Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., takes the lead on the second day of the 2018 Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Black Velvet, with a two-day total weight of 50 pounds, 1 ounce.
Aug. 24, 2018
Tennessee Angler Brandon Lester Takes Command At St. Lawrence River Bassmaster Elite
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WADDINGTON, N.Y. — In dramatic Bassmaster fashion, a new leader took the helm during the second round of official competition at the Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Black Velvet.
The fishing slowed down overall during the second day of the derby, but a staggering 52 limits exceeding 20 pounds on Day 1 will be hard to top. However, 34 limits were produced on Friday that also surpassed the 20-pound mark.
Thanks to a giant five-bass limit of smallmouth bass that tipped the scales at 25 pounds, 13 ounces, Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., took charge going into Saturday’s semi-final round.
Lester’s two-day total is now 50-1.
The 107-angler field has been cut to the Top 50, and the 30-year-old Lester is looking to claim the $100,000 first-place prize money and notch his first Bassmaster Elite Series title with two days to go.
“Today was a lot of fun, and I’m super thankful for the big bass I was able to bring to the scales,” he said. “But it was a tougher bite. I caught a lot more little bass, which tells me there aren’t as many dominant, big smallmouth bass on each spot as there were yesterday.”
While still confident, Lester expects the weights to continue to decrease as the event continues — a regular occurrence during multi-day bass tournaments.
“It’s no secret that almost everybody is catching bass on a dropshot, but I’m doing something a little bit differently with my presentation, which seems to be getting more attention from the larger bass,” Lester said.
“My plan won’t change much, and I’m confident the right fish are still using the spots I’m focusing on,” he said. “I’m excited to get back out there and hopefully catch another 20 pounds or more tomorrow.”
With this event being the final regular-season Elite Series tournament, the race for valuable Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points is tightening up. Only the Top 50 pros in season points will advance on to the AOY championship on Georgia’s Lake Chatuge in mid-September.
Fellow Tennessee pro David Walker pushed his two-day total to 49-6, thanks to a hefty 22-14 limit on Friday, which currently has him in second place.
Unfortunately, he won’t be competing in the AOY Championship after a relatively tough season. But he’s in great position to potentially take home his second Elite Series title.
“It’s been a long time since I won one of these, and I really want to win this one,” Walker said. “I’m on the right fish, and I’m dialed into how they are using the current to feed. I have enough spots that are continuing to produce for me that I feel very confident in catching another heavy limit tomorrow.”
Arizona’s Josh Bertrand caught five bass today that weighed 22-14 for third place and a two-day total of 48-9.
Bertrand is in a tight race for Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. He trails the frontrunner, Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Ala., who has 713 AOY points to Bertrand’s 705. Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Ky., who led the race going into this event, dropped to third with 657 points.
“I do my best to not focus on AOY, but it’s impossible to ignore,” Bertrand said. “It’s not affecting my fishing on the St. Lawrence River, though. My first priority is to win this event, and I feel like I’ve got a good shot at it.”
Rounding out the Top 5 are two Alabama pros: Jesse Wiggins with 47-4 and Lucas with 46-12.
Brett Hite of Phoenix, Ariz., is still leading the Phoenix Boats Big Bass competition thanks to a hefty 6-12 smallmouth bass he caught during Thursday’s opening round of competition. If the big bass holds through Championship Sunday, Hite will win a $1,500 bonus paycheck.
Competition will resume Saturday morning with take-off beginning at 6:15 a.m. ET at Whittaker Park in Waddington, N.Y., and weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. at the same location.
2018 HUK Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Black Velvet 8/23-8/26
St. Lawrence River, Waddington NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 50-01 110
Day 1: 5 24-04 Day 2: 5 25-13
2. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 49-06 109
Day 1: 5 26-08 Day 2: 5 22-14
3. Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ 10 48-09 108
Day 1: 5 25-11 Day 2: 5 22-14
4. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 10 47-04 107
Day 1: 5 24-09 Day 2: 5 22-11
5. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 46-12 106
Day 1: 5 23-12 Day 2: 5 23-00
6. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 10 46-11 105
Day 1: 5 20-15 Day 2: 5 25-12
7. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 46-07 104
Day 1: 5 24-00 Day 2: 5 22-07
8. James Elam Tulsa, OK 10 46-01 103
Day 1: 5 24-13 Day 2: 5 21-04
9. Mike McClelland Bentonville, AR 10 45-14 102
Day 1: 5 24-01 Day 2: 5 21-13
10. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 10 45-13 101
Day 1: 5 23-14 Day 2: 5 21-15
11. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 45-13 100
Day 1: 5 23-04 Day 2: 5 22-09
12. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 45-13 99
Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 5 22-15
13. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 10 44-09 98
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 5 22-11
14. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 10 44-08 97
Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 5 22-04
15. Ott DeFoe Blaine, TN 10 44-05 96
Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 5 21-07
16. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 44-04 95
Day 1: 5 22-10 Day 2: 5 21-10
17. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 43-12 94
Day 1: 5 22-09 Day 2: 5 21-03
18. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 10 43-11 93
Day 1: 5 26-00 Day 2: 5 17-11
19. Roy Hawk Lk Havasu Cty, AZ 10 43-11 92
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 22-05
20. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 43-10 91
Day 1: 5 25-11 Day 2: 5 17-15
21. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 43-08 90
Day 1: 5 21-04 Day 2: 5 22-04
22. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 43-07 89
Day 1: 5 25-07 Day 2: 5 18-00
23. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 10 43-06 88
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-11
24. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 43-00 87
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 22-09
25. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 42-12 86
Day 1: 5 23-04 Day 2: 5 19-08
26. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 42-12 85
Day 1: 5 22-00 Day 2: 5 20-12
27. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 10 42-08 84
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 5 19-09
28. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 42-04 83
Day 1: 5 25-00 Day 2: 5 17-04
29. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 42-03 82
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 23-14
30. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 42-01 81
Day 1: 5 22-03 Day 2: 5 19-14
31. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 10 42-00 80
Day 1: 5 27-12 Day 2: 5 14-04
32. Wesley Strader Spring City, TN 10 41-15 79
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 21-10
33. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 41-00 78
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 20-13
34. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 40-12 77
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 5 18-14
35. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 10 40-11 76
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 19-01
36. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 10 40-06 75
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 19-05
37. John Murray Spring City, TN 10 40-05 74
Day 1: 5 23-13 Day 2: 5 16-08
38. Alton Jones Jr. Waco, TX 10 40-02 73
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 18-07
39. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 10 39-15 72
Day 1: 5 24-13 Day 2: 5 15-02
40. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 39-14 71
Day 1: 5 23-03 Day 2: 5 16-11
41. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 10 39-13 70
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 19-02
42. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 39-13 69
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 20-02
43. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 39-10 68
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 18-00
44. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 39-09 67
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 5 19-10
45. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 39-07 66
Day 1: 5 22-10 Day 2: 5 16-13
46. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 10 39-06 65
Day 1: 5 22-09 Day 2: 5 16-13
47. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 39-02 64
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 19-15
48. Fred Roumbanis Russellville, AR 10 39-00 63
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 20-10
49. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 10 38-14 62
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 20-15
50. David Fritts Lexington, NC 10 38-11 61
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 21-05
51. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 10 38-05 60
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 16-15
52. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 10 38-02 59
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 19-09
53. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 10 38-02 58
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 18-10
54. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 38-00 57
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 17-07
55. Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN 10 38-00 56
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 20-04
56. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 37-14 55
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 17-07
57. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 10 37-14 54
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 18-13
58. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 37-09 53
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 17-06
59. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 37-07 52
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 19-08
60. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 10 36-14 51
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 16-11
61. Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 10 36-12 50
Day 1: 5 23-02 Day 2: 5 13-10
62. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 10 36-05 49
Day 1: 5 22-06 Day 2: 5 13-15
63. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 36-02 48
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 18-10
64. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 10 35-14 47
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 20-12
65. Shin Fukae Palestine TX JAPAN 10 35-14 46
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 18-08
66. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 35-13 45
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 16-03
67. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 35-11 44
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 20-11
68. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 35-09 43
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 18-03
69. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 10 35-08 42
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 16-01
70. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 10 35-03 41
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 16-15
71. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 35-01 40
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 15-10
72. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 10 34-12 39
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 20-10
73. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 34-11 38
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 15-07
74. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 34-07 37
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 17-11
75. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 34-07 36
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 17-10
76. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 34-04 35
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 16-08
77. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 10 33-15 34
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 15-04
78. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 33-12 33
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 20-12
79. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 33-11 32
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 12-00
80. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 33-11 31
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 18-08
81. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 33-09 30
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 13-08
82. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 33-09 29
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 14-15
83. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 33-08 28
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 15-03
84. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 10 33-07 27
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 15-05
85. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 10 33-05 26
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 15-02
86. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 33-01 25
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 17-09
87. Fletcher Shryock Dennison, OH 10 32-06 24
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 14-05
88. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 32-03 23
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 15-02
89. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 10 32-01 22
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 16-00
90. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 31-14 21
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 14-15
91. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 31-12 20
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 17-02
92. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 9 30-14 19
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 4 16-06
93. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 8 30-11 18
Day 1: 3 12-08 Day 2: 5 18-03
94. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 10 30-06 17
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 19-01
95. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 30-06 16
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 17-00
96. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 10 28-15 15
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 14-11
97. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 28-04 14
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 12-02
98. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 28-02 13
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 15-15
99. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 10 27-14 12
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 15-12
100. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 7 24-07 11
Day 1: 4 12-11 Day 2: 3 11-12
101. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 7 22-12 10
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 2 04-05
102. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 6 20-09 9
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 1 04-07
103. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 19-04 8
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 19-04
104. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 17-03 7
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
105. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 6 17-01 6
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 1 01-06
106. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 14-14 5
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
107. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 12-10 4
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 104 527 2081-10
2 99 506 1887-14
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203 1033 3969-08