GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Growing up in Mississippi, James Willoughby learned very quickly how to fish the tidal waters of the Pascagoula River. So, when it was announced the Bassmaster College Series National Championship tournament would be held on Winyah Bay, he thought he and his partner Jacob Pfundt would feel right at home. Sure enough, the Montevallo duo caught 15 pounds, 15 ounces to take the lead on the first day of the prestigious tournament. They hold a 1 1/2-pound lead over Andrew Vereen and Connor Cartmell from Coastal Carolina University and over a 2-pound advantage over Cole Lamb and Tristan Weaver from Arkansas Tech. Securing a big bag this early in the tournament takes some of the pressure off, Pfundt said.
“It takes the weight off our shoulders for sure,” the Lake Lanier native said. “I wouldn’t say we got the hardest part done with, but we aren’t working uphill at this point. I don’t think Montevallo has won a National Championship, so it would be huge to accomplish that.”
After visiting several spots without a bite, the duo continued to move around and grinded out five good bites, including two 4-pounders. Willoughby said that while he knew they were around bass in practice, he had no idea what the quality would be like.
“It had to be better than we expected,” he said. “Nobody can guess they are going to get two 4-pound bites. I knew we were around some fish, but I didn’t think they were going to be that big. I truly don’t know what we will have tomorrow. It could be anything. It could be 6 pounds. There is no telling. We set our target weight at 10 or 11 pounds because we thought you could catch 22 pounds and make it to the final day. But it seems like they caught them a lot better than we thought.”
Tide creates bite windows for anglers each day and is crucial to Willoughby and Pfundt’s bite. And while he is familiar with tidal systems, Willoughby said Winyah Bay is different from his home waters in how much the tide swings on a given day.
“Tide plays a role in everyone’s bite out here whether they realize it or not,” he explained. “I grew up on a tidal fishery so it helps me better understand it out here. It is a unique thing to figure out, I will say. The tide swings, like, 3 feet a day and it doesn’t stop but for about 30 minutes and then it is back the other way.”
Vereen and Cartmell meanwhile, put their local knowledge to work and sacked 14-6 on Day 1. Vereen grew up in nearby Murrells Inlet and has fished the Winyah Bay system his entire life. So, when the championship was announced on his home fishery for his senior year, he was pumped. Cartmell grew up around the Lake Murray area and has essentially taken a crash course in tidal fishing during his four years at CCU.
“It was about time to go to Saginaw Bay and we heard it was going to be at Winyah Bay and I was like, ‘Connor, we have to qualify.’ We didn’t qualify in Michigan, but we went down to (the Wild Card) at Logan Martin and qualified.”
While they are in second going into Day 2, they were a little disappointed with their total weight Friday.
“We had expectations that were higher than 14 pounds,” Cartmell said. “We wanted 16 or 17 after today. We had an okay practice but (this bag) was enough for today.”
Their starting spot only produced one 12-incher. But after a spot change, they caught everything they put on the scales in a 30-minute window in a 1/2-mile stretch of the Santee River.
“We ran up a little further and decided we were going to put our heads down and fish. We fished back until we had a limit,” Vereen said. “We got them dialed in on one bait. That is the only thing they want. We tried to catch them on other stuff but it is not happening.”
They added that several other competitors were in the same area they were fishing, more than Vereen said he would like to have around him. Getting the bite windows correct is crucial to their success as well. After 11 a.m., when the incoming tide began to filter back into the river, they did not get a bite.
Lamb and Weaver may be from Arkansas, but they spend a lot of time on the White River, which often acts as a tidal fishery depending on the dam schedules of Norfork and Bull Shoals.
“People think about trout fishing there but we bass fish,” Lamb said. “It is probably the only place that isn’t tidal that rises and falls 4 or 5 feet a day. Because of that, we have spots that change all day and as the tide comes up we can switch.”
That helped the Arkansas Tech duo adjust to real tidal fishing quickly and catch 13-9 on Day 1 at Winyah Bay to land in third.
“It is a tough spot to get into, but once we started fishing it went down pretty quickly,” Lamb said. “After 30 minutes, we were done fishing so we could save it for the next few days. We hope there are more there. We probably caught 20 in the first 30 minutes.”
Lamb and Weaver have one main area they are fishing, but there are a couple of sweet spots they have located where the bass will position depending on what the tide is doing. They estimated they caught around 20 or 30 bass and their bag was anchored by a 4 1/2-pounder.
“Today went a little better than we expected,” Lamb said. “We had a couple of bigger fish and we expected all our fish to be an average size. We had some bigger bites today and were fortunate enough to get them in the boat. Hopefully, we can get them again tomorrow.”
The Drury University team of Jacob Welch and Lee Lambrecht caught a 7-2 largemouth to lead the Big Bass of the Tournament standings.
The full field will launch from Carroll A. Campbell Marine Complex in Georgetown starting at 6:30 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in in downtown Georgetown beginning at 2:30 p.m. The Top 12 teams after the Day 2 weigh-in will advance to Championship Sunday.
2022 Bassmaster College Series National Championship Tournament at Winyah Bay
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. James Willoughby - Jacob Pfundt University of Montevallo 250
Day 1: 5 15-15 Total: 5 15-15
2. Andrew Vereen - Connor Cartmell Coastal Carolina University 249
Day 1: 5 14-06 Total: 5 14-06
3. Cole Lamb - Tristan Weaver Arkansas Tech University 248
Day 1: 5 13-09 Total: 5 13-09
4. Jake Monti - Samuel Dunson UNC Charlotte 247
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
5. Tyler Christy - Trey Schroeder McKendree University 246
Day 1: 5 12-14 Total: 5 12-14
5. Matthew Zdrazil - Easton Lindus Emmanuel College 246
Day 1: 5 12-14 Total: 5 12-14
7. Blake Richards - James Gillis Clarkson University 244
Day 1: 5 12-10 Total: 5 12-10
8. Carson Maddux - Robert Cruvellier Auburn University 243
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
8. Tommy Sendek - Grayson Morris University of Montevallo 243
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
10. Jackson Swisher - Seth Slanker Florida Gateway College 241
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
11. Zack Barrera - Bryson Osteen Florida Gateway College 240
Day 1: 5 11-14 Total: 5 11-14
12. Ryan Franks - Jason Reding Kent State University 239
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
13. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 238
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
14. Zach Malinowski - Kevin Langlands Grand Valley State University 237
Day 1: 5 11-09 Total: 5 11-09
15. Russel Buffa - Jenson Kay Adrian College 236
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
16. Connor Jacob - Sam Smith Auburn University 235
Day 1: 5 11-05 Total: 5 11-05
17. Conner Giles - Christian Wright Bryan College 234
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
18. Chase Milholen - Cody Gregory Bethel University 233
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
19. Jacob Welch - Lee Lambrecht Drury University 232
Day 1: 3 10-11 Total: 3 10-11
20. Cy Casey - Tanner Hadden Emmanuel College 231
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
21. Parker Greer - Andrew Shadle Baylor University 230
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
21. Adrian Urso - Corbin Templon Murray State University 230
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
23. Ryan Feehan - Spence Francis Virginia Tech University 228
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
24. Victor Alford - Logan East Bryan College 227
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
25. Owen Januszewski - Matt Mosby Adrian College 226
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
26. Matthew Benson - Nathanael Wright Emmanuel College 225
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
26. Luke Glasgow - James Ikerd Mississippi State University 225
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
28. Drew Traffanstedt - Dakendrick Patterson University of Montevallo 223
Day 1: 5 09-14 Total: 5 09-14
29. Tyler Cory - Scott Sledge University of Montevallo 222
Day 1: 5 09-13 Total: 5 09-13
29. Peyton Harris - Dalton Head University of Montevallo 222
Day 1: 5 09-13 Total: 5 09-13
31. Lane Lassiter - Tyler Finley University of North Alabama 220
Day 1: 5 09-11 Total: 5 09-11
32. Wyatt Pearman - Dustin Bauer Campbellsville University 219
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
33. Chase Hubble - Brent May Florida Gateway College 218
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
33. Mitch Johnson - Gunner Whitaker Kentucky Christian University 218
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
35. Matthew Davis - Adrian College 216
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
36. Avery Hammock - Garrett Smith Erskine College 215
Day 1: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
37. Brian Linder - Nathan Thompson Minnesota State - Mankato 214
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
38. Matthew Cummings - Levi Mullins Bethel University 213
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
39. Connor Hicks - Austin Wadzinski University of Tennessee 212
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
39. Michael Postlewait - Andrew Rickman Dallas Baptist University 212
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
41. Braden Perry - Aidan England Carson-Newman University 210
Day 1: 5 09-02 Total: 5 09-02
42. Will Harkins - Mitchell Grimsley Young Harris College 209
Day 1: 5 09-02 Total: 5 09-02
43. Hunter Baird - Cole Breeden Drury University 208
Day 1: 5 09-01 Total: 5 09-01
44. Brooks Anderson - Parker Guy Emmanuel College 207
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
44. Jackson Denny - Colton Parrott University of South Carolina 207
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
44. Hunter Greer - Austin Speer Northwestern State University 207
Day 1: 5 08-15 Total: 5 08-15
47. Tyler Anderson - Britt Myers Lander University 204
Day 1: 5 08-14 Total: 5 08-14
48. Brady Rufenacht - Nick Redlin University of Wisconsin- Plattev 203
Day 1: 5 08-13 Total: 5 08-13
49. Jackson Ebbers - Hunter Suchsland University of Nebraska-Lincoln 202
Day 1: 5 08-08 Total: 5 08-08
50. Hunter MCClaskey - Landon Lawson King University 201
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
51. Jack Dice - Liberty University 200
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
52. Lucas Smith - Dalton Mize Jacksonville State University 199
Day 1: 5 08-03 Total: 5 08-03
53. Conner Dimauro - Justin Botts Bryan College 198
Day 1: 5 08-02 Total: 5 08-02
53. Robert Gee - Chad Sentell University of Tennessee 198
Day 1: 5 08-02 Total: 5 08-02
55. Cody Griffith - Drew Jennings Auburn University 196
Day 1: 5 08-01 Total: 5 08-01
56. Brody Robison - Jack Alexander University of Montevallo 195
Day 1: 5 07-15 Total: 5 07-15
57. Hayden O'barr - Tyler Lubbat University of Alabama 194
Day 1: 3 07-15 Total: 3 07-15
58. Jackson Paden - Joseph Bissing University of Tennessee 193
Day 1: 5 07-14 Total: 5 07-14
58. Colton White - Chance Schwartz University of Montevallo 193
Day 1: 5 07-14 Total: 5 07-14
60. Tj Davis - Austin Callovini Greenville University 191
Day 1: 5 07-13 Total: 5 07-13
60. Ryan Park - Murray State University 191
Day 1: 5 07-13 Total: 5 07-13
60. Kopeland Rosser - Ryan Branch University of Montevallo 191
Day 1: 5 07-13 Total: 5 07-13
63. Chase Clarke - Peyton McCord Auburn University 188
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
63. Camden Lewis - TJ Edwards Jr Blue Mountain College 188
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
63. Eli Stevenson - Hunter Palmer Bryan College 188
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
66. Logan Parks - Tucker Smith Auburn University 185
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
67. Jayce Garrison - Mason Hoke Sam Houston State University 184
Day 1: 5 07-09 Total: 5 07-09
67. Hunter Keller - Wesley Smith Catawba Valley Community College 184
Day 1: 5 07-09 Total: 5 07-09
67. Kyle Simmons - Brett Halstead Kansas State University 184
Day 1: 5 07-09 Total: 5 07-09
70. Joshua DeKoning - Dalton Mollenkopf Adrian College 181
Day 1: 5 07-08 Total: 5 07-08
70. Lafe Messer - Matt Messer Kentucky Christian University 181
Day 1: 5 07-08 Total: 5 07-08
72. Brady Duncan - Stevie Mills Carson-Newman University 179
Day 1: 4 07-08 Total: 4 07-08
73. Brock Bila - Dylan Chambers Drury University 178
Day 1: 5 07-07 Total: 5 07-07
73. Noah Campbell - Troy Harris Georgia College 178
Day 1: 5 07-07 Total: 5 07-07
75. Jeremy Dellinger - Adam Seagle Erskine College 176
Day 1: 5 07-06 Total: 5 07-06
76. John Mark Berry - Blake Bullock Blue Mountain College 175
Day 1: 5 07-03 Total: 5 07-03
76. Brayden Mercer - Corey Morris East Texas Baptist University 175
Day 1: 5 07-03 Total: 5 07-03
76. Kaden Proffitt - Cason Ragsdale East Texas Baptist University 175
Day 1: 5 07-03 Total: 5 07-03
79. Jake Peck - Beau Browning Drury University 172
Day 1: 5 07-02 Total: 5 07-02
80. Tanner Barclay - Lloyd Laconsay Auburn University 171
Day 1: 5 07-01 Total: 5 07-01
81. Luke Morgan - Kyle Knoll Southern Union State Community C 170
Day 1: 5 06-15 Total: 5 06-15
82. John Harrell - Camden Romero Hinds Community College 169
Day 1: 5 06-14 Total: 5 06-14
83. Griffin Fernandes - Hayden Scott Adrian College 168
Day 1: 5 06-12 Total: 5 06-12
83. Reece Martin - Mark Harris Dallas Baptist University 168
Day 1: 5 06-12 Total: 5 06-12
83. Jordan Pennington - Weston Hollar University of Montevallo 168
Day 1: 5 06-12 Total: 5 06-12
86. Lane Bailey - Justin Eggers Catawba Valley Community College 165
Day 1: 5 06-11 Total: 5 06-11
86. Cordell Beckmann - Mark Burnham Greenville University 165
Day 1: 5 06-11 Total: 5 06-11
88. Andrew Ready - Vince Maffei Webber International University 163
Day 1: 5 06-10 Total: 5 06-10
89. Camden Trautlein - Bryce Dallas UW-Stout 162
Day 1: 5 06-09 Total: 5 06-09
90. Tyler Pendergrass - Benson Dowler University of North Alabama 161
Day 1: 5 06-07 Total: 5 06-07
91. Chase Sansom - Tyler Drown Marshall University 160
Day 1: 5 06-04 Total: 5 06-04
92. Michael Fugaro - Louis Monetti UNC Charlotte 159
Day 1: 5 06-03 Total: 5 06-03
93. Logan Bozeman - Andrew Fryer Southern Union State Community C 158
Day 1: 5 06-01 Total: 5 06-01
94. Harmon Marien - Bailey Bleser McKendree University 157
Day 1: 5 06-00 Total: 5 06-00
95. Keaton Smith - Matthew Bradham Campbellsville University 156
Day 1: 4 06-00 Total: 4 06-00
96. Kyle Hopping - Jaxson Freeman McKendree University 155
Day 1: 5 05-15 Total: 5 05-15
96. Bradley Martin - Jack Baron University of Montevallo 155
Day 1: 5 05-15 Total: 5 05-15
98. Easton Fothergill - Nick Dumke University of Montevallo 153
Day 1: 5 05-10 Total: 5 05-10
98. Colton Hill - Trey Budach McKendree University 153
Day 1: 5 05-10 Total: 5 05-10
100. Drew Gill - Jonah Potts Wabash Valley College 151
Day 1: 5 05-10 Total: 5 05-10
101. Colin Wolinski - Garrett Weiss Missouri State University 150
Day 1: 5 05-07 Total: 5 05-07
102. Logan Anderson - Tyler Little North Carolina State University 149
Day 1: 5 05-06 Total: 5 05-06
103. Broxson Daigle - Aaron Hawkins Texas A&M University 148
Day 1: 5 05-03 Total: 5 05-03
104. Troy Gibson - Jake Novotny University of Louisville 147
Day 1: 4 05-02 Total: 4 05-02
105. Evan Thomas - Joey Williams Liberty University 146
Day 1: 4 05-01 Total: 4 05-01
106. Chase Carey - Dylan Akins Emmanuel College 145
Day 1: 5 05-00 Total: 5 05-00
107. Lilly Smith - Anderson Jones Lander University 144
Day 1: 4 04-14 Total: 4 04-14
108. Dakota Posey - Trent Buchholz Lamar State College Orange 143
Day 1: 5 04-05 Total: 5 04-05
109. Cole Hopson - Callaway Robinson Georgia College 142
Day 1: 4 04-03 Total: 4 04-03
110. TJ McKenzie - Seth Jenkins Emmanuel College 141
Day 1: 2 04-03 Total: 2 04-03
111. Solomon Glenn - Ryan Thomas University of Montervallo 140
Day 1: 3 03-14 Total: 3 03-14
112. Sam Hanggi - Sam Hoesley Auburn University 139
Day 1: 2 03-05 Total: 2 03-05
113. Kaleb Brown - Chad Mrazek Lander University 138
Day 1: 2 03-00 Total: 2 03-00
114. Kobe Thompson - Adrian College 137
Day 1: 2 02-12 Total: 2 02-12
115. Zach Mcnary - Eric Hanover Grand Valley State University 136
Day 1: 2 02-11 Total: 2 02-11
115. Jack Tindel - Brett Fregia Lamar State College Orange 136
Day 1: 2 02-11 Total: 2 02-11
117. Garrett Thompson - Corey Pyles West Virginia University 134
Day 1: 2 02-08 Total: 2 02-08
117. Sid Wallace - Braedon Metzgar Texas A&M University 134
Day 1: 2 02-08 Total: 2 02-08
119. Cal Culpepper - Aaron Cherry University of Montevallo 132
Day 1: 2 02-04 Total: 2 02-04
120. Koltyn Harbin - Baylor Howell Bethel University 131
Day 1: 2 02-00 Total: 2 02-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 101 558 961-03
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101 558 961-03