Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., takes the lead on the first day of the 2017 GoPro Bassmaster Elite at Lake Dardanelle presented by Econo Lodge, bringing 19 pounds, 3 ounces to the scales on Friday.
June 2, 2017
VanDam Leads First Round At Lake Dardanelle Bassmaster Elite
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RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Bass-fishing superstar Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., is in an early position to win a record-breaking 24th Bassmaster title. After weighing 19 pounds, 3 ounces, the four-time Classic champion is leading the GoPro Bassmaster Elite at Dardanelle presented by Econo Lodge.
With $100,000 and valuable Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points on the line, VanDam fully understands what’s at stake. But even the seasoned veteran was surprised at today’s results.
“I’ve had mixed results on Dardanelle. I got second to Mark Menendez in 2009, and had a terrible tournament in 2014,” VanDam said. “But I know the bass in this lake move around a lot, which makes staying consistent difficult sometimes. I’m actually very pleasantly surprised with my weight today, and the rest of the field did better than I had expected.”
The seven-time Angler of the Year caught his limit early, but made a substantial upgrade later in the day that nicely augmented his five-bass limit.
“I caught two big fish that really helped,” he said. “I learned some things today, but on Dardanelle you can’t always bet on a pattern holding — you have to stay flexible. I don’t believe the forecasted storms will have much impact on how and where I’m fishing, but duplicating today’s weight would surprise me again.”
There has been plenty of discussion about the high, muddy water, but VanDam said the bass are still eager to bite, and replicating a pattern on similar structure across the lake is key to his approach.
“I feel like I know what I need to look for under these conditions,” he said. “After I had a limit, I spent a lot of time running around and practicing for the coming days.”
Ott DeFoe of Knoxville, Tenn., anchored his second-place, 18-12 limit of largemouth bass with a 6-pounder that was key to his first round success.
“This lake can be stingy, but catching that big one today really helped set me up for a strong start,” DeFoe said.
Like most anglers during the first day, the 31-year-old DeFoe was tight-lipped about how and where he was fishing, but he is known for fishing an area thoroughly instead of moving around a lot.
“Over the years I’ve learned that after several times through an area, the biggest fish will often come from a spot I’ve already fished,” he said. “Never leave biting fish.”
Tim Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., won the second Elite event of the 2017 season at Florida’s famed Lake Okeechobee, and he’ll be starting Saturday’s second day of competition in third place after weighing 18-7.
“I feel pretty good about what I’m doing,” Horton said. “The weather forecast is calling for rain over the next couple of days, and I think it could help me. My better bites happened this morning when it was cloudy, and I hope I can keep that pattern going.
David Mullins of Mt. Carmel, Tenn., caught a 6-pound, 8-ounce largemouth that is currently leading the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award.
Saturday’s second round of competition will resume with takeoff at 6:15 a.m. CT at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Weigh-in will occur in the same location at 3:15 p.m.
The Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo will also take place at Lake Dardanelle State Park on Saturday and Sunday beginning at noon. The expo will feature boat and motor demo rides by Skeeter, Yamaha, Nitro, Triton and Mercury. Toyota will be onsite with interactive displays such as designing your own lure and a NASCAR video game vs. your friend. Other companies including GoPro, Econo Lodge, Huk, Berkley and Power-Pole will also be onsite featuring their latest products. All venues and activities are free and open to the public.
The event is hosted by the Russellville Advertising and Promotion Commission.
2017 GoPro Bassmaster Elite at Lake Dardanelle presented by Econo Lodge 6/2-6/5
Lake Dardanelle, Russellville AR.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 19-03 110
Day 1: 5 19-03
2. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 18-12 109
Day 1: 5 18-12
3. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 18-07 108
Day 1: 5 18-07
4. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 17-07 107
Day 1: 5 17-07
5. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 17-05 106
Day 1: 5 17-05
6. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 17-02 105
Day 1: 5 17-02
7. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 16-12 104
Day 1: 5 16-12
7. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 16-12 104
Day 1: 5 16-12
9. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 16-10 102
Day 1: 5 16-10
10. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 16-09 101
Day 1: 5 16-09
11. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 16-07 100
Day 1: 5 16-07
12. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 16-06 99
Day 1: 5 16-06
13. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 16-04 98
Day 1: 5 16-04
14. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 16-03 97
Day 1: 5 16-03
15. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 16-02 96
Day 1: 5 16-02
16. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 16-01 95
Day 1: 5 16-01
17. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 5 16-00 94
Day 1: 5 16-00
18. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 15-14 93
Day 1: 5 15-14
19. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 15-08 92
Day 1: 5 15-08
20. Fred Roumbanis London, AR 5 15-07 91
Day 1: 5 15-07
21. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 15-02 90
Day 1: 5 15-02
22. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 14-14 89
Day 1: 5 14-14
23. Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ 5 14-10 88
Day 1: 5 14-10
24. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 14-06 87
Day 1: 5 14-06
25. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 14-05 86
Day 1: 5 14-05
25. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 14-05 86
Day 1: 5 14-05
27. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 5 13-14 84
Day 1: 5 13-14
28. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 5 13-13 83
Day 1: 5 13-13
29. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 5 13-11 82
Day 1: 5 13-11
30. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 13-10 81
Day 1: 5 13-10
31. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 5 13-09 80
Day 1: 5 13-09
31. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 13-09 80
Day 1: 5 13-09
33. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 5 13-05 78
Day 1: 5 13-05
34. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 13-02 77
Day 1: 5 13-02
35. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 13-01 76
Day 1: 5 13-01
36. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 12-15 75
Day 1: 5 12-15
37. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 5 12-13 74
Day 1: 5 12-13
38. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 12-11 73
Day 1: 5 12-11
39. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 12-11 72
Day 1: 5 12-11
40. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 12-10 71
Day 1: 5 12-10
41. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 12-05 70
Day 1: 5 12-05
41. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 12-05 70
Day 1: 5 12-05
43. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 12-01 68
Day 1: 5 12-01
43. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 12-01 68
Day 1: 5 12-01
45. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 12-00 66
Day 1: 5 12-00
45. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 12-00 66
Day 1: 5 12-00
47. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 11-15 64
Day 1: 5 11-15
48. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 5 11-13 63
Day 1: 5 11-13
48. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 5 11-13 63
Day 1: 5 11-13
50. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 11-12 61
Day 1: 5 11-12
50. James Elam Tulsa, OK 5 11-12 61
Day 1: 5 11-12
52. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 11-10 59
Day 1: 5 11-10
52. David Williams Newton, NC 5 11-10 59
Day 1: 5 11-10
54. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 11-09 57
Day 1: 5 11-09
55. John Murray Spring City, TN 5 11-08 56
Day 1: 5 11-08
55. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 11-08 56
Day 1: 5 11-08
57. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 11-07 54
Day 1: 5 11-07
57. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 5 11-07 54
Day 1: 5 11-07
59. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 5 11-01 52
Day 1: 5 11-01
59. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 11-01 52
Day 1: 5 11-01
61. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 10-14 50
Day 1: 5 10-14
62. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 10-13 49
Day 1: 5 10-13
63. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 10-11 48
Day 1: 5 10-11
64. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 10-07 47
Day 1: 5 10-07
65. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 10-06 46
Day 1: 5 10-06
66. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 10-05 45
Day 1: 5 10-05
66. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 10-05 45
Day 1: 5 10-05
68. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 10-04 43
Day 1: 5 10-04
68. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 10-04 43
Day 1: 5 10-04
70. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 4 10-04 41
Day 1: 4 10-04
71. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 10-01 40
Day 1: 5 10-01
72. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 4 10-00 39
Day 1: 4 10-00
73. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 09-15 38
Day 1: 5 09-15
74. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 09-14 37
Day 1: 5 09-14
75. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 4 09-11 36
Day 1: 4 09-11
76. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 09-10 35
Day 1: 5 09-10
77. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 4 09-10 34
Day 1: 4 09-10
78. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 09-08 33
Day 1: 5 09-08
79. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 09-07 32
Day 1: 5 09-07
80. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 5 09-01 31
Day 1: 5 09-01
81. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 5 08-15 30
Day 1: 5 08-15
82. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 5 08-11 29
Day 1: 5 08-11
83. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 08-09 28
Day 1: 5 08-09
84. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 4 08-08 27
Day 1: 4 08-08
85. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 4 08-05 26
Day 1: 4 08-05
86. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 4 08-04 25
Day 1: 4 08-04
87. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 4 08-03 24
Day 1: 4 08-03
88. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 4 08-02 23
Day 1: 4 08-02
89. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 4 07-09 22
Day 1: 4 07-09
90. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 4 07-04 21
Day 1: 4 07-04
91. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 4 07-01 20
Day 1: 4 07-01
92. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 4 06-14 19
Day 1: 4 06-14
93. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 3 06-14 18
Day 1: 3 06-14
94. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 06-09 17
Day 1: 5 06-09
95. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 4 06-02 16
Day 1: 4 06-02
96. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 3 06-02 15
Day 1: 3 06-02
97. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 4 05-13 14
Day 1: 4 05-13
98. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 3 05-10 13
Day 1: 3 05-10
99. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 3 05-08 12
Day 1: 3 05-08
100. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 1 05-00 11
Day 1: 1 05-00
101. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 3 04-13 10
Day 1: 3 04-13
102. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 2 04-07 9
Day 1: 2 04-07
103. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 2 04-02 8
Day 1: 2 04-02
104. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 2 04-00 7
Day 1: 2 04-00
105. Seth Feider Isle, MN 2 03-05 6
Day 1: 2 03-05
106. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 2 03-01 5
Day 1: 2 03-01
107. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 1 01-12 4
Day 1: 1 01-12
108. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
108. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 80 487 1213-10
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80 487 1213-10