CALIFORNIA’S GREG GUTIERREZ HOLDS SLIM LEAD AT BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES “GOLDEN STATE SHOOOTOUT”
Steve Kennedy Finishes Second with Massive 40-pound, 7-ounce Limit
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Heading into Saturday’s action, Greg Gutierrez of Red Bluff, Calif., held a commanding 10-pound plus lead but the 45-year-old relinquished more than eight pounds of that lead to hard-charging Bassmaster Elite Series angler Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala. Gutierrez leads the 2006 Toyota Rookie of the Year Kennedy by more than one pound heading into the final day of action at the Golden State Shootout presented by Evan Williams Bourbon.
With a three-day total of 91 pounds, 14 ounces, Gutierrez, who serves as a firefighter when he is not traveling to Elite Series events, is within striking distance of the BASS record for four-day heaviest catch. The record is currently held by Florida’s Preston Clark with 115 pounds, 15 ounces and was set on South Carolina’s Santee Cooper Reservoir in April 2006.
Fishing fans can witness all of the big-bass action from California’s Clear Lake on ESPN2 Saturday April 7 at 9 a.m. ET.
“I think my area is starting to run out,” Gutierrez said, whose last BASS win came in California on Lake Shasta in 2004. “I have to change things up to win this tournament and the key to winning against this competition is to make adjustments.”
The two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, who is throwing a swimbait and working a jig slowly, brought in consecutive 30-pound plus limits during the first two days of competition. Despite posting another quality limit of more than 25 pounds Saturday, he ceded ground to both Kennedy and California’s Skeet Reese.
It was a quick start for Kennedy that propelled him into contention. The 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year runner-up is working three different swimbaits and had more than 33 pounds of bass in his livewell by 7:30 a.m.
“This lake is awesome,” the 37-year-old said. “I kept running new water today [Saturday] and it seemed everywhere I stopped, I got them to bite. I have some areas that I am really confident in for tomorrow [Sunday] but I will still continue to look for new water.”
Just ounces behind Kennedy was Reese of Auburn, Calif., with 89 pounds, 12 ounces. The two-time BASS winner put himself in contention to win another BASS event with a 35-pound, 7-ounce limit Saturday. It has been a remarkable run for Reese of late as he has posted five top-10 finishes in his last six BASS events, including a second-place showing at the 2007 Bassmaster Classic.
“This is the biggest limit of my career,” the 37-year-old said. “I ran to my good areas today and I was hitting spots and just making a few casts before moving on. If I didn’t get a bite, I was gone to another spot. It worked great.”
Rounding out the top five were Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande, Calif., in fourth with 79 pounds, 13 ounces; and Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., in fifth with 79 pounds, 10 ounces.
The top 12 anglers moved on to fish Sunday and included 2006 Bassmaster Major winners: Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., in 11th with 74 pounds, 12 ounces; and Peter Thliveros of Jacksonville , Fla., in 12th with 74 pounds, 11 ounces.
In the co-angler division which ended Saturday, Jim White of Westlake Village, Calif., totaled 72 pounds, 9 ounces, over three days to take home the top prize of a Triton/Mercury boat rig valued at $50,000.
Finishing behind White were Ron Tyson of Marrietta, Ga., with 66 pounds, 2 ounces, and Bob Myskey of Nice, Calif., with 63 pounds, 5 ounces.
The tournament launch of the final day of the “Golden State Shootout presented by Evan Williams Bourbon” will begin Sunday from Lakeport’s Library Park at 6:50 a.m. PT. Viewers can see all the live action of the launch at www.espnoutdoors.com.
The weigh-in festivities will kick off with “Hooked Up” hosted by ESPN Outdoors personalities Tommy Sanders and Jerry McKinnis starting at 3 p.m. PT on www.espnoutdoors.com. After “Hooked Up”, live weigh-in action can also be seen on the site.
For related photos of the event, click here.
Day 3 Purolator Big Bass
Pro: Timmy Horton; Muscle Shoals, Ala.; 12-1
Co-angler: Wally Smith; Novato, Calif.; 9-1
Location and Field
Golden State Shootout –
Bassmaster Elite Series
Clear Lake
Lakeport, Calif.
March 29 – April 1
Field
108 pros, 108 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3
Launch
Library Park
222 Park Street
Lakeport, CA 95453
6:50 a.m. PT
Weigh-in
Library Park
222 Park Street
Lakeport, CA 95453
3:45 p.m. PT
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com.
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.
stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the 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 www.bassmaster.com.
2007 Golden State Shootout Pro 03/29-04/01 Clear Lake, Lakeport Calif.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 15 91-14 315 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 32-13 Day 2: 5 33-13 Day 3: 5 25-04
2. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 90-04 295 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 29-13 Day 3: 5 40-07
3. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 15 89-12 290
Day 1: 5 26-12 Day 2: 5 27-09 Day 3: 5 35-07
4. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 15 79-13 285
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 29-07 Day 3: 5 28-10
5. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 15 79-10 280
Day 1: 5 23-01 Day 2: 5 23-12 Day 3: 5 32-13
6. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 15 78-12 276
Day 1: 5 27-13 Day 2: 5 22-07 Day 3: 5 28-08
7. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 15 76-14 272
Day 1: 5 23-03 Day 2: 5 32-08 Day 3: 5 21-03
8. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 15 76-04 268
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 28-09 Day 3: 5 28-01
9. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 15 75-15 264
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 29-02 Day 3: 5 27-13
10. Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 15 75-01 260
Day 1: 5 25-08 Day 2: 5 20-11 Day 3: 5 28-14
11. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 15 74-12 257
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 5 28-07 Day 3: 5 26-06
12. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville , Fla. 15 74-11 254
Day 1: 5 28-11 Day 2: 5 25-07 Day 3: 5 20-09
13. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 15 74-05 248 $10,700.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 26-15 Day 3: 5 30-01
13. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 15 74-05 248 $10,700.00
Day 1: 5 28-10 Day 2: 5 21-03 Day 3: 5 24-08
13. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 15 74-05 248 $11,700.00
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 28-09 Day 3: 5 26-00
16. William Smith Somerset, Ky. 15 73-00 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 22-08 Day 2: 5 23-15 Day 3: 5 26-09
17. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 15 72-15 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 27-00 Day 2: 5 25-06 Day 3: 5 20-09
18. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 15 72-11 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 28-01 Day 3: 5 24-03
19. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 72-00 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 27-08 Day 2: 5 24-14 Day 3: 5 19-10
20. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 15 71-10 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 25-00 Day 2: 5 25-14 Day 3: 5 20-12
21. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 15 71-01 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 24-11 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 27-00
22. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15 69-15 230 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 27-02 Day 2: 5 20-14 Day 3: 5 21-15
22. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 15 69-15 230 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 5 26-05 Day 3: 5 21-06
24. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 15 69-01 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 32-09 Day 2: 5 20-07 Day 3: 5 16-01
25. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 15 68-14 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 25-15 Day 2: 5 23-05 Day 3: 5 19-10
26. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 15 68-09 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-07 Day 2: 5 27-04 Day 3: 5 16-14
27. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 15 67-08 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 22-15 Day 3: 5 23-06
28. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 14 66-03 219 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 28-09 Day 2: 4 19-05 Day 3: 5 18-05
29. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 15 65-13 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-06 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 20-00
30. Kurt Dove Fairfax, Va. 15 65-09 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 27-08 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 20-11
31. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 15 65-07 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-15 Day 2: 5 22-06 Day 3: 5 21-02
32. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 65-06 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-13 Day 2: 5 20-14 Day 3: 5 23-11
33. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 15 65-04 209 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 29-06 Day 3: 5 16-04
34. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 15 65-01 207 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 25-15 Day 2: 5 21-13 Day 3: 5 17-05
35. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 15 64-05 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-00 Day 2: 5 20-04 Day 3: 5 18-01
36. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 15 64-02 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-12 Day 2: 5 21-02 Day 3: 5 20-04
37. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 15 63-04 201 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-12 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 18-15
38. Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 15 63-03 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 24-11 Day 3: 5 18-08
39. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 15 62-14 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-06 Day 2: 5 24-12 Day 3: 5 13-12
40. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 15 62-13 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-11 Day 2: 5 22-15 Day 3: 5 16-03
41. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 15 61-12 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-06 Day 2: 5 21-03 Day 3: 5 17-03
42. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 15 61-08 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-05 Day 2: 5 24-15 Day 3: 5 14-04
43. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 15 61-04 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 26-09 Day 3: 5 19-09
44. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 15 61-01 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 24-14 Day 3: 5 17-11
45. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 15 60-00 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 17-07
46. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 15 59-11 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 22-10 Day 3: 5 15-15
47. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 15 59-07 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 29-03 Day 3: 5 13-03
48. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 15 58-11 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-13 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 5 13-00
49. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 15 58-00 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 23-10 Day 3: 5 13-05
50. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 15 55-11 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 5 19-14 Day 3: 5 13-15
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Big Bass
Day
1 Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 10-00 $500.00
1 Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 6-10 $500.00
2 Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 12-11 $1,000.00
3 Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 12-01 $1,000.00
Big Bag
Day
1 Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 32-13 $1,000.00
2 Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 33-13 $1,000.00
3 Stephen Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 40-07 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 108 540 2206-07
2 106 534 2249-12
3 50 250 1081-00
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264 1324 5537-03
2007 Golden State Shootout CO 03/29-04/01 Clear Lake, Lakeport Calif.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jim White WestLake Village, Calif. 15 72-09 0 $50,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-01 Day 2: 5 33-08 Day 3: 5 16-00
2. Ron Tyson Marrietta, Ga. 15 66-02 0 $25,500.00
Day 1: 5 24-01 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 22-10
3. Bob Myskey Nice, Calif. 15 63-05 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 24-06 Day 3: 5 17-07
4. Wally Smith Novato, Calif. 15 61-09 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 23-13
5. Pat Wilson Penngrove, Calif. 15 57-00 0 $2,750.00
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 19-03
6. Corey Schmidt San Luis Obispo, Calif 15 56-09 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 21-09 Day 3: 5 15-13
7. Michael Schmeltzer Akron, Ohio 15 55-10 0 $2,250.00
Day 1: 5 19-14 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 22-08
8. Benno Heune Nice, Calif. 15 55-05 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-14 Day 2: 5 21-03 Day 3: 5 14-04
9. Scott Greene Windsor, Calif. 15 53-12 0 $1,750.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 22-11 Day 3: 5 17-13
10. Ronald Rushing Sacramento, Calif. 15 53-10 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 21-00 Day 3: 5 13-01
11. Phil Mitsueda Shasta Lake, Calif. 15 51-14 0 $1,250.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 16-10
12. Mike Frazier Clermont, Fla. 15 51-06 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 21-07 Day 3: 5 14-07
13. Phil Valbert Klamath Falls, Ore. 15 50-10 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 17-14 Day 3: 5 18-05
14. Ken Phillips Antioch, Calif. 13 50-07 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 3 8-06 Day 3: 5 19-03
15. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 15 49-15 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 18-10
16. Victor Cunningham Phoenix, Ariz. 15 49-10 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 19-03 Day 3: 5 12-08
17. Carol Martens West Hills, Calif. 14 49-07 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 15-14 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 17-15
18. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 15 49-06 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 19-10
19. Tom Hill Grants Pass, Ore. 15 48-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 17-03
20. Tom Schutz Foster City, Calif. 15 48-06 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 5 13-08
21. Johnny Graham Tulsa, Okla. 13 48-04 0 $1,250.00
Day 1: 4 11-02 Day 2: 5 24-05 Day 3: 4 12-13
22. Jared Stone Lakeport, Calif. 15 48-03 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 16-08
23. Ken Eddy Coarsegold, Calif. 15 48-01 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 14-15
24. Rod Lee San Ramon, Calif. 15 47-10 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 5 16-12
25. James Taylor Madera, Calif. 15 47-07 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 11-07 Day 3: 5 18-02
26. Russell Stansbury Santa Rosa, Calif. 15 47-03 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 21-04 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 13-07
27. Bart Corrie Brentwood, Calif. 15 47-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 19-14 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 13-15
28. Bill Adams Exeter, Calif. 15 47-00 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 21-05 Day 3: 5 13-04
29. Brandon Pedigo Lawton, Okla. 15 46-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 16-14 Day 3: 5 14-12
30. Bruce Harris Oakdale, Calif. 15 45-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 5 10-08
31. Michael Bass Austin, Texas 15 45-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 14-04
32. Jim McDevitt Eldon, Mo. 14 45-04 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 20-11 Day 3: 4 11-15
33. William Becker Lucerne, Calif. 15 44-13 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 19-11 Day 3: 5 14-11
34. Brian Danzl Rancho Cordova, Calif. 15 44-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 12-00
35. Joel Etheredge Springville, Ala. 15 44-06 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 13-02
35. Bill Eastes Pomona, Calif. 12 44-06 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 12-11 Day 2: 5 21-01 Day 3: 4 10-10
37. Keith Reed Napa, Calif. 15 44-05 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 13-03
38. Alexander Meza Merced, Calif. 15 44-03 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 13-09
38. Cole Winn Saluda, S.C. 15 44-03 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 13-03
40. Rick Anderson Azusa, Calif. 15 44-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 5 13-04
41. Ron Powell Santa Paula, Calif. 15 43-15 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 14-10
42. Gary Morris Tracy, Calif. 15 43-14 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 12-13
43. Jack Farage Discovery Bay, Calif. 15 42-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 12-13
43. Gary Haraguchi Brentwood, Calif. 15 42-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 13-07
45. Andy Loberg Rocklin, Calif. 15 41-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 12-05
46. Craig Gottwals Auburn, Calif. 13 39-07 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 4 12-00 Day 3: 4 9-03
47. Meade Hedricks Lompoc, Calif. 12 38-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 19-15 Day 3: 2 4-09
48. Eulon Lee Montgomery, Ala. 12 37-14 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 2 5-09
49. John Dare Castro Valley, Calif. 13 34-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 3 5-05
50. Doug Hodel Carmichael, Calif. 11 33-14 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 1 3-01
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Big Bass
Day
1 Ron Tyson Marrietta, Ga. 9-00 $500.00
2 Johnny Graham Tulsa, Okla. 11-03 $500.00
3 Wally Smith Novato, Calif. 9-01 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 3 487 1475-14
2 3 506 1545-09
3 1 234 718-15
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7 1227 3740-06