Topic: OPEN on Toledo Bend

Participant

Niggemeyer, Pringle go to shootout By Andy Crawford BASS Times Senior Writer Updated: March 7, 2009, 9:06 PM ET Comment Email Print MANY, La. – Bassmaster Elite Series pro James Niggemeyer thought the Toledo Bend Bassmaster Central Open win had slipped away when Jerrel Pringle weighed in a 20-pound, 2-ounce sack of bass on what was supposed to be the final day of competition. Larry TowellJerrel PringleBoth anglers shared the exact weight of 37-14, but Niggemeyer and everyone else thought the tiebreaker would be the heaviest one-day stringer. That put the advantage to Pringle by 8 ounces. When it was time to introduce the winner, however, it was revealed that there was only one exception to the tie-breaker rule.”In the BASS rules, there is a tiebreaker for every place but first place,” Tournament Director Chris Bowes announced. “That means we have to go to a sudden-death fish-off.” NEW GALLERY, || , || Click for photos, || , || , , || Niggemeyer and Pringle led the field by more than 2 pounds. Texas Todd Castledine finished in third with 35-11, followed by Keith Caka of Texas with 35-1. Floridas Arnie Lane rounded out the top five with 34-4. The two anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow, and weigh in at 11 a.m., so Pringle and Niggemeyer will have to capitalize quickly.Both said they will head back to the areas that put them in position to claim the victory. Niggemeyer will be heading all the way to the south end of the lake, and Pringle will run almost to the top end of the reservoir.”Ive got to haul butt,” Pringle said. “I have to get back to where I was fishing. Its another roll of the dice.” Pringle is relying on some small drains, working Strike King spinner baits and 8-inch Zoom plastic lizards to snatch fish from around flooded stumps.”Its about attrition, making enough casts to get the bites,” he said.Niggemeyer is sight-fishing two areas of the lake, and he said he hopes he has an ace in his pocket. Larry TowellJames Niggemeyer”I left a 5-pounder on the bed this afternoon,” he said. “Im just going to go right back to where I left that 5-pounder and hope I can get it to bite. Then Im going from there and start searching.” The winner walks away with the $51,000 top check.The launch and weigh-in will take place at Cypress Bend Park, and is open and free to the public.In the co-angler division, Louisianas Robbie Latuso took home the Triton 18X3 rigged with a Mercury 150 OptiMax, a MotorGuide trolling motor and Lowrance electronics valued at $32,000 with a two-day weight of 27-12.Donnie Reynolds of Texas wrapped up the event in second with 26-11, and Texas Lindy Hadley ended up in third with 24-0. Travis Pattillo of Texas took fourth with 23-15, while Mississippis Mike Mcadams finished in fifth with 21-11.Sponsors of the 2009 Bassmaster Opens include: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Marine._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ James Niggemeyer went from 8th to tie for first and Jerrel Pringle went from 13th to the tie for first. Thats great for both of them to make that kind of move but its awesome for one of them to be a BASSCAT man!Jim EbarbMany, LA (Toledo Bend Lake)2004 Cougar/ 225 OptimaxHumminbird Helix 12 Chirp SI on BalzOut Mount at bowLowrance HDS 7 at bowHumminbird Helix 12 Mega SI on Ram Mount at ConsoleLowrance HDS 8 in dash at console