By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

The initial Top 3 at the Mississippi River FLW Pro Circuit Super Tournament includes a couple of guys who've been around for a while, but have never posted a tour-level finish higher than 8th place. Sandwiched between them in an angler who seemingly wins about every other event that he enters.

Scott Wiley, an 8th-year pro from Alabama, caught 15-03 to pace the 201-angler field on day 1. Right behind him is Jacob Wheeler, the winner of last month's Super Tournament at Lake Chickamauga who also has victories on the Bass Pro Tour and FLW Series this year, with 14-14. In 3rd is Derrick Snavely, a 4th-year pro from Tennessee with 14-08. Snavely finished 10th at Lake Martin in March – the final tournament prior to the lengthy shutdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The field lost about 2 hours of prime fishing time in the morning due to a fog delay. The remainder of the day featured bright sun and very little wind, which resulted in a tough bite. Nine of the 200 competitors zeroed and 10 others caught only one legal fish.

Wiley certainly didn't expect to be at the top of the standings when it was over.

"To be honest, I was just hoping to go out and catch a limit," he said. "I went to one place and fished five spots and had a limit in 45 minutes and later in the day I caught two good ones and culled twice."

The remainder of the Top 10 consists of Joey Cifuentes (14-06), Jesse Wiggins (14-05), Angler of the Year points leader Ron Nelson (14-04), local favorite Tom Monsoor (14-03), Bradford Beavers (14-02), Robert Nakatomi (14-01), Matt Lee (13-15) and Mitch Crane (13-15).

Wiley, a 50-year-old HVAC contractor, started the day in Pool 9 and caught three of his weigh-in fish, then locked back into Pool 8 and made his two late culls. He caught all largemouths, the biggest of which weighed 4 pounds.

"I'm fishing shallow and just running a bunch of drains," he said. "They're on certain pieces of structure in the drains and I'm not fishing anything else in there."

Wheeler began the day with designs on compiling a heavier bag than he did, but ended it feeling fortunate to have come within a couple of ounces of 15 pounds.

"I thought I had enough fish (located during practice) for day 1, but I was a little disappointed. I caught a 4 1/2-pounder, but I was anticipating a better day, like at least 16 pounds. Everything I had dried up, though.

He locked upstream to Pool 7 for the first part of the day and caught three of the fish that he weighed. He picked up the other two after returning to Pool 8.

"I bebopped around and fished shallow, which is what I like to do here," he said. "Earlier in the year the fish are in bigger groups, but I was lucky to catch some isolated good ones. I have no idea what to anticipate tomorrow, but I'll try to hodge-podge something together.



FLW/Jody White
Photo: FLW/Jody White

Derrick Snavely, who's in 3rd place, would've had a bigger bag if not for a severe mishap on his first fish of the day.

"I don't know if I'll lock again or not. The pressure is so heavy in Pool 8. It's not much better in 7, but it's a little less."

Snavely said his first two days of practice were completely unproductive, but he came upon some fish on the final day and exploited them in the opening round. He weighed all largemouths, including a 4 1/4-pounder.

He caught his fish in Pool 7, but came back down to 8 at about 1 o'clock to ensure he wouldn't get caught in the lock and miss his check-in time.

"I've got one area," he said. "I didn't see anybody else there, but I wasn't there all day, either. I think the potential is definitely there, but of course everything changes here by the minute.

"I should've had 16 or 17 pounds today. On my first fish the dang reel popped off the rod. It was a 3-plus and I ended up weighing a line-burner – I had to put it on the board 10 times to get it to touch (the 14-inch minimum-length mark)."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 200 anglers, 129 limits, 24 fours, 13 threes, 15 twos, 10 ones, 9 zeroes.

Weather Forecast

> Thurs., July 30 – Partly Cloudy - 83°/60°
- Wind: From the NE at 8 mph

> Fri., July 31 – Mostly Sunny - 83°/60°
- Wind: From the NNE at 6 mph

> Sat., Aug. 1 – Mostly Sunny - 85°/62°
- Wind: From the WNW at 5 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Scott Wiley -- Bay Minette, Al -- 15-3 (5)

2. Jacob Wheeler -- Harrison, Tn -- 14-14 (5)

3. Derrick Snavely -- Piney Flats, Tn -- 14-8 (5)

4. Joey Cifuentes -- Clinton, Ar -- 14-6 (5)

5. Jesse Wiggins -- Logan, Al -- 14-5 (5)

6. Ron Nelson -- Berrien Springs, Mi -- 14-4 (5)

7. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 14-3 (5)

8. Bradford Beavers -- Summerville, SC -- 14-2 (5)

9. Robert Nakatomi -- Sacramento, Ca -- 14-1 (5)

10. Mitch Crane -- Columbus, Ms -- 13-15 (5)

10. Matt Lee -- Bremen, Al -- 13-15 (5)

12. Bailey Boutries -- Daphne, Al -- 13-12 (5)

13. Cody Meyer -- Auburn, Ca -- 13-7 (5)

14. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, Fl -- 13-4 (5)

15. Charlie Evans -- Berea, Ky -- 13-3 (5)

15. Roger Hughes -- Bartlesville, Ok -- 13-3 (5)

17. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, Al -- 13-1 (5)

17. Jon Englund -- Farwell, Mn -- 13-1 (5)

19. Adrian Avena -- Vineland, NJ -- 13-0 (5)

20. Roy Hawk -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 12-13 (5)

20. Mike McClelland -- Blue Eye, Mo -- 12-13 (5)

22. Dustin Connell -- Clanton, Al -- 12-12 (5)

22. Lance Crawford -- Broken Bow, Ok -- 12-12 (5)

24. Matthew Stefan -- Junction City, Wi -- 12-11 (5)

25. Braxton Setzer -- Wetumpka, Al -- 12-10 (5)

25. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tn -- 12-10 (5)

25. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 12-10 (5)

25. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 12-10 (5)

29. Kevin Meeks -- Smyrna, Tn -- 12-9 (5)

30. Blake Smith -- Lakeland, Fl -- 12-8 (5)

31. Ryan Chandler -- Hebron, In -- 12-6 (5)

31. David Gaston -- Sylacauga, Al -- 12-6 (5)

33. Laramy Strickland -- Bushnell, Fl -- 12-5 (5)

33. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, Al -- 12-5 (5)

33. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 12-5 (5)

36. AJ Slegona -- Pine Bush, NY -- 12-3 (5)

36. Spencer Shuffield -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 12-3 (5)

36. Paul Elias -- Laurel, Ms -- 12-3 (5)

36. Tyler Stewart -- West Monroe, La -- 12-3 (5)

36. Clayton Batts -- Butler, Ga -- 12-3 (5)

41. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 12-2 (5)

41. Alton Jones Jr -- Lorena, Tx -- 12-2 (5)

43. Edwin Evers -- Talala, Ok -- 12-1 (5)

44. Tim Frederick -- Leesburg, Fl -- 12-0 (5)

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

46. Jason Reyes -- Huffman, Tx -- 11-15 (5)

46. Jared McMillan -- Belle Glade, Fl -- 11-15 (5)

48. Kurt Dove -- Del Rio, Tx -- 11-14 (5)

49. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 11-11 (5)

50. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 11-10 (5)

51. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, Ca -- 11-8 (5)

51. Josh Bertrand -- San Tan Valley, Az -- 11-8 (5)

53. Brad Knight -- Lancing, Tn -- 11-7 (5)

53. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 11-7 (5)

53. Zack Birge -- Blanchard, Ok -- 11-7 (5)

56. Clark Reehm -- Elm Grove, La -- 11-6 (5)

56. Jamie Horton -- Centerville, Al -- 11-6 (5)

56. Cliff Pace -- Petal, Ms -- 11-6 (5)

59. Mark Daniels Jr -- Tuskegee, Al -- 11-5 (5)

59. John Hunter -- Simpsonville, Ky -- 11-5 (5)

61. Miles Howe -- San Juan Capistrano, Ca -- 11-4 (5)

61. Kyle Weisenburger -- Columbus Grove, Oh -- 11-4 (5)

61. Charles Sim -- Nepean, On -- 11-4 (5)

64. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 11-3 (5)

64. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 11-3 (5)

66. Darrell Davis -- Dover, Fl -- 11-2 (5)

66. Kurt Mitchell -- Milford, De -- 11-2 (5)

66. Wade Strelic -- Alpine, Ca -- 11-2 (5)

66. Evan Barnes -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 11-2 (5)

66. Rusty Salewske -- Alpine, Ca -- 11-2 (5)

71. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 11-1 (5)

71. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, Al -- 11-1 (5)

73. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, Tx -- 11-0 (5)

73. Ron Farrow -- Rock Hill, SC -- 11-0 (5)

75. Alex Davis -- Albertville, Al -- 10-15 (5)

75. Kyle Hall -- Granbury, Tx -- 10-15 (5)

77. Randy Howell -- Guntersville, Al -- 10-14 (5)

77. Alton Jones -- Lorena, Tx -- 10-14 (5)

79. Chad Warren -- Sand Springs, Ok -- 10-12 (5)

79. Greg Bohannan -- Bentonville, Ar -- 10-12 (5)

79. Josh Douglas -- Isle, Mn -- 10-12 (5)

82. Jonathon Vandam -- Kalamazoo, Mi -- 10-10 (5)

82. Jacob Wall -- New Hope, Al -- 10-10 (5)

84. Russell Lane -- Prattville, Al -- 10-9 (5)

85. Matt Greenblatt -- Port St Lucie, Fl -- 10-8 (4)

85. Sam George -- Athens, Al -- 10-8 (5)

87. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 10-7 (5)

88. James Niggemeyer -- Van, Tx -- 10-6 (5)

88. Jim Moynagh -- Shakopee, Mn -- 10-6 (5)

90. Gerald Spohrer -- Gonzales, La -- 10-5 (5)

91. Brandon McMillan -- Clewiston, Fl -- 10-4 (5)

92. Dylan Hays -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 10-3 (5)

93. Andy Young -- Isle, Mn -- 10-2 (4)

93. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, SC -- 10-2 (5)

93. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, Ar -- 10-2 (5)

96. Gary Klein -- Mingus, Tx -- 10-1 (5)

96. Fred Roumbanis -- London, Ar -- 10-1 (5)

96. John Murray -- Spring City, Tn -- 10-1 (5)

99. Chris Whitson -- Louisville, Tn -- 10-0 (5)

100. Randy Allen -- Gilliam, La -- 9-15 (5)

100. Kerry Milner -- Fisher, Ar -- 9-15 (5)

102. Matt Becker -- Finleyville, Pa -- 9-14 (5)

102. Kyle Cortiana -- Coweta, Ok -- 9-14 (5)

102. Jason Vance -- Battle Ground, In -- 9-14 (4)

105. Chris Neau -- New Orleans, La -- 9-13 (5)

106. Chris McCall -- Palmer, Tx -- 9-11 (5)

107. Jimmy Washam -- Covington, Tn -- 9-9 (5)

107. Shaw Grigsby -- Gainesville, Fl -- 9-9 (5)

107. Terry Bolton -- Benton, Ky -- 9-9 (4)

107. Cole Floyd -- Leesburg, Oh -- 9-9 (4)

111. Brandon Mosley -- Choctaw, Ok -- 9-8 (5)

112. Troy Morrow -- Eastanollee, Ga -- 9-7 (5)

112. Eric Jackson -- Walling, Tn -- 9-7 (5)

112. Justin Atkins -- Florence, Al -- 9-7 (5)

115. Joseph Webster -- Winfield, Al -- 9-6 (5)

115. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 9-6 (5)

117. Dakota Ebare -- Denham Springs, La -- 9-5 (5)

117. Kevin Martin -- Crown City, Oh -- 9-5 (5)

119. James Elam -- Cleveland, Ok -- 9-4 (4)

120. Randy Despino -- Colfax, La -- 9-3 (5)

121. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, Ok -- 9-2 (5)

122. Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 9-1 (5)

123. Darold Gleason -- Many, La -- 8-15 (5)

123. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, Pa -- 8-15 (5)

125. Christopher Brasher -- Longview, Tx -- 8-13 (4)

126. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 8-12 (5)

127. Bill McDonald -- Greenwood, In -- 8-11 (4)

127. Nick Lebrun -- Bossier City, La -- 8-11 (4)

129. Michael Neal -- Dayton, Tn -- 8-10 (5)

129. David Wootton -- Collierville, Tn -- 8-10 (5)

129. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 8-10 (4)

132. Kyle Gelles -- Pingree, Id -- 8-6 (4)

132. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, Ok -- 8-6 (5)

134. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, Ar -- 8-4 (5)

135. Jordan Osborne -- Longview, Tx -- 8-0 (4)

135. Terry Luedtke -- Burton, Tx -- 8-0 (4)

135. David Williams -- Maiden, NC -- 8-0 (4)

135. Ryan Salzman -- Huntsville, Al -- 8-0 (5)

139. Boyd Duckett -- Guntersville, Al -- 7-14 (5)

140. Aaron Britt -- Yuba City, Ca -- 7-12 (5)

141. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, Az -- 7-10 (4)

142. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Tx -- 7-9 (3)

142. Tommy Dickerson -- Orange, Tx -- 7-9 (4)

144. Preston Craig -- Philadelphia, Tn -- 7-7 (3)

145. Billy Hines -- Vacaville, Ca -- 7-5 (4)

146. Barron Adams -- Mineral Bluff, Ga -- 7-3 (4)

147. Joshua Weaver -- Macon, Ga -- 7-0 (3)

148. Lane Olson -- Sherwood, Or -- 6-13 (4)

149. Erik Luzak -- Fenelon Falls, On -- 6-12 (3)

150. James Watson -- Lampe, Mo -- 6-10 (2)

151. Jason Lambert -- Michie, Tn -- 6-9 (4)

151. Troy Roder -- Brookeland, Tx -- 6-9 (3)

153. Grae Buck -- Green Lane, Pa -- 6-8 (3)

154. Corey Neece -- Bristol, Tn -- 6-7 (4)

155. Jordan Lee -- Cullman, Al -- 6-4 (2)

155. Richard Lowitzki -- Hampshire, Il -- 6-4 (3)

157. Jason Abram -- Piney Flats, Tn -- 6-3 (4)

158. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 6-1 (4)

159. Mark Fisher -- Wauconda, Il -- 6-0 (4)

159. Bradley Dortch -- Atmore, Al -- 6-0 (3)

161. Jonathan Canada -- Helena, Al -- 5-14 (3)

162. Travis Archer -- Covington, Wa -- 5-11 (3)

163. Dicky Newberry -- Houston, Tx -- 5-10 (3)

164. Jake Morris -- Mckee, Ky -- 5-8 (2)

165. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 5-7 (2)

166. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, Ga -- 5-3 (3)

167. Kelly Jordon -- Flint, Tx -- 4-15 (3)

168. Colby Miller -- Elmer, La -- 4-13 (2)

169. Cody Nichols -- Fayette, Al -- 4-9 (2)

170. David Perdue -- Wirtz, Va -- 4-0 (2)

171. Bill Hutchison -- Bessemer, Al -- 3-14 (2)

172. Tyler Woolcott -- Port Orange, Fl -- 3-13 (2)

172. Pete Ponds -- Madison, Ms -- 3-13 (2)

174. Miles Burghoff -- Soddy-Daisy, Tn -- 3-11 (1)

175. Dave Parsons -- Yantis, Tx -- 3-10 (2)

176. Johnny McCombs -- Morris, Al -- 3-9 (2)

177. Tyson Patrick -- Midland, Tx -- 3-6 (1)

177. Casey Scanlon -- Eldon, Mo -- 3-6 (2)

177. Robert Behrle -- Hoover, Al -- 3-6 (2)

180. Bradley Roy -- Lancaster, Ky -- 3-2 (2)

180. Chip Harrington -- Olathe, Ks -- 3-2 (2)

182. Hunter Freeman -- Monroe, La -- 2-11 (2)

183. Alton Wilhoit -- Noble, Ok -- 1-13 (1)

183. Woodard Chance -- Paris, Tx -- 1-13 (1)

185. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 1-12 (1)

186. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, Tx -- 1-11 (1)

187. Gary Yamamoto -- Palestine, Tx -- 1-10 (1)

187. Chuck Stratton -- Chaffee, Mo -- 1-10 (1)

187. Barry Wilson -- Birmingham, Al -- 1-10 (1)

190. Daryl Biron -- South Windsor, Ct -- 1-9 (1)

191. Jason Meninger -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 1-8 (1)

192. Jake Ormond -- Sterlington, La -- 0-0 (0)

192. Tony Dumitras -- Winston, Ga -- 0-0 (0)

192. Drew Ratley -- Shreveport, La -- 0-0 (0)

192. Jeff Dobson -- Bartlesville, Ok -- 0-0 (0)

192. Jimmy Reese -- Witter Springs, Ca -- 0-0 (0)

192. James Biggs -- Euless, Tx -- 0-0 (0)

192. Dennis Cameron -- Travelers Rest, SC -- 0-0 (0)

192. T.R Andreas -- Kerrville, Tx -- 0-0 (0)

192. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, SC -- 0-0 (0)