GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. - Kentuckian Kevin Wirth overtook two-time Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam in Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite Series' Bluegrass Brawl bass fishing tournament on Kentucky Lake.
Wirth took the lead Saturday with a five-fish limit that weighed 16 pounds, 15 ounces, for a tournament total of 51-5. Headed into Sunday's final round, Wirth had a 3-pound, 2-ounce cushion between himself and VanDam.
Wirth's pattern has been consistent during the tournament - he said he's fished deep ledges on Kentucky Lake - but he has used a variety of lures. On Sunday, when fishing against just 11 other anglers who made cut, Wirth is confident he'll seal the win and take home the $100,000 top prize.
"I've got about 200 areas that I haven't touched," said the seven-time Classic qualifier. "They're deep-schooling and there's a lot of them. It's all about timing. If you can get (to your spots) when they're biting, you can catch them every cast."
VanDam, who led the first and second days of the four-day Bluegrass Brawl, and who is considered one of the most consistent and aggressive fishermen on the water, faltered on the third day. His Day 3 catch of 12 pounds, 15 ounces put his three-day total at 48-3.
Fishing offshore structure lines on deep ledges, VanDam said he is throwing crankbaits and jigs, and is moving fast and often.
VanDam said that what hurt him Saturday were windy conditions and crowded weekend water. Several key areas he had fished the first two days had to be passed up Saturday, and he was forced to new water.
"It's just the nature of the sport," said VanDam. "I don't fish a tournament now without being followed from start to finish. It just shows how much the sport is growing."
Looking to the final day, VanDam was not discouraged. "I need to capitalize on those big bites and close the door. As long as I can get a couple to bite tomorrow, that will do it."
With a three-day total of 46-3, Morizo Shimizu of Murrieta, Calif., moved from 10th to third with a Day 3 catch of 15 pounds, 9 ounces. Originally from Suita Osaka, Japan, Shimizu has never won an Elite BASS tournament.
"On this lake it's possible," said Shimizu with confidence. "Five pounds doesn't mean too much."
Oklahoma's Tommy Biffle was in fourth place with 45-4, just 1 ounce ahead of California's Skeet Reese, who finished the day in fifth place with 45-3.
Also making the cut to the 12 were Jeff Kriet of Ardmore, Okla., in sixth with 45-2, just ounces out of fifth and fourth; John Crews of Salem, Va., in seventh (44-2); Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., in eighth (43-14); Lee Bailey of Boaz, Ala., in ninth (43-7); Kelly Jordan of Mineola, Texas in 10th (43-1); Mike Wurm of Hot Springs, Ark., in 11th (43-0); and Jimmy Mize of Ben Lomand, Ark., in 12th (42-15).
On the co-angler side, 23-year-old Tom Frink of Simi Valley, Calif., won his second Elite Series event of the season with 26 pounds, 14 ounces. For the second time this year, Frink took home the top prize of a fully-rigged Triton Boat and Mercury engine worth $45,000.
"This has been my dream for as long as I can remember," said Frink.
Frink's first co-angler win came on Santee Cooper Reservoir in the Elite Series' Santee Cooper Showdown. He finished second on Oklahoma's Grand Lake in the Series' Sooner Run. He said he plans to fish as a co-angler in as many remaining events as he can - and fish the 2006 Bassmaster Northern Tour as a pro angler. The first Northern Tour event is June 22-24 on Kentucky Lake.
The top 25 co-anglers competed for $115,400 in cash and merchandise.
2006 Bluegrass Brawl Pro 06/15-06/18
Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Dam Village Ky.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15 51-05 305
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 18-04 Day 3: 5 16-15
2. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 48-03 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 12-15
3. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 15 46-03 290 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 19-03 Day 3: 5 15-09
4. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 15 45-04 285
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 5 14-00
5. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 15 45-03 280
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 16-08
6. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 15 45-02 276
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 14-07
7. John Crews Salem, Va. 15 44-02 272
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 14-12
8. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 15 43-14 268 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 5 17-04
9. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 15 43-07 264
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 12-11
10. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 15 43-01 260
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 5 12-11
11. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 15 43-00 257
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 5 12-05
12. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 15 42-15 254
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 17-01
13. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 15 42-08 251 $10,800.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 15-00
14. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 15 41-10 246 $10,650.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 12-10
14. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 14 41-10 246 $11,650.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 4 12-12 Day 3: 5 12-13
16. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 15 41-05 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 13-06
17. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 15 41-01 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 12-13 Day 3: 5 12-13
18. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 13 40-13 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 3 5-14
19. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 15 40-00 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 5 12-04
20. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 14 39-15 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 4 10-12 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 14-04
21. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 15 39-13 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 14-14
22. Gerald Swindle Warrioir, Ala. 15 39-10 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 10-14
23. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 15 39-08 229 $11,250.00
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 13-09
24. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 15 39-04 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 15-01
25. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 15 39-03 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 13-00
26. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 15 38-11 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 13-03
27. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 15 38-10 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 10-10 Day 3: 5 12-13
28. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 15 38-02 219 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 5 11-13
29. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 15 37-14 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 5 12-02
30. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 13 37-12 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 3 6-05
31. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 15 37-09 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 10-08
32. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 13 37-07 211 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 19-02 Day 3: 3 5-14
33. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 36-08 209 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 5 11-04
34. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 15 34-13 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 10-03
35. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 11 33-08 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 1 4-03
36. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 15 33-07 202 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 9-12 Day 3: 5 11-13
36. Keith Phillips Calera, Ala. 14 33-07 202 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 10-09 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 11-01
38. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 15 32-11 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 5 9-15
39. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 15 32-09 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 5 10-14
40. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 14 32-04 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 4 7-04
41. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 14 32-02 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 8-11 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 9-11
42. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 10 31-02 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 10-01 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 2 5-05
43. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 14 30-15 188 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 10-04 Day 3: 4 6-15
43. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 13 30-15 188 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 3 6-08
45. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 13 29-14 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 9-12 Day 3: 3 6-06
46. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 11 29-07 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 3 7-06 Day 3: 3 4-09
47. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 12 28-07 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 2 6-12
48. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 11 28-00 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 4 9-14 Day 3: 2 5-00
49. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 12 27-13 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 10-05 Day 3: 2 4-02
50. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 12 27-06 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 2 3-08
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Big Bass
Day
1 Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 6-09 $1,000.00
2 Russell Lane Prattville, Ala. 5-15 $1,000.00
3 John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5-04 $1,000.00
Day
1 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 18-09 $1,000.00
2 Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 19-03 $1,000.00
3 Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 17-04 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 62 406 1051-08
2 60 408 1037-13
3 36 217 551-07
----------------------------------
158 1031 2640-12 2006 Bluegrass Brawl NB 06/15-06/18
Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Dam Village Ky.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tom Frink Simi Valley, Calif. 8 26-14 0 $45,000.00
Day 1: 2 8-09 Day 2: 3 9-09 Day 3: 3 8-12
2. Richard Coldiron Somerset, Ky. 9 26-02 0 $25,500.00
Day 1: 3 12-14 Day 2: 3 5-04 Day 3: 3 8-00
3. David Stevens Eddyville, Ky. 8 23-10 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 10-04 Day 2: 3 7-09 Day 3: 2 5-13
4. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 9 22-07 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-09 Day 2: 3 7-09 Day 3: 3 7-05
5. Tom Heintz Waterloo, Ill. 9 21-12 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 3 9-12 Day 2: 3 6-13 Day 3: 3 5-03
6. Joel Etheredge Springville, Ala. 8 21-06 0 $3,000.00
Day 1: 2 3-10 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 3 10-00
7. Scott Ventimiglia Kansas City, Mo. 9 20-15 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 6-11 Day 2: 3 6-10 Day 3: 3 7-10
8. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 8 20-13 0 $2,400.00
Day 1: 3 6-05 Day 2: 3 11-09 Day 3: 2 2-15
8. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 8 20-13 0 $1,900.00
Day 1: 2 6-14 Day 2: 3 5-15 Day 3: 3 8-00
10. Greg Perkins San Antonio, Texas 7 20-04 0 $1,600.00
Day 1: 3 11-11 Day 2: 1 3-06 Day 3: 3 5-03
11. David Mangelsdorf Barnhart, Mo. 8 19-08 0 $1,400.00
Day 1: 3 8-09 Day 2: 2 3-05 Day 3: 3 7-10
12. Brian Elder Lebanon, Tenn. 7 19-03 0 $1,300.00
Day 1: 3 8-08 Day 2: 3 7-14 Day 3: 1 2-13
13. Allen Rix Creal Springs, Ill. 9 19-02 0 $1,200.00
Day 1: 3 7-00 Day 2: 3 6-01 Day 3: 3 6-01
14. William Pickard Portland, Tenn. 7 19-01 0 $1,600.00
Day 1: 2 5-08 Day 2: 2 3-07 Day 3: 3 10-02
15. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, Ariz. 9 18-13 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-03 Day 2: 3 5-08 Day 3: 3 6-02
16. James Jones Pinson, Ala. 7 17-04 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 2 5-03 Day 3: 2 4-03
17. Tim Dungan Cinncinati, Ohio 6 17-01 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 8-00 Day 3: 3 9-01
18. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 7 16-09 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-13 Day 2: 3 6-13 Day 3: 1 2-15
18. Dan Mullens Sciotoville, Ohio 6 16-09 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 1 2-03 Day 2: 3 8-01 Day 3: 2 6-05
20. Ted Malin Lexington, Ky. 6 16-05 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-04 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 3 8-01
21. Bill Adams Exeter, Calif. 8 16-03 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 2 4-10 Day 3: 3 4-08
22. Harry Parten Columbiana, Ala. 6 16-00 0 $900.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 8-12 Day 3: 3 7-04
23. Patrick Brown Swainsboro, Ga. 6 15-15 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-07 Day 2: 3 8-08 Day 3: 0 0-00
24. Robert Mills Graysville, Tenn. 6 15-08 0 $900.00
Day 1: 2 6-11 Day 2: 1 1-14 Day 3: 3 6-15
25. Brian Runyon Mc Arthur, Ohio 8 15-03 0 $450.00
Day 1: 3 6-08 Day 2: 3 5-06 Day 3: 2 3-05
25. Greg Hackman Sturgis, Mich. 6 15-03 0 $450.00
Day 1: 2 5-12 Day 2: 3 8-02 Day 3: 1 1-05
27. Chris Snow Mcminnville, Tenn. 6 14-12 0
Day 1: 1 1-13 Day 2: 3 8-07 Day 3: 2 4-08
28. Danny Barksdale Ashland City, Tenn. 4 14-05 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 12-04 Day 3: 1 2-01
29. Bill Huston Sunset, S.C. 7 14-03 0
Day 1: 3 6-05 Day 2: 1 1-09 Day 3: 3 6-05
30. Wesley Hood Annandale, Va. 5 13-15 0
Day 1: 3 9-00 Day 2: 1 3-00 Day 3: 1 1-15
31. Jeffrey Adkins Lexington, Ky. 6 13-14 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 7-03 Day 3: 3 6-11
32. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 6 13-12 0
Day 1: 3 8-13 Day 2: 3 4-15 Day 3: 0 0-00
33. Tony Pratt Paso Robles, Calif. 7 13-05 0
Day 1: 2 3-03 Day 2: 3 6-10 Day 3: 2 3-08
34. Robert Reedy Rose Bud, Ark. 7 12-01 0
Day 1: 3 5-00 Day 2: 2 3-02 Day 3: 2 3-15
34. Steven Earle Saint Peters, Mo. 5 12-01 0
Day 1: 2 4-09 Day 2: 3 7-08 Day 3: 0 0-00
36. Mike Frazier Orlando, Fla. 6 11-15 0
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 1 1-15 Day 3: 2 3-09
37. Dave Elder Tuscaloosa, Ala. 6 11-11 0
Day 1: 2 4-07 Day 2: 2 3-03 Day 3: 2 4-01
38. Douglas R Logsdon Benton, Ky. 3 11-06 0
Day 1: 3 11-06 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
39. Keith Sykes Clintwood, Va. 5 11-05 0
Day 1: 1 1-15 Day 2: 3 7-07 Day 3: 1 1-15
40. Tommy Stinnett Sikeston, Mo. 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 1 1-14 Day 2: 3 6-14 Day 3: 1 2-03
40. Jeff Seaberg Mount Prospect, Ill. 4 10-15 0
Day 1: 3 8-15 Day 2: 1 2-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
40. John Degroate Joliet, Ill. 4 10-15 0
Day 1: 3 8-03 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 1 2-12
43. Travis Cockburn Marion, Ill. 4 10-12 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 8-13 Day 3: 1 1-15
44. Bruce Weller Benton, Ky. 4 9-11 0
Day 1: 1 1-15 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 0 0-00
45. Marty Scoggins Trion, Ga. 4 9-05 0
Day 1: 3 7-05 Day 2: 1 2-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
46. Bruce Andrews Lake Forest, Ill. 5 9-01 0
Day 1: 2 3-15 Day 2: 2 3-10 Day 3: 1 1-08
47. Wade Grooms Bonneau, S.C. 5 8-11 0
Day 1: 2 3-15 Day 2: 3 4-12 Day 3: 0 0-00
48. Mike Williams Delhi, La. 4 8-00 0
Day 1: 1 1-09 Day 2: 3 6-07 Day 3: 0 0-00
49. Steven Oliver Westminster, Calif. 4 7-11 0
Day 1: 3 6-04 Day 2: 1 1-07 Day 3: 0 0-00
50. Thomas Warren Bolingbrook, Ill. 4 7-05 0
Day 1: 3 5-08 Day 2: 1 1-13 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Big Bass
Day
1 Richard Coldiron Somerset, Ky. 5-00 $500.00
2 Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 6-00 $500.00
3 William Pickard Portland, Tenn. 5-07 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 32 164 403-08
2 32 157 360-03
3 19 87 202-05
----------------------------------
83 408 966-00