Jocumsen extends lead in Bassmaster Elite at Champlain
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Better-than-expected weather conditions allowed Carl Jocumsen to pad his lead and test a theory that’ll no-doubt benefit his effort to win his second blue trophy in the SPRO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain.
After taking the Day 1 lead with 23 pounds, 2 ounces, the pro from Toowoomba, Australia added a second-round limit that weighed 19-15. With a two-day total of 43-1, Jocumsen heads into Semifinal Saturday with a 1 1/4-pound lead over Seth Feider.
“Today almost went to exact plan,” Jocumsen said. “I feel like potentially, there’s more fish (in my main area) than I thought there was, which is a good thing.”
Jocumsen, who became the first Australian to win a Bassmaster Elite tournament by topping the 2019 Lake Tenkiller event, followed his Day 1 game plan and returned to the Ticonderoga area. Colloquially called “Ti,” this area named for the historic fort on Champlain’s west side, holds abundant shallow grass that’s known for good numbers of big largemouth.
With Ti sitting approximately 70 miles south of Plattsburgh, Jocumsen committed 90 minutes of running time both ways. His results justified the time gamble, as he caught all of his Day 1 weight and four of his Day 2 fish in Ti’s fertile waters.
“It was the same drill; the fish were all in the same areas where I left them yesterday,” Jocumsen said. “There’s just something about these certain sections that have some fish.
“I caught my fish on the new Rapala Crush City Knuckle Bug. I fished this on straight braid with a VMC Heavy Duty Wide Gap Worm Hook and a 3/4-ounce weight. I was flipping it as many times as I could and they were biting it on the fall.”
Jocumsen said he came into the tournament knowing that Ti had the potential to play a major role. One factor in the equation is this week’s competitive format.
Shortly after B.A.S.S. announced the 2026 schedule, a coin flip selection identified five events that would allow forward facing sonar and four that would not. The Champlain event does not allow this live sonar technology, so Jocumsen knew the smallmouth that typically dominate this lake’s tournaments would be more difficult to consistently catch.
Taking this into consideration, Jocumsen determined that banking on a largemouth-centric plan would make Ti a sound option.
“It’s risky no matter what you do here, but when you make a long run like that, if that wind picks up, it can shut you down really quick,” Jocumsen said. “I left a little early this afternoon because the Windy app said it was gonna pick up to 15 mph, but it was a smooth ride all the way back.”
Jocumsen took advantage of his early arrival in the Plattsburgh area, pulled up to a spot that looked good and caught nearly a 4-pound smallmouth that culled up his total by a few ounces. That final fish of his day ate a hair jig in 2 feet of water.
“I just went fishing and caught a big one on my first cast,” Jocumsen said. “I raced around and didn’t find anymore, but it worked out.
“I always knew I needed a smallmouth element. It just helps you to not run out of areas. If you have smallmouth up your sleeve, you can just go fishing and catch a 4-plus pounder sort of anywhere you go. Having that, I think, is gonna be important in this.”
If Day 3 brings the expected wind increase, Jocumsen will need to adjust for longer running times, but at this point, he’s committed to at least one more day of running to Ti.
“I’m really hoping that place down there holds out for two more days, but it is nice to know I can run back and catch big smallmouth,” Jocumsen said. “This is how you have to fish Champlain. You have to fish for largemouth and smallmouth.
“It feels right; after today, I feel pretty good about what I’m seeing. It’s a long ways away, but I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got.”
Hailing from New Market, Minn., Feider is in second place with 41-13. After placing 12th on Day 1 with 19-8, Feider added 22-5 and gained 10 spots.
Feider attempted to replicate his Day 1 game plan of rounding up a decent limit of smallmouth and then hunting big largemouth, but a leaner early bite yielded only 8 pounds of smallmouth. Transitioning to his largemouth bite, Feider faced more disappointment, until a big bite around noon got the ball rolling.
“I went to another area and caught a couple decent filler fish and one big one,” Feider said. “I had about 20 pounds then and I knew I was sitting pretty good.
“There was some grass I’d marked in practice, but I didn’t really fish it. I went there at the end of the day and caught two great big ones in 15 minutes.”
Feider caught his fish on a drop shot with a Z-Man Big TRD and a Texas-rigged creature bait.
Chris Johnston of Peterborough, Canada is in third place with 41-5. He weighed a Day 1 limit of 19-14 and followed with 21-7.
Getting his work done early, Johnston had most of his weight by 11 a.m. and then went scouting the rest of the day.
“I started in an area that has a couple big fish around and I was fortunate enough to get two nice largemouth that set things in the right direction,” Johnston said. “After that, I went smallmouth fishing. I hit six or seven spots and caught probably 10 smallmouth. I caught three or four over 4 pounds.”
Johnston kept his bait details guarded, but he said a slow presentation is essential for his technique.
Caleb Sumrall of New Iberia, La., holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead with a 6-10.
Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 640 points. Cory Johnston of Otonabee, Canada is in second place with 636, followed by 2019 Rookie of the Year Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., with 630, Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., with 561 and Cole Sands of Johnson City, Tenn., with 559.
Caleb Hudson of Lincolnton, Ga., leads the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year standings with 550 points.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Plattsburgh City Marina. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 3 p.m.
Live coverage of the 2026 SPRO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain will be available on FS1 August 15 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before heading to Bassmaster.com. Championship Sunday coverage can be found on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and conclude on Bassmaster.com.
Discover Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast are hosting this event.
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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2026 Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Champlain 8/13-8/16
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 10 43-01 101
Day 1: 5 23-02 Day 2: 5 19-15
2. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 10 41-13 100
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 22-05
3. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 10 41-05 99
Day 1: 5 19-14 Day 2: 5 21-07
4. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 10 41-00 98
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 20-08
5. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 10 40-04 97
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 22-07
6. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 10 40-02 96
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 21-02
7. Beau Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 39-14 95
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 20-12
8. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 39-10 94 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 24-04
9. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 39-06 93 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 17-10
10. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 10 39-04 92
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 17-10
11. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 39-04 91
Day 1: 5 20-06 Day 2: 5 18-14
12. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 10 39-02 90
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 20-04
13. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 39-02 89
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 19-07
14. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 38-14 88
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 20-11
15. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 10 38-12 87
Day 1: 5 20-13 Day 2: 5 17-15
16. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 10 38-12 86
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 19-10
17. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 10 38-00 85
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 20-01
18. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 10 38-00 84
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 19-15
19. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 38-00 83
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 19-10
20. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 10 37-14 82
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 21-00
21. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 37-09 81
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 19-15
22. Tyler Williams Barnett, MO 10 37-09 80
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 19-12
23. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 10 37-01 79
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 17-14
24. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 10 37-01 78
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 18-06
25. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 36-14 77
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 15-06
26. Fisher Anaya Eva, AL 10 36-14 76
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 18-03
27. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 10 36-12 75
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 18-11
28. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 10 36-11 74
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 18-11
29. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 10 36-10 73
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 19-06
30. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 36-10 72
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 18-10
31. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 10 36-08 71
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 20-01
32. Caleb Hudson Lincolnton, GA 10 36-08 70
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 17-14
33. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 36-05 69
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 17-01
34. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 10 36-04 68
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 18-14
35. Pake South Winnsboro, TX 10 36-01 67
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 17-12
36. Brock Reinkemeyer Warsaw, MO 10 35-15 66
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 20-01
37. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 10 35-15 65
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 18-15
38. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 35-15 64
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 17-11
39. Cody Huff Ava, MO 10 35-12 63
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 19-13
40. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 35-11 62
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 17-10
41. Luke Palmer Atoka, OK 10 35-09 61
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 16-13
42. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 35-09 60
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 17-02
43. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 35-05 59
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 16-15
44. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 10 35-05 58
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 17-03
45. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 10 35-05 57
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 17-14
46. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 10 35-01 56
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 18-08
47. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 10 34-15 55
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 15-02
48. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10 34-13 54
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 15-08
49. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 10 34-13 53
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 18-11
50. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 10 34-13 52
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 16-05
51. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 34-12 51
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 18-11
52. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 34-11 50
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 17-03
53. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 34-10 49
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 15-00
54. Austin Cranford Oklahoma City, OK 10 34-10 48
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 17-09
55. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 34-09 47
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 17-07
56. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 34-09 46
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 17-04
57. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 10 34-07 45
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 17-05
58. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 34-06 44
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 16-07
59. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 10 34-05 43
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 18-10
60. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 34-05 42
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 18-07
61. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 10 34-05 41
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 16-10
62. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 10 34-02 40
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 16-00
63. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 10 34-02 39
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 17-13
64. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 10 34-00 38
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 17-00
65. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 33-13 37
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 17-15
66. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 33-09 36
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 18-15
67. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 10 33-06 35
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 19-01
68. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 10 33-05 34
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 17-06
69. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 33-03 33
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 16-03
70. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 10 33-02 32
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 15-03
71. John Garrett Union City, TN 10 33-00 31
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 17-11
72. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 10 32-15 30
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 19-05
73. Aaron Jagdfeld Rochester Hills, MI 10 32-09 29
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 15-04
74. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 32-08 28
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 18-08
75. John Cox Debary, FL 10 32-05 27
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 18-11
76. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 10 32-05 26
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 17-01
77. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 10 32-01 25
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 17-13
78. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 31-13 24
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 15-03
79. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 31-07 23
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 14-12
80. Bryan New Leesville, SC 10 31-05 22
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 14-15
81. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 10 30-14 21
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 14-06
82. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 30-13 20
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 13-02
83. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 30-12 19
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 14-09
84. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 10 30-00 18
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 16-03
85. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 9 29-09 17
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 4 12-00
86. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 29-08 16
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 16-07
87. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 10 29-08 15
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 13-04
88. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 29-05 14
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 16-11
89. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 28-15 13
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 15-01
90. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 10 28-13 12
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 12-12
91. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 28-11 11
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 12-13
92. Jacob Foutz Philadelphia, TN 10 28-00 10
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 17-15
93. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 27-12 9
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 12-13
94. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 27-11 8
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 12-13
95. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 9 25-15 7
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 4 08-11
96. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 10 24-02 6
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 15-07
97. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 7 23-13 5
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 2 05-12
98. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 17-00 4
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 17-00
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PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Drew Cook Cairo, GA 05-13 $1,000.00
2 Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 06-10 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 97 485 1669-15
2 95 485 1709-01
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192 970 3379-00
