To say things are tight near the top of the leaderboard at the FLW Redfish Open in New Orleans, La. is a gross understatement. Chad Dufrene, the only angler from Mississippi competing in the Redfish Open, and his co-angler Eugene Abadie III are holding down the 1st-place spots in their respective divisions by a meager 4 ounces.
Behind them are four teams in a dead heat for second place with 14-14. Two are Louisiana studs Todd Dufour and Andy Mnichowski. The other two are Texas pros David Nesloney Sr. and Jeff Steckler. Their co-angler partners are Jason Leblanc, Wes Pady, Barnie White and Gus Wilson, respectively.
Perhaps just as surprising as a four-way tie for 2nd place is the fact that a 15-02 sack is leading the way. Louisiana is revered as the redfish capital of the world and 16-pound sacks usually dominate the Top 10, and it often takes a 17-plus limit to rule the roost.
Whether the lower-than-average weights were a result of the stiff winds on day 1, the low water temperatures (some teams reported readings in the low 50s) or because the pros are working with unfamiliar partners (or a combination of all three) isn't yet known. But the answer to that question should emerge as the tournament progresses.
Grass, Clear Water Keys for Dufrene
It wouldn't be a redfish tournament if somebody didn't make a long run, and this event is no exception. Day 1 leader Chad Dufrene reported running nearly 80 miles one way to reach his big-fish spot.
He said strong south winds flooded his area with a foot more water than he'd seen there in practice, but the grass in his area kept the water clean in spite of the chop.
"Today, it was sunny so we could sight fish, but it was windy and we drifted really fast," he said. "We were drifting on top of fish and we didn't have a lot of time. We had to make the right cast or it was over. The fish are scattered out more because the water is about a foot higher than it was in practice."
About his co-angler, he said: "I couldn't ask for a better partner. My partner helped me in every way he could to get the best fish possible. He caught 10 fish today and showed a willingness to help out all day long. I can't thank him enough."
Winds are predicted to be low for the next 2 days, then pick up to 10-15 on Sunday. However, clouds and thunderstorms are expected throughout the duration of the tournament, and that could really impact the shallow-water sight-fishing bite. Needless to say, the leader board is hardly etched in stone.
Notable
> Day 1 stats: 50 teams, 45 limits, 3 ones, 2 zeroes.
> There were no stipulations as to who could enter each division, and a few notable names jump out on the co-angler side. Just a few of the names InshoreFans might recognize from tour-level events include:
Barnie White - fished 2007 FLW Redfish Series championship
Gerald Rabroker - Redfish Cup Top 5 finish in Kemah, 2007
Blake Pizzolato - fished 2006-2007 FLW Redfish Series championship
Billy Blackwood - fished 2005-2007 FLW Redfish Series championship
Larry Kirby - Redfish Cup competitor, partnered with Gritter Griffin
Barbara Scopelitis - FLW and Redfish Cup competitor
Grant Coppin - Redfish Cup Top 5 finish in Kemah, 2007
> Pros and co-anglers will be randomly paired with a new partner on each day of competition. The day 2 pairings are listed below, after the standings.
> Friday's launch is scheduled to take place at 6:30 a.m. at Bayou Segnette State Park, located at 7777 Westbank Expressway in Westwego, La.
> Forecast for New Orleans, La. from OutdoorsFanWeather.com:
Day 1 Standings - Pros
1. Chad Dufrene -- Purvis, Ms -- 2, 15-02
2. Todd Dufour -- Marrero, La -- 2, 14-14
2. Andy Mnichowski -- Marrero, La -- 2, 14-14
2. David Nesloney Sr -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 14-14
2. Jeff Steckler -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 14-14
6. Stephen Stork -- Houston, Tx -- 2, 14-10
7. Hugh Lebeouf -- Thibodaux, La -- 2, 14-08
8. Chad Billiot -- Raceland, La -- 2, 14-02
8. Scott Guthrie -- Jacksonville, Fl -- 2, 14-02
10. Tadd Vandemark -- Key Largo, Fl -- 2, 14-00
11. John Henninger -- Jacksonville, Fl -- 2, 13-13
12. Alden Bourgeois -- Barataria, La -- 2, 13-12
13. Chris Logan -- Cat Spring, Tx -- 2, 13-10
13. Arthur Price Jr -- New Port Richey, Fl -- 2, 13-10
15. Edward Adams -- Metairie, La -- 2, 13-06
16. Judd Johnson -- Houston, Tx -- 2, 13-04
17. Scott Benoit -- Marrero, La -- 2, 13-02
18. Fred Winters -- Port Charlotte, Fl -- 2, 12-14
19. Dwayne Eschete -- Mandeville, La -- 2, 12-13
20. Scott Ritter -- Dauphin Island, Al -- 2, 12-12
21. Bill Scholze -- Stuart, Fl -- 2, 12-08
22. Brett Phillips -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 12-07
22. Bill Pittman -- Yulee, Fl -- 2, 12-07
24. Starr Boykin -- Dauphin Island, Al -- 2, 12-02
25. Rome Gregorio -- Corpus Christi, Tx -- 2, 11-10
26. Mike Tindal -- Mobile, Al -- 2, 11-09
27. Jimmy Lloyd -- Beach City, Tx -- 2, 11-08
27. Greg Watts -- Eagle Lake, Fl -- 2, 11-08
27. Blair Wiggins -- Cocoa, Fl -- 2, 11-08
30. Bryan Watts -- Lithia, Fl -- 2, 11-01
31. Don Hartman -- Auburn, Ca -- 2, 11-00
31. John Oliverio -- Brandon, Fl -- 2, 11-00
33. David Nesloney Jr -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 10-15
34. Danny Coppin -- Belton, Tx -- 2, 10-14
35. Steven Auld Jr -- Baytown, Tx -- 2, 10-12
35. Brian Morris -- Victoria, Tx -- 2, 10-12
37. Mike Patterson -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 10-06
38. Wayne Gatlin -- Brandon, Fl -- 2, 10-02
39. La Landry -- Port Allen, La -- 2, 9-05
40. Kevin Shaw -- Corpus Christi, Tx -- 2, 8-14
41. Adam Albarado -- Morgan City, La -- 2, 8-02
42. T-Man Cheramie -- Lockport, La -- 2, 7-10
43. Allen Kalisky -- San Antonio, Tx -- 2, 7-07
44. Raymond Reiser -- Gretna, La -- 2, 6-03
45. Manny Perez -- Punta Gorda, Fl -- 2, 5-06
46. Joe Crosby -- Gainsville, Ga -- 1, 4-12
47. Jody Morris -- Metairie, La -- 1, 4-10
48. Hunter Morgan -- Manvel, Tx -- 1, 4-08
49. Billy Nicholas -- San Marcos, Tx -- 0, 0-00
49. Robert Scherer -- Houston, Tx -- 0, 0-00
Day 1 Standings - Co-Anglers
1. Eugene Abadie Iii -- Covington, La -- 2, 15-02
2. Jason Leblanc -- Marrero, La -- 2, 14-14
2. Wes Pady -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 14-14
2. Barnie White -- Brewton, Al -- 2, 14-14
2. Gus Wilson -- Gretna, La -- 2, 14-14
6. Gerald Rabroker -- Belton, Tx -- 2, 14-10
7. Quint Bourgeois -- Knoxville, Tn -- 2, 14-08
8. Michael Hambrick -- Woodlands, Tx -- 2, 14-02
8. Barbara Scopelitis -- Corpus Christi, Tx -- 2, 14-02
10. Gary Hayes -- Kenner, La -- 2, 14-00
11. Henry Morgan -- Pearland, Tx -- 2, 13-13
12. Ted Tassin -- New Orleans, La -- 2, 13-12
13. Blake Pizzolato -- Montgomery, Tx -- 2, 13-10
13. Robert Schoen -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 13-10
15. Chad Davis -- Gonzales, La -- 2, 13-06
16. Billy Blackwood -- San Antonio, Tx -- 2, 13-04
17. Alan Voigt -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 13-02
18. Brad Tassin -- Marrero, La -- 2, 12-14
19. Stephen Rizzo Iii -- Saint Rose, La -- 2, 12-13
20. Dwain Bankston -- Cypress, Tx -- 2, 12-12
21. Sean O'connell -- Mandeville, La -- 2, 12-08
22. Dean Oakley -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 2, 12-07
22. Bob Sossaman -- Foley, Al -- 2, 12-07
24. Larry Kirby -- Theodore, Al -- 2, 12-02
25. Todd Cearley -- Driftwood, Tx -- 2, 11-10
26. Vann Dassing -- Destrehan, La -- 2, 11-09
27. David Crouch -- Walnut Grove, Ca -- 2, 11-08
27. Mac Mcelroy -- St. Rose, La -- 2, 11-08
27. Gary Wilson -- Madisonville, La -- 2, 11-08
30. Donald Garrettson -- Mobile, Al -- 2, 11-01
31. Jeffrey Locke -- Corpus Christi, Tx -- 2, 11-00
31. Tom Windram -- Orlando, Fl -- 2, 11-00
33. Scott Barefoot -- Sarasota, Fl -- 2, 10-15
34. Emil Reznicek -- Sealy, Tx -- 2, 10-14
35. Jay Ewalt -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 10-12
35. Don Macmaster -- Mandeville, La -- 2, 10-12
37. Bobby Abruscato -- Mobile, Al -- 2, 10-06
38. Bill Todd -- Rockport, Tx -- 2, 10-02
39. Brad Daigle -- Metairie, La -- 2, 9-05
40. Fred Maxwell -- Houston, Tx -- 2, 8-14
41. Jeremy Guilbeau -- Port Sulphur, La -- 2, 8-02
42. Jason White -- Austin, Tx -- 2, 7-10
43. Jim Price -- Laredo, Tx -- 2, 7-07
44. Gerald Buquet -- Gretna, La -- 2, 6-03
45. Matt Stenett -- Rockport, Tx -- 1, 5-12
46. David Rouse -- Jefferson, La -- 2, 5-06
47. Tim Haney -- Kennesaw, Ga -- 1, 4-10
48. Grant Coppin -- Corpus Christi, Tx -- 1, 4-08
49. James Broussard -- New Orleans, La -- 0, 0-00
49. Steve Melvin -- Davie, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Day 2 Pairings
Pros -- Co-Anglers
Chris Logan -- Tom Windram
Edward Adams -- Jason Leblanc
John Henninger -- Eugene Abadie Iii
Danny Coppin -- Mac Mcelroy
David Nesloney Jr -- David Rouse
Billy Nicholas -- Ted Tassin
Steven Auld Jr -- Gus Wilson
Dwayne Eschete -- Jeremy Guilbeau
Kevin Shaw -- Gerald Buquet
Chad Billiot -- Jason White
Mike Patterson -- Jim Price
Bill Pittman -- James Broussard
Robert Scherer -- Dean Oakley
Allen Kalisky -- Bobby Abruscato
T-Man Cheramie -- Barbara Scopelitis
Raymond Reiser -- Fred Maxwell
Adam Albarado -- Stephen Rizzo Iii
David Nesloney Sr -- Jay Ewalt
Alden Bourgeois -- Steve Melvin
Manny Perez -- Scott Barefoot
Blair Wiggins -- Emil Reznicek
Chad Dufrene -- Henry Morgan
Andy Mnichowski -- Chad Davis
John Oliverio -- Blake Pizzolato
Scott Guthrie -- Bob Sossaman
Arthur Price Jr -- Gerald Rabroker
Scott Benoit -- Matt Stenett
Wayne Gatlin -- Grant Coppin
Brian Morris -- Tim Haney
Greg Watts -- Donald Garrettson
Mike Tindal -- Quint Bourgeois
Don Hartman -- Brad Daigle
Scott Ritter -- Billy Blackwood
Starr Boykin -- Barnie White
Fred Winters -- Gary Hayes
Bill Scholze -- Wes Pady
Rome Gregorio -- David Crouch
Jimmy Lloyd -- Todd Cearley
Jeff Steckler -- Sean O'connell
Tadd Vandemark -- Brad Tassin
Todd Dufour -- Larry Kirby
Judd Johnson -- Dwain Bankston
La Landry -- Jeffrey Locke
Hugh Lebeouf -- Vann Dassing
Bryan Watts -- Gary Wilson
Jody Morris -- Don Macmaster
Hunter Morgan -- Bill Todd
Joe Crosby -- Alan Voigt
Stephen Stork -- Robert Schoen
Brett Phillips -- Michael Hambrick
