EVANS, Ga. - Scoring his fifth BASS victory Sunday, Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., posted a four-day total of 70 pounds, 7 ounces, and overcame a six-pound-plus deficit to edge out Florida's Chris Lane by more than one pound at the Bassmaster Elite Series' Pride of Georgia bass fishing tournament on Clarks Hill Lake.
McClelland weighed in 19-15 on the final day of competition, while two-day leader Lane managed only 12-4.
The 39-year-old McClelland has now amassed over $650,000 in career earnings and scored his second victory in competition.
The win elevated McClelland from 30th to 10th in the points race, which determines the 2008 Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
All four days of competition McClelland fished a jig in locations he had established during the three-day practice period. He said a rough practice almost caused him to abandon the jig, but fellow pro Jeff Kriet of Oklahoma encouraged him to "fish his strengths" and stay with the jig.
"To be honest, I started the day fishing for second place," said McClelland, who took home the $100,000 top prize. "But I got off to a decent start and around 10 a.m., I figured I would go for broke because I had a shot to win this tournament.
"After I won the Open Championship [in 2005], I felt I learned how to win a tournament again," he added. "Now that I have won two events in this top level of competition, there is no way anyone can take away my credibility in this sport."
With the victory purse in hand, McClelland and his wife, Stacy, are planning to shop for a new, larger home in the Bella Vista area.
It was Lane who was in a comfortable position heading into the final day of action, but the Winter Haven, Fla., angler's "magic" spot couldn't produce for a fourth consecutive day.
"I knew Mike had to catch a big limit to get close to me, and that is just what he did," said the 31-year-old, who totaled 69 pounds, 0 ounces. "I feel happy that I put myself in position to win. My hat's off to Mike for having a tremendous last day."
In third, slipping from second, was Pete Ponds of Madison, Miss., with 66 pounds, 1 ounce; in fourth, moving up from ninth, was John Crews of Salem, Va., with 61 pounds, 1 ounce; and fifth was Rookie of the Year leader Derek Remitz of Madison, Ala., with 59 pounds, 9 ounces.
Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., finished sixth with 58 pounds, 12 ounces. The Angler of the Year program rewards the top-performing angler on the 11-event circuit with a $125,000 top prize.
2007 Elite Series
(PRO Division) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 20 70-07 305 $102,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 12-11 Day 4: 5 19-15
2. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 20 69-00 305 $30,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-06 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 18-13 Day 4: 5 12-04
3. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 20 66-01 290 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 16-05 Day 4: 5 14-05
4. John Crews Salem, Va. 20 61-01 285 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 14-12 Day 4: 5 16-12
5. Derek Remitz Hemphill, Texas 20 59-09 280 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 20-00 Day 3: 5 10-11 Day 4: 5 13-05
6. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 20 58-12 276 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 17-00 Day 4: 5 14-02
7. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 20 58-06 272 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 10-08 Day 4: 5 13-03
8. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 20 57-09 273 $23,500.00
Day 1: 5 22-06 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 9-05 Day 4: 5 11-06
9. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 20 56-09 264 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 15-07 Day 4: 5 9-05
10. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 20 56-07 260 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 14-12 Day 4: 5 12-09
11. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 20 54-05 257 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 13-14 Day 4: 5 11-04
12. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 20 52-13 254 $14,300.00
Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 19-12 Day 4: 5 8-14
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Big Bass
Day
1 Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 8-02 $1,000.00
2 Brent Chapman Moneta, Va. 8-05 $1,000.00
3 Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 7-10 $1,000.00
4 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5-13 $1,000.00
Brent Chapman Moneta, Va. 8-05 $1,000.00
Day
1 Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 22-06 $1,000.00
2 Russell Lane Prattville, Ala. 21-12 $1,000.00
3 Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 19-12 $1,000.00
4 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 19-15 $1,000.00
Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 22-06 $8,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 84 491 1119-05
2 97 513 1282-01
3 42 232 558-00
4 12 60 157-04
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235 1296 3116-10
Pro Points After Clarks Hill Lake, Evans, Ga.
Ending 04-22-2007, Day 4
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Place Name St Pts
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1 Skeet Reese Calif. 1120
2 Jared Lintner Calif. 1029
3 Derek Remitz Texas 1015
4 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 965
5 Kevin VanDam Mich. 958
6 Ishama Monroe Calif. 930
7 Aaron Martens Ala. 927
8 Brent Chapman Va. 921
9 Jeff Kriet Okla. 891
10 Mike McClelland Ark. 876
11 Steve Kennedy Ala. 867
12 Tommy Biffle Okla. 866
13 John Crews Va. 852
14 Chris Lane Fla. 851
15 Casey Ashley S.C. 847
16 Scott Rook Ark. 836
17 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 813
18 Gerald Swindle Ala. 812
19 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 811
20 John Murray Ariz. 800
21 Pete Ponds Miss. 796
22 Stephen Browning Ark. 791
23 Mark Tyler Okla. 789
23 Gary Klein Texas 789
25 Kevin Wirth Ky. 788
26 Cliff Pace Miss. 782
27 Greg Hackney La. 775
28 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 772
29 Todd Faircloth Texas 764
30 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 756
31 Scott Campbell Mo. 754
32 Alton Jones Texas 753
33 Paul Elias Miss. 751
33 Kelly Jordon Texas 751
35 Randy Howell Ala. 749
36 Mark Menendez Ky. 748
36 Russ Lane Ala. 748
38 Terry Scroggins Fla. 747
39 Dean Rojas Texas 745
40 Ken Brodeur Conn. 739
41 Takahiro Omori Texas 738
42 Dave Wolak N.C. 736
43 Rick Morris Va. 734
44 Edwin Evers Okla. 732
45 Davy Hite S.C. 726
46 Peter Thliveros Fla. 724
47 Timmy Horton Ala. 720
48 Brian Snowden Mo. 719
49 Jason Williamson S.C. 718
50 Britt Myers S.C. 712
51 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 705
52 Kevin Short Ark. 682
53 Lee Bailey Ala. 679
54 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 677
55 Jason Quinn S.C. 660
56 Bernie Schultz Fla. 654
57 Bill Smith Ky. 649
58 Marty Robinson S.C. 648
59 Bill Lowen Ohio 644
60 Paul Hirosky Pa. 643
61 James Charlesworth Fla. 639
61 Kenyon Hill Okla. 639
63 Guy Eaker N.C. 636
64 James Niggemeyer Texas 635
65 Matt Reed Texas 629
66 Zell Rowland Texas 628
67 Jimmy Mize Ark. 620
68 Jeff Connella La. 613
69 Glenn Delong Ohio 611
70 Ken Cook Okla. 610
71 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 593
72 Boyd Duckett Ala. 589
73 Ben Matsubu Texas 583
73 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 583
73 Kurt Dove Va. 583
76 Denny Brauer Mo. 580
77 Kevin Langill N.C. 577
78 Jim Murray Ga. 567
79 Matt Amedeo Ohio 557
80 Bradley Hallman Okla. 556
81 Mark Tucker Mo. 552
82 Mark Rogers Fla. 551
83 Steve Daniel Fla. 550
83 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 550
85 Charlie Hartley Ohio 546
86 Marty Stone N.C. 544
87 James Kennedy La. 516
88 Rick Clunn Mo. 515
89 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 512
90 Jami Fralick S.D. 511
91 Mike Wurm Ark. 510
92 Jon Bondy Canada 509
92 Eric Nethery Ga. 509
94 Grant Goldbeck Md. 503
94 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 503
96 Dave Smith Okla. 494
97 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 487
98 Preston Clark Fla. 486
99 Jimmy Mason Ala. 479
100 Doc Merkin Ill. 458
101 Keith Phillips Ala. 439
102 Charlie Youngers Fla. 424
103 Rick Ash Pa. 416
104 Byron Velvick Texas 410
105 Frank Scalish Ohio 398
106 Bradley Stringer Texas 352
107 Elton Luce Jr Texas 323
108 Terry Butcher Okla. 295