Herren Hammers 24-14, Leads Ouachita FLW By 5

Dire predictions of low weights and tough fishing at the Ouachita River FLW event came true today for many competitors, although two bags over 20 pounds and 84 limits came in. Several anglers expressed

surprise at the decent (for here) Top 10 weights, and said the fish bit better than in practice. Fourteen anglers blanked, and weights are fairly tight all the way down the leaderboard after the Top 10.

It seemed that close to half the field locked up into Arkansas' Felsenthal pool, including Alabama pro Matt Herren, who claimed the top spot today with a limit of 24-14. He has almost a 5-pound lead over 2nd place pro David Walker, who was delighted with his 20-01 limit.

Takahiro Omori is 3rd with five for 19-13, followed by another Alabama angler, Todd Ary, who's 4th with 5 for 18-07. Fifth place is held by Keith Pace with a limit of 17-12.

The rest of the Top 10 are:

6. Todd Faircloth: 5, 17-06
7. Mike Hawkes: 5, 17-00
8. Jeremiah Kindy: 5, 16-08
8. Dan Morehead: 5, 16-08
10. William Davis: 5, 15-13

The three-way tie for 50th place ($10,000) is 10-05 – just one big 5 1/2-pounder out of the Top 10 cut.

Herren Herds Them In

Herren made the run to Arkansas today and locked into the Fensenthal pool where he caught a limit in an hour, then culled to a 1st-place weight of 24-14. "Today was perfect timing, with that big front coming in," he said. "The first pitch I made I put a 6-07 in the boat. I thought I was on a few fish, but this place is hard to understand. It changes. I got on fish a couple times in practice, but when I went back to try to expand on it, they were gone. These crazy rascals don't stay in one place.

"But this time when I went back, they were stacked. I had just found these fish yesterday. I'm pitching and flipping a Davis M-series jig with a Netbaits Paca Craw trailer to cypress trees in 3 to 5 feet of water. I figured out a little something today – a little pattern that I hope holds up.

"I'll go back tomorrow and hope to get 8 pounds or more," he added. "I think the cut weight may be around 32 pounds. But I don't know if the fish will even be there. And they're hitting so light it's unbelievable. Normally a big fish won't let go of a jig, but if you put any pressure on these fish they just let go quick. I lost one about 6 pounds. As it was, I caught 11 keepers today."

Walker Wide-Eyed

"I couldn't be happier," Walker said about his 20-01 limit and 2nd-place standing. "Everything that bit was a good one, which is really odd since most of my fish in practice were 12 inches or less. What happened today just happened. I can't explain it.

"It's the best day of fishing I've had this year, including Guntersville, Toho and Okeechobee," he said. "It's funny that in a place where they said a 2-pounder was a big one, I catch my biggest stringer of the year.

"I was getting discouraged," he added. "It's been a tough year – more so than ever mentally. I finally had a good day – I finally remember why I put myself through all this. To catch 20 pounds here – I'm ecstatic."

He caught seven keepers throwing a spinnerbait early, and then flipping later. "They weren't taking it particularly good," he noted. "They kind of tried to sneak off with it. I'm thoroughly amazed that the weights are as high as they are. I'll have to go and catch them again tomorrow."

As far as his estimate of what the Top 10 cut weight might be, he said: "I really don't know. I can't see it doubling. I'm at a loss. I thought 25 pounds would be leading it after 2 days, not one."

Omori's Bird's-Eye View

Although Omori has done well here in the past (4th in the Bassmaster Open in 2003), he said it was "totally different" this time. Still, he rounded up five bites today to weigh 19-13 and is in 3rd place. His bag was anchored by the day's big bass (6-12).

"I had a short practice," he said. "Todd Faircloth and I flew (the lake) on the same airplane here, and I found my spot from the air. I usually don't do that, but I had only 2 days to practice."

The place he found was a backwater area about 3 feet deep with lots of bushes. "I had only five bites today," he noted. "But they were all quality fish. I caught four flipping and one on a spinnerbait.

"They bit well when they took it, but I don't know how many fish are in there. I don't know what to expect tomorrow."

Ary Ill, Fishing on Willpower

Ary caught 8 keepers today to cull up to a limit of 18-07 and claim 4th place, but it wasn't easy.

"I spent the first 2 days of practice here in bed with the flu," he said. "I went out for about half of the third day, and that's when I found these fish I went to today. I think God must have had a purpose for me to catch a big bag like that and I hope I fulfill the purpose.

"It's not fast fishing by any means. Most guys that got a limit said it took all day to do it. I'm flipping, but doing something kind of specific, but it's really the area (that's key).

"Once I caught my fifth fish I thought about leaving, but decided to stay a little longer and I caught a 2-pounder. That only helped me a pound, but then the next one was a 5-07. I decided to leave then, but I fished my way out on the trolling motor and caught a 3-pounder.

"I got some bites in the afternoon on some stuff I'd fished earlier, so they may be moving in or they may just be particular about when they bite. But I've only got the one place to fish, so I'll go back tomorrow."

He said his practice was so bad that he was about to make a blind run to Arkansas this morning, but fellow Alabama pro Jason Kilpatrick talked him out of it. He also noted that Sam Newby and Lendell Martin, Jr. were fishing nearby.

Pace Pounds Them

Rookie Keith Pace is having a blast, with 20-pound practice days and nine keeper bites on game day. He culled up to a 17-12 limit and sits in 5th place.

"I started this morning in muddy water and caught a 5-07 on my first group of trees," he said. "I moved deeper in the trees but it started clearing up, so I turned around and went back to the mud and caught two more. Then I caught another two in a different muddy area. I lost a 4-pounder, but I know where it lives and I'll try to catch it tomorrow."

He locked through with 69 boats into the Felsenthal pool, where he's fishing a spinnerbait and a jig on the edge of a dropoff in a slough. The key is running water.

"It may get tougher tomorrow with the front and the fact that they're supposed to stop pulling water," he noted. "The fish might move from the trees to the grass nearby. I'll have to hammer them tomorrow."

Dan Morehead, who's tied for 8th place, is fishing nearby, and Pace thinks that three 16- to 17-pound sacks came from the area. It took 90 minutes to get to his fishing spot, and he fished from 9:00 to 1:30.

Faircloth Concerned

Faircloth flew the lake with Omori since they both had only a couple days to practice here after the Clarks Hill Bassmaster. He ended up fishing an area he found by boat 2 weeks earlier, and caught a 17-06 limit. He's in 6th.

"I fly the lake on river systems a lot," he said. "I knew I wouldn't have but 2 days before the tournament, so I spent 2 days riding around before I went to Clarks Hill. I caught two fish on a spinnerbait in this area, and even though the water was 8 feet higher then, I thought it had potential.

"I'm fishing in the Monroe pool with a Yamamoto lizard," he said. "The biggest fish I caught today I had actually lost 10 minutes earlier. I had six keepers, but I don't know how many are in my area. I had those by 11:30, and I only caught them on two stretches.

"I have a gut instinct that I may have caught most of them. And if they keep pulling water, I won't be able to get into my area."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 200 anglers, 84 limits, 22 fours, 27 threes, 31 twos, 22 ones, 14 zeroes (7% of the field zeroed).

> BassFan Big Stick John Murray caught 10-08 today and he's in 47th. Big Stick Bill McDonald's in 115th with 6-00. For their story, click here to go On Tour With The BassFan Big Sticks.

> Heavy rain fell today from around 8:30 to 12:30, and the sun peeked out for a while after 1:00. Then in the evening, winds over 20 mph began to blow as the front moved through.

> How did the rookies do? Here's a rundown of FLW rookies currently in the Top 5 of the BassFan.com Rookie of the Year Race, followed by their day 1 standing: Bobby Lane (14th), Ramie Colson, Jr. (119th), Ken Wick (45th), Marcus Clouse (120th), Toby Hartsell (172nd), William Davis (10th).

> How did the FLW points leaders do? Here's the Top 5 FLW points leaders (in order) followed by their day 1 standing: Bobby Lane (14th), Kelly Jordon (178th), Greg Pugh (129th), J.T. Kenney (37th), Chad Grigsby (108th). Is it shake-up time?

Weather Forecast

Tonight's low will be around 36°. The rest of the week will be sunny and warming. Here's the forecast from the Weather Channel:

Thurs., Mar 10 -- Sunny -- 63°/46°
> Wind: From the SW at 10 mph

Fri., Mar 11 -- Mostly Sunny -- 62°/41°
> Wind: From the NW at 15 mph

Sat., Mar 12 -- Sunny -- 72°/51°
> Wind: From the SW at 11 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Matt Herren -- Trussville, Al -- 5, 24--14
2. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tn -- 5, 20--01
3. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, Tx -- 5, 19--13
4. Todd Ary -- Birmingham, Al -- 5, 18--07
5. Keith Pace -- Monticello, Ar -- 5, 17--12
6. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Tx -- 5, 17--06
7. Mike Hawkes -- Sabinal, Tx -- 5, 17--00
8. Jeremiah Kindy -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 16--08
8. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 5, 16--08
10. William Davis -- Russellville, Al -- 5, 15--13
10. Alvin Shaw -- State Road, Nc -- 5, 15--13
12. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, Pa -- 5, 15--01
13. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Al -- 5, 15--00
14. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 5, 14--11
15. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 5, 14--10
16. Jerry Williams -- Conway, Ar -- 5, 13--15
17. Mickey Bruce -- Buford, Ga -- 5, 13--10
17. Russ Moran -- Murfreesboro, Tn -- 5, 13--10
19. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 5, 13--08
20. Craig Powers -- Rockwood, Tn -- 5, 13--07
21. Toshinari Namiki -- Hachioji-- City, To -- 5, 13--04
22. Ishama Monroe -- Hughson, Ca -- 5, 13--03
23. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 5, 13--01
24. Elton Luce Jr -- Brookeland, Tx -- 5, 13--00
25. Charles King -- Shreveport, La -- 4, 12--14
25. Joel Richardson -- Kernersville, Nc -- 5, 12--14
27. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 5, 12--11
28. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 3, 12--06
29. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 5, 12--03
30. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 4, 11--15
31. Bobby Curtis -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 11--14
32. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 5, 11--11
33. Paul Elias -- Laurel, Ms -- 5, 11--10
33. Sandy Melvin -- Boca Grande, Fl -- 5, 11--10
35. Art Berry -- Hemet, Ca -- 5, 11--09
36. Michael Brown -- Rocky Face, Ga -- 5, 11--08
37. J T Kenney -- Frostburg, Md -- 5, 11--07
38. Dennis Magoto -- Waynesville, Oh -- 5, 11--06
39. Tracy Adams -- Wilkesboro, Nc -- 5, 11--05
40. David Wright -- Lexington, Nc -- 5, 11--04
41. Marcel Veenstra -- Brighton, Mi -- 5, 11--03
42. Alton Jones -- Waco, Tx -- 5, 11--02
43. Danny Correia -- Marlborough, Ma -- 5, 10--15
43. Art Ferguson Iii -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 5, 10--15
45. Ken Wick -- Star, Id -- 5, 10--14
46. Lewis Denney -- Indian Mound, Tn -- 4, 10--09
47. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, Ok -- 5, 10--08
47. John Murray -- Phoenix, Az -- 5, 10--08
49. Chris Elliott -- Gloucester, Nc -- 5, 10--07
50. Lee Skipper -- Lancaster, Sc -- 4, 10--05
50. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 5, 10--05
50. Stephen Tosh Jr -- Modesto, Ca -- 4, 10--05
53. Pat Fisher -- Danielsville, Ga -- 5, 10--03
54. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 5, 10--00
54. Sam Newby -- Pocola, Ok -- 5, 10--00
56. Wayne Jeffcoat -- Chapin, Sc -- 5, 9--14
56. Jason Kilpatrick -- Satsuma, Al -- 5, 9--14
58. Mark Rose -- Marion, Ar -- 5, 9--10
58. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 5, 9--10
60. Gary Yamamoto -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 9--09
61. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, Ks -- 5, 9--05
62. Mark Goines -- Shady Point, Ok -- 4, 9--04
63. Chip Harrison -- Bremen, In -- 4, 9--03
64. Rick Clunn -- Ava, Mo -- 5, 9--02
65. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 5, 8--13
65. Sean Minderman -- Spokane, Wa -- 5, 8--13
65. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 5, 8--13
68. Richard Bennett -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 8--12
68. Al Gagliarducci -- Agawam, Ma -- 5, 8--12
68. David Lauer -- South Bend, In -- 5, 8--12
71. Keith Williams -- Conway, Ar -- 5, 8--08
72. Dean Rojas -- Grand Saline, Tx -- 5, 8--06
73. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, Al -- 5, 8--05
74. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 8--04
74. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 4, 8--04
76. Roger Boler -- Slidell, La -- 4, 8--03
77. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 3, 8--02
78. Rusty Salewske -- Alpine, Ca -- 5, 8--01
78. Sam Swett -- Covington, La -- 5, 8--01
80. Billy Bowen Jr -- Ocala, Fl -- 5, 8--00
81. Jimmy Houston -- Cookson, Ok -- 5, 7--13
81. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, Tx -- 4, 7--13
83. Derek Yamamoto -- Tempe, Az -- 3, 7--12
84. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 5, 7--10
84. Michael Iaconelli -- Runnemede, Nj -- 5, 7--10
84. Ricky Shumpert -- Lexington, Sc -- 5, 7--10
87. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 3, 7--09
88. Tim Carroll -- Owasso, Ok -- 4, 7--07
89. Luke Clausen -- Spokane, Wa -- 4, 7--04
89. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 4, 7--04
91. Terry Tucker -- Gadsden, Al -- 5, 7--02
92. Warren Wyman -- Calera, Al -- 5, 7--00
93. Shinichi Fukae -- Osaka Japan 566--0072 -- 5, 6--15
94. Ray Scheide -- Russellville, Ar -- 4, 6--14
94. Wes Thomas -- Hanover, In -- 5, 6--14
94. Kevin Vida -- Clare, Mi -- 4, 6--14
97. Tom Burns -- Carbondale, Il -- 2, 6--12
97. Tim Shmigal -- Akron, Oh -- 4, 6--12
97. Mike Wurm -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 6--12
100. Michael Bennett -- Roseville, Ca -- 4, 6--11
100. Jody Cordell -- Flowery Branch, Ga -- 3, 6--11
100. Pete Thliveros -- Jacksonville, Fl -- 5, 6--11
103. Dwayne Horton -- Knoxville, Tn -- 3, 6--10
104. Randy Alexander -- London, Ky -- 5, 6--08
105. David Cooke -- Mooresville, Nc -- 5, 6--07
106. Karen Savik -- St. Louis Park, Mn -- 3, 6--06
106. Robert Sherry -- Saint Charles, Il -- 5, 6--06
108. Chad Grigsby -- Colon, Mi -- 4, 6--05
109. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 3, 6--04
110. Brennan Bosley -- Benton, Ar -- 3, 6--02
110. George Cochran -- Hot Springs Np, Ar -- 2, 6--02
110. Bobby Lanham -- Scottsdale, Az -- 3, 6--02
113. Simon Morrow -- Alexander City, Al -- 4, 6--01
113. Carl Svebek Iii -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 6--01
115. Bill Mcdonald -- Indianapolis, In -- 2, 6--00
115. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, Az -- 2, 6--00
115. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, In -- 5, 6--00
118. Travis Adams -- Danielsville, Ga -- 3, 5--15
119. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 3, 5--13
120. Marcus Clouse -- Las Vegas, Nv -- 2, 5--11
120. Jimmy Millsaps -- Canton, Ga -- 3, 5--11
120. Paul Whitman Jr -- Dallas, Tx -- 3, 5--11
123. Jeffrey Thomas -- Broadway, Nc -- 3, 5--06
124. David Givens -- Hernando, Fl -- 3, 5--04
125. John Crews -- Salem, Va -- 3, 5--03
125. Guido Hibdon -- Gravois Mills, Mo -- 3, 5--03
127. Chris Mccall -- Jasper, Tx -- 4, 5--02
127. Morizo Shimizu -- Suita, Osaka Japan 91, Ky -- 3, 5--02
129. Chuck Economou -- Redington Shores, Fl -- 2, 5--01
129. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Al -- 4, 5--01
131. Terry Boyd -- Cincinnati, Oh -- 4, 5--00
131. John Sappington -- Willard, Mo -- 2, 5--00
133. Gary Riffle -- Paris, Tx -- 3, 4--15
134. Robert Karbas Jr -- Wake Forest, Nc -- 3, 4--14
135. Randy Blaukat -- Lamar, Mo -- 2, 4--11
135. Terry Bolton -- Paducah, Ky -- 2, 4--11
137. Jason Abram -- Chuckey, Tn -- 3, 4--10
137. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 3, 4--10
139. Charlie Ingram -- Santa Fe, Tn -- 2, 4--09
139. Andre Moore -- Scottsdale, Az -- 2, 4--09
141. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, La -- 2, 4--02
142. Jim Carnell -- Muskogee, Ok -- 2, 4--00
142. Clark Wendlandt -- Cedar Park, Tx -- 3, 4--00
144. Mary Divincenti -- Clinton, La -- 1, 3--14
145. Mark Hardin -- Canton, Ga -- 2, 3--13
145. Dan Mansky -- Youngstown, Oh -- 3, 3--13
147. Joe Small -- Marion, Ar -- 2, 3--12
148. Dale Evans -- Ridgeville, Sc -- 2, 3--11
148. Tom Mann Jr -- Buford, Ga -- 2, 3--11
150. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, Fl -- 2, 3--10
151. Asa Godsey -- Clewiston, Fl -- 3, 3--09
152. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 2, 3--08
152. Emily Shaffer -- Mount Juliet, Tn -- 3, 3--08
152. Kim Stricker -- Howell, Mi -- 2, 3--08
155. Greg Gulledge -- Monticello, Ar -- 2, 3--05
156. Steve Daniel -- Clewiston, Fl -- 1, 3--02
156. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, Oh -- 2, 3--02
158. Dion Hibdon -- Stover, Mo -- 2, 2--14
159. Tony Couch -- Buckhead, Ga -- 2, 2--13
159. Mark Pack -- Mineola, Tx -- 2, 2--13
161. William Drown -- Roseland, Fl -- 2, 2--12
162. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 2, 2--11
163. Rich Tauber -- Camarillo, Ca -- 1, 2--07
164. Terry Segraves -- Kissimmee, Fl -- 2, 2--05
165. David Smith -- Del City, Ok -- 2, 2--03
166. Chic Aydelette -- Thomasville, Nc -- 2, 2--01
167. Lee Bailey Jr -- Amston, Ct -- 2, 1--15
168. Alfred Williams -- Jackson, Ms -- 1, 1--14
169. Sean Hoernke -- Magnolia, Tx -- 1, 1--10
169. Kenneth Strickland -- Greensboro, Nc -- 1, 1--10
171. Curt Lytle -- Zuni, Va -- 1, 1--07
172. Jack Bell -- Kane, Pa -- 1, 1--06
172. Nick Grebb -- Roseville, Ca -- 1, 1--06
172. Toby Hartsell -- Livingston, Tx -- 1, 1--06
172. John Tanner -- Quitman, Tx -- 1, 1--06
172. Stephen Wilson -- Mission Hills, Ca -- 1, 1--06
177. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, Sc -- 1, 1--05
178. Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, Tx -- 1, 1--04
179. Katsutoshi Furusawa -- Tokyo Japan 1920153 -- 1, 1--03
180. Jerry Green -- Justiceburg, Tx -- 1, 1--01
180. Glenn Miller -- Newborn, Ga -- 1, 1--01
180. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 1, 1--01
183. James Parker -- Fayetteville, Nc -- 1, 1--00
183. Rusty Smith -- Somerset, Ky -- 1, 1--00
185. Craig Taylor -- Tallahassee, Fl -- 1, 0--15
186. Jackie Davis -- Willard, Mo -- 1, 0--13
Harmon Davis -- Marlow, Ok -- 0, 0--00
Tony Defilippo -- Lake Ann, Mi -- 0, 0--00
Paul Farris -- Dallas, Tx -- 0, 0--00
Michael Johnson -- Talking Rock, Ga -- 0, 0--00
Mike Leblanc -- Colchester, Vt -- 0, 0--00
Rick Marsh -- High Point, Nc -- 0, 0--00
Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Il -- 0, 0--00
Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 0, 0--00
Jim Nolan -- Bull Shoals, Ar -- 0, 0--00
Lloyd Pickett Jr -- Bartlett, Tn -- 0, 0--00
James Quillman -- Plano, Tx -- 0, 0--00
Masaki Shimono -- Shiga--Pref Japan -- 0, 0--00
Walt Starling -- Live Oak, Fl -- 0, 0--00
Dale Teaney -- Williamsburg, Oh -- 0, 0--00

Big Bass

> Day 1: Takahiro Omori -- Emory, Tx -- 6-12 -- $750