The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Opens presented by Allstate are supposed to provide anglers with a respite from the summertime heat of the Deep South, but on Thursday, the first day of the season-opening tournament on the James River, the temperature hit a steamy and humid high of 97 degrees.
Alabama pro Boyd Duckett likewise brought the Southern-fried heat, as he sacked 20 pounds, 4 ounces of James River bass to take an early lead.
“I burned lots of fuel today,” said the 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion. “I hit a lot of one-fish spots. The tide is everything here; you have to hit your best places at the right time. There are lots of boats running the areas that I’m fishing. Every place I fished had 29 boats on it. But it’s the way that I’m fishing it that makes the difference.”
Mike Iaconelli, who sits in seventh place with 15-9 and has made two final-day cuts here before, said that he was surprised to see a 20-pound bag brought to the scales. There might have been two such bags had Pennsylvania pro Dave Lefebre capitalized on all of his chances. Instead he weighed in 18-6, putting him in third, less than 2 pounds behind Duckett.
Like Duckett, Lefebre said he’s “doing something a little bit different,” and had the bites to have a 23-pound limit.
In between those two pros sits Chris Dillow of Waynesboro, Va., with 18-13. Dillow is taking a break from his real estate business and “just going fishing.”
Despite being a relative local, Dillow said he’s not running the tides, but rather waiting out his fish throughout the changing water levels.
“I didn’t have a plan today,” he said. “Tomorrow my only plan is to keep Dillow’s Perfect Jig in my hand and not put it down.”
Another pair of Virginians, Ryan Powroznik and Frank Poirier, hold down fourth and fifth with 17-3 and 16-4, respectively. Powroznik, the cousin of Elite Series pro Jacob Powroznik, ran the tide until about 1 o’clock, but said that he could have done better had he not gotten behind on his rotation.
“There’s only a tight window of time when they’re feeding,” he explained. “I didn’t beat on them too bad today.”
While Iaconelli is nearly 5 pounds off the lead, he refused to concede anything after one day, He noted that Duckett similarly had a massive bag last year at the Elite Series tournament on the Delaware River, an event in which Iaconelli eventually claimed the trophy before an adoring hometown crowd.
“The key here is to be consistent,” Iaconelli said. “Anyone who can catch 13 to 15 pounds a day over three days will have a shot to win.”
In the co-angler division, Lou Britos of Disputanta, Va., the last man in the field of nearly 400 total anglers to weigh in, took a commanding lead with a three-fish limit that weighed 12-07. No other co-angler made it into double digits. Indeed, the next angler in line, Scott Kerslake, is still shy of 4 pounds of Britos. Included in his catch was a 7-2 largemouth that he caught on a spinnerbait around noon, fishing behind pro Joe Gensini of Illinois.
“I didn’t do anything special,” Britos said. “My partner had me around fish all day.”
The big bass on the pro side was caught by Roy Minnock, also of Illinois. His bass weighed 6-11. If either of those fish holds up as the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass of the tournament in their respective divisions, they will be worth $750 on the pro side and $250 on the amateur side.
The full field will compete on Friday, and the Top 12 pros and the Top 12 co-anglers qualifying for the finals on Saturday.
The tournament will launch each day at 6 a.m. ET at Osborne Park and Boat Landing. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Bass Pro Shops in Ashland at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
The local hosts for the event are Visit Richmond and Henrico County Recreation and Park.
2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Allstate
2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: A.R.E. Accessories, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Huk Performance Fishing, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
About B.A.S.S
. B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), 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 presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, 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.
2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open James River Presented by Allstate 7/9-7/11
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 5 20-04 200
Day 1: 5 20-04
2. Chris Dillow Waynesboro, VA 5 18-13 199
Day 1: 5 18-13
3. David Lefebre Erie, PA 5 18-06 198
Day 1: 5 18-06
4. Ryan Powroznik Prince George, VA 5 17-03 197
Day 1: 5 17-03
5. Frank Poirier North Prince George, VA 5 16-04 196
Day 1: 5 16-04
6. Paul Malone Pleasant Valley, IA 5 15-11 195
Day 1: 5 15-11
7. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 15-09 194
Day 1: 5 15-09
8. Michael Simonton Fremont, OH 5 14-14 193
Day 1: 5 14-14
9. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 14-10 192
Day 1: 5 14-10
10. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 5 13-13 191
Day 1: 5 13-13
11. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 13-06 190
Day 1: 5 13-06
12. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 5 13-04 189
Day 1: 5 13-04
13. Terry Baksay Easton, CT 5 13-03 188
Day 1: 5 13-03
14. Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 5 13-01 187
Day 1: 5 13-01
15. Steve Miller Mechanicsville, VA 5 12-15 186
Day 1: 5 12-15
16. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 5 12-10 185
Day 1: 5 12-10
17. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 12-08 184
Day 1: 5 12-08
18. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 5 12-07 183
Day 1: 5 12-07
19. Clay Powers Portsmouth, VA 5 12-07 182
Day 1: 5 12-07
20. John Malzahn Sparrow Bush, NY 5 11-13 181
Day 1: 5 11-13
21. Bill Day Frankfort, KY 5 11-11 180
Day 1: 5 11-11
21. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 11-11 180
Day 1: 5 11-11
21. Wesley Strader Spring City, TN 5 11-11 180
Day 1: 5 11-11
24. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 5 11-10 177
Day 1: 5 11-10
24. Dave Davenport Milford, OH 5 11-10 177
Day 1: 5 11-10
26. Brad Webb Hampton, VA 5 11-09 175
Day 1: 5 11-09
27. Steven Colgin Lanexa, VA 5 11-08 174
Day 1: 5 11-08
27. Kyle Kempkers Hamilton, MI 5 11-08 174
Day 1: 5 11-08
29. Paco Giner Danbury, CT 5 11-02 172
Day 1: 5 11-02
29. Stephen Mui Bartlett, IL 5 11-02 172
Day 1: 5 11-02
31. Shayne Berlo Fairfax, VA 5 11-01 170
Day 1: 5 11-01
31. Patrick Bone Cleveland, GA 5 11-01 170
Day 1: 5 11-01
33. Tyler Berger Westerville, OH 5 10-15 168
Day 1: 5 10-15
33. Drew Dupre Clinton, CT 5 10-15 168
Day 1: 5 10-15
35. Gregory Dipalma Millville, NJ 5 10-14 166
Day 1: 5 10-14
36. Randy Elliott Bowie, MD 5 10-13 165
Day 1: 5 10-13
36. Mike Elsea Mooresville, IN 5 10-13 165
Day 1: 5 10-13
38. Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, MI 5 10-10 163
Day 1: 5 10-10
39. Cavin Young Prince George, VA 5 10-08 162
Day 1: 5 10-08
40. Chris Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 10-07 161
Day 1: 5 10-07
40. Ed Loughran Mechanicsville, VA 5 10-07 161
Day 1: 5 10-07
40. Chris Noffsinger Interlochen, MI 5 10-07 161
Day 1: 5 10-07
43. Cody Pike Powhatan, VA 5 10-06 158
Day 1: 5 10-06
44. Tommy Little Chester, VA 5 10-05 157
Day 1: 5 10-05
45. Matt Malmquist White Lake, MI 5 10-04 156
Day 1: 5 10-04
46. Brian Bersik Disputanta, VA 5 10-01 155
Day 1: 5 10-01
46. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 10-01 155
Day 1: 5 10-01
48. Jason Bacon Nutting Lake, MA 5 10-00 153
Day 1: 5 10-00
48. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 10-00 153
Day 1: 5 10-00
50. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 09-15 151
Day 1: 5 09-15
51. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 09-14 150
Day 1: 5 09-14
52. Roy Minnick New Lenox, IL 3 09-14 149
Day 1: 3 09-14
53. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 09-13 148
Day 1: 5 09-13
53. Derek Yasinski Senoia, GA 5 09-13 148
Day 1: 5 09-13
55. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 5 09-11 146
Day 1: 5 09-11
56. Andrew Buss North Liberty, IN 5 09-10 145
Day 1: 5 09-10
57. Jim Bianchi Rush, NY 5 09-09 144
Day 1: 5 09-09
58. Kelly Pratt Williamsburg, VA 5 09-07 143
Day 1: 5 09-07
59. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 09-06 142
Day 1: 5 09-06
60. Josh Douglas Mound, MN 4 09-04 141
Day 1: 4 09-04
61. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 09-03 140
Day 1: 5 09-03
62. Scott Siller Milwaukee, WI 5 09-02 139
Day 1: 5 09-02
63. Gaspare Costabile Niagara Falls ONTARIO C 5 08-15 138
Day 1: 5 08-15
63. Mike Kernan Wylie, TX 5 08-15 138
Day 1: 5 08-15
65. Alan Jackson Newport News, VA 5 08-13 136
Day 1: 5 08-13
66. James Mcmullen Quakertown, PA 4 08-13 135
Day 1: 4 08-13
67. David Frost North Haledon, NJ 5 08-11 134
Day 1: 5 08-11
68. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 5 08-11 133
Day 1: 5 08-11
69. Powell Kemp Scotland Neck, NC 5 08-08 132
Day 1: 5 08-08
69. Timothy Lucy Prince George, VA 5 08-08 132
Day 1: 5 08-08
71. Lucas Bogosian Harrington Park, NJ 5 08-07 130
Day 1: 5 08-07
72. Jonathan Carter Glenburn, ME 5 08-06 129
Day 1: 5 08-06
72. Logan Sherrer Karnack, TX 5 08-06 129
Day 1: 5 08-06
74. Jason Root Fostoria, OH 5 08-05 127
Day 1: 5 08-05
74. Vince Troiano Chesterfield, NJ 5 08-05 127
Day 1: 5 08-05
76. Sean Peddicord Timonium, MD 5 08-04 125
Day 1: 5 08-04
77. JT Kenney Palm Bay, FL 5 08-03 124
Day 1: 5 08-03
77. Ben Nielsen Lowell, MI 5 08-03 124
Day 1: 5 08-03
79. Richard McCrone Cream Ridge, NJ 5 08-02 122
Day 1: 5 08-02
79. Andrew Slegona Jr Walker Valley, NY 5 08-02 122
Day 1: 5 08-02
81. Kevin Johnson Surprise, AZ 3 08-02 120
Day 1: 3 08-02
82. Jamey Caldwell Carthage, NC 5 08-01 119
Day 1: 5 08-01
82. Anthony Gagliardi Prosperity, SC 5 08-01 119
Day 1: 5 08-01
82. Roy Moon Gloucester, VA 5 08-01 119
Day 1: 5 08-01
85. Cody Meyer Auburn, CA 5 08-00 116
Day 1: 5 08-00
86. Steve Schubert Rayland, OH 3 08-00 115
Day 1: 3 08-00
87. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 07-15 114
Day 1: 5 07-15
88. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 5 07-14 113
Day 1: 5 07-14
89. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 07-13 112
Day 1: 5 07-13
90. John Hunter Jr Georgetown, KY 5 07-12 111
Day 1: 5 07-12
91. Patrick Pierce Jacksonville, FL 5 07-11 110
Day 1: 5 07-11
91. Matt Vermilyea Perrysburg, OH 5 07-11 110
Day 1: 5 07-11
93. Shin Fukae Palestine, TX 5 07-10 108
Day 1: 5 07-10
94. Sam George Athens, AL 5 07-09 107
Day 1: 5 07-09
95. William Shipes Williston, SC 4 07-08 106
Day 1: 4 07-08
96. David Dudley Lynchburg, VA 5 07-07 105
Day 1: 5 07-07
97. Jeff Lugar Cross Junction, VA 5 07-06 104
Day 1: 5 07-06
98. Steve York Bronson, MI 5 07-05 103
Day 1: 5 07-05
99. James Cassaday Wirtz, VA 5 07-04 102
Day 1: 5 07-04
100. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 07-03 101
Day 1: 5 07-03
101. Matt Fischer Farmington, MI 5 07-02 100
Day 1: 5 07-02
102. Gary Clouse La Vergne, TN 4 07-02 99
Day 1: 4 07-02
103. Mike Caul Petersburg, VA 5 07-01 98
Day 1: 5 07-01
104. Wayne Vaughan Jr Chester, VA 4 07-01 97
Day 1: 4 07-01
105. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 4 07-00 96
Day 1: 4 07-00
105. Danny Lamie Richmond, VA 4 07-00 96
Day 1: 4 07-00
107. Jeff Cutler Minersville, PA 5 06-14 94
Day 1: 5 06-14
107. Ryan Ingalls Fairfax, VA 5 06-14 94
Day 1: 5 06-14
107. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 06-14 94
Day 1: 5 06-14
110. Jon Englund Farwell, MN 4 06-14 91
Day 1: 4 06-14
111. Charlie Evans Berea, KY 5 06-13 90
Day 1: 5 06-13
112. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 06-12 89
Day 1: 5 06-12
112. Buck Mallory Lawton, MI 5 06-12 89
Day 1: 5 06-12
114. Tony Dorman Taylor, PA 5 06-11 87
Day 1: 5 06-11
114. Tim Malone Gatlinburg, TN 5 06-11 87
Day 1: 5 06-11
116. Jonathan Shoemaker Elyria, OH 5 06-10 85
Day 1: 5 06-10
117. Rob Uzzle Hampton, VA 4 06-08 84
Day 1: 4 06-08
118. Joe Hamilton Liberty, IN 5 06-07 83
Day 1: 5 06-07
119. Trait Crist Fort Worth, TX 4 06-06 82
Day 1: 4 06-06
119. Charlie Machek Midlothian, VA 4 06-06 82
Day 1: 4 06-06
119. Erhardt Tulgestka Posen, MI 4 06-06 82
Day 1: 4 06-06
122. Michael Crocker Pasadena, MD 4 06-00 79
Day 1: 4 06-00
123. Jeff Kuhar Bridgeport, OH 3 06-00 78
Day 1: 3 06-00
124. Richard Dunham Waukegan, IL 5 05-13 77
Day 1: 5 05-13
125. Greg Mansfield Burnsville, MN 2 05-13 76
Day 1: 2 05-13
126. Joe Gensini Hennepin, IL 4 05-12 75
Day 1: 4 05-12
126. Wil Hardy II Harlem, GA 4 05-12 75
Day 1: 4 05-12
128. Rick Hawkins Roanoke, VA 3 05-12 73
Day 1: 3 05-12
129. Rob Thivener Delaware, OH 3 05-10 72
Day 1: 3 05-10
130. Buddy Cipoletti West Islip, NY 4 05-08 71
Day 1: 4 05-08
131. Shane Rees Middletown, IN 3 05-08 70
Day 1: 3 05-08
132. Jeff Hippert Hamburg, NY 4 05-05 69
Day 1: 4 05-05
133. Christppher Martinkovic Liberty Twp, OH 3 05-05 68
Day 1: 3 05-05
134. Kendall Newson Lagrange, GA 3 05-04 67
Day 1: 3 05-04
135. Curtis Richardson Belleville CANADA 4 05-02 66
Day 1: 4 05-02
136. Chris Flint Potsdam, NY 3 05-01 65
Day 1: 3 05-01
137. Don Warren Jr Chesterfield, VA 3 05-00 64
Day 1: 3 05-00
138. Paul Molan Chardon, OH 3 04-15 63
Day 1: 3 04-15
139. Derek Cummings Clayton, NC 2 04-15 62
Day 1: 2 04-15
140. Michael Lockhart Mineral Wells, WV 2 04-14 61
Day 1: 2 04-14
141. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 3 04-13 60
Day 1: 3 04-13
142. John Figi Bloomington, MN 3 04-12 59
Day 1: 3 04-12
142. Bruce Whitmire Channelview, TX 3 04-12 59
Day 1: 3 04-12
144. Eddie Levin Westerville, OH 4 04-11 57
Day 1: 4 04-11
145. Tim Grein Winston Salem, NC 2 04-09 56
Day 1: 2 04-09
146. Al Farace Cockeysville, MD 4 04-08 55
Day 1: 4 04-08
147. Douglas Reed Bridgeton, NJ 3 04-05 54
Day 1: 3 04-05
148. Jason Dudek Tonka Bay, MN 4 04-04 53
Day 1: 4 04-04
149. Regan Coffey Richmond, VA 2 04-01 52
Day 1: 2 04-01
150. Brian Latimer Belton, SC 3 04-00 51
Day 1: 3 04-00
151. Mark Hicks Glouster, OH 2 04-00 50
Day 1: 2 04-00
151. Craig Nelson Mather, PA 2 04-00 50
Day 1: 2 04-00
153. Carmen Peluso Ambridge, PA 3 03-14 48
Day 1: 3 03-14
154. Pete Garnier Lindsey ONTARIO CANADA 2 03-13 47
Day 1: 2 03-13
154. Randy Ramsey Ceresco, MI 2 03-13 47
Day 1: 2 03-13
156. Andrew Luxon Richmond, KY 2 03-10 45
Day 1: 2 03-10
156. Rick Nitkiewicz Pittsburgh, PA 2 03-10 45
Day 1: 2 03-10
158. Frank Ramsey Cary, IL 3 03-09 43
Day 1: 3 03-09
159. Gary Isgrigg Mt Washington, KY 2 03-09 42
Day 1: 2 03-09
160. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, FL 2 03-08 41
Day 1: 2 03-08
161. Kenny Garippa Tobyhanna, PA 2 03-05 40
Day 1: 2 03-05
162. William Hensley Chattaroy, WV 3 03-03 39
Day 1: 3 03-03
163. Tom Balachvili Brooklyn, NY 3 02-14 38
Day 1: 3 02-14
164. Steven Roberts Moseley, VA 2 02-14 37
Day 1: 2 02-14
165. Gerald Sensabaugh Gray, TN 3 02-12 36
Day 1: 3 02-12
166. Ron Johnson Chandler, AZ 3 02-11 35
Day 1: 3 02-11
167. Larry Draughn Fairborn, OH 2 02-08 34
Day 1: 2 02-08
168. Edward Naydihor Kenosha, WI 2 02-06 33
Day 1: 2 02-06
169. Bo Boltz New Kent, VA 2 02-05 32
Day 1: 2 02-05
169. Lee Rogers Swartswood, NJ 2 02-05 32
Day 1: 2 02-05
171. Shannon Jones Kimper, KY 1 02-04 30
Day 1: 1 02-04
171. Todd Sterner Mechanicsburg, PA 1 02-04 30
Day 1: 1 02-04
173. Kyle Worsham Cherokee, AL 2 02-01 28
Day 1: 2 02-01
174. Scott Patton Paris, TN 1 02-01 27
Day 1: 1 02-01
175. Paul Pagnato Reston, VA 1 02-00 26
Day 1: 1 02-00
176. Antonio Gomez Paterson, NJ 1 01-15 25
Day 1: 1 01-15
177. Kirk McMullen Greensburg, PA 1 01-11 24
Day 1: 1 01-11
178. Michael McCoy Mentor On The Lake, OH 1 01-05 23
Day 1: 1 01-05
179. Brian Kelly Liverpool, NY 1 01-04 22
Day 1: 1 01-04
180. Jarrad Nickolite Sioux Falls, SD 1 01-03 21
Day 1: 1 01-03
181. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 1 01-01 20
Day 1: 1 01-01
182. Stephen Barrett Kirkfield CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
182. Chris Cline Stafford, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
182. Jeff Cox Saline, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
182. Donald Holt Jr Perrysburg, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
182. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
182. Larry Lusk Virginia Beach, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
182. Timothy Macknair Rices Landing, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
182. Edward Milton Chester, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
182. Mark Modrak China, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
182. Josh Wich Camden, DE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 107 738 1413-08
———————————-
107 738 1413-08
By: Helen White, Bassmaster
