Christie Leads Walmart FLW Tour on Lake Hartwell Presented by Chevy
Category: press release
Mar 24th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Mar 24th, 2011 at 12:00 AM
GREENVILLE, S.C. (March 24, 2011) – Diet Mountain Dew pro Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., crossed the stage Thursday with a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 4 ounces to lead day one of the Walmart FLW Tour on Lake Hartwell presented by Chevy. Christie holds a 5-ounce lead over Mike Reynolds of Modesto, Calif., who caught five bass weighing 21-15 in a tournament featuring 155 anglers from all across the country and Canada.
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| Jason Christie (Photo FLW/Brett Carlson) |
“I started on a little stretch that I was hoping to get two or three fish off of,” said Christie, who has won more than $359,000 in FLW Outdoors competition. “I made one pass and had 18 or 19 pounds. I didn’t know how the day was going to shake out, so I decided to leave and go fish other stuff. I’d fish new water and go to other stuff where I thought I could catch one. I didn’t catch a lot of fish today, but I caught good fish.”
Christie said he caught “about a dozen” keepers during the course of the day.
“It’s hard to tell when you’ve got all good (fish),” Christie said.
Christie said the warm weather trend has the fish moving up into shallow water and nearly every pocket holds pairs of fish preparing for the spawn. He said he was catching “spawners” but wasn’t visually targeting them. Instead, he’s fishing slightly dirty water and using BOOYAH brand baits to provoke a reaction strike.
“I don’t think they’re conducive to being caught while you’re looking at them right now,” Christie said. “Some guys are going to catch them and there is probably going to be somebody come in with 25 pounds he caught while looking at them. But they’re too interested in each other. You just have to get them on a reaction strike on a bait and I can do that better fishing than I can looking at them.”
Chevy pro Jimmy Houston of Cookson, Okla., who finished the day in fifth place, also used BOOYAH spinnerbaits and jigs for reaction bites to fill his limit.
“The only time I saw them was when I put them in the boat,” Houston said.
Houston said fishing during practice was solid but the bite seems to have slowed with the cold front that has approached Lake Hartwell.
“We’re going to have to slow down and fish a lot differently than we did in practice,” Houston said. “I think it will get a lot more difficult for me. I don’t think the guys who are sight fishing are going to have many more fish come in, and those stringers might deteriorate a little bit.
“I’ve got fish but I don’t think they’re going to bite very well,” Houston added.
Rounding out the top 10 pros after day one on Lake Hartwell are:
3rd: Castrol pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 20-0
4th: Joe Thomas, Milford, Ohio, five bass, 19-10
5th: Chevy pro Jimmy Houston, Cookson, Okla., five bass, 19-3
6th: Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 18-9
7th: National Guard pro Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 18-2
7th: Chevy pro Larry Nixon, Bee Branch, Ark., five bass, 18-2
9th: Prevacid 24HR pro Dan Morehead, Paducah, Ky., five bass, 17-8
10th: Randy Macabee Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., five bass, 17-5
For a full list of results visit FLWOutdoors.com.
Thomas caught the Snickers® Big Bass weighing 6-10 in the pro division to win $500.
Overall there were 713 bass weighing 1,703 pounds, 9 ounces caught by 152 pros Thursday. The catch included 124 five-bass limits.
Pros are competing for a top award of up to $125,000 this week plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for the Forrest Wood Cup presented by Walmart, the world championship of bass fishing. This year’s Cup will be in Hot Springs, Ark., Aug. 11-14 on Lake Ouachitawhere pros will compete for a top prize of $600,000 – the sport’s biggest award. Pro anglers are also vying for the prestigious 2011 Walmart FLW Tour Angler of the Year presented by Kellogg’s that will be determined by the most points accumulated over the six Tour Majors with the winner receiving $100,000 for their accomplishment.
Keith Honeycutt of Temple, Texas, leads the Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 16-13 followed by J.R. Wright of Truckee, Calif., in second place with five bass weighing 16-3.
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers are:
3rd: Jade Keeton, Florence, Ala., five bass, 14-2
4th: Moo Bae, West Friendship, Mo., five bass, 13-15
5th: Andy Scholz, Reno, Nev., five bass, 13-7
6th: Mike Helton, Jeffersonville, Ind., five bass, 13-3
6th: Spencer Shuffield, Bismarck, Ark., five bass, 13-3
8th: Chad Pipkens, Holt, Mich., five bass, 12-13
9th: Doug Caldwell, Kane, Pa., five bass, 12-12
10th: Patrick Bone, Cleveland, Ga., five bass, 12-9
Scholz caught the Snickers® Big Bass weighing 5-6 in the co-angler division to win $250.
Overall there were 428 bass weighing 752 pounds, 1 ounce caught by 135 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 36 five-bass limits.
Co-anglers are fishing for a top award of $25,000 this week plus valuable points that could help them qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.The Walmart FLW Tour Co-angler of the Year presented by Kellogg’s will be determined by the most points accumulated over the six Tour Majors and the winner will receive a new Ranger 198VX with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.
Anglers will take off from Portman Shoals Marina located at 1629 Marina Rd. in Anderson, S.C. at 7:30 each morning. Friday’s weigh-in will be held at Portman Shoals Marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Carolina First Center located at One Exposition Drive in Greenville beginning at 4 p.m.
Fans will be treated to the FLW Outdoors Expo at the Carolina First Center on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. prior to the weigh-ins. The Expo provides the opportunity for fans to interact with professional anglers, ride Ranger boat simulators, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. The first 300 kids 14 and under to the Expo on Sunday will receive a free rod & reel courtesy of The Greenville News. Plus, one lucky fan will win a Can-Am ATV compliments of 92.5 WESC following Sunday’s final weigh-in. You must be present to win. All activities are free and open to the public.
Full list of results:
1. Jason Christie — Park Hill, Ok — 5, 22-04
2. Mike Reynolds — Modesto, Ca — 5, 21-15
3. David Dudley — Lynchburg, Va — 5, 20-00
4. Joe Thomas — Milford, Oh — 5, 19-10
5. Jimmy Houston — Cookson, Ok — 5, 19-03
6. Tom Monsoor — La Crosse, Wi — 5, 18-09
7. Justin Lucas — Guntersville, Al — 5, 18-02
7. Larry Nixon — Bee Branch, Ar — 5, 18-02
9. Dan Morehead — Paducah, Ky — 5, 17-08
10. Randy Mcabee Jr — Bakersfield, Ca — 5, 17-05
11. Todd Auten — Lake Wylie, Sc — 5, 17-03
12. Wesley Strader — Spring City, Tn — 5, 16-11
13. Ishama Monroe — Hughson, Ca — 5, 16-10
14. Dick Shaffer — Rockford, Oh — 5, 16-09
15. Brent Ehrler — Redlands, Ca — 5, 15-13
16. Andy Morgan — Dayton, Tn — 5, 15-11
17. Jay Yelas — Corvallis, Or — 5, 15-10
18. Robert Sherry — Saint Charles, Il — 5, 15-08
19. Chad Brauer — Osage Beach, Mo — 5, 15-06
20. Randall Tharp — Gardendale, Al — 5, 15-01
21. Brandon Coulter — Knoxville, Tn — 5, 15-00
22. Brent Long — Cornelius, Nc — 5, 14-15
23. Matt Arey — Shelby, Nc — 5, 14-14
24. Shad Schenck — Waynetown, In — 5, 14-11
25. Cody Meyer — Grass Valley, Ca — 5, 14-09
26. Jt Kenney — Palm Bay, Fl — 5, 14-08
27. Kevin Snider — Elizabethtown, Ky — 5, 14-07
28. Brad Knight — Wartburg, Tn — 5, 14-06
29. Craig Dowling — Grant, Al — 5, 14-05
30. Micah Frazier — Newnan, Ga — 5, 14-04
30. Keith Monson — Burgin, Ky — 5, 14-04
32. Chip Harrison — Fort Wayne, In — 5, 13-13
32. Stacey King — Reeds Spring, Mo — 5, 13-13
34. Kenneth (Boo) Woods — Hazard, Ky — 5, 13-08
35. Tom Redington — Royse City, Tx — 5, 13-05
36. Vic Vatalaro — Kent, Oh — 5, 13-04
37. Chris Baumgardner — Gastonia, Nc — 5, 13-03
37. Mark Rouse — League City, Tx — 5, 13-03
39. Ramie Colson Jr — Cadiz, Ky — 5, 13-02
40. John Cox — Debary, Fl — 5, 13-01
41. Brian Travis — Conover, Nc — 5, 13-00
42. Cody Bird — Granbury, Tx — 5, 12-14
42. Jt Palmore — Blackstone, Va — 5, 12-14
42. Bryan Thrift — Shelby, Nc — 5, 12-14
45. George Cochran — Hot Springs, Ar — 5, 12-13
46. Jim Moynagh — Carver, Mn — 5, 12-12
47. Jim Dillard — West Monroe, La — 4, 12-11
48. Dave Lefebre — Union City, Pa — 5, 12-10
49. Mike Wurm — Hot Springs, Ar — 5, 12-08
50. Stetson Blaylock — Benton, Ar — 5, 12-07
50. Glenn Chappelear — Acworth, Ga — 5, 12-07
52. Clint Brownlee — Tifton, Ga — 5, 12-06
52. Anthony Gagliardi — Prosperity, Sc — 5, 12-06
52. Dion Hibdon — Stover, Mo — 5, 12-06
55. Glenn Browne — Ocala, Fl — 5, 12-05
55. Bink Desaro — Boise, Id — 5, 12-05
57. Scott Canterbury — Springville, Al — 5, 12-04
57. Jack Wade — Knoxville, Tn — 5, 12-04
59. Jacob Powroznik — Prince George, Va — 5, 12-02
60. Jason Cordiale — Orinda, Ca — 5, 12-01
61. Ron Shuffield — Bismarck, Ar — 5, 12-00
62. Brett Hite — Phoenix, Az — 5, 11-15
63. Wil Hardy — Harlem, Ga — 5, 11-14
64. Stuart Arthur — Benton, Mo — 5, 11-13
64. Clark Wendlandt — Leander, Tx — 5, 11-13
66. John Devere — Berea, Ky — 5, 11-12
67. Troy Morrow — Toccoa, Ga — 5, 11-11
68. Rusty Salewske — Alpine, Ca — 5, 11-10
68. Rusty Trancygier — Hahira, Ga — 5, 11-10
70. Jim Tutt — Longview, Tx — 5, 11-09
71. Luke Clausen — Gainesville, Ga — 5, 11-05
72. Greg Bohannan — Rogers, Ar — 5, 11-04
73. Matthew Stefan — Chicago, Il — 5, 11-03
74. Guido Hibdon — Sunrise Beach, Mo — 5, 11-02
75. Kevin Hawk — Guntersville, Al — 5, 11-01
75. Jason Meninger — Gainesville, Ga — 5, 11-01
77. David Goshorn — Harleyville, Sc — 5, 11-00
77. Justin Kerr — Simi Valley, Ca — 5, 11-00
79. Bill Day — Frankfort, Ky — 5, 10-15
79. Lance Vick — Mineola, Tx — 5, 10-15
81. Charles Sim — Ottawa, On — 4, 10-14
82. Terry Baksay — Easton, Ct — 5, 10-13
82. Brad Roberts — Nancy, Ky — 5, 10-13
84. Koby Kreiger — Okeechobee, Fl — 5, 10-12
84. Ray Scheide — Dover, Ar — 5, 10-12
84. John Tanner — Quitman, Tx — 5, 10-12
87. Scott Martin — Clewiston, Fl — 5, 10-11
88. Joseph Thompson — Ridley Park, Pa — 5, 10-09
89. Ralph Laster Jr — Lees Summit, Mo — 5, 10-08
89. Robert Pearson — Herndon, Va — 5, 10-08
91. Dustin Baker — Lakeside, Ca — 5, 10-07
92. Jimmy Millsaps — Canton, Ga — 5, 10-02
92. Mark Stewart — Springville, Al — 5, 10-02
92. Jon Strelic — El Cajon, Ca — 4, 10-02
95. Shinichi Fukae — Palestine, Tx — 5, 10-01
95. Chad Morgenthaler — Coulterville, Il — 5, 10-01
97. James Watson — Waynesville, Mo — 5, 9-12
98. Terry Bolton — Jonesboro, Ar — 4, 9-11
99. Tim Gaskill — Edwardsville, Il — 5, 9-10
99. David Kromm — Kennewick, Wa — 5, 9-10
101. Bobby Mcmullin — Pevely, Mo — 5, 9-09
102. Mark Fisher — Glenview, Il — 5, 9-06
102. Roy Hawk — Salt Lake City, Ut — 5, 9-06
102. Dearal Rodgers — Camden, Sc — 5, 9-06
105. Nick Larson — Ball Ground, Ga — 5, 9-05
105. Christian Romans — Carrollton, Ky — 5, 9-05
107. Mark Rose — Marion, Ar — 5, 9-02
108. Nicholas Albus — Trinity, Tx — 5, 9-01
109. Leon Knight — Guntersville, Al — 4, 8-15
110. Rob Kilby — Hot Springs, Ar — 3, 8-13
111. Sean Hoernke — The Woodlands, Tx — 5, 8-12
112. Payden Hibdon — Stover, Mo — 3, 8-11
112. James Kemper — Frankfort, Ky — 5, 8-11
114. Robert Case — Point, Tx — 5, 8-10
114. Jay Keith — Camden, Sc — 5, 8-10
116. Thanh Le — Lake Havasu City, Az — 5, 8-09
116. Chris Neau — New Orleans, La — 5, 8-09
116. Clifford Pirch — Payson, Az — 4, 8-09
119. Robbie Dodson — Harrison, Ar — 5, 8-08
119. Richard Lowitzki — St Charles, Il — 5, 8-08
121. Tom Spangler — Corryton, Tn — 5, 8-06
122. Sean Brehm — Eddyville, Ky — 3, 8-05
122. Kevin Johnson — Valencia, Ca — 4, 8-05
124. Randy Blaukat — Joplin, Mo — 5, 8-03
125. Chris Heath — North Augusta, Sc — 4, 8-01
126. Jason Reyes — Huffman, Tx — 5, 7-10
126. Gary Yamamoto — Palestine, Tx — 5, 7-10
128. Matt Peters — Roswell, Ga — 5, 7-08
129. Shane Long — Sarcoxie, Mo — 4, 7-07
130. Jeremy York — Loganville, Ga — 4, 7-06
131. Johnny Johnson — Tyler, Tx — 5, 7-05
131. Jonathan Newton — Rogersville, Al — 4, 7-05
131. Michael Williamson — Fort Smith, Ar — 3, 7-05
134. Gene Eisenmann — Frisco, Tx — 4, 7-04
134. Craig Powers — Rockwood, Tn — 4, 7-04
136. Blake Nick — Adger, Al — 5, 7-01
137. Scott Suggs — Bryant, Ar — 5, 6-15
138. Wes Thomas — Hanover, In — 5, 6-13
139. Tim Mcdonald — Prestonsburg, Ky — 5, 6-11
140. Darrel Robertson — Jay, Ok — 3, 6-02
141. Mike Surman — Boca Raton, Fl — 4, 6-01
142. Shawn Murphy — Nicholasville, Ky — 4, 5-15
143. Nick Aber — Piedmont, Ok — 3, 5-13
143. James Christian — Dickson, Tn — 5, 5-13
143. Naohiro Maruo — Justin, Tx — 5, 5-13
146. Bo Cross — Knoxville, Tn — 3, 4-12
147. Kyle Mabrey — Mccalla, Al — 3, 4-11
148. Chad Grigsby — Maple Grove, Mn — 2, 4-08
149. John Voyles — Petersburg, In — 2, 4-06
150. Tom Mann Jr — Buford, Ga — 2, 4-01
151. Gerald Brown — Chickasha, Ok — 1, 3-09
152. Tony Chesshir — Nashville, Ar — 2, 2-05
Travis Fox — Rogers, Ar — 0, 0-00
Michael Murphy — Gilbert, Sc — 0, 0-00
Terry Segraves — Kissimmee, Fl — 0, 0-00