GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Bassmaster Elite Series event that was billed for months as the "Mystery Lake" tournament is still something of a mystery to many of the best bass anglers in the world. The 2006 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Aaron Martens, leads the way at the Green Bay Challenge bass fishing tournament with a five-bass limit of smallmouth that weighed 20 pounds. His closest competition, Dean Rojas, is just two ounces back, but a third of the field is knotted between 11 and 14 pounds.
“Everyone’s basically fishing in the same area,” Martens said, describing a 3 or 4 mile stretch of Lake Michigan on the west side of the lake, not far from Sand Bay. “I’m concerned that all the fishing pressure might affect the bite and make things tough tomorrow.”
David Walker, currently sixth with 17-13, estimated that there were as many 80 boats in a 3-mile section of the lake. “In places, the boats are just 50 feet apart.”
Though the anglers are customarily closed-mouthed in the early stages of a tournament, several commented that many of the bass being caught are bedding smallmouth between 5 and 10-feet deep. Soft plastic baits fished on jigheads and drop shots are doing most of the work, though jerkbaits and spinnerbaits are also accounting for some bass.
Apart from concerns about the action holding up under such intense fishing pressure, there are concerns about the weather. A change in wind direction on a massive water body like Lake Michigan can turn a pleasant boat ride into an unpleasant journey and a challenging ride into one you just can’t risk. With conflicting and frequently changing weather reports, it’ll be a game-time decision for each angler as to whether or not he can get back to his fish on Friday.
Japan’s Morizo Shimizu had the big bass of the day, a 5-pound smallmouth. Unfortunately for the pro, it was one of just three keeper bass he scored today. His total catch weighed 12-12 and put him in 47th place.
In the Angler of the Year race, pre-tournament leader Brent Chapman weighed in 13-14 and ended the day in 33rd place. Todd Faircloth sacked a big limit weighing 18-3 and passed Chapman in the AOY race. He now leads with 572 points to Chapman’s 560.
First prize in the Green Bay Challenge is $100,000 and a berth in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. The pros also are fighting for points to earn a qualification for the 2013 Classic. Those near the top of the points standings are in contention for a postseason entry and the 2012 Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
The Challenge will continue through Sunday at Metro Boat Launch in Green Bay. Takeoff is set for 6:15 a.m., and weigh-ins will begin at 3:15 p.m. The Bassmaster Elite Series Family Festival will open at noon on Saturday and Sunday.
All Bassmaster fan activities are free and open to the public.
2012 Green Bay Challenge 6/28-7/1
Lake Michigan, Green Bay WI.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 20-00 98
Day 1: 5 20-00
2. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 19-14 97
Day 1: 5 19-14
3. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 18-03 96
Day 1: 5 18-03
4. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 18-00 95
Day 1: 5 18-00
5. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 5 17-14 94
Day 1: 5 17-14
6. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 17-13 93
Day 1: 5 17-13
7. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 17-11 92
Day 1: 5 17-11
8. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 17-01 91
Day 1: 5 17-01
9. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 17-00 90
Day 1: 5 17-00
10. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 16-13 89
Day 1: 5 16-13
10. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 16-13 89
Day 1: 5 16-13
10. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 5 16-13 89
Day 1: 5 16-13
13. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 16-11 86
Day 1: 5 16-11
14. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 16-09 85
Day 1: 5 16-09
15. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 16-09 84
Day 1: 5 16-09
16. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 5 16-08 83
Day 1: 5 16-08
16. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 16-08 83
Day 1: 5 16-08
18. Travis Manson De Pere, WI 5 16-07 81
Day 1: 5 16-07
19. John Crews Salem, VA 5 16-06 80
Day 1: 5 16-06
20. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 16-00 79
Day 1: 5 16-00
21. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 5 15-14 78
Day 1: 5 15-14
22. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 15-13 77
Day 1: 5 15-13
23. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 15-12 76
Day 1: 5 15-12
23. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 5 15-12 76
Day 1: 5 15-12
25. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 14-14 74
Day 1: 5 14-14
25. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 14-14 74
Day 1: 5 14-14
27. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 14-10 72
Day 1: 5 14-10
28. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 14-08 71
Day 1: 5 14-08
29. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 14-04 70
Day 1: 5 14-04
30. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 14-02 69
Day 1: 5 14-02
31. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 14-01 68
Day 1: 5 14-01
32. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 13-15 67
Day 1: 5 13-15
33. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 13-14 66
Day 1: 5 13-14
34. Shaw E Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 13-13 65
Day 1: 5 13-13
35. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 13-13 64
Day 1: 5 13-13
36. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 13-12 63
Day 1: 5 13-12
37. Matt Greenblatt Port St Lucie, FL 5 13-08 62
Day 1: 5 13-08
38. Jeremy Starks Scott Depot, WV 5 13-06 61
Day 1: 5 13-06
39. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 13-04 60
Day 1: 5 13-04
40. David Smith Del City, OK 5 13-02 59
Day 1: 5 13-02
41. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 13-01 58
Day 1: 5 13-01
42. Kelly Jordon Palestine, TX 5 12-13 57
Day 1: 5 12-13
42. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 12-13 57
Day 1: 5 12-13
44. Alton Jones Woodway, TX 5 12-12 55
Day 1: 5 12-12
44. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 12-12 55
Day 1: 5 12-12
44. Fletcher Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 12-12 55
Day 1: 5 12-12
47. Morizo Shimizu Matsugaoka JAPAN 3 12-12 52
Day 1: 3 12-12
48. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 12-11 51
Day 1: 5 12-11
49. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 12-10 50
Day 1: 5 12-10
50. Casey D Ashley Donalds, SC 5 12-04 49
Day 1: 5 12-04
51. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 12-02 48
Day 1: 5 12-02
52. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 5 12-01 47
Day 1: 5 12-01
52. Nate Wellman Newaygo, MI 5 12-01 47
Day 1: 5 12-01
54. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 12-00 45
Day 1: 5 12-00
55. Jamie Horton Centerville, AL 5 12-00 44
Day 1: 5 12-00
56. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 11-09 43
Day 1: 5 11-09
57. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 11-04 42
Day 1: 5 11-04
58. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 5 11-03 41
Day 1: 5 11-03
59. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 11-02 40
Day 1: 5 11-02
60. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 11-01 39
Day 1: 5 11-01
61. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 4 11-00 38
Day 1: 4 11-00
62. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 4 10-13 37
Day 1: 4 10-13
63. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 10-12 36
Day 1: 5 10-12
64. Russell Parrish Riesel, TX 4 10-08 35
Day 1: 4 10-08
65. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 5 10-03 34
Day 1: 5 10-03
66. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 10-02 33
Day 1: 5 10-02
67. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 09-09 32
Day 1: 5 09-09
68. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 09-08 31
Day 1: 5 09-08
69. Clark Reehm Shreveport, LA 5 09-06 30
Day 1: 5 09-06
70. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 4 09-01 29
Day 1: 4 09-01
71. Casey Scanlon Lenexa, KS 3 09-00 28
Day 1: 3 09-00
72. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 08-05 27
Day 1: 5 08-05
73. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 4 08-05 26
Day 1: 4 08-05
74. Grant Goldbeck Boerne, TX 3 07-12 25
Day 1: 3 07-12
75. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 3 07-08 24
Day 1: 3 07-08
76. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 3 07-07 23
Day 1: 3 07-07
77. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 4 07-02 22
Day 1: 4 07-02
78. Kyle A. Fox Lakeland, FL 4 07-01 21
Day 1: 4 07-01
79. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 4 06-09 20
Day 1: 4 06-09
80. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 3 06-09 19
Day 1: 3 06-09
81. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 3 06-08 18
Day 1: 3 06-08
82. Michael Simonton Fremont, OH 2 06-00 17
Day 1: 2 06-00
83. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 3 05-13 16
Day 1: 3 05-13
84. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 3 05-10 15
Day 1: 3 05-10
85. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 2 05-03 14
Day 1: 2 05-03
86. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 2 05-00 13
Day 1: 2 05-00
87. Byron Velvick Boenre, TX 2 04-10 12
Day 1: 2 04-10
88. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 2 04-03 11
Day 1: 2 04-03
89. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 2 03-11 10
Day 1: 2 03-11
89. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 2 03-11 10
Day 1: 2 03-11
91. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 2 03-06 8
Day 1: 2 03-06
92. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 2 03-04 7
Day 1: 2 03-04
93. Brent Broderick Oregonia, OH 1 02-13 6
Day 1: 1 02-13
94. Jared Miller Norman, OK 1 02-02 5
Day 1: 1 02-02
95. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 1 02-01 4
Day 1: 1 02-01
96. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 1 02-00 3
Day 1: 1 02-00
97. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
97. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 66 411 1118-10
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66 411 1118-10