Alton Jones of Lorena, Texas, takes the lead on the first day of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair, bringing 23 pounds, 10 ounces to the scales on Thursday. Photo by Gary Tramontina/Bassmaster
DETROIT — Weather is always a dynamic element in competitive bass fishing, but it is the biggest factor when the tournament is taking place on big lakes.
The Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair is the final event of the regular season, and many anglers are putting it all on the line to garner a berth in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro next March.
Texas pro Alton Jones took control of the event by bringing in 23 pounds, 10 ounces of smallmouth bass to the scales after the first day Thursday.
“When you’re fishing the Great Lakes, where wind is a dominating weather condition, my goal is to locate the best drift over the best piece of structure,” the 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion explained. “My practice time was spent finding the right drift, but it only produced small fish for me this morning. I knew they had moved, and after I found them again — only a few hundred yards away — it was a pretty consistent bite.”
Jones expects the bass he found to move again by Friday with another likely weather change. He caught about 15 fish throughout the day and expects the numbers to be similar again in the second round.
“My big-fish spot contributed my best fish of the day, and it gave me several opportunities to cull up,” he said. “I found numerous spots that I’ve devoted my attention to, and I really hope they will hold up as the tournament goes on. But, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure if they will.”
The stories among the anglers owning the other top spots on the leaderboard offered similar reports. Several small spots produced the right fish, but remaining confident that the best areas will continue to produce is the $100,000 question.
“I have a tendency to stress out about how well I manage a bite,” explained James Elam of Tulsa, Okla. “I’d like to think I perform well under this kind of pressure, but I’m going to have to prove that tomorrow.”
Elam had his limit before noon and brought in 23 pounds, 7 ounces to hold down second.
There’s more to his story, however: At the start of the day, he was inside the 50-angler cut to qualify for the upcoming Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship by a single point. Today’s finish bumped him up in the standings, but he’ll have to finish strong to have an opportunity to fish the championship on Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, on Sept. 17-20.
Claiming third is two-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion Brandon Palaniuk. “I’ve been changing my strategy when it comes to the AOY race. I stopped looking at the points; I’ve been fishing to win. I know I fish better with that mentality, so I haven’t looked at the points standings for a couple of months.”
His mental discipline work today as he brought in 23 pounds, 4 ounces of smallies — including the day’s big bass weighing 6-3.
Rounding out the Top 10 were Brandon Lester in fourth place with a fine limit that weighed 21-10. He’s tied for fourth with Casey Scanlon. Micah Frazier is sixth with 20-8, Jonathon VanDam is seventh with 20-6 ounces, Todd Faircloth is eighth with 20-1, J Todd Tucker is ninth with 19-14 and Matt Herren is 10th with 19-5.
Current AOY leader Aaron Martens weighed 18-5, good enough for 24th place.
“I took a risk and traveled to Huron today,” the two-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year said. “I’m still not sure if I’ll go back tomorrow or if I’ll play it safe and stay closer to the ramp. I know I can catch a pretty good bag out of St. Clair, but I probably won’t make a decision until tomorrow morning.”
Expect the daily average to stay around 21 to 23 pounds, and as is the case with big, Northern waters, tomorrow is another day and patterns are sure to keep changing.
The Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race continues with Aaron Martens on top with 685 points, Dean Rojas is closing the gap with 622 points, Jacob Powroznik is third with 596 points, Justin Lucas fell from second to fourth with 590 points and Edwin Evers is fifth with 565 points.
The tournament will resume Friday with takeoff out of Lake St. Clair Metropark at 6:20 a.m. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 3:15 p.m., and the top 50 anglers will advance to Saturday.
2015 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Accessories, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Huk Performance Fishing, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, 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. 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), 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 presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
2015 Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 8/27-8/30
Lake St. Clair, Detroit MI.
Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 23-10 100
Day 1: 5 23-10
2. James Elam Tulsa, OK 5 23-07 99
Day 1: 5 23-07
3. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 23-04 98
Day 1: 5 23-04
4. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 21-10 97
Day 1: 5 21-10
4. Casey Scanlon Lanexa, KS 5 21-10 97
Day 1: 5 21-10
6. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 20-08 95
Day 1: 5 20-08
7. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 20-06 94
Day 1: 5 20-06
8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 20-01 93
Day 1: 5 20-01
9. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 5 19-14 92
Day 1: 5 19-14
10. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 19-05 91
Day 1: 5 19-05
11. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 19-03 90
Day 1: 5 19-03
11. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 19-03 90
Day 1: 5 19-03
13. Nate Wellman Newaygo, MI 5 18-15 88
Day 1: 5 18-15
14. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 18-14 87
Day 1: 5 18-14
15. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 18-13 86
Day 1: 5 18-13
16. Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 5 18-12 85
Day 1: 5 18-12
17. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 18-11 84
Day 1: 5 18-11
17. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 18-11 84
Day 1: 5 18-11
17. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 5 18-11 84
Day 1: 5 18-11
17. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 18-11 84
Day 1: 5 18-11
21. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 18-07 80
Day 1: 5 18-07
21. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 18-07 80
Day 1: 5 18-07
21. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 5 18-07 80
Day 1: 5 18-07
24. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 18-05 77
Day 1: 5 18-05
25. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 18-04 76
Day 1: 5 18-04
26. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 18-03 75
Day 1: 5 18-03
26. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 18-03 75
Day 1: 5 18-03
26. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 18-03 75
Day 1: 5 18-03
29. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 18-02 72
Day 1: 5 18-02
30. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 17-13 71
Day 1: 5 17-13
31. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 17-12 70
Day 1: 5 17-12
32. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 5 17-11 69
Day 1: 5 17-11
33. Jordan Lee Vinemont, AL 5 17-10 68
Day 1: 5 17-10
33. David Williams Maiden, NC 5 17-10 68
Day 1: 5 17-10
35. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 17-09 66
Day 1: 5 17-09
36. Kevin Hawk Guntersville, AL 5 17-08 65
Day 1: 5 17-08
36. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 17-08 65
Day 1: 5 17-08
38. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 17-07 63
Day 1: 5 17-07
39. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 5 17-05 62
Day 1: 5 17-05
39. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 17-05 62
Day 1: 5 17-05
41. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 17-01 60
Day 1: 5 17-01
41. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 17-01 60
Day 1: 5 17-01
43. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 16-14 58
Day 1: 5 16-14
43. David Smith Del City, OK 5 16-14 58
Day 1: 5 16-14
45. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 16-13 56
Day 1: 5 16-13
46. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 16-12 55
Day 1: 5 16-12
46. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 5 16-12 55
Day 1: 5 16-12
48. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 5 16-05 53
Day 1: 5 16-05
48. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 16-05 53
Day 1: 5 16-05
50. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 16-04 51
Day 1: 5 16-04
51. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 16-00 50
Day 1: 5 16-00
52. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 5 15-14 49
Day 1: 5 15-14
53. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 5 15-13 48
Day 1: 5 15-13
53. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 15-13 48
Day 1: 5 15-13
55. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 15-11 46
Day 1: 5 15-11
55. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 5 15-11 46
Day 1: 5 15-11
57. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 15-10 44
Day 1: 5 15-10
58. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 15-07 43
Day 1: 5 15-07
59. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 15-06 42
Day 1: 5 15-06
60. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 5 15-05 41
Day 1: 5 15-05
61. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 15-02 40
Day 1: 5 15-02
61. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 5 15-02 40
Day 1: 5 15-02
63. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 5 15-01 38
Day 1: 5 15-01
63. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 15-01 38
Day 1: 5 15-01
65. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 5 15-00 36
Day 1: 5 15-00
66. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 14-14 35
Day 1: 5 14-14
67. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 14-12 34
Day 1: 5 14-12
68. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 14-06 33
Day 1: 5 14-06
68. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 14-06 33
Day 1: 5 14-06
68. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 14-06 33
Day 1: 5 14-06
71. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 14-05 30
Day 1: 5 14-05
72. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 14-03 29
Day 1: 5 14-03
73. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 13-13 28
Day 1: 5 13-13
74. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 13-12 27
Day 1: 5 13-12
75. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 5 13-11 26
Day 1: 5 13-11
76. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 13-10 25
Day 1: 5 13-10
77. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 13-09 24
Day 1: 5 13-09
78. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 13-06 23
Day 1: 5 13-06
78. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 13-06 23
Day 1: 5 13-06
78. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 13-06 23
Day 1: 5 13-06
81. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 13-03 20
Day 1: 5 13-03
82. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 5 13-00 19
Day 1: 5 13-00
82. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 13-00 19
Day 1: 5 13-00
82. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 13-00 19
Day 1: 5 13-00
85. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 12-15 16
Day 1: 5 12-15
86. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 4 12-11 15
Day 1: 4 12-11
87. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 12-07 14
Day 1: 5 12-07
88. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 5 12-02 13
Day 1: 5 12-02
89. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 12-01 12
Day 1: 5 12-01
90. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 11-13 11
Day 1: 5 11-13
91. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 11-10 10
Day 1: 5 11-10
92. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 11-09 9
Day 1: 5 11-09
93. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 11-08 8
Day 1: 5 11-08
94. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 5 11-07 7
Day 1: 5 11-07
95. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 4 11-07 6
Day 1: 4 11-07
96. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 11-05 5
Day 1: 5 11-05
97. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 11-00 4
Day 1: 5 11-00
98. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 10-10 3
Day 1: 5 10-10
99. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 09-14 2
Day 1: 5 09-14
100. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 3 08-13 1
Day 1: 3 08-13
101. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 4 07-12 0
Day 1: 4 07-12
101. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 4 07-12 0
Day 1: 4 07-12
103. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 3 07-02 0
Day 1: 3 07-02
104. Joseph Sancho New Windsor, NY 3 06-05 0
Day 1: 3 06-05
105. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 1 03-07 0
Day 1: 1 03-07
106. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
107. Mike Kernan Wylie, TX 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 97 513 1641-01
———————————-
97 513 1641-01
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