Bites were few and far between for Fred Roumbanis, but fortunately for him, he got the right ones today at Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin.
The Bassmaster Elite Series pro took the lead in the pro division of the Bass Pros Shops Bassmaster Central Open finale by catching a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 9 ounces. Some key bites in practice helped Roumbanis locate the big fish he caught today.
“I didn’t stick (hook) many fish in practice, so I went right to where I got the bites and caught them today,” Roumbanis said. When the London, Ark., angler did set the hook on some bass during practice, he caught a couple of 4- and 5-pounders.
His hot spots produced six bass in the opening round. His best five included three 5-pound largemouth.
“I’m not getting a lot of bites,” he said. “It is an absolute grind.”
After catching his fish, Roumbanis left his area to save it for Friday’s second round. He thinks the bass he found are still in a summertime mode.
“I don’t think they have quite made their fall deal yet,” he said. “They are still back on their summer stuff (isolated objects), and they are pretty predictable once you figure it out. I’ve got two patterns going so I think I can just go fishing and do all right.”
Former Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney cashed in on his home waters advantage to take over second place with a 17-6 limit. The Gonzales, La., pro had a good practice a couple of weeks ago, but he noticed the fishing has slowed down after a cold front last week dropped the water temperature 13 degrees.
Hackney experienced his best action early and late on the first competition day.
“The middle of the day was just a grind; I would catch one every now and then,” he said. “I would also catch a lot of little ones. When the water was warmer, (prior to the front), everything I caught was 2 pounds or better.”
Other pro division anglers in the Top 5 include Derek Hudnall, Baton Rouge, La., third place, 16-2; Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, fourth, 15-14; and Hunter Parra, Houma, La., fifth, 14-13.
Competing in his first Open, 31-year-old Blake Naquin from Thibodaux, La., took over the lead in the co-angler division with three bass weighing 11-8. Even though the oil and gas service company employee was fishing his home waters, Naquin said he learned a lot more about the basin while paired with pro angler Billy Billeaud of Lafayette, La.
Leading the pro division for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award after the first day is Parra with a 7-12 largemouth. Naquin leads on the co-angler side of the big bass pot with a 4-4 bass.
The Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau (www.cajuncoast.com) is hosting this event.
Friday’s launch, weigh-in and the final-day takeoff will be held at the Jesse Fontenot Memorial Boat Landing, 700 River Road in Berwick. The final-day weigh-in on Saturday will move to the Bass Pro Shops at 175 Bass Pro Blvd., in Denham Springs.
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance
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 outdoors, 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.
By: JamieDay Matthews
