03-23-2010, 11:15 AM
FORT MADISON, Iowa - It has never been more apparent that the Bassmaster Elite Series is a game of adjustments than it was Thursday at the Genuity River Rumble. Spoiled by the big-bass factories ofLake Guntersville and Kentucky Lake in the previous two tournaments, Elite anglers were hit with a dose of reality Thursday on the Mississippi River as many were forced to dig deep in their tackle boxes to grind out a limit. And many were unable to manage a limit on Day 1.
Nonetheless, the mighty Mississippi holds a good population of bass, and those who made the right choices were able to capitalize. Turning around a practice that was alarmingly unproductive, Randy Howell laid claim to the Day 1 lead with a 16-pound, 9-ounce limit, enough for an advantage of nearly 2 pounds over Takahiro Omori (14-9) of Emory, Texas. Elite rookie Matt Herren of Trussville, Ala. (14-9) was third, with fellow rookie Billy McCaghren of Mayflower, Ark., and Elite veteran Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., tied for fourth with 13-1.
Howell, who said he landed zero keepers during a deflating three-day practice, keyed in on a small patch of 10 bushes, which yielded all of his weighed fish. His limit included a 4-pound, 5-ounce bass, which was tied for the largest of the day. Like most in the field, Howell was flipping into shallow pockets of water.
"I don't consider this type of fishing to be a strength, so taking the lead is a big confidence boost," said Howell, 35. "I don't think I have ever caught fish this shallow. It's just mind-blowing."
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the River Rumble on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, June 20, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN360.com, ESPN's broadband sports network, while a wealth of unique content will also be available at Bassmaster.com.
Howell said he caught fish in water as skinny as 6 inches. While his area proved productive, several other competitors were near or on his money spot and boat traffic remains an issue on the Mississippi with just a few, concentrated productive areas.
A solid tournament here would be doubly rewarding for Howell. He is chasing a $100,000 top prize, and, perhaps most importantly, he and all other Elite Series pros have their eye on positioning in the 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. For Howell, who came into this tournament ninth in the AOY standings, the one-time BASS winner is in good shape to double up and qualify for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala., and the inaugural 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series postseason.
The inaugural Toyota Trucks Championship Week is set for Sept. 10-18 and will be played out on two productive Alabama fisheries. The first of the two postseason tournaments will take place on Lake Jordanout of Wetumpka; the finale, the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, is slated for the Alabama River from Montgomery. Only the top 12 anglers in the AOY standings will advance.
Howell started hot Thursday, landing three keepers by 8 a.m. His next keeper came at 11 a.m., and he didn't land another bite until his fifth keeper was safely in the boat at 2:10 p.m. He used the rest of the day to poke around his productive area looking for clues to where the biggest bass were hiding.
"I came in hoping to just catch one fish and register some points," said Howell, an eight-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier. "Now, I'm in a very good position. It was just a grind out there -- and there is a bit more luck that comes into play here, but this spot is definitely going to be a factor."
Omori, who was fishing in the same backwater as Howell, also managed to turn around a sub-standard practice. He caught only five keepers on Day 1 by flipping to shallow water. His limit was buoyed by a 3-5 bass.
In 36th in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings heading into this event, Omori, a six-time BASS winner and the 2004 Bassmaster Classic champion, is looking to put himself in position to qualify for his seventh Bassmaster Classic. With only the top 36 qualifying, a solid tournament here would do wonders for his chances.
"My practice stunk and things are definitely not easy out there," said Omori, 38. "I also lost a 3-pounder, but all in all I'm optimistic."
Biffle, who won a 1995 BASS event on the Mississippi, is an angler to be watched at the Genuity River Rumble. An accomplished river fisherman, Biffle has already scored one Elite victory this year.
Also Thursday, Jerry Van Sickle of Oelwein, Iowa, who served as Elite angler Derek Remitz's Marshal, suffered injuries as the result of a boating accident and was treated at a local hospital. Van Sickle was alert and remained at the hospital for evaluation.
During the 2008 season, the Elite Series had to cancel the River Rumble in Fort Madison because of flooding along the river that affected nearly a dozen states. The river last was host to a Bassmaster Tour event in 2006, when Elite angler Darrin Schwenkbeck won a Bassmaster Northern Tour competition with a three-day total of 42 pounds, 12 ounces.
The Genuity River Rumble includes a top prize of $100,000 and awards valuable points in the 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title race. With 1,593 points heading into this week's event, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., leads the AOY standings. Trailing him are 2009 Bassmaster Classic champion and 2007 AOY Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., in second with 1,578 points, and 2008 Classic champion Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, in third with 1,477 points. Full standings can be found on Bassmaster.com
Fans are encouraged to attend the Genuity River Rumble's daily launches (6 a.m. CT) and weigh-ins (4 p.m.) through Sunday at Riverview Park, 902 4th St., Fort Madison. After Day 2's competition Friday, the field will be cut to the top 50 anglers for Day 3. Only the top 12 will go on to compete in Day 4.
Other activities Saturday and Sunday at the River Rumble will begin at 1 p.m. CT at Riverview Park, featuring the popular Dog Training & Retriever Demonstrations Brought To You By SportDog; a children's carnival with a bounce house and gummy-worm-eating contest; tethered balloon rides (for a nominal fee); and a live shooting of a cannon brought from Fort Mig.
At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, fans are invited to experience Bassmaster University, which includes the "Ask the Experts" session with Elite pros at 3 p.m.
Also on site as part of the consumer expo Saturday and Sunday, Monsanto will bring its Mobile Technology Unit (MTU) to the Riverview Marina offering tours free of charge every 30 minutes. The Mobile Technology Unit is a unique traveling exhibit showcasing Monsanto's latest advances in plant breeding and trait technology.
With its sponsorship of the event, Genuity will make a donation to the local organization Community Services Food Bank based on the cumulative weight of fish caught during the tournament. There will be a check presentation at the final weigh-in Sunday, June 14.
Sunday's activities will include the live taping of Hooked Up, hosted by ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. The show, which will air live at 3:30 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com, will preview Sunday's final weigh-in.
All events at the Genuity River Rumble are free and open to the public. The Elite Series regular season culminates with the August 13-16 Champion's Choice on Oneida Lake out of Syracuse, N.Y. At Oneida, the lineup will be determined for the top 12 anglers who will compete in the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series postseason and a shot at the 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNOutdoorsMedia.com for the latest releases, schedules and photos.
The local sponsor of the River Rumble is the Fort Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Official sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards.
Supporting sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Bass Pro Shops, Costa Del Mar, Ramada, SpongeTech and Triton Boats.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia 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 ESPN360.com, ESPN's broadband sports network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and 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, Academy Sports + Outdoors Women's Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events.
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.
-30-
Media Contact: Doug Grassian; (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
DAY 1 STANDINGS- GENUITY RIVER RUMBLE
2009 Genuity River Rumble 6/11-6/14
Mississippi River, Fort Madison IA.<br />
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 16-04 305<br />
Day 1: 5 16-04<br />
2. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 14-10 295<br />
Day 1: 5 14-10<br />
3. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 5 14-09 290<br />
Day 1: 5 14-09<br />
4. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 13-01 285<br />
Day 1: 5 13-01<br />
4. Billy Mccaghren Mayflower, AR 5 13-01 285<br />
Day 1: 5 13-01<br />
6. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 5 12-08 276<br />
Day 1: 5 12-08<br />
7. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 12-05 272<br />
Day 1: 5 12-05<br />
8. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 12-04 268<br />
Day 1: 5 12-04<br />
9. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 12-03 264<br />
Day 1: 5 12-03<br />
10. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 12-01 260<br />
Day 1: 5 12-01<br />
11. Alton Jones Waco, TX 5 12-00 257<br />
Day 1: 5 12-00<br />
12. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 4 11-10 254<br />
Day 1: 4 11-10<br />
13. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 11-09 251<br />
Day 1: 5 11-09<br />
14. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 5 11-08 248<br />
Day 1: 5 11-08<br />
15. Pat Golden High Point, NC 4 11-08 245<br />
Day 1: 4 11-08<br />
16. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 11-07 243<br />
Day 1: 5 11-07<br />
17. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 11-05 241<br />
Day 1: 5 11-05<br />
18. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 10-10 239<br />
Day 1: 5 10-10<br />
19. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 10-07 237<br />
Day 1: 5 10-07<br />
20. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 5 10-02 235<br />
Day 1: 5 10-02<br />
21. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 10-01 233<br />
Day 1: 5 10-01<br />
21. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 5 10-01 233<br />
Day 1: 5 10-01<br />
23. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 09-12 229<br />
Day 1: 5 09-12<br />
24. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 09-10 227<br />
Day 1: 5 09-10<br />
25. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 09-06 225<br />
Day 1: 5 09-06<br />
26. Elton Luce Jr. Brookeland, TX 4 09-05 223<br />
Day 1: 4 09-05<br />
27. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 09-01 221<br />
Day 1: 5 09-01<br />
28. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 3 09-00 219<br />
Day 1: 3 09-00<br />
29. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 08-14 217<br />
Day 1: 5 08-14<br />
30. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 08-13 215<br />
Day 1: 5 08-13<br />
31. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 4 08-13 213<br />
Day 1: 4 08-13<br />
32. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 08-10 211<br />
Day 1: 5 08-10<br />
33. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 08-05 209<br />
Day 1: 5 08-05<br />
34. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 4 08-05 207<br />
Day 1: 4 08-05<br />
35. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 4 08-03 205<br />
Day 1: 4 08-03<br />
35. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 4 08-03 205<br />
Day 1: 4 08-03<br />
37. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 4 07-12 201<br />
Day 1: 4 07-12<br />
38. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 3 07-12 199<br />
Day 1: 3 07-12<br />
39. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 3 07-11 197<br />
Day 1: 3 07-11<br />
40. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 3 07-10 195<br />
Day 1: 3 07-10<br />
41. Vince Fulks Purcell, OK 4 07-08 193<br />
Day 1: 4 07-08<br />
42. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 3 07-07 191<br />
Day 1: 3 07-07<br />
43. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 4 07-05 189<br />
Day 1: 4 07-05<br />
44. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 3 07-05 187<br />
Day 1: 3 07-05<br />
45. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 3 07-03 185<br />
Day 1: 3 07-03<br />
46. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 3 07-01 183<br />
Day 1: 3 07-01<br />
47. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 3 06-07 181<br />
Day 1: 3 06-07<br />
48. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 3 06-06 179<br />
Day 1: 3 06-06<br />
49. Luke Gritter Kalamazoo, MI 3 06-05 177<br />
Day 1: 3 06-05<br />
50. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 3 06-04 175<br />
Day 1: 3 06-04<br />
51. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 3 06-02 173<br />
Day 1: 3 06-02<br />
52. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 3 05-14 171<br />
Day 1: 3 05-14<br />
53. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 2 05-14 169<br />
Day 1: 2 05-14<br />
54. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 2 05-12 167<br />
Day 1: 2 05-12<br />
55. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 3 05-10 165<br />
Day 1: 3 05-10<br />
56. Brent Broderick Oregonia, OH 3 05-09 163<br />
Day 1: 3 05-09<br />
57. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 2 05-04 161<br />
Day 1: 2 05-04<br />
58. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 3 05-01 159<br />
Day 1: 3 05-01<br />
59. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 3 04-12 157<br />
Day 1: 3 04-12<br />
60. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 2 04-08 155<br />
Day 1: 2 04-08<br />
60. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 2 04-08 155<br />
Day 1: 2 04-08<br />
62. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 2 04-07 151<br />
Day 1: 2 04-07<br />
62. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 2 04-07 151<br />
Day 1: 2 04-07<br />
64. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 2 04-04 147<br />
Day 1: 2 04-04<br />
65. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 2 04-01 145<br />
Day 1: 2 04-01<br />
66. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 2 03-13 143<br />
Day 1: 2 03-13<br />
67. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 2 03-11 141<br />
Day 1: 2 03-11<br />
68. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 2 03-10 139<br />
Day 1: 2 03-10<br />
69. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 2 03-06 137<br />
Day 1: 2 03-06<br />
70. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 1 02-12 135<br />
Day 1: 1 02-12<br />
70. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 1 02-12 135<br />
Day 1: 1 02-12<br />
72. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 1 02-08 131<br />
Day 1: 1 02-08<br />
72. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 1 02-08 131<br />
Day 1: 1 02-08<br />
74. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 1 02-07 127<br />
Day 1: 1 02-07<br />
75. Chris Lane Lakeland, FL 1 02-04 125<br />
Day 1: 1 02-04<br />
75. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 1 02-04 125<br />
Day 1: 1 02-04<br />
77. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 1 02-01 121<br />
Day 1: 1 02-01<br />
77. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 1 02-01 121<br />
Day 1: 1 02-01<br />
79. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 1 02-00 117<br />
Day 1: 1 02-00<br />
80. Jason Quinn York, SC 1 01-14 115<br />
Day 1: 1 01-14<br />
81. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 1 01-13 113<br />
Day 1: 1 01-13<br />
81. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 1 01-13 113<br />
Day 1: 1 01-13<br />
81. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 1 01-13 113<br />
Day 1: 1 01-13<br />
84. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 1 01-10 107<br />
Day 1: 1 01-10<br />
84. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 1 01-10 107<br />
Day 1: 1 01-10<br />
84. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 1 01-10 107<br />
Day 1: 1 01-10<br />
87. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 1 01-09 101<br />
Day 1: 1 01-09<br />
87. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 1 01-09 101<br />
Day 1: 1 01-09<br />
89. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 1 01-07 97<br />
Day 1: 1 01-07<br />
90. John Crews Salem, VA 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. David Smith Del City, OK 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS<br />
Day<br />
1 Randy Howell Springville, AL 04-05 $0.00<br />
1 John Murray Phoenix, AZ 04-05 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Totals<br />
Day #Limits #Fish Weight<br />
1 28 280 620-04<br />
----------------------------------<br />
28 280 620-04
Media Contact<br />
Doug Grassian; (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
Nonetheless, the mighty Mississippi holds a good population of bass, and those who made the right choices were able to capitalize. Turning around a practice that was alarmingly unproductive, Randy Howell laid claim to the Day 1 lead with a 16-pound, 9-ounce limit, enough for an advantage of nearly 2 pounds over Takahiro Omori (14-9) of Emory, Texas. Elite rookie Matt Herren of Trussville, Ala. (14-9) was third, with fellow rookie Billy McCaghren of Mayflower, Ark., and Elite veteran Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., tied for fourth with 13-1.
Howell, who said he landed zero keepers during a deflating three-day practice, keyed in on a small patch of 10 bushes, which yielded all of his weighed fish. His limit included a 4-pound, 5-ounce bass, which was tied for the largest of the day. Like most in the field, Howell was flipping into shallow pockets of water.
"I don't consider this type of fishing to be a strength, so taking the lead is a big confidence boost," said Howell, 35. "I don't think I have ever caught fish this shallow. It's just mind-blowing."
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the River Rumble on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, June 20, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN360.com, ESPN's broadband sports network, while a wealth of unique content will also be available at Bassmaster.com.
Howell said he caught fish in water as skinny as 6 inches. While his area proved productive, several other competitors were near or on his money spot and boat traffic remains an issue on the Mississippi with just a few, concentrated productive areas.
A solid tournament here would be doubly rewarding for Howell. He is chasing a $100,000 top prize, and, perhaps most importantly, he and all other Elite Series pros have their eye on positioning in the 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. For Howell, who came into this tournament ninth in the AOY standings, the one-time BASS winner is in good shape to double up and qualify for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala., and the inaugural 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series postseason.
The inaugural Toyota Trucks Championship Week is set for Sept. 10-18 and will be played out on two productive Alabama fisheries. The first of the two postseason tournaments will take place on Lake Jordanout of Wetumpka; the finale, the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, is slated for the Alabama River from Montgomery. Only the top 12 anglers in the AOY standings will advance.
Howell started hot Thursday, landing three keepers by 8 a.m. His next keeper came at 11 a.m., and he didn't land another bite until his fifth keeper was safely in the boat at 2:10 p.m. He used the rest of the day to poke around his productive area looking for clues to where the biggest bass were hiding.
"I came in hoping to just catch one fish and register some points," said Howell, an eight-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier. "Now, I'm in a very good position. It was just a grind out there -- and there is a bit more luck that comes into play here, but this spot is definitely going to be a factor."
Omori, who was fishing in the same backwater as Howell, also managed to turn around a sub-standard practice. He caught only five keepers on Day 1 by flipping to shallow water. His limit was buoyed by a 3-5 bass.
In 36th in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings heading into this event, Omori, a six-time BASS winner and the 2004 Bassmaster Classic champion, is looking to put himself in position to qualify for his seventh Bassmaster Classic. With only the top 36 qualifying, a solid tournament here would do wonders for his chances.
"My practice stunk and things are definitely not easy out there," said Omori, 38. "I also lost a 3-pounder, but all in all I'm optimistic."
Biffle, who won a 1995 BASS event on the Mississippi, is an angler to be watched at the Genuity River Rumble. An accomplished river fisherman, Biffle has already scored one Elite victory this year.
Also Thursday, Jerry Van Sickle of Oelwein, Iowa, who served as Elite angler Derek Remitz's Marshal, suffered injuries as the result of a boating accident and was treated at a local hospital. Van Sickle was alert and remained at the hospital for evaluation.
During the 2008 season, the Elite Series had to cancel the River Rumble in Fort Madison because of flooding along the river that affected nearly a dozen states. The river last was host to a Bassmaster Tour event in 2006, when Elite angler Darrin Schwenkbeck won a Bassmaster Northern Tour competition with a three-day total of 42 pounds, 12 ounces.
The Genuity River Rumble includes a top prize of $100,000 and awards valuable points in the 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title race. With 1,593 points heading into this week's event, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., leads the AOY standings. Trailing him are 2009 Bassmaster Classic champion and 2007 AOY Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., in second with 1,578 points, and 2008 Classic champion Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, in third with 1,477 points. Full standings can be found on Bassmaster.com
Fans are encouraged to attend the Genuity River Rumble's daily launches (6 a.m. CT) and weigh-ins (4 p.m.) through Sunday at Riverview Park, 902 4th St., Fort Madison. After Day 2's competition Friday, the field will be cut to the top 50 anglers for Day 3. Only the top 12 will go on to compete in Day 4.
Other activities Saturday and Sunday at the River Rumble will begin at 1 p.m. CT at Riverview Park, featuring the popular Dog Training & Retriever Demonstrations Brought To You By SportDog; a children's carnival with a bounce house and gummy-worm-eating contest; tethered balloon rides (for a nominal fee); and a live shooting of a cannon brought from Fort Mig.
At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, fans are invited to experience Bassmaster University, which includes the "Ask the Experts" session with Elite pros at 3 p.m.
Also on site as part of the consumer expo Saturday and Sunday, Monsanto will bring its Mobile Technology Unit (MTU) to the Riverview Marina offering tours free of charge every 30 minutes. The Mobile Technology Unit is a unique traveling exhibit showcasing Monsanto's latest advances in plant breeding and trait technology.
With its sponsorship of the event, Genuity will make a donation to the local organization Community Services Food Bank based on the cumulative weight of fish caught during the tournament. There will be a check presentation at the final weigh-in Sunday, June 14.
Sunday's activities will include the live taping of Hooked Up, hosted by ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. The show, which will air live at 3:30 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com, will preview Sunday's final weigh-in.
All events at the Genuity River Rumble are free and open to the public. The Elite Series regular season culminates with the August 13-16 Champion's Choice on Oneida Lake out of Syracuse, N.Y. At Oneida, the lineup will be determined for the top 12 anglers who will compete in the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series postseason and a shot at the 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNOutdoorsMedia.com for the latest releases, schedules and photos.
The local sponsor of the River Rumble is the Fort Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Official sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards.
Supporting sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Bass Pro Shops, Costa Del Mar, Ramada, SpongeTech and Triton Boats.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia 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 ESPN360.com, ESPN's broadband sports network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and 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, Academy Sports + Outdoors Women's Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events.
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.
-30-
Media Contact: Doug Grassian; (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
DAY 1 STANDINGS- GENUITY RIVER RUMBLE
2009 Genuity River Rumble 6/11-6/14
Mississippi River, Fort Madison IA.<br />
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 16-04 305<br />
Day 1: 5 16-04<br />
2. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 14-10 295<br />
Day 1: 5 14-10<br />
3. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 5 14-09 290<br />
Day 1: 5 14-09<br />
4. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 13-01 285<br />
Day 1: 5 13-01<br />
4. Billy Mccaghren Mayflower, AR 5 13-01 285<br />
Day 1: 5 13-01<br />
6. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 5 12-08 276<br />
Day 1: 5 12-08<br />
7. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 12-05 272<br />
Day 1: 5 12-05<br />
8. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 12-04 268<br />
Day 1: 5 12-04<br />
9. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 12-03 264<br />
Day 1: 5 12-03<br />
10. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 12-01 260<br />
Day 1: 5 12-01<br />
11. Alton Jones Waco, TX 5 12-00 257<br />
Day 1: 5 12-00<br />
12. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 4 11-10 254<br />
Day 1: 4 11-10<br />
13. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 11-09 251<br />
Day 1: 5 11-09<br />
14. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 5 11-08 248<br />
Day 1: 5 11-08<br />
15. Pat Golden High Point, NC 4 11-08 245<br />
Day 1: 4 11-08<br />
16. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 11-07 243<br />
Day 1: 5 11-07<br />
17. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 11-05 241<br />
Day 1: 5 11-05<br />
18. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 10-10 239<br />
Day 1: 5 10-10<br />
19. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 10-07 237<br />
Day 1: 5 10-07<br />
20. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 5 10-02 235<br />
Day 1: 5 10-02<br />
21. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 10-01 233<br />
Day 1: 5 10-01<br />
21. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 5 10-01 233<br />
Day 1: 5 10-01<br />
23. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 09-12 229<br />
Day 1: 5 09-12<br />
24. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 09-10 227<br />
Day 1: 5 09-10<br />
25. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 09-06 225<br />
Day 1: 5 09-06<br />
26. Elton Luce Jr. Brookeland, TX 4 09-05 223<br />
Day 1: 4 09-05<br />
27. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 09-01 221<br />
Day 1: 5 09-01<br />
28. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 3 09-00 219<br />
Day 1: 3 09-00<br />
29. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 08-14 217<br />
Day 1: 5 08-14<br />
30. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 08-13 215<br />
Day 1: 5 08-13<br />
31. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 4 08-13 213<br />
Day 1: 4 08-13<br />
32. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 08-10 211<br />
Day 1: 5 08-10<br />
33. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 08-05 209<br />
Day 1: 5 08-05<br />
34. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 4 08-05 207<br />
Day 1: 4 08-05<br />
35. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 4 08-03 205<br />
Day 1: 4 08-03<br />
35. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 4 08-03 205<br />
Day 1: 4 08-03<br />
37. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 4 07-12 201<br />
Day 1: 4 07-12<br />
38. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 3 07-12 199<br />
Day 1: 3 07-12<br />
39. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 3 07-11 197<br />
Day 1: 3 07-11<br />
40. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 3 07-10 195<br />
Day 1: 3 07-10<br />
41. Vince Fulks Purcell, OK 4 07-08 193<br />
Day 1: 4 07-08<br />
42. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 3 07-07 191<br />
Day 1: 3 07-07<br />
43. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 4 07-05 189<br />
Day 1: 4 07-05<br />
44. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 3 07-05 187<br />
Day 1: 3 07-05<br />
45. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 3 07-03 185<br />
Day 1: 3 07-03<br />
46. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 3 07-01 183<br />
Day 1: 3 07-01<br />
47. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 3 06-07 181<br />
Day 1: 3 06-07<br />
48. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 3 06-06 179<br />
Day 1: 3 06-06<br />
49. Luke Gritter Kalamazoo, MI 3 06-05 177<br />
Day 1: 3 06-05<br />
50. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 3 06-04 175<br />
Day 1: 3 06-04<br />
51. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 3 06-02 173<br />
Day 1: 3 06-02<br />
52. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 3 05-14 171<br />
Day 1: 3 05-14<br />
53. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 2 05-14 169<br />
Day 1: 2 05-14<br />
54. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 2 05-12 167<br />
Day 1: 2 05-12<br />
55. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 3 05-10 165<br />
Day 1: 3 05-10<br />
56. Brent Broderick Oregonia, OH 3 05-09 163<br />
Day 1: 3 05-09<br />
57. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 2 05-04 161<br />
Day 1: 2 05-04<br />
58. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 3 05-01 159<br />
Day 1: 3 05-01<br />
59. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 3 04-12 157<br />
Day 1: 3 04-12<br />
60. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 2 04-08 155<br />
Day 1: 2 04-08<br />
60. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 2 04-08 155<br />
Day 1: 2 04-08<br />
62. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 2 04-07 151<br />
Day 1: 2 04-07<br />
62. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 2 04-07 151<br />
Day 1: 2 04-07<br />
64. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 2 04-04 147<br />
Day 1: 2 04-04<br />
65. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 2 04-01 145<br />
Day 1: 2 04-01<br />
66. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 2 03-13 143<br />
Day 1: 2 03-13<br />
67. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 2 03-11 141<br />
Day 1: 2 03-11<br />
68. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 2 03-10 139<br />
Day 1: 2 03-10<br />
69. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 2 03-06 137<br />
Day 1: 2 03-06<br />
70. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 1 02-12 135<br />
Day 1: 1 02-12<br />
70. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 1 02-12 135<br />
Day 1: 1 02-12<br />
72. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 1 02-08 131<br />
Day 1: 1 02-08<br />
72. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 1 02-08 131<br />
Day 1: 1 02-08<br />
74. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 1 02-07 127<br />
Day 1: 1 02-07<br />
75. Chris Lane Lakeland, FL 1 02-04 125<br />
Day 1: 1 02-04<br />
75. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 1 02-04 125<br />
Day 1: 1 02-04<br />
77. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 1 02-01 121<br />
Day 1: 1 02-01<br />
77. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 1 02-01 121<br />
Day 1: 1 02-01<br />
79. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 1 02-00 117<br />
Day 1: 1 02-00<br />
80. Jason Quinn York, SC 1 01-14 115<br />
Day 1: 1 01-14<br />
81. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 1 01-13 113<br />
Day 1: 1 01-13<br />
81. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 1 01-13 113<br />
Day 1: 1 01-13<br />
81. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 1 01-13 113<br />
Day 1: 1 01-13<br />
84. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 1 01-10 107<br />
Day 1: 1 01-10<br />
84. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 1 01-10 107<br />
Day 1: 1 01-10<br />
84. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 1 01-10 107<br />
Day 1: 1 01-10<br />
87. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 1 01-09 101<br />
Day 1: 1 01-09<br />
87. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 1 01-09 101<br />
Day 1: 1 01-09<br />
89. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 1 01-07 97<br />
Day 1: 1 01-07<br />
90. John Crews Salem, VA 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. David Smith Del City, OK 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
90. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 0 00-00 0<br />
Day 1: 0 00-00<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG BASS<br />
Day<br />
1 Randy Howell Springville, AL 04-05 $0.00<br />
1 John Murray Phoenix, AZ 04-05 $0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Totals<br />
Day #Limits #Fish Weight<br />
1 28 280 620-04<br />
----------------------------------<br />
28 280 620-04
Media Contact<br />
Doug Grassian; (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com