Hallman Shines In Return To Tour Level

BassFan Staff

Bradley Hallman's first tour-level event in 5 years got off to a rousing start as the Oklahoman amassed a 25-pound stringer to take the early lead at the Lake Okeechobee FLW Tour in Florida.

"I'm excited to be back," said Hallman, who competed on the Bassmaster Elite Series for 6 seasons (2006-11). "I've got a good outlook on it this time and I'm just having fun."

A bag that contains two fish pushing 7 pounds and another over 6 makes for an enjoyable day, indeed. He has a 2 1/2-pound edge over local stud Brandon McMillan, who declined an opportunity to fish the Elite Series this year partially because he wanted to compete in this event.

McMillan, who weighed 22-08, was followed by 4th-year pro and Lake Guntersville guide Alex Davis, who boxed 21-00. Joshua Weaver, a 21-year-old rookie from Georgia, was 4th with 20-12.

Indiana's Ryan Chandler, who's back on the circuit after sitting out the 2015 campaign, rounded out the Top 5 with 20-06.

Here's a look at the initial Top 10, with deficit margins from the leader indicated by red numbers in parentheses:

1. Bradley Hallman 25-00
2. Brandon McMillan: 22-08 (2-08)
3. Alex Davis: 21-00 (4-00)
4. Joshua Weaver: 20-12 (4-04)
5. Ryan Chandler: 20-06 (4-10)
6. Shinichi Fukae: 20-03 (4-13)
7. Darrel Robertson: 18-11 (6-05)
8. Jim Tutt: 18-07 (6-09)
9. John Devere: 18-06 (6-10)
10. Cody Kelley: 17-00 (8-00)

Conditions on day 1 were relatively benign, as a moderate southerly wind allowed competitors to travel to the fertile southern end of the lake and back without issue. The scenario will shift dramatically on Friday, as a north wind that could exceed 20 mph is expected. Such a wind (which will be accompanied by a double-digit drop in air temperature) may ravage the lower portion and put a number of contenders into scramble mode.

Scott Martin, the reigning Angler of the Year who's fishing the lake he grew up on, weighed just 12 pounds and sat in 49th place. That's far higher that some of the Tour's other big names, as Andy Morgan was 83rd (10-01), Cody Meyer 84th (10-00) and Bryan Thrift 131st (7-11).

Jason Lambert, who won the Costa Series event at Okeechobee 3 weeks ago, managed just four fish for 6-14 and was mired in 144th.

All 169 competitors will be back on the water for day 2. The field will be cut to the Top 20 following the weigh-in, and then to the Top 10 for Sunday's final round. The winner will be determined on day 4 based on highest cumulative weight.

Hallman Might Not Go Back

> Day 1: 5, 25-00

Hallman found the big fish he exploited late on the final practice day.

"The biggest one I caught that day was 3 pounds, and it was so late that I didn't want to look at any more of them," he said. "I saw some swirl on the bait that I knew were decent, but nothing like what I caught today.

"It's just typical Florida fishing – when you get that many bites, you just hope there's a couple good ones mixed in."

He caught more than 20 keepers and said his action was steady throughout the day. His biggest bites occurred at approximately 10 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

He caught quality fish both flipping and throwing a moving bait.

"I lost one that might've helped me by about a pound, but that was it," he said.

If the day-2 weather is as rough as predicted, he might forego the run to the south end.

"I've got a place up north where I found some fish in practice and I'm seriously contemplating just going there. This lake is shallow and it gets really rough in the wind – it's hard on the equipment, hard on me and hard on the fish.

"It concerns me because it's Okeechobee and I've watched guys lead the first day here and then just totally disappear. I've been doing this long enough to know that things can go downhill or uphill very quickly."

2nd: McMillan Hit Old Haunt

> Day 1: 5, 22-08

McMillan's bag was topped by a 6 1/4-pounder.

"It came from a place that I hadn't been to for a minimum of 5 years," he said.

Another specimen in the 6-pound class was among the 20 keepers he boated on the day. He didn't lose any that would've aided his cause.

"I wouldn't say my practice was horrible, but it was nothing great," he said. "Today I caught most of them casting, but I did catch one good one flipping."

The weather will likely nullify his primary area on day 2 and he'll be forced to adapt. That should be easier for him, as a local, than for the other top contenders.

"I honestly don't have any idea what I'm going to do. I'll have to look at the weather and just go from there."

3rd: Davis Went Boom-Boom

> Day 1: 5, 21-00

Davis caught fish that weighed 6-15 and 6-10 within 5 minutes of each other this afternoon. He had a muddy-water locale all to himself and a clearer-water place that he shared with about 10 other boats.

"I'm catching some casting," he said. "They're on beds, but I can't see them from over the top. The reason I know that is wherever I caught a big one, I'd see a white spot right where it came from."

He handled approximately 25 keepers. He has no idea what to expect when the wind changes directions on day 2.

"My thought is that I don't know enough about this place to even worry about it," he said. "If this was Guntersville I'd have some backup plans, but that kind of stuff is local knowledge.

"I'm just going to stick with what's gotten me this far and hope it keeps working."

4th: Great Debut for Weaver

> Day 1: 5, 20-12

Weaver called his first day as a tour pro "pretty exciting."

"I was kind of nervous this morning, but everything worked out this afternoon," he said. "I ran down south after lunch and it just started happening."

He caught a bunch of keepers – he estimated that he must've boated 40 to 50. One weighed 5-14 and the rest were all in the 3 1/2- to 4-pound range.

He lost one good one when he picked up a rod he'd re-spooled, but had neglected to tighten down the drag.

The 21-year-old manager of an expansive Georgia hunting property fished two seasons on the Tour as a co-angler and led this event after day 2 in 2014.

"It'd be incredible to make the cut in my first tournament. I'm hoping to catch 14 or 15 pounds tomorrow and that should get me in. I'm obviously not going to let up if I catch that, but I'd be happy with it."

144th: Mud Hampered Lambert

> Day 1: 4, 6-14

Lambert said his practice wasn't as good as the one he put together for the Costa derby, but was still decent.

"I thought I could catch 12 pounds, and maybe event 16 if I got lucky and caught a big one," he said. "But with the wind out of the south yesterday and today, my best areas got trashed. I didn't really do anything wrong, it just didn't work out.

"If I can go out and catch a good bag tomorrow I can still make the money."

He fished hydrilla and got only five bites, losing one.

"A north wind will be better for me for sure, but I just don't know if my water will clear up or not."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 169 anglers, 139 limits, 15 fours, 3 threes, 5 twos, 6 ones, 1 zero.

Weather Forecast

> Fri., Feb. 5 – Partly Cloudy – 63°/54°
- Wind: From the N at 17 mph

> Sat., Feb. 6 – P.M. Showers – 68°/48°
- Wind: From the N at 8 mph

> Sun., Feb. 7 – Sunny – 61°/42°
- Wind: From the NW at 18 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Bradley Hallman -- Norman, Ok -- 25 - 0 (5)

2. Brandon McMillan -- Clewiston, Fl -- 22 - 8 (5)

3. Alex Davis -- Albertville, Al -- 21 - 0 (5)

4. Joshua Weaver -- Macon, Ga -- 20 - 12 (5)

5. Ryan Chandler -- Hebron, In -- 20 - 6 (5)

6. Shinichi Fukae -- Palestine, Tx -- 20 - 3 (5)

7. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 18 - 11 (5)

8. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 18 - 7 (5)

9. John Devere -- Berea, Ky -- 18 - 6 (5)

10. Cody Kelley -- Conway, Ar -- 17 - 0 (5)

11. Jeff Sprague -- Point, Tx -- 16 - 1 (5)

12. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 15 - 15 (5)

13. Jim Dillard -- West Monroe, La -- 15 - 13 (5)

14. Marc Evans -- Angola, In -- 15 - 12 (5)

14. Jimmy Reese -- Witter Springs, Ca -- 15 - 12 (5)

16. Tommy Dickerson -- Orange, Tx -- 15 - 8 (5)

17. Matthew Stefan -- Junction City, Wi -- 15 - 7 (5)

18. Joe Holland -- Jefferson, Me -- 15 - 2 (5)

19. Curtis Richardson -- Belleville, On -- 15 - 0 (5)

19. Troy Broussard -- Beaumont, Tx -- 15 - 0 (5)

21. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, On -- 14 - 9 (5)

22. Pete Ponds -- Madison, Ms -- 14 - 4 (5)

23. Jimmy Houston -- Cookson, Ok -- 14 - 1 (5)

23. Mark Rose -- West Memphis, Ar -- 14 - 1 (5)

25. Michael Neal -- Dayton, Tn -- 14 - 0 (5)

26. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, Md -- 13 - 15 (5)

27. Troy Gibson -- Mountain Home, Ar -- 13 - 12 (5)

27. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, On -- 13 - 12 (5)

29. Greg Bohannan -- Bentonville, Ar -- 13 - 9 (5)

29. Clark Reehm -- Huntington, Tx -- 13 - 9 (5)

29. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 13 - 9 (5)

29. JT Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 13 - 9 (5)

33. Rex Huff -- Corbin, Ky -- 13 - 7 (5)

34. Andrew Young -- Mound, Mn -- 13 - 4 (5)

35. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 13 - 3 (5)

36. Todd Hollowell -- Fishers, In -- 13 - 2 (5)

37. Tony Davis -- Williston, Fl -- 13 - 1 (5)

38. Michael Wooley -- Collierville, Tn -- 12 - 15 (5)

39. Tim Malone -- Gatlinburg, Tn -- 12 - 14 (5)

40. Braxton Setzer -- Auburn, Al -- 12 - 13 (5)

40. Jacob Wheeler -- Indianapolis, In -- 12 - 13 (5)

42. John Cox -- Debary, Fl -- 12 - 10 (5)

42. Kenneth (Boo) Woods -- London, Ky -- 12 - 10 (5)

44. William (Billy) Shelton III -- La Crosse, Va -- 12 - 9 (5)

45. Luke Dunkin -- Lawrenceburg, Tn -- 12 - 5 (5)

46. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 12 - 3 (5)

46. Kyle Monti -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 12 - 3 (5)

46. Zack Birge -- Blanchard, Ok -- 12 - 3 (5)

49. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, Tx -- 12 - 0 (5)

49. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 12 - 0 (5)

51. James Watson -- Nixa, Mo -- 11 - 14 (5)

52. Brad Knight -- Lancing, Tn -- 11 - 12 (5)

53. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 11 - 10 (5)

54. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, Ok -- 11 - 9 (5)

54. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, Ar -- 11 - 9 (5)

56. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, NC -- 11 - 8 (4)

57. Kurt Mitchell -- Milford, De -- 11 - 7 (5)

58. Terry Bolton -- Paducah, Ky -- 11 - 4 (5)

58. Charlie Weyer -- West Hills, Ca -- 11 - 4 (5)

58. Sven Hilland -- Sanford, Fl -- 11 - 4 (5)

61. Chris McCall -- Brookeland, Tx -- 11 - 3 (5)

62. Austin Terry -- San Angelo, Tx -- 11 - 2 (5)

63. Jason Abram -- Piney Flats, Tn -- 11 - 1 (5)

63. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 11 - 1 (5)

63. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 11 - 1 (5)

66. Jerry Lawler -- Athens, Al -- 10 - 15 (5)

66. Troy Morrow -- Eastanollee, Ga -- 10 - 15 (5)

68. Jayme Rampey -- Liberty, SC -- 10 - 14 (5)

68. Harry Moore -- Valley, Al -- 10 - 14 (5)

70. Stephen Patek -- Dallas, Tx -- 10 - 13 (5)

71. Shirley Crain -- Fort Smith, Ar -- 10 - 12 (5)

72. Scott Wiley -- Bay Minette, Al -- 10 - 11 (5)

73. Chris Whitson -- Louisville, Tn -- 10 - 8 (5)

73. Shawn Gordon -- Russellville, Ar -- 10 - 8 (5)

73. Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 10 - 8 (5)

76. George Kapiton -- Inverness, Fl -- 10 - 5 (5)

76. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 10 - 5 (5)

76. Richie Eaves -- Nauvoo, Il -- 10 - 5 (5)

79. Peter Thliveros -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 10 - 4 (5)

80. Mike Kernan -- Wylie, Tx -- 10 - 3 (5)

80. Kyle Mabrey -- Mccalla, Al -- 10 - 3 (4)

82. Powell Kemp -- Scotland Neck, NC -- 10 - 1 (5)

82. Nick Prvonozac -- Warren, Oh -- 10 - 1 (5)

84. Cody Meyer -- Auburn, Ca -- 10 - 0 (5)

85. Brandon Hunter -- Benton, Ky -- 9 - 15 (4)

86. Jamie Horton -- Centerville, Al -- 9 - 13 (5)

87. Tracy Adams -- Wilkesboro, NC -- 9 - 12 (5)

88. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, Mn -- 9 - 11 (5)

88. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 9 - 11 (5)

90. Blake Smith -- Lakeland, Fl -- 9 - 9 (5)

90. Michael Hall -- Annandale, Va -- 9 - 9 (5)

90. Jason Johnson -- Gainesville, Ga -- 9 - 9 (5)

93. Craig Livesay -- Johnson City, Tn -- 9 - 8 (5)

94. Blake Nick -- Adger, Al -- 9 - 7 (5)

94. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 9 - 7 (4)

94. Shawn Murphy -- Nicholasville, Ky -- 9 - 7 (5)

97. Randy Blaukat -- Joplin, Mo -- 9 - 6 (5)

97. Shane Melton -- Kokomo, In -- 9 - 6 (5)

99. Kevin Johnson -- Surprise, Az -- 9 - 1 (5)

99. Christopher Brasher -- Longview, Tx -- 9 - 1 (4)

99. Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Al -- 9 - 1 (5)

102. Randy Haynes -- Counce, Tn -- 9 - 0 (5)

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

103. Darrell Davis -- Dover, Fl -- 8 - 14 (5)

105. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 8 - 13 (5)

106. Clayton Batts -- Macon, Ga -- 8 - 12 (5)

107. Jimmy Brewer -- Marshall, Tx -- 8 - 11 (5)

107. Kurt Dove -- Del Rio, Tx -- 8 - 11 (5)

109. Jay Kendrick -- Grant, Al -- 8 - 10 (5)

109. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 8 - 10 (5)

111. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 8 - 9 (5)

111. Scott Suggs -- Alexander, Ar -- 8 - 9 (5)

113. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, SC -- 8 - 8 (5)

113. Timmy Thompkins -- Myrtle Beach, SC -- 8 - 8 (5)

115. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 8 - 7 (5)

115. Charlie Evans -- Berea, Ky -- 8 - 7 (5)

117. Mark Daniels Jr -- Tuskegee, Al -- 8 - 6 (5)

118. Dan Morehead -- Paducah, Ky -- 8 - 4 (5)

119. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 8 - 3 (5)

120. Matt Wittekiend -- Angleton, Tx -- 8 - 2 (5)

121. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 8 - 1 (4)

122. Gary Yamamoto -- Palestine, Tx -- 8 - 0 (5)

122. Keith Amerson -- Selmer, Tn -- 8 - 0 (5)

122. Charlie Ingram -- Centerville, Tn -- 8 - 0 (5)

122. David Smith -- Del City, Ok -- 8 - 0 (5)

126. Jason Reyes -- Huffman, Tx -- 7 - 15 (5)

127. Terry Segraves -- Kissimmee, Fl -- 7 - 14 (5)

128. Jay Yelas -- Corvallis, Or -- 7 - 12 (5)

129. Shane Lehew -- Mooresville, NC -- 7 - 11 (5)

129. Jim Jones -- Big Bend, Wi -- 7 - 11 (5)

129. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, NC -- 7 - 11 (4)

132. Brian Latimer -- Belton, SC -- 7 - 10 (5)

132. Richard Lowitzki -- Hampshire, Il -- 7 - 10 (4)

132. Drew Montgomery -- Maiden, NC -- 7 - 10 (5)

135. Chris Neau -- New Orleans, La -- 7 - 9 (5)

136. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 7 - 8 (5)

137. Larry Schroeder -- Clayton, Oh -- 7 - 4 (4)

138. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 7 - 3 (4)

139. Matt Greenblatt -- Port St Lucie, Fl -- 7 - 2 (5)

140. Tim McDonald -- Prestonsburg, Ky -- 7 - 1 (5)

141. Eric Jackson -- Walling, Tn -- 7 - 0 (4)

141. Gerald Spohrer -- Gonzales, La -- 7 - 0 (5)

143. Travis Fox -- Rogers, Ar -- 6 - 15 (4)

144. Jason Lambert -- Pickwick Dam, Tn -- 6 - 14 (4)

144. Kerry Milner -- Bono, Ar -- 6 - 14 (4)

147. James Stricklin Jr -- Fort Smith, Ar -- 6 - 13 (5)

147. Colby Schrumpf -- Highland, Il -- 6 - 11 (5)

148. Bill Day -- Frankfort, Ky -- 6 - 9 (5)

149. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 6 - 7 (5)

149. Andrew Upshaw -- Sapulpa, Ok -- 6 - 7 (5)

151. Jason Meninger -- Gainesville, Ga -- 6 - 1 (5)

152. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, SC -- 5 - 13 (5)

153. Barry Wilson -- Birmingham, Al -- 5 - 2 (3)

154. Jordan Osborne -- Longview, Tx -- 4 - 15 (4)

155. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 4 - 4 (2)

156. Rodney Thomason -- Maumelle, Ar -- 4 - 1 (3)

157. Tony Dumitras -- Winston, Ga -- 4 - 0 (3)

158. Bill McDonald -- Greenwood, In -- 3 - 11 (2)

159. Robbie Dodson -- Harrison, Ar -- 3 - 10 (2)

159. Bob Morin -- Seymour, Tn -- 3 - 10 (5)

161. Chase Brooks -- Iraan, Tx -- 3 - 3 (1)

162. Buddy Gross -- Ringgold, Ga -- 2 - 12 (2)

163. Gene Eisenmann -- Frisco, Tx -- 2 - 10 (2)

164. Tim Frederick -- Leesburg, Fl -- 2 - 7 (1)

165. Bill Terrell -- Memphis, Tn -- 1 - 15 (1)

166. Dalton Cooksey -- New Concord, Ky -- 1 - 10 (1)

167. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 1 - 6 (1)

168. Mike Boyles -- Kimberling City, Mo -- 1 - 5 (1)

Daryl Biron -- South Windsor, Ct -- 0 - 0 (0)