SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Primarily using a "comfort technique", Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu, Ariz., caught 17 pounds, 9 ounces, of Oneida Lake largemouth Friday and took the lead at the Bassmaster Memorial bass fishing tournament. Rojas' two-day total of 33 pounds, 1 ounce, then was erased as weights were zeroed for the top 12 anglers, who qualified for Saturday's third round of action.
The tournament moves to Onondaga Lake for the final two days of action, and anglers will rotate through a six-hole course. Despite leading and then promptly losing the advantage, Rojas was excited about the change of venue.
"I'm charged up," said Rojas, a two-time BASS winner. "I don't know that much about Onondaga, but I feel like I learned a lot about New York fisheries today. These fish can be caught in extremely shallow water and I feel like I can continue throwing a frog, which is what I'm most comfortable doing."
Rojas was one of many anglers who strictly targeted largemouth bass. The 36-year-old, who will celebrate his 37th birthday Tuesday, caught fish by making long casts to shallow pockets of water.
Rojas was surprised that many of his best spots were vacant. He was able to upgrade his weight throughout the day and caught his biggest fish, a 4-pound, 8-ounce bass, in 6 inches of water.
Operating within BASS rules, Rojas was able to drive the six-hole course on Onondaga after weighing in. He was not able to fish the course but was able to identify spots he intends to visit Saturday.
"My goal heading into this tournament was to win, and you don't get many chances at this level," Rojas said. "I hope I can continue this run."
Though Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala., slipped to second, the 2006 Toyota Rookie of the Year will start on even ground with Rojas and the 10 other competitors Saturday. Kennedy spent much of his time Friday working different baits, including a spinnerbait, frog and creature bait.
Kennedy used just half of his allotted practice time after attending the funeral for his 94-year-old grandmother, Gladys, on Monday in Alabama.
"I'll be honest, I don't know anything about Onondaga," Kennedy said as he peered out at the lake after weighing in. "I don't see a whole lot of docks out there. That's not good for what I plan to do. But all you can do is prepare with a variety of rods on the deck and go fishing."
Two California pros were in third and fourth place Friday. Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande moved up five places to third with a two-day total of 30 pounds, 9 ounces, and Skeet Reese of Auburn moved up 28 places into fourth with 30 pounds, 3 ounces. In fifth was John Murray of Phoenix with 30 pounds, 0 ounces.
By virtue of his lead in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, Reese has first choice of the hole in which he'll start.
Qualifying for the 12th and final spot was Jeff Kriet of Ardmore, Okla., with 27 pounds, 14 ounces. Kriet narrowly edged out Kelly Jordon of Mineola, Texas, by 1 ounce for the right to fish Saturday.
Each Bassmaster Major pairs up observers with competing pros. The observer matched with the pro who catches the Purolator Big Bass on Day 2 of the tournament wins a fully rigged Triton Boat package valued at $50,000.
By way of the 5-pound brute caught by Oklahoma's Kenyon Hill, Tim Clark of Canton, Ohio, won the boat. The McKinley Bassmasters club member was thrilled for the learning experience.
2007 Bassmaster Memorial 7/26-7/29
Oneida Lake, Syracuse NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 10 33-01 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 17-09
2. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 32-07 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 14-11
3. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 30-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 15-09
4. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 30-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 17-07
5. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 10 30-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 15-09
6. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, FL 10 29-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 15-10
6. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 10 29-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-01
8. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 10 28-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 14-15
9. John Crews Salem, VA 10 28-14 0
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 13-13
10. Randy Howell Springville, AL 10 28-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 13-14
11. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 10 28-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 12-14
12. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 27-14 0
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 14-11
13. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 10 27-13 0 $11,700.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 11-14
14. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 27-10 0 $11,600.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 13-04
15. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 27-07 0 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 14-00
16. Chris Lane Winter Haven, FL 10 27-06 0 $11,350.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 11-11
16. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 10 27-06 0 $11,350.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 14-02
18. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 27-05 0 $11,200.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 12-12
19. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 10 27-04 0 $12,050.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 15-12
19. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 27-04 0 $11,050.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 11-11
21. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 10 27-02 0 $10,900.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 13-01
22. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, TX 10 26-10 0 $10,750.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 14-14
22. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 26-10 0 $10,750.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 13-02
24. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 26-09 0 $10,550.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 12-13
24. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 26-09 0 $10,550.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-00
26. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 26-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 13-12
27. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 26-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 13-00
28. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 26-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 11-14
29. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 25-15 0
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 12-13
30. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 25-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 13-08
31. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 10 25-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 13-10
32. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 25-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 12-05
33. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 10 25-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 11-15
33. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, CA 10 25-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 12-15
35. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 10 25-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 13-11
36. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 10 25-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 12-07
37. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 25-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 12-07
38. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 25-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 13-04
39. Derek Remitz Madison, TX 10 25-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 13-07
40. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 10 24-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 12-09
40. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 10 24-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 10-03
42. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 24-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 13-10
43. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 10 23-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 11-11
44. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, FL 10 23-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 11-08
45. Alton Jones Waco, TX 10 23-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-02
46. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 10 23-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 11-09
47. Ishama Monroe Hughson, CA 10 23-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 13-15
48. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 10 22-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 11-03
49. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 10 22-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 07-10
49. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 22-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 10-02
51. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 10 21-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 11-10
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Big Bass
Day
1 Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 05-01 $1,000.00
2 Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 05-00 $1,000.00
Day
1 Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 17-12 $1,000.00
2 Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 17-09 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 51 255 677-09
2 51 255 671-07
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102 510 1349-00