Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, takes the lead on the first day of the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels out of Plattsburgh, N.Y., with 21 pounds, 1 ounce.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
July 28, 2017
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The eighth of nine regular-season events began today at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, and Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, leads after the first day of competition on the strength of a 21-pound, 1-ounce limit of bass. He is also leading in the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the tournament with a 6-1 largemouth bass — that is a rarity in this northern New York inland sea.
Faircloth said he was surprised by what he caught — especially because his day started rather slow, then picked up in the afternoon.
“I caught my best fish in the middle of the day,” Faircloth said. “I have some good water to fish, but whether those areas will replenish, it’s hard to say. I weighed one smallmouth and four largemouth. That 6-pounder I caught was really unexpected.”
Faircloth added that he’s drop shotting for smallmouth and “fishing plastics” for largemouth.
Another Texan, Alton Jones of Lorena, is in second place after Day 1 with 20-11. Jones remarked how differently the lake is fishing compared to the last time he competed here. Its been 10 years since the last Elite event here, and “the grass has totally changed,” Jones said.
“I weighed all largemouth,” he said. “I’m fishing areas I’ve fished before, but I’m fishing different spots within those areas. I think the smallmouth are in a postspawn funk. I think you’re going to need to weigh some largemouth this week to win. But if this was August or September, you could win here with smallmouth.”
Jeff Kriet of Ardmore, Okla., is focusing on smallmouth and is currently in third place with 20-4. Kriet noted that he’s running north, where he caught an estimated 50 smallmouth today.
“I’m switching up a lot,” Kriet said. “I’m drop shotting, using an Eco-Pro Tungsten jig; I caught my biggest on a swimbait, and I’m using the new Big Bite Baits Limit Getter. I would have been happy with 15 or 16 pounds, so I’m really excited about today.”
Lake Champlain again proved to be one of the best bass fisheries in the Northeast, and 107 of the 109 anglers caught a limit today.
Yesterday’s competition day was cancelled due to weather, so the full field of 109 pros will fish tomorrow. The Top 51 will compete on Championship Sunday. Currently, the Top 51 cut weight is 16-9 — another testament to the quality of the Lake Champlain fishery.
Brandon Palaniuk, tied for 21st with 18-1, retained his lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. Jason Christie (fifth, 19-8) moved into second with 700 points. Jacob Wheeler (30th, 17-12) moved into third.
Anglers launch Saturday from the City Marina in downtown Plattsburgh at 6:15 a.m. ET. Weigh-in begins at 3:15 p.m. at the Plattsburgh City Beach.
The Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo will open at the beach at noon. Companies including Huk, Berkley and Power-Pole will be onsite featuring their latest products. Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels will be giving out a free set of tires. Skeeter, Yamaha, Nitro, Triton and Mercury will be offering free boat and motor demo rides. Toyota will have interactive displays such as designing your own lure and a NASCAR video game. There will also be food and beverage vendors and a watercross competition. All activities are open to the public.
The event is hosted by the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau and the City of Plattsburgh.
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Minn Kota, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine, Shimano, Advance Auto Parts, Livingston Lures, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Lowrance
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Series presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
2017 Bassmaster Elite at Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels 7/27-7/30
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 21-01 110
Day 1: 5 21-01
2. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 20-11 109
Day 1: 5 20-11
3. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 20-04 108
Day 1: 5 20-04
4. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 19-15 107
Day 1: 5 19-15
5. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 19-08 106
Day 1: 5 19-08
6. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 19-03 105
Day 1: 5 19-03
7. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 5 19-00 104
Day 1: 5 19-00
8. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 18-15 103
Day 1: 5 18-15
9. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 18-13 102
Day 1: 5 18-13
10. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 18-12 101
Day 1: 5 18-12
10. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 18-12 101
Day 1: 5 18-12
12. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 18-10 99
Day 1: 5 18-10
13. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 18-09 98
Day 1: 5 18-09
14. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 5 18-08 97
Day 1: 5 18-08
14. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 18-08 97
Day 1: 5 18-08
16. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 18-06 95
Day 1: 5 18-06
16. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 18-06 95
Day 1: 5 18-06
16. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 18-06 95
Day 1: 5 18-06
19. Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 5 18-04 92
Day 1: 5 18-04
20. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 5 18-03 91
Day 1: 5 18-03
21. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 5 18-01 90
Day 1: 5 18-01
21. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 18-01 90
Day 1: 5 18-01
21. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 5 18-01 90
Day 1: 5 18-01
24. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 18-00 87
Day 1: 5 18-00
24. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 18-00 87
Day 1: 5 18-00
26. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 17-15 85
Day 1: 5 17-15
27. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 17-13 84
Day 1: 5 17-13
27. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 17-13 84
Day 1: 5 17-13
27. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 5 17-13 84
Day 1: 5 17-13
30. Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN 5 17-12 81
Day 1: 5 17-12
31. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 17-10 80
Day 1: 5 17-10
32. Seth Feider Isle, MN 5 17-09 79
Day 1: 5 17-09
32. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 17-09 79
Day 1: 5 17-09
34. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 17-07 77
Day 1: 5 17-07
35. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 17-04 76
Day 1: 5 17-04
36. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 17-03 75
Day 1: 5 17-03
37. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 17-02 74
Day 1: 5 17-02
38. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 5 17-01 73
Day 1: 5 17-01
39. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 17-00 72
Day 1: 5 17-00
39. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 17-00 72
Day 1: 5 17-00
41. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 16-15 70
Day 1: 5 16-15
42. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 16-13 69
Day 1: 5 16-13
42. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 16-13 69
Day 1: 5 16-13
42. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 5 16-13 69
Day 1: 5 16-13
45. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 16-12 66
Day 1: 5 16-12
45. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 16-12 66
Day 1: 5 16-12
47. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 16-11 64
Day 1: 5 16-11
47. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 16-11 64
Day 1: 5 16-11
49. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 5 16-10 62
Day 1: 5 16-10
50. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 5 16-09 61
Day 1: 5 16-09
50. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 16-09 61
Day 1: 5 16-09
52. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 16-09 59
Day 1: 5 16-09
53. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 5 16-07 58
Day 1: 5 16-07
54. David Williams Newton, NC 5 16-06 57
Day 1: 5 16-06
55. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 5 16-05 56
Day 1: 5 16-05
56. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 16-04 55
Day 1: 5 16-04
57. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 16-03 54
Day 1: 5 16-03
57. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 16-03 54
Day 1: 5 16-03
59. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 16-02 52
Day 1: 5 16-02
60. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 16-00 51
Day 1: 5 16-00
60. Fred Roumbanis London, AR 5 16-00 51
Day 1: 5 16-00
62. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 15-14 49
Day 1: 5 15-14
62. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 15-14 49
Day 1: 5 15-14
64. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 15-12 47
Day 1: 5 15-12
65. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 15-09 46
Day 1: 5 15-09
66. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 15-06 45
Day 1: 5 15-06
67. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 15-05 44
Day 1: 5 15-05
68. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 15-04 43
Day 1: 5 15-04
68. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 5 15-04 43
Day 1: 5 15-04
70. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 14-15 41
Day 1: 5 14-15
71. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 14-14 40
Day 1: 5 14-14
72. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 14-13 39
Day 1: 5 14-13
73. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 5 14-12 38
Day 1: 5 14-12
73. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 14-12 38
Day 1: 5 14-12
75. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 14-11 36
Day 1: 5 14-11
75. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 14-11 36
Day 1: 5 14-11
77. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 14-10 34
Day 1: 5 14-10
77. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 14-10 34
Day 1: 5 14-10
77. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 14-10 34
Day 1: 5 14-10
80. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 14-09 31
Day 1: 5 14-09
81. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 14-07 30
Day 1: 5 14-07
82. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 5 14-06 29
Day 1: 5 14-06
83. John Murray Spring City, TN 5 14-05 28
Day 1: 5 14-05
84. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 14-04 27
Day 1: 5 14-04
85. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 14-03 26
Day 1: 5 14-03
85. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 14-03 26
Day 1: 5 14-03
87. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 14-02 24
Day 1: 5 14-02
88. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 5 14-00 23
Day 1: 5 14-00
89. Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ 5 13-15 22
Day 1: 5 13-15
90. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 13-14 21
Day 1: 5 13-14
91. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 13-12 20
Day 1: 5 13-12
92. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 13-11 19
Day 1: 5 13-11
93. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 13-05 18
Day 1: 5 13-05
94. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 5 13-04 17
Day 1: 5 13-04
94. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 13-04 17
Day 1: 5 13-04
94. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 13-04 17
Day 1: 5 13-04
97. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 5 13-02 14
Day 1: 5 13-02
98. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 13-00 13
Day 1: 5 13-00
99. James Elam Tulsa, OK 5 12-15 12
Day 1: 5 12-15
100. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 12-13 11
Day 1: 5 12-13
101. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 5 12-07 10
Day 1: 5 12-07
101. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 12-07 10
Day 1: 5 12-07
101. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 5 12-07 10
Day 1: 5 12-07
104. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 12-06 7
Day 1: 5 12-06
105. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 12-00 6
Day 1: 5 12-00
106. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 11-05 5
Day 1: 5 11-05
107. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 11-04 4
Day 1: 5 11-04
108. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 4 09-01 3
Day 1: 4 09-01
109. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
