GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - Lake Guntersville's bass bit early on Thursday for Cindy Hill of Smyrna, Tenn., who ended the day with a five-fish limit of 17 pounds, 4 ounces and just a three-ounce lead at the third bass fishing tournament of the Women's Bassmaster Tour.
Hill squeezed past Dianna Clark of Bumpus Mills, Tenn., whose 17-1 bag of four bass put her in second. Tammy Richardson of Amity, Ark., placed third with three largemouths that weighed 16-0.
To stay on top for two more days to claim the top prize of a Triton/Mercury rig valued at $50,000, Hill must fend off 93 other pros, including Clark and Richardson, two of the WBT's most successful anglers. Clark is the reigning Toyota Women's Bassmaster Angler of the Year, and both she and Richardson are two-time WBT winners.
"My fish came before 11 a.m.," said Hill, who finished seventh in the 2007 Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship in February. "The shad are spawning, and I hit them early. But once the shad bite stopped, I had to slow down and go deeper."
She said the pattern she worked on Thursday was exactly how she fished during the tournament's practice period earlier in the week. Not so for Clark.
"I had a horrible practice," said Clark. "I just didn't catch fish. Then today my first fish didn't come until 11 o'clock - that was five hours without a fish. Then I just got on the right place and caught all four. My largest, a 5-7, came at about 2 p.m."
Fourth place was tied between Sandi Karnes of Livingston, Texas, and Audrey McQueen of Canon City, Colo., who both weighed-in 15-5.
For many WBT anglers, the Guntersville tournament - the '07 season's midpoint - is pivotal. Pros who have done well in the season's first two events must maintain their pace against the up-and-comers in the Toyota Angler of the Year race. All have an eye on the title and prize, a 2008 Toyota Tundra.
Going into the Guntersville event, Sheri Glasgow of Muskogee, Okla., led the Angler of the Year race with 605 points, but Texas' Juanita Robinson had 590 and Georgia's Pam Martin-Wells had 575.
Leading the field of 94 co-anglers on Thursday was Elizabeth Sanders of Brandon, Miss., who weighed in 14-9. In second was Jan Hudson of Harrison, Ark., with 13-11. Right behind Hudson was Virginia Buckner of Scottsboro, Ala., with 13-4. In fourth was Crystal Langston of Leighton, Ala., with 12-6. Karol Whitehurst of Winnsboro, Texas, with 11-2 was fifth.
Co-anglers are competing for a first-place prize of $1,000 cash and a Triton/Mercury rig worth $25,000.
2007 Women's Bassmaster Tour Stop 3 BO 05/03-05/05 Guntersville Lake, Guntersville Ala. (BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Cindy Hill Smyrna, Tenn. 5 17-04 305 Day 1: 5 17-04 2. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, Tenn. 5 17-01 295 Day 1: 5 17-01 3. Tammy Richardson Amity, Ark. 5 16-00 290 Day 1: 5 16-00 4. Sandi Karnes Livingston, Texas 5 15-05 282 Day 1: 5 15-05 4. Audrey McQueen Canon City, Colo. 4 15-05 282 Day 1: 4 15-05 6. Kathi Hurst Ripley, Miss. 5 14-04 276 Day 1: 5 14-04 7. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 5 13-15 272 Day 1: 5 13-15 8. Kathy Womack Trussville, Ala. 4 12-08 268 Day 1: 4 12-08 9. Connie Buckner Scottsboro, Ala. 4 12-04 264 Day 1: 4 12-04 10. Ann Wells Danville, Ill. 3 11-13 260 Day 1: 3 11-13 11. Linda Sands Cullman, Ala. 4 11-07 257 Day 1: 4 11-07 12. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, Texas 5 10-12 254 Day 1: 5 10-12 13. Kali Weatherford Athens, Texas 2 10-10 251 $1,000.00 Day 1: 2 10-10 14. Jamie Patrick Dawsonville, Ga. 4 10-01 248 Day 1: 4 10-01 15. Keri Schieber Cumming, Ga. 4 9-15 244 Day 1: 4 9-15 15. Kimberlee Striker Cullman, Ala. 3 9-15 244 Day 1: 3 9-15 17. Jo Dee Bucki Bessemer, Ala. 4 9-10 241 Day 1: 4 9-10 18. Judy Wong Many, La. 4 9-06 239 Day 1: 4 9-06 19. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, La. 4 9-05 237 Day 1: 4 9-05 20. Susan Hand Muscle Shoals, Ala. 2 9-03 235 Day 1: 2 9-03 21. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 3 8-12 233 Day 1: 3 8-12 22. Christie Thomas Reform, Ala. 2 8-11 231 Day 1: 2 8-11 23. Debra Hengst San Antonio, Texas 3 8-07 229 Day 1: 3 8-07 24. Secret York Benton, Ky. 4 8-06 227 Day 1: 4 8-06 25. Diane Phillips Tyler, Texas 2 8-00 225 Day 1: 2 8-00 26. Angie Douthit Clewiston, Fla. 3 7-15 222 Day 1: 3 7-15 26. Emily Shaffer Mt Juliet, Tenn. 3 7-15 222 Day 1: 3 7-15 28. Tami Kashiwabara Nagano-Shi, Japan 2 7-11 219 Day 1: 2 7-11 29. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 3 7-09 217 Day 1: 3 7-09 30. Dana Davis Vincent, Ala. 4 7-05 214 Day 1: 4 7-05 30. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, Texas 2 7-05 214 Day 1: 2 7-05 32. Kay Pennington Pineville, La. 3 7-04 211 Day 1: 3 7-04 33. Tanya Kreuzer Mesa, Ariz. 2 7-03 209 Day 1: 2 7-03 34. Teri Neal Cumming, Ga. 3 6-15 206 Day 1: 3 6-15 34. Rhonda Pope Waco, Ga. 2 6-15 206 Day 1: 2 6-15 36. Karen Roberts Ashland, Ala. 2 6-13 203 Day 1: 2 6-13 37. Penny Berryman Hot Springs, Ark. 2 6-01 201 Day 1: 2 6-01 38. Jan Heavener Sherwood, Ark. 1 5-13 199 Day 1: 1 5-13 39. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, Ohio 3 5-12 197 Day 1: 3 5-12 40. Juanita Robinson Highlands, Texas 3 5-11 194 Day 1: 3 5-11 40. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, Ark. 2 5-11 194 Day 1: 2 5-11 42. Kelley Shepherd Cortez, Colo. 2 5-05 191 Day 1: 2 5-05 43. Laura Gober Pendergrass, Ga. 2 5-02 189 Day 1: 2 5-02 44. Kathy Riley Terry, Miss. 2 5-00 186 Day 1: 2 5-00 44. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, Tenn. 2 5-00 186 Day 1: 2 5-00 46. Mary Hencken Belmont, N.C. 2 4-15 183 Day 1: 2 4-15 47. Kathy Cater Conroe, Texas 1 4-13 181 Day 1: 1 4-13 48. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, Texas 2 4-10 179 Day 1: 2 4-10 49. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, Va. 1 4-08 177 Day 1: 1 4-08 50. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, Texas 1 4-06 175 Day 1: 1 4-06 51. Tammie Muse North Little Rock, Ark 2 4-05 173 Day 1: 2 4-05 52. Kristy Darby Mt Ida, Ark. 2 4-02 171 Day 1: 2 4-02 53. Laura Moore Brookeland, Texas 2 4-00 169 Day 1: 2 4-00 54. Melanie Rockey White, Ga. 2 3-15 167 Day 1: 2 3-15 55. Karla Bullard Del Rio, Texas 1 3-14 165 Day 1: 1 3-14 56. Mary Croft Bedford, Va. 1 3-13 162 Day 1: 1 3-13 56. Kellie Skelton Aztec, N.M. 1 3-13 162 Day 1: 1 3-13 58. Betty Stahl Guntersville, Ala. 2 3-10 159 Day 1: 2 3-10 59. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, Ark. 1 2-14 157 Day 1: 1 2-14 60. Michelle Armstrong Denver, N.C. 1 2-10 155 Day 1: 1 2-10 61. Janet Parker Little Elm, Texas 1 2-08 153 Day 1: 1 2-08 62. Cindy Van Horn Fort Worth, Texas 1 2-07 151 Day 1: 1 2-07 63. Robin Babb Livingston, Texas 1 2-06 148 Day 1: 1 2-06 63. Sue Parrish Indianapolis, Ind. 1 2-06 148 Day 1: 1 2-06 65. Becky McKinney Ocala, Fla. 1 2-05 145 Day 1: 1 2-05 66. Christena Baugh Benton, Ark. 1 2-01 141 Day 1: 1 2-01 66. Laura Heflin Topeka, Kan. 1 2-01 141 Day 1: 1 2-01 66. Lori Masters Nashville, Tenn. 1 2-01 141 Day 1: 1 2-01 69. Linda Redford Blue Eye, Mo. 1 2-00 137 Day 1: 1 2-00 70. Joan Davis West Lafayette, Ind. 1 1-14 133 Day 1: 1 1-14 70. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, Ark. 1 1-14 133 Day 1: 1 1-14 70. Debra Petrowski Arlington, Texas 1 1-14 133 Day 1: 1 1-14 73. Robin McFarlane San Antonio, Texas 1 1-12 129 Day 1: 1 1-12 74. Sarah Augustine New Iberia, La. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Darla Bardelli Glendale, Ariz. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Lila Bass Austin, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Cindy Caperton Madison, Tenn. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Lisa Craig Tyler, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Rose Ellis Birmingham, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Lynda Gessner Foristell, Mo. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Susan Gregory Long Beach, Miss. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Louise Howard Eufaula, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Billie Jaynes Deerpark, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Lisa Johnson Aragon, Ga. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Cheryl LaLumandier Harvester, Mo. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Robin Lefler N Tazewell, Va. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Kris McClendon Spicewood, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Violette Sesco Citrus Springs, Fla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Madeline Smith Hot Springs Village, A 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, Okla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Jennifer Stelly Sulphur, La. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Deanie Tate Arkadelphia, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Linda Walker Beebe, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 74. Pat White Pleasanton, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Purolator Big Bass Day 1 Kali Weatherford Athens, Texas 6-10 $1,000.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 7 178 506-05 ---------------------------------- 7 178 506-05 2007 Women's Bassmaster Tour Stop 3 NB 05/03-05/05 Guntersville Lake, Guntersville Ala. (NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, Miss. 5 14-09 305 Day 1: 5 14-09 2. Jan Hudson Harrison, Ark. 4 13-11 295 Day 1: 4 13-11 3. Virginia Buckner Scottsboro, Ala. 5 13-04 290 Day 1: 5 13-04 4. Crystal Langston Leighton, Ala. 2 12-06 285 Day 1: 2 12-06 5. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, Texas 5 11-02 280 Day 1: 5 11-02 6. Tabitha Rudd Cusseta, Ala. 3 10-10 276 Day 1: 3 10-10 7. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, Pa. 4 10-05 272 Day 1: 4 10-05 8. Sharon Withers Sam Rayburn, Texas 3 8-07 268 Day 1: 3 8-07 9. Cheryl Holloway Pollock, La. 3 7-10 264 Day 1: 3 7-10 10. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, Tenn. 2 6-13 257 Day 1: 2 6-13 10. Brenda Reeves Arlington, Texas 2 6-13 257 Day 1: 2 6-13 10. Lesa Brown Harrison, Ark. 2 6-13 257 Day 1: 2 6-13 13. Linda Berry Madison, N.C. 1 6-12 251 $500.00 Day 1: 1 6-12 14. Colleen McKay Worcester, Mass. 2 6-07 246 Day 1: 2 6-07 14. Diane Smith Fayetteville, Ga. 2 6-07 246 Day 1: 2 6-07 16. Kim Stapp Ringgold, Ga. 3 6-05 243 Day 1: 3 6-05 17. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, Wash. 3 6-03 241 Day 1: 3 6-03 18. Shirley Jordan Bentonville, Ark. 2 6-00 239 Day 1: 2 6-00 19. Kim McGuffey Weatherford, Texas 2 5-11 237 Day 1: 2 5-11 20. Sherry Melton Monterey, Tenn. 2 5-06 235 Day 1: 2 5-06 21. Kala Wright Pocola, Okla. 2 5-04 233 Day 1: 2 5-04 22. Teresa Lolley Hayden, Ala. 2 5-02 231 Day 1: 2 5-02 23. Bertha Cavakis Amity, Ark. 2 4-10 228 Day 1: 2 4-10 23. Susan Wild Washington, D.C. 2 4-10 228 Day 1: 2 4-10 25. Laura Elkins Amarillo, Texas 2 4-08 225 Day 1: 2 4-08 26. Donna Prado San Antonio, Texas 2 4-05 223 Day 1: 2 4-05 27. Dee Barger Fayette, Ala. 2 4-02 221 Day 1: 2 4-02 28. Toni Mode Eagle Creek, Ore. 2 4-01 219 Day 1: 2 4-01 29. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, Va. 1 3-14 217 Day 1: 1 3-14 30. Angie Everitt Livingston, Texas 1 3-10 215 Day 1: 1 3-10 31. Barbara Ferge Somerville, Tenn. 1 3-07 212 Day 1: 1 3-07 31. Phyllis Free Flowery Branch, Ga. 1 3-07 212 Day 1: 1 3-07 33. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, N.M. 1 3-03 208 Day 1: 1 3-03 33. Kim Martin Clayton, Ind. 1 3-03 208 Day 1: 1 3-03 35. Angela Mitchell Keswick, Canada 1 3-01 204 Day 1: 1 3-01 35. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, Ohio 1 3-01 204 Day 1: 1 3-01 37. Vickie Jeffries Celina, Ohio 1 2-15 201 Day 1: 1 2-15 38. Nancy Oliver Arnaudville, La. 1 2-14 199 Day 1: 1 2-14 39. Pam Anthony Memphis, Tenn. 1 2-13 197 Day 1: 1 2-13 40. Maggie Robledo Irving, Texas 1 2-07 195 Day 1: 1 2-07 41. Cheryl Bowden Plano, Texas 1 2-05 193 Day 1: 1 2-05 42. Sarah Busby Lake Charles, La. 1 2-04 191 Day 1: 1 2-04 43. Gail Wood Russellville, Ark. 1 2-01 189 Day 1: 1 2-01 44. Rae Lee Livingston, Texas 1 2-00 186 Day 1: 1 2-00 44. Dianne Kegley Norphlet, Ark. 1 2-00 186 Day 1: 1 2-00 46. Robbie Hartline Foristell, Mo. 1 1-15 183 Day 1: 1 1-15 47. Trish Atkinson Millis, Mass. 1 1-14 180 Day 1: 1 1-14 47. Sabrina Sivley Decatur, Ala. 1 1-14 180 Day 1: 1 1-14 49. Lisa Skelley Jackson, Tenn. 1 1-13 177 Day 1: 1 1-13 50. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, Tenn. 1 1-09 175 Day 1: 1 1-09 51. Monica Altman Angier, N.C. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Joyce Austin Louisville, Ky. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Brenda Bates La Porte, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Dana Beavers Fayette, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Marsha Betz Richardson, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. BJ Carson Inola, Okla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Shawn Conner Nineveh, Ind. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Debra Cook Gardendale, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Joellen Dennison Chattanooga, Tenn. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Beverly Dickson Little Rock, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Tracy Doty Roanoke, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Kristin Eaton Cullman, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Dianna Fanning Rogers, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, Ky. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Denese Freeman Lawton, Okla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Julie Garriety Grapevine, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Beverly Graham Chandler, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Barbie Hagler Abilene, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Karen Hall Campbellsville, Ky. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Patti Harland Crane Hill, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Vicki Henderson Ashtown, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Vicki Hester Rainbow City, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Carilyn Hill Coweta, Okla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Marilu Ives Hot Springs, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Robin Kolton Elgin, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, N.M. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Sharon McEwen East Mckeesport, Pa. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Patsy Mcdaniel Gordo, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. De Lynn Montez Squires, Mo. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Linda Owens Brandon, Miss. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Tammie Ply Harrison, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Tracy Richardson Jasper, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, Mo. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Vanessa Seay Mechanicsville, Va. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Lora Simison Bech Grove, Ind. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Summer Stephens Flintstone, Ga. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Heather Sullivan Montevallo, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Kateena Thomas Stone Mountain, Ga. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Kim Tucker Red Bay, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Esther Turner Crossville, Tenn. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Sugar Walker Wetumpka, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 51. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, N.J. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Purolator Big Bass Day 1 Linda Berry Madison, N.C. 6-12 $500.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 5 95 265-14 ---------------------------------- 5 95 265-14