FLORIDAS BRYAN HUDGINS TAKES FIRST BASS VICTORY AT SOUTHERN OPEN

FLORIDAS BRYAN HUDGINS TAKES FIRST BASS VICTORY AT SOUTHERN OPEN - Printable Version

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FLORIDAS BRYAN HUDGINS TAKES FIRST BASS VICTORY AT SOUTHERN OPEN - FishNews - 02-11-2009

Tavares, Florida - Helped by a limit weighing more than 30 pounds on the second day of competition, Bryan Hudgins of Orange Park, Florida, scored victory at the Bassmaster Southern Open on Florida's Harris Chain of Lakes in commanding fashion Saturday. Hudgins' final day tally was 14 pounds, 9 ounces, which upgraded his three-day total of 68 pounds, 10 ounces, enough to hold off his nearest competitor, Scott Ashmore of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, by more than 10 pounds.

It was a different approach to the Harris Chain that aided Hudgins. The vast majority of the nearly 200-pro field found spots far from the launch site, some up to an hour and a half away, but Hudgins fished within ten minutes of the ramp. He pulled all of his weight from the same area by flipping a Git 'Em Bait Co. craw, in either black and blue or watermelon red, into emergent vegetation.

With the victory, Hudgins takes home the $45,000 top prize. Ashmore took second with 58 pounds, 6 ounces, while Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., took third with 54 pounds, 13 ounces. Day 1 leader John Kremer of Sanford, Fla., who finished with 51 pounds, 6 ounces, finished fourth while Elite pro Tim Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., brought in 51 pounds, 2 ounces, good enough for fifth.

With the launch temperature hanging around 40 degrees, Hudgins decided to stick to his plan of fishing close where there was little boat traffic.

"Most of the guys ran way far away, so the water was all muddied from the boats passing through there all day for the past week," said Hudgins. "Those fish took a pounding so I thought the bite would slow, and it did. I didn't burn a quarter tank of gas the whole time."

Hudgins said the bite was good for him early in the day, then died off after noon.

"It all came together yesterday, and continued into today," he said.

Ashmore, who had a shot at victory if he performed better on the final day, blamed two of his weighed fish for his light total of 12-1 Saturday.

"I had two fish get off, I think they were about three and four pounds, and while I don't know if I would've won with that, it would've made it close," he said. "The fish I was on today had been hit hard all week, there was a couple other guys fishing that same area, so they tightened up today for sure."

In the co-angler division, Donnie Dodd, of Guntersville, Ala., took top honors with 32 pounds, 7 ounces. Dodd zeroed on the first day, but rocketed up the chart with five fish weighing 19 pounds, 2 ounces on Friday. Dodd won a Skeeter/Yamaha rig valued at over $32,000 with his amazing comeback win.

Dodd took the lead from Marlon Crowder of Tampa, Fla, who held top position for the first two days. Crowder's three-day total of 30 pounds, 10 ounces, was good for second while Ben Potaracke of La Crosse, Wisc., was third with 26 pounds, 15 ounces.

Greg Vinson's 10-pound, 2-ounce largemouth he caught on Day One held up as big bass of the tournament. The Wetumpka, Ala., native and Elite Series pro finished 6th on the pro side with 45-pounds, 11-ounces. Pam Martin-Wells, a pro on the Women's Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, finished 23rd with 31 pounds, 0 ounces.

Next up for pros in the three-tournament Southern Open division is the April 30-May 2 event on Wheeler Lake out of Decatur, Ala.

About BASS

For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.comand ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content - from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage - to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women's Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

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Media contact: Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com

Bassmaster Southern Open- Final Standings- Pro

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 15 68-06 310 $50,657.00

Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 5 30-15 Day 3: 5 14-09 
2. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, Okla. 15 58-02 295 $22,514.00 
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 28-04 Day 3: 5 12-01 
3. Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 15 54-13 290 $19,137.00 
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 20-02 Day 3: 5 14-11 
4. John Kremer Sanford, Fla. 11 51-06 290 $14,071.00 
Day 1: 5 29-13 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 1 3-12 
5. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 15 51-02 280 $11,257.00 
Day 1: 5 23-00 Day 2: 5 10-15 Day 3: 5 17-03 
6. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, Ala. 15 45-11 276 $10,131.00 
Day 1: 5 25-09 Day 2: 5 9-04 Day 3: 5 10-14 
7. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 14 44-12 272 $9,006.00 
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 4 10-01 
8. Jimmie Murphy Ocala, Fla. 14 43-03 268 $7,880.00 
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 4 9-05 
9. Mike White Reynoldsburg, Ohio 15 41-06 264 $6,754.00 
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 9-00 Day 3: 5 14-12 
10. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 11 41-00 260 $5,629.00 
Day 1: 1 6-09 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 15-14 
11. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 15 39-09 257 $4,503.00 
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 12-12 
12. Ben Quisno Maineville, Ohio 14 39-09 254 $3,940.00 
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 4 11-15 Day 3: 5 8-15 
13. Eric Stong Belle Isle, Fla. 13 39-04 251 $3,377.00 
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 4 9-15 Day 3: 4 11-12 
14. Scott Mcgehee Madison, Miss. 15 37-12 248 $2,814.00 
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 10-09 Day 3: 5 11-08 
15. David Kilgore Jasper, Ala. 15 37-07 245 $2,533.00 
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 5 12-01 
16. Luke Estel Murphysboro, Ill. 15 36-03 243 $2,251.00 
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 7-07 Day 3: 5 14-10 
17. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 14 36-00 241 $2,195.00 
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 4 7-10 
18. Jason Knapp Uniontown, Pa. 15 35-05 239 $2,139.00 
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 9-03 
19. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 11 34-03 237 $2,083.00 
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 1 1-15 
20. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 13 34-02 235 $2,026.00 
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 3 4-08 
21. Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 13 32-04 233 $1,970.00 
Day 1: 5 7-02 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 3 5-06 
22. Keith Poche Troy, Ala. 12 31-02 231 $1,914.00 
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 4 13-10 Day 3: 3 6-02 
23. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 13 31-00 229 $1,857.00 
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 15-11 Day 3: 3 4-06 
24. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, Fla. 13 28-08 227 $1,801.00 
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 9-06 Day 3: 3 6-01 
25. Joe Clements Saint Cloud, Fla. 13 27-00 225 $1,745.00 
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 3 4-10 
26. Mike Prindle Bainbridge, Ga. 10 26-08 223 $1,689.00 
Day 1: 4 17-11 Day 2: 5 6-10 Day 3: 1 2-03 
27. Peter Thliveros St Augustine, Fla. 9 25-13 221 $1,632.00 
Day 1: 3 9-06 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 1 1-07 
28. Wayne Clifton Moncks Corner, S.C. 11 25-05 219 $1,576.00 
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 8-12 Day 3: 1 2-02 
29. Robert Grosso Odessa, Fla. 9 25-03 217 $1,520.00 
Day 1: 3 8-05 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 1 1-14 
30. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 11 23-10 215 $1,463.00 
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 1 1-09 
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Totals 
Day #Limits #Fish Weight 
1 65 597 1306-14 
2 67 590 1347-12 
3 13 106 253-12 
---------------------------------- 
145 1293 2908-06

Bassmaster Southern Open- Co-Angler Standings

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Donnie Dodd Guntersville, Ala. 8 32-07 305 $32,000.00 
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 19-02 Day 3: 3 13-05 
2. Marlon Crowder Tampa, Fla. 10 30-10 305 $5,629.00 
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 2 5-10 Day 3: 3 4-15 
3. Ben Potaracke La Crosse, Wisc. 12 26-15 290 $4,503.00 
Day 1: 4 7-13 Day 2: 4 6-14 Day 3: 4 12-04 
4. Dwaine Williams Greenup, Ky. 13 24-06 285 $3,377.00 
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 4 6-08 Day 3: 4 6-05 
5. Larry Inman Greensboro, N.C. 13 23-10 280 $2,814.00 
Day 1: 5 7-08 Day 2: 3 4-05 Day 3: 5 11-13 
6. Aaron Gengler Lakeland, Fla. 10 23-09 276 $2,533.00 
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 2 4-03 
7. Bj Hannah Dyersburg, Tenn. 8 23-06 272 $2,251.00 
Day 1: 1 0-13 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 2 4-14 
8. Randy Hadden Jacksonsville, Fla. 10 21-15 268 $2,139.00 
Day 1: 4 6-13 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 1 2-02 
9. John Brodkorb Orange City, Fla. 7 21-07 264 $1,914.00 
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 2 5-07 
10. Jon Jezierski Troy, Mich. 9 19-14 260 $1,463.00 
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 1 1-14 Day 3: 3 4-10 
11. Dan Thill La Crosse, Wisc. 11 17-05 257 $1,238.00 
Day 1: 4 6-14 Day 2: 4 5-07 Day 3: 3 5-00 
12. Marcus Parker Jacksonville, Fla. 11 17-03 254 $1,126.00 
Day 1: 5 8-01 Day 2: 2 2-13 Day 3: 4 6-05 
13. Kurtis Michaux Clermont, Fla. 11 16-04 251 $1,013.00 
Day 1: 5 6-09 Day 2: 5 6-03 Day 3: 1 3-08 
14. Lee Boutwell Climax, Ga. 7 15-10 248 $901.00 
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 2 5-07 Day 3: 0 0-00 
15. Scott Kerslake Henderson, N.C. 6 15-03 245 $788.00 
Day 1: 2 5-02 Day 2: 2 7-01 Day 3: 2 3-00 
16. Edward Knight Magnolia, Del. 6 14-07 243 $760.00 
Day 1: 4 9-05 Day 2: 2 5-02 Day 3: 0 0-00 
17. Mike Fraker Flowery Branch, Ga. 6 14-07 241 $732.00 
Day 1: 1 2-13 Day 2: 3 9-02 Day 3: 2 2-08 
18. Darrell Davis Dover, Fla. 7 14-04 239 $704.00 
Day 1: 4 5-14 Day 2: 3 8-06 Day 3: 0 0-00 
19. John Foster Altamonte Springs, Fla 7 14-03 237 $675.00 
Day 1: 3 7-03 Day 2: 3 4-05 Day 3: 1 2-11 
20. Brian Fuller Prattville, Ala. 6 13-14 235 $647.00 
Day 1: 2 3-08 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 1 2-10 
21. Jim Russell Dade City, Fla. 7 13-10 233 $619.00 
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 11-03 Day 3: 2 2-07 
22. Mike Prance Palatka, Fla. 7 13-08 231 $563.00 
Day 1: 1 2-00 Day 2: 4 9-03 Day 3: 2 2-05 
23. Steven Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 6 13-05 229 $535.00 
Day 1: 4 9-00 Day 2: 1 2-14 Day 3: 1 1-07 
24. Thomas Henderson Roseland, Fla. 6 13-03 227 $507.00 
Day 1: 2 3-10 Day 2: 3 7-14 Day 3: 1 1-11 
25. Andy Fleming Ashland City, Tenn. 7 12-10 225 $478.00 
Day 1: 5 7-05 Day 2: 2 5-05 Day 3: 0 0-00 
26. Matthew Wightman Montevallo, Ala. 5 12-10 223 $450.00 
Day 1: 2 8-06 Day 2: 2 2-15 Day 3: 1 1-05 
27. Tyler Berger Worthington, Ohio 5 12-09 221 $422.00 
Day 1: 2 3-10 Day 2: 2 6-13 Day 3: 1 2-02 
28. John Mccutchan Altamonte Springs, Fla 8 12-02 219 $394.00 
Day 1: 4 5-15 Day 2: 3 4-10 Day 3: 1 1-09 
29. Steve Warner Winter Haven, Fla. 8 12-00 217 $366.00 
Day 1: 4 5-02 Day 2: 4 6-14 Day 3: 0 0-00 
30. Rod Dubose Opelika, Ala. 7 11-09 215 $338.00 
Day 1: 4 7-05 Day 2: 3 4-04 Day 3: 0 0-00 
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Totals 
Day #Limits #Fish Weight 
1 8 277 503-07 
2 13 279 558-13 
3 1 52 108-06 
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22 608 1170-10

2009 Bassmaster Southern Open Points Standings

------------------------------------------- 
Place Name St Pts 
------------------------------------------- 
1 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 310 
2 Scott Ashmore Okla. 295 
3 John Kremer Fla. 290 
3 Bobby Lane Fla. 290 
5 Timmy Horton Ala. 280 
6 Greg Vinson Ala. 276 
7 Todd Auten S.C. 272 
8 Jimmie Murphy Fla. 268 
9 Mike White Ohio 264 
10 Terry Segraves Fla. 260 
11 Dave Wolak N.C. 257 
12 Ben Quisno Ohio 254 
13 Eric Stong Fla. 251 
14 Scott Mcgehee Miss. 248 
15 David Kilgore Ala. 245 
16 Luke Estel Ill. 243 
17 Casey Ashley S.C. 241 
18 Jason Knapp Pa. 239 
19 Preston Clark Fla. 237 
20 Terry Scroggins Fla. 235 
21 Jason Williamson S.C. 233 
22 Keith Poche Ala. 231 
23 Pam Martin-Wells Ga. 229 
24 James Charlesworth Fla. 227 
25 Joe Clements Fla. 225 
26 Mike Prindle Ga. 223 
27 Peter Thliveros Fla. 221 
28 Wayne Clifton S.C. 219 
29 Robert Grosso Fla. 217 
30 Jimmy Mason Ala. 215 
31 Sean Hoernke Texas 213 
32 Jeremy Prouty Fla. 211 
33 Bradley Roy Ky. 209 
34 J Todd Tucker Ga. 207 
35 Scott Mason Ky. 205 
36 David Cooke N.C. 203 
37 Brannon Jones Ala. 201 
38 Wayne Hauser N.C. 199 
39 Darrin Schwenkbeck N.Y. 197 
40 Sammy Burks Mo. 195 
41 Wade Grooms S.C. 193 
42 Jason Berg Minn. 191 
43 Luke Gritter Mich. 189 
44 Josh Guess Fla. 187 
45 Gerald Gostenik Mich. 185 
46 James Anderson Fla. 183 
47 Mark Menendez Ky. 181 
48 Ron Wolfarth N.C. 179 
49 Patrick Kelly Ala. 177 
50 Sandy Melvin Fla. 175 
51 Russ Lane Ala. 173 
52 Bradley Enfinger Ga. 171 
53 Rogne Brown Tenn. 169 
54 Derek Jones Ill. 167 
55 Justin Hamner Ala. 165 
56 Allen Glasgow Ala. 163 
57 Will Evans Fla. 161 
58 Jeff Fitts Fla. 159 
59 Hiroshi Kojima Ala. 157 
60 Charlie Ingram Tenn. 155 
61 Mark McCaig Ala. 153 
62 Lance Vick Texas 151 
63 Scott Browning N.C. 149 
64 Andre Moore Ala. 147 
65 Trevor Fitzgerald Fla. 145 
66 Patrick Pierce Fla. 143 
67 Chris Wilkerson Texas 141 
68 Marty Robinson S.C. 139 
69 Homer Humphreys La. 137 
70 Clifford Dawson Fla. 135 
71 Shawn Strader Tenn. 133 
72 Glenn Delong Ohio 131 
73 Mike Hawkes Texas 129 
74 Bob Eagleston Fla. 127 
75 John Crews Va. 125 
76 Chris Payne Ala. 123 
77 Brian Elder Ga. 121 
78 Rodney Allen Ind. 119 
79 Teb Jones Miss. 117 
80 Jim Johnson Wisc. 115 
81 Brad Wall Ohio 113 
82 Kevin Langill N.C. 111 
83 Chris Barnett Tenn. 109 
84 Kyle Kempkers Mich. 107 
85 Preston Johnson Wisc. 105 
86 Jim Hardy Ala. 103 
87 Arnie Lane Fla. 101 
88 Rick Ash Pa. 99 
89 Brad Staley N.C. 97 
90 Christopher Foley N.C. 95 
91 Kevin Pulsifer Fla. 93 
92 Brian Rufty Ky. 91 
93 Roger Bitz Fla. 89 
94 Aaron Martens Ala. 87 
95 Alan Rae S.C. 85 
96 Paul Pagnato Va. 83 
97 David Perdue Va. 81 
98 Frank Scalish Ohio 79 
99 Brandon Coulter Tenn. 77 
100 Chad Morgenthaler Ill. 76 
101 Jim Short Md. 75 
102 Ray Brazier Tenn. 74 
103 Trevor Knight Del. 73 
104 Charlie Hartley Ohio 72 
105 Larry Rollings S.C. 71 
106 Johnny Patterson Ala. 70 
107 Parks Jones S.C. 69 
108 Tony Chachere La. 68 
109 Dustin Evans Tenn. 67 
110 Thomas Warren Ill. 66 
111 Tyrone Cypress Fla. 65 
112 Tom Frink Calif. 64 
113 Chris Lane Fla. 63 
114 Brian Easler S.C. 62 
115 Gene Barnette Ala. 61 
116 James Castillo Wash. 60 
117 Chad Hall Ala. 59 
118 Jimmy Liao Fla. 58 
119 Kyle Fox Fla. 57 
120 Curtis Reeves Ga. 56 
121 Kurt Dove Texas 55 
122 Joseph Kastner S.C. 54 
123 Evan Boutwell Ga. 53 
124 James Mcmon Ala. 52 
125 Jason Quinn S.C. 51 
126 Landon Lomax Ala. 50 
127 Jack Wade Tenn. 49 
128 Bill Rea Ohio 48 
129 Rodney Chastain S.C. 47 
130 Robert Comalander Ala. 46 
131 Larry Cahan Fla. 45 
132 Thomas Little Va. 44 
133 Kyle Walling Ky. 43 
134 Jo Dee Lake Ala. 42 
135 Wesley Parton Ala. 41 
136 Tony Sapp Ga. 40 
137 Paul Keltner Tenn. 39 
138 Ronald Ryals Fla. 38 
139 Russell Colwell Md. 37 
140 Andy Morgan Tenn. 36 
141 WM Kooi Fla. 35 
142 Gary Riffle Texas 34 
143 Tim Ezell Fla. 33 
144 Paul Kimball Conn. 32 
145 Randy Elliott Md. 31 
146 Andy Gaia Texas 30 
147 Steve Linville Ohio 29 
148 David Burch Fla. 28 
149 Brett Mitchell S.C. 27 
150 Brian Hatfield Ky. 26 
151 John Cromwell Tenn. 25 
152 Harry Moore Ala. 24 
153 Chris Anderson S.C. 23 
154 Sam Swett La. 22 
155 Jerry Morgan S.C. 21 
156 John Strider N.C. 20 
157 Robert Miley Fla. 19 
158 Butch Tucker Ga. 18 
159 Frank Jordan JR Ga. 17 
160 Preston Henson Calif. 16 
161 Derek Remitz Ala. 15 
162 Jason Lieblong Ark. 14 
163 Steve Hayden N.M. 13 
164 Phillip Criss Ala. 12 
165 Nick Supik Pa. 11 
166 Jelani Hennessey Va. 10 
167 Jeff Cloud Texas 9 
168 Steven Wisdom Ala. 8 
169 John Smith Ga. 7 
170 Bo Bain Tenn. 6 
171 Sam Greer Ky. 5 
172 Keith Phillips Ala. 4 
173 Gregory Roth Canada 3 
174 Rick Morris Va. 2 
175 Jim Turner Ind. 1 
175 Paul Molan Ohio 1 
175 Mark Cole N.C. 1 
175 Gary Cronin Ga. 1 
175 Allen Duke Fla. 1 
175 Mary Delgado Fla. 1 
175 Tim Saylor Tenn. 1 
175 Scott Wiley Ala. 1 
175 Bryan Talmadge Ala. 1 
175 John Condray Fla. 1 
175 John Dacko Mich. 1 
175 Tom Ondras Ill. 1 
175 Lee Sisson Fla. 1 
175 Charlie Hill Ky. 1 
175 Brian Mathis N.C. 1 
175 Brannon Long Texas 1 
175 Dean Rojas Ariz. 1 
175 Billy Charland Fla. 1 
193 Jason Seaton Ind. 0 
193 Cecil Douberly Fla. 0 
193 Cliff Prince Fla. 0 
193 Mike Haggerty Tenn. 0 
193 James Butler Tenn. 0

Media Contact 
Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com