Wong, the winner of the 2007 WBT Championship on South Carolina's Lake Keowee, brought in 20-15 of Old Hickory bass over two days, jumping her from third to first and stepping over Heather Broom of Sylva, N.C., who had 19-9 over two days and remained firmly in second place.
Also on Friday, Lisa Sternard of Clarksville, Tenn., jumped into third place with 17-11. Fourth with 14-15 was Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala., who as the 2008 Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year was the first woman to qualify for a Bassmaster Classic.
Hookups with short bass have been plentiful this week, but not limits. After weighing just three fish the first day, Wong had one of eight pro-division limits Friday. Her Day Two bag was anchored by two largemouths, one more than 5 pounds, another about 4 pounds.
She said both came from one area - a rare one-two on Old Hickory this week. She said she worked another spot - hard - for the other three.
"It's been tough fishing here, so to get the two big ones was wonderful," Wong said. "The fish are in transition, they're following baitfish, some are up shallow, some are out deep, so you just have to make a decision, not limit yourself to just one area. I was lucky to capitalize on those two areas, but they may not be there Saturday."
That's not quite what happened to first-day leader Cheryl Bowden of Plano, Texas, who zeroed Friday.
"I could see the fish, but they just wouldn't bite," Bowden said. "Maybe because they could see me - there was no wind."
Broom, the last angler to weigh-in Friday, said she had hoped her limit would weigh just a bit more than it did - 10 pounds, 9 ounces, to put pressure on Wong, an early leader of the day.
"I can pull five more tomorrow - I'm pretty sure I can," said Broom, whose limit came by 9 a.m. "I know there's going to be some local tournaments tomorrow, and that's often a factor on Saturday, but I'll go back and see what I can get."
In fifth place with 13-15 was Robin Babb of Livingston, Texas, who said she was motivated to do well at this tournament so she could earn enough points to advance to the 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors WBT Championship, which is set for Oct. 16-18 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
"That's why I fished so hard today and yesterday," Babb said. "I really want to be in the championship. I've had a difficult season and year, so I got focused. I decided I better get serious."
The Old Hickory event ends Saturday, wrapping up the regular WBT season and setting the 20-pro field for the 2009 championship. That's where the season-long points race will cross the finish line and one pro will claim the season's biggest prize package: the Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year crown, a Toyota Tundra, and an invitation to the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., had 850 points going into the Old Hickory event. Just nine ticks behind was Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas. Martin-Wells was 10th place after the second day of the Tennessee tournament with 11-8. Robinson was seventh with 13-1.
The co-angler division went through a leaderboard shake-up. Bonnie Ward of Snohomish, Wash., shot from eighth place into the lead with 11-3 over two days. Regina Pierpaoli of Gallatin, Tenn., was second with 10-13. Terri Bittner of McKinleyville, Calif., took a big step from 35th place into third with an 8-14 two-day total.
First prize in the co-angler division is $500 and a Triton/Mercury boat rig valued at $25,000. Co-anglers also are competing for qualifying points for the October championship.
The Old Hickory competition will resume Saturday at 6:15 a.m. CT, when the top 20 launch from Sanders Ferry Park, 100 Sanders Ferry Road in Hendersonville, Tenn. The finale weigh-in is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. CT at the Academy Sports + Outdoors store, 2350 Gallatin Pike N., Madison.
BASSSSMASTER WOMEN'S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- DAY 2 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Judy Wong Many, LA 8 20-15 305 Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 5 13-01 2. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 10 19-09 295 Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 10-09 3. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 7 17-11 290 Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 4 10-13 4. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, AL 10 14-15 285 Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 07-15 5. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 10 13-15 280 Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 5 07-07 6. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 7 13-09 276 Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 5 09-09 7. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 9 13-01 272 Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 4 05-15 8. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 8 11-13 268 Day 1: 4 05-07 Day 2: 4 06-06 9. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, TX 8 11-11 264 Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 3 05-00 10. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 8 11-08 260 Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 5 07-10 11. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 6 11-00 257 Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 4 07-04 12. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 5 11-00 259 Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 13. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 8 10-15 251 Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 5 07-05 14. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 10 10-10 248 Day 1: 5 04-09 Day 2: 5 06-01 15. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 7 09-12 245 Day 1: 4 05-04 Day 2: 3 04-08 16. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 6 09-07 243 Day 1: 4 05-06 Day 2: 2 04-01 17. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 5 09-02 241 Day 1: 4 07-07 Day 2: 1 01-11 18. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 5 09-01 239 Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 3 04-08 19. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 09-00 237 Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 3 05-15 20. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 5 08-06 235 Day 1: 4 06-15 Day 2: 1 01-07 21. Lisa Craig Chandler, TX 2 08-03 233 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 08-03 22. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 07-11 231 Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 3 05-05 23. Cheryl Turner Gallatin, TN 5 07-10 229 Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 3 04-05 24. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 5 07-03 227 Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 2 02-12 25. Jo Dee Lake Helena, AL 4 06-11 225 Day 1: 4 06-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 26. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 6 06-10 223 Day 1: 4 04-05 Day 2: 2 02-05 27. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 4 06-05 221 Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 3 05-00 28. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 4 05-12 219 Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 2 02-10 29. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 4 05-06 217 Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 3 03-11 30. Kali Weatherford Eustace, TX 4 05-05 215 Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 2 02-13 31. Lila Bass Austin, TX 3 05-00 213 Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 1 01-12 32. Karen Elkins Oxford, AL 4 04-15 211 Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 1 01-09 33. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 3 04-13 209 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-13 33. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 3 04-13 209 Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 35. Secret York Benton, KY 3 04-12 205 Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 1 01-06 36. Tammy Sawyer Brush Creek, TN 3 04-10 203 Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 1 01-07 37. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 3 04-07 201 Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 38. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 2 04-07 199 Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 1 01-12 39. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 3 04-06 197 Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 1 01-07 40. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, KY 2 04-05 195 Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 41. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 2 04-03 193 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-03 42. Tami Kashiwabara London JAPAN 3 03-08 191 Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 43. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, TX 2 03-07 189 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-07 44. BJ Carson Inola, OK 2 03-02 187 Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 45. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 2 03-01 185 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-01 46. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 1 03-01 183 Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 0 00-00 47. Tammy Richardson Amity, AR 1 02-14 181 Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 48. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 2 02-11 179 Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 01-00 49. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 2 02-09 177 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-09 50. Lori Masters Gonzales, LA 1 02-02 175 Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 51. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 1 01-12 173 Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 52. Teri Neal Cumming, GA 1 01-10 171 Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00 53. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 1 01-09 169 Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 53. Teresa Poole Blue Springs, MO 1 01-09 169 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-09 53. Kim Tywater Fairview, TN 1 01-09 169 Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 53. Kimberly White Glen Carbon, IL 1 01-09 169 Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 57. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 1 01-09 161 Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 58. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 1 01-08 159 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-08 58. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 1 01-08 159 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-08 60. Cindy Caperton Ashland City, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 60. Terri Elkins Red Oak, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 60. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 60. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 60. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 7 131 208-01 2 8 115 197-00 ---------------------------------- 15 246 405-01 CO-ANGLER- ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS BASSMASTER WOMEN'S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- DAY 2 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 8 11-03 305 Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 5 06-12 2. Regina Pierpaoli Gallatin, TN 5 10-13 295 Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 06-06 3. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 6 08-14 290 Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 5 07-09 4. Jennifer Helgren Park City, IL 4 07-11 285 Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 2 03-15 5. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 5 07-05 280 Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 3 04-08 6. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 4 07-05 276 Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 1 01-05 7. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 4 07-05 272 Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 3 05-11 8. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 4 07-02 268 Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 1 01-10 9. Monica Altman Angier, NC 5 06-08 269 Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 10. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 5 06-07 260 Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 11. Sarah Davis Livingston, LA 4 06-07 257 Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 3 05-01 12. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 4 06-05 254 Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 3 05-00 13. Jennifer Rice Grant, AL 4 06-02 251 Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 2 03-13 14. Dianna Montgomery Lebanon, TN 2 06-02 248 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-02 15. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 4 06-00 245 Day 1: 4 06-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 16. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 4 05-14 243 Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 2 02-09 17. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 4 05-11 241 Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 2 02-08 18. Jill Matheis Jasper, IN 5 05-09 239 Day 1: 5 05-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 19. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 4 05-06 237 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 05-06 20. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 3 05-04 235 Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 1 01-13 21. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, SC 4 05-02 233 Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 3 03-14 22. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 4 04-14 231 Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 2 02-07 23. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, MO 3 04-13 229 Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 24. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 3 04-08 227 Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 1 01-11 25. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 4 04-05 225 Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 3 02-11 26. Lesli Lively Palestine, TX 3 04-05 223 Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 1 01-09 27. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 3 04-04 221 Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 1 01-05 28. Susan Orton Apex, NC 3 04-03 219 Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 1 01-04 29. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 2 03-14 217 Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 1 01-14 30. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 3 03-12 215 Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 31. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 2 03-09 213 Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 32. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 3 03-07 211 Day 1: 2 02-02 Day 2: 1 01-05 33. Kelly Wells Grovetown, GA 2 03-02 209 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-02 34. Victoria Hellmer Hermitage, TN 2 03-01 207 Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 0 00-00 35. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 2 03-00 205 Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 1 01-12 36. Teri Cindric Hermitage, TN 2 02-15 203 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-15 36. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 2 02-15 203 Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 36. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 2 02-15 203 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-15 39. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 2 02-15 197 Day 1: 1 01-01 Day 2: 1 01-14 40. Kim Mendoza Garland, TX 1 02-12 195 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-12 41. Katelynn Gray Bastrop, LA 2 02-11 193 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-11 42. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 2 02-10 191 Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 1 01-07 43. Neva Brown Lufkin, TX 2 02-06 189 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-06 44. Bonnie Betts Saint Ann, MO 2 02-06 187 Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 1 01-00 45. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 1 02-03 185 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-03 46. Sharon Seaton Buchanan, TN 1 02-02 183 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-02 47. Lori Steele Tulsa, OK 1 01-13 181 Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 47. Susan Wild St Petersburg, FL 1 01-13 181 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-13 49. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, IL 1 01-12 177 Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 50. Renee Brisendine Cary, NC 1 01-09 175 Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 50. Jane Brunner Byhalia, MS 1 01-09 175 Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 50. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 1 01-09 175 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-09 53. Katie Hogan Bon Aqua, TN 1 01-06 169 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-06 54. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 1 01-05 167 Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 55. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 1 01-04 165 Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 56. Kat Arnold Shreveport, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 56. Linda Berry Madison, NC 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 56. Marilyn Biszmaier Louisville, KY 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 56. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 56. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 56. Lisa Diehl Pittsburg, PA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 56. Renee Johnston Beaumont, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 56. Mary Lipka Wentzville, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 56. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 3 83 122-07 2 2 76 119-15 ---------------------------------- 5 159 242-06