UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. — Canadian pro Jeff Gustafson came into the Bassmaster Elite tournament at Cayuga Lake with modest expectations. But his confidence has grown with each passing day — and on Friday, it grew by leaps and bounds as Gustafson caught five bass that weighed 25 pounds, 6 ounces and took the lead with a two-day total of 49-1. His catch of 25-6 is the biggest of the tournament so far.
“It was a dream day — both of the last two days were,” said Gustafson, who lives in Keewatin, Canada. “I was expecting that to happen either day, but now the expectations are pretty high. I’ve seen what’s out there, and it’s pretty impressive.”
While much of the field has been concentrating on shallow grass, Gustafson has focused on small patches of hard bottom offshore. Since this is his first trip to Cayuga, he said he doesn’t know a lot of spots to try. So, he’s been sticking mainly with one area.
“There’s just not a lot of rock here,” he said. “In practice, I idled for hours and every couple of hours I’d kind of find something.
“When I started the tournament, my plan was to get a limit of largemouth and then go fish for smallmouth. I thought the smallmouth would be my biggest fish, but they disappeared.”
Gustafson has been using an Aqua-Vu underwater camera — and on Friday, he saw a few smallmouth that gave him an extra tinge of hope for the final two days.
“Even though I caught 25 pounds today, it wasn’t as easy as it might have seemed,” he said. “I’m really just catching one here and one there, but they’re the right ones.
“If the smallmouth turn back on, that could really make a big difference for me.”
Thursday’s leader Chris Zaldain of Fort Worth, Texas, caught another impressive bag of 21-11 and now rests in second place with 46-0. He said his day could have been much better if it hadn’t been for some early miscues.
“With the way they’re biting, you’ve got to capitalize early,” Zaldain said. “I had some big bites early today and didn’t catch any of them. I missed a bite on a swimbait when the fish just crushed it, and then I broke one off.
“You have to put fish in the boat in that situation.”
Like Gustafson, Zaldain is fishing offshore structure with a variety of baits, including the big swimbaits he’s known for using.
“I think these big bass roam, they’re nomadic,” he said. “There’s 400 feet of water out in the middle of this place, and it’s nothing for a 5- or 6-pound largemouth to live in 35 feet of water — just like they do during the wintertime here.
“Where they go after the morning bite, I have no clue. I think they just hang out in the lake with the lake trout.”
Tennessee pro David Mullins, who caught 22-1 on Day 1, added 23-13 Friday and is now in third place with 45-14. Mullins said he’s fishing “mid-range” depths and has been lucky enough to have several spots to himself.
“Not only have I been fishing by myself, but I’ve got several places from practice I haven’t even tried yet, and I haven’t seen anybody on those spots either,” he said. “It may be that there’s no fish there, but they were there in practice.
“It’s nice to have that in reserve.”
Alabama pro Scott Canterbury had yet another solid day, bringing in 22-4 to move into fourth place with 45-2. With that showing, he maintained his stranglehold on the lead for Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Canterbury’s total of 686 puts him 24 points ahead of second-place angler Drew Cook, a rookie from Florida.
“It’s just been a dream week for me,” said Canterbury, who was obviously emotional over the prospect of winning the AOY title. “The last two weeks have been that way.
“There’s so much fishing left to do. But winning Angler of the year … that would just be a dream come true.”
Cook caught 21-10 Thursday and jumped from 20th place in the tournament to seventh. He maintained his lead in the race for DICK’S Sporting Goods Rookie of the Year. Louisiana’s Derek Hudnall still holds the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week with an 8-1 largemouth.
The tournament resumes Saturday, with the Top 35 remaining pros taking off at 6:30 a.m. ET from Frontenac Park. The weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3 p.m., with only the Top 10 advancing to Championship Sunday for a chance to win the $100,000 first-place prize.
2019 Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake 8/22-8/25
Cayuga Lake, Auburn NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 10 49-01 100
Day 1: 5 23-11 Day 2: 5 25-06
2. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 46-00 99
Day 1: 5 24-05 Day 2: 5 21-11
3. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 45-14 98
Day 1: 5 22-01 Day 2: 5 23-13
4. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 45-02 97
Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 5 22-04
5. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 42-13 96
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 21-05
6. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 41-04 95
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 19-07
7. Drew Cook Midway, FL 10 40-12 94
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 21-10
8. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 10 38-09 93
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 20-07
9. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 38-00 92
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 21-05
10. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 10 37-15 91
Day 1: 5 22-08 Day 2: 5 15-07
11. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 37-03 90
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 16-15
12. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 37-00 89
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 20-15
13. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 36-15 88
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 22-01
14. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 36-13 87
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 20-03
15. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 36-12 86
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 19-12
16. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 36-07 85
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 19-09
17. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 36-02 84
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 19-03
18. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 35-15 83
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 15-04
19. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 10 35-12 82
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 16-11
20. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 10 35-04 81
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 15-00
21. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 10 35-04 80
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 19-13
22. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 35-01 79
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 19-09
23. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 34-15 78
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 15-09
24. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 34-14 77
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 16-00
25. Derek Hudnall Baton Rouge, LA 8 34-09 76
Day 1: 3 15-14 Day 2: 5 18-11
26. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 34-08 75
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 15-11
27. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 34-04 74
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 14-11
28. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 34-01 73
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 19-00
29. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 34-01 72
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 18-03
30. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 33-14 71
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 17-03
31. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 10 33-11 70
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 18-07
32. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 9 33-10 69
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 4 12-12
33. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 33-07 68
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 18-11
34. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 33-06 67
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 11-12
35. David Fritts Lexington, NC 10 33-06 66
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 14-01
36. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 33-03 65 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 15-14
37. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 32-14 64 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 16-11
38. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 10 32-09 63 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 16-08
39. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 32-03 62 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 16-00
40. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 32-01 61 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 16-02
41. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 31-15 60 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 13-01
42. Lee Livesay Gladewater, TX 10 31-14 59 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 20-02 Day 2: 5 11-12
43. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 31-10 58 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 14-13
44. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 10 30-12 57 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 13-03
45. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 10 30-11 56 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 13-05
46. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 10 30-11 55 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 15-00
47. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 30-00 54 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-01
48. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 8 29-10 53 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 10-15 Day 2: 5 18-11
49. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 29-07 52 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 14-09
50. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 10 29-06 51 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 15-01
51. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 9 28-14 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 4 08-15
52. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 28-05 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 15-00
53. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 28-00 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 13-02
54. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 10 27-11 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 13-06
55. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 27-09 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 13-14
56. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 27-08 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 14-11
57. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 10 27-03 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 14-14
58. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 7 26-13 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 2 07-05
59. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 9 26-09 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 5 14-15
60. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 9 25-15 41 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 4 10-03
61. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 10 25-14 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 10-05
62. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 25-11 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 16-11
63. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 8 24-13 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 3 08-09
64. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 6 24-09 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 1 02-05
65. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 7 23-00 36 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 09-09 Day 2: 5 13-07
66. Frank Talley Temple, TX 7 18-10 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 2 05-09
67. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 5 18-06 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 4 15-11
68. Rob Digh Denver, NC 8 17-02 33 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 3 06-00
69. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 7 15-09 32 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 2 04-00
70. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 14-10 31 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 10-09 Day 2: 1 04-01
71. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 5 13-07 30 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 09-10 Day 2: 1 03-13
72. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 12-00 29 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 2 05-14
73. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 6 11-08 28 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 3 06-01
74. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 11-07 27 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 4 09-10
75. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 4 10-05 26 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 07-15 Day 2: 1 02-06
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 64 351 1198-01
2 59 336 1114-11
----------------------------------
123 687 2312-12
2019 SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake 8/22-8/25Cayuga Lake, Auburn NY.(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 10 49-01 100 Day 1: 5 23-11 Day 2: 5 25-06 2. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 46-00 99 Day 1: 5 24-05 Day 2: 5 21-11 3. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 45-14 98 Day 1: 5 22-01 Day 2: 5 23-13 4. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 45-02 97 Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 5 22-04 5. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 42-13 96 Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 21-05 6. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 41-04 95 Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 19-07 7. Drew Cook Midway, FL 10 40-12 94 Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 21-10 8. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 10 38-09 93 Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 20-07 9. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 38-00 92 Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 21-05 10. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 10 37-15 91 Day 1: 5 22-08 Day 2: 5 15-07 11. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 37-03 90 Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 16-15 12. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 37-00 89 Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 20-15 13. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 36-15 88 Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 22-01 14. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 36-13 87 Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 20-03 15. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 36-12 86 Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 19-12 16. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 36-07 85 Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 19-09 17. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 36-02 84 Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 19-03 18. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 35-15 83 Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 15-04 19. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 10 35-12 82 Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 16-11 20. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 10 35-04 81 Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 15-00 21. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 10 35-04 80 Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 19-13 22. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 35-01 79 Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 19-09 23. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 34-15 78 Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 15-09 24. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 34-14 77 Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 16-00 25. Derek Hudnall Baton Rouge, LA 8 34-09 76 Day 1: 3 15-14 Day 2: 5 18-11 26. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 34-08 75 Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 15-11 27. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 34-04 74 Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 14-11 28. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 34-01 73 Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 19-00 29. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 34-01 72 Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 18-03 30. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 33-14 71 Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 17-03 31. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 10 33-11 70 Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 18-07 32. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 9 33-10 69 Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 4 12-12 33. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 33-07 68 Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 18-11 34. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 33-06 67 Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 11-12 35. David Fritts Lexington, NC 10 33-06 66 Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 14-01 36. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 33-03 65 $5,000.00 Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 15-14 37. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 32-14 64 $5,000.00 Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 16-11 38. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 10 32-09 63 $5,000.00 Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 16-08 39. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 32-03 62 $5,000.00 Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 16-00 40. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 32-01 61 $5,000.00 Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 16-02 41. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 31-15 60 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 13-01 42. Lee Livesay Gladewater, TX 10 31-14 59 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 20-02 Day 2: 5 11-12 43. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 31-10 58 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 14-13 44. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 10 30-12 57 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 13-03 45. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 10 30-11 56 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 13-05 46. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 10 30-11 55 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 15-00 47. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 30-00 54 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-01 48. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 8 29-10 53 $2,500.00 Day 1: 3 10-15 Day 2: 5 18-11 49. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 29-07 52 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 14-09 50. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 10 29-06 51 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 15-01 51. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 9 28-14 50 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 4 08-15 52. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 28-05 49 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 15-00 53. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 28-00 48 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 13-02 54. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 10 27-11 47 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 13-06 55. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 27-09 46 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 13-14 56. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 27-08 45 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 14-11 57. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 10 27-03 44 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 14-14 58. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 7 26-13 43 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 2 07-05 59. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 9 26-09 42 $2,500.00 Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 5 14-15 60. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 9 25-15 41 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 4 10-03 61. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 10 25-14 40 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 10-05 62. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 25-11 39 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 16-11 63. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 8 24-13 38 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 3 08-09 64. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 6 24-09 37 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 1 02-05 65. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 7 23-00 36 $2,500.00 Day 1: 2 09-09 Day 2: 5 13-07 66. Frank Talley Temple, TX 7 18-10 35 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 2 05-09 67. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 5 18-06 34 $2,500.00 Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 4 15-11 68. Rob Digh Denver, NC 8 17-02 33 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 3 06-00 69. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 7 15-09 32 $2,500.00 Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 2 04-00 70. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 14-10 31 $2,500.00 Day 1: 4 10-09 Day 2: 1 04-01 71. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 5 13-07 30 $2,500.00 Day 1: 4 09-10 Day 2: 1 03-13 72. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 12-00 29 $2,500.00 Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 2 05-14 73. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 6 11-08 28 $2,500.00 Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 3 06-01 74. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 11-07 27 $2,500.00 Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 4 09-10 75. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 4 10-05 26 $2,500.00 Day 1: 3 07-15 Day 2: 1 02-06 -----------------------------------------------------------------------TotalsDay #Limits #Fish Weight 1 64 351 1198-01 2 59 336 1114-11---------------------------------- 123 687 2312-12