WEST MONROE, La. - Pre-tournament favorite Greg Hackney of Gonzalez, La., surprised absolutely no one when he took the first round lead at the 2004 Bassmaster Open Series Championship on the Ouachita River. Hackney overcame a cold front and high, muddy water to bag a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, nine ounces in the event which will be broadcast on ESPN2 on Jan. 8, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
It was a good day for anglers from the Southern and Central Open Series, as they dominated the top spots. Just a pound behind Hackney is Arkansas' Chip Hawkins who weighed in 15 pounds, nine ounces of bass, including the Purolator Big Bass of Day One on the boater side of the competition - a five-pound, eight-ounce largemouth.
Third place belongs to Central Open points champion, Tommy Martin of Texas who bagged a limit weighing 13 pounds, five ounces. Another Texan, Bradley W. Stringer, is fourth with 12-11. Cliff Pace of Mississippi is in fifth place with 12-2. The only other boater in double digits is Oklahoma's Kenyon Hill who brought 11 pounds, four ounces of bass to the scales.
Hackney flipped and pitched in the dingy backwaters of the Ouachita and occasionally cast a spinnerbait to take his bass. They key was to fish his selected area very thoroughly.
"I fished my main spot two or three different ways," he said. "The fish there are doing several different things, and no one technique or bait will catch them all."
Chip Hawkins, who grew up fishing tournaments against Hackney in Arkansas, was doing the same thing to grab second place.
"Pitching, flipping and slow-rolling a spinnerbait caught all my fish today," Hawkins said. "I fished four areas and caught one bass from each. My big bass took a spinnerbait."
Hawkins expects the fishing to improve as the weather warms and the mud in the river settles. He believes there could be some big weights at the scales on Sunday and hopes to be one of the five remaining boaters in the final round.
On a day when only 14 of 78 boaters caught a limit, Tommy Martin said he caught enough keepers for two limits. The 1974 Classic champion was fishing a soft plastic bait that he described by saying only, "it's not really a worm."
There was more geographic diversity on the non-boater side of the competition, where seven different states and one foreign country are represented in the top 10. The Open Championship is truly an international event, as anglers from as far away as Australia and Japan have convened in Louisiana to crown the Open Series champions.
The top non-boater on Day One was Larry Cundiff of Kentucky, who only caught three keepers, but they weighed a healthy 12 pounds, 12 ounces. Cundiff's catch was anchored by a six-pound, four-ounce bass that was not only the Purolator Big Bass of the day on the non-boater side, but the biggest bass caught by anyone on Day One.
Mike Campbell of California is second with a limit of bass that weighed an even ten pounds. No other non-boater broke double digits on Day One. Australia's Kim Bain is in tenth place with four pounds, eight ounces.
After one more day of competition involving all 78 boaters and 77 non-boaters, the field will be cut to the top 10 on each side for Day Three. That's when the non-boater champion will be crowned. Weights will be carried over after each day of competition.
On Sunday, only the top five boaters will be on the water, each having earned a spot in the Classic and now vying for the title of Open Champion and a first-place prize worth $45,000.
Weigh-ins will be held each day at 3:00 p.m. CT at Lazarre Point Recreation Area.
2004 Bassmaster Open Championship BO 12/02-12/05 , La. (BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 16-09 0 Day 1: 5 16-09 2. Chip Hawkins White Hall, Ark. 4 15-09 0 $1,000.00 Day 1: 4 15-09 3. Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 5 13-05 0 Day 1: 5 13-05 4. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 5 12-11 0 Day 1: 5 12-11 5. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 5 12-02 0 Day 1: 5 12-02 6. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 5 11-04 0 Day 1: 5 11-04 7. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 5 9-08 0 Day 1: 5 9-08 8. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 5 9-02 0 Day 1: 5 9-02 9. Pete Gluszek Franklinville, N.J. 5 8-15 0 Day 1: 5 8-15 10. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 5 8-09 0 Day 1: 5 8-09 11. Rick Morris Lanexa, Va. 5 8-00 0 Day 1: 5 8-00 12. Charlie Youngers Oviedo, Fla. 3 7-13 0 Day 1: 3 7-13 13. Kurt Johnson Cedar Rapids, Iowa 5 7-08 0 Day 1: 5 7-08 14. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 4 7-06 0 Day 1: 4 7-06 15. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 5 7-01 0 Day 1: 5 7-01 15. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 4 7-01 0 Day 1: 4 7-01 17. Mark Rose Marion, Ark. 4 6-14 0 Day 1: 4 6-14 18. R J Bennett Roseville, Calif. 3 6-12 0 Day 1: 3 6-12 19. Andre Moore Scottsdale, Ariz. 3 6-03 0 Day 1: 3 6-03 20. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 3 6-00 0 Day 1: 3 6-00 21. Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 5 5-12 0 Day 1: 5 5-12 22. Terry Adams Morgan City, La. 5 5-03 0 Day 1: 5 5-03 22. Rob VanderKooi Mesa, Ariz. 3 5-03 0 Day 1: 3 5-03 24. Harold Allen Shelbyville, Texas 3 5-02 0 Day 1: 3 5-02 25. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 3 4-15 0 Day 1: 3 4-15 26. Norio Tanabe Tokyo 153, Japan 4 4-14 0 Day 1: 4 4-14 27. Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 3 4-11 0 Day 1: 3 4-11 28. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 4 4-09 0 Day 1: 4 4-09 29. Paul Elias Pachuta, Miss. 4 4-06 0 Day 1: 4 4-06 30. Eric Parra Sacramento, Calif. 3 4-05 0 Day 1: 3 4-05 31. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 2 4-04 0 Day 1: 2 4-04 32. Russell Lane Prattville, Ala. 3 4-03 0 Day 1: 3 4-03 33. James Stricklin Sam Rayburn, Texas 3 4-02 0 Day 1: 3 4-02 34. Aaron Nelson Earlham, Iowa 3 4-01 0 Day 1: 3 4-01 34. Justin Kerr Semi Valley, Calif. 2 4-01 0 Day 1: 2 4-01 36. Clint Johanson Benton City, Wash. 3 4-00 0 Day 1: 3 4-00 37. Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 4 3-15 0 Day 1: 4 3-15 37. David Cooke Mooresville, N.C. 3 3-15 0 Day 1: 3 3-15 37. Bill Mc Aninch Sylmar, Calif. 2 3-15 0 Day 1: 2 3-15 40. Jerry Dolezal Bullard, Texas 2 3-10 0 Day 1: 2 3-10 41. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 2 3-05 0 Day 1: 2 3-05 42. Danny Correia Marlborough, Mass. 2 3-04 0 Day 1: 2 3-04 43. Art Berry Lakeside, Calif. 2 3-02 0 Day 1: 2 3-02 44. Neil Russell Nampa, Idaho 2 3-00 0 Day 1: 2 3-00 45. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 1 2-09 0 Day 1: 1 2-09 46. Greg Pugh Cullman, Ala. 3 2-06 0 Day 1: 3 2-06 47. Kevin Long Berkley, Mich. 2 2-03 0 Day 1: 2 2-03 47. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 2 2-03 0 Day 1: 2 2-03 47. Jesse Draime Long Beach, Miss. 1 2-03 0 Day 1: 1 2-03 50. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 1 2-01 0 Day 1: 1 2-01 51. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 2 1-12 0 Day 1: 2 1-12 52. Tim Carroll Owasso, Okla. 1 1-10 0 Day 1: 1 1-10 53. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 1 1-09 0 Day 1: 1 1-09 54. Mark Burgess Norton, Mass. 1 1-05 0 Day 1: 1 1-05 55. John Crews Jetersville, Va. 1 1-03 0 Day 1: 1 1-03 56. Chris Bielert Danbury, Conn. 1 1-02 0 Day 1: 1 1-02 56. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 1 1-02 0 Day 1: 1 1-02 58. Brian Penso Houston, Texas 1 1-01 0 Day 1: 1 1-01 59. Aaron Hastings Middletown, Md. 1 0-15 0 Day 1: 1 0-15 60. Terrence Baksay Monroe, Conn. 1 0-14 0 Day 1: 1 0-14 60. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 1 0-14 0 Day 1: 1 0-14 62. Cameron Smith Dana Point, Calif. 1 0-13 0 Day 1: 1 0-13 63. Stephen Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 1 0-12 0 Day 1: 1 0-12 64. Woo Daves Spring Grove, Va. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Louis Iribarren Port Jervis, N.Y. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Mike McClelland Vella Vista, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Scott Nielsen Salt Lake City, Utah 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Jason Reyes Humble, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 64. David Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Purolator Big Bass Day 1 Chip Hawkins White Hall, Ark. 5-08 $1,000.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 14 184 318-10 ---------------------------------- 14 184 318-102004 CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship NB 12/02-12/05 , La. (NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Larry Cundiff Dunnville, Ky. 3 12-12 0 $400.00 Day 1: 3 12-12 2. Mike Campbell Oak View, Calif. 5 10-00 0 Day 1: 5 10-00 3. Wade Grooms Bonneau, S.C. 5 9-07 0 Day 1: 5 9-07 4. Wesley Coy Clarkmills, N.Y. 5 8-03 0 Day 1: 5 8-03 5. Mike Pickett Brandenburg, Ky. 5 8-00 0 Day 1: 5 8-00 6. David Kilgore Jasper, Ala. 5 7-15 0 Day 1: 5 7-15 7. Mike Williams Delhi, La. 4 7-07 0 Day 1: 4 7-07 8. Brian Stafford Fairfield, Calif. 5 6-03 0 Day 1: 5 6-03 9. Keith Philips Calera, Ala. 4 5-15 0 Day 1: 4 5-15 10. Kim Bain Queensland 4054, Austr 3 4-08 0 Day 1: 3 4-08 11. Joseph Hurley Little Rock, Ark. 1 4-07 0 Day 1: 1 4-07 12. Takeshi Iizuka Saitama 360-0813, Japa 2 4-04 0 Day 1: 2 4-04 13. Sieg Taylor Fresno, Calif. 4 4-01 0 Day 1: 4 4-01 14. Jeary Wheeler Batesville, Ark. 2 3-03 0 Day 1: 2 3-03 15. John Davis Atmore, Ala. 1 2-15 0 Day 1: 1 2-15 16. Jora Airapetyan North Babylon, N.Y. 1 2-11 0 Day 1: 1 2-11 17. Dennis Horne Pelham, Ala. 1 2-05 0 Day 1: 1 2-05 18. Jack Farage Discovery Bay, Calif. 1 2-01 0 Day 1: 1 2-01 19. Scott Head Knightsen, Calif. 1 2-00 0 Day 1: 1 2-00 20. David Bryning Paradise, Calif. 2 1-12 0 Day 1: 2 1-12 21. Teddy Cloide Vidor, Texas 1 1-11 0 Day 1: 1 1-11 21. Charles Poland Denham Springs, La. 1 1-11 0 Day 1: 1 1-11 23. David Hovanec Unionville, N.Y. 1 1-10 0 Day 1: 1 1-10 23. Joe Rials Lafayette, La. 1 1-10 0 Day 1: 1 1-10 25. Mike Forslund Canoga Park, Calif. 1 1-09 0 Day 1: 1 1-09 26. Kenneth Harris Homer, La. 1 1-05 0 Day 1: 1 1-05 27. Gary Clark San Jose, Ill. 1 1-01 0 Day 1: 1 1-01 27. Bruce Freeman Street, Md. 1 1-01 0 Day 1: 1 1-01 29. Timothy Martin Lancaster, Pa. 1 1-00 0 Day 1: 1 1-00 29. Russ Ritter Lexington, Ala. 1 1-00 0 Day 1: 1 1-00 29. Don Shimatsu Glen Ellen, Calif. 1 1-00 0 Day 1: 1 1-00 32. Jeremy Guidry Opelousas, La. 1 0-15 0 Day 1: 1 0-15 32. Travis Rulle Loveland, Colo. 1 0-15 0 Day 1: 1 0-15 34. Rod Lee San Ramon, Calif. 1 0-12 0 Day 1: 1 0-12 35. John Bitting Westminster, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Jason Bradshaw Fresno, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Ryan Brown La Place, La. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Ed Burnett Louisville, Ky. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Izz Byrd San Jose, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Don Carpenter Ohatchee, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Terry Chapman Cornelius, N.C. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Ed Cummings Tucson, Ariz. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Martin Dehaven Fresno, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Gennaro Dicola Montrose, N.Y. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Harold Dunlap Orefield, Pa. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Jeffrey Graham Augusta, Ga. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. William Hatton Delhi, La. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Mike Kernan Dallas, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. James Kline Hagerstown, Md. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. George Lambeth Thomasville, N.C. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Phillip Lee Deltona, Fla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Shunichi Maruyama Shirone 950-1217, Japa 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Lloyd McDaniel Roxie, Miss. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Ken Merlock Mays Landing, N.J. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Brian Merrifield Duncanville, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Donald Muir Nottingham, Md. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Mark Nelson Pleasant Hill, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Dean Perkins Cedar Park, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Clarence Pinkerton Lakehead, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Jody Pruitt Mcalester, Okla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Rick Rickman Martindale, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Allen Rix Marion, Ill. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Charles Robison Allison Park, Pa. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. William Sanders Baltimore, Md. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Michael Schmitt Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Robert Slaton Marietta, Ga. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Jeff Snyder Royse City, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Richard Stevens Galatia, Ill. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Chris Teague Clinton, Conn. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Scott Thomas Reading, Pa. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Chuck Thurlow Auburn, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Peter Typer Pt Colborne, Canada 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Todd Wagman Winter Garden, Fla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. F W Woodley Kissimmee, Fla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. James Wylie Cannington, Canada 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Billy Yelverton Baton Rouge, La. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Purolator Big Bass Day 1 Larry Cundiff Dunnville, Ky. 6-04 $400.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 6 74 127-05 ---------------------------------- 6 74 127-05