Benton Leads FLW Tour at Beaver Lake
Category: article
Apr 11th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Apr 11th, 2013 at 12:00 AM
Beaver Lake out of Rogers, Arkansas is a known commodity to most who fish or follow the FLW Tour. This lake has been a regular stop on the FLW Tour for years. It’s also known as one of the more stingy events where 10-pound bags are the norm. Even with the emergence of the infamous Alabama or Umbrella Rig helping anglers catch larger limits, Beaver Lake is still often uncooperative. Not this year, at least on Day 1 of the FLW Tour event. Not even with the winter-like temperatures in the thirties greeting the anglers this morning.
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| Drew Benton (Photo FLW/ Kyle Wood) |
Drew Benton from Panama City, Florida weighed a 5-fish limit for 18 pounds 1 ounce to take the early lead. Benton is less than a pound ahead of Knoxville, Tennessee pro Brandon Coulter whose limit weighed 17 pounds 3 ounces.
Along with the requisite fish being caught using the Alabama Rig, anglers also mentioned jerkbaits, crankbaits and shaky heads taking their fair share as well.
Benton Surprised.
“I had a really tough practice,” said Benton. “I was really surprised about what was in my weigh-in bag today. I’m probably as surprised as the bass that are in there. I wasn’t expecting a lot going into today.”
Coulter Positive.
“Beaver Lake has never been very good to me,” said Coulter. “My wife told me before the tournament to be positive and just ignore all the negatives. I went out and had a really good day. It paid off focusing on only the positives.”
Joplin, Missouri pro Randy Blaukat is in 3rd with 17 pounds.
“I did pretty good. Not a bad day,” said Blaukat. “I really liked it.”
Barry Wilson from Birmingham, Alabama is in 4th with 16 pounds 11 ounces.
“I really struggled early,” said Wilson. “I had two patterns working going into today. Well, neither one of them worked. So I went to option three. It worked.”
Tied with Wilson in the four spot is Valparaiso, Indiana pro Ryan Chandler.
“I had some good bites,” said Chandler. “I really had a pretty good day today.”
Clewiston, Florida pro, and bass fishing legend, Roland Martin is inside the Top 10 after Day 1. Martin is in 8th with 15 pounds 6 ounces.
“I got ’em today,” said Martin. “I lost a couple of big ones early. I went back to fish one of them and caught it.”
Day 1 Standings
1. Drew Benton — Panama City, Fl — 18-01 (5)
2. Brandon Coulter — Knoxville, Tn — 17-03 (5)
3. Randy Blaukat — Joplin, Mo — 17-00 (5)
4. Ryan Chandler — Valparaiso, In — 16-11 (5)
4. Barry Wilson — Birmingham, Al — 16-11 (5)
6. Jim Tutt — Longview, Tx — 16-06 (5)
7. Christopher Brasher — Hallsville, Tx — 15-14 (5)
8. Roland Martin — Naples, Fl — 15-06 (5)
9. Scott Canterbury — Springville, Al — 15-05 (5)
9. Anthony Gagliardi — Prosperity, SC — 15-05 (5)
9. Austin Terry — San Angelo, Tx — 15-05 (5)
12. Spencer Shuffield — Bismarck, Ar — 14-14 (5)
13. Andrew Upshaw — Hemphill, Tx — 14-11 (5)
14. Ishama Monroe — Hughson, Ca — 14-08 (5)
15. Shawn Murphy — Nicholasville, Ky — 14-06 (5)
16. Mark Rose — West Memphis, Ar — 14-05 (5)
17. Brent Ehrler — Redlands, Ca — 14-04 (5)
17. Larry Nixon — Bee Branch, Ar — 14-04 (5)
19. Scott Martin — Clewiston, Fl — 14-03 (5)
19. Ray Scheide — Dover, Ar — 14-03 (5)
21. Koby Kreiger — Okeechobee, Fl — 13-15 (5)
22. Matt Arey — Shelby, NC — 13-13 (5)
23. Ken Golub — Pittsford, NY — 13-06 (5)
24. Brent Long — Cornelius, NC — 13-04 (5)
24. Ray Meredith — Smiths Grove, Ky — 13-04 (5)
26. Derek Yasinski — Senoia, Ga — 13-02 (5)
27. Chad Morgenthaler — Coulterville, Il — 13-01 (5)
28. Jim Dillard — West Monroe, La — 13-00 (5)
29. Rob Kilby — Hot Springs, Ar — 12-14 (5)
29. Tom Monsoor — La Crosse, Wi — 12-14 (5)
29. Matthew Stefan — Park Ridge, Il — 12-14 (5)
32. Robert Morin — Seymour, Tn — 12-10 (5)
33. Gary Yamamoto — Palestine, Tx — 12-08 (5)
34. Ramie Colson Jr — Cadiz, Ky — 12-07 (5)
34. Troy Morrow — Eastanollee, Ga — 12-07 (5)
36. David Dudley — Lynchburg, Va — 12-06 (5)
36. Jimmy Houston — Cookson, Ok — 12-06 (5)
36. Shane Long — Willard, Mo — 12-06 (5)
36. Michael Neal — Dayton, Tn — 12-06 (5)
36. Clark Wendlandt — Leander, Tx — 12-06 (5)
41. John Voyles — Petersburg, In — 12-04 (5)
42. Jacob Wheeler — Indianapolis, In — 12-03 (5)
43. Charlie Ingram — Santa Fe, Tn — 12-02 (5)
43. Stacey King — Reeds Spring, Mo — 12-02 (5)
45. James Watson — Waynesville, Mo — 12-00 (5)
46. Adrian Avena — Vineland, NJ — 11-14 (5)
47. Terry Bolton — Paducah, Ky — 11-11 (5)
48. Cody Meyer — Auburn, Ca — 11-10 (5)
48. Scott Suggs — Bryant, Ar — 11-10 (5)
50. Jacob Powroznik — Prince George, Va — 11-09 (5)
51. Jeff Gustafson — Keewatin, On — 11-07 (5)
51. Rex Huff — Corbin, Ky — 11-07 (5)
53. Ron Shuffield — Bismarck, Ar — 11-05 (5)
54. Travis Fox — Rogers, Ar — 11-04 (5)
54. Jay Yelas — Corvallis, Or — 11-04 (5)
56. Tommy Biffle — Wagoner, Ok — 11-02 (5)
56. Rich Dalbey — Greenville, Tx — 11-02 (5)
56. Kevin Stewart — Elk Grove, Ca — 11-02 (5)
59. Randy Haynes — Counce, Tn — 11-01 (5)
60. Stetson Blaylock — Benton, Ar — 11-00 (5)
60. Bryan Thrift — Shelby, NC — 11-00 (5)
62. Jason Meninger — Gainesville, Ga — 10-15 (5)
63. Chad Grigsby — Maple Grove, Mn — 10-13 (5)
63. Randall Tharp — Gardendale, Al — 10-13 (5)
65. Fred Roumbanis — Bixby, Ok — 10-12 (5)
66. Darrel Robertson — Jay, Ok — 10-07 (4)
67. Jason Christie — Park Hill, Ok — 10-05 (5)
67. Robbie Dodson — Harrison, Ar — 10-05 (5)
67. Tommy Robinson — Westland, Mi — 10-05 (4)
70. Dan Morehead — Paducah, Ky — 10-04 (5)
70. Jason Reyes — Huffman, Tx — 10-04 (5)
72. Brett Hite — Phoenix, Az — 10-03 (5)
72. Dave Lefebre — Erie, Pa — 10-03 (5)
74. Luke Clausen — Spokane, Wa — 10-01 (5)
75. Douglas Jones — Fort Gibson, Ok — 9-15 (5)
76. Jim Moynagh — Carver, Mn — 9-14 (5)
77. Steve Kennedy — Auburn, Al — 9-13 (5)
78. Wil Hardy — Harlem, Ga — 9-12 (5)
78. Jt Kenney — Palm Bay, Fl — 9-12 (5)
78. Casey Martin — New Market, Al — 9-12 (5)
81. Glenn Chappelear — Acworth, Ga — 9-10 (5)
81. Tim Malone — Gatlinburg, Tn — 9-10 (5)
81. Andy Morgan — Dayton, Tn — 9-10 (5)
84. Bill Day — Frankfort, Ky — 9-09 (4)
85. Rick Cotten — Guntersville, Al — 9-08 (5)
85. Jonathan Newton — Rogersville, Al — 9-08 (5)
87. George Kapiton — Inverness, Fl — 9-07 (5)
88. Pete Thliveros — Saint Augustine, Fl — 9-06 (5)
89. Philip Jarabeck — Lynchburg, Va — 9-05 (5)
89. Vic Vatalaro — Kent, Oh — 9-05 (5)
91. Brad Knight — Wartburg, Tn — 9-03 (3)
91. Terry Segraves — Kissimmee, Fl — 9-03 (4)
93. Wesley Strader — Spring City, Tn — 9-01 (5)
94. Greg Bohannan — Rogers, Ar — 9-00 (5)
94. Glenn Browne — Ocala, Fl — 9-00 (5)
94. Blake Nick — Adger, Al — 9-00 (5)
97. Matt Pennington — Springdale, Ar — 8-15 (3)
98. Kenneth (Boo) Woods — Hazard, Ky — 8-12 (5)
99. Rodney Thomason — Maumelle, Ar — 8-10 (3)
100. Justin Lucas — Guntersville, Al — 8-09 (5)
101. Alex Davis — Albertville, Al — 8-07 (5)
101. Todd Schmitz — Goshen, In — 8-07 (5)
103. Clent Davis — Montevallo, Al — 8-05 (4)
104. David Fritts — Lexington, NC — 8-01 (4)
105. Shinichi Fukae — Palestine, Tx — 8-00 (5)
106. James Biggs — Richland Hills, Tx — 7-15 (5)
107. Brad Rightnour — Mingoville, Pa — 7-14 (5)
108. Chris Neau — New Orleans, La — 7-13 (5)
108. Colby Schrumpf — Highland, Il — 7-13 (5)
110. Bob Eagleston — Newberry, Fl — 7-12 (3)
110. Mike Surman — Boca Raton, Fl — 7-12 (4)
110. Michael Williamson — Fort Smith, Ar — 7-12 (4)
113. Dion Hibdon — Sunrise Beach, Mo — 7-11 (5)
114. Rodney Jones — Athens, Ga — 7-07 (4)
115. Zach Caudle — Shreveport, La — 7-06 (5)
115. Kelley Jaye — Dadeville, Al — 7-06 (5)
115. Travis Loyd — Kinmundy, Il — 7-06 (5)
118. Robert Behrle — Hoover, Al — 7-05 (3)
119. Todd Auten — Lake Wylie, SC — 7-03 (4)
119. Richard Lowitzki — St Charles, Il — 7-03 (4)
121. Charlie Weyer — West Hills, Ca — 7-01 (5)
122. Payden Hibdon — Sunrise Beach, Mo — 7-00 (4)
123. Kyle White — Tightwad, Mo — 6-15 (5)
124. Todd Hollowell — Fishers, In — 6-14 (4)
124. Rusty Trancygier — Hahira, Ga — 6-14 (4)
126. Chris Baumgardner — Gastonia, NC — 6-12 (4)
126. Wade Hendricks — Thompsons Station, Tn — 6-12 (5)
128. Tommy Martin — Hemphill, Tx — 6-09 (5)
129. Scott Wiley — Bay Minette, Al — 6-08 (5)
130. Zell Rowland — Montgomery, Tx — 6-05 (3)
131. Tom Redington — Royse City, Tx — 6-03 (3)
132. Gerald Brown — Chickasha, Ok — 6-02 (3)
133. Cody Bird — Granbury, Tx — 5-15 (3)
134. Joe Don Setina — Pittsburg, Tx — 5-09 (5)
135. Jack Wade — Knoxville, Tn — 5-08 (3)
136. Chad Prough — Chipley, Fl — 5-06 (4)
137. Tim Gaskill — Edwardsville, Il — 5-04 (4)
138. Jerry Gore — St Cloud, Fl — 5-02 (3)
139. Bill McDonald — Greenwood, In — 4-09 (4)
139. Jeremy J.P. Prouty — Vero Beach, Fl — 4-09 (4)
141. Sammy Burks — Joplin, Mo — 4-03 (2)
141. Wade Leblanc — Gonzales, La — 4-03 (3)
143. Alton Wilhoit — Harrah, Ok — 4-01 (2)
144. Charlie Evans — Gilbertsville, Ky — 3-15 (2)
145. Stephen McKinnie — Umatila, Fl — 3-11 (2)
146. Dale Hightower — Mannford, Ok — 3-10 (2)
146. Harry Moore — Valley, Al — 3-10 (3)
148. John Devere — Berea, Ky — 3-06 (2)
149. Brandon McMillan — Clewiston, Fl — 3-05 (2)
150. Frank Clark — Benton, Il — 3-00 (1)
150. Russell Parrish — Riesel, Tx — 3-00 (2)
152. Robert Collins — Morrow, Oh — 2-08 (2)
153. Lamonte Loyd — Gilmer, Tx — 1-11 (1)
154. Shad Schenck — Waynetown, In — 1-10 (1)
155. Shirley Crain — Fort Smith, Ar — 1-09 (1)
Chad Billiot — Raceland, La — 0-00 (0)
Darrell Davis — Dover, Fl — 0-00 (0)
Tony Dumitras — Wnston, Ga — 0-00 (0)
Wayne Hauser — Mooresville, NC — 0-00 (0)
Guido Hibdon — Sunrise Beach, Mo — 0-00 (0)