Mark Davis of Mount Ida, Ark., takes the lead on the second day of the GoPro Bassmaster Elite at Lake Dardanelle presented by Econo Lodge bringing a two-day total weight of 33 pounds, 9 ounces to the scales.
June 3, 2017
Arkansas Native Mark Davis Takes Lead At Lake Dardanelle Bassmaster Elite
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RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Mark Davis of Mount Ida, Ark., is no stranger to tough tournaments, and during Saturday’s second round of competition, he caught 19 pounds, 4 ounces of bass to take the lead at the GoPro Bassmaster Elite at Lake Dardanelle presented by Econo Lodge. His two-day total is 33-9.
Davis has accomplished nearly everything during his distinguished career on the Bassmaster tour, including three Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles and one Bassmaster Classic world championship in 1995.
One thing has escaped him, however — a good finish on Lake Dardanelle.
“Dardanelle has been my career nemesis,” Davis said. “I live only an hour and a half from here, and I’ve always struggled. I’d have a good practice and be excited about getting the tournament started, then have a hard time even catching a limit.”
For someone who has done so much in this sport, a win here would mean a lot to the 54-year-old angler.
“It would be huge to win this tournament,” he said. “This place has whipped me down so many times, it feels good to just do well. I would love to finally conquer these bass, and I think I am on the right fish to make it happen.”
Davis said he has a few productive spots, and is burning quite a bit of gas running between them.
“I’m making a pretty long run up the river, and one of my most productive spots is very small,” he said. “So small, in fact, it takes just one easy cast to effectively cover it. But I keep catching fish off of it, so there’s something special going on there.”
He believes an average of 16 to 17 pounds per day will keep an angler in the hunt to win.
“It’s very easy to not catch them on this lake,” he said. “But, I’m fishing where the right fish are, and this is the kind of fishery where you can’t force it. These bass are experienced, they’ve seen it all and can be hard to fool from time to time. But by slowing down and letting it happen, I feel like I’m making good decisions. Hopefully I can stay consistent and it’ll finally pay off for me at Dardanelle.”
To prove the point about how easy it can be to lose track of Dardanelle bass, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., fished for over six hours Saturday without catching a single keeper.
“Painful,” VanDam said when asked to define his second day. “Everything I did this morning was wrong. At this level you can’t make bad decisions and expect to win.”
The four-time Classic champion’s pattern produced 19-3 during Friday’s opening round, but fizzled out Saturday forcing him to improvise and quickly adapt.
“This lake is changing by the minute, which means the bass are repositioning just as often,” he said. “Staying on active fish requires moving around a lot and trying multiple presentations.”
With time dwindling, VanDam slowed down and focused on making very precise casts to specific pieces of structure, which ultimately produced 12-8 taking his two-day total to 31-11, which was good enough to start Sunday’s semifinal round in second place.
David Mullins of Mount Carmel, Tenn., is still in position to win the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award, thanks to a 6-8 largemouth he caught Friday.
The field will be cut to the Top 51 anglers for Sunday’s semifinal round. Competition will resume with take-off at 6:15 a.m. CT at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Weigh-in will occur in the same location at 3:15 p.m.
However, fans can come out early and enjoy the Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo beginning at noon. Companies including GoPro, Econo Lodge, Huk, Berkley and Power-Pole will be onsite featuring their latest products. Skeeter, Yamaha, Nitro, Triton and Mercury will be giving free boat and motor demo rides. Toyota will also be onsite with interactive displays such as designing your own lure and a NASCAR video game vs. your friend. 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 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 33-09 110 $500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 19-04
2. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 31-11 109
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 12-08
3. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 31-09 108
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 14-04
4. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 30-13 107
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 14-01
5. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 30-13 106
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 14-03
6. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 10 30-01 105
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 16-08
7. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 30-01 104
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 14-09
8. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 9 29-13 103
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 4 13-07
9. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 29-09 102
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 14-07
10. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 29-01 101
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 11-15
11. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 10 28-15 100
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 10-03
12. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 10 28-15 99
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 15-01
13. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 28-12 98
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 12-09
14. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 9 28-09 97
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 4 11-02
15. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 10 27-12 96
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 13-07
16. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 27-11 95
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 16-14
17. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 27-07 94
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 11-00
18. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 27-07 93
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 15-06
19. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 27-07 92
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 15-02
20. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 27-06 91
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 11-08
21. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 27-00 90
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 10-15
22. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 26-15 89
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 15-06
23. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 26-15 88
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 14-10
24. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 26-15 87
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 14-00
25. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 10 26-14 86
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 10-14
26. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 26-11 85
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 11-13
27. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 10 26-10 84
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 12-15
28. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 10 26-09 83
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 17-10
29. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 10 26-05 82
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 14-13
30. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 26-03 81
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 09-10
31. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 26-02 80
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 13-08
32. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 25-14 79
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 12-12
33. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 25-13 78
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 15-09
34. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 25-04 77
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 09-02
35. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 9 25-03 76
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 4 08-07
36. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 25-03 75
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-08
37. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 25-00 74
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-05
38. James Elam Tulsa, OK 10 24-15 73
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 13-03
39. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 10 24-12 72
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 10-15
40. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 24-10 71
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 14-06
41. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 9 23-10 70
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 4 07-06
42. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 23-07 69
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 11-07
43. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 7 23-02 68
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 2 04-11
44. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 10 23-01 67
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 14-00
45. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 10 23-00 66
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 09-11
46. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 10 22-15 65
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 09-06
47. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 22-14 64
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 11-07
48. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 22-00 63
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 11-15
49. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 21-12 62
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 12-05
50. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 10 21-11 61
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 09-14
51. Fred Roumbanis London, AR 9 21-10 60
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 4 06-03
52. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 8 21-10 59
Day 1: 4 08-08 Day 2: 4 13-02
53. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 10 21-04 58
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 08-07
54. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 21-04 57
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 09-08
55. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 20-08 56
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 10-09
56. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 9 20-03 55
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 4 09-02
57. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 20-01 54
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 09-12
58. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 9 20-00 53
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 4 07-15
59. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 19-13 52
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 08-15
60. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 19-13 51
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 10-03
61. John Murray Spring City, TN 9 19-12 50
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 4 08-04
62. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 19-12 49
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 09-07
63. Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ 6 19-10 48
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 1 05-00
64. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 9 19-05 47
Day 1: 4 07-04 Day 2: 5 12-01
65. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 9 19-03 46
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 4 10-08
66. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 9 19-02 45
Day 1: 4 05-13 Day 2: 5 13-05
67. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 9 19-01 44
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 4 08-00
68. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 9 19-01 43
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 4 10-08
69. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 9 18-10 42
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 4 07-15
70. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 9 18-09 41
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 4 06-15
71. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 7 18-06 40
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 2 04-00
72. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 18-05 39
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 07-15
73. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 6 18-03 38
Day 1: 1 05-00 Day 2: 5 13-03
74. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 8 18-02 37
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 3 08-04
75. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 7 17-14 36
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 2 04-04
76. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 9 17-11 35
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 4 07-04
77. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 9 17-07 34
Day 1: 4 07-01 Day 2: 5 10-06
78. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 9 17-03 33
Day 1: 4 08-03 Day 2: 5 09-00
79. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 8 17-02 32
Day 1: 4 06-02 Day 2: 4 11-00
80. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 9 17-02 31
Day 1: 4 08-04 Day 2: 5 08-14
81. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 7 17-01 30
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 2 04-00
82. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 7 17-01 29
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 2 05-04
83. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 7 17-00 28
Day 1: 4 10-00 Day 2: 3 07-00
84. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 8 16-15 27
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 5 10-01
85. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 8 16-13 26
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 5 10-11
86. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 16-10 25
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 5 10-01
87. David Williams Newton, NC 8 16-06 24
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 3 04-12
88. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 8 16-06 23
Day 1: 4 06-14 Day 2: 4 09-08
89. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 7 16-05 22
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 5 12-05
90. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 6 15-15 21
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 5 14-03
91. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 6 15-12 20
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 3 10-04
92. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 7 15-06 19
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 2 03-15
93. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 7 15-03 18
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 2 03-04
94. Seth Feider Isle, MN 6 15-01 17
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 4 11-12
95. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 7 14-09 16
Day 1: 2 04-02 Day 2: 5 10-07
96. David Fritts Lexington, NC 8 14-06 15
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 3 04-14
97. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 7 14-04 14
Day 1: 4 09-11 Day 2: 3 04-09
98. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 6 13-14 13
Day 1: 4 10-04 Day 2: 2 03-10
99. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 7 13-04 12
Day 1: 4 08-05 Day 2: 3 04-15
100. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 7 13-04 11
Day 1: 4 07-09 Day 2: 3 05-11
101. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 7 13-03 10
Day 1: 4 08-02 Day 2: 3 05-01
102. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 12-00 9
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
103. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 10-02 8
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 05-11
104. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 4 09-10 7
Day 1: 4 09-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
105. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 08-11 6
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 3 05-10
106. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 3 07-00 5
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-00
107. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 4 06-08 4
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 1 01-11
108. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 3 05-10 3
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
109. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 80 487 1213-10
2 65 451 1080-13
——————————
145 938 2294-07