Casey Ashley Corrals First Bassmaster Elite Series Win at Smith Mountain Lake
Editor's Note: Bassmaster Elite Series fans have the opportunity to visit www.ESPNOutdoors.com/hottestrig and vote for their favorite Elite angler's boat designs in the Hottest Rig Running contest. Fans can vote each week until the winner is announced July 29 at the Bassmaster Memorial presented by Evan Williams Bourbon in Syracuse, N.Y. The winner of the contest will receive $10,000
Final Results: Pros | Co-Anglers
MONETA, Va. — With less than an hour remaining in the final day of competition, Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., boated two keeper fish on back-to-back casts. The weight of those two fish was enough to bring him victory on Sunday at the Blue Ridge Brawl presented by Advance Auto Parts on Virginia's Smith Mountain Lake. The Bassmaster Elite Series rookie totaled 57 pounds, 3 ounces, over the four-day event, besting Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Fla., by 2 pounds.
Just 23 years old and the youngest angler in the Elite Series field, Ashley clinched his first BASS victory and the $100,000 top prize despite struggling on the final-day.
Fishing fans can watch Ashley's victory on The Bassmasters on ESPN 2 at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 16.
"I started feeling the pressure at 11 a.m. and by 2 o'clock I really started sweating," said Ashley, whose victory earned him valuable points toward qualifying for the 2008 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell, the South Carolina fishery he considers his home lake. "I thought I blew it until I caught two in a row there."
James Overstreet
Elite Series rookie Casey Ashley, flanked by Trip Weldon and Keith Alan, realizes he just won the Blue Ridge Brawl.
Primarily working a jig on rocky main-lake points and a finesse worm to docks, Ashley notched his fourth top-25 finish of the season. Sunday, he became the second rookie to win an Elite event. Rookie Derek Remitz of Madison, Ala., won the season-opening event on Texas' Lake Amistad.
"I can't even speak about it, I'm so excited," said an elated Ashley, whose win moved him into a tie for first with Remitz in the Toyota Rookie of the Year standings. "I never thought I would win a tournament this year in my rookie season. I just wanted to qualify for next year."
Scroggins took second with 55 pounds, 3 ounces. His final-day catch of 15 pounds, 5 ounces, was the best bag of the day. The 38-year-old has had a solid season so far, winning two Bassmaster Open tournaments, and he is now in seventh place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
The five-time BASS winner worked a shaky head worm around points that featured brush and rocks on the final day. He landed eight to 10 keepers in the last hour of competition.
"I had the chance to make this tournament a little more interesting," Scroggins said. "But I didn't execute like I needed to. Anytime you finish second at an area that you've never been to, you have to be happy with it."
Rounding out the top five were 2004 Classic champion Takahiro Omori of Emory, Texas, in third with 53 pounds, 15 ounces; Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., in fourth with 53 pounds, 3 ounces; and Morizo Shimizu of Osaka, Japan, in fifth with 52 pounds, 12 ounces.
Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., the reigning Classic champion who led the Blue Ridge Brawl for the first two days, finished sixth with 52 pounds, 7 ounces. In seventh with 51 pounds, 5 ounces, was Dean Rojas of Grand Saline, Texas, who went into the final day in second place.
Local favorite John Crews of Salem, Va., finished eighth with 50 pounds, 11 ounces.
The next tournament stop for the 108 Elite competitors is the Sooner Run presented by Longhorn Tobacco scheduled for June 21-24 on Oklahoma's Grand Lake
Fishing fans can follow the action of Bassmaster Elite Series events on www.espnoutdoors.com.
For related photos of the event, click here.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com. Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
Purolator Big Bass of the Day
Pro: Takahiro Omori; Emory, Texas; 4-15
Location and Field
Blue Ridge Brawl presented by Advance Auto Parts — Bassmaster Elite Series
Smith Mountain Lake
Moneta, Va.
June 7-10
Field
106 pros, 106 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3
Bassmaster Elite Series sponsors: Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide and Costa Del Mar.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
Bassmaster Elite Series Standings- Smith Mountain Lake- Moneta, Va.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$1. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 19 57-03 310 $109,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 5 14-08 Day 4: 4 09-10
2. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 20 55-03 295 $31,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 15-09 Day 4: 5 15-05
3. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 20 53-15 290 $26,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 14-09 Day 4: 5 13-14
4. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 20 53-03 285 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 10-15 Day 4: 5 11-10
5. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, Japan 20 52-12 280 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 11-04 Day 3: 5 12-01 Day 4: 5 14-04
6. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 19 52-07 286 $16,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 4 07-11 Day 4: 5 10-14
7. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 18 51-05 272 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 18-05 Day 3: 5 11-08 Day 4: 3 08-06
8. John Crews Salem, VA 19 50-11 268 $15,500.00
Day 1: 4 07-11 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 15-14 Day 4: 5 12-10
9. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 20 49-05 264 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 11-08 Day 4: 5 11-11
10. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 19 48-12 260 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 11-08 Day 4: 4 09-05
11. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 20 48-11 257 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 11-02 Day 4: 5 09-01
12. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 20 47-14 254 $12,300.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 10-01 Day 4: 5 10-00
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PUROLATOR BIG BASS
Day
1 Rick Clunn Ava, MO 06-07 $1,000.00
2 Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 06-05 $1,000.00
3 Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 05-01 $1,000.00
4 Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 04-15 $1,000.00
PUROLATOR BIG BASS OF TOURN
Rick Clunn Ava, MO 06-07 $1,000.00
BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT
Day
1 Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 19-05 $1,000.00
2 Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 22-00 $1,000.00
3 John Crews Salem, VA 15-14 $1,000.00
4 Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 15-05 $1,000.00
BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT OF TOURN
Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 22-00 $8,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 74 444 1030-13
2 69 450 1044-05
3 32 207 460-01
4 9 56 136-10
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184 1157 2671-13
Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Skeet Reese Calif. 1573
2 Kevin VanDam Mich. 1460
3 Jared Lintner Calif. 1441
4 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 1361
5 Ishama Monroe Calif. 1350
6 Jeff Kriet Okla. 1338
7 Terry Scroggins Fla. 1327
8 Derek Remitz Texas 1292
8 Casey Ashley S.C. 1292
10 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1271
11 Aaron Martens Ala. 1268
12 Dean Rojas Texas 1244
13 John Crews Va. 1237
14 Stephen Browning Ark. 1236
15 Gerald Swindle Ala. 1226
15 Kelly Jordon Texas 1226
17 Chris Lane Fla. 1220
18 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 1217
19 John Murray Ariz. 1215
20 Gary Klein Texas 1204
21 Mark Tyler Okla. 1183
22 Scott Rook Ark. 1182
23 Kevin Wirth Ky. 1175
24 Peter Thliveros Fla. 1166
25 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 1162
25 Mark Menendez Ky. 1162
27 Jason Quinn S.C. 1161
27 Timmy Horton Ala. 1161
29 Mike McClelland Ark. 1160
30 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 1157
31 Tommy Biffle Okla. 1155
32 Cliff Pace Miss. 1150
33 Takahiro Omori Texas 1149
34 Todd Faircloth Texas 1136
35 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 1121
36 Greg Hackney La. 1114
37 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 1109
38 Alton Jones Texas 1108
39 Edwin Evers Okla. 1104
40 Paul Elias Miss. 1100
41 Pete Ponds Miss. 1098
42 Randy Howell Ala. 1097
43 Brent Chapman Kan. 1096
44 Boyd Duckett Ala. 1084
45 Dave Wolak N.C. 1083
46 Brian Snowden Mo. 1075
47 Kevin Short Ark. 1066
48 Mark Tucker Mo. 1048
49 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 1046
50 Davy Hite S.C. 1038
51 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 1036
52 Denny Brauer Mo. 1034
53 Russ Lane Ala. 1029
54 Mike Wurm Ark. 1025
55 Scott Campbell Mo. 1022
56 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1016
57 Jason Williamson S.C. 997
58 Ken Brodeur Conn. 991
59 Rick Morris Va. 980
60 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 979
61 Ken Cook Okla. 969
62 Lee Bailey Ala. 966
63 Rick Clunn Mo. 959
64 James Niggemeyer Texas 952
65 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 943
66 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 942
67 Ben Matsubu Texas 933
68 Matt Reed Texas 924
69 Kurt Dove Va. 917
70 Zell Rowland Texas 915
71 Britt Myers S.C. 914
72 James Charlesworth Fla. 912
73 Bernie Schultz Fla. 904
74 Marty Robinson S.C. 901
75 Bill Lowen Ohio 888
76 Jeff Connella La. 887
77 Marty Stone N.C. 885
78 Bradley Hallman Okla. 879
78 Bill Smith Ky. 879
80 Jami Fralick S.D. 877
81 Kenyon Hill Okla. 872
82 Jim Murray Ga. 870
83 James Kennedy La. 852
84 Kevin Langill N.C. 848
84 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 848
86 Grant Goldbeck Md. 843
87 Paul Hirosky Pa. 831
88 Charlie Hartley Ohio 828
89 Mark Rogers Fla. 821
90 Guy Eaker N.C. 815
91 Matt Amedeo Ohio 807
92 Preston Clark Fla. 801
93 Glenn Delong Ohio 767
94 Keith Phillips Ala. 734
95 Steve Daniel Fla. 732
96 Terry Butcher Okla. 715
97 Eric Nethery Ga. 709
98 Doc Merkin Ill. 706
99 Jimmy Mason Ala. 678
100 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 677
101 Jon Bondy Canada 672
102 Charlie Youngers Fla. 667
103 Bradley Stringer Texas 664
104 Dave Smith Okla. 660
105 Rick Ash Pa. 642
106 Byron Velvick Texas 564
107 Frank Scalish Ohio 560
108 Elton Luce Jr Texas 426
2007 Toyota Rookie of the Year
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Derek Remitz Texas 1292
1 Casey Ashley S.C. 1292
3 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 1217
4 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 1036
5 Scott Campbell Mo. 1022
6 Jason Williamson S.C. 997
7 James Niggemeyer Texas 952
8 James Charlesworth Fla. 912
9 Marty Robinson S.C. 901
10 James Kennedy La. 852
11 Matt Amedeo Ohio 807
12 Glenn Delong Ohio 767
2007 Toyota Moving Forward
---------------------------------------------------------
Place Name 2006 Finish 2007 Standings
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Fred Roumbanis 69 4
2 Chris Lane 61 17
3 Mark Menendez 68 25
3 Mark Tyler 64 21
5 Pete Ponds 83 41
6 Ken Brodeur 98 58
7 Ishama Monroe 37 5
8 Stephen Browning 45 14
9 Jeff Kriet 33 6
10 Scott Rook 47 22
11 Terry Scroggins 31 7
12 Rick Morris 81 59
13 Kevin Short 67 47
14 Ray Sedgwick 56 37
15 Gary Klein 36 20
16 Jared Lintner 18 3
17 Kurt Dove 82 69
17 Morizo Shimizu 48 35
19 Ken D Cook 73 61
20 Mark Rogers 99 89
21 Paul Elias 49 40
22 Brian Snowden 54 46
23 John Crews 20 13
24 Skeet Reese 7 1
25 Britt Myers 76 71
26 Timmy Horton 30 27
26 Jimmy Mize 59 56
28 Grant Goldbeck 88 86
28 Jeff Reynolds 27 25
28 Takahiro Omori 35 33
31 Kevin VanDam 3 2
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