ZAPATA, Texas - Despite catching 42 pounds on the first day of competition and leading the Bassmaster Elite Series' Lone Star Shootout bass fishing tournament on a productive Falcon Lake, Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., lamented Thursday what could have been.
Leading his nearest competitor, Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., by more than 6 pounds, Martens stopped fishing at noon because his trolling motor and livewell batteries were drained by a strong, gusting wind. With a full day of fishing, the 2005 Bassmaster Angler of the Year felt he could have broken the BASS one-day heaviest catch record of 45 pounds, 2 ounces, set by Dean Rojas in 2001 on Florida's Lake Tohopekaliga.
Fishing fans can catch all of the big-fish action on The Bassmasters on Saturday, April 12 at 9 a.m. ET. While Martens missed out on the one-day record, the four-day tournament record for heaviest weight of 122 pounds, 14 ounces, established by Steve Kennedy on California's Clear Lake in 2007, is well within his grasp.
"I would have smashed the one-day record if not for the wind," said Martens, the 2005 Bassmaster Angler of the Year. "This lake surpasses every other bass-fishing lake in the country. It's just incredible."
Martens played it close to the vest regarding his pattern but did say he was focusing on deep water. He was confident he could catch more than 30 pounds through each of the next three days. To remedy his Thursday problem, he planned on using an anchor or bringing extra battery power Friday.
Although Martens resides in Alabama, he cut his teeth on productive California powerhouse fisheries and said that experience helped him on Falcon.
"This place reminds me of Castaic Lake (in California)," said Martens, who scored a 2007 Elite victory on the California Delta. "But I'm not sure that Castaic, even in its heyday, was better than this."
Martens has four BASS wins and has earned more than $1 million in career earnings. With a win at Falcon, he would earn $100,000 and also improve considerably on his 37th-place standing in the season-long Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
Despite trailing by a sizable margin, Rook can wipe out the deficit with one Falcon behemouth. With a victory, Rook would push his career BASS earnings to more than $1 million.
The one-time BASS winner caught all of his weight, 35 pounds, 12 ounces, in the first 40 minutes of his fishing day. He caught consecutive fish on his first six casts and spent the majority of his day guarding his productive area from other competitors.
Like Martens, Rook was optimistic he could catch more than 30 pounds a day throughout the tournament. He had located six spots in practice and only visited two.
"Tomorrow will be a good gauge to see how heavy the weights will go," Rook said. "We should get a little wind again and we will see how some of these spots replenish."
Another West Coast product, Ish Monroe of Hughson, Calif., is with 35-6. Mark Davis, a three-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year, is fourth with 35-4.
Byron Velvick of Del Rio, Texas, who is sharing water with leader Martens, is fifth with 34-14.
Scott Campbell of Springfield, Mo., took Big Bass honors with a 13-pound, 2-ounce lunker. The BASS record for largest bass caught in competition, a 14-pound, 9-ounce largemouth, was set in 1999 by Elite Series angler Mark Tyler at the California Delta.
In the co-angler division, Randall Jackson of Broken Arrow, Okla., leads the three-day competition with 32 pounds, 10 ounces. Jackson, who was paired with Martens, leads Kansan Ron Chapman, father of Elite Series angler Brent Chapman, (30-1) and Texan Rick Romane (27-0). Co-anglers are vying for a top prize of $25,000.
The Lone Star Shootout marks the first time BASS has visited Falcon Lake in Zapata, Texas. The mainstream reservoir on the Rio Grande River has a surface area of 83,654 acres.
2008 Lone Star Shootout 4/3-4/6
Falcon Lake, Zapata TX.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 42-00 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 42-00
2. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 35-12 295
Day 1: 5 35-12
3. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 35-06 290
Day 1: 5 35-06
4. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 35-04 285
Day 1: 5 35-04
5. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 5 34-14 280
Day 1: 5 34-14
6. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 5 34-11 276
Day 1: 5 34-11
7. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 5 33-15 272 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 33-15
8. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 33-11 268
Day 1: 5 33-11
9. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 33-04 264
Day 1: 5 33-04
10. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 33-02 260
Day 1: 5 33-02
11. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 33-01 257
Day 1: 5 33-01
12. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 32-09 254
Day 1: 5 32-09
13. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira , KS 5 31-15 251
Day 1: 5 31-15
14. Jason Quinn York, SC 5 31-14 248
Day 1: 5 31-14
15. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 5 31-08 245
Day 1: 5 31-08
16. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 30-06 242
Day 1: 5 30-06
16. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 30-06 242
Day 1: 5 30-06
18. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 30-01 239
Day 1: 5 30-01
19. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 29-15 237
Day 1: 5 29-15
20. Marty Stone Fayetteville , NC 5 29-10 235
Day 1: 5 29-10
21. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 5 29-07 233
Day 1: 5 29-07
22. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 5 29-03 231
Day 1: 5 29-03
23. Alton Jones Waco, TX 5 28-14 229
Day 1: 5 28-14
24. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 28-12 227
Day 1: 5 28-12
25. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 28-07 225
Day 1: 5 28-07
26. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 28-05 223
Day 1: 5 28-05
27. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 28-03 221
Day 1: 5 28-03
28. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 28-02 219
Day 1: 5 28-02
29. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 27-12 217
Day 1: 5 27-12
30. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 5 27-09 215
Day 1: 5 27-09
31. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 27-01 212
Day 1: 5 27-01
31. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 27-01 212
Day 1: 5 27-01
33. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 5 26-12 208
Day 1: 5 26-12
33. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 5 26-12 208
Day 1: 5 26-12
35. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 5 26-11 204
Day 1: 5 26-11
35. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 26-11 204
Day 1: 5 26-11
37. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 26-00 200
Day 1: 5 26-00
37. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 26-00 200
Day 1: 5 26-00
39. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 25-14 197
Day 1: 5 25-14
40. Jon Bondy Windsor CANADA 5 25-12 194
Day 1: 5 25-12
40. Preston Clark Palatka, FL 5 25-12 194
Day 1: 5 25-12
42. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 25-11 191
Day 1: 5 25-11
43. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 25-09 188
Day 1: 5 25-09
43. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 25-09 188
Day 1: 5 25-09
45. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 25-08 185
Day 1: 5 25-08
46. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 25-07 183
Day 1: 5 25-07
47. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 5 25-05 180
Day 1: 5 25-05
47. Pat Golden High Point, NC 5 25-05 180
Day 1: 5 25-05
49. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 5 24-14 177
Day 1: 5 24-14
50. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 24-11 175
Day 1: 5 24-11
51. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, TX 5 24-09 173
Day 1: 5 24-09
52. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 24-08 171
Day 1: 5 24-08
53. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 24-06 169
Day 1: 5 24-06
54. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 5 24-05 167
Day 1: 5 24-05
55. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 5 24-00 164
Day 1: 5 24-00
55. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 24-00 164
Day 1: 5 24-00
57. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 23-13 161
Day 1: 5 23-13
58. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 5 23-09 159
Day 1: 5 23-09
59. Matt Amedeo Clinton, OH 5 23-06 157
Day 1: 5 23-06
60. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, CA 5 23-01 155
Day 1: 5 23-01
61. Billy Brewer Bruceville, TX 5 22-14 153
Day 1: 5 22-14
62. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 22-12 151
Day 1: 5 22-12
63. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 22-06 148
Day 1: 5 22-06
63. John Crews Salem, VA 5 22-06 148
Day 1: 5 22-06
65. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 22-03 145
Day 1: 5 22-03
66. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 5 22-02 142
Day 1: 5 22-02
66. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 5 22-02 142
Day 1: 5 22-02
68. Jay Fuller Kingston, OK 5 21-15 139
Day 1: 5 21-15
69. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 5 21-05 136
Day 1: 5 21-05
69. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 5 21-05 136
Day 1: 5 21-05
71. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 21-04 133
Day 1: 5 21-04
72. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, PA 5 21-03 131
Day 1: 5 21-03
73. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 21-01 129
Day 1: 5 21-01
74. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 21-00 127
Day 1: 5 21-00
75. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 5 20-12 124
Day 1: 5 20-12
75. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 5 20-12 124
Day 1: 5 20-12
77. Elton Luce Jr. Brookeland, TX 5 20-07 121
Day 1: 5 20-07
78. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 20-05 119
Day 1: 5 20-05
79. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 20-04 117
Day 1: 5 20-04
80. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 5 20-03 115
Day 1: 5 20-03
81. James Kennedy Lacombe, LA 5 19-14 112
Day 1: 5 19-14
81. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 19-14 112
Day 1: 5 19-14
83. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 5 19-13 109
Day 1: 5 19-13
84. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 19-10 107
Day 1: 5 19-10
85. Kevin Langill Terrell, NC 5 19-07 105
Day 1: 5 19-07
86. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 19-02 103
Day 1: 5 19-02
87. Steve Daniel Clewiston, FL 5 19-00 101
Day 1: 5 19-00
88. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 18-15 99
Day 1: 5 18-15
89. Morizo Shimizu Osaka, CA 5 18-05 97
Day 1: 5 18-05
90. Kurt Dove Fairfax, VA 5 18-04 95
Day 1: 5 18-04
91. David Smith Del City, OK 5 18-00 91
Day 1: 5 18-00
91. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 5 18-00 91
Day 1: 5 18-00
91. David Sherrer Shreveport, LA 5 18-00 91
Day 1: 5 18-00
94. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 5 17-09 87
Day 1: 5 17-09
95. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 5 17-07 85
Day 1: 5 17-07
96. Clark Reehm Russellville , AR 5 17-06 83
Day 1: 5 17-06
97. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 5 17-05 81
Day 1: 5 17-05
98. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 5 17-03 79
Day 1: 5 17-03
99. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 16-15 77
Day 1: 5 16-15
100. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 16-12 76
Day 1: 5 16-12
101. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 5 16-02 75
Day 1: 5 16-02
102. Chris Lane Lakeland, FL 5 15-12 74
Day 1: 5 15-12
103. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 15-11 72.5
Day 1: 5 15-11
103. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 15-11 72.5
Day 1: 5 15-11
105. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 4 15-10 71
Day 1: 4 15-10
106. Rick Ash Pottstown, PA 5 14-00 70
Day 1: 5 14-00
107. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 5 12-07 69
Day 1: 5 12-07
108. Glenn Delong Bellville, OH 5 10-11 68
Day 1: 5 10-11
109. Bobby Myers Tulsa, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Big Bass
Day
1 Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 13-02 $1,000.00
Day
1 Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 42-00 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 107 539 2617-02
----------------------------------
107 539 2617-02
2008 Lone Star Shootout 4/3-4/6
Falcon Lake, Zapata TX.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Randall Jackson Broken Arrow, OK 5 32-10 0
Day 1: 5 32-10
2. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira , KS 5 30-01 0
Day 1: 5 30-01
3. Rick Romane Pipe Creek, TX 5 27-00 0
Day 1: 5 27-00
4. Mary Delgado Tampa, FL 5 26-11 0
Day 1: 5 26-11
5. James Lynn Georgetown, TX 5 25-05 0
Day 1: 5 25-05
6. Steve Moore Shawnee, OK 5 25-04 0
Day 1: 5 25-04
7. Alexander Meza San Jose, CA 5 24-12 0
Day 1: 5 24-12
8. William Wood San Angelo, TX 5 22-11 0
Day 1: 5 22-11
9. John Struthers Mcallen, TX 5 21-14 0
Day 1: 5 21-14
9. Ronnie Tyson Marietta, GA 5 21-14 0
Day 1: 5 21-14
11. Thomas Frink Simi Valley, CA 5 21-10 0
Day 1: 5 21-10
12. Ted Martin Dallas, TX 5 20-02 0
Day 1: 5 20-02
13. Russell Lohman Pineville, LA 5 19-09 0
Day 1: 5 19-09
14. Joel Etheredge Springville, AL 5 19-04 0
Day 1: 5 19-04
15. Jason Cordiale Orinda, CA 5 19-02 0
Day 1: 5 19-02
16. Troy Sprague Lincoln, NE 3 18-15 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 18-15
17. Cody Hundley Rio Medina, TX 5 18-14 0
Day 1: 5 18-14
18. Ricardo Carrillo Laredo, TX 5 18-08 0
Day 1: 5 18-08
18. Daren Scott Fort Worth, NY 5 18-08 0
Day 1: 5 18-08
20. Fritz Callier Boerne, TX 5 18-02 0
Day 1: 5 18-02
21. Mark Maynard Waco, TX 5 18-01 0
Day 1: 5 18-01
22. Michael Bass Austin, TX 5 18-00 0
Day 1: 5 18-00
23. Mike Williams Delhi, LA 5 17-15 0
Day 1: 5 17-15
24. Shawn Maynor Talala, OK 5 17-11 0
Day 1: 5 17-11
25. Pete Robbins Vienna, NV 5 17-04 0
Day 1: 5 17-04
26. Preston Frazell Kincaid, KS 5 17-03 0
Day 1: 5 17-03
27. Kenny Williamson Peoria, AZ 5 17-01 0
Day 1: 5 17-01
28. Chad Kallina Nada, TX 5 17-00 0
Day 1: 5 17-00
29. Thomas Ferro Willis, TX 5 16-15 0
Day 1: 5 16-15
29. Richard Kennedy Angie, LA 5 16-15 0
Day 1: 5 16-15
31. Albert Hudson Austin, TX 5 16-11 0
Day 1: 5 16-11
32. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, AL 5 16-08 0
Day 1: 5 16-08
33. Mannie Lackey Kerrville, TX 5 16-06 0
Day 1: 5 16-06
34. Michi Oba Irving, TX 5 16-04 0
Day 1: 5 16-04
35. Steven Crowell Lumberton, TX 5 16-02 0
Day 1: 5 16-02
36. Wallace Matthews Austin, TX 5 16-01 0
Day 1: 5 16-01
37. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, AL 5 15-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-15
38. Marcos Malucelli Fort Mill, SC 5 15-14 0
Day 1: 5 15-14
39. Randall Coyle Mauriceville , TX 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
39. David Doty Cottage Grove, MN 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
41. Jimmy Klick Saint Paul, MN 5 15-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-11
42. Jeff Jordan Tulsa, OK 5 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-09
42. Ivan C Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-09
44. Larry Triplett Parker, CO 5 15-07 0
Day 1: 5 15-07
44. Chris Douglass Durango, CO 5 15-07 0
Day 1: 5 15-07
44. William Roberts Fairfax, VA 4 15-07 0
Day 1: 4 15-07
47. Mike Frazier Clermont, FL 5 15-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06
48. Richard Drake San Antonio, TX 4 15-05 0
Day 1: 4 15-05
49. Harry Potts Ozark, AL 4 15-03 0
Day 1: 4 15-03
50. Charles Collier Pflugerville, TX 5 15-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-02
51. Matthew Leavell Tuscaloosa, AL 5 15-01 0
Day 1: 5 15-01
52. Ron Plocek Liverpool, NY 5 14-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-15
52. Joseph Lancaster Victoria, TX 5 14-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-15
54. Roy Burger Kingsville, TX 5 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-14
55. Larry Watkins Tecumseh, OK 5 14-12 0
Day 1: 5 14-12
56. Dennis Whitaker Branson, MO 5 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-05
57. James Harden Porter, TX 5 13-12 0
Day 1: 5 13-12
58. Howard Stephens Columbia, SC 5 13-10 0
Day 1: 5 13-10
59. John Northam Adkins, TX 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07
60. Greg Perkins San Antonio, TX 3 13-05 0
Day 1: 3 13-05
61. Jim McDevitt Eldon, MO 5 13-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-01
62. Brian Brandon Elgin, TX 3 12-15 0
Day 1: 3 12-15
63. Bryant Copley Altavista, VA 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
63. David Cosner Austin, TX 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
65. Bill Maggs Roanoke, TX 3 12-10 0
Day 1: 3 12-10
66. Billy Glascock Kingston, OK 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08
67. Jerod Hawkes Kingsville, TX 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
68. Wes Hood Annandale, VA 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
69. Derek Phillips Castle Rock, CO 4 11-13 0
Day 1: 4 11-13
70. Chance Hundley San Angelo, TX 4 11-12 0
Day 1: 4 11-12
71. Tim Windham Jackson, AL 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11
72. James Crump Flower Mound, TX 5 11-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-02
73. Justin Bauer Pleasanton, TX 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-01
73. Benjamin Jackson Broken Arrow, OK 5 11-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-01
75. Dave Elder Tuscaloosa, AL 4 10-15 0
Day 1: 4 10-15
76. John White Armuchee, GA 5 10-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-13
77. Monte Reagan Burleson, TX 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
78. Joe Gamboa Rio Rancho, NM 4 10-11 0
Day 1: 4 10-11
79. Judith Hart Greenville, TX 4 10-07 0
Day 1: 4 10-07
80. LW Buck Melissa, TX 4 10-02 0
Day 1: 4 10-02
81. Leonard Baudino Morris, IL 3 08-01 0
Day 1: 3 08-01
82. Jerry Hayes Sugar Land, TX 3 07-14 0
Day 1: 3 07-14
83. Mike Fox Mcallen, TX 3 07-10 0
Day 1: 3 07-10
84. Jason Seaton Martinsville, IN 2 07-06 0
Day 1: 2 07-06
85. Matt Hassler Mckinney, TX 3 07-00 0
Day 1: 3 07-00
86. Mike Glover Ozona, TX 2 06-05 0
Day 1: 2 06-05
87. Mark Child Mansfield, TX 2 06-03 0
Day 1: 2 06-03
88. Mario Carreon Las Cruces, NM 2 05-06 0
Day 1: 2 05-06
89. Rod Lambirth Kenna, NM 2 04-03 0
Day 1: 2 04-03
90. Michael Ross Bandera, TX 2 03-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-09
91. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, AZ 1 03-07 0
Day 1: 1 03-07
92. Jeremy Howard Lubbock, TX 1 03-05 0
Day 1: 1 03-05
93. Garry Steiner Ochelata, OK 1 02-15 0
Day 1: 1 02-15
94. Jon Isker Stillwater, MN 1 02-14 0
Day 1: 1 02-14
95. Avery Morris Weatherford, TX 1 02-13 0
Day 1: 1 02-13
96. Nicolas Rocha Laredo, TX 2 02-12 0
Day 1: 2 02-12
97. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10
98. Justin Hotz Colorado Springs, CO 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
99. David King Killeen, TX 1 02-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-04
100. Harry Parten Sweet Water, AL 1 02-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-00
101. Kevin Cunningham Farmingdale, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
101. Henry Escamilla Mission, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
101. Heriberto Guzman Pharr, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
101. David Hernandez Birmingham, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
101. Billy Hubbard Grove, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
101. Russell Malmsbury Galena, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
101. Jay McNamara Roseville, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
101. Bill Smith Mc Kinney, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
101. James Walston Spring, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Troy Sprague Lincoln, NE 12-03 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 67 418 1407-02
----------------------------------
67 418 1407-02