High Water Moves Fish Shallow for Bassmaster Elite Series Anglers at Sooner Run Presented by Longhorn
What’s at stake: $673,150 in cash to the top 50 Elite pros and valuable points toward qualifying in the Bassmaster Majors and the race for the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year award.
Telecast: The Sooner Run presented by Longhorn will be aired on The Bassmasters at 9 a.m. ET June 30 on ESPN2.
The Pros Said It
“It’s really going to be a much different tournament this year than last year because of the high water level, and water color is really going to play havoc on anyone planning to structure fish. The fish just aren’t out there deep, and I’m fishing much more shallow right now. Last year I was pretty zeroed in on one depth and style, but this year is different. I think there’s going to be a couple of good bags caught, but I’m not sure if it will be consistent for one person every day. The bass are in different depths and you have to cover all facets and possibilities of where they may be.” - Mike McClelland, 39, Bella Vista, Ark., 4-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and winner of the 2006 Bassmaster Elite Series Sooner Run on Grand Lake.
“I’m catching a lot of fish, but not many big bass. The lake is high and it came down about 3 feet just before practice started, so it has started to level off now. I think the lake is off just a little bit because the water dirtied up quite a bit and slowed that deep bite down quite a bit. The fishing has been steady the last couple days, and the water is starting to clear, so I think you’ll see some good sacks weighed in.” - Terry Butcher, 35, Talala, Okla., one-time BASS winner, 96th in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
“Last year I had a horrible tournament and was all prepared to fish outside the way it was won in 2006, but now it’s way over pool and muddy water. I’ve changed up my game plan and started fishing shallow again. It’s tough finding areas where you can get more than one or two bites. The fish are scattered and I haven’t found an area with a whole school of them yet. I’m fishing a lot of areas and will hopefully come across some decent-sized bass. I’m fishing the way I like to fish, and now it’s just a matter of getting the bites and getting them in the boat.” Jared Lintner, 33, Arroyo Grande, Calif., one-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, ranked third in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
The Strategy
McClelland: The Arkansan is targeting structure, and using the same pattern that propelled him to win the 2006 Bassmaster Elite Series event on Grand Lake. But, he notes that the stained water color is making it more difficult to locate the bass. He plans to fish shallow and deep, covering a lot of water and using a variety of lures including Carolina rigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged worms. McClelland estimates it will take 60 pounds to win the tournament.
Butcher: He is fishing shallow and deep-water locations and using a variety of patterns and lures. For the shallow-water bite he is mainly flipping and for the deep-water bite he prefers crankbaits and soft plastics. He estimates close to 70 pounds will win the tournament.
Lintner: His primary patterns will be flipping and pitching in shallow water around bushes and covering as much water as possible. He also has fished outside points, humps and deeper rock piles to locate the deep-water bite. If he places his bait in the right areas, he is confident he’ll come across a big bass.
Location and Field
Sooner Run presented by Longhorn – Bassmaster Elite Series
Grand Lake
Grove, Okla.
June 21-24
Field
108 pros, 108 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3
Launch
North Beach Development
61201 East 270 Rd.
Grove, OK
5:50 a.m. ET
Weigh-in
North Beach Development
61201 East 270 Rd.
Grove, OK
3 p.m. ET
Background
Previous BASS events
2006 ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
2006 ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
2006 Bassmaster Elite Series
2006, ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
2006, ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
2006, ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
2006, ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
2005, ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
2005, ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
1995, Bassmaster Invitational
1992, Bassmaster Invitational
1991, Bassmaster Invitational
1980, Bassmaster Invitational
Previous winners on lake
13-11, Alan Kelly, 2006
17-13, John Wynn, 2006
79-7, Mike McClelland, 2006
13-11, Chuck Lawless, 2006
24-4, John Shore, 2006
15-10, Robbie Dodson, 2006
13-8, Steve Dowty, 2005
13-5, Luis Nolda, 2005
52-6, Tommy Martin, 1995
43-15, Jim Morton, 1992
49-1, Ron Shuffield, 1992
26-3, Ken Cook, 1980
Heaviest winning weight
79-7, Mike McClelland, 2006
Lowest winning weight
12-1, Leroy Rease, 2006
Weather
Temperature
93 degrees
Lake level
746.42 ft. above mean sea level
Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule
The Western Run
#1 March 8-11 Battle on the Border - Lake Amistad, Del Rio, Texas
#2 March 22-25 Duel in the Delta - California Delta, Stockton, Calif.
#3 March 29 – April 1 Golden State Shootout – Clear Lake, Lakeport, Calif.
The Southern Swing
#4 April 19-22 Pride of Georgia – Clarks Hill Lake, Evans, Ga.
#5 April 26-29 Southern Challenge – Lake Guntersville, Guntersville , Ala.
#6 June 7-10 Blue Ridge Brawl – Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Va.
The Turn
#7 June 21-24 Sooner Run - Grand Lake, Grove, Okla.
The Northern Run
#8 July 12-15 Champion’s Choice - Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
#9 July 19-22 Empire Chase – Lake Erie/Niagara River, Buffalo, N.Y.
The Final Charge
#10 Aug. 9-12 Capitol Clash - Potomac River, Charles County, Md.
#11 Sept. 13-16 Sunshine Showdown – Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee, Fla.
Local sponsors: Local sponsors include Grand Lake Association.
Bassmaster Elite Series sponsors: Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide and Costa Del Mar.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com. Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Skeet Reese Calif. 1573
2 Kevin VanDam Mich. 1460
3 Jared Lintner Calif. 1441
4 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 1361
5 Ishama Monroe Calif. 1350
6 Jeff Kriet Okla. 1338
7 Terry Scroggins Fla. 1327
8 Derek Remitz Texas 1292
8 Casey Ashley S.C. 1292
10 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1271
11 Aaron Martens Ala. 1268
12 Dean Rojas Texas 1244
13 John Crews Va. 1237
14 Stephen Browning Ark. 1236
15 Gerald Swindle Ala. 1226
15 Kelly Jordon Texas 1226
17 Chris Lane Fla. 1220
18 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 1217
19 John Murray Ariz. 1215
20 Gary Klein Texas 1204
21 Mark Tyler Okla. 1183
22 Scott Rook Ark. 1182
23 Kevin Wirth Ky. 1175
24 Peter Thliveros Fla. 1166
25 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 1162
25 Mark Menendez Ky. 1162
27 Jason Quinn S.C. 1161
27 Timmy Horton Ala. 1161
29 Mike McClelland Ark. 1160
30 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 1157
31 Tommy Biffle Okla. 1155
32 Cliff Pace Miss. 1150
33 Takahiro Omori Texas 1149
34 Todd Faircloth Texas 1136
35 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 1121
36 Greg Hackney La. 1114
37 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 1109
38 Alton Jones Texas 1108
39 Edwin Evers Okla. 1104
40 Paul Elias Miss. 1100
41 Pete Ponds Miss. 1098
42 Randy Howell Ala. 1097
43 Brent Chapman Kan. 1096
44 Boyd Duckett Ala. 1084
45 Dave Wolak N.C. 1083
46 Brian Snowden Mo. 1075
47 Kevin Short Ark. 1066
48 Mark Tucker Mo. 1048
49 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 1046
50 Davy Hite S.C. 1038
51 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 1036
52 Denny Brauer Mo. 1034
53 Russ Lane Ala. 1029
54 Mike Wurm Ark. 1025
55 Scott Campbell Mo. 1022
56 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1016
57 Jason Williamson S.C. 997
58 Ken Brodeur Conn. 991
59 Rick Morris Va. 980
60 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 979
61 Ken Cook Okla. 969
62 Lee Bailey Ala. 966
63 Rick Clunn Mo. 959
64 James Niggemeyer Texas 952
65 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 943
66 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 942
67 Ben Matsubu Texas 933
68 Matt Reed Texas 924
69 Kurt Dove Va. 917
70 Zell Rowland Texas 915
71 Britt Myers S.C. 914
72 James Charlesworth Fla. 912
73 Bernie Schultz Fla. 904
74 Marty Robinson S.C. 901
75 Bill Lowen Ohio 888
76 Jeff Connella La. 887
77 Marty Stone N.C. 885
78 Bradley Hallman Okla. 879
78 Bill Smith Ky. 879
80 Jami Fralick S.D. 877
81 Kenyon Hill Okla. 872
82 Jim Murray Ga. 870
83 James Kennedy La. 852
84 Kevin Langill N.C. 848
84 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 848
86 Grant Goldbeck Md. 843
87 Paul Hirosky Pa. 831
88 Charlie Hartley Ohio 828
89 Mark Rogers Fla. 821
90 Guy Eaker N.C. 815
91 Matt Amedeo Ohio 807
92 Preston Clark Fla. 801
93 Glenn Delong Ohio 767
94 Keith Phillips Ala. 734
95 Steve Daniel Fla. 732
96 Terry Butcher Okla. 715
97 Eric Nethery Ga. 709
98 Doc Merkin Ill. 706
99 Jimmy Mason Ala. 678
100 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 677
101 Jon Bondy Canada 672
102 Charlie Youngers Fla. 667
103 Bradley Stringer Texas 664
104 Dave Smith Okla. 660
105 Rick Ash Pa. 642
106 Byron Velvick Texas 564
107 Frank Scalish Ohio 560
108 Elton Luce Jr Texas 426