FLORIDA ANGLER HUDGINS LEADS BASSMASTER
WILDCARD EVENT
Top 10 to Qualify for 2007 Elite Series; Winner Receives Paid
Entry Fees
LEESBURG, Fla. – Florida’s Bryan Hudgins took a big step
toward achieving his dream of qualifying for the big leagues of
bass fishing by taking the first-round lead in the CITGO
Bassmaster Elite Series Wildcard Thursday on the Harris Chain of
Lakes in Leesburg.
The 27-year-old Orange Park angler brought in a five-bass
limit weighing 17 pounds, 3 ounces to claim early stake to the
top prize. The eventual winner gets paid entry fees ($55,000)
for the 2007 Elite Series season and takes home a Triton
boat/Mercury outboard package valued at $50,000.
The Wildcard tournament is designed to give pros on both the
2006 Elite Series and CITGO Bassmaster Northern and Southern
Tours a second chance to qualify for the lucrative, high-profile
2007 Elite Series.
The top 10 performers in the three-day tournament will earn a
spot in the Elite Series. Second through 10th place finishers
win $10,000 applied toward entry fees, while the 11th- and
12th-place performers earn $5,000 in cash. Second and
third-place finishers also receive a Triton boat package worth
nearly $40,000.
“Making the Elite Series would be a dream come true,” said
Hudgins, who qualified for the event through a 23rd place finish
in the Southern Tour points standings. “This was a good start.”
Hudgins, who also had the day’s Purolator Big Bass (6-12),
said he moved around to several lakes in the chain and landed
keepers throughout the day with a Texas-rigged worm and a
topwater bait.
“I’m pretty confident I’ve got plenty of fish for the next
couple of days,” he said. “They’re not going anywhere. It’s just
a matter of making them bite. These fish are notorious for not
wanting to bite after a front comes through like we had today.”
Texan Ben Matsubu was second with 15-2, followed by Marty
Robinson of South Carolina with 14-3. Ohio’s Marty Amedeo
(10-12) and Larry Gaines of Florida (10-10) rounded out the top
five.
Matsubu, a former CITGO Bassmaster Classic qualifier, found
himself in an unfamiliar position in a Harris Chain tournament.
“I’ve fished three events here and I haven’t done well,” he
said. “But this is a different time of year. It’s fall so I
don’t have to sight-fish like we do in spring tournaments here.”
Matsubu said he was fishing shallow vegetation in Lake Eustis
with a Lucky Craft RC 2.5 crankbait and Texas-rigged Yamamoto
Cut-Tail worm. A key to his pattern was finding clear water with
shallow grass.
“I didn’t have any company where I was fishing,” Matsubu
added. “I don’t think they wanted to deal with the wind on that
bank. The wind was blowing right into my bank and it was brutal
trying to hold your position.”
In the co-angler division, Massachusetts’ Earl Purcell
grabbed the early lead with a 13-9 limit, followed by Sam Moss
of Mississippi with 10 pounds. Co-anglers are competing for the
top prize of a fully rigged Triton boat package valued at nearly
$50,000.
After Friday’s round, the field will be reduced to 12 for the
final round on Saturday.
Meanwhile, North Carolina’s Guy Eaker had his Day 1 catch
disqualified due to violation of Rule 8. The applicable part of
the rule states, “Posted speed limits must be observed and all
boats must be operated in a safe manner.”
For related photos of the event, click here. To register for
a username and password, click here.
Location and Field
CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series Wildcard
Harris Chain of Lakes
Leesburg, Fla.
Nov. 16-18
Field
Cut to top 12 after Day 2
Launch & Weigh-in
Venetian Gardens
201 E. Dixie Ave.
Leesburg, Fla. 34748
6:30 a.m./ 2:30 p.m.
Local Sponsors: Local sponsors include the City of Leesburg
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning
more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation
annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS
sets the standard for credibility, professionalism,
sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level
and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its
clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine
publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's
widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000
members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407)
566-2208 or visit
http://www.bassmaster.com.
2006 Wild-Card Qualifier BO 11/16-11/18
Harris Chain Of Lakes, Leesburg Fla.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 5 17-03 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-03
2. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 5 15-02 295
Day 1: 5 15-02
3. Marty Robinson Landrum, S.C. 5 14-03 290
Day 1: 5 14-03
4. Matt Amedeo Akron, Ohio 5 10-12 285
Day 1: 5 10-12
5. Larry Gaines Valparaiso, Fla. 4 10-10 280
Day 1: 4 10-10
6. Gregory Dipalma Millville, N.J. 5 9-12 274
Day 1: 5 9-12
6. Shawn Johnson Jacksonville, Fla. 5 9-12 274
Day 1: 5 9-12
8. Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 5 9-11 268
Day 1: 5 9-11
9. Travis Rulle Huntsville, Ala. 5 9-09 264
Day 1: 5 9-09
10. Darrell Newman Bruceville, Texas 5 9-08 260
Day 1: 5 9-08
11. Jim Murray Arabi, Ga. 5 9-05 257
Day 1: 5 9-05
12. Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 5 9-02 254
Day 1: 5 9-02
13. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 5 9-01 251
Day 1: 5 9-01
14. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 5 8-06 248
Day 1: 5 8-06
15. Deryl Janzen Hemphill, Texas 5 8-03 245
Day 1: 5 8-03
16. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 3 8-01 243
Day 1: 3 8-01
17. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 5 8-00 241
Day 1: 5 8-00
18. Kurt Dove Fairfax, Va. 4 7-15 239
Day 1: 4 7-15
19. Anre' De Villiers Goodwood, South Africa 5 7-12 236
Day 1: 5 7-12
19. Brian Wilhoit Oxon Hill, Md. 4 7-12 236
Day 1: 4 7-12
21. Steve Sennikoff Forney, Texas 5 7-11 233
Day 1: 5 7-11
22. Monty Fralick Martin, S.D. 3 7-06 231
Day 1: 3 7-06
23. Aaron Lee Jakub Lincoln, Neb. 2 7-04 229
Day 1: 2 7-04
24. Brian Penso Houston, Texas 4 7-00 227
Day 1: 4 7-00
25. Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 3 6-14 225
Day 1: 3 6-14
26. Rodney Hardwick Connersville, Ind. 2 6-12 223
Day 1: 2 6-12
27. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, Miss. 5 6-09 221
Day 1: 5 6-09
28. Randy Alexander London, Ky. 4 6-03 219
Day 1: 4 6-03
29. Jason Welch Royse City, Texas 5 6-02 217
Day 1: 5 6-02
30. Tim Dungan Cinncinati, Ohio 5 5-15 214
Day 1: 5 5-15
30. Chris Daniels Panama City, Fla. 3 5-15 214
Day 1: 3 5-15
32. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 2 5-14 211
Day 1: 2 5-14
33. Sammy Burks Joplin, Mo. 3 5-12 209
Day 1: 3 5-12
34. Dave Parsons Yantis, Texas 3 5-09 207
Day 1: 3 5-09
35. Lawren Wetzel Sharon, Canada 4 5-05 205
Day 1: 4 5-05
36. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 2 5-04 203
Day 1: 2 5-04
37. Craig Dowling Many, La. 3 5-03 201
Day 1: 3 5-03
38. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 3 5-00 199
Day 1: 3 5-00
39. Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 2 4-14 197
Day 1: 2 4-14
40. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 3 4-12 195
Day 1: 3 4-12
41. Clark Reehm Leesville, La. 4 4-09 193
Day 1: 4 4-09
42. David Hovanec Unionville, N.Y. 3 3-11 190
Day 1: 3 3-11
42. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, Texas 3 3-11 190
Day 1: 3 3-11
44. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 3 3-10 187
Day 1: 3 3-10
45. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 3 3-04 185
Day 1: 3 3-04
46. David Barnes Weeks Mills, Maine 2 3-03 183
Day 1: 2 3-03
47. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 2 3-02 181
Day 1: 2 3-02
48. Rogne Brown Kimball, Tenn. 2 2-08 179
Day 1: 2 2-08
49. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, Ga. 1 2-04 177
Day 1: 1 2-04
50. Vince Hurtado Waterford, Calif. 2 2-01 175
Day 1: 2 2-01
51. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 2 1-14 173
Day 1: 2 1-14
52. Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 1 1-06 170
Day 1: 1 1-06
52. Patrick Pierce Jacksonville, Fla. 1 1-06 170
Day 1: 1 1-06
54. David Gliebe Benton, Ky. 1 0-15 166
Day 1: 1 0-15
54. Paul Mazzitelli Pittston, Pa. 1 0-15 166
Day 1: 1 0-15
56. John Cox Debary, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
56. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 6-12 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 20 192 359-06
----------------------------------
20 192 359-06
2006 Wild-Card Qualifier NB 11/16-11/18
Harris Chain Of Lakes, Leesburg Fla.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Earl Purcell Granville, Mass. 5 13-09 305
Day 1: 5 13-09
2. Sam Moss Ackerman, Miss. 4 10-00 295 $400.00
Day 1: 4 10-00
3. Joe Lee Desoto, Texas 3 9-03 290
Day 1: 3 9-03
4. Dave Morningstar Ft Myers, Fla. 4 7-07 285
Day 1: 4 7-07
5. George Fister Lake Charles, La. 4 7-00 280
Day 1: 4 7-00
6. Larry C Butler New Haven, Vt. 3 6-02 276
Day 1: 3 6-02
7. Phillip Lee Deltona, Fla. 4 5-15 272
Day 1: 4 5-15
8. Richard Favire Winfield Park, N.J. 3 5-08 268
Day 1: 3 5-08
9. E.P. Fletcher Little Rock, Ark. 3 5-00 264
Day 1: 3 5-00
10. Andy Starner Dover, Pa. 3 4-15 260
Day 1: 3 4-15
11. Kevin Pulsifer Cocoa, Fla. 2 4-13 257
Day 1: 2 4-13
12. Johnny Denny Lancaster, Ky. 3 4-11 254
Day 1: 3 4-11
13. Jim McDevitt Eldon, Mo. 3 3-15 251
Day 1: 3 3-15
14. Milton Shuffield Beverly Hills, Fla. 2 3-14 248
Day 1: 2 3-14
15. Billy Schwach Charleston, S.C. 2 3-06 245
Day 1: 2 3-06
16. John Moon Brookeland, Texas 2 3-03 243
Day 1: 2 3-03
17. Olexiy Luchnikov Brooklyn, N.Y. 2 3-02 241
Day 1: 2 3-02
18. Keith Carson Debary, Fla. 2 2-13 239
Day 1: 2 2-13
19. Bill Rea Greenfield, Ohio 2 2-11 237
Day 1: 2 2-11
20. Larry Bryant Goodlettsville, Tenn. 1 2-09 235
Day 1: 1 2-09
21. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 2 2-08 233
Day 1: 2 2-08
22. Justin Walker Markham, Canada 2 2-06 230
Day 1: 2 2-06
22. Wayne Prater Jacksboro, Tenn. 1 2-06 230
Day 1: 1 2-06
24. Valeri Timofeev East Stroudsburg, Pa. 1 2-05 227
Day 1: 1 2-05
25. Keith Morris Nacogdoches, Texas 2 2-04 224
Day 1: 2 2-04
25. Bill Williams Corbin, Ky. 2 2-04 224
Day 1: 2 2-04
27. Wayne Hauser Winston-Salem, N.C. 2 2-03 220
Day 1: 2 2-03
27. Charles Robison Allison Park, Pa. 2 2-03 220
Day 1: 2 2-03
29. Stephen Barrett Kirkfield, Canada 2 2-02 216
Day 1: 2 2-02
29. Kenneth Harris Calhoun, La. 1 2-02 216
Day 1: 1 2-02
31. Tony Johnson Westerville, Ohio 1 2-01 213
Day 1: 1 2-01
32. Marvin Wells Claremore, Okla. 2 1-14 210
Day 1: 2 1-14
32. Bradley Dortch Bay Minette, Ala. 1 1-14 210
Day 1: 1 1-14
34. Jim Staszewski West Gardiner, Maine 2 1-13 206
Day 1: 2 1-13
34. Lee Winkler Cincinnati, Ohio 2 1-13 206
Day 1: 2 1-13
36. Bob Howard Colorado Springs, Colo 1 1-12 203
Day 1: 1 1-12
37. Glenn Kimbrell Townville, S.C. 2 1-11 200
Day 1: 2 1-11
37. Del Smith Castalia, Ohio 1 1-11 200
Day 1: 1 1-11
39. Richard Strubell Huddleston, Va. 2 1-09 197
Day 1: 2 1-09
40. Mike Prance Palatka, Fla. 1 1-08 194
Day 1: 1 1-08
40. Peter Typer Pt Colborne, Canada 1 1-08 194
Day 1: 1 1-08
42. Jack Palmer Hopkinsville, Ky. 1 1-03 191
Day 1: 1 1-03
43. Mark Richard Bridge City, La. 1 1-01 189
Day 1: 1 1-01
44. Joshua Fiedler Clear Spring, Md. 1 0-15 187
Day 1: 1 0-15
45. Tony Dadante Derby, N.Y. 1 0-14 185
Day 1: 1 0-14
46. Dennis Arendt Jackson, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
46. Robert Dice Perry, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
46. Alonzo Evans East Hartford, Conn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
46. Travis Green Grand Blanc, Mich. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
46. Jim Kline Hagerstown, Md. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
46. Roger Morrow Griffin, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
46. Bill Poirier Riverview, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
46. Wayne Pomeroy Wellington, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
46. Michael Sills Oakland, Maine 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
46. Kenneth Strimple Fairport, N.Y. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Sam Moss Ackerman, Miss. 5-08 $400.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 1 94 155-10
----------------------------------
1 94 155-10
