim Noyes Broken Arrow, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Harry Parten Columbiana, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Jim Stephens Midland, Canada 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Thomas Tysdal Lawton, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Mike Lewis Ponca City, Okla. 5-00 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 61 234 508-10
----------------------------------
61 234 508-10