HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. - Three weeks of intense scouting on Old Hickory Lake paid off Thursday for Janet Parker of Little Elm, Texas, when she took the lead with 10 pounds, 12 ounces, in the third bass fishing tournament of the 2008 season on the Women's Bassmaster Tour. "I came straight from Gadsden, Ala., from the last (WBT) tournament and went to work. I was tired of not getting into the top-20 cut," she said when asked why she invested the time.
Parker turned a full-time pro three years ago. Her best WBT performances to date are two 23rd place finishes in 2006.
The determined Texan was 9 ounces in front of two-time WBT winner and the 2006 Toyota WBT Angler of the Year, Dianna Clark (10-3) of Bumpus Mills, Tenn. Both weighed in a five-fish limit - all largemouth bass - on a tough day when only 11 other pros managed to do the same.
Bunched up behind the leaders were two local anglers, Cindy Caperton of Madison, Tenn., with 9-15, and Lori Masters of Nashville, Tenn., with 9-10. Completing the top five was Bridget Allen of Philadelphia, Pa., on their heels with 9-9.
Parker said she believed what she's learned about Old Hickory's bass will continue to pay off.
"I don't want to sound overconfident, but I had fish on the north end that I needed a northwest wind and sun for - which I had today - and I still have fish on the main lake close to the dam, that require shade, rain and wind, which they're calling for tomorrow," she said. "I haven't even touched the fish I'm going to tomorrow."
If she succeeds in making Friday's top-20 cut, she'll be eligible to compete Saturday for the first prize in the pro division: $1,000 cash and a Triton/Mercury boat rig valued at $50,000.
WBT pros also are competing in a points race to become the first woman to qualify for a Bassmaster Classic. The one pro with the most points at the end of the season will be the 2008 Toyota WBT Angler of the Year, an accomplishment that comes with a berth in the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 on the Red River out of Shreveport/Bossier City, La., as well as a 2009 Toyota Tundra.
With a strong finish in Tennessee, Parker could pull herself up in the points race - she's currently 33rd - but she'd have to make up a lot of ground to catch points leader Kim Bain of Alabaster, Ala. Bain managed just 4-13 Thursday for 32nd place.
Clark also has to make up for a slow 2008 season. The former AOY was 57th in the points standings going into the Old Hickory event.
"Things are back on track for me, hopefully, but this is a tough lake," said Clark. "But this isn't over yet. You can bring in 10 pounds one day, 15 the next, then zero the next. The full moon this week and no current all day long are definitely factors that play on the fish. This lake fishes a lot like Barkley [in Kentucky], and when they shut that current down, these fish get tough.
"There's nothing real solid for me here. I started this morning in an area I knew had good largemouth on it, but when the current wasn't running, and only little ones were biting, I made an adjustment. It's a run-and-gun deal. I was actually culling today, but not off one spot."
In the co-angler division, in which the first-place prize is a Skeeter/Yamaha rig valued at $25,000, Linda Thomas of Pryor, Okla., led the field with 8 pounds, 10 ounces. A pound behind was Petra Ramsey of El Paso, Texas. Brenda Bates of La Porte, Texas, was third with 7-5.
The field will launch Friday and Saturday at 5:30 a.m. at Sanders Ferry Park, 100 Sanders Ferry Road in Hendersonville. The park also the site of the Friday weigh-in beginning at 2:15 p.m.
Saturday's finale weigh-in will be begin at 2:30 p.m. at Academy Sports & Outdoors, 2350 Gallatin Pike N. in Madison, Tenn.
2008 WOMEN'S BASSMASTER TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 5 10-12 305 Day 1: 5 10-12 2. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 5 10-03 295 Day 1: 5 10-03 3. Cindy Caperton Madison, TN 4 09-15 290 Day 1: 4 09-15 4. Lori Masters Nashville, TN 5 09-10 285 Day 1: 5 09-10 5. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 5 09-09 280 Day 1: 5 09-09 6. Tanya Kreuzer Mesa, AZ 5 09-00 276 Day 1: 5 09-00 7. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 5 08-07 0 Day 1: 5 08-07 8. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 4 08-06 268 Day 1: 4 08-06 9. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 5 08-05 264 Day 1: 5 08-05 10. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 5 08-04 260 Day 1: 5 08-04 11. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 5 08-00 257 Day 1: 5 08-00 12. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 5 07-15 254 Day 1: 5 07-15 13. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 5 07-13 251 Day 1: 5 07-13 14. Audrey McQueen Eagar, AZ 5 07-07 248 Day 1: 5 07-07 15. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, TX 4 07-06 245 Day 1: 4 07-06 16. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 5 07-05 243 Day 1: 5 07-05 17. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 4 07-04 241 Day 1: 4 07-04 18. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 4 07-03 239 Day 1: 4 07-03 19. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 4 07-02 237 Day 1: 4 07-02 20. Robyn Gist Cedar Hill, TN 4 06-15 235 Day 1: 4 06-15 21. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 4 06-12 233 Day 1: 4 06-12 22. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, AR 3 06-05 230 Day 1: 3 06-05 22. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 2 06-05 230 Day 1: 2 06-05 24. Judy Antle Albany, KY 3 06-04 227 Day 1: 3 06-04 25. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 3 06-01 225 Day 1: 3 06-01 26. Tammy Richardson Glenwood, AR 4 05-11 223 Day 1: 4 05-11 27. Cindy Van Horn Athens, TX 2 05-10 221 Day 1: 2 05-10 28. Jo DEE Lake Helena, AL 2 05-07 219 Day 1: 2 05-07 29. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 3 05-06 217 Day 1: 3 05-06 30. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 4 05-01 215 Day 1: 4 05-01 31. Kelley Shepherd Cortez, CO 2 04-15 213 Day 1: 2 04-15 32. Kim Bain Alabaster, AL 3 04-13 211 Day 1: 3 04-13 33. Linda Berry Madison, NC 3 04-12 209 Day 1: 3 04-12 34. Tami Kashiwabara Shelby JAPAN 3 04-10 207 Day 1: 3 04-10 35. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 3 04-09 205 Day 1: 3 04-09 36. Lisa Craig Chandler, TX 3 04-08 203 Day 1: 3 04-08 37. Diane Phillips Tyler, TX 2 04-07 201 Day 1: 2 04-07 38. Judy Wong Many, LA 3 04-04 198 Day 1: 3 04-04 38. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 2 04-04 198 Day 1: 2 04-04 40. Jan Hudson Harrison, AR 2 04-01 195 Day 1: 2 04-01 41. Debbie Kemp Weatherford, TX 1 03-15 193 Day 1: 1 03-15 42. Shelley Perry Hurricane, WV 2 03-13 191 Day 1: 2 03-13 43. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 2 03-12 189 Day 1: 2 03-12 44. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 3 03-11 186 Day 1: 3 03-11 44. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 2 03-11 186 Day 1: 2 03-11 46. Pat White Pleasanton, TX 2 03-08 183 Day 1: 2 03-08 47. Judy VanCanneyt Lexington, AL 2 03-02 181 Day 1: 2 03-02 48. Laura Elkins Amarillo, TX 2 02-14 179 Day 1: 2 02-14 49. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 2 02-11 176 Day 1: 2 02-11 49. Mary Croft Bedford, VA 2 02-11 176 Day 1: 2 02-11 51. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, OH 1 02-10 173 Day 1: 1 02-10 52. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 1 02-04 171 Day 1: 1 02-04 53. Secret York Benton, KY 1 01-14 169 Day 1: 1 01-14 54. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, TX 1 01-13 166 Day 1: 1 01-13 54. Lisa Talmadge Pell City, AL 1 01-13 166 Day 1: 1 01-13 56. Teresa Poole Blue Springs, MO 1 01-12 162 Day 1: 1 01-12 56. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 1 01-12 162 Day 1: 1 01-12 58. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 1 01-11 159 Day 1: 1 01-11 59. Mary Hencken Belmont, NC 1 01-10 155 Day 1: 1 01-10 59. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 1 01-10 155 Day 1: 1 01-10 59. Bonnie Katke Hazelwood, MO 1 01-10 155 Day 1: 1 01-10 62. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 1 01-09 151 Day 1: 1 01-09 63. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 1 01-08 149 Day 1: 1 01-08 64. Kathy Womack Trussville, AL 1 01-06 147 Day 1: 1 01-06 65. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 1 01-05 144 Day 1: 1 01-05 65. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 1 01-05 144 Day 1: 1 01-05 67. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 1 01-04 141 Day 1: 1 01-04 68. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, AR 1 01-03 138 Day 1: 1 01-03 68. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 1 01-03 138 Day 1: 1 01-03 70. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Lila Bass Austin, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Sue Freeman College Park, MD 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Beverly Graham Chandler, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Kathy Magers Waxahachie, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Robin McFarlane San Antonio, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Tammy Sawyer Brush Creek, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Kellie Skelton Aztec, NM 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 70. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Bass Day 1 Debbie Kemp Weatherford, TX 03-15 $0.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 13 188 335-12 ---------------------------------- 13 188 335-12 2008 Womens Bassmaster Tour Stop 3 6/19-6/21 Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin TN. (NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Linda Thomas Pryor, OK 3 08-10 305 Day 1: 3 08-10 2. Petra Ramsey El Paso, TX 4 07-10 295 Day 1: 4 07-10 3. Brenda Bates La Porte, TX 5 07-05 290 Day 1: 5 07-05 4. Dianna Montgomery Lebanon, TN 4 06-11282.5 Day 1: 4 06-11 4. Susan Wild Denver, CO 3 06-11282.5 Day 1: 3 06-11 6. Lesley Childers Anderson, SC 5 06-07 276 Day 1: 5 06-07 7. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 3 06-04 272 Day 1: 3 06-04 8. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 4 06-03 268 Day 1: 4 06-03 9. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 4 05-10 264 Day 1: 4 05-10 10. Kris Hunter Seguin, TX 3 05-09 260 Day 1: 3 05-09 11. Mary Lipka Wentzville, MO 2 05-08 257 Day 1: 2 05-08 12. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 3 05-06 254 Day 1: 3 05-06 13. Billie Jaynes Deer Park, TX 3 05-05249.5 Day 1: 3 05-05 13. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 3 05-05249.5 Day 1: 3 05-05 15. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 2 04-07 245 Day 1: 2 04-07 16. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 3 04-06 243 Day 1: 3 04-06 17. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 2 04-05 240 Day 1: 2 04-05 17. Dianne Kegley Norphlet, AR 1 04-05 240 Day 1: 1 04-05 19. Esther Turner Crossville, TN 1 04-01 237 Day 1: 1 04-01 20. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 2 03-14 235 Day 1: 2 03-14 21. Monica Altman Angier, NC 2 03-13 233 Day 1: 2 03-13 22. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 2 03-06 231 Day 1: 2 03-06 23. Bonnie Betts Saint Ann, MO 2 03-05 229 Day 1: 2 03-05 24. Beverly Nelson Harrison, MI 1 03-04 227 Day 1: 1 03-04 25. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 2 03-03 225 Day 1: 2 03-03 26. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 2 03-02 222 Day 1: 2 03-02 26. Tracy Bailey Ennis, TX 1 03-02 222 Day 1: 1 03-02 28. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, KY 2 02-15 219 Day 1: 2 02-15 29. LaShea Raynor Lexington, SC 2 02-10 217 Day 1: 2 02-10 30. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 1 02-04 215 Day 1: 1 02-04 31. Katie Ellis Gulfport, MS 1 02-02 212 Day 1: 1 02-02 31. Sharon Withers Jasper, TX 1 02-02 212 Day 1: 1 02-02 33. Elizabeth Havens Austin, TX 1 02-01 209 Day 1: 1 02-01 34. Sabrina Thompson Houston, TX 1 01-14 0 Day 1: 1 01-14 35. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 1 01-13 205 Day 1: 1 01-13 36. Lisa Lowery Landrum, SC 1 01-12 203 Day 1: 1 01-12 37. Patti James Dayton, TX 1 01-11 200 Day 1: 1 01-11 37. Brenda Scarborough Dover, TN 1 01-11 200 Day 1: 1 01-11 39. Kaye Hogan Bon Aqua, TN 1 01-09 197 Day 1: 1 01-09 40. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 1 01-08 194 Day 1: 1 01-08 40. Dianna Fanning Rogers, AR 1 01-08 194 Day 1: 1 01-08 42. Marilyn Biszmaier Louisville, KY 1 01-07 188 Day 1: 1 01-07 42. Jane Brunner Byhalia, MS 1 01-07 188 Day 1: 1 01-07 42. Brandi Frasier Madisonville, KY 1 01-07 188 Day 1: 1 01-07 42. Kim McGuffey Weatherford, TX 1 01-07 188 Day 1: 1 01-07 46. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 1 01-05 183 Day 1: 1 01-05 47. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 1 01-02 181 Day 1: 1 01-02 48. Sara Rinelli Harleysville, PA 1 01-01 179 Day 1: 1 01-01 49. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 1 01-00 177 Day 1: 1 01-00 50. Tracy Doty Roanoke, TX 1 00-15 174 Day 1: 1 00-15 50. Pamela Leeper Saint Louis, MO 1 00-15 174 Day 1: 1 00-15 52. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 1 00-14 171 Day 1: 1 00-14 53. Leslie Anderson Saint Louis, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Lisa Diehl Pittsburgh, PA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Victoria Hellmer Old Hickory, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Robin Kolton Elgin, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Lesli Lively Palestine, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Nancy Oliver Arnaudville, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Brenda Reeves Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Lisa Skelley Jackson, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Leanne Snowden Suttons Bay, MI 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 53. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Bass Day 1 Dianne Kegley Norphlet, AR 04-05 $0.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 2 99 177-09 ---------------------------------- 2 99 177-09