GALLATIN, Tenn.-Tim Runions said he "left behind" a fifth largemouth that he needed to complete his five-bass limit on Old Hickory Lake, site of the BASS Federation Nation's Southern Divisional bass fishing tournament underway through Friday.
Even then, it didn't really matter as the 39-year-old Tennessee angler took the overall lead in the tournament with four largemouth weighing 14 pounds, 11 ounces. What is more, Runions made up for the lost fish by anchoring his creel with Wednesday's biggest bass, weighing 5-6.
"I'm not on a lot of fish, but when I do get a bite it's a quality one," said Runions, an environmental specialist for the state of Tennessee.
The pressure came off early for Runions as the big bass was one of his first caught. As well, he's locked in to a pattern and technique that he plans to stick with, assuming his waters hold out on Thursday.
"I'm not covering a lot of water," he added. "Here, you can't do a lot of running around because the fishing is so tough. You've got to keep your line in the water, fish as much as you can."
The surprise of the day was the run on the lead made by Craig Fraser from the Republic of South Africa. Fraser has never fished in the United States, much less on Old Hickory Lake, which is considered one of the state's most pressured bass fisheries due to its proximity to Nashville. His limit weighed 11-7, landing him in the runner-up spot.
"They started pulling water and the current positioned the fish on the main river channel ledges," said the Cape Town native. "I'm catching the fish by pitching jigs at grass edges and wood cover on the edge of the dropoffs."
The Southern Divisional is one of six regional qualifying events that advance top amateurs to the BASS Federation Nation Championship. That event is set for January 2007 on Alabama's Lake Neely Henry.
Two winners will be named on Friday when the competition wraps up on Old Hickory. First, one angler will take top honors as the tournament winner and second, state bragging rights will be determined among the eight Federation Nations represented here.
Additionally, the top angler from each Federation Nation will advance to the championship next January and possibly, the Bassmaster Classic. State leaders after today include Runions (Tennessee); Fraser (Republic of South Africa); Jeff Hager (North Carolina); Carl Hunter (Georgia); David Porter (Florida); Les Underwood (Kentucky); Clay Morris (Alabama) and Donald Kneece (South Carolina).
Alabama leads the state competition with its 12-angler team accounting for a cumulative weight of 71-10. The Republic of South Africa is second with 64-5, followed by South Carolina's weight of 61-9. North Carolina has 57-14 for fourth place and host state Tennessee rounds out the top five with 56-5.
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 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Tim Runions New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 4 14-11
2. Craig John Fraser Cape Town, South Afric 5 11-07
3. Jeff Hager Alexis, N.C. (NC) 5 11-03
4. Donald Kneece Saluda, S.C. (SC) 5 10-10
5. Clay Morris Jackson, Ala. (AL) 4 10-05
6. Anthony McKee Russellville, Ala. (AL 5 10-04
7. Daniel Combs Tazewell, Tenn. (TN) 5 10-03
8. David Porter Zephyrhills, Fla. (FL) 5 9-13
9. Chris Jones Conway, S.C. (SC) 5 9-05
9. Brent Long Catawba, N.C. (SC) 5 9-05
11. Les Underwood Louisville, Ky. (KY) 5 9-02
12. Xavier Tiberghien Randburg, Samoa (SOUTH 5 8-15
13. Justin Nichols Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AL) 5 8-14
13. Arnie Lane Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 4 8-14
15. Bryan Thrift Shelby, N.C. (NC) 5 8-06
16. Carl Hunter Snellville, Ga. (GA) 5 8-05
17. Ricky Dale Smith Ohatchee, Ala. (AL) 5 8-03
18. Carl Gutzeit Port Shepstone, Samoa 5 8-02
19. Dan Darrell Crittenden, Ky. (KY) 5 8-01
19. Chris Weaver Bluff City, Tenn. (TN) 5 8-01
21. Darryl Quinton Krugerdop, Samoa (SOUT 4 7-12
22. Kevin McNeilly Casar, N.C. (NC) 4 7-09
23. Mark Stewart Springville, Ala. (AL) 3 7-07
24. Charles Shafer Northport, Ala. (AL) 2 7-02
25. Bradley Woodie Morganton, N.C. (NC) 4 7-01
26. Allen Holt New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 3 6-05
27. Mark Wenger Louisville, Ky. (KY) 3 6-04
28. William Smith Moncks Corner, S.C. (S 4 6-01
29. Thomas Mahoney Lutz, Fla. (FL) 3 5-14
30. Alan Foster Chevyville, N.C. (NC) 3 5-12
31. Stephen Nalder Loganville, Ga. (GA) 2 5-06
32. Darrell High Opelika, Ala. (AL) 3 5-03
33. Mark Craig Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 3 5-01
34. Ken Freeman Sonora, Ky. (KY) 3 5-00
34. Martin Dekock Crownand, Samoa (SOUTH 3 5-00
34. Dale De Villiers Cape Town, Samoa (SOUT 2 5-00
37. Keith Harmon New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 3 4-13
38. Rickie Harp Cottondale, Ala. (AL) 3 4-12
38. Robert Bohannon Moncks Corner, S.C. (S 2 4-12
40. James Adkins Claremont, N.C. (NC) 3 4-09
41. Lionel Botha Edenvale, South Africa 3 4-07
42. Alastair Graham , United States Of Ame 3 4-04
43. Darrell Shull West Columbia, S.C. (S 2 3-14
44. John Hendry Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 2 3-13
44. Julian Van Zuydam Pietmaritzburg, South 2 3-13
46. Todd Goodwill Winter Haven, Fla. (FL 2 3-11
47. Karl Schreiber Georgetown, Ky. (KY) 2 3-07
48. Greg Creech Redsprings, N.C. (NC) 2 3-06
48. Chris McDuffie Raeford, N.C. (NC) 2 3-06
48. Robert Rogers Pinopolis, S.C. (SC) 2 3-06
51. Mark McIntosh Gaston, N.C. (NC) 2 3-05
51. Keith Wilson Columbia, S.C. (SC) 2 3-05
51. Eric Schell Raeford, N.C. (NC) 1 3-05
54. Larry Rollings Hartsville, S.C. (SC) 2 3-04
55. Nico Oosthuizen , Samoa (SOUTH AFRICA) 2 3-03
55. David Rush Summerville, S.C. (SC) 1 3-03
57. James Bright Bremen, Ala. (AL) 2 3-02
57. Waine Pittman Villa Rica, Ga. (GA) 2 3-02
57. Howard White New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 2 3-02
60. David H. McAdams Carnesville, Ga. (GA) 2 3-00
61. Mike Spears Jasper, Ala. (AL) 2 2-15
62. Steve Blocker Harrogate, Tenn. (TN) 2 2-14
62. Gene Gibbs Columbia, S.C. (SC) 2 2-14
64. Donnie Cox Tazewell, Tenn. (TN) 2 2-11
65. Gary Nelson Louisa, Ky. (KY) 1 2-08
66. Gavin Richardson , Samoa (SOUTH AFRICA) 2 2-06
67. Wayne Cupp New Tazewell, Tenn. (T 1 2-05
68. Doug Nichles Leeds, Ala. (AL) 1 2-01
69. Gene Hacker Buford, Ga. (GA) 1 1-14
69. Barry Macchione Winter Haven, Fla. (FL 1 1-14
69. Donald Odor Butler, Ky. (KY) 1 1-14
72. Brad Copponex Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 1 1-12
72. Tim Crenshaw Snellville, Ga. (GA) 1 1-12
74. Edward Lapham Winter Haven, Fla. (FL 1 1-11
75. Robert Eid Key West, Fla. (FL) 1 1-10
75. David Hendrick Cherryville, N.C. (SC) 1 1-10
77. Michael Johnson Somerset, Ky. (KY) 1 1-08
77. Paul Stone Fairfield, Ohio (KY) 1 1-08
79. Danny Hudson Carbon Hill, Ala. (AL) 1 1-06
80. Kenneth Holt Maynardville, Tenn. (T 1 1-04
81. Scott Pickett Lakeland, Fla. (FL) 1 1-01
82. Robert Armbruster Abberdeen, N.C. (NC) 0 0-00
82. Lamar Bryant Winston, Ga. (GA) 0 0-00
82. George Celi Kissimmee, Fla. (FL) 0 0-00
82. John Eason Villa Rica, Ga. (GA) 0 0-00
82. Charles Graybeal Erwin, Tenn. (TN) 0 0-00
82. Raymond Hagan Jr. Brownsville, Ky. (KY) 0 0-00
82. Steve Hildebran , United States Of Ame 0 0-00
82. Brian Ireland Lagrange, Ky. (KY) 0 0-00
82. George Leffel Frankfort, Ky. (KY) 0 0-00
82. Martin Lotz Cape Town, Samoa (SOUT 0 0-00
82. Richard Morrison Bristol, Tenn. (TN) 0 0-00
82. Joe Smith Covington, Ga. (GA) 0 0-00
82. Scotty C. Strickland Powder Springs, Ga. (G 0 0-00
82. Keith Wilder Hampton, Ga. (GA) 0 0-00
82. Randy Wingo Newnan, Ga. (GA) 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 17 223 419-08
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17 223 419-08
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
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State Lbs-Oz
1 ALABAMA 71-10
2 64-05
3 SOUTH CAROLINA 61-09
4 NORTH CAROLINA 57-14
5 TENNESSEE 56-05
6 FLORIDA 45-02
7 KENTUCKY 39-04
8 GEORGIA 23-07
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
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ALABAMA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Clay Morris Jackson, Ala. 4 10-05
2 Anthony McKee Russellville, Ala. 5 10-04
3 Justin Nichols Tuscaloosa, Ala. 5 8-14
4 Ricky Dale Smith Ohatchee, Ala. 5 8-03
5 Mark Stewart Springville, Ala. 3 7-07
6 Charles Shafer Northport, Ala. 2 7-02
7 Darrell High Opelika, Ala. 3 5-03
8 Rickie Harp Cottondale, Ala. 3 4-12
9 James Bright Bremen, Ala. 2 3-02
10 Mike Spears Jasper, Ala. 2 2-15
11 Doug Nichles Leeds, Ala. 1 2-01
12 Danny Hudson Carbon Hill, Ala. 1 1-06
1 Craig John Fraser Cape Town, South Africa 5 11-07
2 Xavier Tiberghien Randburg, Samoa 5 8-15
3 Carl Gutzeit Port Shepstone, Samoa 5 8-02
4 Darryl Quinton Krugerdop, Samoa 4 7-12
5 Martin Dekock Crownand, Samoa 3 5-00
5 Dale De Villiers Cape Town, Samoa 2 5-00
7 Lionel Botha Edenvale, South Africa 3 4-07
8 Alastair Graham , United States Of Americ 3 4-04
9 Julian Van Zuydam Pietmaritzburg, South Afr 2 3-13
10 Nico Oosthuizen , Samoa 2 3-03
11 Gavin Richardson , Samoa 2 2-06
12 Martin Lotz Cape Town, Samoa 0 0-00
SOUTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Donald Kneece Saluda, S.C. 5 10-10
2 Chris Jones Conway, S.C. 5 9-05
2 Brent Long Catawba, N.C. 5 9-05
4 William Smith Moncks Corner, S.C. 4 6-01
5 Robert Bohannon Moncks Corner, S.C. 2 4-12
6 Darrell Shull West Columbia, S.C. 2 3-14
7 Robert Rogers Pinopolis, S.C. 2 3-06
8 Keith Wilson Columbia, S.C. 2 3-05
9 Larry Rollings Hartsville, S.C. 2 3-04
10 David Rush Summerville, S.C. 1 3-03
11 Gene Gibbs Columbia, S.C. 2 2-14
12 David Hendrick Cherryville, N.C. 1 1-10
NORTH CAROLINA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jeff Hager Alexis, N.C. 5 11-03
2 Bryan Thrift Shelby, N.C. 5 8-06
3 Kevin McNeilly Casar, N.C. 4 7-09
4 Bradley Woodie Morganton, N.C. 4 7-01
5 Alan Foster Chevyville, N.C. 3 5-12
6 James Adkins Claremont, N.C. 3 4-09
7 Greg Creech Redsprings, N.C. 2 3-06
7 Chris McDuffie Raeford, N.C. 2 3-06
9 Mark McIntosh Gaston, N.C. 2 3-05
9 Eric Schell Raeford, N.C. 1 3-05
11 Robert Armbruster Abberdeen, N.C. 0 0-00
11 Steve Hildebran , United States Of Americ 0 0-00
TENNESSEE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tim Runions New Tazewell, Tenn. 4 14-11
2 Daniel Combs Tazewell, Tenn. 5 10-03
3 Chris Weaver Bluff City, Tenn. 5 8-01
4 Allen Holt New Tazewell, Tenn. 3 6-05
5 Keith Harmon New Tazewell, Tenn. 3 4-13
6 Howard White New Tazewell, Tenn. 2 3-02
7 Steve Blocker Harrogate, Tenn. 2 2-14
8 Donnie Cox Tazewell, Tenn. 2 2-11
9 Wayne Cupp New Tazewell, Tenn. 1 2-05
10 Kenneth Holt Maynardville, Tenn. 1 1-04
11 Charles Graybeal Erwin, Tenn. 0 0-00
11 Richard Morrison Bristol, Tenn. 0 0-00
FLORIDA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Porter Zephyrhills, Fla. 5 9-13
2 Arnie Lane Lakeland, Fla. 4 8-14
3 Thomas Mahoney Lutz, Fla. 3 5-14
4 Mark Craig Lakeland, Fla. 3 5-01
5 John Hendry Lakeland, Fla. 2 3-13
6 Todd Goodwill Winter Haven, Fla. 2 3-11
7 Barry Macchione Winter Haven, Fla. 1 1-14
8 Brad Copponex Lakeland, Fla. 1 1-12
9 Edward Lapham Winter Haven, Fla. 1 1-11
10 Robert Eid Key West, Fla. 1 1-10
11 Scott Pickett Lakeland, Fla. 1 1-01
12 George Celi Kissimmee, Fla. 0 0-00
KENTUCKY
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Les Underwood Louisville, Ky. 5 9-02
2 Dan Darrell Crittenden, Ky. 5 8-01
3 Mark Wenger Louisville, Ky. 3 6-04
4 Ken Freeman Sonora, Ky. 3 5-00
5 Karl Schreiber Georgetown, Ky. 2 3-07
6 Gary Nelson Louisa, Ky. 1 2-08
7 Donald Odor Butler, Ky. 1 1-14
8 Michael Johnson Somerset, Ky. 1 1-08
8 Paul Stone Fairfield, Ohio 1 1-08
10 Raymond Hagan Jr. Brownsville, Ky. 0 0-00
10 Brian Ireland Lagrange, Ky. 0 0-00
10 George Leffel Frankfort, Ky. 0 0-00
GEORGIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Carl Hunter Snellville, Ga. 5 8-05
2 Stephen Nalder Loganville, Ga. 2 5-06
3 Waine Pittman Villa Rica, Ga. 2 3-02
4 David H. McAdams Carnesville, Ga. 2 3-00
5 Gene Hacker Buford, Ga. 1 1-14
6 Tim Crenshaw Snellville, Ga. 1 1-12
7 Lamar Bryant Winston, Ga. 0 0-00
7 John Eason Villa Rica, Ga. 0 0-00
7 Joe Smith Covington, Ga. 0 0-00
7 Scotty C. Strickland Powder Springs, Ga. 0 0-00
7 Keith Wilder Hampton, Ga. 0 0-00
7 Randy Wingo Newnan, Ga. 0 0-00