Randy Howell has treated Oneida Lake much like a complex puzzle. After four consecutive years of working the spacious fishery and building his knowledge base, the Springville, Ala., Elite pro inched one step closer to completing the puzzle with the Day 1 lead Thursday at the Champion's Choice bass fishing tournament on Oneida Lake. His 17-pound, 9-ounce limit, a mix of smallmouth and largemouth, was nearly a pound better than that of Texas' Takihiro Omori, who was second with 16-11.
Last year at an Elite event on Oneida, Howell finished 20th but missed a few key bites he said would have propelled him into the top 10. But through his mistakes he learned, changing to stronger line and sharper hooks this week. Aided by a bit of luck - Howell boated a few accidental largemouth - and Howell takes a strong lead into Day 2 of the four-day event.
"Everything clicked today," said Howell, 35. "I just listened to my instincts. I have had a lot of close calls here and I have learned every year. I head into this tournament every year tweaking some of my approach, and it paid off this year."
Howell landed 18 keepers on the day. He was targeting areas around grass lines that contained a high concentration of baitfish. After catching a healthy weight of smallmouths throughout the day, Howell decided to hit two areas that were home to largemouth.
He ended up catching a 3-pounder, and after bowing to a gut feeling he landed a largemouth at more than 4 pounds by flipping a tree in a community area. Even with the mixed bag, Howell said he would stick with the same principal pattern - working smallmouths -- Friday. He did say the weather could dictate a change but he wasn't sure whether it would come into play the rest of the weekend.
Heading into Oneida, Howell was in decent position (ninth) to qualify for the inaugural Elite Series postseason. The season-ending event, Toyota Trucks Championship Week, will feature the top 12 anglers in the Angler of the Year standings, determined after this weekend. The clutch performance for Howell put him in prime position to qualify.
While his areas were key, Howell felt that the bait and the technique were most important to landing the biggest bass.
"I didn't lose a fish today, and anytime that happens you have to feel really good," said Howell, a one-time BASS winner. "I just feel very confident right now."
In contrast to Howell, Omori strictly targeted largemouths on a successful day. The 2004 Classic champion caught the majority of his weight on one small grass line, which held a sizable school of largemouth. He used the rest of his day to move around the lake and explore new water.
Omori, too, is looking to qualify for a marquee event. But his 25th position in AOY points heading into Oneida puts him virtually out of postseason contention. Instead, Omori will settle for a nice backup prize, a 2010 Classic berth, with a decent finish here. The top 37 anglers in the AOY standings will earn entry into the 2010 Classic.
Omori wasn't committed to running the same pattern through the rest of the week. With changing weather conditions, the six-time BASS winner had practiced for smallmouth as a backup plan and said he would assess the conditions each day before choosing a focus.
"This is my best day here in four years," said Omori, referring to the past four BASS tournaments at Oneida. "I'm just thrilled with it. Now I just have to focus on qualifying for the Classic."
In third was Dustin Wilks of Rocky Mount, N.C., with 16 pounds, 4 ounces. Peter Thliveros of St. Augustine, Fla., who won an event that was partially staged on Oneida in 2007, was fourth with 15-15, and 2006 Oneida winner Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., was fifth with 15-13. Oneida Lake is known for nail-biters, and the leaderboard held true to form after Thursday. Thirty-five of the anglers in the field are within 4 pounds of Howell.
With the culmination of the regular season, the AOY points will be locked in for the postseason. Four-time AOY Kevin VanDam (tied for 26th) and 2009 Classic champ Skeet Reese (ninth) are jockeying for the lead. Toyota Trucks Championship Week is set for Sept. 10-18 on two productive Alabama fisheries. The first of the two postseason tournaments, the Trophy Chase, will take place Sept. 12-13 on Lake Jordan out of Wetumpka; the finale is slated for Sept. 17-18 on the Alabama River from Montgomery.
In the race to qualify for the 2010 Classic, set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala., Elite Series veteran Matt Reed of Madisonville, Texas, and rookie Billy McCaghren of Mayflower, Ark., were on the bubble heading into the Champion's Choice. They are in 37th and 38th, respectively, in the Angler of the Year standings, but McCaghren (tied for 88th) and Reed (80th) struggled Thursday, leaving the door open for other competitors.
In other news, two Elite Series anglers had their Day 1 catch disqualified due to rules violation. Bill Lowen of North Bend, Ohio, and Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., were disqualified for violating Rule C16. The applicable part of the rule states, "at no time shall a competitor have in his possession more than the tournament limit. Tournament officials will conduct checks for violation of this provision, and in the event a competitor has more than the prescribed limits in possession, shall cut down to the limit prescribed, beginning with the largest bass first."
2009 DAY 1 STANDINGS
2009 8/13-8/16
Oneida Lake, Syracuse NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 17-09 305
Day 1: 5 17-09
2. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 16-11 295
Day 1: 5 16-11
3. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 5 16-04 290
Day 1: 5 16-04
4. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 5 15-15 285
Day 1: 5 15-15
5. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 15-13 280
Day 1: 5 15-13
6. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 15-10 276
Day 1: 5 15-10
7. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 15-09 272
Day 1: 5 15-09
7. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 15-09 272
Day 1: 5 15-09
9. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 15-08 264
Day 1: 5 15-08
10. Jason Quinn York, SC 5 15-07 260
Day 1: 5 15-07
10. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 15-07 260
Day 1: 5 15-07
12. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 5 15-06 254
Day 1: 5 15-06
13. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 15-03 251
Day 1: 5 15-03
13. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 5 15-03 251
Day 1: 5 15-03
13. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 15-03 251
Day 1: 5 15-03
16. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 15-02 243
Day 1: 5 15-02
17. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 5 15-00 241
Day 1: 5 15-00
18. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 14-11 239
Day 1: 5 14-11
19. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 14-10 237
Day 1: 5 14-10
19. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 14-10 237
Day 1: 5 14-10
21. Jeff Reynolds Platter, OK 5 14-08 233
Day 1: 5 14-08
22. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 14-08 231
Day 1: 5 14-08
23. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 5 14-07 229
Day 1: 5 14-07
24. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 5 14-04 227
Day 1: 5 14-04
25. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 5 14-03 225
Day 1: 5 14-03
26. John Crews Salem, VA 5 14-00 223
Day 1: 5 14-00
26. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 14-00 223
Day 1: 5 14-00
28. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 5 13-15 219
Day 1: 5 13-15
28. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 13-15 219
Day 1: 5 13-15
30. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 13-14 215
Day 1: 5 13-14
30. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 5 13-14 215
Day 1: 5 13-14
32. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 13-12 211
Day 1: 5 13-12
33. Alton Jones Waco, TX 5 13-12 209
Day 1: 5 13-12
33. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 13-12 209
Day 1: 5 13-12
35. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 5 13-10 205
Day 1: 5 13-10
36. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 13-08 203
Day 1: 5 13-08
37. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 13-07 201
Day 1: 5 13-07
37. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 13-07 201
Day 1: 5 13-07
39. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 5 13-05 197
Day 1: 5 13-05
40. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 5 13-04 195
Day 1: 5 13-04
40. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 5 13-04 195
Day 1: 5 13-04
42. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 5 13-03 191
Day 1: 5 13-03
42. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 5 13-03 191
Day 1: 5 13-03
42. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 13-03 191
Day 1: 5 13-03
45. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 13-02 185
Day 1: 5 13-02
46. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 5 13-01 183
Day 1: 5 13-01
46. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 13-01 183
Day 1: 5 13-01
48. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 12-14 179
Day 1: 5 12-14
48. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 12-14 179
Day 1: 5 12-14
50. Pat Golden High Point, NC 5 12-12 175
Day 1: 5 12-12
51. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 5 12-11 173
Day 1: 5 12-11
52. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 12-09 171
Day 1: 5 12-09
52. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 12-09 171
Day 1: 5 12-09
52. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 5 12-09 171
Day 1: 5 12-09
55. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 5 12-08 165
Day 1: 5 12-08
55. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 5 12-08 165
Day 1: 5 12-08
57. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 12-07 161
Day 1: 5 12-07
57. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 5 12-07 161
Day 1: 5 12-07
59. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 5 12-06 157
Day 1: 5 12-06
60. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 12-04 155
Day 1: 5 12-04
60. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 5 12-04 155
Day 1: 5 12-04
62. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 12-03 151
Day 1: 5 12-03
63. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 12-02 149
Day 1: 5 12-02
64. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 12-01 147
Day 1: 5 12-01
64. Chris Lane Lakeland, FL 5 12-01 147
Day 1: 5 12-01
64. Elton Luce Jr. Brookeland, TX 5 12-01 147
Day 1: 5 12-01
67. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 5 12-01 141
Day 1: 5 12-01
68. Luke Gritter Kalamazoo, MI 5 11-14 139
Day 1: 5 11-14
69. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 11-13 137
Day 1: 5 11-13
70. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 11-13 135
Day 1: 5 11-13
71. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 11-12 133
Day 1: 5 11-12
71. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 11-12 133
Day 1: 5 11-12
73. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 5 11-11 129
Day 1: 5 11-11
73. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 5 11-11 129
Day 1: 5 11-11
75. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 11-10 125
Day 1: 5 11-10
76. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 11-09 123
Day 1: 5 11-09
76. David Smith Del City, OK 5 11-09 123
Day 1: 5 11-09
76. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 11-09 123
Day 1: 5 11-09
79. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 11-08 117
Day 1: 5 11-08
79. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 11-08 117
Day 1: 5 11-08
79. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 11-08 117
Day 1: 5 11-08
82. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 5 11-07 111
Day 1: 5 11-07
83. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 5 11-04 109
Day 1: 5 11-04
84. Vince Fulks Purcell, OK 5 11-02 107
Day 1: 5 11-02
85. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 11-00 105
Day 1: 5 11-00
86. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 10-15 103
Day 1: 5 10-15
87. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 5 10-14 101
Day 1: 5 10-14
87. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 5 10-14 101
Day 1: 5 10-14
87. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 5 10-14 101
Day 1: 5 10-14
90. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 10-13 95
Day 1: 5 10-13
91. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 10-11 93
Day 1: 5 10-11
92. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 10-10 91
Day 1: 5 10-10
93. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 10-09 89
Day 1: 5 10-09
94. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 10-08 87
Day 1: 5 10-08
95. Brent Broderick Oregonia, OH 5 09-14 85
Day 1: 5 09-14
96. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 09-00 83
Day 1: 5 09-00
97. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS
Day
1 Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 05-08 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 96 480 1251-09
----------------------------------
96 480 1251-09