CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Darold Gleason’s not a greedy guy, but he wasn’t satisfied with only one big bite, so he added a second kicker toward the end of his day. Good thing he padded his weight, as his five-bass limit of 18-12 leads Day 1 of the Bassmaster Open tournament at Lake Norman by a narrow margin. In a tight race where only 15 ounces separate the Top 3, Gleason holds a 10-ounce margin over second-place Colt Blanton.
“It was an amazing day,” Gleason said. “I’ve been doing this a long time, so when you get special days like this you just gotta enjoy it — and I enjoyed it! I can’t wait to go back."
The first angler to weigh on Day 1, the seasoned pro from Leesville, La., anchored his bag with a 5-3 that bit around 10:30. By noon, Gleason had amassed a limit of approximately 16 pounds on BassTrakk’s unofficial standings. Just for good measure, he caught a 4-pounder and made a 2-pound cull with less than an hour of fishing time left.
“That was a really key upgrade,” Gleason said. “I got very blessed and got several key bites that freed me up to run around and check some areas that I wasn’t sure if I’d get to today or not. That also allowed me to not have to go to some other areas.”
Gleason described a multi-layered day that kept him on the move.
“I started with one little deal and then after about 9 or 10 o’clock I started swapping up,” he said. “The main commonality between my patterns is just going; looking at new water and trolling so fast.
“This is my first time here, so I’m trying to learn the rhythm to it. I don’t know if it’s the blueback herring that has (the bass) acting so wild, or if they just want to run me ragged.”
Stating that he caught fish on three different baits, Gleason said he used a mix of moving and slower presentations.
“I ran all over and had fish in different places,” he said. “I was able to hop around and check a few things today. A few things were not so good and a few were.
“I felt like I was in dead water 2/3 of the day, but things can happen fast when you get around them. That’s very hard, so I’m trying to cover enough water to give myself a chance to make it happen.”
Gleason said he was able to locate several productive areas, but each required a good run. His bites, he said, came from various regions of the lake.
“Most everything was dock-oriented, with a little bit of baitfish in the morning,” Gleason said. “The key was faster presentations early and then making incredibly accurate casts the rest of the day.”
Expressing his eagerness to see what Day 2 offers, Gleason said he intentionally avoided some of his options.
“I wanted to leave a few areas where I’ve gotten bit, so I have confidence going in there tomorrow,” he said. “I don’t know what’s in there and that’s a beautiful thing.”
Hailing from Piketon, Ohio, Blanton is in second place with 18-2. Despite having to make major adjustments due to fishing pressure, Blanton kick started his day with a 5-7 that buoyed his effort.
“That big one was first thing this morning, around 7:30,” Blanton. “I had to adapt as the day went on. What I expected going into this was throwing big swimbaits toward docks and catching a lot of big fish coming out from underneath them. Some were prespawn and some were spawning.
“That pattern seemed to die on me. I had one good bed fish, so I caught that 5-7 and went on fishing brush throughout the day, I transitioned a little deeper and caught the bag I had.”
Noting that his bed fish ate a Crush City Cleanup Craw, Blanton described the key to his success as slowing down, fishing methodically and breaking down each piece of cover.
Timothy Reams of Morgantown, W.Va., is in third place with 17-13. He, too, had to make a wholesale change from how he expected to catch fish, but once the day started to click, it didn’t take long to fill a competitive limit.
“I had a pretty good practice but I had to change everything up,” Reams said. “About 10:30, it all started happening for me and I laid off of them around 1.”
Reams said he’s fishing a dicey scenario with several obstructions. This challenging habitat robbed him of a big fish that came unbuttoned, but Reams remained confident that the ends would justify the means.
“It’s a risk-reward scenario, but I was blessed today; the good Lord was looking out for me,” he said. “Some of those fish, when they get you wrapped up there’s nothing you can do.
Blanton holds the Big Bass lead with a 5-7.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Blythe Landing. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 3 p.m.
2026 Bassmaster Open tournament at Lake Norman 4/30-5/2
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 5 18-12 200
Day 1: 5 18-12
2. Colt Blanton Piketon, OH 5 18-02 199
Day 1: 5 18-02
3. Timothy Reams Morgantown, WV 5 17-13 198
Day 1: 5 17-13
4. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 17-02 197
Day 1: 5 17-02
5. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 16-05 0
Day 1: 5 16-05
6. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 15-15 196
Day 1: 5 15-15
6. Michael Webster Gastonia, NC 5 15-15 196
Day 1: 5 15-15
8. Tyler Nelson Catawba, NC 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
9. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 5 15-04 194
Day 1: 5 15-04
10. Carson Orellana Mooresville, NC 5 14-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-15
11. Cody Hoyle Mooresboro, NC 5 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-14
11. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 5 14-14 193
Day 1: 5 14-14
11. David Williams Maiden, NC 5 14-14 193
Day 1: 5 14-14
14. Kaden Buchmann Troutman, NC 5 14-13 191
Day 1: 5 14-13
14. Fred Roumbanis Russellville, AR 5 14-13 191
Day 1: 5 14-13
16. Cole Huskins Gastonia, NC 5 14-10 0
Day 1: 5 14-10
16. Nathan Quince Imperial, PA 5 14-10 189
Day 1: 5 14-10
18. Justin Kimmel Athens, GA 5 14-08 188
Day 1: 5 14-08
19. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 5 14-07 187
Day 1: 5 14-07
19. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 14-07 187
Day 1: 5 14-07
19. Evan White Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 14-07 187
Day 1: 5 14-07
22. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 5 14-05 184
Day 1: 5 14-05
23. Joshua Weaver Macon, GA 5 14-02 183
Day 1: 5 14-02
24. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 5 14-01 182
Day 1: 5 14-01
25. Damian Szlachta Dawsonville, GA 5 13-14 181
Day 1: 5 13-14
26. Cody Abbott Woodruff, SC 5 13-13 180
Day 1: 5 13-13
27. Noah Winslow Naugatuck, CT 5 13-11 179
Day 1: 5 13-11
28. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 13-10 178
Day 1: 5 13-10
29. Garrett Smith Mount Holly, NC 5 13-07 177
Day 1: 5 13-07
30. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 5 13-04 176
Day 1: 5 13-04
31. Michael Corbishley Raleigh, NC 5 13-03 175
Day 1: 5 13-03
31. Nick Mandes North Stonington, CT 5 13-03 175
Day 1: 5 13-03
33. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 13-02 173
Day 1: 5 13-02
34. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 5 13-01 172
Day 1: 5 13-01
35. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 5 12-14 171
Day 1: 5 12-14
35. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 12-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-14
37. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 5 12-12 170
Day 1: 5 12-12
37. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 5 12-12 170
Day 1: 5 12-12
39. Jack Daniel Williams Kingsport, TN 5 12-12 168
Day 1: 5 12-12
40. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 5 12-11 167
Day 1: 5 12-11
41. Derek Rodriguez Jr. Okemos, MI 5 12-09 166
Day 1: 5 12-09
42. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 12-08 165
Day 1: 5 12-08
43. Aaron Digh Maiden, NC 5 12-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-07
44. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 12-06 164
Day 1: 5 12-06
44. Matthew Dettling El Macero, CA 5 12-06 0
Day 1: 5 12-06
46. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 12-04 163
Day 1: 5 12-04
47. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 5 12-03 162
Day 1: 5 12-03
48. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 5 12-02 161
Day 1: 5 12-02
49. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 5 12-01 160
Day 1: 5 12-01
50. Rob Digh Denver, NC 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
50. Scott Hamrick Denver, NC 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
52. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
53. Ricky Robinson Greenback, TN 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
54. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 11-13 159
Day 1: 5 11-13
55. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 5 11-12 158
Day 1: 5 11-12
56. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 5 11-10 157
Day 1: 5 11-10
56. Jamie Fountain East Dublin, GA 5 11-10 157
Day 1: 5 11-10
58. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 5 11-09 155
Day 1: 5 11-09
59. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 5 11-05 154
Day 1: 5 11-05
60. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 5 11-04 153
Day 1: 5 11-04
61. Jake Maddux Alpharetta, GA 5 11-03 152
Day 1: 5 11-03
61. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 5 11-03 152
Day 1: 5 11-03
63. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 5 11-02 150
Day 1: 5 11-02
63. Logan Johnson Nauvoo, AL 5 11-02 150
Day 1: 5 11-02
63. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 5 11-02 150
Day 1: 5 11-02
66. Mark Davis Bear Creek, NC 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-01
67. Tripp Berlinsky Florence, AL 5 11-00 147
Day 1: 5 11-00
68. Pete Pisello Phillipsburg, NJ 5 10-15 146
Day 1: 5 10-15
69. Brian Hatfield Spring City, TN 5 10-14 145
Day 1: 5 10-14
69. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 5 10-14 145
Day 1: 5 10-14
69. Brian Mathis Loveland, CO 5 10-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-14
72. Chase Carey Hoschton, GA 5 10-13 143
Day 1: 5 10-13
72. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 5 10-13 143
Day 1: 5 10-13
74. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 10-11 141
Day 1: 5 10-11
74. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 5 10-11 141
Day 1: 5 10-11
76. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 10-10 139
Day 1: 5 10-10
76. Casey Smith Victor, NY 5 10-10 139
Day 1: 5 10-10
78. Ty Austin Rush, NY 5 10-09 137
Day 1: 5 10-09
78. Buddy Benson Dahlonega, GA 5 10-09 137
Day 1: 5 10-09
80. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 5 10-08 135
Day 1: 5 10-08
80. John Branch Magnolia, KY 5 10-08 135
Day 1: 5 10-08
80. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 5 10-08 135
Day 1: 5 10-08
83. Tyler Lubbat Naples, FL 5 10-07 132
Day 1: 5 10-07
83. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 5 10-07 132
Day 1: 5 10-07
83. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 10-07 132
Day 1: 5 10-07
86. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 5 10-06 129
Day 1: 5 10-06
86. Lee Endicott Salisbury, NC 5 10-06 0
Day 1: 5 10-06
86. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 10-06 129
Day 1: 5 10-06
89. Bobby Rakes Max Meadows, VA 5 10-05 0
Day 1: 5 10-05
89. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 5 10-05 127
Day 1: 5 10-05
91. CJ Maddux Birmingham, AL 5 10-05 126
Day 1: 5 10-05
92. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 10-04 125
Day 1: 5 10-04
92. Robert Hoyt Union Hall, VA 5 10-04 125
Day 1: 5 10-04
92. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 5 10-04 125
Day 1: 5 10-04
95. Steve Dimatteo Lancaster, PA 5 10-02 122
Day 1: 5 10-02
95. Travis Donaldson Cleveland, NC 5 10-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-02
95. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 5 10-02 122
Day 1: 5 10-02
98. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 5 10-01 120
Day 1: 5 10-01
99. Troy Coney Owego, NY 4 10-01 119
Day 1: 4 10-01
100. Brock Bila Republic, MO 5 10-00 118
Day 1: 5 10-00
100. Parker Guy Ocilla, GA 5 10-00 118
Day 1: 5 10-00
100. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 10-00 118
Day 1: 5 10-00
100. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 10-00 118
Day 1: 5 10-00
104. Colton Trotter Dothan, AL 5 10-00 114
Day 1: 5 10-00
105. Jaron Burr Bowling Green, KY 5 09-15 113
Day 1: 5 09-15
105. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 09-15 113
Day 1: 5 09-15
107. Clayton Batts Warner Robins, GA 5 09-14 111
Day 1: 5 09-14
108. Percy Settle Youngsville, NC 5 09-13 0
Day 1: 5 09-13
109. Kevin Jones Valley, AL 5 09-11 110
Day 1: 5 09-11
110. Ronald Jones Plymouth, NC 4 09-11 0
Day 1: 4 09-11
111. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Stu Martel Northbrook, IL 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Charles Sim Wasaga Beach Ontario CA 5 09-10 109
Day 1: 5 09-10
111. Jason Wilson Lincolnton, NC 5 09-10 0
Day 1: 5 09-10
117. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 5 09-09 104
Day 1: 5 09-09
117. Willie Mcmullen Covington, GA 5 09-09 104
Day 1: 5 09-09
117. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 09-09 104
Day 1: 5 09-09
120. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 5 09-08 0
Day 1: 5 09-08
121. Timmy Sheridan Troy, VA 5 09-07 101
Day 1: 5 09-07
122. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 5 09-07 100
Day 1: 5 09-07
123. Tim Chandler Denver, NC 5 09-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-06
124. Johnathan Crossland Chapin, SC 5 09-06 99
Day 1: 5 09-06
125. Ken Chadwick Harvard, MA 5 09-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-05
125. Kristian Johnson Belvidere, NJ 5 09-05 98
Day 1: 5 09-05
125. Bryden Mugleston Lebanon, TN 5 09-05 98
Day 1: 5 09-05
125. Trent Palmer Cumming, GA 5 09-05 98
Day 1: 5 09-05
125. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 09-05 98
Day 1: 5 09-05
130. Matt Mosby Dryden, MI 5 09-04 94
Day 1: 5 09-04
131. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 09-03 93
Day 1: 5 09-03
132. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 09-02 92
Day 1: 5 09-02
133. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 5 09-00 91
Day 1: 5 09-00
133. Darrell Ivey Lebanon, MO 5 09-00 91
Day 1: 5 09-00
133. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 09-00 91
Day 1: 5 09-00
136. Johnny Thompson Pataskala, OH 5 08-15 0
Day 1: 5 08-15
137. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 5 08-14 88
Day 1: 5 08-14
137. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-14
137. Blake Milligan Nashville, TN 5 08-14 88
Day 1: 5 08-14
137. Alvin Shaw Camden, SC 5 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-14
141. Russell Hoyle Newton, NC 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
141. Drake Sturgill Lincolnton, NC 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
143. Josh Hubbard Citrus Springs, FL 5 08-12 86
Day 1: 5 08-12
143. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 5 08-12 86
Day 1: 5 08-12
143. Paul Tabisz Livonia, MI 5 08-12 86
Day 1: 5 08-12
146. Zac Ridenhour Salisbury, NC 5 08-09 83
Day 1: 5 08-09
147. Dave Miller Stratford, CT 5 08-08 82
Day 1: 5 08-08
148. Ron Farrow Rock Hill, SC 4 08-08 81
Day 1: 4 08-08
149. Phil Kroll Otego, NY 5 08-07 80
Day 1: 5 08-07
150. Alex Johnson Milltown, NJ 4 08-07 79
Day 1: 4 08-07
151. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 5 08-05 78
Day 1: 5 08-05
151. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 5 08-05 0
Day 1: 5 08-05
153. Mike Blevins Burnsville, NC 4 08-05 77
Day 1: 4 08-05
154. Leighton Davis Sanford, NC 5 08-04 0
Day 1: 5 08-04
155. Lee Harper Abbeville, AL 5 08-02 0
Day 1: 5 08-02
156. Michael Crocker Pasadena, MD 5 08-01 0
Day 1: 5 08-01
156. Seiji Kato Forney TX JAPAN 5 08-01 76
Day 1: 5 08-01
156. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 08-01 76
Day 1: 5 08-01
159. Matt Keezer Kirkland Quebec CANADA 5 07-13 74
Day 1: 5 07-13
160. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 4 07-12 73
Day 1: 4 07-12
161. Clemente Gutierrez Dumfries, VA 5 07-10 0
Day 1: 5 07-10
161. Brandon Parson Erwin, NC 5 07-10 72
Day 1: 5 07-10
163. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 5 07-09 71
Day 1: 5 07-09
164. George Hirapetian Lancaster, SC 4 07-09 70
Day 1: 4 07-09
165. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 5 07-05 69
Day 1: 5 07-05
166. John Pollard Eclectic, AL 4 07-02 68
Day 1: 4 07-02
167. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 4 07-00 67
Day 1: 4 07-00
168. John Mackison Dover, PA 3 06-15 0
Day 1: 3 06-15
169. Larson Morgan Denver, NC 3 06-10 0
Day 1: 3 06-10
170. Logger Shiver Mayo, FL 5 06-08 0
Day 1: 5 06-08
171. Trey Thompson Sanford, NC 4 06-04 66
Day 1: 4 06-04
172. Lance Owen Greer, SC 3 06-03 65
Day 1: 3 06-03
173. Donald Tripoli Webster, NY 3 06-01 64
Day 1: 3 06-01
174. Bubba Baker Ridgeway, SC 4 05-15 0
Day 1: 4 05-15
175. Michael King Bunnlevel, NC 3 05-13 63
Day 1: 3 05-13
176. Cole McAusland Tuscaloosa, AL 3 05-06 62
Day 1: 3 05-06
177. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 3 05-05 61
Day 1: 3 05-05
178. Destry Ford Tuscaloosa, AL 3 05-02 0
Day 1: 3 05-02
179. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 2 04-15 60
Day 1: 2 04-15
180. Rick Greene Ocala, FL 3 04-12 59
Day 1: 3 04-12
181. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 3 04-07 58
Day 1: 3 04-07
182. Blake Thompson Conway, SC 3 04-05 57
Day 1: 3 04-05
183. Cory Mcglamery Madisonville, TN 2 04-05 56
Day 1: 2 04-05
184. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 3 04-04 55
Day 1: 3 04-04
185. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 2 03-15 54
Day 1: 2 03-15
186. Guy Eaker Sr Cherryville, NC 2 03-12 53
Day 1: 2 03-12
187. Robert Davenport Brooksville, FL 2 03-06 52
Day 1: 2 03-06
188. La'tonya Blanding Manning, SC 2 03-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-03
189. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 2 03-01 51
Day 1: 2 03-01
190. Michael Johns Waynesville, GA 1 02-02 50
Day 1: 1 02-02
191. Dwayne Young Jr Sedley, VA 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
192. Matthew Mcbee Concord, NC 3 00-00 49
Day 1: 3 00-00
193. Neal Gilmore Magnolia, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
193. Bryan Hoffman Andrews, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 159 894 1954-13
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159 894 1954-13