“You live by the sword, you die by the sword.”
Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., uttered those words immediately after he weighed in a 20-pound, 2-ounce limit to take the lead Thursday during the GEICO Bassmaster BASSfest presented by Choctaw Casino and Resort at Lake Texoma.
Hackney’s two-day combined weight of 35-12 bumped Wednesday’s leader Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., into second place by 1 pound, 2 ounces.
“Yesterday I fished a pattern that produced some solid fish, and today it was more of the same thing — they were just bigger,” Hackney said. “The bite has been pretty unpredictable, but I’ve been able to narrow it down to one bait. It’s risky business relying on one presentation, because it could pay off big and win me this tournament, or it could end up costing me.”
Hackney came into this event leading the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, and he said it was his objective to strengthen that lead by staying consistent on the water.
“I’m a long ways from winning Angler of the Year, but I knew that a good finish here would put me one step closer,” said Hackney, the 2014 Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “I’m not concerning myself with anything other than tomorrow. If I can stay on the pattern and put together another solid limit, then I’ll start thinking about winning the derby. Right now, I’m just thankful for another great day.”
While Hackney increased on his previous day’s weight, Ashley dropped a few pounds with 14-9 for a two-day total of 34-10.
“I caught the right fish early in the day, but things really slowed down during the afternoon, and opportunities to upgrade were hard to come by,” Ashley said.
“Not much has changed since yesterday, but the pattern I’m fishing is largely dependent upon bass that are hanging out in the flooded bushes. With the receding water, the bass might be beginning to move out, but I’m confident my pattern will still produce tomorrow — I guess we’ll see.”
Also making a strong case for the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title is Gerald Swindle from Warrior, Ala. After today’s weigh-in, he is 30 points behind Hackney. Of course, that may change by the end of the tournament, but you can bet Swindle is focusing on a strong finish.
“I’ve made a asserted effort to slow down this year,” Swindle said after he brought 17-10 to the scale for a two-day total of 32-5.
“I drive slower, I fish slower aiming to be more thorough and catch every fish possible. I caught a lot more bass yesterday because I was moving faster and covering more water. But, my limit today was bigger and I fished slower. That just proves to me how important it is to make every cast count.”
Thursday’s Phoenix Boats Big Bass was caught by Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Ky., and weighed 7 pounds even. If nobody catches a bigger bass during BASSfest, Roy will receive a $1,500 bonus.
Hackney also earned the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $500 for being the second-day leader.
Rounding out the Top 10 are Brandon Palaniuk (30-11), Chad Morgenthaler (30-8), Ott DeFoe (30-5), Rick Clunn (29-6), Edwin Evers (29-0), Keith Poche (28-15) and Bradley Roy (28-11).
Following today’s weigh-in, the field will be cut to the Top 50 anglers for Friday’s semi-final round. Takeoff will be held at Dam Site Park in Denison, Texas, at 6:15 a.m. CT, while the weigh-in will take place at 3:45 p.m. at Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, Okla.
There will be no fishing on Saturday, as Bassmaster University will take place at Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, Okla., in the same location as daily weigh-ins.
Gates open at 10 a.m., and it’s completely free to the public. Bassmaster fans will have opportunities to visit sponsor booths, attend pro seminars, ask their favorite anglers questions and even gather autographs.
Also on Saturday, the Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team has been invited to participate in a special tournament Saturday on Lake McGee. Each All-American angler will be paired with an Elite Series pro for the one-day derby with weigh-in at Choctaw Casino Resort beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Bassmaster Elite Series competition will resume on Championship Sunday, as the remaining Top 12 anglers battle for the $100,000 grand prize and a berth to the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Yamaha, GoPro, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Shimano, Academy Sports + Outdoors, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella
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, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, 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 GEICO Bassmaster BASSfest presented by Choctaw Casino and Resort 6/8-6/12
Lake Texoma, Durant OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 35-12 110 $500.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 20-02
2. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 34-10 109
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 14-09
3. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 32-05 108
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-10
4. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 30-11 107
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 12-08
5. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 9 30-08 106
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 4 11-02
6. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 10 30-05 105
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 12-00
7. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 29-06 104
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 15-06
8. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 29-00 103
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 10-08
9. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 28-15 102
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 12-15
10. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 28-11 101
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 18-12
11. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 28-09 100
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 17-00
12. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 28-06 99
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 15-08
13. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 27-08 98
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 11-00
14. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 10 27-06 97
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 12-11
15. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 10 26-08 96
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 10-08
16. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 10 26-08 95
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 11-15
17. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 26-08 94
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 12-02
18. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 10 26-08 93
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 14-02
19. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 26-06 92
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 14-02
20. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 26-00 91
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 12-00
21. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 10 25-15 90
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 10-08
22. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 25-10 89
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 16-05
23. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 25-10 88
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 09-11
24. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 25-07 87
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 12-04
25. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 25-06 86
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 09-13
26. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 25-05 85
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 11-08
27. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 9 25-04 84
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 4 14-15
28. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 24-14 83
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 15-15
29. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 10 24-13 82
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 13-03
30. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 8 24-12 81
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 3 11-04
31. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 9 24-11 80
Day 1: 4 10-03 Day 2: 5 14-08
32. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 24-11 79
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 11-01
33. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 10 24-04 78
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 13-03
34. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 9 24-02 77
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 4 10-02
35. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 23-13 76
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 07-08
36. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 23-13 75
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 10-10
37. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 8 23-11 74
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 3 08-09
38. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 23-11 73
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 09-07
39. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 23-11 72
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 11-01
40. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 10 23-10 71
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 12-04
41. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 10 23-08 70
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 11-14
42. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 10 23-02 69
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 14-03
43. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 10 23-01 68
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 12-11
44. David Williams Newton, NC 10 23-00 67
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 5 14-03
45. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 8 22-15 66
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 3 09-11
46. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 10 22-13 65
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 13-03
47. John Murray Spring City, TN 10 22-08 64
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 10-08
48. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 10 22-06 63
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-00
49. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 22-06 62
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 11-13
50. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 10 22-05 61
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 10-10
51. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 8 22-01 60
Day 1: 4 09-12 Day 2: 4 12-05
52. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 22-01 59
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 12-04
53. James Elam Tulsa, OK 10 21-15 58
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 10-08
54. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 21-13 57
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 08-12
55. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 10 21-12 56
Day 1: 5 06-01 Day 2: 5 15-11
56. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 21-05 55
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 11-05
57. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 8 21-04 54
Day 1: 3 05-09 Day 2: 5 15-11
58. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 21-03 53
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 10-10
59. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 21-01 52
Day 1: 5 06-13 Day 2: 5 14-04
60. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 21-01 51
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 11-08
61. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 10 20-15 50
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-10
62. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 9 20-13 49
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 4 10-07
63. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 9 20-11 48
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 5 10-13
64. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 9 20-10 47
Day 1: 4 09-09 Day 2: 5 11-01
65. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 9 20-09 46
Day 1: 4 08-03 Day 2: 5 12-06
66. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 20-09 45
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 08-08
67. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 10 20-09 44
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 10-14
68. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 20-09 43
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 10-11
69. Casey Scanlon Rocky Mount, MO 10 20-06 42
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 08-12
70. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 20-06 41
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 09-02
71. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 9 20-04 40
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 4 10-12
72. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 10 20-03 39
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 10-01
73. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 20-01 38
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 12-06
74. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 19-14 37
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 11-07
75. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 10 19-12 36
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 10-11
76. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 10 19-11 35
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 5 13-07
77. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 10 19-11 34
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 09-05
78. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 19-07 33
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 11-00
79. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 10 19-01 32
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 09-00
80. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 19-00 31
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 08-07
81. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 10 18-03 30
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 06-08
82. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 6 17-15 29
Day 1: 3 09-13 Day 2: 3 08-02
83. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 17-15 28
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 08-08
84. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 17-15 27
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 08-14
85. Billy McCaghren Jr Mayflower, AR 8 17-14 26
Day 1: 3 06-05 Day 2: 5 11-09
86. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 8 17-13 25
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 3 07-11
87. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 17-10 24
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 07-01
88. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 9 17-09 23
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 4 07-02
89. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 8 17-07 22
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 3 05-05
90. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 17-03 21
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 08-00
91. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 7 16-12 20
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 5 14-00
92. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 8 16-05 19
Day 1: 4 06-12 Day 2: 4 09-09
93. Jay Brainard Enid, OK 9 15-12 18
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 4 08-13
94. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 9 15-07 17
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 4 07-02
95. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 7 15-01 16
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 2 04-11
96. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 14-04 15
Day 1: 4 12-00 Day 2: 1 02-04
97. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 8 13-15 14
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 3 04-10
98. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 7 13-05 13
Day 1: 4 05-07 Day 2: 3 07-14
99. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 9 13-02 12
Day 1: 5 06-14 Day 2: 4 06-04
100. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 9 13-01 11
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 4 05-07
101. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 7 12-15 10
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 2 02-08
102. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 6 12-15 9
Day 1: 2 05-00 Day 2: 4 07-15
103. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 7 11-12 8
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 5 08-14
104. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 7 11-05 7
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 2 02-08
105. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 9 10-10 6
Day 1: 5 04-09 Day 2: 4 06-01
106. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 08-13 5
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 4 07-00
107. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 4 08-09 4
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 1 02-07
108. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE 5 06-03 3
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 3 03-02
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 91 508 1176-04
2 79 490 1151-06
———————————-
170 998 2327-10
By: Helen White, Bassmaster
