A near two-hour boat ride to the Cooper River just outside of Charleston, S.C., was a risk worth taking for Australian angler Carl Jocumsen on the first day of the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.
After a one-hour weather delay due to a thin line of quickly moving thunderstorms, Jocumsen endured a one-hour, 45-minute boat ride to access his prime fishing locations. Upon arrival, he was restricted to only three hours of fishing before having to make a return trip to the weigh-in site in Georgetown.
The risky ride paid off for Jocumsen, as he currently leads the field of 109 anglers with a limit of five bass that weighed 19 pounds, 11 ounces. Local favorite Britt Myers of Lake Wylie, S.C., is in second place with 16-8, while Matt Herren of Ashville, Ala., is holding down third with 14-6.
Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas, is in fourth with 13-13, and Randall Tharp of Port St. Joe, Fla., is in fifth with 13-11.
Jocumsen, who lives in Frisco, Texas, during the tournament season, was concerned about making such a long run to fish the river system. But, after returning to the scales with 10 minutes to spare, he’s much more comfortable with his circumstances. He nicely augmented Thursday’s limit with two big bass, one was just shy of 7 pounds and the second tipped the scales at 7-3.
“I believe my fishing will remain productive,” Jocumsen said. “I can see the fish on my sonar, so I know they are there. The challenge is getting them to bite during the short window that I have to fish before making the long run back to the scales. Tidal fisheries are finicky that way — bass often only bite during short periods of the day, which makes it imperative for you to be in the right spot at the right time.”
Jocumsen said that his fishing spot has all the right ingredients to keep him in contention to win, but there are many variables that he must face and overcome.
Well before the tournament officially kicked off Thursday morning, it was predicted that the larger limits of bass would be more abundant on the Cooper River, and that a sizable number of anglers would risk the time-consuming run for a shot at heavier fish.
“Practice was up and down for me, but what I learned was crucial to how today panned out,” Myers said after weighing a limit of bass that was good enough for second place. “I caught them pretty well today, but I was concerned about how I would do after losing an hour this morning because of the weather delay.”
While not yet willing to divulge his specific location or tactics, Myers said his pattern is strong, and if he can keep good fortune on his side and access his fishing spots without trouble, he is confident in remaining consistent.
Herren is in third place and knows he is on the right size bass to stay in the hunt.
“I didn’t do anything special today, but I know there is a solid limit of fish to be caught where I’m fishing; I just need to stay in front of the changing tide,” said Herren, who ran only about half as far as Jocumsen or Myers. “I really like this kind of tournament. The conditions are tough and the fish are spread out, but I like the fact that the entire field is dealing with the same variables — it really levels the playing field.”
Each of the Top 3 anglers said that during a tough tournament like this, it’s not uncommon to see more pressure near the leaders’ fishing spots during the second day. Pressure like that can make it more difficult to stay consistent.
Also, when anglers are making such a long run, they risk mechanical failure, empty gas tanks and a myriad of potential obstacles.
The risks are substantial, but the reward that comes Sunday could certainly offset those risks. The winning angler will receive $100,000.
A full field of anglers will fish again during Friday’s second round. The field will be cut to the Top 51 for Saturday’s semi-final round, with only the Top 12 advancing to Championship Sunday.
Daily take-offs are scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at the Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex, with weigh-ins scheduled at the same location each afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Toyota, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, Academy Sports + Outdoors
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines, Bassmaster website, television show, The Bassmasters, social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
2016 Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by Go RVing 4/7-4/10
Winyah Bay, Georgetown SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 5 19-11 110
Day 1: 5 19-11
2. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 16-08 109
Day 1: 5 16-08
3. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 14-06 108
Day 1: 5 14-06
4. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 13-13 107
Day 1: 5 13-13
5. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 13-11 106
Day 1: 5 13-11
6. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 13-00 105
Day 1: 5 13-00
7. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 12-07 104
Day 1: 5 12-07
8. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 5 12-05 103
Day 1: 5 12-05
9. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 11-11 102
Day 1: 5 11-11
10. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 5 11-06 101
Day 1: 5 11-06
11. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 10-13 100
Day 1: 5 10-13
12. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 10-11 99
Day 1: 5 10-11
13. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 4 10-11 98
Day 1: 4 10-11
14. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 10-10 97
Day 1: 5 10-10
15. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 10-09 96
Day 1: 5 10-09
16. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 10-05 95
Day 1: 5 10-05
17. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 10-03 94
Day 1: 5 10-03
18. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 5 10-02 93
Day 1: 5 10-02
18. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 10-02 93
Day 1: 5 10-02
20. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 09-13 91
Day 1: 5 09-13
20. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 5 09-13 91
Day 1: 5 09-13
22. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 09-11 89
Day 1: 5 09-11
22. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 09-11 89
Day 1: 5 09-11
24. Jay Brainard Enid, OK 5 09-07 87
Day 1: 5 09-07
24. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 09-07 87
Day 1: 5 09-07
24. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 09-07 87
Day 1: 5 09-07
27. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 09-05 84
Day 1: 5 09-05
28. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 09-04 83
Day 1: 5 09-04
28. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 09-04 83
Day 1: 5 09-04
28. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 09-04 83
Day 1: 5 09-04
28. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 09-04 83
Day 1: 5 09-04
32. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 09-01 79
Day 1: 5 09-01
33. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 5 09-00 78
Day 1: 5 09-00
34. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 5 08-15 77
Day 1: 5 08-15
35. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 08-12 76
Day 1: 5 08-12
36. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 4 08-11 75
Day 1: 4 08-11
36. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 4 08-11 75
Day 1: 4 08-11
38. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 08-10 73
Day 1: 5 08-10
38. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 08-10 73
Day 1: 5 08-10
38. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 08-10 73
Day 1: 5 08-10
38. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 08-10 73
Day 1: 5 08-10
42. John Murray Spring City, TN 1 08-09 69
Day 1: 1 08-09
43. Casey Scanlon Rocky Mount, MO 5 08-08 68
Day 1: 5 08-08
44. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 5 08-07 67
Day 1: 5 08-07
44. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 08-07 67
Day 1: 5 08-07
46. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 08-05 65
Day 1: 5 08-05
47. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 1 08-05 64
Day 1: 1 08-05
48. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 08-04 63
Day 1: 5 08-04
49. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 3 08-04 62
Day 1: 3 08-04
50. David Williams Newton, NC 5 08-02 61
Day 1: 5 08-02
51. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 08-00 60
Day 1: 5 08-00
51. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 08-00 60
Day 1: 5 08-00
53. Billy McCaghren Jr Mayflower, AR 5 07-14 58
Day 1: 5 07-14
54. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 3 07-14 57
Day 1: 3 07-14
55. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 07-11 56
Day 1: 5 07-11
55. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 07-11 56
Day 1: 5 07-11
55. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 07-11 56
Day 1: 5 07-11
58. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 3 07-10 53
Day 1: 3 07-10
59. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 5 07-09 52
Day 1: 5 07-09
60. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 07-07 51
Day 1: 5 07-07
60. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 07-07 51
Day 1: 5 07-07
60. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 07-07 51
Day 1: 5 07-07
63. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 5 07-03 48
Day 1: 5 07-03
63. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 07-03 48
Day 1: 5 07-03
65. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 3 07-03 46
Day 1: 3 07-03
66. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 07-01 45
Day 1: 5 07-01
67. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 4 07-01 44
Day 1: 4 07-01
68. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 2 06-11 43
Day 1: 2 06-11
69. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 5 06-10 42
Day 1: 5 06-10
70. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 4 06-10 41
Day 1: 4 06-10
70. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 4 06-10 41
Day 1: 4 06-10
72. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 4 06-06 39
Day 1: 4 06-06
72. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 4 06-06 39
Day 1: 4 06-06
74. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 4 06-02 37
Day 1: 4 06-02
74. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 4 06-02 37
Day 1: 4 06-02
76. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 4 06-01 35
Day 1: 4 06-01
77. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 4 05-14 34
Day 1: 4 05-14
78. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 3 05-05 33
Day 1: 3 05-05
79. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 3 05-04 32
Day 1: 3 05-04
80. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 2 05-03 31
Day 1: 2 05-03
81. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 2 04-11 30
Day 1: 2 04-11
82. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 3 04-05 29
Day 1: 3 04-05
83. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 2 04-01 28
Day 1: 2 04-01
84. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 3 03-15 27
Day 1: 3 03-15
85. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 2 03-11 26
Day 1: 2 03-11
85. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 2 03-11 26
Day 1: 2 03-11
85. David Walker Sevierville, TN 2 03-11 26
Day 1: 2 03-11
88. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 2 03-09 23
Day 1: 2 03-09
89. Matt Reed Jr Madisonville, TX 1 03-09 22
Day 1: 1 03-09
90. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 1 03-06 21
Day 1: 1 03-06
91. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 2 03-05 20
Day 1: 2 03-05
92. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 2 03-00 19
Day 1: 2 03-00
93. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 2 02-15 18
Day 1: 2 02-15
94. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 2 02-13 17
Day 1: 2 02-13
95. James Elam Tulsa, OK 2 02-09 16
Day 1: 2 02-09
96. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 1 02-06 15
Day 1: 1 02-06
97. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 2 02-02 14
Day 1: 2 02-02
98. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 1 01-13 13
Day 1: 1 01-13
99. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 1 01-09 12
Day 1: 1 01-09
100. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 1 01-06 11
Day 1: 1 01-06
101. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 2 01-03 10
Day 1: 2 01-03
102. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
102. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
102. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
102. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
102. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
102. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
102. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
102. Matt Vermilyea Perrysburg, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 58 400 780-05
———————————-
58 400 780-05
By: Helen White, Bassmaster
