FLORENCE, Ala. — Share and share alike. Tough to do when the honey hole is small, producing fish of winning caliber, and within sight of other anglers, but Davy Hite and Keith Poche have learned how to work side-by-side over the first two days of the Alabama Charge bass fishing tournament on Pickwick Lake.
Hite pulled 42 pounds, 15 ounces, out of the two-man spot, enough for first place on Thursday and up from second place in the Bassmaster Elite Series’ third stop of the season. Poche was 1 pound, 2 ounces behind the leader, with 41-13. Poche improved his position from seventh place.
In contrast to the top two, Bobby Lane landed third place by going solo in shallow water about 20 miles downstream from where Hite and Poche are working a rocks-and-current area just below Wilson Dam. Lane had 40-5 over two days, up from 10th and now in range of the winner’s circle.
Paul Elias and Jared Lintner stayed in the top 5 again Thursday. Elias had 39-10, again for fourth place, and Lintner fell from third to fifth with 39-8. Day One leader, Denny Brauer, fell to sixth place with 37-12.
Hite said he had to discipline himself to stick with his section of the hot spot, a 20- to 30-yard stretch he worked all day Thursday for six bites.
“I promise you, at 10 o’clock I had one in the livewell. I’m thinking, ‘I won’t even cash a check at this pace,’” he said.
Not panicking and abandoning the hole to go to his second spot, 30 miles away, was the best thing he could have done. He felt he had to stay to protect what he had.
“I started there today because I felt I had to claim my little area. I kept thinking about going down (to his secondary spot), but people kept leaving, and that’s when I made my hay, so to speak.”
He boated four largemouth and one smallmouth. A sixth fish broke off in the rocks, and Hite lamented the loss as a potential winning fish.
“It’s a grind. There are guys who are catching 14, 15 pounds, and they’re catching 30 keepers a day. I’m catching heavier weights, but not nearly as many fish,” Hite said.
Poche had all largemouth bass the first day, but he started hooking into smallmouth on Thursday and ended up with only one largemouth in his five-fish limit. The end product was 21-10, the day’s heaviest bag.
“Even the ones I culled yesterday were largemouths,” he said. “I’m not sure what’s going on with that, but maybe I’ve caught all the smallmouth residents and the largemouth moved in.”
Every fish came out of one 3-by-3 area — just 9 square feet total, he said.
“It’s an eddy, a little turn in the water. They come out into it all through the day. It’s a matter of catching them at just the right time. You have to throw and throw and throw.”
Both Poche and Hite noted that the spots appear to be replenishing each day, and they’ll be back there again on Friday to defend their spots and try to outdo each other. Only the top 50 will compete Friday, a fact that might ease the pressure on the fish of the Wilson Dam tailrace.
Lane said he’d go back to his area about 20 miles from the launch site.
“It’s been my water for the first two days. I haven’t seen a lot of boats,” Lane said.
He said he’s narrowed his spots from six to three, and will milk them for largemouth.
“I’m catching them in about 4 feet of water,” he said. “I believe they’re prespawn fish. Water’s up there, and that’s helped me as the fish move into the pockets.”
The largest bass of the day, an 8-pound largemouth, wasn’t brought in by any of the leaders, but by J. Todd Tucker, out of the running in 65th place. Tucker’s bass, however, didn’t beat the Day One big bass, Lintner’s 8-10, which is still in the running for the Big Bass of the Tournament.
The top 50 will be cut to the top 12 for Saturday’s finale. The anglers are competing for a first-place prize of $100,000 and a 2012 Bassmaster Classic berth.
DAY 2 STANDINGS- ALABAMA CHARGE
2011 Alabama Charge - Florence, AL 04/06-04/09 Pickwick Lake, Florence Ala.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 10 42-15
Day 1: 5 23-08 Day 2: 5 19-07
2. Keith Poche Troy, Ala. 10 41-13
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 21-10
3. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 10 40-05
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 20-09
4. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 10 39-10
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 18-15
5. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 10 39-08
Day 1: 5 23-02 Day 2: 5 16-06
6. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 10 37-12
Day 1: 5 23-10 Day 2: 5 14-02
7. Chad Griffin Cresson, Texas 10 36-13
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 16-09
8. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 10 35-15
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 19-09
9. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, Tenn. 10 35-14
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 18-15
10. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 10 35-08
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 16-11
11. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 10 35-08
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 16-14
12. Nate Wellman Newaygo, Mich. 10 35-07
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 15-06
13. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 10 35-05
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 20-03
14. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 10 34-14
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 18-01
15. Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla. 10 34-07
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 15-12
16. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 10 34-00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 15-01
17. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 10 34-00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 18-10
18. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, Idaho 10 33-15
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 17-14
19. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, Ark. 10 33-13
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 14-10
20. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 10 33-12
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 20-01
21. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 10 33-10
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 15-02
22. Kelly Jordon Palestine, Texas 10 33-08
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 15-11
23. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 10 33-03
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 18-15
24. John Crews Salem, Va. 10 33-03
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 16-05
25. Matt Herren Trussville, Ala. 10 32-15
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 12-05
26. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 10 32-11
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 16-01
27. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, N.J. 10 32-08
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 19-11
28. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 10 32-07
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-12
29. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 10 32-07
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 15-09
30. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, S.C. 10 32-07
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 15-13
31. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 10 32-04
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 16-09
32. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 10 32-03
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 18-03
33. Bill Lowen Brookville, Ind. 10 32-02
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 18-13
34. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 10 31-09
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 16-13
35. Chris Lane Guntersville, Ala. 10 31-02
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 18-09
36. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 31-00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 17-08
37. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 10 30-13
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 14-02
38. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, Okla. 10 30-12
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 14-10
39. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 10 30-11
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 5 21-07
40. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 10 30-07
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 15-11
41. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 10 30-06
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 16-05
41. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 10 30-06
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 16-05
43. Matt Greenblatt Port St Lucie, Fla. 10 30-04
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 14-11
44. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 8 30-03
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 3 10-11
45. Craig Schuff Watauga, Texas 9 29-15
Day 1: 4 10-13 Day 2: 5 19-02
46. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 10 29-13
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 12-11
47. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 10 29-13
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 14-15
48. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 10 29-08
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 14-06
49. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 10 29-05
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 15-08
50. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 10 29-04
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 16-01
51. Zell Rowland Austin, Texas 10 29-03 173
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 10-10
52. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 10 29-01 171
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 12-11
53. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 10 28-15 169
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 11-10
54. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 10 28-15 167
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 12-11
55. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 10 28-14 165
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 16-12
56. Travis Manson De Pere, Wisc. 10 28-09 163
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 12-13
57. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 10 28-07 161
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 14-04
58. Peter Thliveros St Augustine, Fla. 10 28-06 159
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 11-11
59. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 9 28-06 157
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 4 8-09
60. Bradley Roy Lancaster, Ky. 10 28-04 155
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 10-06
61. Ben Parker Union City, Tenn. 10 28-03 153
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 12-02
62. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 10 28-03 151
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 15-01
63. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 10 28-03 149
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 14-11
64. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, Ala. 10 28-02 147
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 17-03
65. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, Ga. 9 28-00 145
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 4 14-02
66. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 10 27-07 143
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 12-09
67. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 10 27-07 141
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 12-12
68. James Stricklin Texarkania, Texas 10 27-06 139
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 9-00
69. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, Texas 10 26-13 137
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 11-04
70. Ish Monroe Hughson, Calif. 10 26-11 135
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 15-15
71. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 10 25-10 133
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 13-00
72. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 10 25-08 131
Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 5 15-10
73. Clark Reehm Lufkin, Texas 10 25-08 129
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 12-04
74. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, La. 10 25-06 127
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-00
75. Ryan Said Wixom, Mich. 10 25-05 125
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 14-05
76. Morizo Shimizu Matsugaoka, Japan 10 25-01 123
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 13-12
77. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 10 24-14 121
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 12-07
78. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, La. 10 24-13 119
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 13-14
79. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 10 24-09 117
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 14-02
80. Marty Robinson Lyman, S.C. 10 24-08 115
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 14-04
81. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 10 24-04 113
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 10-02
82. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 10 23-14 111
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 13-03
83. Keith Combs Huntington, Texas 10 23-06 109
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 9-01
84. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, Okla. 10 23-06 107
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 11-07
85. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 23-03 105
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 11-13
86. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 10 22-15 103
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 9-11
87. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 10 22-09 101
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 10-12
88. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 9 22-08 99
Day 1: 4 7-05 Day 2: 5 15-03
89. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 10 22-07 97
Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 12-08
90. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 10 21-10 95
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 5 12-06
91. Brent Broderick Oregonia, Ohio 9 21-09 93
Day 1: 4 8-04 Day 2: 5 13-05
92. Dean Alexander Georgetown, Texas 10 21-00 91
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 9-13
93. Derek Remitz Grant, Ala. 10 20-12 89
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 9-04
94. Russell Parrish Riesel, Texas 10 20-10 87
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-05
95. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 8 20-09 85
Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 3 10-11
96. Lee Sisson Winter Haven, Fla. 10 20-04 83
Day 1: 5 8-08 Day 2: 5 11-12
97. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 10 19-14 81
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 9-09
98. Grant Goldbeck Boerne, Texas 5 17-06 79
Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 2 8-03
99. David Smith Del City, Okla. 10 15-05 77
Day 1: 5 7-15 Day 2: 5 7-06
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 95 490 1451-08
2 94 486 1442-05
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189 976 2893-13