Jamie Hartman, originally of Newport, N.Y., is leading after Day 2 of the 2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain with a two-day total of 42 pounds, 4 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
July 31, 2020

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Reversing his game plan, Day 1 leader Jamie Hartman of Russellville, Ark., added 20 pounds, 3 ounces to Thursday’s weight of 22-1 and retained the top spot in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain with a two-day total of 42-4.

Hartman ended Day 1 by stopping on a rocky point close to the tournament site and catching a 4-pounder 10 minutes before the 3 p.m. weigh-in began. Friday, he started on this spot and quickly lit up the BASSTrakk leaderboard by securing a solid limit of smallmouth in less than two hours.

“I took a lot of pressure off this morning in the first hour and a half, I had 18 1/4 pounds,” said Hartman, a New York native who moved away from his home state to pursue a career in professional bass fishing. “Then I figured I only needed two more 4-pounders, but it took all the way to the last two hours to do it.

“That spot was on my way to a big flat I wanted to fish in the lake’s north end, so I just said I’m going to start there and see if the fish were there, and they sure were. Hopefully, they’ll reload and I’ll get on them tomorrow morning.”

Having fished this spot in years past, Hartman said his nearly immediate bite on Day 1 told him the point held greater potential than he had anticipated. With Friday’s calm, clear conditions contrasting Thursday’s partly cloudy and increasingly breezy complexion, he started Day 2 expecting fireworks and the bass mostly cooperated.

Hartman caught those early fish on a Carolina rig with craw bait on a 3/0 Owner extra-wide gap hook. He used a 1-ounce weight and a 3-foot leader, which helped him keep his bait above the grass.

“The spot had scattered grass and rock, so the Carolina rig was absolutely perfect, and my hookup to landing ratio is really good,” he said. “I said I was going to put it in my hand this week before we started because I lost so many fish last week [at the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite on the St. Lawrence River]. I said I’m going to swing with the big one this time.

“I was using a steady retrieve and whenever I’d come through a patch of grass, I’d pop the rig to snap it out of that grass. They’ll whack it every time when I do that.”

By midmorning, he decided he was not going to upgrade on his starting point, so he made a move to avoid burning up too much of the spot’s population. Heading to his northern flat, he focused on scattered grass in about 10 to 15 feet.

“I didn’t want to keep hammering my starting spot,” Hartman said of his plan to manage the bass. “I didn’t even go back to it on the way in. I didn’t want to catch another one off that spot; I need them for tomorrow.”

When the Carolina rig failed to produce, Hartman went to a 1/2-ounce Riot Baits Lil’ Creeper jig with a swimbait trailer. He was again targeting smallmouth but ended up making a key cull with a largemouth around 2:30 p.m.

Seth Feider of New Market, Minn., is in second place with 41-8. After anchoring his fourth-place Day 1 catch of 20-1 with a 5-4 largemouth, Feider added a limit of 21-7 Friday that included another huge largemouth that went 6-6.

Feider caught Friday’s big fish by targeting boat docks with milfoil and flipping a 5/8-ounce Outkast Tackle jig with a chunk-style trailer. While largemouth on marina docks produced most of his Day 1 weight, today told a different tale.

“I did most of my damage this morning on smallies; I ended up weighing four smallies and one buckethead (largemouth),” Feider said. “My smallmouth spot was a grass point in 10 to 12 feet on a big flat. I caught two on drop shot and two on a crankbait.”

Koby Kreiger of Alva, Fla., is in third place with 40-1. After posting 18-1 Thursday, he added 22 pounds on Day 2. Noting that a Heddon Super Spook Jr. and two jerkbaits — a Lucky Craft Pointer 100 and a Megabass Vision 110 — produced his fish, Kreiger said today’s calm, sunny conditions plus a cleaner performance yielded a better sack.

“It slicked off, which made it easier for me to see the fish and for them to see my bait,” Kreiger said. “Yesterday, I jumped off a couple and today, I fished clean.

“I’m fishing a great big flat in 10 feet with isolated rocks and isolated grass patches on it. I can see them pretty far out with my Humminbird 360; that shows me what’s in front of the boat when I’m drifting.”

Feider is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 6-6 largemouth.

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. ET at Plattsburgh City Marina. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 3 p.m.

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.

The tournament is being hosted by the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, City of Plattsburgh and Clinton County with support from the Office of the Governor of the State of New York.

2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain 7/30-8/2
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

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

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 06-02 $1,000.00
2 Seth Feider New Market, MN 06-06 $1,000.00