Cox, Mullins Top 24-Pound Mark

By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

John Cox proved long ago that he can hammer largemouths from shallow water. These days he's showing that he's no slouch at pulling smallmouths from the depths, either.

The self-deprecating Floridian, a five-time winner at the tour level, caught a 24-12 bag to take the early lead at the Lake St. Clair Bassmaster Elite Series in Michigan. He said he caught some big brown fish during the 3-day practice period, but had no inkling that he could achieve that weight in the initial round of competition.

"When I culled my second 4-pounder, I was saying, 'Okay, this is your best day ever. This is probably never going to happen again,''' he said. "I knew guys catch them like that here, but I didn't expect to do it."

David Mullins is a little over half a pound behind Cox in 2nd after a 24-02 haul. Ray Hanselman is 3rd with 22-03, followed by Shane LeHew with 21-13.

There's a multi-national three-way tie for 5th at 21-11 involving the Johnston brothers (Chris and Cory) from Canada and sizzling Japanese rookie Taku Ito. Chad Morgenthaler (21-10), Shane Mosley (21-08) and newly minted Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Jay Yelas (21-01) round out the Top 10.

Eighteen competitors caught at least 20 pounds under sunny, relatively calm conditions. Five-fish limits were weight by 80 of the 85-angler field as the fifth event on the nine-tournament schedule got under way.

The only angler to compete full-time on multiple tours this year, Cox came in fresh off an 11th-place showing at the Lake Erie FLW Pro Circuit Super Tournament. How good was his day? Satisfied with his weight, he pulled off his primary spot and went looking for other places to exploit on succeeding days and ended up catching a pair of 5-pounders.

"It'd be so cool to win this, but then I'm like, 'There's no way you're going to win a smallmouth tournament.' I was just having fun and every time I hung one on the scales I was thinking, '4 1/2 pounds? That can't be right.'

"I don't know if I legitimately have a shot, but I'm going to enjoy every second of it. Those smallmouth move around so much, but I'll just have to keep trying to move with them."

His fish came from water that ranged from 15 to 20 feet deep. He fished the lake in the morning and spent some time on the St. Clair River in the afternoon.

"I was just bouncing around and it was really weird because I felt like I knew the place. Normally I'm just begging to get five keepers at a place like this."

Mullins said he fished an area along with seven other competitors and he thinks all of them joined him in the 20-pound club.

He fished grass in the 20-foot range and his bag was topped by a 5 1/2-pounder. He lost one big bite that he didn't see.

"I just got in an areas that had 'em and I really didn't know what was there," he said. "When I ran through there today, everything was big.

"I think there's a chance of catching another good bag tomorrow – there's a ton of fish in there. If they shift around, I'll just have to find them again."

Hanselman found several groups of 3 1/2- to 5-pound fish during practice. Only one was still in the same place on day 1.

"I knew if at least one group would stay put or if I could relocate it, I'd have a shot at 19 or 20 pounds," he said. "I got lucky today and caught a couple that were right at 5 (pounds) and some heavy 4s.

"They weren't right on the same spot, but they were less than a hundred yards away. I caught some and then ran the other spots, thinking I could get a few off each one, but that was the only place that had 'em, so I went back and caught eight or 10 more and culled up."

He caught most of his fish cranking a Strike King 5XD.

"I'd like to be able to say I can do it again tomorrow, but these are smallmouth and they might be 2 miles away."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 85 anglers, 80 limits, 2 fours, 2 twos, 1 one.

> Chris Groh took big-bass honors for the day with a 6-pounder.

Weather Forecast

> Fri., Aug. 21 – Sunny - 86°/63°
- Wind: From the S at 7 mph

> Sat., Aug. 22 – Sunny - 86°/67°
- Wind: From the SSW at 9 mph

> Sun., Aug. 23 – Mostly Sunny - 87°/67°
- Wind: From the SW at 8 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. John Cox -- DeBary, FL -- 5, 24-12 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 24-12

2. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 5, 24-02 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 24-02

3. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 5, 22-03 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 22-03

4. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 21-13 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 21-13

5. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 5, 21-11 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 21-11

5. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, ON -- 5, 21-11 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 21-11

5. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 5, 21-11 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 21-11

8. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5, 21-10 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 21-10

9. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 5, 21-08 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 21-08

10. Jay Yelas -- Lincoln City, OR -- 5, 21-01 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 21-01

11. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 5, 21-00 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 21-00

12. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 5, 20-14 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 20-14

13. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 5, 20-11 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 20-11

13. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 5, 20-11 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 20-11

15. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 5, 20-10 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 20-10

16. Drew Benton -- Blakely, GA -- 5, 20-09 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 20-09

17. Bill Weidler -- Helena, AL -- 5, 20-08 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 20-08

18. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 5, 20-00 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 20-00

19. Garrett Paquette -- Canton, MI -- 5, 19-15 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 19-15

20. Cody Hollen -- Beaverton, OR -- 5, 19-12 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 19-12

21. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 5, 19-10 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 19-10

22. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 5, 19-09 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 19-09

23. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 5, 19-05 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 19-05

23. Derek Hudnall -- Denham Springs, LA -- 5, 19-05 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 19-05

23. Patrick Walters -- Summerville, SC -- 5, 19-05 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 19-05

26. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5, 19-04 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 19-04

27. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 5, 18-13 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 18-13

27. Harvey Horne -- Bella Vista, AR -- 5, 18-13 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 18-13

27. Jesse Tacoronte -- Kissimmee, FL -- 5, 18-13 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 18-13

27. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 5, 18-13 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 18-13

31. Hunter Shryock -- Newcomerstown, OH -- 5, 18-09 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 18-09

32. Dale Hightower -- Mannford, OK -- 5, 18-08 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 18-08

32. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 18-08 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 18-08

34. Jake Whitaker -- Fairview, NC -- 5, 18-07 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 18-07

35. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 5, 18-06 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 18-06

36. Greg DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 5, 18-04 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 18-04

36. Chris Groh -- Spring Grove, IL -- 5, 18-04 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 18-04

38. Bob Downey -- Hudson, WI -- 5, 18-03 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 18-03

38. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 5, 18-03 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 18-03

40. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 5, 18-01 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 18-01

41. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 5, 18-00 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 18-00

41. Brett Preuett -- Monroe, LA -- 5, 18-00 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 18-00

43. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 17-15 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 17-15

44. Destin DeMarion -- Grove City, PA -- 5, 17-11 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 17-11

45. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 5, 17-10 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 17-10

45. Randy Sullivan -- Breckenridge, TX -- 5, 17-10 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 17-10

47. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 5, 17-09 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 17-09

48. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 5, 17-08 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 17-08

49. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 5, 17-07 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 17-07

50. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 5, 17-06 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 17-06

51. Tyler Carriere -- Youngsville, LA -- 5, 17-05 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 17-05

52. Mike Huff -- Corbin, KY -- 5, 17-03 -- 49
Day 1: 5, 17-03

53. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 5, 17-02 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 17-02

54. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5, 16-14 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 16-14

55. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 5, 16-12 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 16-12

56. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 5, 16-10 -- 45
Day 1: 5, 16-10

57. Quentin Cappo -- Prairieville, LA -- 5, 16-07 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 16-07

58. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5, 16-05 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 16-05

58. Drew Cook -- Midway, FL -- 5, 16-05 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 16-05

60. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 5, 16-04 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 16-04

61. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 5, 15-12 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 15-12

62. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 15-06 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 15-06

63. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 5, 15-00 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 15-00

64. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 5, 14-13 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 14-13

65. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, ON -- 5, 14-10 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 14-10

65. Randy Pierson -- Oakdale, CA -- 5, 14-10 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 14-10

67. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 5, 14-05 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 14-05

67. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 5, 14-05 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 14-05

69. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 5, 14-03 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 14-03

70. Buddy Gross -- Chickamauga, GA -- 5, 14-02 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 14-02

71. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 5, 13-15 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 13-15

72. Shane Lineberger -- Lincolnton, NC -- 4, 13-12 -- 29
Day 1: 4, 13-12

73. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 5, 13-11 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 13-11

74. Kyle Monti -- Okeechobee, FL -- 5, 13-09 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 13-09

75. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 5, 13-07 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 13-07

76. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 5, 13-02 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 13-02

77. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 5, 13-01 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 13-01

78. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 5, 13-00 -- 23
Day 1: 5, 13-00

79. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 4, 12-12 -- 22
Day 1: 4 , 12-12

80. Rob Digh -- Denver, NC -- 5, 12-05 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 12-05

81. Robbie Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 09-08 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 09-08

82. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5, 08-14 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 08-14

83. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 2, 07-10 -- 18
Day 1: 2 -- 07-10

84. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 2, 03-04 -- 17
Day 1: 2, 03-04

85. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 1, 02-15 -- 16
Day 1: 1, 02-15