Like many of the anglers taking part in the Busch Beer Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake, Jordan Lee found plenty of bedding smallmouth bass in practice.
The young Alabamian relied on those smallmouth during the first round for a solid catch, and he planned to do the same during Friday’s second round.
But a couple of hours after takeoff Friday, Lee could tell things just weren’t working out. So he went looking for largemouth and put together a catch of 21 pounds, 7 ounces that pushed his two-day total to a tournament-best 40-8.
Lee’s plan for Saturday is now clear.
“I’m done with the smallmouth,” he said. “I’m just going to go fish largemouth all day tomorrow.”
Lee, who is six days shy of his 25th birthday, keyed on one small grassy area of the lake. He said he was surprised to find as many fish there as he did.
In practice, the area only produced a handful of bites. But a change in weather conditions made the area easier to fish Friday.
“It was cloudy and windy in practice, and you couldn’t really see the grass,” Lee said. “Today, it was sunny, and I could see a lot better. I pulled up in that one little small section where I had those bites in practice, and I caught three good ones in about 20 minutes.”
Two of the fish Lee caught in the area were in the 4 1/2- to 5-pound range — and with a good limit in the livewell, he went looking for more smallmouth. But after a while, he abandoned the smallmouth strategy again and returned to his largemouth area.
“I went back there and culled one more fish,” said Lee, who weighed in three largemouth and two smallmouth. “There’s obviously some fish around there, and I know exactly where they’re going to be. But there are a lot of guys fishing in there.”
Lee also earned the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $500 for being the second-day leader.
Virginia angler Jacob Powroznik (40-3) was just 5 ounces behind Lee, and Thursday’s leader, Japan’s Morizo Shimizu (40-0), was just 8 ounces back.
Powroznik, who brought in 18-5 Friday, said he’s been sight fishing for bedding bass in 7 to 8 feet of water. He believes he’s catching fish that many anglers aren’t seeing or have written off as uncatchable.
“The fish that are bedding out that deep are a lot harder to see,” Powroznik said. “So I think a lot of guys are probably just missing them. I can barely see them sometimes, and it’s hard to tell exactly how big they are.”
While Powroznik relied mostly on smallmouth for Thursday’s catch of 21-14, he targeted largemouth Friday. Unlike the smallmouth, which tend to bite quickly in a sight fishing scenario, he said the largemouth were a little tougher to catch.
“They’re definitely more time consuming,” Powroznik said. “I spent an hour and 20 minutes on one fish today. When I finally caught the fish, it weighed about 3 1/2 pounds.”
After taking the lead with 23-6 Thursday, Shimizu brought in a respectable catch of 16-10 Friday and only fell two places to third. He said he fished the same techniques in the same areas Friday, but probably caught twice as many fish.
“I caught eight to 10 fish the first day, and today I caught maybe 20,” said Shimizu, who speaks in broken English with a distinct Japanese accent. “The difference was, yesterday, I only caught big fish. Today, no big ones.”
Since the bedding smallmouth he found in practice have disappeared, Shimizu said he plans to continue fishing two main areas for largemouth — a small point and a grassy area.
“I need wind this time to catch fish,” Shimizu said. “Both spots have been good all day long. But today, the bigger fish bit in the morning. The first day, I caught biggest fish in afternoon.”
Florida rookie Drew Benton is fourth with 39-8, and Arizona pro Dean Rojas is fifth with 39-7. Michigan superstar Kevin VanDam is in sixth place with 38-15.
It took a whopping mark of 33-3 to make the Top 50 cut for Saturday’s semifinal round. It was easily the highest total needed to make the cut for the 2016 Elite Series season.
Louisiana pro Greg Hackney, who had his Day 1 catch disqualified for a rules violation, caught 15-4 and finished the event in 107th place. Alabamian Gerald Swindle, who moved into the lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race after Hackney’s DQ, caught 19-10 Friday and rocketed from 44th place to 15th with a two-day mark of 36-10.
Swindle now holds a 45-point lead over Powroznik in the Angler of the Year race. Hackney has fallen into fourth place in the AOY standings, 62 points out of the lead.
The tournament will continue Saturday with only the Top 50 anglers remaining. Only the Top 12 will advance to Championship Sunday.
Daily takeoffs will be at 6:15 a.m. ET from Frontenac Park, with weigh-ins back at the park each day at 3:15 p.m.
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, GoPro, Berkley, Huk
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, Academy Sports + Outdoors, A.R.E. Truck Caps
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), 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, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
2016 BUSCH BEER Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake 6/23-6/26
Cayuga Lake, Union Springs NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 10 40-08 110
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 21-07
2. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 10 40-03 109
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 5 18-05
3. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 10 40-00 108
Day 1: 5 23-06 Day 2: 5 16-10
4. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 39-08 107
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 19-03
5. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 39-07 106
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 18-14
6. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 38-15 105
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 18-15
7. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 38-04 104
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 17-11
8. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 37-15 103
Day 1: 5 21-15 Day 2: 5 16-00
9. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 10 37-15 102
Day 1: 5 20-06 Day 2: 5 17-09
10. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 10 37-05 101
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 19-05
11. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 10 36-15 100
Day 1: 5 20-02 Day 2: 5 16-13
12. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 10 36-13 99
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 21-03
13. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 36-11 98
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 19-01
14. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 10 36-10 97
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 16-07
15. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 36-10 96
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 19-10
16. James Elam Tulsa, OK 10 36-03 95
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 18-14
17. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 10 36-02 94
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 18-10
18. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 36-00 93
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 19-01
19. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 10 35-13 92
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 15-13
20. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 10 35-12 91
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 18-09
21. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 35-11 90
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 16-01
22. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 35-10 89
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 16-03
23. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 35-08 88
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 16-13
24. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 35-06 87
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 17-09
25. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 10 35-04 86
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 16-06
26. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 35-02 85
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 16-09
27. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 35-01 84
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 19-05
28. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 10 34-14 83
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 18-14
29. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 34-14 82
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 16-13
30. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 34-12 81
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 15-03
31. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 34-12 80
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 16-15
31. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 34-12 80
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 17-13
33. Billy McCaghren Jr Mayflower, AR 10 34-10 78
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 18-00
34. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 10 34-08 77
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 17-08
35. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 34-07 76
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 14-10
36. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 34-06 75
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 15-06
37. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 34-05 74
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 15-00
38. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 10 34-03 73
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 17-04
39. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 10 34-02 72
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 16-13
40. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 10 33-13 71
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 18-11
41. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 10 33-13 70
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 18-00
42. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 33-12 69
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 16-12
43. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 33-11 68
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 14-00
44. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 10 33-10 67
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 12-07
45. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 33-10 66
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 13-13
46. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 33-10 65
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 14-12
47. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 33-08 64
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 17-12
48. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 10 33-06 63
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 16-11
49. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 10 33-04 62
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 17-14
50. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 33-03 61
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 15-02
51. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 10 33-02 60
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 16-05
52. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 33-00 59
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 16-02
53. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 32-12 58
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 13-13
54. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 10 32-10 57
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 18-04
55. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 32-06 56
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 15-03
56. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 32-04 55
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 17-14
57. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 10 31-14 54
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 17-09
58. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 31-13 53
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 15-03
59. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 10 31-12 52
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 20-02
60. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 10 31-12 51
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 16-14
61. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 31-11 50
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 12-00
62. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 10 31-08 49
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 17-05
63. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 31-05 48
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 14-12
64. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 31-05 47
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 16-06
65. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 31-00 46
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 15-15
66. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 30-14 45
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-15
67. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 30-13 44
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 12-07
68. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 10 30-13 43
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 14-10
69. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 30-09 42
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 15-02
70. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 30-07 41
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 13-00
71. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 10 30-07 40
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 16-09
71. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 30-07 40
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 13-14
73. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 10 30-06 38
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 11-02
74. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 10 30-06 37
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 13-14
75. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 10 30-05 36
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 12-15
76. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 29-14 35
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 14-02
77. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 29-09 34
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 15-06
78. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 29-08 33
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 15-00
79. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 29-07 32
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 15-03
80. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 29-06 31
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 12-00
81. John Murray Spring City, TN 10 28-14 30
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 15-06
82. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 28-11 29
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 12-00
83. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 10 28-09 28
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 14-11
84. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 28-09 27
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 14-09
85. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 28-06 26
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 14-13
86. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 28-06 25
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 14-02
87. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 10 28-05 24
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 12-04
88. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 10 27-11 23
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 14-08
89. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE 10 27-02 22
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 15-01
90. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 27-02 21
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 13-11
91. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 27-01 20
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-08
92. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 10 26-07 19
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 11-09
93. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 26-04 18
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 13-15
94. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 26-02 17
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 16-00
95. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 10 26-01 16
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 15-10
96. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 25-12 15
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 14-06
97. Jay Brainard Enid, OK 10 25-12 14
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 12-02
98. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 25-08 13
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 12-05
99. David Williams Newton, NC 10 25-06 12
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 14-06
100. Casey Scanlon Rocky Mount, MO 10 24-13 11
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 11-00
101. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 24-04 10
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 11-14
102. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 10 22-02 9
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 10-08
103. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 10 21-09 8
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 10-12
104. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 20-00 7
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 07-08
105. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 7 19-03 6
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 2 03-11
106. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 8 17-15 5
Day 1: 4 09-12 Day 2: 4 08-03
107. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 15-04 4
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 15-04
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 105 529 1738-00
2 105 531 1661-07
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210 1060 3399-07
By: Helen Northcutt
