Williams Wallops 20-04, Faircloth 2nd And Ike 3rd

It was the day of two storylines at the Chevy Open (Potomac FLW). First there's Jerry Williams, who's never won a tour-level event. He whacked a 4-pound average today and leads with 20-04.

Then there's Greg Hackney, the No. 1 ranked angler in the world, who at this point leads the FLW Angler of the Year (AOY) race.

Williams caught his biggest FLW Tour bag ever today, and has a 1-05 lead over 2nd-place Todd Faircloth (18-15). Red-hot Mike Iaconelli is 3rd with 18-12, followed by Hackney with 18-04 and Sam Newby with 18-01.

Hackney came into the event 3rd in the FLW points. The 200-angler field will be cut to the Top 10 after tomorrow. He could wrap up the title tomorrow if he makes the cut and the two anglers in front of him – J.T. Kenney and Anthony Gagliardi – fail to qualify for day 3.

FLW points leader J.T. Kenney struggled today on his home waters and is tied for 70th with 12-14. He's exactly 4 pounds out of 10th place. Anthony Gagliardi, 2nd in the standings, fared better with 14-06, but he's still in 34th place and will need a substantial upward move tomorrow.

If Gagliardi rallies to make the cut tomorrow and Kenney fails to qualify for Friday, he'll win the title no matter what Hackney does.

Toshinari Namiki, 4th in the standings, still has faint hope for the title after he caught 16-06 to place him 13th, but he'd need the top 3 to all miss the cut and then some. Matt Herren, 5th in the points standings, is 19th with 15-08.

The 17-mph winds that were forecast for today never materialized. An overcast sky with very light rain at times, and just a light breeze, produced ideal fishing conditions. The top 66 all weighed in at least 13 pounds and only 10 percent of the field (20 out of 200 anglers) failed to catch a five-fish limit.

Williams Had Fun Day

Leader Williams said he caught 30 to 35 keepers and passed the 18-pound mark early in the day. He worked a spot where he was all by himself.

"I was just in the right spots with the right baits at the right times," he said. "It's all about timing, but everything could change tomorrow. If somebody saw (where I was fishing), there might be 100 boats in there tomorrow."

After he got a solid limit early, he hedged his bets and spent the last 6 hours on a hunt for backup spots.

"I found one place where I got a couple of 2 1/2-pounders that I couldn't use, and I got three more good bites out of the same spot," he said.

He figures he can make the cut with 12 or 13 pounds tomorrow, but wants 14 just to be on the safe side.

"I practiced here for 6 days and 13 to 14 was about my average," he said. "That should be enough."

Faircloth Feels Fortunate

Faircloth, in 2nd, feels a bit lucky to be sitting where he is after day 1.

"I got a limit early, so I went to check out some spots where I'd found some big fish in practice and I got three good ones," he said.

"I think I eventually ended up culling all but one (from my initial limit)."

He hit four different spots along a 10-mile stretch of river and said he encountered crowds at three of them, but that's what he expected. "Wherever the boats are, that's where the fish are," he said. "They're kind of bunched up."

He's not confident enough to predict a repeat showing on day 2, but figures he can get the 13 pounds or so he'll likely need to make the cut.

"If I can get another early limit, then I'll gamble a little bit and try some things and hope I can get a couple of big ones," he said. "I've got one area where I got a lot of bites in practice that I didn't go to today. It seemed like the fish in there might have been a little smaller and I don't know if anybody went there today, but it's a place I think I can go to get a couple of keepers if I have to."

He's is 22nd in the points standings. If he hadn't finished 126th at Wheeler in May, he might be in the AOY mix.
"Wheeler just killed me," he said. "I had a good practice there, but I just made a lot of bad decisions in the tournament."

Hackney Pleasantly Surprised

Hackney was pleased with his day 1 performance and, truth be told, wasn't disappointed to learn that Kenney and Gagliardi sit outside the Top 10.

"I don't wish anything bad on those guys, but I've been trying to win this title for a couple of years and it would really mean a lot to me," he said.

"I got my first tour win this year (at the Table Rock Bassmaster) and I've won an EverStart title and two (Bassmaster) Open titles, but this one would really be something special."

He said his practice sessions were nothing spectacular and he was "pleasantly surprised" by the weight of his day 1 bag. "My goal today was 16 (pounds) and that's what I'll be after tomorrow too," he said. "I probably won't need 16, but I want to make sure I make that cut."

He said he caught about 25 keepers today — on every tide phase and with three different techniques. His primary area was a popular spot among the field, but he thinks there are plenty of fish left for tomorrow.

"I don't think I'll catch as many fish tomorrow, but I think I can get the same quality," he said. "There's a lot of 2- to 4-pounders in there.

"At least I hope I can get them in there again, because I really don't have a backup area. I'm pretty much locked in there."

Namiki's Chances Slim

Namiki, in 13th, is still mathematically alive for the AOY title headed into tomorrow, but he doesn't like his chances.

"I hope, but I don't think so," he said. "Hackney is catching them, and J.T. could have a big day tomorrow. I have a small chance, so there's no pressure. I'm just going to go fishing tomorrow."

He said he stayed away from some of his better spots because the tides weren't right. He'll continue to make decisions based on the tide schedule.

"Tomorrow could be tougher," he said. "Fishing is nature, and nature changes every day. And these fish are getting spooky and smart."

Gagliardi Strikes Late

Gagliardi, in 34th, would have been much farther down the list had he not gotten a big bite in the closing minutes of day 1.

"I hit a grassbed on my way back to the launch and got my biggest fish," he said. "It was about 4 pounds."

He won't second-guess himself about any of the decisions he made today. He's not where he wants to be on the board, but he says that's primarily due to circumstance.

"I thought all the decisions I made worked out pretty well," he said. "A lot of other people just caught them better than I thought they would. So other than getting lucky and catching a couple of big ones, I thought I did all I could do."

He's not focusing on the AOY title because, even if he takes care of his own business and secures a place in the Top 10, he has no control over what Kenney does.
"If J.T. comes back and makes the cut, then he deserves it," he said.

Notable

> Day 1 stats: 200 anglers, 180 limits, 9 fours, 6 threes, 5 twos.

> BassFan Big Stick and Complete Co-Angler columnist Chris Koester whacked a sack today. He leads the co-angler division. To read his day 1 report, click here to go On Tour With the BassFan Big Sticks.

> Mike Iaconelli brought his girlfriend, Amanda, up on stage to kiss his bass.

> Local Michael Huminik (Stafford, Va.) is 7th with 17-06 in his FLW Tour debut.

> Randy Blaukat, 66th in the points, needs a strong finish to break into the Top 48 and make the Forest L. Wood Championship. He's tied for 9th with 16-14.

> Reigning Bassmaster AOY Aaron Martens caught only three fish for 4-04. He's 198th.

> Other big names had a tough day: Dean Rojas (191st), Takahiro Omori (173rd), Zell Rowland (167th) and Paul Elias (152nd).

Weather Forecast

Thurs., June 23 - Sunny - 84°/60°
> Wind: From the E/NE at 7 mph

Fri., June 17 - Sunny - 89°/65°
> Wind: From the S at 9 mph

Sat., June 18 - Mostly Sunny - 93°/70°
> Wind: From the S/SW at 8 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Jerry Williams -- Conway, Ar -- 5, 20-04
2. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Tx -- 5, 18-15
3. Michael Iaconelli -- Runnemede, Nj -- 5, 18-12
4. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, La -- 5, 18-04
5. Sam Newby -- Pocola, Ok -- 5, 18-01
6. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, Pa -- 5, 17-12
7. Michael Huminik -- Stafford, Va -- 5, 17-06
8. Alvin Shaw -- State Road, Nc -- 5, 17-04
9. Randy Blaukat -- Lamar, Mo -- 5, 16-14
9. David Lauer -- South Bend, In -- 5, 16-14
11. Steven Mcgahan -- Gales Ferry, Ct -- 5, 16-12
12. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, Ks -- 5, 16-07
13. Danny Correia -- Marlborough, Ma -- 5, 16-06
13. Toshinari Namiki -- Hachioji- City, To -- 5, 16-06
15. David Givens -- Hernando, Fl -- 5, 15-15
15. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 5, 15-15
17. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, Az -- 5, 15-12
18. Robert Karbas Jr -- Wake Forest, Nc -- 5, 15-11
19. Matt Herren -- Trussville, Al -- 5, 15-08
20. Michael Bennett -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 15-07
21. Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 15-06
22. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 5, 15-04
23. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 5, 15-03
24. Jason Abram -- Chuckey, Tn -- 5, 15-02
25. Curt Lytle -- Zuni, Va -- 5, 15-00
26. Kim Stricker -- Howell, Mi -- 5, 14-13
26. Carl Svebek Iii -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 14-13
26. David Wright -- Lexington, Nc -- 5, 14-13
29. Randy Alexander -- London, Ky -- 5, 14-12
29. Sean Hoernke -- Magnolia, Tx -- 5, 14-12
29. Clark Wendlandt -- Cedar Park, Tx -- 5, 14-12
32. Masaki Shimono -- Shiga-Pref Japan -- 5, 14-10
33. Chip Harrison -- Bremen, In -- 5, 14-07
34. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 5, 14-06
34. Mike Wurm -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 14-06
36. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Al -- 5, 14-05
36. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 5, 14-05
36. Craig Powers -- Rockwood, Tn -- 5, 14-05
36. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, In -- 5, 14-05
40. George Cochran -- Hot Springs Np, Ar -- 5, 14-03
41. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 5, 14-02
41. Lee Skipper -- Lancaster, Sc -- 5, 14-02
43. Gary Yamamoto -- Mineola, Tx -- 5, 14-01
44. Dwayne Horton -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 14-00
44. Mark Rose -- Marion, Ar -- 5, 14-00
46. Art Berry -- Hemet, Ca -- 5, 13-15
46. Terry Segraves -- Kissimmee, Fl -- 5, 13-15
48. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, Ok -- 5, 13-14
49. Lewis Denney -- Indian Mound, Tn -- 5, 13-12
49. Keith Pace -- Monticello, Ar -- 5, 13-12
51. Harmon Davis -- Marlow, Ok -- 5, 13-11
51. William Davis -- Russellville, Al -- 5, 13-11
53. Brennan Bosley -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 13-10
53. Nick Grebb -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 13-10
55. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 5, 13-09
56. Terry Bolton -- Paducah, Ky -- 5, 13-08
56. Alton Jones -- Waco, Tx -- 5, 13-08
58. Jody Cordell -- Flowery Branch, Ga -- 5, 13-07
58. Marcel Veenstra -- Brighton, Mi -- 5, 13-07
60. Chris Mccall -- Jasper, Tx -- 5, 13-06
61. Bobby Curtis -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 13-05
61. Chuck Economou -- Redington Shores, Fl -- 5, 13-05
61. Pete Gluszek -- Franklinville, Nj -- 5, 13-05
61. Brad Wall -- Clarksville, Oh -- 5, 13-05
65. Mickey Bruce -- Buford, Ga -- 5, 13-03
66. Tony Couch -- Buckhead, Ga -- 5, 13-00
66. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 5, 13-00
68. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 5, 12-15
68. Pat Fisher -- Buckhead, Ga -- 5, 12-15
70. J T Kenney -- Frostburg, Md -- 5, 12-14
70. Dale Teaney -- Williamsburg, Oh -- 5, 12-14
70. Derek Yamamoto -- Tempe, Az -- 5, 12-14
73. Tim Shmigal -- Akron, Oh -- 5, 12-13
74. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 5, 12-11
75. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Al -- 5, 12-10
75. Jeffrey Thomas -- Broadway, Nc -- 5, 12-10
77. Jim Carnell -- Muskogee, Ok -- 5, 12-09
77. Charles King -- Shreveport, La -- 5, 12-09
79. Elton Luce Jr -- Brookeland, Tx -- 5, 12-08
80. Richard Bennett -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 12-06
81. Sean Minderman -- Spokane, Wa -- 5, 12-05
82. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 5, 12-04
82. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, Sc -- 5, 12-04
84. Todd Ary -- Moody, Al -- 5, 12-03
84. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 12-03
84. Sam Swett -- Covington, La -- 5, 12-03
87. Chic Aydelette -- Thomasville, Nc -- 5, 12-02
87. Jack Bell -- Kane, Pa -- 5, 12-02
87. David Cooke -- Mooresville, Nc -- 5, 12-02
87. Mark Hardin -- Canton, Ga -- 5, 12-02
87. Rick Marsh -- High Point, Nc -- 5, 12-02
87. Jimmy Millsaps -- Canton, Ga -- 5, 12-02
93. Guido Hibdon -- Gravois Mills, Mo -- 5, 12-01
94. Chris Elliott -- Gloucester, Nc -- 5, 12-00
94. Kevin Vida -- Clare, Mi -- 5, 12-00
96. Jeremiah Kindy -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 11-15
97. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 5, 11-14
97. Sandy Melvin -- Boca Grande, Fl -- 5, 11-14
97. Ray Scheide -- Russellville, Ar -- 5, 11-14
100. Chris Daves -- Hopewell, Va -- 5, 11-13
100. Toby Hartsell -- Livingston, Tx -- 5, 11-13
100. Dion Hibdon -- Stover, Mo -- 5, 11-13
100. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 11-13
100. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 5, 11-13
105. Fabian Rodriguez -- Ocean City, Md -- 5, 11-12
106. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 5, 11-11
106. Mike Hawkes -- Sabinal, Tx -- 5, 11-11
106. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tn -- 5, 11-11
109. Asa Godsey -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 11-08
110. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 5, 11-07
110. Art Ferguson Iii -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 5, 11-07
110. Ken Wick -- Star, Id -- 5, 11-07
113. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 5, 11-06
113. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 5, 11-06
115. Katsutoshi Furusawa -- Tokyo Japan 1920153 -- 5, 11-05
116. Keith Williams -- Conway, Ar -- 5, 11-03
117. Dennis Magoto -- Waynesville, Oh -- 5, 11-01
117. John Murray -- Phoenix, Az -- 5, 11-01
117. Morizo Shimizu -- Suita, Osaka Japan 91, Ky -- 5, 11-01
120. Stephen Tosh Jr -- Modesto, Ca -- 5, 11-00
121. Shinichi Fukae -- Osaka Japan 566-0072 -- 5, 10-14
121. Charlie Weyer -- West Hills, Ca -- 5, 10-14
123. Allen Cauthen -- Lancaster, Sc -- 5, 10-13
123. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 5, 10-13
125. Mike Leblanc -- Colchester, Vt -- 5, 10-12
126. Luke Clausen -- Spokane, Wa -- 5, 10-11
126. Wes Thomas -- Hanover, In -- 5, 10-11
128. Billy Bowen Jr -- Ocala, Fl -- 5, 10-10
129. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, Oh -- 5, 10-09
129. Jason Kilpatrick -- Satsuma, Al -- 5, 10-09
129. Joel Richardson -- Kernersville, Nc -- 5, 10-09
132. Greg Gulledge -- Monticello, Ar -- 5, 10-07
132. Glenn Miller -- Newborn, Ga -- 5, 10-07
134. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 5, 10-06
134. Kenneth Strickland -- Greensboro, Nc -- 5, 10-06
136. Alfred Williams -- Jackson, Ms -- 5, 10-05
137. William Drown -- Roseland, Fl -- 5, 10-03
137. Jack Gadlage -- Benton, Ky -- 5, 10-03
139. Tim Carroll -- Owasso, Ok -- 5, 10-02
139. Robert Sherry -- Saint Charles, Il -- 5, 10-02
139. David Smith -- Del City, Ok -- 5, 10-02
139. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 5, 10-02
143. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 5, 10-01
143. Chad Grigsby -- Colon, Mi -- 5, 10-01
145. Rick Taylor -- Holland, Mi -- 5, 10-00
146. John Sappington -- Willard, Mo -- 5, 9-14
147. Roger Boler -- Slidell, La -- 5, 9-13
147. James Charlesworth -- Saint Cloud, Fl -- 5, 9-13
147. Wayne Jeffcoat -- Chapin, Sc -- 5, 9-13
147. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, Fl -- 5, 9-13
151. Ishama Monroe -- Hughson, Ca -- 5, 9-12
152. Chad Cook -- Summerville, Sc -- 5, 9-11
152. John Crews -- Salem, Va -- 5, 9-11
152. Paul Elias -- Laurel, Ms -- 5, 9-11
152. Mark Goines -- Shady Point, Ok -- 5, 9-11
156. Marcus Clouse -- Las Vegas, Nv -- 5, 9-10
157. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 5, 9-08
158. Ernie Freeman -- Gambrills, Md -- 4, 9-07
158. James Parker -- Fayetteville, Nc -- 5, 9-07
160. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 5, 9-06
161. Jerry Green -- Justiceburg, Tx -- 5, 9-05
161. Rich Tauber -- Camarillo, Ca -- 5, 9-05
163. Tracy Adams -- Wilkesboro, Nc -- 5, 9-04
164. Jim Nolan -- Bull Shoals, Ar -- 5, 9-03
165. Terry Baksay -- Monroe, Ct -- 5, 9-01
166. Andre Moore -- Scottsdale, Az -- 5, 9-00
167. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, Tx -- 5, 8-15
168. Charlie Ingram -- Santa Fe, Tn -- 5, 8-13
169. Mary Divincenti -- Clinton, La -- 4, 8-10
170. Jimmy Houston -- Cookson, Ok -- 5, 8-08
171. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 5, 8-07
171. Tom Mann Jr -- Buford, Ga -- 5, 8-07
173. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, Tx -- 5, 8-05
174. James Quillman -- Plano, Tx -- 5, 8-04
174. Paul Whitman Jr -- Dallas, Tx -- 5, 8-04
176. Simon Morrow -- Alexander City, Al -- 5, 8-03
177. Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Il -- 5, 8-02
177. Danny Pierce -- Greenbrier, Ar -- 5, 8-02
179. Bobby Lanham -- Scottsdale, Az -- 3, 8-01
180. Al Gagliarducci -- Agawam, Ma -- 4, 8-00
181. Steve Galloway -- La Fayette, Ga -- 5, 7-13
182. Steve Daniel -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 7-08
183. Rusty Salewske -- Alpine, Ca -- 4, 7-07
184. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 4, 7-04
184. Ricky Shumpert -- Lexington, Sc -- 5, 7-04
186. Rick Lillegard -- Pickton, Tx -- 3, 7-02
187. Mark Pack -- Mineola, Tx -- 3, 6-13
188. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 4, 6-11
189. Dale Evans -- Ridgeville, Sc -- 3, 6-10
190. Stephen Wilson -- Mission Hills, Ca -- 4, 6-08
191. Dean Rojas -- Grand Saline, Tx -- 2, 6-01
191. Warren Wyman -- Calera, Al -- 4, 6-01
193. Jim Liechty -- Fort Wayne, In -- 5, 5-07
194. Terry Tucker -- Gadsden, Al -- 3, 5-05
195. Lee Bailey Jr -- Boaz, Al -- 4, 4-10
196. Travis Adams -- Danielsville, Ga -- 2, 4-09
197. Michael Brown -- Rocky Face, Ga -- 2, 4-08
198. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, Al -- 3, 4-04
199. Russ Moran -- Murfreesboro, Tn -- 2, 3-14
200. Lloyd Pickett Jr -- Bartlett, Tn -- 2, 3-08

Big Bass

> Day 1: Danny Correia -- Marlborough, Ma -- 6-09 -- $750