(Guntersville, AL) – Lady Bass Anglers Association (LBAA) pro Cheryl Bowden brought 18.58-pounds of bass to the scales at Lake Guntersville today to give her a two-day total of 32.29-pounds and the lead after two days of competition. She has fished the same area on both days and the question rings out again today – will she have enough fish to lead wire-to-wire and obtain a victory in the 2012 LBAA Lady Bass Classic?
“I don’t know. I went back to one of my spots this afternoon trying to pick up one and didn’t get a single bite,” Bowden commented.
Bowden has been consistent in her fishing on the “Big G”, even increasing bag on day two, but she is quick to state she only has one pattern. “If it falls apart I’m in trouble. I am relying on long casts and if it weren’t for my Fins Braid I would not be able to get those fish out. They are buried in the grass and with my US Reel I am able to make the long casts I need. Then I’ve got to get a good hook set and that braid makes a difference.”
Bowden, a resident of Forth Worth, Texas led after day one by 1.15-pounds, and with her heavy limit today has increased her lead to 9.64-pounds. Just over nine pounds would be a safe lead at many lakes but not at Guntersville.
“I’d be scared if I was leading by 20-pounds,” she went on to say. “I’ve got some quality ladies behind me. I’ve got Martha Goodfellow and Pam Martin-Wells less than 10-pounds behind me and anything can happen here.”
Bowden is sponsored by US Reels, Kick `n Bass, Costa del Mar, Save Phace, Gambler Lures, Deka Batteries and Fins Braid.
The 2012 LBAA Lady Bass Classic pro division is basically a three horse race. Moving up on day two was Simpsonville, South Carolina pro Martha Goodfellow whose day two limit weighed in at 14.91-pounds. This allowed Goodfellow to squeeze by Martin-Wells into second. Martin-Wells five bass weighed in at 9.50-pounds. Goodfellow’s two day total is 22.65 and Martin-Wells has 22.06.
“The area I’m fishing has the fish to make up this kind of deficit,” Goodfellow stated, “I just have to get the bites, get good hook sets and get them in. Yes it is possible and I’m going for it.”
Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Georgia commented, “This is an awesome lake, I’ve fished here in October and I’ve been excited about us coming here in October, but so far it just hasn’t done its thing yet. Anyone could go out and catch 20 to 25-pounds tomorrow easy. I’ve just got to keep fishing and hopefully I am at the right place when they turn on”
2012 LBAA Lady Bass Classic pro division standings after two days of competition are as follows: Cheryl Bowden/Fort Worth, TX 32.29, Martha Goodfellow/Simpsonville, SC 22.65, Pam Martin-Wells 22.06, Kim Bain-Moore 7.62, Robbie Hartline/Foristell, MO 7.55, Cheryl Lalumandier/Harvester, MO 6.73, Pam Ridgle/Murchison, TX 4.45, Debbie Warner/Murray, KY 4.40, Teri Cindric/Hermitage, TN 4.31, Secret York/Benton, KY 2.27, Karen Elkins/Oxford, AL 2.13, Monica Altman/Angier, NC 0.00 and Lynda Gessner/Foristell, MO 0.00.
A slight shuffle occurred in the co-angler division of the LBAA 2012 Lady Bass Classic as Judy Skibinski moved beyond day one leader Denise Sustaita to take the day-two lead. Skibinski has a two-day total of 8.90-pounds.
The real story of the co-angler division on day two was Renee Key-Johnston who went from zeroing on day one to second place. Johnston moved into second behind Skibinski at 8.44-pounds. Sustaita rests in third after two days with 6.74-pounds.
2012 LBAA Lady Bass Classic co-angler standings after two days of competition are as follows: Judy Skibinski/Alba, TX 8.90, Renee Key-Johnston/Fannett, TX 8.44, Denise Sustaita 6.74, Diana Uebelhack/Mount Vernon, IN 6.49, Marsha Reifsteck/Woodville, WI 5.26, Kim Giddens/Alpine, AL 4.76, Shannon Wood/Martinsburg, WV 4.59, Bonnie Ward/Snohomish, WA 4.35, Vicki Henderson/Ashdown, AR 4.03, Brandi Frasier/Hanson, KY 3.28, Cassie Hall/Alabaster, AL 2.40, Brenda Reeves/Weatherford, TX 0.00 and Diane Smith/Fayetteville, GA 0.00.
The 2012 LBAA Lady Bass Classic will conclude Saturday, October 13. Competition will run from `safe light’ until 3 PM CST. Launch and weigh-in will take place at the Bucky Howe Ramp. The ramp is located in the Bucky Howe Park on Route 1 in Guntersville.