ESCANABA, Mich. — Brett Hite leads the field with 24 pounds, 6 ounces at the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Bays de Noc. Hite is already locked into a Bassmaster Classic berth by virtue of his win at the season debut at Lake Seminole. For much of the rest of the field, Classic spots are on the line.

“I’ve never been here before,” Hite said. “The only time I ever fished Lake Michigan was at the Classic.”

Brandon Lester claimed the Carhartt Big Bass of the day with a 6-4 smallmouth that anchored his second place catch of 24-2. He trails Hite by just 4 ounces.

“I caught all my fish between 10 and 20 feet deep on a small plastic worm that I was drop shotting,” Lester said. Unlike Hite, Lester was not guaranteed a Classic berth coming into the tournament. Now he’s in 27th place in the AOY race and looking good to make his first Classic in 2015.

As expected, Bays de Noc revealed itself to be one of the finest smallmouth bass fisheries in the world. Of the 50 competitors, 45 brought five-bass limits to the scales, and the average bass weighed 3 1/2 pounds.

Three anglers — Greg Hackney, Todd Faircloth and Aaron Martens — are vying for the sport’s most prestigious title, the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year award. Three others — Jacob Powroznik, Keith Combs and Mark Davis — are mathematically in contention, but running out of time to make up their deficits.

Today, Hackney’s limit of five smallmouth bass weighing 18-0 was good enough for 17th place, keeping him in the lead for AOY. If he can finish in the Top 15 at this event, he cannot be caught by any other angler and is locked in to win the title.

Todd Faircloth came into the event ranked third in AOY but put a little pressure on Hackney today. He weighed in 20-15; good enough for 10th in the tournament and moving into second in the AOY race. He now trails Hackney 748 to 738. If he can put 11 more places between him and Hackney by the end of this tournament, he’ll claim his first AOY title.

Aaron Martens dropped a place in the AOY race, falling to third and losing four points to Hackney in the process. He now trails 748 to 729. Martens’ limit of smallmouth weighed 17-6, putting him in 21st for the event.

The AOY race and the battle for Bassmaster Classic berths are far from over. There are still two days of fishing on unpredictable Bays de Noc, and almost anything can happen.

All 50 anglers will compete on each of the three competition days — scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Since catch rates are high and mere ounces separate multiple places in the standings, big swings in the points race are still possible, and even the anglers hovering near the bottom coming into the event have a shot to make the Classic.

Fishing fans can catch the tournament as it continues Friday through Sunday at Ludington Park in Escanaba, Mich. The pros will leave the docks beginning at 7:30 a.m. Start time for the weigh-ins each day is 4 p.m.

Also on Saturday as part of its Bassmaster Fan and Military Appreciation Day, B.A.S.S. will give a special commemorative Bassmaster cap to the first 250 military service members who come to the B.A.S.S. booth with a military identification card. All 50 Elite anglers will be on hand to sign autographs as well.

For a complete Bassmaster University Schedule, visit www.bassmaster.com/attend-toyota-bassmaster-angler-year-championship.

All Bassmaster events are free.

1 Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 748 291-15

2 Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 738 257-14

3 Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 729 224- 7

4 Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 721 268-13

5 Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 707 259- 5

6 Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 700 254- 3

7 Keith Combs Huntington, TX 699 245- 5

8 Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 699 244- 6

9 Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 673 253-12

10 Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 641 241-14

11 Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 634 231- 5

12 John Crews Jr Salem, VA 633 253- 1

13 Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 632 248- 0

14 Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 631 260- 1

15 Matt Herren Ashville, AL 626 256- 9

16 Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 626 247- 1

17 Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 619 232- 2

18 Paul Elias Laurel, MS 617 217- 8

19 Randall Tharp Port Saint Joe, FL 610 243-11

20 David Walker Sevierville, TN 610 224- 2

21 Edwin Evers Talala, OK 602 237-12

22 Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 602 229- 8

23 James Niggemeyer Van, TX 596 240- 7

24 Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 595 241- 5

25 Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 595 225- 7

26 Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 592 230-11

27 Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 592 219-12

28 Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 591 229- 9

29 Morizo Shimizu Osaka, JPN 586 213-13

30 Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 585 255- 8

31 Randy Howell Springville, AL 584 228-11

32 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 582 222-13

33 Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 567 215-11

34 Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 564 205-14

35 Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 563 230-10

36 Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 563 228-14

37 Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 562 227- 6

38 Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 557 225-13

39 Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 554 212- 8

40 Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 549 218-13

41 Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 547 209-14

42 Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 544 217- 1

43 Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 543 238- 1

44 Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 543 224-13

45 Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 541 209-10

46 Alton Jones Lorena, TX 536 222- 5

47 Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 528 202- 3

48 Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 526 222-14

49 Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 522 224- 2

50 Casey Scanlon Lanexa, KS 521 205- 3

51 Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 454 209- 3

52 Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 451 195- 1

53 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 443 210-13

54 Glenn Browne Ocala, FL 443 191- 4

55 Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 438 180- 2

56 Nate Wellman Newaygo, MI 437 202- 1

57 Mike Kernan Wylie, TX 433 190- 3

58 Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 431 181- 5

59 Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 428 194- 1

60 Russ Lane Prattville, AL 424 211- 9

61 David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 417 165-14

62 J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 400 187- 8

63 Brandon Card Caryville, TN 395 190- 8

64 Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 394 163-10

65 Rick Clunn Ava, MO 389 189-14

66 Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 389 160- 2

67 Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 387 206- 9

68 Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 387 187- 6

69 Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 386 188- 7

70 Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 379 173-14

71 Derek Remitz Grant, AL 377 182- 1

72 Kevin Hawk Guntersville, AL 376 178- 9

73 Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 375 184- 9

74 Boo Woods Oneida, KY 375 167- 6

75 Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 368 196- 6

76 James Elam Tulsa, OK 366 172- 1

77 Kelly Jordon Palestine, TX 358 182- 4

78 Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 358 169-12

79 Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 357 171- 3

80 Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 356 172- 0

81 Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 354 161-15

82 John Murray Phoenix, AZ 346 155-11

83 Jamie Horton Centreville, AL 343 165- 2

84 Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 342 183-15

85 Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 337 167- 6

86 Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 330 166- 4

87 Jeremy Starks Scott Depot, WV 327 180-13

88 Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 318 196- 0

89 Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 318 175- 1

90 Byron Velvick Boenre, TX 315 147-15

91 Jared Miller Norman, OK 314 164- 5

92 Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 308 168- 9

93 Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 306 169- 7

94 Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 304 151- 6

95 Pete Ponds Madison, MS 303 163- 6

96 Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 298 167- 5

97 Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 287 153- 2

98 Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 282 155- 3

99 Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 263 155-12

100 Grant Goldbeck Boerne, TX 256 130- 1

101 Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 252 157-11

102 Joel Baker Talala, OK 229 127-14

103 Michael Simonton Fremont, OH 208 136- 8

104 Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 202 137- 0

105 Trevor Romans Plano, TX 199 125-15

106 Joseph Sancho New Windsor, NY 133 118-11

107 David Smith Del City, OK 106 128-13

108 BJ Haseotes Centerville, MA 51 49- 8 2014 Toyota Bassmaster AOY Championship – Bays De Noc, Lake Michigan 9/18-9/21
Bays De Noc, Lake Michigan, Escanaba  MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts

1.  Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              5  24-06  100
Day 1: 5   24-06
2.  Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  24-02   99
Day 1: 5   24-02
3.  Jacob Powroznik        Port Haywood, VA         5  24-01   98
Day 1: 5   24-01
4.  Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ     5  22-00   97
Day 1: 5   22-00
5.  Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA               5  21-11   96
Day 1: 5   21-11
6.  Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         5  21-03   95
Day 1: 5   21-03
7.  Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC           5  21-02   94
Day 1: 5   21-02
8.  Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         5  21-01   93
Day 1: 5   21-01
9.  Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL        5  21-00   92
Day 1: 5   21-00
10. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX               5  20-15   91
Day 1: 5   20-15
11. Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN            5  20-06   90
Day 1: 5   20-06
12. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR            5  20-04   89
Day 1: 5   20-04
13. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        5  19-14   88
Day 1: 5   19-14
14. Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL         5  18-15   87
Day 1: 5   18-15
15. David Walker           Sevierville, TN          5  18-10   86
Day 1: 5   18-10
16. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  18-01   85
Day 1: 5   18-01
17. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  18-00   84
Day 1: 5   18-00
18. Chris Zaldain          San Jose, CA             5  17-15   83
Day 1: 5   17-15
19. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          5  17-09   82
Day 1: 5   17-09
19. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  5  17-09   82
Day 1: 5   17-09
21. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL                5  17-06   80
Day 1: 5   17-06
22. Chad Morgenthaler      Coulterville, IL         5  17-02   79
Day 1: 5   17-02
23. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               5  17-01   78
Day 1: 5   17-01
23. Gerald Swindle         Warrior, AL              5  17-01   78
Day 1: 5   17-01
25. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  16-13   76
Day 1: 5   16-13
26. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  16-10   75
Day 1: 5   16-10
27. Brandon Palaniuk       Hayden, ID               5  16-09   74
Day 1: 5   16-09
28. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                5  16-05   73
Day 1: 5   16-05
29. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  16-02   72
Day 1: 5   16-02
30. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  16-01   71
Day 1: 5   16-01
31. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              5  16-00   70
Day 1: 5   16-00
32. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, AR          5  15-11   69
Day 1: 5   15-11
33. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            4  15-09   68
Day 1: 4   15-09
34. Kevin Short            Mayflower, AR            5  15-06   67
Day 1: 5   15-06
35. Randall Tharp          Port Saint Joe, FL       5  15-03   66
Day 1: 5   15-03
36. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC              5  15-02   65
Day 1: 5   15-02
37. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  15-01   64
Day 1: 5   15-01
38. Davy Hite              Ninety Six, SC           5  14-11   63
Day 1: 5   14-11
39. Randy Howell           Springville, AL          5  14-09   62
Day 1: 5   14-09
40. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX               5  14-08   61
Day 1: 5   14-08
41. Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                5  14-04   60
Day 1: 5   14-04
42. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  13-15   59
Day 1: 5   13-15
43. Bobby Lane             Lakeland, FL             5  13-12   58
Day 1: 5   13-12
44. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR          5  12-15   57
Day 1: 5   12-15
45. Casey Scanlon          Lanexa, KS               5  12-12   56
Day 1: 5   12-12
46. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          3  11-07   55
Day 1: 3   11-07
47. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK               5  10-06   54
Day 1: 5   10-06
48. Morizo Shimizu         Osaka JAPAN              3  09-10   53
Day 1: 3   09-10
49. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            2  08-07   52
Day 1: 2   08-07
50. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           2  06-01   51
Day 1: 2   06-01
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        45       239       841-03
———————————-
45       239       841-03