OK Day At Grand: Christie, Houston Stand 1-2

By BassFan Staff

Two months ago, Jason Christie was just about unbeatable. Since then, the luster of his back-to-back wins in Arkansas has worn thin as cracking the Top 60 in the three subsequent derbies became a chore for the Park Hill, Okla., native.

It looks like a little home cooking did him some good this week.

The No. 3-ranked angler in the current BassFan World Rankings presented by Livingston Lures, Christie got back on track today with a 21-12 stringer to open the Grand Lake FLW Tour atop the leaderboard. Not far behind in 2nd is fellow Oklahoman Jimmy Houston, who caught 21-07. The two live about 20 minutes from each other in the eastern part of the state.

"I'm glad to see Jimmy catch 'em just as I'm sure he was glad to see me catch 'em," said Christie, who's seeking to become the first pro to win three tour-level events in the same year since Kevin VanDam won three straight Bassmaster tournaments in 2005. "Sometimes when people are close behind you, you root against them, but you can't root against Jimmy. I hope he catches them tomorrow, but just not as good as I do."

South Carolinian Todd Auten brought in 20-12 to occupy 3rd while Randy Blaukat, who put his 30-plus years of experience at Grand to work today, is 4th with 20-03. Matt Stefan was 2 ounces shy of joining the 20-pound club, but his 19-14 effort has him right in the mix in 5th.

Here's a look at the Top 10 after the opening day of competition, with deficit margin from Christie indicated by red numbers in parentheses:

1. Jason Christie: 21-12
2. Jimmy Houston: 21-07 (00-05)
3. Todd Auten: 20-12 (1-00)
4. Randy Blaukat: 20-03 (1-09)
5. Matt Stefan: 19-14 (1-14)
6 (tie). Adrian Avena: 19-11 (2-01)
6 (tie). Ryan Chandler: 19-11 (2-01)
8. Robbie Dodson: 19-09 (2-03)
9. Zell Rowland: 19-08 (2-04)
10 (tie). Troy Morrow: 19-04 (2-08)
10 (tie). Ish Monroe: 19-04 (2-08)

The book on Grand is that it's full of 3-plus pounders and the day-1 results bear that out as the weights far exceeded a lot of pros' expectations. Fifty-six pros caught 15 pounds or better and there were 131 limits weighed in. It looks like it'll take 14 pounds a day to draw a check this week.

Whether those stats can be duplicated tomorrow will depend heavily on how much more the water level drops and if new fish move into areas that were picked over. The lake has come down more than a foot since practice wrapped up Tuesday and it's expected to continue falling.

Clarity continues to be an issue, but there's a faction of pros who had just as much success in dirty water as not-so-dirty areas and with the boat draw reversed tomorrow, where some guys started today might not be available first thing Friday.

Angler of the Year points leader Brent Ehrler got off to a ho-hum start with 15-00, which has him tied for 54th. Andy Morgan, who entered the week 17 points behind Ehrler, is 12th after day 1 with 18-13. Jacob Powroznik, who stands 3rd in points, opened in 47th with 15-05.

The field of 147 will be trimmed to the Top 20 following tomorrow's weigh-in and the Top 10 after Saturday will advance to Sunday's final round, when the winner will be determined by highest cumulative weight.

Christie Bagged Shallow Game Plan

> Day 1: 5, 21-12

All the rain this week put a wrench in Christie's plans to target offshore post-spawners. His practice didn't amount to much and he opted to start today shallow.

"I did that until noon and I only had a little bitty limit," he said. "I made an adjustment and ended up catching them. Finally, I made a good decision. I was lucky today and made a good call. It feels good to make a good call after the last month I've had."

What he's referring to is consecutive missed checks in the last two Elite Series events – 70th at West Point Lake and 92nd at the Alabama River – followed by a 64th-place finish at the Lake Eufaula FLW Tour 2 weeks ago.

His adjustment was sliding out to some deeper water, which equated to catching better quality fish. Tomorrow's a clean slate, he says.

"My decisions are going to be based on the Grand River Dam Authority," he said. "Tonight, I'll look at what the water's doing and decide what I'll do. I'll fish the same stuff as I did today, but I won't die with it if they're not there.

"The way the current runs here, the fish set up differently in slow current than they do with fast current."

While a lot of people pegged him as a favorite entering the week, much like the Bassmaster Classic in February, he says his experience level in multi-day tournaments at Grand is limited at best, so he's not as sure of what's about to unfold as some may think.

"One thing about my experience here is I have a lot 1-day shootout-style experience," he said, mindful of his five BFL wins at Grand. "I don't have a lot of experience in 4-day events here so I don't know how they're going to act or hold up or if they'll replenish."

2nd: Houston Caught 'Em Shallow

> Day 1: 5, 21-07

With the schedule Jimmy Houston keeps, he hasn't been able to fish Grand Lake much in the recent past. By his count, before this week he'd fished the lake three times since 1992 and that included a TV show he shot there last March.

His last tournament experience at Grand was the 2006 Elite Series event in which he finished 90th. Needless to say, he's thrilled to get off to a great start in his backyard.

"Obviously, a 20-pound stringer is a good stringer of fish," he said. "I'm happy about what I caught. These fish are changing every day, though, and the water's falling fast. Some places people caught them today might be high and dry by tomorrow, who knows?"

Adapting throughout the day was a key to his success and he said he'd be happy tomorrow if he caught five fish that compared to the five he culled out today.

"We adapted fairly well today," he said. "The bigger fish might still be coming in. This lake is notorious for the big ones moving in when the water comes up. I have a few fish found down toward the dam that I didn't have to go today and I hope I don't have to go to them tomorrow. Hopefully, they'll still bite shallow."

Not surprisingly, a spinnerbait was among Houston's offerings, as were a jig, buzzbait and squarebill crankbait.

"I like the conditions we have right now," he said. "It's a little murky and if you can find them in the shallow water, they'll bite. Those fish are pretty aggressive."

3rd: Auten Hopes Water Doesn't Drop More

> Day 1: 5, 20-12

After a good day to open practice, Auten said it was downhill from there as the water continued to rise and get muddy. With the water starting to recede, he took advantage today.

"That helped me today, but if it keeps dropping the way it is it could get worse," he said. "Right now, though, it's perfect."

While his weight today may reflect he had an easy time catching them, he said that was hardly the case.

"You have to find some decent water and it's still hard to get one over 3 pounds," he said. "I'll be thankful if I can catch a limit of those tomorrow."

He said he hit a flurry around 9 a.m. today after he found a stretch that seemed to produce throughout the day.

"Every time I'd make a pass I'd catch a couple," he said, adding that he caught 20 keepers without fishing a lot of spots he marked in practice.

4th: Blaukat Had a Shot at 28

> Day 1: 5, 20-03

Blaukat's happiness was blunted slightly by the fact that he had an opportunity to weigh in a bag in excess of 25 pounds. He said he had five bites in the 5-pound class or better and only two of them made it in the boat. Still, the Joplin, Mo., pro with decades of experience on Grand is thrilled to be near the top of the ledger on his home waters.

"I'm happy to have 20 pounds," he said. "It's a little overshadowed by knowing I could've had 27 or 28 pounds, but these fish are real bad about getting off this time of year. Normally, when you lose three over 5 pounds, you can't make it up so for me to rebound and catch what I did makes me feel good."

He said the post-spawn fish at Grand are prone to short-striking and the ones that do get hooked head immediately to the surface in an effort to the throw the bait.

"They have a real bad tendency to jump a lot and nip at the bait," he said. "It's just hard to get those big ones in when you're fishing, it doesn't matter if you're deep or shallow."

He concentrated most of his practice out deep with little success and started today in skinny water. However, on his way to an area, he passed over a deeper hole that he's fished for many years and found a group of fish had moved onto it.

"They weren't there in practice, but they had moved up and they started biting," he said. "I caught about 10 keepers, but once I started searching around, I didn't catch that many because it's a big-fish deal that I'm on."

5th: Stefan Feeling Strong

> Day 1: 5, 19-14

Stefan was like many of his competitors in that he endured a tough practice. However, the day off the water Wednesday seemed to have brought about enough change that things started firing for him today.

"I'm definitely satisfied with what I caught," he said. "In practice, I had two keepers on day 1 and on day 2, I had two big bites and a bunch of smaller fish so I thought about how I caught those two bigger ones and tried to replicate it Tuesday. I found out that I had a solid pattern for catching good keepers, but it was hit or miss on the big fish."

He worked his main pattern for the majority of today and swung two dozen keepers into the boat, including a couple good ones that got him to 17 pounds. He then moved shallow and flipped for a couple hours, sticking a 5-pounder right away, but nothing else.

"I ran new water the rest of the day and I know I have a ton of water left with my main pattern," he said. "I feel good about catching fish. I'm just not sure about catching big fish. It's so sporadic. It's more about location for me than anything. I've found that the clarity will affect the bait I use. The fish are there regardless."

6th (tie): Fast Start for Avena

> Day 1: 5, 19-11

Adrian Avena said he was stunned at how big the weights were today and that it'll be interesting to see if tomorrow's results even come close. The second-year pro from New Jersey, who came into the week 5th in AOY points, wasn't quite sure what was in store for him after a so-so practice.

"Whenever you catch 20 pounds in one of these tournaments, you have to be stoked," he said. "I fished clean. I lost a couple of 3-pounders that didn't hurt me in the end. I'll be tickled with anything close to 15 tomorrow."

He was among the throng of anglers targeting shallow cover and says he caught 12 keepers and threw back close to 15 pounds.

"I'm fishing a pattern and out of all the fish I caught, 75 percent of them came off spots I didn't fish in practice," he said. "I know what I'm looking for and can run down the bank and if I see it, I can stop and pretty much call my shot. I wouldn't say I laid off stuff today, but with the changing conditions and the amount of pressure you have up shallow, you almost have to lean on some stuff now."

A good start to his morning was crucial, he added.

"I had a limit within 45 minutes," he said. "On my second cast, I caught a 4 3/4-pounder and within 90 minutes I had 14 pounds. When you catch them quick like that it allows you to settle down and that was important knowing how tough practice was."

62nd: Browne Bummin'

> Day 1: 5, 14-10

If not for a couple miscues today, Glenn Browne said he would be among the pack tightly bunched in the 17- to 18-pound range. Instead, he finds himself in a bit of a hole after catching 14-10.

"I'm pretty surprised at the weights," he said. "I knew it was going to be good. I just didn't think it was going to be Lake Champlain good.

"I should've been up there, but I dropped a 4 1/2-pounder and another around 3 1/2. I'm really kicking myself now. I just need to go do my thing and put my head down. For some reason, I like to dig myself a hole on day 1 and have to try to be a hero the rest of the way."

He said he started in an area of the Elk River around Andy Morgan, but found himself moving around more than he needed to.

"I maybe made 10 casts all day," he said in revealing he's focused on flipping shallow and flooded cover. "Hopefully, they won't pull too much water out, but I think we should be good for one more day."

He landed 20 keepers and lost three or four others, including the two that stung the most.

"Those were the kinds of fish you don't want to lose," he added.

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 147 anglers, 131 limits, 6 fours, 5 threes, 4 twos, 1 one.

Weather Forecast

> Fri., June 7 – Mostly Sunny - 77°/56°
- Wind: From the N at 5 to 10 mph

> Sat., June 8 – Sunny - 81°/63°
- Wind: From the SSE at 5 to 10 mph

> Sun., June 9 – Chance of Rain - 88°/75°
- Wind: From the SSW at 10 to 15 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, Ok -- 21-12 (5)

2. Jimmy Houston -- Cookson, Ok -- 21-07 (5)

3. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 20-12 (5)

4. Randy Blaukat -- Joplin, Mo -- 20-03 (5)

5. Matthew Stefan -- Park Ridge, Il -- 19-14 (5)

6. Adrian Avena -- Vineland, NJ -- 19-11 (5)

6. Ryan Chandler -- Valparaiso, In -- 19-11 (5)

8. Robbie Dodson -- Harrison, Ar -- 19-09 (5)

9. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, Tx -- 19-08 (5)

10. Ishama Monroe -- Hughson, Ca -- 19-04 (5)

10. Troy Morrow -- Eastanollee, Ga -- 19-04 (5)

12. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 18-13 (5)

13. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, Al -- 18-11 (5)

14. Jay Yelas -- Corvallis, Or -- 18-10 (5)

15. Barry Wilson -- Birmingham, Al -- 18-07 (5)

16. JT Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 18-05 (5)

17. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, Ar -- 17-15 (5)

17. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 17-15 (5)

19. Luke Clausen -- Spokane, Wa -- 17-14 (5)

20. Stacey King -- Reeds Spring, Mo -- 17-12 (5)

21. Todd Hollowell -- Fishers, In -- 17-09 (5)

22. Ray Scheide -- Dover, Ar -- 17-07 (5)

23. Ramie Colson Jr. -- Cadiz, Ky -- 17-06 (5)

24. Rex Huff -- Corbin, Ky -- 17-05 (5)

24. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 17-05 (5)

26. Travis Fox -- Rogers, Ar -- 17-01 (5)

27. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, NC -- 17-00 (5)

28. Kyle White -- Tightwad, Mo -- 16-14 (5)

29. Bill Day -- Frankfort, Ky -- 16-13 (5)

29. Lendell Martin Jr. -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 16-13 (5)

31. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Al -- 16-09 (5)

32. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 16-07 (5)

33. Greg Bohannan -- Rogers, Ar -- 16-06 (5)

33. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 16-06 (5)

35. Pete Thliveros -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 16-03 (5)

36. Alex Davis -- Albertville, Al -- 16-02 (5)

36. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 16-02 (5)

38. Terry Bolton -- Paducah, Ky -- 16-01 (5)

38. Gerald Brown -- Chickasha, Ok -- 16-01 (5)

40. James Biggs -- Richland Hills, Tx -- 16-00 (5)

41. Randall Tharp -- Gardendale, Al -- 15-14 (5)

41. Michael Williamson -- Fort Smith, Ar -- 15-14 (5)

43. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 15-11 (5)

44. Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, Tn -- 15-10 (5)

45. Ken Golub -- Pittsford, NY -- 15-09 (5)

46. Michael Neal -- Dayton, Tn -- 15-07 (5)

47. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 15-05 (5)

48. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, Az -- 15-04 (5)

48. Jason Meninger -- Gainesville, Ga -- 15-04 (5)

50. Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Al -- 15-03 (5)

50. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, Pa -- 15-03 (5)

52. Ray Meredith -- Smiths Grove, Ky -- 15-02 (5)

53. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 15-01 (5)

54. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 15-00 (5)

54. Tim Malone -- Gatlinburg, Tn -- 15-00 (5)

54. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 15-00 (5)

57. Dale Hightower -- Mannford, Ok -- 14-14 (5)

57. Joe Don Setina -- Pittsburg, Tx -- 14-14 (5)

59. Scott Wiley -- Bay Minette, Al -- 14-13 (5)

60. Ron Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 14-12 (5)

60. Andrew Upshaw -- Hemphill, Tx -- 14-12 (5)

62. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 14-10 (5)

63. Jim Dillard -- West Monroe, La -- 14-09 (5)

63. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 14-09 (5)

65. Tim Gaskill -- Edwardsville, Il -- 14-08 (5)

65. Cody Meyer -- Auburn, Ca -- 14-08 (5)

65. Colby Schrumpf -- Highland, Il -- 14-08 (5)

68. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, Ok -- 14-07 (5)

69. Drew Benton -- Panama City, Fl -- 14-05 (5)

69. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 14-05 (5)

71. Christopher Brasher -- Hallsville, Tx -- 14-04 (5)

72. Charlie Ingram -- Santa Fe, Tn -- 14-03 (5)

72. Tommy Martin -- Hemphill, Tx -- 14-03 (5)

72. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, Ok -- 14-03 (5)

72. Derek Yasinski -- Senoia, Ga -- 14-03 (5)

76. Alton Wilhoit -- Harrah, Ok -- 14-00 (5)

77. Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 13-12 (5)

78. Jacob Wheeler -- Indianapolis, In -- 13-10 (5)

79. Dion Hibdon -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 13-08 (5)

80. Chad Morgenthaler -- Coulterville, Il -- 13-07 (5)

81. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 13-03 (5)

81. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 13-03 (5)

83. Kevin Stewart -- Elk Grove, Ca -- 13-01 (5)

84. Shawn Murphy -- Nicholasville, Ky -- 12-15 (5)

85. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, In -- 12-14 (5)

86. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 12-12 (5)

86. Brent Long -- Iron Station, NC -- 12-12 (5)

86. Spencer Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 12-12 (5)

89. Brandon Mcmillan -- Clewiston, Fl -- 12-09 (5)

90. Payden Hibdon -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 12-08 (5)

91. Rich Dalbey -- Greenville, Tx -- 12-07 (5)

91. Mark Rose -- West Memphis, Ar -- 12-07 (5)

93. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 12-06 (5)

93. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 12-06 (5)

95. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, On -- 12-04 (5)

95. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 12-04 (5)

97. James Watson -- Waynesville, Mo -- 12-03 (5)

98. Tommy Robinson -- Westland, Mi -- 12-02 (5)

99. Charlie Weyer -- West Hills, Ca -- 11-14 (5)

99. Gary Yamamoto -- Palestine, Tx -- 11-14 (5)

101. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, NC -- 11-13 (5)

101. Wade Leblanc -- Gonzales, La -- 11-13 (5)

103. Casey Martin -- New Hope, Al -- 11-12 (5)

104. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 11-11 (5)

104. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 11-11 (5)

104. Rodney Thomason -- Maumelle, Ar -- 11-11 (4)

107. Charlie Evans -- Gilbertsville, Ky -- 11-09 (5)

108. Robert Collins -- Morrow, Oh -- 11-08 (5)

109. Stephen McKinnie -- Umatila, Fl -- 11-06 (5)

110. Wayne Hauser -- Mooresville, NC -- 11-03 (5)

110. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 11-03 (5)

112. Shinichi Fukae -- Palestine, Tx -- 11-02 (5)

113. Jason Reyes -- Huffman, Tx -- 11-00 (5)

114. Philip Jarabeck -- Lynchburg, Va -- 10-14 (5)

115. Lamonte Loyd -- Gilmer, Tx -- 10-12 (5)

116. Guido Hibdon -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 10-08 (5)

117. Blake Nick -- Adger, Al -- 10-07 (5)

117. Austin Terry -- San Angelo, Tx -- 10-07 (5)

119. Travis Loyd -- Kinmundy, Il -- 10-02 (5)

120. Richard Lowitzki -- St Charles, Il -- 10-00 (5)

121. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, Al -- 9-15 (5)

122. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 9-13 (5)

122. Jerry Gore -- St Cloud, Fl -- 9-13 (5)

124. Rick Cotten -- Guntersville, Al -- 9-08 (5)

125. Sammy Burks -- Joplin, Mo -- 9-04 (5)

126. Randy Haynes -- Counce, Tn -- 9-03 (5)

127. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 8-14 (5)

128. Darrell Davis -- Dover, Fl -- 8-13 (4)

129. Kenneth (Boo) Woods -- Hazard, Ky -- 8-09 (5)

130. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 8-06 (5)

131. Tony Dumitras -- Wnston, Ga -- 8-04 (5)

132. John Devere -- Berea, Ky -- 7-15 (4)

133. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 7-14 (5)

134. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, SC -- 7-06 (5)

135. Douglas Jones -- Fort Gibson, Ok -- 6-13 (4)

136. Zach Caudle -- Shreveport, La -- 6-11 (3)

137. Matt Pennington -- Springdale, Ar -- 6-09 (4)

138. Shane Long -- Willard, Mo -- 5-14 (3)

139. Terry Segraves -- Kissimmee, Fl -- 5-13 (3)

139. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 5-13 (4)

141. Bill McDonald -- Greenwood, In -- 5-11 (3)

142. Robert Morin -- Seymour, Tn -- 5-08 (3)

143. Wade Hendricks -- Thompsons Station, Tn -- 5-05 (2)

144. Chris Neau -- New Orleans, La -- 5-01 (2)

145. Harry Moore -- Valley, Al -- 4-02 (2)

146. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, Al -- 3-09 (2)

147. Shirley Crain -- Fort Smith, Ar -- 1-09 (1)