Arkansas’ Chris Johnson leads Day 1 of the B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at the Arkansas River presented by Lowrance with five bass weighing 19 pounds, 6 ounces.
Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.
April 3, 2024
Big kicker lifts Johnson to Day 1 lead at B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Arkansas River
Muskogee, Okla. — Persevering an agonizingly slow start, Chris Johnson kept his head in the game until favorable conditions allowed him to sack up a five-bass limit of 19 pounds, 6 ounces to lead Day 1 of the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at the Arkansas River presented by Lowrance.
Hailing from Farmington, Ark., Johnson anchored his leading catch with a hulking largemouth that weighed 5-15. He heads into the second round with a lead of 1-5 over Jeff Clark of Van Buren, Ark.
“That big fish helped massively,” Johnson said. “That’s a total gift on this river.
“I only caught five fish today. I had three others that were in the 3-pound class and one that was right at 15 inches.”
Johnson said he caught his big fish at noon. Prior to that he had a few missed bites; a frustration he attributes to the shivering, windy morning. Improving weather and river hydrology got things moving in the right direction.
“I think a lot of it had to do with the river began to rise midday and the sunshine — that made it happen,” Johnson said. “It was cold this morning; about 45 degrees at takeoff. All the fish came from noon on.”
Noting that he was targeting prespawn bass, Johnson said he struggled with the day’s blustery conditions.
“I really fought the wind all day long,” Johnson said. “I had to fish really, really slowly. I think these fish are trying to move up to spawn and it was hard to hold my boat in position to fish for them.”
Johnson said he fished a few miles upriver from takeoff and fished something he described as unique in that region of the river. He basically targeted main-river structure — classic prespawn staging spots in 1 to 3 1/2 feet of water — but his specific zone comprised something with distinct appeal.
Johnson said the area where he caught his bass is something of an anomaly, so he opted to keep the details guarded.
Johnson said his big fish was his first catch. That bass, he said, brought a lightbulb moment.
“I got into a little area, and caught that big one and then three others pretty quickly,” he said. “It was just grinding all day, but once I got that bite, it clued me in on what I needed to be doing.
“I was catching them on a bait I like to use back home. The key was slow, methodical presentations.”
Johnson said his ideal Day 2 game plan would find him right back where he took the first-round lead. However, he realizes he may need to consider his options.
“I’m really concerned with pressure tomorrow,” Johnson said. “A lot of the anglers aren’t going to want to go to Kerr Reservoir tomorrow, especially if they didn’t do well there today.
“Unfortunately, this area of the river doesn’t have many spots like the one I’m fishing and it can’t handle much pressure. You can’t put three boats in there. That may be a major factor.”
Clark is in second place with 18-1, and Hunter Litchfield of Macomb, Ill., is in third with 17-11.
Johnson is in the lead for Big Bass with his 5-15.
Kevin Turner of Sand Springs, Okla., leads the co-angler division with 11-12.
Mike Estrada of Belen, N.M., holds the Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 4-14.
In the second qualifying event in the new B.A.S.S. Nation format, the Top 20 anglers will qualify for the 2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance, scheduled for Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Grove, Okla., Nov. 6-8.
Thursday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. CT at Three Forks Harbor. The weigh-in will be held at the harbor at 3 p.m.
The tournament is being hosted by Visit Muskogee.
2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Arkansas River presented by Lowrance 4/3-4/5 Arkansas River, Muskogee OK. (BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 5 19-06 0
Day 1: 5 19-06
2. Jeff Clark Van Buren, AR 5 18-01 0
Day 1: 5 18-01
3. Hunter Litchfield Macomb, IL 5 17-11 0
Day 1: 5 17-11
4. Bradley Sullivan Shawnee, OK 5 16-12 0
Day 1: 5 16-12
5. Brett King Kinta, OK 5 16-10 0
Day 1: 5 16-10
6. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 5 16-01 0
Day 1: 5 16-01
7. Brandon Morton San Tan Valley, AZ 5 16-00 0
Day 1: 5 16-00
8. Chad Schmidt Clearwater, KS 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
9. Jeremy Norris Ama, LA 5 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-05
9. Jesse Parks Goodyear, AZ 5 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-05
11. Scotty Pennington Crossett, AR 5 14-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-00
12. Dalton Ross Centerton, AR 5 13-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-13
13. Chris Jones Bokoshe, OK 5 13-11 0
Day 1: 5 13-11
13. Lane Kindle Stilwell, OK 5 13-11 0
Day 1: 5 13-11
15. John Clayman III Dover, TN 5 13-10 0
Day 1: 5 13-10
16. Greg Vance Delhi, IA 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07
17. Mike Rhinehart Pottsville, AR 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
18. Nic Conger Fort Smith, AR 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
18. Jesse Jordan Stilwel, KS 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
20. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
20. Chance Woodard Paris, TX 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
22. Ben Burk Norman, OK 5 12-02 0
Day 1: 5 12-02
22. Kazuki Kitajima Corinth, TX 5 12-02 0
Day 1: 5 12-02
24. Corey Stewart III Lees Summit, MO 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
25. Scott Dooley Ashland, MO 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
26. Tony Baldridge Oklahoma City, OK 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
27. Alex Torkleson Coweta, OK 5 11-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-06
28. Marc Caldwell Rifle, CO 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
29. Chad Poulsen Longview, TX 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
30. Randy Campbell Tijeras, NM 4 10-15 0
Day 1: 4 10-15
30. Cole Findley Forsyth, MO 4 10-15 0
Day 1: 4 10-15
32. Michael Louviere New Iberia, LA 4 10-12 0
Day 1: 4 10-12
33. Brent Breznik Borger, TX 4 10-07 0
Day 1: 4 10-07
34. Joseph Sanderson Channahon, IL 3 10-04 0
Day 1: 3 10-04
35. Steven Caldwell Whitesboro, TX 4 10-03 0
Day 1: 4 10-03
36. Hunter King North Platte, NE 5 10-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-01
37. Casey Welch Aurora, CO 4 10-00 0
Day 1: 4 10-00
38. Jake Capps Muskogee, OK 4 09-15 0
Day 1: 4 09-15
39. Jared Miller Norman, OK 3 09-15 0
Day 1: 3 09-15
40. Corey Smith Perry, OK 4 09-11 0
Day 1: 4 09-11
41. Tye Grissom Austin, TX 3 09-10 0
Day 1: 3 09-10
42. Adam Hollingsworth La Vergne, TN 5 09-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-05
43. Ryan Latch Lafayette, LA 4 09-01 0
Day 1: 4 09-01
44. Tony Halford Perkins, OK 5 09-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-00
45. Mike Hill Carlsbad, NM 4 09-00 0
Day 1: 4 09-00
46. Rodney Copeland Sallisaw, OK 3 08-15 0
Day 1: 3 08-15
47. Steve Wilson Union City, TN 4 08-14 0
Day 1: 4 08-14
48. Josh Cruse Pocahontas, AR 3 08-14 0
Day 1: 3 08-14
49. Steve Lund Cave Creek, AZ 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
50. Greg Yates Oak Point, TX 4 08-13 0
Day 1: 4 08-13
51. Robert Capps Muskogee, OK 2 08-13 0
Day 1: 2 08-13
52. Grayson Morrow San Angelo, TX 3 08-11 0
Day 1: 3 08-11
53. Brock Enmeier Bixby, OK 4 08-10 0
Day 1: 4 08-10
54. Connor Jacob Auburn, AL 3 08-09 0
Day 1: 3 08-09
55. Billy Elbert Reeds Spring, MO 3 08-07 0
Day 1: 3 08-07
56. Shawn Clark Afton, OK 4 08-02 0
Day 1: 4 08-02
57. Brian Hickey Pueblo, CO 3 08-01 0
Day 1: 3 08-01
58. Cole Tullis Peculior, MO 3 07-14 0
Day 1: 3 07-14
59. Christopher Dollard Mountain Home, AR 2 07-14 0
Day 1: 2 07-14
60. David Bishop Gilbert, AZ 3 07-13 0
Day 1: 3 07-13
60. Jeremy Fuentes Carlsbad, NM 3 07-13 0
Day 1: 3 07-13
62. Jon Harshbarger Kaufman, TX 4 07-10 0
Day 1: 4 07-10
63. Sam Mitchell Kiowa, OK 2 07-10 0
Day 1: 2 07-10
64. Matthew Adamson Farmington, NM 3 07-09 0
Day 1: 3 07-09
64. Brandon Soliz Robert Lee, TX 3 07-09 0
Day 1: 3 07-09
64. Shawn St Pierre Paulina, LA 3 07-09 0
Day 1: 3 07-09
64. Jason Westrip Crane, MO 3 07-09 0
Day 1: 3 07-09
68. Matthew Abeyta Albuquerque, NM 2 07-09 0
Day 1: 2 07-09
69. John Hammersmith Branson, MO 3 07-04 0
Day 1: 3 07-04
69. Drew Porto III Greenbrier, AR 3 07-04 0
Day 1: 3 07-04
71. Samuel Collins Surprise , AZ 3 07-00 0
Day 1: 3 07-00
71. Tim McSorley Underwood, IA 3 07-00 0
Day 1: 3 07-00
73. Jess Stewart Brock, NE 3 06-15 0
Day 1: 3 06-15
74. Richard Vizcarra Peoria, AZ 3 06-13 0
Day 1: 3 06-13
75. Justin Russell El Dorado, KS 3 06-12 0
Day 1: 3 06-12
76. Mike Harris Cowgill, MO 2 06-07 0
Day 1: 2 06-07
77. Gunner West Spiro, OK 3 06-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-06
78. Jamie Carson Greenwood, AR 2 06-06 0
Day 1: 2 06-06
79. Paul Morley Kaysville, UT 2 06-04 0
Day 1: 2 06-04
80. Marin Marinov Broomfield, CO 3 06-02 0
Day 1: 3 06-02
81. Shannon Green Lebanon, MO 3 06-00 0
Day 1: 3 06-00
82. Tommy Abel Inola, OK 2 05-15 0
Day 1: 2 05-15
82. Hal Pinho Jr Patterson, LA 2 05-15 0
Day 1: 2 05-15
84. Kris Lee Coweta, OK 2 05-14 0
Day 1: 2 05-14
85. Dustin Berry Dayton, TX 3 05-12 0
Day 1: 3 05-12
86. Trevor Rogge Canyon Lake, TX 2 05-12 0
Day 1: 2 05-12
87. Reese David Sand Springs, OK 3 05-11 0
Day 1: 3 05-11
88. Austin Abadie Saint Amant, LA 2 05-11 0
Day 1: 2 05-11
88. Ted Daniels St. Louis, MO 2 05-11 0
Day 1: 2 05-11
88. Daniel Vine Page, AZ 2 05-11 0
Day 1: 2 05-11
91. Jay Beffa Festus, MO 2 05-10 0
Day 1: 2 05-10
91. Eric Stong Apopka, FL 2 05-10 0
Day 1: 2 05-10
93. Nathan Cummings Peoria, AZ 2 05-09 0
Day 1: 2 05-09
93. Robert Degraffenreid Oklahoma Cty, OK 2 05-09 0
Day 1: 2 05-09
95. Kelley Hudson Graham, TX 3 05-08 0
Day 1: 3 05-08
96. Cory Leita Victoria, TX 2 05-08 0
Day 1: 2 05-08
97. Kris Bosley Amarillo, TX 3 05-07 0
Day 1: 3 05-07
98. Stephanie Hemphill - Pellerin Village Mills, TX 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06
99. Rick Mason Phoenix, AZ 2 05-04 0
Day 1: 2 05-04
100. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 3 05-01 0
Day 1: 3 05-01
101. Boyd Gautreau Saint Amant, LA 2 05-01 0
Day 1: 2 05-01
102. Hunter Neuville New Iberia, LA 3 05-00 0
Day 1: 3 05-00
103. Ryan Heavener Tulsa, OK 2 04-12 0
Day 1: 2 04-12
104. Cameron Tull Norman, OK 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 2 04-11
105. Kyle Caldwell Marshfield, MO 2 04-11 0
Day 1: 2 04-11
106. David Henderson Great Bend, KS 2 04-10 0
Day 1: 2 04-10
107. George Carroll Guyton, GA 2 04-09 0
Day 1: 2 04-09
108. Troy Stinson Peyton, CO 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08
109. Keith Harmoney Hays, KS 1 04-07 0
Day 1: 1 04-07
110. Brian Stangel Albuquerque, NM 2 04-06 0
Day 1: 2 04-06
111. Michael Furgerson Tulsa, OK 1 04-06 0
Day 1: 1 04-06
112. Chris Ogan Bixby, OK 2 04-05 0
Day 1: 2 04-05
113. Randy Fleeman Copperas Cove, TX 2 04-04 0
Day 1: 2 04-04
114. Dennis Carroll Ashland, NE 2 04-03 0
Day 1: 2 04-03
115. Kevin Late Maynard, AR 2 04-02 0
Day 1: 2 04-02
116. Bill Gaddis Afton, OK 1 04-02 0
Day 1: 1 04-02
117. Mick Fenn Grove, OK 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00
118. Kevin Slate Eufaula, OK 1 03-15 0
Day 1: 1 03-15
119. Lance Goodfellow Wagoner, OK 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 2 03-13
119. Jacob Sepeda Paradise, TX 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 2 03-13
121. Adam Condito Alamogordo, NM 1 03-13 0
Day 1: 1 03-13
122. Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-11
123. Ryan Webb El Dorado, AR 1 03-10 0
Day 1: 1 03-10
124. Cole Buser Pullman, WA 2 03-08 0
Day 1: 2 03-08
125. Jason Clark Bixby, OK 1 03-07 0
Day 1: 1 03-07
126. Zack Holwerda Wittmann, AZ 1 03-06 0
Day 1: 1 03-06
127. Mark Warren Kiowa, CO 1 03-02 0
Day 1: 1 03-02
128. Rickey York Cherokee Village, AR 1 03-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01
129. Joe Conway Colorado Springs, CO 1 02-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-15
129. Bob Glasgow Omaha, NE 1 02-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-15
131. Jerry Pape Bella Vista, AR 1 02-12 0
Day 1: 1 02-12
132. Mark Vote Omaha, NE 1 02-11 0
Day 1: 1 02-11
133. Carey Goldberg Colorado Springs, CO 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10
134. Dallas Cole Omaha, NE 1 02-06 0
Day 1: 1 02-06
135. Andrew Wren Wylie, TX 1 02-03 0
Day 1: 1 02-03
136. Jaron Cooper Sutherland, NE 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
136. Larry Krueger Colorado Springs, CO 1 02-02 0
Day 1: 1 02-02
138. Jacob Bruener Douglass, TX 1 02-01 0
Day 1: 1 02-01
139. Matt Dobson Edmond, OK 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
140. Mark Williams Carrolton, TX 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
141. Travis Ledford Tuttle, OK 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15
141. Ronnie Provence Canehill, AR 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15
141. Daniel Rodriquez New Braunfels, TX 1 01-15 0
Day 1: 1 01-15
144. Joseph Gamboa Elephant Butte, NM 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
144. Don Glick Zurich, KS 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
144. Brandon Pedigo Lawton, OK 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
144. Jay Spencer Lincoln, NE 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
148. Pam Horne Bella Vista, AR 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
148. Royce Scheetz Lubbock, TX 1 01-12 0
Day 1: 1 01-12
150. Jon Stewart Grove, OK 1 01-11 0
Day 1: 1 01-11
151. Jacob Altman Edgewood, TX 1 01-10 0
Day 1: 1 01-10
152. Joshua Bauer Great Bend, KS 1 01-09 0
Day 1: 1 01-09
153. Jason Switzer Sapulpa, OK 1 01-08 0
Day 1: 1 01-08
154. Dave Garrett Trinidad, CO 1 01-05 0
Day 1: 1 01-05
155. Brandon Ackerson Afton, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Keith Allen Okemah, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Nicholas Ault Gravois Mills, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Matthew Barnes Schertz, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Brock Bila Ozark, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Paul Browning Monahans, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Nickalas Butler Lawrence, KS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Glenn Connors Springfield, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Shelby Crites Jr Bearden, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Ronnie Duncan Hampton, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Richard Everest Hobbs, NM 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Kevin Flurry Roland, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Ronald Giebel Penrose, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Will Hughes Nashville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Mark Jenkins Ville Platte, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Mike Leibhart North Platte, NE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Jim Lopez Littleton, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Jeremy Loud New Castle, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. John Madison Yukon, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Doug McClung Prairieville, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Tom McGovern Warsaw, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Brandon Moss Blanchard, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Gregory Oehring Lees Summit, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Sam Page Moab, UT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Dashon Peck The Colony, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Jared Pittman Avondale, AZ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Jeff Richards Colorado Spgs, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Tanner Richardson Wilson, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Connor Santos Fountain, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Curry Schaubhut Hester, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Dick Smith Oklahoma City, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Hunter Stanley Mustang, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Ron Strickland Pueblo West, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Chris Torkleson Sand Springs, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Dalton Warrington Tishimingo , OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Bruce White La Ward, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Richard Wilson Lubbock, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Michael Wooten Cross Plains, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 33 433 1112-01
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33 433 1112-01
