GROVE, Okla. — Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., is no stranger to pressure. Just over a month ago, he and his wife Kimberly welcomed a new baby girl to their family. Today he weighed the largest limit of his fishing career — a staggering 26-pound, 3-ounce limit of five bass that pushed his two-day total to 43-9 and took the lead at the 2018 Bassmaster Elite tournament at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.
With $100,000 on the line for first place, the 30-year-old pro was calm and collected after walking off of the official Bassmaster weigh-in stage — not a common look among anglers who just took the lead over the world’s top-bass anglers.
“There’s a lot of fishing to be had still, and I’m not getting ahead of myself,” Lester said. “However, I like what’s happening to my fishing area, and I’m feeling pretty good about things.”
Based on the calendar, Lester believes the spawn is behind schedule on the Oklahoma lake. That is, it’s happening right now.
“These bass are moving in to spawn in impressive numbers,” he said. “This time of year, the fish are very susceptible to being caught, but they can also be spooky. Some anglers are sight fishing, but I’m covering water slowly and methodically.
“I had my fish early enough in the day that I decided to go look for more productive water as a backup plan. I like what I’ve got going on, and I also like what I found this afternoon.”
The current weather trend is indicating more sun and increasing temperatures, which should only improve the fishing across the lake.
“The spawn is happening right now, and I feel like my areas are reloading with fresh fish by the day,” Lester said.
Another angler who is comfortable atop the Bassmaster leaderboard is four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam from Kalamazoo, Mich. VanDam began his day in fourth place, but dominated the field. After bringing 20-10 to the scales, VanDam’s two-day total weight is 42-9, placing the seven-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year in second place.
“I covered quite a bit of water today looking for the right bites,” he said. “I had a very productive morning, so that afforded me some time to scout new areas for upcoming days of the tournament.”
Having backup areas an angler can rely upon if his primary pattern falls apart is critical to fishing — and especially winning — a four-day tournament.
“The extra practice time I had today was productive. Most of what I found was a bust, but I did learn a few things that will help with my game plan going into tomorrow.”
VanDam believes some heavy limits of bass will be brought to weigh-in over the next two days. The 108-angler field was cut to the Top 50 for Saturday’s semi-final round of competition.
“The reduced number of boats on the water will eliminate a lot of fishing pressure occurring on Grand Lake right now,” VanDam said. “I think the fans are in for a treat by the time this thing wraps up on Sunday. We are fishing this lake during one of the best weeks of the year.”
Rounding out the Top 5 are Jacob Wheeler with 39-3, Cliff Crochet with 38-15 and Cliff Pace with 38-13. Alabama’s Bill Weidler is currently leading the $1,500 Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award, thanks to a heavy 7-3 largemouth bass he caught during Thursday’s opening round of competition.
Daily takeoffs will occur Saturday and Sunday at 6:15 a.m. CT out of Wolf Creek Park, and weigh-ins are scheduled in the same location beginning at 3 p.m.
2018 Bassmaster Elite at Grand Lake 4/26-4/29
Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, Grove OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 43-09 110
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 26-03
2. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 42-09 109
Day 1: 5 21-15 Day 2: 5 20-10
3. Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN 10 39-03 108
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 22-09
4. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 10 38-15 107
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 19-04
5. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 38-13 106
Day 1: 5 21-04 Day 2: 5 17-09
6. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 10 38-11 105
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 18-07
7. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 38-05 104
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 19-09
8. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 10 38-03 103
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 24-01
9. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 10 37-10 102
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 17-13
10. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 10 37-02 101
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 18-11
11. Roy Hawk Lk Havasu Cty, AZ 10 36-13 100
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 19-14
12. James Elam Tulsa, OK 10 36-10 99
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 16-13
13. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 36-10 98
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 18-05
14. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 10 36-02 97
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 21-15
15. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 36-00 96
Day 1: 5 23-05 Day 2: 5 12-11
16. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 36-00 95
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 16-13
17. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 35-05 94
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 13-13
18. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 10 35-04 93
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 15-08
19. Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 10 35-02 92
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 13-10
20. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 35-02 91
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 18-09
21. Fred Roumbanis Russellville, AR 10 34-12 90
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 16-03
22. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 34-11 89
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 17-10
23. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 34-09 88
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 16-13
24. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 10 34-08 87
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 20-12
25. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 34-06 86
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 17-12
26. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 10 34-05 85
Day 1: 5 22-06 Day 2: 5 11-15
27. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 34-05 84
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 13-05
28. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 34-03 83
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 18-05
29. Alton Jones Jr. Waco, TX 10 34-02 82
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 18-06
30. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 34-02 81
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 17-07
31. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 34-01 80
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 16-08
32. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 33-10 79
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 18-15
33. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 33-07 78
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 15-14
34. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 33-05 77
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 19-12
35. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 33-01 76
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 15-15
36. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 32-09 75
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 14-04
37. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 32-09 74
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 15-05
38. Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ 10 32-08 73
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 5 12-09
39. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 10 32-05 72
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 15-00
40. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 32-00 71
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 15-04
41. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 31-11 70
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 14-05
42. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 31-10 69
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 11-02
43. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 31-09 68
Day 1: 5 23-12 Day 2: 5 07-13
44. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 10 31-09 67
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 17-02
45. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 31-09 66
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 16-09
46. Fletcher Shryock Dennison, OH 10 31-07 65
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 15-11
47. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 10 31-00 64
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 15-12
48. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 30-13 63
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 13-10
49. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 30-13 62
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 16-11
50. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 10 30-06 61
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 14-15
51. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 30-03 60
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 17-04
52. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 10 30-02 59
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 12-11
53. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 30-02 58
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 16-15
54. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 30-01 57
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 15-06
55. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 30-01 56
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 14-13
56. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 9 30-00 55
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 4 13-01
57. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 10 29-07 54
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 13-11
58. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 29-06 53
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 13-03
59. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 10 29-03 52
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 13-12
60. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 10 29-02 51
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 13-07
61. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 10 29-01 50
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 13-08
62. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 29-00 49
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 13-09
63. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 10 28-15 48
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 16-10
64. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 10 28-15 47
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 14-02
65. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 10 28-14 46
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 11-10
66. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 8 28-07 45
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 3 10-00
67. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 28-05 44
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 15-04
68. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 27-13 43
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 13-09
69. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 27-12 42
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 15-15
70. Mike McClelland Bentonville, AR 10 27-12 41
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 13-02
71. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 9 27-10 40
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 4 09-08
72. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 10 27-10 39
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 15-10
73. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 9 27-01 38
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 4 10-05
74. Wesley Strader Spring City, TN 10 27-01 37
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 12-10
75. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 10 26-13 36
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 13-05
76. John Murray Spring City, TN 10 26-10 35
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-12
77. Ott DeFoe Blaine, TN 10 26-07 34
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 12-03
78. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 9 26-05 33
Day 1: 4 09-04 Day 2: 5 17-01
79. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 25-10 32
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 11-12
80. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 25-09 31
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-01
81. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 25-07 30
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 12-10
82. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 10 25-04 29
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 11-06
83. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 9 25-03 28
Day 1: 4 08-14 Day 2: 5 16-05
84. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 7 25-02 27
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 2 04-14
85. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 24-09 26
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 12-02
86. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 24-04 25
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 09-09
87. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 24-03 24
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 10-03
88. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 10 23-14 23
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 09-06
89. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 23-08 22
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 11-15
90. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 23-07 21
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 11-12
91. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 10 23-03 20
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 12-01
92. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 22-11 19
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 10-01
93. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 8 22-09 18
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 3 07-08
94. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 8 21-15 17
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 3 08-06
95. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 10 21-14 16
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 12-00
96. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 20-11 15
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 09-08
97. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 8 20-07 14
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 3 06-11
98. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 20-07 13
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 11-03
99. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 7 20-06 12
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 2 07-10
100. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 20-05 11
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 08-08
101. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 7 20-00 10
Day 1: 4 11-12 Day 2: 3 08-04
102. Shin Fukae Palestine TX JAPAN 9 19-12 9
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 4 07-14
103. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 9 19-09 8
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 4 06-11
104. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 7 17-13 7
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 5 12-05
105. David Fritts Lexington, NC 6 17-08 6
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 1 02-08
106. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 7 14-14 5
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 4 09-06
107. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 6 14-03 4
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 1 03-01
108. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 4 11-12 3
Day 1: 4 11-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 531 1674-05
2 92 505 1507-09
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194 1036 3181-14