Golden Opportunity: North Carolina’s Pat Golden out to make most of a 10-ounce lead in Elite Series season opener
Category: press release
Mar 10th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Mar 10th, 2011 at 12:00 AM
TAVARES, Fla. – If it worked once, repeat. That’s Pat Golden’s plan when he gets back on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes on Friday to defend his slim lead in the Sunshine Showdown, the season opener of the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series.
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| Pat Golden (Photo BassFIRST) |
Working several canals for bedding bass, the High Point, N.C., pro linked together 20 pounds, 7 ounces Thursday for a 10-ounce lead over Stephen Browning and Kevin Wirth, who tied for second place with 19-13.
Sharing fourth place at 17-9 were Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Fla., and Kevin VanDam, the Michigan pro fresh off his fourth Bassmaster Classic victory.
“I was looking at them today, mainly,” said Golden, an Elite pro since 2008. “I had some I scoped out during practice and I went back to them today, and some were still there and some weren’t. That’s kind of how it goes with sight-fishing. That’s how I got them all.”
He plans to return Friday to the same area.
“You got to go with what brought you here,” he said. “I’ll start with that first and see what happens. I’ve got some stretches I can throw on, but I am going to start out tomorrow to see if I can look at them again.”
He said he’ll go back after an 8-pounder he was unsuccessful in hooking Thursday under windy conditions. That lunker would be a twin to the big bass he hauled to the scales, an 8-15. It fell for a green-pumpkin Senko, he said, rigged weightless with a round-bend Gamakatsu hook, the same rig that took three other fish.
Wirth, of Crestwood, Ky., who won an Elite event in 2008, said he made an adjustment away from sight-fishing that resulted in six bites for six good fish.
“They came a long way apart. Tomorrow I’ll just have to keep my nose to the grindstone and keep fishing,” he said.
Browning, also not sight-fishing, said he slowed down Thursday.
“I’m taking a flipping stick and doing what you’re supposed to do in Florida, throwing a worm and slowing down,” he said. “It worked out real well for me today.”
He said he concentrated on one lake on the opening day and would return to the same location to try again.
“You catch almost 20 pounds, you have to go back,” said the Hot Springs, Ark., pro, who is recovering from elbow injuries. He said he likely will share the water with other competitors, if Thursday was any indication of the competition for fish.
Browning is trying for his first Elite win. This year for the first time, a win is worth an instant qualification for the 2012 Bassmaster Classic as well as $100,000.
2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Luck “E” Strike, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ramada
About B.A.S.S.
For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications – Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times – comprehensive website Bassmaster.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events presented by Yamaha and Skeeter Boats and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
DAY 1 STANDINGS- SUNSHINE SHOWDOWN
2011 Sunshine Showdown – Tavares, FL 03/10-03/13 Harris Chain Of Lakes, Tavares Fla.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 5 20-07
Day 1: 5 20-07
2. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 19-13
Day 1: 5 19-13
2. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 19-13
Day 1: 5 19-13
4. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 5 17-09
Day 1: 5 17-09
4. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 17-09
Day 1: 5 17-09
6. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, Ga. 5 17-08
Day 1: 5 17-08
7. Clark Reehm Lufkin, Texas 5 17-02
Day 1: 5 17-02
8. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 5 15-01
Day 1: 5 15-01
9. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 14-10
Day 1: 5 14-10
10. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 14-09
Day 1: 5 14-09
11. Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla. 5 14-07
Day 1: 5 14-07
12. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, Idaho 5 14-06
Day 1: 5 14-06
13. Chris Lane Guntersville, Ala. 5 14-05
Day 1: 5 14-05
14. Lee Sisson Winter Haven, Fla. 5 14-04
Day 1: 5 14-04
15. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, Okla. 5 14-03
Day 1: 5 14-03
15. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 14-03
Day 1: 5 14-03
17. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, Ala. 5 14-02
Day 1: 5 14-02
18. Ott Defoe Knoxville, Tenn. 5 14-00
Day 1: 5 14-00
19. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 3 13-15
Day 1: 3 13-15
20. Jonathon Vandam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 13-14
Day 1: 5 13-14
21. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 5 13-13
Day 1: 5 13-13
22. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 5 13-09
Day 1: 5 13-09
23. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, La. 4 13-05
Day 1: 4 13-05
24. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, Texas 5 13-03
Day 1: 5 13-03
25. Travis Manson Green Bay, Wisc. 5 13-00
Day 1: 5 13-00
26. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 12-14
Day 1: 5 12-14
27. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 5 12-08
Day 1: 5 12-08
28. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 5 12-06
Day 1: 5 12-06
28. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 12-06
Day 1: 5 12-06
30. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 12-03
Day 1: 5 12-03
30. Ben Parker Springville, Tenn. 5 12-03
Day 1: 5 12-03
32. Dean Alexander Florence, Texas 5 12-02
Day 1: 5 12-02
33. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 12-00
Day 1: 5 12-00
33. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, N.J. 5 12-00
Day 1: 5 12-00
35. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 5 11-14
Day 1: 5 11-14
36. Zell Rowland Austin, Texas 5 11-10
Day 1: 5 11-10
37. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 11-09
Day 1: 5 11-09
37. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 5 11-09
Day 1: 5 11-09
39. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 11-07
Day 1: 5 11-07
40. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 5 11-06
Day 1: 5 11-06
41. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 5 11-05
Day 1: 5 11-05
42. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, Okla. 5 11-04
Day 1: 5 11-04
43. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 11-03
Day 1: 5 11-03
43. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 5 11-03
Day 1: 5 11-03
45. Marty Robinson Lyman, S.C. 3 11-03
Day 1: 3 11-03
46. Craig Schuff Watauga, Texas 5 11-02
Day 1: 5 11-02
47. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 11-01
Day 1: 5 11-01
48. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 5 11-00
Day 1: 5 11-00
48. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 11-00
Day 1: 5 11-00
50. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 10-15
Day 1: 5 10-15
50. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 10-15
Day 1: 5 10-15
52. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 10-13
Day 1: 5 10-13
52. Matt Herren Trussville, Ala. 5 10-13
Day 1: 5 10-13
54. Nate Wellman Newaygo, Mich. 5 10-12
Day 1: 5 10-12
55. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 5 10-11
Day 1: 5 10-11
56. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 10-10
Day 1: 5 10-10
57. Russell Parrish Riesel, Texas 5 10-09
Day 1: 5 10-09
58. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, S.C. 5 10-08
Day 1: 5 10-08
59. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 5 10-04
Day 1: 5 10-04
60. Matt Greenblatt Palm Beach Gardens, Fl 5 10-03
Day 1: 5 10-03
61. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 10-02
Day 1: 5 10-02
62. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 5 10-01
Day 1: 5 10-01
63. James Stricklin Jasper, Texas 5 9-15
Day 1: 5 9-15
64. Keith Combs Del Rio, Texas 5 9-14
Day 1: 5 9-14
65. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 4 9-14
Day 1: 4 9-14
66. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 5 9-12
Day 1: 5 9-12
67. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 5 9-06
Day 1: 5 9-06
67. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 9-06
Day 1: 5 9-06
69. Kelly Jordon Palestine, Texas 5 9-03
Day 1: 5 9-03
69. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 5 9-03
Day 1: 5 9-03
71. Chad Griffin Cresson, Texas 5 9-02
Day 1: 5 9-02
71. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 9-02
Day 1: 5 9-02
73. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 5 9-01
Day 1: 5 9-01
73. Peter Thliveros St Augustine, Fla. 5 9-01
Day 1: 5 9-01
75. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 9-00
Day 1: 5 9-00
75. Bradley Roy Lancaster, Ky. 5 9-00
Day 1: 5 9-00
77. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 8-06
Day 1: 5 8-06
78. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 8-03
Day 1: 5 8-03
79. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5 7-13
Day 1: 5 7-13
80. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, Ark. 5 7-10
Day 1: 5 7-10
80. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 7-10
Day 1: 5 7-10
82. Bill Lowen Brookville, Ind. 5 7-07
Day 1: 5 7-07
83. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 4 7-06
Day 1: 4 7-06
84. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 7-03
Day 1: 5 7-03
85. Ish Monroe Hughson, Calif. 4 6-06
Day 1: 4 6-06
86. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 4 6-04
Day 1: 4 6-04
87. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 3 6-01
Day 1: 3 6-01
88. Keith Poche Troy, Ala. 4 6-00
Day 1: 4 6-00
89. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 4 5-08
Day 1: 4 5-08
90. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 2 5-03
Day 1: 2 5-03
91. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 2 4-08
Day 1: 2 4-08
92. Ryan Said Wixom, Mich. 4 4-06
Day 1: 4 4-06
93. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, Japan 2 3-10
Day 1: 2 3-10
94. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, La. 3 3-09
Day 1: 3 3-09
95. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 3 3-05
Day 1: 3 3-05
96. Brent Broderick Oregonia, Ohio 3 3-05
Day 1: 3 3-05
97. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 1 1-01
Day 1: 1 1-01
98. David Smith Del City, Okla. 1 0-10
Day 1: 1 0-10
99. Derek Remitz Grant, Ala. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 79 453 1052-09
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79 453 1052-09