St. Clair Producing Big, Vatalaro Leads With 21-11

Tag : 100 ramie
"I just couldn't keep them on today," Clapper said. "I'm happy justto bring in what I did. I had the fish hooked up today to get a bigstringer, but it was just one of those days where they wouldn'tstay on.
"I weighed one that was a little over 2 pounds, and when you dothat you're going to have a hard time getting up there near thetop. I had a couple 4-pounders that got off that I saw. I hadanother that probably would've went 4 1/2."
By the sound of it you'd think he'd be in a good position to moveup tomorrow if he can keep his brown fish buttoned, but he's not sosure.
"I was in the first flight today and there were a couple guys whowanted in on my spot," he noted. "I don't know what I'm going tosee out there tomorrow.
"A lot of it depends on the weather, too," he added. "I'm fishing along ways away, and it's not a fun boat ride. It was okay out theretoday, but if that wind picks up it'll make it tough on me. That40-mile boat ride isn't easy."
About the prevalence of 20-pound bags at the top of the leaderboard, he said: "That doesn't surprise me. I heard they bit prettygood on St. Clair today. If I would've put my fish in the boatthat's the kind of bag I'm looking at.
"I'm going back to do the same thing tomorrow," he said. "I knowthey're out there."
200th: Arey Low on Luck
Matt Arey shows up as the only goose egg in today's standings, butit's not because he didn't catch any fish.
"Everything went wrong for me today," Arey said. "To start off, mytrolling motor died on me and I just had to drift around out there.But even with that I still caught about 14 pounds, and my co-anglerhad about the same.
"On the way back my injector went out on my engine and I ended upbeing 19 minutes late, so I got dq'd. I felt so bad for myco-angler I took him out and bought him dinner.
"It could've been worse," he added. "I only fished half the Tourthis year so I wasn't in the points race. This would really bedisappointing if it'd cost me a spot in the championship."
Notable
> Day 1 stats - 200 anglers, 174 limits, 8 fours, 11 threes, 4twos, 2 ones, 1 zero.
> About his day on the water, Andy Morgan said: "I had the worsttournament day I've had in a couple years. I'm going to change itup and go to a completely different lake tomorrow. I'm gonna' trysomething I haven't tried since last year - might as well go for itat this point."
> Steve Kennedy is competing in this event, but because ofoff-limits rules for the upcoming Bassmaster Elite Series event onLake Erie, he's restricted to a very limited patch of water (allCanadian water is off-limits for him).
> As is usually the case when there's a hot dropshot bite forsmallmouths, the vast majority of the field gave credit to Berkley Gulp! baits at today's weigh-in. Gulp! gobies, leeches and minnows werementioned dozens of times onstage.
Weather Report
Here's the weather forecast for the remaining tournament days. Formore weather information, including satellite and radar imagery,visit OutdoorsFanWeather.com .
> Fri, July 11 - Partly Cloudy - 88/68
- Wind: From the SSW at 7 mph
> Sat, July 12 - Chance of Afternoon Rain - 86/70
- Wind: From the SSW at 13 mph
> Sun, July 13 - Isolated T-Storms - 86/70
- Wind: From the NNE at 6 mph
Day 1 Standings
1. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 5, 21-11
2. Bryan Coates -- Amherst, Oh -- 5, 21-09
3. David Mccrone -- Minnetonka, Mn -- 5, 21-06
4. Mike Hawkes -- Sabinal, Tx -- 5, 20-12
5. Terry Baksay -- Easton, Ct -- 5, 20-10
5. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, Al -- 5, 20-10
7. Tim Mcdonald -- Lexington, Ky -- 5, 20-09
8. Michael Bennett -- Lincoln, Ca -- 5, 20-08
9. Kim Stricker -- Howell, Mi -- 5, 20-05
10. Alvin Shaw -- State Road, Nc -- 5, 20-04
11. John Devries -- Fishers, In -- 5, 20-00
12. Joel Richardson -- Kernersville, Nc -- 5, 19-15
13. Dave Lefebre -- Union City, Pa -- 5, 19-11
14. Keith Monson -- Burgin, Ky -- 5, 19-09
15. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 5, 19-07
16. Tom Mann Jr -- Buford, Ga -- 5, 19-06
17. Chip Harrison -- Bremen, In -- 5, 19-01
18. Steve Clapper -- Lima, Oh -- 5, 18-12
19. Josh Myers -- Chatham, On -- 5, 18-11
20. Eric Ambort -- Mabelvale, Ar -- 5, 18-08
20. Keith Combs -- Del Rio, Tx -- 5, 18-08
20. Nate Wellman -- Jenison, Mi -- 5, 18-08
23. Jason Knapp -- Uniontown, Pa -- 5, 18-07
24. Dion Hibdon -- Stover, Mo -- 5, 18-06
24. David Reault -- Livonia, Mi -- 5, 18-06
26. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 5, 18-04
26. Randy Blaukat -- Jasper, Mo -- 5, 18-04
28. Jared Rhode -- Port Clinton, Oh -- 5, 18-03
29. Bobby Curtis -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 18-02
30. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 5, 18-01
30. Jerry Green -- Del Rio, Tx -- 5, 18-01
30. Thanh Le -- Las Vegas, Nv -- 5, 18-01
33. Chris Mccall -- Jasper, Tx -- 5, 17-15
33. Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Il -- 5, 17-15
33. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, Nc -- 5, 17-15
36. Mark Modrak -- China Township, Mi -- 5, 17-14
37. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 5, 17-13
37. Michael Murphy -- Gilbert, Sc -- 5, 17-13
37. Eric Struif -- Round Lake, Il -- 5, 17-13
40. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, In -- 5, 17-12
41. Trevor Jancasz -- White Pigeon, Mi -- 5, 17-11
42. Jt Kenney -- Port Charlotte, Fl -- 5, 17-10
42. Monte Knight -- Quitman, Ms -- 5, 17-10
44. Brad Wall -- Clarksville, Oh -- 5, 17-09
45. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, Az -- 5, 17-08
46. Joe Balog -- Harrison Township, Mi -- 5, 17-06
46. Sean Minderman -- Spokane, Wa -- 5, 17-06
48. Brennan Bosley -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 17-05
48. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, Az -- 5, 17-05
50. Robert Sherry -- Saint Charles, Il -- 5, 17-04
51. Ott Defoe -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 17-03
51. Rick Marsh -- High Point, Nc -- 5, 17-03
51. Charles Sim -- Ottawa, On -- 5, 17-03
51. Michael Woolley -- West Bloomfield, Mi -- 5, 17-03
55. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 5, 17-00
56. Jim Dillard -- West Monroe, La -- 5, 16-15
56. Pete Gluszek -- Franklinville, Nj -- 5, 16-15
56. Tim Johnson -- Dallas, Ga -- 5, 16-15
59. Luke Clausen -- Spokane, Wa -- 5, 16-14
59. Ron Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 5, 16-14
61. Chris King -- South Amherst, Oh -- 5, 16-13
62. Jason Abrams -- Gray, Tn -- 5, 16-10
62. Mark Hardin -- Jasper, Ga -- 5, 16-10
64. Charlie Ingram -- Santa Fe, Tn -- 5, 16-08
65. Mike Todd -- Norman, Ok -- 5, 16-07
66. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 5, 16-06
66. Joe Thomas -- Milford, Oh -- 5, 16-06
68. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 5, 16-04
68. J R Grubb -- Hamburg, Ar -- 5, 16-04
70. John Devere -- Berea, Ky -- 5, 16-03
71. Keith Pace -- Monticello, Ar -- 5, 16-02
72. Kevin Bishop -- Hilton, Ny -- 5, 16-01
73. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 5, 16-00
74. Jay Yelas -- Corvallis, Or -- 5, 15-14
75. Shinichi Fukae -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 15-13
76. Katsutoshi Furusawa -- Tokyo Japan 1920153, Jp -- 5, 15-11
76. Tim Klinger -- Boulder City, Nv -- 5, 15-11
76. Thomas Moleski -- Elkhart, In -- 5, 15-11
79. Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 15-10
80. Brent Crow -- Hartselle, Al -- 5, 15-09
81. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 5, 15-07
82. Kevin Long -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 15-05
82. Bud Pruitt -- Houston, Tx -- 5, 15-05
84. Lewis Denney -- Indian Mound, Tn -- 5, 15-04
84. Kevin Lasyone -- Dry Prong, La -- 5, 15-04
84. Sam Newby -- Pocola, Ok -- 5, 15-04
84. Lloyd Pickett Jr -- Bartlett, Tn -- 5, 15-04
84. Jeffrey Thomas -- Broadway, Nc -- 5, 15-04
84. Kevin Vida -- Clare, Mi -- 5, 15-04
90. Chris Elliott -- Morehead City, Nc -- 5, 15-03
91. Terry Bolton -- Jonesboro, Ar -- 5, 15-01
91. Tony Defilippo -- Cedar, Mi -- 5, 15-01
93. John Tanner -- Quitman, Tx -- 5, 15-00
94. Brent Long -- Cornelius, Nc -- 5, 14-15
95. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 5, 14-14
95. David Fritts -- Lexington, Nc -- 5, 14-14
95. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Al -- 5, 14-14
95. Mark Rose -- Marion, Ar -- 5, 14-14
95. Gary Yamamoto -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 14-14
100. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 5, 14-13
100. Jeff Miller -- Crestwood, Il -- 5, 14-13
102. Sean Hoernke -- Magnolia, Tx -- 5, 14-12
102. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 5, 14-12
104. Greg Bohannan -- Rogers, Ar -- 5, 14-11
104. Danny Correia -- Marlborough, Ma -- 5, 14-11
104. Ken Wick -- Star, Id -- 5, 14-11
107. Gabe Bolivar -- Ramona, Ca -- 5, 14-10
107. Jimmy Millsaps -- Canton, Ga -- 5, 14-10
107. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 5, 14-10
107. Steve Redding -- Plano, Tx -- 5, 14-10
111. Matt Herren -- Trussville, Al -- 5, 14-09
111. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 14-09
111. Richard Lowitzki -- St Charles, Il -- 5, 14-09
114. Craig Powers -- Rockwood, Tn -- 5, 14-08
114. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 5, 14-08
116. Jake Deeds -- El Dorado, Ar -- 5, 14-07
117. Kyle Mabrey -- Mccalla, Al -- 5, 14-06
117. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 5, 14-06
119. Tracy Adams -- Wilkesboro, Nc -- 5, 14-04
119. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, Ok -- 5, 14-04
119. Rob Digh -- Denver, Nc -- 5, 14-04
119. Mark Pack -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 14-04
123. Ray Scheide -- Russellville, Ar -- 5, 14-02
123. Eric Weir -- Gastonia, Nc -- 5, 14-02
123. John Zubkoff -- Monroe, Mi -- 5, 14-02
126. Pat Fisher -- Buckhead, Ga -- 5, 14-00
127. Danny Pierce -- Greenbrier, Ar -- 5, 13-14
128. Jeremiah Kindy -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 13-13
129. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tn -- 5, 13-12
130. Art Ferguson Iii -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 5, 13-11
130. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 5, 13-11
132. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 5, 13-10
133. George Jeane Jr -- Evans, La -- 5, 13-07
133. Jack Wade -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 13-07
135. Carl Svebek Iii -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 13-06
135. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 5, 13-06
137. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, Al -- 5, 13-03
137. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 5, 13-03
137. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 13-03
137. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 5, 13-03
137. Keith Williams -- Conway, Ar -- 5, 13-03
142. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 5, 13-01
142. Guido Hibdon -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 5, 13-01
144. Tony Couch -- Buckhead, Ga -- 5, 12-15
144. Curt Lytle -- Zuni, Va -- 4, 12-15
146. Bruce Dale -- Jamestown, Oh -- 5, 12-14
147. Truman White -- Myersville, Md -- 5, 12-12
148. Fred Contaoi -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 12-10
148. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 5, 12-10
148. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, Sc -- 5, 12-10
148. Jason Reyes -- Humble, Tx -- 5, 12-10
152. Charles Cummings -- Leeds, Al -- 5, 12-08
153. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 4, 12-05
154. Jason Mckinnie -- Umatilla, Fl -- 5, 12-03
155. Hank Cherry -- Maiden, Nc -- 5, 12-00
155. Sandy Melvin -- Boca Grande, Fl -- 5, 12-00
157. Bob Bjorklund -- Centennial, Co -- 5, 11-15
157. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 5, 11-15
157. Richard Strother -- Tyler, Tx -- 5, 11-15
157. Marcel Veenstra -- Brighton, Mi -- 5, 11-15
161. Tommy Martin -- Hemphill, Tx -- 5, 11-12
162. Patrick Baynes -- Chatsworth, Ga -- 4, 11-11
162. George Cochran -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 11-11
162. Jimmy Houston -- Cookson, Ok -- 5, 11-11
165. Woo Daves -- Spring Grove, Va -- 5, 11-08
165. Bill Day -- Frankfort, Ky -- 5, 11-08
167. Bob Blosser -- Lodi, Wi -- 5, 11-07
168. Gary Riffle -- Bogata, Tx -- 5, 11-04
169. O T Fears Iii -- Sallisaw, Ok -- 5, 11-01
170. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Al -- 5, 11-00
171. Dwayne Horton -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 10-13
172. Melinda Mize Hooper -- Ben Lomond, Ar -- 5, 10-08
172. Michael Trombly -- Perrysburg, Oh -- 4, 10-08
174. Dale Evans -- Ridgeville, Sc -- 4, 10-05
175. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 5, 10-02
176. Aaron Hastings -- Middletown, Md -- 5, 10-00
177. Craig Dowling -- Grant, Al -- 3, 9-12
178. Clay Dyer -- Hamilton, Al -- 4, 9-11
179. Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 4, 9-10
180. Chad Cook -- Summerville, Sc -- 3, 9-07
181. John Sappington -- Willard, Mo -- 5, 9-04
182. Randy Morris -- Garfield, Ar -- 5, 9-03
183. Robert Walser -- Lexington, Nc -- 3, 8-12
184. Scott Hamrick -- Denver, Nc -- 4, 8-04
185. Russell Colwell -- Baltimore, Md -- 5, 7-12
186. Miles Johnson -- Washington Township, Oh -- 3, 7-11
187. James Kemper -- Frankfort, Ky -- 3, 7-05
188. Timothy Sisk -- Cherryville, Nc -- 3, 7-04
189. Tim Carroll -- Owasso, Ok -- 3, 7-01
190. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 3, 6-12
191. Jim Turner -- Clarksville, In -- 3, 6-10
192. Arch Cornett -- Huntsville, Al -- 3, 6-05
193. Alfred Williams -- Jackson, Ms -- 2, 5-09
194. Jim Russell -- Statham, Ga -- 2, 5-05
195. Karen Savik -- St. Louis Park, Mn -- 3, 5-03
196. Mike Lanier -- Leland, Nc -- 2, 5-00
197. Dan Schoonveld -- Mansura, La -- 2, 4-09
198. Jack Gadlage -- Benton, Ky -- 1, 2-10
199. Jim Short -- Ocean Pines, Md -- 1, 2-01
Matt Arey -- Shelby, Nc -- 0, 0-00
Big Bass
> Day 1 -- Keith Monson -- Burgin, Ky -- 5-10 -- $1,000

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