Cole Holloway and Brandon Martin of Georgia’s Emmanuel College are leading after Day 1 of the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Red River presented by Bass Pro Shops with 15 pounds, 14 ounces.
Photo by Chase Sansom/B.A.S.S.
May 4, 2023
Holloway and Martin of Emmanuel College strike fast to take lead at Bassmaster College Series event on Red River
NATCHITOCHES, La. — Each of the 135 teams in the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Red River presented by Bass Pro Shops had eight hours to fish on Thursday, but Cole Holloway and Brandon Martin only needed about two hours to make their mark.
The duo from Georgia’s Emmanuel College had a limit of five bass in the livewell by mid-morning that weighed 15 pounds, 14 ounces. That was good enough for the Day 1 lead in this two-day collegiate derby in northwest Louisiana.
Holloway, a 20-year-old resident of Madison, Ga., said early success on the Red River boosted his and Martin’s confidence.
“We had everything we weighed today by about 9 a.m.,” Holloway said. “We didn’t make another cast after that. We had a small limit on a shad spawn really early today when we were fishing an oxbow. Then we went to this backwater area and the 2-pounders became 3-pounders.”
The backwater bite was consistent, too, with the tandem’s heaviest bass weighing 3-12. A quartet of smaller 3-pounders rounded out an exciting morning. They targeted a ditch in the backwater where water ebbed and flowed.
“It happened quickly and we didn’t beat up on them,” Holloway said. “There are fish there for tomorrow.”
Martin agreed.
“We found the spot in practice and there really hasn’t been reason to go anywhere else,” said the 20-year-old Lula, Ga., resident.
Seth Elkins and Dale Hansard of Jacksonville (Ala.) State University are in second place with a limit weighing 13-12. That included the day’s biggest bass — a 6-5 largemouth Hansard hooked near a tree stump.
“It was picture perfect, like something you’d see in a magazine,” Hansard said. “It fought like crazy, too. I wasn’t sure it was a bass at first because there are a lot of gar and gators around here … It catches you off guard when you catch something like that, especially since we were catching 1 1/2-pounders all day.”
Elkins and Hansard made a long run to Pool 5, which is filled with underwater wood. They said they’ll go there again Friday, looking to make up a few pounds and bring a trophy back to Alabama.
Rounding out the Top 5 are, third, Parker O’Bryan and Miller Dowling, University of Montevallo (Ala.), 11-15; fourth, Brayden Nichols and William Tew, LSU-Shreveport, 11-12; and fifth, Reid Farris and Colton Swize, Texas A&M, 11-10.
A total of 88 of the 135 teams caught a five-bass limit on Day 1 on this, the fourth tournament of the 2023 Bassmaster College Series schedule. The top 14 teams here qualify for the College National Championship which will be held later this year at a location yet to be announced.
Day 2 will begin with a 6:10 a.m. CT takeoff from Grand ECORE Recreational Arena. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. back at the arena, with full coverage on Bassmaster.com.
Following the two-day College Series event, the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Junior Series will compete Sunday.
This week’s tournaments are being hosted by the Red River Waterway Commission.
2023 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Red River presented by Bass Pro Shops 5/4-5/5
Red River, Natchitoches LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Cole Holloway – Brandon Martin Emmanuel College 250
Day 1: 5 15-14 Total: 5 15-14
2. Seth Elkins – Dale Hansard Jacksonville State University 249
Day 1: 5 13-12 Total: 5 13-12
3. Parker O’Bryan – Miller Dowling University of Montevallo 248
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
4. Brayden Nichols – William Tew LSU – Shreveport 247
Day 1: 5 11-12 Total: 5 11-12
5. Reid Farris – Colton Swize Texas A&M University 246
Day 1: 5 11-10 Total: 5 11-10
6. Gus McLarry – Jared West Texas A & M Commerce 245
Day 1: 5 11-07 Total: 5 11-07
7. Blake Bullock – John Mark Berry Blue Mountain College 244
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
8. Tripp Bowman – Matthew Nesbit LSU – Shreveport 243
Day 1: 5 10-14 Total: 5 10-14
9. Kaden Buchmann – Jared Hubbard Lander University 242
Day 1: 5 10-13 Total: 5 10-13
10. Cal Culpepper – Ryan Thomas University of Montevallo 241
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
11. Cole Rankin – Riley Faulkner Carson-Newman University 240
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
12. Nicholas Holtgrave – Colsyn Head McKendree University 239
Day 1: 5 10-09 Total: 5 10-09
13. Kaden Proffitt – Cason Ragsdale East Texas Baptist University 238
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
14. Trey Schroeder – Lane Stephens McKendree University 237
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
15. Hunter McClaskey – Landon Lawson King University 236
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
15. Levi Mullins – Matthew Cummings Bethel University 236
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
17. Caleb Dachenhaus – Sam Shoemaker Adrian College 234
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
18. Bryson O’steen – Ty Jackson Florida Gateway College 233
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
19. Morgan Miracle – Jake Thornbury Campbellsville University 232
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
20. James Willoughby – Jacob Pfundt University of Montevallo 231
Day 1: 5 09-10 Total: 5 09-10
21. Hayden Marbut – Tucker Smith Auburn University 230
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
22. Tyler Cory – Scott Sledge University of Montevallo 229
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
22. Tommy Dunaway – Seth Jones Florida Gateway College 229
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
24. William Travis – Victor Alford Bryan College 227
Day 1: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
25. Jeremy Dellinger – Garrett Smith Lander University 226
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
26. Ryan Park – Sam Niemeyer Murray State University 225
Day 1: 5 09-04 Total: 5 09-04
27. Wade Roberts – LSU – Shreveport 224
Day 1: 5 09-00 Total: 5 09-00
27. Levi Thibodaux – Chance Shelby LSU – Shreveport 224
Day 1: 5 09-00 Total: 5 09-00
29. Ben Brockwell – Justice Gayhart Kentucky Christian University 222
Day 1: 5 08-14 Total: 5 08-14
30. Cody Monlezun – Atlan Pfluger Texas A&M University 221
Day 1: 5 08-13 Total: 5 08-13
30. Seth Slanker – Jackson Swisher Florida Gateway College 221
Day 1: 5 08-13 Total: 5 08-13
32. Christian Turner – John Gray Coastal Carolina University 219
Day 1: 5 08-11 Total: 5 08-11
33. Turner Hart – Summer Dees Bryan College 218
Day 1: 5 08-10 Total: 5 08-10
34. Brendan Vinton – Dalton Eury Catawba Valley Community College 217
Day 1: 5 08-07 Total: 5 08-07
35. Chase Hubble – Brent May University of Florida 216
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
35. Jadon Spencer – Chase Martin Catawba Valley Community College 216
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
37. Parker Brown – Layton Brown Dallas Baptist University 214
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
38. Connor Jacob – Sam Smith Auburn University 213
Day 1: 5 08-02 Total: 5 08-02
38. Zach McNary – Mason Phillpotts Grand Valley State University 213
Day 1: 5 08-02 Total: 5 08-02
40. Carter Koza – Drew Pitts Carson-Newman University 211
Day 1: 5 08-01 Total: 5 08-01
41. Harmon Marien – Jack Stephens McKendree University 210
Day 1: 5 07-15 Total: 5 07-15
42. Corey Morris – Brayden Mercer East Texas Baptist University 209
Day 1: 5 07-10 Total: 5 07-10
42. Zach Pocos – Trey Budach McKendree University 209
Day 1: 5 07-10 Total: 5 07-10
44. Carson Hickman – Jacob Dobbs Tarleton State University 207
Day 1: 5 07-09 Total: 5 07-09
45. Clay Osteen – John Mizell Tarleton State University 206
Day 1: 5 07-08 Total: 5 07-08
46. Matthew Zdrazil – Easton Lindus Emmanuel College 205
Day 1: 5 07-06 Total: 5 07-06
47. Max Heaton – Brooks Anderson Emmanuel College 204
Day 1: 5 07-05 Total: 5 07-05
48. Ashton Hehr – Trevor Johnston Texas A&M University 203
Day 1: 5 07-04 Total: 5 07-04
48. Jordan Pennington – Andrew Oswalt University of Montevallo 203
Day 1: 5 07-04 Total: 5 07-04
48. Kyle Zainitzer – Avery Whitwell University of North Alabama 203
Day 1: 5 07-04 Total: 5 07-04
51. Evan Sutton – Grant Olsen McKendree University 200
Day 1: 5 07-02 Total: 5 07-02
52. Dylan Breaux – Joel Richard Nicholls State University 199
Day 1: 5 07-01 Total: 5 07-01
52. Caleb Bridges – Matthew Dopp Bryan College 199
Day 1: 5 07-01 Total: 5 07-01
52. Ridge Rutledge – Ryan Daugherty Campbellsville University 199
Day 1: 5 07-01 Total: 5 07-01
52. Drake Sturgill – Beau Browning University of Montevallo 199
Day 1: 5 07-01 Total: 5 07-01
56. Brantley Anders – Cameron Dials Kentucky Christian University 195
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
56. Russel Buffa – Dalton Mollenkopf Adrian College 195
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
56. Easton Fothergill – Nick Dumke University of Montevallo 195
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
56. Matt Short – Pruitt Lansdale Eastern Kentucky University 195
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
56. Gunner Whitaker – Mitch Johnson Kentucky Christian University 195
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
61. Cody Domingos – Luka Strepacki University of Tennessee 190
Day 1: 5 06-15 Total: 5 06-15
62. Solomon Glenn – Briggs Alavezos University of Montevallo 189
Day 1: 5 06-14 Total: 5 06-14
62. Hank Sturm – Mitch Straffon Adrian College 189
Day 1: 5 06-14 Total: 5 06-14
62. William Vega – Will Emmert Sam Houston State University 189
Day 1: 5 06-14 Total: 5 06-14
62. Dustin Weinberg – Sawyer Brady Blue Mountain Christian Universi 189
Day 1: 5 06-14 Total: 5 06-14
66. Brody Robison – Jack Alexander University of Montevallo 185
Day 1: 5 06-14 Total: 5 06-14
67. Max Gosdin – Andrew Howell University of Montevallo 184
Day 1: 5 06-13 Total: 5 06-13
68. Wesley Smith II – Jacob Oliver Catawba Valley Community College 183
Day 1: 4 06-13 Total: 4 06-13
69. Miles Smith – Zach Henderson Georgia College 182
Day 1: 5 06-12 Total: 5 06-12
70. Giancarlo Russo – Remington Potter Florida Gateway College 181
Day 1: 5 06-11 Total: 5 06-11
71. Tucker Siminak – Kyle Hopping McKendree University 180
Day 1: 5 06-09 Total: 5 06-09
72. Reece Keeney – Colby Kerr Kentucky Christian University 179
Day 1: 4 06-09 Total: 4 06-09
73. Zach Bushey – Brandon Traw Tarleton State University 178
Day 1: 5 06-08 Total: 5 06-08
74. Cy Lambert – University of North Alabama 177
Day 1: 5 06-07 Total: 5 06-07
75. Justin Botts – Tim Herrmann Bryan College 176
Day 1: 4 06-07 Total: 4 06-07
76. Trent Buchholz – Dakota Posey Lamar State College Orange 175
Day 1: 5 06-05 Total: 5 06-05
76. Gavin Schmitz – Addison Sikes University of Montevallo 175
Day 1: 5 06-05 Total: 5 06-05
78. Taylor McMullen – Emmanuel College 173
Day 1: 4 06-05 Total: 4 06-05
79. Dylan Benson – Austin Rose East Texas Baptist University 172
Day 1: 5 06-04 Total: 5 06-04
80. Chris Baker – Elijah Kelley Kentucky Christian University 171
Day 1: 4 06-03 Total: 4 06-03
81. Drake Hemby – Szymon Piton Carson-Newman University 170
Day 1: 4 06-02 Total: 4 06-02
82. Carson Kamien – Tyson Verkaik University of Florida 169
Day 1: 5 06-01 Total: 5 06-01
82. Cole Thompson – Rees Williams University of North Alabama 169
Day 1: 5 06-01 Total: 5 06-01
84. Hunter Fillmore – Dylan Fogarty Bethel University 167
Day 1: 5 06-00 Total: 5 06-00
85. Cross Campbell – Ethan Thurston East Texas Baptist University 166
Day 1: 4 06-00 Total: 4 06-00
86. Bryant Martin – Luke Batts LSU – Shreveport 165
Day 1: 5 05-15 Total: 5 05-15
87. Brock Blazier – Benjamin Blank Wabash Valley College 164
Day 1: 5 05-14 Total: 5 05-14
88. Tyler Cain – Cole Dodson University of Montevallo 163
Day 1: 3 05-14 Total: 3 05-14
89. Hunter Keller – Grant Harris Catawba Valley Community College 162
Day 1: 5 05-13 Total: 5 05-13
90. Wyatt Pearman – Dustin Bauer Campbellsville University 161
Day 1: 4 05-12 Total: 4 05-12
91. Trevor Easter – Clayton Easter Tarleton State University 160
Day 1: 5 05-11 Total: 5 05-11
91. Cade Lipham – Caleb Coleman Drury University 160
Day 1: 5 05-11 Total: 5 05-11
93. Carter Ball – Austin Tapley Adrian College 158
Day 1: 5 05-10 Total: 5 05-10
94. Jaxson Freeman – Maxwell Trotter McKendree University 157
Day 1: 5 05-07 Total: 5 05-07
95. John Karisny – Brodie Paige Louisiana Tech University 156
Day 1: 5 05-07 Total: 5 05-07
96. Matthew Dettling – Austin Wadzinski University of Tennessee 155
Day 1: 4 05-06 Total: 4 05-06
97. Noah Trant – Evan Howe Northwestern State University (8 154
Day 1: 5 05-00 Total: 5 05-00
98. Brett Jolley Jr. – Cade Nettles East Texas Baptist University 153
Day 1: 5 04-15 Total: 5 04-15
99. Brenton Godwin – Hunter Odom University of Montevallo 152
Day 1: 3 04-15 Total: 3 04-15
100. Jacob Autry – Will Niebrugge Murray State University 151
Day 1: 4 04-13 Total: 4 04-13
101. Cooper Arthur – Luke Frankowicz Louisiana Tech University 150
Day 1: 3 04-13 Total: 3 04-13
102. Spencer Brister – Roeh Burton Lamar State College Orange 149
Day 1: 4 04-12 Total: 4 04-12
103. Colton Hill – Tomas Matual McKendree University 148
Day 1: 3 04-10 Total: 3 04-10
104. Derek Rodriguez Jr. – Mathias Dahline Adrian College 147
Day 1: 4 04-07 Total: 4 04-07
105. Thomas Mingle – Braxton Simmons University of Tennessee 146
Day 1: 3 04-06 Total: 3 04-06
106. Seth Jenkins – TJ McKenzie Emmanuel College 145
Day 1: 3 03-13 Total: 3 03-13
107. Stephen Bovia – Preston Madere Louisiana Tech University 144
Day 1: 2 03-09 Total: 2 03-09
108. Riley Lawson – Dawson Burton Kentucky Christian University 143
Day 1: 3 03-04 Total: 3 03-04
109. Kreed Averhoff – Jordan Kalsbeek Tarleton State University 142
Day 1: 2 03-02 Total: 2 03-02
109. Lane Bailey – Justin Eggers Catawba Valley Community College 142
Day 1: 2 03-02 Total: 2 03-02
111. Carter Smith – Gannon Stork Wabash Valley College 140
Day 1: 1 03-01 Total: 1 03-01
112. Justin James – Keegan Trahan Lamar State College Orange 139
Day 1: 3 02-14 Total: 3 02-14
113. Kyle Knoll – Luke Morgan Southern Union State Community C 138
Day 1: 2 02-13 Total: 2 02-13
114. Conner Giles – Christian Wright Bryan College 137
Day 1: 2 02-11 Total: 2 02-11
115. Sawyer McCullough – Hunter Bettner Troy University 136
Day 1: 2 02-05 Total: 2 02-05
116. Sid Wallace – Broxson Daigle Texas A&M University 135
Day 1: 1 02-02 Total: 1 02-02
117. Caleb Jacob – Illinois State University 134
Day 1: 2 01-15 Total: 2 01-15
118. Hunter Palmer – Eli Stevenson Bryan College 133
Day 1: 1 01-11 Total: 1 01-11
119. Hampton Shull – Landon Surrett Lander University 132
Day 1: 1 01-03 Total: 1 01-03
120. Fischer Barber – Tucker Jordan Troy University 131
Day 1: 1 01-01 Total: 1 01-01
120. Kaden Liles – Kolby Clark University of North Alabama 131
Day 1: 1 01-01 Total: 1 01-01
122. Zeb Roberts – Cabe Mackey Catawba Valley Community College 129
Day 1: 1 01-00 Total: 1 01-00
123. Roy Crush – Hunter Hernandez Texas A&M University 128
Day 1: 1 00-15 Total: 1 00-15
124. Hunter Starling – William Vickery Georgia Southern University 127
Day 1: 1 00-14 Total: 1 00-14
125. Luke Iles – Northwestern State University 126
Day 1: 1 00-13 Total: 1 00-13
126. Jacob Butts – Mark Kershaw-Klara USC Union 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
126. Carson Calvert – Austin Thomas University of North Alabama 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
126. Marlee Churchman – Ty Gentry LSU – Shreveport 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
126. Cody Clifton – Robert Hunt Missouri State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
126. Nathan Coffman – Garrett Mawalls LSU – Shreveport 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
126. Logan East – Rob Lindsey Bryan College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
126. Caleb Hart – Connor Vanderploeg Grand Valley State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
126. Connor Lynch – Domenic Bartel Grand Valley State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
126. Chandler Pruett – Wes Bailey Blue Mountain College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
126. Rudy Worley – Fisher Overton Blue Mountain College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 88 536 853-13
———————————-
88 536 853-13
