Big Bass Highlight First Day of Competition on Texas' Lake Amistad
DEL RIO, Texas - The first day of the first event of the 2007 Mercury Marine Women's Bassmaster Tour Presented by Triton Boats was also something of a first for Karla Bullard of Del Rio, Texas.
"This is the first time I've ever led a WBT tournament," said Bullard, whose five-fish limit of 19 pounds, 13 ounces, put her in front on Thursday in the Lake Amistad competition.
A regular competitor on Amistad as part of the Val Verde BASS Federation Nation club, Bullard took advantage of her experience on the spacious reservoir and put herself in prime position for the top prize of a Triton/Mercury rig valued at $50,000. Bullard holds a two-pound plus lead over Kentucky's Secret York.
The start of Thursday's competition was delayed for more than one hour by heavy fog. Soon after BASS tournament officials cleared the pros and their co-anglers for take-off, a misty wind kicked up, which some contenders said hampered their search for the big bass of Lake Amistad.
Bullard, a 56-year-old dental hygienist, said she used Thursday's windy conditions to her advantage.
"The wind is your friend on this lake," she said. "If the lake is glassed over, the water is so clear and the number of bites is going to go way down."
In second was York of Benton, Ky., who wrapped up Thursday with 17-10. In third was Lisa Sternard of Clarksville, Tenn., with 16-14. In fourth was Lisa Johnson of Aragon, Ga., with 15-11 and in fifth was Laura Moore of Brookeland, Texas, with 15-5.
The vast Rio Grande impoundment that straddles the Mexico-U.S. border reportedly gave up many big bass to competitors during practice earlier in the week.
The promise of lunkers in the livewell panned out for many of the women on Thursday; and the largest, a 7-11, was brought to the scales by Sternard, who earned Thursday's Purolator Big Bass premium of $1,000.
Leading the field of co-anglers was Kim Tucker of Red Bay, Ala. Fishing her first tournament, she weighed-in 22 pounds, 2 ounces of bass. Tucker was ahead of Julie Shivers of Del Rio, Texas, who had 15-8. Trailing them were Alabama's Crystal Langston with 15-0; Indiana's Kimberly Martin with 13-11; and Massachusetts' Colleen McKay with 11-15.
Co-anglers are competing for a top prize of $1,000 cash and a fully rigged Triton boat worth $25,000.
On Friday, the WBT anglers compete to make the cut of the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers for the final day of competition Saturday.
The Lake Amistad event kicks off the second season of the WBT. The success of the regular 2006 season will be crowned later this month when the inaugural WBT Championship takes place on Lake Mitchell in Alabama held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic.
Many WBT Championship contenders are in the field at Amistad including two-time WBT winners Tammy Richardson and Dianna Clark.
"I was concerned how I would focus on this tournament, knowing Lake Mitchell was coming up," said Clark, the 2006 Toyota Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year and currently sitting in eighth place. "But I began to feel comfortable once I got here."
2007 Womens Tour - Lake Amistad, TX 02/08-02/10 Lake Amistad, Del Rio Texas
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Karla Bullard Del Rio, Texas 5 19-13 305
Day 1: 5 19-13
2. Secret York Benton, Ky. 4 17-10 295
Day 1: 4 17-10
3. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, Tenn. 5 16-14 290 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-14
4. Lisa Johnson Aragon, Ga. 5 15-11 285
Day 1: 5 15-11
5. Laura Moore Brookeland, Texas 5 15-05 280
Day 1: 5 15-05
6. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 5 15-00 276
Day 1: 5 15-00
7. Betty Stahl Guntersville, Ala. 5 14-07 272
Day 1: 5 14-07
8. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, Tenn. 5 13-06 268
Day 1: 5 13-06
9. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, Ark. 4 12-09 264
Day 1: 4 12-09
10. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, Va. 5 12-06 260
Day 1: 5 12-06
11. Juanita Robinson Highlands, Texas 5 12-05 257
Day 1: 5 12-05
12. Kathi Hurst Ripley, Miss. 5 12-01 254
Day 1: 5 12-01
13. Robin Mcfarlane San Antonio, Texas 5 12-00 251
Day 1: 5 12-00
14. Joan Davis West Lafayette, Ind. 5 11-13 248
Day 1: 5 11-13
15. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, Texas 5 11-08 245
Day 1: 5 11-08
16. Judy Wong Many, La. 5 11-05 243
Day 1: 5 11-05
17. Debra Hengst San Antonio, Texas 5 11-02 241
Day 1: 5 11-02
18. Teri Neal Cumming, Ga. 3 11-01 238
Day 1: 3 11-01
18. Rhonda Pope Waco, Ga. 3 11-01 238
Day 1: 3 11-01
20. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 5 10-15 235
Day 1: 5 10-15
21. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 5 10-12 233
Day 1: 5 10-12
22. Kay Pennington Pineville, La. 5 9-15 231
Day 1: 5 9-15
23. Tammy Richardson Amity, Ark. 4 9-11 229
Day 1: 4 9-11
24. Kris McClendon Spicewood, Texas 5 9-10 227
Day 1: 5 9-10
25. Sandy Sherred Pittsburgh, Pa. 4 9-08 225
Day 1: 4 9-08
26. Kelley Shepherd Cortez, Colo. 5 8-13 223
Day 1: 5 8-13
27. Emily Shaffer Mt Juliet, Tenn. 3 8-12 221
Day 1: 3 8-12
28. Lynda Gessner Foristell, Mo. 5 8-02 219
Day 1: 5 8-02
29. Tammie Muse North Little Rock, Ark 4 7-06 216
Day 1: 4 7-06
29. Linda Redford Blue Eye, Mo. 3 7-06 216
Day 1: 3 7-06
31. Laura Gober Pendergrass, Ga. 4 7-00 212
Day 1: 4 7-00
31. Mary Hencken Belmont, N.C. 4 7-00 212
Day 1: 4 7-00
33. Penny Berryman Hot Springs, Ark. 3 6-08 209
Day 1: 3 6-08
34. Debra Cunningham Phoenix, Ariz. 3 6-05 207
Day 1: 3 6-05
35. Jamie Patrick Dawsonville, Ga. 1 6-00 205
Day 1: 1 6-00
36. Kellie Skelton Aztec, N.M. 1 5-12 203
Day 1: 1 5-12
37. Linda Sands Cullman, Ala. 3 5-09 201
Day 1: 3 5-09
38. Gail Criswell Del Rio, Texas 2 5-05 199
Day 1: 2 5-05
39. Janet Parker Little Elm, Texas 3 5-04 197
Day 1: 3 5-04
40. Lori Masters Nashville, Tenn. 2 4-14 195
Day 1: 2 4-14
41. Pamela Pope Robinson, Texas 2 4-12 193
Day 1: 2 4-12
42. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, Texas 3 4-11 191
Day 1: 3 4-11
43. Debbie Kemp Weatherford, Texas 3 4-10 189
Day 1: 3 4-10
44. Kathy Womack Moody, Ala. 1 4-07 187
Day 1: 1 4-07
45. Cindy Hill Smyrna, Tenn. 2 4-02 185
Day 1: 2 4-02
46. Debra Petrowski Arlington, Texas 3 4-01 183
Day 1: 3 4-01
47. Jennifer Stelly Sulphur, La. 1 3-14 181
Day 1: 1 3-14
48. Deanie Tate Arkadelphia, Ark. 1 3-13 179
Day 1: 1 3-13
49. Kathy Magers Waxahachie, Texas 2 3-10 177
Day 1: 2 3-10
50. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, Ga. 2 3-09 175
Day 1: 2 3-09
51. Rose Ellis Birmingham, Ala. 2 3-07 173
Day 1: 2 3-07
52. Michelle Armstrong Denver, N.C. 2 3-04 170
Day 1: 2 3-04
52. Jan Heavener Sherwood, Ark. 2 3-04 170
Day 1: 2 3-04
54. Cindy Van Horn Fort Worth, Texas 2 3-02 167
Day 1: 2 3-02
55. Audrey McQueen Canon City, Colo. 1 3-01 165
Day 1: 1 3-01
56. Kathy Cater Conroe, Texas 2 3-00 163
Day 1: 2 3-00
57. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, Ohio 2 2-14 160
Day 1: 2 2-14
57. Melanie Rockey White, Ga. 1 2-14 160
Day 1: 1 2-14
59. Laura Heflin Topeka, Kan. 1 2-13 156
Day 1: 1 2-13
59. Keri Schieber Cumming, Ga. 1 2-13 156
Day 1: 1 2-13
61. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, Ark. 2 2-10 153
Day 1: 2 2-10
62. Diane Phillips Tyler, Texas 1 2-06 151
Day 1: 1 2-06
63. Cheryl Allen Yantis, Texas 1 2-03 148
Day 1: 1 2-03
63. Robin Babb Livingston, Texas 1 2-03 148
Day 1: 1 2-03
65. Sarah Augustine New Iberia, La. 1 1-14 144
Day 1: 1 1-14
65. Bonnie Johnson Weatherford, Texas 1 1-14 144
Day 1: 1 1-14
67. Sandi Karnes Livingston, Texas 1 1-12 140
Day 1: 1 1-12
67. Judy Vancanneyt Lexington, Ala. 1 1-12 140
Day 1: 1 1-12
69. Lila Bass Austin, Texas 1 1-11 134
Day 1: 1 1-11
69. Cindy Caperton Madison, Tenn. 1 1-11 134
Day 1: 1 1-11
69. Cheryl Crafton Lewisburg, Ky. 1 1-11 134
Day 1: 1 1-11
69. Donna Newberry Van Buren, Ark. 1 1-11 134
Day 1: 1 1-11
73. Jen Carroll Celina, Texas 1 1-10 129
Day 1: 1 1-10
74. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, La. 1 1-09 127
Day 1: 1 1-09
75. Tami Kashiwabara Nagano-Shi, Japan 1 1-07 124
Day 1: 1 1-07
75. Cheryl LaLumandier Harvester, Mo. 1 1-07 124
Day 1: 1 1-07
77. Jo Dee Bucki Bessemer, Ala. 1 1-06 119
Day 1: 1 1-06
77. Sue Parrish Indianapolis, Ind. 1 1-06 119
Day 1: 1 1-06
77. Pam Ridgle Brownsboro, Texas 1 1-06 119
Day 1: 1 1-06
80. Christie Thomas Reform, Ala. 1 1-04 115
Day 1: 1 1-04
81. Darla Bardelli Glendale, Ariz. 1 0-00 91
Day 1: 1 0-00
81. Christena Baugh Benton, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Sharri Brazzel Gilbert, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Toni Corpe Oroville, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Robyn Gist Cedar Hill, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Susan Gregory Long Beach, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Julie Jacobson Janesville, Wisc. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Billie Jaynes Deerpark, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Tanya Kreuzer Mesa, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Robin Lefler N Tazewell, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Becky McKinney Ocala, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Carolyn Poole Defuniak Springs, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Kathy Riley Terry, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Karen Roberts Ashland, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Madeline Smith Hot Springs Village, A 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Rhonda Usery Cabot, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Linda Walker Beebe, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Kali Weatherford Athens, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Ann Wells Danville, Ill. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Pat White Pleasanton, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Lisa Sternard Clarksville, Tenn. 7-11 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 21 221 524-10
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21 221 524-10
2007 Womens Tour - Lake Amistad, TX 02/08-02/10 Lake Amistad, Del Rio Texas
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kim Tucker Red Bay, Ala. 5 22-02 305
Day 1: 5 22-02
2. Julie Shivers Del Rio, Texas 5 15-08 295
Day 1: 5 15-08
3. Crystal Langston Leighton, Ala. 3 15-00 290
Day 1: 3 15-00
4. Kimberly Martin Clayton, Ind. 4 13-11 285
Day 1: 4 13-11
5. Colleen Mckay Worcester, Mass. 4 11-15 280
Day 1: 4 11-15
6. Jan Hudson Harrison, Ark. 4 11-02 276
Day 1: 4 11-02
7. Esther Turner Crossville, Tenn. 4 11-01 272
Day 1: 4 11-01
8. Marilu Ives Hot Springs, Ark. 3 10-01 268
Day 1: 3 10-01
9. Laura Elkins Amarillo, Texas 4 9-14 264
Day 1: 4 9-14
10. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, Wash. 3 9-11 260
Day 1: 3 9-11
11. Susan Wild Washington, D.C. 3 9-08 257
Day 1: 3 9-08
12. Heather Sullivan Montevallo, Ala. 3 9-07 254
Day 1: 3 9-07
13. Kim McGuffey Weatherford, Texas 5 9-06 251
Day 1: 5 9-06
14. Kris Hunter Cibolo, Texas 2 9-03 248
Day 1: 2 9-03
15. Nancy Oliver Arnaudville, La. 4 8-11 245
Day 1: 4 8-11
16. Sarah Busby Grand Lake, La. 1 8-01 243 $500.00
Day 1: 1 8-01
17. Gail Wood Russellville, Ark. 4 6-15 241
Day 1: 4 6-15
18. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, Texas 4 6-09 239
Day 1: 4 6-09
19. Donna Prado San Antonio, Texas 3 5-14 237
Day 1: 3 5-14
20. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, Va. 2 5-13 235
Day 1: 2 5-13
21. Sharon McEwen East Mckeesport, Pa. 1 5-03 233
Day 1: 1 5-03
22. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, Mo. 2 5-02 231
Day 1: 2 5-02
23. Kala Wright Pocola, Okla. 1 5-00 229
Day 1: 1 5-00
24. Sherry Melton Monterey, Tenn. 2 4-01 227
Day 1: 2 4-01
25. Beverly Dickson Little Rock, Ark. 1 3-15 225
Day 1: 1 3-15
26. Summer Stephens Flintstone, Ga. 1 3-13 223
Day 1: 1 3-13
27. LORA SIMISON Beach Grove, Ind. 2 3-10 219
Day 1: 2 3-10
27. Karen Williams Stark City, Mo. 2 3-10 219
Day 1: 2 3-10
27. Brenda Bates La Porte, Texas 1 3-10 219
Day 1: 1 3-10
30. Judith Hart Greenville, Texas 2 3-08 214
Day 1: 2 3-08
30. Dianne Kegley Norphlet, Ark. 2 3-08 214
Day 1: 2 3-08
32. Angie Everitt Livingston, Texas 2 3-07 211
Day 1: 2 3-07
33. Angela Mitchell Keswick, Canada 2 3-05 209
Day 1: 2 3-05
34. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, Ky. 2 3-04 206
Day 1: 2 3-04
34. Kristy Darby Mt Ida, Ark. 1 3-04 206
Day 1: 1 3-04
36. Cheryl Holloway Pollock, La. 1 3-02 203
Day 1: 1 3-02
37. Lesa Brown Harrison, Ark. 1 3-01 201
Day 1: 1 3-01
38. Monica Altman Angier, N.C. 2 2-15 198
Day 1: 2 2-15
38. Tammie Ply Harrison, Ark. 2 2-15 198
Day 1: 2 2-15
40. Carol Boykin Indianapolis, Ind. 1 2-13 195
Day 1: 1 2-13
41. Cheryl Bowden Plano, Texas 1 2-06 192
Day 1: 1 2-06
41. Darla Mcintosh Punta Gorda, Fla. 1 2-06 192
Day 1: 1 2-06
43. Kay Harmon Austin, Texas 1 2-03 189
Day 1: 1 2-03
44. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, Tenn. 1 1-15 185
Day 1: 1 1-15
44. Pamela Rodden Mesquite, Texas 1 1-15 185
Day 1: 1 1-15
44. Sharon Withers Sam Rayburn, Texas 1 1-15 185
Day 1: 1 1-15
47. Robbie Hartline Foristell, Mo. 1 1-14 180
Day 1: 1 1-14
47. Vickie Jeffries Celina, Ohio 1 1-14 180
Day 1: 1 1-14
49. Toni Mode Eagle Creek, Ore. 1 1-13 175
Day 1: 1 1-13
49. SHERETTA SWEENEY Abilene, Texas 1 1-13 175
Day 1: 1 1-13
49. Carolyn Voyles Terrell, Texas 1 1-13 175
Day 1: 1 1-13
52. Janet Frerich San Antonio, Texas 1 1-12 170
Day 1: 1 1-12
52. Lillian Gutierrez San Antonio, Texas 1 1-12 170
Day 1: 1 1-12
54. Julie Garriety Grapevine, Texas 1 1-11 166
Day 1: 1 1-11
54. Linda Thomas Pryor, Okla. 1 1-11 166
Day 1: 1 1-11
56. Sandy Jeane Hull, Texas 1 1-10 163
Day 1: 1 1-10
57. Carilyn Hill Coweta, Okla. 1 1-09 161
Day 1: 1 1-09
58. Dianna Fanning Rogers, Ark. 1 1-06 159
Day 1: 1 1-06
59. TRACY BAILEY Ennis, Texas 1 1-03 156
Day 1: 1 1-03
59. Mary Lipka Wentzville, Mo. 1 1-03 156
Day 1: 1 1-03
61. BJ Carson Inola, Okla. 1 0-00 121
Day 1: 1 0-00
61. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Patricia Atkinson Millis, Mass. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Linda Bald Poteet, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Linda Berry Madison, N.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Marsha Betz Richardson, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, N.M. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Bertha Cavakis Amity, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Tracy Doty Roanoke, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Nora Finks Warrenville, S.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Denese Freeman Lawton, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. EDWINA HARPER Euless, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Barbie Hagler Abilene, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Vicki Hester Rainbow City, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Sylvia Hudson Jacksonville, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Robin Kolton Elgin, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. APRIL LACY La Coste, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. VICKIE LESIKER Temple, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, N.M. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. De Lynn Montez Squires, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Tina Newman Soddy Daisy, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Brenda Reeves Arlington, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Maggie Robledo Irving, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Lisa Skelley Jackson, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Diane Smith Fayetteville, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Kim Stapp Ringgold, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Andrea Studensky-Berry Buna, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Jeannette Thompson Sonora, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
61. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Sarah Busby Grand Lake, La. 8-01 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 6 122 318-06
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6 122 318-06