GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - Todd Lee was still trying to catch his breath Friday after landing the two biggest bass of his life at perhaps the biggest tournament of his life.
Lee caught a 10 pound, 15 ounce behemoth plus a 9-14 lunker to secure the lead at the Bassmaster Series Championship on Alabama's Lake Guntersville. The Grove, Okla., angler climbed from ninth to first on the leaderboard with 44 pounds, 10 ounces, more than 7 pounds ahead of the 2006 Bassmaster Series champion, Jeff Coble, who moved up into second place.
Lee was in position to win the tournament's $100,000 top prize and earn entry into the Bassmaster Open division of his choice. But most important, he had a straight shot at securing the last berth for the 2007 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 23-25, on Alabama's Lay Lake in Birmingham.
"I'm shaking right now and I'm not sure I can even speak," the 30-year-old said after weighing in on Friday. "This was the best day of fishing I have ever had."
The key to his big day, said Lee, was "patience and persistence." He only collected seven bites but cashed in on the big ones. Lee's patience was necessary because the early portion of the day produced little action, but around noon he started connecting with the larger bass.
Lee said he had an "awful" practice earlier in the week, and didn't find Friday's productive areas until Thursday afternoon. He estimated that a 20-pound bag Saturday will clinch the tournament.
Lee's closest competitor is 2006 Series champion Coble. But Coble was not optimistic Friday about winning, despite totaling more than 37 pounds over two days.
"I caught just about as much as I could catch today and I am still 7 pounds behind," Coble said. "I just don't think I have enough to catch the leader."
Rounding out the top five were Oklahoma's Bobby Myers (33-0) in third, followed by Thursday leader Russell Colwell of Maryland (32-13) and Minnesota's Bradley Leifermann (29-8).
On the non-boater side, leading the chase for the $50,000 grand prize was Indiana's Rod Yoder with 18 pounds, 8 ounces, followed by Virginia's David Williams (18-0) and Michigan's Tony Impellizzeri (14-10).
Only the top 12 boaters and top 12 non-boaters qualified to move on to the final day of competition Saturday.
2007 Guntersville, AL 1/25-1/27
Lake Guntersville, Guntersville AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Todd Lee Grove, OK 5 44-10 0 0
Day 1: 3 13-07 2: 5 31-03
2. Jeff Coble Manson, NC 5 37-09 0 0
Day 1: 5 16-03 2: 5 21-06
3. Bobby Myers Tulsa, OK 4 33-00 0 0
Day 1: 3 09-15 2: 4 23-01
4. Russell Colwell Baltimore, MD 2 32-13 0 0
Day 1: 5 22-00 2: 2 10-13
5. Bradley Leifermann Andover, MN 5 29-08 0 0
Day 1: 4 14-06 2: 5 15-02
6. Robbie Dodson Jr Harrison, AR 3 29-05 0 0
Day 1: 4 12-12 2: 3 16-09
7. Klaus Hadschin Granite Falls, NC 4 27-15 0 0
Day 1: 3 11-11 2: 4 16-04
8. Thomas Dickerson Orange, TX 3 25-13 0 0
Day 1: 5 16-13 2: 3 09-00
9. Thomas Borkowski Savage, MN 3 25-03 0 0
Day 1: 5 15-13 2: 3 09-06
10. Joel Barber Brandon, MS 4 24-03 0 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 2: 4 11-13
11. James Elliott Center, TX 5 24-00 0 0
Day 1: 1 04-10 2: 5 19-06
12. Tom Hicks Richmond, VA 3 22-04 0 0
Day 1: 3 10-00 2: 3 12-04
13. Robert Stinger Williamsburg, VA 2 22-01 0 1900
Day 1: 4 14-01 2: 2 08-00
14. Troy Davis Hurricane Mills, TN 5 21-01 0 1900
Day 1: 2 05-09 2: 5 15-08
15. Sam Boss Paducah, KY 1 20-04 0 1900
Day 1: 5 14-03 2: 1 06-01
16. Troy Morrow Toccoa, GA 3 19-00 0 1900
Day 1: 2 09-05 2: 3 09-11
17. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 2 18-04 0 1900
Day 1: 3 10-08 2: 2 07-12
18. Perry Neathery Albany, KY 4 18-02 0 1900
Day 1: 1 02-04 2: 4 15-14
19. John Schlee St Paul, MN 2 18-01 0 1900
Day 1: 5 09-14 2: 2 08-03
20. Marc Kinnelly Frederick, MD 1 17-05 0 1900
Day 1: 4 13-00 2: 1 04-05
21. Randall Tharp Gardendale, AL 3 15-06 0 1600
Day 1: 2 04-11 2: 3 10-11
22. Nicholas Turner Jones, AL 1 15-04 0 1600
Day 1: 4 11-14 2: 1 03-06
23. Robert Q Dodson Sr Harrison, AR 1 15-01 0 1600
Day 1: 4 13-10 2: 1 01-07
24. Randy Childers Anderson, SC 3 14-14 0 1600
Day 1: 2 05-15 2: 3 08-15
25. Samuel Thomas Sumter, SC 2 13-15 0 1600
Day 1: 2 08-00 2: 2 05-15
26. Jamie Horton Centreville, AL 1 13-10 0 1600
Day 1: 3 09-07 2: 1 04-03
27. Brady Farrell Fort Atkinson, WI 2 13-09 0 1600
Day 1: 2 06-01 2: 2 07-08
28. Eric Johnson Columbus, IN 1 13-03 0 1600
Day 1: 5 09-11 2: 1 03-08
29. Billy Thompson Cordele, GA 2 12-11 0 1600
Day 1: 2 05-04 2: 2 07-07
30. Richard Smith Dumfries, VA 1 12-09 0 1600
Day 1: 3 09-05 2: 1 03-04
31. Jeffrey Lokken Lebanon, TN 2 12-04 0 1600
Day 1: 2 06-03 2: 2 06-01
32. Thomas Dooley Virginia Beach, VA 1 12-01 0 1600
Day 1: 3 07-13 2: 1 04-04
33. Calvin Hewitt Cope, SC 2 11-09 0 1600
Day 1: 2 05-08 2: 2 06-01
34. Brian Brown Breezy Point, MN 2 11-01 0 1600
Day 1: 2 04-15 2: 2 06-02
35. Chris Atwell Mechanicsville, VA 2 10-08 0 1600
Day 1: 1 02-07 2: 2 08-01
36. Gary Clouse Lavergne, TN 1 10-05 0 1400
Day 1: 3 08-06 2: 1 01-15
37. Michael McMillan Greensboro, NC 3 10-04 0 1400
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 3 10-04
38. Danny Grantham Mobile, AL 2 10-02 0 1400
Day 1: 1 03-14 2: 2 06-04
39. Brannon Jones Montgomery, AL 1 09-11 0 1400
Day 1: 2 04-12 2: 1 04-15
40. Mark Cox Hiwassee, VA 1 09-00 0 1400
Day 1: 2 07-09 2: 1 01-07
41. Rod Robinson Raymond, MS 1 08-14 0 1400
Day 1: 2 07-07 2: 1 01-07
42. Dean Capra Andover, MN 1 08-09 0 1400
Day 1: 2 07-02 2: 1 01-07
43. Greg Anderson Warwick, RI 1 08-08 0 1300
Day 1: 1 02-14 2: 1 05-10
44. Sonny Moore Forsyth, MO 1 08-03 0 1300
Day 1: 1 02-08 2: 1 05-11
45. Matthew Hamlette Altavista, VA 1 06-07 0 1300
Day 1: 2 05-00 2: 1 01-07
45. Danny Smith Monterey, LA 1 06-07 0 1300
Day 1: 1 02-08 2: 1 03-15
47. Stan Williams Calhoun, LA 1 04-13 0 1300
Day 1: 1 03-06 2: 1 01-07
48. Mike White Rogers, AR 1 04-01 0 1300
Day 1: 1 02-10 2: 1 01-07
49. David Wright Lexington, NC 1 03-14 0 1300
Day 1: 1 02-07 2: 1 01-07
50. Michael Presley Deatsvillle, AL 1 03-08 0 1300
Day 1: 1 02-01 2: 1 01-07
51. Raymond Goodwin Independence, LA 1 03-06 0 1300
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 03-06
52. Ray Tweedy Appomattox, VA 1 01-07 0 1300
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
52. Larry King Macon, GA 1 01-07 0 1300
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
52. Gary Clark Groveland, IL 1 01-07 0 1300
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
52. Billy Boyd Kingston, TN 1 01-07 0 1300
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
52. Robert Trueblood Walnut Cove, NC 1 01-07 0 1300
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 8 132 412-00
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8 132 412-00
2007 Guntersville, AL 1/25-1/27
Lake Guntersville, Guntersville AL.
(NONBOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Rod Yoder W Lafayette, IN 2 18-08 0 0
Day 1: 3 09-11 2: 2 08-13
2. David Williams Fredericksburg, VA 2 18-00 0 0
Day 1: 2 08-15 2: 2 09-01
3. Tony Impellizzeri Ann Arbor, MI 2 14-10 0 0
Day 1: 3 08-11 2: 2 05-15
4. Darrin Hannah Blue Grass, IA 3 13-07 0 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 3 13-07
5. Richard Shirley Mc Calla, AL 1 13-06 0 0
Day 1: 3 11-15 2: 1 01-07
6. Ron Hummingbird Broken Arrow, OK 1 12-09 0 0
Day 1: 3 05-11 2: 1 06-14
7. Daniel Jackson Buford, GA 1 11-09 0 0
Day 1: 2 10-02 2: 1 01-07
8. Daniel Fischer Fredericksburg, VA 1 11-06 0 0
Day 1: 2 05-05 2: 1 06-01
9. Lee Davis Fitzgerald, GA 3 11-04 0 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 3 11-04
10. Chris Mashek Lexington Park, MD 1 10-02 0 0
Day 1: 2 08-11 2: 1 01-07
11. Randal Kelly Tulsa, OK 1 10-00 0 0
Day 1: 2 08-09 2: 1 01-07
12. Charles Ginter Crofton, MD 1 09-15 0 0
Day 1: 2 05-03 2: 1 04-12
13. William Caudill Elizabethtown, KY 1 09-14 0 950
Day 1: 3 08-07 2: 1 01-07
14. Earl Malone Wichita, KS 1 09-09 0 950
Day 1: 2 08-02 2: 1 01-07
15. Bruce Ogden Broken Bow, OK 3 09-07 0 950
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 3 09-07
16. Michael Clardy Greer, SC 1 09-01 0 950
Day 1: 3 07-10 2: 1 01-07
17. Oscar Shackelford Kountz, TX 2 09-00 0 950
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 2 09-00
18. Anthony Scrivens Stevensville, MD 1 08-11 0 950
Day 1: 1 04-11 2: 1 04-00
19. Eric Wickliff Newton, IA 2 07-15 0 950
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 2 07-15
20. Joseph Clevinger Troy, AL 3 07-12 0 950
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 3 07-12
21. Brian Potter Claremore, OK 1 07-05 0 800
Day 1: 2 05-14 2: 1 01-07
22. Pat Burke Moberly, MO 1 07-03 0 800
Day 1: 2 03-15 2: 1 03-04
22. Gary Michalski Naperville, IL 2 07-03 0 800
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 2 07-03
24. Cherif Zaher Orangeville, PA 2 06-14 0 800
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 2 06-14
25. Duane Mayhew Warsaw, IN 1 06-06 0 800
Day 1: 1 04-15 2: 1 01-07
26. Clint Remington Middleburg, FL 1 06-05 0 800
Day 1: 2 04-14 2: 1 01-07
27. Jeff Rikard Leesville, SC 1 06-02 0 800
Day 1: 1 02-13 2: 1 03-05
28. Jamie Hughes Rimersburg, PA 2 05-08 0 800
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 2 05-08
29. Eddie Gibson Greenville, MS 1 05-04 0 800
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 05-04
30. Lesley Childers Anderson, SC 1 04-12 0 800
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 04-12
31. Dustin Thomas Wills Point, TX 1 04-10 0 800
Day 1: 1 03-03 2: 1 01-07
31. James Larosa West Sunbury, PA 1 04-10 0 800
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 04-10
33. Robert Griswold Angier, NC 1 04-03 0 800
Day 1: 1 02-12 2: 1 01-07
34. Syd Singer Dallas, TX 1 03-15 0 800
Day 1: 1 02-08 2: 1 01-07
35. Leon Thompson Beaumont, TX 1 03-09 0 800
Day 1: 1 02-02 2: 1 01-07
36. Don Vantassel North Egremont, MA 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Robert Eid Key West, FL 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Dale Ball Asheville, NC 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Rob Kennedy Nashville, TN 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Tom O'Neal Holly Springs, NC 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Anthony Plescia Slidell, LA 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Pete Lumpkins Avenue, MD 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. James Murphy Brandywine, MD 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Jeff Wheeley Lafayette, TN 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Kenneth Ansbach Nesquehoning, PA 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Samuel Anthony Independence, LA 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Peter Saraf Orlando, FL 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Ronald Taylor Harriman, TN 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Jason Patterson Bluffton, IN 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Jacob Dillon Papillion, NE 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Herb Fazenbaker Mc Henry, MD 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Tony Vickroy Piqua, OH 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Phillip Perry Birmingham, AL 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Bill Byers Hilliard, OH 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Jeremy Potts Plainfield, IL 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
36. Dave Phelps Lakeville, MN 1 01-07 0 666.67
Day 1: 0 00-00 2: 1 01-07
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 6 45 144-11
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6 45 144-11