M
A pro from Plano, Texas, Bowden was 2 pounds in front of Heather Broom of Sylva, N.C., who was second with 9-0 on the first day of the competition that rounds out the WBT's regular season.
"The bite was light, you could hardly feel it," said Bowden, who declined to give many details on her pattern this early in the game.
She did say she worked a Gambler Mega Daddy most of the day in five areas she had pinpointed in practice. The soft craw produced most of her five-fish limit, which were all largemouth bass.
"I had a great practice," said Bowden, "and once I found my fish, I left them alone, didn't go back to them. Today, I kept thinking, 'are they going to be there,' and they were."
Unlike most other competitors, Bowden said she did not spend her time measuring fish to adhere to the length limits of 12 inches for spotted bass, 14 inches for largemouths and 18 inches for smallmouth bass.
"I hardly caught any short fish" said Bowden. "Almost all the fish I hooked were big fish."
Broom said she used two types of lures to get her limit, and stayed in one area, having faith the bite would turn on again after a lull.
"I fished all day for five fish," she said, adding that her fifth fish for a limit went into the livewell at about 1:30 p.m., 45 minutes before check-in with tournament officials.
Third after Day One with 7-14 was Judy Wong, the Many, La., pro who won the WBT Championship in February 2008 on South Carolina's Lake Keowee. Wong managed three fish, all largemouths.
"I was fortunate to get the big bite, I just couldn't get my limit, but I caught big numbers," she said.
Wong pulled in front of Emily Shaffer of Mount Juliet, Tenn., who considers Old Hickory one of her home lakes. Shaffer had 7-7.
Much is at stake for all the competitors in the pro division. They are competing for money and prizes - the first prize is $1,000 cash and a boat rig valued at $55,000 - and for enough points to qualify for the Oct. 16-18 Academy Sports + Outdoors WBT Championship on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
Only the top 20 in the points standings after Old Hickory will advance to the championship, where the newly crowned WBT Angler of the Year will claim her qualification for the 2010 Classic. She'll follow pioneer Kim Bain-Moore, who as the 2008 AOY was the first woman to qualify for a Classic.
Besides a Classic qualification, the new AOY will score a 2010 Toyota Tundra.
Leading this year's race is Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., who had 850 points going into Old Hickory. The full standings can be found on Bassmaster.com. Just nine points behind is Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas. Martin-Wells was 23rd place after the first day of the Tennessee tournament with 3-14. Robinson was fifth with 7-2.
In the co-angler division, where the first prize is $500 and a boat rig valued at $25,000, Monica Altman of Angier, N.C., picked up the Day One lead with 6 pounds, 8 ounces. In second place was Colleen McKay of Worcester, Mass., with 6-7. Third was Jada Tidmore of Union Grove, Ala., who bagged 6 pounds, 0 ounces.
Co-anglers are competing for qualifying points for the championship as well. Only the top 20 will go to the Louisiana event.
The Old Hickory competition will resume Friday at 6:15 a.m. CT, when the full field launches from Sanders Ferry Park, 100 Sanders Ferry Road in Hendersonville, Tenn. The weigh-in is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. CT at the Academy Sports + Outdoors store, 2350 Gallatin Pike N., Madison.
BASSMASTER WOMEN'S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- DAY 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 5 11-00 305 Day 1: 5 11-00 2. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 5 09-00 295 Day 1: 5 09-00 3. Judy Wong Many, LA 3 07-14 290 Day 1: 3 07-14 4. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 4 07-07 285 Day 1: 4 07-07 5. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 5 07-02 280 Day 1: 5 07-02 6. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, AL 5 07-00 276 Day 1: 5 07-00 7. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 4 06-15 272 Day 1: 4 06-15 8. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 3 06-14 268 Day 1: 3 06-14 9. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, TX 5 06-11 264 Day 1: 5 06-11 10. Jo Dee Lake Helena, AL 4 06-11 260 Day 1: 4 06-11 11. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 5 06-08 257 Day 1: 5 06-08 12. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 4 05-07 254 Day 1: 4 05-07 13. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 4 05-06 251 Day 1: 4 05-06 14. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 4 05-04 248 Day 1: 4 05-04 15. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 3 04-13 245 Day 1: 3 04-13 16. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 5 04-09 243 Day 1: 5 04-09 17. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 2 04-09 241 Day 1: 2 04-09 18. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 3 04-07 239 Day 1: 3 04-07 18. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 3 04-07 239 Day 1: 3 04-07 20. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 4 04-05 235 Day 1: 4 04-05 21. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, KY 2 04-05 233 Day 1: 2 04-05 22. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 2 04-00 231 Day 1: 2 04-00 23. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 3 03-14 229 Day 1: 3 03-14 24. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 2 03-12 227 Day 1: 2 03-12 25. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 3 03-10 225 Day 1: 3 03-10 26. Tami Kashiwabara London JAPAN 3 03-08 223 Day 1: 3 03-08 27. Karen Elkins Oxford, AL 3 03-06 221 Day 1: 3 03-06 28. Secret York Benton, KY 2 03-06 219 Day 1: 2 03-06 29. Cheryl Turner Gallatin, TN 2 03-05 217 Day 1: 2 03-05 30. Lila Bass Austin, TX 2 03-04 215 Day 1: 2 03-04 31. Tammy Sawyer Brush Creek, TN 2 03-03 213 Day 1: 2 03-03 32. BJ Carson Inola, OK 2 03-02 211 Day 1: 2 03-02 32. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 2 03-02 211 Day 1: 2 03-02 34. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, AR 2 03-01 207 Day 1: 2 03-01 35. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 1 03-01 205 Day 1: 1 03-01 36. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 2 02-15 203 Day 1: 2 02-15 37. Tammy Richardson Amity, AR 1 02-14 201 Day 1: 1 02-14 38. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 1 02-11 199 Day 1: 1 02-11 39. Kali Weatherford Eustace, TX 2 02-08 197 Day 1: 2 02-08 40. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 2 02-06 195 Day 1: 2 02-06 41. Lori Masters Gonzales, LA 1 02-02 193 Day 1: 1 02-02 42. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 1 01-12 191 Day 1: 1 01-12 43. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 1 01-11 189 Day 1: 1 01-11 43. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 1 01-11 189 Day 1: 1 01-11 45. Teri Neal Cumming, GA 1 01-10 185 Day 1: 1 01-10 46. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 1 01-09 183 Day 1: 1 01-09 46. Kim Tywater Fairview, TN 1 01-09 183 Day 1: 1 01-09 46. Kimberly White Glen Carbon, IL 1 01-09 183 Day 1: 1 01-09 49. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 1 01-09 177 Day 1: 1 01-09 50. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 1 01-05 175 Day 1: 1 01-05 51. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Cindy Caperton Ashland City, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Lisa Craig Chandler, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Terri Elkins Red Oak, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 51. Teresa Poole Blue Springs, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 7 131 208-01 ---------------------------------- 7 131 208-01 ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS BASSMASTER WOMEN'S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- CO-ANGLER- DAY 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Monica Altman Angier, NC 5 06-08 305 Day 1: 5 06-08 2. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 5 06-07 295 Day 1: 5 06-07 3. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 4 06-00 290 Day 1: 4 06-00 4. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 3 06-00 285 Day 1: 3 06-00 5. Jill Matheis Jasper, IN 5 05-09 280 Day 1: 5 05-09 6. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 3 05-08 276 Day 1: 3 05-08 7. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, MO 3 04-13 272 Day 1: 3 04-13 8. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 3 04-07 268 Day 1: 3 04-07 9. Regina Pierpaoli Gallatin, TN 2 04-07 264 Day 1: 2 04-07 10. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 3 03-12 260 Day 1: 3 03-12 11. Jennifer Helgren Park City, IL 2 03-12 257 Day 1: 2 03-12 12. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 2 03-09 254 Day 1: 2 03-09 13. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 2 03-07 251 Day 1: 2 03-07 14. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 2 03-05 248 Day 1: 2 03-05 15. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 2 03-03 245 Day 1: 2 03-03 16. Victoria Hellmer Hermitage, TN 2 03-01 243 Day 1: 2 03-01 17. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 2 02-15 241 Day 1: 2 02-15 17. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 2 02-15 241 Day 1: 2 02-15 17. Susan Orton Apex, NC 2 02-15 241 Day 1: 2 02-15 20. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 2 02-13 235 Day 1: 2 02-13 20. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 2 02-13 235 Day 1: 2 02-13 22. Lesli Lively Palestine, TX 2 02-12 231 Day 1: 2 02-12 23. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 2 02-07 229 Day 1: 2 02-07 24. Jennifer Rice Grant, AL 2 02-05 227 Day 1: 2 02-05 25. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 2 02-02 225 Day 1: 2 02-02 26. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 1 02-00 223 Day 1: 1 02-00 27. Lori Steele Tulsa, OK 1 01-13 221 Day 1: 1 01-13 28. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, IL 1 01-12 219 Day 1: 1 01-12 29. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 1 01-10 217 Day 1: 1 01-10 29. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 1 01-10 217 Day 1: 1 01-10 31. Renee Brisendine Cary, NC 1 01-09 213 Day 1: 1 01-09 31. Jane Brunner Byhalia, MS 1 01-09 213 Day 1: 1 01-09 33. Bonnie Betts Saint Ann, MO 1 01-06 209 Day 1: 1 01-06 33. Sarah Davis Livingston, LA 1 01-06 209 Day 1: 1 01-06 35. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 1 01-05 205 Day 1: 1 01-05 35. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 1 01-05 205 Day 1: 1 01-05 37. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 1 01-05 201 Day 1: 1 01-05 38. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, SC 1 01-04 199 Day 1: 1 01-04 38. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 1 01-04 199 Day 1: 1 01-04 38. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 1 01-04 199 Day 1: 1 01-04 41. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 1 01-03 193 Day 1: 1 01-03 42. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 1 01-01 191 Day 1: 1 01-01 43. Kat Arnold Shreveport, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Linda Berry Madison, NC 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Marilyn Biszmaier Louisville, KY 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Neva Brown Lufkin, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Teri Cindric Hermitage, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Lisa Diehl Pittsburg, PA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Katelynn Gray Bastrop, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Katie Hogan Bon Aqua, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Renee Johnston Beaumont, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Mary Lipka Wentzville, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Kim Mendoza Garland, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Dianna Montgomery Lebanon, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Sharon Seaton Buchanan, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Kelly Wells Grovetown, GA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Susan Wild St Petersburg, FL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 43. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 3 83 122-07 ---------------------------------- 3 83 122-07