West Point Southeastern Stren
Williams Tops With 17-08 Sack

Photo: FLWOutdoors.com Tommy Williams caught one of only four limits on day 1 of the West Point Southeastern Stren, and his bag included a 6-pound kicker.

Michigan's Mike Mortensen also caught a limit and was 2nd with 15-08. Alabama tour pro Terry Tucker was 3rd with just three fish for 12-07 and FLW Tour rookie Jason Knapp of Pennsylvania was 4th with four fish for 11-12. South Carolina tour pro Nick Gainey rounded out the Top 5 with 10-12 on just two fish.

Here's the bottom half of the Top 10:

6. Jesse Millsaps: 10-09
7. Scott Hamrick: 10-07
8. Timothy Little: 10-05
9. James Kemper: 10-01
10. Bryan Thrift: 10-00

Last weekend's cold front moved the vast majority of the fish away from the banks and most of the field had tremendous difficulty catching them in their suspended state. More than a third of the 200 anglers zeroed, and that big group included FLW Tour stalwart Greg Pugh.

The warming trend of the past few days will continue tomorrow, with the high temperature expected to reach 72 degrees. Skies will be partly cloudy and the wind is expected to blow at 9 mph out of the southeast.

The 200-angler field will be cut to the Top 20 after tomorrow's weigh-in and weights will be zeroed. Only the Top 10 after day 3 will fish on Saturday, with the winner determined by highest combined weight over the final 2 days.

Williams Stroked 'Em

Williams is fishing a shallow cranking pattern and got 11 bites. That number probably sounds preposterously high to most of the field, but he had a good practice and figured he could boat a decent limit.

"That's about what I've been doing in practice," he said. "But I don't have a backup plan – this is the only thing I've been able to find on the whole lake. Overall, the bite is extremely tough."

He caught nine keepers and lost two good ones. "I thought that would hurt me, but it turns out it didn't," he said. "I'm using light line and a couple of those big fish kind of horsed me around."

He has two spots in the same general area – one for numbers and the other for big fish. He caught the 6-pounder at 11:00 and quit fishing about 90 minutes later. His bag also contained a 4-pounder.

"They're two separate deals, so maybe if one of them goes away the other will come on, or vice versa," he said.

He said he made the cut in an EverStart tournament here in 1999 with the same pattern. "I'd been wanting another chance at these fish, and I got it," he said. "They were there the last time, but I just wasn't smart enough to catch them."

Big Bite Lifts Tucker

Tucker fished an area that's been an old standby for him. He got only four bites, but he boated three of them and one weighed 7-08.

"That's all I've got on this trip," he said of his spot. "I never did find anything else. (The temperature) was down in the mid-20s at night when I got here and it snowed over the weekend, and I just never got on anything.

"If the water warms up a little more, it should get better."

The big one was his first fish and it bit at 10:00. "She got tangled up in a treetop and she was see-sawing back and forth on there," he said. "I was lucky she didn't break off."

He's fishing at depths from 4 to 8 feet and all of his bites are coming between 10:00 and 2:00. "I'm not getting anything early," he said. "I have to wait for the sun to come up."

No Pattern for Knapp

Knapp got only 1 full day of practice and about 90 minutes on another day, so he's pleased to be in the Top 5.

"I feel good about it," he said. "I think I can make the first cut, but I'm not sure about the final cut. I'm just fishing an area, not a pattern. I got five bites and caught four, so the fishing's tough.

"I'll start there again tomorrow, and if that doesn't work then I might just go fun-fishing and hit everything that looks good. I'll hit some windy points with a crankbait and throw a jig some."

He got his first bite at about 9:30, and the rest were spread out over the remainder of the day. His biggest fish weighed about 4 pounds.

"Bites are few and far between," he said. "You really have to stay focused all day long because they could come at any time and you don't want to blow your chance."

Gainey Hunting Hawgs

Gainey fished all day with a black and blue jig. He got just two bites – a 7-13 and a 2-15.

"I went in with the expectation that if I got bit, it was going to be a good one," he said. "I'll do the same thing again tomorrow because the bite's so off that nobody but the Top 2 guys are catching anything.

"I'm either going to hero or zero," he added. "I'm not going to peck around trying to catch (a spotted bass) that weighs 15 ounces. If I don't get bit, I'll be driving back to Charleston tomorrow night. If I get bit, I'll still be here Friday, and maybe by the weekend the fishing will improve."

He caught the big fish at about noon, and then had to wait until the end of the day for his second bite.

"I'm fishing in 5 or 6 feet of water," he said. "There are always a few fish shallow, but I think most of them are suspended at about 8 or 10 feet. They were on the bank before the cold front came through, and hopefully the warmer weather will push them back up there."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 200 anglers, four limits, 73 zeroes.

> Williams said West Point is in the same condition as the lakes he fishes in his home state. "Our lakes are drawn down and cold too, so I figured the fish here might be doing the same thing they're doing there," he said.

> Thrift, in 10th, won the Southeastern opener at Okeechobee and also tops the FLW Tour co-angler points through the first two events.

> Anthony Gagliardi, winner of last week's Chevy Open (Murray FLW), was limited to just one fish, but at least it was a good one. He's 48th with 4-02.

Day 1 Standings

1. Tommy Williams -- Shepherdsville, Ky -- 5, 17-08

2. Mike Mortensen -- Westland, Mi -- 5, 15-08

3. Terry Tucker -- Gadsden, Al -- 3, 12-07

4. Jason Knapp -- Uniontown, Pa -- 4, 11-12

5. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, Sc -- 2, 10-12

6. Jesse Millsaps -- Tate, Ga -- 2, 10-09

7. Scott Hamrick -- Denver, Nc -- 3, 10-07

8. Timothy Little -- Acworth, Ga -- 5, 10-05

9. James Kemper -- Frankfort, Ky -- 4, 10-01

10. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, Nc -- 4, 10-00

11. James Nuckols Jr -- Rockwood, Tn -- 2, 9-15
12. Wayne Swindle -- Orlando, Fl -- 3, 9-07
13. John Bitter -- Maitland, Fl -- 3, 9-06
14. Jim Beavers -- Manchester, Ga -- 2, 8-14
15. Derek Hicks -- Rocky Face, Ga -- 2, 8-10
16. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 2, 8-06
17. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 3, 8-02
18. Mike Cleveland -- Monticello, Ga -- 2, 7-15
19. Craig Rozema -- Greenville, Sc -- 3, 7-14
20. Mike Keel -- Auburn, Al -- 2, 7-03
21. Tony Wood -- Bowdon, Ga -- 5, 7-01
22. Dan Moran -- London, Oh -- 1, 6-14
23. Artie Phillips -- Monroe, Nc -- 3, 6-13
24. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, Sc -- 4, 6-09
25. Pat Fisher -- Buckhead, Ga -- 3, 6-08
26. Rick Couch -- Ocala, Fl -- 1, 6-05
26. Lamontie Walters -- Warner Robins, Ga -- 2, 6-05
28. Warren Wyman -- Calera, Al -- 4, 6-04
29. Charles Pearson -- Auburn, Al -- 3, 6-01
29. Kevin Stowers -- Gainesville, Ga -- 2, 6-01
31. Greg Barwick -- East Dublin, Ga -- 3, 6-00
31. Rick Toney -- Lithia, Fl -- 2, 6-00
33. Norm Attaway -- N Augusta, Sc -- 1, 5-13
33. Bryan Hudgins -- Orange Park, Fl -- 2, 5-13
35. Kyosuke (K) Kurosaka -- Columbiana, Al -- 2, 5-04
36. Bill Troyer -- Sarasota, Fl -- 1, 5-03
37. Flash Butts -- Roanoke Rapids, Nc -- 2, 4-15
38. Kim Carver -- Milledgeville, Ga -- 2, 4-13
39. Kip Carter -- Oxford, Ga -- 3, 4-10
40. Ken Ellis -- Bowman, Sc -- 3, 4-08
40. Jason Whisonant -- Hayden, Al -- 2, 4-08
42. Don Ellerbee -- Arcadia, Fl -- 1, 4-07
42. Craig Johnson -- Martinez, Ga -- 2, 4-07
42. Mark Shepard -- Labelle, Fl -- 2, 4-07
45. Robin Reynolds -- Dadeville, Al -- 3, 4-06
46. Robert Haldeman -- Acworth, Ga -- 3, 4-05
46. Ronnie Watts -- Florence, Sc -- 2, 4-05
48. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 1, 4-02
49. Glenn Miller -- Newborn, Ga -- 2, 4-01
50. Gregory L Cain Jr -- Fort Wayne, In -- 2, 4-00
50. Paul Hanley -- Hull, Ga -- 2, 4-00
52. Allen Hayes -- Moody, Al -- 2, 3-15
52. Chuck Howard -- Elloree, Sc -- 1, 3-15
54. Ben Carroll -- Kissimmee, Fl -- 2, 3-14
54. Patrick Hailstones -- Cincinnati, Oh -- 2, 3-14
56. Robert Boyd -- Russellville, Al -- 1, 3-10
57. Tim Johnson -- Dallas, Ga -- 2, 3-09
58. Brad Burkhart -- Speedwell, Tn -- 2, 3-07
59. Jim Blanchard -- Albany, Ga -- 2, 3-06
59. Brent Long -- Catawba, Nc -- 2, 3-06
59. Edward Tucker -- Deland, Fl -- 1, 3-06
59. Ron Warren -- Fruitland Park, Fl -- 2, 3-06
63. Curtis Lewis -- West Palm Beach, Fl -- 1, 3-05
64. Jim Russell -- Statham, Ga -- 1, 3-04
65. Arthur Waldo -- Alcoa, Tn -- 1, 3-03
66. Scott Browning -- Franklin, Nc -- 1, 3-02
66. Darby Comas -- Athens, Ga -- 1, 3-02
66. Joe Parker -- Lake Wales, Fl -- 1, 3-02
66. David Saxon -- Westminster, Sc -- 1, 3-02
70. Jason Carleton -- Rochester, Ny -- 2, 3-01
70. Barry Isbell -- Trussville, Al -- 1, 3-01
70. Craig Taylor -- Tallahassee, Fl -- 2, 3-01
73. Mark Mauldin -- Cleveland, Tn -- 2, 3-00
74. William Davis -- Russellville, Al -- 1, 2-15
75. Hank Cherry -- Charlotte, Nc -- 2, 2-14
76. Sparky Petersen -- Laytonsville, Md -- 1, 2-13
76. Clark Smith Jr -- Pell City, Al -- 2, 2-13
78. Billy Bowen Jr -- Ocala, Fl -- 1, 2-12
79. Kenny Carroll -- Opelika, Al -- 1, 2-11
79. Steve Hale -- Nicholson, Ga -- 1, 2-11
79. Benjamin Quisno -- Loveland, Oh -- 1, 2-11
82. Rick Ankenbauer -- Clearwater, Fl -- 1, 2-10
83. Sam Bass -- Section, Al -- 1, 2-09
83. Rick Burton -- Wellington, Fl -- 1, 2-09
83. Glenn Phillips -- Suffolk, Va -- 1, 2-09
83. David Wild -- Acworth, Ga -- 1, 2-09
87. Yancy Windham -- Gordo, Al -- 1, 2-08
88. Patrick Pierce -- Jacksonville, Fl -- 2, 2-07
88. David Pollard -- Carrollton, Ga -- 1, 2-07
90. Ott Defoe -- Dandridge, Tn -- 1, 2-06
90. Larry Hopson -- Hamilton, Al -- 2, 2-06
92. Robert Kimbrough -- Vero Beach, Fl -- 1, 2-04
93. Lance Oligschlaeger -- La Vergne, Tn -- 1, 2-03
93. Dick Shaffer -- Rockford, Oh -- 1, 2-03
95. Mike Cox -- Huntsville, Al -- 1, 2-02
96. Allan Glasgow -- Ashville, Al -- 1, 2-01
96. Chris Rand -- Fort Lauderdale, Fl -- 1, 2-01
98. Tony Couch -- Buckhead, Ga -- 1, 2-00
98. Jack Gadlage -- Benton, Ky -- 2, 2-00
100. Robert Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 1, 1-15
101. Horace Alred -- Cedartown, Ga -- 1, 1-14
101. Jerry Kelley -- Wewahitchka, Fl -- 1, 1-14
103. Casey Gonzalez -- Tampa, Fl -- 1, 1-13
103. Darin Mitchell -- Rutledge, Ga -- 1, 1-13
105. Richard Szczerbala -- New Hill, Nc -- 1, 1-12
106. Erwin Cole -- Murfreesboro, Tn -- 1, 1-11
106. James Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 1, 1-11
106. Eddie Walker -- Pinson, Al -- 1, 1-11
109. Michael Conley -- Bainbridge, Ga -- 1, 1-10
109. David Lowery -- Columbus, Ga -- 1, 1-10
111. Roger Crafton -- Boca Grande, Fl -- 1, 1-09
111. Jason Moss -- Castalian Springs, Tn -- 1, 1-09
113. Dale Luckey -- Charlotte, Nc -- 1, 1-08
113. Tom Pemberton -- Dadeville, Al -- 1, 1-08
115. Wade Grooms -- Bonneau, Sc -- 1, 1-07
115. Scott Hayes -- Newnan, Ga -- 1, 1-07
115. Jack Wade -- Knoxville, Tn -- 1, 1-07
118. Todd Lowe -- Greensboro, Ga -- 1, 1-06
119. Larry Bozeman -- Wetumpka, Al -- 1, 1-04
119. Charles Cummings -- Leeds, Al -- 1, 1-04
121. Ricky Shumpert -- Lexington, Sc -- 1, 1-03
122. Dan Jackson -- Youngsville, Nc -- 1, 1-02
122. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 1, 1-02
122. Lee Pitts -- Gaylesville, Al -- 1, 1-02
125. Danny Bishop -- Buchanan, Ga -- 1, 1-01
125. Hoyt Ivie -- Thomaston, Ga -- 1, 1-01
127. Johnny Price Jr -- Brookwood, Al -- 1, 1-00
George Alexander -- Jacksonville, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Ryan Anaya -- Warrior, Al -- 0, 0-00
Casey Ashley -- Donalds, Sc -- 0, 0-00
Rick Barham -- Southaven, Ms -- 0, 0-00
Ed Barker -- Myrtle Beach, Sc -- 0, 0-00
John Barrett -- Fayetteville, Nc -- 0, 0-00
Gerald Beck -- Lexington, Nc -- 0, 0-00
Bill Brendle -- Wake Forest, Nc -- 0, 0-00
Ron Brown -- Mount Pleasant, Sc -- 0, 0-00
Keith Buterbaugh -- Douglasville, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Ted Caldwell -- Alexander City, Al -- 0, 0-00
Tommy Carpenter -- Jacksons Gap, Al -- 0, 0-00
Marty Colley -- Ashville, Al -- 0, 0-00
John Cox -- Debary, Fl -- 0, 0-00
George Crain -- Cropwell, Al -- 0, 0-00
Johnny Crews -- Lakeland, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Phil Cury -- Jacksonville, Fl -- 0, 0-00
David Danielak -- Delta, Oh -- 0, 0-00
Shannon Devere -- Berea, Ky -- 0, 0-00
William Drown -- Roseland, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Clay Dyer -- Hamilton, Al -- 0, 0-00
Richard Edwards -- Wedowee, Al -- 0, 0-00
Pat Eichmann -- Nancy, Ky -- 0, 0-00
Tim Eplee -- Etowah, Nc -- 0, 0-00
Steve Fairtrace -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Rob Genter -- Tidioute, Pa -- 0, 0-00
Asa Godsey -- Clewiston, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Terry Goggans -- Fort Payne, Al -- 0, 0-00
Ken Golub -- Pittsford, Ny -- 0, 0-00
Edward Guice -- Decatur, Al -- 0, 0-00
Scott Hamlin -- Clermont, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Tommy Hatfield -- Kissimmee, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Wayne Jeffcoat -- Chapin, Sc -- 0, 0-00
Danny Jordan -- Kennesaw, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Ken Jordan -- Youngstown, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Frank Kitchens Jr -- Louisville, Tn -- 0, 0-00
Ron Klys -- Gainesville, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Joseph Kremer -- Osteen, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Arnie Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Thanh Le -- Davie, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Jason Mabry -- Clinton, Ms -- 0, 0-00
Jason Mckinnie -- Umatilla, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Sam Moody -- Athens, Al -- 0, 0-00
Harry Moore -- Valley, Al -- 0, 0-00
Stu Moyer -- Indianapolis, In -- 0, 0-00
Martie Murphy -- Thomaston, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Jim Murray Jr -- Arabi, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Kindle Nelms -- Lake City, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Gary Niemi -- Lake Placid, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Morris Nix -- Marietta, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Lisa Opel -- Hernando, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Alex Ormand -- Bessemer City, Nc -- 0, 0-00
David Parsons -- Dothan, Al -- 0, 0-00
Carmen Patti -- Davie, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Tim Peek -- Sharpsburg, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Chad Prough -- Chipley, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Al -- 0, 0-00
Brad Robinson -- Hagerstown, In -- 0, 0-00
Marty Robinson -- Landrum, Sc -- 0, 0-00
Lane Rochester -- Walhalla, Sc -- 0, 0-00
Bill Rucker -- Cocoa, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Brian Shook -- Acworth, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Scott Sills -- Dahlonega, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Bill Terry -- Vero Beach, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Doug Vest -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 0, 0-00
Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, Al -- 0, 0-00
Brad Warfield -- Sharpsburg, Ga -- 0, 0-00
Nate Wellman -- Jenison, Mi -- 0, 0-00
Merle Wells Jr -- Hammond, Ny -- 0, 0-00
John Whitfield -- Goose Creek, Sc -- 0, 0-00
Charlie Williams -- Lagrange, Ga -- 0, 0-00
David Williams -- Maiden, Nc -- 0, 0-00
Michael Wooley -- Collierville, Tn -- 0, 0-00

Big Bass

Day 1: Nick Gainey -- Charleston, Sc -- 7-13 -- $750