TOWER, Minn. — Corey Brant wants much more than continuing to lead the B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Divisional tournament on Lake Vermilion. That’s not asking much, either. More fishing time is what Brant and anglers from eight Midwestern states desire. A thick blanket of fog settling over Lake Vermilion delayed the official 6 a.m. start time. The first boats idled away from the marina at 8:17 a.m., cutting the day short by two hours.
“I have an early topwater bite for smallmouth and it didn’t happen this morning,” said Brant, a club member of Twin City Bass. “I’m sure I speak for everyone when I hope that tomorrow we get out on time.”
That outcome hinges on the weather for Day 2. Fog is in the forecast until 7 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. This morning’s fog was due to post-frontal conditions that dropped the overnight low to 37 degrees on Tuesday. The chilly air mixed with warm water and the fog thickened until after sunrise.
Brant might also want more weight. He leads the tournament with 16 pounds, 14 ounces. Close behind with 16-9 is Gary Adkins of Green Bay, Wis. Daniel Brown of Joliet, Ill., is in third place with 15-15. Ounces separate him from the remaining anglers in the Top 5.
The fog isn’t the only challenge facing the anglers. During practice a strong low-pressure system brought high winds, heavy rain and a 20-degree drop in the daytime high. Today’s temperature of 70 degrees with clear skies and light winds is a huge contrast to Tuesday’s weather in the area.
“The post-front conditions hurt everyone today, me included,” said Brant of Minnetonka, Minn. “Tomorrow and Friday the weather will stabilize and that should make the fish more active.”
Brant abandoned his early morning topwater bite after landing only one smallmouth. He spent the remainder of the day with frequent, short stops at a dozen areas on the east side of the lake.
“Where we caught one bass at each stop we should have caught five more,” he said. “It was a grind all day long.”
There was a positive aspect. Being forced to fish deeper areas all day provided more knowledge of bass behavior for Thursday.
“It definitely helped being in those areas more since it’s where I’ll spend much of the time,” he said.
With more fog Thursday he might be forced to get even more comfortable with the deeper bite.
Winning the overall tournament is only one goal. Another high honor is qualifying for bass club angling’s premier event. The highest finishing angler from each competing state advances to the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Nov. 5-7, on the Ouachita River in Louisiana. Minnesota leads the state standings with a cumulative weight of 122 pounds, 7 ounces. Illinois is second with 103-12 and Wisconsin is third with 82-6. Ohio is fourth with 79-11 and South Dakota fifth with 75-14. Iowa has 72-15 for sixth place, Indiana is seventh with 71-6 and Michigan is eighth with 69-2. The winning state team is awarded a Triton/Yamaha boat, motor, trailer and accessories package valued at $37,292.
2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Divisional 8/26-8/28
Lake Vermilion, Tower, Minn.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Corey Brant Minnetonka, MN (MN) 5 16-14 0
2. Gary Adkins Green Bay, WI (WI) 5 16-09 0
3. Daniel Brown Joliet, IL (IL) 5 15-15 0
4. Ted Heitschmidt Tomahawk, WI (WI) 5 15-13 0
5. Joe Pruss Springfield, SD (SD) 5 15-00 0
5. Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD (SD) 5 15-00 0
7. Nate Brown Muscatine, IA (IA) 5 13-14 0
8. Jarrod Sherwood Vassar, MI (MI) 5 13-10 0
9. Nathan Steinbauer Edina, MN (MN) 5 13-07 0
10. Ryan Whitacre Chicago, IL (WI) 5 12-15 0
11. Scott Cremeans Albany, OH (OH) 5 12-10 0
12. Korey Bushman Eden Prairie, MN (MN) 5 12-06 0
13. Rob Melendez Frankfort, IL (IL) 5 12-00 0
14. Brad Ballard Winona, MN (MN) 5 11-11 0
15. Dave Thompson Washington, IL (IL) 5 11-08 0
16. Brian Bengtson Bloomington, MN (MN) 5 11-06 0
17. Andy Hriber Lakeville, MN (MN) 5 11-04 0
18. Jami Fralick Martin, SD (SD) 5 10-13 0
19. Curt Samo Rochelle, IL (IL) 5 10-12 0
20. Brandon Osting Delphos, OH (OH) 5 10-11 0
21. Marvin Parton Kokomo, IN (IN) 4 10-11 0
22. Kevin Imer Marengo, OH (OH) 4 10-06 0
23. Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH (OH) 4 10-04 0
24. Landon Moore Marion, IA (IA) 5 10-03 0
25. Joseph Sestak Tabor, SD (SD) 5 10-01 0
26. Mike Pappas Lagrange, IL (IL) 4 10-01 0
27. Brad Norris Hudson, IL (IL) 5 09-11 0
28. Vaughn Capasso MARENGO, IL (IL) 5 09-07 0
29. Walter Hart Washington Court House, 4 09-06 0
30. Tadd Johnson Lakeview, MN (MN) 5 09-04 0
31. Jesse Schwark Athens, MI (MI) 5 09-03 0
32. Scott Bonnema Zimmerman, MN (MN) 5 09-02 0
33. Mark Borchers Akron, IA (IA) 5 08-14 0
34. Jeff Fischer Farmington, MI (MI) 5 08-10 0
34. Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH (OH) 5 08-10 0
36. Bryan Freyermuth Muscatine, IA (IA) 3 08-10 0
37. Jeff Bostic Cassopolis, MI (MI) 3 08-05 0
38. Chris Wilkinson Farmersburg, IN (IN) 5 08-01 0
39. Brian Saari Madison, WI (WI) 3 08-01 0
40. Jim Barczak Osceola, WI (WI) 5 07-15 0
40. Matt Fischer Farmington, MI (MI) 5 07-15 0
42. Dave Hedge Greenfield, IN (IN) 5 07-14 0
42. Guy Knudson Zimmerman, MN (MN) 5 07-14 0
44. Eric Zoromski Lena, WI (WI) 5 07-12 0
45. Corey Peterson Yankton, SD (SD) 3 07-12 0
46. Aaron Daeges Carver, MN (MN) 4 07-11 0
47. Wes Thomas Hanover, IN (IN) 5 07-08 0
48. Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA (IA) 4 07-08 0
49. Tim Maupin Lawrenceburg, IN (IN) 4 07-06 0
50. Greg Vance Dubuque, IA (IA) 4 07-05 0
51. Dave Schneider Indianapolis, IN (IN) 3 06-15 0
52. David Junk Quincy, IL (IL) 3 06-08 0
53. Dave Watson Sullivan, IN (IN) 5 06-07 0
54. Bryan Corley Des Moines, IA (IA) 3 06-05 0
55. Carl Spande Mounds View, MN (MN) 3 06-03 0
56. Michael Nesbitt St. Paris, OH (OH) 3 06-01 0
57. Levi Warner Shiocton, WI (WI) 3 05-14 0
58. Frederick Goy Genoa City, WI (WI) 2 05-10 0
59. Eric Hardesty Nineveh, IN (IN) 3 05-07 0
60. Richard Lindgren Lakeville, MN (MN) 3 05-05 0
61. Raul Gonzalez Schrumburg, IL (IL) 2 05-04 0
62. Brian Vogelsang Zanes Field, OH (OH) 2 05-01 0
63. Brian Searcy Muscatine, IA (IA) 4 05-00 0
64. Allen Wennerberg Waterford, MI (MI) 2 05-00 0
65. Robert Doughty Columbus, OH (OH) 2 04-13 0
65. Bob Kowal Sparta, MI (MI) 2 04-13 0
67. John Ling IV Climax, MI (MI) 3 04-10 0
68. Chad Starrett Shirley, IN (IN) 3 04-09 0
69. Mark Peterson Orland Park, IL (IL) 3 04-05 0
70. Mark Emenecker Matton, IL (IL) 3 04-04 0
71. Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD (SD) 3 04-03 0
72. Tom Ondras Jourt, IL (IL) 2 04-01 0
73. Zach Grounds Fortvilla, IN (IN) 2 03-10 0
74. Richard Hladky Yankton, SD (SD) 2 03-08 0
75. James Haas Yankton, SD (SD) 1 03-08 0
76. Kyle Jump Farmington Hills, MI (M 2 03-05 0
77. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI (IN) 2 02-14 0
78. Adam Hladky Volin, SD (SD) 2 02-10 0
78. Kirk Simpson Waterford, MI (MI) 2 02-10 0
80. Phil Rummel Mount Vernon, OH (OH) 1 01-13 0
81. Orlando Rundle Monticello, IA (IA) 1 01-11 0
82. Chris Calkins Marshalltown, IA (IA) 1 01-05 0
83. Steven Houdek Calmar, IA (IA) 1 01-04 0
83. Tucker Peschl Tyndall, SD (SD) 1 01-04 0
85. Mel Williams Winner, SD (SD) 1 01-03 0
86. Edward Schiller Wixom, MI (MI) 1 01-01 0
87. Trevor Kettles Waukee, IA (IA) 1 01-00 0
87. Chad Kurowski New Franken, WI (WI) 1 01-00 0
87. Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD (SD) 1 01-00 0
90. Nathan Ranallo La Crosse, WI (WI) 1 00-13 0
91. Kyler Chelminiak Franklin, WI (WI) 0 00-00 0
91. IL HS - Zobel / Cook Joliet, IL (IL) 0 00-00 0
91. Miqell Dawson Detroit, MI (MI) 0 00-00 0
91. Kevin Fassbind Cottage Grove, WI (WI) 0 00-00 0
91. Terry Hall Grove City, OH (OH) 0 00-00 0
91. IA HS - Minton / Hamdorf Lowden, IA (IA) 0 00-00 0
91. WI HS - Lindus / Haney Baldwin, WI (WI) 0 00-00 0
91. CJ Hatton South Lyon, MI (MI) 0 00-00 0
91. SD HS - Swanson / Hutmacher Oacoma, SD (SD) 0 00-00 0
91. Scott Metzger Springfield, OH (OH) 0 00-00 0
91. Shon Nelson Elberfield, IN (IN) 0 00-00 0
91. OH HS - Kovatch / Pritsel Westerville, OH (OH) 0 00-00 0
91. MN HS - Provost / Raveling Jordan, MN (MN) 0 00-00 0
91. IN HS - Miller / Stafford Bloomington, IN (IN) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 38 319 677-09
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38 319 677-09
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
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State Lbs-Oz
1 MINNESOTA 122-07
2 ILLINOIS 103-12
3 WISCONSIN 82-06
4 OHIO 79-11
5 SOUTH DAKOTA 75-14
6 IOWA 72-15
7 INDIANA 71-06
8 MICHIGAN 69-02
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
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IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Nate Brown Muscatine, IA 5 13-14 0
2 Landon Moore Marion, IA 5 10-03 0
3 Mark Borchers Akron, IA 5 08-14 0
4 Bryan Freyermuth Muscatine, IA 3 08-10 0
5 Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA 4 07-08 0
6 Greg Vance Dubuque, IA 4 07-05 0
7 Bryan Corley Des Moines, IA 3 06-05 0
8 Brian Searcy Muscatine, IA 4 05-00 0
9 Orlando Rundle Monticello, IA 1 01-11 0
10 Chris Calkins Marshalltown, IA 1 01-05 0
11 Steven Houdek Calmar, IA 1 01-04 0
12 Trevor Kettles Waukee, IA 1 01-00 0
13 IA HS - Minton / Hamdorf Lowden, IA 0 00-00 0
ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Daniel Brown Joliet, IL 5 15-15 0
2 Rob Melendez Frankfort, IL 5 12-00 0
3 Dave Thompson Washington, IL 5 11-08 0
4 Curt Samo Rochelle, IL 5 10-12 0
5 Mike Pappas Lagrange, IL 4 10-01 0
6 Brad Norris Hudson, IL 5 09-11 0
7 Vaughn Capasso MARENGO, IL 5 09-07 0
8 David Junk Quincy, IL 3 06-08 0
9 Raul Gonzalez Schrumburg, IL 2 05-04 0
10 Mark Peterson Orland Park, IL 3 04-05 0
11 Mark Emenecker Matton, IL 3 04-04 0
12 Tom Ondras Jourt, IL 2 04-01 0
13 IL HS - Zobel / Cook Joliet, IL 0 00-00 0
INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Marvin Parton Kokomo, IN 4 10-11 0
2 Chris Wilkinson Farmersburg, IN 5 08-01 0
3 Dave Hedge Greenfield, IN 5 07-14 0
4 Wes Thomas Hanover, IN 5 07-08 0
5 Tim Maupin Lawrenceburg, IN 4 07-06 0
6 Dave Schneider Indianapolis, IN 3 06-15 0
7 Dave Watson Sullivan, IN 5 06-07 0
8 Eric Hardesty Nineveh, IN 3 05-07 0
9 Chad Starrett Shirley, IN 3 04-09 0
10 Zach Grounds Fortvilla, IN 2 03-10 0
11 Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 2 02-14 0
12 Shon Nelson Elberfield, IN 0 00-00 0
12 IN HS - Miller / Stafford Bloomington, IN 0 00-00 0
MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jarrod Sherwood Vassar, MI 5 13-10 0
2 Jesse Schwark Athens, MI 5 09-03 0
3 Jeff Fischer Farmington, MI 5 08-10 0
4 Jeff Bostic Cassopolis, MI 3 08-05 0
5 Matt Fischer Farmington, MI 5 07-15 0
6 Allen Wennerberg Waterford, MI 2 05-00 0
7 Bob Kowal Sparta, MI 2 04-13 0
8 John Ling IV Climax, MI 3 04-10 0
9 Kyle Jump Farmington Hills, MI 2 03-05 0
10 Kirk Simpson Waterford, MI 2 02-10 0
11 Edward Schiller Wixom, MI 1 01-01 0
12 Miqell Dawson Detroit, MI 0 00-00 0
12 CJ Hatton South Lyon, MI 0 00-00 0
MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Corey Brant Minnetonka, MN 5 16-14 0
2 Nathan Steinbauer Edina, MN 5 13-07 0
3 Korey Bushman Eden Prairie, MN 5 12-06 0
4 Brad Ballard Winona, MN 5 11-11 0
5 Brian Bengtson Bloomington, MN 5 11-06 0
6 Andy Hriber Lakeville, MN 5 11-04 0
7 Tadd Johnson Lakeview, MN 5 09-04 0
8 Scott Bonnema Zimmerman, MN 5 09-02 0
9 Guy Knudson Zimmerman, MN 5 07-14 0
10 Aaron Daeges Carver, MN 4 07-11 0
11 Carl Spande Mounds View, MN 3 06-03 0
12 Richard Lindgren Lakeville, MN 3 05-05 0
13 MN HS - Provost / Raveling Jordan, MN 0 00-00 0
OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Scott Cremeans Albany, OH 5 12-10 0
2 Brandon Osting Delphos, OH 5 10-11 0
3 Kevin Imer Marengo, OH 4 10-06 0
4 Paul Amstutz Gambler, OH 4 10-04 0
5 Walter Hart Washington Court House, 4 09-06 0
6 Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH 5 08-10 0
7 Michael Nesbitt St. Paris, OH 3 06-01 0
8 Brian Vogelsang Zanes Field, OH 2 05-01 0
9 Robert Doughty Columbus, OH 2 04-13 0
10 Phil Rummel Mount Vernon, OH 1 01-13 0
11 Terry Hall Grove City, OH 0 00-00 0
11 Scott Metzger Springfield, OH 0 00-00 0
11 OH HS - Kovatch / Pritsel Westerville, OH 0 00-00 0
SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Joe Pruss Springfield, SD 5 15-00 0
1 Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD 5 15-00 0
3 Jami Fralick Martin, SD 5 10-13 0
4 Joseph Sestak Tabor, SD 5 10-01 0
5 Corey Peterson Yankton, SD 3 07-12 0
6 Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD 3 04-03 0
7 Richard Hladky Yankton, SD 2 03-08 0
8 James Haas Yankton, SD 1 03-08 0
9 Adam Hladky Volin, SD 2 02-10 0
10 Tucker Peschl Tyndall, SD 1 01-04 0
11 Mel Williams Winner, SD 1 01-03 0
12 Timothy Peterson Springfield, SD 1 01-00 0
13 SD HS - Swanson / Hutmacher Oacoma, SD 0 00-00 0
WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Gary Adkins Green Bay, WI 5 16-09 0
2 Ted Heitschmidt Tomahawk, WI 5 15-13 0
3 Ryan Whitacre Chicago, IL 5 12-15 0
4 Brian Saari Madison, WI 3 08-01 0
5 Jim Barczak Osceola, WI 5 07-15 0
6 Eric Zoromski Lena, WI 5 07-12 0
7 Levi Warner Shiocton, WI 3 05-14 0
8 Frederick Goy Genoa City, WI 2 05-10 0
9 Chad Kurowski New Franken, WI 1 01-00 0
10 Nathan Ranallo La Crosse, WI 1 00-13 0
11 Kyler Chelminiak Franklin, WI 0 00-00 0
11 Kevin Fassbind Cottage Grove, WI 0 00-00 0
11 WI HS - Lindus / Haney Baldwin, WI 0 00-00 0