Zavalla, Texas — After all the reports of devastation from recent tornados, Oklahoma finally has some good news.
Brandon Pedigo gave his home state something to cheer about by catching a five-fish limit weighing 17 pounds, 13 ounces to take over the lead in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional tournament at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The 28-year-old angler from Durant, Okla., was one of the fortunate ones not affected by the tornadoes.
“There was some activity close to us,” Pedigo said. “I did have a lot of friends and family in the area that was hit, and our prayers are with them.”
Fishing in his first divisional, the rookie member of the Middle Oklahoma Bass Anglers club caught his limit around 9 a.m.
“I went to an area that didn’t have the boat pressure,” he said. “I wasn’t counting on just getting a limit. I wanted to have a good limit, and I knew the fish were in there. We probably got 30 bites today, and we lost some big ones. My partner had one straighten the hook out, and I lost a big one this morning. I could have had more than 20 [pounds], and I think I can do it tomorrow.
“I left that area early today. I was on my way out, trying to get a fish to come back to life, but it never would. I told my partner to go ahead and take the trolling motor, and he caught a 4-pounder.” Pedigo was penalized for one dead fish.
The Oklahoma angler then left the area so he could save his sweet spot for the next two days.
“It is kind of like the Garden of Eden where I am fishing,” Pedigo said. It is one of those areas where I don’t think the fish are ever going to leave. There is deep water next to it, and [it has] grass and timber and everything a bass would need.”
Pedigo hopes to finish as the top angler on his Oklahoma team, which would earn him a berth in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. Other state leaders bidding for championship berths include Jeff Avery of Arkansas; Matthew Waller, Kansas; Jamie Laiche, Louisiana; Randy Ladner, Mississippi; Greg Cooper, Missouri; Nick Ash, Nebraska; and Albert Collins, Texas.
The host Texas squad leads the team competition with 96 pounds, 9 ounces. Missouri is in the runner-up spot with 93-5.
Destre Dedeaux of Meadville, Miss., brought in the Carhartt Big Bass for Day 1, weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces.
The Central Divisional contestants will take off at 6 a.m. CT on Thursday at Cassels Boykin State Park for the second day of competition. The weigh-in will be held at the same location starting at 2 p.m. CT. On Friday, the final day of competition, the launch will be held at the same location at 6 a.m. CT, and the weigh-in will also be at the state park again at 2 p.m. CT.
B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional
6/5/2013 - 6/7/2013
Sam Rayburn Reservoir - Cassells-Boykin - Lufkin, TX
STANDINGS ANGLER DAY 1
Name City, State # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz PTS
1 Brandon Pedigo Durant, OK 5 4 17-13 5 4 17-13 0
2 Albert Collins Nacogdoches, TX 5 5 16-12 5 5 16-12 0
3 Greg Cooper Monroe City, MO 5 5 14-11 5 5 14-11 0
4 Matthew Dan Waller Augusta, KS 5 5 14- 9 5 5 14- 9 0
5 Bobby Whiteside San Marcos, TX 5 5 13- 4 5 5 13- 4 0
6 Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA 5 5 13- 3 5 5 13- 3 0
7 Randy Ladner Bay St Louis, MS 5 5 12-12 5 5 12-12 0
8 Beau Branine Haysville, KS 4 4 12-10 4 4 12-10 0
9 Jeff Saunders Kearney , MO 5 5 12- 6 5 5 12- 6 0
10 Ryan Lavigne Gonzales, LA 5 5 12- 3 5 5 12- 3 0
11 Lee Sanders Stillwater, OK 5 4 11- 6 5 4 11- 6 0
12 Nick Ash Omaha, NE 5 5 11- 3 5 5 11- 3 0
13 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 4 11- 2 5 4 11- 2 0
14 Destre Dedeaux Meadville, MS 3 1 11- 1 3 1 11- 1 0
15 Jeff Avery El Dorado, AR 5 5 10-14 5 5 10-14 0
16 Mark Hensiek Humnoke, AR 5 4 10-14 5 4 10-14 0
17 Matt Roberts Pulaski, IA 5 4 10-11 5 4 10-11 0
18 Dennis Edwards Leavenworth, KS 5 5 10- 8 5 5 10- 8 0
19 Joe Dale Smith Fort Worth, TX 4 4 10- 7 4 4 10- 7 0
20 Eddie Lindley Ulm, AR 5 5 10- 3 5 5 10- 3 0
21 Brian L Wilson Bloomfield, IA 5 4 10- 3 5 4 10- 3 0
22 David M Gatlin Lincoln, NE 4 0 10- 1 4 0 10- 1 0
23 Jerry Pape Milford, IA 5 5 10- 0 5 5 10- 0 0
23 Scotty Smith Taylor, AR 5 5 10- 0 5 5 10- 0 0
25 Kent Priel No Platte, NE 5 5 9-15 5 5 9-15 0
26 Kenneth Ryals Hattiesburg, MS 5 4 9-15 5 4 9-15 0
27 Mike Hughs Frisco, TX 2 2 9-13 2 2 9-13 0
28 Scott E Jones Rogers , AR 5 5 9-12 5 5 9-12 0
29 Ian Schaben Raymore, MO 5 4 9-12 5 4 9-12 0
30 Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 4 3 9- 9 4 3 9- 9 0
31 Chris Waguespack Des Allemands, LA 4 4 9- 7 4 4 9- 7 0
32 Troy Enmeier Enid, OK 5 3 9- 3 5 3 9- 3 0
33 Doug Thompson Mabelvale, AR 5 4 8-14 5 4 8-14 0
34 Jon Harshbarger Kaufman, TX 4 4 8-13 4 4 8-13 0
35 Dell Mettlen, Jr. Salina, KS 5 1 8-12 5 1 8-12 0
36 Dylan Hays Fort Smith, AR 3 3 8- 9 3 3 8- 9 0
37 Randy Craft Seminary, MS 4 3 8- 7 4 3 8- 7 0
38 Klint VonFeldt Hays, KS 4 4 8- 0 4 4 8- 0 0
39 Alex Bergeron Houma, LA 4 4 7-13 4 4 7-13 0
39 Kevin Johnston Sedalia, MO 4 4 7-13 4 4 7-13 0
41 Jimmy Lynn Georgetown, TX 4 4 7-12 4 4 7-12 0
42 Dave McCoy Plattsmouth, NE 3 3 7-12 3 3 7-12 0
43 Michael Anthamatten Terlton, OK 5 3 7-10 5 3 7-10 0
44 Jason Buchanan Burnet, TX 5 5 7- 9 5 5 7- 9 0
45 David Cavell Prairieville, LA 2 2 7- 5 2 2 7- 5 0
46 Roger VanRanken Medicine Lodge, KS 4 4 7- 0 4 4 7- 0 0
47 Larry McWilliams Florence, MS 4 4 6-15 4 4 6-15 0
47 Richard Minyard El Reno, OK 4 4 6-15 4 4 6-15 0
49 Richard Risewick Norton, KS 4 4 6-13 4 4 6-13 0
50 Jimmy Johnson Ganado, TX 3 3 6-11 3 3 6-11 0
51 Sterling Brugher Mannford, OK 4 4 6- 9 4 4 6- 9 0
52 Bryan Schmidt Olney, TX 4 4 6- 6 4 4 6- 6 0
53 Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 3 3 6- 5 3 3 6- 5 0
54 Dale Logan Iowa, LA 3 3 6- 0 3 3 6- 0 0
55 Curry Schaubhut JR Gramercy, LA 3 2 5- 8 3 2 5- 8 0
56 Sam Morton Easton, KS 3 3 5- 7 3 3 5- 7 0
57 Harold Stark Eldon, MO 3 3 5- 6 3 3 5- 6 0
58 Josh McIntire Platte City, MO 2 2 5- 6 2 2 5- 6 0
59 Jody Pfannenstiel Salina, KS 3 3 5- 3 3 3 5- 3 0
60 Stephen White Dalhart, TX 3 3 5- 1 3 3 5- 1 0
61 John Peterson Norfolk, NE 3 3 4-15 3 3 4-15 0
62 Jeff Curtis Havana , AR 2 2 4-15 2 2 4-15 0
63 Charlie Hewitt Prairieville, LA 2 2 4-14 2 2 4-14 0
64 Randy Kenton Leavenworth, KS 2 2 4-12 2 2 4-12 0
65 Michael Valentine Laurel , MS 3 3 4-11 3 3 4-11 0
66 Keith Alton Sarepta, LA 3 3 4- 8 3 3 4- 8 0
67 Ralph Leonard Tekamah, NE 2 2 4- 5 2 2 4- 5 0
68 Billy Lemon Sand Springs, OK 2 2 4- 2 2 2 4- 2 0
69 Kent Craft Wichita, KS 2 2 3-15 2 2 3-15 0
70 Josh Edwards Louisville, MS 2 2 3-12 2 2 3-12 0
70 James Smotherman Hollister , MO 2 2 3-12 2 2 3-12 0
72 Donnie Cox Chouteau, OK 2 2 3-11 2 2 3-11 0
73 Bob Glasgow Wilber, NE 2 2 3- 9 2 2 3- 9 0
73 Travis Tunnell Benton, KS 2 2 3- 9 2 2 3- 9 0
75 Mike Herndon Soso, MS 2 2 3- 8 2 2 3- 8 0
76 Yancey Hartzer Culbertson, NE 2 2 3- 6 2 2 3- 6 0
77 Bryan Adams Omaha, NE 2 2 3- 4 2 2 3- 4 0
77 Doug Ruby Waldo, AR 2 2 3- 4 2 2 3- 4 0
79 David Wheat Philadelphia, MS 2 2 3- 3 2 2 3- 3 0
80 Randy Reehm Russellville, AR 1 1 3- 3 1 1 3- 3 0
81 Randy Ryals Hattiesburg, MS 2 2 3- 2 2 2 3- 2 0
82 Kevin Richard Morse, LA 2 2 2-15 2 2 2-15 0
82 Chris Torkleson Sand Springs, OK 2 2 2-15 2 2 2-15 0
84 John Soukup Agra, OK 2 2 2- 6 2 2 2- 6 0
85 Mark Cowart Kearney, MO 1 1 2- 6 1 1 2- 6 0
85 Scott Grammier Deer Park, TX 1 1 2- 6 1 1 2- 6 0
87 John Smith Bartlesville, OK 1 1 1-13 1 1 1-13 0
88 Daniel J Basgall Hays, KS 1 1 1-11 1 1 1-11 0
88 Richard Wilson Weatherford, TX 1 1 1-11 1 1 1-11 0
90 Farrell Coppin Wagoner, OK 1 1 1-10 1 1 1-10 0
90 Lee Wubbels Lincoln, NE 1 1 1-10 1 1 1-10 0
92 Larry Brumley Topeka, KS 1 1 1- 7 1 1 1- 7 0
93 Clayton Coppin Wagoner, OK 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
93 Phillip Murphy Alma, AR 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
93 Ronnie Sharp Hammond, LA 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
93 Mark Wade Caledonia, MS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0 0
BIG BASS TOTALS
1 Destre Dedeaux Meadville, MS 8- 6
B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional - B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional
6/5/2013 - 6/7/2013
Sam Rayburn Reservoir - Cassells-Boykin
TEAM STANDINGS DAY 1
Today's Activity Accumulative
Name # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz
1 TEXAS 41 41 96- 9 41 41 96- 9
2 MISSOURI 42 40 93- 5 42 40 93- 5
3 LOUISIANA 38 36 86-11 38 36 86-11
4 ARKANSAS 41 39 85- 0 41 39 85- 0
5 KANSAS 38 33 79- 7 38 33 79- 7
6 MISSISSIPPI 36 31 76-15 36 31 76-15
7 NEBRASKA 38 34 76-13 38 34 76-13
8 OKLAHOMA 36 30 73- 2 36 30 73- 2