Fritts Leads Elite Tournament on Lake Oahe 

June 28, 2018
B.A.S.S. News - Archived

Pierre, S.D. — The mystery of South Dakota’s smallmouth was solved by Elite Series pro David Fritts during the first day of the Bassmaster Elite tournament at Lake Oahe. The 1993 Bassmaster Classic champion caught a 19-pound, 7-ounce limit of smallmouth to best the 107-angler field on a body of water that he had never seen before, while battling 4-foot waves.

 

“Man, I should have had 23 pounds today,” the tournament leader lamented. “I had three giants jump off this morning that would have really improved my weight. But I’m really happy with what I caught.”

 

The North Carolina veteran found his pattern during the waning hours of the final practice day.

 

“I was pretty frustrated until about the last hour of practice, when I stumbled on this little deal. It involves a pretty specific structure and Berkley bait combo, so I’m pretty confident that I’ll be able to duplicate this tomorrow,” he said. “I didn’t sit there and burn up a bunch of fish.”

 

Making Fritts’ catch even more impressive was the fact that he fought through massive waves to land his limit, which made not only the fishing tougher, but also negatively affected the school he had found.

 

“The wind killed me today. Really, it blew out some of my best stuff and made it just so difficult to make precise casts and then to fight fish that are hooked. If it lays down tomorrow, it will probably be better for everyone.”

 

In addition to leading the tournament, Fritts also weighed in the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day. The 4-11 smallmouth was the first bass he caught this morning. If that fish holds on as big bass for the next three days, Fritts will earn $1,500.

 

Mark Daniels Jr. landed 18-12 to take the second place spot after the scales closed on Day 1. “I had a pretty good practice, but didn’t think I had found an 18-pound limit. So, I’m pretty jacked,” Daniels said. “The wind was brutal. There were easy 5-footers out there, and I ran 50 miles north. But, it looks like the effort was worth it.”

 

His effort included targeting fish that were both shallow and deep, but he declined to offer more details until after the tournament concludes.

 

“Although there are a ton of fish in this lake, it seems like they are in very specific areas. So, you can’t just run down the bank and catch ’em. I’m thinking my area has the fish to duplicate today’s weight, but I’m not sure how it would hold up to three or four days of pressure.”

 

Reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion Jordan Lee sits in the third place spot just a few ounces behind Daniels. Lee weighing in 18-9.

 

“I caught all the fish on a little spot I found in practice, and it wasn’t all that good, but it was the best thing I found. Today, the conditions really changed, and the wind blew and that spot got better. But, conditions will change again tomorrow and I don’t know what those fish might do,” Lee admitted. “I hope they stay there and bite again.”

 

Rounding out the Top 6 for Day 1 are Josh Bertrand, 18-8; Justin Lucas, 17-5; and Casey Ashley, 17-0.

This marks the first time for B.A.S.S. to hold a professional bass tournament on the massive, 370,000-acre impoundment of the Missouri River. Daily takeoffs will occur each competition day at 6 a.m. CT from the Spring Creek Resort & Marina, and weigh-ins will be held at Steamboat Park in Pierre at 3:45 p.m.

2018 Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe 6/29-7/2

Lake Oahe, Pierre  SD.

(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  David Fritts           Lexington, NC            5  19-07  110

  Day 1: 5   19-07   

2.  Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL             5  18-12  109

  Day 1: 5   18-12   

3.  Jordan Lee             Grant, AL                5  18-09  108

  Day 1: 5   18-09   

4.  Josh Bertrand          San Tan Valley, AZ       5  18-08  107

  Day 1: 5   18-08   

5.  Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL         5  17-05  106

  Day 1: 5   17-05   

6.  Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC              5  17-00  105

  Day 1: 5   17-00   

7.  Jacob Wheeler          Harrison, TN             5  16-12  104

  Day 1: 5   16-12   

8.  Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY            5  16-11  103

  Day 1: 5   16-11   

8.  Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  16-11  103

  Day 1: 5   16-11   

10. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL         5  16-09  101

  Day 1: 5   16-09   

11. Adrian Avena           Vineland, NJ             5  16-07  100

  Day 1: 5   16-07   

12. Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN            5  16-04   99

  Day 1: 5   16-04   

13. Brandon Palaniuk       Hayden, ID               5  15-12   98

  Day 1: 5   15-12   

14. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK               5  15-11   97

  Day 1: 5   15-11   

15. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              5  15-01   96

  Day 1: 5   15-01   

16. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            5  15-00   95

  Day 1: 5   15-00   

17. Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC           5  14-15   94

  Day 1: 5   14-15   

18. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN            5  14-13   93

  Day 1: 5   14-13   

19. Brent Ehrler           Redlands, CA             5  14-12   92

  Day 1: 5   14-12   

20. Jesse Wiggins          Cullman, AL              5  14-11   91

  Day 1: 5   14-11   

21. Shin Fukae             Palestine TX JAPAN       5  13-14   90

  Day 1: 5   13-14   

22. Alton Jones Jr.        Waco, TX                 5  13-09   89

  Day 1: 5   13-09   

23. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              5  13-08   88

  Day 1: 5   13-08   

24. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  13-04   87

  Day 1: 5   13-04   

25. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ     5  13-00   86

  Day 1: 5   13-00   

26. Ott DeFoe              Blaine, TN               5  12-14   85

  Day 1: 5   12-14   

27. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  12-11   84

  Day 1: 5   12-11   

28. Fletcher Shryock       Dennison, OH             5  12-10   83

  Day 1: 5   12-10   

29. Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                5  12-06   82

  Day 1: 5   12-06   

30. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX         5  12-00   81

  Day 1: 5   12-00   

31. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  11-13   80

  Day 1: 5   11-13   

32. Seth Feider            Bloomington, MN          5  11-12   79

  Day 1: 5   11-12   

33. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  11-09   78

  Day 1: 5   11-09   

33. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              5  11-09   78

  Day 1: 5   11-09   

35. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          5  11-08   76

  Day 1: 5   11-08   

35. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS                5  11-08   76

  Day 1: 5   11-08   

37. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          5  11-08   74

  Day 1: 5   11-08   

37. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  11-08   74

  Day 1: 5   11-08   

39. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                5  11-06   72

  Day 1: 5   11-06   

39. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              5  11-06   72

  Day 1: 5   11-06   

41. James Elam             Tulsa, OK                5  11-05   70

  Day 1: 5   11-05   

42. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX               5  11-02   69

  Day 1: 5   11-02   

43. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            5  10-15   68

  Day 1: 5   10-15   

43. Chris Zaldain          Laughlin, NV             5  10-15   68

  Day 1: 5   10-15   

45. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            5  10-11   66

  Day 1: 5   10-11   

46. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  10-10   65

  Day 1: 5   10-10   

46. Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL            5  10-10   65

  Day 1: 5   10-10   

48. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           4  10-07   63

  Day 1: 4   10-07   

49. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  10-04   62

  Day 1: 5   10-04   

50. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  5  10-03   61

  Day 1: 5   10-03   

51. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA               5  10-02   60

  Day 1: 5   10-02   

52. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN       5  10-01   59

  Day 1: 5   10-01   

53. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS         5  09-15   58

  Day 1: 5   09-15   

54. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  09-13   57

  Day 1: 5   09-13   

55. Mike McClelland        Bentonville, AR          5  09-12   56

  Day 1: 5   09-12   

56. Gerald Spohrer         Gonzales, LA             5  09-11   55

  Day 1: 5   09-11   

57. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  09-10   54

  Day 1: 5   09-10   

58. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         4  09-09   53

  Day 1: 4   09-09   

59. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          5  09-07   52

  Day 1: 5   09-07   

59. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL         5  09-07   52

  Day 1: 5   09-07   

61. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  5  09-06   50

  Day 1: 5   09-06   

61. Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN          5  09-06   50

  Day 1: 5   09-06   

63. Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL              5  09-05   48

  Day 1: 5   09-05   

64. Dave Lefebre           Erie, PA                 5  09-03   47

  Day 1: 5   09-03   

65. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               5  09-00   46

  Day 1: 5   09-00   

66. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          4  09-00   45

  Day 1: 4   09-00   

67. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         5  08-14   44

  Day 1: 5   08-14   

68. Matt Lee               Guntersville, AL         5  08-12   43

  Day 1: 5   08-12   

69. Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL          5  08-11   42

  Day 1: 5   08-11   

69. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL                5  08-11   42

  Day 1: 5   08-11   

71. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               4  08-10   40

  Day 1: 4   08-10   

72. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  08-07   39

  Day 1: 5   08-07   

73. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         5  08-06   38

  Day 1: 5   08-06   

74. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             5  08-05   37

  Day 1: 5   08-05   

75. David Walker           Sevierville, TN          5  08-05   36

  Day 1: 5   08-05   

76. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  08-04   35

  Day 1: 5   08-04   

77. Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX                3  08-04   34

  Day 1: 3   08-04   

78. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  08-03   33

  Day 1: 5   08-03   

79. Fred Roumbanis         Russellville, AR         5  08-01   32

  Day 1: 5   08-01   

79. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             5  08-01   32

  Day 1: 5   08-01   

81. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             5  08-01   30

  Day 1: 5   08-01   

82. Roy Hawk               Lk Havasu Cty, AZ        5  07-14   29

  Day 1: 5   07-14   

83. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  07-14   28

  Day 1: 5   07-14   

84. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL             5  07-12   27

  Day 1: 5   07-12   

85. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI            5  07-11   26

  Day 1: 5   07-11   

86. Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH        5  07-10   25

  Day 1: 5   07-10   

87. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  07-10   24

  Day 1: 5   07-10   

88. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX               5  07-07   23

  Day 1: 5   07-07   

88. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  07-07   23

  Day 1: 5   07-07   

88. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR          5  07-07   23

  Day 1: 5   07-07   

91. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        5  07-05   20

  Day 1: 5   07-05   

92. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK              5  07-04   19

  Day 1: 5   07-04   

92. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  07-04   19

  Day 1: 5   07-04   

94. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  07-01   17

  Day 1: 5   07-01   

95. Darrell Ocamica        New Plymouth, ID         5  07-00   16

  Day 1: 5   07-00   

96. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA              5  06-15   15

  Day 1: 5   06-15   

97. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              4  06-09   14

  Day 1: 4   06-09   

97. Bill Weidler           Helena, AL               4  06-09   14

  Day 1: 4   06-09   

99. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL         5  06-07   12

  Day 1: 5   06-07   

100. John Murray            Spring City, TN          3  06-03   11

  Day 1: 3   06-03   

101. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            5  06-00   10

  Day 1: 5   06-00   

102. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL        4  05-13    9

  Day 1: 4   05-13   

103. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                3  05-12    8

  Day 1: 3   05-12   

104. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          4  04-06    7

  Day 1: 4   04-06   

105. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           3  03-12    6

  Day 1: 3   03-12   

106. Jonathon VanDam        Gobles, MI               3  03-08    5

  Day 1: 3   03-08   

107. Gary Klein             Mingus, TX               3  03-07    4

  Day 1: 3   03-07   

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Totals

Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight

 1        93       515      1130-08

----------------------------------

          93       515      1130-08