Afternoon flurry drives Falardeau to Day 1 lead at Upper Chesapeake
NORTH EAST, Md. — An hour of “pure chaos” that resulted in a limit weighing 22 pounds, 7 ounces carried Dillon Falardeau to the Day 1 lead at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Upper Chesapeake Bay presented by SEVIIN.
Anchoring his bag with a 5-10 largemouth, the Hixson, Tenn., pro holds a 2-ounce advantage over Steve Dimatteo, who hails from Lancaster, Penn., and a 4-ounce advantage over Georgia’s Josh Bragg heading into Day 2.
Despite a less-than-ideal tide cycle, with high tide occurring around 9 a.m., the Upper Chesapeake Bay produced plenty of quality bass on Day 1. In fact, 24 limits weighed 17-9 or better, which is more than the biggest bag of the tournament (17-8) from the Open held here in 2022.
More limits were caught during Wednesday’s opening round (121) than during all three days of competition combined in 2022 (82) as well.
The day started slow for Falardeau, who fished through his primary area with little success as the high tide moved in. Figuring the outgoing tide would provide better results, he moved to a different area and filled out a 13-pound limit before returning to his primary area a few hours later.
During his hour-long flurry, Falardeau said he caught around 10 quality largemouth on three different baits before heading back to weigh-in.
“When I got back, the tide was about halfway down and it was lights out. An hour of pure chaos,” he said. “The first cast I caught a 5-pounder and a couple casts later I caught (the 5-10). Right away I culled out my entire 13-pound limit.”
Falardeau is targeting largemouth setting up on a mixture of vegetation in 2 to 4 feet of water. Three or four different types of grasses are present in the area, but he believes finding baitfish is more important than targeting a specific type of grass.
In a tournament where plenty of anglers are fishing in close quarters at the Susquehanna Flats, Falardeau had his best spot to himself, that is until about halfway through his midday rally.
“I was all alone until the bass started jumping,” he explained. “A couple boats noticed, and then all of a sudden there were two boats with me, then five and when I left there were around 25 boats.”
Originally from Rhode Island, Falardeau has never bass fished a tidal river before, but his experience fishing and guiding around the Tennessee River in Chattanooga helped him find his early success on the Chesapeake Bay.
“On the Tennessee River, current is key,” he explained. “Everything I have learned on Chickamauga fishing current I have utilized out here.”
Given how well the bass bit in the afternoon, Falardeau said he is excited to be in a later flight on Day 2 and hopes he will be able to capitalize on his longer fishing day.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “The bite turned on an hour before I had to go, so I will have an extra hour to fish tomorrow. Even if I don’t have much at 2 p.m., I’ll still be positive because I know that 2:30 to 3:30 (p.m.) range could be really good.”
A frequent visitor to the Upper Chesapeake Bay, Dimatteo also had to wait for the tide to start falling to catch the majority of his 22-5 limit. After not landing anything over 3 pounds in practice, Dimatteo was surprised to see the quality of bass he did on Day 1.
“I kind of stumbled on something when I was looking down at my forward-facing sonar,” he said. “I caught three big ones really quick and culled twice. I only caught seven fish, and it happened really fast like it always does down here.”
Dimatteo is focusing on vegetation located in deeper water areas. While he couldn’t see the bass on his forward-facing sonar, he could see if there were baitfish present.
“I wasn’t in the really thick stuff,” he said. “I was out a little deeper and picking apart sporadic grass.”
Bragg fished one of the more popular areas of the Upper Chesapeake on Day 1 and caught 22-3 to land in third place after Day 1. Practice was not easy for the Fayetteville, Ga., pro, but he returned to the areas he had several bites around and made the most of the morning bite.
“They were biting when we got there and I got a good limit in the boat quick,” Bragg said. “Then right before I had to come in I caught a 5- and a (4-pounder), which really boosted me.”
Bragg is also targeting vegetation, and he has found a specific type of grass in 5 to 6 feet of water that has been holding the better-quality largemouth. Two baits produced all of his key bites.
Allons, Tenn., pro Christian Nash anchored his 20-1 limit with a 5-13 largemouth, which earned Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors.
The full field of pros will launch from North East Community Park starting at 6 a.m. ET Thursday and return for weigh-in at 2 p.m. The Top 10 anglers following the Day 2 weigh-in will advance to Championship Saturday. The winner will earn the first-place trophy and a spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, given they have fished all four Division I events.
Discover Cecil County is hosting the tournament.
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsors: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama
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2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Upper Chesapeake Bay presented by SEVIIN 7/23-7/25
Upper Chesapeake Bay, North East MD.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 5 22-07 200
Day 1: 5 22-07
2. Steve Dimatteo Lancaster, PA 5 22-05 199
Day 1: 5 22-05
3. Josh Bragg Fayetteville, GA 5 22-03 198
Day 1: 5 22-03
4. Tyler Malone Chunchula, AL 5 20-10 197
Day 1: 5 20-10
5. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 20-02 196
Day 1: 5 20-02
6. Christian Nash Allons, TN 5 20-01 195
Day 1: 5 20-01
7. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 5 19-13 194
Day 1: 5 19-13
8. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 19-07 193
Day 1: 5 19-07
9. Trey Richardson III Gambrills, MD 5 19-04 192
Day 1: 5 19-04
10. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 5 19-02 191
Day 1: 5 19-02
11. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 19-01 190
Day 1: 5 19-01
12. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 5 19-01 189
Day 1: 5 19-01
13. Thomas Bavaro III Fallston, MD 5 18-12 188
Day 1: 5 18-12
14. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 5 18-05 187
Day 1: 5 18-05
14. Duke Nave Oxford, PA 5 18-05 187
Day 1: 5 18-05
16. John Duarte Conway, SC 5 18-02 185
Day 1: 5 18-02
16. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 5 18-02 185
Day 1: 5 18-02
18. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 5 18-01 183
Day 1: 5 18-01
19. Matt Adams Guntersville, AL 5 18-00 182
Day 1: 5 18-00
20. Tyler Campbell Martin, GA 5 17-15 181
Day 1: 5 17-15
21. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 5 17-13 180
Day 1: 5 17-13
22. Michael King Bunnlevel, NC 5 17-12 179
Day 1: 5 17-12
22. Micheal Stout Gallatin, TN 5 17-12 179
Day 1: 5 17-12
24. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 5 17-09 177
Day 1: 5 17-09
25. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 5 17-05 176
Day 1: 5 17-05
26. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 5 17-03 175
Day 1: 5 17-03
27. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 17-02 174
Day 1: 5 17-02
28. Dave Frost Mount Dora, FL 5 16-14 173
Day 1: 5 16-14
29. Brian Mullaney Ijamsville, MD 5 16-11 172
Day 1: 5 16-11
30. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 16-09 171
Day 1: 5 16-09
31. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 16-08 170
Day 1: 5 16-08
32. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 16-07 169
Day 1: 5 16-07
33. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 16-04 168
Day 1: 5 16-04
33. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 5 16-04 168
Day 1: 5 16-04
35. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 16-02 166
Day 1: 5 16-02
36. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 5 16-01 165
Day 1: 5 16-01
37. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 16-00 164
Day 1: 5 16-00
38. Michael Neal Dayton, TN 5 15-15 163
Day 1: 5 15-15
39. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 15-13 162
Day 1: 5 15-13
40. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 15-11 161
Day 1: 5 15-11
40. Caleb Hudson Lincolnton, GA 5 15-11 161
Day 1: 5 15-11
40. Tommy Wood Peregian Springs AUSTRA 5 15-11 161
Day 1: 5 15-11
43. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 5 15-10 158
Day 1: 5 15-10
43. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 5 15-10 158
Day 1: 5 15-10
45. John Hauserman Ellicott City, MD 5 15-08 156
Day 1: 5 15-08
46. James Chandler Liberty, TX 5 15-06 155
Day 1: 5 15-06
47. Parker Guy Appling, GA 5 15-05 154
Day 1: 5 15-05
48. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 5 15-02 153
Day 1: 5 15-02
49. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 5 15-01 152
Day 1: 5 15-01
50. John Duvall Madison, GA 5 15-00 151
Day 1: 5 15-00
50. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 15-00 151
Day 1: 5 15-00
52. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 5 14-15 149
Day 1: 5 14-15
53. Michael Duarte Middle River, MD 5 14-14 148
Day 1: 5 14-14
54. River Lee Diboll, TX 5 14-12 147
Day 1: 5 14-12
54. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 5 14-12 147
Day 1: 5 14-12
56. Nick Mandes North Stonington, CT 5 14-10 145
Day 1: 5 14-10
57. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 5 14-09 144
Day 1: 5 14-09
58. Chris Lighthizer Zanesville, OH 5 14-08 143
Day 1: 5 14-08
59. Evan White Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 14-07 142
Day 1: 5 14-07
60. Dylan Welton Middleville, MI 5 14-04 141
Day 1: 5 14-04
61. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 5 14-03 140
Day 1: 5 14-03
61. Anthony Cicero IV Wrightsville, PA 5 14-03 140
Day 1: 5 14-03
61. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 5 14-03 140
Day 1: 5 14-03
64. Pete Gluszek Mount Laurel, NJ 5 14-00 137
Day 1: 5 14-00
65. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 5 13-14 136
Day 1: 5 13-14
66. Danny Rodriguez Monkton, MD 5 13-12 135
Day 1: 5 13-12
67. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 5 13-10 134
Day 1: 5 13-10
68. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 5 13-08 133
Day 1: 5 13-08
68. Joe Morgan Newfield, NJ 5 13-08 133
Day 1: 5 13-08
68. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 13-08 133
Day 1: 5 13-08
71. John Pollard Eclectic, AL 5 13-07 130
Day 1: 5 13-07
72. Johnny Fishbum Gundle Pennsville, NJ 5 13-02 129
Day 1: 5 13-02
73. Michael Sentore Gloucester City, NJ 5 13-01 128
Day 1: 5 13-01
74. Donavan Carson Bluff City, TN 5 13-00 127
Day 1: 5 13-00
74. Casey Smith Victor, NY 5 13-00 127
Day 1: 5 13-00
76. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 12-15 125
Day 1: 5 12-15
77. Andrew Sams Easton, MD 5 12-13 124
Day 1: 5 12-13
78. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 5 12-10 123
Day 1: 5 12-10
79. Matt Goudie Conestoga, PA 5 12-09 122
Day 1: 5 12-09
79. Tyler Shawger Zanesville, OH 5 12-09 122
Day 1: 5 12-09
81. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 5 12-08 120
Day 1: 5 12-08
82. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 12-07 119
Day 1: 5 12-07
82. Richard Leadbeater Pitman, NJ 5 12-07 119
Day 1: 5 12-07
82. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 12-07 119
Day 1: 5 12-07
85. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 12-05 116
Day 1: 5 12-05
85. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 5 12-05 116
Day 1: 5 12-05
87. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 5 12-04 114
Day 1: 5 12-04
88. Trent Cole Mullica Hill, NJ 4 12-04 113
Day 1: 4 12-04
89. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 5 11-14 112
Day 1: 5 11-14
90. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 11-13 111
Day 1: 5 11-13
90. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 5 11-13 111
Day 1: 5 11-13
92. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 11-12 109
Day 1: 5 11-12
93. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 5 11-11 108
Day 1: 5 11-11
93. TJ McKenzie Georgetown, SC 5 11-11 108
Day 1: 5 11-11
93. Alec Morrison Peru, NY 5 11-11 108
Day 1: 5 11-11
96. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 5 11-10 105
Day 1: 5 11-10
97. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 5 11-09 104
Day 1: 5 11-09
98. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 5 11-08 103
Day 1: 5 11-08
99. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 5 11-07 102
Day 1: 5 11-07
100. John Vanore Mullica Hill, NJ 5 11-05 101
Day 1: 5 11-05
101. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 5 11-02 100
Day 1: 5 11-02
102. Kristine Fischer Spring City, TN 5 11-01 99
Day 1: 5 11-01
103. Josh Ferrell Big Springs, WV 4 10-15 98
Day 1: 4 10-15
104. Bridget Allen Manheim, PA 5 10-14 97
Day 1: 5 10-14
105. Joseph DellaValle Doylestown, PA 4 10-12 96
Day 1: 4 10-12
106. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 10-11 95
Day 1: 5 10-11
107. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 5 10-11 94
Day 1: 5 10-11
108. Jack Rinkers Swarthmore, PA 4 10-10 93
Day 1: 4 10-10
109. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 10-08 92
Day 1: 5 10-08
109. Joshua Kauffman Marysville, PA 5 10-08 92
Day 1: 5 10-08
111. Derrick Sadlowski Monaca, PA 5 10-06 90
Day 1: 5 10-06
112. Troy Coney Owego, NY 4 10-06 89
Day 1: 4 10-06
113. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 10-05 88
Day 1: 5 10-05
114. Tommy Dickerson Orange, TX 5 10-04 87
Day 1: 5 10-04
115. Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ 4 10-04 86
Day 1: 4 10-04
116. Mark Guhne Hixson, TN 5 10-03 85
Day 1: 5 10-03
117. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 5 10-02 84
Day 1: 5 10-02
117. Clint Leonard Jr Saint Cloud, FL 5 10-02 84
Day 1: 5 10-02
119. Dave Miller Stratford, CT 5 10-01 82
Day 1: 5 10-01
120. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 09-13 81
Day 1: 5 09-13
121. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 5 09-10 80
Day 1: 5 09-10
122. Kyle Weisenburger Columbus Grv, OH 5 09-09 79
Day 1: 5 09-09
123. Joshua Weaver Macon, GA 5 09-08 78
Day 1: 5 09-08
124. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 5 09-01 77
Day 1: 5 09-01
125. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 09-00 76
Day 1: 5 09-00
126. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 5 08-15 75
Day 1: 5 08-15
127. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 07-15 74
Day 1: 5 07-15
128. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 3 07-03 73
Day 1: 3 07-03
129. Phil Kroll Otego, NY 4 07-01 72
Day 1: 4 07-01
130. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 4 06-10 71
Day 1: 4 06-10
131. Josh Gauthier Petawawa CANADA 4 06-10 70
Day 1: 4 06-10
132. Mikey Weems Hull, TX 3 06-10 69
Day 1: 3 06-10
133. Mark Lacey Perryville, MD 3 06-06 68
Day 1: 3 06-06
134. Johnathan Crossland Chapin, SC 4 06-05 67
Day 1: 4 06-05
135. Clemente Gutierrez Woodbridge, VA 3 06-03 66
Day 1: 3 06-03
136. Parker Mott Winter Garden, FL 3 05-11 65
Day 1: 3 05-11
137. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 2 05-10 64
Day 1: 2 05-10
138. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 3 04-11 63
Day 1: 3 04-11
139. Pavlo Fenik Drexel Hill, PA 3 04-10 62
Day 1: 3 04-10
140. Kristian Johnson Belvidere, NJ 2 04-08 61
Day 1: 2 04-08
141. Hunter Eubanks Landrum , SC 3 04-06 60
Day 1: 3 04-06
142. Michael Spaulding Jr. Dundee, MI 2 04-03 59
Day 1: 2 04-03
143. Kyle Healey Almonte CANADA 2 03-10 58
Day 1: 2 03-10
144. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 1 01-11 57
Day 1: 1 01-11
145. Rick Greene Ocala, FL 1 01-10 56
Day 1: 1 01-10
146. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 1 01-09 55
Day 1: 1 01-09
147. Jim Shinn Conowingo, MD 1 01-08 54
Day 1: 1 01-08
148. Colt Blanton Piketon, OH 1 01-03 53
Day 1: 1 01-03
149. Troy Bowings Jr Gainsville, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
149. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
149. William Kronander Brownsville, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
149. Rich Ortiz Fort Ann, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
149. Lance Owen Greer, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
149. Joe Shastay Chester, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 121 682 1900-12
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121 682 1900-12
