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Schlapper Expands His Lead In B.A.S.S. Nation Regional On Lake Vermilion

Pat Schlapper, of Eleva, Wis., is leading after Day 2 of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Regional at Lake Vermilion with a two-day total of 35 pounds, 9 ounces.
Photo by Chris Mitchell/B.A.S.S.
August 27, 2020

TOWER, Minn. — Despite a slower day, Pat Schlapper of Eleva, Wis., maintained his lead at the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Regional on Minnesota’s Lake Vermilion with a two-day total weight of 35 pounds, 9 ounces.

After taking the top spot on Wednesday with 19-4, Schlapper added 16-5 on Day 2. Even though today’s productivity was lower, Schlapper expanded his lead from 7 ounces on Day 1 to nearly 2 pounds heading into Friday’s final round.

“I was very fortunate to have what I have today,” Schlapper said. “I’m not really optimistic about tomorrow.”

Doing most of his work in Vermilion’s east end, Schlapper said his morning started off slower than he had anticipated. He found a day-making 4-pounder around 10:20 a.m., but that was the only bright spot in his day.

“I maybe had 12 pounds before I caught that good one,” Schlapper said. “I caught a couple more good ones before that, but overall, it was a struggle.

“I caught plenty of fish, but getting those fish over 3 pounds was really difficult today. We had more sun today and that helped the bite on some spots, but I just think I’m running out of fish.”

Struggling to establish consistency, Schlapper had to cover a range of depths from 5 to 17 feet. Two of his weight fish came from deeper spots, while three — including his biggest — were shallow bites.

For his shallow work, Schlapper fished a Texas-rigged tube or a craw bait on a shaky head or football-head jig. In the deeper spots he relied on a drop shot.

“I’ve been running a 1/4-ounce drop-shot weight when it’s calm, and I’ll go up to a 3/8 if I have to when it’s windy,” he said. “I don’t like to use that 3/8 because it gets hung up a lot more.

“I’m using a 4-inch green pumpkin worm and an 18-inch leader out here to keep it up off the rocky bottom.”

Getting quality bites was tough, and Schlapper lamented several moments when he had his opportunities but watched good ones swim away.

“It was a tough day; I left a lot out there,” he said. “I had a lot of missed opportunities that are probably going to haunt me. But these (smallmouth) are tough to catch.”

Richard Lindgren of Lakeville, Minn., is in second place with 33-10. Improving from seventh place on Day 1, he displayed noteworthy consistency by adding 16-12 to Wednesday’s weight of 16-14.

Fishing the lake’s east and central regions, Lindgren targeted various rock features in less than 10 feet. He kept his bait details guarded but noted that he’s power fishing with a mix of reaction baits and plastics.

“I ran some new water today and fished a couple different patterns, both shallow and offshore,” Lindgren said. “I had most of my weight by 10:30, and then I upgraded two times after that.

“It was just one fish here, one fish there, they’re not schooled up. I fished like 30 spots today.”

Lonnie Peterson of Chippewa Falls, Wis., is in third place with 33-9. After placing 12th on Day 1 with 15-15, he added 17-10 today. He fished the same areas he fished on Wednesday, but today’s sunnier conditions stimulated more active feeding and improved his opportunities.

“I’m fishing 8 to 16 feet of water in the lake’s northwest section,” Peterson said. “I was fishing isolated stuff or anything that’s bigger.

“I was fishing a drop shot with a green pumpkin worm and working it really slowly and methodically. I was picking apart each section.”

Dan Parker of Guttenberg, Iowa, is in the lead for Big Bass honors with his 4-14.

Matt Byrnes of Hudson, Wis., leads the nonboater division with 20-8. On Day 1, Byrnes placed 15th with 9-2 and took over his division’s top spot today by adding 11-6.

Dan O’Keefe of Prior Lake, Minn., holds the Big Bass lead among nonboaters with a 5-5.

In tomorrow’s final round, the Top 18 boaters and Top 18 nonboaters compete for the first-place prize and a spot in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Nov. 11-13 on Pickwick Lake.

In the state team competition, the Indiana B.A.S.S. Nation accumulated a two-day total of 402 pounds, 15 ounces and won the top prize of $6,250. Trailing by a mere 2 ounces, the Wisconsin B.A.S.S. Nation took second with 402-13 and won $3,750. Finishing third with 391-3, the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation won $2,500.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6 a.m. CT from Fortune Bay Resort Marina. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 2 p.m.

The event is being hosted by the Fortune Bay Resort Casino.

2020 TNT Fireworks Bass Nation Northern Regional Lake Vermilion 8/26-8/28
Lake Vermilion, Tower MN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI (WI) 10 35-09 0
2. Richard Lindgren Lakeville, MN (MN) 10 33-10 0
3. Lonnie Peterson Chippewa Falls, WI (WI) 10 33-09 0
4. Eric Storms Winner, SD (SD) 10 33-03 0
5. Jeff Napier Martinsville, IN (IN) 10 32-03 0
6. JP Przekurat Stevens Point, WI (WI) 10 32-02 0
7. Josh Miller Roberts, WI (WI) 10 31-14 0
8. Eddie Levin Westerville, OH (OH) 10 31-08 0
9. Ted Heitschmidt Tomahawk, WI (WI) 10 31-07 0
10. Bryce Kalen Greenwood, IN (IN) 10 31-02 0
11. Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH (OH) 10 30-09 0
12. Trevor Kettles Waukee, IA (IA) 10 29-09 0
13. Brent Haimes Elgin, MN (MN) 10 29-08 0
14. Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 10 29-06 0
15. Brian Coleman Mitchell, IN (IN) 10 29-04 0
16. Brock Belik Orchard, NE (SD) 10 28-15 0
17. Chris Wilkinson Farmersburg, IN (IN) 10 28-14 0
18. Harry Marsh III New Berlin, WI (WI) 10 28-12 0
19. Matt Reagan Hudsonville, MI (MI) 10 28-11 0
20. Eric Ritter Buffalo, MN (MN) 10 28-11 0
21. Tanner Bock Davenport, IA (IA) 10 28-03 0
22. Justin Rowe New Auburn, WI (WI) 10 28-02 0
23. Josh Hubbard Braidwood, IL (IL) 10 28-02 0
24. Nate Brown Muscatine, IA (IA) 10 27-13 0
24. John Fairbanks Hastings, MN (MN) 10 27-13 0
26. Johnston Westmoreland Mooselake, MN (MN) 10 27-06 0
27. Denny Cook Auburn, IN (MI) 10 27-06 0
28. Terry McWilliams Greenfield, IN (IN) 10 27-04 0
29. Carl Spande Mounds View, MN (MN) 10 27-04 0
30. Kody Lane Rock Springs, WI (WI) 10 26-14 0
31. J. Scott Foureman Bradford, OH (OH) 10 26-14 0
32. Dan Parker Guttenberg, IA (IA) 10 26-14 0
33. Shane Stiehl Pierre, SD (SD) 10 26-02 0
34. Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD (SD) 10 26-02 0
35. Lee Farber Watertown, MN (MN) 10 26-01 0
36. Bob Bayless Indianapolis, IN (IN) 10 25-14 0
37. Tom Kiefer Fowlerville, MI (MI) 10 25-14 0
38. David Watson Sullivan, IN (IN) 10 25-12 0
39. Jay Swanson Lakeville, MN (MN) 10 25-10 0
40. Joe Discerni Warren, OH (OH) 10 25-09 0
41. Chris Myers Madison, IN (IN) 10 25-05 0
42. Reid Culler Hudson, IN (MI) 10 25-04 0
43. Dan Brown Joliet, IL (IL) 8 25-01 0
44. John Thomsen Creston, IA (NE) 10 24-13 0
45. Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD (SD) 10 24-07 0
46. Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA (IA) 9 24-06 0
47. Donald Roberts Bellville, OH (OH) 10 24-02 0
48. Robert Hime Odessa, MO (NE) 10 23-12 0
49. Wes Westerveld Ramsey, MN (MN) 9 23-05 0
50. Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH (OH) 10 23-05 0
51. Mike Obal Springfield, NE (NE) 10 23-01 0
52. Kirk Hansen Omaha, NE (NE) 9 22-14 0
53. Andrew Nitchals Willmar, MN (MN) 9 22-13 0
54. Jerry Avis Council Bluffs, IA (NE) 10 22-11 0
55. Bob Garman Center Point, IA (IA) 9 22-09 0
56. Randy Burch Ladysmith, WI (WI) 9 22-05 0
57. Tad Tinlin Des Moines, IA (IA) 9 22-05 0
58. Kyle Waller Thornville, OH (OH) 9 22-00 0
59. Joshua Brown Corydon, IN (IN) 10 22-00 0
60. Jacob Stauthammer Lafayette, IL (IL) 10 21-12 0
61. Ryan Koehn Lofts Ada, MI (MI) 10 21-12 0
62. Brian Martin Papillion , NE (NE) 9 21-04 0
63. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE (NE) 8 21-03 0
64. Pete Saele Lockport, IL (IL) 10 20-02 0
65. Eric Culler Hudson, IN (MI) 8 19-09 0
66. Zachary Nelson Glen Flora, WI (WI) 9 19-06 0
67. Peter Tuls Grand Haven, MI (MI) 8 17-14 0
68. Corey Peterson Yankton, SD (SD) 7 17-10 0
69. Tom Shumowsky North Riverside, IL (IL 10 17-09 0
70. Scott Dunn Morris, IL (IL) 9 16-11 0
71. Mark Vote Omaha, NE (NE) 8 16-04 0
72. Scott Cooke Marengo, OH (OH) 6 16-02 0
73. Edward Gad Braidwood, IL (IL) 7 15-10 0
74. Aaron Faulk Mc Causland, IA (IA) 8 15-10 0
75. Richard Hladky Yankton, SD (SD) 8 15-06 0
76. Steven Kunz Jasper, IN (IN) 7 15-06 0
77. Ed Sizemore Lebanon, OH (OH) 10 15-03 0
78. Jason Citta Hershey, NE (NE) 6 14-13 0
79. Nick Ash Omaha, NE (NE) 6 14-08 0
80. Justin Kohl Hastings, NE (SD) 7 13-15 0
81. Jim Friedman Dubuque, IA (IA) 5 13-00 0
82. Steven Smith Johnstown, OH (OH) 6 12-10 0
83. Chad Timmer Hudsonville, MI (MI) 7 12-10 0
84. Jeff Mcfarland Petoskey, MI (MI) 6 12-08 0
85. Allen Williford West Frankfort, IL (IL) 5 12-07 0
86. Glen Gray Hartland, MI (MI) 6 12-00 0
87. Rex Ryckman Ft. Pierre, SD (SD) 3 09-13 0
88. Brian Sopko Saint Anne, IL (IL) 5 09-05 0
89. Chris Lally Manteno, IL (IL) 3 06-10 0
90. Doug Lamont Long Grove, IA (IA) 3 05-14 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 74 412 1104-06
2 61 388 971-11
----------------------------------
135 800 2076-01

TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 INDIANA 402-15
2 WISCONSIN 402-13
3 MINNESOTA 391-03
4 SOUTH DAKOTA 338-15
5 OHIO 330-12
6 IOWA 328-15
7 ILLINOIS 310-05
8 MICHIGAN 307-07
9 NEBRASKA 294-08

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Trevor Kettles Waukee, IA 10 29-09 0
2 Tanner Bock Davenport, IA 10 28-03 0
3 Nate Brown Muscatine, IA 10 27-13 0
4 Dan Parker Guttenberg, IA 10 26-14 0
5 Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA 9 24-06 0
6 Bob Garman Center Point, IA 9 22-09 0
7 Tad Tinlin Des Moines, IA 9 22-05 0
8 Aaron Faulk Mc Causland, IA 8 15-10 0
9 Jim Friedman Dubuque, IA 5 13-00 0
10 Doug Lamont Long Grove, IA 3 05-14 0

ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Josh Hubbard Braidwood, IL 10 28-02 0
2 Dan Brown Joliet, IL 8 25-01 0
3 Jacob Stauthammer Lafayette, IL 10 21-12 0
4 Pete Saele Lockport, IL 10 20-02 0
5 Tom Shumowsky North Riverside, IL 10 17-09 0
6 Scott Dunn Morris, IL 9 16-11 0
7 Edward Gad Braidwood, IL 7 15-10 0
8 Allen Williford West Frankfort, IL 5 12-07 0
9 Brian Sopko Saint Anne, IL 5 09-05 0
10 Chris Lally Manteno, IL 3 06-10 0

INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jeff Napier Martinsville, IN 10 32-03 0
2 Bryce Kalen Greenwood, IN 10 31-02 0
3 Brian Coleman Mitchell, IN 10 29-04 0
4 Chris Wilkinson Farmersburg, IN 10 28-14 0
5 Terry McWilliams Greenfield, IN 10 27-04 0
6 Bob Bayless Indianapolis, IN 10 25-14 0
7 David Watson Sullivan, IN 10 25-12 0
8 Chris Myers Madison, IN 10 25-05 0
9 Joshua Brown Corydon, IN 10 22-00 0
10 Steven Kunz Jasper, IN 7 15-06 0

MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Matt Reagan Hudsonville, MI 10 28-11 0
2 Denny Cook Auburn, IN 10 27-06 0
3 Tom Kiefer Fowlerville, MI 10 25-14 0
4 Reid Culler Hudson, IN 10 25-04 0
5 Ryan Koehn Lofts Ada, MI 10 21-12 0
6 Eric Culler Hudson, IN 8 19-09 0
7 Peter Tuls Grand Haven, MI 8 17-14 0
8 Chad Timmer Hudsonville, MI 7 12-10 0
9 Jeff Mcfarland Petoskey, MI 6 12-08 0
10 Glen Gray Hartland, MI 6 12-00 0

MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Richard Lindgren Lakeville, MN 10 33-10 0
2 Brent Haimes Elgin, MN 10 29-08 0
3 Eric Ritter Buffalo, MN 10 28-11 0
4 John Fairbanks Hastings, MN 10 27-13 0
5 Johnston Westmoreland Mooselake, MN 10 27-06 0
6 Carl Spande Mounds View, MN 10 27-04 0
7 Lee Farber Watertown, MN 10 26-01 0
8 Jay Swanson Lakeville, MN 10 25-10 0
9 Wes Westerveld Ramsey, MN 9 23-05 0
10 Andrew Nitchals Willmar, MN 9 22-13 0

OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Eddie Levin Westerville, OH 10 31-08 0
2 Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH 10 30-09 0
3 J. Scott Foureman Bradford, OH 10 26-14 0
4 Joe Discerni Warren, OH 10 25-09 0
5 Donald Roberts Bellville, OH 10 24-02 0
6 Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH 10 23-05 0
7 Kyle Waller Thornville, OH 9 22-00 0
8 Scott Cooke Marengo, OH 6 16-02 0
9 Ed Sizemore Lebanon, OH 10 15-03 0
10 Steven Smith Johnstown, OH 6 12-10 0

SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Eric Storms Winner, SD 10 33-03 0
2 Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD 10 29-06 0
3 Brock Belik Orchard, NE 10 28-15 0
4 Shane Stiehl Pierre, SD 10 26-02 0
5 Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD 10 26-02 0
6 Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD 10 24-07 0
7 Corey Peterson Yankton, SD 7 17-10 0
8 Richard Hladky Yankton, SD 8 15-06 0
9 Justin Kohl Hastings, NE 7 13-15 0
10 Rex Ryckman Ft. Pierre, SD 3 09-13 0

WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 35-09 0
2 Lonnie Peterson Chippewa Falls, WI 10 33-09 0
3 JP Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 10 32-02 0
4 Josh Miller Roberts, WI 10 31-14 0
5 Ted Heitschmidt Tomahawk, WI 10 31-07 0
6 Harry Marsh III New Berlin, WI 10 28-12 0
7 Justin Rowe New Auburn, WI 10 28-02 0
8 Kody Lane Rock Springs, WI 10 26-14 0
9 Randy Burch Ladysmith, WI 9 22-05 0
10 Zachary Nelson Glen Flora, WI 9 19-06 0

NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 John Thomsen Creston, IA 10 24-13 0
2 Robert Hime Odessa, MO 10 23-12 0
3 Mike Obal Springfield, NE 10 23-01 0
4 Kirk Hansen Omaha, NE 9 22-14 0
5 Jerry Avis Council Bluffs, IA 10 22-11 0
6 Brian Martin Papillion , NE 9 21-04 0
7 Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 8 21-03 0
8 Mark Vote Omaha, NE 8 16-04 0
9 Jason Citta Hershey, NE 6 14-13 0
10 Nick Ash Omaha, NE 6 14-08 0

2020 TNT Fireworks Bass Nation Northern Regional Lake Vermilion 8/26-8/28
Lake Vermilion, Tower MN.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1. Matt Byrnes Hudson, WI (WI) 6 20-08 0
2. Matthew Marques Seneca, IL (IL) 6 19-13 0
3. Michael Pruitt Martinsville, IN (IN) 6 18-09 0
4. Jeffrey Lopez Bolingbrook, IL (IL) 6 18-09 0
5. Kevin Mullins Brooklyn, IN (IN) 6 18-04 0
6. Eddie Gad Braidwood, IL (IL) 6 18-04 0
7. Scott Hrcka Homer, MI (MI) 6 17-09 0
8. Tristin Wilcox Ely, IA (IA) 6 17-08 0
9. Jesse Weener Holland, MI (MI) 6 17-06 0
10. Bob Vaughn Waterloo, IA (IA) 6 16-15 0
11. Adam Edwards Andover, MN (MN) 6 16-15 0
12. John-Paul Hey Chicago, IN (WI) 6 16-15 0
13. Michael Hamilton Plainfield, IN (IN) 6 16-10 0
14. Coleton Usher Atkins, IA (IA) 6 16-09 0
15. Bryce Hauf Winner, SD (SD) 6 16-03 0
16. Aaron Bunge Fairfax, IA (IA) 5 16-00 0
17. John Smith Corydon, IN (IN) 6 15-13 0
18. Dennis Carroll Ashland, NE (NE) 6 15-10 0
19. Casey Morgan Byron, IL (IL) 6 15-10 0
20. Mark Emenecker Matton, IL (IL) 6 15-05 0
21. Nick Strilzuk Balsam Lake, WI (WI) 6 15-05 0
22. Shawn Van Gerpen Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 6 15-05 0
23. Bryan Larson Waconia, MN (MN) 6 15-01 0
24. Hunter Scharphorn Grand Haven, MI (MI) 6 14-12 0
25. Colten Didion Westerville, OH (OH) 6 14-09 0
26. Bryan Kalen Mooresville, IN (IN) 6 14-01 0
27. Jack Johnson Brandon, SD (SD) 6 13-13 0
28. Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA (IA) 5 13-12 0
29. Luke Kerstetter Brookfield, WI (WI) 6 13-11 0
30. Ryan Kriegel Delphos, OH (OH) 6 13-09 0
31. Larry Sallis Herculaneum, MO (NE) 5 13-08 0
32. Chris Pope Greenville, OH (OH) 6 13-08 0
33. Alfonso Garcia Jr Mccook, NE (NE) 5 13-05 0
34. Brian Liming Dillsboro, IN (IN) 5 13-04 0
35. Ethan Hladky Yankton, SD (SD) 6 13-03 0
36. Markus Werner Cannon Falls, MN (MN) 6 13-02 0
37. Todd Stiehl Winner, SD (SD) 6 13-02 0
38. Phillip Rummel Jr Mount Vernon, OH (OH) 6 13-01 0
39. Kyle Taylor Shelburn, IN (IN) 6 13-01 0
40. Bryan Quigley Green Bay, WI (WI) 4 12-12 0
41. Patrick Stradal Minneapolis, MN (MN) 5 12-10 0
42. Obie Oberts Custer Park, IL (IL) 5 12-07 0
43. Chris Jewett Longville, MN (NE) 6 12-07 0
44. Joe Paulson Winner, WY (SD) 6 12-07 0
45. Jon Sohlden Paw Paw, MI (MI) 6 12-06 0
46. Matt Green Battle Creek, MI (MI) 5 12-04 0
47. William Clark Vincennes, IN (IN) 6 12-03 0
48. Tracy Skare Lakeville, MN (MN) 6 11-15 0
49. John Terry Mansfield, OH (OH) 6 11-12 0
50. Tim Spande Plymouth, MN (MN) 5 11-08 0
51. Robert Swem Buchanan, MI (MI) 5 10-15 0
52. Joshua Rogers Minneapolis, MN (MN) 4 10-13 0
53. Ryan Bergeman Chippewa Falls, WI (WI) 4 10-11 0
54. Sawyer Schugel Victoria, MN (MN) 5 10-02 0
55. Bradley Waller Plainfield, IL (IL) 4 09-15 0
56. Dan O'Keefe Prior Lake, MN (MN) 3 09-15 0
57. Jayson Rewolinski Bellevue, NE (NE) 4 09-14 0
58. Bryson Steele Homer, IL (IL) 5 09-13 0
59. Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD (SD) 5 09-10 0
60. Kirk Mclouth Indianapolis, IN (IN) 4 09-09 0
61. Austin Sudduth Waterford, WI (WI) 3 09-08 0
62. Brian Vogelsang Zanesfield, OH (OH) 4 09-08 0
63. Brian Hinspeter Waukee, IA (IA) 4 09-05 0
64. Adam Markiewicz Plainfield, IL (IL) 5 09-02 0
65. Pat Soppe Manchester, IA (IA) 3 09-01 0
66. Jim Gacke Harrisburg, SD (SD) 4 08-11 0
67. Charrlie Kuebler Jasper, IN (IN) 4 08-09 0
68. Leray Anderson II Crofton, NE (SD) 4 08-08 0
69. Steve Tagg Wyoming, MI (MI) 5 08-07 0
70. Austin Moore Washburn, IL (IL) 3 08-02 0
71. Jose Munoz McHenry , IL (WI) 4 07-05 0
72. Josh Peters Morristown, MN (MN) 3 07-01 0
73. Randy Cloeter Norfolk, NE (NE) 4 06-15 0
74. Joe Wilcox Millersport, OH (OH) 2 06-14 0
75. Jeff Schultz Amelia, OH (OH) 3 06-13 0
76. Jake Drukenbrod Canton, OH (OH) 3 06-11 0
77. Jason Fairbanks Grove City, OH (OH) 2 06-09 0
78. Jerry Duncklee Fayette, IA (IA) 4 06-07 0
79. Anthony Nelson Ladysmith, WI (WI) 2 06-02 0
80. Doug Rishel Plattsmouth, NE (NE) 3 05-15 0
81. Billy Ray Plattsmouth, NE (NE) 3 05-10 0
82. Dylan McMains Madrid, IA (IA) 2 05-04 0
83. Zeb Mcfarland Stanton , IA (NE) 3 05-00 0
84. Adam Stachura Warren, MI (MI) 3 04-10 0
85. John Ryan Georgetown, TN (MI) 1 03-06 0
86. Cal Plienis Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 2 03-02 0
87. Tyler Uekman Mount Clemens, MI (MI) 1 02-04 0
88. Taylor Burgin Palo, ID (IA) 2 01-15 0
89. Morgan McLain Lenexa, KS (NE) 1 01-01 0
90. Fischer Bailey Baraboo, WI (WI) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 57 217 560-07
2 0 202 471-05
----------------------------------
57 419 1031-12

TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 INDIANA 402-15
2 WISCONSIN 402-13
3 MINNESOTA 391-03
4 SOUTH DAKOTA 338-15
5 OHIO 330-12
6 IOWA 328-15
7 ILLINOIS 310-05
8 MICHIGAN 307-07
9 NEBRASKA 294-08

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tristin Wilcox Ely, IA 6 17-08 0
2 Bob Vaughn Waterloo, IA 6 16-15 0
3 Coleton Usher Atkins, IA 6 16-09 0
4 Aaron Bunge Fairfax, IA 5 16-00 0
5 Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA 5 13-12 0
6 Brian Hinspeter Waukee, IA 4 09-05 0
7 Pat Soppe Manchester, IA 3 09-01 0
8 Jerry Duncklee Fayette, IA 4 06-07 0
9 Dylan McMains Madrid, IA 2 05-04 0
10 Taylor Burgin Palo, ID 2 01-15 0

ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Matthew Marques Seneca, IL 6 19-13 0
2 Jeffrey Lopez Bolingbrook, IL 6 18-09 0
3 Eddie Gad Braidwood, IL 6 18-04 0
4 Casey Morgan Byron, IL 6 15-10 0
5 Mark Emenecker Matton, IL 6 15-05 0
6 Obie Oberts Custer Park, IL 5 12-07 0
7 Bradley Waller Plainfield, IL 4 09-15 0
8 Bryson Steele Homer, IL 5 09-13 0
9 Adam Markiewicz Plainfield, IL 5 09-02 0
10 Austin Moore Washburn, IL 3 08-02 0

INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Michael Pruitt Martinsville, IN 6 18-09 0
2 Kevin Mullins Brooklyn, IN 6 18-04 0
3 Michael Hamilton Plainfield, IN 6 16-10 0
4 John Smith Corydon, IN 6 15-13 0
5 Bryan Kalen Mooresville, IN 6 14-01 0
6 Brian Liming Dillsboro, IN 5 13-04 0
7 Kyle Taylor Shelburn, IN 6 13-01 0
8 William Clark Vincennes, IN 6 12-03 0
9 Kirk Mclouth Indianapolis, IN 4 09-09 0
10 Charrlie Kuebler Jasper, IN 4 08-09 0

MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Scott Hrcka Homer, MI 6 17-09 0
2 Jesse Weener Holland, MI 6 17-06 0
3 Hunter Scharphorn Grand Haven, MI 6 14-12 0
4 Jon Sohlden Paw Paw, MI 6 12-06 0
5 Matt Green Battle Creek, MI 5 12-04 0
6 Robert Swem Buchanan, MI 5 10-15 0
7 Steve Tagg Wyoming, MI 5 08-07 0
8 Adam Stachura Warren, MI 3 04-10 0
9 John Ryan Georgetown, TN 1 03-06 0
10 Tyler Uekman Mount Clemens, MI 1 02-04 0

MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Adam Edwards Andover, MN 6 16-15 0
2 Bryan Larson Waconia, MN 6 15-01 0
3 Markus Werner Cannon Falls, MN 6 13-02 0
4 Patrick Stradal Minneapolis, MN 5 12-10 0
5 Tracy Skare Lakeville, MN 6 11-15 0
6 Tim Spande Plymouth, MN 5 11-08 0
7 Joshua Rogers Minneapolis, MN 4 10-13 0
8 Sawyer Schugel Victoria, MN 5 10-02 0
9 Dan O'Keefe Prior Lake, MN 3 09-15 0
10 Josh Peters Morristown, MN 3 07-01 0

OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Colten Didion Westerville, OH 6 14-09 0
2 Ryan Kriegel Delphos, OH 6 13-09 0
3 Chris Pope Greenville, OH 6 13-08 0
4 Phillip Rummel Jr Mount Vernon, OH 6 13-01 0
5 John Terry Mansfield, OH 6 11-12 0
6 Brian Vogelsang Zanesfield, OH 4 09-08 0
7 Joe Wilcox Millersport, OH 2 06-14 0
8 Jeff Schultz Amelia, OH 3 06-13 0
9 Jake Drukenbrod Canton, OH 3 06-11 0
10 Jason Fairbanks Grove City, OH 2 06-09 0

SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bryce Hauf Winner, SD 6 16-03 0
2 Shawn Van Gerpen Sioux Falls, SD 6 15-05 0
3 Jack Johnson Brandon, SD 6 13-13 0
4 Ethan Hladky Yankton, SD 6 13-03 0
5 Todd Stiehl Winner, SD 6 13-02 0
6 Joe Paulson Winner, WY 6 12-07 0
7 Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD 5 09-10 0
8 Jim Gacke Harrisburg, SD 4 08-11 0
9 Leray Anderson II Crofton, NE 4 08-08 0
10 Cal Plienis Sioux Falls, SD 2 03-02 0

WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Matt Byrnes Hudson, WI 6 20-08 0
2 John-Paul Hey Chicago, IN 6 16-15 0
3 Nick Strilzuk Balsam Lake, WI 6 15-05 0
4 Luke Kerstetter Brookfield, WI 6 13-11 0
5 Bryan Quigley Green Bay, WI 4 12-12 0
6 Ryan Bergeman Chippewa Falls, WI 4 10-11 0
7 Austin Sudduth Waterford, WI 3 09-08 0
8 Jose Munoz McHenry , IL 4 07-05 0
9 Anthony Nelson Ladysmith, WI 2 06-02 0
10 Fischer Bailey Baraboo, WI 0 00-00 0

NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Dennis Carroll Ashland, NE 6 15-10 0
2 Larry Sallis Herculaneum, MO 5 13-08 0
3 Alfonso Garcia Jr Mccook, NE 5 13-05 0
4 Chris Jewett Longville, MN 6 12-07 0
5 Jayson Rewolinski Bellevue, NE 4 09-14 0
6 Randy Cloeter Norfolk, NE 4 06-15 0
7 Doug Rishel Plattsmouth, NE 3 05-15 0
8 Billy Ray Plattsmouth, NE 3 05-10 0
9 Zeb Mcfarland Stanton , IA 3 05-00 0
10 Morgan McLain Lenexa, KS 1 01-01 0

---

by AnglersChannel

Pair Of CVCC Teams Top The Field At Bassmaster College Series Event On Lake Hartwell

Jeremy Dellinger (pictured) and Nathan Smith, from North Carolina's Catawba Valley Community College, are leading after Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Hartwell presented by Bass Pro Shops with 11 pounds, 9 ounces.
Photo by Chris Brown/B.A.S.S.
August 27, 2020

ANDERSON, S.C. — After a five-month layoff, the Catawba Valley Community College fishing program opened the third stop of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Hartwell presented by Bass Pro Shops with a bang as two Red Hawks teams led the 115-boat field after Day 1 on Thursday.

Jeremy Dellinger and Nathan Smith hold the top spot after dropping a three-bass limit of 11 pounds, 9 ounces on the scales. They hold a 1-4 pound lead over teammates Lane Bailey and Adam Seagle.

The teams from the two-year college with an enrollment of 4,610 in Hickory, N.C., combined to weigh in six largemouth bass, passing on the spotted bass that Lake Hartwell is known for.

“It’s crazy,” Dellinger said. “We are just a little community college competing against the best fishing colleges in the country. Here we are, one and two (in the standings), a little community college leading the most prestigious tournament trail in college fishing. It’s insane.”

For Dellinger and Smith, the deep bite never materialized during practice, so they moved to shallow water and found an area that produced some fish that Dellinger thought would give them 7 to 8 pounds a day.

To their surprise, the area produced excellent quality.

“One of our biggest fish came up schooling in the middle of a pocket within throwing range,” Dellinger said. “It was one of those things that just happened to go right. And to do well in a tournament, you need some things to go right.”

A Lake Norman native, Dellinger said he isn’t sure if they can catch the same quality for the next two days but feels he has enough to stay near the top.

“If I can manage my fish the right way, I might be able to stretch it for three days,” he said. “But, I will need a couple of those luscious fish like I caught today.”

Bailey, a Lake Hickory native, said he and Seagle made a 15- to 20-minute run up the Tugaloo River where they caught mostly largemouth bass with a topwater bait around shallow cover.

While all of the fish they weighed were over 2 1/2 pounds for a total of 10-5, Bailey and Seagle missed a couple of key fish that would have given them a substantial lead.

“We had marked a bunch of areas in practice, and (Seagle) actually caught a 7-pounder on one of these banks. We went back to that bank today and the 7-pounder bit a topwater and I missed it. Then we lost one about 8 pounds. We should have had like 17 pounds.

“We missed five blow-ups on the topwater this morning, and we thought the day was over. But we just kept with it.”

Bailey and Seagle struggled to catch fish during their first 2 1/2 days of practice but stumbled upon some quality fish midway through the third day. That clued them in to a pattern Bailey believes can hold up for two more days.

Higher-than-normal water on Hartwell has helped the bite, Bailey said, but if the water drops he and Seagle’s bite may get tougher.

This week's tournament at Lake Hartwell was originally scheduled for the end of March following the first two tour stops at Toledo Bend in January and Smith Lake in February, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought the season to a screeching halt. After an extended layoff, Thursday’s blastoff was a special moment for Bailey.

“When they started playing music right before blastoff, I got goosebumps,” he said. “Not many people in the country get to do this stuff, and we are blessed to get to do it.”

The move to a late-summer event threw another curveball for the anglers, as the decision was made to change the limit from five fish to three to ensure the health of the fish and fishery. With the three-fish limit, Bailey said largemouth are the key to success, despite the healthy spotted bass population.

“In a three-fish deal, you aren’t going to win it with spotted bass,” he said.

Grant Adams and Wil Rigdon from Campbellsville University in Kentucky claimed third place on Day 1 with a limit weighing 10-2, trailing the leaders by a little less than 1 1/2 pounds. The Clemson University duo of GL Compton and Matthew Sprouse sit in fourth with 10-1 — a limit that was anchored by a 5-14 largemouth that gave them Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day.

The full field will take off Friday at 6:45 a.m. ET from Green Pond Landing. The weigh-in will be held back at Green Pond at 2:45 p.m. The Top 12 teams after Friday’s weigh-in will compete on Championship Saturday and will earn a spot in the 2020 National Championship to be held on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida Oct. 29-31.

The event is being hosted by Visit Anderson.

2020 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Hartwell presented by
Bass Pro Shops 8/27-8/29
Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler Club/School Pts

1. Jeremy Dellinger - Nathan Smith CVCC 250
Day 1: 3 11-09 Total: 3 11-09
2. Lane Bailey - Adam Seagle CVCC 249
Day 1: 3 10-05 Total: 3 10-05
3. Grant Adams - Wil Rigdon Campbellsville University 248
Day 1: 3 10-02 Total: 3 10-02
4. GL Compton - Matthew Sprouse Clemson University 247
Day 1: 3 10-01 Total: 3 10-01
5. Jake Lee - Mason Cizek Bryan College 246
Day 1: 3 09-12 Total: 3 09-12
6. Brad Ableman - Wilson Smith Bethel University 245
Day 1: 3 09-11 Total: 3 09-11
7. Braden Perry - Aidan England Carson-Newman University 244
Day 1: 3 09-09 Total: 3 09-09
8. Cody Gregory - Levi Mullins Bethel University 243
Day 1: 3 09-03 Total: 3 09-03
9. George Fallon - George Gore Clemson University 242
Day 1: 3 09-00 Total: 3 09-00
10. Harbor Lovin - Zachary Martin Murray State University 241
Day 1: 3 08-12 Total: 3 08-12
11. Griffin Fernandes - Gunner Wilson Adrian College 240
Day 1: 3 08-08 Total: 3 08-08
12. Cole Sands - Conner Dimauro Bryan College 239
Day 1: 3 08-05 Total: 3 08-05
13. Drew Pridgen - Kaleb Brown Lander University 238
Day 1: 3 08-04 Total: 3 08-04
14. Grayson Morris - Jacob Pfundt University of Montevalllo 237
Day 1: 3 08-00 Total: 3 08-00
15. Dax Ewart - Kyle Palmer Bethel University 236
Day 1: 3 07-14 Total: 3 07-14
16. Hunter Bond - Bowman Davis Clemson University 235
Day 1: 3 07-11 Total: 3 07-11
17. Jarred Jones - Logan Tate Jacksonville State University 234
Day 1: 3 07-07 Total: 3 07-07
18. Colin Slentz - Evan Slentz Lander University 233
Day 1: 3 07-03 Total: 3 07-03
19. Jason Zubris - Penn State University 232
Day 1: 3 07-02 Total: 3 07-02
20. Cal Culpepper - Mason Waddell University of Montevallo 231
Day 1: 3 07-02 Total: 3 07-02
21. Jacob Blumling - Nathanael Wright Emmanuel College 230
Day 1: 3 07-01 Total: 3 07-01
22. Joshua DeKoning - Carter Ball Adrian College 229
Day 1: 3 06-14 Total: 3 06-14
23. Bryce Henley - Reese Kingston 228
Day 1: 3 06-13 Total: 3 06-13
24. Stephen Kinard - Jimmy Mitchum Lander University 227
Day 1: 3 06-12 Total: 3 06-12
25. Luke Lamb - Seth Roberts Bethel University 226
Day 1: 2 06-11 Total: 2 06-11
26. Garrett Warren - Snead State Community College 225
Day 1: 3 06-10 Total: 3 06-10
27. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 224
Day 1: 3 06-08 Total: 3 06-08
28. Miller Spivey - Trey Dickert University of Montevallo 223
Day 1: 3 06-06 Total: 3 06-06
29. Weston Hollar - Wesley Gore University of Montevallo 222
Day 1: 3 06-05 Total: 3 06-05
30. Zeke Gossett - Lucas Smith Jacksonville State 221
Day 1: 3 06-03 Total: 3 06-03
31. Cole Dodson - Trent Jones University of Montevallo 220
Day 1: 3 06-02 Total: 3 06-02
31. Emil Wagner - Ole Miss 220
Day 1: 3 06-02 Total: 3 06-02
33. Shane Nelson - Brayden Federer Adrian College 218
Day 1: 3 06-01 Total: 3 06-01
34. Caleb Lonca - Justin Eggers CVCC 217
Day 1: 3 05-13 Total: 3 05-13
34. Kollin Smith - John Wesley Wardlaw Emmanuel College 217
Day 1: 3 05-13 Total: 3 05-13
36. James Willoughby - Chance Schwartz University of Montevallo 215
Day 1: 3 05-12 Total: 3 05-12
37. Jj Kocevar - Tanner Shriver Kent State University 214
Day 1: 3 05-11 Total: 3 05-11
37. Cole Zagrzebski - Ryan Bradway Western Michigan University 214
Day 1: 3 05-11 Total: 3 05-11
39. Hunter MCClaskey - Nicholas Gilbert King University 212
Day 1: 3 05-11 Total: 3 05-11
40. Jackson Staib - Baylor Howell Bethel University 211
Day 1: 3 05-10 Total: 3 05-10
41. Brian Linder - Nathan Thompson Minnesota State Univ Mankato 210
Day 1: 3 05-09 Total: 3 05-09
42. Zachary Asher - Jacob Klicman Kent State University 209
Day 1: 3 05-07 Total: 3 05-07
43. Weston Bison - Parker Wilton Lander University 208
Day 1: 3 05-06 Total: 3 05-06
44. Tyler Christy - Trey Schroeder McKendree University 207
Day 1: 3 05-05 Total: 3 05-05
44. Whit Edmonds - Bobby Long Lander University 207
Day 1: 3 05-05 Total: 3 05-05
46. Hayden Fuhr - Chase Carver Lander University 205
Day 1: 3 05-02 Total: 3 05-02
47. Calvin Currie - Tommy Teaster Lander University 204
Day 1: 3 05-01 Total: 3 05-01
48. Conner Giles - Christian Wright Bryan College 203
Day 1: 3 05-00 Total: 3 05-00
49. Jack Dice - LIBERTY UNIVERSITY 202
Day 1: 3 04-15 Total: 3 04-15
50. Matthew Davis - Cody Batterson Adrian College 201
Day 1: 3 04-13 Total: 3 04-13
51. Jake Maddux - Southern Union Community College 200
Day 1: 3 04-12 Total: 3 04-12
52. Dawson Cassidy - Gus Mclarry Texas AM Commerce 199
Day 1: 3 04-10 Total: 3 04-10
52. Joseph McClosky - Ryan Winchester Bethel University 199
Day 1: 3 04-10 Total: 3 04-10
52. Levi Sanchez - NATHAN SCHRADER Clemson 199
Day 1: 3 04-10 Total: 3 04-10
55. Austin Goins - Kirk Elijah Bryan college 196
Day 1: 3 04-10 Total: 3 04-10
56. Dalton Smith - Bradley Dunagan Campbellsville University 195
Day 1: 3 04-09 Total: 3 04-09
57. Cameron Rhodes - Jacob Witkowski Dallas Baptist University 194
Day 1: 3 04-09 Total: 3 04-09
58. Bryce Miller - Nick Crawford Kent State University 193
Day 1: 2 04-08 Total: 2 04-08
59. William Martin - Jack Baron University of Montevallo 192
Day 1: 3 04-07 Total: 3 04-07
59. Atom Ward - Gavin Lagle Indiana University Southeast 192
Day 1: 3 04-07 Total: 3 04-07
61. Sean Clayton - Owen Dimaio Clemson University 190
Day 1: 3 04-06 Total: 3 04-06
61. Trevor Harrill - Ty Leatherwood Appalachian State University 190
Day 1: 3 04-06 Total: 3 04-06
61. Chandler Jarrard - David Brashear Georgia Southern University 190
Day 1: 3 04-06 Total: 3 04-06
64. Shawn Coots - Luke Henderson Campbellsville University 187
Day 1: 3 04-05 Total: 3 04-05
64. Mitchel Goodin - John Jacobs Georgia Southern University 187
Day 1: 3 04-05 Total: 3 04-05
64. Mason Moore - Ryan Freeman Eastern Kentucky University 187
Day 1: 3 04-05 Total: 3 04-05
64. Wyatt Reid - Gehrig DeFronzo Erskine College 187
Day 1: 3 04-05 Total: 3 04-05
68. Zach Manneback - Jarrod Layton Adrain College 183
Day 1: 2 04-05 Total: 2 04-05
69. Austin Davis - Josh Howard Greenville Techincal 182
Day 1: 3 04-03 Total: 3 04-03
70. Curtis Dillon - Aaron Digh East Carolina University 181
Day 1: 3 04-02 Total: 3 04-02
71. Cy Casey - Daelyn Whaley Emmanuel College 180
Day 1: 3 04-01 Total: 3 04-01
72. Ty Black - Avry Thomason Georgia Southern University 179
Day 1: 3 04-00 Total: 3 04-00
72. Solomon Glenn - Hunter Ward University of Montervallo 179
Day 1: 3 04-00 Total: 3 04-00
74. Jack York - Cooper Thor Stephen F Austin State Universit 177
Day 1: 3 03-15 Total: 3 03-15
75. Bailey Bleser - Christian Hernandez Mckendree University 176
Day 1: 3 03-14 Total: 3 03-14
76. Andrew Fisher - Bennett Kudder Bryan College 175
Day 1: 3 03-12 Total: 3 03-12
76. Rob Lindsey - Justin Botts Bryan College 175
Day 1: 3 03-12 Total: 3 03-12
78. Tanner Barnes - Jordan Smallwood Campbellsville University 173
Day 1: 3 03-11 Total: 3 03-11
78. Cordell Beckman - Dru Johnson Greenville University 173
Day 1: 3 03-11 Total: 3 03-11
80. Ross Parris - Reed Green Lander University 171
Day 1: 2 03-11 Total: 2 03-11
81. Spencer Black - Lucas Oliver CVCC 170
Day 1: 3 03-08 Total: 3 03-08
81. Nolan Minor - Casey Lanier West Virginia University 170
Day 1: 3 03-08 Total: 3 03-08
83. Britt Myers - Tyler Anderson Lander University 168
Day 1: 3 03-06 Total: 3 03-06
84. Nolan Yeager - Ethan LeGare Stephen F. Austin State Universi 167
Day 1: 3 03-06 Total: 3 03-06
85. Mark Harris - Reece Martin Dallas Baptist University 166
Day 1: 3 03-05 Total: 3 03-05
86. Alex Saxon - Andrew Brock Emmanuel College 165
Day 1: 3 03-03 Total: 3 03-03
87. Matthew Cummings - Joseph Woods Bethel University 164
Day 1: 3 02-14 Total: 3 02-14
88. Adam Puckett - Blake Albertson Murray State University 163
Day 1: 3 02-13 Total: 3 02-13
89. Tyler Lusk - Corey Waits Lander University 162
Day 1: 2 02-11 Total: 2 02-11
90. Alec Coffey - Kyle Roy Campbellsville University 161
Day 1: 1 02-10 Total: 1 02-10
91. Denver Monteith - Adam Watts Trevecca Nazarene University 160
Day 1: 2 02-09 Total: 2 02-09
92. Ethan Shaw - Tyler Price Bryan College 159
Day 1: 2 02-06 Total: 2 02-06
93. Zachary Bowen - Thomas Millraney Bethel University 158
Day 1: 2 02-02 Total: 2 02-02
94. Austin Smith - Maddux Walters Carson Newman 157
Day 1: 1 02-02 Total: 1 02-02
95. Colby Hays - Logan Hawkins Campbellsville University 156
Day 1: 2 01-15 Total: 2 01-15
95. Cade Tootle - Thomas Mcelwaney Georgia Southern University 156
Day 1: 2 01-15 Total: 2 01-15
97. Matthew Benson - Garrett Ankerich Emmanuel College 154
Day 1: 1 01-15 Total: 1 01-15
97. Sam Shoemaker - Hayden Scott Adrian College 154
Day 1: 1 01-15 Total: 1 01-15
99. Griffin Phillips - Ethan King University of Montevallo 152
Day 1: 3 01-11 Total: 3 01-11
100. Ryan Park - Jon Johnston Murray State University 151
Day 1: 1 01-06 Total: 1 01-06
101. James Duncan - Blake Stringer Campbellsville University 150
Day 1: 1 01-03 Total: 1 01-03
102. River Lee - Hunter Muncrief Stephen F. Austin State Universi 149
Day 1: 1 01-02 Total: 1 01-02
103. Mark Wilson - Dylon Williams georgia southern 148
Day 1: 1 01-01 Total: 1 01-01
104. David Hendel - Jacob Blackburn Ohio State University 147
Day 1: 1 01-00 Total: 1 01-00
104. Matthew Roberts - Alice Lloyd College 147
Day 1: 1 01-00 Total: 1 01-00
106. Bailey Fain - Preston Kendrick Bryan College 145
Day 1: 1 00-15 Total: 1 00-15
106. Tristan McCormick - Stevie Mills Bethel University 145
Day 1: 1 00-15 Total: 1 00-15
106. Weston Randall - Anthony Hunckler Appalachian State University 145
Day 1: 1 00-15 Total: 1 00-15
109. Garritt Coughenour - University of North Alabama 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
109. Troy Gibson - Adam Hope University of Louisville 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
109. Jonah Gilbert - Emmanuel College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
109. Griffin Heffington - Jacob Frazier Carson-Newman University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
109. Tanner Maness - Chandlar Ellis Lander University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
109. Caleb Sheldon - Ben Kinney Lander University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
109. Brant Shuler - Blake Nalley Clemson University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00

---

by AnglersChannel

Despite Slow Start, Schlapper Takes Lead At B.A.S.S. Nation Regional On Lake Vermilion

Pat Schlapper, of Eleva, Wis., is leading after Day 1 of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Regional at Lake Vermilion with 19 pounds, 4 ounces.
Photo by Chris Mitchell/B.A.S.S.
August 26, 2020

TOWER, Minn. — A picky approach and a healthy dose of determination rewarded Pat Schlapper of Eleva, Wis., with a five-bass limit that weighed 19 pounds, 4 ounces and gave him the Day 1 lead at the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Regional on Minnesota’s Lake Vermilion.

Prior to the event, Schlapper spent 12 days scouting his tournament waters. That effort, he said, enabled him to establish a good, better, best ranking of various bottom habitat.

“I graphed a high percentage of the lake and found some areas that I thought were good,” Schlapper said. “In practice, I caught them on boulders, I caught them on chunk rock; I tried to really figure out multiple different things in case anything changed.

“Sometimes, it’s an isolated patch of rock, sometimes, it’s a boulder, sometimes it’s a certain section of a long reef or point. What I’ve found on this lake is that everything looks good and it takes a lot of time to find the areas where I feel like they live. Everything looks really good, but not everything is good.”

Focusing on the lake’s east side, Schlapper had waypoints in 3 to 25 feet of water. He started on a deeper spot he thought would offer quick results, but the fish were not cooperative.

“I had several different patterns going, and I had to use all of them today,” Schlapper said. “I started deep in an area that I thought was going to be good and actually had a really bad morning.

“About 11 o’clock, I got into one of my other areas that I knew was good. I caught my biggest one — a 4-7 — and then caught a 3 1/2-pounder and another one close to 3 and then I just started rotating through similar spots. About 12:45, I stopped fishing hard, so I could save some stuff.”

Schlapper trusted his day to slower dragging presentations. He mixed it up with drop shots, tubes and a finesse jig with a craw trailer. The latter produced his biggest fish.

“It seems like all they eat up here is crawfish,” Schlapper said of his bait choices. “Every one you catch spits up a bunch of crawfish.”

Schlapper thanked his co-angler, Minnesota’s Adam Edwards, for the encouragement that helped him through the day’s challenging periods.

“It didn’t start coming together for me until about 10:30; that’s when I kinda got on what I thought I needed to be doing for the day,” Schlapper said. “I got stuck in an area of the lake where I thought I was going to get a lot of big fish. For whatever reason, something was off in that section.

“I beat around in there a while and fished probably a dozen spots and only caught small ones, but then I went about 7 to 8 miles to that other section and caught them. My co-angler helped me keep my head in it. I was kind of spinning out, and he kept telling me to keep going.”

Eric Storms of Winner, S.D., is in second place with 18-13. Fishing the lake’s east side, his plan of targeting smallmouth early and then hunting a kicker largemouth worked flawlessly.

“I had my limit of smallmouth in the first 10 minutes,” Storms said. “I pulled up and they were firing. Around 11, I left and went largemouth fishing.”

Storms caught his smallies by fishing a 3-inch green pumpkin tube on a 1/4-ounce head in about 10 feet of water over offshore humps with rock. He targeted largemouth around pencil reeds in 2 feet and caught a 4-12 on a Texas-rigged Lake Fork Craw Tube.

Jeff Napier of Martinsville, Ind., is in third with 18-3. An early morning topwater bite yielded two of his keepers, but when that action subsided, Napier transitioned to a rock-centered strategy.

“I fished the bigger boulders because there’s a ton of crawfish in the lake, and I felt like that was their hideout where they could hang tight,” Napier said. “I used a green pumpkin tube on a 3/16-ounce head, made short casts and popped it to keep it from getting hung up.”

Late in the day, Napier made his final culls while fishing docks. Tubes also worked here.

Storms is in the lead for Big Bass honors with his 4-12.

Bob Vaughn of the Iowa B.A.S.S. Nation team leads the co-angler division with 11-1.

Dan O’Keefe of the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation team holds the Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 5-5.

The Indiana B.A.S.S. Nation leads the team competition with a combined weight of 211-1. The Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation follows in second with 209-3.

Thursday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6 a.m. CT at Fortune Bay Resort Marina. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 2 p.m.

The event is being hosted by the Fortune Bay Resort Casino.

2020 TNT Fireworks Bass Nation Northern Regional Lake Vermilion 8/26-8/28
Lake Vermilion, Tower MN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI (WI) 5 19-04 0
2. Eric Storms Winner, SD (SD) 5 18-13 0
3. Jeff Napier Martinsville, IN (IN) 5 18-03 0
4. Matt Reagan Hudsonville, MI (MI) 5 17-07 0
5. Kody Lane Rock Springs, WI (WI) 5 17-01 0
6. Andrew Nitchals Willmar, MN (MN) 5 16-15 0
7. Richard Lindgren Lakeville, MN (MN) 5 16-14 0
8. Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 5 16-07 0
9. Brian Coleman Mitchell, IN (IN) 5 16-03 0
10. Dan Brown Joliet, IL (IL) 5 16-01 0
11. Brock Belik Orchard, NE (SD) 5 16-00 0
12. Lonnie Peterson Chippewa Falls, WI (WI) 5 15-15 0
13. Bryce Kalen Greenwood, IN (IN) 5 15-14 0
14. Josh Miller Roberts, WI (WI) 5 15-12 0
15. Josh Hubbard Braidwood, IL (IL) 5 15-06 0
16. JP Przekurat Stevens Point, WI (WI) 5 15-04 0
17. Eric Ritter Buffalo, MN (MN) 5 15-04 0
18. Harry Marsh III New Berlin, WI (WI) 5 15-02 0
19. Eddie Levin Westerville, OH (OH) 5 15-00 0
20. Terry McWilliams Greenfield, IN (IN) 5 15-00 0
21. Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH (OH) 5 14-15 0
22. Johnston Westmoreland Mooselake, MN (MN) 5 14-12 0
23. Reid Culler Hudson, IN (MI) 5 14-09 0
24. Ted Heitschmidt Tomahawk, WI (WI) 5 14-08 0
25. Joe Discerni Warren, OH (OH) 5 14-05 0
25. J. Scott Foureman Bradford, OH (OH) 5 14-05 0
27. Corey Peterson Yankton, SD (SD) 5 14-05 0
28. Chris Wilkinson Farmersburg, IN (IN) 5 14-03 0
29. Kirk Hansen Omaha, NE (NE) 5 14-02 0
30. John Fairbanks Hastings, MN (MN) 5 14-02 0
31. Bob Bayless Indianapolis, IN (IN) 5 14-01 0
31. Denny Cook Auburn, IN (MI) 5 14-01 0
33. Trevor Kettles Waukee, IA (IA) 5 14-00 0
34. Nate Brown Muscatine, IA (IA) 5 13-11 0
34. Brent Haimes Elgin, MN (MN) 5 13-11 0
36. David Watson Sullivan, IN (IN) 5 13-10 0
37. Lee Farber Watertown, MN (MN) 5 13-09 0
37. Robert Hime Odessa, MO (NE) 5 13-09 0
39. Jacob Stauthammer Lafayette, IL (IL) 5 13-08 0
40. Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA (IA) 5 13-07 0
41. Jay Swanson Lakeville, MN (MN) 5 13-06 0
42. Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD (SD) 5 13-03 0
43. Wes Westerveld Ramsey, MN (MN) 5 13-02 0
44. Tanner Bock Davenport, IA (IA) 5 13-01 0
44. Tom Kiefer Fowlerville, MI (MI) 5 13-01 0
46. Jim Friedman Dubuque, IA (IA) 5 13-00 0
47. Brian Martin Papillion , NE (NE) 5 12-15 0
48. Carl Spande Mounds View, MN (MN) 5 12-14 0
49. Dan Parker Guttenberg, IA (IA) 5 12-12 0
49. Peter Tuls Grand Haven, MI (MI) 5 12-12 0
51. Jerry Avis Council Bluffs, IA (NE) 5 12-09 0
51. Ryan Koehn Lofts Ada, MI (MI) 5 12-09 0
53. Donald Roberts Bellville, OH (OH) 5 12-08 0
54. Justin Rowe New Auburn, WI (WI) 5 12-06 0
54. John Thomsen Creston, IA (NE) 5 12-06 0
56. Chris Myers Madison, IN (IN) 5 12-05 0
57. Pete Saele Lockport, IL (IL) 5 12-03 0
58. Edward Gad Braidwood, IL (IL) 5 12-00 0
58. Zachary Nelson Glen Flora, WI (WI) 5 12-00 0
58. Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD (SD) 5 12-00 0
61. Shane Stiehl Pierre, SD (SD) 5 11-15 0
62. Kyle Waller Thornville, OH (OH) 5 11-14 0
63. Scott Cooke Marengo, OH (OH) 4 11-14 0
64. Mike Obal Springfield, NE (NE) 5 11-09 0
65. Tad Tinlin Des Moines, IA (IA) 5 11-08 0
66. Bob Garman Center Point, IA (IA) 5 11-06 0
67. Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH (OH) 5 11-04 0
68. Joshua Brown Corydon, IN (IN) 5 10-15 0
69. Randy Burch Ladysmith, WI (WI) 4 10-08 0
70. Richard Hladky Yankton, SD (SD) 5 10-01 0
71. Justin Kohl Hastings, NE (SD) 5 09-15 0
72. Steven Smith Johnstown, OH (OH) 5 09-14 0
73. Tom Shumowsky North Riverside, IL (IL 5 09-09 0
74. Steven Kunz Jasper, IN (IN) 4 09-06 0
75. Aaron Faulk Mc Causland, IA (IA) 5 08-04 0
76. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE (NE) 3 08-01 0
77. Scott Dunn Morris, IL (IL) 5 08-00 0
78. Ed Sizemore Lebanon, OH (OH) 5 07-15 0
79. Jason Citta Hershey, NE (NE) 3 07-07 0
80. Nick Ash Omaha, NE (NE) 3 07-00 0
81. Eric Culler Hudson, IN (MI) 3 06-12 0
82. Chris Lally Manteno, IL (IL) 3 06-10 0
83. Mark Vote Omaha, NE (NE) 3 06-02 0
84. Brian Sopko Saint Anne, IL (IL) 3 05-09 0
85. Jeff Mcfarland Petoskey, MI (MI) 2 04-07 0
86. Chad Timmer Hudsonville, MI (MI) 2 03-11 0
87. Allen Williford West Frankfort, IL (IL) 1 03-09 0
88. Doug Lamont Long Grove, IA (IA) 2 03-00 0
89. Rex Ryckman Ft. Pierre, SD (SD) 1 02-07 0
90. Glen Gray Hartland, MI (MI) 1 01-12 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 74 412 1104-06
----------------------------------
74 412 1104-06

TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 INDIANA 211-01
2 MINNESOTA 209-03
3 WISCONSIN 204-12
4 OHIO 189-02
5 SOUTH DAKOTA 184-00
6 IOWA 180-09
7 ILLINOIS 174-07
8 NEBRASKA 160-07
9 MICHIGAN 151-04

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Trevor Kettles Waukee, IA 5 14-00 0
2 Nate Brown Muscatine, IA 5 13-11 0
3 Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA 5 13-07 0
4 Tanner Bock Davenport, IA 5 13-01 0
5 Jim Friedman Dubuque, IA 5 13-00 0
6 Dan Parker Guttenberg, IA 5 12-12 0
7 Tad Tinlin Des Moines, IA 5 11-08 0
8 Bob Garman Center Point, IA 5 11-06 0
9 Aaron Faulk Mc Causland, IA 5 08-04 0
10 Doug Lamont Long Grove, IA 2 03-00 0

ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Dan Brown Joliet, IL 5 16-01 0
2 Josh Hubbard Braidwood, IL 5 15-06 0
3 Jacob Stauthammer Lafayette, IL 5 13-08 0
4 Pete Saele Lockport, IL 5 12-03 0
5 Edward Gad Braidwood, IL 5 12-00 0
6 Tom Shumowsky North Riverside, IL 5 09-09 0
7 Scott Dunn Morris, IL 5 08-00 0
8 Chris Lally Manteno, IL 3 06-10 0
9 Brian Sopko Saint Anne, IL 3 05-09 0
10 Allen Williford West Frankfort, IL 1 03-09 0

INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jeff Napier Martinsville, IN 5 18-03 0
2 Brian Coleman Mitchell, IN 5 16-03 0
3 Bryce Kalen Greenwood, IN 5 15-14 0
4 Terry McWilliams Greenfield, IN 5 15-00 0
5 Chris Wilkinson Farmersburg, IN 5 14-03 0
6 Bob Bayless Indianapolis, IN 5 14-01 0
7 David Watson Sullivan, IN 5 13-10 0
8 Chris Myers Madison, IN 5 12-05 0
9 Joshua Brown Corydon, IN 5 10-15 0
10 Steven Kunz Jasper, IN 4 09-06 0

MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Matt Reagan Hudsonville, MI 5 17-07 0
2 Reid Culler Hudson, IN 5 14-09 0
3 Denny Cook Auburn, IN 5 14-01 0
4 Tom Kiefer Fowlerville, MI 5 13-01 0
5 Peter Tuls Grand Haven, MI 5 12-12 0
6 Ryan Koehn Lofts Ada, MI 5 12-09 0
7 Eric Culler Hudson, IN 3 06-12 0
8 Jeff Mcfarland Petoskey, MI 2 04-07 0
9 Chad Timmer Hudsonville, MI 2 03-11 0
10 Glen Gray Hartland, MI 1 01-12 0

MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Andrew Nitchals Willmar, MN 5 16-15 0
2 Richard Lindgren Lakeville, MN 5 16-14 0
3 Eric Ritter Buffalo, MN 5 15-04 0
4 Johnston Westmoreland Mooselake, MN 5 14-12 0
5 John Fairbanks Hastings, MN 5 14-02 0
6 Brent Haimes Elgin, MN 5 13-11 0
7 Lee Farber Watertown, MN 5 13-09 0
8 Jay Swanson Lakeville, MN 5 13-06 0
9 Wes Westerveld Ramsey, MN 5 13-02 0
10 Carl Spande Mounds View, MN 5 12-14 0

OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Eddie Levin Westerville, OH 5 15-00 0
2 Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH 5 14-15 0
3 Joe Discerni Warren, OH 5 14-05 0
3 J. Scott Foureman Bradford, OH 5 14-05 0
5 Donald Roberts Bellville, OH 5 12-08 0
6 Kyle Waller Thornville, OH 5 11-14 0
7 Scott Cooke Marengo, OH 4 11-14 0
8 Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH 5 11-04 0
9 Steven Smith Johnstown, OH 5 09-14 0
10 Ed Sizemore Lebanon, OH 5 07-15 0

SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Eric Storms Winner, SD 5 18-13 0
2 Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD 5 16-07 0
3 Brock Belik Orchard, NE 5 16-00 0
4 Corey Peterson Yankton, SD 5 14-05 0
5 Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD 5 13-03 0
6 Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD 5 12-00 0
7 Shane Stiehl Pierre, SD 5 11-15 0
8 Richard Hladky Yankton, SD 5 10-01 0
9 Justin Kohl Hastings, NE 5 09-15 0
10 Rex Ryckman Ft. Pierre, SD 1 02-07 0

WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 19-04 0
2 Kody Lane Rock Springs, WI 5 17-01 0
3 Lonnie Peterson Chippewa Falls, WI 5 15-15 0
4 Josh Miller Roberts, WI 5 15-12 0
5 JP Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 5 15-04 0
6 Harry Marsh III New Berlin, WI 5 15-02 0
7 Ted Heitschmidt Tomahawk, WI 5 14-08 0
8 Justin Rowe New Auburn, WI 5 12-06 0
9 Zachary Nelson Glen Flora, WI 5 12-00 0
10 Randy Burch Ladysmith, WI 4 10-08 0

NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kirk Hansen Omaha, NE 5 14-02 0
2 Robert Hime Odessa, MO 5 13-09 0
3 Brian Martin Papillion , NE 5 12-15 0
4 Jerry Avis Council Bluffs, IA 5 12-09 0
5 John Thomsen Creston, IA 5 12-06 0
6 Mike Obal Springfield, NE 5 11-09 0
7 Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 3 08-01 0
8 Jason Citta Hershey, NE 3 07-07 0
9 Nick Ash Omaha, NE 3 07-00 0
10 Mark Vote Omaha, NE 3 06-02 0

2020 TNT Fireworks Bass Nation Northern Regional Lake Vermilion 8/26-8/28
Lake Vermilion, Tower MN.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1. Bob Vaughn Waterloo, IA (IA) 3 11-01 0
2. Matthew Marques Seneca, IL (IL) 3 11-00 0
3. Obie Oberts Custer Park, IL (IL) 3 09-14 0
4. Kevin Mullins Brooklyn, IN (IN) 3 09-11 0
5. Jeffrey Lopez Bolingbrook, IL (IL) 3 09-10 0
5. Larry Sallis Herculaneum, MO (NE) 3 09-10 0
7. Aaron Bunge Fairfax, IA (IA) 3 09-09 0
7. Scott Hrcka Homer, MI (MI) 3 09-09 0
7. Joshua Rogers Minneapolis, MN (MN) 3 09-09 0
10. Chris Pope Greenville, OH (OH) 3 09-07 0
11. Adam Edwards Andover, MN (MN) 3 09-05 0
11. Tristin Wilcox Ely, IA (IA) 3 09-05 0
13. Colten Didion Westerville, OH (OH) 3 09-04 0
14. Jesse Weener Holland, MI (MI) 3 09-02 0
15. Matt Byrnes Hudson, WI (WI) 3 09-02 0
15. Alfonso Garcia Jr Mccook, NE (NE) 3 09-02 0
17. Pat Soppe Manchester, IA (IA) 3 09-01 0
18. Dennis Carroll Ashland, NE (NE) 3 08-11 0
18. Eddie Gad Braidwood, IL (IL) 3 08-11 0
20. Coleton Usher Atkins, IA (IA) 3 08-09 0
21. Chris Jewett Longville, MN (NE) 3 08-07 0
22. Phillip Rummel Jr Mount Vernon, OH (OH) 3 08-05 0
23. Casey Morgan Byron, IL (IL) 3 08-04 0
24. Michael Pruitt Martinsville, IN (IN) 3 08-02 0
25. Ethan Hladky Yankton, SD (SD) 3 08-01 0
26. Bradley Waller Plainfield, IL (IL) 3 08-00 0
27. Michael Hamilton Plainfield, IN (IN) 3 07-15 0
28. Kirk Mclouth Indianapolis, IN (IN) 3 07-14 0
28. Joe Paulson Winner, WY (SD) 3 07-14 0
30. Bryce Hauf Winner, SD (SD) 3 07-13 0
30. John-Paul Hey Chicago, IN (WI) 3 07-13 0
32. Austin Sudduth Waterford, WI (WI) 2 07-13 0
33. Ryan Bergeman Chippewa Falls, WI (WI) 3 07-10 0
34. Shawn Van Gerpen Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 3 07-09 0
35. Hunter Scharphorn Grand Haven, MI (MI) 3 07-07 0
36. Tim Spande Plymouth, MN (MN) 3 07-07 0
37. Ryan Kriegel Delphos, OH (OH) 3 07-03 0
37. Brian Vogelsang Zanesfield, OH (OH) 3 07-03 0
39. Jack Johnson Brandon, SD (SD) 3 07-02 0
39. Brian Liming Dillsboro, IN (IN) 3 07-02 0
39. Kyle Taylor Shelburn, IN (IN) 3 07-02 0
42. John Smith Corydon, IN (IN) 3 07-01 0
43. Luke Kerstetter Brookfield, WI (WI) 3 07-00 0
43. Nick Strilzuk Balsam Lake, WI (WI) 3 07-00 0
45. Bryan Larson Waconia, MN (MN) 3 06-14 0
46. Joe Wilcox Millersport, OH (OH) 2 06-14 0
47. William Clark Vincennes, IN (IN) 3 06-09 0
47. Jim Gacke Harrisburg, SD (SD) 3 06-09 0
47. Tracy Skare Lakeville, MN (MN) 3 06-09 0
50. Jason Fairbanks Grove City, OH (OH) 2 06-09 0
51. Todd Stiehl Winner, SD (SD) 3 06-08 0
52. Robert Swem Buchanan, MI (MI) 3 06-08 0
53. Mark Emenecker Matton, IL (IL) 3 06-06 0
54. Anthony Nelson Ladysmith, WI (WI) 2 06-02 0
55. Bryan Kalen Mooresville, IN (IN) 3 06-01 0
56. Adam Markiewicz Plainfield, IL (IL) 3 05-14 0
56. John Terry Mansfield, OH (OH) 3 05-14 0
56. Markus Werner Cannon Falls, MN (MN) 3 05-14 0
59. Billy Ray Plattsmouth, NE (NE) 3 05-10 0
60. Jon Sohlden Paw Paw, MI (MI) 3 05-08 0
61. Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD (SD) 2 05-07 0
61. Jayson Rewolinski Bellevue, NE (NE) 2 05-07 0
63. Dan O'Keefe Prior Lake, MN (MN) 1 05-05 0
64. Dylan McMains Madrid, IA (IA) 2 05-04 0
65. Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA (IA) 2 05-00 0
66. Matt Green Battle Creek, MI (MI) 2 04-15 0
67. Randy Cloeter Norfolk, NE (NE) 3 04-10 0
68. Patrick Stradal Minneapolis, MN (MN) 2 04-10 0
69. Josh Peters Morristown, MN (MN) 2 04-09 0
69. Jeff Schultz Amelia, OH (OH) 2 04-09 0
71. Sawyer Schugel Victoria, MN (MN) 2 04-08 0
72. Bryson Steele Homer, IL (IL) 2 04-05 0
73. Charrlie Kuebler Jasper, IN (IN) 2 03-12 0
74. Brian Hinspeter Waukee, IA (IA) 1 03-07 0
75. Jerry Duncklee Fayette, IA (IA) 2 03-05 0
75. Steve Tagg Wyoming, MI (MI) 2 03-05 0
77. Jose Munoz McHenry , IL (WI) 2 02-15 0
78. Tyler Uekman Mount Clemens, MI (MI) 1 02-04 0
79. Taylor Burgin Palo, ID (IA) 2 01-15 0
80. Leray Anderson II Crofton, NE (SD) 1 01-15 0
81. Doug Rishel Plattsmouth, NE (NE) 1 01-11 0
82. Bryan Quigley Green Bay, WI (WI) 1 01-09 0
82. Adam Stachura Warren, MI (MI) 1 01-09 0
84. Zeb Mcfarland Stanton , IA (NE) 1 01-07 0
85. Fischer Bailey Baraboo, WI (WI) 0 00-00 0
85. Jake Drukenbrod Canton, OH (OH) 0 00-00 0
85. Morgan McLain Lenexa, KS (NE) 0 00-00 0
85. Austin Moore Washburn, IL (IL) 0 00-00 0
85. Cal Plienis Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 0 00-00 0
85. John Ryan Georgetown, TN (MI) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 57 217 560-07
----------------------------------
57 217 560-07

TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 INDIANA 211-01
2 MINNESOTA 209-03
3 WISCONSIN 204-12
4 OHIO 189-02
5 SOUTH DAKOTA 184-00
6 IOWA 180-09
7 ILLINOIS 174-07
8 NEBRASKA 160-07
9 MICHIGAN 151-04

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bob Vaughn Waterloo, IA 3 11-01 0
2 Aaron Bunge Fairfax, IA 3 09-09 0
3 Tristin Wilcox Ely, IA 3 09-05 0
4 Pat Soppe Manchester, IA 3 09-01 0
5 Coleton Usher Atkins, IA 3 08-09 0
6 Dylan McMains Madrid, IA 2 05-04 0
7 Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA 2 05-00 0
8 Brian Hinspeter Waukee, IA 1 03-07 0
9 Jerry Duncklee Fayette, IA 2 03-05 0
10 Taylor Burgin Palo, ID 2 01-15 0

ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Matthew Marques Seneca, IL 3 11-00 0
2 Obie Oberts Custer Park, IL 3 09-14 0
3 Jeffrey Lopez Bolingbrook, IL 3 09-10 0
4 Eddie Gad Braidwood, IL 3 08-11 0
5 Casey Morgan Byron, IL 3 08-04 0
6 Bradley Waller Plainfield, IL 3 08-00 0
7 Mark Emenecker Matton, IL 3 06-06 0
8 Adam Markiewicz Plainfield, IL 3 05-14 0
9 Bryson Steele Homer, IL 2 04-05 0
10 Austin Moore Washburn, IL 0 00-00 0

INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kevin Mullins Brooklyn, IN 3 09-11 0
2 Michael Pruitt Martinsville, IN 3 08-02 0
3 Michael Hamilton Plainfield, IN 3 07-15 0
4 Kirk Mclouth Indianapolis, IN 3 07-14 0
5 Brian Liming Dillsboro, IN 3 07-02 0
5 Kyle Taylor Shelburn, IN 3 07-02 0
7 John Smith Corydon, IN 3 07-01 0
8 William Clark Vincennes, IN 3 06-09 0
9 Bryan Kalen Mooresville, IN 3 06-01 0
10 Charrlie Kuebler Jasper, IN 2 03-12 0

MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Scott Hrcka Homer, MI 3 09-09 0
2 Jesse Weener Holland, MI 3 09-02 0
3 Hunter Scharphorn Grand Haven, MI 3 07-07 0
4 Robert Swem Buchanan, MI 3 06-08 0
5 Jon Sohlden Paw Paw, MI 3 05-08 0
6 Matt Green Battle Creek, MI 2 04-15 0
7 Steve Tagg Wyoming, MI 2 03-05 0
8 Tyler Uekman Mount Clemens, MI 1 02-04 0
9 Adam Stachura Warren, MI 1 01-09 0
10 John Ryan Georgetown, TN 0 00-00 0

MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Joshua Rogers Minneapolis, MN 3 09-09 0
2 Adam Edwards Andover, MN 3 09-05 0
3 Tim Spande Plymouth, MN 3 07-07 0
4 Bryan Larson Waconia, MN 3 06-14 0
5 Tracy Skare Lakeville, MN 3 06-09 0
6 Markus Werner Cannon Falls, MN 3 05-14 0
7 Dan O'Keefe Prior Lake, MN 1 05-05 0
8 Patrick Stradal Minneapolis, MN 2 04-10 0
9 Josh Peters Morristown, MN 2 04-09 0
10 Sawyer Schugel Victoria, MN 2 04-08 0

OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Chris Pope Greenville, OH 3 09-07 0
2 Colten Didion Westerville, OH 3 09-04 0
3 Phillip Rummel Jr Mount Vernon, OH 3 08-05 0
4 Ryan Kriegel Delphos, OH 3 07-03 0
4 Brian Vogelsang Zanesfield, OH 3 07-03 0
6 Joe Wilcox Millersport, OH 2 06-14 0
7 Jason Fairbanks Grove City, OH 2 06-09 0
8 John Terry Mansfield, OH 3 05-14 0
9 Jeff Schultz Amelia, OH 2 04-09 0
10 Jake Drukenbrod Canton, OH 0 00-00 0

SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Ethan Hladky Yankton, SD 3 08-01 0
2 Joe Paulson Winner, WY 3 07-14 0
3 Bryce Hauf Winner, SD 3 07-13 0
4 Shawn Van Gerpen Sioux Falls, SD 3 07-09 0
5 Jack Johnson Brandon, SD 3 07-02 0
6 Jim Gacke Harrisburg, SD 3 06-09 0
7 Todd Stiehl Winner, SD 3 06-08 0
8 Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD 2 05-07 0
9 Leray Anderson II Crofton, NE 1 01-15 0
10 Cal Plienis Sioux Falls, SD 0 00-00 0

WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Matt Byrnes Hudson, WI 3 09-02 0
2 John-Paul Hey Chicago, IN 3 07-13 0
3 Austin Sudduth Waterford, WI 2 07-13 0
4 Ryan Bergeman Chippewa Falls, WI 3 07-10 0
5 Luke Kerstetter Brookfield, WI 3 07-00 0
5 Nick Strilzuk Balsam Lake, WI 3 07-00 0
7 Anthony Nelson Ladysmith, WI 2 06-02 0
8 Jose Munoz McHenry , IL 2 02-15 0
9 Bryan Quigley Green Bay, WI 1 01-09 0
10 Fischer Bailey Baraboo, WI 0 00-00 0

NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Larry Sallis Herculaneum, MO 3 09-10 0
2 Alfonso Garcia Jr Mccook, NE 3 09-02 0
3 Dennis Carroll Ashland, NE 3 08-11 0
4 Chris Jewett Longville, MN 3 08-07 0
5 Billy Ray Plattsmouth, NE 3 05-10 0
6 Jayson Rewolinski Bellevue, NE 2 05-07 0
7 Randy Cloeter Norfolk, NE 3 04-10 0
8 Doug Rishel Plattsmouth, NE 1 01-11 0
9 Zeb Mcfarland Stanton , IA 1 01-07 0
10 Morgan McLain Lenexa, KS 0 00-00 0

---

by AnglersChannel

“Weidler Whack’s em’ at St Clair!”

2020 St Clair Champion - Bill Weidler.jpg
Bill Weidler, of Helena, Ala., has won the 2020 YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with a four-day total of 86 pounds, 7 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
August 23, 2020

Chance Encounter Leads Weidler To Bassmaster Elite Series Win At St. Clair

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — A random moment during practice led Bill Weidler to a most unexpected victory, as the Helena, Ala., angler amassed a four-day total of 86 pounds, 7 ounces to win the YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.

Weidler earned $100,500 and nearly doubled his career earnings with B.A.S.S. to $204,350.

“I just stumbled across a great area in Anchor Bay, and that was my primary spot,” Weidler said. “I went through it one day in practice; it was cold and I’m an old man so I decided to pull over instead of freezing running down the lake.

“I drifted through an area and caught a limit of 26 pounds in about two hours. I had two 6-pounders, and I was like, ‘I might have found something here.’ That’s where I camped out all week.”

Focusing on a 1,000-yard area of Anchor Bay, Weidler found his bass on the hard edges of grasslines in 14 to 15 feet. Watching his Humminbird 360 for clusters of baitfish helped focus his search.

After two hours of fruitless effort, Day 4 saw Weidler catch three of his best fish between 9 and 10 a.m. He caught fish throughout the day, but two big afternoon bites — a 4-4 and his second of two 5-plus-pounders — pushed him across the finish line.

“This is incredible,” the third-year Elite Series pro said of his first career victory. “I fought and fought; I had a (bad) start to the season, and I knew I had to get some work done. I was on my knees this morning praying that I could catch them.”

Weidler caught all of his fish on a drop shot with a Strike King Baby Z-Too in the gray glimmer color. He used a 3/8-ounce weight and a No. 1 Owner drop-shot hook.

Weidler placed 17th on Day 1 with 20-8. Catching the same weight the next day put him in 13th. Day 3 saw him weigh 22-10 and earn his Championship Sunday berth in eighth place, and Sunday’s limit of 22-13 sealed the deal.

“On Days 1 and 2, I should have had about 22 or 23 both of those days and just didn’t execute,” Weidler said. “I’m lucky I didn’t miss the cut.”

Weidler admitted he did not enter the St. Clair event with great optimism, as smallmouth bass have never been his specialty. Nevertheless, he held his own against formidable Northern pros like Canada’s Cory Johnston, who placed second, along with sixth-place Chris Johnston, who won the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River in July with all smallmouth.

“I’m a largemouth guy; I’ve really struggled on smallmouth lakes,” Weidler said. “I grew up fishing the Coosa River and my boat really hasn’t come out of much more than 10 feet of water. I love a flipping stick and heavy line, so it was hard making the transition.

“But what I can say is that I thank the Lord for what He did for me this week because I feel He guided me where I needed to go and have the finish I had.”

Hailing from Cavan, Ontario, Cory Johnston spent his tournament in the main lake near the Canadian border and tallied 85-15. He turned in daily weights of 21-11, 21-5, 23-1 and 19-14.

Relying heavily on his Garmin LiveScope for target location, Johnston caught his bass on a drop shot with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm and a Strike King Baby Z-Too, both in green pumpkin.

“I found a sunken barrel out there the first day of the tournament, and there were five bass on it,” Johnston said. “I’d throw out and pick them all off; I’d go there the next morning and pick them both off. Today, there was none there; I caught them all.”

Following his seventh- and ninth-place finishes in the past two Elite events (St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain), Johnston has notched three consecutive Top 10s.

“That was my goal; I didn’t want to miss a Top 10 when we were up North,” Johnston said. “This is kinda my wheelhouse. I love dropping on them.”

John Cox of DeBary, Fla., led the tournament for three days but finished third with 85-12. Cox started Day 1 on Lake St. Clair, then moved to the St. Clair River where he spent the remainder of the event.

Catching all of his fish on a drop shot with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, Cox caught the event’s heaviest bag — 24-12 — on Day 1, then followed with 20-10, 20-12 and 19-10.

“Today, the bites were pretty random,” Cox said. “I caught two good ones on a seawall around midriver, then I went all the way to Lake Huron. I didn’t catch anything there, so I came back downriver and caught another good one, a 4-pounder.”

Cox hooked that last fish by a navigation marker. The smallmouth became temporarily entangled in the structure’s subsurface supports, but patience prevailed.

“When he bit, he swam right where I thought he was going to swim — right through those pilings,” Cox said. “So, I went up and took my line around it and it was a miracle I got that fish out.”

Ed Loughran III of Richmond, Va., won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with a 6-5 smallmouth he caught on Day 2, earning an additional $1,000.

Cox took home $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, and Oregon's Cody Hollen earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.

With four events remaining on the Elite Series schedule, Texas pro Clark Wendlandt took the lead in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 423 points. Rookie Taku Ito of Japan is in second place with 416 points and also leads the race for Rookie of the Year.

2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 8/20-8/23
Lake St. Clair, Macomb County MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4

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

1. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 20 86-07 100 $100,500.00
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 22-10 Day 4: 5 22-13
2. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 20 85-15 99 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-05 Day 3: 5 23-01 Day 4: 5 19-14
3. John Cox Debary, FL 20 85-12 98 $21,500.00
Day 1: 5 24-12 Day 2: 5 20-10 Day 3: 5 20-12 Day 4: 5 19-10
4. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 20 85-09 97 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 24-05 Day 3: 5 20-13 Day 4: 5 20-07
5. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 20 85-02 96 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 21-10 Day 3: 5 22-06 Day 4: 5 22-11
6. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 20 84-13 95 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-03 Day 3: 5 21-02 Day 4: 5 20-13
7. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 20 84-11 94 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 21-12 Day 3: 5 21-00 Day 4: 5 20-02
8. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 20 84-03 93 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 22-15 Day 3: 5 23-06 Day 4: 5 18-02
9. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 20 83-04 92 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 20-01 Day 4: 5 19-04
10. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 20 79-12 91 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 20-11 Day 3: 5 19-03 Day 4: 5 18-03
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 06-00 $1,000.00
2 Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 06-05 $1,000.00
3 John Cox Debary, FL 05-10 $1,000.00
4 John Cox Debary, FL 05-05 $500.00
4 Bill Weidler Helena, AL 05-05 $500.00

---

by AnglersChannel

Cox Stays With River Pattern, Retains Lead In Bassmaster Elite At Lake St. Clair

John Cox, of DeBary, Fla., is leading after Day 3 of the 2020 YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with a three-day total of 66 pounds, 2 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
August 22, 2020

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — Despite a slow start, John Cox of DeBary, Fla., stuck with his game plan and caught a Day 3 limit of 20 pounds, 12 ounces to maintain his lead in the YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with a three-day total of 66-2.

Cox took the Day 1 lead with 24-12 — the event’s heaviest sack — and remained on top by adding 20-10 on Friday. He is now in position to claim his first victory on the Bassmaster Elite Series in wire-to-wire fashion.

Day 1 saw Cox start by catching a solid limit on the main lake and then upgrading in the St. Clair River. Stating that the latter felt more comfortable to him, he committed all of Friday and Saturday to the river where he fished seawalls, docks and current breaks.

“It was a struggle today; I kept getting hung up and breaking off,” Cox said. “There were a few times I wanted to melt down today.

“All my early spots were getting beaten up (by local boats), but I just bounced around and had to run a lot of new stuff. Some places where I caught small ones yesterday, for some reason, I caught big ones today. It was incredible.”

Cox said the turning point came around 11:30 a.m. when he pressed the reset button. With a little under 14 pounds in his livewell, he made a key move and found the quality he needed.

“I sat down and retied everything and took a break and kind of got rolling again,” he said. “Everything was going wrong, but I kept it together and kept telling myself, ‘Just be glad that you’re here.’

“I made a few culls and caught my last big one, a 5-10, about 1:45. I was like, ‘OK, we can do this. I have a 3-pounder in the well that I need to get rid of.’ I just couldn’t get rid of it, but I was through.”

Cox caught all of his fish on a drop-shot rig with the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm. He had been nose-hooking his bait, but several missed bites prompted him to thread the Flat Worm onto his hook.

“That put the hook farther back in the bait, and it seemed to help,” he said.

Days 1 and 2 found Cox faring better by casting close to the seawalls. He surmised that the crawfish that had ventured ashore during the higher water earlier in the week were sliding back to their normal habitats.

“They were coughing up craws everywhere (on Days 1 and 2), but today, I didn’t have any in my livewell,” he said. “I just think they were on shad or (other baitfish).”

This would explain why some of his better fish bit farther off the walls in about 25 to 30 feet of water.

Cox said he will most likely commit to the river for Championship Sunday, but he thinks he’ll need to expand beyond the areas he has fished. He would prefer to fish closer to the seawalls, so he will look for new areas with deeper banks.

Friday and Saturday saw Cox catching a keeper largemouth. But he did not end up weighing one either day, and he noted his goal is to win an Elite event with all smallmouth.

“I put a largemouth in the well early this morning, but he was looking rough, so I pitched him over,” Cox said. “I said, ‘If I have to weigh him, I’m not going to make it anyway.’

“To win an all-smallmouth event would be the greatest accomplishment ever for me.”

Second-place Cody Hollen of Beaverton, Ore., trails Cox by just an ounce with a three-day total of 66-1. After weighing 19-12 and 22-15, the Elite rookie and reigning B.A.S.S. Nation Championship winner turned in his best performance Saturday with 23-6 but not without a struggle.

“My first spot is better when the wind is blowing on it, but without the wind this morning, there was not much there — I caught two fish,” Hollen said. “I went to my secondary spot and I said, ‘I’m going to have to lean on this spot today.’

“It doesn’t seem to matter if the wind is blowing on that spot, and I caught four fish that were 3 1/2- to 5 1/2-pounds. I went back to my starting spot and went down a little bit farther than I had been going and ended up catching another 4 1/2 off of that."

Hollen caught his fish on a Rapala DT-7 crankbait in the hot mustard color and a drop shot with a finesse worm.

Cory Johnston of Cavan, Ontario, is in third place, also with 66-1. Ties are settled by heaviest single-day weight and Hollen’s 23-6 topped Johnston’s Day 3 bag of 23-1. On Days 1 and 2, Johnston weighed 21-11 and 21-5.

“Today, the lake slicked off and that helped me spot them on my Garmin LiveScope,” Johnston said. “The other key was fishing areas that weren’t pressured because they bite a whole lot better.”

Fishing in about 15 to 17 feet of water near the Canadian border, Johnston keyed on a 500-yard stretch where he fished a drop shot with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm and a Strike King Baby Z-Too.

Ed Loughran III of Richmond, Va., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 6-5 smallmouth.

The Top 10 remaining anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. ET Sunday from Lake St. Clair Metropark. The weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3:10 p.m., with the winner taking home $100,000.

Live coverage of the event will be available starting at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster LIVE at Bassmaster.com with simulcasts on ESPN2 and ESPN3. Check local listings for ESPN2 times.

2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 8/20-8/23
Lake St. Clair, Macomb County MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

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

1. John Cox DeBary, FL 15 66-02 100 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-12 Day 2: 5 20-10 Day 3: 5 20-12
2. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 15 66-01 99
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 22-15 Day 3: 5 23-06
3. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 15 66-01 98
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-05 Day 3: 5 23-01
4. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 15 65-02 97
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 24-05 Day 3: 5 20-13
5. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 15 64-09 96
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 21-12 Day 3: 5 21-00
6. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 15 64-00 95
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 20-01
7. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 15 64-00 94
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-03 Day 3: 5 21-02
8. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 15 63-10 93
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 22-10
9. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 15 62-07 92
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 21-10 Day 3: 5 22-06
10. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 15 61-09 91
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 20-11 Day 3: 5 19-03
11. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 15 61-05 90 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-02 Day 2: 5 19-04 Day 3: 5 17-15
12. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 15 61-03 89 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 19-04 Day 3: 5 20-15
13. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 15 60-15 88 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 21-07 Day 3: 5 18-14
14. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 15 60-14 87 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 19-10 Day 3: 5 19-10
15. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 15 60-03 86 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 20-15 Day 3: 5 21-01
16. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 15 60-02 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 20-12 Day 3: 5 21-11
17. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 15 59-10 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 18-05 Day 3: 5 19-13
18. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 15 59-10 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 20-00 Day 3: 5 21-01
19. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 15 59-04 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 19-10 Day 3: 5 19-01
20. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 15 58-12 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 21-06 Day 3: 5 19-07
21. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 15 58-05 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 21-07 Day 3: 5 19-04
22. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 15 57-14 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 5 19-08
23. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 15 57-10 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-03 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 18-10
24. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 57-02 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 5 21-00
25. Seth Feider New Market, MN 15 56-12 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 18-12 Day 3: 5 17-05
26. Drew Cook Midway, FL 15 56-05 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 21-12 Day 3: 5 18-04
27. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 15 56-05 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 21-02 Day 3: 5 17-10
28. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 15 56-02 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 20-14 Day 3: 5 17-15
29. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 15 55-07 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 21-00 Day 3: 5 19-01
30. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 15 54-14 71 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 18-14
31. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 15 54-10 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 16-13
32. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 15 54-07 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 16-10 Day 3: 5 17-02
33. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 15 54-04 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 17-06
34. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 15 53-09 67 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 16-10
35. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 15 53-08 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 16-09
36. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 15 52-09 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 16-11
37. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 15 51-14 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 19-02 Day 3: 5 15-14
38. Frank Talley Temple, TX 13 50-00 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 22-10 Day 3: 3 07-12
39. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 13 48-06 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 3 09-14
40. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 14 46-14 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 4 09-03
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 06-00 $1,000.00
2 Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 06-05 $1,000.00
3 John Cox Debary, FL 05-10 $1,000.00

---

by AnglersChannel

Cox Commits To River, Retains Lead In Bassmaster Elite At Lake St. Clair

Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with a two-day total of 45 pounds, 6 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
August 21, 2020

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — After splitting Day 1 between the main lake and the St. Clair River, John Cox of DeBary, Fla., devoted his entire day to the latter and retained his lead in the YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with a two-day total of 45-6.

“I thought about going into the lake, but I felt so comfortable in the river,” Cox said. “I feel like anytime I pitch my bait out there, I might catch a big one. I didn’t feel any need to leave, so I just hung out.”

Contrasting Day 1, Friday yielded more quantity than quality, as Cox added 20-10 to his opening round weight of 24-12 — the event’s heaviest bag so far.

“I wasn’t catching giants, but I caught way more fish today,” he said. “The key is if you run into them when they’re in one of (the key spots), you can get right quick.”

Cox started his day in the St. Clair River delta where he fished the south and middle channels. He focused his efforts on seawalls, docks and other hard structure. Current eddies from the nearby channel were essential to fish positioning.

Mirroring Day 1, Cox caught all of his fish on a drop-shot rig. His top lure for the rig was the Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm, but he also used the Berkley MaxScent Flatnose Jerk Shad.

“I stuck with the drop shot because they were eating it,” Cox said. “I think fish were just moving in and off those banks with eddies.”

Cox made a midday run farther north and fished main-river spots close to Lake Huron but found that the water was not running as swiftly as he’d expected. Abandoning that area, he returned to the delta, where he made two key culls.

“At the end of the day, there was a spot I was trying to recall where it was, but I didn’t enter into my Lowrance,” Cox said. “I had a couple of waypoints I had marked in practice so I said, ‘I wonder if it’s those waypoints?’

“I pulled in and I caught a big one and it had four or five with it, so I threw back in there and caught another big one. Those culled my two smallest fish.”

Looking ahead, Cox said he plans on sticking with the river. He still has several areas that he has not fished, and the likelihood of his previous area reloading is very good.

“I loved it today; I had so many bites and caught so many fish,” Cox said. “I’m more excited going into tomorrow than I was this morning.”

Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, is in second place with 44-5. He began his day north of the community hole known as the Metro Flat and moved to a nearby spot later in the morning to preserve his main area.

Fishing a mix of crankbaits and drop shots, Wendlandt added 24-5 to the 20 pounds he weighed Thursday. Noting that his fish were not relating to any particular area, Wendlandt said he spent his day rotating between waypoints and searching for roaming schools of smallmouth.

“I started on the exact same place I did yesterday, but after that, I went someplace different,” he said. “I had decided I wasn’t going to fish in that humongous crowd. Yesterday I fished around it for the last part of the day. I just don’t think that (community hole) can hold up, there are just too many boats.”

Jay Yelas of Lincoln City, Ore., is in third place with 43-15. Fishing a broad flat with low grass and scattered cabbage, Yelas struggled through a slow morning and ended up catching most of his weight after noon. He caught most of his weight on a bladed jig with a Yamamoto Paddletail Zako trailer.

“I got fortunate and got some big ones this afternoon; my biggest was 5-3,” Yelas said. “It was sunny, not a cloud in the sky and light winds. Normally, that’s not the best time to fish moving baits, but it must be that the fish get more active and they’re feeding that time of the day."

Ed Loughran III of Richmond, Va., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 6-5 smallmouth.

The Top 40 remaining anglers will take off Saturday at 6:30 a.m. ET from Lake St. Clair Metropark. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3:10 p.m.

After Saturday, only the Top 10 will advance to Championship Sunday with a chance to win the $100,000 first-place prize.

Live coverage of the event will be available starting at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster LIVE at Bassmaster.com with simulcasts on ESPN2 and ESPN3. Check local listings for ESPN2 times.

2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 8/20-8/23
Lake St. Clair, Macomb County MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

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

1. John Cox Debary, FL 10 45-06 100
Day 1: 5 24-12 Day 2: 5 20-10
2. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 10 44-05 99
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 24-05
3. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 10 43-15 98
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 22-14
4. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 43-09 97
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 21-12
5. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 43-06 96
Day 1: 5 24-02 Day 2: 5 19-04
6. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 43-00 95
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-05
7. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 10 42-14 94
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-03
8. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 10 42-11 93
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 22-15
9. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 10 42-06 92
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 20-11
10. Frank Talley Temple, TX 10 42-04 91
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 22-10
11. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 42-01 90
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 21-07
12. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 41-04 89
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 19-10
13. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 10 41-00 88
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 20-08
14. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 40-04 87
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 19-04
15. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 10 40-03 86
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 19-10
16. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 10 40-01 85
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 21-10
17. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 39-13 84
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 18-05
18. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 39-07 83
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 18-12
19. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 39-05 82
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 21-06
20. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 10 39-02 81
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 20-15
21. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 39-01 80
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 21-07
22. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 39-00 79
Day 1: 5 22-03 Day 2: 5 16-13
23. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 38-11 78
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 21-02
24. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 10 38-09 77
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 20-00
25. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 10 38-08 76
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 20-08
26. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 10 38-07 75
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 20-12
27. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 38-06 74
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 19-09
28. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 10 38-03 73
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 20-14
29. Drew Cook Midway, FL 10 38-01 72
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 21-12
30. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 37-13 71
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 18-09
31. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 10 37-11 70
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 20-08
32. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 37-05 69
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 16-10
33. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 36-15 68
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 17-06
34. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 10 36-15 67 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 18-11
35. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 36-14 66
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 19-07
36. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 36-06 65
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 21-00
37. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 36-02 64
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 15-04
38. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 36-00 63 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 19-06
39. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 36-00 62
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 19-02
40. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 10 35-14 61
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 16-09
41. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 10 35-11 60 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 16-06
42. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 10 35-10 59 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 16-13
43. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 35-04 58 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 19-08
44. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 34-14 57 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 15-09
45. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 34-13 56 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 21-11
46. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 10 34-09 55 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 19-15
47. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 34-09 54 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 16-06
48. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 34-08 53 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 16-04
49. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 34-06 52 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 15-14
50. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 10 34-03 51 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 15-11
51. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 34-00 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 19-11
52. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 34-00 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 15-03
53. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 33-14 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 19-15
54. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 33-06 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 17-01
55. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 33-04 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 18-15
56. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 33-02 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 15-12
57. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 10 32-14 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 15-04
58. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 9 32-08 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 12-12 Day 2: 5 19-12
59. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 10 31-14 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 13-01
60. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 10 31-13 41 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 13-12
61. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 31-02 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 14-14
62. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 30-15 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 12-15
63. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 10 30-06 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 16-15
64. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 9 30-02 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 4 11-12
65. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 29-07 36 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 14-10
66. David Fritts Lexington, NC 10 29-01 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 14-14
67. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 29-00 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 14-00
68. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 9 28-12 33 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 4 11-04
69. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 8 28-11 32 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 3 08-12
70. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 8 27-14 31 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 3 10-12
71. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 7 27-12 30 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 07-10 Day 2: 5 20-02
72. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 27-12 29 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 14-11
73. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 9 27-07 28 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 13-12 Day 2: 5 13-11
74. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 9 27-06 27 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 4 10-15
75. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 10 27-04 26 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-11
76. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 9 26-05 25 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 4 11-11
77. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 10 25-08 24 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 11-06
78. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 25-07 23 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 11-12
79. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 7 25-02 22 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 5 21-14
80. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 9 24-06 21 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 4 11-06
81. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 23-12 20 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 14-04
82. Rob Digh Denver, NC 10 23-10 19 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 11-05
83. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 20-03 18 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 11-05
84. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 6 19-10 17 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 5 16-11
85. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 16-12 16 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 06-00 $1,000.00
2 Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 06-05 $1,000.00

---

by AnglersChannel

Cox Mixes Lake And River Work To Take Lead At Bassmaster Elite At St. Clair

John Cox, of DeBary, Fla., is leading after Day 1 of the 2020 YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair with 24 pounds, 12 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
August 20, 2020

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — Employing a blended strategy, John Cox of DeBary, Fla., caught a five-bass limit that weighed 24 pounds, 12 ounces to take the Day 1 lead at the YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, anglers were limited to the U.S. waters of St. Clair, the St. Clair River, Lake Huron and the upper part of the Detroit River. But the fishery still kicked out 18 bags of 20 pounds or better.

Starting his day on Lake St. Clair, Cox searched broad flats in 12 to 15 feet and caught a solid limit of smallmouth by 9 a.m. From there, he transitioned to the St. Clair River, where he made two key upgrades with a pair of 5-pound smallmouth that bolstered him to the leading weight.

“I left the lake with about 20 pounds, and then I caught two 5-pounders in the river, and then I went practicing,” said Cox, a veteran pro who is fishing his first season on the Elite Series. “On the lake, I was bouncing around a couple of grass clumps, but I don’t know about tomorrow. It was kind of rough out there, so I might just fish the river tomorrow.

“I felt more comfortable in the river, that’s for sure. The lake is not my thing. It just felt good when I was fishing in the river. I could move around and it was like ‘This looks good, I’ll stop here.’ It was kinda nice.”

On the lake, Cox rotated between three grass clumps and found his bass on the sandy perimeters. All of his fish bit drop shots with various worms.

“I went from the Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm to the Flatnose Jerk Shad; even The General when I started running low on those,” Cox said. “As long as it had the MaxScent (formula), you could sling it out there and they’d eat it.

“The drop shot also produced in the river. I wanted to throw other stuff, but I think that’s the best chance to catch a big one.”

Cox made a big run up the St. Clair River and fished near the Lake Huron inflow.

“I was just kind of fishing, drifting down with the current and just throwing at anything that looked good — docks, walls, whatever,” Cox said. “If I came to a current seam, I’d throw into it. Or if I saw one under the boat, I’d pitch out in front of it.

“I caught those two 5-pounders during a slow period. I caught one, then I went for another 45 minutes. I was catching a few small ones and then caught another big one.”

Noting that he got lucky on Lake St. Clair Thursday, Cox said he found more spots in the river than he fished — and he’s hopeful he can exploit more of the river’s potential on Day 2.

“Today was pretty amazing, but who knows what will happen tomorrow,” he said.

Trailing Cox by 10 ounces, Dave Mullins of Mt. Carmel, Tenn., is in second place with 24-2. Committing his day to Lake St. Clair, Mullins said he made a key morning move to a 5-acre area that produced all of his weight.

“I stayed a little too long and caught only one 3-pounder, but as soon as I moved a couple of miles and shut down on a place where I’d gotten some bites in practice, I started getting bit frequently,” he said. “With a west wind and bright bluebird skies, it was a perfect smallmouth day.”

Mullins mixed up his presentations between a drop shot and a Ned rig. He rigged the former with a Strike King Dream Shot, while the latter held a Z-Man Finesse TRD. All of his plastic baits were green pumpkin.

Ray Hanselman of Del Rio, Texas, is in third place with 22-3. Sticking with the 15- to 17-foot range on St. Clair, Hanselman tried to avoid congested areas, locate isolated schools of fish and stay on top of them. A mix of crankbaits and drop shots produced his bites.

“I stayed ahead of them and I didn’t pressure them too much,” Hanselman said. “In practice, it was hard to catch a 5-pounder, so when I was throwing back 4 (pounders) around noon, I knew it was time to leave.

“I found a couple of other spots and culled two more times — small culls of a few ounces. I left everything else alone and just went practicing.”

Chris Groh of Spring Grove, Ill., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 6-pound smallmouth.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET at Lake St. Clair MetroPark. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3:10 p.m.

The 85-angler field will be cut to the Top 40 after Friday’s round.

Live coverage of the event will be available starting at 7 a.m. on Bassmaster LIVE at Bassmaster.com with simulcasts on ESPN2 and ESPN3. Check local listings for ESPN2 times.

2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 8/20-8/23
Lake St. Clair, Macomb County MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day

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

1. John Cox DeBary, FL 5 24-12 100
Day 1: 5 24-12
2. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 24-02 99
Day 1: 5 24-02
3. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 22-03 98
Day 1: 5 22-03
4. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 21-13 97
Day 1: 5 21-13
5. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 5 21-11 96
Day 1: 5 21-11
5. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 5 21-11 96
Day 1: 5 21-11
5. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 21-11 96
Day 1: 5 21-11
8. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 21-10 93
Day 1: 5 21-10
9. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 21-08 92
Day 1: 5 21-08
10. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 5 21-01 91
Day 1: 5 21-01
11. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 21-00 90
Day 1: 5 21-00
12. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 20-14 89
Day 1: 5 20-14
13. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 20-11 88
Day 1: 5 20-11
13. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 20-11 88
Day 1: 5 20-11
15. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 20-10 86
Day 1: 5 20-10
16. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 5 20-09 85
Day 1: 5 20-09
17. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 5 20-08 84
Day 1: 5 20-08
18. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 20-00 83
Day 1: 5 20-00
19. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 19-15 82
Day 1: 5 19-15
20. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 5 19-12 81
Day 1: 5 19-12
21. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 19-10 80
Day 1: 5 19-10
22. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 19-09 79
Day 1: 5 19-09
23. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 5 19-05 78
Day 1: 5 19-05
23. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 5 19-05 78
Day 1: 5 19-05
23. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 19-05 78
Day 1: 5 19-05
26. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 19-04 75
Day 1: 5 19-04
27. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 18-13 74
Day 1: 5 18-13
27. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 18-13 74
Day 1: 5 18-13
27. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 5 18-13 74
Day 1: 5 18-13
27. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 18-13 74
Day 1: 5 18-13
31. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 18-09 70
Day 1: 5 18-09
32. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 18-08 69
Day 1: 5 18-08
32. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 18-08 69
Day 1: 5 18-08
34. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 5 18-07 67
Day 1: 5 18-07
35. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 18-06 66
Day 1: 5 18-06
36. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 18-04 65
Day 1: 5 18-04
36. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 5 18-04 65 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04
38. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 5 18-03 63
Day 1: 5 18-03
38. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 18-03 63
Day 1: 5 18-03
40. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 18-01 61
Day 1: 5 18-01
41. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 18-00 60
Day 1: 5 18-00
41. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 18-00 60
Day 1: 5 18-00
43. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 17-15 58
Day 1: 5 17-15
44. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 5 17-11 57
Day 1: 5 17-11
45. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 17-10 56
Day 1: 5 17-10
45. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 5 17-10 56
Day 1: 5 17-10
47. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 17-09 54
Day 1: 5 17-09
48. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 17-08 53
Day 1: 5 17-08
49. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 17-07 52
Day 1: 5 17-07
50. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 17-06 51
Day 1: 5 17-06
51. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 17-05 50
Day 1: 5 17-05
52. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 5 17-03 49
Day 1: 5 17-03
53. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 17-02 48
Day 1: 5 17-02
54. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 16-14 47
Day 1: 5 16-14
55. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 16-12 46
Day 1: 5 16-12
56. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 16-10 45
Day 1: 5 16-10
57. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 5 16-07 44
Day 1: 5 16-07
58. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 16-05 43
Day 1: 5 16-05
58. Drew Cook Midway, FL 5 16-05 43
Day 1: 5 16-05
60. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 16-04 41
Day 1: 5 16-04
61. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 15-12 40
Day 1: 5 15-12
62. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 15-06 39
Day 1: 5 15-06
63. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 15-00 38
Day 1: 5 15-00
64. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 14-13 37
Day 1: 5 14-13
65. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 5 14-10 36
Day 1: 5 14-10
65. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 5 14-10 36
Day 1: 5 14-10
67. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 14-05 34
Day 1: 5 14-05
67. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 14-05 34
Day 1: 5 14-05
69. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 14-03 32
Day 1: 5 14-03
70. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 5 14-02 31
Day 1: 5 14-02
71. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 13-15 30
Day 1: 5 13-15
72. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 4 13-12 29
Day 1: 4 13-12
73. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 13-11 28
Day 1: 5 13-11
74. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 5 13-09 27
Day 1: 5 13-09
75. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 13-07 26
Day 1: 5 13-07
76. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 13-02 25
Day 1: 5 13-02
77. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 13-01 24
Day 1: 5 13-01
78. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 13-00 23
Day 1: 5 13-00
79. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 4 12-12 22
Day 1: 4 12-12
80. Rob Digh Denver, NC 5 12-05 21
Day 1: 5 12-05
81. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 09-08 20
Day 1: 5 09-08
82. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 08-14 19
Day 1: 5 08-14
83. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 2 07-10 18
Day 1: 2 07-10
84. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 2 03-04 17
Day 1: 2 03-04
85. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 1 02-15 16
Day 1: 1 02-15
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PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 06-00 $1,000.00

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by AnglersChannel

Davis Fishes Familiar Habitat For La Crosse Win

Barry Davis, of Startex, S.C., won the Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series at Mississippi River powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia with a five-fish limit measuring 88 inches.
Photo by B.A.S.S.
August 15, 2020

LA CROSSE, Wisc. — He was more than 700 miles from home, but Barry Davis of Startex, S.C., targeted a familiar scenario to win the Huk B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series at the Mississippi River powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia. Davis’ five fish measured 88 inches.

Davis’ individual fish were 18 1/2, 18 1/4, 17 3/4, 17 1/4 and 16 1/4. For his achievement, he earned a $5,553 prize package of cash and merchandise.

In the third of five regular-season events, anglers were allowed to launch at any public ramp or public access area within tournament waters, which comprised of Upper Mississippi Pools 7, 8 and 9, along with any connecting creeks and canals. Fishing from a Bonafide SS127, Davis fished Pool 9 and spent his day focusing on sloughs with habitat similar to his home waters.

“I was fishing the crossover sloughs midpool all day long,” Davis said. “I was fishing 6 feet or less on cut-back banks with wood close by. The key was I found where current was in a bend that had laydowns all in it.

“With that cut-back bank, I’m familiar with fishing that because a lot of our rivers in South Carolina are about the same size as that cut-through. When I found that on Wednesday, that felt like home to me. I felt comfortable with it.”

Davis reports a fast start that yielded 12 fish in the first hour.

“I put my limit up in the first 30 minutes and upgraded my last fish just after that hour,” he said. “Everything else I caught the rest of the day was 14 to 15 inches, but I broke off a good fish late today.”

Davis caught his fish on shaky heads with Victory Tackleworks Clutch Craws in watermelon green and green pumpkin. The former was his morning color, while the latter served him better later in the day.

“I mainly used a 1/16-ounce shaky head, but I also had a 3/16-ounce rigged up for deeper water,” Davis said. “All but one of my fish came on the 1/6-ounce.”

To ensure he got on his early morning bite, Davis recently installed a Torqeedo 1103 ultralight outboard motor. The 3hp unit gave him the edge in reaching a prime area first.

“There were 13 competitors putting in where I [launched] this morning, and later in the day six of them told me they had planned to go to the area I fished,” he said. “That was my key — the drag race was won by me.”

Joey Vanyo of Lakeville, Minn., placed second with 87 inches. Fishing Pool 9, he focused on current breaks and island sand humps. Vanyo caught fish on a shad color Storm Arashi squarebill, a 3/8-ounce silver/shad Warbird spinnerbait and a Carolina-rigged black/blue Zoom Brush Hog.

“The key was I increased current and I found a ledge on the main-river channel where the bass were keying on an undercut bank,” Vanyo said. “I was using the Carolina rig in that spot.”

Brady Storrs of Gibbon, Neb., finished third with 87 inches. Ties are broken by the single largest fish, in this case a 19 3/4-incher caught by Vanyo. Storrs committed his day to Pool 7, where he did all of his work by fishing a leopard color Spro popping frog over mats.

“I caught a few fish around wood that was in the mat, but for the most part, it was just straight mat,” Storrs said. “If the mat had deeper water closer to it, I felt like there was a higher quantity of larger fish there. I was also fishing mats with a lot [of] cleaner water and I think that had them in there, too.”

Rounding out the Top 10 were Mike Elsea (86 3/4), Zach Gibbons (85 1/2), Eric Siddiqi (85 1/2), Zach Humphries (85 1/4), Lance Burris (84 3/4), Casey Reed (84 1/4) and Cody Milton (83 1/2).

For complete results, visit TourneyX.com.

The tournament was hosted by Explore La Crosse.

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by AnglersChannel