Photo by Chris Brown/B.A.S.S.
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. April 19 2019 — James Biggs could’ve slept in and still won the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional on Lake Guntersville, but instead the Euless, Texas boater caught a five-bass limit of 19 pounds, 9 ounces and slammed the door on a dominant wire-to-wire victory with a three-day total of 70-2.
After taking the Day 1 lead with 25-4, Biggs entered the second day with a margin of 2-12. Adding 25-5 — the event’s heaviest catch — increased his lead to 16-7. In the final round, second-place boater Jeremy Montgomery’s tournament total of 49-7 fell a pound and 2 ounces shy of Biggs’ combined weight from the first two days.
Adding his final day’s catch gave Biggs a winning margin of 20-11. Notably, that margin was more weight than anyone except Montgomery caught on Day 1.
Biggs said he intentionally built his weight as high as possible — even at the risk of fishing out his spot — because he knew the warm, mostly sunny conditions prevalent during the first two days would yield to the approaching cold front. After a rainy night, Day 3 brought a significant temperature drop, with big winds starting around mid morning. Getting his work done early was essential, Biggs said.
“Today went pretty well and I had almost 20 pounds by about 10 o’clock,” he said. “I actually got off the spot and gave it to my buddy to try to win the co-angler side. His boater wasn’t on fish, so I gave him that spot.
“I got closer to the ramp and just fished around. My nonboater (Justin Hymel) was able to fill out his limit close to the ramp and pull off the win.”
Fishing the upper end of the lake, near Goose Pond, Biggs caught his Day 3 fish with one of the two techniques he had used the first two days. The swimbait bite he had enjoyed went away in the final round, but his Dialed Baits ArmBreaker stickworm still performed.
Biggs rigged this bait Texas style with a light weight and dragged it along shell bottoms. Presentation pace, he noted, proved to be a key element of his success.
“I was dragging it really slow,” Biggs said. “You move it a foot, let it sit 10-15 seconds and just move it really, really slow.”
Biggs’ performance helped Oklahoma win the state title at this week’s event.
Montgomery’s second-place finish capped a consistent week that saw him take second on Day 1 with 22-8. The boater from Overland Park, Kan., slipped to fourth on Day 2 after missing his limit by one fish and weighing a 10-pound, 7-ounce bag, but made up the ground on Day 3 after catching a limit that went 16-8.
Montgomery caught his fish on a 1/4-ounce shaky head with a green pumpkin Zoom Magnum Finesse Worm. He said the final round weather didn’t affect him because most of his action came before the windy conditions began.
“I did most of my damage in the morning, right away,” he said. “I took advantage of the calm weather, got on my grassy humps and was able to slow down. I caught two really good quality fish right away, caught two more and then went running around. I got lucky at the end of the day. With 30 minutes to go, I caught another 4-pounder.”
Montgomery said the humps he fished rose 3 to 4 feet, with grass drops in 5 to 7 feet. His most productive presentation was throwing his bait on top of the humps and pulling it down to the grass.
Keith Glasgow of Guin, Ala., finished third with 49-6 after his tie with Louisiana boater Howard Hartley was broken by the heaviest single day catch — in this case, Glasgow’s Day 3 limit of 21-3. Glasgow, who made a big comeback from 64th on Day 1, got the ball rolling quickly on the final day and then focused on upgrading.
“I started off shallow on a shad spawn and caught a decent limit on a ChatterBait and a Carolina rig,” he said. “After that, I started fishing ledges in about 14 feet in the mouths of spawning pockets with Strike King 6XD, 8XD and 10 XD and a Carolina rig with a Zoom Magnum Finesse Worm. That’s the first place they move when they come off the beds.”
Josh Hilton of Clarksville, Ark., won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award with his 8-12.
Justin Hymel of Norco, La., won the nonboater division with 32-10. After tying for third on Day 1 with 11-15, Hymel added 9-2 in the second round and took the lead. He sealed the deal on Day 3 with a three-bass limit that weighed 11-9.
“Yesterday, I didn’t catch my last keeper until 10 minutes left to fish; today, I caught my last keeper about 30 minutes before check in,” Hymel said of his down-to-the-wire win. “Keep your head in it every time. You never know, so don’t give up.”
The first two days of the event, Hymel caught most of his fish on a wacky-rigged stickworm. Today, he caught one of his keepers on a Texas-rigged Missile Baits Baby D Stroyer, one on a Texas-rigged Dialed Baits ArmBreaker and his third on a wacky-rigged ArmBreaker.
Lacson Reid of Eclectic, Ala., won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among nonboaters with an 8-0.
The top boater and top nonboater from each competing state advances to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Hartwell, November 6-8.
2019 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: TNT Fireworks
2019 B.A.S.S. Nation Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2019 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2019 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Lowrance, Nationwide, T-H Marine
2019 B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional Local Host: Marshall County CVB
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Guntersville Lake, Guntersville AL.
2019 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional 4/17-4/19
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. James Biggs Euless, TX (OK) 15 70-02 0
2. Jeremy Montgomery Overland Park, KS (KS) 14 49-07 0
3. Keith Glasgow Guin, AL (AL) 14 49-06 0
4. Howard Hartley Patterson, LA (LA) 15 49-06 0
5. Jason Baird Gypsum, KS (KS) 15 49-04 0
6. Ted Prisbe Harsens Island, MI (MI 15 47-12 0
7. Kyle Kiister Arma, KS (KS) 14 46-14 0
8. Allan Reaves Pottsville, AR (AR) 15 45-10 0
9. Justin Barnes Monroeville, AL (AL) 15 45-04 0
10. Brock Belik Orchard, NE (SD) 15 43-08 0
11. Jason Pittman Covington, LA (MS) 15 43-07 0
12. Gregory Glasser Saline, MI (MI) 15 43-06 0
13. Coby Carden Shelby, AL (AL) 15 43-05 0
14. Larry Franks Jr. Wilsonville, AL (AL) 14 43-03 0
15. Don Douglas IV Hensley, AR (AR) 14 42-09 0
16. Gary Schild Mundelein, IL (WI) 15 42-08 0
17. Kent Mittelstaedt New Hope, MN (MN) 14 42-01 0
18. Michael Lebsack Duluth, MN (MN) 15 41-09 0
19. Tony Puelz Garnavillo, IA (IA) 15 40-12 0
20. Cole Burdeshaw NEWVILLE, AL (AL) 15 40-09 0
21. Nick Prvonozac Warren, OH (OH) 15 40-08 0
22. Marc Snyder St. Johns, MI (MI) 15 40-07 0
23. Joshua Barr Louisville, OH (OH) 12 40-06 0
24. Jeremy Tenwalde Fort Jennings, OH (OH) 14 40-05 0
25. Matthew Robertson Kuttawa, KY (KY) 13 40-05 0
26. Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI (WI) 15 40-01 0
27. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK (OK) 15 39-15 0
28. Eduardo Trevino South Elgin, IL (IL) 13 39-03 0
29. Kris Bosley Amarillo, TX (TX) 15 39-02 0
30. Mark Borchers Akron, IA (NE) 15 39-00 0
31. Sawyer Mcmurphy Long Beach, MS (MS) 13 38-10 0
32. Wells Kaiser Bernard, IA (IA) 15 38-08 0
33. Bryan Trahan Orange, TX (TX) 15 38-07 0
34. Cody Graff Glenvil, NE (NE) 14 36-14 0
35. Jared Miller Norman, OK (OK) 14 36-13 0
36. Nobuyuki Terajima Hermitage, TN (TN) 14 36-12 0
37. Mike Perry Brownsville, TN (TN) 14 36-00 0
38. Kenneth Reed Bloomington, IN (IN) 13 35-04 0
39. Monty Fralick Martin, SD (SD) 13 34-15 0
40. Tom Kiefer Oak Grove, MN (MN) 12 33-01 0
41. David Schultz Wilmington, IL (IL) 11 32-11 0
42. Daniel Bowling Morgantown, IN (IN) 13 32-10 0
43. Josh Hilton Clarksville, AR (AR) 10 30-08 0
44. John Roth Lawrenceburg, IN (KY) 13 30-05 0
45. Mike Wallis Hallsville, MO (MO) 10 30-00 0
46. Blake Betz Baton Rouge, LA (LA) 10 29-04 0
47. Tucker Pierce Hollister, MO (MO) 12 26-14 0
48. Jim Clay Eagle Rock, MO (KS) 10 26-12 0
49. Brock Enmeier Broken Arrow, OK (OK) 10 25-03 0
50. Chad Warren Sand Springs, OK (OK) 9 24-14 0
51. Corey Smith Perry, OK (OK) 8 24-10 0
52. Dustin Drath Coon Valley, WI (WI) 9 24-04 0
53. Blake Albertson BLOOMINGTON, IN (IN) 10 24-03 0
54. Jeff Bostic Cassopolis, MI (MI) 10 23-14 0
55. Robert Paxton Jr Flower Mound, TX (TX) 10 23-13 0
56. Josh Miller Roberts, WI (WI) 10 23-13 0
57. Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH (OH) 7 23-09 0
58. Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA (IA) 10 23-09 0
59. Albert Collins Nacogdoches, TX (TX) 9 23-09 0
60. Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, IA (NE) 10 23-08 0
61. Michael Bueche Pierre Part, LA (LA) 7 23-06 0
62. Trenton Pittman Covington, LA (MS) 8 23-06 0
63. Brett Foret Houma, LA (LA) 8 23-06 0
64. Robbie Ocmond Gonzales, LA (LA) 10 22-14 0
65. Eric Snow Clarksville, IN (KY) 9 22-13 0
66. Matthew Mcclanahan Bloomington, IN (IN) 7 22-09 0
67. Donald Roberts Bellville, OH (OH) 10 22-08 0
68. Kyle Goltz Cornell, WI (WI) 10 22-04 0
69. Jeremy Tibben Stanton, IA (NE) 9 22-03 0
70. Spenser Embry Lebanon, TN (TN) 7 22-03 0
71. Jim Barczak Osceola, WI (WI) 10 21-14 0
72. Chad Petrie McKinney, TX (TX) 10 21-11 0
73. Tyler Ramsey Sand Springs, OK (OK) 10 21-09 0
74. Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 10 21-07 0
75. Scott Brison Clarksville, TN (TN) 10 21-07 0
76. Ed Bauer Mooresville, IN (IN) 8 21-03 0
77. Jim Barnette Decatur, AL (AL) 8 21-03 0
78. Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD (SD) 9 21-00 0
79. Shane Stiehl Pierre, SD (SD) 9 20-12 0
80. Douglas Hatcher Clarksville, AR (AR) 6 20-11 0
81. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK (OK) 9 20-10 0
82. Chong Vang Rosevile, MN (MN) 9 20-09 0
83. Rich Lindgren Lakeville, MN (MN) 6 20-08 0
84. Aaron Ivy Washington, IN (IN) 7 20-08 0
85. Garrett Cates Overland Park, KS (KS) 7 20-02 0
86. Stephen Noble Newport, KY (KY) 5 20-01 0
87. David Cook Whitehouse, TN (TN) 7 19-15 0
88. Johnston Westmoreland Mooselake, MN (MN) 7 19-15 0
89. Edward Schiller Wixom, MI (MI) 7 19-08 0
90. Tony Devolder Moline, IL (IA) 8 19-07 0
91. Jason Benjamin Lawrence, KS (KS) 6 19-04 0
92. Kyle Christopher Danville, KY (KY) 9 19-04 0
93. Ryan Whitacre Chicago, IL (WI) 7 19-03 0
94. Richard Young Jr Melbourne, KY (KY) 7 19-02 0
95. Duane Hanzlik Basehor, KS (NE) 8 18-12 0
96. Mark Floyd Blue Mountain, MS (MS) 7 18-11 0
97. Troy Kilgas Combined Locks, WI (WI) 7 18-09 0
98. Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH (OH) 8 18-04 0
99. Ted Daniels St. Louis, MO (MO) 9 18-04 0
100. Michael McAdams Cincinnati, OH (OH) 6 18-02 0
101. Robert Huff Lancaster, KY (KY) 10 18-01 0
102. Duane Pittman Prairieville, LA (LA) 7 17-12 0
103. Jay Ladner Perkinston, MS (MS) 7 17-12 0
104. Michael Kazmierczak Lemont, IL (IL) 8 17-11 0
105. David Helming Celestine, IN (IN) 6 17-07 0
106. Bret Fite Salina, OK (OK) 6 17-07 0
107. Yancey Hartzer Culbertson, NE (NE) 6 17-01 0
108. Darrell Campbell Alba, TX (TX) 8 17-01 0
109. Josh Cruse Pocahontas, AR (AR) 6 16-14 0
110. Richard Hladky Yankton, SD (SD) 7 16-12 0
111. Paul Willett Blue Eye, MO (MO) 6 16-11 0
112. Brian Martin La Vista, NE (NE) 7 16-09 0
113. Bill Mcquarrie Newaygo, MI (MI) 7 16-05 0
114. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA (LA) 6 16-05 0
115. Tom Enloe Tuscola, TX (TX) 8 16-05 0
116. Justin Marbut Jacksonville, AL (AL) 6 16-04 0
117. Tony Ardizzone Indianapolis, IN (IN) 6 16-02 0
118. Rod Bunge Mechanicsville, IA (IA) 7 15-15 0
119. Chad Housh Auburn, NE (NE) 8 15-15 0
120. Brooks Forsyth Hester, LA (LA) 7 15-14 0
121. Matt Pangrac Broken Arrow, OK (OK) 7 15-12 0
122. Jerry Avis Council Bluffs, IA (NE) 8 15-12 0
123. Gary Coffman Earlham, IA (IA) 6 15-12 0
124. David Streich Mansfield, OH (OH) 7 15-11 0
125. Raymond Bartkowiak Villa Park, IL (IL) 7 15-10 0
126. Mark Klemp Villa Park, IL (IL) 6 15-07 0
127. Nick Coleman Kuttawa, KY (KY) 7 14-15 0
128. Joe Discerni Warren, OH (OH) 7 14-15 0
129. Bob Garman Center Point, IA (IA) 5 14-12 0
130. Sam Schlosser Gaylord, MI (MI) 6 14-11 0
131. Will Presley Jr Grove City, OH (OH) 5 14-08 0
132. Daniel Fabiano Maple Grove, MN (MN) 6 14-08 0
133. David Buchanan Abbeville, AL (AL) 5 14-07 0
134. Tyler Shanle Green Bay, WI (WI) 7 14-06 0
135. Randy Miller Coal City, IL (IL) 6 13-15 0
136. Ken Reagan Jenison, MI (MI) 6 13-14 0
137. Mark Cooper Nicholasville, KY (KY) 5 13-14 0
138. Steven Hatch Long Beach, MS (MS) 5 13-07 0
139. Jimmy Pierce Medon, TN (TN) 6 13-06 0
140. Destre Dedeaux Meadville, MS (MS) 6 13-05 0
141. Robert Thierry III Sugarland, TX (TX) 5 13-02 0
142. Dean Harlan Ava, MO (MO) 5 13-00 0
143. Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA (LA) 6 12-15 0
144. Eric Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN (TN) 5 12-12 0
145. Mickey Lewis Huntingdon, TN (TN) 5 12-07 0
146. Danny Carter Hernando, MS (MS) 6 12-06 0
147. Heston Fish Squires, MO (MO) 7 12-04 0
148. Justin Rowse O’Neill, NE (SD) 5 12-04 0
149. Jon Harshbarger Kaufman, TX (TX) 6 12-04 0
150. Kenneth Schofield Canyon, MN (MN) 6 12-04 0
151. Scott Tassi Arma, KS (KS) 6 11-14 0
152. Lee Byrd Jr. Pell City, AL (AL) 6 11-13 0
153. Taylor Phillips East Tawas, MI (MI) 5 11-13 0
154. Hoyt Akins Scott, AR (AR) 5 11-11 0
155. Allen Holt New Tazewell, TN (TN) 5 11-09 0
156. Johnnie Neil Jr Warrensburg, MO (MO) 6 11-06 0
157. Nicholas King Tinley Park, IL (IL) 5 10-15 0
158. Henry Montney Clarkston, MI (MI) 4 10-14 0
159. Paul Kremers Clarksville, AR (AR) 4 10-12 0
160. Caleb Prestenbach Thibodaux, LA (LA) 5 10-12 0
161. Frank Wickham Jr New Hampton, IA (IA) 4 09-15 0
162. Allen Williford West Frankfort, IL (IL) 4 09-14 0
163. Michael Moore Dover, TN (TN) 4 09-13 0
164. Jin Nguyen Kansas City, MO (MO) 5 09-12 0
165. David James Russellville, AR (AR) 5 09-11 0
166. Donald Pflumm Stilwell, KS (KS) 4 09-03 0
167. Steve Strope Orchard, NE (SD) 4 09-03 0
168. Rodney Keel Bedford, IN (IN) 5 09-03 0
169. Aaron Lehnen Middletown, MO (MO) 3 09-01 0
170. Cody Slygh Duluth, MN (MN) 3 08-08 0
171. Luke Jasper Lemont, IL (IL) 2 08-02 0
172. James Parsons Topeka, KS (KS) 3 08-02 0
173. Harry Heins Monona, IA (IA) 4 08-01 0
174. Rick Shock Victoria, TX (TX) 2 07-14 0
175. Chase Peek Belleville, AR (AR) 4 07-13 0
176. Calvin Davidson Plainfield, IN (IN) 4 07-10 0
177. Chuck Steinbauer Baxter, MN (MN) 3 07-09 0
178. Mark Brown Little Rock, AR (AR) 3 06-11 0
179. Daniel Hamdorf Lowden, IA (IA) 3 06-04 0
180. Bryce White McCall Creek, MS (MS) 3 05-15 0
181. Aaron Carroll Rolla, MO (MO) 3 05-08 0
182. Ralph Myhlhousen Grove, OK (NE) 3 05-01 0
183. Larry Carter Lucedale, MS (MS) 2 04-07 0
184. Fred Goy Williams Bay, WI (WI) 3 04-04 0
185. Corey Peterson Yankton, SD (SD) 2 04-00 0
186. John Czajkoski Wilmington, IL (IL) 2 03-15 0
187. Brandon Garrison Gladstone, MO (KS) 2 03-13 0
188. Roger Peebles Atmore, AL (AL) 1 02-03 0
189. Gary Bonnet Borden, IN (KY) 1 02-02 0
190. Justin Heidinger Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 1 02-01 0
191. Brian Kregel Garnavillo, IA (IA) 0 00-00 0
———————————————————————–
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 74 660 1765-04
2 87 688 1771-02
3 34 208 578-09
———————————-
195 1556 4114-15