May 8, 2015
Arizona Elite Series Anglers Lead The Field At Lake Havasu
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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.
Payson, Ariz., angler Cliff Pirch had an impressive catch of 19 pounds, 4 ounces Friday and took the lead with a two-day total of 36-12. John Murray of Phoenix, Ariz., 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 amateur victories on Lake Havasu, will lead the remaining field of 52 anglers 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 event 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.”
Pirch’s biggest competition Friday wasn’t recreational boat traffic, but rather the high volume of Elite Series pros who were crowded into the areas he’s been fishing. He said the increased pressure, combined with several near misses on good fish early, almost caused him to lose focus.
“I cut one off on the first cast, and when I stood up from re-rigging, there were eight guys fishing around me,” Pirch said. “I was on kind of a community hole, and I got my head out of the game a little bit. I had to leave and go do some other stuff. But I finally got some things going, and it went really well after that.”
Pirch said anglers who spent Thursday sight fishing might have run out of fish and filtered into the area he was fishing Friday out of desperation.
“I had three to four times the guys on the areas where I wanted to fish today than what I had yesterday,” he said. “They didn’t have anything today, so the best thing to do is kind of see what other guys are doing.”
Though Pirch didn’t say exactly how he was fishing, he said he’s using a finesse tactic that requires a spinning reel and lighter line than the pros sometimes use on other fisheries where the water isn’t as clear. He lost four of the first five fish that bit Friday, and he’s being forced to handle every fish carefully.
Most of the bass he’s weighed this week have taken several minutes to land – and since B.A.S.S. rules prohibit a landing net, each has been an adventure.
“These are postspawn fish that aren’t really weighing what they should,” Pirch said. “But they’re big-framed fish, and you have to take it easy with them.”
One of the few anglers in the field this week with as much experience on Lake Havasu as Pirch is Murray.
The 50-year-old angler, who said Thursday he has been fishing the lake since 1985, amended that to 1978 Friday, remembering he caught his first-ever tournament bass on Havasu when he was still in high school.
He spent Thursday fishing areas he’s known for years and caught a good bag of 19-8 despite not finding bunches of fish in any one area. He did the same thing Friday and added 16-1 to his total.
Just as he embraced the high winds on Thursday and Friday, he said he’s actually looking forward to the flood of recreational boat traffic Saturday.
“You’ll start hearing the boats fire up about 10 o’clock, and that’s when the fish turn on,” Murray said. “They like the boat traffic. The boats spook the shad and all the other baitfish, and the bass start biting. Until you start hearing the big boats start, it won’t get right.”
Murray said his fish came from random areas Friday, just as they did Thursday. That worries him heading into Day 3.
“It always scares you, because you don’t have one place you can go,” Murray said. “But tomorrow’s Saturday, so I know I’ll be getting a check. Today, I was stressing. Tomorrow, I’ll fish a little more relaxed.”
All of the 52 anglers who qualified for Saturday’s semifinal round will all earn at least $10,000, but only the Top 12 from Saturday’s weigh-in will advance to Sunday’s championship round with a chance to compete for the $100,000 first-place prize.
Behind Pirch and Murray are Edwin Evers (34-8), Matthew Herren (33-0), Brandon Palaniuk (32-14), Chris Lane (32-9) and Randy Howell (32-4).
Pirch, as the leader on the second day of the tournament, will be awarded the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $500.
Saturday’s take-off is scheduled for 6:15 a.m. PT from Lake Havasu State Park, with the weigh-in scheduled back at the park at 3:15 p.m. PT.
2015 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels 5/7-5/10
Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City AZ.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 36-12 100 $500.00
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 19-04
2. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 10 35-09 99
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 16-01
3. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 34-08 98
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 14-01
4. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 33-00 97
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 14-07
5. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 32-14 96
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 18-08
6. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 10 32-09 95
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 17-04
7. Randy Howell Springville, AL 10 32-04 94
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 16-13
8. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 10 32-02 93
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 15-15
9. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 10 31-15 92
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 14-03
10. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 31-13 91
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 13-10
11. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 31-10 90
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 16-06
12. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 10 31-06 89
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 13-07
13. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 31-03 88
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 16-01
14. Mike Kernan Wylie, TX 10 31-02 87
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 13-00
15. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 31-00 86
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 16-04
16. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 30-12 85
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 15-08
17. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 30-09 84
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 16-00
18. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 30-08 83
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 14-05
19. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 30-08 82
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 14-12
20. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 30-06 81
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 15-04
21. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 30-03 80
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 14-05
22. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 30-03 79
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 15-10
23. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 10 30-02 78
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 16-04
24. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 30-01 77
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 12-04
25. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 30-01 76
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 14-11
26. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 29-13 75
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 13-14
27. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 29-09 74
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 17-03
28. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 29-09 73
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 12-14
29. Jared Miller Norman, OK 10 29-09 72
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 16-02
30. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 10 29-09 71
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 13-09
31. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 29-08 70
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 12-13
32. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 10 29-06 69
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 13-01
33. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 29-05 68
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 14-09
34. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 29-03 67
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 13-09
35. Casey Scanlon Lanexa, KS 10 29-01 66
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 12-10
36. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 29-00 65
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 16-07
37. Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 10 29-00 64
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 14-11
38. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 10 28-15 63
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 16-03
39. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 28-12 62
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 13-11
40. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 10 28-10 61
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 14-12
41. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 10 28-08 60
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 14-13
42. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 10 28-05 59
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 13-15
43. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 28-03 58
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 12-10
44. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 28-03 57
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 14-09
45. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 10 28-02 56
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 16-00
46. David Williams Maiden, NC 10 27-12 55
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 11-04
47. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 10 27-12 54
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 12-07
48. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 27-09 53
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 13-02
49. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 10 27-08 52
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 10-13
50. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 27-08 51
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 13-07
51. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 9 27-07 50
Day 1: 4 11-03 Day 2: 5 16-04
52. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 27-07 49
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 15-08
53. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 27-06 48
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 12-15
54. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 27-04 47
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 13-12
55. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 27-00 46
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 12-08
56. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 26-15 45
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 12-04
57. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 10 26-10 44
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 15-01
58. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 8 26-08 43
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 3 09-02
59. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 10 26-01 42
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 17-13
60. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 10 26-01 41
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 10-12
61. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 26-01 40
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-02
62. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 10 25-14 39
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 13-14
63. Kevin Hawk Guntersville, AL 10 25-12 38
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 09-08
64. David Smith Del City, OK 10 25-12 37
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 11-06
65. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 25-08 36
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 11-14
66. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 10 25-06 35
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 14-01
67. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 10 25-04 34
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 11-13
68. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 25-02 33
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 11-15
69. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 10 24-15 32
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 10-09
70. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 24-15 31
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 12-12
71. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 24-14 30
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 12-00
72. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 8 24-13 29
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 5 18-13
73. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 24-05 28
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 10-00
74. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 10 24-04 27
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 11-05
75. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 23-15 26
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 11-09
76. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 10 23-14 25
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 11-12
77. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 8 23-11 24
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 3 08-02
78. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 23-11 23
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 13-09
79. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 10 23-11 22
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 11-09
80. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 9 23-07 21
Day 1: 4 08-14 Day 2: 5 14-09
81. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 9 23-04 20
Day 1: 4 10-01 Day 2: 5 13-03
82. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 23-04 19
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 12-05
83. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 10 23-03 18
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 11-10
84. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 8 22-15 17
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 3 10-08
85. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 9 22-14 16
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 4 10-02
86. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 10 22-13 15
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 09-08
87. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 22-13 14
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 11-11
88. Byron Velvick Boenre, TX 8 22-06 13
Day 1: 3 06-05 Day 2: 5 16-01
89. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 10 22-06 12
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 09-07
90. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 8 22-05 11
Day 1: 3 07-05 Day 2: 5 15-00
91. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 9 21-10 10
Day 1: 4 10-05 Day 2: 5 11-05
92. Nate Wellman Newaygo, MI 10 21-01 9
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 10-07
93. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 9 20-14 8
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 4 09-15
94. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 10 20-12 7
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-07
95. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 8 20-05 6
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 3 07-13
96. James Elam Tulsa, OK 8 19-13 5
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 5 12-12
97. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 7 19-10 4
Day 1: 2 04-02 Day 2: 5 15-08
98. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 6 19-07 3
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 1 03-11
99. Jordan Lee Vinemont, AL 8 19-02 2
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 3 06-09
100. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 8 19-01 1
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 5 11-13
101. Matt Lee Auburn , AL 8 18-11 0
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 5 12-01
102. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 9 18-07 0
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 4 08-14
103. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 9 17-08 0
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 4 09-04
104. Joseph Sancho New Windsor, NY 7 16-12 0
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 4 11-04
105. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 9 16-10 0
Day 1: 4 08-06 Day 2: 5 08-04
106. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 7 15-12 0
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 5 10-05
107. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 6 14-08 0
Day 1: 4 09-08 Day 2: 2 05-00
108. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 8 14-07 0
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 5 09-12
109. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
110. Stephen Longobardi Northford, CT 5 12-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 3 08-15
111. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 6 12-06 0
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 3 06-11
112. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 2 03-03 0
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 93 524 1457-04
2 96 524 1422-05
——————————
189 1048 2879-09
