GALLATIN, Tenn.- The telltale sign of threadfin shad spawning in the backwaters of Old Hickory Lake was a revelation of sorts for South Carolina's Brent Long, winner of the BASS Federation Nation Southern Divisional bass fishing tournament.
"That's what I look for this time of the year on any lake," remarked Long, a 36-year-old general contractor by trade. "It's always a given in a post-spawn situation like this one. When the bass have spawned out, the shad move in to do the same thing."
He continued, "When you find the bait, you can find the fish."
Long wasn't the lone South Carolinian who found fish on Friday, the final day of the three-day competition. His winning catch of 37 pounds, 2 ounces anchored his team's overall weight, earning South Carolina the team title as well. The 12-angler team scored the win with a collective weight of 223 pounds, 14 ounces for the contest held on the Cumberland River fishery located outside Nashville.
Long was in contention to win after Thursday's second round when he moved into second place behind leader Tim Runions of Tennessee. Counting on the deep bite, Runions faltered today and dropped to second place with a closeout score of 36-15.
"I was betting on the deepwater bite," lamented the Tennessean. "The shallow bite kicked in, obviously."
Long played his strengths right down to a lure he chose that imitates the undulating swimming action of a shad in shallow water. His choice for the entire tournament was a brown 3/8-ounce Earnest Langley Jig, fished on a 6-8 heavy action G. Loomis GLX rod. He tied the jig to 17-pound Bass Pro Shops XPS Signature Series monofilament line spooled to a Shimano Curado reel.
"I had two presentations going in the same areas," he said. "The first key was the presence of the bait and then shade. The shade became a huge factor because the weather got clearer every day."
Long began each day using the swimming technique, casting the jig and retrieving the lure slowly back to the boat at mid-depth range. Targets were boat docks lined with hydrilla where the bass were awaiting in ambush of the shad.
As the sun came up later in the morning, Long switched to the flipping technique, targeting the same boat docks.
"The better fish were on the shady sides of the docks," added Long.
With literally hundreds of docks lining Old Hickory Lake, Long targeted the structures located on shallow, flat banks that provide ideal bottom and cover for the spawning shad. By the second round of the tournament Long had confined his area to two specific creeks.
"I knew it would be tough to catch keepers here," he said. "So in practice I made a mental note of where I caught one and then left the area. So that's really how it came together."
Timing was everything in Long's case. "I didn't really notice the shad spawning until the tournament started, so I knew the spawn had just started to happen."
Fortunately, the spawn kicked in to high gear by Friday, when Long estimated he caught 30 keepers after counting 20 on Thursday and just 10 small bass on the opening round.
Long won the overall title but he wasn't the only winner under this unique format. The Southern Divisional is a regional qualifying event that advanced the top angler from each of eight Federation Nations participating in the contest to the BASS Federation Nation National Championship. The event will be held in January on Alabama's Lake Neely Henry.
The following state winners will join North Carolina's Long at the Federation Championship: Runions (Tennessee); Les Underwood (Kentucky); Bryan Thrift (North Carolina); Justin Nichols (Alabama); David Porter (Florida); Carl Hunter (Georgia); and Julian Van Zuydam (Republic of South Africa).
Long attributed South Carolina's win to a team commitment from all 12 anglers.
"I've made the state team five times and this was the best group by far," he said. "We traded lures, areas, information, everything. There was not one holdout in the group."
South Carolina earned $33,000 from the total purse of $93,000 distributed to the Federation Nations for conservation, youth and fishing outreach projects.
The next qualifying event for the Federation Championship is next week on Oklahoma's Fort Gibson Reservoir. Competition dates are June 14-16. The final three divisional competitions will be held in September.
2006 Southern Divisional 06/07-06/09
Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin Tenn.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Brent Long Catawba, N.C. (SC) 15 37-02
2. Tim Runions New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 13 36-15
3. Julian Van Zuydam Pietmaritzburg, South 12 30-11
4. Bryan Thrift Shelby, N.C. (NC) 15 29-14
5. William Smith Moncks Corner, S.C. (S 14 28-09
5. Les Underwood Louisville, Ky. (KY) 13 28-09
7. Carl Gutzeit Port Shepstone, Samoa 15 27-09
8. Justin Nichols Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AL) 15 27-02
9. Anthony McKee Russellville, Ala. (AL 15 26-15
10. Donald Kneece Saluda, S.C. (SC) 13 26-11
11. Xavier Tiberghien Randburg, Samoa (SOUTH 15 25-14
12. Craig John Fraser Cape Town, South Afric 13 25-01
13. Jeff Hager Alexis, N.C. (NC) 12 23-07
14. David Porter Zephyrhills, Fla. (FL) 12 23-02
15. Chris Jones Conway, S.C. (SC) 14 22-08
16. Darrell Shull West Columbia, S.C. (S 11 22-04
17. Daniel Combs Tazewell, Tenn. (TN) 11 21-11
18. Rickie Harp Cottondale, Ala. (AL) 13 21-05
19. Keith Wilson Columbia, S.C. (SC) 11 21-04
20. Darryl Quinton Krugerdop, Samoa (SOUT 9 21-00
21. Kevin McNeilly Casar, N.C. (NC) 10 20-12
22. Danny Hudson Carbon Hill, Ala. (AL) 9 20-07
23. Ken Freeman Sonora, Ky. (KY) 10 20-05
24. Martin Dekock Crownand, Samoa (SOUTH 11 19-13
25. Alan Foster Chevyville, N.C. (NC) 11 19-08
26. Mike Spears Jasper, Ala. (AL) 11 19-04
27. Steve Blocker Harrogate, Tenn. (TN) 11 18-15
28. Arnie Lane Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 10 17-15
29. Greg Creech Redsprings, N.C. (NC) 11 17-10
29. Carl Hunter Snellville, Ga. (GA) 10 17-10
29. Mark Stewart Springville, Ala. (AL) 6 17-10 $1,000.00
32. Eric Schell Raeford, N.C. (NC) 9 17-09
33. David H. McAdams Carnesville, Ga. (GA) 9 17-07
34. Donald Odor Butler, Ky. (KY) 11 17-03
35. Darrell High Opelika, Ala. (AL) 10 17-00
36. Allen Holt New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 8 16-05
37. Waine Pittman Villa Rica, Ga. (GA) 9 15-14
38. Kenneth Holt Maynardville, Tenn. (T 8 15-08
39. Charles Shafer Northport, Ala. (AL) 8 15-06
40. Clay Morris Jackson, Ala. (AL) 7 15-04
41. Donnie Cox Tazewell, Tenn. (TN) 7 14-00
42. John Hendry Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 8 13-08
42. Dan Darrell Crittenden, Ky. (KY) 7 13-08
44. James Bright Bremen, Ala. (AL) 8 13-06
44. Mark Wenger Louisville, Ky. (KY) 7 13-06
44. Chris McDuffie Raeford, N.C. (NC) 6 13-06
47. David Hendrick Cherryville, N.C. (SC) 8 13-05
48. Ricky Dale Smith Ohatchee, Ala. (AL) 7 13-03
49. Nico Oosthuizen , Samoa (SOUTH AFRICA) 7 13-02
49. Mark Craig Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 7 13-02
51. Robert Rogers Pinopolis, S.C. (SC) 6 12-07
52. Robert Bohannon Moncks Corner, S.C. (S 5 12-04
53. Thomas Mahoney Lutz, Fla. (FL) 7 11-15
54. Gene Gibbs Columbia, S.C. (SC) 7 11-14
55. Brad Copponex Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 6 11-02
56. Brian Ireland Lagrange, Ky. (KY) 7 10-13
57. Edward Lapham Winter Haven, Fla. (FL 6 10-09
58. Robert Eid Key West, Fla. (FL) 6 10-07
59. Lamar Bryant Winston, Ga. (GA) 4 10-06
60. Doug Nichles Leeds, Ala. (AL) 5 10-04
61. Wayne Cupp New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 6 10-00
62. Chris Weaver Bluff City, Tenn. (TN) 6 9-14
62. Mark McIntosh Gaston, N.C. (NC) 5 9-14
64. George Leffel Frankfort, Ky. (KY) 6 9-13
65. Gavin Richardson , Samoa (SOUTH AFRICA) 6 9-06
65. Keith Harmon New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 6 9-06
67. David Rush Summerville, S.C. (SC) 5 9-01
68. George Celi Kissimmee, Fla. (FL) 6 8-14
69. Alastair Graham , United States Of Ame 5 8-13
70. Stephen Nalder Loganville, Ga. (GA) 4 8-12
71. Gary Nelson Louisa, Ky. (KY) 4 8-10
72. Dale De Villiers Cape Town, Samoa (SOUT 3 8-06
73. Steve Hildebran , United States Of Ame 5 8-02
73. Todd Goodwill Winter Haven, Fla. (FL 5 8-02
75. James Adkins Claremont, N.C. (NC) 5 7-10
76. Michael Johnson Somerset, Ky. (KY) 4 7-09
77. Barry Macchione Winter Haven, Fla. (FL 3 7-04
78. Richard Morrison Bristol, Tenn. (TN) 4 7-02
79. Bradley Woodie Morganton, N.C. (NC) 4 7-01
80. John Eason Villa Rica, Ga. (GA) 3 6-15
81. Lionel Botha Edenvale, South Africa 5 6-13
82. Larry Rollings Hartsville, S.C. (SC) 4 6-09
83. Charles Graybeal Erwin, Tenn. (TN) 4 5-14
84. Karl Schreiber Georgetown, Ky. (KY) 3 5-02
85. Keith Wilder Hampton, Ga. (GA) 3 4-15
85. Robert Armbruster Abberdeen, N.C. (NC) 2 4-15
87. Gene Hacker Buford, Ga. (GA) 3 4-08
88. Randy Wingo Newnan, Ga. (GA) 3 4-05
89. Scotty C. Strickland Powder Springs, Ga. (G 2 4-03
90. Howard White New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 2 3-02
91. Scott Pickett Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 2 2-14
92. Tim Crenshaw Snellville, Ga. (GA) 1 1-12
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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Big Bass of Tournament
Mark Stewart Springville, Ala. (AL) 6-00 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 17 223 419-08
2 24 250 480-10
3 17 239 459-06
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58 712 1359-08
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 SOUTH CAROLINA 223-14
2 ALABAMA 217-02
3 198-01
4 NORTH CAROLINA 179-12
5 TENNESSEE 168-12
6 FLORIDA 138-14
7 KENTUCKY 136-06
8 GEORGIA 96-11
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brent Long Catawba, N.C. 15 37-02
2 William Smith Moncks Corner, S.C. 14 28-09
3 Donald Kneece Saluda, S.C. 13 26-11
4 Chris Jones Conway, S.C. 14 22-08
5 Darrell Shull West Columbia, S.C. 11 22-04
6 Keith Wilson Columbia, S.C. 11 21-04
7 David Hendrick Cherryville, N.C. 8 13-05
8 Robert Rogers Pinopolis, S.C. 6 12-07
9 Robert Bohannon Moncks Corner, S.C. 5 12-04
10 Gene Gibbs Columbia, S.C. 7 11-14
11 David Rush Summerville, S.C. 5 9-01
12 Larry Rollings Hartsville, S.C. 4 6-09
ALABAMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Justin Nichols Tuscaloosa, Ala. 15 27-02
2 Anthony McKee Russellville, Ala. 15 26-15
3 Rickie Harp Cottondale, Ala. 13 21-05
4 Danny Hudson Carbon Hill, Ala. 9 20-07
5 Mike Spears Jasper, Ala. 11 19-04
6 Mark Stewart Springville, Ala. 6 17-10 $1,000.00
7 Darrell High Opelika, Ala. 10 17-00
8 Charles Shafer Northport, Ala. 8 15-06
9 Clay Morris Jackson, Ala. 7 15-04
10 James Bright Bremen, Ala. 8 13-06
11 Ricky Dale Smith Ohatchee, Ala. 7 13-03
12 Doug Nichles Leeds, Ala. 5 10-04
1 Julian Van Zuydam Pietmaritzburg, South Afr 12 30-11
2 Carl Gutzeit Port Shepstone, Samoa 15 27-09
3 Xavier Tiberghien Randburg, Samoa 15 25-14
4 Craig John Fraser Cape Town, South Africa 13 25-01
5 Darryl Quinton Krugerdop, Samoa 9 21-00
6 Martin Dekock Crownand, Samoa 11 19-13
7 Nico Oosthuizen , Samoa 7 13-02
8 Gavin Richardson , Samoa 6 9-06
9 Alastair Graham , United States Of Americ 5 8-13
10 Dale De Villiers Cape Town, Samoa 3 8-06
11 Lionel Botha Edenvale, South Africa 5 6-13
12 Martin Lotz Cape Town, Samoa 1 1-09
NORTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bryan Thrift Shelby, N.C. 15 29-14
2 Jeff Hager Alexis, N.C. 12 23-07
3 Kevin McNeilly Casar, N.C. 10 20-12
4 Alan Foster Chevyville, N.C. 11 19-08
5 Greg Creech Redsprings, N.C. 11 17-10
6 Eric Schell Raeford, N.C. 9 17-09
7 Chris McDuffie Raeford, N.C. 6 13-06
8 Mark McIntosh Gaston, N.C. 5 9-14
9 Steve Hildebran , United States Of Americ 5 8-02
10 James Adkins Claremont, N.C. 5 7-10
11 Bradley Woodie Morganton, N.C. 4 7-01
12 Robert Armbruster Abberdeen, N.C. 2 4-15
TENNESSEE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tim Runions New Tazewell, Tenn. 13 36-15
2 Daniel Combs Tazewell, Tenn. 11 21-11
3 Steve Blocker Harrogate, Tenn. 11 18-15
4 Allen Holt New Tazewell, Tenn. 8 16-05
5 Kenneth Holt Maynardville, Tenn. 8 15-08
6 Donnie Cox Tazewell, Tenn. 7 14-00
7 Wayne Cupp New Tazewell, Tenn. 6 10-00
8 Chris Weaver Bluff City, Tenn. 6 9-14
9 Keith Harmon New Tazewell, Tenn. 6 9-06
10 Richard Morrison Bristol, Tenn. 4 7-02
11 Charles Graybeal Erwin, Tenn. 4 5-14
12 Howard White New Tazewell, Tenn. 2 3-02
FLORIDA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Porter Zephyrhills, Fla. 12 23-02
2 Arnie Lane Lakeland, Fla. 10 17-15
3 John Hendry Lakeland, Fla. 8 13-08
4 Mark Craig Lakeland, Fla. 7 13-02
5 Thomas Mahoney Lutz, Fla. 7 11-15
6 Brad Copponex Lakeland, Fla. 6 11-02
7 Edward Lapham Winter Haven, Fla. 6 10-09
8 Robert Eid Key West, Fla. 6 10-07
9 George Celi Kissimmee, Fla. 6 8-14
10 Todd Goodwill Winter Haven, Fla. 5 8-02
11 Barry Macchione Winter Haven, Fla. 3 7-04
12 Scott Pickett Lakeland, Fla. 2 2-14
KENTUCKY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Les Underwood Louisville, Ky. 13 28-09
2 Ken Freeman Sonora, Ky. 10 20-05
3 Donald Odor Butler, Ky. 11 17-03
4 Dan Darrell Crittenden, Ky. 7 13-08
5 Mark Wenger Louisville, Ky. 7 13-06
6 Brian Ireland Lagrange, Ky. 7 10-13
7 George Leffel Frankfort, Ky. 6 9-13
8 Gary Nelson Louisa, Ky. 4 8-10
9 Michael Johnson Somerset, Ky. 4 7-09
10 Karl Schreiber Georgetown, Ky. 3 5-02
11 Paul Stone Fairfield, Ohio 1 1-08
12 Raymond Hagan Jr. Brownsville, Ky. 0 0-00
GEORGIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Carl Hunter Snellville, Ga. 10 17-10
2 David H. McAdams Carnesville, Ga. 9 17-07
3 Waine Pittman Villa Rica, Ga. 9 15-14
4 Lamar Bryant Winston, Ga. 4 10-06
5 Stephen Nalder Loganville, Ga. 4 8-12
6 John Eason Villa Rica, Ga. 3 6-15
7 Keith Wilder Hampton, Ga. 3 4-15
8 Gene Hacker Buford, Ga. 3 4-08
9 Randy Wingo Newnan, Ga. 3 4-05
10 Scotty C. Strickland Powder Springs, Ga. 2 4-03
11 Tim Crenshaw Snellville, Ga. 1 1-12
12 Joe Smith Covington, Ga. 0 0-00