MONETA, Va. - Continuing his whirlwind season, Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., stormed into a 2-pound-plus lead over Bryan Hudgins of Orange Park, Fla., on the opening day of the Blue Ridge Brawl bass fishing tournament.
Duckett, who totaled 19 pounds, 5 ounces, kicked off the season with an upset win at the Bassmaster Classic, but has admittedly struggled on the premier circuit since then.
"I can't seem to finish off these tournaments," the 47-year-old Duckett lamented. "I have been in the top 12 at two events after the first couple of days, but I have faded for one reason or another."
But picturesque Smith Mountain Lake provided a familiar playing field for Duckett. When he lived in Tennessee, he was a regular on Dale Hollow and J. Percy Priest, both clear-water reservoirs like Smith Mountain.
This tournament marks Duckett's second visit to Smith Mountain. His first was in October 2006 at a Bassmaster Northern Tour event, in which he finished in 63rd place.
Like much of the field, Duckett covered a lot of water Thursday, visiting a number of productive spots he located during practice. He declined to discuss his choice of lure, describing it only as a Berkley bait.
"I'm using light line and fishing deep," said Duckett, who owns a tank-leasing business in Demopolis. "I did lose a 6-pound smallmouth that gave me an awesome fight. It just wouldn't quit."
In second was rookie Hudgins, whose consistent practice period carried over to the first day of competition. The 27-year-old said he fished water 12 to 18 feet and had no boat pressure in his areas from other competitors.
The Blue Ridge Brawl is Hudgins' first visit to Smith Mountain, so the clear water was not familiar territory as it is for Duckett. Hudgins is more used to the muddy waters of his home state of Florida.
Hudgins, who qualified via his third-place finish in the 2006 wildCard qualifier, said he reserved his best spots on Smith Mountain Lake for Friday.
"I feel good about tomorrow (Friday) but it is all about timing out there," said Hudgins. "I could end up with a ton of weight or I could end up falling flat on my face."
Rounding out the top five after Day 1 were two-time BASS winner Ish Monroe of Hughson, Calif., in third with 16 pounds, 3 ounces; four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., in fourth with 15 pounds, 11 ounces; and Morizo Shimizu of Japan with 15 pounds, 3 ounces.
In the co-angler division, two-time co-angler champion Tom Frink of California led the field with 11 pounds, 13 ounces. Trailing Frink were Lance Peck of Oklahoma with 11 pounds, 8 ounces; and Steve Miller of Maryland with 10 pounds, 12 ounces.
2007 Blue Ridge Brawl 6/7-6/10
Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta VA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 19-05 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05
2. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 5 16-06 295
Day 1: 5 16-06
3. Ishama Monroe Hughson, CA 5 16-03 290
Day 1: 5 16-03
4. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 15-11 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-11
5. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, CA 5 15-03 280
Day 1: 5 15-03
6. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 15-01 276
Day 1: 5 15-01
7. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 14-05 272
Day 1: 5 14-05
8. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 13-14 268
Day 1: 5 13-14
9. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 13-13 264
Day 1: 5 13-13
10. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 5 13-10 260
Day 1: 5 13-10
11. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 5 13-09 257
Day 1: 5 13-09
12. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 13-06252.5
Day 1: 5 13-06
12. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, NC 5 13-06252.5
Day 1: 5 13-06
14. Marty Stone Fayetteville , NC 5 13-04246.5
Day 1: 5 13-04
14. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 5 13-04246.5
Day 1: 5 13-04
16. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 5 13-02 243
Day 1: 5 13-02
17. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 13-01 240
Day 1: 5 13-01
17. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 13-01 240
Day 1: 5 13-01
19. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 5 13-00 237
Day 1: 5 13-00
20. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 5 12-12 235
Day 1: 5 12-12
21. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, FL 5 12-11 231
Day 1: 5 12-11
21. Lee Bailey Boaz, AL 5 12-11 231
Day 1: 5 12-11
21. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 12-11 231
Day 1: 5 12-11
24. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 12-10 227
Day 1: 5 12-10
25. William Smith Jr. Somerset, KY 5 12-08 223
Day 1: 5 12-08
25. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 12-08 223
Day 1: 5 12-08
25. Chris Lane Winter Haven, FL 5 12-08 223
Day 1: 5 12-08
28. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 5 12-04 218
Day 1: 5 12-04
28. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, TX 5 12-04 218
Day 1: 5 12-04
30. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 5 12-03 215
Day 1: 5 12-03
31. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 12-01 212
Day 1: 5 12-01
31. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 12-01 212
Day 1: 5 12-01
33. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 12-00 207
Day 1: 5 12-00
33. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 12-00 207
Day 1: 5 12-00
33. Charlie Youngers Geneva, FL 4 12-00 207
Day 1: 4 12-00
36. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 11-15 202
Day 1: 5 11-15
36. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 11-15 202
Day 1: 5 11-15
38. Preston Clark Palatka, FL 5 11-14 198
Day 1: 5 11-14
38. Dave Smith Del City, OK 5 11-14 198
Day 1: 5 11-14
40. Kurt Dove Fairfax, VA 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 11-11 190
Day 1: 5 11-11
40. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 4 11-11 190
Day 1: 4 11-11
46. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 5 11-08 182
Day 1: 5 11-08
46. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, MD 5 11-08 182
Day 1: 5 11-08
48. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 11-03 179
Day 1: 5 11-03
49. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 11-01 177
Day 1: 5 11-01
50. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 5 11-00 175
Day 1: 5 11-00
51. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 5 10-15 172
Day 1: 5 10-15
51. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 10-15 172
Day 1: 5 10-15
53. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 5 10-13 169
Day 1: 5 10-13
54. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, CA 5 10-11 167
Day 1: 5 10-11
55. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, FL 5 10-09 164
Day 1: 5 10-09
55. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 10-09 164
Day 1: 5 10-09
57. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 10-04 161
Day 1: 5 10-04
58. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 10-01 159
Day 1: 5 10-01
59. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 09-15 157
Day 1: 5 09-15
60. Derek Remitz Hemphill, TX 5 09-12 155
Day 1: 5 09-12
61. James Kennedy Lacombe, LA 5 09-10 153
Day 1: 5 09-10
62. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 5 09-08 150
Day 1: 5 09-08
62. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 09-08 150
Day 1: 5 09-08
64. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 09-07 145
Day 1: 5 09-07
64. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 09-07 145
Day 1: 5 09-07
64. Bradley Stringer Huntington, TX 5 09-07 145
Day 1: 5 09-07
67. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville , FL 5 09-06 140
Day 1: 5 09-06
67. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, PA 5 09-06 140
Day 1: 5 09-06
69. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 09-05 137
Day 1: 5 09-05
70. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 09-01 134
Day 1: 5 09-01
70. Marty Robinson Landrum, SC 5 09-01 134
Day 1: 5 09-01
72. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, IL 3 09-00 131
Day 1: 3 09-00
73. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 08-15 129
Day 1: 5 08-15
74. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 08-13 126
Day 1: 5 08-13
74. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 4 08-13 126
Day 1: 4 08-13
76. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 5 08-12 123
Day 1: 5 08-12
77. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 3 08-09 121
Day 1: 3 08-09
78. Steve Daniel Clewiston, FL 2 08-06 119
Day 1: 2 08-06
79. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 08-02 117
Day 1: 5 08-02
80. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 3 07-12 115
Day 1: 3 07-12
81. John Crews Salem, VA 4 07-11 112
Day 1: 4 07-11
81. Ken Brodeur Niantic, CT 2 07-11 112
Day 1: 2 07-11
83. Eric Nethery Acworth, GA 5 07-09 109
Day 1: 5 07-09
84. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 5 07-05 107
Day 1: 5 07-05
85. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 3 07-03 105
Day 1: 3 07-03
86. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 4 07-01 103
Day 1: 4 07-01
87. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 3 06-09 101
Day 1: 3 06-09
88. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 2 06-02 99
Day 1: 2 06-02
89. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 4 06-01 97
Day 1: 4 06-01
90. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 3 05-15 95
Day 1: 3 05-15
91. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 2 05-10 93
Day 1: 2 05-10
92. Kevin Langill Terrell, NC 3 05-00 91
Day 1: 3 05-00
93. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 3 04-15 89
Day 1: 3 04-15
94. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 1 04-04 87
Day 1: 1 04-04
95. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 2 03-15 85
Day 1: 2 03-15
96. Alton Jones Waco, TX 2 03-09 83
Day 1: 2 03-09
97. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 2 03-08 81
Day 1: 2 03-08
98. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 2 03-05 79
Day 1: 2 03-05
99. Keith Phillips Calera, AL 2 03-01 77
Day 1: 2 03-01
100. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, OH 2 02-12 76
Day 1: 2 02-12
101. Matt Amedeo Clinton, OH 2 02-10 75
Day 1: 2 02-10
102. Jon Bondy Windsor CANADA 1 02-03 74
Day 1: 1 02-03
103. Rick Ash Pottstown, PA 1 01-10 73
Day 1: 1 01-10
104. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 1 01-05 72
Day 1: 1 01-05
105. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
105. Mark Rogers Naples, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
105. Glenn Delong Bellville, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Rick Clunn Ava, MO 06-07 $1,000.00
Day
1 Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 19-05 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 75 449 1045-14
----------------------------------
75 449 1045-14
2007 Blue Ridge Brawl 6/7-6/10
Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta VA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tom Frink Simi Valley, CA 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
2. Lance Peck Tulsa, OK 5 11-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-08
3. Steve Miller Mechanicsville, MD 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
4. Robert Peaslee Roanoke, VA 5 10-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-11
5. Robert Hudson Lynchburg, VA 4 09-12 0
Day 1: 4 09-12
6. Jeff Freeman Max Meadows, VA 5 09-04 0
Day 1: 5 09-04
7. Joel Etheredge Springville, AL 5 09-02 0
Day 1: 5 09-02
8. Keith Sykes Clintwood, VA 5 08-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-12
9. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, AL 4 08-05 0
Day 1: 4 08-05
10. Todd Schaaf Purcellville , VA 3 08-02 0
Day 1: 3 08-02
11. Charlie Raia Gardendale, AL 4 07-13 0
Day 1: 4 07-13
12. James Garrett Buena Vista, VA 2 07-12 0
Day 1: 2 07-12
13. Eulon Lee Jr. Montgomery, AL 4 07-09 0
Day 1: 4 07-09
14. Timothy Bailey Oceana, WV 4 07-03 0
Day 1: 4 07-03
15. Jimmy Swindle Gardendale, AL 2 06-14 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 06-14
16. Michael Smith Forest, VA 3 06-12 0
Day 1: 3 06-12
17. Derik Hudson Appomattox, VA 4 06-11 0
Day 1: 4 06-11
18. Ron Parks Lexington, NC 3 06-03 0
Day 1: 3 06-03
19. William Sport Smith Maple Grove, MN 3 05-15 0
Day 1: 3 05-15
20. Walter Dixon Lynchburg, VA 2 05-14 0
Day 1: 2 05-14
21. John Cole Buena Vista, VA 2 05-13 0
Day 1: 2 05-13
22. Donald Sheffey Concord, VA 3 05-08 0
Day 1: 3 05-08
23. Mark Clingenpeel Boones Mill, VA 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05
23. Chris Gepford Sterling, VA 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05
25. James Jones Pinson, AL 3 05-00 0
Day 1: 3 05-00
25. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, AZ 2 05-00 0
Day 1: 2 05-00
27. Steven Patrick Nellysford, VA 3 04-11 0
Day 1: 3 04-11
27. Steve West Lynch Station, VA 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 2 04-11
29. Mark Proctor Eagle Rock, VA 1 04-09 0
Day 1: 1 04-09
30. Brandon Pedigo Lawton, OK 3 04-07 0
Day 1: 3 04-07
31. Joseph Ivers Nokesville, VA 1 04-02 0
Day 1: 1 04-02
32. Perry Hughes Stuart, VA 2 03-15 0
Day 1: 2 03-15
33. Tony Coleman Buena Vista, VA 2 03-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-14
33. Jason Terry Rural Retreat, VA 2 03-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-14
35. David Clements Arrington, VA 2 03-12 0
Day 1: 2 03-12
35. Lester Thompson Elkins, WV 2 03-12 0
Day 1: 2 03-12
37. Matthew Eubank Evington, VA 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-11
38. Ed Santuk Hardy, VA 2 03-10 0
Day 1: 2 03-10
39. Ricky Bodsford Richmond, VA 2 03-08 0
Day 1: 2 03-08
40. Greg Ray Bandy, VA 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
40. Scott Hale Wheelersburg , OH 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
42. Justin Walker Markham ONTARIO CANADA 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05
43. Jeff Brady Lagrange, KY 2 03-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-04
44. Jody Lloyd Monroe, VA 1 03-03 0
Day 1: 1 03-03
45. Rob Mills Sophia, WV 1 02-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-15
45. Richard Vonnordick Jarrettsville, MD 1 02-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-15
47. John Fabian Mentor, OH 2 02-13 0
Day 1: 2 02-13
48. Kurt Wolfe Huddleston, VA 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12
48. John Vanderwerf Atlantic Beach, FL 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12
50. Chris Dillow Waynesboro, VA 2 02-11 0
Day 1: 2 02-11
50. Walter Stringer Jr. Tallassee, AL 2 02-11 0
Day 1: 2 02-11
50. Fred Harris Raleigh, NC 1 02-11 0
Day 1: 1 02-11
53. Harry Parten Columbiana, AL 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
54. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, AL 2 02-05 0
Day 1: 2 02-05
54. Taylor Barnes Chickamauga, GA 1 02-05 0
Day 1: 1 02-05
56. Robert Mills Graysville, TN 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
57. Matt McKinney Porsmouth, VA 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01
58. Harry Potts Ozark, AL 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
58. Daniel Ray Towe Salem, VA 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
58. Gary Arthur Lynchburg, VA 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
58. Robert Jones Peterstown, WV 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
62. Richard Garlock Alexandria, NY 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
63. Shayne Sage Charlotte, NC 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
64. Jeff Camp Wht Sphr Spgs, WV 1 01-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-10
64. Tom Ibrahimi Alexandria, VA 1 01-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-10
66. Rodney Hilber Durham, NC 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
67. Mike Frazier Clermont, FL 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08
67. Robert Bruguiere Mechanicsville, VA 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08
69. Mike Bryant Chatham, VA 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07
69. Douglas Eubank Moneta, VA 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07
71. Chris Snow Mc Minnville , TN 1 01-06 0
Day 1: 1 01-06
72. Brian Hite Glade Hill, VA 1 01-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-04
72. Daniel Eubank Moneta, VA 1 01-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-04
72. Robert Austin Buena Vista, VA 1 01-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-04
72. Harold Shepherd Chattanooga, TN 1 01-04 0
Day 1: 1 01-04
76. Matt Lucey Milwaukee, WI 1 01-03 0
Day 1: 1 01-03
77. Raymond Lloyd Monroe, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Wes Hood Annandale, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Burley Warf Moneta, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Bryan Miller Chesterfield, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. James Brugh Moneta, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Troy Haynes Glade Hill, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Brandon Reynolds Callands, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Ben Reynolds Callands, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Paul Troth Butler, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Everette Lytle Burlington, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Marty Scoggins Trion, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Vic Hofer Chesapeake, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Glenn Barberee Crestview, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Chris Persiani Bristol, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Frank Mealer Irondale, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. David Hill Fayetteville, WV 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Mary Delgado Tampa, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Shawn Huwar Fredericksburg, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Bill Uzzell Warm Springs, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Clint Belcher Uniontown, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Eric Stahl Albion, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Chris Maples Jackson, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Steven Craft Coveyton, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. James Adamczak Madison Heights, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Jeff Williams Moneta, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Jeffrey Purves Roanoke, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. James Whitman Ozark, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Kevin Hensley Clarksville, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Tom Embry Williamsburg, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Gale Jenkins Boones Mill, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
77. Ron Wright Bedford, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Jimmy Swindle Gardendale, AL 05-05 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 7 163 330-15
----------------------------------
7 163 330-15