Omori’s Morning Flurry Helps Him Take Lead At Lake Martin Elite Series Event

Takahiro Omori of Emory, Texas, takes the lead on the second day of the 2018 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge out of Alexander City, Ala., with a two-day total weight of 32 pounds, 11 ounces.

                                                                                          Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Since the Bassmaster Tournament Trail hasn’t visited Lake Martin for a major event in more than 15 years, the belief coming into this week’s Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge was that veteran local anglers with recent experience on the fishery had a chance to dominate.

But after two days, the top of the leaderboard includes a guy from Japan, a rookie from Arizona and a longtime pro from Washington State.

So much for local domination.

Takahiro Omori, a Japanese angler who now lives Texas, caught 14 pounds, 9 ounces and jumped from second place into the lead with a two-day weight of 32-11. He’s followed by newcomer Roy Hawk of Arizona (28-12), who is fishing his first-ever Elite Series event, and Washington angler Luke Clausen, who joined the Elite Series last year after a long and successful career on the FLW Tour.

Omori said most of his fish came early — and from one magical spot.

“I don’t want to tell anybody about that spot because I’ve got to go back tomorrow,” Omori said. “It’s a really good spot, but it’s about all I have.”

In the interest of saving fish for the final two days of the tournament, Omori left his best area well before lunchtime and went looking for something else similar.

“After I left that spot, I started practicing,” Omori said. “I tried to find another place to fish, and I couldn’t find it.

“I still have to be open-minded because this time of the year, anything can happen.”

Despite heavy rains in the forecast for the next two days, Omori said he believes the spot will still be good.

“We had a pretty good rain Sunday night and then another one Wednesday night,” he said. “So, the spot should be okay.”

Omori’s lead over Hawk is nearly 4 pounds, but Hawk came on strong during Friday’s second round with a catch of 17-1. Unlike many anglers who weighed in mostly spotted bass, Hawk weighed in four largemouth and only one spot.

“I don’t know if what I did today is repeatable,” Hawk said. “But I think I can catch some fish, and I’m having a lot of fun doing it.

“I’m moving around a lot, and as I’m going along the bank, I’m kind of targeting different things. A lot of the key largemouth are coming on specific things, but I’m catching spots in between.”

Hawk’s catch was anchored by a largemouth that weighed 5-2, and he already had a 3 1/2-pounder in his livewell when that fish bit.

Clausen caught the bulk of his fish during the afternoon hours and jumped from 16th place on Day 1 into third with a Day 2 catch of 15-4.

“It’s been kind of slow for me in the mornings,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve had a limit before 10 o’clock either day. Then in the afternoons, it gets right. I’ve had some flurries in the afternoons when you catch them every cast for five to seven casts.”

Clausen has weighed all spotted bass the first two days — and since spots can be unpredictable in overcast conditions, the weather forecast has him wondering how things will go the rest of the way.

“That’s the scary thing about spots,” he said. “I have to say I would much rather have sun than I would overcast because spots have a tendency to roam a lot more in that. So, I don’t know if I’ll be able to target them as well.”

Second-year Elite Series pro Jesse Wiggins (fourth, 27-0) was the only Alabama angler in the Top 6. He was followed by veteran California pro Jared Lintner (fifth, 26-13) and New Jersey pro Adrian Avena (sixth, 26-5).

Only the Top 51 remaining anglers will take part in Saturday’s semifinal round, and only the Top 12 after Saturday will advance to Championship Sunday with a chance to win the $100,000 first-place prize.

Daily takeoffs will be held at 6:15 a.m. CT from Wind Creek State Park with weigh-ins scheduled back at the park for 2:40 p.m.

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.

2018 Bassmaster Elite At Lake Martin Presenting Sponsor: Econo Lodge

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Abu Garcia, Berkley

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt

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 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 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, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, 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, jmatthews@bassmaster.com or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com

Note: The 2018 B.A.S.S. Media Guide is now available on Bassmastermedia.com.

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge 2/8-2/11
Lake Martin, Alexander City  AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

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

1.  Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX               10  32-11  110
Day 1: 5   18-02     Day 2: 5   14-09
2.  Roy Hawk               Lk Havasu Cty, AZ       10  28-12  109
Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   17-01
3.  Luke Clausen           Otis Orchards, WA       10  28-00  108
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   15-04
4.  Jesse Wiggins          Cullman, AL             10  27-00  107
Day 1: 5   15-05     Day 2: 5   11-11
5.  Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA       10  26-13  106
Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   12-14
6.  Adrian Avena           Vineland, NJ            10  26-05  105
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   16-05
7.  Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC          10  26-05  104
Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 5   14-09
8.  Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ    10  25-09  103
Day 1: 5   13-10     Day 2: 5   11-15
9.  Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL        10  25-04  102
Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 5   11-11
10. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN           10  25-01  101
Day 1: 5   14-09     Day 2: 5   10-08
11. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             10  24-10  100
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   07-01
12. Alton Jones Jr.        Waco, TX                10  24-07   99
Day 1: 5   12-01     Day 2: 5   12-06
13. James Elam             Tulsa, OK               10  24-04   98
Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   11-14
14. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              8  24-02   97
Day 1: 5   19-13     Day 2: 3   04-05
15. Jonathon VanDam        Gobles, MI              10  24-02   96
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   10-10
16. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ         10  24-02   95
Day 1: 5   11-00     Day 2: 5   13-02
17. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ             10  23-12   94
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   13-00
18. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL        10  23-11   93
Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   13-05
19. Ott DeFoe              Blaine, TN              10  23-10   92
Day 1: 5   09-10     Day 2: 5   14-00
20. Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL             10  23-09   91
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   12-10
21. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL          10  23-07   90
Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   08-15
22. Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL            10  23-07   89
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   10-15
23. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS        10  23-04   88
Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 5   10-05
24. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA            10  23-03   87
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   12-00
25. Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN         10  23-02   86
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   12-06
26. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC             10  22-15   85
Day 1: 5   10-10     Day 2: 5   12-05
27. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY           10  22-14   84
Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 5   12-10
28. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            10  22-14   83
Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 5   12-07
29. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX              10  22-13   82
Day 1: 5   10-05     Day 2: 5   12-08
30. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC             10  22-12   81
Day 1: 5   11-06     Day 2: 5   11-06
31. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL               10  22-11   80
Day 1: 5   11-04     Day 2: 5   11-07
32. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK           10  22-10   79
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   11-07
32. Matt Lee               Guntersville, AL        10  22-10   79
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   11-07
34. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL           10  22-08   77
Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 5   09-02
35. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA              10  22-07   76
Day 1: 5   12-03     Day 2: 5   10-04
36. Shin Fukae             Palestine TX JAPAN      10  22-06   75
Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   12-00
37. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN        10  22-05   74
Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 5   10-09
38. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX             10  22-03   73
Day 1: 5   12-07     Day 2: 5   09-12
39. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL        10  22-01   72
Day 1: 5   09-14     Day 2: 5   12-03
40. Josh Bertrand          San Tan Valley, AZ      10  22-00   71
Day 1: 5   08-12     Day 2: 5   13-04
41. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN           10  22-00   70
Day 1: 5   10-11     Day 2: 5   11-05
42. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL        10  21-15   69
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 5   12-02
43. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS               10  21-12   68
Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 5   11-08
44. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI             10  21-11   67
Day 1: 5   09-03     Day 2: 5   12-08
45. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA              10  21-10   66
Day 1: 5   14-13     Day 2: 5   06-13
46. David Walker           Sevierville, TN         10  21-10   65
Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   07-05
47. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT           10  21-10   64
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   09-13
48. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              10  21-10   63
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   10-09
49. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO        10  21-07   62
Day 1: 5   09-01     Day 2: 5   12-06
50. Brent Ehrler           Redlands, CA            10  21-04   61
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   10-08
51. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA         10  20-12   60
Day 1: 5   14-01     Day 2: 5   06-11
52. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS        10  20-11   59
Day 1: 5   11-08     Day 2: 5   09-03
53. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY             10  20-11   58
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   09-12
54. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL              10  20-10   57
Day 1: 5   10-08     Day 2: 5   10-02
55. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL        10  20-09   56
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   08-01
56. Mike McClelland        Bentonville, AR         10  20-09   55
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   08-12
57. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC          10  20-08   54
Day 1: 5   11-09     Day 2: 5   08-15
58. Gerald Spohrer         Gonzales, LA            10  20-08   53
Day 1: 5   10-09     Day 2: 5   09-15
59. Fletcher Shryock       Dennison, OH            10  20-07   52
Day 1: 5   09-07     Day 2: 5   11-00
60. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  9  20-06   51
Day 1: 4   05-15     Day 2: 5   14-07
61. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK              10  20-05   50
Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 5   08-07
62. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN           10  20-04   49
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   09-08
63. Fred Roumbanis         Russellville, AR        10  20-04   48
Day 1: 5   10-08     Day 2: 5   09-12
64. Chris Zaldain          Laughlin, NV            10  20-03   47
Day 1: 5   10-03     Day 2: 5   10-00
65. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA               10  20-00   46
Day 1: 5   09-10     Day 2: 5   10-06
66. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             9  19-14   45
Day 1: 4   05-12     Day 2: 5   14-02
67. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL            10  19-13   44
Day 1: 5   09-06     Day 2: 5   10-07
68. Jordan Lee             Grant, AL               10  19-11   43
Day 1: 5   08-09     Day 2: 5   11-02
69. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL            10  19-08   42
Day 1: 5   08-11     Day 2: 5   10-13
70. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL        10  19-07   41
Day 1: 5   11-06     Day 2: 5   08-01
71. Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH       10  19-05   40
Day 1: 5   08-01     Day 2: 5   11-04
72. Brandon Palaniuk       Hayden, ID              10  19-05   39
Day 1: 5   08-05     Day 2: 5   11-00
73. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX        10  19-05   38
Day 1: 5   09-07     Day 2: 5   09-14
74. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC            10  19-00   37
Day 1: 5   07-04     Day 2: 5   11-12
75. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR         10  19-00   36
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   07-15
76. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI           10  19-00   35
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   09-00
77. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL        9  18-14   34
Day 1: 5   09-15     Day 2: 4   08-15
78. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK             10  18-11   33
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   08-11
79. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          10  18-11   32
Day 1: 5   09-12     Day 2: 5   08-15
80. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR         10  18-09   31
Day 1: 5   09-00     Day 2: 5   09-09
81. Gary Klein             Mingus, TX              10  18-08   30
Day 1: 5   09-08     Day 2: 5   09-00
82. Darrell Ocamica        New Plymouth, ID        10  18-07   29
Day 1: 5   09-14     Day 2: 5   08-09
83. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL         10  18-01   28
Day 1: 5   07-06     Day 2: 5   10-11
84. Dave Lefebre           Erie, PA                10  18-00   27
Day 1: 5   09-07     Day 2: 5   08-09
85. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           8  17-14   26
Day 1: 4   10-04     Day 2: 4   07-10
86. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA         10  17-13   25
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   07-01
87. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN      10  17-13   24
Day 1: 5   09-03     Day 2: 5   08-10
88. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS              10  17-11   23
Day 1: 5   07-09     Day 2: 5   10-02
89. Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN           10  17-11   22
Day 1: 5   07-14     Day 2: 5   09-13
90. Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL         10  17-11   21
Day 1: 5   07-15     Day 2: 5   09-12
91. Seth Feider            Bloomington, MN         10  17-08   20
Day 1: 5   09-15     Day 2: 5   07-09
92. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX              10  17-08   19
Day 1: 5   09-03     Day 2: 5   08-05
93. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               9  17-02   18
Day 1: 4   07-11     Day 2: 5   09-07
94. Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL           10  17-01   17
Day 1: 5   10-02     Day 2: 5   06-15
95. Jacob Wheeler          Harrison, TN            10  17-00   16
Day 1: 5   07-11     Day 2: 5   09-05
96. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA             10  16-09   15
Day 1: 5   10-01     Day 2: 5   06-08
97. John Murray            Spring City, TN         10  16-03   14
Day 1: 5   08-03     Day 2: 5   08-00
98. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX          10  15-14   13
Day 1: 5   08-10     Day 2: 5   07-04
99. David Fritts           Lexington, NC           10  15-11   12
Day 1: 5   05-12     Day 2: 5   09-15
100. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            9  15-08   11
Day 1: 5   08-03     Day 2: 4   07-05
101. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          9  15-02   10
Day 1: 5   09-03     Day 2: 4   05-15
102. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL        10  15-01    9
Day 1: 5   07-12     Day 2: 5   07-05
103. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  8  14-08    8
Day 1: 3   06-12     Day 2: 5   07-12
104. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                8  14-00    7
Day 1: 3   03-08     Day 2: 5   10-08
105. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR           10  13-12    6
Day 1: 5   08-00     Day 2: 5   05-12
106. Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX                7  13-08    5
Day 1: 2   04-05     Day 2: 5   09-03
107. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK              8  10-08    4
Day 1: 4   05-01     Day 2: 4   05-07
108. Bill Weidler           Helena, AL               4  10-04    3
Day 1: 3   08-13     Day 2: 1   01-07
109. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          4  08-14    2
Day 1: 2   03-13     Day 2: 2   05-01
110. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           6  07-10    1
Day 1: 5   06-10     Day 2: 1   01-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       100       533      1139-10
2       101       532      1107-00
———————————-
201      1065      2246-10