PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Keeping his lead in the bass fishing tournament for the third day in a row, Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Chris Lane of Winter Haven, Fla., pulled another limit of largemouth bass from Lake Champlain Saturday for a three-day total catch of 58-3.
Lane fended off the other 49 Elite anglers on Saturday, including seasoned veteran and 1998 Bassmaster Classic champion Denny Brauer, who was nipping at his heels, just 1 pound, 4 ounces away. Brauer reeled in a Day 3 catch of 19 pounds even, boosting his total to 56-15.
With one day to go in the Elite Series' Champion's Choice, Brauer not only has a clear shot at the $100,000 top prize, he could easily hit the $2 million mark in Bassmaster winnings, a feat accomplished only by one other Bassmaster angler, Elite pro Kevin VanDam. Even if Brauer finishes second or third at the Champlain event, he would still surpass the $2 million mark - he's only $24,248 shy of the rare accomplishment.
Lane said his go-to lure on Champlain was a Gambler Cane Toad - the same lure he used to capture the 2006 Bassmaster Southern Tour win on Lake Okeechobee in January. Lane's comfort level was high because he was targeting largemouth bass in a bay filled with vegetation also common to Okeechobee.
"Those guys behind me are legends, and they're going to be tough to hold off," said the 30-year-old Lane. "My mind is going in a million directions. We'll see what happens tomorrow."
Brauer, of Camdenton, Mo., has 15 BASS career title wins to his name. He said he'd like to add the Lake Champlain Elite event to the list.
"The competitor in me wants to win," said Brauer, 57, "but I will be the first to congratulate him if he [Lane] wins. Mentally I'm in a good position. I'm relaxed and ready to go fishing tomorrow."
Brauer said his plan was to go to one hot spot and work it with Strike King Pro Model jigs, flipping around the edges of reeds and mats.
In third going into the final day was Brent Chapman of Kansas with 54-6. In fourth with 54-2 was Mississippi's Paul Elias, who jumped from 11th place. Rounding out the top five was Oklahoma's Terry Butcher with 53-12. They'll be competing against the seven other pros who make up the Elite 12 for Sunday's finale.
Elias won the Big Bass award with a 5-1 fish as well as the award with his Day 3 bag of 19-14; each was worth a $1,000 bonus.
In the co-angler side of the Champion's Choice, Bill Spence of St. Albans, Vt., took top honors with a three-day total of 31-4. Spence moved from second on Day 1 to the top of the leaderboard on Day 2 and held it Saturday for the win.
An air traffic controller at the Burlington, Vt., airport, Spence said his win on Champlain was the greatest accomplishment of his career. "This has just been a phenomenal week. It really feels great," he said.
Spence took home the top prize of a fully rigged Triton boat valued at $45,000. The top 25 co-anglers competed for $115,400 in cash and merchandise.
Elite Series anglers are vying for $673,150 in cash to the top 50 Elite pros and points toward qualifying in the Bassmaster Majors and Classic. Points also count in the race for the coveted Angler of the Year award.
2006 Champions Choice Pro 07/13-07/16
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh N.Y.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 15 58-03 315 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 5 17-09
2. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 15 56-15 295
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 18-10 Day 3: 5 19-00
3. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 15 54-06 290
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 18-15
4. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 15 54-02 285 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 19-14
5. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 15 53-12 280
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 5 17-01
6. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 15 53-02 276
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 19-00 Day 3: 5 15-09
7. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 15 52-14 272 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 17-00
8. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 15 52-13 268
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 18-13
9. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 51-13 264 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 5 15-12
10. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 15 49-14 260
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 16-12
11. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 49-10 257
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 16-04
12. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 15 49-06 254
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 14-12
13. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 15 48-06 251 $10,800.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 16-14 Day 3: 5 15-08
14. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 15 48-02 248 $11,700.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 15-02
15. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 48-01 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 16-06
16. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 15 47-08 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 16-05
17. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 15 47-07 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 5 13-07
18. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 15 47-00 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 15-00
19. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 15 46-12 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 16-08
20. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 15 46-04 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 5 14-00
21. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 15 46-02 232 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 16-15
21. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15 46-02 232 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 15-14
23. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 15 45-14 229 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 16-06
24. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 15 45-05 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 16-01
25. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 15 44-14 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 17-11
26. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 15 44-13 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 16-14
27. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 15 44-00 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 9-01
28. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 15 43-13 218 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 11-00
28. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 15 43-13 218 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 16-06
30. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 15 43-12 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 14-00
31. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 15 43-04 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 16-10
32. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 15 42-11 210 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 10-08
32. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 15 42-11 210 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 14-11
34. Charlie Youngers Geneva, Fla. 14 41-13 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 19-00 Day 3: 4 10-08
35. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 15 41-11 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 15-02
36. Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 15 41-10 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 14-08
37. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 15 41-08 201 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 11-02
38. Gerald Swindle Warrioir, Ala. 15 41-06 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 12-05
39. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 15 41-04 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 5 9-13
40. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 15 40-11 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 14-03
41. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 13 40-01 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 3 5-12
42. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 15 39-12 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 11-10 Day 3: 5 13-03
43. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 15 38-02 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 10-04
44. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 15 37-03 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 5 10-14
45. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 14 36-11 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 4 8-10
46. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 15 36-02 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 5 9-11
47. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 15 36-01 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 5 9-04
48. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 15 35-12 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 9-06
49. William Smith, Jr Somerset, Ky. 14 35-10 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 4 8-10
50. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 15 35-08 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 8-10
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Big Bass
Day
1 Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 6-06 $1,000.00
2 Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 6-03 $1,000.00
3 Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 5-01 $1,000.00
Day
1 Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 21-02 $1,000.00
2 Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 20-08 $1,000.00
3 Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 19-14 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 92 485 1280-02
2 101 508 1419-03
3 46 245 703-07
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239 1238 3402-12 2006 Champions Choice NB 07/13-07/16
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh N.Y.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bill Spence St Albans, Vt. 9 31-04 0 $45,250.00
Day 1: 3 12-01 Day 2: 3 9-15 Day 3: 3 9-04
2. Eric Peck Williamsburg, Mich. 9 27-14 0 $25,000.00
Day 1: 3 9-09 Day 2: 3 7-05 Day 3: 3 11-00
3. Kevin Cunningham Farmingdale, N.Y. 9 27-13 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 10-00 Day 2: 3 7-13 Day 3: 3 10-00
4. Charlie Raia Gardendale, Ala. 9 27-11 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 3 10-15 Day 2: 3 8-07 Day 3: 3 8-05
5. Frederic Jullian Beziers, France 9 26-13 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 3 9-11 Day 2: 3 8-11 Day 3: 3 8-07
6. Otto David Jefferson Valley, N.Y. 9 26-09 0 $3,500.00
Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 3 6-07 Day 3: 3 10-15
7. Walter Stringer Tallassee, Ala. 9 26-04 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 3 9-05 Day 3: 3 9-04
8. Mike Frazier Orlando, Fla. 7 25-06 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 1 3-05 Day 2: 3 11-10 Day 3: 3 10-07
9. Jim Staszewski West Gardiner, Maine 9 24-11 0 $1,800.00
Day 1: 3 8-12 Day 2: 3 10-01 Day 3: 3 5-14
10. Roger Howell Clayton, Ala. 9 24-08 0 $1,600.00
Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 3 7-10 Day 3: 3 7-11
11. Michael Lynch Ridgewood, N.J. 9 24-06 0 $1,400.00
Day 1: 3 8-01 Day 2: 3 8-04 Day 3: 3 8-01
12. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 9 23-04 0 $1,300.00
Day 1: 3 7-04 Day 2: 3 7-06 Day 3: 3 8-10
13. Don Stehle Dover, N.H. 9 23-00 0 $1,200.00
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 3 8-12 Day 3: 3 7-14
14. Stephen Gould Kalamazoo, Mich. 9 22-13 0 $1,350.00
Day 1: 3 12-12 Day 2: 3 5-14 Day 3: 3 4-03
15. Don Moore Ukiah, Calif. 9 22-11 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 4-01 Day 2: 3 9-00 Day 3: 3 9-10
16. Gary Haraguchi Brentwood, Calif. 9 22-06 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2: 3 10-01 Day 3: 3 4-08
16. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 9 22-06 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 3 9-10 Day 3: 3 6-06
18. Steve Tosh Modesto, Calif. 9 22-05 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 3 8-11 Day 3: 3 6-04
19. John Vanderwerf Atlantic Beach, Fla. 9 22-04 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 4-12 Day 2: 3 8-12 Day 3: 3 8-12
19. Steve Houseknecht Cortland, N.Y. 9 22-04 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 3 6-09 Day 3: 3 7-13
21. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 9 22-02 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 8-09 Day 2: 3 4-14 Day 3: 3 8-11
22. Justin Martens Lancaster, Calif. 7 22-01 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 8-07 Day 2: 3 10-08 Day 3: 1 3-02
23. George Kyriacos Rockland, Mass. 9 21-13 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-10 Day 2: 3 7-05 Day 3: 3 6-14
24. Ronald Crochetiere Springfield, Mass. 9 21-12 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 8-00 Day 2: 3 5-14 Day 3: 3 7-14
25. David Paul New London, Conn. 7 21-09 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 9-05 Day 2: 3 9-08 Day 3: 1 2-12
26. Thomas Logue Tyndall, S.D. 9 21-04 0
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 3 7-09 Day 3: 3 7-04
27. Derrick Bigford Cicero, N.Y. 9 20-15 0
Day 1: 3 6-03 Day 2: 3 8-04 Day 3: 3 6-08
28. Lonnie Mesar Kaukauna, Wisc. 9 20-12 0
Day 1: 3 7-09 Day 2: 3 5-10 Day 3: 3 7-09
29. Tom Sweeney Glastonbury, Conn. 9 20-09 0
Day 1: 3 10-01 Day 2: 3 4-13 Day 3: 3 5-11
29. Bill Adams Exeter, Calif. 9 20-09 0
Day 1: 3 7-05 Day 2: 3 6-04 Day 3: 3 7-00
31. Craig Daino Central Square, N.Y. 9 20-06 0
Day 1: 3 9-01 Day 2: 3 4-00 Day 3: 3 7-05
31. Tim Dennison Plympton, Mass. 9 20-06 0
Day 1: 3 7-03 Day 2: 3 5-13 Day 3: 3 7-06
31. Bobby Kennedy Marietta, Ga. 9 20-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-10 Day 2: 3 6-13 Day 3: 3 6-15
34. Robert Vogelsang Jessup, Md. 9 20-04 0
Day 1: 3 7-03 Day 2: 3 6-01 Day 3: 3 7-00
35. James Bouvier Bristol, Vt. 9 20-02 0
Day 1: 3 8-00 Day 2: 3 8-09 Day 3: 3 3-09
36. David Guichard Nashua, N.H. 9 19-14 0
Day 1: 3 6-04 Day 2: 3 7-03 Day 3: 3 6-07
37. Bruce Rudnick Burlington, Vt. 8 19-11 0
Day 1: 3 7-08 Day 2: 3 8-05 Day 3: 2 3-14
38. George Fiorille Moravia, N.Y. 7 19-07 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 7-07 Day 2: 3 10-12 Day 3: 1 1-04
39. John Imbesi Cairo, N.Y. 9 18-15 0
Day 1: 3 4-12 Day 2: 3 8-03 Day 3: 3 6-00
40. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 9 18-09 0
Day 1: 3 7-02 Day 2: 3 6-08 Day 3: 3 4-15
41. Bruce Freeman Street, Md. 8 18-08 0
Day 1: 3 3-15 Day 2: 3 9-06 Day 3: 2 5-03
42. Timothy Lybrand Wilson, N.C. 7 18-07 0
Day 1: 3 8-14 Day 2: 2 5-08 Day 3: 2 4-01
43. Harry Parten Columbiana, Ala. 9 18-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-12 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 3 4-15
44. Harry Potts Ozark, Ala. 9 18-00 0
Day 1: 3 5-01 Day 2: 3 8-01 Day 3: 3 4-14
44. Lane Wright Loganville, Ga. 8 18-00 0
Day 1: 3 5-03 Day 2: 3 8-00 Day 3: 2 4-13
46. Carl Luther Rochester, N.Y. 6 16-11 0
Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 2 6-06 Day 3: 1 3-07
47. Wes Hood Annandale, Va. 6 15-14 0
Day 1: 2 5-09 Day 2: 3 8-05 Day 3: 1 2-00
48. Edward Pecore Plattsburgh, N.Y. 7 15-08 0
Day 1: 2 4-09 Day 2: 3 8-03 Day 3: 2 2-12
49. Larry Triplett Aurora, Colo. 6 14-05 0
Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 3 7-07 Day 3: 0 0-00
50. James Jones Pinson, Ala. 6 13-08 0
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 3 8-09 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Big Bass
Day
1 Stephen Gould Kalamazoo, Mich. 4-15 $250.00
1 Bill Spence St Albans, Vt. 4-15 $250.00
2 George Fiorille Moravia, N.Y. 5-11 $500.00
3 Otto David Jefferson Valley, N.Y. 4-11 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 82 270 608-12
2 77 263 622-11
3 38 129 313-05
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197 662 1544-12