Brent Ehrler of Newport Beach, Calif., takes the lead on the first day of the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, bringing 25 pounds, 6 ounces to the scales on Wednesday.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2017

LUFKIN, Texas — Brent Ehrler used a strange term to describe the way he fished Sam Rayburn Reservoir during Wednesday’s first round of the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“The fish are confused,” he said. “And you have to fish confused.”

The tactic worked, as the California pro caught 25 pounds, 6 ounces of bass to take the lead in an event that features a $100,000 first-place prize and an automatic berth into the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

His five-bass catch was anchored by a 9-1 largemouth that gave him the lead in the race for Toyota Big Bass of the week. The angler who claims that title will take home a new Toyota Tundra pickup truck valued at $50,000. Total payout is $1 million.

“It’s really tricky right now,” Ehrler said. “Timing is everything. The fish are just everywhere. You go out, you go in. If it looks good, you fish it.”

As part of a catch/weigh/release format that is being used for the first time in an Elite Series event with a full field of 109 anglers, competitors were only allowed to bring one fish to the scales — and that fish had to be at least 21 inches long. The rest were weighed on the water by judges and immediately released.

At midday Wednesday, Ehrler wasn’t sure he was going to have much to show to the crowd back at the weigh-in stand. But then he tied into the 9-1 — the second 9-pounder he’s caught in a B.A.S.S. event this year.

“I was thinking about it, and I can only remember catching maybe one or two 9-pounders in my whole career on the FLW Tour,” Ehrler said. “I’ve fished the Elite Series for 2 1/2 years now, and I’ve caught three 9-pounders.”

Ehrler caught a 9-12 on the first day of this year’s Classic, which was held on another Texas fishery, Lake Conroe, in late March.

He said Wednesday’s fish may have been an isolated lunker like the one on Conroe — or it could be the sign of great things to come.

“I didn’t catch everything on one spot,” he said. “It wasn’t like I had a big school out deep, and I know I can go back and catch them again tomorrow.

“The fish are doing everything right now. I could go out and catch 10 pounds tomorrow, but I could also go out and catch 25 again.”

Ehrler’s catch was nearly a pound better than that of Idaho angler Brandon Palaniuk, who caught 24-7, despite an injury to his left shoulder suffered during practice.

Palaniuk was openly confident about his chances of duplicating his first-day catch — but not so open about the techniques he was using.

“My goal was to catch 30 pounds today,” said Palaniuk, who wore a special warming patch on his injured shoulder Wednesday. “I said I wanted to catch enough today to make the Day 3 cut.

“I had a couple of missed opportunities — and one of them, I know for sure, was a big one.”

Palaniuk caught several big fish during practice, and he said that gave him confidence going into the event. The plan he put together during practice paid off immediately.

“Today, my first fish was an 8-4,” he said. “I caught it on a place where I caught about a 9- or 10-pound fish in practice.”

In third place, just 8 ounces behind Palaniuk, is Alabama pro and 2014 Classic champion Randy Howell.

Unlike Palaniuk, Howell said his first round didn’t go quite as well as his practice.

“I’m fishing a shallow pattern, and the water is dropping a little bit,” Howell said. “So I really don’t know how sustainable the pattern is.”

After Thursday’s second round, the field will be trimmed to the Top 51 remaining anglers — and Howell should be a lock to make that cut if any portion of his pattern holds up.

“I didn’t really catch the numbers today, but I caught a couple of 5-pounders and a 6-pounder,” he said. “A 6-pounder is probably about the biggest fish I can catch for what I’m doing.”

The Top 51 will fish Friday’s semifinal round, and the field will take a break Saturday for a special fan appreciation day that will feature seminars, a Toyota ride-and-drive course, boat demos and an outdoors expo featuring a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department adventure zone. Beginning Friday, a special Get Hooked On Fishing experience will be open to teach youngsters about recreational fishing. Hundreds of Lufkin area schoolchildren are expected to attend.

Only the Top 12 remaining anglers will compete on Championship Sunday.

Daily takeoffs will be at 7 a.m. CT at Cassels-Boykin Park in Zavalla, Texas. The weigh-ins will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the George H. Henderson Jr. Expo Center in Lufkin.

The event is hosted by the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

2017 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest Platinum and Title Sponsor: Toyota

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Shimano, T-H Marine, Advance Auto Parts, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures

2017 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest Beneficiary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

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 presented by Magellan, 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.

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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected]
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2017 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 5/17-5/21
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Lufkin TX.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 5 25-06 110
Day 1: 5 25-06
2. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 5 24-07 109
Day 1: 5 24-07
3. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 23-15 108
Day 1: 5 23-15
4. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 23-08 107
Day 1: 5 23-08
5. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 23-01 106
Day 1: 5 23-01
6. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 5 22-10 105
Day 1: 5 22-10
7. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 22-03 104
Day 1: 5 22-03
8. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 21-14 103
Day 1: 5 21-14
9. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 21-09 102
Day 1: 5 21-09
10. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 5 21-07 101
Day 1: 5 21-07
11. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 21-02 100
Day 1: 5 21-02
12. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 20-15 99
Day 1: 5 20-15
13. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 20-14 98
Day 1: 5 20-14
14. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 20-13 97
Day 1: 5 20-13
15. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 20-07 96
Day 1: 5 20-07
16. James Elam Tulsa, OK 5 20-06 95
Day 1: 5 20-06
17. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 20-01 94
Day 1: 5 20-01
18. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 20-00 93
Day 1: 5 20-00
19. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 19-13 92
Day 1: 5 19-13
20. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 5 19-11 91
Day 1: 5 19-11
21. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 19-09 90
Day 1: 5 19-09
22. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 19-08 89
Day 1: 5 19-08
23. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 18-15 88
Day 1: 5 18-15
24. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 18-11 87
Day 1: 5 18-11
25. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 18-09 86
Day 1: 5 18-09
26. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 18-07 85
Day 1: 5 18-07
27. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 18-05 84
Day 1: 5 18-05
27. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 18-05 84
Day 1: 5 18-05
29. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 18-03 82
Day 1: 5 18-03
30. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 17-15 81
Day 1: 5 17-15
31. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 17-12 80
Day 1: 5 17-12
32. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 17-09 79
Day 1: 5 17-09
33. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 17-08 78
Day 1: 5 17-08
33. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 17-08 78
Day 1: 5 17-08
35. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 5 17-04 76
Day 1: 5 17-04
36. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 5 17-03 75
Day 1: 5 17-03
36. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 5 17-03 75
Day 1: 5 17-03
38. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 5 17-01 73
Day 1: 5 17-01
39. Seth Feider Isle, MN 5 16-14 72
Day 1: 5 16-14
40. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 16-13 71
Day 1: 5 16-13
41. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 16-11 70
Day 1: 5 16-11
42. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 16-08 69
Day 1: 5 16-08
42. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 5 16-08 69
Day 1: 5 16-08
44. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 16-07 67
Day 1: 5 16-07
45. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 16-06 66
Day 1: 5 16-06
46. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 16-05 65
Day 1: 5 16-05
47. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 16-02 64
Day 1: 5 16-02
48. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 16-00 63
Day 1: 5 16-00
49. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 15-13 62
Day 1: 5 15-13
50. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 15-12 61
Day 1: 5 15-12
50. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 15-12 61
Day 1: 5 15-12
50. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 15-12 61
Day 1: 5 15-12
53. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 15-10 58
Day 1: 5 15-10
54. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 5 15-08 57
Day 1: 5 15-08
54. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 15-08 57
Day 1: 5 15-08
56. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 15-05 55
Day 1: 5 15-05
57. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 5 15-03 54
Day 1: 5 15-03
57. John Murray Spring City, TN 5 15-03 54
Day 1: 5 15-03
59. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 14-15 52
Day 1: 5 14-15
60. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 14-14 51
Day 1: 5 14-14
61. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 5 14-12 50
Day 1: 5 14-12
62. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 14-11 49
Day 1: 5 14-11
63. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 14-10 48
Day 1: 5 14-10
63. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 14-10 48
Day 1: 5 14-10
65. David Williams Newton, NC 5 14-09 46
Day 1: 5 14-09
66. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 14-08 45
Day 1: 5 14-08
66. Fred Roumbanis London, AR 5 14-08 45
Day 1: 5 14-08
66. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 14-08 45
Day 1: 5 14-08
69. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 5 14-07 42
Day 1: 5 14-07
70. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 14-04 41
Day 1: 5 14-04
71. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 14-03 40
Day 1: 5 14-03
72. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 14-02 39
Day 1: 5 14-02
73. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 14-01 38
Day 1: 5 14-01
74. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 14-00 37
Day 1: 5 14-00
75. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 13-15 36
Day 1: 5 13-15
75. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 13-15 36
Day 1: 5 13-15
77. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 5 13-11 34
Day 1: 5 13-11
78. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 13-10 33
Day 1: 5 13-10
78. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 5 13-10 33
Day 1: 5 13-10
80. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 13-09 31
Day 1: 5 13-09
81. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 5 13-08 30
Day 1: 5 13-08
82. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 5 13-07 29
Day 1: 5 13-07
83. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 13-03 28
Day 1: 5 13-03
83. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 13-03 28
Day 1: 5 13-03
85. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 13-02 26
Day 1: 5 13-02
85. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 13-02 26
Day 1: 5 13-02
87. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 12-14 24
Day 1: 5 12-14
88. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 12-11 23
Day 1: 5 12-11
89. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 5 12-06 22
Day 1: 5 12-06
89. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 12-06 22
Day 1: 5 12-06
91. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 12-03 20
Day 1: 5 12-03
92. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 5 11-15 19
Day 1: 5 11-15
93. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 11-14 18
Day 1: 5 11-14
93. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 11-14 18
Day 1: 5 11-14
95. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 11-13 16
Day 1: 5 11-13
96. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 11-12 15
Day 1: 5 11-12
97. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 5 11-10 14
Day 1: 5 11-10
98. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 11-09 13
Day 1: 5 11-09
99. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 5 11-04 12
Day 1: 5 11-04
99. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 11-04 12
Day 1: 5 11-04
101. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 10-15 10
Day 1: 5 10-15
102. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 5 10-12 9
Day 1: 5 10-12
103. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 10-05 8
Day 1: 5 10-05
104. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 09-12 7
Day 1: 5 09-12
105. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 09-07 6
Day 1: 5 09-07
106. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 08-14 5
Day 1: 5 08-14
107. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 08-13 4
Day 1: 5 08-13
108. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 4 07-15 3
Day 1: 4 07-15
109. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 07-10 2
Day 1: 5 07-10