DEL RIO, Texas - The first day of the first bass fishing tournament of the 2007 Women's Bassmaster Tour was also something of a first for Karla Bullard of Del Rio, Texas.
"This is the first time I've ever led a WBT tournament," said Bullard, whose five-fish limit of 19 pounds, 13 ounces, put her in front on Thursday in the Lake Amistad competition.
A regular competitor on Amistad as part of the Val Verde BASS Federation Nation club, Bullard took advantage of her experience on the spacious reservoir and put herself in prime position for the top prize of a Triton/Mercury rig valued at $50,000. Bullard holds a two-pound plus lead over Kentucky's Secret York.
The start of Thursday's competition was delayed for more than one hour by heavy fog. Soon after BASS tournament officials cleared the pros and their co-anglers for take-off, a misty wind kicked up, which some contenders said hampered their search for the big bass of Lake Amistad.
Bullard, a 56-year-old dental hygienist, said she used Thursday's windy conditions to her advantage.
"The wind is your friend on this lake," she said. "If the lake is glassed over, the water is so clear and the number of bites is going to go way down."
In second was York of Benton, Ky., who wrapped up Thursday with 17-10. In third was Lisa Sternard of Clarksville, Tenn., with 16-14. In fourth was Lisa Johnson of Aragon, Ga., with 15-11 and in fifth was Laura Moore of Brookeland, Texas, with 15-5.
The vast Rio Grande impoundment that straddles the Mexico-U.S. border reportedly gave up many big bass to competitors during practice earlier in the week.
The promise of lunkers in the livewell panned out for many of the women on Thursday; and the largest, a 7-11, was brought to the scales by Sternard, who earned Thursday's Big Bass premium of $1,000.
Leading the field of co-anglers was Kim Tucker of Red Bay, Ala. Fishing her first tournament, she weighed-in 22 pounds, 2 ounces of bass. Tucker was ahead of Julie Shivers of Del Rio, Texas, who had 15-8. Trailing them were Alabama's Crystal Langston with 15-0; Indiana's Kimberly Martin with 13-11; and Massachusetts' Colleen McKay with 11-15.
Co-anglers are competing for a top prize of $1,000 cash and a fully rigged Triton boat worth $25,000.
On Friday, the WBT anglers compete to make the cut of the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers for the final day of competition Saturday.
The Lake Amistad event kicks off the second season of the WBT. The success of the regular 2006 season will be crowned later this month when the inaugural WBT Championship takes place on Lake Mitchell in Alabama held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic.
Many WBT Championship contenders are in the field at Amistad including two-time WBT winners Tammy Richardson and Dianna Clark.
"I was concerned how I would focus on this tournament, knowing Lake Mitchell was coming up," said Clark, the 2006 Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year and currently sitting in eighth place. "But I began to feel comfortable once I got here."
2007 Womens Tour - Lake Amistad, TX 02/08-02/10 Lake Amistad, Del Rio Texas (BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Karla Bullard Del Rio, Texas 5 19-13 305 Day 1: 5 19-13 2. Secret York Benton, Ky. 4 17-10 295 Day 1: 4 17-10 3. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, Tenn. 5 16-14 290 $1,000.00 Day 1: 5 16-14 4. Lisa Johnson Aragon, Ga. 5 15-11 285 Day 1: 5 15-11 5. Laura Moore Brookeland, Texas 5 15-05 280 Day 1: 5 15-05 6. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 5 15-00 276 Day 1: 5 15-00 7. Betty Stahl Guntersville, Ala. 5 14-07 272 Day 1: 5 14-07 8. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, Tenn. 5 13-06 268 Day 1: 5 13-06 9. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, Ark. 4 12-09 264 Day 1: 4 12-09 10. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, Va. 5 12-06 260 Day 1: 5 12-06 11. Juanita Robinson Highlands, Texas 5 12-05 257 Day 1: 5 12-05 12. Kathi Hurst Ripley, Miss. 5 12-01 254 Day 1: 5 12-01 13. Robin Mcfarlane San Antonio, Texas 5 12-00 251 Day 1: 5 12-00 14. Joan Davis West Lafayette, Ind. 5 11-13 248 Day 1: 5 11-13 15. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, Texas 5 11-08 245 Day 1: 5 11-08 16. Judy Wong Many, La. 5 11-05 243 Day 1: 5 11-05 17. Debra Hengst San Antonio, Texas 5 11-02 241 Day 1: 5 11-02 18. Teri Neal Cumming, Ga. 3 11-01 238 Day 1: 3 11-01 18. Rhonda Pope Waco, Ga. 3 11-01 238 Day 1: 3 11-01 20. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 5 10-15 235 Day 1: 5 10-15 21. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 5 10-12 233 Day 1: 5 10-12 22. Kay Pennington Pineville, La. 5 9-15 231 Day 1: 5 9-15 23. Tammy Richardson Amity, Ark. 4 9-11 229 Day 1: 4 9-11 24. Kris McClendon Spicewood, Texas 5 9-10 227 Day 1: 5 9-10 25. Sandy Sherred Pittsburgh, Pa. 4 9-08 225 Day 1: 4 9-08 26. Kelley Shepherd Cortez, Colo. 5 8-13 223 Day 1: 5 8-13 27. Emily Shaffer Mt Juliet, Tenn. 3 8-12 221 Day 1: 3 8-12 28. Lynda Gessner Foristell, Mo. 5 8-02 219 Day 1: 5 8-02 29. Tammie Muse North Little Rock, Ark 4 7-06 216 Day 1: 4 7-06 29. Linda Redford Blue Eye, Mo. 3 7-06 216 Day 1: 3 7-06 31. Laura Gober Pendergrass, Ga. 4 7-00 212 Day 1: 4 7-00 31. Mary Hencken Belmont, N.C. 4 7-00 212 Day 1: 4 7-00 33. Penny Berryman Hot Springs, Ark. 3 6-08 209 Day 1: 3 6-08 34. Debra Cunningham Phoenix, Ariz. 3 6-05 207 Day 1: 3 6-05 35. Jamie Patrick Dawsonville, Ga. 1 6-00 205 Day 1: 1 6-00 36. Kellie Skelton Aztec, N.M. 1 5-12 203 Day 1: 1 5-12 37. Linda Sands Cullman, Ala. 3 5-09 201 Day 1: 3 5-09 38. Gail Criswell Del Rio, Texas 2 5-05 199 Day 1: 2 5-05 39. Janet Parker Little Elm, Texas 3 5-04 197 Day 1: 3 5-04 40. Lori Masters Nashville, Tenn. 2 4-14 195 Day 1: 2 4-14 41. Pamela Pope Robinson, Texas 2 4-12 193 Day 1: 2 4-12 42. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, Texas 3 4-11 191 Day 1: 3 4-11 43. Debbie Kemp Weatherford, Texas 3 4-10 189 Day 1: 3 4-10 44. Kathy Womack Moody, Ala. 1 4-07 187 Day 1: 1 4-07 45. Cindy Hill Smyrna, Tenn. 2 4-02 185 Day 1: 2 4-02 46. Debra Petrowski Arlington, Texas 3 4-01 183 Day 1: 3 4-01 47. Jennifer Stelly Sulphur, La. 1 3-14 181 Day 1: 1 3-14 48. Deanie Tate Arkadelphia, Ark. 1 3-13 179 Day 1: 1 3-13 49. Kathy Magers Waxahachie, Texas 2 3-10 177 Day 1: 2 3-10 50. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, Ga. 2 3-09 175 Day 1: 2 3-09 51. Rose Ellis Birmingham, Ala. 2 3-07 173 Day 1: 2 3-07 52. Michelle Armstrong Denver, N.C. 2 3-04 170 Day 1: 2 3-04 52. Jan Heavener Sherwood, Ark. 2 3-04 170 Day 1: 2 3-04 54. Cindy Van Horn Fort Worth, Texas 2 3-02 167 Day 1: 2 3-02 55. Audrey McQueen Canon City, Colo. 1 3-01 165 Day 1: 1 3-01 56. Kathy Cater Conroe, Texas 2 3-00 163 Day 1: 2 3-00 57. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, Ohio 2 2-14 160 Day 1: 2 2-14 57. Melanie Rockey White, Ga. 1 2-14 160 Day 1: 1 2-14 59. Laura Heflin Topeka, Kan. 1 2-13 156 Day 1: 1 2-13 59. Keri Schieber Cumming, Ga. 1 2-13 156 Day 1: 1 2-13 61. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, Ark. 2 2-10 153 Day 1: 2 2-10 62. Diane Phillips Tyler, Texas 1 2-06 151 Day 1: 1 2-06 63. Cheryl Allen Yantis, Texas 1 2-03 148 Day 1: 1 2-03 63. Robin Babb Livingston, Texas 1 2-03 148 Day 1: 1 2-03 65. Sarah Augustine New Iberia, La. 1 1-14 144 Day 1: 1 1-14 65. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, Texas 1 1-14 144 Day 1: 1 1-14 67. Sandi Karnes Livingston, Texas 1 1-12 140 Day 1: 1 1-12 67. Judy Vancanneyt Lexington, Ala. 1 1-12 140 Day 1: 1 1-12 69. Lila Bass Austin, Texas 1 1-11 134 Day 1: 1 1-11 69. Cindy Caperton Madison, Tenn. 1 1-11 134 Day 1: 1 1-11 69. Cheryl Crafton Lewisburg, Ky. 1 1-11 134 Day 1: 1 1-11 69. Donna Newberry Van Buren, Ark. 1 1-11 134 Day 1: 1 1-11 73. Jen Carroll Celina, Texas 1 1-10 129 Day 1: 1 1-10 74. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, La. 1 1-09 127 Day 1: 1 1-09 75. Tami Kashiwabara Nagano-Shi, Japan 1 1-07 124 Day 1: 1 1-07 75. Cheryl LaLumandier Harvester, Mo. 1 1-07 124 Day 1: 1 1-07 77. Jo Dee Bucki Bessemer, Ala. 1 1-06 119 Day 1: 1 1-06 77. Sue Parrish Indianapolis, Ind. 1 1-06 119 Day 1: 1 1-06 77. Pam Ridgle Brownsboro, Texas 1 1-06 119 Day 1: 1 1-06 80. Christie Thomas Reform, Ala. 1 1-04 115 Day 1: 1 1-04 81. Darla Bardelli Glendale, Ariz. 1 0-00 91 Day 1: 1 0-00 81. Christena Baugh Benton, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Sharri Brazzel Gilbert, Ariz. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Toni Corpe Oroville, Calif. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Robyn Gist Cedar Hill, Tenn. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Susan Gregory Long Beach, Miss. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Julie Jacobson Janesville, Wisc. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Billie Jaynes Deerpark, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Tanya Kreuzer Mesa, Ariz. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Robin Lefler N Tazewell, Va. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Becky McKinney Ocala, Fla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Carolyn Poole Defuniak Springs, Fla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Kathy Riley Terry, Miss. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Karen Roberts Ashland, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Madeline Smith Hot Springs Village, A 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, Okla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Rhonda Usery Cabot, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Linda Walker Beebe, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Kali Weatherford Athens, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Ann Wells Danville, Ill. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 81. Pat White Pleasanton, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Purolator Big Bass Day 1 Lisa Sternard Clarksville, Tenn. 7-11 $1,000.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 21 221 524-10 ---------------------------------- 21 221 524-10 2007 Womens Tour - Lake Amistad, TX 02/08-02/10 Lake Amistad, Del Rio Texas (NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Kim Tucker Red Bay, Ala. 5 22-02 305 Day 1: 5 22-02 2. Julie Shivers Del Rio, Texas 5 15-08 295 Day 1: 5 15-08 3. Crystal Langston Leighton, Ala. 3 15-00 290 Day 1: 3 15-00 4. Kimberly Martin Clayton, Ind. 4 13-11 285 Day 1: 4 13-11 5. Colleen Mckay Worcester, Mass. 4 11-15 280 Day 1: 4 11-15 6. Jan Hudson Harrison, Ark. 4 11-02 276 Day 1: 4 11-02 7. Esther Turner Crossville, Tenn. 4 11-01 272 Day 1: 4 11-01 8. Marilu Ives Hot Springs, Ark. 3 10-01 268 Day 1: 3 10-01 9. Laura Elkins Amarillo, Texas 4 9-14 264 Day 1: 4 9-14 10. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, Wash. 3 9-11 260 Day 1: 3 9-11 11. Susan Wild Washington, D.C. 3 9-08 257 Day 1: 3 9-08 12. Heather Sullivan Montevallo, Ala. 3 9-07 254 Day 1: 3 9-07 13. Kim McGuffey Weatherford, Texas 5 9-06 251 Day 1: 5 9-06 14. Kris Hunter Cibolo, Texas 2 9-03 248 Day 1: 2 9-03 15. Nancy Oliver Arnaudville, La. 4 8-11 245 Day 1: 4 8-11 16. Sarah Busby Grand Lake, La. 1 8-01 243 $500.00 Day 1: 1 8-01 17. Gail Wood Russellville, Ark. 4 6-15 241 Day 1: 4 6-15 18. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, Texas 4 6-09 239 Day 1: 4 6-09 19. Donna Prado San Antonio, Texas 3 5-14 237 Day 1: 3 5-14 20. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, Va. 2 5-13 235 Day 1: 2 5-13 21. Sharon McEwen East Mckeesport, Pa. 1 5-03 233 Day 1: 1 5-03 22. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, Mo. 2 5-02 231 Day 1: 2 5-02 23. Kala Wright Pocola, Okla. 1 5-00 229 Day 1: 1 5-00 24. Sherry Melton Monterey, Tenn. 2 4-01 227 Day 1: 2 4-01 25. Beverly Dickson Little Rock, Ark. 1 3-15 225 Day 1: 1 3-15 26. Summer Stephens Flintstone, Ga. 1 3-13 223 Day 1: 1 3-13 27. LORA SIMISON Beach Grove, Ind. 2 3-10 219 Day 1: 2 3-10 27. Karen Williams Stark City, Mo. 2 3-10 219 Day 1: 2 3-10 27. Brenda Bates La Porte, Texas 1 3-10 219 Day 1: 1 3-10 30. Judith Hart Greenville, Texas 2 3-08 214 Day 1: 2 3-08 30. Dianne Kegley Norphlet, Ark. 2 3-08 214 Day 1: 2 3-08 32. Angie Everitt Livingston, Texas 2 3-07 211 Day 1: 2 3-07 33. Angela Mitchell Keswick, Canada 2 3-05 209 Day 1: 2 3-05 34. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, Ky. 2 3-04 206 Day 1: 2 3-04 34. Kristy Darby Mt Ida, Ark. 1 3-04 206 Day 1: 1 3-04 36. Cheryl Holloway Pollock, La. 1 3-02 203 Day 1: 1 3-02 37. Lesa Brown Harrison, Ark. 1 3-01 201 Day 1: 1 3-01 38. Monica Altman Angier, N.C. 2 2-15 198 Day 1: 2 2-15 38. Tammie Ply Harrison, Ark. 2 2-15 198 Day 1: 2 2-15 40. Carol Boykin Indianapolis, Ind. 1 2-13 195 Day 1: 1 2-13 41. Cheryl Bowden Plano, Texas 1 2-06 192 Day 1: 1 2-06 41. Darla Mcintosh Punta Gorda, Fla. 1 2-06 192 Day 1: 1 2-06 43. Kay Harmon Austin, Texas 1 2-03 189 Day 1: 1 2-03 44. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, Tenn. 1 1-15 185 Day 1: 1 1-15 44. Pamela Rodden Mesquite, Texas 1 1-15 185 Day 1: 1 1-15 44. Sharon Withers Sam Rayburn, Texas 1 1-15 185 Day 1: 1 1-15 47. Robbie Hartline Foristell, Mo. 1 1-14 180 Day 1: 1 1-14 47. Vickie Jeffries Celina, Ohio 1 1-14 180 Day 1: 1 1-14 49. Toni Mode Eagle Creek, Ore. 1 1-13 175 Day 1: 1 1-13 49. SHERETTA SWEENEY Abilene, Texas 1 1-13 175 Day 1: 1 1-13 49. Carolyn Voyles Terrell, Texas 1 1-13 175 Day 1: 1 1-13 52. Janet Frerich San Antonio, Texas 1 1-12 170 Day 1: 1 1-12 52. Lillian Gutierrez San Antonio, Texas 1 1-12 170 Day 1: 1 1-12 54. Julie Garriety Grapevine, Texas 1 1-11 166 Day 1: 1 1-11 54. Linda Thomas Pryor, Okla. 1 1-11 166 Day 1: 1 1-11 56. Sandy Jeane Hull, Texas 1 1-10 163 Day 1: 1 1-10 57. Carilyn Hill Coweta, Okla. 1 1-09 161 Day 1: 1 1-09 58. Dianna Fanning Rogers, Ark. 1 1-06 159 Day 1: 1 1-06 59. TRACY BAILEY Ennis, Texas 1 1-03 156 Day 1: 1 1-03 59. Mary Lipka Wentzville, Mo. 1 1-03 156 Day 1: 1 1-03 61. BJ Carson Inola, Okla. 1 0-00 121 Day 1: 1 0-00 61. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, Pa. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Patricia Atkinson Millis, Mass. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Linda Bald Poteet, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Linda Berry Madison, N.C. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Marsha Betz Richardson, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, N.M. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Bertha Cavakis Amity, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, Tenn. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Tracy Doty Roanoke, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Nora Finks Warrenville, S.C. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Denese Freeman Lawton, Okla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. EDWINA HARPER Euless, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Barbie Hagler Abilene, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, Ark. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Vicki Hester Rainbow City, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Sylvia Hudson Jacksonville, Fla. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Robin Kolton Elgin, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. APRIL LACY La Coste, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. VICKIE LESIKER Temple, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, N.M. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. De Lynn Montez Squires, Mo. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Tina Newman Soddy Daisy, Tenn. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, Ohio 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Brenda Reeves Arlington, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Maggie Robledo Irving, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Lisa Skelley Jackson, Tenn. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Diane Smith Fayetteville, Ga. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Kim Stapp Ringgold, Ga. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Andrea Studensky-Berry Buna, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Jeannette Thompson Sonora, Texas 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 61. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, Ala. 0 0-00 0 Day 1: 0 0-00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Purolator Big Bass Day 1 Sarah Busby Grand Lake, La. 8-01 $500.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 6 122 318-06 ---------------------------------- 6 122 318-06