OKEECHOBEE, Fla. - Less than two weeks ago, Chris Lane quit his job as a salesman so he could concentrate on fishing. The decision is starting to look like a good one: On Saturday, Lane won the Bassmaster Southern Tour on Lake Okeechobee.
Lane, of Winter Haven , Fla., dominated the final day of competition to put together the winning weight of 54 pounds, 12 ounces. He bested fellow Floridian Terry Scroggins by more than 6 pounds.
Lane said his decision to quit his job will allow him to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series next year. A BASS fishing career for Lane builds on a family tradition: His father, Robert, and two brothers, Arnie and Bobby, also fish BASS tournaments.
"This win means a whole lot to me," the 30-year-old pro said. "For the past three months, I have been working non-stop to make my dream happen, and the money has been tight. But this win makes things easier on my family and me. It's just a total blessing."
Lane said he threw a Gambler cane toad to bring in most of his final-day weight of 21 pounds, 10 ounces. The prize bass of his bag, a 7-9 lunker, fell for a Gambler otter flipped into thick cover.
Although he lost a bass he estimated to be about 8 pounds, he was able to boat all the fish needed to win the $26,100 cash prize and a fully rigged Triton boat valued at $45,000.
Scroggins, whose total weight was 48 pounds, lamented that he couldn't duplicate his first-day lead. The Palatka, Fla., native has made a name for himself on Florida fisheries, including a 2003 Bassmaster Tour win on Okeechobee, but Friday and Saturday, his spots didn't produce.
"I should have listened to Chris (Lane) today because he told me what to do," a frustrated Scroggins said. "But I fished all new water and couldn't get them to bite."
Still, Scroggins is considered a favorite in next month's $1.2 million 2006 Bassmaster Classic. And there are 500,000 reasons for Scroggins to refocus and forget about his tough loss on the Big "O."
"I hope it's going to turn on to a flipping bite because, if so, I will be hard to beat," the Elite Series pro said.
Behind Lane and Scroggins were Shawn Johnson of Jacksonville, Fla. (46-4), second-day leader James Niggemeyer of Lindale, Texas (45-6); and Mark Lamb of West Palm Beach, Fla. (44-11).
The Florida domination continued on the co-angler side. Bruce Kane of Sunny Isles, Fla., won a Triton boat prize valued at $30,000 with his 26 pounds, 14 ounces of bass. Following Kane was Georgian Heath Pack (24-15), Louisiana's Mark Richard (24-1), and Floridians Robert Dice (23-0) and Phillip Lee (22-10).
Texan Brian Penso kicked the day off on an interesting note. The Houston, Texas, angler launched his boat mistakenly with another local tournament that was in close proximity. According to BASS tournament manager Chris Bowes, Penso sacrificed Saturday's catch, but was still eligible for the prize money for his 39th place finish.
PRO Division Standings Day 3
Lake Okeechobee, Okeechobee Fla.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 15 54-12 305 $71,100.00
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 22-11 Day 3: 5 21-10
2. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 15 48-00 300 $51,960.00
Day 1: 5 24-05 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 10-12
3. Shawn Johnson Jacksonville, Fla. 15 46-04 290 $32,610.00
Day 1: 5 7-07 Day 2: 5 19-14 Day 3: 5 18-15
4. James Niggemeyer Lindale, Texas 14 45-06 290 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 23-00 Day 3: 4 4-12
5. Mark Lamb West Palm Beach, Fla. 15 44-11 280 $8,700.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 23-08 Day 3: 5 10-06
6. Patrick Pierce Jacksonville, Fla. 15 42-10 276 $6,960.00
Day 1: 5 9-09 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 16-05
7. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 15 41-11 272 $5,655.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 14-03
8. Rodney Sorrell Stokesdale, N.C. 15 41-06 268 $4,350.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 22-01 Day 3: 5 6-06
9. Kevin Marrs Melbourne, Fla. 15 40-10 264 $3,915.00
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 8-08 Day 3: 5 21-11
10. Marty Robinson Greer, S.C. 15 40-08 258 $3,610.50
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 6-03
10. Derek Remitz North Branch, Minn. 15 40-08 258 $3,610.50
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 10-05 Day 3: 5 14-10
12. Randy Yager Syracuse, N.Y. 15 38-07 254 $3,480.00
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 6-13
13. Clark Reehm Leesville, La. 14 38-05 251 $5,393.00
Day 1: 4 14-00 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 9-07
14. Curtis Lewis West Palm Beach, Fla. 15 36-06 248 $3,306.00
Day 1: 5 7-12 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 15-14
15. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 12 35-10 245 $3,219.00
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 11-05 Day 3: 2 2-08
16. Mike Balon Clewiston, Fla. 15 35-07 243 $3,132.00
Day 1: 5 8-06 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 11-09
17. Tony Hogan Pensacola, Fla. 12 34-11 241 $4,045.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 4 11-13 Day 3: 3 11-05
18. Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 8 33-10 239 $3,958.00
Day 1: 3 5-15 Day 2: 5 27-11 Day 3: 0 0-00
19. Sammy Burks Joplin, Mo. 13 32-11 237 $2,784.00
Day 1: 3 5-04 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 9-15
20. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 15 32-05 235 $2,610.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 7-13 Day 3: 5 11-07
21. Chris Daniels Panama City, Fla. 15 32-03 233 $2,523.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-05 Day 3: 5 11-09
22. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 15 31-14 231 $2,436.00
Day 1: 5 9-03 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 5 9-10
23. Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 15 31-03 228 $2,305.50
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 8-09 Day 3: 5 9-06
23. Terry Bloom Groveland, Fla. 15 31-03 228 $2,305.50
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 10-07 Day 3: 5 7-13
25. Sam Greer London, Ky. 11 31-01 225 $2,175.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 4 13-14 Day 3: 2 2-15
26. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. 15 30-15 223 $2,088.00
Day 1: 5 6-03 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 11-09
27. Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 15 30-05 221 $2,001.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 9-01 Day 3: 5 7-02
28. Nicholas Turner Jones, Ala. 15 29-06 219 $1,914.00
Day 1: 5 8-13 Day 2: 5 9-03 Day 3: 5 11-06
29. Donnie Hawks Galax, Va. 13 29-05 217 $1,827.00
Day 1: 3 3-07 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 5 6-05
30. Larry Jones Acworth, Ga. 15 29-00 215 $1,740.00
Day 1: 5 6-14 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 5 11-00
31. Thomas O'Bryant Cedar Grove, Tenn. 15 28-14 213 $1,697.00
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 9-13 Day 3: 5 8-01
32. Craig Dowling Many, La. 13 28-10 211 $1,653.00
Day 1: 3 8-00 Day 2: 5 11-07 Day 3: 5 9-03
33. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 15 28-00 209 $1,610.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 6-06 Day 3: 5 7-04
34. Mark Rizk Arab, Ala. 13 27-15 207 $1,566.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 4 6-06 Day 3: 4 8-11
35. Randy Alexander London, Ky. 15 27-10 205 $1,523.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 8-08 Day 3: 5 8-14
36. Brady Nelson Palmetto, Fla. 15 27-00 203 $1,479.00
Day 1: 5 7-05 Day 2: 5 11-04 Day 3: 5 8-07
37. James Conrad Alva, Fla. 15 26-11 201 $1,436.00
Day 1: 5 7-11 Day 2: 5 11-00 Day 3: 5 8-00
38. Frank Ippoliti Smithsburg, Md. 15 26-09 199 $1,392.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 7-01 Day 3: 5 7-09
39. Brian Penso Houston, Texas 10 26-05 197 $1,349.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 0 0-00
40. Robert Miley Miami, Fla. 14 26-03 195 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 8-08 Day 2: 4 9-07 Day 3: 5 8-04
41. Cecil Douberly Lakeland, Fla. 15 25-04 193 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 7-06 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 7-00
42. Jack Wade Knoxville, Tenn. 15 25-02 191 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 5 8-04 Day 3: 5 7-09
43. Darrell Newman Bruceville, Texas 12 24-15 189 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 2 2-10
44. Tom Hamlin Lizella, Ga. 15 24-12 187 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 8-09 Day 2: 5 9-04 Day 3: 5 6-15
45. Jim Murray Arabi, Ga. 14 24-06 185 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 7-07 Day 3: 4 6-07
46. Rich Patterson Windermere, Fla. 15 23-13 183 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 5-04 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 5 5-07
47. Bobby Scharber Pulaski, Tenn. 12 23-09 181 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 7-12 Day 3: 2 1-11
48. Mike Robinson Acworth, Ga. 9 22-12 179 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 1 6-03 Day 3: 3 4-07
49. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 11 21-07 177 $1,305.00
Day 1: 5 6-13 Day 2: 4 11-00 Day 3: 2 3-10
50. John Gray Noblesville, Ind. 11 19-01 175 $1,087.50
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 5-06 Day 3: 1 1-04
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Clark Reehm Leesville, La. 9-12 $1,000.00
2 Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 8-15 $1,000.00
3 Tony Hogan Pensacola, Fla. 8-11 $1,000.00
Clark Reehm Leesville, La. 0-00 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 90 542 1038-12
2 82 521 1053-07
3 37 214 434-11
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209 1277 2526-14 Co-Angler Standings Day 3
Lake Okeechobee, Okeechobee Fla.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bruce Kane Sunny Isles, Fla. 9 26-14 310 $30,000.00
Day 1: 3 5-13 Day 2: 3 15-15 Day 3: 3 5-02
2. Heath Pack Mineral Bluff, Ga. 9 24-15 295 $3,915.00
Day 1: 3 14-07 Day 2: 3 5-04 Day 3: 3 5-04
3. Mark Richard Bridge City, La. 8 24-01 290 $3,480.00
Day 1: 2 2-09 Day 2: 3 6-10 Day 3: 3 14-14
4. Robert Dice Perry, Fla. 7 23-00 285 $2,610.00
Day 1: 1 0-15 Day 2: 3 13-14 Day 3: 3 8-03
5. Phillip Lee Deltona, Fla. 9 22-10 280 $1,740.00
Day 1: 3 7-02 Day 2: 3 4-07 Day 3: 3 11-01
6. Allen Burkhalter Columbus, Ga. 9 22-02 276 $1,523.00
Day 1: 3 5-05 Day 2: 3 9-13 Day 3: 3 7-00
7. Jerry Gordon Wiggins, Miss. 9 21-07 272 $1,305.00
Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 3 8-00 Day 3: 3 4-04
8. Randal Aldred Woodlawn, Va. 8 20-09 268 $1,088.00
Day 1: 2 12-01 Day 2: 3 5-04 Day 3: 3 3-04
9. Wayne Prater Jacksboro, Tenn. 6 19-15 264 $870.00
Day 1: 2 8-03 Day 2: 1 1-04 Day 3: 3 10-08
10. Bob Snyder Roland, Ark. 9 19-13 260 $696.00
Day 1: 3 12-03 Day 2: 3 4-00 Day 3: 3 3-10
11. Richard Parrish Savannah, Ga. 8 19-11 257 $609.00
Day 1: 2 2-09 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 3 8-08
12. Billy Schwach Charleston, S.C. 9 19-04 254 $609.00
Day 1: 3 4-14 Day 2: 3 9-06 Day 3: 3 5-00
13. Dave Morningstar Ft Myers, Fla. 9 19-03 251 $609.00
Day 1: 3 5-03 Day 2: 3 9-12 Day 3: 3 4-04
14. Joe Opalecky Searcy, Ark. 8 19-00 246 $609.00
Day 1: 3 6-09 Day 2: 3 8-03 Day 3: 2 4-04
14. Jim Mcdevitt Eldon, Mo. 6 19-00 246 $1,009.00
Day 1: 2 3-00 Day 2: 3 8-07 Day 3: 1 7-09
16. Jimmy Dudley White, Ga. 6 18-14 248 $922.00
Day 1: 3 14-10 Day 2: 1 1-08 Day 3: 2 2-12
17. James H Hayden Fayetteville, N.C. 9 18-13 241 $522.00
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 3 5-10 Day 3: 3 5-08
18. Joel Hazelbaker Napels, Fla. 6 17-10 239 $522.00
Day 1: 3 6-13 Day 2: 3 10-13 Day 3: 0 0-00
19. Juddie Revels, III Pembroke, N.C. 8 17-09 237 $522.00
Day 1: 3 6-11 Day 2: 3 8-02 Day 3: 2 2-12
20. Wayne Pomeroy Wellington, Fla. 9 17-02 235 $522.00
Day 1: 3 4-06 Day 2: 3 9-05 Day 3: 3 3-07
21. Matt Fair High Springs, Fla. 9 16-10 233 $435.00
Day 1: 3 6-10 Day 2: 3 6-08 Day 3: 3 3-08
22. Charlie Townsel Frostproof, Fla. 6 16-03 231 $435.00
Day 1: 3 9-08 Day 2: 1 1-08 Day 3: 2 5-03
23. Larry Thompson Walled Lake, Mich. 5 16-01 229 $835.00
Day 1: 3 7-00 Day 2: 2 9-01 Day 3: 0 0-00
24. Harry L Scott Independence, Iowa 7 15-09 227 $435.00
Day 1: 2 4-07 Day 2: 3 3-13 Day 3: 2 7-05
25. George Marshall Okeechobee, Fla. 9 15-06 225 $435.00
Day 1: 3 4-10 Day 2: 3 5-01 Day 3: 3 5-11
26. Michael Brown Bristol, Tenn. 7 15-03 223 $392.00
Day 1: 1 1-05 Day 2: 3 7-04 Day 3: 3 6-10
27. Frank Lawson Clinton, La. 9 14-14 221 $392.00
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 3 3-06 Day 3: 3 5-02
28. Marvin Wells Claremore, Okla. 7 14-13 219 $392.00
Day 1: 2 5-08 Day 2: 2 3-08 Day 3: 3 5-13
29. Josh Ramsey Palmetto, Fla. 9 14-09 217 $392.00
Day 1: 3 4-07 Day 2: 3 6-08 Day 3: 3 3-10
30. Gaspare Costabile Niagara Falls, United 9 14-08 215 $392.00
Day 1: 3 3-13 Day 2: 3 5-00 Day 3: 3 5-11
31. Tony Dadante Franklin, Tenn. 9 13-09 213 $370.00
Day 1: 3 4-05 Day 2: 3 4-09 Day 3: 3 4-11
32. Michael McCoy Jupiter, Fla. 8 13-07 210 $370.00
Day 1: 3 4-09 Day 2: 2 3-15 Day 3: 3 4-15
32. Maurice Parent Taylorsville, N.C. 5 13-07 210 $370.00
Day 1: 2 2-04 Day 2: 3 11-03 Day 3: 0 0-00
34. E.P. Fletcher Little Rock, Ark. 9 13-06 207 $370.00
Day 1: 3 5-01 Day 2: 3 5-00 Day 3: 3 3-05
35. Kevin Girt Savannah, Tenn. 9 13-02 204 $359.00
Day 1: 3 4-06 Day 2: 3 3-13 Day 3: 3 4-15
35. Danny Ashley Donalds, S.C. 8 13-02 204 $359.00
Day 1: 3 5-10 Day 2: 3 4-09 Day 3: 2 2-15
37. Brian Jones Salem, Va. 6 12-13 201 $348.00
Day 1: 3 6-08 Day 2: 1 4-04 Day 3: 2 2-01
38. Dutch Holt Clermont, Fla. 7 12-06 199 $348.00
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 3 4-02 Day 3: 1 1-13
39. Edgar Lewis Kelford, N.C. 7 12-03 197 $348.00
Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2: 3 3-03 Day 3: 1 1-03
40. Danny Jordan Kennesaw, Ga. 8 11-14 195 $348.00
Day 1: 3 3-08 Day 2: 3 4-07 Day 3: 2 3-15
41. Vernon Silver Boutte, La. 6 11-11 193 $326.00
Day 1: 3 3-14 Day 2: 3 7-13 Day 3: 0 0-00
42. Paul Scharf Valrico, Fla. 6 11-09 191 $326.00
Day 1: 2 7-09 Day 2: 3 2-11 Day 3: 1 1-05
43. Dennis Andersen Wellington, Fla. 8 11-07 189 $326.00
Day 1: 2 3-05 Day 2: 3 4-12 Day 3: 3 3-06
44. Dennis Arendt Jackson, Tenn. 8 11-04 187 $326.00
Day 1: 3 3-08 Day 2: 3 5-15 Day 3: 2 1-13
45. Larry Blount Dothan, Ala. 7 10-05 185 $326.00
Day 1: 3 5-06 Day 2: 3 3-05 Day 3: 1 1-10
46. Darrell Porter Monroe, La. 5 9-15 183 $305.00
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 1 1-01 Day 3: 1 1-03
47. Kenneth Harris Calhoun, La. 8 9-10 180 $305.00
Day 1: 3 2-11 Day 2: 3 5-03 Day 3: 2 1-12
47. Bill Williams Corbin, Ky. 4 9-10 180 $305.00
Day 1: 1 1-00 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 0 0-00
49. Tracy Patterson Eton, Ga. 6 9-04 177 $305.00
Day 1: 3 4-06 Day 2: 2 5-01 Day 3: 1 0--03
50. Thomas Bowker Terre Haute, Ind. 6 8-05 175 $305.00
Day 1: 3 5-01 Day 2: 3 3-04 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Jimmy Dudley White, Ga. 9-08 $400.00
2 Larry Thompson Walled Lake, Mich. 8-04 $400.00
3 Jim Mcdevitt Eldon, Mo. 7-09 $400.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 67 278 481-11
2 69 271 476-06
3 27 108 206-06
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163 657 1164-07