Florida’s Scroggins Grabs Lead at Bassmaster Elite Series Event on Clarks Hill Lake
Category: press release
May 21st, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified May 21st, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Clarks Hill Lake has confounded, confused and discombobulated the Bassmaster Elite Series field this week at the Pride of Georgia, the sixth Bassmaster Elite Series event of the season. But Terry Scroggins of Palatka, Fla., has put together enough pieces of the puzzle to survive the battle of attrition on stingy Clarks Hill to hold a 1-ounce margin over his closest competitor, Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla.
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Terry Scroggins leads by one ounce over Tommy Biffle. (Photo BASS)
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Despite holding the top position with a two-day total of 29 pounds, 7 ounces, Scroggins sunk like a rock Friday as he was only able to tote 12-6 to the scales after posting 17-1 Thursday. With a steady rain pounding Clarks Hill the majority of the day and constant cloud cover, anglers were forced to scramble.
Scroggins couldn’t connect with the deep bite that had produced two 4-plus pound bass Thursday and didn’t register a fish after 10 a.m.
“It’s just extremely tough out there,” said Scroggins, who has earned more than $1.2 million in BASS career earnings. “It lasts for about two or three hours early in the morning and then it stops. After 10 a.m., you minus well put your rod down because it’s impossible to catch them.”
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Pride of Georgia on The Bassmasters, which airs Sunday, June 6, at 10:30 a.m. ET on ESPN2. Also, the daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the postseason will air live on ESPN3.com. Bassmaster.com will follow the Pride of Georgia each day with BASSCast, BASSCam, real-time leaderboards during weigh-ins, photo galleries, daily results, and Hooked Up with ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. Live, streaming video will be carried by ESPN3.com.
While Scroggins was prone to hyperbole after a tough day, most in the field agreed that pickings are slim after the early flurry. As is, the early bite – always a big part of Clarks Hill – has become the only crutch for most anglers.
On Thursday, Scroggins was able to entice his late bass with a worm but that isn’t a factor for his early fish. Scroggins is working about 15 different points – saturated by competitor’s boats – with a variety of baits.
“When you get the bait in the right areas, you can get them to bite,” said Scroggins, 41. “It’s more important to be in the right spot. When you get in the right little spot, they come get it.”
While the bite is tough as nails this week, perhaps it is just what the doctor ordered to turn Scroggins’ subpar season around. The seven-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier was mired in a relative slump, sitting in 53rd in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings heading into this week.
Of the first five Elite events, Scroggins had managed only one Saturday cut. Still, he hasn’t done enough to prevent him from notching his seventh consecutive Classic appearance, a constant goal for him. A top finish this week would put him right in the mix for the Classic cut – the top 36 will qualify – with two regular-season events remaining.
Like Scroggins, Biffle is playing it close to the vest on specifics of his pattern. He is exhibiting a slight bit more consistency than Scroggins as he posted two days of 13-plus pounds.
“I’m fishing the way I like to fish,” said Biffle, a shallow-water expert. “It’s so tough out there, I have just been lucky to run into a few big bites.”
Biffle, a four-time Bassmaster winner, felt he was hampered by the gloomy conditions Friday. With that, he mixed up his lure selection. He is scouring one area for all it’s worth and has little company. He feels that it should hold up the remainder of the tournament and as such, has no back up plan.
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Day One leader Jeff Kriet sits in 8th place after two days. (Photo BASS)
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Behind Biffle in third was Elite rookie Cliff Crochet of Pierre Part, La., with 27-5. Crochet’s total was boosted by the biggest bass of the tournament, a 6-2 brute landed Friday. In fourth was Mark Davis of Mt. Ida, Ark., with 27-1. Davis still stands as the only angler to win the Bassmaster Classic and Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year in the same season. He accomplished the feat in 1995.
Rounding out the top five was local favorite Jason Williamson of Aiken, S.C. Aiken is a stones throw away from here and Williamson considers Clarks Hill a home lake.
Qualifying for Saturday was the top 47 anglers. Notables included 2006 AOY Mike Iaconelli (14th), Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kansas (26th), Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla. (38th) and five-time AOY Kevin VanDam (43rd).
Thursday leader Jeff Kriet of Ardmore, Okla., battled mechanical problems and faltered to eighth place. Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., finally showed he is human as the hottest angler on the planet struggled to a 59th place finish and missed his first cut of 2010. By virtue of his unprecedented start, he will still hold the lead in the AOY standings – albeit by a decreased margin.
Along with the top prize of $100,000, the Pride of Georgia awards valuable points in the 2010 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. The top 12 pros in the AOY standings at the end of the regular season will advance to the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series postseason, in which the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year will be determined. The top 36 will qualify for the 2011 Bassmaster Classic.
The tournament will run through Sunday with the top 12 moving on to Sunday. Defending champion Kenyon Hill, who won in 2008, was 34th.
Clarks Hill is a 71,535-acre fishery, an impoundment 39 miles in length located 22 miles north of Augusta. It forms part of the border between Georgia and South Carolina and is renowned for its topwater fishing.
The public is invited to attend the Pride of Georgia’s daily launches at 6:10 a.m. ET at Wildwood Park, 6212 Holloway Rd., Appling, Ga., 30802. After Day 2’s competition Friday, the field will be cut to the top 50 anglers for Day 3. Only the top 12 will go on to compete in Day 4. Also free and open to the public, the daily weigh-ins are set for 3:30 p.m. at Wildwood Park.
Local sponsor of the Pride of Georgia: Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
After the Pride of Georgia, the 2010 regular season will have just two events remaining. Up next is the June 9-12 Tennessee Triumph on Kentucky Lake out of Paris, Tenn.
Bassmaster Elite Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Skeeter, Yamaha and Bass Pro Shops.
Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Triton Boats, Nitro Boats and Ramada.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, the Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and ESPN360.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
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Media Contact: Doug Grassian at 407-566-2216 or [email protected]
DAY 2 STANDINGS- PRIDE OF GEORGIA
2010 Evans, GA 5/20-5/23
Clarks Hill Lake, Evans GA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 29-07 305
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 12-06
2. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 29-06 295
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 13-09
3. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 10 27-05 290
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 14-14
4. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 27-01 285
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 12-05
5. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 10 26-10 280
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 14-07
6. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 10 25-08 276
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 11-04
7. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 10 25-02 272
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 10-03
8. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 8 24-15 273
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 3 06-11
9. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 10 24-13 264
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 12-08
10. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 24-11 260
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 10-13
11. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 10 24-06 257
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 10-13
12. Pat Golden High Point, NC 10 24-05 254
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 11-15
13. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 10 24-04 251
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 11-10
14. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 23-15 248
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 11-13
15. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 10 23-11 245
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 10-00
16. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 23-11 243
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-03
17. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 23-08 241
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 5 15-05
18. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 10 23-05 239
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 09-09
19. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 23-02 237
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 08-04
20. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 10 23-02 235
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 11-09
21. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 10 22-10 233
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 09-11
22. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 22-07 231
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 11-01
23. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 10 22-04 229
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 08-03
24. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 10 21-04 227
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 12-03
25. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 10 21-04 225
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 11-04
26. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 21-00 223
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 08-15
27. John Crews Salem, VA 10 20-13 221
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 06-10
28. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 20-13 219
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-08
29. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 20-11 217
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 12-14
30. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 20-09 215
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 07-12
31. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 20-08 213
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 10-04
32. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 20-03 211
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 10-10
33. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 10 20-03 209
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 09-04
34. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 10 20-02 207
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 06-09
35. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 10 20-02 205
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 11-11
36. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 10 20-01 203
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 10-03
37. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 19-15 201
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 08-13
38. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 19-12 199
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 5 12-13
39. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 19-10 197
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 09-03
40. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 10 19-09 195
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 10-00
41. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 19-07 193
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 09-02
42. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 10 19-05 191
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 09-13
43. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 19-05 189
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 10-02
44. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 10 18-14 187
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 09-07
45. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 10 18-11 185
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 04-15
46. Alton Jones Waco, TX 10 18-11 183
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 5 10-15
47. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 18-02 181
Day 1: 5 05-09 Day 2: 5 12-09
48. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 17-15 179
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 07-04
49. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 10 17-13 177
Day 1: 5 07-08 Day 2: 5 10-05
50. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 17-11 175
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 08-10
51. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 17-10 173
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 07-15
52. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 10 17-08 171
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 07-03
53. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 10 17-06 169
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 08-06
54. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 10 17-06 167
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 08-10
55. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 17-03 165
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 05-00
56. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 10 17-03 163
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 07-05
57. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 10 17-03 161
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 08-10
58. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 10 15-15 159
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 08-05
59. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 8 15-15 157
Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 5 10-08
60. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 15-10 155
Day 1: 5 06-05 Day 2: 5 09-05
61. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 9 15-08 153
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 4 04-12
62. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 15-07 151
Day 1: 5 05-11 Day 2: 5 09-12
63. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 9 15-06 149
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 4 07-00
64. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 7 15-06 147
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 2 05-01
65. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 9 15-05 145
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 4 06-12
66. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 10 15-04 143
Day 1: 5 06-02 Day 2: 5 09-02
67. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 10 15-03 141
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 04-11
68. Byron Haseotes Centerville, MA 6 14-13 139
Day 1: 2 08-11 Day 2: 4 06-02
69. Vince Fulks Purcell, OK 9 14-08 137
Day 1: 4 05-07 Day 2: 5 09-01
70. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 14-02 135
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 5 07-00
71. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 9 13-07 133
Day 1: 4 05-01 Day 2: 5 08-06
72. Randy Howell Springville, AL 9 13-02 131
Day 1: 4 05-13 Day 2: 5 07-05
73. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 7 13-01 129
Day 1: 5 06-06 Day 2: 2 06-11
74. David Smith Del City, OK 10 12-10 127
Day 1: 5 04-14 Day 2: 5 07-12
75. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 9 12-10 125
Day 1: 5 06-03 Day 2: 4 06-07
76. Zell Rowland Austin, TX 8 12-06 123
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 3 03-13
77. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 7 12-05 121
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 2 02-04
78. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 10 11-13 119
Day 1: 5 05-01 Day 2: 5 06-12
79. Matt Greenblatt Palm Beach Gardens, FL 9 11-10 117
Day 1: 4 03-15 Day 2: 5 07-11
80. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 7 11-09 115
Day 1: 4 07-15 Day 2: 3 03-10
81. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 8 11-05 113
Day 1: 3 03-09 Day 2: 5 07-12
82. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 9 11-03 111
Day 1: 4 05-02 Day 2: 5 06-01
83. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 7 11-03 109
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 2 04-02
84. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 09-05 107
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 2 02-12
85. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 6 09-03 105
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 5 07-05
86. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 6 09-03 103
Day 1: 1 00-06 Day 2: 5 08-13
87. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 6 08-10 101
Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 4 06-03
88. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 6 08-10 99
Day 1: 3 04-06 Day 2: 3 04-04
89. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 5 08-00 97
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 2 04-02
90. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 6 07-08 95
Day 1: 4 05-01 Day 2: 2 02-07
91. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 6 05-15 93
Day 1: 5 05-04 Day 2: 1 00-11
92. Keith Poche Troy, AL 4 05-07 91
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 2 03-01
93. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 4 05-04 89
Day 1: 4 05-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 75 430 865-09
2 73 418 791-06
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148 848 1656-15