Pipkens On Top After First Round At Mississippi River Bassmaster Elite

Chad Pipkens of Lansing, Mich., takes the lead on the first day of the Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River presented by Go RVing, bringing 17  pounds, 15 ounces to the scales on Thursday.

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

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Nonstop soaking rain, increasing river levels and heavy limits of big smallmouth and largemouth bass were of hot discussion after Thursday’s opening round of competition at the 2018 Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River presented by Go RVing.

Thirty-four-year-old pro Chad Pipkens of Lansing, Mich., took control of the top spot after an impressive five-bass limit that weighed 17 pounds, 15 ounces.

The derby pays $100,000 to the top-scoring angler, and the dandy 5-8 largemouth has Pipkens also in charge of the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award. That fish could earn him an extra $1,500 once the event wraps up.

“It rained all day long,” he said. “And with the rising river levels, I was very pleased with what I caught today. I had a pretty difficult practice, and I really wasn’t sure what to expect. But I learned a lot today. The big question is how will the water levels affect the bite each day.”

The Upper Mississippi is expected to be at 12 foot high by Sunday. Twelve feet is considered flood stage, which will certainly change the fishing from day to day.

The spot Pipkens was fishing proved to hold the right size of fish to help him take the lead, but he learned more about it as the day went on.

“I only caught seven bass today,” he said. “I had what I weighed by about 1 p.m., and that allowed me to run around and learn more about the overall area. I think the fishing will stay pretty good, even with more water coming in.”

Like every other angler, how the increasing river levels will impact the bite is a pretty big mystery.

“I really don’t have any idea what to expect. The key to catching a good limit each day here will come down to the anglers who adapt the quickest and make the best decisions,” Pipkens said. “Today went great, and my goal is to go out tomorrow and do the same thing again.”

In a tie for second place, Cliff Pace of Petal, Miss., and Jacob Powroznik of North Prince George, Va., each weighed a five-bass limit of 16-14.

“I got real fortunate today and caught three good ones,” Pace said. “Each of those bass weighed about 3 3/4 pounds, which on this fishery are very solid bass. If I can catch a few like that each day, I’ll feel very confident about finishing real strong, maybe even winning.”

Pace weighed a mixed bag of both small- and largemouth bass, which is very typical on this fishery. As most anglers do, Pace kept his cards pretty close to the vest, not willing to reveal much about the techniques he was using to catch his fish.

Powroznik agrees that how the river will fish in coming days is largely unknown.

“I fished only one area today that is pretty expansive, and I believe it will hold up for a few more days,” he said. “I feel confident about what I have going on, but with the unknowns in how the rising river will impact the bite, I’m staying cautiously optimistic. The right fish are there, I know that much.”

Rounding out the Top 5 are Dave Lefebre with 16-9, and Casey Ashley and Gerald Spohrer tied for fifth with 16-7.

Take off will occur at Veterans Freedom Park at 6 a.m. CT, and weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. at the same location again on Friday. The weigh-in will move for Saturday and Sunday to Valley View Mall on Clinton Street in La Crosse.

2018 Bassmaster Elite At Mississippi River Presenting Sponsor: Go RVing

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

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

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

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Elite Partner: Black Velvet Canadian Whisky

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.

2018 Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River presented by GO RVing 6/21-6/24
Mississippi River, La Crosse  WI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              5  17-15  110
Day 1: 5   17-15
2.  Cliff Pace             Petal, MS                5  16-14  109
Day 1: 5   16-14
2.  Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  5  16-14  109
Day 1: 5   16-14
4.  Dave Lefebre           Erie, PA                 5  16-09  107
Day 1: 5   16-09
5.  Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC              5  16-07  106
Day 1: 5   16-07
5.  Gerald Spohrer         Gonzales, LA             5  16-07  106
Day 1: 5   16-07
7.  Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL         5  16-06  104
Day 1: 5   16-06
8.  Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          5  16-05  103
Day 1: 5   16-05
8.  Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL                5  16-05  103
Day 1: 5   16-05
10. Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN          5  16-04  101
Day 1: 5   16-04
11. Darrell Ocamica        New Plymouth, ID         5  16-02  100
Day 1: 5   16-02
12. Jacob Wheeler          Harrison, TN             5  15-15   99
Day 1: 5   15-15
13. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  15-14   98
Day 1: 5   15-14
14. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  15-13   97
Day 1: 5   15-13
14. Gary Klein             Mingus, TX               5  15-13   97
Day 1: 5   15-13
14. Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH        5  15-13   97
Day 1: 5   15-13
17. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS         5  15-12   94
Day 1: 5   15-12
18. Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL             5  15-09   93
Day 1: 5   15-09
19. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL         5  15-08   92
Day 1: 5   15-08
20. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA              5  15-06   91
Day 1: 5   15-06
20. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  15-06   91
Day 1: 5   15-06
22. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX               5  15-04   89
Day 1: 5   15-04
22. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                5  15-04   89
Day 1: 5   15-04
22. Jonathon VanDam        Gobles, MI               5  15-04   89
Day 1: 5   15-04
25. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ     5  15-03   86
Day 1: 5   15-03
25. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  15-03   86
Day 1: 5   15-03
27. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  15-02   84
Day 1: 5   15-02
27. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            5  15-02   84
Day 1: 5   15-02
27. Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                5  15-02   84
Day 1: 5   15-02
30. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         5  15-00   81
Day 1: 5   15-00
30. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         5  15-00   81
Day 1: 5   15-00
32. Josh Bertrand          San Tan Valley, AZ       5  14-15   79
Day 1: 5   14-15
32. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          5  14-15   79
Day 1: 5   14-15
34. Fletcher Shryock       Dennison, OH             5  14-14   77
Day 1: 5   14-14
35. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  14-13   76
Day 1: 5   14-13
36. Chris Zaldain          Laughlin, NV             5  14-12   75
Day 1: 5   14-12
37. Matt Lee               Guntersville, AL         5  14-11   74
Day 1: 5   14-11
38. Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL         5  14-10   73
Day 1: 5   14-10
39. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX               5  14-09   72
Day 1: 5   14-09
40. Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL              5  14-08   71
Day 1: 5   14-08
40. Alton Jones Jr.        Waco, TX                 5  14-08   71
Day 1: 5   14-08
42. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL         5  14-07   69
Day 1: 5   14-07
43. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL             5  14-06   68
Day 1: 5   14-06
44. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  14-03   67
Day 1: 5   14-03
44. Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL            5  14-03   67
Day 1: 5   14-03
44. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY            5  14-03   67
Day 1: 5   14-03
47. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  14-00   64
Day 1: 5   14-00
47. John Murray            Spring City, TN          5  14-00   64
Day 1: 5   14-00
49. Mike McClelland        Bentonville, AR          5  13-15   62
Day 1: 5   13-15
50. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        5  13-14   61
Day 1: 5   13-14
51. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              5  13-11   60
Day 1: 5   13-11
52. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         5  13-10   59
Day 1: 5   13-10
53. Brent Ehrler           Redlands, CA             5  13-09   58
Day 1: 5   13-09
53. James Elam             Tulsa, OK                5  13-09   58
Day 1: 5   13-09
53. Shin Fukae             Palestine TX JAPAN       5  13-09   58
Day 1: 5   13-09
53. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA               5  13-09   58
Day 1: 5   13-09
57. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  13-08   54
Day 1: 5   13-08
57. Brandon Palaniuk       Hayden, ID               5  13-08   54
Day 1: 5   13-08
57. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             5  13-08   54
Day 1: 5   13-08
60. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             5  13-07   51
Day 1: 5   13-07
61. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          5  13-05   50
Day 1: 5   13-05
62. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  13-04   49
Day 1: 5   13-04
63. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  13-03   48
Day 1: 5   13-03
64. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  13-02   47
Day 1: 5   13-02
65. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  13-01   46
Day 1: 5   13-01
66. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI            5  12-15   45
Day 1: 5   12-15
67. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              5  12-14   44
Day 1: 5   12-14
68. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             5  12-10   43
Day 1: 5   12-10
68. Jordan Lee             Grant, AL                5  12-10   43
Day 1: 5   12-10
70. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               5  12-09   41
Day 1: 5   12-09
70. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL        5  12-09   41
Day 1: 5   12-09
72. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          5  12-08   39
Day 1: 5   12-08
73. Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN            5  12-07   38
Day 1: 5   12-07
73. Seth Feider            Bloomington, MN          5  12-07   38
Day 1: 5   12-07
73. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  12-07   38
Day 1: 5   12-07
76. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  12-06   35
Day 1: 5   12-06
76. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  12-06   35
Day 1: 5   12-06
78. Roy Hawk               Lk Havasu Cty, AZ        5  12-03   33
Day 1: 5   12-03
79. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN       5  12-02   32
Day 1: 5   12-02
80. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           5  12-01   31
Day 1: 5   12-01
81. Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL          5  11-15   30
Day 1: 5   11-15
82. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  11-13   29
Day 1: 5   11-13
83. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK              5  11-11   28
Day 1: 5   11-11
83. Ott DeFoe              Blaine, TN               5  11-11   28
Day 1: 5   11-11
85. Fred Roumbanis         Russellville, AR         5  11-08   26
Day 1: 5   11-08
85. Bill Weidler           Helena, AL               5  11-08   26
Day 1: 5   11-08
87. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            5  11-05   24
Day 1: 5   11-05
88. Jesse Wiggins          Cullman, AL              5  11-04   23
Day 1: 5   11-04
89. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR          5  11-03   22
Day 1: 5   11-03
90. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           4  11-03   21
Day 1: 4   11-03
91. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            5  10-14   20
Day 1: 5   10-14
92. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN            5  10-07   19
Day 1: 5   10-07
93. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK               5  10-05   18
Day 1: 5   10-05
94. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  09-15   17
Day 1: 5   09-15
95. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  09-13   16
Day 1: 5   09-13
96. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         3  09-09   15
Day 1: 3   09-09
97. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  09-07   14
Day 1: 5   09-07
98. Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC           5  09-05   13
Day 1: 5   09-05
99. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX         5  08-14   12
Day 1: 5   08-14
100. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            3  08-10   11
Day 1: 3   08-10
101. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               5  08-04   10
Day 1: 5   08-04
102. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            4  08-04    9
Day 1: 4   08-04
103. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              3  06-05    8
Day 1: 3   06-05
104. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  2  05-07    7
Day 1: 2   05-07
105. Adrian Avena           Vineland, NJ             2  04-02    6
Day 1: 2   04-02
106. David Walker           Sevierville, TN          1  02-02    5
Day 1: 1   02-02
107. Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        98       512      1400-08
———————————-
98       512      1400-08