Vic Vatalaro thought he had a pretty solid practice for the Guntersville FLW Tour. But because he didn't stick many fish in an effort to keep from sore-lipping them, he wasn't exactly sure what type of quality he was on.
It turned out to be considerably better than the Ohioan had imagined, as he weighed a 25-12 bag to grab the day-1 lead in the final regular-season event of the 2010 campaign. And unlike a lot of the other leaders, who are plying offshore structure, he pulled most of his best fish from the grass.
He held a 1-ounce lead over Brent Long, the two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier through the BASS Federation Nation who's endured a miserable second season as a tour pro, with no finishes higher than 80th to this point. He fished deep and had surprisingly little competition for his best areas.
Veteran Mark Rose, who caught 25-07, rounded out the trio of anglers who exceeded the quarter-century mark on a hot, dead-calm day in Alabama. Then there was a drop of more than 2 pounds to Jim Moynagh in 4th with 23-03.
In 5th was legend Jimmy Houston, who's contending for his second Top-10 finish of the year. The Oklahoman is having one of his best years in a long while and would be in serious contention for a Forrest Wood Cup berth if not for a 113th-place stinker in the previous event at Ouachita.
Here's a peek at the Top 10, with distance from leader noted by red numbers in parentheses:
1. Vic Vatalaro: 25-12
2. Brent Long: 25-11 (0-01)
3. Mark Rose: 25-07 (0-05)
4. Jim Moynagh: 23-03 (2-09)
5. Jimmy Houston: 22-11 (3-01)
6. Craig Dowling: 22-10 (3-02)
7. Kyle Mabrey: 22-07 (3-05)
8. Keith Combs: 22-05 (3-07)
9. Bryan Thrift: 22-01 (3-11)
10. Terry Bolton: 21-11 (4-01)
Bryan Thrift took a big step toward claiming the Angler of the Year (AOY) title with his 22-pound bag that left him in 9th. He can clinch the title outright by finishing 21st or higher and seems confident that he can continue to threaten the 20-pound mark daily.
Andy Morgan, who caught 21-02 and is in 14th place, is the only legitimate AOY contender who's anywhere near Thrift in the tournament standings. He started the event 4th on the points list, 54 behind Thrift.
Brent Ehrler, who's 2nd in the AOY race, weighed just 14-10 and sits in 91st. Ish Monroe (3rd AOY) is 39th with 18-07 and Rusty Salewske (5th AOY) is 107th with 13-04.
Another bonus for Thrift: His boat will be the fifth to leave the launch tomorrow (he was 117th today), so he'll more or less have his pick of starting locales.
The full field will fish each of the next 2 days before a cut to the Top 5 for the final day. The winner will be determined Saturday by highest cumulative weight.
Grass was Green for Vatalaro
This is just Vataloro's second visit to Guntersville, and his previous foray was a rattlebait-fest in the early spring at which he finished 105th. He's off to a far better start this time.
"I did most of my looking (in practice) with a spinning rod and a heavier weight so I could fish fast through the weeds, and I ended up finding several spots that had fish on them," he said. "I had my boat in like 7 to 15 feet of water and most of the fish were coming from about 4 feet, although some were a little deeper.
"I started on some different stuff and caught a limit, and then I ran to the grass to try to cull up. I ended up culling the whole limit."
His bag included a pair of fish that topped 6 pounds.
"The biggest one got me into something and I had to just hold on as it pulled down through there. They were all good, healthy fish, although it's tough keeping them alive in this weather. I was icing them down pretty good."
He had no company on the spot that produced four of his five weigh-in fish, and he believes there's more good ones there. He also has other places to try.
"I may not go to that spot right off the bat tomorrow. I might go and try one that I didn't hit today."
2nd: Long not Comfortable Yet
Long was thrilled to have such a superb first day, but those haven't been his problem this year. He's started well in other tournaments, only to collapse on day 3.
"I'm still having those bad thoughts," he said. "I've been catching them on 2 days instead of 3 all year. But I'm tickled to death and I just hope I can keep catching them."
He had a good practice and figured that 20 pounds was a reasonable goal, but he exceeded that by 25%.
"I caught a 7-pounder one day in practice and on another day I caught an 8 and I was thinking if I could catch one of those in the tournament I could get 20. I didn't catch any big ones today – they were just all good fish."
He has only one spot where he can get bites before 10:00 and it yielded six 3-pounders. Then he moved and caught all his weight between 10:30 and 1:30.
He went through about 20 keepers and his best was a 6-pounder.
"I'm fishing only deep and I didn't have any trouble getting to my spots today, but a lot of people saw me catching fish late in the day. That has me a little bit worried."
4th: Moynagh in his Element
This is the first time Moynagh has come to Guntersville when the fish were out on the ledges, so the Minnesotan sort of feels at home. He's catching them on his most-preferred bait – an All-Terrain Tackle football jig.
"In 3 days of practice I could only find a limited number of places to fish," he said. "It's time-consuming to dissect the structure and figure out where the sweet spot is and so on. When you get a couple of bites, you leave it alone and move on.
"The place where I caught a couple of big ones today, I'd caught 2 1/2- and 3 1/2-pounders in practice, so I really didn't know what I had.
He went through about 15 keepers, most coming during the early half of the day. His bag was topped by a 5 1/2-pounder.
He's leaning heavily on his Vexilar Edge3 electronics unit to determine precisely where to fish.
"There's a lot of fish here, but a lot of (the schools) were discovered in practice. I found one place that I drove by a couple of times today and there were boats on it every time. I hope to get lucky (tomorrow) and pull up on one of those spots when nobody's there.
"I hate to rely on chance like that, but you have to hope you pull up at a place at the right time and a couple of fish are set up and ready to bite."
6th: Dowling Surprised
Dowling lives in nearby Grant, Ala. and has fished the lake a great deal, but he was somewhat surprised by what he caught today.
"I knew the potential was there, but practice didn't go too well," he said. "I don't think I caught anything bigger than 3 1/2 pounds, but I didn't fish a lot of stuff, either, so I didn't know what was going to happen.
"In practice I was looking for the Mother Lode. I didn't find it, so I'm just running a bunch of stuff I know from living here."
He's fishing deep and caught somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 dozen keepers, including a 6-pounder.
"Today it was just singles – one here and one there. I'll keep looking around for a couple of spots that have big schools and I have some stuff I'll try not to hit until I have to, which will hopefully be Friday or Saturday."
7th: Mabrey Sitting Pretty
Kyle Mabrey is an Alabamian and has won a couple of boats at Guntersville, but his home waters are on the Coosa River chain. He considered anything over 20 pounds today a bonus, so he was happy with his haul.
"I felt coming into it that if you could average 20 pounds a day, you'd have a real hard time not making the Top 5," he said. "About a 5-pounder was the best I'd done in practice, but today I got a 5 1/2. If I could get a really big bite, I might be able to catch 25."
He came out of practice with 30 waypoints on his GPS unit and hit about seven of them today. He ended up catching about 25 keepers.
"I fished both shallow and deep and I made two culls off of one deep spot. The key might've been how I cycled through my spots because I had a lot of freedom as far as not having other tournament boats around, but who knows who was in those areas when I wasn't.
"If I can keep up the quality I should be all right. But if I start catching a bunch of 3-pounders, I'll drop down on the list."
9th: Destiny for Thrift?
Thrift wasn't encouraged by what he found in practice. As usual, though, he sacked them good today.
"It was a lot better than I thought it would be," he said. "I figured if it was a real good day I'd have 18 pounds, so today was an excellent day."
He fished offshore most of the day with a crankbait and a swimbait and weighed a bag that was headed up by two 5-pounders.
"I've got the one deep place and I think I might've caught them all today. I fished the grass for about an hour and caught a 3 1/2 and a 2, and had one more decent bite that I missed. I'll probably fish it a lot more tomorrow.
"If I can catch 19 pounds on each of the next 2 days, I think it'll work out."
111th: Powroznik Broke Off 2
Jacob Powroznik weighed only 12-14 and sits in the lower third of the standings. His day would've been much better had he boated everything he hooked.
"I had two great big ones get away," he said. "They broke 50-pound braid like it was nothing."
He caught about a dozen keepers, but nothing over 3 1/2 pounds.
"I was going to fish shallow the whole time, but then I went out deep with about 30 minutes left and caught a 3 1/2 and lost a 4 on a crankbait. I know what I need to do, but I have to execute.
"It was just one of those deals. But at this lake you can have an average day and then come back the next day and catch up."
Notable
> Day 1 stats – 136 anglers, 122 limits, 5 fours, 5 threes, 3 twos, 1 one.
> Long's best finish in an FLW Tour event to date is 30th – at Beaver in 2008 and Norman in 2007.
> Mabrey said the ledge bite would improve dramatically if the Tennessee Valley Authority would pull some water earlier in the day to create a bit of current. "There was very little of it today," he said. "From about 2:00 to 6:00 they've been cranking it, so everybody's missing most of it. These fish get out and suspend a lot when it's not on, but when it does get moving pretty good they get tighter to stuff and those places come alive."
Weather Forecast
Here's the weather forecast for the remaining tournament days.
> Thurs., June 24 - Mostly Sunny - 94°/74°
- Wind: From the W at 8 mph
> Fri., June 25 - P.M. T-Storms - 91°/73°
- Wind: From the NW at 6 mph
> Sat., June 26 – Scattered T-Storms - 92°/74°
- Wind: From the S at 4 mph
Day 1 Standings
1. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 5, 25-12
2. Brent Long -- Cornelius, NC -- 5, 25-11
3. Mark Rose -- Marion, Ar -- 5, 25-07
4. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 5, 23-03
5. Jimmy Houston -- Cookson, Ok -- 5, 22-11
6. Craig Dowling -- Grant, Al -- 5, 22-10
7. Kyle Mabrey -- McCalla, Al -- 5, 22-07
8. Keith Combs -- Del Rio, Tx -- 5, 22-05
9. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, NC -- 5, 22-01
10. Terry Bolton -- Jonesboro, Ar -- 5, 21-11
11. Terry Segraves -- Kissimmee, Fl -- 5, 21-10
12. Jason Meninger -- Gainesville, Ga -- 5, 21-09
13. Ott Defoe -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 21-04
14. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 5, 21-02
15. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 5, 21-01
16. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Al -- 5, 20-15
17. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 5, 20-12
18. Tim McDonald -- Lexington, Ky -- 5, 20-11
19. Sean Hoernke -- The Woodlands, Tx -- 5, 20-05
20. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tn -- 5, 20-04
21. Dave Lefebre -- Union City, Pa -- 5, 20-03
22. Jim Dillard -- Houston, Ar -- 5, 20-02
23. Justin Kerr -- Simi Valley, Ca -- 5, 20-00
23. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, Sc -- 5, 20-00
25. Chad Brauer -- Osage Beach, Mo -- 5, 19-15
25. Mike Hawkes -- Sabinal, Tx -- 5, 19-15
27. Brad Knight -- Wartburg, Tn -- 5, 19-12
28. Clint Brownlee -- Tifton, Ga -- 5, 19-09
29. Dick Shaffer -- Rockford, Oh -- 5, 19-08
30. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 5, 19-05
31. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 5, 19-04
32. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 5, 19-03
32. JT Palmore -- Gasburg, Va -- 5, 19-03
34. Robert Harkness -- Elizabeth, Wv -- 5, 19-02
34. Jason Reyes -- Huffman, Tx -- 5, 19-02
36. Russell Parrish -- Riesel, Tx -- 5, 19-01
37. Matt Arey -- Shelby, Nc -- 5, 18-15
38. Tim Klinger -- Boulder City, Nv -- 5, 18-13
39. Ishama Monroe -- Hughson, Ca -- 5, 18-07
39. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, Az -- 5, 18-07
41. Jimmy Millsaps -- Canton, Ga -- 5, 18-06
42. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, In -- 5, 18-05
43. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 5, 18-04
44. Luke Clausen -- Gainesville, Ga -- 5, 18-02
44. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 5, 18-02
44. Thanh Le -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 5, 18-02
47. JT Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 5, 17-11
47. Nate Wellman -- Jenison, Mi -- 5, 17-11
49. Stacey King -- Reeds Spring, Mo -- 5, 17-10
50. Mark Hardin -- Jasper, Ga -- 5, 17-09
50. Kenneth (Boo) Woods -- Hazard, Ky -- 5, 17-09
52. Joe Thomas -- Milford, Oh -- 5, 17-07
53. Keith Monson -- Burgin, Ky -- 5, 17-02
53. Randall Tharp -- Gardendale, Al -- 5, 17-02
55. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 5, 17-01
55. Jay Yelas -- Corvallis, Or -- 5, 17-01
57. Chris Martinkovic -- Liberty Township, Oh -- 5, 17-00
57. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 5, 17-00
59. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 5, 16-15
59. Michael Murphy -- Gilbert, SC -- 5, 16-15
61. Gerald Brown -- Chickasha, Ok -- 5, 16-12
62. Guido Hibdon -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 5, 16-10
62. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, Az -- 5, 16-10
62. Mike Wurm -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 16-10
65. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 5, 16-08
65. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 5, 16-08
65. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 5, 16-08
68. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 5, 16-06
69. Justin Lucas -- Montevallo, Al -- 5, 16-02
70. Shinichi Fukae -- Palestine, Tx -- 5, 16-00
70. Adam Wagner -- Cookeville, Tn -- 5, 16-00
72. Christopher Ford -- Kennedale, Tx -- 5, 15-15
73. John Devere -- Berea, Ky -- 5, 15-13
74. Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 15-12
74. Travis Fox -- Springdale, Ar -- 5, 15-12
76. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 5, 15-11
77. David Kromm -- Kennewick, Wa -- 5, 15-10
77. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 5, 15-10
77. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 5, 15-10
80. Bobby Curtis -- Siloam Springs, Ar -- 5, 15-08
80. Ron Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 5, 15-08
82. Tom Mann Jr -- Buford, Ga -- 5, 15-07
83. Kathryn Ealey -- Moody, Al -- 5, 15-05
84. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 5, 15-02
84. Brian Travis -- Conover, NC -- 5, 15-02
86. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5, 15-00
86. Jason Cordiale -- Orinda, Ca -- 5, 15-00
86. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Al -- 5, 15-00
89. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 5, 14-12
90. Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Al -- 5, 14-11
91. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 5, 14-10
91. Richard Lowitzki -- St Charles, Il -- 5, 14-10
91. Chris Neau -- Castro Valley, Ca -- 5, 14-10
94. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, Ok -- 5, 14-07
95. Cody Meyer -- Grass Valley, Ca -- 5, 14-05
95. Ken Wick -- Star, Id -- 5, 14-05
97. Michael Bennett -- Lincoln, Ca -- 5, 14-03
98. Chip Harrison -- Bremen, In -- 5, 14-00
99. Bobby Mcmullin -- Pevely, Mo -- 5, 13-15
100. Dion Hibdon -- Stover, Mo -- 5, 13-12
101. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, Ar -- 5, 13-10
102. Fred Martin -- North Little Rock, Ar -- 5, 13-09
103. Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Il -- 5, 13-07
104. Roy Hawk -- Salt Lake City, Ut -- 5, 13-06
104. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 13-06
106. Robbie Dodson -- Harrison, Ar -- 5, 13-05
107. Rusty Salewske -- Alpine, Ca -- 5, 13-04
108. Art Ferguson III -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 5, 13-02
108. David Smith -- Del City, Ok -- 5, 13-02
110. John Tanner -- Quitman, Tx -- 5, 13-01
111. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 5, 12-14
112. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 5, 12-13
113. Greg Bohannan -- Rogers, Ar -- 5, 12-09
113. George Cochran -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 5, 12-09
113. James Watson -- Waynesville, Mo -- 5, 12-09
116. Mark Rouse -- League City, Tx -- 5, 12-06
117. Rhett Fornof -- Park City, Ut -- 5, 12-04
117. Ray Scheide -- Dover, Ar -- 5, 12-04
119. Lewis Denney -- Indian Mound, Tn -- 5, 11-09
120. Jack Wade -- Knoxville, Tn -- 4, 11-01
121. Will Jefferies -- Bountiful, Ut -- 4, 10-11
122. Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 5, 10-09
123. Eric Ambort -- Mabelvale, Ar -- 4, 10-05
124. Bob Bjorklund -- Centennial, Co -- 5, 10-02
125. Christian Romans -- Carrollton, Ky -- 5, 10-01
126. Tim Johnson -- Dallas, Ga -- 4, 9-05
127. Daryl Biron -- South Windsor, Ct -- 4, 8-05
128. Robert Sherry -- Saint Charles, Il -- 3, 8-02
129. Mark Stewart -- Springville, Al -- 3, 7-15
130. Mark Fisher -- Glenview, Il -- 3, 7-05
131. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 3, 6-13
132. James (Wil) Hardy -- Harlem, Ga -- 3, 6-10
133. James Stricklin Jr. -- Texarkana, Ar -- 2, 5-05
134. Nicholas Albus -- Trinity, Tx -- 2, 4-15
135. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 2, 3-15
136. James Christian -- Dickson, Tn -- 1, 1-12
