Richardson Wins WBT Bass Fishing Tournament on Neely Henry Lake
GADSDEN, Ala. - It was a thrilling day of paramount achievements for anglers fishing the inaugural Women's Bassmaster Tour. Professional angler Tammy Richardson of Amity, Ark., made history as she earned the first win of the five-event series with a three-day total of 33 pounds, 3 ounces on Neely Henry Lake. Coincidentally, Richardson's Day 3 partner, Bonnie Ward, won the co-angler division with a three-day total of 18 pounds.
The duo took left nothing to chance on Saturday as Richardson finished more than three pounds ahead of second-place Sheri Glasgow of Muskogee, Okla., while Ward finished more than four pounds in front of runner-up co-angler Heather Sullivan of Sitka, Ark.
With their performances on Neely Henry Lake, Richardson won a Triton boat and Mercury Marine package valued at $50,000 and Ward was awarded a Triton boat and Mercury rig valued at $25,000.
"I didn't expect my weight to hold while I was sitting there," said Richardson, 34, who started the day in fifth place. "When it got closer and I realized I could win, I just got more nervous."
Richardson brought in a five-fish limit of 14-3, the heaviest sack of the day. "I and my partner just had a great day," she said. "I had my limit by 9 a.m. and the whole day just went really well for us."
Richardson primarily targeted spotted bass using a green-pumpkin tube for the early morning bite and switched to a Senko after 9 a.m. She had 15 bites for the day. "I just can't believe it," said a still stunned Richardson.
Glasgow, meanwhile, brought in a limit totaling 9 pounds, 4 ounces and a three-day total of 30-1. "The fish were trying real hard to spawn," said Glasgow. "I threw out a floating worm everyday and they were short striking it."
Glasgow flipped a Texas-rigged worm into grass edges. She sight-fished the first and third day, targeting bedding bass in shallow water 3 feet and less.
"I was really surprised we didn't have bigger stringers," she said. "This time of the year, you usually see more big fish shallow. I think what affected that were the storms and fluctuation of the water.
The top six women who fished the final day of the WBT weighed in at Guntersville High School in Guntersville. It's very exciting to see the large crowd at the weigh-in and I'm thankful to BASS and ESPN to give us this opportunity," Glasgow said. "It's been a dream for a long time and we're finally seeing it come true."
Linda Sands of Cullman, Ala., finished in third with a total of 29-10.
Hot Springs, Ark., resident and angling veteran Penny Berryman fell from the co-lead on Day 2 to finish in fourth place overall. Berryman brought in three fish weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces, boosting her total to 29-1, but was short of the win. While she was disappointed she didn't take home the trophy, she was thrilled with making the Top 6 and experiencing the excitement of the Tour.
"It was so exciting to see the bleachers full of people," said Berryman. "It really made me feel special."
Kathi Hurst of Ripley, Miss., brought in one fish weighing 2 pounds, 14 ounces and finished in fourth with three-day total of 24-5. Behind her was Deanie Tate of Arkadelphia, Ark., in sixth with 23-9.
Co-angler Ward of Snohomish, Wash., brought in a three-fish limit of 7 pounds, 3 ounces for her win. The 51-year-old was nearly speechless as she tried to describe her excitement.
"It's unbelievable! I just don't know what to say," said Ward. "My partner put us on some great spots. We fished mostly with Senkos and had a really good day. I was able to cull and get a nice limit."
Ward fished a consistent pattern and caught all but two of her fish on a Senko. Though this was Ward's first BASS tournament win, she plans to fish the entire series.
"It's extremely exciting," said Ward. "I've never fished for such a prize. It's been a great tournament all week and all of the girls had a really great time. I really appreciate all of the sponsors that are supporting this Tour."
In addition to the prize money, anglers earned valuable points toward qualifying for the Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship, a tournament held in conjunction with the 2007 Bassmaster Classic.
The next stop of the Women's Bassmaster Tour is on Lewisville Lake in Lewisville, Texas, May 18-20.
2006 Women's Bassmaster Tour Stop 2 BO 04/20-04/22
Neely Henry Lake, Neely Henry Lake Ala.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tammy Richardson Amity, Ark. 13 33-03 305 $50,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 3 7-01 Day 3: 5 14-03
2. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 15 30-01 295 $5,200.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 9-05 Day 3: 5 9-04
3. Linda Sands Cullman, Ala. 15 29-10 290 $3,680.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 6-13 Day 3: 5 9-10
4. Penny Berryman Hot Springs, Ark. 13 29-01 290 $3,180.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 9-06 Day 3: 3 7-10
5. Kathi Hurst Ripley, Miss. 10 24-05 285 $1,930.00
Day 1: 4 10-06 Day 2: 5 11-01 Day 3: 1 2-14
6. Deanie Tate Arkadelphia, Ark. 12 23-09 276 $2,700.00
Day 1: 4 7-02 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 3 4-10
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Rhonda Pope Waco, Ga. 5-08 $1,000.00
2 Deanie Tate Arkadelphia, Ark. 5-11 $1,000.00
3 Penny Berryman Hot Springs, Ark. 3-12 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 23 279 455-00
2 20 239 411-04
3 3 22 48-03
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46 540 914-07
2006 Women's Bassmaster Tour Stop 2 NB 04/20-04/22
Neely Henry Lake, Neely Henry Lake Ala.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, Wash. 9 18-00 305 $25,500.00
Day 1: 3 6-11 Day 2: 3 4-02 Day 3: 3 7-03
2. Heather Sullivan Sitka, Alaska 7 13-07 295 $3,200.00
Day 1: 2 3-04 Day 2: 3 6-05 Day 3: 2 3-14
3. Pat White Pleasanton, Texas 7 12-06 295 $2,180.00
Day 1: 3 3-07 Day 2: 3 7-07 Day 3: 1 1-08
4. Gerry Threadgill Onalaska, Texas 5 11-06 285 $2,180.00
Day 1: 2 3-06 Day 2: 2 5-05 Day 3: 1 2-11
5. Mary Croft Bedford, Va. 7 10-14 280 $1,180.00
Day 1: 3 2-06 Day 2: 3 7-00 Day 3: 1 1-08
6. Keri Schieber Cumming, Ga. 6 9-10 276 $900.00
Day 1: 2 2-00 Day 2: 3 6-03 Day 3: 1 1-07
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Kali Weatherford Keller, Texas 4-00 $500.00
2 Gerry Threadgill Onalaska, Texas 4-08 $500.00
3 Bonnie Ward Snohomish, Wash. 3-02 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 18 128 192-06
2 16 106 165-12
3 1 9 18-03
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35 243 376-05
