SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Elite pro Tommy Biffle of Oklahoma has danced around the top spot for the past three days in the Bassmaster Elite Series' Empire Chase bass fishing tournament on Oneida Lake. On Saturday, the 13-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and BASS vet stopped playing games and commanded first place with a total weight of 47-10.
Biffle, who was in second place after Day 1 and in fourth after Day 2, said he fished a couple of honey holes tucked away from the rest of the field to find the five largemouth he weighed-in Saturday. He is one of the few anglers who have coaxed all largemouth from Oneida - famous as a smallmouth fishery - though largemouth have been key for anglers who have led the tournament.
"I need two good bites to win this tournament and I think I can do it," said Biffle, a BASS angler since 1985. If he wins the tournament, he will be the 16th BASS angler to earn more than $1 million in winnings.
The other 11 pros nipping at his heels shared the sentiment. Less than 4 pounds separated the Elite 12 anglers, who will move on to fish the final round on Sunday, and nearly all feel confident in their ability to bring home the $100,000 top prize.
They include Ken Cook of Oklahoma in second (47-3); Dave Wolak in third (47-0); Day 2 leader and Texas resident Yusuke Miyazaki in fourth (46-4); and Matt Reed of Texas in fifth (45-13).
Anglers culled so many fish so quickly Saturday that many reported having tender and sometimes ripped fingertips. One of those was Wolak, who moved from 17th place on Day 1, and Michael Iaconelli of New Jersey, who with 45-8 was in sixth place going into the final day.
Iaconelli, who is leading the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, rode on a wave of confidence as he fished what he coined "the closest action to a home tournament I'll see." Iaconelli, who has weighed-in smallmouth bass all week, said if he lands a 4- or 5-pound fish Sunday, he could very well win his second Elite Series tournament of the season. "My opportunity to win is excellent," he said.
Making his first appearance in an Elite 12 cut this season was Charlie Youngers of Florida. Youngers combated a back injury last year and was unsure if he could return to pro fishing. At this event, he showed no signs of slowing down, moving from 16th place on Day 1 to seventh place on Day 3 with a total of 45-4. Youngers was tied with Kevin VanDam of Michigan, who has made four other Elite 12 cuts this season.
Co-anglers finished their portion of the tournament on Saturday and gave the crowd of several hundred quite a show when New Yorkers Ian Renfrew and Jesse Herbert tied for first place with 26-2 before the weigh-in was complete. In an upset move, Donald Bishop weighed-in 10-12 for a three-day total of 26-10, enough to take the win and a Triton boat valued at $45,000.
"I promised my two boys we would go to Disney World if I came in third, so this definitely qualifies," Bishop, 38, said. In a tie-breaker, 23-year-old Renfrew was awarded the second place prize, a Triton boat valued at $25,000, and 19-year-old Herbert came in third and took home $10,000.
Elite Series anglers are vying for $673,150 in cash to the top 50 Elite pros and points towards qualifying for the Bassmaster Majors and Classic. They're also racking up points in the race for the Angler of the Year award.
2006 Empire Chase Pro 07/06-07/09
Lake Oneida, Syracuse N.Y.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 15 47-10 305 $500.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 16-07
2. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 15 47-03 295
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 15-14
3. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 15 47-00 290 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 17-15
4. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 15 46-04 290
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 13-14
5. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 15 45-13 280 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 17-14
6. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 15 45-08 276
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 15-06
7. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 45-04 270
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 16-02 Day 3: 5 15-02
7. Charlie Youngers Geneva, Fla. 15 45-04 270
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 15-14
9. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 15 44-10 264
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 16-02 Day 3: 5 13-11
10. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 15 44-08 260
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 14-12
11. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 15 44-07 262 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 13-05
12. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 15 44-03 254
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 14-04
13. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 15 43-12 251 $10,800.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 14-10
14. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 15 43-08 248 $10,700.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 14-08
15. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 15 43-05 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 11-14 Day 3: 5 14-13
16. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 15 43-02 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 13-09
17. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 15 42-15 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 13-05 Day 3: 5 13-08
18. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 15 42-10 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 16-02 Day 3: 5 11-01
19. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 15 42-05 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 5 14-05
20. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 15 41-13 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 13-14
21. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 15 41-10 233 $12,250.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 12-08
22. Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 15 41-03 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 15-06
23. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 15 41-02 229 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 13-14
24. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 15 41-01 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 5 13-01
25. Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 15 40-10 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 14-07
26. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 15 40-05 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 14-00
27. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 15 40-03 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 13-09
28. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 15 40-01 219 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 14-13
29. David Gliebe Benton, Ky. 15 39-14 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 13-12
30. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 39-13 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 13-10
31. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 15 39-09 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 13-00
31. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 15 39-09 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 5 14-05
31. Darrin Schwenkbeck Silver Spring, Md. 15 39-09 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 13-10 Day 3: 5 12-11
34. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 15 39-05 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 13-14
35. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 15 39-04 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 13-13
36. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 15 39-00 202 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 12-00
36. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 39-00 202 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 13-11
38. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 15 38-14 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 11-03
39. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 15 38-12 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 11-11 Day 3: 5 13-09
40. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 15 38-08 194 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 11-13
40. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 15 38-08 194 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 13-04
42. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 15 38-02 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 11-11
43. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 15 38-01 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 12-03
44. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 15 38-00 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 12-09
45. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15 37-15 185 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 10-11
46. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 15 37-08 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 10-10
47. Dave Smith Del City, Okla. 15 37-02 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 11-11
48. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 15 37-00 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 10-14
49. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 15 36-15 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 11-07
50. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 15 35-03 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 9-01
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Big Bass
Day
1 Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 4-14 $500.00
1 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 4-14 $500.00
2 Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5-14 $1,000.00
3 Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 4-12 $1,000.00
Day
1 Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 18-06 $1,000.00
2 Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 17-08 $1,000.00
3 David Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 17-15 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 99 501 1249-01
2 100 505 1300-00
3 50 250 677-10
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249 1256 3226-11 2006 Empire Chase NB 07/06-07/09
Lake Oneida, Syracuse N.Y.
(CO-ANGLER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Donald Bishop Verona, Pa. 9 26-10 0 $45,500.00
Day 1: 3 7-04 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 3 10-12
2. Ian Renfrew Phoenix, N.Y. 9 26-02 0 $25,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-09 Day 2: 3 8-09 Day 3: 3 10-00
2. Jesse Herbert Pennellville, N.Y. 9 26-02 0 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-15 Day 2: 3 9-01 Day 3: 3 9-02
4. Matthew Martin Lafayette, N.Y. 9 25-03 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-02 Day 2: 3 8-07 Day 3: 3 8-10
5. Craig Terpening North Syracuse, N.Y. 9 24-15 0 $4,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-10 Day 2: 3 7-05 Day 3: 3 9-00
6. Larry Lafaver Watertown, N.Y. 9 24-12 0 $3,500.00
Day 1: 3 9-01 Day 2: 3 8-02 Day 3: 3 7-09
7. David Benham Lenox, Mass. 9 24-11 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 7-04 Day 2: 3 9-06 Day 3: 3 8-01
8. Steve Tosh Modesto, Calif. 9 24-09 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-00 Day 2: 3 7-05 Day 3: 3 9-04
9. Kevin Cunningham Farmingdale, N.Y. 9 24-02 0 $1,800.00
Day 1: 3 7-02 Day 2: 3 7-11 Day 3: 3 9-05
10. Michael Cusano Clay, N.Y. 9 23-14 0 $1,600.00
Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2: 3 7-09 Day 3: 3 8-08
11. Tony Faraci Troy, N.Y. 9 23-09 0 $1,400.00
Day 1: 3 8-00 Day 2: 3 6-12 Day 3: 3 8-13
12. Richard Garlock Alexandria, N.Y. 9 23-08 0 $1,300.00
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 3 8-04 Day 3: 3 7-06
13. Andy Jenkins Elkhart, Ind. 9 23-06 0 $1,200.00
Day 1: 3 8-09 Day 2: 3 7-11 Day 3: 3 7-02
14. Justin Martens Lancaster, Calif. 9 23-01 0 $1,050.00
Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 3 8-07
14. Dominic Digirolamo Belmont, N.Y. 9 23-01 0 $1,050.00
Day 1: 3 8-01 Day 2: 3 7-13 Day 3: 3 7-03
16. Jonathan Vandam Kalamazoo, Mich. 9 23-00 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-12 Day 2: 3 6-14 Day 3: 3 8-06
17. Carl Luther Rochester, N.Y. 9 22-15 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-12 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 3 6-09
17. Anthony Savino Marlboro, N.Y. 9 22-15 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-08 Day 2: 3 7-06 Day 3: 3 8-01
19. David Livingston Scottsville, N.Y. 9 22-14 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-02 Day 2: 3 8-08 Day 3: 3 7-04
19. David Paul New London, Conn. 9 22-14 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 7-10 Day 2: 3 8-05 Day 3: 3 6-15
21. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 9 22-13 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 3 8-15 Day 3: 3 7-07
22. Mike Williams Delhi, La. 9 22-11 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-08 Day 2: 3 7-14 Day 3: 3 7-05
23. Thomas Monica Bridgeport, N.Y. 9 22-08 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-02 Day 2: 3 7-04 Day 3: 3 8-02
24. Richard Hyde Fulton, N.Y. 9 22-03 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 6-13 Day 2: 3 9-13 Day 3: 3 5-09
24. Craig Daino Central Square, N.Y. 9 22-03 0 $900.00
Day 1: 3 7-15 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 3 6-08
26. Bruce Freeman Street, Md. 9 22-02 0
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 3 8-09 Day 3: 3 7-03
27. Ron Bergman Phoenix, N.Y. 9 21-14 0
Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 3 6-15 Day 3: 3 7-14
28. Tom Pavlot Utica, N.Y. 9 21-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 5-11 Day 2: 3 10-04 Day 3: 3 5-13
29. Karl Cook Watertown, N.Y. 9 21-10 0
Day 1: 3 6-08 Day 2: 3 7-13 Day 3: 3 7-05
30. Jeff Kashuba Stroudsburg, Pa. 9 21-09 0
Day 1: 3 6-04 Day 2: 3 7-13 Day 3: 3 7-08
31. James Matthews Camden, N.Y. 9 21-08 0
Day 1: 3 7-02 Day 2: 3 7-03 Day 3: 3 7-03
32. James Hill Ozark, Ala. 9 21-07 0
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 3 6-10
32. Mike Graham Jamestown, N.Y. 9 21-07 0
Day 1: 3 7-04 Day 2: 3 6-10 Day 3: 3 7-09
34. Daren Scott Liverpool, N.Y. 9 21-06 0
Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 3 8-08 Day 3: 3 6-00
34. Harry Potts Ozark, Ala. 9 21-06 0
Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2: 3 7-00 Day 3: 3 6-09
36. Ed Pitlak Norwood, N.J. 9 21-05 0
Day 1: 3 6-02 Day 2: 3 8-03 Day 3: 3 7-00
37. Jack Wright Philadelphia, Pa. 9 21-03 0
Day 1: 3 6-10 Day 2: 3 7-07 Day 3: 3 7-02
38. Detlef Barth Bolivar, N.Y. 9 21-01 0
Day 1: 3 5-14 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 3 7-07
38. Charlie Raia Gardendale, Ala. 9 21-01 0
Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 3 6-12 Day 3: 3 7-04
40. Tim Ezell Key West, Fla. 9 21-00 0
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 3 8-05 Day 3: 3 6-04
41. Del Smith Castalia, Ohio 9 20-15 0
Day 1: 3 6-11 Day 2: 3 8-01 Day 3: 3 6-03
42. Tony Pratt Paso Robles, Calif. 9 20-00 0
Day 1: 3 5-13 Day 2: 3 7-11 Day 3: 3 6-08
43. Thomas Logue Tyndall, S.D. 8 19-14 0
Day 1: 3 7-07 Day 2: 3 8-01 Day 3: 2 4-06
44. Craig Nels Baldwinsville, N.Y. 8 19-02 0
Day 1: 3 7-10 Day 2: 3 7-03 Day 3: 2 4-05
45. Andrew Dick Wilmington, Del. 9 18-14 0
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 3 7-04 Day 3: 3 5-03
46. Steve Pratt Corfu, N.Y. 8 18-08 0
Day 1: 3 7-14 Day 2: 3 7-01 Day 3: 2 3-09
47. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 7 17-11 0
Day 1: 3 7-10 Day 2: 3 7-06 Day 3: 1 2-11
48. Craig Townsend Mount Holly, N.J. 8 16-10 0
Day 1: 3 7-09 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 2 2-06
49. Bob Popp Oswego, N.Y. 7 16-01 0
Day 1: 3 6-02 Day 2: 3 7-12 Day 3: 1 2-03
50. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 7 15-09 0
Day 1: 3 7-08 Day 2: 3 6-15 Day 3: 1 1-02
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Big Bass
Day
1 Larry Lafaver Watertown, N.Y. 3-13 $500.00
2 Tom Pavlot Utica, N.Y. 4-03 $500.00
3 Donald Bishop Verona, Pa. 4-04 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 88 276 622-02
2 79 255 614-04
3 43 140 344-07
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210 671 1580-13