YORK AND MIZE TIED IN WBT EVENT IN ARKANSAS
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS - They attacked Lake Maumelle in different ways, but the result was the same for Secret York of Benton, Ky., and Melinda Mize of Ben Lomond, Ark.: Day One weights of 10 pounds, 9 ounces, and the lead in third event of the 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors Women's Bassmaster Tour season.
The pros tied for first place said they aren't fishing near each other, nor are they sharing water with other pros on the 8,900-acre reservoir. Mize stuck to one pattern, while York tried everything the lake seemed to offer.
"I'm doing three different things - I'm shallow, I'm deep, I'm in between," York said.
She declined to be specific, but whatever her secret was, it yielded a 4-12 largemouth, one of the day's largest single fish.
Mize said she believes her lure and technique are different than what others in the field are using, but she's sticking with one pattern that repeats perfectly in different spots.
Both leaders said opening day was markedly different from their practice days.
"I changed my lures up quite a bit because we had cloud cover today," York said. "We had sun all week, then today it was 25 degrees cooler on the water than it was yesterday. Even the water temperature is about 8 degrees cooler than it has been."
Mize said Maumelle produced about 25 keepers for her.
"All during practice, I had not caught anything of size - but then again, I'd been shaking them off," she said. "I found my area yesterday, the last day of practice, and hit it today. After 8 o'clock this morning, I went practicing. Then I only culled up one time, and only by a few ounces."
Despite the lake's relatively small size, territory issues didn't seem to come up.
"I thought this lake was going to fish really small today," Mize said. "I didn't have any pressure on my spots all day long."
In third place with 10 pounds, 0 ounces, was Paula Alexander of Lincolnton, Ga., who attributed her success to one pack of worms she bought on impulse because she liked the color. She declined to disclose more details.
She said concentration helped, too, because the bite has been light.
"On this lake, if you're not paying 100 percent attention, you're going to miss the bite. It's so subtle, you think it's grass," she said.
York, Mize and Alexander lead the pack that's after the top pro-division prize of $1,000 and a fully rigged boat-and-motor package valued at $55,000. Pros are also fishing for points in the Toyota Tundra Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year competition. The winner will earn a Toyota Tundra and a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
The AOY points leader going into the Maumelle event was Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga. She was in 20th place after Day One in Arkansas with 6-13. Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas, who is right behind Martin-Wells in the standings, placed seventh at Maumelle on Thursday.
In the co-angler division for the first-place prize package of $500 and a boat rig worth $25,000, Denese Freeman of Lawton, Okla., led Diane Smith of Fayetteville, Ga., by 1 ounce. Freeman, who won in the co-angler division in 2008 on Texas' Lake Lewisville, posted 9-4 to Smith's 9-3. In third place with 8-2 was Brande Branine. The 18-year-old from Haysville, Kan., is competing in her first WBT event.
The tournament will continue Friday and wrap up Saturday. Anglers will launch daily at 5:45 a.m. CT at Jolly Roger's Marina, 11800 Maumelle Harbour Rd. in Roland. The weigh-ins are scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. CT at Academy Sports + Outdoors, 6100 Warden Rd. in Sherwood. All WBT events are free and open to the public.
Daily coverage is being provided by Bassmaster.com with live, streaming video and real-time leaderboards beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET, plus daily photo galleries and results.
Local sponsors include the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.littlerock.com) and the Heart of Arkansas (www.heartofarkansas.com).
2009 WBT #3 - Little Rock, AR 6/4-6/6
Lake Maumelle, Little Rock AR.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 10-09 305
Day 1: 5 10-09
1. Secret York Benton, KY 5 10-09 305
Day 1: 5 10-09
3. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 5 10-00 290
Day 1: 5 10-00
4. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 5 09-09 285
Day 1: 5 09-09
5. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 5 08-14 280
Day 1: 5 08-14
6. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 5 08-01 276
Day 1: 5 08-01
7. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 5 07-14 272
Day 1: 5 07-14
7. Kali Weatherford Athens, TX 5 07-14 272
Day 1: 5 07-14
9. Lori Masters Nashville, TN 5 07-12 264
Day 1: 5 07-12
10. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 5 07-11 260
Day 1: 5 07-11
11. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, AR 5 07-08 257
Day 1: 5 07-08
11. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 07-08 257
Day 1: 5 07-08
13. Audrey McQueen Eagar, AZ 5 07-07 251
Day 1: 5 07-07
14. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 5 07-05 248
Day 1: 5 07-05
15. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 5 07-04 245
Day 1: 5 07-04
16. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, AL 5 07-00 243
Day 1: 5 07-00
17. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, TX 5 06-14 241
Day 1: 5 06-14
17. Tammy Richardson Amity, AR 5 06-14 241
Day 1: 5 06-14
19. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 5 06-13 237
Day 1: 5 06-13
20. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 5 06-13 235
Day 1: 5 06-13
21. Pam Bolton Jonesboro, AR 5 06-09 233
Day 1: 5 06-09
21. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 5 06-09 233
Day 1: 5 06-09
23. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 5 06-08 229
Day 1: 5 06-08
24. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 5 06-07 227
Day 1: 5 06-07
24. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 5 06-07 227
Day 1: 5 06-07
26. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 4 06-04 223
Day 1: 4 06-04
27. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 4 05-14 221
Day 1: 4 05-14
28. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 4 05-13 219
Day 1: 4 05-13
29. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 5 05-11 217
Day 1: 5 05-11
30. Lila Bass Austin, TX 5 05-09 215
Day 1: 5 05-09
31. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 4 05-09 213
Day 1: 4 05-09
32. Mary Croft Bedford, VA 5 05-08 211
Day 1: 5 05-08
33. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 5 05-04 209
Day 1: 5 05-04
34. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 5 05-03 207
Day 1: 5 05-03
35. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 4 05-01 205
Day 1: 4 05-01
36. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 4 04-15 203
Day 1: 4 04-15
37. Christena Baugh Benton, AR 5 04-12 201
Day 1: 5 04-12
38. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 4 04-10 199
Day 1: 4 04-10
39. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 4 04-09 197
Day 1: 4 04-09
40. Lisa Craig Chandler, TX 3 04-09 195
Day 1: 3 04-09
41. Judy Wong Many, LA 5 04-08 193
Day 1: 5 04-08
42. Teri Neal Cumming, GA 4 03-13 191
Day 1: 4 03-13
43. Tami Kashiwabara London JAPAN 3 03-03 189
Day 1: 3 03-03
44. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 3 03-01 187
Day 1: 3 03-01
45. Kathy Womack Trussville, AL 2 02-10 185
Day 1: 2 02-10
46. Caprice Cherry Bienville, LA 2 02-06 183
Day 1: 2 02-06
47. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 2 01-12 181
Day 1: 2 01-12
48. BJ Carson Inola, OK 2 01-11 179
Day 1: 2 01-11
49. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 2 01-09 177
Day 1: 2 01-09
50. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 1 01-09 175
Day 1: 1 01-09
51. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 3 01-08 173
Day 1: 3 01-08
52. Debbie Kemp Emory, TX 2 01-08 171
Day 1: 2 01-08
53. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, AR 1 01-04 169
Day 1: 1 01-04
54. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 1 00-13 167
Day 1: 1 00-13
55. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 1 00-12 165
Day 1: 1 00-12
56. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 1 00-11 163
Day 1: 1 00-11
57. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
57. Terri Elkins Red Oak, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
57. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
57. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
57. Jo Dee Lake Helena, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 32 225 304-08
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32 225 304-08
2009 WBT #3 - Little Rock, AR 6/4-6/6
Lake Maumelle, Little Rock AR.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 5 09-04 305
Day 1: 5 09-04
2. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 5 09-03 295
Day 1: 5 09-03
3. Brande Branine Haysville, KS 5 08-02 0
Day 1: 5 08-02
4. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 5 06-07 285
Day 1: 5 06-07
5. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 2 06-07 280
Day 1: 2 06-07
6. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 5 06-05 276
Day 1: 5 06-05
7. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 5 06-04 272
Day 1: 5 06-04
8. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 5 06-02 268
Day 1: 5 06-02
9. Linda Berry Madison, NC 5 05-12 264
Day 1: 5 05-12
10. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 4 05-12 260
Day 1: 4 05-12
11. Jane Brunner Byhalia, MS 4 04-15 257
Day 1: 4 04-15
12. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 4 04-14 254
Day 1: 4 04-14
13. Lori Steele Tulsa, OK 4 04-13 251
Day 1: 4 04-13
14. Lisa Diehl Pittsburg, PA 5 04-10 248
Day 1: 5 04-10
15. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 3 04-05 245
Day 1: 3 04-05
16. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 3 04-00 243
Day 1: 3 04-00
17. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 3 03-15 241
Day 1: 3 03-15
18. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 4 03-14 239
Day 1: 4 03-14
19. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 3 03-13 237
Day 1: 3 03-13
20. Patti James Dayton, TX 3 03-12 235
Day 1: 3 03-12
21. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 3 03-10 233
Day 1: 3 03-10
21. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 3 03-10 233
Day 1: 3 03-10
23. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 3 03-09 229
Day 1: 3 03-09
24. Kat Arnold Shreveport, LA 2 03-04 227
Day 1: 2 03-04
24. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 2 03-04 227
Day 1: 2 03-04
26. Pam Chism Cabot, AR 1 03-02 223
Day 1: 1 03-02
27. Kelly Wells Grovetown, GA 3 03-01 221
Day 1: 3 03-01
28. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, SC 3 03-00 219
Day 1: 3 03-00
29. Katie Ellis Gulfport, MS 3 02-13 217
Day 1: 3 02-13
30. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 2 02-11 215
Day 1: 2 02-11
31. Lesli Lively Palestine, TX 2 02-10 213
Day 1: 2 02-10
31. Petra Ramsey El Paso, TX 2 02-10 213
Day 1: 2 02-10
33. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 2 02-09 209
Day 1: 2 02-09
33. Nancy Oliver Arnaudville, LA 2 02-09 209
Day 1: 2 02-09
35. Jennifer Rice Grant, AL 2 02-06 205
Day 1: 2 02-06
36. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 2 02-04 203
Day 1: 2 02-04
36. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 2 02-04 203
Day 1: 2 02-04
38. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 2 02-02 199
Day 1: 2 02-02
39. Patty Houston Prattville, AL 2 02-01 197
Day 1: 2 02-01
40. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 2 02-00 195
Day 1: 2 02-00
41. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 2 01-15 193
Day 1: 2 01-15
42. Kim Mendoza Garland, TX 2 01-14 191
Day 1: 2 01-14
43. Jodi Galloway Garland, TX 2 01-12 189
Day 1: 2 01-12
43. Katie Hogan Bon Aqua, TN 2 01-12 189
Day 1: 2 01-12
45. Sarah Davis Livingston, LA 1 01-08 185
Day 1: 1 01-08
46. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, IL 1 01-07 183
Day 1: 1 01-07
47. Torrye Vineyard Yantis, TX 1 01-05 181
Day 1: 1 01-05
48. Denice Johnston Hemphill, TX 1 01-02 179
Day 1: 1 01-02
49. Shelley Chenowith Russellville, AR 1 00-15 177
Day 1: 1 00-15
49. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 1 00-15 177
Day 1: 1 00-15
51. Renee Key Johnston Beaumont, TX 1 00-13 173
Day 1: 1 00-13
51. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 1 00-13 173
Day 1: 1 00-13
53. Jill Matheis Jasper, IN 1 00-12 169
Day 1: 1 00-12
54. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 1 00-11 167
Day 1: 1 00-11
55. Teri Cindric Hermitage, TN 1 00-09 165
Day 1: 1 00-09
56. Monica Altman Angier, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Tracy Bailey Ennis, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Susan Wild St Petersburg, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
56. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 9 146 186-03
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9 146 186-03
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