OUTDOORS

Roumbanis leads Atchafalaya Basin's Bassmaster event

Staff Reports

MORGAN CITY — Bites were few and far between for Fred Roumbanis, but fortunately for him, he got the right ones Thursday at Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin.

The Bassmaster Elite Series pro took the lead in the pro division of the Bass Pros Shops Bassmaster Central Open finale by catching a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 9 ounces.

Former Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney cashed in on his home waters advantage to take over second place with a 17-6 limit. The Gonzalespro had a good practice a couple of weeks ago, but he noticed the fishing has slowed down after a cold front last week dropped the water temperature 13 degrees.

Other pro division anglers in the Top 5 include Derek Hudnall, Baton Rouge, third place, 16-2; Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, fourth, 15-14; and Hunter Parra, Houma, fifth, 14-13.

Competing in his first Open, 31-year-old Blake Naquin from Thibodaux took over the lead in the co-angler division with three bass weighing 11-8. Even though the oil and gas service company employee was fishing his home waters, Naquin said he learned a lot more about the basin while paired with pro angler Billy Billeaud of Lafayette.

Leading the pro division for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award after the first day is Parra with a 7-12 largemouth. Naquin leads on the co-angler side of the big bass pot with a 4-4 bass.