His 1st BASS victory comes on Old Hickory Lake
posted June 30, 2008
Kevin Wirth of Crestwood, Ky., tried a new strategy that made him uncomfortable throughout the Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn on Old Hickory Lake, but the decision and his execution helped him take home the trophy Saturday at the ninth 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series event.
The Elite Series veteran and former Kentucky Derby jockey led from start to finish to claim the $100,000 first-place prize and valuable points toward the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. With a four-day weight of 55 pounds, 10 ounces, Wirth, 45, sealed his first BASS win in 14 years and the first wire-to-wire victory of the 2008 Elite season.
Wirth also rallied to 30th in the AOY standings – the top 36 in the standings will qualify for the Classic, set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La. The winner of the AOY will receive $250,000 and the points will also determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers.
Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, who is in second place in the AOY title race, finished 10th with and 42-14. He closed the gap between himself and leader Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., by three more points, now just 12 behind with only two events remaining in the Trail to the Trophy.
Fishing fans can catch all of the action from the Tennessee Triumph on The Bassmasters on Saturday, July 5, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
After a disappointing Day 3, Bill Lowen of North Bend, Ohio, rebounded on Day 4 with the Berkley Big Bag of the Day at 14-9 for 50-5 overall. Wirth’s 17-2 catch Thursday won the Berkley Big Bag of the tournament.
Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., held firm in third place with 12-15 for 50 pounds, 0 ounces overall, and he took home the bonus for the Purolator Big Bass of the Tournament for his Day 2 catch of 6-6. Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu, Ariz., was fourth with 48-12, and in a tie for fifth place with 48-10 were 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, and four-time Bassmaster Classic champ Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo. Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kan., who finished seventh with 47-11, weighed one Sunday at 5-8, good for the $1,000 premium for the Purolator Big Bass of the Day.
Wirth said Sunday that on the third day of practice he didn’t like what he was doing, because it went against the grain of how he was accustomed to fishing, but he said he put one rod in his hand and said to himself, “I’m going fishing.”
“I can’t hardly hold my emotions here, you know, because it’s been a long, hard grind,” Wirth said on the weigh-in stage as he fought off tears. “There’s been many a day when you think, man, this is not the right thing to be doing. And right now, this makes it all worth it. Dreams can come true, if you have a dream and stick with it, go get it.”
Wirth’s two biggest fish Sunday came on a buzzbait he hadn’t used the rest of the week. He fished shallow through the competition, mainly flipping a Berkley Power Hog creature bait in green pumpkin.
“I noticed the water come up with a lot of cloud cover, we had some rain last night, so the water was pretty dark,” Wirth said of Sunday’s conditions that led to his using the buzzbait. “I noticed the fish were roaming around and weren’t getting up on the targets. As soon as I pulled in my area I saw a couple flicker up on top, so it had come to me this morning before take-off and I reached in the lock box and tied one on, and it paid off.”
In the Advance Auto Parts Rookie of the Year race, Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., continues to lead with 1,836 points. He is 409 points ahead of second-place Wade Grooms of Bonneau, S.C.
Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., leads the Berkley Heavyweight Award race with 307 pounds, 4 ounces through nine events.
Up next is the July 31-Aug. 3 Empire Chase on Lake Erie and the Niagara River out of Buffalo, the 10th event of 11 Elite Series tournaments in the Trail to the Trophy.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.
The local sponsor of the Tennessee Triumph is the Sumner County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.
Location and Field
Tennessee presented by Longhorn
Old Hickory Lake
Hendersonville, Tenn.
June 26-29, 2008
Field
106 pros, 107 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3
Launch/Weigh-in
Sanders Ferry Park
100 Sanders Ferry Park Rd.
Hendersonville, TN
6 a.m./2:30 p.m. CT
2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Event Tournament Locations/Dates
March 6-9 Sunshine Showdown Harris Chain of Lakes Leesburg, Fla.
March 13-16 Citrus Slam Kissimmee Chain Lake Wales, Fla.
April 3-6 Lone Star Shootout Falcon Lake Zapata, Texas
April 10-13 Battle on the Border Lake Amistad Del Rio, Texas
May 1-4 Pride of Georgia Clarks Hill Lake Evans, Ga.
May 15-18 Carolina Clash Lake Murray Columbia, S.C.
June 5-8 Southern Challenge Wheeler Lake Decatur, Ala.
June 12-15 Bluegrass Brawl Kentucky Lake Gilbertsville, Ky.
June 26-29 Tennessee Triumph Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn.
July 31- Aug. 3 Empire Chase Lake Erie/Niagara River Buffalo, N.Y.
Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice Oneida Lake Syracuse, N.Y
About BASS
For 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.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, 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 525,000 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
Or
Jenny Zimmerman (on site), (407) 319-5014 or jennifer.j.zimmerman@espn.com
Tennessee Triumph presented by Longhorn
2008 Elite Series - Tennessee Triumph PRO 06/26-06/29 Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville Tenn.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 20 55-10 320 $113,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 12-01 Day 4: 5 10-13
2. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 20 50-05 295 $31,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-06 Day 3: 5 8-09 Day 4: 5 14-09
3. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 20 50-00 290 $27,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 8-07 Day 4: 5 12-15
4. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 20 48-12 285 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-05 Day 3: 5 14-03 Day 4: 5 11-14
5. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 20 48-10 278 $16,250.00
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 10-09 Day 3: 5 15-11 Day 4: 5 12-03
5. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 19 48-10 278 $16,250.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 12-03 Day 4: 4 7-00
7. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 20 47-11 272 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 10-08 Day 4: 5 14-06
8. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 20 44-14 268 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 9-11 Day 3: 5 15-14 Day 4: 5 10-03
9. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 20 44-03 264 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 9-12 Day 4: 5 9-05
10. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 20 42-14 260 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 9-00 Day 3: 5 13-05 Day 4: 5 9-06
11. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 19 42-04 257 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 4 10-10 Day 4: 5 8-04
12. Marty Stone Fayetteville, N.C. 19 42-03 254 $12,300.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 8-15 Day 3: 4 8-11 Day 4: 5 8-04
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 6-04 $1,000.00
2 Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 6-06 $1,000.00
3 Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 4-07 $500.00
3 Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 4-07 $500.00
4 Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5-08 $1,000.00
Purolator Big Bass of Tournament
Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 6-06 $1,000.00
Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year Leader
Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. $1,000.00
Berkley Big Bag
Day
1 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 17-02 $1,000.00
2 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15-10 $1,000.00
3 Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 15-14 $1,000.00
4 Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 14-09 $1,000.00
Berkley Big Bag of Tournament
Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 17-02 $10,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 60 422 883-02
2 50 392 815-05
3 29 197 399-05
4 11 59 129-02
----------------------------------
150 1070 2226-14
2008 Tennessee Triumph - Tennessee Triumph Pro Points After Old Hickory Lake, Hendersonville, Tenn. Ending 06-29-2008, Day 4
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Kevin VanDam Mich. 2259
2 Todd Faircloth Texas 2247
3 Mike McClelland Ark. 2139
4 Skeet Reese Calif. 2117
5 Dean Rojas Ariz. 2020
6 Alton Jones Texas 2019
7 Edwin Evers Okla. 1973
8 Terry Scroggins Fla. 1953
9 Scott Rook Ark. 1939
10 Randy Howell Ala. 1908
11 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1895
12 Kenyon Hill Okla. 1880
13 Mark Davis Ark. 1840
14 Bobby Lane Fla. 1836
15 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 1834
16 Brian Snowden Mo. 1820
17 Bill Lowen Ohio 1784
18 Dustin Wilks N.C. 1769
19 Byron Velvick Texas 1757
20 Aaron Martens Ala. 1739
20 Kelly Jordon Texas 1739
22 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 1720
23 Brent Chapman Kan. 1719
24 Timmy Horton Ala. 1716
25 Morizo Shimizu Japan 1712
26 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 1711
27 Fred Roumbanis Okla. 1709
28 Jason Quinn S.C. 1694
29 Gary Klein Texas 1691
30 Kevin Wirth Ky. 1688
31 Casey Ashley S.C. 1684
32 Peter Thliveros Fla. 1681
33 Shaw Grigsby Fla. 1667
33 Denny Brauer Mo. 1667
35 Dave Wolak N.C. 1651
36 Davy Hite S.C. 1649
37 Rick Morris Va. 1644
38 Britt Myers S.C. 1639
39 Bernie Schultz Fla. 1622
40 Ish Monroe Calif. 1619
41 Jason Williamson S.C. 1615
42 Derek Remitz Ala. 1609
43 Rick Clunn Mo. 1607
44 Jared Lintner Calif. 1604
45 Marty Stone N.C. 1600
46 Chris Lane Fla. 1586
47 Gerald Swindle Ala. 1578
48 Mark Menendez Ky. 1572
49 Jeff Kriet Okla. 1568
50 Kevin Short Ark. 1560
51 Boyd Duckett Ala. 1556
52 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 1550
53 Bradley Hallman Okla. 1548
54 Greg Hackney La. 1529
55 Scott Campbell Mo. 1526
56 Tommy Biffle Okla. 1521
57 Matt Reed Texas 1496
58 Terry Butcher Okla. 1457
58 Takahiro Omori Texas 1457
60 Cliff Pace Miss. 1444
61 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 1439
62 Jami Fralick S.D. 1435
63 Jeff Connella La. 1429
64 Wade Grooms S.C. 1427
65 Mike Wurm Ark. 1414
66 Russ Lane Ala. 1413
67 John Murray Ariz. 1406
68 James Niggemeyer Texas 1398
69 Mark Tucker Mo. 1397
70 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 1391
71 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 1384
72 Kevin Langill N.C. 1370
73 Jon Bondy Canada 1368
74 John Crews Va. 1365
75 Stephen Browning Ark. 1356
76 Paul Elias Miss. 1352
76 Grant Goldbeck Md. 1352
78 Brian Clark Texas 1348
79 Todd Auten S.C. 1328
80 Clark Reehm Ark. 1320
81 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 1290
82 Billy Brewer Texas 1280
83 Jim Murray Ga. 1271
84 Corey Waldrop Texas 1270
85 Preston Clark Fla. 1268
86 David Smith Okla. 1261
87 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1258
88 Zell Rowland Texas 1254
89 Pat Golden N.C. 1244
90 Marty Robinson S.C. 1239
91 Mark Tyler Okla. 1238
92 Ken Cook Okla. 1193
93 Ben Matsubu Texas 1188
94 Kurt Dove Va. 1185
95 Glenn Delong Ohio 1173
96 Steve Daniel Fla. 1160
97 Jay Fuller Okla. 1154
98 Charlie Hartley Ohio 1141
99 Guy Eaker N.C. 1138
100 Pete Ponds Miss. 1091
100 Elton Luce Texas 1091
102 James Kennedy La. 994
103 David Sherrer La. 992
104 Rick Ash Pa. 976
105 Randy Allen La. 914
105 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 914
107 Matt Amedeo Ohio 875
108 Paul Hirosky Pa. 845
109 Bobby Myers Okla. 438
2008 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
After Old Hickory Lake, HENDERSONVILLE, TN ending 06-29-2008, Day 4
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Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Bobby Lane Fla. 1836
2 Wade Grooms S.C. 1427
3 Brian Clark Texas 1348
4 Clark Reehm Ark. 1320
5 Billy Brewer Texas 1280
6 Corey Waldrop Texas 1270
7 Pat Golden N.C. 1244
8 Jay Fuller Okla. 1154
9 David Sherrer La. 992
10 Randy Allen La. 914
11 Bobby Myers Okla. 438
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