PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Steve Kennedy traveled as far south as he could go Thursday on Lake Champlain and the long trip was worth it: The Auburn, Ala., angler caught a 21-pound, 6-ounce limit to hold a 4-ounce lead over Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., after the first day of the Bassmaster Elite Series Champion's Choice Bass Fishing Tournament.
Kennedy scored his first career win earlier this year at California's Clear Lake, setting the BASS all-time record weight for a four-day tournament with more than 122 pounds.
Thursday on Champlain he targeted largemouth bass while many anglers in the field fished for smallmouths.
"I had a great practice and I really didn't think it was all that good today, so I'm excited to have what I have," said Kennedy. "I thought I could have about a 20-pound bag, so I caught about what I expected. I didn't get nearly as many big bites as I thought I would, but I had a 5-5 and that helped the average a little."
The 5-pound, 5-ounce bass Kennedy boated was taken in the massive lake's South Bay area, a trip of several hours from the Plattsburgh, N.Y., launch point. "It was worth the ride," he said.
"There's a lot of guys doing what I'm doing, but I worked hard on getting a different color (bait) than everybody else is throwing," said Kennedy. "My bait is definitely a little different and I think it's got something to do with the bigger bite."
Horton, a three-time BASS winner, said he caught the majority of his 21 pounds, 2 ounces on a Zara Spook, Vibra King Tube and Booyah jig.
"I caught them at different stages of the day and had three really good bites," said Horton. "I'm looking forward to (Friday) to see how things shake out. I'll try the same things."
Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., was third with 19 pounds, 6 ounces. Tied for fourth with 18 pounds, 2 ounces were 1999 Bassmaster Classic champion Davy Hite of Ninety Six, S.C., and Elite Series rookie Bryan Hudgins of Orange Park, Fla. Denny Brauer of Camdenton, Mo., who won the 2006 Champion's Choice, was sixth with 17 pounds, 14 ounces.
Kevin VanDam, leader of the Angler of the Year standings, was 22nd with 16 pounds, 3 ounces. Skeet Reese, who is in second place in the AOY race, was 21st with 16 pounds, four ounces.
In the co-angler division, New Yorker Craig Daino led the field competing for a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $50,000. He weighed in 16 pounds, 9 ounces. Trailing Daino were Lawrence Laclair of New York with 15 pounds, 15 ounces; and Brandon Pedigo of Oklahoma with 15 pounds, 12 ounces.
2007 Champion's Choice 7/12-7/15
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 21-06 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-06
2. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 21-02 295
Day 1: 5 21-02
3. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 19-06 290
Day 1: 5 19-06
4. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 18-02282.5 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-02
4. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, FL 5 18-02282.5
Day 1: 5 18-02
6. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 5 17-14 276
Day 1: 5 17-14
7. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 5 17-11 272
Day 1: 5 17-11
8. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 17-10 268
Day 1: 5 17-10
9. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 17-09 264
Day 1: 5 17-09
10. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, FL 5 17-04 260
Day 1: 5 17-04
11. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, CA 5 17-01 257
Day 1: 5 17-01
12. Steve Daniel Clewiston, FL 5 16-15 254
Day 1: 5 16-15
13. Kurt Dove Fairfax, VA 5 16-12249.5
Day 1: 5 16-12
13. Keith Phillips Calera, AL 5 16-12249.5
Day 1: 5 16-12
15. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, FL 5 16-11 244
Day 1: 5 16-11
15. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 5 16-11 244
Day 1: 5 16-11
17. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 5 16-10 240
Day 1: 5 16-10
17. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 16-10 240
Day 1: 5 16-10
19. Darrin Schwenkbeck Varysburg, MD 5 16-09 237
Day 1: 5 16-09
20. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 5 16-05 235
Day 1: 5 16-05
21. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 16-04 233
Day 1: 5 16-04
22. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 16-03 231
Day 1: 5 16-03
23. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 5 16-02 227
Day 1: 5 16-02
23. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 5 16-02 227
Day 1: 5 16-02
23. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 5 16-02 227
Day 1: 5 16-02
26. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 16-01 223
Day 1: 5 16-01
27. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 16-00 220
Day 1: 5 16-00
27. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 5 16-00 220
Day 1: 5 16-00
29. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 15-14 215
Day 1: 5 15-14
29. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 15-14 215
Day 1: 5 15-14
29. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 5 15-14 215
Day 1: 5 15-14
32. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 15-11 211
Day 1: 5 15-11
33. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 15-10 208
Day 1: 5 15-10
33. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 15-10 208
Day 1: 5 15-10
35. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 5 15-09 204
Day 1: 5 15-09
35. Mark Rogers Naples, FL 5 15-09 204
Day 1: 5 15-09
37. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 15-08 201
Day 1: 5 15-08
38. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 15-07 199
Day 1: 5 15-07
39. Kevin Langill Terrell, NC 5 15-05 196
Day 1: 5 15-05
39. Bradley Stringer Huntington, TX 5 15-05 196
Day 1: 5 15-05
41. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 15-03 193
Day 1: 5 15-03
42. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 5 15-02 190
Day 1: 5 15-02
42. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 15-02 190
Day 1: 5 15-02
44. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 15-01 187
Day 1: 5 15-01
45. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 15-00 185
Day 1: 5 15-00
46. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 5 14-15 182
Day 1: 5 14-15
46. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 14-15 182
Day 1: 5 14-15
48. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 14-14 177
Day 1: 5 14-14
48. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 14-14 177
Day 1: 5 14-14
48. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, PA 5 14-14 177
Day 1: 5 14-14
51. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 14-12 173
Day 1: 5 14-12
52. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, NC 5 14-10 170
Day 1: 5 14-10
52. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 5 14-10 170
Day 1: 5 14-10
54. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 5 14-09 167
Day 1: 5 14-09
55. Matt Amedeo Clinton, OH 5 14-07 165
Day 1: 5 14-07
56. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 5 14-06 163
Day 1: 5 14-06
57. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 14-05 161
Day 1: 5 14-05
58. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 14-03 159
Day 1: 5 14-03
59. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 5 14-02 157
Day 1: 5 14-02
60. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 5 14-00 155
Day 1: 5 14-00
61. Lee Bailey Boaz, AL 5 13-15 153
Day 1: 5 13-15
62. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 13-14 151
Day 1: 5 13-14
63. Chris Lane Winter Haven, FL 5 13-11 149
Day 1: 5 13-11
64. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 5 13-10 147
Day 1: 5 13-10
65. James Kennedy Lacombe, LA 5 13-08 145
Day 1: 5 13-08
66. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 13-05 142
Day 1: 5 13-05
66. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 13-05 142
Day 1: 5 13-05
68. Preston Clark Palatka, FL 5 13-03 139
Day 1: 5 13-03
69. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, TX 5 13-00 137
Day 1: 5 13-00
70. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 12-15 134
Day 1: 5 12-15
70. Eric Nethery Acworth, GA 5 12-15 134
Day 1: 5 12-15
72. Rick Ash Pottstown, PA 5 12-14 131
Day 1: 5 12-14
73. Glenn Delong Bellville, OH 5 12-13 129
Day 1: 5 12-13
74. Alton Jones Waco, TX 5 12-12 127
Day 1: 5 12-12
75. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, IL 5 12-10 125
Day 1: 5 12-10
76. Frank Scalish Cleveland Heights, OH 5 12-08 123
Day 1: 5 12-08
77. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, FL 5 12-07 120
Day 1: 5 12-07
77. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 5 12-07 120
Day 1: 5 12-07
79. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 5 12-05 116
Day 1: 5 12-05
79. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, CA 5 12-05 116
Day 1: 5 12-05
81. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 12-04 113
Day 1: 5 12-04
82. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 5 12-03 111
Day 1: 5 12-03
83. Jon Bondy Windsor CANADA 5 12-01 109
Day 1: 5 12-01
84. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 5 12-00 106
Day 1: 5 12-00
84. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 5 12-00 106
Day 1: 5 12-00
86. Ken Brodeur Niantic, CT 5 11-15 102
Day 1: 5 11-15
86. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 11-15 102
Day 1: 5 11-15
88. Ishama Monroe Hughson, CA 5 11-13 99
Day 1: 5 11-13
89. Marty Robinson Landrum, SC 5 11-12 97
Day 1: 5 11-12
90. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 5 11-10 95
Day 1: 5 11-10
91. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 11-04 93
Day 1: 5 11-04
92. Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, TX 5 11-03 91
Day 1: 5 11-03
93. Derek Remitz Hemphill, TX 5 11-02 89
Day 1: 5 11-02
94. John Crews Salem, VA 5 11-01 87
Day 1: 5 11-01
95. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 11-00 84
Day 1: 5 11-00
95. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 11-00 84
Day 1: 5 11-00
97. William Smith Jr. Somerset, KY 5 10-15 81
Day 1: 5 10-15
98. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 10-09 79
Day 1: 5 10-09
99. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 5 10-07 77
Day 1: 5 10-07
100. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 10-00 76
Day 1: 5 10-00
101. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 09-13 75
Day 1: 5 09-13
102. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 4 09-09 74
Day 1: 4 09-09
103. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 08-13 73
Day 1: 5 08-13
104. Dave Smith Del City, OK 5 08-03 72
Day 1: 5 08-03
105. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 4 07-15 71
Day 1: 4 07-15
106. Charlie Youngers Geneva, FL 3 06-04 70
Day 1: 3 06-04
107. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 1 04-02 69
Day 1: 1 04-02
108. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 3 03-07 68
Day 1: 3 03-07
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 05-08 $1,000.00
Day
1 Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 21-06 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 103 530 1509-14
----------------------------------
103 530 1509-14
2007 Champion's Choice 7/12-7/15
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Craig Daino Central Square, NY 5 16-09 0
Day 1: 5 16-09
2. Lawrence Laclair Hannibal, NY 5 15-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-15
3. Brandon Pedigo Lawton, OK 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
4. Tom Booth Lima, NY 5 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-09
5. Peter Typer Pt Colborne CANADA 5 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-14
6. Joe Lucarelli New Hampton, NH 5 14-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 14-08
7. Marc Lamphier Burlington, VT 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
8. Larry Triplett Parker, CO 5 14-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-04
9. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, AL 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
10. Ronald Belanger Newton, MA 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
11. Thomas Monica Bridgeport, NY 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
12. Frank Tully St Albans, VT 5 13-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-02
13. Joel Etheredge Springville, AL 5 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-11
14. Robert Suhr Roscommon, MI 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08
15. Michael Burchett Pulaski, VA 5 12-01 0
Day 1: 5 12-01
16. Michael Carl Bethlehem, PA 4 12-00 0
Day 1: 4 12-00
17. Michael Drew West Burke, VT 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
18. Todd Winters Troy, NY 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
19. Bill Johnson Grayling, MI 5 11-05 0
Day 1: 5 11-05
20. Ian Renfrew Phoenix, NY 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
21. George Fiorille Moravia, NY 5 11-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-02
22. Lutz Spika Stamford, CT 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
23. Rick Sweadner Woodsboro, MD 5 10-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-14
23. Jim McDevitt Eldon, MO 5 10-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-14
25. Thomas Haley Rochester, NY 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
26. Steve Lucarelli Meredith, NH 5 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-10
27. David Lane Saint Johnsbury, VT 4 10-07 0
Day 1: 4 10-07
28. Lane Wright Loganville, GA 5 10-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-04
29. James Hill Ozark, AL 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12
29. Mary Delgado Tampa, FL 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12
29. Seiji Kato Outsu JAPAN 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12
32. Mike Desforges Burlington CANADA 5 09-11 0
Day 1: 5 09-11
33. Gregg Lindblom North Branch, MN 5 09-10 0
Day 1: 5 09-10
34. Frank Mealer Irondale, AL 5 09-09 0
Day 1: 5 09-09
35. Rich Bizzari Flanders, NJ 5 09-07 0
Day 1: 5 09-07
36. John Vanderwerf Atlantic Beach, FL 5 09-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-06
37. Shawn Maynor Talala, OK 5 09-05 0
Day 1: 5 09-05
38. Michael Neal Dexter, KS 5 09-04 0
Day 1: 5 09-04
39. Robert Pelletier Nassau, NY 5 09-02 0
Day 1: 5 09-02
39. Keith Hutto Augusta, GA 4 09-02 0
Day 1: 4 09-02
41. Stephen Gould Kalamazoo, MI 5 09-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-01
41. Michael Hollinhead Crestview, FL 4 09-01 0
Day 1: 4 09-01
43. Clint Cowan Chateaugay, NY 5 09-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-00
43. James Jones Pinson, AL 5 09-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-00
45. Michael O'Rourke Curtice, OH 5 08-15 0
Day 1: 5 08-15
46. Jim Jeffries Rouses Point, NY 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
47. Cliff Howland Valley Falls, NY 5 08-11 0
Day 1: 5 08-11
48. John Wentzell Columbia, SC 4 08-10 0
Day 1: 4 08-10
49. William Clute Hogansburg, NY 5 08-09 0
Day 1: 5 08-09
49. Jay Van Reed Grandville, MI 4 08-09 0
Day 1: 4 08-09
51. Harold Chapman Greenville, SC 5 08-08 0
Day 1: 5 08-08
51. Joseph Pacholec Moosic, PA 5 08-08 0
Day 1: 5 08-08
53. Marty Scoggins Trion, GA 5 08-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-07
54. Allyn Belair Gonic, NH 4 08-06 0
Day 1: 4 08-06
55. John Imbesi Cairo, NY 4 08-01 0
Day 1: 4 08-01
56. Raymond Grafton Swanton, VT 5 07-12 0
Day 1: 5 07-12
57. Trey Luce Munising, MI 5 07-10 0
Day 1: 5 07-10
58. Harry Potts Ozark, AL 5 07-08 0
Day 1: 5 07-08
58. John Voyles Petersburg, IN 5 07-08 0
Day 1: 5 07-08
60. Eric Sertl Pittsford, NY 3 07-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-07
61. Wes Hood Annandale, VA 4 07-04 0
Day 1: 4 07-04
62. Jeff Tolle Jenks, OK 4 07-00 0
Day 1: 4 07-00
63. James Whitman Ozark, AL 5 06-15 0
Day 1: 5 06-15
64. Ronald L. Bergman Phoenix, NY 5 06-12 0
Day 1: 5 06-12
65. Albert Hudson Austin, TX 5 06-11 0
Day 1: 5 06-11
66. Eric Peck Williamsburg, MI 3 06-08 0
Day 1: 3 06-08
67. Jonathon Vandam Kalamazoo, MI 5 06-07 0
Day 1: 5 06-07
68. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 4 06-04 0
Day 1: 4 06-04
69. Michael Hammer Greenpond, NJ 4 06-01 0
Day 1: 4 06-01
69. Matthew Jones Spokane, MO 3 06-01 0
Day 1: 3 06-01
69. Mike Frazier Clermont, FL 3 06-01 0
Day 1: 3 06-01
72. Richard Hyde Fulton, NY 4 05-15 0
Day 1: 4 05-15
73. Ed Pitlak Norwood, NJ 3 05-12 0
Day 1: 3 05-12
74. Warren Mills Manchester, MA 4 05-06 0
Day 1: 4 05-06
75. Jim Neils Holland, MA 4 05-05 0
Day 1: 4 05-05
76. Otto David Jefferson Valley, NY 4 05-04 0
Day 1: 4 05-04
77. Doug Kirkbride Beaver Falls, NY 3 05-03 0
Day 1: 3 05-03
78. Abe Street Pulaski, VA 3 05-01 0
Day 1: 3 05-01
79. Jim Staszewski West Gardiner, ME 4 04-14 0
Day 1: 4 04-14
80. Tim Miles Frederick, MD 3 04-13 0
Day 1: 3 04-13
81. Kevin Cunningham Farmingdale, NY 4 04-12 0
Day 1: 4 04-12
81. Jimmy Swindle Gardendale, AL 2 04-12 0
Day 1: 2 04-12
83. Andrew Dick Wilmington, DE 4 04-09 0
Day 1: 4 04-09
84. Glenn Barberee Crestview, FL 3 04-05 0
Day 1: 3 04-05
85. Matthew Hamlette Altavista, VA 2 04-02 0
Day 1: 2 04-02
86. Victor Walker Nashua, NH 2 04-01 0
Day 1: 2 04-01
87. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, AZ 2 04-00 0
Day 1: 2 04-00
88. Bob Seelley Saugus, MA 3 03-10 0
Day 1: 3 03-10
88. Pete Baumgartner King George, VA 2 03-10 0
Day 1: 2 03-10
90. Bill Knapp Lee Center, NY 2 03-08 0
Day 1: 2 03-08
91. Douglas Hammond South Westerlo, NY 3 03-07 0
Day 1: 3 03-07
92. Alan Nute Meredith, NH 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
93. Steve Pratt Corfu, NY 2 03-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-04
93. Edward Morgan Oneida, NY 2 03-04 0
Day 1: 2 03-04
95. Jonathan Lee Cambridge, MA 2 03-02 0
Day 1: 2 03-02
95. Eulon Lee Jr. Montgomery, AL 1 03-02 0
Day 1: 1 03-02
97. Tony Faraci Troy, NY 2 02-05 0
Day 1: 2 02-05
98. Robert Bates Stony Point, NY 1 02-04 0
Day 1: 1 02-04
99. Jon Curry Bristol, RI 2 02-02 0
Day 1: 2 02-02
100. Walter Stringer Jr. Tallassee, AL 2 02-01 0
Day 1: 2 02-01
101. Mark Banks West Falls, NY 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
102. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, AL 1 01-07 0
Day 1: 1 01-07
103. Sean Alvarez Rutland, VT 1 01-00 0
Day 1: 1 01-00
104. Don Stehle Dover, NH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
104. Bill Spence St Albans, VT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
104. Jonathan Else Elysburg, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
104. Robert Hamila Oxford, CT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
104. Don Barone Farmington, CT 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Joe Lucarelli New Hampton, NH 04-13 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 55 415 831-04
----------------------------------
55 415 831-04