HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -Veteran Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kevin Wirth of Crestwood, Ky., fished a depth at which he wasn't exactly comfortable, and the change produced the best results he could have hoped for Thursday as he took the Day 1 lead at the Tennessee Triumph bass fishing tournament on Old Hickory Lake with a five-fish limit weighing 17 pounds, 2 ounces. Wirth is less than 1 pound ahead of Marty Stone of Fayetteville, N.C., who weighed in 16 pounds, 5 ounces, and reigning Angler of the Year Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., who is third with 15-9.
"I'm really happy with the way the day went. I just kind of kept pegging away," said Wirth, who concentrated on three areas. "A real fortunate day, I like what I'm doing. I've never had to catch them at the depth that I've had to catch them at this week, the depth is really key."
Wirth, 45, added that he's fishing differently than he's used to, and it is taking some adjustment.
"I'm not comfortable with it, but if I keep pegging away I might do all right. I don't know how many I can catch a day, I might have caught all I can catch."
With a victory, Wirth would earn $100,000, adding to his Big Bass honors and a $1,000 premium Thursday after his big fish weighed in at 6-4. While he was due to check in at 3:30 p.m., he caught the lunker at 2 p.m.
"I quit fishing as soon as I put him in the boat," he said.
More than the trophy is at stake at the Tennessee Triumph, as the Angler of the Year race is heating up dramatically. With just three events remaining, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., leads Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, and Reese, in third and fourth place, respectively, in the standings. The winner of the AOY will receive $250,000 and the points will also determine the brunt of the 2009 Classic qualifiers.
VanDam's finish Thursday didn't help his lead in the AOY race, as he weighed in 7-5 and finished 63rd on the day. Faircloth is tied for 22nd with 11-3.
Meanwhile, after moving around a lot to find the fish on ledges and ending up with a successful day, the 42-year-old Stone set a personal goal of finishing well at Old Hickory in order to make the 2009 Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
"When you have days like that, you rack it up to being special," said Stone, who has previously fished four Classics. "I need a good finish here. I need a good finish to get back in the Classic - I wanna get back to where I think I belong, and I belong in that Classic."
Reese said he had two small fish by about 12:30 but was able to get some good bites in the last few hours of the day.
"I was not a happy camper for a long time today," said Reese, who is fishing the outside and said he hasn't been on the banks all week. "It just worked out in the end. I've noticed all week long that the afternoon bite was definitely way better. You catch 30-40 fish off a spot and no keepers, then one of the spots I went to later, I pull up and I catch a good one. There's no rhyme or reason."
Rounding out the top five: Dustin Wilks of Rocky Mount, N.C., with 15-4, and Kevin Langill of Terrell, N.C., with 15-3.
In the co-angler division, Steve Greene of Tennessee, leads the chase for the $25,000 top prize with 8 pounds, 14 ounces. Trailing Greene are Illinois' Jason Luszcak, with 7-15, and Minnesota's Ryan Piersdorf, with 7-14.
Tennessee Triumph 2008 Elite Series - Tennessee Triumph PRO 06/26-06/29 Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville Tenn. (PRO Division) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 17-02 Day 1: 5 17-02 2. Marty Stone Fayetteville, N.C. 5 16-05 Day 1: 5 16-05 3. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 15-09 Day 1: 5 15-09 4. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 5 15-04 Day 1: 5 15-04 5. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 5 15-03 Day 1: 5 15-03 6. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 5 14-13 Day 1: 5 14-13 7. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 14-06 Day 1: 5 14-06 8. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 5 14-05 Day 1: 5 14-05 9. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 5 13-04 Day 1: 5 13-04 9. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 5 13-04 Day 1: 5 13-04 11. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 13-02 Day 1: 5 13-02 12. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 5 12-15 Day 1: 5 12-15 13. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 5 12-14 Day 1: 5 12-14 14. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 5 12-06 Day 1: 5 12-06 15. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 5 12-04 Day 1: 5 12-04 16. Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas 5 11-15 Day 1: 5 11-15 17. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 11-13 Day 1: 5 11-13 18. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 11-12 Day 1: 5 11-12 19. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 5 11-08 Day 1: 5 11-08 20. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 11-06 Day 1: 5 11-06 21. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 5 11-04 Day 1: 5 11-04 22. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 5 11-03 Day 1: 5 11-03 22. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 11-03 Day 1: 5 11-03 24. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 11-02 Day 1: 5 11-02 24. Chris Lane Lakeland, Fla. 5 11-02 Day 1: 5 11-02 26. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 11-00 Day 1: 5 11-00 27. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 10-12 Day 1: 5 10-12 28. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 10-08 Day 1: 5 10-08 28. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 10-08 Day 1: 5 10-08 30. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 5 10-07 Day 1: 5 10-07 30. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 5 10-07 Day 1: 5 10-07 32. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 5 10-04 Day 1: 5 10-04 33. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 10-03 Day 1: 5 10-03 33. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 10-03 Day 1: 5 10-03 35. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 10-02 Day 1: 5 10-02 36. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 5 10-00 Day 1: 5 10-00 37. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 9-15 Day 1: 5 9-15 37. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 4 9-15 Day 1: 4 9-15 39. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 9-14 Day 1: 5 9-14 40. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 9-13 Day 1: 5 9-13 41. Clark Reehm Russellville, Ark. 5 9-11 Day 1: 5 9-11 41. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 4 9-11 Day 1: 4 9-11 43. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 5 9-07 Day 1: 5 9-07 44. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 5 9-06 Day 1: 5 9-06 45. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 9-04 Day 1: 5 9-04 46. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 9-02 Day 1: 5 9-02 46. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5 9-02 Day 1: 5 9-02 48. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 5 9-00 Day 1: 5 9-00 49. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, Japan 4 8-14 Day 1: 4 8-14 50. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 3 8-13 Day 1: 3 8-13 51. Jim Murray Arabi, Ga. 5 8-11 Day 1: 5 8-11 52. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, Texas 5 8-10 Day 1: 5 8-10 53. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 8-09 Day 1: 5 8-09 53. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 5 8-09 Day 1: 5 8-09 55. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 5 8-08 Day 1: 5 8-08 56. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 5 8-07 Day 1: 5 8-07 57. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 8-02 Day 1: 5 8-02 58. Marty Robinson Lyman, S.C. 4 7-15 Day 1: 4 7-15 59. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 5 7-13 Day 1: 5 7-13 59. Peter Thliveros St Augustine, Fla. 4 7-13 Day 1: 4 7-13 61. Wade Grooms Bonneau, S.C. 5 7-08 Day 1: 5 7-08 62. David Smith Del City, Okla. 4 7-06 Day 1: 4 7-06 63. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 7-05 Day 1: 5 7-05 64. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 2 7-04 Day 1: 2 7-04 65. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 7-03 Day 1: 5 7-03 65. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 2 7-03 Day 1: 2 7-03 67. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 7-02 Day 1: 5 7-02 68. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 7-00 Day 1: 5 7-00 68. Kurt Dove Fairfax, Va. 4 7-00 Day 1: 4 7-00 68. Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 3 7-00 Day 1: 3 7-00 71. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 4 6-14 Day 1: 4 6-14 71. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 3 6-14 Day 1: 3 6-14 73. Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla. 5 6-13 Day 1: 5 6-13 74. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 3 6-07 Day 1: 3 6-07 75. Elton Luce Brookeland, Texas 4 6-03 Day 1: 4 6-03 75. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 3 6-03 Day 1: 3 6-03 77. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 2 6-00 Day 1: 2 6-00 78. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 4 5-15 Day 1: 4 5-15 79. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 4 5-13 Day 1: 4 5-13 80. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 4 5-12 Day 1: 4 5-12 81. Brian Clark Haltom City, Texas 3 5-09 Day 1: 3 5-09 82. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 2 5-07 Day 1: 2 5-07 83. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 3 5-06 Day 1: 3 5-06 83. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 3 5-06 Day 1: 3 5-06 85. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 4 5-05 Day 1: 4 5-05 85. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, Texas 3 5-05 Day 1: 3 5-05 87. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 3 4-14 Day 1: 3 4-14 88. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 3 4-13 Day 1: 3 4-13 89. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 2 4-00 Day 1: 2 4-00 90. David Sherrer Shreveport, La. 2 3-13 Day 1: 2 3-13 91. Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 2 3-11 Day 1: 2 3-11 92. Derek Remitz Grant, Ala. 1 3-09 Day 1: 1 3-09 93. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 2 3-08 Day 1: 2 3-08 94. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 2 3-07 Day 1: 2 3-07 95. Randy Allen Shreveport, La. 2 3-05 Day 1: 2 3-05 96. Jay Fuller Kingston, Okla. 2 3-03 Day 1: 2 3-03 97. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 1 3-00 Day 1: 1 3-00 98. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 2 2-15 Day 1: 2 2-15 99. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 2 2-14 Day 1: 2 2-14 99. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 2 2-14 Day 1: 2 2-14 101.Billy Brewer Bruceville, Texas 2 2-10 Day 1: 2 2-10 102.Fred Roumbanis Bixby, Okla. 2 2-08 Day 1: 2 2-08 103.Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 1 1-12 Day 1: 1 1-12 104.Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 1 1-11 Day 1: 1 1-11 105.Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 1 0-14 Day 1: 1 0-14 106.Ish Monroe Hughson, Calif. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 -------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 60 422 883-02 ---------------------------------- 60 422 883-02 2008 Elite Series - Tennessee Triumph CO 06/26-06/29 Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville Tenn. (NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Steve Greene Lebanon, Tenn. 3 8-14 Day 1: 3 8-14 2. Jason Luszcak Palos Hills, Ill. 3 7-15 Day 1: 3 7-15 3. Ryan Piersdorf Forest Lake, Minn. 2 7-14 Day 1: 2 7-14 4. Willie Leaver Camden, Tenn. 3 7-00 Day 1: 3 7-00 5. Pat Hatcliff Murfreesboro, Tenn. 3 6-14 Day 1: 3 6-14 6. Jim McDevitt Eldon, Mo. 3 6-13 Day 1: 3 6-13 6. Ron Seabaugh Barnhart, Mo. 3 6-13 Day 1: 3 6-13 8. Jeff Minchey Westmoreland, Tenn. 3 6-02 Day 1: 3 6-02 8. Terry Steele Sparta, Tenn. 3 6-02 Day 1: 3 6-02 10. Alton Jones Woodway, Texas 3 5-15 Day 1: 3 5-15 11. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 3 5-14 Day 1: 3 5-14 12. Lee Sisson Winter Haven, Fla. 3 5-12 Day 1: 3 5-12 13. Dave Fritts Hudson, Ill. 3 5-10 Day 1: 3 5-10 14. Jonathan Edwards Lawrenceburg, Tenn. 3 5-08 Day 1: 3 5-08 14. Joel Etheredge Springville, Ala. 3 5-08 Day 1: 3 5-08 16. Brian Easler Inman, S.C. 3 5-05 Day 1: 3 5-05 17. Jim Randle Decatur, Ill. 3 5-03 Day 1: 3 5-03 18. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, Ill. 3 5-00 Day 1: 3 5-00 19. Mark Menz Bethpage, Tenn. 3 4-14 Day 1: 3 4-14 19. Bret Myers Keller, Texas 2 4-14 Day 1: 2 4-14 21. David Harbison Millstadt, Ill. 2 4-12 Day 1: 2 4-12 22. Daniel Benton Andover, Kan. 2 4-11 Day 1: 2 4-11 23. Tom Frink Simi Valley, Calif. 2 4-07 Day 1: 2 4-07 24. Larry Dunn Baxter, Tenn. 3 4-06 Day 1: 3 4-06 25. Ron Wheaton Columbia, Tenn. 3 4-05 Day 1: 3 4-05 26. Mary Delgado Tampa, Fla. 2 4-01 Day 1: 2 4-01 27. Marty Pratt Parsons, Tenn. 3 4-00 Day 1: 3 4-00 28. Brad Muse Murfreesboro, Tenn. 2 3-13 Day 1: 2 3-13 29. Andy Bylander New Richmond, Wisc. 3 3-12 Day 1: 3 3-12 29. J Patton Eldridge, Iowa 2 3-12 Day 1: 2 3-12 31. Jimmy Cason Hendersonville, Tenn. 2 3-10 Day 1: 2 3-10 32. Mike Marfell Saint Louis, Mo. 2 3-07 Day 1: 2 3-07 33. Derik Dunton Van Meter, Iowa 2 3-05 Day 1: 2 3-05 34. Travis Cockburn Marion, Ill. 2 3-04 Day 1: 2 3-04 34. Larry Coleman Saint Anne, Ill. 1 3-04 Day 1: 1 3-04 36. Robert Carathers Columbia, Tenn. 1 3-03 Day 1: 1 3-03 37. Tim Devolder Coal Valley, Ill. 2 3-00 Day 1: 2 3-00 38. Eddie Walker Murfreesboro, Tenn. 2 2-15 Day 1: 2 2-15 39. Doug August Bartlett, Ill. 2 2-14 Day 1: 2 2-14 39. Del McDaniel Earlham, Iowa 2 2-14 Day 1: 2 2-14 39. Scott Mickulin Murfreesboro, Tenn. 2 2-14 Day 1: 2 2-14 39. Jerad Perkins Carterville, Ill. 2 2-14 Day 1: 2 2-14 43. David Sarff Manito, Ill. 2 2-12 Day 1: 2 2-12 44. Bill Milton Searcy, Ark. 1 2-09 Day 1: 1 2-09 45. Vershun Tolliver Smyrna, Tenn. 1 2-06 Day 1: 1 2-06 46. Jason Waldschmidt Pontiac, Ill. 1 2-05 Day 1: 1 2-05 47. Matt Burch Oakdale, Minn. 1 2-04 Day 1: 1 2-04 48. Brent Broderick Oregonia, Ohio 2 2-03 Day 1: 2 2-03 48. Jason Ferguson Wellington, Kan. 1 2-03 Day 1: 1 2-03 50. Jack Brooks Bradenton, Fla. 1 2-02 Day 1: 1 2-02 51. Shaun Harvey Monon, Ind. 1 2-01 Day 1: 1 2-01 51. Harry Potts Ozark, Ala. 1 2-01 Day 1: 1 2-01 51. Johnnie Rucker Hannibal, Mo. 1 2-01 Day 1: 1 2-01 54. Brian Christianson La Crosse, Wisc. 1 2-00 Day 1: 1 2-00 55. Steven Wisdom Birmingham, Ala. 1 1-14 Day 1: 1 1-14 56. Zarchary Menz Bethpage, Tenn. 1 1-13 Day 1: 1 1-13 57. Matthew Ellis Nashville, Tenn. 1 1-12 Day 1: 1 1-12 57. Tony Lain Greentop, Mo. 1 1-12 Day 1: 1 1-12 57. T. J. Maglio Madison, Wisc. 1 1-12 Day 1: 1 1-12 60. Bryan Swanson Carbon Cliff, Ill. 1 1-11 Day 1: 1 1-11 61. Michael Bass Austin, Texas 1 1-10 Day 1: 1 1-10 61. Dylan Freeze Blanchester, Ohio 1 1-10 Day 1: 1 1-10 61. Rick Moewe Nashville, Tenn. 1 1-10 Day 1: 1 1-10 61. Jimmy Swindle Gardendale, Ala. 1 1-10 Day 1: 1 1-10 61. Randy Warner Elmwood, Ill. 1 1-10 Day 1: 1 1-10 66. Bradley Hadraba Willow Springs, Ill. 1 1-09 Day 1: 1 1-09 66. Harry Parten Sweet Water, Ala. 1 1-09 Day 1: 1 1-09 68. Tony Devolder Coal Valley, Ill. 1 1-08 Day 1: 1 1-08 68. Wells Kaiser Cuba City, Wisc. 1 1-08 Day 1: 1 1-08 70. Rodney Clawson Old Hickory, Tenn. 1 1-07 Day 1: 1 1-07 70. Jason Seaton Martinsville, Ind. 1 1-07 Day 1: 1 1-07 72. Glenn Holloman Bon Aqua, Tenn. 1 1-06 Day 1: 1 1-06 72. Ivan C Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 1 1-06 Day 1: 1 1-06 72. Richard Rhodes Calvert City, Ky. 1 1-06 Day 1: 1 1-06 75. Roger Koopman Andalusia, Ill. 1 1-05 Day 1: 1 1-05 75. Sean Ronsen Portland, Tenn. 1 1-05 Day 1: 1 1-05 77. Rooco Simeri Murfreesboro, Tenn. 1 1-04 Day 1: 1 1-04 78. Ted Daniels Saint Louis, Mo. 1 1-01 Day 1: 1 1-01 79. A J Bailey Normal, Ill. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Rob Bartholomew Fort Madison, Iowa 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Lila Bass Austin, Texas 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. R Scott Beavers Greenfield, Ill. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Micheal Bert Hampton, Ill. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Scott Bree Normal, Ill. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Joe Cupp La Grange, Mo. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Dave Dickherber Lake Saint Louis, Mo. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Brad Fox Lakeland, Fla. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Jeremy Francis Grove City, Ohio 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Mike Frazier Clermont, Fla. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Gilbert Graham Louisville, Tenn. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Justin Hamner Mc Calla, Ala. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Bj Hannah Dyersburg, Tenn. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Tommy Harris Great Bend, Kan. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Larry Haslett Peoria, Ill. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Bob Havermale Lewistown, Mo. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Eric Mcneeley Tinley Park, Ill. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Houston Mcswain Old Hickory, Tenn. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Doug Miller Peoria, Ill. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Fred Myers Bloomington, Ill. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Jack Palmer Gracey, Ky. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Joe Richard Hopkinsville, Ky. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Jeremiah Shaver La Crosse, Wisc. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Craig Stuard Clarksville, Tenn. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. William Sutton Lake Mills, Iowa 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Jacob Thomas Iowa Falls, Iowa 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 79. Ronnie Tyson Marietta, Ga. 0 0-00 Day 1: 0 0-00 -------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 22 142 267-01 ---------------------------------- 22 142 267-01