GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - On Sunday, in what could be called a tournament of champions, 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion Michael Iaconelli of New Jersey outpaced nine other former Classic qualifiers - including two past champs - and the Rookie of the Year leader to win a $100,000 paycheck and the Bassmaster Elite Series' Southern Challenge bass fishing tournament on Lake Guntersville.
Iaconelli won with a total weight of 71 pounds, 13 ounces, or just two ounces ahead of second place Alton Jones of Waco, Texas. The weigh-in was tight as nearly every angler took the "hot seat," beating out their opponents by just ounces.
A packed crowd watched on-the-water tape of Iaconelli as he crossed the Bassmaster weigh-in stage. "I know this cliché," said the excited Iaconelli to the camera, "but, never give up! Never give up!"
He reeled in a five-fish limit and caught his final bass on Lake Guntersville with three minutes left to fish, he said. That last bass gave Iaconelli the boost he needed for the tournament win. It also helped elevate him to third place in the Angler of the Year race, now right behind Dean Rojas and Greg Hackney.
Iaconelli targeted pre- and post-spawn bass in the morning, catching two quality bass by 9:30. The bite then turned off and Iaconelli left his pattern and turned to bedding bass in shallow water. He caught his limits all week on a Berkley Frenzy crankbait for the deep bite and a Berkley Gulp Noodle in the shallows, he said.
"The key decision was going up shallow," said Iaconelli. You've got to be versatile."
Day 1 and 2 leader Jones caught nearly all of his fish on a three-quarter ounce Booyah Blade Single Willow Leaf spinnerbait.
"I fished for deep fish almost all day," said Jones. "I had 15 to16 pounds before 9 a.m. I caught them quick and kept fishing for a big bite all day. I finally got that bite, but lost one that was about 7 pounds."
"I'm disappointed, but still happy with second place because I gave it all I got," Jones said. "I didn't want free throws. I wanted a three-pointer, so I stayed in waters where I knew the big ones lived."
Current Toyota Rookie of the Year leader Steve Kennedy finished third overall with a Day 4 catch of 17-9 and final weight of 69-8. A new angler on the tournament trail, Kennedy is a force to reckon with, as he's made the Elite 12 cut in three out of the four Elite Series tournaments so far. His Day 4 sack also earned him the $1,000 Bag of the Day bonus.
Kennedy fished primarily in Siebold Creek, where he targeted bedding bass by flipping a Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver and Kinami Flash Worm into clean, open spots in the grass. The Alabama native was thrilled with his performance - he has a 100-plus-point lead in the Rookie of the Year standings over Bill Lowen of Ohio - and he is looking forward to the remaining year ahead.
"I'm pretty good with a weightless worm, crankbait and Carolina rig, so I'm looking forward to the rest of the tournaments," he said.
2005 Classic champion Kevin VanDam finished the day in fourth with a Day 4 catch of 14-8 and a total of 66-13, and Alabama's Gerald Swindle ended in fifth with 66-5. Included in Swindle's catch was a 5-pound, 8-ounce largemouth that took the Big Bass honors for the day and earned Swindle a $1,000 bonus.
Also, 2004 Classic champion Takahiro Omori finished in sixth (65-10); Oklahoma's Edwin Evers finished seventh (62-1); Mark Tucker ended in eighth (60-0); Jeff Reynolds of Oklahoma was in ninth (57-2); Alabama's Timmy Horton finished 10th (56-13); Arizona's Dean Rojas finished in 11th (55-8); and Texan Yusuke Miyazaki closed out the Elite 12 (52-5).
The next stop on the Elite Series is the Pride of Augusta on Thurmond Lake at Clarks Hill in Columbia County, Ga., on May 4-7.
2006 Southern Challenge Pro 04/20-04/23
Lake Guntersville, Guntersville Ala.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 20 71-13 310 $101,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 22-01 Day 3: 5 17-13 Day 4: 5 15-03
2. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 20 71-11 305 $30,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 20-12 Day 3: 5 13-03 Day 4: 5 17-01
3. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 20 69-08 290 $26,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 17-05 Day 4: 5 17-09
4. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 20 66-13 285 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 21-09 Day 3: 5 13-12 Day 4: 5 14-08
5. Gerald Swindle Warrioir, Ala. 20 66-05 280 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 16-05 Day 4: 5 15-15
6. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 19 65-10 276 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 18-14 Day 4: 4 12-00
7. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 20 62-01 272 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 20-05 Day 3: 5 18-14 Day 4: 5 11-12
8. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 19 60-00 268 $14,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 5 15-09 Day 4: 4 10-03
9. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 17 57-02 264 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 20-01 Day 4: 2 5-05
10. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 17 56-13 260 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 14-01 Day 4: 2 6-13
11. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 17 55-08 257 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 15-07 Day 4: 2 4-08
12. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 16 52-05 254 $12,300.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 18-08 Day 4: 1 1-15
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Big Bass
Day
1 Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 7-01 $1,000.00
2 William Smith, Jr Somerset, Ky. 6-12 $1,000.00
3 Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 6-09 $1,000.00
4 Gerald Swindle Warrioir, Ala. 5-08 $1,000.00
Busch Heavyweight
Day
1 Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 20-11 $1,000.00
2 Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 22-01 $1,000.00
3 Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 20-01 $1,000.00
4 Stephen Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 17-09 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 76 461 1336-04
2 70 449 1330-05
3 31 203 610-00
4 6 45 132-12
----------------------------------
183 1158 3409-05
2006 Southern Challenge NB 04/20-04/23
Lake Guntersville, Guntersville Ala.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Hadley Coan Huntsville, Ala. 9 30-03 0 $45,000.00
Day 1: 3 12-02 Day 2: 3 10-07 Day 3: 3 7-10
2. Jeff Cloud Pampa, Texas 9 26-09 0 $25,500.00
Day 1: 3 7-07 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 3 10-08
3. Blaine Bucy Weirton, W.Va. 9 26-00 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-12 Day 2: 3 6-12 Day 3: 3 11-08
4. Steven Williams Columbus, Miss. 8 24-15 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 3 11-06 Day 2: 2 5-08 Day 3: 3 8-01
5. Keith Sykes Clintwood, Va. 8 24-11 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 2 10-09 Day 3: 3 7-01
6. Michael Hearn Wetumpka, Ala. 7 24-02 0 $3,000.00
Day 1: 3 11-02 Day 2: 3 10-02 Day 3: 1 2-14
7. Todd Lee Jasper, Ala. 7 23-00 0 $3,000.00
Day 1: 3 11-05 Day 2: 3 9-01 Day 3: 1 2-10
8. Wayne Hauser Winston-Salem, N.C. 9 22-03 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 3 9-10 Day 2: 3 6-01 Day 3: 3 6-08
9. Chad Caldwell Hampton Cove, Ala. 8 22-02 0 $1,800.00
Day 1: 2 7-09 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 3 7-07
10. Tom Heintz Waterloo, Ill. 8 21-15 0 $1,600.00
Day 1: 2 3-15 Day 2: 3 8-12 Day 3: 3 9-04
11. Peter Paulson Chesterton, Ind. 9 21-10 0 $1,400.00
Day 1: 3 7-04 Day 2: 3 8-14 Day 3: 3 5-08
12. Matt Carter Owens Cross Roads, Ala 6 21-08 0 $1,300.00
Day 1: 2 9-03 Day 2: 3 9-08 Day 3: 1 2-13
13. Albert Hudson Austin, Texas 6 21-07 0 $1,700.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 14-15 Day 3: 3 6-08
14. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 8 21-04 0 $1,100.00
Day 1: 2 3-10 Day 2: 3 9-05 Day 3: 3 8-05
15. Will Cranston N Little Rock, Ark. 7 21-01 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 11-01 Day 2: 3 8-07 Day 3: 1 1-09
16. David Kilgore Jasper, Ala. 7 20-08 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 3 9-13 Day 3: 1 4-04
17. Tim Dungan Cinncinati, Ohio 7 19-12 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 2 4-14 Day 3: 2 5-11
18. Dennis Andersen Wellington, Fla. 7 19-08 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 3-07 Day 2: 3 8-15 Day 3: 2 7-02
18. Frank Picha Akron, Ohio 5 19-08 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 1 4-12 Day 2: 3 13-02 Day 3: 1 1-10
20. Sam Mize Muscle Shoals, Ala. 8 19-07 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-11 Day 2: 2 4-01 Day 3: 3 6-11
21. Donald Bishop Verona, Pa. 7 19-05 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-03 Day 2: 3 10-06 Day 3: 1 1-12
22. William Tinsley Bessemer, Ala. 8 18-15 0 $900.00
Day 1: 2 5-12 Day 2: 3 7-06 Day 3: 3 5-13
23. Steven Oliver Westminster, Calif. 6 18-12 0 $900.00
Day 1: 1 5-00 Day 2: 2 8-03 Day 3: 3 5-09
24. Robert Mullins Vinton, Va. 6 18-11 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 11-09 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 0 0-00
25. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 7 18-09 0 $900.00
Day 1: 2 4-04 Day 2: 2 5-12 Day 3: 3 8-09
26. Mike Frazier Orlando, Fla. 6 18-00 0
Day 1: 1 2-12 Day 2: 3 11-02 Day 3: 2 4-02
27. Charlie Raia Gardendale, Ala. 7 17-14 0
Day 1: 1 1-13 Day 2: 3 10-02 Day 3: 3 5-15
28. Brian Merriman Falkville, Ala. 6 16-11 0
Day 1: 1 2-15 Day 2: 3 8-06 Day 3: 2 5-06
29. William Pickard Portland, Tenn. 5 16-07 0
Day 1: 3 9-06 Day 2: 1 1-13 Day 3: 1 5-04
30. Shane Underwood Trussville, Ala. 5 16-04 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 11-05 Day 3: 2 4-15
31. Leonard Polacek Hixson, Tenn. 7 16-03 0
Day 1: 2 3-08 Day 2: 3 7-03 Day 3: 2 5-08
32. Bobby Hicks Piney Flats, Tenn. 6 16-02 0
Day 1: 3 8-07 Day 2: 3 7-11 Day 3: 0 0-00
33. Robert Myers Prior Lake, Minn. 7 15-15 0
Day 1: 3 8-07 Day 2: 3 5-10 Day 3: 1 1-14
34. Richard Coldiron Somerset, Ky. 6 15-13 0
Day 1: 2 4-14 Day 2: 3 6-15 Day 3: 1 4-00
35. Marty Scoggins Trion, Ga. 6 15-10 0
Day 1: 2 4-05 Day 2: 3 8-04 Day 3: 1 3-01
36. Bill Williams Corbin, Ky. 4 14-08 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 12-06 Day 3: 1 2-02
37. Scott Whitson Erwin, Tenn. 5 14-06 0
Day 1: 3 9-02 Day 2: 1 2-04 Day 3: 1 3-00
38. Larry Summey Clermont, Fla. 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 2 5-13 Day 2: 2 5-08 Day 3: 1 2-14
39. Shane Breeden Chickamauga, Ga. 5 14-02 0
Day 1: 1 1-11 Day 2: 3 10-01 Day 3: 1 2-06
40. Wesley Hood Annandale, Va. 5 13-15 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 10-02 Day 3: 2 3-13
41. Mike Lewis Ponca City, Okla. 5 13-14 0
Day 1: 2 6-04 Day 2: 2 5-07 Day 3: 1 2-03
42. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 6 13-13 0
Day 1: 3 7-02 Day 2: 2 3-08 Day 3: 1 3-03
43. Jack Long Columbia, Tenn. 5 13-08 0
Day 1: 2 5-02 Day 2: 2 4-07 Day 3: 1 3-15
44. Harry Potts Ozark, Ala. 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 3 8-07 Day 3: 1 3-04
44. William Carter Owens Cross Roads, Ala 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 1 4-15 Day 2: 3 6-05 Day 3: 1 2-03
46. Joel Etheredge Springville, Ala. 6 13-05 0
Day 1: 2 4-06 Day 2: 3 6-10 Day 3: 1 2-05
47. Eddie Matteson Farmington, Mich. 4 11-13 0
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 3 9-12 Day 3: 0 0-00
48. Walter Stringer Tallassee, Ala. 4 11-02 0
Day 1: 1 2-08 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 0 0-00
49. Daryl James Malone Manchester, Tenn. 4 10-14 0
Day 1: 2 3-05 Day 2: 2 7-09 Day 3: 0 0-00
50. Michael Potter Maryville, Tenn. 4 10-12 0
Day 1: 1 1-14 Day 2: 3 8-14 Day 3: 0 0-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Todd Lee Jasper, Ala. 7-00 $500.00
2 Albert Hudson Austin, Texas 8-07 $500.00
3 Jeff Cloud Pampa, Texas 5-05 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 34 182 490-08
2 41 184 517-06
3 16 83 216-08
----------------------------------
91 449 1224-06
2006 Guntersville, AL - Southern Challenge Pro Points After Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, Ala. Ending 04-23-2006, Day 4
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Dean Rojas Ariz. 1082
2 Greg Hackney La. 1046
3 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 1042
4 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1015
5 Takahiro Omori Texas 990
6 John Crews Va. 973
6 Gerald Swindle Ala. 973
8 Kelly Jordon Texas 951
9 Denny Brauer Mo. 931
10 Aaron Martens Ala. 930
11 Ishama Monroe Calif. 910
12 Terry Scroggins Fla. 908
13 Skeet Reese Calif. 906
14 Edwin Evers Okla. 904
14 Bill Lowen Ohio 904
16 Tim Horton Ala. 901
17 Mike Wurm Ark. 897
18 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 875
19 Kevin Wirth Ky. 869
20 Kevin VanDam Mich. 856
20 Jason Quinn S.C. 856
22 Preston Clark Fla. 833
23 Russ Lane Ala. 826
24 John Murray Ariz. 815
25 Terry Butcher Okla. 812
26 Jimmy Mize Ark. 799
27 Jarrett Edwards Ariz. 794
28 William Smith, Jr Ky. 789
29 Bernie Schultz Fla. 782
30 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 761
31 Matt Reed Texas 759
32 Todd Faircloth Texas 758
32 Peter Thliveros Fla. 758
34 Gary Klein Texas 743
35 Zell Rowland Texas 740
36 Mark Tucker Mo. 737
37 Mark Tyler Ariz. 732
38 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 729
39 Jared Lintner Calif. 723
40 Alton Jones Texas 719
41 Stephen Browning Ark. 712
41 Paul Hirosky Pa. 712
43 Lee Bailey Ala. 707
44 Brooks Rogers Texas 706
45 Rick Clunn Mo. 702
46 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 701
47 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 697
48 Bradley Hallman Okla. 693
49 Dave Wolak Pa. 690
50 Kenyon Hill Okla. 679
51 Jeff Kriet Okla. 676
52 Tommy Biffle Okla. 667
53 Mike McClelland Ark. 665
54 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 662
55 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 657
56 Chris Lane Fla. 653
57 Pete Ponds Miss. 649
58 Scott Rook Ark. 648
59 Terry Segraves Fla. 640
60 Randy Howell Ala. 637
61 Mark Menendez Ky. 636
62 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 632
63 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 628
64 Steve Daniel Fla. 625
65 Bradley Stringer Texas 622
66 Davy Hite S.C. 614
67 Mike Reynolds Calif. 613
68 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 608
68 Britt Myers N.C. 608
70 Dave Smith Okla. 603
71 Marty Stone N.C. 602
72 Paul Elias Miss. 591
73 Chad Brauer Mo. 585
74 Elton Luce Jr Texas 578
75 Brent Chapman Kan. 577
76 Joe Thomas Ohio 576
77 Mike O'Shea Calif. 573
78 Vince Hurtado Calif. 563
79 Ken Cook Okla. 558
79 Jon Bondy Canada 558
81 Robert Hamilton Jr Tenn. 551
82 Rick Morris Va. 540
83 Kevin Langill N.C. 532
84 Kevin Short Ark. 528
85 Byron Velvick Nev. 527
86 Bink Desaro Idaho 524
87 Jeff Connella La. 500
88 Charlie Hartley Ohio 497
89 Grant Goldbeck Md. 496
90 Guy Eaker N.C. 489
91 Keith Phillips Ala. 485
92 David Gliebe Ky. 477
93 Mark Rogers Fla. 476
94 Jami Fralick S.D. 469
95 Charlie Weyer Calif. 460
96 Kurt Dove Va. 444
97 Rick Ash Pa. 439
98 Frank Scalish Ohio 431
99 Brian Snowden Mo. 424
100 Randy Yarnall Pa. 415
100 Charlie Youngers Fla. 415
102 Jimmy Houston Okla. 400
103 Doc Merkin Ill. 394
104 Ken Brodeur Conn. 364
105 Conrad Picou La. 313
106 Dustin Wilks N.C. 151
2006 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
After Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, AL ending 04-23-2006, Day 4
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1015
2 Bill Lowen Ohio 904
3 William Smith, Jr Ky. 789
4 Jared Lintner Calif. 723
5 Paul Hirosky Pa. 712
6 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 701
7 Bradley Hallman Okla. 693
8 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 657
9 Chris Lane Fla. 653
10 Britt Myers N.C. 608
11 Vince Hurtado Calif. 563
12 Jon Bondy Canada 558
13 Kevin Langill N.C. 532
14 Jeff Connella La. 500
15 Keith Phillips Ala. 485
16 Jami Fralick S.D. 469
17 Kurt Dove Va. 444
18 Rick Ash Pa. 439
19 Doc Merkin Ill. 394
20 Ken Brodeur Conn. 364
21 Conrad Picou La. 313
2006 Horizon Award
After Guntersville, AL ending 04-23-2006, Day 4
---------------------------------------------------------
Place Name 2005 Finish 2006 Standings
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Denny Brauer 113 9
2 Brooks Rogers 139 44
3 Yusuke Miyazaki 118 30
4 Bradley Stringer 151 65
5 Stephen Daniel 147 64
6 Fred Roumbanis 133 63
7 Ray Sedgwick 123 54
8 John Murray 92 24
9 Dean Rojas 67 1
10 Matt Reed 96 31
11 Grant Goldbeck 152 89
11 Bink Desaro 149 86
13 Elton Luce Jr 135 74
14 Kelly Jordon 66 8
15 Shaw E Grigsby, Jr 95 38
16 Pete Ponds 112 57
17 Gary Klein 85 34
18 Mike O'Shea 127 77
19 Peter E Thliveros 79 32
19 Gerald Swindle 53 6
21 Randy Yarnall 141 100
22 Byron Velvick 124 85
23 Terry Butcher 60 25
24 Joe Thomas 109 76
25 Ken Cook 110 79
26 Zell Rowland 63 35
26 Takahiro Omori 33 5
28 Charlie Weyer 122 95
29 Jason Quinn 43 20
30 Kotaro Kiriyama 65 47
30 Russell Lane 41 23
32 Chad Brauer 90 73
33 Stephen Browning 57 41
34 Mike McClelland 68 53
34 Mike Wurm 32 17
34 Jimmy Houston 117 102
37 Randy Howell 74 60
38 John Crews 19 6
39 Ishama Monroe 22 11
40 Todd Faircloth 42 32
41 Kenyon Hill 57 50
41 Mark Tyler 44 37
41 Mark Rogers 100 93
44 Michael Iaconelli 8 3
44 Jeff Reynolds 23 18
44 Bernie Schultz 34 29
44 Morizo Shimizu 73 68
48 Lee Bailey 47 43
49 Greg Hackney 5 2
49 Jimmy Mize 29 26
51 Tim Horton 17 16
Busch Heavy-Weight
After Guntersville, AL ending 04-23-2006, Day 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Place Name Body Of Water Day lbs-Ozs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Preston Clark Santee Cooper Reservoir, 1 39-06
2 Ishama Monroe Lake Amistad, Texas 3 34-01
3 Aaron Martens Santee Cooper Reservoir, 4 32-10
4 Mike Wurm Santee Cooper Reservoir, 3 32-04
5 Kevin Wirth Santee Cooper Reservoir, 2 31-15
6 Jimmy Mize Lake Amistad, Texas 2 31-14
7 Ken Cook Lake Amistad, Texas 1 31-10
8 Fred Roumbanis Lake Amistad, Texas 4 28-01
9 Greg Hackney Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas 1 22-02
10 Michael Iaconelli Lake Guntersville, Ala. 2 22-01