Hartsell hauls in day-two lead on Grand Lake

Toby Hartsell (left), Wayne Diffe, Tommy Dillon and Greg Hackney (right), the top four pro finishes in today's contest, acknowledged the crowd shortly after weigh-in. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Anglers: Greg Hackney, Tommy Dillon, Wayne Diffee.

April 4, 2002 • Gary Mortenson • Archives

Huggins snags top spot in Co-angler Division, top-20 cut announced

GROVE, Okla. – Toby Hartsell used his local advantage to the fullest today. Falling back on years of fishing experience on Grand Lake, the resident of Grove, Okla., turned in a two-day catch of 26 pounds, 15 ounces to capture the lead in the Pro Division heading into the semifinals.

“It feels good,” said Hartsell of his first-place finish. “I feel like a have a good chance to win this tournament. I have enough spots and I feel pretty confident. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I’d like to go out there and start fishing again right now.”

Using a combination of spinner baits, crankbaits and an Eakins jig, Hartsell targeted a series of 25-yard stretches of lake bank to bolster his impressive 18-pound, 3-ounce day-one stringer by nearly 9 pounds.

“I tried to play it safe today,” he said. “I didn’t go for too many bites and I tried not to mess with any of my good spots. Today, it didn’t matter if you finished in first place or 10th. The key is coming out on top on Saturday.”

Although Hartsell said he was confident about his chances, he admitted he was concerned about tomorrow’s strategy.

“I’d love to have a psychic greeting to tell me how many pounds I’ll need to make tomorrow’s top-10 cut,” he said. “I’ll have to be careful tomorrow.”

Diffee finds himself battling Hartsell for the title … again

A resident of Oakhurst, Okla., Wayne Diffee has run into Toby Hartsell in the finals of numerous regional fishing tournaments over the years. And, in typical fashion, it appears that this tournament will be no different.

“Toby and I have butted heads many times,” said Diffee, who turned in a two-day catch of 25 pounds, 15 ounces to take control of second place heading into the semifinals. “He usually finishes first and I usually wind up taking second. But hopefully, this time around, things will be reversed.”

Despite his stellar performance on Grand Lake so far, Diffee said he was lucky to be fishing the tournament at all.

“I was 98th on the waiting list, so I was happy just to get in the tournament,” he said. “But now that I’m in, I feel like I have a good chance to win this thing. I’ve got plenty of places to fish. It’s just a question of making the right choices and getting a little bit lucky. Anyone who says luck doesn’t factor into winning a tournament doesn’t really know what they’re talking about.”

Diffee said he is throwing a Rogue jerkbait and targeting deeper banks in the morning and then moving up shallow as the sun warms up the water throughout the course of the afternoon.

Diffee also claimed the day’s big bass award in the Pro Division after landing a 7-pound, 5-ounce largemouth. The fish netted Diffee a check for $750.

Dillon ends up right where he left off

Tommy Dillon of Manhattan, Kan., finished the day right where he started – in third place.

“My goal was to get three quality bites every day,” said Dillon, who turned in a total two-day catch weighing 23 pounds, 5 ounces. “I had four bites yesterday and two today, so I guess it’s working out.

“I’m happy,” continued Dillon. “I was really hoping I’d make the cut. After all, that’s what every fisherman is here for.”

Dillon, who is targeting largemouth bass in deep water on the main lake, said his success will be determined by how well his prime fishing location holds up over the next two days.

“I feel like if I can get three quality bites again, I’ll be able to get to Saturday. Then, anything can happen,” he said. “I have one good spot that I’m really counting on. But if it’s dead, I’m dead.”

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top five qualifying positions were: Greg Hackney (fourth) of Oak Ridge, La., with a total two-day catch of 22 pounds, 15 ounces; and Gary Carrier (fifth) of Grove, Okla., with a catch of 22 pounds, 13 ounces.

Huggins overcomes odds to claim first place in Co-angler Division

Dennis Huggins considers himself a lucky man these days. After tearing up the EverStart Series trail in 2001 – making two top-30 cuts in three tournaments and finishing first in the Central Division year-end points standings race – Huggins suffered a major setback.

“I had a heart attack in November and I lost 50 percent of my heart,” said the resident of Broken Arrow, Okla. “I really wanted to get back into fishing, but I wasn’t sure if I could. But I refused to quit.”

Not only did Huggins refuse to quit, he managed to pick up right where he left off. Using a two-day total of 16 pounds, 12 ounces, Huggins grabbed hold of the lead in the Co-angler Division heading into the semifinals – a remarkable feat by any measure.

“It feels really good,” said Huggins of the accomplishment. “I feel extremely blessed. Maybe I can make a run at the (points title) again.”

With such an optimistic approach, it’s not too difficult to see why Huggins has been successful. However, the native of Broken Arrow, Okla., also knows this tournament won’t be handed to him on a silver platter either.

“It’s not going to be easy to win this tournament,” said Huggins. “But I feel very confident I can catch some fish. I’m ready for tomorrow.”

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top five qualifiers in the Co-angler Division were: Rick Reedy of Barrington, Ill., with a total catch of 16 pounds, 9 ounces; Keith Johnson of Moore, Okla., with a catch of 15 pounds, 11 ounces; Ken Pruitt of Battlefield, Mo., with a catch of 15 pounds, 4 ounces; and Robert Bogard of Conway, Ark., with a catch of 15 pounds, 1 ounce.

Bert Keller of Bryan, Texas, won the day’s big bass award in the Co-angler Division after landing a 7-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass. Keller, who finished the day in eighth place, won $250 for his efforts.

Tomorrow’s takeoff is scheduled to take place at 6 a.m. at Red 11 Port, located at 59801 East 250 Road in Grove, Okla.