FORT MADISON, Iowa - The Mississippi River represents a new fishing experience for Frank Boothe, but the Mighty Mississippi gave up 15 pounds, 12 ounces, of bass to the Albuquerque, N.M., angler on Thursday for the Day 1 lead in the second event of the Bassmaster Northern Tour.
Unlike some of the field, Boothe said he wasn't unduly affected by early morning winds of about 15 mph. The river was choppy in the early part of the morning and anglers were forced to navigate through whitecaps on Pool 19, a 45-mile stretch of the Mississippi on the Iowa-Illinois border which comprises the tournament waters.
Boothe said he ran to a spot down river where he began to build his five-fish limit out of water as shallow as 10 inches, working scattered eel grass and lily pads for a reaction bite. He said he compensated for the wind simply by moving to a section of his hot spot that wasn't affected by the strong breeze.
"I caught most of my fish on topwater lures," said Boothe, who finished in 105th place at the first Northern Tour event on Kentucky Lake in June. "This is my first time on the Mississippi, but it's river fishing, and it's what I grew up with in eastern Texas and Arkansas and Oklahoma."
Fifty-five pros brought limits to the scales, including Randy McCarty of Hagerhill, Ky., whose five-fish limit included the Day 1 Big Bass of 4-1, worth a bonus of $1,000.
To keep the lead on Friday, the second of three competition days, Boothe will have to fend off Aaron Jakub of Lincoln, Neb. Jakub ended Day 1 in second place with 15-7, just 5 ounces behind. Also in contention for the Day 2 top spot were California's Charlie Weyer with 15-4, Maryland's Darrin Schwenkbeck with 14-15, and Fred Roumbanis of California with 14-10.
Weyer, Schwenkbeck and Roumbanis represent a contingent of anglers fishing the Northern Tour events. The top three points finishers from both the Southern and Northern Tour will qualify for the 2007 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 23-25 on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Ala.
Missouri's Blake Burks took the lead in the co-angler division with 8-14. He also captured Big Bass honors and a $400 bonus with a 4-15 fish.
Just 1 ounce behind Burks was Keith Carson of Florida. Bill Heitzman of Iowa brought 8-8 to the scales for third place, and Jake Thomas, also of Iowa, had 8-7 for fourth. Rounding out the top five was Jack Palmer of Kentucky with 8-6.
Anglers on the pro side are vying for a first-place payout of $30,000 in cash and a Triton boat rig worth $45,000. Co-anglers are up against each other for a top prize of a Triton boat package valued at $30,000. Total payout for the tournament is $324,650 in cash and merchandise to the top 60 pros; the top 50 co-anglers share a payout of $68,800 in prizes.
The Mississippi River Tour event is the second event of five on the Northern Tour. In addition to Classic berths, Northern Tour pros are also building points toward eligibility to move up to the next level of competition, the Elite Series.
The field cuts to the top 50 anglers and top 50 co-anglers for Saturday's competition.
2006 Northern 2 - Fort Madison
07/20-07/22 Mississippi River,
Fort Madison Iowa (PRO Division)
Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Frank Boothe Albuquerque, N.M. 5 15-12 305
Day 1: 5 15-12
2. Aaron Jakub Lincoln, Neb. 5 15-07 295
Day 1: 5 15-07
3. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 5 15-04 290
Day 1: 5 15-04
4. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 5 14-15 285
Day 1: 5 14-15
5. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 5 14-10 0
Day 1: 5 14-10
6. Richie Eaves Nauvoo, Ill. 5 14-09 276
Day 1: 5 14-09
7. Derek Remitz Hemphill, Texas 5 13-15 272
Day 1: 5 13-15
8. Craig Nels Baldwinsville, N.Y. 5 13-13 268
Day 1: 5 13-13
9. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 5 13-10 264
Day 1: 5 13-10
10. Terry Kayser Ursa, Ill. 5 13-07 260
Day 1: 5 13-07
11. Jeremy Montoia Fort Collins, Colo. 5 13-01 257
Day 1: 5 13-01
12. Rodney Hardwick Connersville, Ind. 5 13-00 252
Day 1: 5 13-00
12. Jess Salmon Milford, N.J. 5 13-00 252
Day 1: 5 13-00
14. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 5 12-14 248
Day 1: 5 12-14
15. Todd Ary Moody, Ala. 5 12-12 245
Day 1: 5 12-12
16. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 5 12-11 243
Day 1: 5 12-11
17. David Junk Quincy, Ill. 5 12-09 240
Day 1: 5 12-09
17. Greg Roth Cambridge, Canada 5 12-09 240
Day 1: 5 12-09
19. Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 5 12-07 237
Day 1: 5 12-07
20. Lawren Wetzel Sharon, Canada 5 12-06 235
Day 1: 5 12-06
21. Ray Brazier Lawrenceburg, Tenn. 5 12-03 233
Day 1: 5 12-03
22. Jason Sain Beechgrove, Tenn. 5 12-02 230
Day 1: 5 12-02
22. Kurt Johnson Cedar Rapids, Iowa 5 12-02 230
Day 1: 5 12-02
24. Paul Noechel Lost Creek, W.Va. 5 12-01 227
Day 1: 5 12-01
25. John Chaffo Pittsburgh, Pa. 5 11-15 224
Day 1: 5 11-15
25. Randy McCarty Hagerhill, Ky. 5 11-15 224
Day 1: 5 11-15
27. David Hovanec Unionville, N.Y. 5 11-13 221
Day 1: 5 11-13
28. Terry Baksay Monroe, Conn. 5 11-11 219
Day 1: 5 11-11
29. Monty Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 11-10 216
Day 1: 5 11-10
29. Steven Bunt Wallkill, N.Y. 5 11-10 216
Day 1: 5 11-10
31. Trent Masterson Ortonville, Mich. 5 11-07 212
Day 1: 5 11-07
31. James Opalecky Elk Grove, Calif. 5 11-07 212
Day 1: 5 11-07
33. Paul Mazzitelli Pittston, Pa. 5 11-05 209
Day 1: 5 11-05
34. Sammy Burks Joplin, Mo. 5 11-03 207
Day 1: 5 11-03
35. Thad Takes Center Point, Iowa 5 11-02 205
Day 1: 5 11-02
36. Rogne Brown Kimball, Tenn. 5 11-01 202
Day 1: 5 11-01
36. Curt Samo Rochelle, Ill. 5 11-01 202
Day 1: 5 11-01
38. John Morris Robinson, Ill. 5 10-11 199
Day 1: 5 10-11
39. Kenneth Acornley Larksville, Pa. 5 10-10 195
Day 1: 5 10-10
39. Daryl Biron South Windsor, Conn. 5 10-10 195
Day 1: 5 10-10
39. Tim Dungan Cinncinati, Ohio 4 10-10 195
Day 1: 4 10-10
42. David Marion Cold Spring, N.Y. 5 10-09 191
Day 1: 5 10-09
43. Jason Welch Royse City, Texas 5 10-06 189
Day 1: 5 10-06
44. Brent Broderick Oregonia, Ohio 5 10-05 186
Day 1: 5 10-05
44. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 5 10-05 186
Day 1: 5 10-05
46. Brian Wilhoit Oxon Hill, Md. 5 10-02 183
Day 1: 5 10-02
47. Dave Parsons Yantis, Texas 5 10-01 181
Day 1: 5 10-01
48. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, Ga. 5 10-00 179
Day 1: 5 10-00
49. John Cox Debary, Fla. 5 9-14 177
Day 1: 5 9-14
50. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 5 9-11 174
Day 1: 5 9-11
50. John Kolinski Greenville, Wisc. 5 9-11 174
Day 1: 5 9-11
52. Travis Rulle Loveland, Colo. 4 9-10 171
Day 1: 4 9-10
53. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, Fla. 5 9-09 168
Day 1: 5 9-09
53. Matt Hupp Gainesville4, Texas 4 9-09 168
Day 1: 4 9-09
55. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 5 9-07 165
Day 1: 5 9-07
56. Darrin Olin Laharpe, Ill. 5 9-05 163
Day 1: 5 9-05
57. Pete Cherkas Des Moines, Iowa 5 9-01 161
Day 1: 5 9-01
58. Tony Dadante Franklin, Tenn. 3 8-15 159
Day 1: 3 8-15
59. Gregory Dipalma Millville, N.J. 4 8-12 157
Day 1: 4 8-12
60. Tom Ondras Oak Forest, Ill. 4 8-07 155
Day 1: 4 8-07
61. Chad Ekroth Yankton, S.D. 5 8-04 153
Day 1: 5 8-04
62. Anre' De Villiers Goodwood, South Africa 4 8-02 151
Day 1: 4 8-02
63. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 3 6-09 149
Day 1: 3 6-09
64. Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 3 6-06 147
Day 1: 3 6-06
65. Paul Kimball Glastonbury, Conn. 3 5-11 145
Day 1: 3 5-11
66. Joe Conway Colorado Springs, Colo 3 5-09 143
Day 1: 3 5-09
67. Kirk Mcfadden Lawrence, Kan. 3 5-05 141
Day 1: 3 5-05
68. Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 2 5-03 139
Day 1: 2 5-03
69. Matthew Lazaroff Mercer, Pa. 3 4-15 137
Day 1: 3 4-15
70. Craig Dowling Many, La. 2 4-12 135
Day 1: 2 4-12
71. Kip Bodkin Rhome, Texas 2 4-10 133
Day 1: 2 4-10
72. Rocky Cummings Emmet, Ark. 2 3-14 131
Day 1: 2 3-14
73. Charles Hill Franklin, Ky. 2 3-13 129
Day 1: 2 3-13
74. Ron Brown Mount Pleasant, S.C. 2 3-09 127
Day 1: 2 3-09
75. Maurice Parent Taylorsville, N.C. 2 3-06 125
Day 1: 2 3-06
76. Gary Clark Groveland, Ill. 1 2-11 123
Day 1: 1 2-11
77. Mark Hicks Millfield, Ohio 1 2-06 121
Day 1: 1 2-06
78. Mike Weiss Union Grove, Wisc. 1 2-02 119
Day 1: 1 2-02
79. Ron Cherkas Des Moines, Iowa 1 2-01 117
Day 1: 1 2-01
80. Tom Frink Simi Valley, Calif. 1 1-11 114
Day 1: 1 1-11
80. Jeff Stoner Wellsville, Pa. 1 1-11 114
Day 1: 1 1-11
82. Brannon Jones Montgomery, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
82. Nathan Sulham Orange, Mass. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 55 340 789-05
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55 340 789-05006 Northern 2 - Fort Madison
07/20-07/22 Mississippi River,
Fort Madison Iowa
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Blake Burks Joplin, Mo. 3 8-14 305
Day 1: 3 8-14
2. Keith Carson Debary, Fla. 3 8-13 295
Day 1: 3 8-13
3. Bill Heitzman Hills, Iowa 3 8-08 290
Day 1: 3 8-08
4. Jake Thomas Iowa Falls, Iowa 3 8-07 285
Day 1: 3 8-07
5. Jack Palmer Hopkinsville, Ky. 3 8-06 280
Day 1: 3 8-06
6. Jeremy Sorensen Fremont, Neb. 3 8-05 276
Day 1: 3 8-05
7. Scott McKell Millington, Tenn. 3 8-02 272
Day 1: 3 8-02
8. Joshua Fiedler Clear Spring, Md. 3 8-01 266
Day 1: 3 8-01
8. Joe Ritzenthaler Sandusky, Ohio 3 8-01 266
Day 1: 3 8-01
10. Dave Knutstrom Stronghurst, Ill. 3 8-00 260
Day 1: 3 8-00
11. Jerry Thye Guymon, Okla. 3 7-14 257
Day 1: 3 7-14
12. Jim Zane Donnellson, Iowa 3 7-13 254
Day 1: 3 7-13
13. Richard Favire Winfield Park, N.J. 3 7-12 250
Day 1: 3 7-12
13. Justin Walker Markham, Canada 3 7-12 250
Day 1: 3 7-12
15. Travis Green Grand Blanc, Mich. 3 7-11 245
Day 1: 3 7-11
16. Randy Warner Elmwood, Ill. 3 7-10 243
Day 1: 3 7-10
17. Lee Patterson Des Moines, Iowa 3 7-09 239
Day 1: 3 7-09
17. Todd Wagner Ottawa, Ohio 3 7-09 239
Day 1: 3 7-09
17. Scott Holterhaus Fort Madison, Iowa 3 7-09 239
Day 1: 3 7-09
20. Alan Brightwell Moultrie, Ga. 3 7-08 235
Day 1: 3 7-08
21. Chip Porche Bixby, Okla. 3 7-07 233
Day 1: 3 7-07
22. Tony Kyriazes Chicago, Ill. 3 7-06 230
Day 1: 3 7-06
22. Jim McDevitt Eldon, Mo. 3 7-06 230
Day 1: 3 7-06
24. Fid Meyer Manito, Ill. 3 7-05 227
Day 1: 3 7-05
25. Joe Cupp La Grange, Mo. 3 7-04 224
Day 1: 3 7-04
25. Trudy Noechel Lost Creek, W.Va. 3 7-04 224
Day 1: 3 7-04
27. Danielle Kremer Osteen, Fla. 3 7-03 221
Day 1: 3 7-03
28. Scott Seager Fort Madison, Iowa 3 7-00 219
Day 1: 3 7-00
29. Dean Jacobs Montrose, Iowa 3 6-14 217
Day 1: 3 6-14
30. Eric Bond Ferndale, Mich. 3 6-13 213
Day 1: 3 6-13
30. Rollie Truehl Deforest, Wisc. 3 6-13 213
Day 1: 3 6-13
30. Josh Kolbinsky Lawrenceburg, Ind. 3 6-13 213
Day 1: 3 6-13
33. Bill Rea Greenfield, Ohio 3 6-10 209
Day 1: 3 6-10
34. Larry Wagner Crown Point, Ind. 3 6-08 207
Day 1: 3 6-08
35. Lee Hannah West Springfield, Mass 3 6-07 205
Day 1: 3 6-07
36. Carl A Aldredge Camanche, Iowa 3 6-06 203
Day 1: 3 6-06
37. Aaron Geheber Manito, Ill. 3 6-02 201
Day 1: 3 6-02
38. Fred Dorsey Swainsboro, Ga. 3 5-12 199
Day 1: 3 5-12
39. Dave Norton Burlington, Wisc. 3 5-08 197
Day 1: 3 5-08
40. Rodney Laucamp Tipton, Iowa 2 5-05 195
Day 1: 2 5-05
41. Del Smith Castalia, Ohio 2 4-14 193
Day 1: 2 4-14
42. Jim Kline Hagerstown, Md. 2 4-10 191
Day 1: 2 4-10
43. Michael Gipe Lancaster, Ky. 2 4-09 189
Day 1: 2 4-09
44. Earl Purcell Granville, Mass. 2 4-05 187
Day 1: 2 4-05
45. Johnny Denny Lancaster, Ky. 2 4-04 185
Day 1: 2 4-04
46. George Fister Lake Charles, La. 2 4-03 183
Day 1: 2 4-03
47. Bob Howard Colorado Springs, Colo 2 4-02 180
Day 1: 2 4-02
47. Charles Robison Allison Park, Pa. 2 4-02 180
Day 1: 2 4-02
49. Larry Bryant Goodlettsville, Tenn. 2 4-01 177
Day 1: 2 4-01
50. Cory Larson Belle Plaine, Minn. 2 4-00 175
Day 1: 2 4-00
51. Valeri Timofeev East Stroudsburg, Pa. 2 3-15 173
Day 1: 2 3-15
52. Eric Persson Hamburg, N.J. 2 3-14 171
Day 1: 2 3-14
53. Kenneth Strimple Fairport, N.Y. 2 3-11 169
Day 1: 2 3-11
54. Dave Sarff Manito, Ill. 2 3-07 167
Day 1: 2 3-07
55. Jon Fry Gobles, Mich. 2 3-05 165
Day 1: 2 3-05
56. Scott W Murphy Waterford, Mich. 1 2-12 163
Day 1: 1 2-12
57. Jon Cook Hi Nella, N.J. 1 2-09 161
Day 1: 1 2-09
58. Eric Loos Glen Ellyn, Ill. 1 2-08 159
Day 1: 1 2-08
59. William Smith Keokuk, Iowa 1 2-07 157
Day 1: 1 2-07
60. Richard Strubell Huddleston, Va. 1 2-01 153
Day 1: 1 2-01
60. Ron Taylor Chicago, Ill. 1 2-01 153
Day 1: 1 2-01
60. Ron Tyson Marrietta, Ga. 1 2-01 153
Day 1: 1 2-01
63. Tony Johnson Westerville, Ohio 1 2-00 149
Day 1: 1 2-00
64. Ken Warren Olin, Iowa 1 1-12 147
Day 1: 1 1-12
65. Peter Typer Pt Colborne, Canada 1 1-11 145
Day 1: 1 1-11
66. Joe Kokjohn Fort Madison, Iowa 1 1-09 0
Day 1: 1 1-09
67. Lee Winkler Cincinnati, Ohio 1 1-07 141
Day 1: 1 1-07
68. John Butvilas Cicero, Ill. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Joe Clayton Chillicothe, Iowa 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Darren Corley Cedar Rapids, Iowa 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Tony Devolder Coal Valley, Ill. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Alonzo Evans East Hartford, Conn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Doug Gudat Lacon, Ill. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Steve Linville Harrison, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Olexiy Luchnikov Brooklyn, N.Y. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. JUSTIN Malone Morgan, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Steve Remitz Rush City, Minn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Craig (Steven) Schmid Columbus, Neb. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. John Starner Dover, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Glennon Wallach Cedar Hill, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Mary Ann Weyer West Hills, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
68. Robert Wilson Saint Louis, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
83. Stephen Barrett Kirkfield, Canada 1 0--12 109
Day 1: 1 0--12
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 39 162 379-14
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39 162 379-14