KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. - Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, had an "unbelievable day" Saturday, grabbing hold of a 4-pound lead in The Rock at Table Rock Lake, the final bass fishing tournament of the Bassmaster Elite Series season. Faircloth will try to hold off a host of accomplished Elite anglers on Sunday for the $100,000 top prize.
Faircloth, 31, one of only two anglers to bring in a five-fish limit on all three days of competition, weighed in with 14 pounds, 14 ounces on Saturday to bring his total to 39-5. He is trying to win his first BASS tournament and already has two second-place finishes under his belt.
"My goal coming here was just to make the Bassmaster Classic, but now my goal is to win," said Faircloth, who, with his solid performance, is virtually assured a Bassmaster Classic berth. "I didn't even think about winning it until Friday when I saw that I had a realistic chance."
Faircloth has been targeting spotted bass the entire tournament and has been fishing with a five-inch Yamamoto Senko, using two colors for different times of the day. He said that his "magic" depth has been between 30 and 35 feet and he is catching all of his fish off the bottom on drop-shots.
Meanwhile, Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., rose to second in the standings with a 13-4 limit, bringing his total to 35-5. The three-time BASS winner is seeking his first win since March 2005 at North Carolina's Lake Norman.
"I'm just fishing deep," said Evers. "I'm locating fish with my depth finder and fishing really slow when I see them. You can't be really aggressive with them and get them to bite."
Kevin Short of Mayflower, Ark., the third-place finisher in the recent Bassmaster Legends on the Arkansas River, brought his total to 32-13 for third place. Short was dragging a Carolina rig at depths ranging from 28 to 36 feet.
"It's wearing me out, but it's working for me and I'm going to keep doing it," said Short. "When I get a bite, it's good, but I'm struggling on exactly where the fish are."
Jon Bondy of Canada, was in fourth with 30-11 and William Smith, Jr., of Somerset, Ky., was fifth with 30-2.
Shannon McClelland of Arkansas, the brother of Elite Series angler Mike McClelland, won the co-angler tournament division with 20-14. McClelland won a fully-rigged Triton boat valued at $45,000. Jerry McVey of Missouri finished second with 17-1 followed by James Hill of Alabama with 16-8.
Lastly, Florida's Shaw Grigsby, who was tied for 11th place, was disqualified for violating Rule 3.ii. The applicable part of the rule states: "Co-anglers and observers are not allowed to share information with Pro contestants." The rules violation occurred after Saturday's competition. Only the top 11 anglers will fish the final day of competition.
2006 The Rock Pro 09/14-09/17
Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City Mo.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 39-05 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 14-14
2. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 15 35-05 295
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 5 13-04
3. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 13 32-13 290
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 4 8-02 Day 3: 4 10-10
4. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 13 30-11 285
Day 1: 4 9-03 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 4 9-11
5. William Smith, Jr Somerset, Ky. 13 30-02 280
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 11-10 Day 3: 3 6-15
6. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 12 29-08 281
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 11-11 Day 3: 2 4-10
7. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 13 28-08 272
Day 1: 3 6-10 Day 2: 5 11-10 Day 3: 5 10-04
8. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 11 28-07 266
Day 1: 3 7-00 Day 2: 4 12-02 Day 3: 4 9-05
8. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 10 28-07 271 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 3 7-08 Day 3: 2 5-05
10. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 10 27-15 260 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 3-06 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 3 8-08
11. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 11 27-08 256
Day 1: 4 9-09 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 2 5-10
11. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 10 27-08 256 $500.00
Day 1: 2 6-05 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 3 8-12
13. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 12 26-00 251 $10,800.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 11-01 Day 3: 2 3-11
14. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 11 25-09 248 $10,700.00
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 4 7-09 Day 3: 5 14-03
15. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 11 24-12 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 4 9-09 Day 3: 4 8-12
16. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 9 24-11 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 1 2-09 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 3 6-15
17. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 11 24-05 240 $10,500.00
Day 1: 3 6-00 Day 2: 3 7-04 Day 3: 5 11-01
17. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 11 24-05 240 $10,500.00
Day 1: 4 9-11 Day 2: 3 5-11 Day 3: 4 8-15
19. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 11 23-15 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 2 3-06 Day 3: 4 8-02
20. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 10 23-04 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 3 6-00 Day 3: 2 4-13
21. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 10 23-03 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 2 5-01 Day 2: 3 6-07 Day 3: 5 11-11
22. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 11 22-10 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 4 8-10 Day 2: 4 8-02 Day 3: 3 5-14
23. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 11 21-08 229 $10,250.00
Day 1: 2 3-14 Day 2: 4 6-00 Day 3: 5 11-10
24. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 9 20-13 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 1 2-02 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 3 6-15
25. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 8 20-11 225 $11,250.00
Day 1: 2 3-06 Day 2: 2 6-15 Day 3: 4 10-06
26. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 9 19-15 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 3 6-06
27. Keith Phillips Calera, Ala. 8 19-09 220 $10,000.00
Day 1: 1 3-00 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 2 3-06
27. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 7 19-09 220 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 13-02 Day 2: 2 4-00 Day 3: 1 2-07
29. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 8 19-08 217 $10,500.00
Day 1: 3 9-12 Day 2: 4 7-09 Day 3: 1 2-03
30. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 9 19-05 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 2 4-04 Day 3: 2 4-09
31. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 8 19-03 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 9-14 Day 2: 4 9-05 Day 3: 0 0-00
32. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 9 19-02 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 4-03 Day 2: 3 6-09 Day 3: 4 8-06
33. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 9 19-01 209 $10,000.00
Day 1: 1 2-14 Day 2: 4 7-12 Day 3: 4 8-07
34. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 8 18-01 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 1 2-05 Day 2: 4 9-02 Day 3: 3 6-10
35. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 8 18-00 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-09 Day 2: 5 10-07 Day 3: 0 0-00
36. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 9 17-05 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-07 Day 2: 3 5-14 Day 3: 1 2-00
37. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 7 16-05 201 $10,500.00
Day 1: 3 6-08 Day 2: 2 3-05 Day 3: 2 6-08
38. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 7 16-02 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 2 3-06
39. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 7 16-01 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 4-00 Day 2: 4 9-09 Day 3: 1 2-08
40. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 8 15-11 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 3-14 Day 2: 4 8-08 Day 3: 2 3-05
41. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 8 15-05 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-00 Day 2: 2 3-00 Day 3: 3 5-05
42. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 5 14-14 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-13 Day 2: 2 6-01 Day 3: 0 0-00
43. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 6 14-07 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 1 1-12
44. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 14-03 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 10-07 Day 2: 1 2-05 Day 3: 1 1-07
45. Britt Myers Mt. Holly, N.C. 7 14-00 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 4 8-06 Day 3: 2 3-09
46. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 6 12-14 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 2 4-08 Day 3: 1 2-00
47. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 6 12-04 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 4-14 Day 2: 3 5-04 Day 3: 1 2-02
48. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 6 11-11 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 5-15 Day 2: 3 5-12 Day 3: 0 0-00
49. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 5 10-04 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 8-04 Day 2: 1 2-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
50. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 10-01 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-04 Day 2: 2 3-13 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Big Bass
Day
1 Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 2-02 $500.00
1 Alton Jones Waco, Texas 0-00 $500.00
2 Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 4-14 $1,000.00
3 Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 4-09 $500.00
3 Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 4-09 $500.00
Day
1 Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. $1,000.00
2 John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 16-01 $1,000.00
3 Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 14-14 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 12 209 486-12
2 16 253 558-13
3 7 128 297-00
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35 590 1342-09 2006 The Rock NB 09/14-09/17
Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City Mo.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Shannon Mcclelland Bella Vista, Ark. 9 20-14 0 $45,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 3 5-14 Day 3: 3 7-15
2. Jerry Mcvey Stewartsville, Mo. 8 17-01 0 $25,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-00 Day 2: 2 2-15 Day 3: 3 8-02
3. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 7 16-08 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 1 3-07 Day 3: 3 6-11
4. Chris Koester Winston Salem, N.C. 7 16-05 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 2 4-00 Day 2: 3 7-07 Day 3: 2 4-14
5. Art Hines Joplin, Mo. 6 13-11 0 $4,500.00
Day 1: 2 5-05 Day 2: 2 4-08 Day 3: 2 3-14
6. Jim Lewis Dodge City, Kan. 5 12-02 0 $3,000.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-14 Day 3: 3 8-04
7. Derrick Wright Chanute, Kan. 5 11-09 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 1-08 Day 2: 1 1-10 Day 3: 3 8-07
8. Michael Bass Austin, Texas 4 10-01 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-00 Day 2: 1 3-01 Day 3: 0 0-00
9. Jeff Cloud Pampa, Texas 5 10-00 0 $1,800.00
Day 1: 1 1-14 Day 2: 1 2-02 Day 3: 3 6-00
10. Steve Tosh Modesto, Calif. 5 9-13 0 $1,600.00
Day 1: 2 3-10 Day 2: 3 6-03 Day 3: 0 0-00
11. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 5 9-11 0 $1,400.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 2-15 Day 3: 3 6-12
12. Brad Outersky Pleasant Hill, Mo. 4 9-09 0 $1,300.00
Day 1: 3 6-12 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 1 2-13
13. John Settle Larned, Kan. 4 9-07 0 $1,200.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 5-02 Day 3: 2 4-05
14. James Jones Pinson, Ala. 4 9-06 0 $1,100.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 4-05 Day 3: 2 5-01
15. Keith Kavajecz Kaukauna, Wisc. 4 9-03 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 1 1-13 Day 3: 0 0-00
16. Brad Christy Jefferson City, Mo. 4 9-02 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-05 Day 3: 3 6-13
17. Scott Ventimiglia Kansas City, Mo. 4 9-00 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 1 2-08 Day 2: 3 6-08 Day 3: 0 0-00
18. Greg Hackman Sturgis, Mich. 4 8-15 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-09 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 1 2-06
19. Ken Keirsey Owasso, Okla. 3 8-13 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-13 Day 3: 2 6-00
20. Mike Williams Delhi, La. 4 7-13 0 $950.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-13 Day 3: 2 4-00
20. Gary Haraguchi Brentwood, Calif. 4 7-13 0 $950.00
Day 1: 2 4-00 Day 2: 1 2-01 Day 3: 1 1-12
22. Bruce Andrews Lake Forest, Ill. 4 7-10 0 $900.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-12 Day 3: 2 3-14
23. Roger Beadle Mattawan, Mich. 2 7-07 0 $1,400.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-01 Day 3: 1 5-06
24. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 4 7-02 0 $900.00
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 1 1-14 Day 3: 1 1-07
25. Al Odom Irmo, S.C. 4 6-14 0 $900.00
Day 1: 1 1-09 Day 2: 2 3-01 Day 3: 1 2-04
26. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 2 6-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 4-09 Day 3: 1 1-15
27. Shawn Omalley Oswego, Ill. 3 6-03 0
Day 1: 1 2-07 Day 2: 1 1-14 Day 3: 1 1-14
28. Jay Mcnamara Roseville, Minn. 3 6-01 0
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 2 4-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
28. Mike McNutt Ballwin, Mo. 3 6-01 0
Day 1: 1 2-06 Day 2: 1 1-10 Day 3: 1 2-01
30. Tom Heintz Waterloo, Ill. 3 5-13 0
Day 1: 1 2-02 Day 2: 2 3-11 Day 3: 0 0-00
31. Jim Thompson Blue Eye, Mo. 3 5-03 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 5-03 Day 3: 0 0-00
32. Scot Hutten Winter Haven, Fla. 2 5-02 0
Day 1: 2 5-02 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
33. Todd McClure El Dorado, Kan. 2 4-09 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-12 Day 3: 1 1-13
34. Steve Pate Saint Jacob, Ill. 2 4-08 0
Day 1: 1 1-13 Day 2: 1 2-11 Day 3: 0 0-00
35. Joseph Dorcy Smithfield, Mo. 2 4-07 0
Day 1: 1 2-02 Day 2: 1 2-05 Day 3: 0 0-00
36. Dennis Whitaker Branson, Mo. 2 4-06 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 4-06 Day 3: 0 0-00
37. Bill Adams Exeter, Calif. 2 4-05 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 4-05 Day 3: 0 0-00
38. Wayne Hauser Winston-Salem, N.C. 2 4-04 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 4-04 Day 3: 0 0-00
39. Greg Webster Camdenton, Mo. 2 3-12 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-12 Day 3: 0 0-00
39. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 2 3-12 0
Day 1: 1 2-03 Day 2: 1 1-09 Day 3: 0 0-00
39. Keith Haislip Saint Charles, Mo. 2 3-12 0
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 1 1-11
42. Pat Brainerd Wichita, Kan. 2 3-02 0
Day 1: 1 1-08 Day 2: 1 1-10 Day 3: 0 0-00
43. Charlie Raia Gardendale, Ala. 1 2-10 0
Day 1: 1 2-10 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
43. Michael Bogdanowicz Garden City, Mo. 1 2-10 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-10 Day 3: 0 0-00
45. Doug Borer Lincoln, Neb. 1 2-04 0
Day 1: 1 2-04 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
46. Dwight Baker Brownsburg, Ind. 1 2-01 0
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
47. Gene Shuffler Washington, Mo. 1 2-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
48. Russ Malmsbury Galena, Mo. 1 1-15 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 1-15 Day 3: 0 0-00
48. Jimmy Miller Madison, Miss. 1 1-15 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 1-15 Day 3: 0 0-00
48. Mark Wakefield Rudy, Ark. 1 1-15 0
Day 1: 1 1-15 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Big Bass
Day
1 Art Hines Joplin, Mo. 0-00 $500.00
2 Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 4-09 $500.00
3 Roger Beadle Mattawan, Mich. 5-06 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 7 56 117-15
2 5 73 149-13
3 8 49 116-06
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20 178 384-02