Jared Lintner went to extremes Thursday, the first day of the May 1-4 Evan Williams Bourbon Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend out of Many, La. He was especially extreme in his choice of fishing lines from lightweight to unbreakable. “I caught them on 10-pound fluorocarbon and 80-pound braid,” said the Californian from Arroyo Grande. “I didn’t get very many bites with the braid, but they were good ones.”
Good enough to help him amass 25 pounds, 7 ounces of bass to take the lead by 7 ounces over J Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Ga., who weighed 25-0 for second place.
In third after one round was Elite Series rookie Jacob Powroznik of Port Haywood, Va., with 24-14. Fourth place was taken by another Californian, Chris Zaldain of San Jose. His weight was 22-6, including an 8-12 on 6-pound-test line in an around-the-boat chase that “took forever” but was, he said, probably less than two minutes in real time.
The 2014 Bassmaster Classic champion, Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., settled into fifth place at 22-4.
The opening day of the Elite event was a day of big bass and big bags: The Top 13 on the leaderboard all broke the 20-pound mark. Only four pros did not produce a five-bass limit.
Lintner, currently in second place behind veteran pro Mark Davis of Arkansas in the season-long Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, said he returned Thursday to a spot he found in practice, “and just got fortunate.”
When he arrived in the spot, he had a 12-plus-pound limit in his livewell. That was at about noon. Two hours later, he had culled all but one of those to build his weight to his 25-plus. The largest bass weighed 6-14.
“I happened on the right area at the right time,” he said. “The fish move in and out of the area. And with the wind blowing, the fish haven’t been pressured there. You couldn’t fish it the past two days with the wind. There were 3- to 4-foot waves blowing up there.”
Lintner said he fished exactly how he likes to Thursday. “Shallow” was the only detail he would reveal on that topic. But he did hint that he tapped into his experience on California fisheries to figure out Toledo Bend.
“The way the lake sets up now, it’s more like the Clear Lake and Delta fisheries — for me,” he said.
Tucker boated all his weight within the first 45 minutes of competition. His largest, a 7-10, was the fourth fish in a flurry that left him almost dazed.
“It was chaotic and crazy,” he said. “They were biting one after another, and they were all big. That’s probably the fastest I’ve caught that much weight ever in my life.”
Oddly enough, he had not intended to start on that magic spot.
“I stopped on my first spot and found (another angler) already there,” Tucker said. “I thought, ‘You know, I’m not going to do this.’ I took off about 300 yards away to my second spot. So he did me a favor by being there.”
The four-day competition resumes Friday when the full field will return to Cypress Bend Park for the takeoff at 6:20 a.m. CT. The weigh-in will start at 3:15 p.m. CT at the same location.
Elite pros are after a first-place prize of $100,000 and an instant qualification for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. The pros are also competing for points that count toward a Classic entry and the 2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
With his 8-12, Zaldain became the frontrunner for the Carhartt Big Bass award of up to $1,500. Tucker won the Rigid Industries Jackpot of $1,750 as the angler registered for the bonus who broke the 25-pound mark. Lintner leads the event’s Berkley Big Bag bonus competition for $500.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Bassmaster Elite Series Expo will feature demos, giveaways and products from the tour’s sponsors, including free boat rides in Nitro, Triton and Skeeter boats powered by Yamaha and Mercury engines. The rides will be offered after takeoff is complete and continue until 2:30 p.m.
Saturday’s activities include the 3 p.m. screening of the newest GeoBASS video from Costa, musical entertainment beginning after the weigh-in, and a Jason Cassidy concert from 7 to 9 p.m., which will be followed by fireworks.
All activities are at Cypress Bend Park (GPS help: 3463 Cypress Bend Drive, Many, LA 71449). There’s no admission charge for Bassmaster events, and free shuttles from parking areas will be provided.
The local hosts include the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Sabine River Authority, Cypress Bend Resort, TanMar and other local businesses.
The Bassmasters on ESPN2 will feature the Toledo Bend event May 18 from 8 to 9 a.m. ET.
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Booyah, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Plano, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
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Media Contact: Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com or Helen Northcutt, 204-313-0944, hnorthcutt@bassmaster.com.
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2014 Evan Williams Bourbon Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend 5/1-5/4
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA.
Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 25-07 100
Day 1: 5 25-07
2. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 5 25-00 99
Day 1: 5 25-00
3. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 5 24-14 98
Day 1: 5 24-14
4. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 5 22-06 97
Day 1: 5 22-06
5. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 22-04 96
Day 1: 5 22-04
6. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 22-02 95
Day 1: 5 22-02
7. Mike Kernan Wylie, TX 5 22-01 94
Day 1: 5 22-01
8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 21-14 93
Day 1: 5 21-14
9. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 21-10 92
Day 1: 5 21-10
10. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 5 21-05 91
Day 1: 5 21-05
11. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 20-13 90
Day 1: 5 20-13
12. Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 5 20-08 89
Day 1: 5 20-08
13. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 20-05 88
Day 1: 5 20-05
14. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 19-14 87
Day 1: 5 19-14
15. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 19-13 86
Day 1: 5 19-13
16. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 19-04 85
Day 1: 5 19-04
17. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 19-03 84
Day 1: 5 19-03
18. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 19-01 83
Day 1: 5 19-01
19. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 5 18-15 82
Day 1: 5 18-15
20. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 18-14 81
Day 1: 5 18-14
21. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 18-05 80
Day 1: 5 18-05
22. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 5 18-04 79
Day 1: 5 18-04
23. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 18-01 78
Day 1: 5 18-01
24. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 5 18-00 77
Day 1: 5 18-00
24. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 18-00 77
Day 1: 5 18-00
26. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 17-14 75
Day 1: 5 17-14
27. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 17-09 74
Day 1: 5 17-09
28. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 17-07 73
Day 1: 5 17-07
29. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 17-05 72
Day 1: 5 17-05
29. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 17-05 72
Day 1: 5 17-05
31. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 5 17-03 70
Day 1: 5 17-03
32. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 16-14 69
Day 1: 5 16-14
32. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 16-14 69
Day 1: 5 16-14
34. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 5 16-12 67
Day 1: 5 16-12
35. Grant Goldbeck Boerne, TX 5 16-11 66
Day 1: 5 16-11
36. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 16-06 65
Day 1: 5 16-06
36. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 16-06 65
Day 1: 5 16-06
38. Randall Tharp Port Saint Joe, FL 5 16-05 63
Day 1: 5 16-05
39. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 16-01 62
Day 1: 5 16-01
40. Glenn Browne Ocala, FL 5 16-00 61
Day 1: 5 16-00
41. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 15-15 60
Day 1: 5 15-15
42. Nate Wellman Newaygo, MI 5 15-12 59
Day 1: 5 15-12
43. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 15-09 58
Day 1: 5 15-09
43. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 15-09 58
Day 1: 5 15-09
45. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 5 15-07 56
Day 1: 5 15-07
46. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 5 15-07 55
Day 1: 5 15-07
47. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 15-06 54
Day 1: 5 15-06
47. Kelly Jordon Palestine, TX 5 15-06 54
Day 1: 5 15-06
49. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 15-01 52
Day 1: 5 15-01
50. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 14-15 51
Day 1: 5 14-15
51. James Elam Tulsa, OK 5 14-14 50
Day 1: 5 14-14
52. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 14-13 49
Day 1: 5 14-13
53. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 14-09 48
Day 1: 5 14-09
54. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 14-07 47
Day 1: 5 14-07
54. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 14-07 47
Day 1: 5 14-07
54. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 14-07 47
Day 1: 5 14-07
57. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 14-04 44
Day 1: 5 14-04
58. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 5 14-03 43
Day 1: 5 14-03
59. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 14-01 42
Day 1: 5 14-01
60. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 13-15 41
Day 1: 5 13-15
61. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 13-14 40
Day 1: 5 13-14
62. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 5 13-13 39
Day 1: 5 13-13
63. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 13-12 38
Day 1: 5 13-12
64. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 13-11 37
Day 1: 5 13-11
65. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 13-10 36
Day 1: 5 13-10
66. Boo Woods Oneida, KY 5 13-08 35
Day 1: 5 13-08
67. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 13-07 34
Day 1: 5 13-07
67. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 13-07 34
Day 1: 5 13-07
69. Jared Miller Norman, OK 5 13-05 32
Day 1: 5 13-05
70. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 13-04 31
Day 1: 5 13-04
71. Jamie Horton Centerville, AL 5 13-02 30
Day 1: 5 13-02
72. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 12-15 29
Day 1: 5 12-15
73. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 12-13 28
Day 1: 5 12-13
73. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 12-13 28
Day 1: 5 12-13
75. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 12-12 26
Day 1: 5 12-12
76. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 12-10 25
Day 1: 5 12-10
77. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 12-09 24
Day 1: 5 12-09
77. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 12-09 24
Day 1: 5 12-09
79. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 12-06 22
Day 1: 5 12-06
80. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 12-03 21
Day 1: 5 12-03
81. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 12-00 20
Day 1: 5 12-00
82. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 11-14 19
Day 1: 5 11-14
82. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 5 11-14 19
Day 1: 5 11-14
84. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 11-13 17
Day 1: 5 11-13
85. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 11-12 16
Day 1: 5 11-12
86. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 5 11-08 15
Day 1: 5 11-08
87. Kevin Hawk Guntersville, AL 5 11-06 14
Day 1: 5 11-06
87. Casey Scanlon Lanexa, KS 5 11-06 14
Day 1: 5 11-06
89. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 11-02 12
Day 1: 5 11-02
90. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 11-01 11
Day 1: 5 11-01
91. Joseph Sancho New Windsor, NY 5 11-00 10
Day 1: 5 11-00
92. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 10-13 9
Day 1: 5 10-13
92. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 10-13 9
Day 1: 5 10-13
94. Michael Simonton Fremont, OH 5 10-09 7
Day 1: 5 10-09
95. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 10-07 6
Day 1: 5 10-07
96. Trevor Romans Plano, TX 5 10-06 5
Day 1: 5 10-06
97. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 5 10-05 4
Day 1: 5 10-05
98. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 4 09-14 3
Day 1: 4 09-14
99. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 5 09-13 2
Day 1: 5 09-13
100. Byron Velvick Boenre, TX 3 09-13 1
Day 1: 3 09-13
101. Jeremy Starks Scott Depot, WV 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12
102. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-14
103. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
104. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 5 07-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-14
105. Joel Baker Talala, OK 4 06-02 0
Day 1: 4 06-02
106. David Smith Del City, OK 3 05-08 0
Day 1: 3 05-08
107. BJ Haseotes Centerville, MA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
107. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 524 1596-09
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102 524 1596-09
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