Bill Smith of Somerset, Ky., was just looking to kill some time Thursday morning. He ended up catching the biggest limit on the opening day of the Bassmaster Elite Series' bass fishing tournament on Lake Tohopekaliga. With 18 pounds, 6 ounces, Smith leads by less than one pound over tournament favorite Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Fla., who had 17-13.
Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., leader of the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings entering the final Elite Series event of the season, was 16th with a limit weighing 9-11. Kalamazoo, Mich., pro Kevin VanDam, who is second in the standings, was 18th at 9-0.
"I'm fishing the only thing I've got," Reese said. "If I had an area to catch 15, 18 pounds, I'd be there. My spot has 2-pounders and right now, those 2-pounders look pretty good."
Smith's leading weight was anchored by a fish weighing 6-7. Scroggins, who won a Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in March, was trailed by Ben Matsubu of Hemphill, Texas, with 16-1, followed by Elite rookie Glenn Delong of Bellville, Ohio, with 15-7 and Bernie Schultz of Gainesville, Fla., with 14-5.
Only the top-50 anglers will move on to Saturday's competition. The top 12 will move on the final round of action on Sunday and compete for the $100,000 top prize.
Smith said he was headed to Lake Kissimmee, but he had about an hour's wait to go through the lock at the southern end of Lake Toho. So he decided to fish a nearby spot until the lock opened.
"My second cast I caught the 6-pounder," said Smith, 36. "My next cast I caught my second biggest keeper. I caught 12 or 13 keepers pretty quick. I quit fishing it hard about 8:30 and just stayed there to keep other people out, but nobody even tried to pull in there.
"It's a real obvious spot. I don't know why nobody's fished there."
Smith hopes to have the spot to himself again Friday.
"From what I saw [Thursday], there are plenty of fish there," said Smith, who located the spot during practice Wednesday, hooking and shaking off two good fish before moving on.
He said he caught his big bass on a topwater lure, but played it close to the vest on the detail of his other bait.
"I'm throwing a bait not made anymore," Smith said. "It's worked for me in Florida several times and I bought 300 of them. It's something different."
There's no secret about what Scroggins is doing: One of the best flippers on the Elite Series trail flipped a cooter brown-colored Yum Big Show Craw with a 1.5-ounce tungsten weight in mats of vegetation at the south end of Lake Kissimmee.
"The Chain of Lakes is as tough as I've seen it," said Scroggins, who has claimed two BASS victories on Toho. "There's a bunch of fish under those mats, but they're not wanting to eat at all. I had seven bites. I swung on two of them and caught the other five. I was fortunate I had the right bites."
Meanwhile, Bryan Hudgins of Orange Park, Fla., had his Thursday catch disqualified for violation of Rule 3.ii. The applicable part of the rule states, "During both the official practice and the tournament, a competitor may not have the assistance or advice of anyone, who has been on the tournament waters during the off-limits period."
Co-angler division leader Harry Potts of Alabama caught the biggest limit of the tournament so far with five fish weighing 20-8. Frank Mealer of Alabama was second at 13-11 in the co-angler standings, followed by Allen Burkhalter of Georgia at 10-0. The co-anglers are vying for a first-place prize of a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $50,000.
2007 Sunshine Showdown 9/13-9/16
Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee FL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bill Smith Jr. Somerset, KY 5 18-06 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06
2. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 17-13 295
Day 1: 5 17-13
3. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 5 16-01 290
Day 1: 5 16-01
4. Glenn Delong Bellville, OH 5 15-07 285
Day 1: 5 15-07
5. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 14-05 280
Day 1: 5 14-05
6. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 11-13 276
Day 1: 5 11-13
7. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, OH 5 11-12 272
Day 1: 5 11-12
8. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 5 11-01 268
Day 1: 5 11-01
9. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 10-14 264
Day 1: 5 10-14
10. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 5 10-09 260
Day 1: 5 10-09
11. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 10-08 257
Day 1: 5 10-08
12. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 10-06 254
Day 1: 5 10-06
13. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 4 10-05 251
Day 1: 4 10-05
14. Peter E Thliveros St. Augustine, FL 5 10-03246.5
Day 1: 5 10-03
14. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 5 10-03246.5
Day 1: 5 10-03
16. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 09-11 243
Day 1: 5 09-11
17. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 5 09-04 241
Day 1: 5 09-04
18. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 09-00 238
Day 1: 5 09-00
18. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 3 09-00 238
Day 1: 3 09-00
20. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 08-15 234
Day 1: 5 08-15
20. Jon Bondy Windsor CANADA 3 08-15 234
Day 1: 3 08-15
22. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 5 08-13 231
Day 1: 5 08-13
23. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 08-10 229
Day 1: 5 08-10
24. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 2 08-09 227 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 08-09
25. Derek Remitz Madison, TX 5 08-08 225
Day 1: 5 08-08
26. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 5 08-07 223
Day 1: 5 08-07
27. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 08-05 221
Day 1: 5 08-05
28. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 08-03 219
Day 1: 5 08-03
29. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 5 08-01 215
Day 1: 5 08-01
29. Alton Jones Waco, TX 5 08-01 215
Day 1: 5 08-01
29. Kevin Langill Terrell, NC 2 08-01 215
Day 1: 2 08-01
32. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 4 07-14 211
Day 1: 4 07-14
33. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 4 07-11 209
Day 1: 4 07-11
34. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 4 07-08 207
Day 1: 4 07-08
35. Chris Lane Winter Haven, FL 5 07-06 205
Day 1: 5 07-06
36. Charlie Youngers Geneva, FL 5 07-05 202
Day 1: 5 07-05
36. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 3 07-05 202
Day 1: 3 07-05
38. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 5 07-04 198
Day 1: 5 07-04
38. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 3 07-04 198
Day 1: 3 07-04
40. Rick Ash Pottstown, PA 5 07-02 195
Day 1: 5 07-02
41. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 4 07-00 193
Day 1: 4 07-00
42. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 06-14 191
Day 1: 5 06-14
43. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 3 06-13 189
Day 1: 3 06-13
44. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 06-12 186
Day 1: 5 06-12
44. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 2 06-12 186
Day 1: 2 06-12
46. Dave Smith Del City, OK 5 06-08 183
Day 1: 5 06-08
47. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 06-05 180
Day 1: 5 06-05
47. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 4 06-05 180
Day 1: 4 06-05
49. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, NC 5 06-02 177
Day 1: 5 06-02
50. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 06-00 175
Day 1: 5 06-00
51. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, IL 5 05-15 172
Day 1: 5 05-15
51. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 4 05-15 172
Day 1: 4 05-15
53. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 05-13 168
Day 1: 5 05-13
53. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 3 05-13 168
Day 1: 3 05-13
55. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 5 05-11 165
Day 1: 5 05-11
56. Steve Daniel Clewiston, FL 5 05-09 163
Day 1: 5 05-09
57. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 4 05-06 160
Day 1: 4 05-06
57. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 3 05-06 160
Day 1: 3 05-06
59. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 5 05-05 157
Day 1: 5 05-05
60. Keith Phillips Calera, AL 2 05-04 155
Day 1: 2 05-04
61. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 5 05-03 153
Day 1: 5 05-03
62. Ishama Monroe Hughson, CA 5 05-02 150
Day 1: 5 05-02
62. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 05-02 150
Day 1: 5 05-02
64. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 05-01 144
Day 1: 5 05-01
64. Darrin Schwenkbeck Varysburg, MD 4 05-01 144
Day 1: 4 05-01
64. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 3 05-01 144
Day 1: 3 05-01
64. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 3 05-01 144
Day 1: 3 05-01
68. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, FL 5 05-00 139
Day 1: 5 05-00
69. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 4 04-15 137
Day 1: 4 04-15
70. Mark Rogers Naples, FL 4 04-12 135
Day 1: 4 04-12
71. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 4 04-06 132
Day 1: 4 04-06
71. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 2 04-06 132
Day 1: 2 04-06
73. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 4 03-15 129
Day 1: 4 03-15
74. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 3 03-11 127
Day 1: 3 03-11
75. John Crews Salem, VA 3 03-07 124
Day 1: 3 03-07
75. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, TX 3 03-07 124
Day 1: 3 03-07
77. Randy Howell Springville, AL 2 03-05 121
Day 1: 2 03-05
78. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 3 03-04 118
Day 1: 3 03-04
78. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 2 03-04 118
Day 1: 2 03-04
80. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 3 03-02 114
Day 1: 3 03-02
80. Preston Clark Palatka, FL 2 03-02 114
Day 1: 2 03-02
82. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 3 03-01 110
Day 1: 3 03-01
82. Lee Bailey Boaz, AL 3 03-01 110
Day 1: 3 03-01
84. Matt Amedeo Clinton, OH 2 02-13 107
Day 1: 2 02-13
85. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 2 02-11 105
Day 1: 2 02-11
86. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 2 02-10 103
Day 1: 2 02-10
87. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, PA 3 02-08 101
Day 1: 3 02-08
88. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 2 02-03 98
Day 1: 2 02-03
88. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 1 02-03 98
Day 1: 1 02-03
90. Ken Brodeur Niantic, CT 2 02-02 95
Day 1: 2 02-02
91. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, CA 1 02-01 93
Day 1: 1 02-01
92. Eric Nethery Acworth, GA 2 01-15 91
Day 1: 2 01-15
93. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 1 01-14 89
Day 1: 1 01-14
94. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, CA 2 01-11 87
Day 1: 2 01-11
95. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 1 01-10 85
Day 1: 1 01-10
96. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 1 01-09 83
Day 1: 1 01-09
97. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 1 01-07 81
Day 1: 1 01-07
98. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 1 01-04 79
Day 1: 1 01-04
99. Bradley Stringer Huntington, TX 1 01-01 77
Day 1: 1 01-01
100. Kurt Dove Fairfax, VA 1 01-00 76
Day 1: 1 01-00
101. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 1 00-15 74.5
Day 1: 1 00-15
101. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 1 00-15 74.5
Day 1: 1 00-15
103. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, TX 1 00-14 72.5
Day 1: 1 00-14
103. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 1 00-14 72.5
Day 1: 1 00-14
105. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, FL 1 00-13 71
Day 1: 1 00-13
106. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 5 00-00 69
Day 1: 5 00-00
106. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
106. James Kennedy Lacombe, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Jim Murray Arabi, GA 07-06 $1,000.00
Day
1 Bill Smith Jr. Somerset, KY 18-06 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 47 382 649-02
----------------------------------
47 382 649-02
2007 Sunshine Showdown 9/13-9/16
Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee FL.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Harry Potts Ozark, AL 5 20-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 20-08
2. Frank Mealer Irondale, AL 5 13-11 0
Day 1: 5 13-11
3. Allen Burkhalter Columbus, GA 4 10-00 0
Day 1: 4 10-00
4. Wayne Loring Fort Lauderdale, FL 5 09-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-05
5. Russ Osborne Orlando, FL 3 08-11 0
Day 1: 3 08-11
6. Steven Abboud Orange Park, FL 5 08-06 0
Day 1: 5 08-06
7. Larry Triplett Parker, CO 5 07-08 0
Day 1: 5 07-08
8. Mike Williams Delhi, LA 5 07-04 0
Day 1: 5 07-04
8. Anthony Sammartino Orlando, FL 3 07-04 0
Day 1: 3 07-04
10. Kevin Cunningham Farmingdale, NY 5 07-02 0
Day 1: 5 07-02
10. Clint Pack Gable, SC 4 07-02 0
Day 1: 4 07-02
12. Terry Chapman Stanley, NC 5 06-13 0
Day 1: 5 06-13
13. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, AL 3 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-05
14. Brian Rodriguez Orlando, FL 5 06-04 0
Day 1: 5 06-04
15. Steve Warner Winter Haven, FL 5 06-02 0
Day 1: 5 06-02
16. L. E. Clark Palatka, FL 5 06-01 0
Day 1: 5 06-01
17. Don Lewis Jacksonville, FL 2 05-14 0
Day 1: 2 05-14
18. Raymond Trudeau Saint Cloud, FL 3 05-13 0
Day 1: 3 05-13
19. Edward Abbott St. Cloud, FL 3 05-12 0
Day 1: 3 05-12
20. Robert Miley Miami, FL 4 05-03 0
Day 1: 4 05-03
21. Mark Eden Palm Bay, FL 3 04-11 0
Day 1: 3 04-11
22. Lane Wright Loganville, GA 2 04-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-10
22. David Hernandez Birmingham, AL 2 04-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-10
24. Jimmy Dudley White, GA 3 04-05 0
Day 1: 3 04-05
24. Patrick Pierce Saint John, FL 2 04-05 0
Day 1: 2 04-05
26. Alan Bull Mccrory, AR 5 04-04 0
Day 1: 5 04-04
26. Kentaro Amagal New Port Richey, FL 4 04-04 0
Day 1: 4 04-04
28. Chip Brooks Bradenton, FL 4 04-02 0
Day 1: 4 04-02
29. Harold Beasley Dunnellon, FL 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 2 03-13
30. Scott Hughes Plant City, FL 2 03-12 0
Day 1: 2 03-12
31. Harry Parten Columbiana, AL 2 03-08 0
Day 1: 2 03-08
32. Michael Bass Austin, TX 3 03-06 0
Day 1: 3 03-06
33. Daren Mcdermott Saint Cloud, FL 1 03-04 0
Day 1: 1 03-04
34. Don Moore Ukiah, CA 3 03-03 0
Day 1: 3 03-03
35. Marty Scoggins Trion, GA 3 03-02 0
Day 1: 3 03-02
35. Clint Belcher Uniontown, OH 2 03-02 0
Day 1: 2 03-02
35. Courtney Cohn St Cloud, FL 2 03-02 0
Day 1: 2 03-02
38. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 1 03-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01
39. Joe Edwards Kissimmee, FL 3 02-14 0
Day 1: 3 02-14
39. Michael Norman Okmulgee, OK 3 02-14 0
Day 1: 3 02-14
39. George Celi Kissimmee, FL 1 02-14 0
Day 1: 1 02-14
42. L. C. Hatley Circleville, OH 3 02-13 0
Day 1: 3 02-13
43. Luke Smith Clermont, FL 2 02-12 0
Day 1: 2 02-12
44. Brandon Pedigo Lawton, OK 2 02-07 0
Day 1: 2 02-07
45. Eulon Lee Jr. Montgomery, AL 2 02-05 0
Day 1: 2 02-05
46. Michael Vintges Tyler, TX 2 02-03 0
Day 1: 2 02-03
46. Jerry Breeden Chickamauga, GA 2 02-03 0
Day 1: 2 02-03
48. Joel Etheredge Springville, AL 2 02-02 0
Day 1: 2 02-02
49. Dave Elder Tuscaloosa, AL 2 02-01 0
Day 1: 2 02-01
50. Jimmy Swindle Gardendale, AL 2 02-00 0
Day 1: 2 02-00
51. Jay Mcnamara Roseville, MN 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15
52. Mike Frazier Clermont, FL 2 01-13 0
Day 1: 2 01-13
53. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, AZ 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
54. Taylor Barnes Chickamauga, GA 2 01-11 0
Day 1: 2 01-11
54. Johnny Graham Tulsa, OK 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
54. Ryan Remington Summerfield, FL 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
57. Clint Sterling Oakland, FL 1 01-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-10
58. Matt Fair High Springs, FL 1 01-06 0
Day 1: 1 01-06
59. Jeff Sullivan Frostproof, FL 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03
59. Ted Roberts Eustis, FL 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03
61. John Vanderwerf Atlantic Beach, FL 1 01-02 0
Day 1: 1 01-02
61. Michael Rourke Oviedo, FL 1 01-02 0
Day 1: 1 01-02
63. Ronald Ulrich Berlin, NJ 1 01-01 0
Day 1: 1 01-01
64. Gary Byers Dunnellon, FL 1 01-00 0
Day 1: 1 01-00
65. Rick Sweadner Woodsboro, MD 1 00-14 0
Day 1: 1 00-14
65. Richard Urban Del Rio, TX 1 00-14 0
Day 1: 1 00-14
65. Justin Hotz Colorado Springs, CO 1 00-14 0
Day 1: 1 00-14
65. Bob Turcotte Roseville, MN 1 00-14 0
Day 1: 1 00-14
69. Tim Ezell Key West, FL 1 00-13 0
Day 1: 1 00-13
69. James Whitman Ozark, AL 1 00-13 0
Day 1: 1 00-13
71. Brent Cantville Plantation, FL 1 00-12 0
Day 1: 1 00-12
71. Steven Jarrett Valrico, FL 1 00-12 0
Day 1: 1 00-12
73. Howard Stephens Columbia, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Michael Burchett Pulaski, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Wes Hood Annandale, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Walter Swafford Winter Garden, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Danny Grissett Walnut Hill, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Craig Daino Central Square, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Joseph Brister Immokalee, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. James Hill Ozark, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Frank Kerns Gordon, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Matthew Leavell Tuscaloosa, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Everette Lytle Burlington, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Loel Brandstrom New Brighton, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Dennis Andersen Wellington, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Marty Gray Hawthorne, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Doug Larson Suffolk, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. James Jones Pinson, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Alexander Meza Merced, CA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Glenn Barberee Crestview, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Shane Breeden Chickamauga, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Daniel Castaing Lake Mary, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Mary Delgado Tampa, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Michael Hollinhead Crestview, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Andrew Young Longwood, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Mark Child Mansfield, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Mike Bruton Oakland, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Kyle Lowrey Brandon, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Michael Neal Dexter, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. John Fountain Defuniak Springs, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Paul Pagnato Vienna, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Jim Featherston Flower Mound, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Steven Raith Apollo Beach, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Ryan Phillips Orlando, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Jonah Vandergriff Longwood, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Bruce Stafford Dallas, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
73. Bob Seidmeyer Hurst, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Harry Potts Ozark, AL 06-07 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 12 180 285-14
----------------------------------
12 180 285-14