2017 BASS Elite Ross Barnett Day 2: Dustin Connell Jumps into Lead with 36-07lbs.

Windy day flattens catches. 

By Thomas Allen 

BASS PRESS RELEASE
Twenty-six-year-old Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Dustin Connell took over the lead on Friday’s second round of competition at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett.

Rookie grabs Day 2 lead.
(Photo: BASS)

Connell, of Clanton, Ala., caught a five-bass limit that weighed 16 pounds, 11 ounces, pushing his two-day total to 36-7, which is less than 2 pounds ahead of second place.
 
A big wind picked up during the afternoon pushing sustained speeds of 20 mph with gusts near 30. On a relatively shallow lake like Mississippi’s Ross Barnett Reservoir, that means muddy water and big waves — something all of the competitors will have to deal with on Saturday’s semifinal round.
 
“The wind won’t affect my fishing spots, but it will affect my travel time to and from where I’ll be spending my day,” Connell said. “What’s concerning me is that the water level is rising and getting muddier.”
 
The young angler mentioned that the water conditions seemed to be worsening, but the bass were still active and willing to attack multiple presentations.

Randall Tharp wins 2013 Bassmaster Bass Pro Shop Open Wire to Wire

Tharp thumps 'em

Florida angler goes wire-to-wire for title, Classic berth

By John Neporadny Jr

BASS PRESS RELEASE

RIDGELAND, Miss.—Touring pro Randall Tharp was the epitome of consistency at Ross Barnett Reservoir during the Bass Pro Shops Central Open.

After catching 13-pound-plus limits the first two days of the tournament and holding the lead each day, Tharp followed up today with a 12-pound, 11-ounce limit to win the Open and the top prize of a Triton 19XS/Mercury 200 Pro XS package worth $40,000 and $6,315 in cash. His three-day catch of 41-15 also earned him a berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic and the Central Opens point standings title.

Tharp has demonstrated that he might be the best
bass angler out there. Can he add a BASSMASTER Classic
title with his 2013 FLW Cup?
(Photo: BASS)

“Ninety percent of my fish this week came on a 1/2-ounce Randall Tharp Signature Series 4 x 4 Jig, and almost all of my big fish came from around isolated docks,” Tharp said. “I weighed in two fish on an Alabama rig off the riprap and I weighed in one fish on a Chatterbait.”

The Port Saint Joe, Fla., angler noticed the timing of his bites changed each day. The first morning his best action was in the morning but the second day he caught most of his fish in the afternoon. “(Today) it was slow in the morning and I just put my trolling motor down and didn’t pick it up until I got five fish. There was a small window (of action) from about 11 to 12 o’clock.”

2013 BASSMASTER Bass Pro Shops Central Open #3 Ross Barnett Reservoir Day 2: Tharp Holds Lead

By John Neporadny Jr.

Bass Press Release

RIDGELAND, Miss. — Randall Tharp moved one step closer to achieving his goals for the Bass Pro Shops Central Open at Ross Barnett Reservoir. Catching a 13-pound, 4-ounce limit kept Tharp in the lead of the pro division with 29-4 and enhanced his chances of earning an Open triple crown by winning this tournament, qualifying for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, and finishing atop the Central Open point standings.

"My main goal is to win the points title and qualify for the Elites again," Tharp said. "I have caught a few fish before on Guntersville (the site of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic) and I sure would like to fish that Classic."

The St. Joe Beach, Fla., angler estimated that he caught about 10 keepers today, and about half of the fish bit after 12 o’clock. "It was a little slower for me this morning," said Tharp, who didn't think the 45-minute fog delay this morning hurt him. "Where I fished today was really foggy. I didn't start where I wanted to because I didn't think I could get there safely."

2013 BASSMASTER Bass Pro Shops Central Open #3 Ross Barnett Reservoir: Tharp Leads and Possibly Heading to the Classic

By John Neporadny Jr.

OCT 17, 2013

RIDGELAND, Miss.— Touring pro Randall Tharp took a big step towards winning a point standings title and qualifying for a berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic by taking the lead in the Bass Pro Shops Central Open at Ross Barnett Reservoir.

The Gardendale, Ala., pro came into the final Central Open in the runner-up spot of the point standings and solidified his chances of winning the points title by catching a 16-pound limit today. He is also hoping to win this event so he can qualify for the Bassmaster Classic to be held at Lake Guntersville. “I cut my teeth on Guntersville and it would mean a lot to me to fish that tournament,” he said.