SENECA – Spotted bass rule at Lake Keowee.
That fact was underscored once again Thursday on the opening day of competition in the 2nd Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship, as Judy Wong weighed in a limit of "spots" to take the lead in the event on a cool, rainy and windy day of fishing.
Wong, of Many, La., put some pressure on the other 11 professional anglers in the field with her five bass totaling 12 pounds, 3 ounces – she holds more than a 3-pound lead over her closest competitor heading into today’s second round.
"I was fortunate to catch a limit early," Wong said. "Then I was able to look for better fish. I’m happy with what I got. I used a variety of baits - whatever the situation called for at the time. I picked what I thought would work and threw it at them. I was able to cull three times."
Wong, a 55-year-old fishing guide and pro angler who has 32 years of angling experience, said she may try to mix in a largemouth today if the opportunity presents itself.
"I may hunt some largemouths, but I’m going to wait until I have a limit of spots before I do that," she said. "And I don’t know what’s going to happen with the weather."
Today’s forecast: cold, with more rain.
"When the weather came in it slowed the bite down," said Dianna Clark, who is in second place. "I culled my last fish five minutes before we had to come in."
Clark, of Bumpus Mills, Tenn., had five bass that weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces. Tammy Richardson of Glenwood, Ark., is in third, two ounces behind Clark.
Defending champion Pam Martin-Wells is fifth with 7 pounds, 1 ounce.
"The fishing was tough," Martin-Wells said. "They just weren’t biting like I expected. I’ve got some catching up to do, but I’m not out of it. I’m going to stick with my plan. It’s too late to switch games now. I caught two largemouths, but they were not quality fish."
Sheri Glasgow, the reigning Angler of the Year from Muskogee, Okla., finds herself last in the 12-angler pro divison at 3 pounds, 15 ounces.
Barbara Gaskins of Suffolk, Va., leads the co-anglers after Day 1 with a five-fish limit weighing 9-13, giving her nearly a five-pound edge over second-place Karol Whitehurst of Winnsboro, Texas.
The 12 pros are competing for a top prize of $60,000. Today’s weigh-in and Saturday’s final weigh-in both will be held at the Bi-Lo Center in downtown Greenville, beginning at approximately 3:30 p.m.
RESULTS
WBT CHAMPIONSHIP
Lake Keowee, Seneca
First-Day Standings
Pro Division
- Judy Wong, Many, La., 5 bass, 12 pounds, 13 ounces; 2. Dianna Clark, Bumpus Mills, Tenn., 5, 9-8; 3. Tammy Richardson, Glenwood, Ark., 5, 9-6; 4. Audrey McQueen, Eager, Colo., 4, 7-4; 5. Pam Martin-Wells, Bainbridge, Ga., 5, 7-1; 6. Secret York, Benton, Ky., 1, 5-8; 7. Cindy Hill, Smyrna, Tenn., 2, 5-2; 8. Lucy Mize, Ben Lomond, Ark., 3, 4-14; 9. Penny Berryman, Hot Springs, Ark., 1, 4-8; 10. Juanita Robinson, Highlands, Texas, 2, 4-5; 11. Marcia Rubin, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, 3, 4-0; 12. Sheri Glasgow, Muskogee, Okla., 2, 3-15.
Big Bass: York, 5-8.
Co-Angler Division
- Barbara Gaskins, Suffolk, Va., 5, 9-13; 2. Karol Whitehurst, Winnsboro, Texas, 3, 5-0; 3. Dianne Kegley, Norphlet, Ark., 4, 4-13; 4. Laura Elkins, Amarillo, Texas, 2, 4-2; 5. Cheryl Buelow, Pollock, La., 2, 3-5; 6. Bonnie Ward, Snohomish, Wash., 2, 2-5; 7. Kim Stapp, Ringgold, Ga., 1, 2-4; 8. Jan Hudson, Harrison, Ark., 1, 1-14; 9. Debbie Pegoli, Loveland, Ohio, 1, 1-11; 10. Angie Everitt, Livingston, Texas, 1, 1-9; 11. Colleen McKay, Worcester, Mass., 1, 1-4; 12. Kala Wright, Spiro, Okla., 0, 0-0.
Big Bass: Stapp, 2-4.