SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Holding tight to the lead he built Saturday, Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., won the Bassmaster Elite Series' Empire Chase bass fishing tournament on Oneida Lake on Sunday with 63 pounds, 10 ounces.
The BASS veteran said he relied on two lures, a Reaction Innovations' Sweet Beaver and a Stanley Jigs' Ribbit Frog, to catch each day's limit, including Sunday's five fish weighing 16 pounds even. He said he struggled to find fish on Sunday, when only the Elite 12 anglers competed. But when early morning clouds parted and the sun started to shine, the bite turned on and the Day 3 leader found his winning fish under cover in 6 to 8 inches of water.
Biffle was one of the few pros who targeted the largemouth bass of Oneida Lake, a clear-water fishery known for its smallmouth. While many other anglers were catching smallmouth after smallmouth, "I never looked for smallmouth or even rigged a rod for [smallmouth]," said Biffle, 48. "I knew I could win this."
His win was one of the most emotional in his 21-year BASS career. With the $100,000 top prize, Biffle became the 16th angler to surpass the $1 million mark in BASS earnings, a milestone he was determined to reach this year, just as Elite anglers Michael Iaconelli and Peter Thliveros have done. When Biffle learned of the accomplishment, he fought back the tears, regained his composure and said, "That's what I've been waiting for all this time."
Spectators, fans and insiders predicted all week long that the Empire Chase would be a battle of ounces. Though Biffle won by 2 pounds, 15 ounces, the angler weights behind him were so close, two ties were declared.
In second was Charlie Youngers of Florida with 60-11. This was Youngers' first appearance in the Elite 12 and the angler said he felt proud to finish so high in a group of such accomplished athletes. In third was two-time Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam of Michigan with 60-8. Tied for fourth with 60-7 were Dave Wolak of Pennsylvania and Ken Cook of Oklahoma. Tied for sixth were Lee Bailey of Alabama and Iaconelli of New Jersey with 60-6.
Nearly every angler blamed their inability to overtake Biffle on the lack of a kicker fish, though Day 1 leader Bailey had the Purolator Big Bass on Sunday that was worth an extra $1,000, a 4-pound, 12-ounce bass.
Also, in an upset move on Saturday, Donald Bishop took the co-angler division with 26-10, winning a Triton boat valued at $45,000.
Elite anglers will have no down time this week. They are headed to Plattsburgh, N.Y., to begin practice Monday for the July 13-16 Champion's Choice on Lake Champlain. Biffle - who hadn't won a BASS tournament since 1995 - already made his prediction for the winner. "I've got a lot of confidence going into Champlain," he said. "I would just tell people that cameramen will be filming me on Day 4 of that tournament."
Biffle's obviously looking to add to his Oneida event take of $100,000, which was the winner's portion of the total cash payout of $673,150. Anglers also competed for points toward qualifying for the Bassmaster Majors and Classic. They also received 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 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 20 63-10 310 $101,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 16-07 Day 4: 5 16-00
2. Charlie Youngers Geneva, Fla. 20 60-11 295 $30,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 15-14 Day 4: 5 15-07
3. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 20 60-08 290 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 16-02 Day 3: 5 15-02 Day 4: 5 15-04
4. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 20 60-07 282 $18,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 17-15 Day 4: 5 13-07
4. Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 20 60-07 282 $17,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 15-14 Day 4: 5 13-04
6. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 20 60-06 279 $17,250.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 13-05 Day 4: 5 15-15
6. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 20 60-06 274 $15,250.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 15-06 Day 4: 5 14-14
8. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 20 59-03 268 $14,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 16-02 Day 3: 5 13-11 Day 4: 5 14-09
9. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 20 58-10 269 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 13-14 Day 4: 5 12-06
10. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 20 58-08 260 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 14-04 Day 4: 5 14-05
11. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 20 57-06 257 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 17-14 Day 4: 5 11-09
12. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 20 55-10 254 $12,300.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 14-12 Day 4: 5 11-02
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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
4 Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 4-12 $1,000.00
Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 5-14 $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
4 Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 16-00 $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
4 12 60 168-02
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261 1316 3394-13 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 1580-132006 Syracuse, NY - Empire Chase Pro Points
Ending 07-09-2006
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
-------------------------------------------
1 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 2027
2 Dean Rojas Ariz. 1922
3 Kevin Wirth Ky. 1884
4 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1875
5 Kevin VanDam Mich. 1852
6 Aaron Martens Ala. 1830
7 John Crews Va. 1823
8 Edwin Evers Okla. 1780
9 Greg Hackney La. 1773
10 Jason Quinn S.C. 1756
11 Timmy Horton Ala. 1740
12 Kelly Jordon Texas 1722
13 Gerald Swindle Ala. 1721
14 Matt Reed Texas 1718
15 Peter Thliveros Fla. 1717
16 Skeet Reese Calif. 1698
17 Russ Lane Ala. 1695
18 Mike Wurm Ark. 1654
19 John Murray Ariz. 1648
20 Tommy Biffle Okla. 1639
21 Takahiro Omori Texas 1636
22 Denny Brauer Mo. 1620
23 Terry Scroggins Fla. 1608
24 Bill Lowen Ohio 1606
25 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 1594
26 Alton Jones Texas 1593
27 Gary Klein Texas 1569
28 Randy Howell Ala. 1562
29 Lee Bailey Ala. 1558
30 Mike McClelland Ark. 1548
30 Davy Hite S.C. 1548
32 Jared Lintner Calif. 1547
33 Mark Tucker Mo. 1544
34 Rick Clunn Mo. 1518
35 Zell Rowland Texas 1510
36 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 1492
37 Bradley Hallman Okla. 1490
37 Kenyon Hill Okla. 1490
39 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 1487
40 Jeff Kriet Okla. 1482
41 Bernie Schultz Fla. 1464
42 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1439
43 Scott Rook Ark. 1434
44 Terry Butcher Okla. 1409
45 Jeff Connella La. 1401
46 Todd Faircloth Texas 1389
47 Ishama Monroe Calif. 1382
48 Paul Elias Miss. 1380
49 Brent Chapman Kan. 1379
50 Ken Cook Okla. 1366
51 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 1364
52 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 1363
53 Darrin Schwenkbeck Md. 1354
53 Mark Tyler Ariz. 1354
55 Steve Daniel Fla. 1351
56 Dave Wolak Pa. 1350
57 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 1328
58 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 1317
59 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 1312
59 Dave Smith Okla. 1312
61 Jon Bondy Canada 1311
62 William Smith, Jr Ky. 1293
63 Chad Brauer Mo. 1288
64 Pete Ponds Miss. 1287
65 Stephen Browning Ark. 1279
66 Mark Menendez Ky. 1277
67 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 1267
68 Preston Clark Fla. 1260
69 Keith Phillips Ala. 1246
70 Charlie Hartley Ohio 1222
71 Chris Lane Fla. 1216
72 Kevin Langill N.C. 1208
73 Jarrett Edwards Ariz. 1204
74 Britt Myers N.C. 1201
75 Mike Reynolds Calif. 1194
76 Jami Fralick S.D. 1190
77 Marty Stone N.C. 1173
78 Joe Thomas Ohio 1155
79 Terry Segraves Fla. 1150
80 David Gliebe Ky. 1148
81 Paul Hirosky Pa. 1146
82 Bradley Stringer Texas 1141
83 Kurt Dove Va. 1140
84 Charlie Youngers Fla. 1134
85 Vince Hurtado Calif. 1127
86 Byron Velvick Nev. 1114
87 Brian Snowden Mo. 1089
88 Frank Scalish Ohio 1078
89 Bink Desaro Idaho 1071
90 Rick Morris Va. 1062
91 Elton Luce Jr Texas 1046
92 Brooks Rogers Texas 1031
92 Mike O'Shea Calif. 1031
94 Grant Goldbeck Md. 1004
95 Guy Eaker N.C. 1002
96 Mark Rogers Fla. 952
97 Rick Ash Pa. 911
98 Kevin Short Ark. 896
99 Charlie Weyer Calif. 894
100 Doc Merkin Ill. 839
101 Jimmy Houston Okla. 806
102 Ken Brodeur Conn. 798
103 Randy Yarnall Pa. 738
104 Robert Hamilton Jr Tenn. 551
105 Conrad Picou La. 390
106 Dustin Wilks N.C. 151