Korol tops field with 27-1 on Day 1 Open slugfest at Lake Erie
BUFFALO, N.Y. — With a limit of 27 pounds 1 ounce of Lake Erie smallmouth, Alex Korol of Fairport, N.Y., is one of three western New York anglers at the top of the leaderboard on Day 1 of the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Erie presented by Battery Tender. But closing out the victory in his first Bassmaster Open is far from a done deal.
A remarkable 114 anglers topped 20 pounds today, and they’re tightly-packed down the leaderboard.
Forty-five of them will get paid tomorrow, and right now the 45th place angler has 22-5. A pound more than that was good for 22nd place while a pound less is enough for 73rd place.
B.A.S.S. hasn’t visited this part of Lake Erie since a 2008 Elite Series tournament won by Kotaro Kiriyama. In that event, eight anglers had 20 pounds or more on Day 1, led by Matt Reed’s 23-3. As noted above, that amount would have barely been inside the money cut today.
“I feel like they’re bigger now,” said former Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series champion Mike McClelland, one of the handful of anglers who fished that 2008 tournament and who is also competing this week. “Maybe we just have the technology to catch them better now.”
Forward-facing sonar is allowed in this tournament, the last of the four Division 1 Opens. Korol said that the technology is part of his game plan, but the key is the presence of baitfish in his best area, a half-mile stretch of water where he spent the day.
“There’s not much there otherwise,” he said. “It’s the bait that’s keeping them there.”
While he doesn’t reside far away, Korol has fished far more on Lake Ontario than on this portion of Erie, and on the limited occasions that he has been here it’s generally been in other months.
Lake Erie remained relatively flat by local standards, a seeming rarity when major tournaments come to town. The day started off cloudy, then got sunny.
“I feel like that helped,” Korol said. “Sun and smallmouth go hand-in-hand. I caught a 5-15 around 10 o’clock and then I left them biting at around 11. The wind made a 180-degree change and they still bit, so the weather doesn’t seem to matter. Bring it on. Those fish have been there for three days so I don’t see why they’d leave now.”
Joseph Ferraro III, a Buffalo resident, is in 2nd with 26-7. Like Korol, this is his first Bassmaster Open and he’s making the most of it, utilizing 20 years of tournament knowledge to differentiate himself from the 20-pound bags down the line.
“The difference is capitalizing on the right bites and making sure that your presentation is perfect,” he said. “A lot of the fish here will follow but not bite and you have to know where the best rocks are and how to make those bass bite.”
He made a long run to his primary area and did his damage early.
“An east wind usually makes it tough but I got it done in the first hour and a half of fishing. That’s good, because it just died at 9 o’clock.”
Ferraro also holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead with a 6 pound 8 ounce smallmouth.
Billy Gilbert of Hamburg, N.Y., completes the trio of New York residents atop the leaderboard with 26-6, just an ounce behind Ferraro and 10 ounces ahead of Elite Series rookie Aaron Jagdfeld – the top-ranked non-New Yorker so far. Gilbert caught 5-pounders on his first two casts to get started and dropshotted his way to the big bag.
“If I can get eight or nine of the right bites tomorrow I think I can do it again,” he said. “That’s the size of the fish that are there. If I can get the bites I think it will happen.”
It’s been over three months since the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens presented by Battery Tender Division 1 anglers took to the water — plenty of time to study and consider what this tournament means. While neither of the current top two are qualified to make the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour or Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops if they win, for others this is a chance to further their dreams to the next level.
This tournament is the final chance for anglers to move their way into the EQs for the opportunity to claim one of 10 invites to the 2027 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series. This season, 50 anglers took on both divisions, and 35 of them will advance to the Elite Qualifier round.
At the end of today, Tennessee’s Dillon Falardeau – who qualified for the 2026 Classic by winning an Open on the Chesapeake Bay – sits in first place in the combined Open standings, trailed by Brock Bila. Trey Schroeder, another past Classic qualifier, is in 3rd, and former Elite Series pro Darold Gleason is in 4th.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET at Buffalo Harbor State Park. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 2:30 p.m.
Follow along with all of the action from the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Erie presented by Battery Tender on Bassmaster.com.
The Buffalo Sports Commission is hosting the event.
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About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, 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 organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 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 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Erie presented by Battery Tender 8/20-8/22
Lake Erie, Buffalo NY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Alex Korol Fairport, NY 5 27-01 0
Day 1: 5 27-01
2. Joseph Ferraro III Buffalo, NY 5 26-07 0
Day 1: 5 26-07
3. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 26-06 200
Day 1: 5 26-06
4. Aaron Jagdfeld Rochester Hills, MI 5 25-12 0
Day 1: 5 25-12
5. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 5 24-13 199
Day 1: 5 24-13
5. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 5 24-13 199
Day 1: 5 24-13
7. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 5 24-10 197
Day 1: 5 24-10
8. Chase Carey Hoschton, GA 5 24-10 196
Day 1: 5 24-10
9. Casey Smith Victor, NY 5 24-07 195
Day 1: 5 24-07
10. Neil Deleeuw Fenwick CANADA 5 24-02 194
Day 1: 5 24-02
10. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 24-02 0
Day 1: 5 24-02
12. Neil Farlow St. Catharines Ontario 5 23-14 0
Day 1: 5 23-14
12. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 23-14 193
Day 1: 5 23-14
14. Andrew Chlebo Carlisle CANADA 5 23-12 0
Day 1: 5 23-12
14. Fred Roumbanis Russellville, AR 5 23-12 192
Day 1: 5 23-12
16. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 23-12 191
Day 1: 5 23-12
17. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 5 23-10 190
Day 1: 5 23-10
18. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 23-09 189
Day 1: 5 23-09
18. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 5 23-09 189
Day 1: 5 23-09
20. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 23-08 187
Day 1: 5 23-08
21. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 5 23-06 186
Day 1: 5 23-06
22. Colton Trotter Dothan, AL 5 23-05 185
Day 1: 5 23-05
23. Buddy Benson Dahlonega, GA 5 23-03 184
Day 1: 5 23-03
23. Bob Izumi Milton CANADA 5 23-03 0
Day 1: 5 23-03
25. Cody Abbott Woodruff, SC 5 23-02 183
Day 1: 5 23-02
25. Bardia Kamali Toronto CANADA 5 23-02 183
Day 1: 5 23-02
25. Noah Winslow Naugatuck, CT 5 23-02 183
Day 1: 5 23-02
28. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 5 23-00 180
Day 1: 5 23-00
29. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 5 22-15 179
Day 1: 5 22-15
30. Jace Lindsay Beckville, TX 5 22-14 0
Day 1: 5 22-14
30. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 5 22-14 178
Day 1: 5 22-14
32. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 22-13 177
Day 1: 5 22-13
33. Justin Kimmel Athens, GA 5 22-12 176
Day 1: 5 22-12
33. Jack Daniel Williams Kingsport, TN 5 22-12 176
Day 1: 5 22-12
35. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 22-11 174
Day 1: 5 22-11
36. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 22-11 173
Day 1: 5 22-11
37. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 5 22-10 0
Day 1: 5 22-10
38. Zac Ridenhour Salisbury, NC 5 22-09 172
Day 1: 5 22-09
39. Luke Palmer Atoka, OK 5 22-08 0
Day 1: 5 22-08
39. Timothy Reams Morgantown, WV 5 22-08 171
Day 1: 5 22-08
39. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 5 22-08 171
Day 1: 5 22-08
42. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 5 22-06 169
Day 1: 5 22-06
42. Matt Kelly Cambridge Ontario CANAD 5 22-06 0
Day 1: 5 22-06
44. Allex Conner Delaware, OH 5 22-06 0
Day 1: 5 22-06
45. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 5 22-05 168
Day 1: 5 22-05
46. Hayden Seabolt Dawsonville, GA 5 22-04 0
Day 1: 5 22-04
47. Brody Campbell Oxford, OH 5 22-03 0
Day 1: 5 22-03
47. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 5 22-03 167
Day 1: 5 22-03
49. Darrell Ivey Lebanon, MO 5 22-02 166
Day 1: 5 22-02
49. Will Rogers II Alden, NY 5 22-02 0
Day 1: 5 22-02
51. Tyler Lubbat Naples, FL 5 22-02 165
Day 1: 5 22-02
52. Cal Climpson Cavan CANADA 5 22-01 164
Day 1: 5 22-01
52. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 22-01 164
Day 1: 5 22-01
54. CJ Maddux Birmingham, AL 5 22-00 162
Day 1: 5 22-00
55. Damian Szlachta Roswell, GA 5 21-15 161
Day 1: 5 21-15
56. Michael Corbishley Wake Forest, NC 5 21-14 160
Day 1: 5 21-14
56. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 5 21-14 160
Day 1: 5 21-14
56. Rich Nelson Smithville CANADA 5 21-14 0
Day 1: 5 21-14
59. Brock Bila Republic, MO 5 21-13 158
Day 1: 5 21-13
60. Donald Tripoli Webster, NY 5 21-12 157
Day 1: 5 21-12
61. Blake Thompson Conway, SC 5 21-12 156
Day 1: 5 21-12
62. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 5 21-11 155
Day 1: 5 21-11
63. Wyatt Marler Oldfield, MO 5 21-10 0
Day 1: 5 21-10
64. Brad Brodnicki Buffalo, NY 5 21-08 0
Day 1: 5 21-08
65. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 5 21-07 154
Day 1: 5 21-07
65. Trent Palmer Cumming, GA 5 21-07 154
Day 1: 5 21-07
65. Kevin Steinruck Sodus, NY 5 21-07 0
Day 1: 5 21-07
68. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 21-07 152
Day 1: 5 21-07
69. Brian Hatfield Spring City, TN 5 21-07 151
Day 1: 5 21-07
70. Ken Chadwick Harvard, MA 5 21-06 0
Day 1: 5 21-06
71. Caleb Konrad Elka Park , NY 5 21-05 150
Day 1: 5 21-05
71. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 5 21-05 150
Day 1: 5 21-05
73. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 21-05 148
Day 1: 5 21-05
74. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 5 21-03 147
Day 1: 5 21-03
74. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 5 21-03 147
Day 1: 5 21-03
76. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 21-02 145
Day 1: 5 21-02
77. Phil Kroll Otego, NY 5 21-02 144
Day 1: 5 21-02
78. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 21-00 143
Day 1: 5 21-00
79. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 5 21-00 142
Day 1: 5 21-00
80. Justin Warriner North Tonawanda, NY 5 20-15 0
Day 1: 5 20-15
81. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 20-15 141
Day 1: 5 20-15
82. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 5 20-15 140
Day 1: 5 20-15
83. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 5 20-14 139
Day 1: 5 20-14
84. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 5 20-14 0
Day 1: 5 20-14
84. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 20-14 138
Day 1: 5 20-14
86. Ty Austin Rush, NY 5 20-13 137
Day 1: 5 20-13
86. Tripp Berlinsky Florence, AL 5 20-13 137
Day 1: 5 20-13
86. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 5 20-13 137
Day 1: 5 20-13
86. Evan White Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 20-13 137
Day 1: 5 20-13
90. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 5 20-12 133
Day 1: 5 20-12
90. Jamie Bruce Kenora Ontario CANADA 5 20-12 0
Day 1: 5 20-12
90. Joey Di Cienzo Hannon Ontario CANADA 5 20-12 0
Day 1: 5 20-12
93. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 20-12 132
Day 1: 5 20-12
94. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 5 20-11 131
Day 1: 5 20-11
94. Matthew Knopp Mercer, PA 5 20-11 0
Day 1: 5 20-11
96. Kaden Buchmann Troutman, NC 5 20-11 130
Day 1: 5 20-11
96. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 20-11 130
Day 1: 5 20-11
98. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 5 20-11 128
Day 1: 5 20-11
99. Pete Pisello Phillipsburg, NJ 5 20-10 127
Day 1: 5 20-10
100. Joshua Weaver Macon, GA 5 20-10 126
Day 1: 5 20-10
101. Seiji Kato Forney TX JAPAN 5 20-09 125
Day 1: 5 20-09
101. Wayne Nelson Caistor Centre CANADA 5 20-09 0
Day 1: 5 20-09
103. Matt Mosby Dryden, MI 5 20-09 124
Day 1: 5 20-09
103. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 5 20-09 124
Day 1: 5 20-09
105. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 20-07 122
Day 1: 5 20-07
106. Colt Blanton Piketon, OH 5 20-07 121
Day 1: 5 20-07
107. Parker Guy Ocilla, GA 5 20-04 120
Day 1: 5 20-04
107. Evan Woyke Grand Ledge, MI 5 20-04 0
Day 1: 5 20-04
109. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 5 20-02 119
Day 1: 5 20-02
109. Derek Rodriguez Jr. Okemos, MI 5 20-02 119
Day 1: 5 20-02
111. Lane Olson Forest Grove, OR 5 20-01 0
Day 1: 5 20-01
112. John Branch Magnolia, KY 5 20-00 117
Day 1: 5 20-00
112. Alex Johnson Milltown, NJ 5 20-00 117
Day 1: 5 20-00
114. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 5 20-00 115
Day 1: 5 20-00
115. Michael Oleskiw Burlington CANADA 5 19-14 0
Day 1: 5 19-14
116. Liam Blake East Syracuse, NY 5 19-13 114
Day 1: 5 19-13
117. Kristian Johnson Belvidere, NJ 5 19-13 113
Day 1: 5 19-13
118. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 19-11 112
Day 1: 5 19-11
118. Timmy Sheridan Troy, VA 5 19-11 112
Day 1: 5 19-11
120. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 19-10 110
Day 1: 5 19-10
120. Anthony Ustinovich Fairport, NY 5 19-10 0
Day 1: 5 19-10
122. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 5 19-09 109
Day 1: 5 19-09
123. Willie Mcmullen Covington, GA 5 19-08 108
Day 1: 5 19-08
124. Blake Milligan Nashville, TN 5 19-08 107
Day 1: 5 19-08
125. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 19-04 106
Day 1: 5 19-04
126. Johnathan Crossland Chapin, SC 5 19-02 105
Day 1: 5 19-02
127. Josh Hubbard Citrus Springs, FL 5 19-00 104
Day 1: 5 19-00
128. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 5 18-13 103
Day 1: 5 18-13
129. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 5 18-10 102
Day 1: 5 18-10
130. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 18-07 101
Day 1: 5 18-07
131. Jaron Burr Bowling Green, KY 5 18-05 100
Day 1: 5 18-05
132. Stu Martel Northbrook, IL 5 18-03 99
Day 1: 5 18-03
133. Nathan Quince Imperial, PA 5 18-02 98
Day 1: 5 18-02
134. Trey Thompson Sanford, NC 5 18-01 97
Day 1: 5 18-01
135. Carl Nasello Rochester, NY 5 18-00 0
Day 1: 5 18-00
136. Jake Maddux Alpharetta, GA 5 17-13 96
Day 1: 5 17-13
137. Robert Hoyt Union Hall, VA 5 17-12 95
Day 1: 5 17-12
138. Ricky Basey Warrenville, SC 5 17-11 94
Day 1: 5 17-11
139. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 17-10 93
Day 1: 5 17-10
140. Michael Webster Gastonia, NC 5 17-04 92
Day 1: 5 17-04
141. Garrett Smith Mount Holly, NC 5 16-14 91
Day 1: 5 16-14
142. Troy Coney Owego, NY 5 16-13 90
Day 1: 5 16-13
142. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 5 16-13 90
Day 1: 5 16-13
142. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 5 16-13 90
Day 1: 5 16-13
145. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 16-12 87
Day 1: 5 16-12
146. Jamie Fountain East Dublin, GA 5 16-04 86
Day 1: 5 16-04
147. Dave Miller Stratford, CT 5 16-03 85
Day 1: 5 16-03
148. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 5 16-02 84
Day 1: 5 16-02
149. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 5 15-15 83
Day 1: 5 15-15
150. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 5 15-13 82
Day 1: 5 15-13
151. Brandon Parson Erwin, NC 5 15-04 81
Day 1: 5 15-04
152. Larry Mazur East Aurora, NY 4 15-03 0
Day 1: 4 15-03
153. Rick Greene Ocala, FL 5 14-02 80
Day 1: 5 14-02
154. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 5 13-14 79
Day 1: 5 13-14
155. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 13-08 78
Day 1: 5 13-08
156. Matthew Mcbee Concord, NC 4 13-07 0
Day 1: 4 13-07
157. Caden Vincent Cross Junction, VA 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
158. Jimmy Ward Batavia, NY 5 12-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-10
159. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 5 12-10 77
Day 1: 5 12-10
160. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 4 11-07 76
Day 1: 4 11-07
161. Michael Johns Waynesville, GA 4 11-05 75
Day 1: 4 11-05
162. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 4 11-02 74
Day 1: 4 11-02
163. Steve Dimatteo Lancaster, PA 5 09-06 73
Day 1: 5 09-06
164. Thy Dinh Charleston, WV 4 08-08 0
Day 1: 4 08-08
165. Lance Owen Greer, SC 4 06-09 72
Day 1: 4 06-09
166. Rob Hannan Rostraver Township, PA 3 05-14 0
Day 1: 3 05-14
167. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 2 05-04 71
Day 1: 2 05-04
168. Guy Eaker Sr Cherryville, NC 1 03-12 70
Day 1: 1 03-12
169. Matt Belzil Port Robinson CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
169. Nick Demuth Pine City, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
169. Matt Keezer Kirkland Quebec CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
169. Miles Mckenna Martinsville, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
169. Charles Sim Wasaga Beach Ontario CA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 158 824 3366-12
——————————
158 824 3366-12
