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Kansan Brent Chapman in second
Texan Alton Jones Takes Slim Lead in Florida Bassmaster Elite Series Event
March 17, 2011 - PALATKA, Fla. — Keying on bedding bass, Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, led with 26 pounds, 9 ounces after the first day of the Power-Pole Citrus Slam on the St. Johns River.
“I always say that the three most important things in fishing are location, location, location,” Jones said. “That was certainly the case today.”
He was 1 pound, 5 ounces in front of his nearest challenger,
Brent Chapman of Kansas, in second with 25-4. In third was Texan Todd Faircloth with 23-10, and in fourth was South Carolina’s Jason Williamson. Rounding out the top five was Tim Horton of Alabama, who had 22-4. (Photo B.A.S.S./Gary Tramontina)
The 99-angler field is competing over four days for a $100,000 first prize. The winner’s take also includes a 2012 Bassmaster Classic qualification. Elite anglers are also after points that count toward qualifying for the coveted 2011 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title and 2011 postseason, a winner-take-all, $100,000 contest.
Jones’ location was good, but he was sharing it. With multiple anglers working the same spawning grounds off the main St. Johns River, out-of-the-ordinary tricks were in order, Jones said.
“A lot of it is just patience, but I do have a bait that’s really working well,” said Jones, the 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion. “It’s not like you catch a 5-pounder with it every time you throw it. It’s a grind. You have to work for every one of those big bites. It’s nice to have confidence in a bait.”
He weighed in a 9-6 as his biggest bass, but it wasn’t enough to take honors for largest of the day. That went to Williamson, who brought in a 10-3.
“That was the second biggest fish I ever caught in my life,” Williamson said. “I actually lost one today that was a little bigger than she was, so I look forward to tomorrow. I think I’ll have a good chance to catch her.”
Chapman, also sight fishing in an area shared by 12 to 15 other Elite pros, had two anchors in his 25-4 bag. One was a 9-4 and the other was an 8-9.
The 9-4 almost came unbuttoned at the boat, but Chapman grabbed it. The 8-9 hit while he snuck a bite of a sandwich.
“All of a sudden, the rod about got jerked out of my hand,” he said. “Those two fish there made a world of difference. They were typical big fish for Florida, and that’s what you need here — a big one and a limit.”
DAY 1 STANDINGS- POWER-POLE CITRUS SLAM
2011 Citrus Slam - Palatka, FL 03/17-03/20 St. Johns River, Palatka Fla.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 26-09
2. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 25-04
3. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 23-10
4. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 5 22-05
5. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 22-04
6. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 21-03
7. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, Ark. 5 20-11
8. Clark Reehm Lufkin, Texas 5 20-10
9. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 5 20-09
9. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 5 20-09
11. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, Ga. 5 20-08
12. Keith Combs Huntington, Texas 5 19-08
13. Ryan Said Wixom, Mich. 5 18-07
13. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 5 18-07
15. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 5 18-04
15. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 5 18-04
17. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 5 17-03
17. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 17-03
19. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 16-14
20. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 5 16-08
21. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 5 16-07
22. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 5 15-15
23. Kelly Jordon Palestine, Texas 5 15-10
23. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, Okla. 5 15-10
25. Craig Schuff Watauga, Texas 5 15-08
26. Peter Thliveros St Augustine, Fla. 5 14-15
27. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, Ala. 5 14-04
28. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, La. 5 13-11
29. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 13-08
30. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 13-07
30. Matt Herren Trussville, Ala. 5 13-07
32. Bill Lowen Brookville, Ind. 5 13-05
33. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 5 12-14
33. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 12-14
35. Russell Parrish Riesel, Texas 5 12-07
35. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 12-07
37. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 12-03
38. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 5 12-00
38. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 5 12-00
40. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 5 11-14
41. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 11-07
42. Ott Defoe Knoxville, Tenn. 5 11-02
42. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 5 11-02
42. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 11-02
45. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 5 10-14
45. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, Idaho 5 10-14
47. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, N.J. 5 10-10
48. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 10-01
48. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 10-01
48. Zell Rowland Austin, Texas 5 10-01
51. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 5 9-15
51. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 9-15
53. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, Okla. 5 9-14
54. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 3 9-12
55. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 5 9-11
56. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 9-08
57. Chris Lane Guntersville, Ala. 5 9-06
58. Travis Manson De Pere, Wisc. 5 9-03
59. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 5 8-15
59. Morizo Shimizu Matsugaoka, Japan 5 8-15
61. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 4 8-15
62. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 8-14
63. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 8-13
63. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 5 8-13
63. David Smith Del City, Okla. 5 8-13
66. Marty Robinson Lyman, S.C. 5 8-11
67. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 5 8-09
68. Derek Remitz Grant, Ala. 5 8-08
69. Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla. 5 8-06
70. Matt Greenblatt Port St Lucie, Fla. 5 8-00
71. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 5 7-13
71. Lee Sisson Winter Haven, Fla. 5 7-13
73. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 7-08
74. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, Texas 5 7-04
75. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 7-03
75. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 7-03
77. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, S.C. 5 7-02
77. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, La. 5 7-02
79. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 6-15
80. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5 6-13
80. Ish Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 6-13
82. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 6-08
83. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 4 6-05
84. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 4 6-00
85. Dean Alexander Georgetown, Texas 4 5-14
86. Brent Broderick Oregonia, Ohio 3 5-12
87. Keith Poche Troy, Ala. 1 5-12
88. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 5 5-09
89. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 3 5-05
90. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 3 5-03
91. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 2 3-02
92. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 2 2-12
93. Ben Parker Union City, Tenn. 2 2-07
94. Bradley Roy Lancaster, Ky. 1 2-06
95. James Stricklin Texarkania, Texas 2 2-04
96. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 2 2-03
97. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 1 2-01
98. Chad Griffin Cresson, Texas 5 1-13
99. Nate Wellman Newaygo, Mich. 0 0-00
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