On a day when all eyes were on the most experienced anglers in the sport, a 26-year-old pro from Kentucky stole the show.
Bradley Roy, who has never finished higher than third in a Bassmaster Elite Series event, caught five bass that weighed 23 pounds, 3 ounces, during Thursday’s first round. It was good enough to take the lead in the Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.
Missouri angler Chad Morgenthaler is just 1 pound behind in second with 22-3, and Alabamian Matt Lee is third with 21-13.
“I had a good practice,” said Roy, who finished seventh at this year’s GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. “I was seeing a lot of quality fish in a lot of different areas. But this morning, I don’t know if they just didn’t bite or if they moved out of some of those areas.
“I fished several places and just didn’t get bit.”
Lake St. Clair smallmouth bass have a reputation for roaming — and Roy decided to roam in search of them.
“I just kept moving around, cycling through them, and about 9 o’clock they started to bite pretty good,” he said. “After that, it was just steady. You’d catch some small ones, and then you’d catch a good one.”
Morgenthaler’s day was the opposite of Roy’s, as he put a good limit in his livewell on the first place he stopped.
“It all happened really quick this morning,” Morgenthaler said. “I’m on one spot, and it’s just a place where they can get stacked up on. It’s not a very big spot, and there was another angler in there with me this morning — but we worked really well together.”
Lee followed Roy’s path, landing most of his larger fish beyond the morning hours.
“Later in the day, I just made a decision to go out to this one area where I had gotten bit in practice,” Lee said. “I rolled up out there, and they were all big ones.
“I caught 10 fish there — four were little, one was a 3-pounder and I jumped one off,” Lee said. “Then I weighed in three from there, and they were all hammers.”
Roy, Morgenthaler and Lee generated a lot of buzz as the leaders of the race for the $100,000 first-place tournament prize. But many were also interested in the hotly contested race for Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year — and the competition couldn’t be much tighter.
Tennessee angler Jacob Wheeler came into the day tied for second place in the AOY race, but moved into the lead with 794 points after landing 21-9 and finishing the first day of the St. Clair event in sixth place. Idaho pro Brandon Palaniuk, who came into the tournament as the AOY leader, caught just 17-13 and finished in 47th place on Day 1.
“Moving forward, this is a three-day deal,” Wheeler said. “I could go out there tomorrow and catch 17 pounds, or 16 pounds or even 12 pounds. You’ve got to catch them every day. Day 1 just doesn’t matter.
“At the end of the tournament, where you finish is what matters.”
Palaniuk is now in second place in the AOY race with 793 points, tied with Oklahoma pro Jason Christie. South Carolina pro Casey Ashley is also well within striking distance in fourth with 769 points.
“My biggest fish (a 6-8 smallmouth) was my second fish of the morning, and after that I thought I was going to smash them,” said Palaniuk, who took the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week with his lunker. “But after that, I just caught small ones. I also lost one 4-pounder.”
Christie said he thinks he’s on the fish to win the tournament.
“It could happen if everything goes right,” he said. “But how often does everything go right?”
After Friday’s weigh-in, only the Top 50 remaining anglers will advance to Saturday’s semifinal round. Daily takeoffs will begin at 6:30 a.m. ET at Lake St. Clair Metropark. Weigh-ins will be held back at the park at 3:15 p.m.
When the tournament is done, the Top 50 anglers in the AOY standings will advance to the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Minnesota’s Mille Lacs Lake next month.
The event is hosted by the Detroit Sports Commission, Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce and Macomb County.
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Minn Kota, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine, Shimano, Advance Auto Parts, Livingston Lures, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines, Bassmaster website , television show (The Bassmasters), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
2017 Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair 8/24-8/27
Lake St. Clair, Macomb County MI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 23-03 110
Day 1: 5 23-03
2. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 22-03 109
Day 1: 5 22-03
3. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 5 21-13 108
Day 1: 5 21-13
4. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 21-12 107
Day 1: 5 21-12
5. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 5 21-11 106
Day 1: 5 21-11
6. Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN 5 21-09 105
Day 1: 5 21-09
7. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 21-00 104
Day 1: 5 21-00
8. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 20-14 103
Day 1: 5 20-14
9. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 20-12 102
Day 1: 5 20-12
9. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 20-12 102
Day 1: 5 20-12
11. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 20-11 100
Day 1: 5 20-11
12. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 20-06 99
Day 1: 5 20-06
13. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 20-05 98
Day 1: 5 20-05
14. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 20-04 97
Day 1: 5 20-04
15. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 20-02 96
Day 1: 5 20-02
16. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 19-15 95
Day 1: 5 19-15
17. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 19-11 94
Day 1: 5 19-11
18. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 5 19-09 93
Day 1: 5 19-09
19. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 19-08 92
Day 1: 5 19-08
20. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 19-07 91
Day 1: 5 19-07
21. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 19-06 90
Day 1: 5 19-06
21. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 19-06 90
Day 1: 5 19-06
21. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 19-06 90
Day 1: 5 19-06
21. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 19-06 90
Day 1: 5 19-06
25. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 5 19-05 86
Day 1: 5 19-05
25. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 19-05 86
Day 1: 5 19-05
27. David Williams Newton, NC 5 19-03 84
Day 1: 5 19-03
28. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 5 19-01 83
Day 1: 5 19-01
29. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 19-00 82
Day 1: 5 19-00
30. Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 5 18-15 81
Day 1: 5 18-15
31. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 18-14 80
Day 1: 5 18-14
32. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 18-13 79
Day 1: 5 18-13
32. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 18-13 79
Day 1: 5 18-13
34. Fred Roumbanis London, AR 5 18-12 77
Day 1: 5 18-12
35. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 18-11 76
Day 1: 5 18-11
35. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 18-11 76
Day 1: 5 18-11
37. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 18-10 74
Day 1: 5 18-10
38. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 18-09 73
Day 1: 5 18-09
38. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 18-09 73
Day 1: 5 18-09
40. Seth Feider Isle, MN 5 18-08 71
Day 1: 5 18-08
41. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 5 18-05 70
Day 1: 5 18-05
42. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 5 18-02 69
Day 1: 5 18-02
43. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 5 18-01 68
Day 1: 5 18-01
44. Ott DeFoe Blaine, TN 5 18-00 67
Day 1: 5 18-00
45. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 18-00 66
Day 1: 5 18-00
46. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 17-14 65
Day 1: 5 17-14
47. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 5 17-13 64
Day 1: 5 17-13
47. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 17-13 64
Day 1: 5 17-13
49. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 17-12 62
Day 1: 5 17-12
49. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 17-12 62
Day 1: 5 17-12
51. Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ 5 17-12 60
Day 1: 5 17-12
52. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 17-09 59
Day 1: 5 17-09
52. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 17-09 59
Day 1: 5 17-09
54. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 17-06 57
Day 1: 5 17-06
54. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 17-06 57
Day 1: 5 17-06
56. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 4 17-05 55
Day 1: 4 17-05
57. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 5 17-00 54
Day 1: 5 17-00
58. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 16-11 53
Day 1: 5 16-11
58. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 16-11 53
Day 1: 5 16-11
60. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 16-07 51
Day 1: 5 16-07
61. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 16-06 50
Day 1: 5 16-06
62. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 16-05 49
Day 1: 5 16-05
62. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 16-05 49
Day 1: 5 16-05
64. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 5 16-04 47
Day 1: 5 16-04
65. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 16-03 46
Day 1: 5 16-03
65. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 16-03 46
Day 1: 5 16-03
67. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 16-02 44
Day 1: 5 16-02
67. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 16-02 44
Day 1: 5 16-02
69. John Murray Spring City, TN 5 16-00 42
Day 1: 5 16-00
70. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 5 15-13 41
Day 1: 5 15-13
71. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 5 15-12 40
Day 1: 5 15-12
72. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 15-11 39
Day 1: 5 15-11
72. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 15-11 39
Day 1: 5 15-11
74. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 15-10 37
Day 1: 5 15-10
75. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 5 15-07 36
Day 1: 5 15-07
76. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 15-05 35
Day 1: 5 15-05
77. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 15-02 34
Day 1: 5 15-02
78. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 15-01 33
Day 1: 5 15-01
79. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 14-15 32
Day 1: 5 14-15
80. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 14-13 31
Day 1: 5 14-13
81. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 14-10 30
Day 1: 5 14-10
81. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 5 14-10 30
Day 1: 5 14-10
83. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 14-09 28
Day 1: 5 14-09
84. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 14-09 27
Day 1: 5 14-09
85. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 14-06 26
Day 1: 5 14-06
86. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 5 14-05 25
Day 1: 5 14-05
87. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 5 14-02 24
Day 1: 5 14-02
88. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 13-13 23
Day 1: 5 13-13
89. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 13-10 22
Day 1: 5 13-10
90. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 13-06 21
Day 1: 5 13-06
91. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 12-15 20
Day 1: 5 12-15
92. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 12-14 19
Day 1: 5 12-14
93. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 5 12-11 18
Day 1: 5 12-11
94. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 12-06 17
Day 1: 5 12-06
95. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 12-04 16
Day 1: 5 12-04
96. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 12-03 15
Day 1: 5 12-03
97. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 11-10 14
Day 1: 5 11-10
98. David Walker Sevierville, TN 3 10-13 13
Day 1: 3 10-13
99. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 5 10-12 12
Day 1: 5 10-12
100. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 4 10-03 11
Day 1: 4 10-03
101. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 3 09-12 10
Day 1: 3 09-12
102. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 3 09-04 9
Day 1: 3 09-04
103. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 4 09-01 8
Day 1: 4 09-01
104. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 3 09-01 7
Day 1: 3 09-01
105. David Fritts Lexington, NC 3 07-05 6
Day 1: 3 07-05
106. James Elam Tulsa, OK 2 06-06 5
Day 1: 2 06-06
107. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 2 05-04 4
Day 1: 2 05-04
108. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 2 04-00 3
Day 1: 2 04-00
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 97 518 1781-12
———————————-
97 518 1781-12
By: JamieDay Matthews
