Biffle Gets 1-Day DQ
VanDam, McClelland Bolt To Front Of The Pack

Photo: ESPN Outdoors Kevin VanDam's bag was highlighted by a 6 1/2-pounder.

Michigan's VanDam, who came up just shy of notching his fourth triumph last week at Wheeler, weighed a 24-13 sack that was highlighted by a 6 1/2-pounder – the biggest fish of the day. That gave him a 1-07 edge on Arkansas' McClelland, who boxed 23-06.

The revitalized Byron Velvick, a Texan by way of Nevada, caught 21-15 and sat in 3rd. Alabama's Tim Horton, always a threat when the top bags are being caught offshore, was 4th with 21-01.

Oklahoma's Bradley Hallman, who tends to hover at one end of the standings sheet or the other, was 5th with 20-12.

Here's what the Top 10 looks like after the first day (red numbers in parentheses indicate deficit margin from leader):

1. Kevin VanDam: 24-13
2. Mike McClelland: 23-06 (1-07)
3. Byron Velvick: 21-15 (2-14)
4. Tim Horton: 21-01 (3-12)
5. Bradley Hallman: 20-12 (4-01)
6. Paul Elias: 20-04 (4-09)
7. Wade Grooms: 19-15 (4-14)
8. Rick Clunn: 19-12 (5-01)
9. Brian Snowden: 19-05 (5-08)
10. (tie) Peter Thliveros: 19-03 (5-10)
10. (tie) Skeet Reese: 19-03 (5-10)
12. Dustin Wilks: 18-14 (5-15)

Oklahoma veteran Tommy Biffle had today's weight disqualified for unwittingly fishing on the Tennessee side of Lake Barkley without a Tennessee license. He explained that he'd had no intention of crossing the state line, and was unaware he had until he was stopped for a routine check by a law enforcement officer (more on that later).

An even hundred of the 107 pros weighed a five-fish limit, and an equal number caught at least 10 pounds. The vast majority of those who fared best focused on ledges on the main lake.

Today's weather featured some sun and very little wind, which made for excellent ledge-fishing conditions. There were a few scattered clouds and just enough of a breeze to keep the temperature at a comfortable level.

Photo: ESPN Outdoors VanDam had a lot of spectator boats following him today, and he gave the observers quite a show.

The field will be cut to the Top 50 after tomorrow's weigh-in. Only the Top 12 after Saturday will fish the final day, and the winner will be determined by highest combined weight over all 4 days.

VanDam was Well-Watched

VanDam, who was edged out for the win at Wheeler last week by Jeremy Starks, caught his day-best bag under the gaze of numerous BFL hopefuls.

"I really didn't know what kind of quality I was on because I hadn't caught any of those fish in practice (opting instead to shake off his bites)," he said. "I caught quite a few fish today and got a couple of good bites."

He admitted that he once again did most of his damage with a Strike King crankbait in his custom sexy shad color.

"They were biting all day, but we'll have to wait and see what happens from here. I didn't run around much – I'm trying to manage my stuff.

"I know I need to catch them real good again tomorrow before the weekend comes. Those BFL guys were relentless out there even today."

2nd: McClelland Schooled 'Em

McClelland is running a special Tahoe Smokeless wrap just for this week, and it looks like he plans to give the tobacco company its money's worth in exposure. He's got a few solid areas, but one stands head and shoulders above the rest.

"I really felt like if I could get on this one particular school, I could catch 20-plus pounds," he said. "I was fortunate enough to get on there, and I have to give a big thanks to James Niggemeyer. I'm sure we both found the same fish and we pulled in about the same time, and when I threw out a buoy, he backed off and left.

"That school is far superior to anything else I have. There's one little key spot in there where if I get bit, it's usually a 3 1/2- to 5-pounder."

Photo: Elite Bass Mike McClelland's best spot delivered the quality he'd expected from it.

"I will say that I'm catching them on a Jewel product, with a little bit of a Zoom product mixed in. I'll just have to see if I can keep it going the rest of the week.

"One key has been making long casts with the Falcon T7 (a 7 1/2-foot, one-piece rod). When I get a bite, I can really reach out and put a hurtin' on that fish."

3rd: Velvick Topped Expectations

Velvick didn't expect to show up at the scale with nearly 22 pounds.

"I totally surprised myself," he said. "I'd gotten some bites in one particular area in practice, but I really didn't know what it was going to give up because I just caught a few and moved on.

"I went back today and grinded on it a little bit, and I was surprised by the quality that came up. I got on a little run and caught them pretty quick. I just hope I hit a school of resident fish and that they'll be there again tomorrow."

His day got off to a slow start – his first stop was totally unproductive and he had only two small spotted bass in his livewell at 11:00.

He ended up weighing five largemouths that were all in the 4-pound range. And he didn't have much company while he was catching them.

"I think VanDam had all the (spectators), and I'd encourage anybody reading this to keep following him," he quipped. "He's the best there is."

7th: Grooms Started Shallow, Finished Deep

Wade Grooms, a rookie from South Carolina, got his good day off to a strong start with a bonus fish from the shallows.

"I was in the middle of the pack going out, and I was pretty by the time I got to where I wanted to go, it would be crowded," he said. "So I decided to try some shallow water for awhile and I caught a couple of keepers, and one of them was a decent fish.

"That kind of settled me down."

When he got to his best ledge at about 10:30, he was surprised to find nobody else there. He quickly went to work – he boated a pair of 4-pounders in the first 10 minutes.

Photo: ESPN Outdoors Rookie Wade Grooms kick-started his day by catching a solid fish from shallow water.

He gave a lot of the credit for his strong start to Ray Sedgwick, his road roommate.

"I was struggling in practice and he really clued me in about the ledge bite – he told me what to look for, and he even gave me two jigs to use. Without him doing that, I wouldn't have weighed what I did."

105th: Short Came in Light

This is the third time Kevin Short has competed at Kentucky Lake, but he's never been able to figure anything out. He caught just three keepers for 5-15.

"I've never caught them here," he said. "I've never had a good practice day and I've never had a good tournament day, and for the life of me, I don't understand why. This place has everything you could want.

"Guys catch them here on jigs, crankbaits and big worms. Well, I've got a boatload of all those things and I know how to use them. But evidently I don't know how to use them on this lake."

His day was made even worse by watching McClelland whack his big sack.

"He was fishing right across the ledge from me. And then he came over to my side and caught some more. I was saying, 'Man, get away from me.'''

107th: Biffle Strayed Too Far

Biffle didn't think he had anything to worry about when he was approached by a law enforcement official while fishing on Barkley. He was wrong about that.

"They guy came over and said he wanted to see my Tennessee license," he said. "I told him I wasn't in Tennessee, and he said, 'Oh, yes you are.' Then I was like, Uh-oh.

"It turns out I was about a quarter-mile over the line. I didn't think I was anywhere near it."

Biffle received a citation, and his day's catch (which he estimated at about 18 pounds) was disqualified under BASS rule 6.iii. In part, the rule states, "all competitors are bound by the prevailing statutes and regulations of the various states within which they fish."

He said it was the first time he'd been assessed any sort of DQ during his 24-year pro career.

The ruling was made at about 12:30 after he'd reported the incident to BASS officials, but he was allowed to stay on the water for the remainder of the day so his co-angler, Ivan Morris, could continue to fish. Morris, a nephew of Elite competitor Rick Morris, ended up with an 11-07 limit and is 36th in the co-angler standings.

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 107 anglers, 100 limits, 3 fours, 1 three, 1 one, 1 zero.

> Hallman returned to the launch 2 1/2 hours early because he had two dead fish (one a big smallmouth). They cost him a 10-ounce penalty. "There was no sense staying out there because you can't cull a dead fish (under BASS rules)," he said. "I guess that smallmouth must've been out there roaming around with the largemouths. I certainly wasn't out there smallmouth-fishing."

> Grooms has made just two checks thus far and has finished 51st – one spot out of the money – on two occasions.

> Home-laker Mark Menendez of Paducah, Ky. is currently tied for the final cut position.

Weather Forecast

Here's the weather forecast for the remaining tournament days. For more weather information, including satellite and radar imagery, visit OutdoorsFanWeather.com.

> Fri., June 13 - Isolated T-Storms - 88°/69°
- Wind: From the S at 14 mph

> Sat., June 14 - Partly Cloudy - 87°/66°
- Wind: From the N at 5 mph

> Sun., June 15 - Partly Cloudy - 92°/68°
- Wind: From the S at 5 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 5, 24-13 -- 305
Day 1: 5, 24-13

2. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, AR -- 5, 23-06 -- 295
Day 1: 5, 23-06

3. Byron Velvick -- Del Rio, TX -- 5, 21-15 -- 290
Day 1: 5, 21-15

4. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 5, 21-01 -- 285
Day 1: 5, 21-01

5, Bradley Hallman -- Norman, OK -- 5, 20-12 -- 280
Day 1: 5, 20-12

6. Paul Elias -- Laurel, MS -- 5, 20-04 -- 276
Day 1: 5, 20-04

7. Wade Grooms -- Bonneau, SC -- 5, 19-15 -- 272
Day 1: 5, 19-15

8. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5, 19-12 -- 268
Day 1: 5, 19-12

9. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5, 19-05 -- 264
Day 1: 5, 19-05

10. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 5, 19-03 -- 258.5
Day 1: 5, 19-03

10. Peter E Thliveros -- St Augustine, FL -- 5, 19-03 -- 258.5
Day 1: 5, 19-03

12. Dustin Wilks -- Rocky Mount, NC -- 5, 18-14 -- 254
Day 1: 5, 18-14

13. Jeff Reynolds -- Idabel, OK -- 5, 18-13 -- 251
Day 1: 5, 18-13

14. Alton Jones -- Waco, TX -- 5, 18-11 -- 248
Day 1: 5, 18-11

15, Kevin Wirth -- Crestwood, KY -- 5, 18-10 -- 245
Day 1: 5, 18-10

16. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5, 18-09 -- 242
Day 1: 5, 18-09

16. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, OK -- 5, 18-09 -- 242
Day 1: 5, 18-09

18. Jon Bondy -- Windsor, Canada -- 5, 18-08 -- 239
Day 1: 5, 18-08

19. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, TX -- 5, 18-05 -- 237
Day 1: 5, 18-05

20. Jason Quinn -- York, SC -- 5, 18-04 -- 235
Day 1: 5, 18-04

21. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 5, 18-03 -- 233
Day 1: 5, 18-03

22. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 5, 18-00 -- 231
Day 1: 5, 18-00

23. Terry Butcher -- Talala, OK -- 5, 17-15 -- 229
Day 1: 5, 17-15

24. David Smith -- Del City, OK -- 5, 17-13 -- 227
Day 1: 5, 17-13

25, Clark Reehm -- Russellville, AR -- 5, 17-11 -- 225
Day 1: 5, 17-11

26. Glenn Delong -- Bellville, OH -- 5, 17-05 -- 223
Day 1: 5, 17-05

27. Ken D Cook -- Lawton, OK -- 5, 17-03 -- 221
Day 1: 5, 17-03

28. John Murray -- Phoenix, AZ -- 5, 16-13 -- 218
Day 1: 5, 16-13

28. James Niggemeyer -- Van, TX -- 5, 16-13 -- 218
Day 1: 5, 16-13

30. Kevin Langill -- Terrell, NC -- 5, 16-09 -- 214
Day 1: 5, 16-09

30. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 5, 16-09 -- 214
Day 1: 5, 16-09

32. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 5, 16-08 -- 211
Day 1: 5, 16-08

33. Michael Iaconelli -- Runnemede, NJ -- 5, 16-07 -- 208
Day 1: 5, 16-07

33. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, TX -- 5, 16-07 -- 208
Day 1: 5, 16-07

35, Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, AR -- 5, 16-04 -- 204
Day 1: 5, 16-04

35, Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, AL -- 5, 16-04 -- 204
Day 1: 5, 16-04

37. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 16-03 -- 200
Day 1: 5, 16-03

37. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, AZ -- 5, 16-03 -- 200
Day 1: 5, 16-03

39. Matt Amedeo -- Clinton, OH -- 5, 16-02 -- 197
Day 1: 5, 16-02

40. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 5, 15-15 -- 195
Day 1: 5, 15-15

41. Rick Morris -- Virginia Beach, VA -- 5, 15-13 -- 193
Day 1: 5, 15-13

42. Marty Stone -- Fayetteville, NC -- 5, 15-11 -- 189
Day 1: 5, 15-11

42. Shaw E Grigsby -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 15-11 -- 189
Day 1: 5, 15-11

42. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, TX -- 5, 15-11 -- 189
Day 1: 5, 15-11

45, Denny Brauer -- Camdenton, MO -- 5, 15-05 -- 185
Day 1: 5, 15-05

46. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 5, 15-04 -- 183
Day 1: 5, 15-04

47. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, OK -- 5, 15-03 -- 181
Day 1: 5, 15-03

48. Cliff Pace -- Petal, MS -- 5, 15-01 -- 179
Day 1: 5, 15-01

49. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, AL -- 5, 15-00 -- 176
Day 1: 5, 15-00

49. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 5, 15-00 -- 176
Day 1: 5, 15-00

51. Corey Waldrop -- Fort Worth, TX -- 5, 14-14 -- 173
Day 1: 5, 14-14
52. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 5, 14-12 -- 170
Day 1: 5, 14-12
52. Jimmy Mize -- Ben Lomond, AR -- 5, 14-12 -- 170
Day 1: 5, 14-12
54. Jeff Connella -- Bentley, LA -- 5, 14-11 -- 166
Day 1: 5, 14-11
54. Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, AL -- 5, 14-11 -- 166
Day 1: 5, 14-11
56. Randy Howell -- Springville, AL -- 5, 14-09 -- 163
Day 1: 5, 14-09
57. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, CA -- 5, 14-08 -- 160
Day 1: 5, 14-08
57. Mark Tyler -- Vian, OK -- 5, 14-08 -- 160
Day 1: 5, 14-08
59. Scott Campbell -- Springfield, MO -- 5, 14-03 -- 157
Day 1: 5, 14-03
60. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, AR -- 5, 14-02 -- 155
Day 1: 5, 14-02
61. Derek Remitz -- Grant, AL -- 5, 14-00 -- 153
Day 1: 5, 14-00
62. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5, 13-15 -- 150
Day 1: 5, 13-15
62. Jeremy Starks -- Charleston, WV -- 5, 13-15 -- 150
Day 1: 5, 13-15
64. Billy Brewer -- Bruceville, TX -- 5, 13-13 -- 146
Day 1: 5, 13-13
64. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 13-13 -- 146
Day 1: 5, 13-13
66. Grant Goldbeck -- Gaithersburg, MD -- 5, 13-11 -- 142
Day 1: 5, 13-11
66. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 5, 13-11 -- 142
Day 1: 5, 13-11
68. Bryan Hudgins -- Orange Park, FL -- 5, 13-10 -- 139
Day 1: 5, 13-10
69. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 5, 13-09 -- 136
Day 1: 5, 13-09
69. Bill Lowen -- North Bend, OH -- 5, 13-09 -- 136
Day 1: 5, 13-09
71. Pete Ponds -- Madison, MS -- 5, 13-08 -- 132
Day 1: 5, 13-08
71. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 13-08 -- 132
Day 1: 5, 13-08
73. Elton Luce Jr. -- Brookeland, TX -- 5, 13-05 -- 129
Day 1: 5, 13-05
74. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, OH -- 5, 13-04 -- 127
Day 1: 5, 13-04
75, Mark Tucker -- Saint Louis, MO -- 5, 13-00 -- 124
Day 1: 5, 13-00
75, Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 5, 13-00 -- 124
Day 1: 5, 13-00
77. Jami Fralick -- Martin, SD -- 5, 12-15 -- 121
Day 1: 5, 12-15
78. Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, TX -- 5, 12-14 -- 119
Day 1: 5, 12-14
79. Brian Clark -- Haltom City, TX -- 5, 12-13 -- 115
Day 1: 5, 12-13
79. Chris Lane -- Lakeland, FL -- 5, 12-13 -- 115
Day 1: 5, 12-13
79. Jim Murray -- Arabi, GA -- 5, 12-13 -- 115
Day 1: 5, 12-13
82. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, FL -- 5, 12-12 -- 111
Day 1: 5, 12-12
83. Kurt Dove -- Fairfax, VA -- 5, 12-08 -- 107
Day 1: 5, 12-08
83. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, SC -- 5, 12-08 -- 107
Day 1: 5, 12-08
83. Morizo Shimizu -- Osaka, CA -- 5, 12-08 -- 107
Day 1: 5, 12-08
86. Matthew Sphar -- Pavilion, NY -- 5, 12-06 -- 103
Day 1: 5, 12-06
87. Guy Eaker -- Cherryville, NC -- 5, 12-00 -- 101
Day 1: 5, 12-00
88. Randy Allen -- Shreveport, LA -- 5, 11-13 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 11-13
89. Mike Wurm -- Hot Springs, AR -- 5, 11-11 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 11-11
90. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, OK -- 5, 11-10 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 11-10
91. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, SC -- 5, 11-09 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 11-09
92. John Crews -- Salem, VA -- 5, 11-08 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 11-08
93. Dave Wolak -- Wake Forest, NC -- 5, 11-05 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 11-05
93. Pat Golden -- High Point, NC -- 4, 11-05 -- 88
Day 1: 4 -- 11-05
95, Ray Sedgwick -- Cross, SC -- 5, 11-03 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 11-03
95, Steve Daniel -- Clewiston, FL -- 5, 11-03 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 11-03
97. Rick Ash -- Pottstown, PA -- 5, 11-00 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 11-00
97. Preston Clark -- Palatka, FL -- 4, 11-00 -- 80
Day 1: 4, 11-00
99. James Kennedy -- Lacombe, LA -- 5, 10-12 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 10-12
100. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 5, 10-11 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 10-11
101. David Sherrer -- Shreveport, LA -- 5, 09-02 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 09-02
102. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 4, 08-08 -- 74
Day 1: 4, 08-08
103. Jay Fuller -- Kingston, OK -- 4, 08-01 -- 73
Day 1: 4, 08-01
104. Paul Hirosky -- Guys Mills, PA -- 4, 07-11 -- 72
Day 1: 4, 07-11
105, Kevin Short -- Mayflower, AR -- 3, 05-15 -- 71
Day 1: 3, 05-15
106. Ben Matsubu -- Hemphill, TX -- 1, 04-15 -- 70
Day 1: 1, 04-15
107. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 0, 00-00 -- 0
Day 1: 0, 00-00

Big Bass

Day 1: Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 6-07 -- $1,000