EVANS, Ga. - Just as she has all year, Kim Bain of Alabaster, Ala., got the right bites Friday, seizing the lead at the fourth bass fishing tournament of the 2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour on massive Clarks Hill Lake with a two-day total of 17 pounds, 7 ounces. While she is in good position to take her second WBT win of the season, most importantly, Bain would extend her already healthy lead in the season-long Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year points race if she closes strong Saturday, the final day of competition.
With her trademark consistency, Bain scratched out a limit on a hot, windy day, catching 9 pounds, 10 ounces, boosting her solid Thursday catch. Wisely, she used her practice to develop two strategies depending on whether or not the wind would blow. The preparation paid off handsomely Friday as the wind picked up, as did Bain's bite.
A first-year competitor on the WBT, Bain was largely drawn to the circuit because of BASS' announcement that the WBT Angler of the Year would receive a qualifying berth into the 2009 Bassmaster Classic (Feb. 20-22; Red River; Shreveport-Bossier City, La.) and in her rookie season, she has certainly showed the chops to compete in bass fishing's most major event.
After Saturday, the top 20 pros and co-anglers in the AOY standings will receive qualifying berths for the season-ending WBT Championship, set for Oct. 23-25 on Arkansas' Lake Hamilton. After the Championship, the points will be finalized and the winner will earn the coveted Classic berth and a fully-rigged Toyota truck.
"Gosh, getting that Classic berth would be crazy," said the 28-year-old Bain. "It was nearly 10 years ago that I left Australia and came over to the States to fish competitively. I think that getting in the Classic would certainly justify my decision - especially to my parents, who must have thought I was crazy when I left."
Now, it all seems to be coming together for Bain, who, with a victory Saturday, would score a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $50,000. So far this WBT season, she has thoroughly dominated with finishes of first, second and sixth.
While Bain played it close to the vest on the particulars of her pattern, she said she had been executing the same technique throughout the tournament in one primary location. Friday, she boated a small limit by 9 a.m. and looked to upgrade for the rest of the day. She is jumping around in her area, keying on baitfish, grass and places where she can find schools of fish.
"It's very important to be consistent," said Bain, who caught a bass Friday that weighed about 5 pounds. "That, and trust your instincts. Those are the two things that I think are really important when fishing."
Remaining in second was Kim Stapp of Ringgold, Ga., who posted a two-day total of 16 pounds, 4 ounces. Stapp was once again able to capitalize on two big bites but could not round out a limit on spacious Clarks Hill.
After not establishing much of a pattern Thursday and using her "whole tackle box," Stapp narrowed down her techniques Friday. She is keying on shallow water and traveling a significant distance up the river to her spots.
A relative newcomer to tournament fishing, Stapp said she would rotate through two places Saturday. While she hadn't identified exactly the right technique to entice the quality bites, she felt she was in the right location.
"I'm the only person in my family who fishes, and at the very least this season has been a great learning experience," Stapp said. "But a win would be so huge and show me that I definitely belong."
Remaining in third was Angie Douthit of Clewiston, Fla., who had 15 pounds, 5 ounces, while Cindy Hill of Smyrna, Tenn., moved up to fourth from 17th with 14-9. Thursday leader Lynda Gessner of Foristell, Mo., slipped to fifth with 14-8.
Full standings can be found below. Only the top 20 pros and co-anglers will move on to fish Saturday.
In the co-angler division, Gail Wood of Russellville, Ark., seized the lead with a two-day total of 9 pounds, 1 ounce. Co-anglers are vying for a top prize of a boat package valued at $32,000. Trailing Wood were Day 1 leader Lesley Childers of Anderson, S.C., with 8-8 and Barbara Gaskins, of Suffolk, Va., who slipped from second to third, with 8-4.
Fishing fans are invited to watch the anglers at the free and public weigh-ins. The final weigh-in is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 20 at the Academy Sports & Outdoors store at 4120 Washington Road in Evans, Ga.
2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour (BOATER) Standings Day 2 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Kim Bain Alabaster, AL 10 17-07 305 Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 09-10 2. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 6 16-04 295 Day 1: 3 09-03 Day 2: 3 07-01 3. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 7 15-05 290 Day 1: 4 08-12 Day 2: 3 06-09 4. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 9 14-09 285 Day 1: 4 05-03 Day 2: 5 09-06 5. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 8 14-08 285 Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 3 02-14 6. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 7 13-10 276 Day 1: 4 06-11 Day 2: 3 06-15 7. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 10 13-01 272 Day 1: 5 05-09 Day 2: 5 07-08 8. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 6 13-00 268 Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 4 09-12 9. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 5 12-14 264 Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 2 04-05 10. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 6 12-06 260 Day 1: 4 07-04 Day 2: 2 05-02 11. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 8 11-10 256 Day 1: 4 07-02 Day 2: 4 04-08 11. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 7 11-10 256 Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 4 05-01 13. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 8 11-02 251 Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 3 04-06 14. Mary Croft Bedford, VA 7 10-13 248 Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 5 06-10 15. Lori Masters Nashville, TN 8 10-12 245 Day 1: 3 04-01 Day 2: 5 06-11 16. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 7 10-04 243 Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 5 07-05 17. Judy Wong Many, LA 8 10-02 241 Day 1: 4 05-12 Day 2: 4 04-06 18. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 8 09-04 239 Day 1: 5 05-15 Day 2: 3 03-05 19. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 7 08-11 236 Day 1: 5 05-15 Day 2: 2 02-12 19. Tammy Richardson Glenwood, AR 6 08-11 236 Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 1 01-01 21. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 6 08-03 232 Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 4 05-07 21. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 2 08-03 232 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 08-03 23. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 6 08-00 229 Day 1: 3 03-04 Day 2: 3 04-12 24. Melinda Mize Hooper Lockesburg, AR 6 07-14 0 Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 5 06-06 25. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 3 07-08 225 Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 2 04-12 26. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 5 07-06 223 Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 3 04-15 27. Laura Elkins Amarillo, TX 6 07-04 221 Day 1: 4 05-02 Day 2: 2 02-02 28. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 5 07-03 219 Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 2 03-11 29. Kathy Womack Trussville, AL 6 07-01 217 Day 1: 5 06-01 Day 2: 1 01-00 30. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 4 07-00 215 Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 2 04-02 31. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 6 06-15 213 Day 1: 4 04-08 Day 2: 2 02-07 32. Penny Berryman Hot Springs, AR 3 06-06 211 Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 2 04-13 33. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 5 06-01 209 Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 2 02-05 34. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 3 05-14 207 Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 1 01-05 35. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, TX 4 05-13 205 Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 2 03-00 36. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 3 05-12 203 Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 2 04-12 37. Debbie Kemp Emory, TX 6 05-11 201 Day 1: 1 00-12 Day 2: 5 04-15 38. Lila Bass Austin, TX 4 05-10 199 Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 2 02-06 39. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 3 04-14 197 Day 1: 3 04-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 40. Judy Antle Albany, KY 3 04-11 195 Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 1 01-10 41. Jan Hudson Harrison, AR 4 04-08 192 Day 1: 2 01-12 Day 2: 2 02-12 41. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 3 04-08 192 Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 1 02-01 43. Kelley Shepherd Cortez, CO 3 04-07 189 Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 1 01-06 44. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 3 04-04 186 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-04 44. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 3 04-04 186 Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 2 02-04 46. Kali Weatherford Eustace, TX 2 04-01 183 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-01 47. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 3 03-14 181 Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 1 00-14 48. Tami Kashiwabara Shelby JAPAN 3 03-12 178 Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 1 01-01 48. Secret York Benton, KY 2 03-12 178 Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 50. Jo DEE Lake Helena, AL 2 03-09 175 Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 51. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 2 02-12 173 Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 1 01-13 52. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 2 02-10 171 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-10 53. Mary Hencken Belmont, NC 2 02-09 169 Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 54. Cindy Van Horn Athens, TX 2 02-03 166 Day 1: 2 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 54. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 2 02-03 166 Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 1 01-03 56. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 2 02-02 163 Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 1 01-04 57. Karen Elkins Oxford, AL 1 01-07 160 Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 57. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, OH 1 01-07 160 Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 59. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 1 01-06 157 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-06 60. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, AR 1 01-05 155 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-05 61. Keri May Maple Valley, WA 1 01-04 152 Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 61. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 1 01-04 152 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-04 63. Kathy Magers Waxahachie, TX 1 01-03 149 Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 64. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 1 01-01 147 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-01 65. Sammie Denyes Florala, AL 1 00-15 145 Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 66. Linda Berry Madison, NC 1 00-14 142 Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 66. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 1 00-14 142 Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 68. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 1 00-13 139 Day 1: 1 00-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 69. Darla Bardelli Phoenix, AZ 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 69. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 69. Lisa Craig Chandler, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 69. Kellie Skelton Aztec, NM 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 69. Sharon Teague Greenville, SC 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 69. Pat White Pleasanton, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 8 151 229-12 2 8 138 218-11 ---------------------------------- 16 289 448-07 Co-Angler Standings Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 6 09-01 305 Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 3 04-02 2. Lesley Childers Anderson, SC 3 08-08 300 Day 1: 2 07-03 Day 2: 1 01-05 3. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 6 08-04 290 Day 1: 5 06-06 Day 2: 1 01-14 4. Kelleen Wells Grovetown, GA 5 07-09 285 Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 2 03-05 5. Lisa Diehl Pittsburgh, PA 4 06-11 280 Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 1 02-03 6. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 6 06-08 276 Day 1: 4 04-02 Day 2: 2 02-06 7. Vicki Hester Rainbow City, AL 6 06-07 272 Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 5 04-09 8. Monica Altman Angier, NC 5 06-02 268 Day 1: 4 04-04 Day 2: 1 01-14 9. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, KY 5 05-13 264 Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 4 04-09 10. Kim McGuffey Weatherford, TX 4 04-14 260 Day 1: 3 02-15 Day 2: 1 01-15 11. Nancy Stumpe Palatka, FL 3 04-12 257 Day 1: 2 02-04 Day 2: 1 02-08 12. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 4 04-08 254 Day 1: 1 00-13 Day 2: 3 03-11 13. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 2 03-15 251 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-15 14. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 3 03-13 248 Day 1: 3 03-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 15. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 3 03-12 245 Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 2 02-07 16. Brandi Frasier Madisonville, KY 2 03-09 243 Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 1 01-09 17. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 3 03-06 241 Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 1 00-15 18. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 2 03-05 239 Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 19. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 3 03-04 237 Day 1: 2 01-13 Day 2: 1 01-07 20. Miriam Donohoo San Mateo, FL 2 03-03 235 Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 21. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 2 03-02 233 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-02 22. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 2 02-14 230 Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 22. Jennifer Helgren Waukegum, IL 2 02-14 230 Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 1 02-00 24. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 2 02-12 227 Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 1 01-02 25. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 1 02-10 225 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-10 26. Kim Guy Loudon, TN 2 02-08 223 Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 1 01-03 27. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 2 02-07 220 Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 1 01-02 27. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 1 02-07 220 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-07 29. Brenda Bates La Porte, TX 2 02-05 217 Day 1: 1 00-12 Day 2: 1 01-09 30. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 2 02-03 214 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-03 30. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 2 02-03 214 Day 1: 2 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 32. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 1 02-02 211 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-02 33. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 2 02-01 209 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-01 34. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, MO 2 02-00 207 Day 1: 2 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 35. Linda Thomas Pryor, OK 1 01-15 205 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-15 36. Petra Ramsey El Paso, TX 1 01-14 203 Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 37. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 1 01-12 201 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-12 38. Tracy Doty Roanoke, TX 2 01-10 197 Day 1: 2 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00 38. Kathy Freehling Interlachen, FL 1 01-10 197 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-10 38. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 1 01-10 197 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-10 41. Katie Ellis Gulfport, MS 1 01-07 193 Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 42. Ashley Brinkley Madisonville, KY 1 01-05 189 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-05 42. Leanne Snowden Suttons Bay, MI 1 01-05 189 Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 42. Sharon Withers Jasper, TX 1 01-05 189 Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 45. Billie Jaynes Deer Park, TX 1 01-04 185 Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 46. Jennifer Blackwood Lincolnton, GA 1 01-02 182 Day 1: 1 01-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 46. Brenda Reeves Arlington, TX 1 01-02 182 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-02 48. Tracy Bailey Ennis, TX 1 01-01 179 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-01 49. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 1 01-00 174 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-00 49. Dianne Kegley Norphlet, AR 1 01-00 174 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-00 49. Lesli Lively Grapeland, TX 1 01-00 174 Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 49. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 1 01-00 174 Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 53. Susan Wild Denver, CO 1 00-15 169 Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 54. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 1 00-14 167 Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Linda Higginbotham Palm Coast, FL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Ann Hood Statesboro, GA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Kris Hunter Seguin, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Marilu Ives Hot Springs, AR 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Mary Lipka Wentzville, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Janet Mckercher Wapakoneta, OH 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Beverly Nelson Harrison, MI 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Judy Pate Benton, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. LaShea Raynor Lexington, SC 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, IL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Brenda Scarborough Dover, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Violette Sesco Citrus Springs, FL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Sabrina Thompson Houston, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 1 68 89-05 2 1 55 78-10 ---------------------------------- 2 123 167-15