2019 WON US Open on Lake Mead Day 2: Salvucci Scores Lead; Kerr 2nd

Double digit limits difficult

WON PRESS RELEASE

Nick Salvucci leads with 22.54lbs (Photo: WON) 

While rough conditions can make it hard on the anglers at the WON Bass U.S. Open, Lake Mead’s black bass population thrives in the wind. The problem for the field at the 2019 edition of the West’s most prestigious event, is that there has been very little to speak of. Those conditions mean that there will be a limited morning bite, then a grind for the rest of the day.

After finishing day one in second place with 11.35 pounds, Nick Salvucci proved to be the most consistent angler on day two when he brought 11.19 pounds to the Calville Bay scales to bring his total weight to 22.54 pounds, enough to take the lead heading into the final day. Salvucci and day one leader Justin Kerr swapped places when Kerr slipped, producing 8.05 pounds on day two, falling to second place with a total weight of 19.72 pounds.

That 2.82-pound differential can be massive on a body of water like Lake Mead. That margin, and one more day of fishing stand between Salvucci and the title he has wanted so badly for the past two years.

Despite the strong lead, Salvucci said he is anything but comfortable. “I really don’t know what to expect tomorrow,” he said. “I am covering as much water as I can, but when I’m getting six or seven bites a day, anything can happen.”

Salvucci reported being able to pare down the collection of rods on his deck, but that junk fishing remained the name of the game on day two. “I probably had 10 rods on the deck instead of 20, but I still caught fish on four different baits,” he said. “I have to get out there and see how it goes; but anything could still happen.”

Kerr said that his day boiled down to one word – imperfection. “I know that there’s still a chance, but I have to land everything that bites,” he said. “My partner and I both lost fish today, and you can’t win if that happens. My whole career has been about execution, and I’ll need to be perfect tomorrow to have a chance.”

The third place pro, Jim Moynagh, brought in 11.08 pounds on day two, a huge leap from his day one, 6.98-pound performance to bring his total weight to 18.64 pounds. He is followed by two-time U.S. Open Champion John Murray, who added 8.97 pounds today to bring his total weight to 18.55 pounds, enough to leap from 10^th place to fourth. Randy Estrada M.D. rounded out the top five by bringing 9.50 pounds to the scales to finish the day with 17.60 pounds.

ICAST 2018: Advanced Drop Shot Gene Larew's TattleTail Worm with John Murray

John Murrary is one of the best drop shot anglers in the worlds. So when he says the Gene Larew TattleTail worm is amazing you should listen. We caught up with John Murray at ICAST 2018 in the Gene Larew booth. Listen as he explains how to fish the TattleTail worm and swim a drop shot for more bass.

John Murray Wins 2017 BASS Elite Toledo Bend with 77-10lbs!

Two monster bass seal victory

By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

After spending 11 seasons on the Bassmaster Elite Series without a victory, John Murray was starting to think his window of opportunity might have already closed.

Now, he knows better.

Crankbait score big with last day heroics.
(Photo: BASS)

The West Coast native was in 34th place after Friday's second round and in danger of missing the final cut. But he made an enormous recovery with 23 pounds, 7 ounces Saturday and then slammed the door with 24-15 Sunday to win the Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend presented by Econo Lodge.

His final four-day total was 77-10.

"I've been on the Elite Series since its inception (in 2006)," said Murray, who earned $100,000 for the victory. "All that time I've been trying to win one, and I always thought I would. But as the years went by and the competition kept getting better and better, I was starting to think maybe it wasn't going to happen.

2017 BASS Elite Toledo Bend Day 3: Hartman's Lead Larger with 56-15!

New Yorker loves Toledo Bend

By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

For three days, Jamie Hartman has made southern fishing look easy.

Now, he needs one more good day to make his dreams come true.

Spawn key to Hartman's pattern.
(Photo: BASS)

The New York resident, who has readily admitted that he isn't familiar with the patterns and practices observed by bass that live in the lakes of the South, caught five Saturday that weighed 17 pounds, 14 ounces to push his three-day total to 56-15 in the Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend presented by Econo Lodge.

He will lead the remaining 12 anglers into Championship Sunday with a chance to earn $100,000 and his first B.A.S.S. victory.

"I'm absolutely, 100 percent pleased with the way things went today," said Hartman, who caught 23-5 and 15-12 the first two days of the tournament. "I'm just winging it, piecing things together, but it's all working out so far."

Hartman said he came to Toledo Bend this week expecting the spawn to be over. But when he realized it was still in full swing, he adjusted and turned his attention to spawn and prespawn fish.

They were his target again Saturday.

"I caught three fish on beds today," said Hartman, an Elite Series rookie fishing only his 13th B.A.S.S. event. "Then after that, the shallow stuff was over. I caught my next 12 fish in 32 feet of water. Those fish in deep water were all prespawn fish — big and fat."

Aaron Martens Wins BASS Elite Lake Havasu Tournament with 68-09lbs!

With 13 Second Place Finishes Martens Finally Wins. 

By Bryan Brasher

bass press release

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – Aaron Martens heard the chuckles from the crowd when he explained the primary pattern he used during the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels.

But as crazy as it sounded, he was serious.

Martens made a short run up the Colorado River each day and fished thick patches of shoreline vegetation where big largemouth bass were feeding on blackbirds. Flipping a bait designed to mimic their prey, he caught enough bass the first three days to enter Sunday’s championship round in fourth place.

Then during the championship round, he caught five bass that weighed 19-5 and took home the $100,000 first-place prize with a four-day total of 68-9.

Winning on Mother's Day overcame series of second places.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

He used a drop-shot rig some during the week, too. But after the final weigh-in, the buzz was about the birds.

“I do that all the time,” said Martens, who earned the victory on Mother’s Day with his own mother, Carol, in the crowd. “I don’t know why people don’t believe me when I say it. The birds fall out of the nest, and the bass eat them. Birds are definitely part of their diet.”

Martens used a 1/2- or 3/4-ounce weight and a 4/0 Heavy-Cover Gamakatsu hook rigged with a green pumpkin punch skirt and one of two plastic trailers. His choice of trailer was determined by which weight he was using – it was a large Rage Craw for the 1/2-ounce rig and a Speed Craw for the 3/4-ounce setup.

He paid special attention to areas where lots of blackbirds were nesting.

“I probably shouldn’t even be talking about it, because I’ve known about it for 25 years,” said Martens, who said several fish spit up black feathers in his livewell during the tournament. “I’ve caught them in California and had them spit up full-grown blackbirds.

2015 Bassmaster Elite Lake Havasu Day 2: Cliff Pirch 36-12lbs.

Murray Close Second as Locals Lead.

By Bryan Brasher

bass press release

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. - After two days, the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels has turned into a neck-and-neck battle between two home-state pros with a star-studded cast lurking not too far behind.

Cliff putting western edge to his advantage.
(Photo: Shaye Baker BASS)

Cliff Pirch, of Payson, Ariz., had an impressive catch of 19 pounds, 4 ounces Friday and took the lead with a two-day total 36-12.  John Murray of Phoenix caught 16-1 Friday to land in second, a little more than a pound back, with 35-9.

The anglers, who both have a long list of tournament victories on Lake Havasu, will lead the remaining field of 52 into Saturday, as they brace for the lake’s legendary weekend boat traffic.

“The increased boat traffic may hurt me, I just don’t know,” said Pirch, who finished second in a Bassmaster Open on Havasu in 2003. “It’s one of those things where you just hope you can make some adjustments and keep on fishing. It was tough out there today.”

2015 Bassmaster Elite Lake Havasu Day 1: Edwin Evers Leads with 20-07lbs!

E2 Battles Wind and Wins.

By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – The wind was blowing hard across Lake Havasu before daylight Thursday, and it only got worse throughout the day as it sometimes pushed 30 miles per hour.
But big gusts and even bigger waves weren’t enough to keep the scenic fishery on the California-Arizona border from showing just how far it’s come.

Edwin leads tight pack of pros. (Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

Oklahoma pro Edwin Evers caught five bass that weighed 20 pounds, 7 ounces to take the Day 1 lead in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels. He was one of 20 anglers to bring at least 16-0 to the scales on a day when many elected to fish close to the launch site instead of making rough journeys along the Colorado River.
Phoenix, Ariz., pro John Murray was second with 19-8. He was followed by Matthew Herren of Ashville, Ala., with 18-9; Randall Tharp of Port St. Joe, Fla., with 18-3; and Mike Kernan of Wylie, Tex., with 18-2.
“It was a great day, but I wasn’t really doing anything special,” Evers said. “It’s not like I’ve got one area I can go into and find a big school of fish. I’m going to have to fish new water all week, and hopefully find more fish like I caught today. The fish are out there, but it’s going to be a week of adjustments, for sure.”

A 20-pound bag was once considered virtually impossible on Havasu, but anglers raved Thursday about the lake’s metamorphosis. Murray, who has been fishing Havasu for three decades, said he once enjoyed fishing tournaments on the lake because he knew it wouldn’t take much to win.
He said things are different now.
“I’m fishing techniques I don’t normally fish, actually a technique that I used to win a tournament on this lake 23 years ago,” Murray said. “I’ve been fishing this lake since 1985. Back then, it took about 10 pounds to win here. I’m fishing the same spots now and just catching bigger fish.”
Murray said he believes the size of the bass on Havasu began improving when quagga mussels appeared during the early 1990s.
Quaggas are an invasive Ukrainian species that most believe were accidentally introduced into the lake. The mussels often settle in massive colonies that can block water intakes and affect municipal water supplies, causing billions of dollars in damage.
But Murray said the quaggas actually jumpstarted Havasu’s fish growth.
“Quagga mussels kicked the food chain into high gear,” Murray said. “Divers say the crawdads are all over the bottom, and the redear (sunfish) are growing to world-record size now. Before the quaggas showed up, fish this size just weren’t here.”
While some anglers were bothered by the high winds Thursday, others, like Murray, said it actually helped their cause on a lake as clear as Havasu.
“The wind is why they bite,” Murray said. “If we didn’t have the wind today, it would have been a battle – at least for my stuff. I saw the weather forecast, and I geared my tackle for the wind.”
If the forecast is correct and the wind is much lighter for Friday’s second round, Murray said he might have to use some new tricks to further his success. Tharp and other pros said it isn’t likely to have much effect on their tactics either way.
“I really only saw one other angler doing what I’m doing,” said Tharp, who needed the good day after finishing 61st, 84th and 98th in the first three Elite Series events of the season. “I caught my fish early and then spent most of the day running new water, looking for something I could use the rest of the week. I actually got three bites this afternoon and didn’t set the hook.
“I know it does for some, but I honestly don’t believe the wind makes any difference for what I’m doing.”
The tournament will resume with take-off at 6:15 a.m. Friday from Lake Havasu State Park. Weigh-in is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. back at the park, with only the top 52 anglers advancing to Saturday.

Keith Combs Wins Toyota Texas Bass Classic Again!

Keith Combs wins the 2013 TTBC on Lake Conroe by over 12 pounds.  

TTBC Press Release

Conroe, TX (October 6, 2013) – Entering the final day of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) on Lake Conroe, tournament leader Keith Combs was comfortably on edge.  He led his closest pursuer by 7 pounds, 8 ounces, but on a lake where a 9 pound largemouth crossed the stage on Friday, he knew that it would be a mistake to relax on the final day and coast to his second TTBC victory in the past three years.

Combs wins for the second time. Texas is his ticket.
(Photo:TTBC)

After opening round limits weighing 24 pounds, 8 ounces on Friday and 23 pounds, 4 ounces on Saturday, the Texas pro went to work on Sunday and put together a 15 pound limit on Lake Conroe.  Combs’ cumulative weight of 62 pounds, 12 ounces easily outdistanced the 2^nd place weight of John Murray by 12 pounds, 8 ounces.

 The wire-to-wire victory this week capped off a stellar 2013 season for Combs that included a Bassmaster Elite Series win on Falcon Lake this past March and a 5^th place finish in the Elite Series Toyota Angler Of the Year point standings.   Combs also became the first angler to earn a second TTBC championship ring after winning on Conroe in 2011.

 “It’s an incredible feeling,” said Combs after lifting the TTBC trophy.   “I know how good the other anglers in this tournament are, and it’s very humbling to come out on top.  Winning this title for the second time is definitely a major career accomplishment for me.”

Combs began the week as one of the tournament favorites, and he went on to execute his Lake Conroe game plan to perfection.  “My entire week was incredibly smooth,” he explained. “I never lost a single bass the entire week, and I was able to fish anywhere I wanted from the first cast of the tournament to the last cast.”

River2Sea Releases 8 New Baits at ICAST 2013

Richmond, CA - July 2, 2013 - River2Sea has long held a history of being aggressive at introducing new products to the industry at the annual ICAST Show, and 2014 is no different. The Richmond, Calif. based manufacturer of premium lures is poised to introduce eight new products at the industry show in Las Vegas next week.

Among those will be additions to the signature lines of Ish Monroe, Scott Martin, John Murray and Larry Dahlberg as well as a new signature introduction of bass fishing legend Tommy Biffle, a contest winning design and a new size to one of our best products. The signature products to be released are:

Tommy Biffle's Junkyard Jig - a jig made for the way this Flippin' legend operates, custom, short shank wide gap hook create and extremely compact jig with punch. Extra loud rattles on a custom Biffle designed head and hand tied skirts highlight this package.

Ish Monroe's New Jack Flippin' Hook - This extra strong straight shank Flippin' hook has a unique second eye / keeper barb that makes holding plastics easy, but also gives the angler a choice of tying a Snell Knot or most of the popular knots used by anglers today.

John Murray's Papa Mur Football Jig - A structure fishing king, Murray knows that a great jig starts with the right hook, and he designed this jig with a reverse gap round bend hook to maximize hook gap and fish holding power. An elongated Football head means less opening of the fish's mouth, and hand tied skirts make this a premium structure jig named after one of the best structure anglers in the business.

FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion): Post Tournament

By Luigi De Rose

Lake Erie is a demanding place to fish. It's loaded with bass; world class smallmouth fishing at its best. But, Erie can be a treacherous place when the wind blows. That is my number one reason I will not entry as a co-angler on any of the Great Lakes. Numerous friends who fished as co-anglers have harrowing experiences from sea sickness to permanent back problems. How bad was it on the last day of the FLW EverStart Northern tournament? Well Bob Izumi, a Canadian super star and Great Lakes specialist, sheered the three port side bolts that held his trolling motor.  Being a veteran tournament angler, he had the parts to fix the problem. "I have spares of spares but I had to drive to a protected areas to fix the trolling motor." explained Izumi.

Problems
Bassmaster Elite angler John Murray had mechanical problems the last day and needed to be toed in. He joked that it will take him 20 years to payoff the fee of being brought back to shore. This mishap cost him dearly and kept him from a higher finish. He finished tenth.

Lawrence Mazur, the champion of Lake Erie, explained that in his preparation for this tournament, he installed two bow mounted transducers and two graphs. He knew equipment failure would occur. His efforts payed off with a win. He explained that during the tournament one transducer broke and one of his graphs also broke. Without having a backup his success would have been very limited.

Erie Deep
Another interesting fact was the depth fished. All of the anglers focused very deep except Mike Desforges. Lawrence Mazur had his best success in 57 to 70 feet deep. That is lake trout deep! Second place angler Gaspar Costabile worked 42 to 46 feet of water. Third place angler Simon Frost didn't reveal exact depths but alluded he was deep. Mike Desforges, in fourth, buck the trend and worked spinnerbaits and jerkbaits in water in the mid teens.

Hope you liked my two cents on this tournament. A lot of good anglers illustrated that fishing on the Great Lakes focuses on three key elements: location, equipment, determination. Each angler took a lot of time to find the correct locations and then had the nerve to drive in rough seas to arrive there. Equipment failure is part of the game under such demanding conditions, so be prepared.

FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion) Day 3: Mazur Wins Erie

Pecore wins co-angler title during Northern Division contest

20.Aug.2011

By David A. Brown

FLW PRESS RELASE

Mazur was the only one to bring in a big bag on the final day.
(Photos: David S. Brown FLW )

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Lawrence Mazur of Lancaster, N.Y., weighed a five-bass limit totaling 20 pounds, 1 ounce Saturday to win the EverStart Series Northern Division event on Lake Erie with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 64 pounds, 8 ounces. For his victory, Mazur earned $26,722 and a 198VX Ranger boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard motor.

“It was a tough, tough run, but I made it,” said Mazur. “I’m speechless. It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been at this a long time and had a lot of letdowns, but I finally put it all together.”

FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion) Day 2: Constabile Takes Command of Erie.

By Luigi De Rose

"Gaspare is the MAN!" explains outdoor writer and former Niagara resident, Lonnie King. Today Gaspare didn't disappoint with another 22-11 pound limit, vaulting him into the lead. His two day total of 44-13 is good enough for first but just barely. Lawrence Mazur, of nearby Lancaster New York, stunned the crowd with a whopping 24-03 bag today, lifting him into second. His two day creel is 44-07, just 6 ounces shy of the Gaspare. Even more impressive was his co-angler, Nicolas Supik, who's day 2 bag weighed 24-03. That's almost 50 pounds of smallmouth from one boat! Most people who have such a banner day wish they were in a tournament, luckily for Lawence and Nicolas they were.

In third place is John Voyles, Petersburg In, with a 20-08 bag today. Yesterday, he also had a 20 pound plus day and sits just off the lead. First day co-leader Simon Frost, St. Catherines, On slipped a bit. He managed 18-14 and fell to fourth. Another solid angler who did untypically poor on day 1, Mike Desforges roared into fifth place on the back of a 20-12 bag of smallmouth.

The rest of the top ten looks like this:
6  CHRIS JOHNSTON  PETERBOROUGH, ON  37-07  
7  JOHN MURRAY  PHOENIX, AZ  37-04  
8  BARRY PRINGLE  WELLAND, ON  36-12  
9  BRAD BRODNICKI  AMHERST, NY   36-06  
10  BOB IZUMI  MILTON, ON  36-06  

Six of the top 10 are from Ontario and all can do well. Note that Bob Izumi was the winner at the last EverStart on Lake Ontario. Bob is eight pounds off the lead so it looks like it he'll not win but you never know. Once thing is clear, Izumi will be leading the Northern EverStart point race by the end of this tournament.

This will be a game of ounces so expect a very close tournament.
Be back soon.

FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion Day 1: Press Release

Co-angler Ramsier sacks 20-plus in EverStart Northern

18.Aug.2011 by David A. Brown

Gaspare a close second due to penalty.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – EverStart Northern Division anglers started today with two expectations: First, Lake Erie holds the potential for smallmouth quantity and quality. Second, the great lake would make anglers work for their weights. Suffice it to say that Erie delivered on both levels.

We’ll get the latter out of the way right off the bat. Sparing everyone the whimsical analogies, Lake Erie was downright rough. Winds kicked up to 15-mph and seas rose to eight feet. That’s nothing new for Erie, as the shallowest of the Great Lakes is easily stirred. However, that’s no consolation for those who spent eight hours in the relentless slop.

No one’s complaining – this is all voluntary recreation. Nevertheless, a lot of worn-out and nearly psyched-out anglers crossed the stage today with tales of brutal poundings, broken trolling motors and motion sickness.

FLW EverStart Northern Lake Erie (Eastern portion) Day 1: Frost and Brodnicki Tie for first!

Big Weights result in a Tie for Lead. 
By Luigi De Rose

Frost in  first.
(Photos: David A Brown FLW)

I was humble during the last EverStart tournament when I predicted the winner and almost the entire top 5 but today I really predicted well. Simon Frost and Brad Brodnicki tied for first with a 22-05. Amazingly, Gaspare Costabile actually was the leader but fell to a first day weight of 22-02 due to a dead fish penalty. John Voyles captured fourth with a great bag 21-08 and Bassmaster Elite angler, John Murray landed fifth with 21-02. Three out of five isn't bad for odds.

Fishing was great on Erie for the ones who had located them. The top 6 anglers all had over 20 pounds and the rest of the top 10 had over 18 pounds. With so many local guys doing well it is politically incorrect to pick a leader or stronger angler. Barry Pringle and Derek Strub are both in the top 10 and  Chris Johnson is in 11th with 18 pounds. Again, never count out Bob Izumi or Mike Desforges. They are too talented to ever dismiss. I'll give it another day but my faves are Frost and Costabile.

The official press release will be up shortly.

Top 20
1  BRAD BRODNICKI  AMHERST, NY 5 22-05             
1  SIMON FROST  ST. CATHARINES, ON 5 22-05         
3  GASPARE COSTABILE  NIAGARA FALLS, ON 5 22-02         
4  JOHN VOYLES  PETERSBURG, IN 5 21-08                
5  JOHN MURRAY  PHOENIX, AZ 5 21-02                 
6  LAWRENCE MAZUR  LANCASTER, NY 5 20-04            
7  BARRY PRINGLE  WELLAND, ON 5 19-07                 
8  JESS CARABALLO  DANBURY, CT 5 18-15               
9  DEREK STRUB  ELORA, ON 5 18-10                
10  BILL CHAPMAN  SALT ROCK, WV 5 18-07           
11  CHRIS JOHNSTON  PETERBOROUGH, ON 5 18-06       
12  DANIEL WELCH  NEW MARTINSVILLE, WV 5 18-03              
13  RANDY YARNALL  WOMELSDORF, PA 5 18-01             
14  MATT STASIAK  PITTSBURGH, PA 5 17-14                
15  FAB MARCHESE  ANCASTER, ON 5 17-08              
15  STEVE VOROS  SPRINGFIELD, ON 5 17-08              
17  ALVARO LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ  SAINT CHARLES, IL 5 17-07               
18  GEORGE LAMBETH  THOMASVILLE, NC 5 17-05               
19  KEVIN SHORT  MAYFLOWER, AR 5 17-04            
20  DENIS KREZE  FORT ERIE, ON 5 17-03 

Bassmaster Elite Diamond Drive Arkansas River Day 3: Denny Domination

Denny Brauer Remains the Leader after Day 3

By Deb Johnson
BASS Press Release

Brauer Still on Top.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — If they’re honest about it, most bass pros would have to admit they’ve learned from Denny Brauer. Saturday, the famed pro from Camdenton, Mo., schooled some of the best in the business by keeping his lead for the third day in the Bassmaster Elite Series Diamond Drive.
Brauer’s catch of 10 pounds, 12 ounces, fended off the changing lineup of fellow Elite pros who have been doing their best all week to wreck Brauer’s chance at a 17th Bassmaster victory. But with 44-13 over three days, Brauer stayed 10-2 ahead of Saturday’s frontline challenger, John Murray of Phoenix, Ariz., who ended his day in second place with 34-11.
Only the top 12 anglers after three days made it to Sunday’s final round. They will compete for $100,000, a 2012 Bassmaster Classic berth, and points in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
Murray, among others in the Top 12, said he was resigned to fishing for second place on Sunday. But Brauer, a pro who has captured the sport’s most coveted titles — Bassmaster Classic champ and Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year — still was not convinced that a 10-pound lead was enough to win no matter what Day Four brought.

Bassmaster Elite Diamond Drive Arkansas River Day 3: Mid Day Up-Date

By Luigi De Rose

On any river that has commercial barge traffic or electric generation, Saturday is always a different day. River traffic and water flow changes dramatically due to so many people not working on the weekends and a decrease in electrical energy demands. What all this means to the fisherman is that the current created by barge traffic or water flowing through turbines, is less and the bass reposition. If the current tapers off to a dribble expect the bite to die. 

According to bassmaster.com, the mid-day report's unofficial weights looks like this:
standing/name/fish/day 3 weigth/total
1 Denny Brauer 3 6-00 40-01
2 John Murray 4 10-09 33-12
3 Aaron Martens 5 12-00 33-06
4 Jonathan VanDam 5 16-00 31-10
5 Ish Monroe 5 10-08 31-07
6 Gerald Swindle 5 10-00 30-11
7 Billy McCaghren 2 3-12 28-03
8 Kevin VanDam 1 2-00 27-11
9 Timmy Horton 5 13-05 27-01
10 Keith Combs 3 5-00 24-10
11 Greg Vinsom 2 3-04 24-09
12 Takahiro Omori 1 2-01 24-07
13 Clark Rheem 2 3-03 23-15
14 Ben Parker 4 8-11 23-10
15 Randy Howell 3 5-13 23-09

Another factor is the locks. Yesterday, 5 anglers arrived late to the ramp due to delays with the locks and all suffered a late penalty. If one of the leaders comes in late today and their day's weight has deductions, the leader board can change in a hurry. Jonathan Van Dam is a great example of how one good day on the Arkansas River will change everything. On day 1 he scored a big ZERO and on day 2 his five fish limit weighted 15-10 lifting him into the Top 50. It appears he is doing well again and has leaped into the Top 10.
Stay tuned!

Bassmaster Elite Diamond Drive Arkansas River Day 2: Denny Brauer In Total Command!

By Luigi De Rose


Denny Brauer's monster 19 pound plus bag puts him in the lead. KVD in second nearly 10 pounds behind. The final cut, to make the top 50, weight was just about 12 pounds. Kevin Van Dam has taken over the lead for the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year. He is in position to claim his 4th consecutive AOY title.

The Top 5
place/name/fish/weight
1 Dennis Brauer 10 34- 1
2 Kevin VanDam 10 25-11
3 Billy McCaghren 9 24- 7
4 John Murray 10 23- 3
5 Takahiro Omori 10 22- 6
Stay tuned!