Gessner Leads Women's Bassmaster Tour Bass Fishing Tournament on Clarks Hill Lake
EVANS, Ga. - Relying on one spinnerbait throughout her competition day on spacious Clarks Hill Lake, Lynda Gessner of Foristell, Mo., scored a limit Thursday weighing 11 pounds, 10 ounces and led by more than 2 pounds Thursday, the first day of the fourth bass fishing tournament of the 2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour.
Gessner, who lives near St. Louis and narrowly missed out on a WBT victory in 2007 with a second-place finish on Arkansas' Lake Dardanelle, got a boost from a 5-pound, 8-ounce lunker she caught in a wind-protected area. Admittedly, Gessner has struggled on the Tour thus far in 2008 after having a successful 2007 but she could turn her fortunes around in a big way this weekend.
In addition to scoring the top prize of a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $50,000 with a victory, the 49-year-old feels she would earn enough points to qualify for the 2008 WBT Championship, set for Oct. 23-25 on Arkansas' Lake Hamilton. The top-20 pros and co-anglers in the Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year standings will receive berths into the Championship.
To Gessner and the other WBT pros, the Championship now represents an avenue to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic (Feb. 20-22; Red River; Shreveport-Bossier City, La.). BASS announced this year that the winner of the 2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year, determined from the WBT Championship, will receive a qualifying berth into bass fishing's premier event in addition to a fully-rigged Toyota truck.
In the points lead heading into Clarks Hill was Kim Bain of Alabaster, Ala., who took control by winning the season's first event and has never let go. But Bain was just 24 points ahead of Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas, and 65 points in front of Muskogee, Okla., pro Sheri Glasgow, the reigning Toyota WBT Angler of the Year.
The top three, though, can't count out other pros. For the first time in the tour's three-year history, each pro's lowest 2008 regular-season tournament finish will be dropped from the points tally, making the outcome of the points race tough to gauge at this point in the season. While Gessner knows she is a long shot, she will be satisfied with regaining her 2007 form.
"I just haven't done all that well this year and it hurts because this is the year where I could go to the Classic," she said. "All I can do is fish hard."
Heading into the event, Gessner was down on her chances after a relatively unproductive practice. She rallied Thursday, catching the 5-8 within her first 10 casts and culling on a day when others had problems scratching out a limit.
She has three locations through which she will rotate Friday, and she's hoping for wind and clouds in the final two days of competition. She felt that because of some colder weather of late, the fish moved deeper Thursday.
While Gessner found a bait and stuck with it, Kim Stapp of Ringgold, Ga., who was second with 9 pounds, 3 ounces, was all over the map. Stapp utilized her entire tackle box, throwing a variety of baits at a variety of depths. The epitome of "junk-fishing", Stapp felt she had pegged the right areas as her weight was accomplished on just three fish.
She lamented her missed opportunities and felt that if she had executed she would have caught at least seven keeper-sized bass. One in particular, one she estimated to weigh more than 3 pounds, she missed during her practice period and on competition Thursday.
"I think I'm in the right areas," Stapp said. "I'm seeing some nice-sized fish but I just didn't execute. You can bet that I'll try to catch that fish that I missed twice. The third time is the charm, right?"
Stapp found her areas in practice but was "following the wind" Thursday on Clarks Hill, feeling that the wind was the determining factor for when the fish would bite.
Rounding out the top five were Angie Douthit of Clewiston, Fla., in third with 8 pounds, 12 ounces; Susan Gregory of Kiln, Miss., in fourth with 8-9 and Bain, the AOY points leader, was fifth with 7-3.
In the co-angler division, Lesley Childers of Anderson, S.C., led with 7 pounds, 3 ounces. Co-anglers are vying for a top prize of a boat package valued at $32,000. Trailing Childers were Barbara Gaskins of Suffolk, Va., in second with 6-6 and Gail Wood of Russellville, Ark., third with 4-15.
Fishing fans are invited to watch the anglers at the free and public weigh-ins. They're set for 3:15 p.m. ET, Sept. 18-19 at Wildwood Park in Appling, Ga.; and 4 p.m. ET, Sept. 20 at the Academy Sports &Outdoors store at 4120 Washington Road in Evans, Ga.
Live video of the weigh-ins and real-time leaderboards will be available at www.Bassmaster.com through all three days of the competition. All WBT events are free and open to the public.
2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour
Clarks Hill Lake- Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 5 11-10 305
Day 1: 5 11-10
2. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 3 09-03 295
Day 1: 3 09-03
3. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 4 08-12 290
Day 1: 4 08-12
4. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 3 08-09 285
Day 1: 3 08-09
5. Kim Bain Alabaster, AL 5 07-13 280
Day 1: 5 07-13
6. Tammy Richardson Glenwood, AR 5 07-10 276
Day 1: 5 07-10
7. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 4 07-04 272
Day 1: 4 07-04
8. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 4 07-02 268
Day 1: 4 07-02
9. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 5 06-12 264
Day 1: 5 06-12
10. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 4 06-11 260
Day 1: 4 06-11
11. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 3 06-09 257
Day 1: 3 06-09
12. Kathy Womack Trussville, AL 5 06-01 254
Day 1: 5 06-01
13. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 5 05-15 250
Day 1: 5 05-15
13. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 5 05-15 250
Day 1: 5 05-15
15. Judy Wong Many, LA 4 05-12 245
Day 1: 4 05-12
16. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 5 05-09 243
Day 1: 5 05-09
17. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 4 05-03 241
Day 1: 4 05-03
18. Laura Elkins Amarillo, TX 4 05-02 239
Day 1: 4 05-02
19. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 3 04-14 237
Day 1: 3 04-14
20. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 2 04-09 235
Day 1: 2 04-09
21. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 4 04-08 233
Day 1: 4 04-08
22. Mary Croft Bedford, VA 2 04-03 231
Day 1: 2 04-03
23. Lori Masters Nashville, TN 3 04-01 229
Day 1: 3 04-01
24. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 3 03-12 226
Day 1: 3 03-12
24. Secret York Benton, KY 2 03-12 226
Day 1: 2 03-12
26. Jo DEE Lake Helena, AL 2 03-09 223
Day 1: 2 03-09
27. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 3 03-08 221
Day 1: 3 03-08
28. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 3 03-04 217
Day 1: 3 03-04
28. Lila Bass Austin, TX 2 03-04 217
Day 1: 2 03-04
28. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 2 03-04 217
Day 1: 2 03-04
31. Judy Antle Albany, KY 2 03-01 212
Day 1: 2 03-01
31. Kelley Shepherd Cortez, CO 2 03-01 212
Day 1: 2 03-01
33. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 2 03-00 209
Day 1: 2 03-00
34. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 2 02-15 207
Day 1: 2 02-15
35. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 2 02-14 205
Day 1: 2 02-14
36. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, TX 2 02-13 203
Day 1: 2 02-13
37. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 2 02-12 200
Day 1: 2 02-12
37. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 1 02-12 200
Day 1: 1 02-12
39. Tami Kashiwabara Shelby JAPAN 2 02-11 197
Day 1: 2 02-11
40. Mary Hencken Belmont, NC 2 02-09 195
Day 1: 2 02-09
41. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 2 02-07 192
Day 1: 2 02-07
41. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 2 02-07 192
Day 1: 2 02-07
43. Cindy Van Horn Athens, TX 2 02-03 189
Day 1: 2 02-03
44. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 1 02-00 187
Day 1: 1 02-00
45. Jan Hudson Harrison, AR 2 01-12 185
Day 1: 2 01-12
46. Penny Berryman Hot Springs, AR 1 01-09 183
Day 1: 1 01-09
47. Melinda Mize Hooper Lockesburg, AR 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08
48. Karen Elkins Oxford, AL 1 01-07 178
Day 1: 1 01-07
48. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, OH 1 01-07 178
Day 1: 1 01-07
50. Keri May Maple Valley, WA 1 01-04 175
Day 1: 1 01-04
51. Kathy Magers Waxahachie, TX 1 01-03 173
Day 1: 1 01-03
52. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 1 01-00 170
Day 1: 1 01-00
52. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 1 01-00 170
Day 1: 1 01-00
54. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 1 00-15 166
Day 1: 1 00-15
54. Sammie Denyes Florala, AL 1 00-15 166
Day 1: 1 00-15
56. Linda Berry Madison, NC 1 00-14 161
Day 1: 1 00-14
56. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 1 00-14 161
Day 1: 1 00-14
56. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 1 00-14 161
Day 1: 1 00-14
59. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 1 00-13 157
Day 1: 1 00-13
60. Debbie Kemp Emory, TX 1 00-12 155
Day 1: 1 00-12
61. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Darla Bardelli Phoenix, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Lisa Craig Chandler, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Kellie Skelton Aztec, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Sharon Teague Greenville, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Kali Weatherford Eustace, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
61. Pat White Pleasanton, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 8 151 229-12
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2008 Womens Bassmaster Tour Stop 4 9/18-9/20
Clarks Hill Lake, Evans GA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Lesley Childers Anderson, SC 2 07-03 305
Day 1: 2 07-03
2. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 5 06-06 295
Day 1: 5 06-06
3. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 3 04-15 290
Day 1: 3 04-15
4. Lisa Diehl Pittsburgh, PA 3 04-08 285
Day 1: 3 04-08
5. Monica Altman Angier, NC 4 04-04 278
Day 1: 4 04-04
5. Kelleen Wells Grovetown, GA 3 04-04 278
Day 1: 3 04-04
7. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 4 04-02 272
Day 1: 4 04-02
8. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 3 03-13 268
Day 1: 3 03-13
9. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 2 03-05 264
Day 1: 2 03-05
10. Miriam Donohoo San Mateo, FL 2 03-03 260
Day 1: 2 03-03
11. Kim McGuffey Weatherford, TX 3 02-15 257
Day 1: 3 02-15
12. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 2 02-14 254
Day 1: 2 02-14
13. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 2 02-07 251
Day 1: 2 02-07
14. Nancy Stumpe Palatka, FL 2 02-04 248
Day 1: 2 02-04
15. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 2 02-03 245
Day 1: 2 02-03
16. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, MO 2 02-00 242
Day 1: 2 02-00
16. Brandi Frasier Madisonville, KY 1 02-00 242
Day 1: 1 02-00
18. Vicki Hester Rainbow City, AL 1 01-14 238
Day 1: 1 01-14
18. Petra Ramsey El Paso, TX 1 01-14 238
Day 1: 1 01-14
20. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 2 01-13 235
Day 1: 2 01-13
21. Tracy Doty Roanoke, TX 2 01-10 232
Day 1: 2 01-10
21. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 1 01-10 232
Day 1: 1 01-10
23. Katie Ellis Gulfport, MS 1 01-07 229
Day 1: 1 01-07
24. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 1 01-05 223
Day 1: 1 01-05
24. Kim Guy Loudon, TN 1 01-05 223
Day 1: 1 01-05
24. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 1 01-05 223
Day 1: 1 01-05
24. Leanne Snowden Suttons Bay, MI 1 01-05 223
Day 1: 1 01-05
24. Sharon Withers Jasper, TX 1 01-05 223
Day 1: 1 01-05
29. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, KY 1 01-04 216
Day 1: 1 01-04
29. Billie Jaynes Deer Park, TX 1 01-04 216
Day 1: 1 01-04
31. Jennifer Blackwood Lincolnton, GA 1 01-02 213
Day 1: 1 01-02
32. Lesli Lively Grapeland, TX 1 01-00 210
Day 1: 1 01-00
32. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 1 01-00 210
Day 1: 1 01-00
34. Susan Wild Denver, CO 1 00-15 207
Day 1: 1 00-15
35. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 1 00-14 204
Day 1: 1 00-14
35. Jennifer Helgren Waukegum, IL 1 00-14 204
Day 1: 1 00-14
37. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 1 00-13 201
Day 1: 1 00-13
38. Brenda Bates La Porte, TX 1 00-12 199
Day 1: 1 00-12
39. Tracy Bailey Ennis, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Ashley Brinkley Madisonville, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Kathy Freehling Interlachen, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Linda Higginbotham Palm Coast, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Ann Hood Statesboro, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Kris Hunter Seguin, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Marilu Ives Hot Springs, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Dianne Kegley Norphlet, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Mary Lipka Wentzville, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Janet Mckercher Wapakoneta, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Beverly Nelson Harrison, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Judy Pate Benton, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. LaShea Raynor Lexington, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Brenda Reeves Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Brenda Scarborough Dover, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Violette Sesco Citrus Springs, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Linda Thomas Pryor, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Sabrina Thompson Houston, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
39. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 1 68 89-05
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1 68 89-05
