PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Denny Brauer handily outfished three-day leader Chris Lane on Sunday to take the $100,000 win in the Bassmaster Elite Series' Champion's Choice bass fishing tournament on Lake Champlain and become the all-time BASS money winner.
With the winner's purse in hand, Brauer boosted his total BASS career earnings to $2,077,751, becoming not only a $2 million man, but once again the BASS all-time money winner, passing two-time Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam by more than $17,000.
"I was very proud of that accomplishment, and to get it back is special," said Brauer, who had held the top spot in earnings for many years. "Records are meant to be broken, but I won't go away quietly."
Brauer became the second angler to bust through the $2 million mark in less than a month; VanDam hit it June 18. Winning the Champion's Choice also marked the 16th Bassmaster win for Brauer, whose career titles include champion of the 1998 Bassmaster Classic.
On the final day of the Champlain event, Brauer, 57, of Camdenton, Mo., brought in a limit of five largemouth bass that weighed 23 pounds, 4 ounces, pumping his four-day total to 80-3, almost 8 pounds more than the second-place finisher. All week he fished a lure named for him: Strike King's Denny Brauer Premier Pro-Model Jig, which he rigged with a trailer and 60-pound braided line.
After three days of trailing Rookie award contender Lane of Winter Haven, Fla., Brauer committed himself on the fourth and final competition day to a 100-yard stretch of water thick with reeds and grass. He said he fished it most of the day, but had his limit by 7:30 a.m.
Not only did his final weight earn the 18-time Classic qualifier the $100,000 top prize, but his Day 4 weight included the $1,000 Big Bass (5-2) and was the biggest bag of the tournament, earning him the $1,000 bonus.
If his big bag remains one of the 10 heaviest weights in the 11-event 2006 Elite Series, he will qualify for the $216,000 BUSCH Shootout.
"This is probably my favorite lake as of this moment," said Brauer as he reflected on his Lake Champlain achievements. "It's a very special win to come at this point in my career."
Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kan., moved up Day 4 with a catch of 17 pounds, 15 ounces, bringing his total to 72-5 for the $30,000 second-place payout. Third was Terry Butcher of Talala, Okla., who finished with 70-11, for the $25,000 cash prize. Fourth was Mark Tyler of Arizona with 69-6. Tommy Biffle of Oklahoma finished with 68-13, good enough for fifth, but not for a repeat of his win a week ago at the Elite event on Oneida Lake in New York.
After fending off the world's best BASS pros for three days, Lane, 30, fell to sixth. He had been fishing an area at the north end of the lake, but Sunday headed south for the final day in what he described later as "the wrong move."
"I had a good practice there the first day and thought it had the potential to [allow me to] hang on to the lead," said Lane. "I think local angling pressure scattered the fish."
Despite losing the lead, Lane built his points total and jumped from 11th to sixth in Toyota Rookie of the Year standings. "My goal this year as a rookie is to learn as much as I can," Lane said. "You've got to do whatever it takes to adjust to what you've been dealt. It's been a heck of a ride this week."
The Champion's Choice concluded The Northern Swing of the 11-event 2006 Elite Series. With nine down, the Elite pros enter The Final Charge: Capitol Clash on the Potomac River in Charles County, Md., Aug. 10-13; and The Rock on Table Rock Lake in Kimberling, Mo., Sept. 14-17.
In each Elite Series event, anglers vie for $673,150 in cash to the top 50 pros. Just as important are the points amassed toward qualifying in the Bassmaster Majors and Classic, and in the race for the Angler of the Year award.
2003 Classic champion Michael Iaconelli leads the Angler of the Year points standings, but trailing by 50 points is the leader in the Rookie of the Year race, Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala.
Kennedy has had a phenomenal season, finishing in the top 50 eight out of nine Elite tournaments. His highest finish was third place in the Southern Challenge on Lake Guntersville.
2006 Champions Choice Pro 07/13-07/16
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh N.Y.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 20 80-03 305 $102,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 18-10 Day 3: 5 19-00 Day 4: 5 23-04
2. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 20 72-05 295 $30,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 18-15 Day 4: 5 17-15
3. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 20 70-11 290 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 5 17-01 Day 4: 5 16-15
4. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 20 69-06 285 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 18-13 Day 4: 5 16-09
5. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 20 68-13 280 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 19-00 Day 3: 5 15-09 Day 4: 5 15-11
6. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 20 68-08 291 $16,500.00
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 5 17-09 Day 4: 5 10-05
7. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 20 67-08 272 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 17-00 Day 4: 5 14-10
8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 20 66-06 268 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 5 15-12 Day 4: 5 14-09
9. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 20 64-14 264 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 16-04 Day 4: 5 15-04
10. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 20 64-03 260 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 19-14 Day 4: 5 10-01
11. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 20 63-11 257 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 14-12 Day 4: 5 14-05
12. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 20 59-05 254 $12,300.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 16-12 Day 4: 5 9-07
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
4 Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5-02 $1,000.00
Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 6-06 $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
4 Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 23-04 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 92 485 1280-02
2 101 508 1419-03
3 46 245 703-07
4 12 60 178-15
----------------------------------
251 1298 3581-11
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 82 270 608-12
2 77 263 622-11
3 38 129 313-05
----------------------------------
197 662 1544-12
2006 Plattsburgh, NY - Champions Choice Pro Points After Lake Champlain,
Plattsburgh, N.Y. Ending 07-16-2006,
Day 4
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 2170
2 Steve Kennedy Ala. 2120
3 Dean Rojas Ariz. 2117
4 Kevin VanDam Mich. 2116
4 Kevin Wirth Ky. 2116
6 Aaron Martens Ala. 2073
7 Matt Reed Texas 1955
8 Edwin Evers Okla. 1946
9 John Crews Va. 1944
10 Greg Hackney La. 1939
11 Jason Quinn S.C. 1927
12 Mike Wurm Ark. 1926
13 Denny Brauer Mo. 1925
14 Gerald Swindle Ala. 1920
15 Tommy Biffle Okla. 1919
16 Russ Lane Ala. 1892
17 Skeet Reese Calif. 1891
18 Peter Thliveros Fla. 1880
19 Kelly Jordon Texas 1872
20 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 1826
21 Timmy Horton Ala. 1825
22 Alton Jones Texas 1811
23 Gary Klein Texas 1784
24 Davy Hite S.C. 1773
25 Jared Lintner Calif. 1768
26 Zell Rowland Texas 1767
27 John Murray Ariz. 1763
28 Takahiro Omori Texas 1741
29 Bill Lowen Ohio 1727
30 Mark Tucker Mo. 1719
31 Terry Scroggins Fla. 1715
32 Jeff Kriet Okla. 1709
33 Terry Butcher Okla. 1699
34 Randy Howell Ala. 1690
35 Lee Bailey Ala. 1689
36 Kenyon Hill Okla. 1675
37 Brent Chapman Kan. 1674
38 Mike McClelland Ark. 1661
39 Todd Faircloth Texas 1657
40 Rick Clunn Mo. 1646
41 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 1645
42 Paul Elias Miss. 1640
43 Mark Tyler Ariz. 1639
44 Bradley Hallman Okla. 1615
45 Scott Rook Ark. 1589
46 Dave Wolak Pa. 1579
47 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 1569
48 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 1564
49 Bernie Schultz Fla. 1559
50 Ken Cook Okla. 1545
50 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 1545
52 Ishama Monroe Calif. 1540
53 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 1535
54 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1526
55 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 1524
56 Chad Brauer Mo. 1523
57 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 1522
58 Stephen Browning Ark. 1520
59 Chris Lane Fla. 1507
60 Jeff Connella La. 1502
61 William Smith, Jr Ky. 1470
62 Steve Daniel Fla. 1461
63 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 1454
64 Dave Smith Okla. 1451
65 Mike Reynolds Calif. 1412
65 Marty Stone N.C. 1412
67 Preston Clark Fla. 1410
68 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 1409
69 Jami Fralick S.D. 1403
70 Jon Bondy Canada 1402
71 Paul Hirosky Pa. 1400
72 Pete Ponds Miss. 1362
73 Terry Segraves Fla. 1360
73 Mark Menendez Ky. 1360
75 Keith Phillips Ala. 1343
75 Charlie Hartley Ohio 1343
77 Kevin Langill N.C. 1341
77 Charlie Youngers Fla. 1341
79 Brian Snowden Mo. 1337
80 Joe Thomas Ohio 1308
81 David Gliebe Ky. 1294
82 Kurt Dove Va. 1286
83 Jarrett Edwards Ariz. 1280
83 Britt Myers N.C. 1280
85 Vince Hurtado Calif. 1264
86 Frank Scalish Ohio 1247
87 Bradley Stringer Texas 1240
88 Elton Luce Jr Texas 1229
89 Byron Velvick Nev. 1224
90 Bink Desaro Idaho 1206
91 Mike O'Shea Calif. 1204
92 Guy Eaker N.C. 1203
93 Rick Morris Va. 1155
94 Kevin Short Ark. 1147
95 Grant Goldbeck Md. 1145
96 Mark Rogers Fla. 1041
97 Brooks Rogers Texas 1031
98 Doc Merkin Ill. 1030
99 Rick Ash Pa. 1014
100 Charlie Weyer Calif. 1011
101 Ken Brodeur Conn. 987
102 Randy Yarnall Pa. 941
103 Jimmy Houston Okla. 880
104 Robert Hamilton Jr Tenn. 551
105 Conrad Picou La. 390
106 Dustin Wilks N.C. 151