Holt captures overall lead after day two of FLW tourney

Gibson outpaces field to grab top spot in Co-Angler Division

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. – Eric Holt of Galena, Mo., used a 14-pound, 3-ounce catch to vault from seventh place to the number one position entering Friday’s semifinal round of FLW competition on Lake Martin. As the cloud cover faded and the skies cleared after days of miserable weather, Holt appeared to use the sunny and warm conditions as a catalyst to turn in a blistering performance of his own.

“As the weather gets nicer and the temperatures heat up, I think the fishing is going to get better and better,” said Holt, who turned in a two-day catch of 25-pounds, 6 ounces. “I’m feeling pretty good about my chances right now.”

Holt, who finished second in the FLW Championship in 1999, said that he has located a few areas that are holding enough fish to win the tournament.

“I’m on some pretty good fish right now,” said Holt, who caught the majority of his fish using a flipping technique. “I have a few good areas in my back pocket so I’m feeling really confident.”

According to Holt, the secret to his success has been to fish shallow while exclusively targeting larger fish.

“I’m just fishing for the big ones right now,” said Holt. “I’ve been fishing the shallow waters and as long as there isn’t a lot of boat traffic over my spots in the next few days, I should be in pretty good shape.”

Aaron Martens of Castaic, Calif., used a 13-pound, 14-ounce catch to land in second place heading into Friday’s semifinal round of competition.

“I’m really excited,” said Martens, who landed a total two-day catch of 25 pounds. “I caught anywhere from 20 to 25 fish today so things are looking pretty good right now. I’m happy to be in the top 10.”

Day-one leader Ricky Shumpert turned in a modest 5-pound, 11-ounce catch on day two to ensure third place and a top-10 finish. Shumpert, a native of Lexington, S.C., recorded a total two-day weight of 22 pounds, 3 ounces. Greg Carpenter of Royal, Ark., finished in fourth place with a total catch of 20 pounds, 12 ounces. Jerry Rhyne of Denver, N.C., closed out the top 5 with a total recorded catch of 20 pounds.

Rounding out the top 10 were Mike Wurm (sixth) of Hot Springs, Ark., with a total catch of 19 pounds, 12 ounces; Rick Clunn (seventh) of Ava, Mo., with a catch of 19 pounds, 8 ounces; Donald Eaton (eighth) of Stockbridge, Ga., with a catch of 18 pounds, 14 ounces; Takahiro Omori (ninth place via tiebreaker) of Emory, Texas, with an identical catch of 18 pounds, 14 ounces; and legendary angler Guido Hibdon (tenth) of Gravois Mills, Mo., with a catch of 18 pounds, 8 ounces.

Larry Martoglio of Winchester, Ky., won the Pepsi Big Bass award and a check for $1,000 for catching the largest fish of the tournament – a 6-pound, 6-ounce bass.

“Hoot” Gibson lands first FLW top-10 finish

W.D. “Hoot” Gibson used a 10-pound, 6-ounce catch to take the overall lead in the Co-angler Division heading into tomorrow’s finals. Gibson, who has never finished in the top 10 on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour before today, said he was thankful to finally get to the big show.

“I’m glad to be here, but to tell you the truth I think you need a lot of luck and some good fishing partners to make the top 10,” said Gibson, a native of Bryant, Ark. “I haven’t had the best luck in FLW tournaments over the last two years, so it’s kind of a big deal for me.”

While Gibson said he has his eye on the top prize, he said he is going to enjoy the moment while it lasts.

“I definitely want to be competitive,” said Gibson, who recorded a total two-day weight of 17 pounds, 12 ounces. “But my goal is to go out there, do my best and try not to get in anyone’s way. The pros are going to be fishing for $100,000, so I know that they’ll be calling the shots. I’m just going to fish out of the back of the boat, help out where I can and hope for the best. That’s my game.”

Willie White of Powder Springs, Ga., used a 9-pound, 4-ounce catch to vault from 15th place to the second spot on the leaderboard heading into tomorrow’s finals. Like Gibson, White is fishing in his first FLW top-10. And he couldn’t be happier.

“It’s my first top-10 on the FLW Tour and I’m very excited,” said White, who recorded a total two-day weight of 16 pounds, 4 ounces. “It’s been three years coming and I can’t wait. I just knew that this year would be my year.”

According to White, his most important goal for the 2001 season was to make at least one top-10 final.

“Yeah, that’s been my goal all along,” said White, who has been fishing on the FLW Tour since 1999. “I’ve been improving all year and I thought this tournament might finally be the one. I spent a lot of time figuring out how to fish from the back of the boat and it’s starting to pay off.”

But no matter what happens tomorrow, White said he will enjoy the ride.

“I’m having the time of my life right now,” he said. “Whether I finish in first place or 10th place, I’ve already accomplished my goal. And who knows, if everything works out, I just might be able to make the FLW Championship this fall.”

Chris Rand of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., used a total catch of 15 pounds, 14 ounces to finish in third place heading into tomorrow’s final day of competition. Quinten Stacy of Bassett, Va., recorded a total catch of 14 pounds, 3 ounces to grab the fourth spot while Gary Henry of Conyers, Ga., finished fifth with a 14 pound, 2 ounce catch.

Rounding out the top-10 performers were: 2000 EverStart Series Co-Angler Champion Wesley Burnett (sixth) of Hot Springs, Ark., with a total catch of 12 pounds, 8 ounces; Japanese native Seiji Kato (seventh) with a total catch of 12 pounds, 4 ounces; Quint Bourgeois (eighth) of Knoxville, Tenn., with a catch of 12 pounds, 2 ounces; Ralph Myhlhousen of Council Bluffs, Iowa, with a catch of 11 pounds, 14 ounces; and Rodney Chmolack of Phenix City, Ala., with a catch of 11 pounds, 10 ounces.

Jimmy Cox of Bono, Ark., won $500 for catching the largest fish of the day in the Co-Angler Division – a 4-pound, 15-ounce bass.

Friday’s competition will resume at 8 a.m. at Wind Creek State Park. Tomorrow’s weigh-in is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. at the Wal-Mart Superstore.

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