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Kansan Brent Chapman in 14th
Biffle Uses Homefield Advantage to Lead at Bassmaster Elite Series Finale on Fort Gibson Lake

June 17, 2010 - On Wednesday, 92 Bassmaster Elite Series anglers scoured Fort Gibson Lake , looking to glean any bit of knowledge from the Oklahoma fishery during the truncated one-day practice period. The 93rd, Tommy Biffle, mowed his lawn.  After all, the Wagoner, Okla. , has been fishing Fort Gibson for 40-plus years so an extra day of practice could only reveal key spots to the rest of the field. 

And the strategy paid off for Biffle.  The Wagoner, Okla. , veteran smacked 19 pounds, 11 ounces, Thursday to take the opening-round lead at the AutoZone Sooner Run.  While the 16-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier used his intimate knowledge of Gibson and worked a multitude of areas, he is still keeping a few things to himself. 

“I goofed around a little too much,” said Biffle, 52.  “I wanted to save some spots and not show too much and I might have to hit it a little bit harder tomorrow (Thursday).  But you can bet that I’m still going to keep some stuff secret until the final day.”

Assuming Biffle makes it to the final day on Sunday – only the top 12 anglers qualify – it would do wonders for his bid to make the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason, which only the top 12 in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings qualify for.  Biffle, who was 17th in the AOY standings heading into this week, participated in the Postseason in 2009 and is itching to get back.

“I need to get into the Postseason,” said Biffle, a four-time Bassmaster winner.  “That is the goal now.  Well, that, and catching 20 pounds a day.  It’s all going pretty good now.  But that doesn’t mean I will catch them everyday.”

The hits keep on coming for Biffle and perhaps instead of mowing his lawn, he should have hit the local casino Wednesday.  First, the event moved to Fort Gibson Lake , essentially his backyard, due to unsafe conditions on the Arkansas River .  Then, an uncooperative trolling motor was quickly fixed Thursday morning by service crew members costing Biffle zero tournament time.  To top it off, Biffle’s lead was the slimmest of margins – 1 ounce. 

Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Sooner Run on The Bassmasters, which airs Sunday, July 11, at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN3.com.

As expected judging by his practice philosophy, Biffle kept the details of his pattern extremely close to the vest.  He caught fish all throughout the day and given his shallow-water chops, it’s a good bet Biffle is flipping the bank.  What excites Biffle the most – given his local ties – is the rebound that the fishery has experienced over the last couple of years.

Biffle said it’s stocked with bass in the 3- to 5-pound range and while it’s rare, there are some monsters in the waters.  Matt Herren landed the largest of the day, a 7-5 brute.  Biffle’s biggest concern is that his productive areas would dwindle as the pros gain more knowledge of the fishery.  That being said, he said he dealt with no competitor pressure in all the areas he fished Thursday, though he did have up to 25 spectator boats connected to him at one time.

Right behind Biffle was Russ Lane of Prattville , Ala. , with 19-10.  Like Biffle, Lane, in 15th in the AOY standings, is fighting tooth and nail to get into the Postseason.  It would offer Lane a chance to fish in his backyard – it’s on Lake Jordan and the Alabama River – and sleep in his own bed.  He can look no further than Biffle to see the advantages of that.

Lane said he is relying on schooling bass and found two productive schools: early in the day and then late in the day.  His first spot yielded 15 pounds in his first 10 casts but he was only able to upgrade at 2 p.m., after locating the late school.  While Lane is working the schools, he said that the dirty water gives him another option and he can head towards the bank if he needs to move to a contingency plan. 

“I’m hoping that they keep running that current because I need it to make them bite,” said Lane, 37.  “I’m really comfortable with the way I’m fishing.  To get into the Postseason would be incredible.  Like a dream come true.”

Two ounces behind Lane was Mike McClelland of Bella Vista , Ark. , with 19-8.  McClelland is no stranger to success on Oklahoma fisheries.  He won an Elite event on Grand Lake – which he said fishes similar to Gibson -- in 2006.  In fourth was Pat Golden of High Point , N.C. , with 18-15.  Rounding out the top five was Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande, Calif. , with 18-5.

With the Angler of the Year race getting near the regular-season finish line, points leader Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., dug deep and stopped his temporary skid, boating 15-11 for 19th place.  His closest competition in the AOY rankings, Edwin Evers of Talala , Okla. , registered a 43rd-place showing with 13-3. If it holds, Reese would gain significant ground heading into the Postseason. 

Kevin VanDam, winner of the past two Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, continues his charge and was in eighth.  With Postseason spots (top 12) and Bassmaster Classic spots (top 37) being determined this week, many pros are biting fingernails and hoping to qualify for either one of the marquee events.  The list of qualifiers will be determined on the final day of competition on Sunday. 

The last time BASS visited Ft. Gibson was in October 2008 for the now-defunct 2008 BASS Club World Championship. 

DAY 1 STANDINGS- AUTOZONE SOONER RUN

2010 Elite Series - Muskogee , OK 06/17-06/20 Arkansas River, Muskogee   Okla.

(PRO Division) Standings Day 1

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, Okla.           5  19-11     

  Day 1: 5   19-11  

2.  Russ Lane              Prattville , Ala.        5  19-10     

  Day 1: 5   19-10  

3.  Mike McClelland        Bella Vista , Ark.        5  19-08     

  Day 1: 5   19-08  

4.  Pat Golden             High Point , N.C.        5  18-15     

  Day 1: 5   18-15  

5.  Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande , Calif.    5  18-05     

  Day 1: 5   18-05  

6.  Jami Fralick           Martin , S.D.             5  18-04     

  Day 1: 5   18-04  

7.  Matt Herren            Trussville, Ala.         5  18-03     

  Day 1: 5   18-03  

8.  Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo , Mich.         5  17-10     

  Day 1: 5   17-10  

9.  Steve Kennedy          Auburn , Ala.             5  17-03     

  Day 1: 5   17-03  

10. Randy Howell           Springville , Ala.        5  17-00     

  Day 1: 5   17-00  

11. Vince Fulks            Purcell , Okla.           5  16-14     

  Day 1: 5   16-14  

12. Boyd Duckett           Demopolis , Ala.          5  16-09     

  Day 1: 5   16-09  

13. Davy Hite              Ninety Six, S.C.        5  16-05     

  Day 1: 5   16-05  

14. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira , Kan.       5  16-02     

  Day 1: 5   16-02  

15. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, Ark.          5  16-01     

  Day 1: 5   16-01  

15. David Smith            Del City , Okla.          5  16-01     

  Day 1: 5   16-01  

17. Gary Klein             Weatherford , Texas       5  16-00     

  Day 1: 5   16-00  

18. Grant Goldbeck          Gaithersburg , Md.        5  15-14     

  Day 1: 5   15-14  

19. Skeet Reese            Auburn , Calif.           5  15-11     

  Day 1: 5   15-11  

20. Kenyon Hill            Norman , Okla.            5  15-09     

  Day 1: 5   15-09  

21. Scott Rook              Little Rock , Ark.        5  15-08     

  Day 1: 5   15-08  

22. Greg Hackney           Gonzales , La.            5  15-04     

  Day 1: 5   15-04  

23. Bradley Hallman        Norman , Okla.            5  15-02     

  Day 1: 5   15-02  

24. Marty Stone            Fayetteville , N.C.       5  15-01     

  Day 1: 5   15-01  

24. Peter Thliveros        St Augustine, Fla.       5  15-01     

  Day 1: 5   15-01  

26. Paul Elias             Laurel, Miss.           5  15-00     

  Day 1: 5   15-00  

26. Rick Morris            Virginia Beach , Va.      5  15-00     

  Day 1: 5   15-00  

28. Chad Griffin            Cresson , Texas           5  14-11     

  Day 1: 5   14-11  

29. Keith Poche            Troy , Ala.               5  14-09     

  Day 1: 5   14-09  

30. James Niggemeyer       Van, Texas               5  14-06     

  Day 1: 5   14-06  

31. Aaron Martens          Leeds, Ala.              5  14-05     

  Day 1: 5   14-05  

32. Bill Lowen             North Bend , Ohio         5  14-04     

  Day 1: 5   14-04  

32. Cliff Pace             Petal, Miss.            5  14-04     

  Day 1: 5   14-04  

34. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, N.J.       5  14-00     

  Day 1: 5   14-00  

34. Morizo Shimizu         Osaka , Japan            5  14-00     

  Day 1: 5   14-00  

36. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs , Ark.        5  13-14     

  Day 1: 5   13-14  

36. Mark Tucker            Saint Louis, Mo.         5  13-14     

  Day 1: 5   13-14  

38. Terry Butcher          Talala , Okla.            5  13-12     

  Day 1: 5   13-12  

39. Rick Clunn             Ava , Mo.                 5  13-11     

  Day 1: 5   13-11  

39. Kevin Wirth            Crestwood , Ky.           5  13-11     

  Day 1: 5   13-11  

41. Timmy Horton           Muscle Shoals, Ala.      5  13-10     

  Day 1: 5   13-10  

42. Mark Tyler             Vian , Okla.              5  13-08     

  Day 1: 5   13-08  

43. Edwin Evers            Talala , Okla.            5  13-03     

  Day 1: 5   13-03  

44. Britt Myers            Lake Wylie , S.C.         5  13-00     

  Day 1: 5   13-00  

45. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, Texas            5  12-13     

  Day 1: 5   12-13  

45. Derek Remitz           Grant , Ala.              5  12-13     

  Day 1: 5   12-13  

47. Wade Grooms            Bonneau , S.C.            5  12-12     

  Day 1: 5   12-12  

47. Bradley Roy            Lancaster , Ky.           5  12-12     

  Day 1: 5   12-12  

49. Gerald Swindle         Warrior, Ala.            5  12-11     

  Day 1: 5   12-11  

50. Dustin Wilks            Rocky Mount , N.C.       5  12-10     

  Day 1: 5   12-10  

51. Matt Reed              Madisonville , Texas      5  12-08     

  Day 1: 5   12-08  

52. J Todd Tucker          Moultrie, Ga.            5  12-05     

  Day 1: 5   12-05  

53. Billy McCaghren        Mayflower, Ark.          5  12-02     

  Day 1: 5   12-02  

54. Mark Burgess           Norton , Mass.            5  11-14     

  Day 1: 5   11-14  

55. Ish Monroe             Hughson , Calif.          5  11-10     

  Day 1: 5   11-10  

55. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo , Fla.          5  11-10     

  Day 1: 5   11-10  

55. Kevin Short            Mayflower, Ark.          5  11-10     

  Day 1: 5   11-10  

58. Pete Ponds             Madison , Miss.          5  11-06     

  Day 1: 5   11-06  

58. Byron Velvick          Del Rio , Texas           5  11-06     

  Day 1: 5   11-06  

60. Takahiro Omori         Emory , Texas             5  11-05     

  Day 1: 5   11-05  

61. Kelly Jordon           Mineola, Texas           5  11-04     

  Day 1: 5   11-04  

61. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City , Ariz   5  11-04     

  Day 1: 5   11-04  

63. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, La.        5  11-02     

  Day 1: 5   11-02  

63. Jason Quinn            Lake Wylie , S.C.         5  11-02     

  Day 1: 5   11-02  

65. Mark Menendez          Paducah , Ky.             5  11-01     

  Day 1: 5   11-01  

66. Shaw Grigsby           Gainesville , Fla.        5  11-00     

  Day 1: 5   11-00  

66. Chris Lane             Guntersville , Ala.      5  11-00     

  Day 1: 5   11-00  

66. Dave Wolak             Wake Forest , N.C.       5  11-00     

  Day 1: 5   11-00  

69. Scott Ashmore          Broken Arrow , Okla.      4  10-15     

  Day 1: 4   10-15  

70. Alton Jones            Waco , Texas              5  10-06     

  Day 1: 5   10-06  

71. Yusuke Miyazaki         Forney , Texas            5  10-05     

  Day 1: 5   10-05  

72. Marty Robinson         Lyman, S.C.             5  10-03     

  Day 1: 5   10-03  

73. Casey Ashley           Donalds, S.C.           5  10-01     

  Day 1: 5   10-01  

73. Guy Eaker              Cherryville , N.C.        5  10-01     

  Day 1: 5   10-01  

75. Zell Rowland           Austin , Texas            5   9-15     

  Day 1: 5    9-15  

76. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville , Fla.        5   9-14     

  Day 1: 5    9-14  

77. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore , Okla.           3   9-13     

  Day 1: 3    9-13  

78. Kotaro Kiriyama        Moody, Ala.              5   9-11     

  Day 1: 5    9-11  

79. Charlie Hartley        Grove City , Ohio         4   9-01     

  Day 1: 4    9-01  

80. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka , Ala.           5   8-12     

  Day 1: 5    8-12  

81. Bobby Lane             Lakeland , Fla.          4   8-12     

  Day 1: 4    8-12  

82. Jason Williamson        Aiken , S.C.              4   8-11     

  Day 1: 4    8-11  

83. Denny Brauer           Camdenton , Mo.           5   8-05     

  Day 1: 5    8-05  

84. Matt Greenblatt        Palm Beach Gardens , Fl  4   8-01     

  Day 1: 4    8-01  

84. Byron Haseotes         Centerville , Mass.      4   8-01     

  Day 1: 4    8-01  

86. John Murray            Phoenix , Ariz.           3   7-14     

  Day 1: 3    7-14  

87. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, Mo.        3   7-02     

  Day 1: 3    7-02  

88. John Crews             Salem , Va.               4   6-14     

  Day 1: 4    6-14  

89. Jeremy Starks          Charleston , W.Va.        3   6-00     

  Day 1: 3    6-00  

90. Fred Roumbanis         Bixby , Okla.             2   5-05     

  Day 1: 2    5-05  

91. Clark Reehm            Russellville , Ark.       2   4-03     

  Day 1: 2    4-03  

92. Jeff Connella          Bentley , La.             2   3-08     

  Day 1: 2    3-08  

93. Dennis Tietje          Roanoke , La.             0   0-00     

  Day 1: 0    0-00  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Totals

Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight

 1       78       436      1172-14

----------------------------------

         78       436      1172-14

 

 

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