GADSDEN, Ala. - Two kicker bass in the last hour of competition saved the day for Audrey McQueen Thursday in the Women's Bassmaster Tour bass fishing tournament on Alabama's Neely Henry Lake.
On what was a lean day for most of the contenders, McQueen of Eager, Colo., brought in 12 pounds, 9 ounces, good enough to stay in front of Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., who managed 12 pounds, 2 ounces. Two pounds behind Martin-Wells was one-time WBT winner Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas, with 10-2.
"I actually caught just my limit, I didn't cull one time," said McQueen. "I didn't have a fish until 8:30, 9 o'clock."
She said catching the late kicker bass was a big change from what she saw during practice time earlier in the week.
"In practice, I always had a morning bite and really caught them in the first two hours. Today, I don't know if they weren't pulling water so there wasn't any current, or because it was so hot, but they weren't biting early. And the fish I caught today came on a completely different pattern than I used in practice."
McQueen said she fished the main channel of Neely Henry, a river-run impoundment of the Coosa River. She said she made a long run Thursday to touch all her spots, hitting them in run-and-gun style. Martin-Wells hinted that her day was much the same.
"I moved quite a bit today," said Martin-Wells, who holds the title to the 2006 WBT Championship. "I'm going to various areas, trying not to burn anything."
Rounding out the top five on Day 1 were Jan Heavener of Sherwood, Ark., who had 9-4, and Debra Petrowski of Arlington, Texas, with 8-15.
The Thursday-Saturday stop in Alabama is the second event of 2008 WBT season. Pros are competing for a first-place prize of a Triton/Mercury boat rig valued at $50,000 and $1,000 in cash. They're also vying for points in the season-long race for the 2008 Toyota WBT Angler of the Year crown, which comes with a berth in the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 20-22 on the Red River out of Shreveport/Bossier City, La.
As the winner of the season opener at Texas' Lake Lewisville, Kim Bain of Alabaster, Ala., led the AOY points race going into the Neely Henry event. Bain wrapped up her first competition day on Neely Henry with a weight of 8-9 for seventh place, positioning her to hang on to the AOY race lead.
The three-day tournament continues through Saturday, when only the top 20 pros and top 20 co-anglers will compete.
In the co-angler competition for a Triton/Mercury boat rig valued at $32,000, Sharon Lawson of Red Bank, Tenn., scored the lead with 7 pounds, 13 ounces. In second place was Patti James of Dayton, Texas, with 5-14. Third was Linda Walker of Beebe, Ark., with 5-10.
Pros will launch Friday and Saturday at 5:30 a.m. at Coosa Landing, 200 Lake Street in Gadsden. Daily weigh-ins will be at 2:15 p.m. at Academy Sports & Outdoors, 601 George Wallace Drive in Gadsden. All WBT events are free and open to the public.
2008 Womens Bassmaster Tour Stop 2 5/22-5/24 Neely Henry Lake, Gadsden AL. (BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Audrey McQueen Eagar, CO 5 12-09 305 Day 1: 5 12-09 2. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 5 12-02 295 Day 1: 5 12-02 3. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 5 10-02 290 Day 1: 5 10-02 4. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 5 09-04 285 Day 1: 5 09-04 5. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 5 08-15 280 Day 1: 5 08-15 6. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, AR 5 08-10 276 Day 1: 5 08-10 7. Kim Bain Alabaster, AL 5 08-09 272 Day 1: 5 08-09 8. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 5 08-07 266 Day 1: 5 08-07 8. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 5 08-07 266 Day 1: 5 08-07 10. Mary Croft Bedford, VA 5 08-06 260 Day 1: 5 08-06 11. Rhonda Pope Waco, GA 4 08-05 257 Day 1: 4 08-05 12. Judy Antle Albany, KY 3 08-01 254 Day 1: 3 08-01 13. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 5 08-00 251 Day 1: 5 08-00 14. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 5 07-09 248 Day 1: 5 07-09 15. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 5 07-08 245 Day 1: 5 07-08 16. Barbara Wetzel Southside, AL 4 07-06 243 Day 1: 4 07-06 17. Tanya Kreuzer Mesa, AZ 4 06-14 241 Day 1: 4 06-14 18. Debbie Kemp Weatherford, TX 5 06-13 239 Day 1: 5 06-13 19. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 5 06-10 237 Day 1: 5 06-10 20. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 5 06-09 235 Day 1: 5 06-09 21. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 5 06-08 233 Day 1: 5 06-08 22. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 5 06-07 230 Day 1: 5 06-07 22. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 4 06-07 230 Day 1: 4 06-07 24. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 06-06 227 Day 1: 5 06-06 25. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, OH 3 06-05 225 Day 1: 3 06-05 26. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 5 06-04 223 Day 1: 5 06-04 27. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 5 06-03 219 Day 1: 5 06-03 27. Jan Hudson Harrison, AR 5 06-03 219 Day 1: 5 06-03 27. Emily Shaffer Mt Juliet, TN 5 06-03 219 Day 1: 5 06-03 30. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 5 06-02 215 Day 1: 5 06-02 31. Cindy Van Horn Athens, TX 4 06-01 213 Day 1: 4 06-01 32. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 5 06-00 211 Day 1: 5 06-00 33. Jo DEE Lake Helena, AL 5 05-10 207 Day 1: 5 05-10 33. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 5 05-10 207 Day 1: 5 05-10 33. Lori Masters Nashville, TN 2 05-10 207 Day 1: 2 05-10 36. Melinda Mize-Hooper Lockesburg, AR 5 05-08 202 Day 1: 5 05-08 36. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, TX 4 05-08 202 Day 1: 4 05-08 38. Judy VanCanneyt Lexington, AL 3 05-00 199 Day 1: 3 05-00 39. Shelley Perry Hurricane, WV 4 04-13 196 Day 1: 4 04-13 39. Mickie Wolfinbarger Half Way, MO 4 04-13 196 Day 1: 4 04-13 41. Kelley Shepherd Cortez, CO 4 04-11 193 Day 1: 4 04-11 42. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 4 04-09 191 Day 1: 4 04-09 43. Rose Ellis Birmingham, AL 3 04-04 189 Day 1: 3 04-04 44. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 4 04-03 187 Day 1: 4 04-03 45. Tami Kashiwabara Shelby JAPAN 3 04-02 185 Day 1: 3 04-02 46. Tammy Richardson Glenwood, AR 4 04-00 182 Day 1: 4 04-00 46. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 2 04-00 182 Day 1: 2 04-00 48. Secret York Benton, KY 4 03-15 179 Day 1: 4 03-15 49. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 3 03-14 177 Day 1: 3 03-14 50. Bettty Stahl Guntersville, AL 4 03-12 175 Day 1: 4 03-12 51. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 4 03-11 172 Day 1: 4 03-11 51. Lisa Craig Tyler, TX 3 03-11 172 Day 1: 3 03-11 53. Judy Wong Many, LA 4 03-10 168 Day 1: 4 03-10 53. Lila Bass Austin, TX 3 03-10 168 Day 1: 3 03-10 55. Sarah Augustine New Iberia, LA 3 03-07 165 Day 1: 3 03-07 56. Linda Sands Cullman, AL 3 03-04 163 Day 1: 3 03-04 57. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 3 03-00 159 Day 1: 3 03-00 57. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 3 03-00 159 Day 1: 3 03-00 57. Lisa Talmadge Pell City, AL 3 03-00 159 Day 1: 3 03-00 60. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 3 02-15 155 Day 1: 3 02-15 61. Christena Baugh Benton, AR 3 02-14 153 Day 1: 3 02-14 62. Penny Berryman Hot Springs, AR 2 02-13 150 Day 1: 2 02-13 62. Sammie Denyes Florala, FL 2 02-13 150 Day 1: 2 02-13 64. Laura Elkins Amarillo, TX 2 02-11 147 Day 1: 2 02-11 65. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 2 02-08 145 Day 1: 2 02-08 66. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 2 02-06 143 Day 1: 2 02-06 67. Kathy Magers Waxahachie, TX 1 02-04 141 Day 1: 1 02-04 68. Linda Berry Madison, NC 2 02-03 139 Day 1: 2 02-03 69. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, AR 2 02-01 137 Day 1: 2 02-01 70. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 1 02-00 133 Day 1: 1 02-00 70. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 1 02-00 133 Day 1: 1 02-00 70. Kali Weatherford Athens, TX 1 02-00 133 Day 1: 1 02-00 73. Kathy Womack Trussville, AL 2 01-14 128 Day 1: 2 01-14 73. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, TX 1 01-14 128 Day 1: 1 01-14 75. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, MO 2 01-13 125 Day 1: 2 01-13 76. Darla Bardelli Phoenix, AZ 1 01-09 123 Day 1: 1 01-09 77. Teri Neal Cumming, GA 1 01-07 121 Day 1: 1 01-07 78. Robin McFarlane San Antonio, TX 1 01-05 119 Day 1: 1 01-05 79. Pat White Pleasanton, TX 1 01-04 117 Day 1: 1 01-04 80. Mary Hencken Belmont, NC 1 01-03 114 Day 1: 1 01-03 80. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 1 01-03 114 Day 1: 1 01-03 82. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 1 01-01 109 Day 1: 1 01-01 82. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 1 01-01 109 Day 1: 1 01-01 82. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 1 01-01 109 Day 1: 1 01-01 85. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 1 00-15 105 Day 1: 1 00-15 86. Kellie Skelton Aztec, NM 1 00-14 103 Day 1: 1 00-14 87. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 87. Karen Elkins Oxford, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 87. Beverly Graham Chandler, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 87. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 87. Diane Phillips Tyler, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 87. Teresa Poole Blue Springs, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 87. Toni Stoner Ball Ground, GA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 87. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Bass Day 1 Kathy Magers Waxahachie, TX 02-04 $0.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 28 287 408-06 ---------------------------------- 28 287 408-062008 Womens Bassmaster Tour Stop 2 5/22-5/24 Neely Henry Lake, Gadsden AL. (NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 4 07-13 305 Day 1: 4 07-13 2. Patti James Dayton, TX 5 05-14 295 Day 1: 5 05-14 3. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 4 05-10 290 Day 1: 4 05-10 4. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 5 05-09282.5 Day 1: 5 05-09 4. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 3 05-09282.5 Day 1: 3 05-09 6. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 3 05-04 276 Day 1: 3 05-04 7. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 2 05-03 270 Day 1: 2 05-03 7. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 2 05-03 270 Day 1: 2 05-03 9. Tina Newman Soddy Daisy, TN 5 05-02 264 Day 1: 5 05-02 10. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 4 04-05258.5 Day 1: 4 04-05 10. Linda Higginbotham Palm Coast, FL 3 04-05258.5 Day 1: 3 04-05 12. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 3 03-11 254 Day 1: 3 03-11 13. Carilyn Hill Coweta, OK 3 03-09 248 Day 1: 3 03-09 13. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 3 03-09 248 Day 1: 3 03-09 13. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 2 03-09 248 Day 1: 2 03-09 16. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 3 03-08 242 Day 1: 3 03-08 16. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 2 03-08 242 Day 1: 2 03-08 18. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 3 03-07 239 Day 1: 3 03-07 19. Virginia Buckner Scottsboro, AL 3 03-05 237 Day 1: 3 03-05 20. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 3 03-03 235 Day 1: 3 03-03 21. Lesley Childers Anderson, SC 2 03-02 233 Day 1: 2 03-02 22. Beverly Nelson Harrison, MI 1 03-00 231 Day 1: 1 03-00 23. Bunny Hicks Rossville, GA 2 02-13 229 Day 1: 2 02-13 24. Dianne Kegley Norphlet, AR 2 02-12 227 Day 1: 2 02-12 25. Miriam Donohoo San Mateo, FL 2 02-10 225 Day 1: 2 02-10 26. Monica Altman Angier, NC 2 02-08 221 Day 1: 2 02-08 26. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 2 02-08 221 Day 1: 2 02-08 26. Vicki Hester Rainbow City, AL 2 02-08 221 Day 1: 2 02-08 29. Tracy Doty Roanoke, TX 3 02-07 217 Day 1: 3 02-07 30. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 2 02-06 215 Day 1: 2 02-06 31. Kris Hunter Seguin, TX 2 02-05 212 Day 1: 2 02-05 31. Kim Hicks Tallapoosa, GA 1 02-05 212 Day 1: 1 02-05 33. Marilyn Biszmaier Louisville, KY 2 02-04 209 Day 1: 2 02-04 34. Brenda Bates La Porte, TX 2 02-02 207 Day 1: 2 02-02 35. Kim McGuffey Weatherford, TX 2 02-01 204 Day 1: 2 02-01 35. Joyce Austin Louisville, KY 1 02-01 204 Day 1: 1 02-01 37. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 2 02-00 201 Day 1: 2 02-00 38. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 2 01-13 199 Day 1: 2 01-13 39. Billie Jaynes Deer Park, TX 1 01-12 197 Day 1: 1 01-12 40. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 2 01-11 194 Day 1: 2 01-11 40. Sharon Withers Jasper, TX 2 01-11 194 Day 1: 2 01-11 42. Crystal Franklin Southside, AL 1 01-10 191 Day 1: 1 01-10 43. Lisa Diehl Pittsburgh, PA 1 01-09 189 Day 1: 1 01-09 44. Sharon Teague Greenville, SC 1 01-08 186 Day 1: 1 01-08 44. Sabrina Thompson Houston, TX 1 01-08 186 Day 1: 1 01-08 46. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 1 01-07 183 Day 1: 1 01-07 47. Lesli Lively Palestine, TX 1 01-06 181 Day 1: 1 01-06 48. Petra Ramsey El Paso, TX 1 01-04 179 Day 1: 1 01-04 49. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 1 01-03 176 Day 1: 1 01-03 49. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 1 01-03 176 Day 1: 1 01-03 51. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 1 01-02 171 Day 1: 1 01-02 51. Brenda Scarborough Dover, TN 1 01-02 171 Day 1: 1 01-02 51. Susan Wild Denver, DC 1 01-02 171 Day 1: 1 01-02 54. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 1 01-01 164 Day 1: 1 01-01 54. Lisa Lowery Landrum, SC 1 01-01 164 Day 1: 1 01-01 54. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 1 01-01 164 Day 1: 1 01-01 54. Linda Thomas Pryor, OK 1 01-01 164 Day 1: 1 01-01 58. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 1 01-00 156 Day 1: 1 01-00 58. Katie Ellis Gulfport, MS 1 01-00 156 Day 1: 1 01-00 58. Dianna Fanning Rogers, AR 1 01-00 156 Day 1: 1 01-00 58. Tiffany Spencer Grand Prairie, TX 1 01-00 156 Day 1: 1 01-00 62. Violette Sesco Citrus Springs, FL 1 00-15 151 Day 1: 1 00-15 63. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Jane Brunner Byhalia, MS 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Sherri Dodson Ashville, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, KY 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Marilu Ives Hot Springs, AR 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Tina Johnson Hanceville, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Shirley Jordan Bentonville, AR 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Christina Kenny Wellington, FL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Mary Lipka Wentzville, MO 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Janet Mckercher Wapakoneta, OH 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Nancy Oliver Arnaudville, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Judy Pate Benton, LA 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. LaShea Raynor Lexington, SC 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Brenda Reeves Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Leanne Snowden Suttons Bay, MI 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Esther Turner Crossville, TN 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 63. Jamie Walker Alabaster, AL 0 00-00 0 Day 1: 0 00-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Bass Day 1 Beverly Nelson Harrison, MI 03-00 $0.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 3 125 165-00 ---------------------------------- 3 125 165-00