FORT MADISON, Iowa - It has never been more apparent that the Bassmaster Elite Series is a game of adjustments than it was Thursday at the River Rumble bass fishing tournament on the Mississippi River. Spoiled by the big-bass factories of Lake Guntersville and Kentucky Lake in the previous two tournaments, Elite anglers were hit with a dose of reality Thursday on the Mississippi River as many were forced to dig deep in their tackle boxes to grind out a limit. And many were unable to manage a limit on Day 1.
Nonetheless, the mighty Mississippi holds a good population of bass, and those who made the right choices were able to capitalize. Turning around a practice that was alarmingly unproductive, Randy Howell laid claim to the Day 1 lead with a 16-pound, 9-ounce limit, enough for an advantage of nearly 2 pounds over Takahiro Omori (14-9) of Emory, Texas. Elite rookie Matt Herren of Trussville, Ala. (14-9) was third, with fellow rookie Billy McCaghren of Mayflower, Ark., and Elite veteran Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., tied for fourth with 13-1.
Howell, who said he landed zero keepers during a deflating three-day practice, keyed in on a small patch of 10 bushes, which yielded all of his weighed fish. His limit included a 4-pound, 5-ounce bass, which was tied for the largest of the day. Like most in the field, Howell was flipping into shallow pockets of water.
"I don't consider this type of fishing to be a strength, so taking the lead is a big confidence boost," said Howell, 35. "I don't think I have ever caught fish this shallow. It's just mind-blowing."
Howell said he caught fish in water as skinny as 6 inches. While his area proved productive, several other competitors were near or on his money spot and boat traffic remains an issue on the Mississippi with just a few, concentrated productive areas.
A solid tournament here would be doubly rewarding for Howell. He is chasing a $100,000 top prize, and, perhaps most importantly, he and all other Elite Series pros have their eye on positioning in the 2009 Angler of the Year standings. For Howell, who came into this tournament ninth in the AOY standings, the one-time BASS winner is in good shape to double up and qualify for the 2010 Classic, set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala., and the inaugural 2009 Elite Series postseason.
The inaugural Toyota Trucks Championship Week is set for Sept. 10-18 and will be played out on two productive Alabama fisheries. The first of the two postseason tournaments will take place on Lake Jordan out of Wetumpka; the finale, the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, is slated for the Alabama River from Montgomery. Only the top 12 anglers in the AOY standings will advance.
Howell started hot Thursday, landing three keepers by 8 a.m. His next keeper came at 11 a.m., and he didn't land another bite until his fifth keeper was safely in the boat at 2:10 p.m. He used the rest of the day to poke around his productive area looking for clues to where the biggest bass were hiding.
"I came in hoping to just catch one fish and register some points," said Howell, an eight-time Classic qualifier. "Now, I'm in a very good position. It was just a grind out there -- and there is a bit more luck that comes into play here, but this spot is definitely going to be a factor."
Omori, who was fishing in the same backwater as Howell, also managed to turn around a sub-standard practice. He caught only five keepers on Day 1 by flipping to shallow water. His limit was buoyed by a 3-5 bass.
In 36th in the Angler of the Year standings heading into this event, Omori, a six-time BASS winner and the 2004 Bassmaster Classic champion, is looking to put himself in position to qualify for his seventh Classic. With only the top 36 qualifying, a solid tournament here would do wonders for his chances.
"My practice stunk and things are definitely not easy out there," said Omori, 38. "I also lost a 3-pounder, but all in all I'm optimistic."
Biffle, who won a 1995 BASS event on the Mississippi, is an angler to be watched at the Genuity River Rumble. An accomplished river fisherman, Biffle has already scored one Elite victory this year.
Also Thursday, Jerry Van Sickle of Oelwein, Iowa, who served as Elite angler Derek Remitz's Marshal, suffered injuries as the result of a boating accident and was treated at a local hospital. Van Sickle was alert and remained at the hospital for evaluation.
During the 2008 season, the Elite Series had to cancel the River Rumble in Fort Madison because of flooding along the river that affected nearly a dozen states. The river last was host to a Tour event in 2006, when Elite angler Darrin Schwenkbeck won a Northern Tour competition with a three-day total of 42 pounds, 12 ounces.
The Genuity River Rumble includes a top prize of $100,000 and awards valuable points in the 2009 Angler of the Year title race. With 1,593 points heading into this week's event, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., leads the AOY standings. Trailing him are 2009 Classic champion and 2007 AOY Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., in second with 1,578 points, and 2008 Classic champion Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, in third with 1,477 points.
Fans are encouraged to attend the Genuity River Rumble's daily launches (6 a.m. CT) and weigh-ins (4 p.m.) through Sunday at Riverview Park, 902 4th St., Fort Madison. After Day 2's competition Friday, the field will be cut to the top 50 anglers for Day 3. Only the top 12 will go on to compete in Day 4.
Other activities Saturday and Sunday at the River Rumble will begin at 1 p.m. CT at Riverview Park, featuring the popular Dog Training & Retriever Demonstrations Brought To You By SportDog; a children's carnival with a bounce house and gummy-worm-eating contest; tethered balloon rides (for a nominal fee); and a live shooting of a cannon brought from Fort Mig.
At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, fans are invited to experience University, which includes the "Ask the Experts" session with Elite pros at 3 p.m.
Also on site as part of the consumer expo Saturday and Sunday, Monsanto will bring its Mobile Technology Unit (MTU) to the Riverview Marina offering tours free of charge every 30 minutes. The Mobile Technology Unit is a unique traveling exhibit showcasing Monsanto's latest advances in plant breeding and trait technology.
With its sponsorship of the event, Genuity will make a donation to the local organization Community Services Food Bank based on the cumulative weight of fish caught during the tournament. There will be a check presentation at the final weigh-in Sunday, June 14.
All events at the River Rumble are free and open to the public. The Elite Series regular season culminates with the August 13-16 Champion's Choice on Oneida Lake out of Syracuse, N.Y. At Oneida, the lineup will be determined for the top 12 anglers who will compete in the inaugural Elite Series postseason and a shot at the 2009 Angler of the Year title.
DAY 1 STANDINGS
2009 6/11-6/14
Mississippi River, Fort Madison IA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 16-04 305
Day 1: 5 16-04
2. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 14-10 295
Day 1: 5 14-10
3. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 5 14-09 290
Day 1: 5 14-09
4. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 13-01 285
Day 1: 5 13-01
4. Billy Mccaghren Mayflower, AR 5 13-01 285
Day 1: 5 13-01
6. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 5 12-08 276
Day 1: 5 12-08
7. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 12-05 272
Day 1: 5 12-05
8. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 12-04 268
Day 1: 5 12-04
9. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 12-03 264
Day 1: 5 12-03
10. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 12-01 260
Day 1: 5 12-01
11. Alton Jones Waco, TX 5 12-00 257
Day 1: 5 12-00
12. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 4 11-10 254
Day 1: 4 11-10
13. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 11-09 251
Day 1: 5 11-09
14. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 5 11-08 248
Day 1: 5 11-08
15. Pat Golden High Point, NC 4 11-08 245
Day 1: 4 11-08
16. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 11-07 243
Day 1: 5 11-07
17. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 11-05 241
Day 1: 5 11-05
18. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 10-10 239
Day 1: 5 10-10
19. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 10-07 237
Day 1: 5 10-07
20. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 5 10-02 235
Day 1: 5 10-02
21. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 10-01 233
Day 1: 5 10-01
21. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 5 10-01 233
Day 1: 5 10-01
23. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 09-12 229
Day 1: 5 09-12
24. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 09-10 227
Day 1: 5 09-10
25. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 09-06 225
Day 1: 5 09-06
26. Elton Luce Jr. Brookeland, TX 4 09-05 223
Day 1: 4 09-05
27. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 09-01 221
Day 1: 5 09-01
28. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 3 09-00 219
Day 1: 3 09-00
29. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 08-14 217
Day 1: 5 08-14
30. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 08-13 215
Day 1: 5 08-13
31. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 4 08-13 213
Day 1: 4 08-13
32. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 08-10 211
Day 1: 5 08-10
33. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 08-05 209
Day 1: 5 08-05
34. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 4 08-05 207
Day 1: 4 08-05
35. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 4 08-03 205
Day 1: 4 08-03
35. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 4 08-03 205
Day 1: 4 08-03
37. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 4 07-12 201
Day 1: 4 07-12
38. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 3 07-12 199
Day 1: 3 07-12
39. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 3 07-11 197
Day 1: 3 07-11
40. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 3 07-10 195
Day 1: 3 07-10
41. Vince Fulks Purcell, OK 4 07-08 193
Day 1: 4 07-08
42. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 3 07-07 191
Day 1: 3 07-07
43. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 4 07-05 189
Day 1: 4 07-05
44. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 3 07-05 187
Day 1: 3 07-05
45. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 3 07-03 185
Day 1: 3 07-03
46. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 3 07-01 183
Day 1: 3 07-01
47. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 3 06-07 181
Day 1: 3 06-07
48. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 3 06-06 179
Day 1: 3 06-06
49. Luke Gritter Kalamazoo, MI 3 06-05 177
Day 1: 3 06-05
50. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 3 06-04 175
Day 1: 3 06-04
51. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 3 06-02 173
Day 1: 3 06-02
52. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 3 05-14 171
Day 1: 3 05-14
53. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 2 05-14 169
Day 1: 2 05-14
54. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 2 05-12 167
Day 1: 2 05-12
55. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 3 05-10 165
Day 1: 3 05-10
56. Brent Broderick Oregonia, OH 3 05-09 163
Day 1: 3 05-09
57. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 2 05-04 161
Day 1: 2 05-04
58. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 3 05-01 159
Day 1: 3 05-01
59. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 3 04-12 157
Day 1: 3 04-12
60. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 2 04-08 155
Day 1: 2 04-08
60. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 2 04-08 155
Day 1: 2 04-08
62. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 2 04-07 151
Day 1: 2 04-07
62. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 2 04-07 151
Day 1: 2 04-07
64. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 2 04-04 147
Day 1: 2 04-04
65. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 2 04-01 145
Day 1: 2 04-01
66. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 2 03-13 143
Day 1: 2 03-13
67. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 2 03-11 141
Day 1: 2 03-11
68. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 2 03-10 139
Day 1: 2 03-10
69. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 2 03-06 137
Day 1: 2 03-06
70. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 1 02-12 135
Day 1: 1 02-12
70. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 1 02-12 135
Day 1: 1 02-12
72. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 1 02-08 131
Day 1: 1 02-08
72. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 1 02-08 131
Day 1: 1 02-08
74. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 1 02-07 127
Day 1: 1 02-07
75. Chris Lane Lakeland, FL 1 02-04 125
Day 1: 1 02-04
75. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 1 02-04 125
Day 1: 1 02-04
77. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 1 02-01 121
Day 1: 1 02-01
77. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 1 02-01 121
Day 1: 1 02-01
79. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 1 02-00 117
Day 1: 1 02-00
80. Jason Quinn York, SC 1 01-14 115
Day 1: 1 01-14
81. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 1 01-13 113
Day 1: 1 01-13
81. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 1 01-13 113
Day 1: 1 01-13
81. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 1 01-13 113
Day 1: 1 01-13
84. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 1 01-10 107
Day 1: 1 01-10
84. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 1 01-10 107
Day 1: 1 01-10
84. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 1 01-10 107
Day 1: 1 01-10
87. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 1 01-09 101
Day 1: 1 01-09
87. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 1 01-09 101
Day 1: 1 01-09
89. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 1 01-07 97
Day 1: 1 01-07
90. John Crews Salem, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
90. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
90. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
90. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
90. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
90. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
90. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
90. David Smith Del City, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
90. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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BIG BASS
Day
1 Randy Howell Springville, AL 04-05 $0.00
1 John Murray Phoenix, AZ 04-05 $0.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 28 280 620-04
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28 280 620-04