Golden Looks For 20 1/2, Wirth/Browning Fish For 19 1/2

Today's Bassmaster Elite Series season kickoff at the Harris Chain in Florida delivered some of the expected, and some of the unexpected.

> Expected: Several strong sight-fishing bags came to the scales.

> Unexpected: Several strong non-sight-fishing bags came to the scales.

That's "unexpected" because the "just-fishing" weights were supposed to top out at about 15 pounds, but in many regards matched the sight-fishing weights. And when it all shakes out, those who didn't sight-fish today would logically have a firm advantage, despite any deficit, simply because the sight-fish were community fish and there'll probably just be table scraps left tomorrow. And as the event wears on, anybody who can hover around the 15-pound range will likely win.

Yet that 15-pound mark could easily creep downward because a cold front is now upon the fishery. Nighttime lows will be in the low-40s, tomorrow's daytime temps will be in the mid-60s, and the barometer will be pushing max. It all spells bad news for Florida-strain largemouths.

Pat Golden leads the field after day 1 with a 20-07 limit of sight-fish. According to Golden, he's working a rotation through three areas that are well-known to the field. He did spot some additional swimmers, so he retains hope the pattern can live another day.

About a pound behind Golden is Wirth, who didn't look at 'em. Wirth said he fished a popular area and circled around the outside of boats all day. He was fortunate, he said, to catch what he did – he only got six bites all day.

Stephen Browning's tied with Wirth, and there's also a tie for 4th between Terry Scroggins and Kevin VanDam. No intel on VanDam yet, but Scroggins confirmed that he's casting, not sight-fishing.

The field cuts to the Top 50 after tomorrow, then to the Top 12 for day 4. The Top-50 cut weight right now is about 11 pounds. Here's a look at the current Top 12.

1. Pat Golden: 5, 20-07
2. Kevin Wirth: 5, 19-13
2. Stephen Browning: 5, 19-13
4. Terry Scroggins: 5, 17-09
4. Kevin VanDam: 5, 17-09
6. J Todd Tucker: 5, 17-08
7. Clark Reehm: 5, 17-02
8. Jason Williamson: 5, 15-01
9. Jami Fralick: 5, 14-10
10. Jeff Kriet: 5, 14-09
11. Shaw Grigsby: 5, 14-07
12. Brandon Palaniuk: 5, 14-06

If Tucker can maintain his pace, he stands to make his first 12-cut since returning to the tour two seasons ago (he fished the 2003 Bassmaster Tour and finished 8th at Toledo Bend).

Palaniuk, in 12th, is the top rookie after day 1.

Reehm seems to have shook off his recent last-place Classic finish.

Surprisingly, just two Florida pros currently sit within the Top 12 – Scroggins and Shaw Grigsby (who fished near Golden much of the day).

Derek Remitz posted the lone zero. No DQ. No penalties. He just blanked.

Golden: 'Good Start'

When Golden heard his boat draw last night, 60th, he figured it was bad news. He had three sight-fishing areas laid out, but wasn't sure he'd be able to get on any of them.

He went straight for the best of the three this morning and was surprised to see only three boats there.

He proceeded to catch an 8-15 and he culled twice on the day.

"It's great to get a good start like this," he said. "But we've got a few more days left. We'll just see what happens. I caught every one sight-fishing, and it's not something that's happening everywhere. But there are a few places where there are still a few paired up. They've gotten thinner and thinner every day, and I just hope I'm not holding on for dear life tomorrow."

Grigsby, in 11th, yanked 14 1/2 pounds out of the same primary area today. He may have been in there all day – Golden doesn't know, because he left it at lunchtime.

"I know there's some more around," Golden noted. "I saw a couple of really big swimmers, and one about 8 pounds on a bed. The wind was so bad I couldn't set up. But I know where she is and hopefully she'll still be there tomorrow."

He did say he's got a backup pattern for when the sight-fish run out – in particular a "strong stretch" where he can catch them "chunking and winding." He's also got another pattern, but he needs sun for that, which he'll get tomorrow.

2nd: Wirth Circled

> Day 1: 5, 19-13

As noted above, Wirth didn't sight-fish. But that doesn't mean he didn't fish in a crowd.

"I had a real bad boat draw and decided not to sight-fish – I just went fishing," he said. "I had six bites all day and culled once. It's called a lucky day. I was very blessed.

"I was kind of hunkered down in a pretty big area. There were other boats in there, and I'm kind of circling around them. Where I caught four of my better fish, I was the only boat that fished through that particular spot. I actually caught my biggest, a 6-12, within 30 yards of several guys. I don't think they even knew I caught them good."

He'll head right back there tomorrow with the initial goal to make a check. Once he gets two or three bites to assure he makes the Top 50, then he'll make a decision. He said that's the same thing he did today. His goal was to catch 10 or 11 pounds to make the money, but was "real fortunate" to catch 20.

2nd: Browning Fished Too

> Day 1: 5, 19-13

Florida's historically been tough on Browning, which is why he's excited to have a good start at this event and the Florida swing as a whole.

Like Wirth, Browning hunkered down in a crowded area and fished. But unlike Wirth, he caught 'em good pretty early.

"I caught three of the five keepers early, including the 7-pounder, in the first 35 or 40 minutes," Browning noted. "The 7-pounder was the second fish I caught. That just kind of let me know there were some big fish in the area, so I slowed down and ground them out.

"I think I ended up catching nine keepers today and a lost a couple, but there's not much you can do when you can't get them out (of heavy cover)."

He said he worked an area about half the size of a football field and each of his fish looked spawned out.

About tomorrow he said: "I'm going to go back there. I've got another area that's close to there that I didn't go to today. So if I can get in there in the morning and give it 2 or 3 hours and things don't work, then I've got that area I can adjust to pretty quickly.

"But the wind is the biggest thing. On these lake, you can't get away from the wind. It's definitely not your friend."

4th: Scroggins Drew Late Flight

> Day 1: 5, 17-09

With a look at Scroggins' limit, it would be easy to assume he pegged some sight-fish. Not so. He had a late boat draw and decided not to go to the community sight-fish. Right choice.

He pulled up on his first spot, boated 12 pounds in the first half-hour, then went to his second area – a community hole – and culled his way up to 17 1/2 within a crowd.

He figures that second stop is already burned, so he'll start tomorrow where he started today, then work some of the spots he saved (he estimated he's got six or eight spots he hasn't touched).

"I feel very fortunate – I'm very happy with it," he said. "I've got a pretty good spot and I'm looking forward to going back in the morning. And I've got that spot to myself.

"I'll tell you: Fifteen pounds a day is going to win this tournament. It's not going to take 60 pounds. We've got a cold front coming in now with high pressure the next 3 days. It'll get tough. I'm real happy to have what I got."

21st: Walker's Glad He's Back

> Day 1: 5, 13-13

The last time David Walker fished a tour-level B.A.S.S. event was 2005. The two-tour pro moved to the FLW Tour exclusively the following year, but after he requalified for the Elites through the Opens, he decided to go back to B.A.S.S.

"It was fun today – it's good to be back," Walker said. "It's really energized me a lot and it was quite a relief when I (qualified). It's something I really wanted to do. Now my goal is to get back into that Bassmaster Classic. But fishing with these guys again – I've known some of them for a very long time – so getting back to seeing them and fishing around them feels good."

He didn't sight-fish today. He knows it's a good way to get a "jumpstart," but with all the boat-draw hassles, the crowds, and the fact that the sight-fish won't replenish, he shied away. And because he figured 15 pounds a day or less to be the winning mark, he feels he's in a very strong position.

"We got that weather that came through today – lots of rain this morning and the wind was blowing extremely hard that switched from the south to the west – I'll tell you I'm surprised the fishing wasn't better than it was. To me, that's the perfect scenario.

"I culled twice and it was just kind of a grind – slow and steady," he added. "I caught one big fish and that's what made the difference for me. It was fun. I caught it right behind Aaron Martens – he saw me catch it, a 6-11 – and it's been a while since I fished without a net. There's other people in the area. It was just a matter of getting that lucky bite."

33rd: Faircloth 'Just Fished'

> Day 1: 5, 12-00

Todd Fairloth had sight-fishing "in the back of (his) head" all day. He had an early boat draw, and did know of a canal where he might have been able to grab a few quick sight-fish. At the same time, he felt he had a strong bite doing other things.

He opted against the sight-fishing and just went fishing. In hindsight, he thinks that might have been a mistake. But the day's over, and he can fish with a clean mind tomorrow knowing the sight-fish aren't worth going to anymore.

"I caught a bunch of keepers today, but they were mainly just bucks," he told BassFan shortly after he weighed in. "I must have caught 15 or 20 fish, but only one decent one. I was getting a lot of bites in practice, but I wasn't jerking on them, so I didn't really know what size I was dealing with. I felt like if I was getting that many bites, I'd catch a few good ones. Other than that one good one, the rest were all the same size."

He's not sure how he feels about today's catch. He'll know more after tomorrow, but he's a little spooked by the post-frontal conditions due tomorrow. The wind's going to be there, but he's got to fish slow to get bit. So that's going to be a day-long battle against the elements.

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 99 pros, 79 limits, 8 fours, 6 threes, 3 twos, 2 ones, 1 zero.

> This marks the first win-you're-in Elite Series event. Under the new format, the winner automatically receives a berth in the Bassmaster Classic.

> Brent Chapman hunkered down in an area and flipped up 12-14, which landed him in 26th. He thinks he's doing the right thing for a big bite. For his day-1 report, click here to go On Tour With the BassFan Big Sticks.

> Denny Brauer, who continuously struggles in Florida, is tied for 50th with Mike McClelland, who won the 2008 contest here.

> Biggest surprise in the standings? Bobby Lane in 87th with three fish for 6-01.

Weather Forecast

> Fri., March 11 - Sunny - 65°/42°
- Wind: From the NW at 13 mph

> Sat., March 12 - Sunny - 73°/46°
- Wind: From the NW at 5 mph

> Sun., March 13 - Sunny - 77°/49°
- Wind: From the W/NW at 5 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Pat Golden -- High Point, N.C. -- 5, 20-07
Day 1: 5, 20-07

2. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, Ark. -- 5, 19-13
Day 1: 5, 19-13

2. Kevin Wirth -- Crestwood, Ky. -- 5, 19-13
Day 1: 5, 19-13

4. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, Fla. -- 5, 17-09
Day 1: 5, 17-09

4. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, Mich. -- 5, 17-09
Day 1: 5, 17-09

6. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, Ga. -- 5, 17-08
Day 1: 5, 17-08

7. Clark Reehm -- Lufkin, Texas -- 5, 17-02
Day 1: 5, 17-02

8. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, S.C. -- 5, 15-01
Day 1: 5, 15-01

9. Jami Fralick -- Martin, S.D. -- 5, 14-10
Day 1: 5, 14-10

10. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, Okla. -- 5, 14-09
Day 1: 5, 14-09

11. Shaw Grigsby -- Gainesville, Fla. -- 5, 14-07
Day 1: 5, 14-07

12. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, Idaho -- 5, 14-06
Day 1: 5, 14-06

13. Chris Lane -- Guntersville, Ala. -- 5, 14-05
Day 1: 5, 14-05

14. Lee Sisson -- Winter Haven, Fla. -- 5, 14-04
Day 1: 5, 14-04

15. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, Okla. -- 5, 14-03
Day 1: 5, 14-03

15. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, Mo. -- 5, 14-03
Day 1: 5, 14-03

17. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, Ala. -- 5, 14-02
Day 1: 5, 14-02

18. Ott Defoe -- Knoxville, Tenn. -- 5, 14-00
Day 1: 5, 14-00

19. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, Ala. -- 3, 13-15
Day 1: 3, 13-15

20. Jonathon Vandam -- Kalamazoo, Mich. -- 5, 13-14
Day 1: 5, 13-14

21. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tenn. -- 5, 13-13
Day 1: 5, 13-13

22. Cliff Pace -- Petal, Miss. -- 5, 13-09
Day 1: 5, 13-09

23. Cliff Crochet -- Pierre Part, La. -- 4, 13-05
Day 1: 4, 13-05

24. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, Texas -- 5, 13-03
Day 1: 5, 13-03

25. Travis Manson -- Green Bay, Wisc. -- 5, 13-00
Day 1: 5, 13-00

26. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, Kan. -- 5, 12-14
Day 1: 5, 12-14

27. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, Calif. -- 5, 12-08
Day 1: 5, 12-08

28. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, S.C. -- 5, 12-06
Day 1: 5, 12-06

28. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, S.C. -- 5, 12-06
Day 1: 5, 12-06

30. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, Ala. -- 5, 12-03
Day 1: 5, 12-03

30. Ben Parker -- Springville, Tenn. -- 5, 12-03
Day 1: 5, 12-03

32. Dean Alexander -- Florence, Texas -- 5, 12-02
Day 1: 5, 12-02

33. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Texas -- 5, 12-00
Day 1: 5, 12-00

33. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, N.J. -- 5, 12-00
Day 1: 5, 12-00

35. Rick Morris -- Virginia Beach, Va. -- 5, 11-14
Day 1: 5, 11-14

36. Zell Rowland -- Austin, Texas -- 5, 11-10
Day 1: 5, 11-10

37. Alton Jones -- Waco, Texas -- 5, 11-09
Day 1: 5, 11-09

37. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, Ala. -- 5, 11-09
Day 1: 5, 11-09

39. Rick Clunn -- Ava, Mo. -- 5, 11-07
Day 1: 5, 11-07

40. James Niggemeyer -- Van, Texas -- 5, 11-06
Day 1: 5, 11-06

41. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, Ark. -- 5, 11-05
Day 1: 5, 11-05

42. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, Okla. -- 5, 11-04
Day 1: 5, 11-04

43. John Murray -- Phoenix, Ariz. -- 5, 11-03
Day 1: 5, 11-03

43. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, Ariz -- 5, 11-03
Day 1: 5, 11-03

45. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, S.C. -- 3, 11-03
Day 1: 3, 11-03

46. Craig Schuff -- Watauga, Texas -- 5, 11-02
Day 1: 5, 11-02

47. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, Calif. -- 5, 11-01
Day 1: 5, 11-01

48. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, S.C. -- 5, 11-00
Day 1: 5, 11-00

48. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, Fla. -- 5, 11-00
Day 1: 5, 11-00

50. Denny Brauer -- Camdenton, Mo. -- 5, 10-15
Day 1: 5, 10-15

50. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, Ark. -- 5, 10-15
Day 1: 5, 10-15

52. John Crews -- Salem, Va. -- 5, 10-13
Day 1: 5, 10-13
52. Matt Herren -- Trussville, Ala. -- 5, 10-13
Day 1: 5, 10-13
54. Nate Wellman -- Newaygo, Mich. -- 5, 10-12
Day 1: 5, 10-12
55. Dustin Wilks -- Rocky Mount, N.C. -- 5, 10-11
Day 1: 5, 10-11
56. Randy Howell -- Springville, Ala. -- 5, 10-10
Day 1: 5, 10-10
57. Russell Parrish -- Riesel, Texas -- 5, 10-09
Day 1: 5, 10-09
58. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, S.C. -- 5, 10-08
Day 1: 5, 10-08
59. Dave Wolak -- Wake Forest, N.C. -- 5, 10-04
Day 1: 5, 10-04
60. Matt Greenblatt -- Palm Beach Gardens, Fl -- 5, 10-03
Day 1: 5, 10-03
61. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, Okla. -- 5, 10-02
Day 1: 5, 10-02
62. Kevin Short -- Mayflower, Ark. -- 5, 10-01
Day 1: 5, 10-01
63. James Stricklin -- Jasper, Texas -- 5, 9-15
Day 1: 5, 9-15
64. Keith Combs -- Del Rio, Texas -- 5, 9-14
Day 1: 5, 9-14
65. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, Texas -- 4, 9-14
Day 1: 4, 9-14
66. Edwin Evers -- Talala, Okla. -- 5, 9-12
Day 1: 5, 9-12
67. Jeff Connella -- Bentley, La. -- 5, 9-06
Day 1: 5, 9-06
67. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, Ark. -- 5, 9-06
Day 1: 5, 9-06
69. Kelly Jordon -- Palestine, Texas -- 5, 9-03
Day 1: 5, 9-03
69. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, Texas -- 5, 9-03
Day 1: 5, 9-03
71. Chad Griffin -- Cresson, Texas -- 5, 9-02
Day 1: 5, 9-02
71. Jason Quinn -- Lake Wylie, S.C. -- 5, 9-02
Day 1: 5, 9-02
73. Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, Ala. -- 5, 9-01
Day 1: 5, 9-01
73. Peter Thliveros -- St Augustine, Fla. -- 5, 9-01
Day 1: 5, 9-01
75. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, Texas -- 5, 9-00
Day 1: 5, 9-00
75. Bradley Roy -- Lancaster, Ky. -- 5, 9-00
Day 1: 5, 9-00
77. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, Ohio -- 5, 8-06
Day 1: 5, 8-06
78. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Ala. -- 5, 8-03
Day 1: 5, 8-03
79. Terry Butcher -- Talala, Okla. -- 5, 7-13
Day 1: 5, 7-13
80. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, Ark. -- 5, 7-10
Day 1: 5, 7-10
80. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, Ky. -- 5, 7-10
Day 1: 5, 7-10
82. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, Ind. -- 5, 7-07
Day 1: 5, 7-07
83. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, Okla. -- 4, 7-06
Day 1: 4, 7-06
84. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, La. -- 5, 7-03
Day 1: 5, 7-03
85. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, Calif. -- 4, 6-06
Day 1: 4, 6-06
86. Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, Ala. -- 4, 6-04
Day 1: 4, 6-04
87. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fla. -- 3, 6-01
Day 1: 3, 6-01
88. Keith Poche -- Troy, Ala. -- 4, 6-00
Day 1: 4, 6-00
89. Russ Lane -- Prattville, Ala. -- 4, 5-08
Day 1: 4, 5-08
90. Bradley Hallman -- Norman, Okla. -- 2, 5-03
Day 1: 2, 5-03
91. Pete Ponds -- Madison, Miss. -- 2, 4-08
Day 1: 2, 4-08
92. Ryan Said -- Wixom, Mich. -- 4, 4-06
Day 1: 4, 4-06
93. Morizo Shimizu -- Osaka, Japan -- 2, 3-10
Day 1: 2, 3-10
94. Dennis Tietje -- Roanoke, La. -- 3, 3-09
Day 1: 3, 3-09
95. Paul Elias -- Laurel, Miss. -- 3, 3-05
Day 1: 3, 3-05
96. Brent Broderick -- Oregonia, Ohio -- 3, 3-05
Day 1: 3, 3-05
97. Grant Goldbeck -- Gaithersburg, Md. -- 1, 1-01
Day 1: 1, 1-01
98. David Smith -- Del City, Okla. -- 1, 0-10
Day 1: 1, 0-10
99. Derek Remitz -- Grant, Ala. -- 0, 0-00
Day 1: 0, 0-00

Big Bass

> Day 1: Pat Golden -- High Point, N.C. -- 8-15