Grigsby Leads As 32 Sack 20 Pounds Or More

By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

Chad Grigsby caught a massive stringer of smallmouth bass on day 1 of the Lake St. Clair FLW Tour. If one of his fish hadn't died on him, his official weight for the day would've been even greater.

Grigsby's 25-13 haul topped the field on the opening day of a bronzeback slugfest on one of the world's greatest smallmouth fisheries. Without the 4-ounce dead-fish penalty, he'd have exceeded 26 pounds on a day when 31 other anglers caught at least 20.

"You can never expect to have 26 pounds," the veteran from Minnesota said. "My goal was 23 – I was catching enough 4 1/2- and 5-pounders in practice to think I could probably do that."

He has a 1-13 advantage over 68-year-old Darrel Robertson, who boxed 23-10. Ryan Chandler, seeking his first top-10 finish in 5 years on the circuit, was 3rd with 23-10.

Scott Dobson, a longtime St. Clair ace and heave pre-tournament favorite, was 4th with 23-07. Dylan Hays, a second-year pro from Arkansas, completed the top 5 with 23-06.

Here's a look at the initial top 10 (deficit margins for the leader are indicated by red numbers in parentheses):

1. Chad Grigsby: 25-13
2. Darrel Robertson: 24-00 (1-13)
3. Ryan Chandler: 23-10 (2-03)
4. Scott Dobson: 23-07 (2-06)
5. Dylan Hays: 23-06 (2-07)
6. Bryan Thrift: 23-02 (2-11)
7. Chris Johnston: 23-01 (2-12)
8. Joey Cifuentes: 22-11 (3-02)
9. Justin Atkins: 22-06 (3-07)
10. Russell Cecil: 22-02 (3-11)

Mark Rose, the Angler of the Year points leader, was in a tie for 60th place with 18-08. He can wrap up the title on day 2 if he remains among the top 64.

His weight was originally posted as 17-04, but he recognized that an FLW official had mistakenly entered a zero for number of live fish into the computer at the tanks (in actuality, all five were alive). The error caused his bag to register 20 ounces lighter than it should have on the scale.

"It was an honest mistake and the good thing is they made it right," Rose said. "Still, that (corrected) weight is not where I wanted to be – I just didn't catch them like I should have. I'll go out tomorrow and make some adjustments and try to right the ship."

The numbers throughout the field bordered on the ridiculous, as 16-pound bags extended down to 121st place. The red-hot action should continue on day 2 before perhaps slacking off on the weekend when a plethora of recreational boats will take to the water.

Friday's WeatherChannel.com forecast predicts a mostly sunny sky with a high temperature of 88 degrees and wind out of the south reaching 12 mph.

The field will be reduced to the top 30 following the day-2 weigh-in. Only the top 10 will advance to Sunday, when the winner will be determined based on cumulative weight.

Grigsby Sacks a 6

> Day 1: 5, 25-13

Grigsby's stellar bag was topped by a 6-03 specimen that took big-fish honors for the day. It also included three in the 5-pound class and a 4 3/4.

"I caught most of them from like 10 o'clock to 1," he said. "I got a couple decent ones kind of early, but I ended up getting rid of them.

"The wind was blowing early and they were biting real good, but no real big ones. Then it slicked off and I made a little adjustment and switched baits and it was lights out."

He didn't have much company on his primary spot.

"That's the beauty of it. There were a couple boats in the morning and came and lift, but from noon on (he and his co-angler) had the whole mile-long stretch to ourselves. You don't ever see that out here."

He went through about two dozen keepers. He wouldn't reveal specific pattern information, but said he's fishing in a manner that's different from the majority of the field.

"I have confidence in the area, but I may have to go back out tomorrow and figure out how to get them to bite. The fishing here is better than I've ever seen it and I've been fishing this lake for 25 years. The area where I'm at, the fish are thick and healthy and there's bait everywhere. All the bait is a big key."

2nd: Robertson Went Back and Forth

> Day 1: 5, 24-00

Robertson spent the majority of the day on a single 300-yard stretch.

"I knew a guy could catch a pretty good bag there – I'd caught a couple of 5-pounders in practice," he said. "There's tons of fish there and I just kept going back and forth. It's way offshore and if a guy didn't have waypoints he might be in trouble."

He said the area consists of some patches of grass on a bottom of white sand. It gave him three fish in the 5-pound class and two others that were over 4.

He didn't lose anything other than a 4-foot muskie that ate a perch he was reeling in.

"There's some other people around there, but it's a big area. I think I can catch them again tomorrow."

3rd: Chandler Met Expectations

> Dah 1: 5, 23-10

Chandler, an Indiana resident with a lot of experience on the lake, expected to have a good day 1.

"Anything under 20 pounds and I would've been really disappointed," he said. "I had 21 pounds by 9 o'clock and I probably culled four 19-pound limits. I must've caught at least 40 keepers."

His two best fish were 5 3/4-pounders. He employed two baits – one on a dropshot rig and the other of the moving variety.

He didn't see many fellow competitors.

"There's some boats off in the distance and dock talks says some good sacks were caught in the same general area I'm in, but I didn't have any pressure. It's a big area with a lot of fish and it's got a sweet spot where the biggest ones are.

"It's a place I found at noon on the last day of practice. I'd never fished there before."

4th: Dobson Struck Late

> Day 1: 5, 23-07

Dobson's day didn't start out all that well, but he caught fire in the latter portion.

"It was a slow morning and I just had to get into the right rhythm," he said. "I only had four for 12 pounds at noon and then I had a little flurry of greatness. I didn't really lean on the fish all that hard – in a 4-day tournament you have to keep from burning them all up."

His bag contained a 5 1/2-pounder and he lost one that might've been a big bigger than that. He threw a wide variety of baits that included a topwater, a jerkbait, a tube, a Ned rig, a swimbait and a fluke.

"I just used whatever the conditions called for. When the sun came out everything just kind of lit up.

"If I make the top 30, I think I've got enough fish to get me through the weekend."

163rd: Disappointment for McDonald

> Day 1: 4, 12-03

Bill McDonald anticipated catching a lot more weight than he ended up with.

"I had an awesome practice, but I only got the four bites today," he said. "The fish are just so scattered – they're moving, without a doubt – but everything today just seemed random.

"The fish were there, no doubt, but right now they're in that goofy transition period and it seems like you basically need to hit them in the head. I couldn't get them to chase anything and my (co-angler) threw a crankbait for half the day and he only caught one."

He'll return to the same location on day 2.

"I caught 20 pounds-plus there every day in practice. I know they live there."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 180 anglers, 166 limits, 6 fours, 4 threes, 1 two, 1 one, 2 zeroes.

Weather Forecast

> Fri., June 29 – Mostly Sunny - 88°/73°
- Wind: From the S at 12 mph

> Sat., June 30 – Sunny - 94°/73°
- Wind: From the SSW at 11 mph

> Sun., July 1 – Partly Cloudy - 91°/73°
- Wind: From the S at 13 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 25-13 (5)

2. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 24-0 (5)

3. Ryan Chandler -- Hebron, In -- 23-10 (5)

4. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 23-7 (5)

5. Dylan Hays -- Sheridan, Ar -- 23-6 (5)

6. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, NC -- 23-2 (5)

7. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 23-1 (5)

8. Joey Cifuentes -- Clinton, Ar -- 22-11 (5)

9. Justin Atkins -- Florence, Al -- 22-6 (5)

10. Russell Cecil -- Willis, Tx -- 22-2 (5)

11. Brad Knight -- Lancing, Tn -- 22-1 (5)

12. Jeremy Lawyer -- Sarcoxie, Mo -- 22-0 (5)

13. Troy Morrow -- Eastanollee, Ga -- 21-14 (5)

13. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, Al -- 21-14 (5)

15. JT Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 21-12 (5)

16. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, Fl -- 21-8 (5)

17. Carl Jocumsen -- Frisco, Tx -- 21-7 (5)

18. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, Al -- 21-6 (5)

19. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, SC -- 21-5 (5)

20. Clark Reehm -- Elm Grove, La -- 21-3 (5)

21. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 21-1 (5)

22. Cody Meyer -- Auburn, Ca -- 21-0 (5)

23. Freddy Hurley -- Somerset, Ky -- 20-14 (5)

24. Cody Hahner -- Wausau, Wi -- 20-13 (5)

25. Todd Castledine -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 20-12 (5)

26. Matt Becker -- Finleyville, Pa -- 20-8 (5)

27. David Williams -- Maiden, NC -- 20-5 (5)

28. Buddy Gross -- Chickamauga, Ga -- 20-4 (5)

29. Cory Johnston -- Benton, Ky -- 20-3 (5)

30. Brandon Mosley -- Choctaw, Ok -- 20-1 (5)

30. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 20-1 (5)

32. Clayton Batts -- Macon, Ga -- 20-0 (5)

33. Allen Boyd -- Salem, In -- 19-15 (5)

34. Dennis Tietje -- Roanoke, La -- 19-14 (5)

35. Jeff Dobson -- Bartlesville, Ok -- 19-13 (5)

35. Shane Lehew -- Catawba, NC -- 19-13 (5)

37. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 19-11 (5)

38. Matt Greenblatt -- Port St Lucie, Fl -- 19-10 (5)

39. Kyle Weisenburger -- Ottawa, Oh -- 19-9 (5)

39. Tyler Stewart -- West Monroe, La -- 19-9 (5)

41. John Cox -- Debary, Fl -- 19-8 (5)

41. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 19-8 (5)

41. Greg Bohannan -- Bentonville, Ar -- 19-8 (5)

44. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, Fl -- 19-7 (5)

45. Bradley Dortch -- Atmore, Al -- 19-3 (5)

45. Jeff Sprague -- Point, Tx -- 19-3 (5)

47. Braxton Setzer -- Montgomery, Al -- 19-2 (5)

47. Scott Suggs -- Alexander, Ar -- 19-2 (5)

49. Kurt Mitchell -- Milford, De -- 19-0 (5)

50. Randy Haynes -- Ripley, Ms -- 18-15 (5)

50. Chris Neau -- New Orleans, La -- 18-15 (5)

52. Clint Brown -- Bainbridge, Ga -- 18-13 (5)

52. Matthew Stefan -- Junction City, Wi -- 18-13 (5)

54. Bob Morin -- Seymour, Tn -- 18-12 (5)

54. Jason Reyes -- Huffman, Tx -- 18-12 (5)

54. David Wootton -- Collierville, Tn -- 18-12 (5)

54. Michael Neal -- Dayton, Tn -- 18-12 (5)

58. Jimmy Brewer -- Marshall, Tx -- 18-11 (5)

59. Grae Buck -- Harleysville, Pa -- 18-9 (5)

60. Mark Rose -- West Memphis, Ar -- 18-8 (5)

60. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 18-8 (5)

60. Taylor Ashley -- Warrior, Al -- 18-8 (5)

63. Greg Mansfield -- Olathe, Ks -- 18-7 (5)

63. Rob Jordan -- Flowery Branch, Ga -- 18-7 (5)

63. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, On -- 18-7 (5)

66. Barry Wilson -- Birmingham, Al -- 18-6 (5)

66. Johnny McCombs -- Morris, Al -- 18-6 (5)

66. Jim Jones -- Big Bend, Wi -- 18-6 (5)

69. Luke Dunkin -- Lawrenceburg, Tn -- 18-5 (5)

69. Kyle Cortiana -- Broken Arrow, Ok -- 18-5 (5)

69. Jared McMillan -- Belle Glade, Fl -- 18-5 (5)

69. John Devere -- Berea, Ky -- 18-5 (5)

73. Andy Wicker -- Pomaria, SC -- 18-4 (5)

74. James Niggemeyer -- Van, Tx -- 18-3 (5)

75. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, Tx -- 18-2 (5)

76. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 18-1 (5)

76. Derrick Blake -- Rockwood, Tn -- 18-1 (5)

76. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, Mn -- 18-1 (5)

79. Larry Nixon -- Quitman, Ar -- 18-0 (5)

80. Tim Frederick -- Leesburg, Fl -- 17-14 (5)

81. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 17-13 (5)

82. Josh Douglas -- Isle, Mn -- 17-12 (5)

82. Wes Logan -- Springville, Al -- 17-12 (5)

84. Chris McCall -- Palmer, Tx -- 17-11 (5)

85. Matt Wittekiend -- Angleton, Tx -- 17-10 (5)

86. Joshua Weaver -- Macon, Ga -- 17-8 (5)

86. Randy Blaukat -- Joplin, Mo -- 17-8 (5)

88. Jason Lambert -- Michie, Tn -- 17-5 (5)

89. Jason Abram -- Piney Flats, Tn -- 17-4 (5)

89. Brandon McMillan -- Clewiston, Fl -- 17-4 (5)

91. Wade Curtiss -- Lincoln, Ca -- 17-3 (5)

92. Cody Kelley -- Conway, Ar -- 17-2 (5)

93. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 17-1 (5)

94. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 17-0 (5)

95. Blake Smith -- Lakeland, Fl -- 16-15 (5)

95. Jimmy Reese -- Witter Springs, Ca -- 16-15 (5)

97. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 16-14 (5)

98. John Hunter -- Shelbyville, Ky -- 16-13 (5)

98. Mark Fisher -- Wauconda, Il -- 16-13 (5)

98. Robert Pearson -- Herndon, Va -- 16-13 (5)

101. Jay Kendrick -- Grant, Al -- 16-12 (5)

102. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, Ar -- 16-10 (5)

102. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 16-10 (5)

102. Cameron Gautney -- Muscle Shoals, Al -- 16-10 (5)

105. Brett Preuett -- Monroe, La -- 16-9 (5)

105. Joseph Webster -- Winfield, Al -- 16-9 (5)

105. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 16-9 (5)

105. Alex Davis -- Albertville, Al -- 16-9 (5)

109. Todd Hollowell -- Fishers, In -- 16-8 (5)

109. Jason Johnson -- Dawsonville, Ga -- 16-8 (5)

111. Shane Lineberger -- Lincolnton, NC -- 16-6 (5)

111. Billy Hines -- Vacaville, Ca -- 16-6 (5)

113. Andy Young -- Isle, Mn -- 16-5 (5)

113. Terry Bolton -- Paducah, Ky -- 16-5 (5)

115. Bradley Hallman -- Norman, Ok -- 16-4 (5)

116. Miles Howe -- San Juan Capistrano, Ca -- 16-3 (5)

116. Andrew Upshaw -- Tulsa, Ok -- 16-3 (5)

118. Eric Jackson -- Walling, Tn -- 16-2 (5)

119. David Larson -- Mound, Mn -- 16-1 (5)

119. Shawn Murphy -- Nicholasville, Ky -- 16-1 (5)

121. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 16-0 (5)

122. Michael Wooley -- Booneville, Ms -- 15-13 (5)

122. Kerry Milner -- Bono, Ar -- 15-13 (5)

122. Richard Lowitzki -- Hampshire, Il -- 15-13 (5)

125. Scott Wiley -- Bay Minette, Al -- 15-12 (5)

126. Evan Barnes -- Hot Springs , Ar -- 15-11 (5)

127. Sheldon Collings -- Grove, Ok -- 15-9 (5)

128. Jim Moulton -- Merced, Ca -- 15-8 (5)

128. Jimmy Houston -- Cookson, Ok -- 15-8 (5)

128. Craig Rozema -- Simpsonville, SC -- 15-8 (5)

131. Zack Birge -- Blanchard, Ok -- 15-7 (5)

132. Aaron Britt -- Yuba City, Ca -- 15-5 (5)

133. Tim Cales -- Sandstone, WV -- 15-4 (5)

134. Timmy Thompkins -- Myrtle Beach, SC -- 15-3 (5)

135. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, Mo -- 15-2 (5)

136. Jim Dillard -- West Monroe, La -- 15-1 (5)

136. Jamie Horton -- Centerville, Al -- 15-1 (5)

138. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, Ok -- 15-0 (5)

139. Rex Huff -- Corbin, Ky -- 14-14 (5)

140. Peter Thliveros -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 14-12 (5)

141. Christopher Brasher -- Longview, Tx -- 14-11 (5)

141. David Nichol -- Gainesville, Ga -- 14-11 (5)

141. Furman (Joe) Thompson -- Clayton, Ga -- 14-11 (5)

141. William Campbell -- Middlesboro, Ky -- 14-11 (5)

141. Darrell Davis -- Dover, Fl -- 14-11 (5)

146. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 14-9 (5)

147. Curtis Richardson -- Belleville, On -- 14-8 (5)

148. Jason Meninger -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 14-6 (5)

148. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 14-6 (5)

150. Jay Yelas -- Lincoln City, Or -- 14-4 (5)

151. Matt Garner -- Seminole, Ok -- 14-3 (5)

152. Kurt Dove -- Del Rio, Tx -- 13-13 (4)

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

153. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 13-12 (5)

155. Chris Gosselaar -- Fresno, Ca -- 13-9 (5)

156. Gary Yamamoto -- Palestine, Tx -- 13-6 (4)

157. Daryl Biron -- South Windsor, Ct -- 13-2 (5)

158. Brian Latimer -- Belton, SC -- 12-15 (5)

159. Chad Randles -- Elkhorn, Ne -- 12-13 (5)

160. Keith Bryan -- Novato, Ca -- 12-12 (5)

161. Charlie Evans -- Berea, Ky -- 12-8 (5)

162. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, Tx -- 12-5 (4)

163. Bill McDonald -- Greenwood, In -- 12-3 (4)

164. Jordan Osborne -- Longview, Tx -- 12-2 (5)

165. Chase Brooks -- Iraan, Tx -- 12-0 (5)

166. William (Billy) Shelton III -- La Crosse, Va -- 11-15 (5)

167. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, Ga -- 11-14 (5)

168. Ronald Young -- Lake Wales, Fl -- 11-3 (5)

169. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 11-1 (3)

170. Bill Hutchison -- Bessemer, Al -- 10-3 (5)

171. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, SC -- 10-2 (3)

172. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, Tx -- 9-6 (4)

173. Richie Eaves -- Nauvoo, Il -- 8-11 (3)

174. Harry Moore -- Valley, Al -- 8-6 (4)

174. James Watson -- Lampe, Mo -- 8-6 (4)

176. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, Md -- 6-2 (3)

177. Robert Behrle -- Hoover, Al -- 3-12 (2)

178. Tony Dumitras -- Winston, Ga -- 1-11 (1)

Steven Hatala -- Harrison Township, Mi -- 0-0 (0)

Kenneth (Boo) Woods -- London, Ky -- 0-0 (0)

Big Fish

Day 1: Chad Grigsby -- 6-03 -- $500