Bend Goes Boom: Lintner's 25-07 Tops Banner Day

By BassFan Staff

So far it's been a season of good vibes for Jared Lintner. Today was a day of good fortune for the Californian.

Lintner came into the Toledo Bend Elite Series event trailing only Mark Davis in the Toyota Tundra B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year (AOY) points, largely as a result of his heightened commitment to fish more his style this season. He came out of day 1 at Toledo Bend on top of the standings after catching 25-07 on a day when 12 other competitors also broke the 20-pound mark. He benefitted immensely from a couple big bites and caught fish on a wide spectrum of presentations – 10-pound fluorocarbon to 80-pound braid – much like home out west.

"I've read and heard about this place since I was 15 years old," Lintner said. "It's always had big ones. It just shows how good these guys are."

J. Todd Tucker, who's missed the money cut in the last two events, was the first angler to weigh in and his 25-00 held up for 2nd place. Just 2 ounces back is Elite Series newcomer Jacob Powroznik, who caught 24-14.

Chris Zaldain bagged 22-06, more than he caught over 2 days at any of the first three tournaments, and had an 8-12 kicker that put him in 4th while reigning Bassmaster Classic champ Randy Howell capped off the Top 5 with 22-04.

Davis, who's finished 2nd or 3rd in all three events this year, is 26th after catching 17-14 today. Dean Rojas, a two-time winner at Toledo Bend, caught 19-14 and is 14th.

Here's a look at the Top 12 after day 1 of competition, with deficit margin from Lintner indicated by red numbers in parentheses:

1. Jared Lintner: 25-07
2. J. Todd Tucker: 25-00 (00-07)
3. Jacob Powroznik: 24-14 (00-09)
4. Chris Zaldain: 22-06 (3-01)
5. Randy Howell: 22-04 (3-03)
6. Rick Clunn: 22-02 (3-05)
7. Mike Kernan: 22-01 (3-06)
8. Todd Faircloth: 21-14 (3-09)
9. Cliff Crochet: 21-10 (3-13)
10. Bobby Lane: 21-05 (4-02)
11. Cliff Pirch: 20-13 (4-10)
12. Chad Pipkens: 20-08 (4-15)

By most accounts, it was a fast start weight-wise down through the field. David Walker, who sits in 50th, caught 14-15, meaning it could take 28 to 29 pounds to cash a check – a healthy number considering the post-spawn funk many of the fish seem to be in.

The wind, something everyone is keenly aware of this week, slacked off a good bit today and allowed a fair number of competitors to get a decent look at some fish still spawning on the south end of the lake. Several other post-spawn patterns are in play as well up through the mid-lake section.

Temperatures will dip into the upper 40s overnight before climbing into the high 70s on Friday when partly cloudy skies and a light and variable wind will greet the field, which will be trimmed to the Top 50 for Saturday. The Top 12 after day 3 will advance to Sunday, when the winner will be determined by highest cumulative weight.

Big Afternoon For Lintner

> Day 1: 5, 25-07

Lintner didn't anticipate the weights being as good as they were on day 1, nor did he anticipate leading the pack.

"I was planning on doing a lot of sight-fishing, but as it turned out all the good ones I found were gone," he said. "So I just went fishing in other areas where I had had a bite here or there and I just got really fortunate."

He figured he had about 12 pounds in the boat around noon and he then caught three major upgrades – a 6-14, another 6 and a 4 1/2-pounder that was his last bite of the day.

"I hope I can find some more big fish tomorrow," he said, "I fished for a long time in some better-looking areas and didn't get any bites other than where I caught them. It wasn't steady or fast and furious and I know a lot of these other guys are catching a number of 3s and 4s. I just got fortunate."

He caught his keepers on a variety of presentations, ranging from 10-pound fluorocarbon to 80-pound braid.

"That's typical for this time of year, though," he said. "In practice, I'd found enough on beds that I figured I could have a big day just sight-fishing, but that was Monday and Tuesday and I've been burned by those kinds of fish before this late in the spawn. I actually found a couple more spawning today, but these fish are everywhere from way out in the middle of the creek and river channels to the bank. The fish are so scattered it's kind of crazy."

2nd: Morning Was Stellar For Tucker

> Day 1: 5, 25-00

Tucker was the beneficiary of an early boat draw and he was able to capitalize on a lively morning bite that saw him put his last fish in the livewell around 9 a.m.

"I didn't know there was that kind of weight where I started," he said. "I knew there was a school there and I thought it'd be possible to catch 14 or 15 pounds. In practice, it was one of those things where you go across a place and catch a couple 2 1/2-pounders. I found them late Tuesday afternoon and figured I'd better come back in the morning so I did and they were there."

He anticipates having to share the area with Todd Faircloth at least for a portion of the day Friday.

"If I can get a couple bites off of it and catch a few females out there on it, I'll be happy," he said. "I can catch a limit doing other things, but it sure would be nice to get there and be able to catch them again.

"I was surprised at how well we caught 'em. I struggled in practice to catch bigger fish. Most of the fish are post-spawn and it's an awkward time. They're moving a lot and I just hope the spot I'm on has more fish coming to it."

He had some areas up north that were productive in practice and if the weather allows he may make a ride that way.

"It'd be nice if I can have a stellar morning because I'll probably make a run and go up there. I only spent one day of practice up there and caught a couple nice ones. If the wind would let you fish spots 30 miles apart, it'd be nice."

3rd: Powroznik's Fast Morning Paid Off

> Day 1: 5, 24-14

Powroznik ran into some quality bites in the morning, only boated seven keepers and quit fishing around 9 a.m. Still, he did enough damage to find himself within shouting distance of the lead.

"I have three places that they're on first thing in the morning," he said. "It's no secret the shad are spawning. I really didn't know what I could catch. I never really fished them in practice – they were blowing up schooling first thing. I never knew if they were big ones. Some looked like it – I guess they were."

He got three quick bites early on, but the water slicked off and he finished his limit looking at bed-fish.

"I didn't make another flip after 9 to a bed-fish," he said. "I just practiced really and ran around and marked a bunch of 2 1/2 to 4-pounders on bed."

He hopes his morning spot is active again tomorrow.

"I think that they'll replenish overnight," he said. "It's one of those deals first thing in the morning you have to put your head down and fish the hardest you're going to fish all day. Tomorrow's going to tell me a lot. If I can catch another big bag, I might have a chance at this."

4th: Zaldain Feels At Home

> Day 1: 5, 22-06

Zaldain has had a dismal start to his season, but today may have marked the turnaround as he boated the biggest fish of the day and seems to have a good understanding of how things may progress the rest of the week.

He fished mainly the south end today and came away with an 8-12 brute that ate a wacky-rigged finesse worm rigged on 6-pound test line.

"I didn't know if I was going to get it in the boat," he said. "It was all wrapped up in grass and when I saw it when it was about 20 feet away, I knew it was big. I'd seen the fish in practice, but it wasn't on a bed. It was just kind of cruising an area. I soaked that finesse worm for a few minutes and she bit it."

He still has some spots up north that are holding fish in the same areas he caught them when he finished 12th in 2012.

"I'm saving those for a calm, sunny day," he said.

He focused today on areas where he saw some fish in practice.

"I'm attacking it two different ways – with a big swimbait and a wacky rig on light line," he noted. "Toledo Bend reminds me of home. It fishes big and it opens up so it's like a big playground for me. I'm either using really heavy stuff or really light stuff.

"It's been a really weird bite. It's like an immediate post-spawn bite where most of the fish are done spawning, but they're not out on humps or ledges yet. You have to catch them in between. The farther south you go, the more spawning activity you find. Up north is mostly post-spawn and moving baits and reaction baits work better."

5th: Howell Out to Avenge '12 Result

> Day 1: 5, 22-04

Howell is highly motivated this week as he'll always look back at the 2012 season and know his 75th-place finish at Toledo Bend cost him the AOY title.

"I really want to do well here and I want to win here more than anywhere," he said. "If I'd have finished 20th, I would've won Angler of the Year, so I'd love to get revenge on this place."

He took a decent first step in that direction today with a mixed bag caught offshore and sight-fishing.

"I was surprised (at the weights)," he said. "I really didn't think the fishing had been that great, but there ended up being better weights than I expected. You just can't judge a lake this big when you can't cover much water (in practice)."

The first hour was a bit slow, but after moving to an area where he had a cluster of waypoints close together the pace quickened.

"I had two little ones early, but when I hit this one patch around 7:30, they just started biting. I caught a 5, another one close to 5, one close to 4 and a 3. It was crazy. I'd only caught two in there during practice so it showed me there were a lot more fish in that grass than I realized."

Once the sun got high, he began to target spawners, but many of the better-quality fished he had pegged in practice were gone.

"I'm glad I wasn't dependent on spawners," he said. "I didn't want to be, but I didn't know if I'd catch any good ones just fishing."

75th: DeFoe Went Looking

> Day 1: 5, 12-12

Ott DeFoe felt like he was one bite away from being on the positive side of the cut line heading into day 2. Instead, he'll have his work cut out if he hopes to finish in the money for the seventh straight tournament dating back to last season.

"I don't think I need to catch 20, but I need to have a lot better day than I did today," he said. "The difference for me was that one 5- or 7-pound bite. I don't exactly know how to catch one either. I caught what I caught sight-fishing and while I don't think that's the way to do it, I saw some big ones, but I don't think they're very catchable right now."

He said the less breezy conditions took away his morning bite, but it helped with being able to fish where he wanted to.

"I had a deal with the wind, but it didn't work today," he said. "I had been catching 2 1/2- to 3-pounders, but they turned into 14-inchers today. I wasn't expecting to catch 18 pounds in 10 casts, but I thought I could catch some 3s pretty easily."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 106 anglers, 102 limits, 2 fours, 2 threes.

Weather Forecast

> Fri., May 2 – Mostly Sunny– 77°/50°
- Wind: From the NW at 5 mph

> Sat., May 3 – Sunny – 84°/55°
- Wind: From the SW at 5 to 10 mph

> Sun., May 4 – Clear – 85°/68°
- Wind: From the SW at 5 to 10 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 5 -- 25-07 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 25-07

2. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, GA -- 5 -- 25-00 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 25-00

3. Jacob Powroznik -- Port Haywood, VA -- 5 -- 24-14 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 24-14

4. Chris Zaldain -- San Jose, CA -- 5 -- 22-06 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 22-06

5. Randy Howell -- Springville, AL -- 5 -- 22-04 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 22-04

6. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5 -- 22-02 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 22-02

7. Mike Kernan -- Wylie, TX -- 5 -- 22-01 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 22-01

8. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 5 -- 21-14 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 21-14

9. Cliff Crochet -- Pierre Part, LA -- 5 -- 21-10 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 21-10

10. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, FL -- 5 -- 21-05 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 21-05

11. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 5 -- 20-13 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 20-13

12. Chad Pipkens -- Holt, MI -- 5 -- 20-08 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 20-08

13. James Niggemeyer -- Van, TX -- 5 -- 20-05 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 20-05

14. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, AZ -- 5 -- 19-14 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 19-14

15. Fletcher Shryock -- New Philadelphia, OH -- 5 -- 19-13 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 19-13

16. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 5 -- 19-04 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 19-04

17. Alton Jones -- Lorena, TX -- 5 -- 19-03 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 19-03

18. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 5 -- 19-01 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 19-01

19. Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, IL -- 5 -- 18-15 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 18-15

20. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, AL -- 5 -- 18-14 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 18-14

21. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5 -- 18-05 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 18-05

22. Brandon Card -- Caryville, TN -- 5 -- 18-04 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 18-04

23. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, AL -- 5 -- 18-01 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 18-01

24. Josh Bertrand -- Gilbert, AZ -- 5 -- 18-00 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 18-00

24. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, AL -- 5 -- 18-00 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 18-00

26. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, AR -- 5 -- 17-14 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 17-14

27. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, AZ -- 5 -- 17-09 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 17-09

28. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 5 -- 17-07 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 17-07

29. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 5 -- 17-05 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 17-05

29. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 5 -- 17-05 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 17-05

31. Matt Herren -- Trussville, AL -- 5 -- 17-03 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 17-03

32. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, AR -- 5 -- 16-14 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 16-14

32. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5 -- 16-14 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 16-14

34. Morizo Shimizu -- Osaka JAPAN -- 5 -- 16-12 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 16-12

35. Grant Goldbeck -- Boerne, TX -- 5 -- 16-11 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 16-11

36. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 5 -- 16-06 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 16-06

36. Bradley Roy -- Lancaster, KY -- 5 -- 16-06 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 16-06

38. Randall Tharp -- Port Saint Joe, FL -- 5 -- 16-05 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 16-05

39. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, AR -- 5 -- 16-01 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 16-01

40. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, FL -- 5 -- 16-00 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 16-00

41. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 5 -- 15-15 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 15-15

42. Nate Wellman -- Newaygo, MI -- 5 -- 15-12 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 15-12

43. Tim Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 5 -- 15-09 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 15-09

43. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 5 -- 15-09 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 15-09

45. Hank Cherry Jr -- Maiden, NC -- 5 -- 15-07 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 15-07

46. Tracy Adams -- Wilkesboro, NC -- 5 -- 15-07 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 15-07

47. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 5 -- 15-06 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 15-06

47. Kelly Jordon -- Palestine, TX -- 5 -- 15-06 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 15-06

49. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5 -- 15-01 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 15-01

50. David Walker -- Sevierville, TN -- 5 -- 14-15 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 14-15

51. James Elam -- Tulsa, OK -- 5 -- 14-14 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 14-14

52. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 5 -- 14-13 -- 49
Day 1: 5, 14-13

53. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 5 -- 14-09 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 14-09

54. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 5 -- 14-07 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 14-07

54. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, AL -- 5 -- 14-07 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 14-07

54. Jonathon VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 5 -- 14-07 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 14-07

57. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 5 -- 14-04 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 14-04

58. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, OK -- 5 -- 14-03 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 14-03

59. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, OK -- 5 -- 14-01 -- 42
Day 1: 5, 14-01

60. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, TX -- 5 -- 13-15 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 13-15

61. Chris Lane -- Guntersville, AL -- 5 -- 13-14 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 13-14

62. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, AR -- 5 -- 13-13 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 13-13

63. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, SC -- 5 -- 13-12 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 13-12

64. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, TX -- 5 -- 13-11 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 13-11

65. John Murray -- Phoenix, AZ -- 5 -- 13-10 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 13-10

66. Boo Woods -- Oneida, KY -- 5 -- 13-08 -- 35
Day 1: 5, 13-08

67. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, AL -- 5 -- 13-07 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 13-07

67. Pete Ponds -- Madison, MS -- 5 -- 13-07 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 13-07

69. Jared Miller -- Norman, OK -- 5 -- 13-05 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 13-05

70. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5 -- 13-04 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 13-04

71. Jamie Horton -- Centerville, AL -- 5 -- 13-02 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 13-02

72. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 5 -- 12-15 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 12-15

73. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 5 -- 12-13 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 12-13

73. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 5 -- 12-13 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 12-13

75. Ott DeFoe -- Knoxville, TN -- 5 -- 12-12 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 12-12

76. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, TX -- 5 -- 12-10 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 12-10

77. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 5 -- 12-09 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 12-09

77. Derek Remitz -- Grant, AL -- 5 -- 12-09 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 12-09

79. Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, AL -- 5 -- 12-06 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 12-06

80. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL -- 5 -- 12-03 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 12-03

81. Paul Elias -- Laurel, MS -- 5 -- 12-00 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 12-00

82. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5 -- 11-14 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 11-14

82. Dennis Tietje -- Roanoke, LA -- 5 -- 11-14 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 11-14

84. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, OK -- 5 -- 11-13 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 11-13

85. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 5 -- 11-12 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 11-12

86. Boyd Duckett -- Guntersville, AL -- 5 -- 11-08 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 11-08

87. Kevin Hawk -- Guntersville, AL -- 5 -- 11-06 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 11-06

87. Casey Scanlon -- Lanexa, KS -- 5 -- 11-06 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 11-06

89. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, SC -- 5 -- 11-02 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 11-02

90. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, SC -- 5 -- 11-01 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 11-01

91. Joseph Sancho -- New Windsor, NY -- 5 -- 11-00 -- 10
Day 1: 5, 11-00

92. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 5 -- 10-13 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 10-13

92. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, CA -- 5 -- 10-13 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 10-13

94. Michael Simonton -- Fremont, OH -- 5 -- 10-09 -- 7
Day 1: 5, 10-09

95. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 5 -- 10-07 -- 6
Day 1: 5, 10-07

96. Trevor Romans -- Plano, TX -- 5 -- 10-06 -- 5
Day 1: 5, 10-06

97. Kurt Dove -- Del Rio, TX -- 5 -- 10-05 -- 4
Day 1: 5, 10-05

98. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 4, 09-14 -- 3
Day 1: 4, 09-14

99. Brandon Palaniuk -- Hayden, ID -- 5 -- 09-13 -- 2
Day 1: 5, 09-13

100. Byron Velvick -- Boenre, TX -- 3, 09-13 -- 1
Day 1: 3, 09-13

101. Jeremy Starks -- Scott Depot, WV -- 5 -- 09-12 -- 0
Day 1: 5, 09-12

102. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, OH -- 5 -- 08-14 -- 0
Day 1: 5, 08-14

103. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, NJ -- 5 -- 08-13 -- 0
Day 1: 5, 08-13

104. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, OK -- 5 -- 07-14 -- 0
Day 1: 5, 07-14

105. Joel Baker -- Talala, OK -- 4, 06-02 -- 0
Day 1: 4, 06-02

106. David Smith -- Del City, OK -- 3, 05-08 -- 0
Day 1: 3, 05-08