PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Elite Series' rookie and Florida pro Chris Lane took the Day 1 lead in the Bassmaster Elite Series' Champion's Choice bass fishing tournament on Lake Champlain on Thursday.
Lane brought in a limit of five largemouth bass that weighed 21 pounds, 2 ounces, putting him just 1 pound, 10 ounces ahead of Arkansas' Mike Wurm and Oklahoma's Terry Butcher, who tied for second place with a catch of 19-8.
Lane, 30, of Winter Haven, Fla., said his strategy was to fish Lake Champlain just like he fishes his home water, Lake Okeechobee in Florida, where he won the Bassmaster Southern Tour event in January.
"When I came into the bay and saw all of the hydrilla and lily padsI knew I had found something," said Lane, who added that Okeechobee contains the same types of aquatic vegetation. "When I started fishing slow, they just started killing it [the lure]."
Lane said his primary lure was a Gambler Cane Toad, and that he had his limit by 9 a.m.
A first-day lead in an Elite event is an accomplishment, and especially so for Lane. His highest finish in an Elite Series event this year is 28th. Currently 11th in the Toyota Rookie of the Year standings, he is confident this tournament will find him in the Elite 12 on Sunday, when the final-day field will be the top 12 from Saturday's competition.
"It feels good," he said. "I'm not nervous or concerned, I'm just ready to go out there and fish. These guys aren't going to slack off, so I've got to work."
Holding second place with Butcher, Wurm keyed in on largemouth, including a 6-pound, 6-ounce lunker that took Purolator Big Bass honors, earning him a $1,000 bonus. Wurm said he fished a blue-and-black Strike King jig in 2 to 5 feet of water.
"I had a marvelous day," said Wurm, 53, of Hot Springs, Ark. "It was a little bumpy, but by the time I got to my second location, things started popping."
Butcher, 35, was one of the few Elite anglers in the top 10 who brought both largemouth and smallmouth bass to the scales on Thursday. He said he fished for largemouth in the morning, but left his location early for smallmouth bass. Butcher, who is from Talala, Okla., said he flipped a variety of lures, including spinnerbaits, jigs, and frogs.
Rounding out the top five were Paul Hirosky of Pennsylvania, whose 19 pounds, 6 ounces put him just 2 ounces out of second place, and veteran pro Denny Brauer champion of the 1998 Classic. Brauer, In fifth with a catch of 19-5, was just 1 ounce behind Hirosky.
Co-angler Stephen Gould of Kalamazoo, Mich., took the Day 1 lead in his division with 12 pounds, 12 ounces. Included in Gould's catch was a 4-pound, 15-ounce fish for Big Bass honors in the co-angler division. He shared the bonus $500 prize with second-place co-angler Bill Spence of Vermont, who also brought in a 4-15 bass.
Gould was just 11 ounces ahead of Spence, and a slightly more comfortable 1-13 ahead of third-place holder Charlie Raia of Alabama. They were followed by Tom Sweeney of Connecticut with 10-1 and Kevin Cunningham of New York with 10 pounds even.
The top 25 co-anglers are competing for $115,400 in cash and merchandise. Their three-day competition ends on Saturday, when the winner gets a fully rigged Triton boat valued at $45,000.
Anglers are vying for $673,150 in cash to the top 50 Elite pros and points toward qualifying for the Bassmaster Majors and Classic; points also count in the race for the Angler of the Year award.
2006 Champions Choice Pro 07/13-07/16
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh N.Y.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 5 21-02 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-02
2. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5 19-08 292
Day 1: 5 19-08
2. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 19-08 292 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08
4. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 5 19-06 285
Day 1: 5 19-06
5. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 19-05 280
Day 1: 5 19-05
6. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 19-02 276
Day 1: 5 19-02
7. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 5 18-15 272
Day 1: 5 18-15
8. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 18-09 268
Day 1: 5 18-09
9. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 5 18-01 264
Day 1: 5 18-01
10. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 5 17-09 260
Day 1: 5 17-09
11. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 17-03 257
Day 1: 5 17-03
12. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 16-15 254
Day 1: 5 16-15
13. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 16-12 251
Day 1: 5 16-12
14. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 16-09 248
Day 1: 5 16-09
15. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 5 16-07 245
Day 1: 5 16-07
16. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 16-01 242
Day 1: 5 16-01
16. Gerald Swindle Warrioir, Ala. 5 16-01 242
Day 1: 5 16-01
18. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 5 16-00 239
Day 1: 5 16-00
19. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 5 15-09 237
Day 1: 5 15-09
20. William Smith, Jr Somerset, Ky. 5 15-07 235
Day 1: 5 15-07
21. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 15-05 232
Day 1: 5 15-05
21. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, Ohi 5 15-05 232
Day 1: 5 15-05
23. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 15-04 229
Day 1: 5 15-04
24. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 15-03 227
Day 1: 5 15-03
25. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 5 15-02 225
Day 1: 5 15-02
26. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 5 15-01 223
Day 1: 5 15-01
27. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 5 14-15 221
Day 1: 5 14-15
28. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 14-13 219
Day 1: 5 14-13
29. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 5 14-12 217
Day 1: 5 14-12
30. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 5 14-11 215
Day 1: 5 14-11
31. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 5 14-10 213
Day 1: 5 14-10
32. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 14-08 210
Day 1: 5 14-08
32. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5 14-08 210
Day 1: 5 14-08
34. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 5 14-07 207
Day 1: 5 14-07
35. Kurt Dove Warrenton, Va. 5 14-04 205
Day 1: 5 14-04
36. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 5 14-00 203
Day 1: 5 14-00
37. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 13-15 201
Day 1: 5 13-15
38. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 5 13-14 199
Day 1: 5 13-14
39. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 5 13-11 196
Day 1: 5 13-11
39. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 13-11 196
Day 1: 5 13-11
41. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 13-08 193
Day 1: 5 13-08
42. Jason Quinn York, S.C. 5 13-06 191
Day 1: 5 13-06
43. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 5 13-05 188
Day 1: 5 13-05
43. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 5 13-05 188
Day 1: 5 13-05
45. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 5 13-02 185
Day 1: 5 13-02
46. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 5 12-15 182
Day 1: 5 12-15
46. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 5 12-15 182
Day 1: 5 12-15
48. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 12-13 179
Day 1: 5 12-13
49. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 12-11 177
Day 1: 5 12-11
50. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 12-09 175
Day 1: 5 12-09
51. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 5 12-08 172
Day 1: 5 12-08
51. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 12-08 172
Day 1: 5 12-08
53. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 5 12-06 169
Day 1: 5 12-06
54. Charlie Youngers Geneva, Fla. 5 12-05 167
Day 1: 5 12-05
55. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 5 12-04 164
Day 1: 5 12-04
55. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 12-04 164
Day 1: 5 12-04
57. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 5 12-02 161
Day 1: 5 12-02
58. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5 12-01 159
Day 1: 5 12-01
59. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla. 5 12-00 157
Day 1: 5 12-00
60. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 11-15 155
Day 1: 5 11-15
61. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 5 11-14 152
Day 1: 5 11-14
61. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 11-14 152
Day 1: 5 11-14
63. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 5 11-13 149
Day 1: 5 11-13
64. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 11-12 147
Day 1: 5 11-12
65. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 11-10 143
Day 1: 5 11-10
65. Keith Phillips Calera, Ala. 5 11-10 143
Day 1: 5 11-10
65. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 5 11-10 143
Day 1: 5 11-10
68. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 5 11-09 137
Day 1: 5 11-09
68. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 5 11-09 137
Day 1: 5 11-09
68. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 5 11-09 137
Day 1: 5 11-09
71. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 5 11-05 131
Day 1: 5 11-05
71. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 5 11-05 131
Day 1: 5 11-05
71. Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 5 11-05 131
Day 1: 5 11-05
74. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 5 11-02 127
Day 1: 5 11-02
75. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 5 11-00 125
Day 1: 5 11-00
76. Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 5 10-15 122
Day 1: 5 10-15
76. Vince Hurtado Waterford, Calif. 5 10-15 122
Day 1: 5 10-15
78. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 5 10-11 119
Day 1: 5 10-11
79. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 5 10-08 117
Day 1: 5 10-08
80. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 5 10-06 115
Day 1: 5 10-06
81. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 10-05 113
Day 1: 5 10-05
82. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 5 10-02 111
Day 1: 5 10-02
83. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 5 10-01 109
Day 1: 5 10-01
84. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 5 9-14 106
Day 1: 5 9-14
84. Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 5 9-14 106
Day 1: 5 9-14
86. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 9-13 103
Day 1: 5 9-13
87. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 9-07 101
Day 1: 5 9-07
88. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 9-01 99
Day 1: 5 9-01
89. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 5 8-11 97
Day 1: 5 8-11
90. David Gliebe Benton, Ky. 5 8-09 95
Day 1: 5 8-09
91. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 4 8-01 93
Day 1: 4 8-01
92. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 5 7-15 91
Day 1: 5 7-15
93. Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 3 7-05 89
Day 1: 3 7-05
94. Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 5 7-01 87
Day 1: 5 7-01
95. Jarrett Edwards Page, Ariz. 3 5-01 85
Day 1: 3 5-01
96. Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 3 4-14 83
Day 1: 3 4-14
97. Britt Myers Mt. Holly, N.C. 2 4-02 81
Day 1: 2 4-02
98. Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 2 3-14 79
Day 1: 2 3-14
99. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 3 3-12 77
Day 1: 3 3-12
100.Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 2 2-15 76
Day 1: 2 2-15
101.Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 2 2-08 75
Day 1: 2 2-08
102.Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 1 1-09 74
Day 1: 1 1-09
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 6-06 $1,000.00
Day
1 Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 21-02 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 92 485 1280-02
----------------------------------
92 485 1280-02
2006 Champions Choice NB 07/13-07/16
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh N.Y.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Stephen Gould Kalamazoo, Mich. 3 12-12 0 $250.00
Day 1: 3 12-12
2. Bill Spence St Albans, Vt. 3 12-01 0 $250.00
Day 1: 3 12-01
3. Charlie Raia Gardendale, Ala. 3 10-15 0
Day 1: 3 10-15
4. Tom Sweeney Glastonbury, Conn. 3 10-01 0
Day 1: 3 10-01
5. Kevin Cunningham Farmingdale, N.Y. 3 10-00 0
Day 1: 3 10-00
6. Frederic Jullian Beziers, France 3 9-11 0
Day 1: 3 9-11
7. Eric Peck Williamsburg, Mich. 3 9-09 0
Day 1: 3 9-09
8. David Paul New London, Conn. 3 9-05 0
Day 1: 3 9-05
9. Roger Howell Clayton, Ala. 3 9-03 0
Day 1: 3 9-03
9. Otto David Jefferson Valley, N.Y. 3 9-03 0
Day 1: 3 9-03
11. Craig Daino Central Square, N.Y. 3 9-01 0
Day 1: 3 9-01
12. Timothy Lybrand Wilson, N.C. 3 8-14 0
Day 1: 3 8-14
13. Jim Staszewski West Gardiner, Maine 3 8-12 0
Day 1: 3 8-12
14. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 3 8-09 0
Day 1: 3 8-09
15. Justin Martens Lancaster, Calif. 3 8-07 0
Day 1: 3 8-07
16. Rick Seidel Washington, Ind. 3 8-06 0
Day 1: 3 8-06
17. Michael Lynch Ridgewood, N.J. 3 8-01 0
Day 1: 3 8-01
18. James Bouvier Bristol, Vt. 3 8-00 0
Day 1: 3 8-00
18. Ronald Crochetiere Springfield, Mass. 3 8-00 0
Day 1: 3 8-00
20. Steve Houseknecht Cortland, N.Y. 3 7-14 0
Day 1: 3 7-14
20. Chris Ste Marie Swanton, Vt. 3 7-14 0
Day 1: 3 7-14
22. Gary Haraguchi Brentwood, Calif. 3 7-13 0
Day 1: 3 7-13
23. Walter Stringer Tallassee, Ala. 3 7-11 0
Day 1: 3 7-11
23. Jeff Kashuba Stroudsburg, Pa. 2 7-11 0
Day 1: 2 7-11
25. George Kyriacos Rockland, Mass. 3 7-10 0
Day 1: 3 7-10
26. Lonnie Mesar Kaukauna, Wisc. 3 7-09 0
Day 1: 3 7-09
27. Lawrence Infurna Fair Haven, Vt. 3 7-08 0
Day 1: 3 7-08
27. Bruce Rudnick Burlington, Vt. 3 7-08 0
Day 1: 3 7-08
27. John Chinuntdet Mooresville, N.C. 2 7-08 0
Day 1: 2 7-08
30. George Fiorille Moravia, N.Y. 3 7-07 0
Day 1: 3 7-07
31. Nicolas Aguilar Woburn, Mass. 3 7-06 0
Day 1: 3 7-06
31. Steve Tosh Modesto, Calif. 3 7-06 0
Day 1: 3 7-06
33. Bill Adams Exeter, Calif. 3 7-05 0
Day 1: 3 7-05
34. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 3 7-04 0
Day 1: 3 7-04
35. Tim Dennison Plympton, Mass. 3 7-03 0
Day 1: 3 7-03
35. Robert Vogelsang Jessup, Md. 3 7-03 0
Day 1: 3 7-03
37. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 3 7-02 0
Day 1: 3 7-02
38. Tim Ezell Key West, Fla. 3 7-01 0
Day 1: 3 7-01
39. Jason Luszcak Palos Hills, Ill. 3 6-15 0
Day 1: 3 6-15
40. Carl Luther Rochester, N.Y. 3 6-14 0
Day 1: 3 6-14
40. Larry Triplett Aurora, Colo. 3 6-14 0
Day 1: 3 6-14
42. Mary Delgado Tampa, Fla. 3 6-12 0
Day 1: 3 6-12
42. Harry Parten Columbiana, Ala. 3 6-12 0
Day 1: 3 6-12
44. Jay Menard South Burlington, Vt. 3 6-11 0
Day 1: 3 6-11
45. Bobby Kennedy Marietta, Ga. 3 6-10 0
Day 1: 3 6-10
46. Thomas Logue Tyndall, S.D. 3 6-07 0
Day 1: 3 6-07
47. Bo Curry Monrovia, Md. 3 6-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-06
47. Don Stehle Dover, N.H. 3 6-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-06
47. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 3 6-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-06
47. Jonathan Vandam Kalamazoo, Mich. 3 6-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-06
51. Jim Neils Holland, Mass. 3 6-05 0
Day 1: 3 6-05
51. Frank Tully St Albans, Vt. 3 6-05 0
Day 1: 3 6-05
53. David Guichard Nashua, N.H. 3 6-04 0
Day 1: 3 6-04
54. Derrick Bigford Cicero, N.Y. 3 6-03 0
Day 1: 3 6-03
54. John Foster Everett, Mass. 3 6-03 0
Day 1: 3 6-03
54. Michael Hammer Greenpond, N.J. 3 6-03 0
Day 1: 3 6-03
57. Joel B Marcotte Corinth, N.Y. 3 6-02 0
Day 1: 3 6-02
58. James Anderson Miami, Fla. 3 6-00 0
Day 1: 3 6-00
59. Alex Cheney Port Henry, N.Y. 3 5-15 0
Day 1: 3 5-15
59. Tony Pratt Paso Robles, Calif. 3 5-15 0
Day 1: 3 5-15
61. Michael Carl Bethlehem, Pa. 3 5-09 0
Day 1: 3 5-09
61. Wes Hood Annandale, Va. 2 5-09 0
Day 1: 2 5-09
63. Lane Wright Loganville, Ga. 3 5-03 0
Day 1: 3 5-03
64. Steve Galberaith Alpharetta, Ga. 3 5-02 0
Day 1: 3 5-02
65. Harry Potts Ozark, Ala. 3 5-01 0
Day 1: 3 5-01
66. Jeffrey Randall Lake Luzerne, N.Y. 3 5-00 0
Day 1: 3 5-00
67. James Jones Pinson, Ala. 3 4-15 0
Day 1: 3 4-15
67. Richard Green Greenfield Center, N.Y 2 4-15 0
Day 1: 2 4-15
69. John Imbesi Cairo, N.Y. 3 4-12 0
Day 1: 3 4-12
69. John Vanderwerf Atlantic Beach, Fla. 3 4-12 0
Day 1: 3 4-12
71. Wayne Hauser Winston-Salem, N.C. 3 4-11 0
Day 1: 3 4-11
71. Bill Huston Sunset, S.C. 3 4-11 0
Day 1: 3 4-11
73. Alan Nute Belmont, N.H. 3 4-10 0
Day 1: 3 4-10
74. Steven Brinster Highland Lakes, N.J. 3 4-09 0
Day 1: 3 4-09
74. Kenneth Petrie Grand Isle, Vt. 3 4-09 0
Day 1: 3 4-09
74. Edward Pecore Plattsburgh, N.Y. 2 4-09 0
Day 1: 2 4-09
77. James Deforest Chicopee, Mass. 3 4-08 0
Day 1: 3 4-08
78. Frank Picha Akron, Ohio 3 4-07 0
Day 1: 3 4-07
79. Louis Kish Goshen, Conn. 2 4-05 0
Day 1: 2 4-05
80. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 3 4-04 0
Day 1: 3 4-04
81. Larry C Butler New Haven, Vt. 3 4-03 0
Day 1: 3 4-03
81. Jamie Stawiarski Upper St Clair, Pa. 3 4-03 0
Day 1: 3 4-03
83. Don Moore Ukiah, Calif. 3 4-01 0
Day 1: 3 4-01
84. Bruce Freeman Street, Md. 3 3-15 0
Day 1: 3 3-15
85. Tim Greiner Essex, Vt. 3 3-14 0
Day 1: 3 3-14
85. James Shannon Winchester, N.H. 3 3-14 0
Day 1: 3 3-14
85. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, Ariz. 3 3-14 0
Day 1: 3 3-14
88. Jay Van Reed Grandville, Mich. 3 3-12 0
Day 1: 3 3-12
89. Dana Kissack West Milford, N.J. 2 3-10 0
Day 1: 2 3-10
90. Mike Frazier Orlando, Fla. 1 3-05 0
Day 1: 1 3-05
91. Mike Williams Delhi, La. 2 2-12 0
Day 1: 2 2-12
92. Daniel Setteducati East Stroudsburg, Pa. 2 2-04 0
Day 1: 2 2-04
93. Rick Morici Haskell, N.J. 1 2-03 0
Day 1: 1 2-03
94. Anthony Savino Marlboro, N.Y. 1 1-06 0
Day 1: 1 1-06
95. Gabe Pray Amite, La. 1 1-05 0
Day 1: 1 1-05
95. Jack Wright Philadelphia, Pa. 1 1-05 0
Day 1: 1 1-05
97. William Wassmann Moorestown, N.J. 1 1-02 0
Day 1: 1 1-02
98. Glenn Barberee Crestview, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
98. Edward Bogan Minneapolis, Minn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
98. Stephen J. Martens Waukesha, Wisc. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
98. Sam Mize Muscle Shoals, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
98. Richard Nolan Ballston Spa, N.Y. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 82 270 608-12
----------------------------------
82 270 608-12