Shryock Triumphs in Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on Lake Norman
Category: press release
Mar 26th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Mar 26th, 2011 at 12:00 AM
CORNELIUS, N.C. – Fletcher Shryock got off a dirt bike and into a bass boat four years ago, and couldn’t be happier. The Newcomersville, Ohio, pro has only recently become serious about bass fishing, but is on his way to the 2012 Bassmaster Classic with his win at the second Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on North Carolina’s Lake Norman.
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| Fletcher Shryock anchored his Day Three bag with a 7-9 kicker to claim the second Bass Pro Shops Southern Open and a Bassmaster Classic berth. (Photo B.A.S.S.) |
“This is incredible. I don’t know what to say. What do you say?” he asked while holding his trophy. “I don’t think I’ll sleep for a year. I zigged when I needed to zig, and I zagged when I needed to zag.”
Yesterday, Shryock said the area that he was fishing could produce 20 pounds. He came close to proving it by bringing in 17 pounds, 5 ounces to the Day Three scales. He left his fish biting on the first two days, setting a relaxing tone to his tournament. But, the weather turned ugly on Day Three, and his easygoing pace turned frantic early.
“They weren’t there today like they were the first two days,” he said. There were also two other tournaments on the lake today, putting more heat on the already pressured fishery. “First thing this morning, I didn’t go to my best area. That way, no one else would know exactly where it was.”
Shryock’s main spot was roughly 25 miles north of Blythe Landing. It was in front of a rocky bar along the main river that blocked access to a backwater that he intended to fish but couldn’t because of the supershallow depth. He relied on four baits to catch his three-day total of 49-9: a Strike King Red Eye Shad (both rattling and not), a 1/4-ounce Strike King shaky head with a Berkley finesse worm, and a 1-ounce Strike King Tungsten weight anchoring either a Berkley Chigger Craw or a Strike King Rodent that he flipped into thick grass. He keyed on wood in the main river.
“It was just like fishing at home,” he said.
Shryock also credits a “guardian angel” named Tony who shadowed him all day.
“He was the reason that I kept my cool today because he told me that he’d be around all day so if I broke down or something, he’d be there to take me back to the ramp,” Shryock said. “I knew in the back of my mind that I could catch ’em up to the last minute. He really helped me fish up there longer. Thanks to him.”
Though he realizes the gravity of his win, Shryock isn’t worried about planning for his Classic debut.
“This win hasn’t even come close to sinking in,” he said. “I’ll worry about it next week – maybe next month! I just want to go home this summer and work on every fundamental technique that I can work on and do more of everything that I’ve been doing.”
In second place is Elite Series pro Gerald Swindle who has a firm lead on the Southern Open points. Swindle fought food poisoning during all three days of the contest.
“I don’t know what’s in Domino’s Kickers, but there’s something that just doesn’t agree with me,” he said.
Swindle caught 14-15 today for a total of 43-15. Like Shryock, he’s already sewn up a 2012 Classic berth through his win – his first B.A.S.S. win – on Florida’s Lake Toho.
In third place is Tracy Adams of Wilkesboro, N.C., with a total of 40-4; in fourth place is Brandon Card of Caryville, Ky., also with 40-4; and in fifth is Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Ky., with 39-8.
On the co-angler side, Kevin Clark of Leesburg, Fla., earned a brand new Triton/Mercury rig for his winning catch of 18-9. Clark showed his versatility from the back of the boat for all three days.
“I caught ’em on a spinnerbait, crankbait and a shaky head; I did just about everything,” he said. “But, the big ones ate the crankbait.”
Clark wanted to fish the Southern Opens as a pro this year, but didn’t have a boat to do so. However, his new Triton will put him in the pro division for the 2012 Opens.
In second place is George Hirapetian of Charlotte, N.C., who was a mere 2 ounces away from a home-lake win. He caught 6-5 today, giving him a three-day total of 18-7. In third is Brandon Williams with 16-11; in fourth is Dan Jolly of Houston, Texas, with 16-7; and in fifth is Robert Jeffrey with 15-14.
The next and final Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open for 2011 is set to be held June 2-4 on Douglas Lake in Jefferson County, Tenn. There the final 2012 Bassmaster Classic berth through the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Opens will be awarded, and the top five pros in the points will be offered a spot in the 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series.
2011 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2011 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Supporting Sponsors: Humminbird, Luck “E” Strike, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats
About B.A.S.S.
For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications – Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times – comprehensive website Bassmaster.com, ESPN2 and Outdoor Channel television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events presented by Yamaha and Skeeter Boats and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
FINAL STANDINGS – BASS PRO SHOPS BASSMASTER SOUTHERN OPEN 2 – LAKE NORMAN – PRO
2011 Southern Open 2 – Lake Norman BO 03/24-03/26 Lake Norman, Charlotte N.C.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Fletcher Shryock Newcomerstown, Ohio 15 49-09 310 $56,933.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 17-05
2. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 15 43-15 295 $17,900.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 14-15
3. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, N.C. 15 40-04 290 $14,917.00
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 5 10-02
4. Brandon Card Caryville, Tenn. 15 40-04 285 $11,933.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 10-10
5. Bradley Roy Lancaster, Ky. 15 39-08 280 $10,740.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 16-10 Day 3: 5 11-06
6. Ron Wolfarth Oakboro, N.C. 14 38-00 276 $9,547.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 13-08 Day 3: 4 12-04
7. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 15 36-06 277 $8,353.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 7-15 Day 3: 5 9-10
8. Alvin Shaw Roaring Gap, N.C. 15 36-05 268 $7,160.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 7-01
9. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 15 35-13 264 $5,967.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 10-00 Day 3: 5 10-09
10. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, S.C. 15 35-12 260 $5,370.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 12-13 Day 3: 5 9-04
11. Barry Wilson Birmingham, Ala. 13 35-07 257 $4,773.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 3 8-12
12. Rusty White Rock Hill, S.C. 15 33-12 254 $4,177.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 10-06 Day 3: 5 9-01
———————————————————————–
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 110 714 1426-10
2 92 639 1221-11
3 10 57 130-15
———————————-
212 1410 2779-04
FINAL STANDINGS – BASS PRO SHOPS BASSMASTER SOUTHERN OPEN 2 – LAKE NORMAN – CO-ANGLER
2011 Southern Open 2 – Lake Norman NB 03/24-03/26 Lake Norman, Charlotte N.C.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin Clark Leesburg, Fla. 9 18-09 305 $35,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-04 Day 2: 3 4-00 Day 3: 3 7-05
2. George Hirapetian Charlotte, N.C. 9 18-07 295 $4,773.00
Day 1: 3 5-03 Day 2: 3 6-15 Day 3: 3 6-05
3. Brandon Williams Fort Mill, S.C. 8 16-11 290 $3,580.00
Day 1: 3 4-05 Day 2: 3 7-03 Day 3: 2 5-03
4. Dan Jolly Houston, Texas 7 16-07 290 $2,685.00
Day 1: 3 8-09 Day 2: 2 4-07 Day 3: 2 3-07
5. Robert Jeffrey Prospect, Conn. 8 15-14 280 $2,118.00
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 3 4-02 Day 3: 2 3-14
6. Ethan Cox West End, N.C. 6 14-14 276 $1,790.00
Day 1: 2 4-03 Day 2: 3 7-06 Day 3: 1 3-05
7. Trathen Dollar West Jefferson, N.C. 7 14-11 272 $1,492.00
Day 1: 2 4-01 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 2 3-08
8. Glynn Goodwin Marietta, Ohio 7 14-09 278 $1,432.00
Day 1: 3 8-09 Day 2: 3 4-11 Day 3: 1 1-05
9. Marc Mode Mooresville, N.C. 7 13-09 264 $1,313.00
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 3 4-07 Day 3: 1 1-07
10. Keith Thames Owens Cross Roads, Ala 7 12-09 260 $1,193.00
Day 1: 3 5-12 Day 2: 3 5-08 Day 3: 1 1-05
11. Daniel Parks Greenville, S.C. 6 11-11 257 $1,074.00
Day 1: 3 4-11 Day 2: 3 7-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
12. Robert Hatfield Morehead, Ky. 6 11-06 254 $955.00
Day 1: 3 6-11 Day 2: 3 4-11 Day 3: 0 0-00
———————————————————————–
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 326 540-11
2 0 286 493-03
3 0 18 37-00
———————————-
0 630 1070-14
BASS PRO SHOPS BASSMASTER SOUTHERN OPEN POINTS- PRO
2011 BASS PRO SHOPS SOUTHERN OPEN – LAKE NORMAN – Southern Open 2 – Lake Norman Boater Points After Lake Norman, Charlotte, N.C. Ending 03-26-2011, Day 3
——————————————-
Place Name St Pts
——————————————-
1 Gerald Swindle Ala. 610
2 Bobby Lane Fla. 572
3 Brandon Card Tenn. 549
4 Ott Defoe Tenn. 526
5 Marty Robinson S.C. 502
6 Cliff Prince Fla. 499
7 Trevor Fitzgerald Fla. 473
8 Britt Myers S.C. 460
9 Wayne Hauser N.C. 458
10 Jeremy Prouty Fla. 450
11 Chris Lane Ala. 446
12 Andy Montgomery S.C. 439
13 Eric Nethery Ga. 432
14 Jeff Freeman Va. 430
15 Shane Lineberger N.C. 422
16 Justin Hamner Ala. 406
17 Tracy Adams N.C. 405
17 Jason Quinn S.C. 405
19 Casey Ashley S.C. 404
20 Jason Williamson S.C. 402
21 Brian Clark Texas 400
22 Terry Scroggins Fla. 397
23 James Charlesworth Fla. 392
24 Larry Cahan Fla. 379
25 Roland Martin Fla. 374
26 Keith Poche Ala. 372
27 Bradley Roy Ky. 369
28 Barry Wilson Ala. 360
28 Brett Mitchell S.C. 360
30 Dave Mansue Texas 352
31 Kyle Fox Fla. 348
32 Charlie Hartley Ohio 346
32 Greg Pugh Ala. 346
32 Roy Sanford Texas 346
35 John Kremer Fla. 341
36 Ron Wolfarth N.C. 337
37 Keith Caka Texas 336
38 James Castillo Wash. 334
38 Derrick Snavely Tenn. 334
40 Fletcher Shryock Ohio 325
41 Patrick Pierce Fla. 320
42 Tony Chachere La. 318
43 Luke Gritter Mich. 313
44 Joe Ventrello Fla. 310
45 Davy Hite S.C. 302
46 Kelly Jaye Ala. 299
46 Heath Smith Ala. 299
48 Adam Hock 296
49 Hank Cherry N.C. 292
50 Jayme Rampey S.C. 287
51 Gary Clouse Tenn. 282
51 Rusty White S.C. 282
53 David Walker Tenn. 280
54 Michael Johnson Ga. 278
54 Mark Mauldin Tenn. 278
56 Brian Easler S.C. 276
57 Will Evans Fla. 272
58 Alvin Shaw N.C. 268
59 Craig Chambers N.C. 265
60 Landon Lomax Ala. 264
61 Larry Rollings S.C. 262
61 Russ Moran Tenn. 262
63 Arnie Lane Fla. 258
64 Ben Quisno Ohio 257
65 Dow Cox Tenn. 251
66 Red Flowers Fla. 247
67 Kurt Dove Texas 245
67 Jason Counsil Fla. 245
69 Monte Knight Miss. 243
69 Greg Vinson Ala. 243
71 Jason Lieblong Ark. 242
71 Mike Cox Ala. 242
73 Rich Patterson Fla. 237
74 Allen Glasgow Ala. 236
75 Kurtis Michaux Fla. 235
76 Maurice Freeze N.C. 233
77 Lloyd Griffin Fla. 232
78 Jordan Card N.C. 225
79 David Kilgore Ala. 221
80 David Burch Fla. 220
81 Randy Elliott Md. 219
82 John Brazzell Fla. 218
83 John Hansen Md. 217
84 Rob Thames S.C. 215
84 Nate Wellman Mich. 215
86 Charlie Machek N.C. 210
87 Tony Hughes Tenn. 209
87 Brandon Palaniuk Idaho 209
89 Jerry Gore Fla. 208
90 Ray Brazier Tenn. 207
91 Joseph Smith S.C. 203
92 Kyle Kempkers Mich. 199
92 Teb Jones Miss. 199
94 Bucky Helms N.C. 197
95 David Cooke N.C. 194
96 David Perdue Va. 192
97 David Williams N.C. 191
98 Scott Mcgehee Miss. 188
99 Chad Poteat N.C. 187
99 Steven Wisdom Ala. 187
101 Richard Howes Fla. 185
102 Foster Bradley Ala. 184
102 Cecil Douberly Fla. 184
102 Charlie Ingram Tenn. 184
105 Troy Armstrong N.C. 181
106 Brent Bonadona La. 178
107 Ryan Mcmurtury S.C. 174
108 Jimmie Murphy Fla. 173
109 Al Little N.C. 172
110 Trad Whaley S.C. 171
110 Rob Digh N.C. 171
112 Jason Wilson N.C. 167
113 Jay Kendrick Ala. 166
114 Brandon Medlock Fla. 163
115 Eric Conant Fla. 155
116 Scott Hamrick N.C. 153
116 Craig Taylor Fla. 153
116 Marty Nester N.C. 153
119 Scott Farmer S.C. 150
120 Steve Daniel Fla. 149
121 James Tunder Ohio 146
121 Ray Hashimoto Calif. 146
123 Terry Segraves Fla. 143
124 Frank Jordan JR Ga. 140
125 Garry Rogers N.C. 138
125 Sumiyuki Takano Fla. 138
127 Frank Scalish Ohio 136
128 Casey Gallagher Wisc. 133
128 Sean Wieda Ky. 133
130 Derek Allen La. 129
131 Sean Hoernke Texas 125
131 Rodney Morrow N.C. 125
133 Anthony Dumitras Ga. 123
133 Merle Wells N.Y. 123
135 Darrell Davis Fla. 121
136 Steven Priest Ohio 116
137 Blake Lewis Ga. 115
137 Tim Ezell Fla. 115
139 Jeff Stoner Pa. 111
140 Jeff Cloud Texas 107
141 Robert Miley Fla. 106
142 Randy Allen La. 105
143 Stanley Gunter S.C. 101
143 Jeff Hager N.C. 101
145 Ed Burnett Ky. 100
146 George Crain Ala. 98
147 Chuck Pippin Fla. 97
148 Tim Saylor Tenn. 96
149 Gene Spears La. 95
150 Trevor Knight Del. 90
151 Carl Cavalier La. 87
151 Roger Pope N.C. 87
153 Jim Turner Ind. 86
154 Kyle Walling Ky. 82
155 Lynn Oswalt Ala. 79
155 Rick Morris Va. 79
157 John Bitter Fla. 77
158 Brad Rightnour Pa. 76
159 Jeffrey Worth Fla. 74
160 Lee King N.C. 73
161 Steve Jenkins Tenn. 71
161 Rogne Brown Tenn. 71
163 Harry Moore Ala. 70
164 Will Petty N.C. 69
165 Jay Gillfillan Ohio 67
165 Thomas Vickers N.C. 67
167 Bob Morin Tenn. 66
167 AC Campbell Pa. 66
169 Garrett Olivotti Ill. 63
169 Mike Haggerty Tenn. 63
171 Christiana Bradley Va. 61
171 Rick Nishio Ala. 61
173 Michael Hall Va. 60
174 Hojin Chang Fla. 59
175 Paul Pagnato Va. 58
176 Ronnie Green Fla. 55
176 J T Kenney Fla. 55
178 Chris Dillow Va. 54
179 Luke Smith Fla. 52
180 Brandon Sykes N.C. 51
181 Chris Barnett Tenn. 50
182 Jimmy Mason Ala. 48
182 Charles Graybeal Tenn. 48
184 Kyle Smith Tenn. 43
184 Lee Boutwell Ga. 43
186 Jeff Jennings N.C. 42
186 Shane Hawkins N.C. 42
188 Burton Bryan Tenn. 39
189 Jami Fralick S.D. 38
190 Ronnie Getz Ind. 37
190 Bradley Sears Ga. 37
192 Jeffrey Purves Va. 35
193 Cliff Crochet La. 34
194 Lee Hartley Ga. 28
195 Earnie Jones S.C. 24
196 Michael Bennett Fla. 22
197 Shane McCosh Tenn. 20
197 John Hempel Mich. 20
199 Carroll Blevins Ga. 17
200 Jason Krasnosky Fla. 16
201 James Bader Fla. 12
202 Steve Crowley N.C. 10
203 Travis Manson Wisc. 9
203 John Chinuntdet N.C. 9
205 Jimmy Liao Fla. 8
206 Tony Risinger Ky. 7
207 David Smith Okla. 6
207 Michael Randolph Texas 6
209 Jeffrey Prisza Mich. 4
209 Mitch Stevenson Ohio 4
211 Chris Dixon Va. 2
212 Brannon Long Texas 0
212 Jeff Jordan Okla. 0
212 Tony Dadante Fla. 0
212 Chris Anderson S.C. 0
212 Eric Stong Fla. 0
212 James Butler Tenn. 0
212 Shannon Abbott Tenn. 0
212 Stu Martel Ill. 0
BASS PRO SHOPS BASSMASTER SOUTHERN OPEN POINTS- CO-ANGLER
2011 BASS PRO SHOPS SOUTHERN OPEN – LAKE NORMAN – Southern Open 2 – Lake Norman Non-Boater Points After Lake Norman, Charlotte, N.C. Ending 03-26-2011, Day 3
——————————————-
Place Name St Pts
——————————————-
1 Chris Lewis Va. 519
2 Brandon Williams S.C. 511
3 Kevin Clark Fla. 508
4 Preston Harris N.C. 493
5 Daniel Lanier Fla. 479
6 Robert Dice Fla. 470
7 Daniel Parks S.C. 468
8 Jim Short Md. 436
9 Jason Patterson Ind. 433
10 Ronald Dow Fla. 410
11 Michael Robinson Fla. 408
12 Linda Higginbotham Fla. 402
13 Paul Ham S.C. 396
14 Timmy Cales W.Va. 394
15 Matthew Crabill Tenn. 378
16 George Hirapetian N.C. 361
17 Dan Jolly Texas 355
18 Jerry Morgan S.C. 340
19 Edward Fye Ga. 330
19 Derek Cogland Ga. 330
19 Greg Mauldin N.C. 330
22 Jeffrey Brooks Fla. 322
23 George Beville N.C. 312
24 Keith Thames Ala. 305
24 Marlon Crowder Fla. 305
26 Jack Morgan Fla. 304
27 Trathen Dollar N.C. 303
28 Walter Swafford Fla. 300
29 Thomas Pickett Ohio 296
30 Jody Andrzejewski Ohio 295
31 Robert Hatfield Ky. 293
32 Dustin Bozeman Fla. 290
32 Bill Bruce Tenn. 290
32 Fred Hood Ga. 290
35 James Green Ala. 288
36 John Avalos Fla. 286
37 Vance Mccullough Fla. 285
38 Marcus Parker Fla. 284
39 Rich Chriscinske Ky. 283
40 Robert Jeffrey Conn. 280
41 Abraham Street Va. 279
42 Glynn Goodwin Ohio 278
43 Joe Moore Fla. 277
44 Chris Patrick Fla. 276
44 Ethan Cox N.C. 276
46 Dale Wolfskill Fla. 264
46 Marc Mode N.C. 264
48 Ike Rogers Ala. 262
49 Jonathan Barnette Ala. 260
49 Jason Williams Ga. 260
51 Frank Jones Fla. 257
51 Randy Gabel Pa. 257
53 Andrew Mcclintock S.C. 256
53 Scott Kerslake N.C. 256
53 Travis Dehart S.C. 256
56 Clint Sterling Fla. 254
57 John White Ga. 253
58 Anthony Hunt Fla. 251
58 Chris Jeffery Kan. 251
60 William Beekman N.Y. 243
60 Norman Soash Fla. 243
62 Michael Fletcher Fla. 241
62 Ashley Bishop Va. 241
64 Todd Saddler Tenn. 237
64 Phillip Little Ky. 237
66 Darren Gay N.C. 232
66 Phillip Burke S.C. 232
68 Bradley Dortch Fla. 229
68 Stacy Greer N.C. 229
70 Jesse Windsor Fla. 227
70 Greg Royse S.C. 227
70 Duane Rinkus N.C. 227
73 Keith Childree Ga. 225
74 Mark Hicks Ohio 219
74 Nathan Bloom Fla. 219
76 Jeff Robinson Fla. 218
77 David Shively Pa. 217
78 Dale Surrett N.C. 215
79 Bill Clifton Fla. 213
79 George Kuzemchak Pa. 213
81 Mark Daidone N.C. 211
82 Joey Johnson N.C. 209
83 JR Clark Del. 207
83 Greg Crumpton Fla. 207
85 Jason Horner Tenn. 205
85 Edward Vance N.C. 205
87 Jacob Wheeler Ind. 203
88 Don Lewis Fla. 202
89 Lamar Spade Pa. 197
90 Johnny Pittman Ala. 196
91 Jon Kohr S.C. 193
92 Dakota Brown W.Va. 191
93 Mike Prance Fla. 189
93 Jim Settle Tenn. 189
95 Mike Knox Ala. 187
95 Robbie Anderson Fla.