GALLATIN, Tenn.- Tim Runions rolled out of bed before the crack of dawn on Thursday to go on a milk run. But delivering fresh milk to the supermarket was not the purpose of the trip.
Instead, Runions set out on Old Hickory Lake to make a bass fishing "milk run," stopping at a pre-selected list of spots where he caught a limit of largemouth.
As a result, Runions took a strong lead going into Friday's final round of the BASS Federation Nation's Southern Divisional bass fishing tournament. His two-day total stood at 26 pounds, 14 ounces, with North Carolina's Brent Long in the runner-up spot with 22-12.
Most anywhere else, 4 pounds would not be a significant margin between first and second place. But Old Hickory Lake is a highly pressured fishery located outside of Nashville. And recently, the impoundment has experienced a heavy schedule of tournaments, including the Southern Divisional.
Runions, a 39-year-old environmental specialist from east Tennessee, has a leg up on his competition and it's not because of a secret lure or technique.
"I've had a good week and I'm confident," he said. "I'm fishing the same water I'd planned to fish all along. The only glitch today was my partner wanted his half of the day, so I only had four hours on my water.
"It's just a milk run and I'm fishing specific little areas with isolated cover, making a quick stop and moving on to the next one on the list."
Essentially, the tournament is Runions' to lose. He is one of the few among the field of 96 anglers claiming to be confidently locked in to a strategy.
The overall winner will be determined tomorrow when the competition wraps up on Old Hickory. Winning that title has merit, although the most sought after awards will be the eight invitations to the BASS Federation Nation National Championship, set for January 2007 at Alabama's Lake Neely Henry.
Current state leaders include Runions, (Tennessee); Long, (South Carolina); Anthony McKee, (Alabama); Carl Hunter, (Georgia); Arnie Lane, (Florida); Bryan Thrift, (North Carolina); Les Underwood (Kentucky) and Carl Gutzeit (Republic of South Africa).
Alabama continued to lead the state competition with its 12-angler team, accounting for a cumulative weight of 149-11, nearly doubling its score from Wednesday. South Carolina moved into second place with 142-7 with the Republic of South Africa team dropping to third with 125-14. North Carolina was fourth with 123-3 and Tennessee fifth was with 119.
The Southern Divisional is one of six regional qualifying events advancing top amateurs from Federation Nations around America and abroad to the BASS Federation Nation National Championship.
A total of $93,000 will be distributed among the Federation Nations on Friday, with the monies earmarked for conservation, civic and fishing outreach programs in the respective states.
The Southern Division weigh-ins get underway at 2:30 p.m. Central at Bull Creek Recreation Area in Gallatin.
2006 Southern Divisional 06/07-06/09
Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin Tenn.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Tim Runions New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 9 26-14
2. Brent Long Catawba, N.C. (SC) 10 22-12
3. Donald Kneece Saluda, S.C. (SC) 10 22-04
4. Carl Gutzeit Port Shepstone, Samoa 10 19-09
5. Anthony McKee Russellville, Ala. (AL 10 18-14
6. Bryan Thrift Shelby, N.C. (NC) 10 18-13
7. Darryl Quinton Krugerdop, Samoa (SOUT 7 17-14
8. Xavier Tiberghien Randburg, Samoa (SOUTH 10 17-11
9. Justin Nichols Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AL) 10 17-10
10. Chris Jones Conway, S.C. (SC) 10 16-12
11. Daniel Combs Tazewell, Tenn. (TN) 8 16-10
12. Les Underwood Louisville, Ky. (KY) 8 16-02
13. Ken Freeman Sonora, Ky. (KY) 8 16-01
14. Danny Hudson Carbon Hill, Ala. (AL) 6 15-14
15. Jeff Hager Alexis, N.C. (NC) 8 15-08
16. William Smith Moncks Corner, S.C. (S 9 15-07
17. Craig John Fraser Cape Town, South Afric 8 15-06
18. Julian Van Zuydam Pietmaritzburg, South 7 14-04
19. Alan Foster Chevyville, N.C. (NC) 8 14-03
20. Kevin McNeilly Casar, N.C. (NC) 7 14-01
21. Donnie Cox Tazewell, Tenn. (TN) 7 14-00
21. Arnie Lane Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 7 14-00
23. Carl Hunter Snellville, Ga. (GA) 8 13-04
23. Darrell Shull West Columbia, S.C. (S 7 13-04
25. David Porter Zephyrhills, Fla. (FL) 7 13-03
25. Ricky Dale Smith Ohatchee, Ala. (AL) 7 13-03
27. Clay Morris Jackson, Ala. (AL) 6 13-00
28. Rickie Harp Cottondale, Ala. (AL) 8 12-08
29. Steve Blocker Harrogate, Tenn. (TN) 7 12-06
30. James Bright Bremen, Ala. (AL) 7 11-15
31. Eric Schell Raeford, N.C. (NC) 6 11-13
32. John Hendry Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 7 11-09
32. Waine Pittman Villa Rica, Ga. (GA) 6 11-09
34. Martin Dekock Crownand, Samoa (SOUTH 7 11-05
35. Allen Holt New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 6 11-04
36. Greg Creech Redsprings, N.C. (NC) 7 11-02
37. Keith Wilson Columbia, S.C. (SC) 6 10-14
38. Mike Spears Jasper, Ala. (AL) 7 10-11
39. Thomas Mahoney Lutz, Fla. (FL) 6 10-08
40. Darrell High Opelika, Ala. (AL) 6 10-06
41. David H. McAdams Carnesville, Ga. (GA) 6 10-05
42. Nico Oosthuizen , Samoa (SOUTH AFRICA) 5 10-03
43. Charles Shafer Northport, Ala. (AL) 4 10-00
44. Dan Darrell Crittenden, Ky. (KY) 6 9-14
44. Chris Weaver Bluff City, Tenn. (TN) 6 9-14
44. Mark Wenger Louisville, Ky. (KY) 5 9-14
47. Donald Odor Butler, Ky. (KY) 6 9-07
48. Mark Craig Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 5 9-05
49. Robert Rogers Pinopolis, S.C. (SC) 5 8-12
49. Stephen Nalder Loganville, Ga. (GA) 4 8-12
51. Doug Nichles Leeds, Ala. (AL) 4 8-03
52. Brad Copponex Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 4 7-11
53. Robert Eid Key West, Fla. (FL) 4 7-09
53. Chris McDuffie Raeford, N.C. (NC) 3 7-09
55. Mark Stewart Springville, Ala. (AL) 3 7-07
56. Gene Gibbs Columbia, S.C. (SC) 5 7-06
57. Gary Nelson Louisa, Ky. (KY) 3 7-04
58. Wayne Cupp New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 4 7-03
59. Bradley Woodie Morganton, N.C. (NC) 4 7-01
60. David Hendrick Cherryville, N.C. (SC) 4 7-00
61. Mark McIntosh Gaston, N.C. (NC) 3 6-15
62. Robert Bohannon Moncks Corner, S.C. (S 3 6-10
63. Larry Rollings Hartsville, S.C. (SC) 4 6-09
64. James Adkins Claremont, N.C. (NC) 4 6-03
65. Kenneth Holt Maynardville, Tenn. (T 3 5-06
66. Michael Johnson Somerset, Ky. (KY) 3 5-03
67. Steve Hildebran , United States Of Ame 3 5-00
67. Dale De Villiers Cape Town, Samoa (SOUT 2 5-00
69. Robert Armbruster Abberdeen, N.C. (NC) 2 4-15
70. Keith Harmon New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 3 4-13
70. David Rush Summerville, S.C. (SC) 2 4-13
72. Brian Ireland Lagrange, Ky. (KY) 3 4-09
73. George Leffel Frankfort, Ky. (KY) 3 4-07
73. Lionel Botha Edenvale, South Africa 3 4-07
75. Gavin Richardson , Samoa (SOUTH AFRICA) 3 4-06
76. Alastair Graham , United States Of Ame 3 4-04
76. John Eason Villa Rica, Ga. (GA) 1 4-04
78. Richard Morrison Bristol, Tenn. (TN) 2 4-03
79. Barry Macchione Winter Haven, Fla. (FL 2 3-12
80. Todd Goodwill Winter Haven, Fla. (FL 2 3-11
81. Keith Wilder Hampton, Ga. (GA) 2 3-10
82. Lamar Bryant Winston, Ga. (GA) 2 3-09
83. Karl Schreiber Georgetown, Ky. (KY) 2 3-07
84. Charles Graybeal Erwin, Tenn. (TN) 2 3-05
85. Howard White New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 2 3-02
86. Scott Pickett Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 2 2-14
87. Randy Wingo Newnan, Ga. (GA) 2 2-12
88. Scotty C. Strickland Powder Springs, Ga. (G 1 2-07
89. George Celi Kissimmee, Fla. (FL) 1 2-04
90. Gene Hacker Buford, Ga. (GA) 1 1-14
91. Tim Crenshaw Snellville, Ga. (GA) 1 1-12
92. Edward Lapham Winter Haven, Fla. (FL 1 1-11
93. Martin Lotz Cape Town, Samoa (SOUT 1 1-09
94. Paul Stone Fairfield, Ohio (KY) 1 1-08
95. Raymond Hagan Jr. Brownsville, Ky. (KY) 0 0-00
95. Joe Smith Covington, Ga. (GA) 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 17 223 419-08
2 24 250 480-10
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41 473 900-02
TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
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State Lbs-Oz
1 ALABAMA 149-11
2 SOUTH CAROLINA 142-07
3 125-14
4 NORTH CAROLINA 123-03
5 TENNESSEE 119-00
6 FLORIDA 88-01
7 KENTUCKY 87-12
8 GEORGIA 64-02
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
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ALABAMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Anthony McKee Russellville, Ala. 10 18-14
2 Justin Nichols Tuscaloosa, Ala. 10 17-10
3 Danny Hudson Carbon Hill, Ala. 6 15-14
4 Ricky Dale Smith Ohatchee, Ala. 7 13-03
5 Clay Morris Jackson, Ala. 6 13-00
6 Rickie Harp Cottondale, Ala. 8 12-08
7 James Bright Bremen, Ala. 7 11-15
8 Mike Spears Jasper, Ala. 7 10-11
9 Darrell High Opelika, Ala. 6 10-06
10 Charles Shafer Northport, Ala. 4 10-00
11 Doug Nichles Leeds, Ala. 4 8-03
12 Mark Stewart Springville, Ala. 3 7-07
SOUTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brent Long Catawba, N.C. 10 22-12
2 Donald Kneece Saluda, S.C. 10 22-04
3 Chris Jones Conway, S.C. 10 16-12
4 William Smith Moncks Corner, S.C. 9 15-07
5 Darrell Shull West Columbia, S.C. 7 13-04
6 Keith Wilson Columbia, S.C. 6 10-14
7 Robert Rogers Pinopolis, S.C. 5 8-12
8 Gene Gibbs Columbia, S.C. 5 7-06
9 David Hendrick Cherryville, N.C. 4 7-00
10 Robert Bohannon Moncks Corner, S.C. 3 6-10
11 Larry Rollings Hartsville, S.C. 4 6-09
12 David Rush Summerville, S.C. 2 4-13
1 Carl Gutzeit Port Shepstone, Samoa 10 19-09
2 Darryl Quinton Krugerdop, Samoa 7 17-14
3 Xavier Tiberghien Randburg, Samoa 10 17-11
4 Craig John Fraser Cape Town, South Africa 8 15-06
5 Julian Van Zuydam Pietmaritzburg, South Afr 7 14-04
6 Martin Dekock Crownand, Samoa 7 11-05
7 Nico Oosthuizen , Samoa 5 10-03
8 Dale De Villiers Cape Town, Samoa 2 5-00
9 Lionel Botha Edenvale, South Africa 3 4-07
10 Gavin Richardson , Samoa 3 4-06
11 Alastair Graham , United States Of Americ 3 4-04
12 Martin Lotz Cape Town, Samoa 1 1-09
NORTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bryan Thrift Shelby, N.C. 10 18-13
2 Jeff Hager Alexis, N.C. 8 15-08
3 Alan Foster Chevyville, N.C. 8 14-03
4 Kevin McNeilly Casar, N.C. 7 14-01
5 Eric Schell Raeford, N.C. 6 11-13
6 Greg Creech Redsprings, N.C. 7 11-02
7 Chris McDuffie Raeford, N.C. 3 7-09
8 Bradley Woodie Morganton, N.C. 4 7-01
9 Mark McIntosh Gaston, N.C. 3 6-15
10 James Adkins Claremont, N.C. 4 6-03
11 Steve Hildebran , United States Of Americ 3 5-00
12 Robert Armbruster Abberdeen, N.C. 2 4-15
TENNESSEE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tim Runions New Tazewell, Tenn. 9 26-14
2 Daniel Combs Tazewell, Tenn. 8 16-10
3 Donnie Cox Tazewell, Tenn. 7 14-00
4 Steve Blocker Harrogate, Tenn. 7 12-06
5 Allen Holt New Tazewell, Tenn. 6 11-04
6 Chris Weaver Bluff City, Tenn. 6 9-14
7 Wayne Cupp New Tazewell, Tenn. 4 7-03
8 Kenneth Holt Maynardville, Tenn. 3 5-06
9 Keith Harmon New Tazewell, Tenn. 3 4-13
10 Richard Morrison Bristol, Tenn. 2 4-03
11 Charles Graybeal Erwin, Tenn. 2 3-05
12 Howard White New Tazewell, Tenn. 2 3-02
FLORIDA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Arnie Lane Lakeland, Fla. 7 14-00
2 David Porter Zephyrhills, Fla. 7 13-03
3 John Hendry Lakeland, Fla. 7 11-09
4 Thomas Mahoney Lutz, Fla. 6 10-08
5 Mark Craig Lakeland, Fla. 5 9-05
6 Brad Copponex Lakeland, Fla. 4 7-11
7 Robert Eid Key West, Fla. 4 7-09
8 Barry Macchione Winter Haven, Fla. 2 3-12
9 Todd Goodwill Winter Haven, Fla. 2 3-11
10 Scott Pickett Lakeland, Fla. 2 2-14
11 George Celi Kissimmee, Fla. 1 2-04
12 Edward Lapham Winter Haven, Fla. 1 1-11
KENTUCKY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Les Underwood Louisville, Ky. 8 16-02
2 Ken Freeman Sonora, Ky. 8 16-01
3 Dan Darrell Crittenden, Ky. 6 9-14
3 Mark Wenger Louisville, Ky. 5 9-14
5 Donald Odor Butler, Ky. 6 9-07
6 Gary Nelson Louisa, Ky. 3 7-04
7 Michael Johnson Somerset, Ky. 3 5-03
8 Brian Ireland Lagrange, Ky. 3 4-09
9 George Leffel Frankfort, Ky. 3 4-07
10 Karl Schreiber Georgetown, Ky. 2 3-07
11 Paul Stone Fairfield, Ohio 1 1-08
12 Raymond Hagan Jr. Brownsville, Ky. 0 0-00
GEORGIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Carl Hunter Snellville, Ga. 8 13-04
2 Waine Pittman Villa Rica, Ga. 6 11-09
3 David H. McAdams Carnesville, Ga. 6 10-05
4 Stephen Nalder Loganville, Ga. 4 8-12
5 John Eason Villa Rica, Ga. 1 4-04
6 Keith Wilder Hampton, Ga. 2 3-10
7 Lamar Bryant Winston, Ga. 2 3-09
8 Randy Wingo Newnan, Ga. 2 2-12
9 Scotty C. Strickland Powder Springs, Ga. 1 2-07
10 Gene Hacker Buford, Ga. 1 1-14
11 Tim Crenshaw Snellville, Ga. 1 1-12
12 Joe Smith Covington, Ga. 0 0-00