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July 31, 2015
Evers Rockets Into Lead In Bassmaster Elite On The St. Lawrence River
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WADDINGTON, N.Y. — With the bass still scattered after a late spawn, anglers haven’t gotten a lot of bites during the first two rounds of the Evan Williams Bourbon Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.
They’ve been concentrating more on finding quality bites — smallmouth or largemouth bass weighing 4 pounds or more apiece — and no one has found better quality so far than Oklahoma angler Edwin Evers.
After catching 21 pounds, 3 ounces during Thursday’s opening round, Evers added five gorgeous smallmouth bass that weighed 22-9 Friday and jumped into the lead with a two-day total of 43-12.
His Friday catch, which was the largest of the day for the 107-angler field, gave him a solid cushion over second-place angler Skeet Reese (40-5) of California and third-place angler Josh Bertrand (39-12) of Arizona.
“I’ve only been getting about seven or eight bites a day these first two days,” Evers said. “But I’ve been getting good bites, and they’ve been coming early. I spent the second half of both days practicing and just trying to find more stuff like I’m doing.”
Evers said he was concerned coming into the event after locating only four bass on the second day of practice — a time by which he usually likes to have a big part of his game plan nailed down. He also said it could be a little nerve-racking going back out Saturday, knowing he doesn’t have a large number of fish located.
But his consistency in the first two rounds has put him in position to do something that’s never been done on the Bassmaster Elite Series. After winning BASSfest on Kentucky Lake last month, he could become the first angler to win back-to-back tournaments since the Elite Series was formed 10 years ago.
“That would be awesome, but there’s a lot of fishing left,” Evers said. “There’s just not a lot of fish in any one spot. So we’ll just have to see how it goes.”
Day 1 leader Shaw Grigsby proved just how unpredictable the fishing is on the river right now. After a tournament-best catch of 22-15 Thursday, Grigsby caught just two fish that weighed 3-13 Friday and missed the semifinal cut after falling all the way to 76th place.
Such collapses were common Friday, and they cleared a path for anglers like Reese and Bertrand to make a move.
After landing in ninth place with 20-8 Thursday, Reese caught 19-13 Friday and rose to second with 40-5. He’s one of the few anglers in the field who has been catching good numbers of bass.
“I caught a lot of fish today, probably 40 or better,” Reese said. “It was a fun day. Last time we were here, I didn’t make it to Saturday. So I’m glad to make the cut and get to go fishing again tomorrow.”
Like Evers, Bertrand said his bites were few and far between Friday. But he still managed five bass that weighed 20-11 and moved into third with 39-12.
“Luckily, out of the bites I got, I put them all in the boat — and they were good quality,” Bertrand said. “I’ve caught them really by ‘junk fishing.’”
Unlike the other anglers at the top of the leaderboard, Bertrand was open about the technique he’s using. He’s said he’s been using a drop-shot rig, and the fishing has been extremely slow.
“My two best fish today came from totally different depths,” Bertrand said. “One was up in 10 feet and one was down in 30. That’s sort of the way it’s working. There hasn’t been any flurry when you can catch several fish in a row.”
Alabama angler Aaron Martens caught 17-11 Friday and moved into 12th place with 37-3.That allowed him to maintain a slim lead over Arizona pro Dean Rojas in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
Rojas caught 18-3 and moved into 24th place with 34-9. With 501 points on the season, Rojas trails Martens by eight points in the AOY standings.
The field was trimmed to 50 after Friday’s round, with pros needing at least 30-8 to make the cut. Oklahoma angler Tommy Biffle was the last man in.
Those Top 50 anglers will leave Whittaker Park at 6:15 a.m. ET Saturday with the weigh-in scheduled back at the park at 3:15 p.m. Only the Top 12 anglers after Saturday will advance to Sunday’s championship round.
2015 Evan Williams Bourbon Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River 7/30-8/2
St. Lawrence River, Waddington NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 43-12 100 $500.00
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 22-09
2. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 40-05 99
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 19-13
3. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 10 39-12 98
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 20-11
4. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 39-07 97
Day 1: 5 21-07 Day 2: 5 18-00
5. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 10 38-11 96
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 19-03
6. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 38-10 95
Day 1: 5 21-04 Day 2: 5 17-06
7. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 10 38-00 94
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 17-09
8. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 37-14 93
Day 1: 5 19-14 Day 2: 5 18-00
9. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 10 37-14 92
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 19-10
10. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 37-11 91
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 16-01
11. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 37-07 90
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 18-08
12. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 37-03 89
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 17-11
13. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 10 36-14 88
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 19-09
14. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 36-11 87
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 18-10
15. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 10 36-07 86
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 17-08
16. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 36-07 85
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 18-14
17. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 36-01 84
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 17-09
18. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 10 35-15 83
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 18-12
19. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 35-11 82
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 14-09
20. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 10 35-09 81
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 16-11
21. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 10 35-03 80
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 17-00
22. Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 10 35-00 79
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 16-10
23. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 34-12 78
Day 1: 5 20-12 Day 2: 5 14-00
24. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 34-09 77
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 18-03
25. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 34-06 76
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 17-02
26. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 34-02 75
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 16-03
27. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 34-01 74
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 16-13
28. David Williams Maiden, NC 10 33-10 73
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 19-06
29. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 10 33-01 72
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 17-09
30. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 33-01 71
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 16-04
31. Nate Wellman Newaygo, MI 10 32-15 70
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 14-01
32. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 32-15 69
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 15-12
33. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 10 32-14 68
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 15-13
34. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 32-13 67
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 14-11
35. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 10 32-13 66
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 16-01
36. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 10 32-10 65
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 15-02
37. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 32-07 64
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 19-11
38. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 10 32-01 63
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 12-07
39. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 10 31-13 62
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 14-00
40. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 31-10 61
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 14-09
41. Jordan Lee Vinemont, AL 10 31-09 60
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 15-09
42. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 10 31-06 59
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 17-08
43. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 31-01 58
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 19-08
44. Randy Howell Springville, AL 10 31-00 57
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 13-03
45. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 30-15 56
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 15-00
46. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 10 30-13 55
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 14-05
47. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 30-13 54
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 16-03
48. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 10 30-11 53
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 12-09
49. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 30-10 52
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 15-12
50. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 30-08 51
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 13-15
51. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 10 30-07 50
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 14-10
52. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 9 30-06 49
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 4 14-06
53. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 30-05 48
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 13-02
54. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 30-01 47
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 11-10
55. Mike Kernan Wylie, TX 10 30-00 46
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 16-01
56. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 8 29-15 45
Day 1: 5 20-12 Day 2: 3 09-03
57. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 10 29-13 44
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 16-07
58. Joseph Sancho New Windsor, NY 10 29-13 43
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 13-10
59. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 29-06 42
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 12-14
60. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 29-05 41
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 15-05
61. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 29-01 40
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 16-08
62. Kevin Hawk Guntersville, AL 9 29-01 39
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 4 13-08
63. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 28-15 38
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 10-15
64. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 28-15 37
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 12-13
65. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 28-14 36
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 16-04
66. Casey Scanlon Lanexa, KS 10 28-11 35
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 14-12
67. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 28-07 34
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 14-03
68. James Elam Tulsa, OK 10 28-05 33
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 15-12
69. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 28-05 32
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 14-11
70. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 27-15 31
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 13-15
71. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 27-13 30
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 12-08
72. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 10 27-05 29
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 17-03
73. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 27-04 28
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 13-04
74. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 10 27-03 27
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 13-08
75. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 10 26-15 26
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 15-01
76. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 7 26-12 25
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 2 03-13
77. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 26-06 24
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 12-02
78. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 10 26-05 23
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 08-09
79. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 26-00 22
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 15-05
80. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 25-15 21
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 16-01
81. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 8 25-03 20
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 3 07-00
82. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 8 23-10 19
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 3 08-04
83. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 8 23-06 18
Day 1: 3 11-02 Day 2: 5 12-04
84. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 10 22-15 17
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 11-15
85. David Smith Del City, OK 10 22-13 16
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 08-06
86. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 8 22-04 15
Day 1: 4 11-07 Day 2: 4 10-13
87. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 9 22-02 14
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 4 07-10
88. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 9 21-12 13
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 4 08-04
89. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 10 21-10 12
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 09-11
90. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 8 21-00 11
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 3 09-14
91. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 7 19-13 10
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 2 04-01
92. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 9 19-08 9
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 4 08-12
93. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 6 19-07 8
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 1 03-12
94. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 9 19-07 7
Day 1: 4 09-03 Day 2: 5 10-04
95. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 6 19-03 6
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 1 05-02
96. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 6 19-03 5
Day 1: 3 11-12 Day 2: 3 07-07
97. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 7 18-08 4
Day 1: 4 11-05 Day 2: 3 07-03
98. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 7 18-07 3
Day 1: 2 07-03 Day 2: 5 11-04
99. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 7 18-02 2
Day 1: 4 12-10 Day 2: 3 05-08
100. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 17-12 1
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 5 10-10
101. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 7 17-05 0
Day 1: 2 05-11 Day 2: 5 11-10
102. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 7 17-04 0
Day 1: 2 07-02 Day 2: 5 10-02
103. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 8 16-12 0
Day 1: 4 09-10 Day 2: 4 07-02
104. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 9 15-14 0
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 4 06-00
105. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 6 14-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 1 03-12
106. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 4 13-04 0
Day 1: 4 13-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
107. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 6 12-14 0
Day 1: 4 07-14 Day 2: 2 05-00
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 95 515 1648-14
2 85 487 1461-09
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180 1002 3110-07
