Conner Choate (right) and Hunter DeSplinter of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville take the lead on the second day of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops on Toledo Bend Reservoir out of Many, La., with a two-day total weight of 41 pounds, 6 ounces.
Jan. 26, 2017
Double-Digit Bass Lifts Wisconsin-Platteville To Top Spot In Bassmaster College Series Central Tour
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MANY, La. — Toledo Bend showed its true colors on Friday during the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops. After only offering a single 20-pound bag on the first day of competition, nine teams met that mark or more on Friday.
Conner Choate and Hunter DeSplinter of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville stole the show as they brought 25 pounds, 9 ounces, to the stage on Friday and jumped into the lead with a two-day total of 41-6. Their day was anchored by a monster catch as their kicker tipped the scales at 10 pounds.
It not only was DeSplinter’s personal best, but it was also recognized as an elite catch by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
“We showed up to our first spot just looking to get a limit in the 11- to 12-pound range,” DeSplinter said. “We had that before 8:30 a.m., so we just kept fishing around and working hard.”
After catching 15-13 on Day 1, just a solid limit would have helped their chances greatly. But what happened after their initial limit is now an unforgettable memory for this duo.
“At 10 a.m., I hooked into the 10-pounder,” DeSplinter said. “I had never seen a fish so big. It jumped at the boat; I for sure thought I was going to lose it, but we didn’t.”
The fireworks were just beginning as they gathered themselves and continued fishing. They hit a few nearby spots and caught keepers that wouldn’t help their overall weight, so they returned to the spot that produced earlier.
“We returned to that spot and immediately caught a fish close to 7 pounds,” DeSplinter said. “We packed up and headed back to the ramp to ensure the giant fish survived.”
The duo is now preparing to fend off 29 other teams during Saturday’s final day of competition. Coming into the event, their mindset was solely focused on qualifying for the National Championship. But now they have a chance to take home the title of the inaugural Central Tour format.
“We had no expectations leaving the dock (Friday),” Choate said. “So, we need to keep that same mindset because everything can change so quickly.”
Behind Wisconsin-Platteville are Thursday’s leaders Tyler Craig and Spencer Lambert of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The duo slipped to second place, but eclipsed the 20-pound mark for the second consecutive day, the only team to accomplish that in the 248-boat field.
“It’s extremely important to stay consistent on Toledo Bend,” said Craig, whose team has a two-day weight of 41-1. “You can catch up in a hurry with a big bag, but at the same time you can stumble and fall if you rely on a giant bite each day.”
Craig and Lambert have landed five and six keepers, respectively, the last two days, and both days have featured crucial catches just before check-in. But they know they are targeting quality and may not need quantity to win.
“It’s not easy fishing for a handful of bites, but I feel like the bigger fish are trickling into our area,” Craig said. “It seems like our spots are the transition areas and the fish are pulling up and feeding, and then when they leave they are headed to even shallower water to spawn.”
It could be a battle until the last cast as first and second are separated by only 5 ounces heading into the final frame of action.
Caiden Sinclair and Hunter Gibson of the University of Alabama vaulted into third place after bringing the second-biggest bag of the day to the scales. Their 22-11 limit has them just over 3 pounds from the lead and within sight of a possible title with 38-3.
The final team to sneak into the cut was Bethel University’s John Garrett and Brian Pahl. The duo has finished second and fourth in the last two national championships, and Garrett was the 2016 College Classic Bracket champion who represented the College Series during the 2017 season.
The 248-team field was cut after Friday’s weigh-in to the Top 30. Those teams clinched a berth in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops and will be fishing for the win on Saturday.
The final-day takeoff will begin at 7 a.m. CT from Cypress Bend Park, and the weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3 p.m.
The event is being hosted by Toledo Bend Lake Country.
Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops
1/25/2018 – 1/27/2018
Toledo Bend Reservoir – Cypress Bend Park – Many, LA
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 2
Name # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz PTS
1 Conner Choate – Hunter DeSplinter UW – Platteville 5 5 25- 9 10 10 41- 6 500.00
2 Tyler Craig – Spencer Lambert University of Louisiana at Monroe 5 5 20- 4 10 10 41- 1 497.98
3 Caiden Sinclair – Hunter Gibson University of Alabama 5 5 22-11 10 10 38- 3 495.97
4 Matt Baker – Kory England Arkansas Tech University 5 5 20- 9 10 10 34- 7 493.95
5 Colin Steck – Andrew Wolfe University of Wisconsin 5 5 20- 7 10 10 34- 4 491.94
6 Jackson Carrell – Kyle Pasket Sam Houston State University 5 5 13- 9 10 10 32-14 489.92
7 Hunter Freeman – Wesley Banks La Monroe 5 5 18-15 10 10 32- 8 487.90
8 Crosley Welch – Hayden Lee Missouri State University 5 5 20- 3 10 10 31-12 485.89
9 Scott McClellan – Adam Forester LA Tech 5 5 21-12 10 10 31-10 483.87
10 Dakota Pierce – Tristan McKormick Bethel University 5 5 15- 5 10 10 31- 7 481.85
11 Gregory Green – Dustin Nash Northwestern State University 5 5 17- 8 10 10 30-13 479.84
12 Jarrett Robertson – Brandon Smith Tarleton State University 5 5 13-10 10 10 30- 7 477.82
13 Shane Campbell – Ethan Jones McKendree University 5 5 16- 7 10 10 30- 3 475.81
14 Jake Biram – Rhett Meyer Oklahoma State University 5 5 11-10 10 10 29- 9 473.79
15 Luke Gillund – Jack Kons Bemidji State University 5 5 16-11 10 10 29- 7 471.77
16 Carter Henderson – Connor Whisenant Texas A&M University 5 5 15- 5 10 10 29- 4 469.76
17 Dillon Harrell – Colby Bryant Sam Houston State University 5 5 15-13 10 10 28- 1 467.74
18 Caleb Dennis – Hunter Presley Central Alabama Comm College 5 5 14- 3 10 10 27-13 465.73
19 Jeffrey Hopkins – Austin Handley Auburn University 5 5 14- 9 9 9 27-10 463.71
20 Hunter Louden – Seth Roberts Bethel University 5 5 10-14 10 10 27- 9 461.69
21 Taylor Morten – Austin Porter Arkansas Tech University 5 5 13- 1 10 10 27- 9 459.68
22 Thad Simerly – Ethan Shaw Bryan College 5 5 11- 4 10 10 27- 8 457.66
23 Ryan Nevil – Jonathan Linder Dallas Baptist University 5 5 11- 4 10 10 27- 7 455.65
24 Carter McNeil – Cole Floyd Bethel University 5 5 13- 8 9 9 27- 5 453.63
25 Spencer Hahn – Ben Wanke University of Wisconsin 5 5 13- 2 10 10 27- 3 451.61
26 John-Michael Brattlof – Cody Barchenger Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 15-10 10 10 26-15 449.60
27 Evan Coleman – Josh Soroka Texas State University 4 4 12-13 9 9 26-14 447.58
28 Justin Barnes – Adam Carroll University of Montevallo 5 5 17- 4 9 9 26-13 445.56
29 Blake Albertson – Adam Puckett Murray State University 5 5 14-13 10 10 26- 7 443.55
30 Brian Pahl – John Garrett Bethel University 5 5 13- 7 10 10 26- 5 441.53
31 KJ Queen – Brad Ableman Bethel University 5 5 12-12 10 10 26- 1 439.52
32 John Jay – Grant Pietsch Texas A&M University 5 5 15-11 10 10 26- 0 437.50
33 Grant Ehlenfeldt – Brett Stanek U. of Wisconsin Platteville 5 5 16- 7 10 10 25-13 435.48
34 Taylor Cranford – Connor Turner LSU 5 5 20-10 8 8 25-11 433.47
35 Reid Conner – Joshua Butts Wallace State Hanceville 5 5 15- 9 10 10 25-11 431.45
36 Jacob Keith – Mason Beatty East Texas Baptist University 5 5 11-15 10 10 25- 9 429.44
37 Nolan Minor – Casey Lanier West Virginia University 5 5 17- 0 9 9 25- 8 427.42
38 Alex Torkleson – Alec Murphy Rogers State University 5 5 12- 0 10 10 25- 8 425.40
39 Will Brown – Chase Chastain Jacksonville State University 5 5 10- 5 10 10 24-10 423.39
40 Jacob Sanders – Chad Poulsen East Texas Baptist University 3 3 6-13 8 8 24- 6 421.37
41 Nathan Bell – Cole Sands Bryan College 4 4 10-11 9 9 24- 4 419.35
42 Denver Satterlee – Landon Smith Calhoun Community College 5 5 12-13 10 10 24- 3 417.34
43 JP Kimbrough – Ryan Antee LSU Shreveport 5 5 14- 6 9 9 23-12 415.32
44 Austin Stanley – Knox Daniels Georgia College 5 5 10-15 8 8 23-10 413.31
45 Adam Deakin – Alec Sloan Colorado State University 5 5 17- 1 8 8 23- 7 411.29
46 Sloan Pennington – Hunter McCarty U. of North Alabama 5 5 16- 6 9 9 23- 5 409.27
47 Collin Bode – Josh Perrin Sam Houston State University 4 4 8- 7 9 9 22-14 407.26
48 Victor Martinez – Lucas Jensen Texas Tech University 3 3 8-10 7 7 22- 5 405.24
49 Blake Capps – Derrick Skinner Oklahoma State University – IT 5 5 11-11 10 10 22- 0 403.23
50 Andrew Roaten – Reid Grant Mississippi State University 5 5 10- 2 10 10 21-14 401.21
51 Kyle Dragulski – Robert Howard Stephen F Austin State University 5 5 21-12 5 5 21-12 399.19
52 Chris Lupo – Calhoun Comm College 5 5 12-15 8 8 21- 2 397.18
53 Brett Clark – Jared Penton East Texas Baptist University 4 4 10-14 8 8 21- 1 395.16
54 Michael Fisher – Brandon Padilla Jacksonville State University 5 5 9- 7 10 10 20-14 393.15
55 Brandon Durr – Riley Rathbun Drury Univeristy 5 5 10- 5 10 10 20- 6 391.13
56 Logan Parks – Lucas Lindsay Auburn University 5 5 9-12 9 9 20- 4 389.11
57 Bo McGraw – Evan Cook Texas A&M University 5 5 13-10 8 8 19-10 387.10
58 Kyler Chelminiak – Ricky Harris Bethel University 5 5 10- 0 10 10 19- 5 385.08
59 Tyler Anderson – Garrison Thomas Texas A&M University 5 5 11-13 8 8 19- 2 383.06
60 Jordan Mullis – Joe Long Indiana University 5 5 13-15 9 9 19- 0 381.05
61 Johnny Ledet – Logan Laprarie Northwestern State University 5 5 10-14 8 8 18-12 379.03
62 Tyler Nekolny – Jake Hoselton Kansas State University 5 5 9- 2 8 8 18-10 377.02
63 Matt Kudrna – Brock Gordley University of Missouri 5 5 11- 0 6 6 18- 6 375.00
64 Nick Montilino – Nick Inzeo Murray State University 2 2 3-15 7 7 18- 5 372.98
65 Robert Moody – Gavin Herst Missouri State University 5 5 13-10 7 7 18- 4 370.97
66 Zac Bennett – Chase Williams Georgia College 3 3 5- 2 8 8 17-15 368.95
67 Cole Burdeshaw – Peyton McCord Auburn University 5 5 9-10 9 9 17-15 366.94
68 Quinton Booth – Clay Cooper Missouri State University 5 5 9- 2 8 8 17-14 364.92
69 Trevor McKinney – Curtis Lilly McKendree University 5 5 9-14 9 9 17-13 362.90
70 Grant Harris – Lauren Plunkett Drury University 5 5 12- 2 7 7 17- 4 360.89
71 Jonnie Koenen – Blake Lawston UW – Platteville 5 5 10-15 8 8 17- 4 358.87
72 Tanner Ward – Jacob Klicman Kent State 4 4 9-15 7 7 17- 3 356.85
73 Trevor Schleich – Derek Kane University of Nebraska 5 5 12- 8 7 7 17- 1 354.84
74 Alex Murray – Trent Manuel McNeese State University 4 4 12- 2 6 6 16-14 352.82
75 Austin Tubbs – Andrew Martin University of West Alabama 5 5 9- 9 8 8 16-14 350.81
76 Logan Tate – Andrew Fisher Jacksonville State 3 3 6- 0 7 7 16-10 348.79
77 Conner Iselt – Tyler Wiltz Texas State University 3 3 8- 9 7 7 16- 0 346.77
78 Greg Herman – Spencer White LA Tech 2 2 5-14 6 6 15-13 344.76
79 Bates Enmeier – Dexter Flick Oklahoma State University 2 2 6- 2 6 6 15-10 342.74
80 Kaito Ajiro – Turner Mason Colorado State University 5 5 11- 4 7 7 15- 7 340.73
81 Cully Scroggins – Nathon Portch Bethel University 3 3 4-14 8 8 15- 6 338.71
82 Josh Worth – Colorado Mesa University 5 5 9-13 7 7 15- 4 336.69
83 Austin Mize – Ethan Goodwin U. of North Alabama 3 3 9-11 6 6 15- 4 334.68
84 Joseph Bruener – Nathan Doty McKendree University 4 4 9-13 6 6 15- 1 332.66
85 Harrison Hopkins – Jared Rascoe LSU Shrevepot 5 5 10- 6 7 7 14-10 330.65
86 Tyler Rivet – Jared Bascle Nicholls State University 2 2 4-11 7 7 14- 4 328.63
87 Luke O’Neal – Titus Stowe University of Louisiana at Monroe 5 5 8-11 7 7 14- 4 326.61
88 Austin Miles – Cooper Brown Colorado State University-Pueblo 2 2 4- 8 6 6 14- 3 324.60
89 Nathan Doss – Jackson Pardue University of North Alabama 5 5 13-12 5 5 13-12 322.58
90 Charles Norris – Lawrence Kuznik University of Louisiana, Lafayette 3 3 11-14 4 4 13-12 320.56
91 Jed Hebert – Jonathan Johnson University of Louisiana at LaFayet t5e 5 13-11 5 5 13-11 318.55
92 Michael Elkins – JT Thompson U. of North Alabama 5 5 13-10 5 5 13-10 316.53
93 Armando Ortiz – Dylan McKee Auburn University 5 5 10- 6 7 7 13- 7 314.52
94 Cade Fortenberry – Harrison Tabiolo River Parish Comm College 5 5 9- 6 7 7 13- 7 312.50
95 Jarred Jones – Devin Mobbs Jacksonville State University 5 5 12- 3 6 6 13- 6 310.48
96 Bryce White – Riley Sanders Southwest Mississippi Comm Coll e5ge 5 10- 9 6 6 13- 3 308.47
97 Zachariah Edwards – Drew Douglas University of Central Oklahoma 1 1 4-14 3 3 13- 3 306.45
98 Braxton Resweber – Samuel Richie University of Louisiana, Lafayette 2 2 3-11 7 7 13- 2 304.44
99 Eric Hanna – Jack Minnix Oklahoma State University 5 5 10- 7 6 6 13- 1 302.42
100 Cameron Gautreau – Andrew Tucker Nicholls State University 2 2 3-10 6 6 13- 1 300.40
101 Zach Vielhauer – Will Andrie Kansas State 5 5 11- 4 6 6 13- 0 298.39
102 Brandon Bland – Tyler Smith U. of South Alabama 1 1 3- 2 6 6 13- 0 296.37
103 Brennan Soileau – Garrett McDonald LA Tech 4 4 5- 9 8 8 13- 0 294.35
104 Kreston Phelps – Brandon Pope Northwestern State University 5 5 12-13 5 5 12-13 292.34
105 Kenny Wilkins – Connor Felstead Northern Michigan University 3 3 10- 6 4 4 12-10 290.32
106 Tanner Johnson – Jacob Wood LaGrange College 2 2 9- 2 4 4 12- 9 288.31
107 Mike Anderson – Zachary Schepf U. of Wisconsin Oshkosh 5 5 12- 6 5 5 12- 6 286.29
108 Patrick Pelt – Logan McEwen Auburn University 3 3 10- 1 4 4 12- 2 284.27
109 Chad Ziegler – Ross Kellermeier Bemidji State University 3 3 8-14 5 5 12- 2 282.26
110 Brant Lewis – Luke Harvey U. of West Alabama 5 5 12- 0 5 5 12- 0 280.24
111 Nathan Gibson – Josh Shapland Oklahoma State University 2 2 2-11 6 6 11-15 278.23
112 Jake Soto – Nathan Wood Dallas Baptist University 3 3 4- 8 6 6 11-11 276.21
113 Ryan Wood – Reid Strobl Dallas Baptist University 4 4 9-14 5 5 11- 7 274.19
114 Jackson Ebbers – Charlie DeShazer University of Nebraska 4 4 7-12 6 6 11- 4 272.18
115 Thor Swanson – Mitch Swanson Bemidji State University 5 5 9- 7 6 6 11- 3 270.16
116 Mekiah Jack – Chase McCrory Middle Tennessee State University 1 1 6-10 3 3 11- 2 268.15
117 Dillon Roberts – Ty Crutchfield Rogers State University 3 3 4- 2 6 6 11- 0 266.13
118 Dylan Friloux – Andre Adams University of Louisisana Lafayette 3 3 6- 4 4 4 10-15 264.11
119 Garrett Brown – Jordan Gantt LSU Shreveport 3 3 6- 1 5 5 10-15 262.10
120 Will Kaiser – Vala Zeinali Kent State University 4 4 8- 7 5 5 10-13 260.08
121 Austin Carr – Justin Carr Heartland Community College 3 3 7- 5 5 5 10-12 258.06
122 Chris Bradley – Collin McFeeters Southwestern Oklahoma State Un i0versity 0 0- 0 4 4 10-11 256.05
123 Cordell Beckman – Quinten Brown Greenville University 2 2 5- 3 4 4 10-11 254.03
124 Chizta Xiong – Justin Chromy St Cloud State University 2 2 4- 8 4 4 10-10 252.02
125 Stephen Harding – Greg Lundvick Texas State University 2 2 6- 1 4 4 10- 8 250.00
126 Justin Schick – Tyler Rocke Illinois State University 2 2 4- 6 4 4 10- 5 247.98
127 Kirk Stilwell – Cole Crossman Missouri State University 1 1 3- 2 4 4 10- 0 245.97
128 Miller Spivey – Chandler Sickafoose Wallace State Hanceville 4 4 6-10 5 5 9-10 243.95
129 Graham Godwin – Chad Jones Tarleton State University 4 4 7- 7 5 5 9- 7 241.94
130 Dylan Matherne – Brandon Daigle Southeastern Louisiana University 5 5 8-12 6 6 9- 1 239.92
131 Brent Rome Jr – Zachary Adams LSU 1 1 0-15 4 4 8-15 237.90
132 Hank Harrison – Mason Hamm Stephen F Austin State University 2 2 7- 3 3 3 8-15 235.89
133 Collin Belcher – Conner Gopffarth Texas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 5 5 8-13 233.87
134 Shon Messmer – Jeff Loesche Murray State University 0 0 0- 0 2 2 8-12 231.85
135 Colson Ginger – Robert White Texas A&M University 3 3 5- 8 5 5 8-11 229.84
136 John Authement – Matthew Benoits Nicholls State 3 3 6- 8 4 4 8- 9 227.82
137 Jacob Louis – Taylor Schmitt McKendree University 2 2 8- 7 2 2 8- 7 225.81
138 Josef Rogers – Taggert Tesdal Iowa State 4 4 8- 2 4 4 8- 2 223.79
139 Haden Holmes – James Whitacre Wallace State Hanceville 3 3 6- 2 4 4 7-15 221.77
140 Ethan Stokes – Will Lancett Arkansas Tech University 2 2 4- 8 4 4 7-13 219.76
141 Brandon Heizer – Gabe Dubois University of Missouri 3 3 4-14 4 4 7- 9 217.74
142 J T Russell – Jarrett Brown University of Montevallo 2 2 7- 6 2 2 7- 6 215.73
143 Joey Price – Bobby Fralix Clemson University 5 5 7- 5 5 5 7- 5 213.71
144 Hunter Whiteley – Reese Jones Kansas State University 2 2 4- 6 3 3 7- 4 211.69
145 Jared Stone – Matthew Ford Tarleton State University 1 1 3-15 2 2 7- 3 209.68
146 Philip Hilton – Alex Lindsey Mississippi State University 4 4 7- 2 4 4 7- 2 207.66
147 Matthew Bowden – Kyle Kontor Texas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 3 3 7- 1 205.65
148 Dylan Jebousek – Justin Faterkowski Tarleton State University 1 1 4- 9 2 2 6-13 203.63
149 Zachary Martin – Cole Emerson Murray State University 0 0 0- 0 3 3 6- 9 201.61
150 Chance Scott – Chris Brooks Greenville College 3 3 6- 8 3 3 6- 8 199.60
151 Zach Hartley – James Lenovicz Iowa State 1 1 1-14 3 3 6- 8 197.58
152 Jacob David – Nick Prestwood Tarleton State University 0 0 0- 0 3 3 6- 6 195.56
152 Corbin Davis – Michael Rollert Texas A&M University 0 0 0- 0 3 3 6- 6 195.56
154 Tyler Winn – Devin Duncan Northeastern State University 2 2 4-10 3 3 6- 4 191.53
155 Zachary Hansen – Aaron Wojtowicz University of Wisconsin Stout 2 2 3- 1 4 4 6- 3 189.52
156 Dakota Moore – Dawson Cranford University of Louisiana at LaFayet t0e 0 0- 0 4 4 6- 0 187.50
157 Caleb Gibson – Colin Adams Northeastern State University 2 2 6- 0 2 2 6- 0 185.48
158 Caleb Bundy – Alex Moore U. of Central Florida 2 2 3- 6 3 3 5- 9 183.47
159 John Moore – Clark Mannas Texas A&M University 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 6 181.45
160 Austin Finley – Hunter Ward Central Alabama Community Colle 1ge 1 2- 3 2 2 5- 6 179.44
161 Hunter Mills – Jordan Hartman Murray State University 1 1 2- 5 2 2 5- 5 177.42
162 Blaise Weimer – Ti Caughman Oklahoma State University 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5- 3 175.40
163 Hayden Williams – McNeese State University 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 3 173.39
164 Austin Mau – Isaac Johnson Bemidji State University 3 3 5- 2 3 3 5- 2 171.37
165 Zach Clisch – Adam Neu U. of Wisconsin Platteville 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 2 169.35
166 Kyle McAllen – Ethan Howe Northwestern State University 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5- 0 167.34
167 Ricky Huge – Benjamin Fouts Greenville University 1 1 3- 5 2 2 5- 0 165.32
168 Garrett Enders – Cody Huff Bethel University 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4-15 163.31
169 Corey Kelton – Kade Boone Southwest Mississippi Comm Coll e3ge 3 4-14 3 3 4-14 161.29
170 Jacob Schrimsher – Austen Willard Calhoun Comm College 2 2 4-13 2 2 4-13 159.27
171 Cameron Mercer – Blake Spradlin Auburn University 1 1 1-10 2 2 4-12 157.26
172 Zachary Asher – Avery Millis Kent State University 0 0 -1- 0 3 3 4-10 155.24
173 Drew Fazzino – Charles Vang University of Oklahoma 0 0 0- 0 3 3 4- 7 153.23
174 Bennett Pierce – Hampton Hasek Arkansas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 1 1 4- 7 151.21
175 Thomas Milstead – Jared Turnbloom University of Alabama 0 0 0- 0