WEST MONROE, La. - Janet Parker of Little Elm, Texas, nailed the first-day lead with 10 pounds, 14 ounces of largemouth bass at the Women's Bassmaster Tour bass fishing tournament on the Ouachita River.
On a day that challenged most of the anglers - only 10 pros had five-fish limits - Parker led by just 11 ounces. Danalee Lofton of Little Rock, Ark., posted 10-3, the only other angler to boat more than 10 pounds.
Also in the top five after Thursday was Laura Gober of Pendergrass, Ga., with 8-14. Gober's WBT record includes a come-from-behind victory in 2007 in Louisiana on the Red River.
Closest to Gober were Meta Burrell of Fort Worth, Texas, with 7-9, and four-time WBT champion Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., who had 7-8.
Even the leader was somewhat disappointed in her opening-day catch.
"The quality of fish that I found today was not what I was catching in practice, but fortunately I could pick up the smaller fish today in the spots I found in pre-fishing," Parker said. "During practice, I caught a 6, a 5 and a 4, so I know they're there."
She had her five-fish limit Thursday by about 10:30 a.m., then turned back all five by 1 p.m. as she culled to upgrade her weight.
Revealing only that she locked into one pattern that worked in several places, Parker said she's "keeping it simple" and plans to repeat her first-day strategy.
Lofton landed in second place even though she was one short of a limit after losing a fish. An anchor largemouth of 4-11 helped make up for the one that got away.
"Everything I caught today was pre-spawn," she said. "I'm fishing a unique pattern, and it's dependent on one area, but it's a large area." The water level fluctuations that caught many of the anglers off guard "aren't bothering me at all," said Lofton.
In the three-day event, pros are after a top prize of a $55,000 Triton/Mercury boat package. They're also earning points that count toward qualifying for the Oct. 16-18 WBT Championship on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La. From the championship one angler will emerge as the Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year, and earn a Toyota Tundra and a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic out of Birmingham, Ala. set for Feb. 19-21, 2010.
As winner of the season opener on Alabama's Neely Henry Lake, Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., led the Angler of the Year points race going into the Ouachita competition. She was among those stumped by the up-and-down water levels.
"The fish are moving back and forth and it's hard to stay on them," she said, comparing Thursday with the previous practice days. "Today the fish were so far back in the woods in some places, you can't get to them."
Co-angler Terri Bittner of McKinleyville, Calif., led her division with 6-5. Right behind her in the contest for a $25,000 Triton/Mercury rig were Gail Wood of Russellville, Ark., with 4-8 and Sherry Melton of Monterey, Tenn., with 4-5.
Fans are invited to attend the daily launches through Saturday at 7:15 a.m. CT at Lazarre Park at Hamilton and Thompson streets in West Monroe, La., and the 3:30 p.m. daily weigh-ins at the Academy Sports + Outdoors store at 111 Constitution Drive in West Monroe. The WBT anglers also will be available to meet fans and sign autographs. All events are free and open to the public.
2009 Women's Bassmaster Tour - WBT #2 04/23-04/25 Ouachita River, West Monroe La. Professionals Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Janet Parker Little Elm, Texas 5 10-14 305 Day 1: 5 10-14 2. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, Ark. 4 10-03 295 Day 1: 4 10-03 3. Laura Gober Pendergrass, Ga. 5 8-14 290 Day 1: 5 8-14 4. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, Texas 5 7-09 285 Day 1: 5 7-09 5. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 5 7-08 280 Day 1: 5 7-08 6. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 5 6-13 276 Day 1: 5 6-13 7. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 5 6-10 272 Day 1: 5 6-10 8. Debra Hengst San Antonio, Texas 3 6-03 268 Day 1: 3 6-03 9. Lori Masters Nashville, Tenn. 5 6-00 264 Day 1: 5 6-00 9. Juanita Robinson Highlands, Texas 5 6-00 264 Day 1: 5 6-00 11. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, La. 4 5-14 257 Day 1: 4 5-14 12. Kathy Womack Trussville, Ala. 3 5-14 254 Day 1: 3 5-14 13. Lynda Gessner Foristell, Mo. 5 5-10 251 Day 1: 5 5-10 14. Debra Petrowski Arlington, Texas 2 5-10 248 Day 1: 2 5-10 15. Judy Wong Many, La. 5 5-08 245 Day 1: 5 5-08 16. Karen Savik Minneapolis, Minn. 2 5-06 243 Day 1: 2 5-06 17. Teri Neal Cumming, Ga. 3 5-01 241 Day 1: 3 5-01 18. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, Tenn. 3 4-10 239 Day 1: 3 4-10 19. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, Ga. 4 4-09 237 Day 1: 4 4-09 20. Cindy Hill Smyrna, Tenn. 3 4-06 235 Day 1: 3 4-06 21. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, Texas 4 4-02 233 Day 1: 4 4-02 22. Mary Croft Bedford, Va. 3 4-01 231 Day 1: 3 4-01 23. Terri Elkins Red Oak, Texas 3 3-08 229 Day 1: 3 3-08 24. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 3 3-06 227 Day 1: 3 3-06 25. Tami Kashiwabara London, Ark. 3 3-03 225 Day 1: 3 3-03 26. Michelle Armstrong Denver, N.C. 2 3-00 223 Day 1: 2 3-00 26. Christena Baugh Benton, Ark. 2 3-00 223 Day 1: 2 3-00 28. Sandi Karnes Livingston, Texas 2 2-10 219 Day 1: 2 2-10 29. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, Mo. 2 2-05 217 Day 1: 2 2-05 30. Lisa Johnson Centre, Ala. 2 2-02 215 Day 1: 2 2-02 30. Tammy Richardson Amity, Ark. 2 2-02 215 Day 1: 2 2-02 32. Lila Bass Austin, Texas 1 2-02 211 Day 1: 1 2-02 32. Lisa Craig Chandler, Texas 1 2-02 211 Day 1: 1 2-02 34. Audrey McQueen Eagar, Ariz. 2 2-01 207 Day 1: 2 2-01 34. Keri Schieber Cumming, Ga. 2 2-01 207 Day 1: 2 2-01 36. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, Pa. 2 2-00 203 Day 1: 2 2-00 37. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, Tenn. 1 2-00 201 Day 1: 1 2-00 38. Cindy Van Horn Athens, Texas 2 1-15 199 Day 1: 2 1-15 38. Kali Weatherford Athens, Texas 2 1-15 199 Day 1: 2 1-15 40. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, Texas 1 1-12 195 Day 1: 1 1-12 41. Jan Heavener Sherwood, Ark. 2 1-11 193 Day 1: 2 1-11 42. Debbie Kemp Emory, Texas 1 1-11 191 Day 1: 1 1-11 43. BJ Carson Inola, Okla. 2 1-08 189 Day 1: 2 1-08 43. Laura Heflin Topeka, Kan. 2 1-08 189 Day 1: 2 1-08 45. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, Ark. 1 1-08 185 Day 1: 1 1-08 46. Heather Broom Sylva, N.C. 1 1-06 183 Day 1: 1 1-06 47. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, Ark. 1 0-15 181 Day 1: 1 0-15 47. Jo Dee Lake Helena, Ala. 1 0-15 181 Day 1: 1 0-15 49. Robbie Hartline Foristell, Mo. 1 0-13 177 Day 1: 1 0-13 50. Kathi Hurst Ripley, Miss. 1 0-12 175 Day 1: 1 0-12 51. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, Tenn. 1 0-11 173 Day 1: 1 0-11 52. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, Va. 1 0-10 171 Day 1: 1 0-10 53. Secret York Benton, Ky. 3 0-00 169 Day 1: 3 0-00 54. Robin Babb Livingston, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Deb Doyal Oakdale, La. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Kat Ealey Moody, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Susan Gregory Kiln, Miss. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Mary Hencken Belmont, N.C. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Kris McClendon Spicewood, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Diane Phillips Tyler, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Linda Redford Blue Eye, Mo. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Linda Sands Cullman, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Kim Stapp Ringgold, Ga. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 54. Pat White Pleasanton, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 10 141 194-09 ---------------------------------- 10 141 194-09 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors Women's Bassmaster Tour - WBT #2 04/23-04/25 Ouachita River, West Monroe La. Co-Anglers Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, Calif. 4 6-05 305 Day 1: 4 6-05 2. Gail Wood Russellville, Ark. 3 4-08 295 Day 1: 3 4-08 3. Sherry Melton Monterey, Tenn. 3 4-05 290 Day 1: 3 4-05 4. Katie Hogan Bon Aqua, Tenn. 2 3-13 285 Day 1: 2 3-13 5. Lisa Diehl Pittsburg, Pa. 4 3-08 280 Day 1: 4 3-08 6. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, Texas 2 3-07 276 Day 1: 2 3-07 7. Teri Cindric Hermitage, Tenn. 3 3-06 272 Day 1: 3 3-06 8. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, Va. 3 3-05 268 Day 1: 3 3-05 9. Kat Arnold Shreveport, La. 2 3-02 264 Day 1: 2 3-02 10. Jill Matheis Jasper, Ind. 2 2-15 260 Day 1: 2 2-15 11. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, La. 3 2-04 257 Day 1: 3 2-04 12. Donna Newberry Van Buren, Ark. 2 2-04 254 Day 1: 2 2-04 13. Colleen McKay Worcester, Mass. 2 1-14 251 Day 1: 2 1-14 14. Linda Owens Brandon, Miss. 2 1-13 248 Day 1: 2 1-13 15. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, Texas 1 1-12 245 Day 1: 1 1-12 16. Pam Chism Cabot, Ark. 1 1-11 243 Day 1: 1 1-11 17. Linda Walker Beebe, Ark. 1 1-08 241 Day 1: 1 1-08 18. Cynthia Bryan Farmerville, La. 1 1-07 239 Day 1: 1 1-07 18. Kim Petrowski Arlington, Texas 1 1-07 239 Day 1: 1 1-07 20. Monica Altman Angier, N.C. 1 1-06 235 Day 1: 1 1-06 21. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, N.M. 1 1-05 233 Day 1: 1 1-05 22. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, Tenn. 1 1-01 231 Day 1: 1 1-01 23. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, N.J. 1 0-15 229 Day 1: 1 0-15 23. Nancy Oliver Arnaudville, La. 1 0-15 229 Day 1: 1 0-15 25. Denese Freeman Lawton, Okla. 1 0-13 225 Day 1: 1 0-13 26. Susan Wild St Petersburg, Fla. 1 0-13 223 Day 1: 1 0-13 27. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, S.C. 1 0-12 221 Day 1: 1 0-12 27. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, N.M. 1 0-12 221 Day 1: 1 0-12 27. Judy Pate Benton, La. 1 0-12 221 Day 1: 1 0-12 27. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, Wash. 1 0-12 221 Day 1: 1 0-12 31. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, Ohio 1 0-11 213 Day 1: 1 0-11 32. Katie Ellis Gulfport, Miss. 1 0-10 211 Day 1: 1 0-10 32. Barbara Ferge Somerville, Tenn. 1 0-10 211 Day 1: 1 0-10 34. Linda Berry Madison, N.C. 3 0-00 207 Day 1: 3 0-00 35. Neva Brown Lufkin, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Jane Brunner Byhalia, Miss. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Bertha Cavakis Amity, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Caprice Cherry Bienville, La. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Lesley Childers Anderson, S.C. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Debra Cook Gardendale, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Dawn Dudek Posen, Ill. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Patty Houston Prattville, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Patti James Dayton, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, Tenn. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Lesli Lively Grapeland, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Kim Martin Clayton, Ind. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Christine Martin Commerce City, Colo. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Kim Mendoza Garland, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. DeLynn Montez Trinity Center, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Petra Ramsey El Paso, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Jennifer Rice Grant, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, Ill. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, Miss. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Diane Smith Fayetteville, Ga. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Cheryl Sprayberry Lehigh Acres, Fla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Lori Steele Tulsa, Okla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Sharron Stone Coldspring, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Cynthia Tayloe Lufkin, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Sabrina Thompson Humble, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Gerry Threadgill Livingston, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Kala Wright Spiro, Okla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 35. Inez Zeagler West Monroe, La. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 0 59 66-13 ---------------------------------- 0 59 66-13