Georgia’s Kendrick caps a big first day with the Pro Division lead
Altman, another Georgian, tops Co-Angler Division
MANNING, S.C. – This morning, Jay Kendrick was concerned that last night’s cold snap might have shut down his fish on Lake Santee Cooper today.
He had nothing to worry about. The Kingston, Ga., native caught 27 pounds, 2 ounces of bass to take the Pro Division lead on day one of the EverStart Eastern Division’s third event of the year. His five-bass limit weighed over 2 pounds more than David Tanner’s second-place stringer of 24 pounds, 12 ounces.
Many of the competitors, including Kendrick, had their doubts about how productive Lake Santee Cooper would be today. Overnight temperatures that plunged below 30 degrees threatened to push the shallow spring bass back into deeper waters. However, it was clear when the first flight of anglers weighed in their fish that the cold weather was having little effect on bass that are anxious to spawn. The very first angler to cross the stage, Bill Holmes of Summerville, S.C., set the pace in the Pro Division with an impressive five-bass weight of 22 pounds, 4 ounces.
And it never really slowed down after that. At least nine pros and co-anglers presented a fish that weighed over 7 pounds for the Big Bass competition. At least four fish over 8 pounds were weighed in by the pros, including Tanner’s 8-pound, 11-ounce $750 Big Bass winner. In all, the Pro Division weighed in 1,162 pounds, 2 ounces of fish on day one.
But it was Kendrick’s sack full of steady 6-pound largemouth bass that took the cake. Fishing one shallow area with staging bass on the upper end of Lake Marion, he caught his limit by 10 o’clock this morning and never looked back.
“I was worried about the weather,” he said. “But when I got to my spot, the water temperature hadn’t really changed.”
For the 33-year-old EverStart Series rookie, grabbing a big lead today meant more to him than just a chance to show off a huge string of fish. Two years ago he quit his job as an anesthesiologist to focus exclusively on competitive fishing. A possible win this week would mean validation for giving up a steady income to do what he loves.
“To do well in a tournament means more to me than just cashing a check,” he explained. “It’s a personal accomplishment.”
Also chalking up a personal triumph was Tanner. His 8-pound 11-ounce Big Bass has set the mark as the largest bass weighed in on the pro side of the EverStart Series this year. While the bass tournament veteran has weighed in larger bass at other events, he was especially proud of this one.
“When you catch a big fish in a tournament,” he said, “regardless of its size, you feel good about it. And you get to cash that check.”
And, with 24 pounds, 12 ounces today, he’s in a great position to make the cut tomorrow – pending some unforeseen disaster.
“I think I can win this thing,” Tanner said, “but I still have to catch five fish tomorrow.”
Rounding out the Pro Division top five were Bill Holmes (third place) of Summerville, S.C., with five bass weighing 22 pounds, 4 ounces; Greg Pugh (fourth) of Cullman, Ala., with five bass weighing 21 pounds, 15 ounces; and David Dudley (fifth) of Manteo, N.C., with five bass weighing 20 pounds, 7 ounces. Also hovering in the top 10 is the notable Ricky Shumpert (sixth), who’s a local favorite from Lexington, S.C., with five bass weighing 19 pounds, 11 ounces.
Altman outfishes pro partner, takes co-angler lead
On the co-angler side, a confident Roy Altman of Augusta, Ga., capitalized on today’s round of big, staging bass to take the lead with five fish weighing 15 pounds, 15 ounces.
He threw a Rat-L-Trap in less than five feet of water to success today – outcatching his pro partner, William Metcalf of Oviedo, Fla., by four fish – and said he feels he can pull off a similar feat tomorrow.
“For the co-angler, a lot of it is the luck of the draw,” said Altman. “My pro partner for tomorrow only caught one fish today, but my boater today only caught one, too. It turned out to be a good start. Tomorrow, if my partner puts me close to (fish), I’ll catch them.”
Altman, a retiree who’s also fishing in his first year on the EverStart Series, is no stranger to first place. He led the Co-Angler Division going into the semifinal round at January’s EverStart event on Lake Okeechobee, Fla.
Following him in today’s top five were Bryan Moeller (second place) of Columbia, S.C., with five bass weighing 14 pounds, 11 ounces; John Presnell (third) of Shelby, N.C., with three bass weighing 14 pounds, 2 ounces; Greg Lineberry (fourth) of Galax, Va., with four bass weighing 13 pounds, 5 ounces; and Tee Watkins (fifth) with three bass weighing 13 pounds, 2 ounces. Presnell also took Big Bass honors and $250 in the Co-Angler Division with a 7-pound, 9-ounce largemouth.
Tomorrow’s takeoff is scheduled to take place at 6:30 a.m. at John C. Land III Boating and Sportfishing Facility located near Summerton. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the same location.
Day-one related links