Smith Sacks 18-06, Leads Scroggins By 9 Ounces

It was a virtual guarantee that Florida stud Terry Scroggins would be somewhere inside the Top 5 after day 1 of the Toho Bassmaster Elite Series near Kissimmee, Fla. But the rest of the Top 5 looks more like a where-have-you-been? cocktail hour.

Bill Smith, Jr. leads the event with

a stout 18-06 limit. He's finished better than 45th just once this season, but has the opportunity to end the season with a bang.

Next come 2nd-place Scroggins, then Ben Matsubu with 16-01, who's cracked the Top 20 just twice this season. Maybe Matsubu has a little Florida mojo working – he won the Elite Series Wildcard Qualifier at Florida's Harris Chain last November.

In 4th is Glenn Delong, who's mired back at 94th in the Angler of the Year (AOY) points.

And 5th currently belongs to Bernie Schultz, who like Smith has the opportunity to end a forgettable season on a positive note.

Aside from Scroggins, the average AOY standing of the other four Top 5 anglers is 82nd. And note Frank Scalish in 7th, who's 101st in the AOY points, Terry Butcher in 8th (90th in AOY), and Jeremy Starks in 10th (73rd in AOY).

Contrast that with the very bottom of the day-1 standings, where names like Jared Lintner (3rd in AOY), Kelly Jordon (8th in AOY), and Edwin Evers (12th in AOY) got handed a broom for basement detail.

Here's a look at the day-1 Top 12. Total weight is followed by distance from leader in red.

1. Bill Smith, Jr.: 18-06
2. Terry Scroggins: 17-13 (0-09)
3. Ben Matsubu: 16-01 (2-05)
4. Glenn Delong: 15-07 (2-15)
5. Bernie Schultz: 14-05 (4-01)
6. Scott Rook: 11-13 (6-09)
7. Frank Scalish: 11-12 (6-10)
8. Terry Butcher: 11-01 (7-05)
9. Brent Chapman: 10-14 (7-08)
10. Jeremy Starks: 10-09 (7-13)
11. Kenyon Hill: 10-08 (7-16)
12. Cliff Pace: 10-06 (8-00)

The Top 12 cut sits at about 10 1/2 pounds right now, which is lower than predicted – general thought put the cut at about 12 pounds a day.

Check out these other "Old Hickory-like" stats:

> 50th place is 6 pounds even
> Two pros blanked
> Shaw Grigsby weighed a limit for 5 pounds even
> 25 of the 108 pros weighed less than 3 pounds

The fact that Smith topped 18 pounds, and Scroggins tickled that, may not mean much. Most in the field feel that duplication will be nearly impossible more than 2 days in a row, which could dip the winning mark to about 14 pounds a day.

The AOY race did get a little clearer today. AOY leader Skeet Reese needs to finish 30th or better to clinch the title. He settled into 16th today with a 9-11 limit.

His closest follower, Kevin VanDam, weighed 9-00, which puts him 18th.

Reese would have to implode tomorrow to let the AOY title slip away, while at the same time VanDam would need to catch 'em big-time to flip-flop the standings. There's a very good chance the AOY title will be decided tomorrow.

Also of note is the struggle to achieve, or retain, Bassmaster Classic qualifying positions. Roughly the Top 38 in the AOY points will qualify for the Classic. For an analysis of the standings prior to this event, click here.

Rookie Bryan Hudgins was DQd from the tournament for a violation of BASS rule 3.ii. For more about the DQ, click here.

Smith Stoked

About leading day 1, after struggling all season, Smith said: "Every dog has a his day now and then."

He added that he was surprised to catch what he did. Pros launch onto Lake Toho, but may lock through to several other lakes on the Kissimmee Chain. He felt his area in Kissimmee could be good for 15 pounds. He also felt he could catch a small limit on Toho before locking through. But he whacked them at his second Toho stop today and had nearly his entire weight by 8:00.

"It was about a 50-yard stretch that was holding most of the fish," he said. "I stayed there until about 1:00, making sure nobody got on it.

"I feel pretty good," he added. "I left the fish biting, and probably caught about 14 keepers in that general area. And I caught all those before 9:00. The key deal is to get those couple of kicker bites every day."

That's a little of what worries him though. He's confident that plenty of 2- and 3-pounders are still there, but he doesn't know how many big fish are left. He also realizes how hard it'll be to duplicate today's weight.

"I think it's hard for anybody to stay consistent at 15 or 16 pounds a day," he noted.

2nd: Scroggins Saving

Scroggins, who's won two Bassmaster Opens here, said he
"hole-jumped" today. He caught his first and second fish 20 miles apart and noted the fish "aren't ganged up big enough to catch any more than two in one spot."

About his 17-13 limit, he said: "I feel real fortunate to catch what I caught. Practice was terribly tough – the toughest I've ever seen here."

He locked through and caught all his fish on Kissimmee. And those were his only five bites all day.

"So it's not like I wore them out. And I left after the fifth. I wanted to save them for the next day. I don't know. I'm just hoping for five bites tomorrow."

His biggest today was a 6 1/2, but he also had a dink. The rest of his fish were "three pretty good ones."

3rd: Matsubu Gave To Tak

Matsubu maybe could have caught more than the 16-01 he weighed today, but friend and fellow pro Takahiro Omori's battling for a Classic spot, so Matsubu gave him his best spot.

Omori yanked 6-13 out of there, while Matsubu boxed 16 pounds.

"I feel I just got lucky and just got a couple of key bites today," Matsubu said. "But I think I'm throwing something these fish haven't seen. It's tough fishing. It's terrible."

About his 3rd-place position, he said: "It feels good. Everybody wants to have a shot at the Classic, but I'm so far out of it, I'm just kind of enjoying the ride.

"I didn't realize this area I gave Tak had the big fish on it," he added. "He still feels he doesn't have enough fish to make the Classic, so he's opted to fish it again. I don't mind. He's got a shot at the Classic, and I caught three good ones right behind him. He's throwing a different color worm than I am, so I think I can go behind him and catch them."

5th: Schultz Excited

Schultz, from Gainesville, said during practice he'd be more than happy with 10 pounds. He got that and more with a 14-05 limit.

"I'm ecstatic," he said. "I'm very pleased with the way the day went. I didn't have any idea I could catch that type of stringer. I just got three key bites. There's some good anglers in the area I'm fishing, but for some reason, I got the better bites."

He hopes "nobody new" shows up in there tomorrow, and isn't quite sure what to expect. If the area does die, he's got a few backup spots. Problem is, one of them's strictly a morning area, and he has to get to his primary spot early tomorrow. In other words, he "can't be in two places at one time."

"A strong finish here, for me, would be almost like a resurrection," he noted. "If you want to know the truth, it's just been a frustrating season, and I'm ready to be done with it and move onto next year."

16th: Reese Lost Sleep

One thing matters most to Reese right now – finishing 29th or better, which would be enough to clinch his No. 1 career goal, which is the BASS AOY title.

"I was hoping to catch a few more earlier than I did," he said of his day. "I started out a little bit slow, but it progressed to get a little better.

"I adjusted, (and) made some moves. My goal was to catch five. I know this place is fishing brutally tough."

He added that he's trying to focus on staying inside the Top 50, for a chance to fish Saturday. That said, he'd love to end things tomorrow.

"I'm hoping we can finish this thing off tomorrow somehow, but it's probably not going to happen. I fished very calm (today). And I thought I was calm until I got to bed last night. I didn't sleep at all. I think I slept 2 hours. I tossed and turned. Obviously, the pressure was there. The anxiety was getting to me."

18th: VanDam Battled

Kevin VanDam wanted a big day in order to make up ground on Reese, but he didn't get it.

"I'm definitely disappointed," he said. "I was hoping to have a really good day. But it was very much like a lot of the days have been lately. It's been a battle to the finish."

He added that he didn't have a great practice, so he's had to grind out each bite. "It would have just been nice to have something good happen. It just didn't. But I've learned a lot each day, from practice through the first day of the tournament, and I feel good about tomorrow.

"I have a different agenda tomorrow. I have to have a big day. It's all or nothing."

97th: Rojas Couldn't Convert

Dean Rojas came into the event 41st on the AOY standings, which means he needs to move up a few places to make the Classic. His one-fish, 1-07 bag today didn't help.

"I felt like I was in the right spot this morning," he said. "Kenyon Hill (11th) was right in front of me, but he got on the sweet spot before I did, and he caught them good.

"I can't do any worse (tomorrow) then I did today unless I go out and zero, so I'll have to change areas and change techniques."

He focused on outside weedlines, but got few bites. He thinks the self-imposed pressure stemming from his position in the standings had a negative effect on his performance.

"When you're in a spot like this, you always want to start out good. Things just kind of melted down in front of me.

"Tomorrow might be the last day of the season for me, and I'll try to go out and catch a decent bag and make the Top 50. If I can do that, then I'll get another day."

He'll try to clear his mind and just fish.

"If it's meant to happen for me, then I'll do well and move up. If it's not meant to be, then it won't.

"But I am looking forward to tomorrow – I can tell you that. I've got one more shot, and if I don't make it, it won't be because of a lack of effort."

98th: Tyler Baffled

Mark Tyler is 30th in the points and will fall out of the Classic cutoff if he drops more that seven places. He might need some luck to avoid that fate tomorrow after a one-fish, 1-04 outing today.

"I've got zero confidence," he said. "I haven't caught anything since I've been here, and I don't even know where to start trying to build on anything. I'm pretty discouraged.

"Today was sub-par compared to practice – I'd hoped to be able to catch one or two more, anyway."

He has no idea what he'll try tomorrow.

"I really don't know what adjustments to make. Obviously I'll keep looking for something, but I'm just not sure what."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 108 anglers, 47 limits, 13 fours, 17 threes, 15 twos, 14 ones, 2 zeroes, 1 DQ.

> Scalish, in 7th, said: "I found a little deal in practice. It paid off. Finally I made the right decisions at the right times. I lost one other good one, but that's the way it goes."

> A 10-06 limit put Cliff Pace in 12th today. He began the event with a 160-plus-point buffer against the Classic cutoff, so he's in. "I'm excited about the Classic, and I'm excited about tomorrow," he said. "I missed it last year by I think a spot or two, and I didn't want to let that happen this year. I got real fortunate to catch what I did. I didn't have a very good practice, and I managed two little bonus bites today."

> John Murray entered the tournament with a simple goal – catch one fish in order to ensure his spot in the Classic. He caught four, and is currently 47th. To read his day-1 report, click here to go On Tour With the BassFan Big Sticks.

> Jeff Reynolds began the day about 20 points away from a Classic berth. He weighed three for 5-06, and is currently 57th in the event, so he likely lost ground. "I'm going to have to catch them a whole lot better tomorrow," he said. "I don't really know what to think. It's tough on me. I'm struggling just to get a bite."

> Davy Hite, who's battling for a Classic spot, weighed just 4-06, which puts him at 71st. His co-angler Harry Potts caught 20-08 fishing behind him.

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., Sept. 14 - PM T-Storms - 93°/75°
- Wind: From the E/SE at 7 mph

> Sat., Sept. 15 - Isolated T-Storms - 92°/76°
- Wind: From the NE at 8 mph

> Sun., Sept. 16 - Isolated T-Storms - 90°/75°
- Wind: From the NE at 12 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Bill Smith Jr. -- Somerset, KY -- 5, 18-06 -- 305 -- $1,000
Day 1: 5, 18-06

2. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 5, 17-13 -- 295
Day 1: 5, 17-13

3. Ben Matsubu -- Hemphill, TX -- 5, 16-01 -- 290
Day 1: 5, 16-01

4. Glenn Delong -- Bellville, OH -- 5, 15-07 -- 285
Day 1: 5, 15-07

5. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 14-05 -- 280
Day 1: 5, 14-05

6. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 5, 11-13 -- 276
Day 1: 5, 11-13

7. Frank Scalish -- Cleveland Heights, OH -- 5, 11-12 -- 272
Day 1: 5, 11-12

8. Terry Butcher -- Talala, OK -- 5, 11-01 -- 268
Day 1: 5, 11-01

9. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 5, 10-14 -- 264
Day 1: 5, 10-14

10. Jeremy Starks -- Charleston, WV -- 5, 10-09 -- 260
Day 1: 5, 10-09

11. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, OK -- 5, 10-08 -- 257
Day 1: 5, 10-08

12. Cliff Pace -- Petal, MS -- 5, 10-06 -- 254
Day 1: 5, 10-06

13. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 4, 10-05 -- 251
Day 1: 4, 10-05

14. Peter E Thliveros -- St. -- Augustine, FL -- 5, 10-03 -- 246.5
Day 1: 5, 10-03

14. Mike Wurm -- Hot Springs, AR -- 5, 10-03246.5
Day 1: 5, 10-03

16. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 5, 09-11 -- 243
Day 1: 5, 09-11

17. Guy Eaker -- Cherryville, NC -- 5, 09-04 -- 241
Day 1: 5, 09-04

18. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 5, 09-00 -- 238
Day 1: 5, 09-00

18. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 3, 09-00 -- 238
Day 1: 3, 09-00

20. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 08-15 -- 234
Day 1: 5, 08-15

20. Jon Bondy -- Windsor CANADA -- 3, 08-15 -- 234
Day 1: 3, 08-15

22. Ray Sedgwick -- Cross, SC -- 5, 08-13 -- 231
Day 1: 5, 08-13

23. James Niggemeyer -- Van, TX -- 5, 08-10 -- 229
Day 1: 5, 08-10

24. Jim Murray -- Arabi, GA -- 2, 08-09 -- 227 -- $1,000.00
Day 1: 2, 08-09

25. Derek Remitz -- Madison, TX -- 5, 08-08 -- 225
Day 1: 5, 08-08

26. Bradley Hallman -- Norman, OK -- 5, 08-07 -- 223
Day 1: 5, 08-07

27. Paul Elias -- Laurel, MS -- 5, 08-05 -- 221
Day 1: 5, 08-05

28. Kevin Short -- Mayflower, AR -- 5, 08-03 -- 219
Day 1: 5, 08-03

29. Jimmy Mason -- Rogersville, AL -- 5, 08-01 -- 215
Day 1: 5, 08-01

29. Alton Jones -- Waco, TX -- 5, 08-01 -- 215
Day 1: 5, 08-01

29. Kevin Langill -- Terrell, NC -- 2, 08-01 -- 215
Day 1: 2, 08-01

32. Denny Brauer -- Camdenton, MO -- 4, 07-14 -- 211
Day 1: 4, 07-14

33. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, OH -- 4, 07-11 -- 209
Day 1: 4, 07-11

34. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 4, 07-08 -- 207
Day 1: 4, 07-08

35. Chris Lane -- Winter Haven, FL -- 5, 07-06 -- 205
Day 1: 5, 07-06

36. Charlie Youngers -- Geneva, FL -- 5, 07-05 -- 202
Day 1: 5, 07-05

36. Jami Fralick -- Martin, SD -- 3, 07-05 -- 202
Day 1: 3, 07-05

38. Matthew Sphar -- Pavilion, NY -- 5, 07-04 -- 198
Day 1: 5, 07-04

38. Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, AL -- 3, 07-04 -- 198
Day 1: 3, 07-04

40. Rick Ash -- Pottstown, PA -- 5, 07-02 -- 195
Day 1: 5, 07-02

41. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, TX -- 4, 07-00 -- 193
Day 1: 4, 07-00

42. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, AL -- 5, 06-14 -- 191
Day 1: 5, 06-14

43. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 3, 06-13 -- 189
Day 1: 3, 06-13

44. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, AR -- 5, 06-12 -- 186
Day 1: 5, 06-12

44. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 2, 06-12 -- 186
Day 1: 2, 06-12

46. Dave Smith -- Del City, OK -- 5, 06-08 -- 183
Day 1: 5, 06-08

47. Rick Morris -- Virginia Beach, VA -- 5, 06-05 -- 180
Day 1: 5, 06-05

47. John Murray -- Phoenix, AZ -- 4, 06-05 -- 180
Day 1: 4, 06-05

49. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, NC -- 5, 06-02 -- 177
Day 1: 5, 06-02

50. Pete Ponds -- Madison, MS -- 5, 06-00 -- 175
Day 1: 5, 06-00

51. Doc Merkin -- Downers Grove, IL -- 5, 05-15 -- 172
Day 1: 5, 05-15
51. Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, AL -- 4, 05-15 -- 172
Day 1: 4, 05-15
53. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, OK -- 5, 05-13 -- 168
Day 1: 5, 05-13
53. Kevin Wirth -- Crestwood, KY -- 3, 05-13 -- 168
Day 1: 3, 05-13
55. Bill Lowen -- North Bend, OH -- 5, 05-11 -- 165
Day 1: 5, 05-11
56. Steve Daniel -- Clewiston, FL -- 5, 05-09 -- 163
Day 1: 5, 05-09
57. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 4, 05-06 -- 160
Day 1: 4, 05-06
57. Jeff Reynolds -- Idabel, OK -- 3, 05-06 -- 160
Day 1: 3, 05-06
59. Jeff Connella -- Bentley, LA -- 5, 05-05 -- 157
Day 1: 5, 05-05
60. Keith Phillips -- Calera, AL -- 2, 05-04 -- 155
Day 1: 2, 05-04
61. Michael Iaconelli -- Runnemede, NJ -- 5, 05-03 -- 153
Day 1: 5, 05-03
62. Ishama Monroe -- Hughson, CA -- 5, 05-02 -- 150
Day 1: 5, 05-02
62. Jimmy Mize -- Ben Lomond, AR -- 5, 05-02 -- 150
Day 1: 5, 05-02
64. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, AR -- 5, 05-01 -- 144
Day 1: 5, 05-01
64. Darrin Schwenkbeck -- Varysburg, MD -- 4, 05-01 -- 144
Day 1: 4, 05-01
64. Jason Quinn -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 3, 05-01 -- 144
Day 1: 3, 05-01
64. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, TX -- 3, 05-01 -- 144
Day 1: 3, 05-01
68. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 05-00 -- 139
Day 1: 5, 05-00
69. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 4, 04-15 -- 137
Day 1: 4, 04-15
70. Mark Rogers -- Naples, FL -- 4, 04-12 -- 135
Day 1: 4, 04-12
71. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, SC -- 4, 04-06 -- 132
Day 1: 4, 04-06
71. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 2, 04-06 -- 132
Day 1: 2, 04-06
73. Mark Tucker -- Saint Louis, MO -- 4, 03-15 -- 129
Day 1: 4, 03-15
74. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 3, 03-11 -- 127
Day 1: 3, 03-11
75. John Crews -- Salem, VA -- 3, 03-07 -- 124
Day 1: 3, 03-07
75. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Mineola, TX -- 3, 03-07 -- 124
Day 1: 3, 03-07
77. Randy Howell -- Springville, AL -- 2, 03-05 -- 121
Day 1: 2, 03-05
78. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 3, 03-04 -- 118
Day 1: 3, 03-04
78. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, SC -- 2, 03-04 -- 118
Day 1: 2, 03-04
80. Scott Campbell -- Springfield, MO -- 3, 03-02 -- 114
Day 1: 3, 03-02
80. Preston Clark -- Palatka, FL -- 2, 03-02 -- 114
Day 1: 2, 03-02
82. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 3, 03-01 -- 110
Day 1: 3, 03-01
82. Lee Bailey -- Boaz, AL -- 3, 03-01 -- 110
Day 1: 3, 03-01
84. Matt Amedeo -- Clinton, OH -- 2, 02-13 -- 107
Day 1: 2, 02-13
85. Dave Wolak -- Wake Forest, NC -- 2, 02-11 -- 105
Day 1: 2, 02-11
86. Greg Gutierrez -- Red Bluff, CA -- 2, 02-10 -- 103
Day 1: 2, 02-10
87. Paul Hirosky -- Guys Mills, PA -- 3, 02-08 -- 101
Day 1: 3, 02-08
88. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 2, 02-03 -- 98
Day 1: 2, 02-03
88. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, TX -- 1, 02-03 -- 98
Day 1: 1, 02-03
90. Ken Brodeur -- Niantic, CT -- 2, 02-02 -- 95
Day 1: 2, 02-02
91. Morizo Shimizu -- Murrieta, CA -- 1, 02-01 -- 93
Day 1: 1, 02-01
92. Eric Nethery -- Acworth, GA -- 2, 01-15 -- 91
Day 1: 2, 01-15
93. Ken D Cook -- Lawton, OK -- 1, 01-14 -- 89
Day 1: 1, 01-14
94. Fred Roumbanis -- Auburn, CA -- 2, 01-11 -- 87
Day 1: 2, 01-11
95. Byron Velvick -- Del Rio, TX -- 1, 01-10 -- 85
Day 1: 1, 01-10
96. Marty Stone -- Fayetteville, NC -- 1, 01-09 -- 83
Day 1: 1, 01-09
97. Dean Rojas -- Grand Saline, TX -- 1, 01-07 -- 81
Day 1: 1, 01-07
98. Mark Tyler -- Vian, OK -- 1, 01-04 -- 79
Day 1: 1, 01-04
99. Bradley Stringer -- Huntington, TX -- 1, 01-01 -- 77
Day 1: 1, 01-01
100. Kurt Dove -- Fairfax, VA -- 1, 01-00 -- 76
Day 1: 1, 01-00
101. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 1, 00-15 74.5
Day 1: 1, 00-15
101. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 1, 00-15 74.5
Day 1: 1, 00-15
103. Elton Luce Jr -- Brookeland, TX -- 1, 00-14 72.5
Day 1: 1, 00-14
103. Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, TX -- 1, 00-14 72.5
Day 1: 1, 00-14
105. James Charlesworth -- Saint Cloud, FL -- 1, 00-13 -- 71
Day 1: 1, 00-13
106. Bryan Hudgins -- Orange Park, FL -- 5, 00-00 -- 0
Day 1: 5, 00-00
106. Grant Goldbeck -- Gaithersburg, MD -- 0, 00-00 -- 0
Day 1: 0, 00-00
106. James Kennedy -- Lacombe, LA -- 0, 00-00 -- 0
Day 1: 0, 00-00

Big Bass

> Day 1 -- Jim Murray -- Arabi, GA -- 07-06 -- $1,000