Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., took the lead on the first day of the Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Go RVing, bringing 24 pounds, 5 ounces to the scales on Thursday.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

July 20, 2017

Kevin VanDam Takes Early Lead At Bassmaster Elite At The St. Lawrence River

WADDINGTON, N.Y. — After one round of the Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence presented by Go RVing, a familiar storyline has emerged.

Kevin VanDam, the Michigan superstar who already holds two B.A.S.S. victories on the St. Lawrence River, caught five bass Thursday that weighed 24 pounds, 5 ounces to take the lead in his latest chance at a big win on the fishery that splits upstate New York and Canada.

“Back when we used to have a lot of tournaments up here, I always fished the lake (Ontario),” said VanDam, who won two events on the St. Lawrence in 1995 and 1999. “I never really fished the river back then. So, every time I come here I learn a little bit more about it.”

Lake Ontario is off limits this year as it has been for the last two Elite Series trips to the St. Lawrence River.

VanDam said it was hard to gauge his chances of winning the $100,000 first-place prize after just one day because the fishing is so sporadic. He doesn’t know how his pattern will play out over a four-day event.

“There’s not huge numbers of fish,” he said. “It’s not like I’m working through hundreds of fish to get the ones I’m bringing to the scales. You pull up into a spot and you might catch one or two, but that’s it.

“You certainly can’t script it to know that you’re going to catch the kind of size I was able to catch today.”

The river is at its highest level in a century, but the conditions certainly didn’t seem to hurt the fishing. The Top 83 competitors in the 109-angler field caught at least 15 pounds of bass, and it took 20-1 to make the Top 20.

“The one thing the high water has done is changed the current,” VanDam said. “There used to be places where I would fish closer to the bank and the current would just be ripping. But now with the water higher, it seems slower in some of those places.

“With all of this water, it just seems like it’s fast in some places and slower in others — it definitely has changed.”

VanDam’s catch was only slight better than that of Virginia angler Bill Lowen, who placed second with 23-6.

Lowen — a noted shallow-water angler — brought all smallmouth to the scales Thursday, including two 5-pounders.

“I actually thought I had two 6-pounders, but they were just real long with no bellies,” said Lowen, who has 17 Top 10 finishes with B.A.S.S., but no wins. “In the area I was fishing, I think they were feeding on perch, crawfish and all kinds of little minnows.”

Third place was occupied by Seth Feider — a noted smallmouth specialist, whose fortunes took a big upward swing when the Elite Series schedule moved north last year.

“I didn’t execute that well today,” said Feider, who caught 22-11. “I could have done a little better, maybe another pound or so. But I’ve definitely got a lot of spots going.

“I was pretty much done by 10 a.m. today, so I went looking — and because of that, I found another really good spot around 2 o’clock.”

With the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race headed down its final stretch, the names at the top of the list shifted Thursday. South Carolina angler Casey Ashley caught 21-14 — good for sixth place in the tournament — and overtook Tennessee pro Ott DeFoe as the AOY leader.

VanDam moved into second in the AOY standings, with Jason Christie, Edwin Evers, Jacob Wheeler and DeFoe following close behind.

VanDam also moved into the early lead for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award of the week with a bass that weighed 6-1.

The tournament will resume Friday, with a 6:15 a.m. ET take off from Whittaker Park. The weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3:15 p.m.

At the end of Friday’s second round, the 109-angler field will be trimmed to the Top 51. After Saturday’s semifinal, only the Top 12 will advance to Championship Sunday.

The event is hosted by the Village of Waddington.

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

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

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

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Series presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected]
2017 HUK Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence presented by Go RVing 7/20-7/23
St. Lawrence River, Waddington NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

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