CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Dave Wolak has had a hectic - but memorable - week. On Tuesday, the 29-year-old celebrated the birth of his first child - a healthy baby boy named Jacob. Now, just four days later, the Warrior Run, Pa., angler is on the verge of creating a $250,000 nest egg for his growing family.
On Saturday, Wolak caught a limit of 15 pounds, 6 ounces at the Bassmaster Memorial bass fishing tournament on Lake Wylie and stood nearly 5 pounds in front of 2004 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Gerald Swindle of Alabama (10-7).
Wolak came into Day 3 in 11th place, but weights were zeroed for the top 12 anglers who advanced. Only the top six will fish the same six-hole course in a timed, rotating format on Sunday.
Capitalizing on new water previously off-limits to anglers, Wolak employed a fast and furious pace. He didn't concentrate on a particular lure and instead went "junking around" the course.
"I am trying not to think about what winning this thing would mean to me," Wolak said. "I have learned to adapt to the conditions and I have no preconceived notions about what I should do. I think that is a huge help out here."
The Bassmaster American marks the first time Wolak has ever fished Lake Wylie. Predictably, he had nothing but praise for the 13,443-acre fishery that anglers are calling a welcomed challenge. "I love this lake and there is a ton of fish in here," Wolak said.
Though he is in a distant second place, Swindle is looking for his first BASS win at this tournament. He's amassed more than $500,000 in career BASS earnings- but is "aching" to take the victory. "I saw some things out there that will definitely help me out tomorrow," the 36-year-old said.
Rounding out the top six who advanced to Sunday were Floridian Terry Scroggins (9-11), two-time Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam (9-2), Kentucky's Mark Menendez (8-14) and local favorite and former Lake Wylie guide Jason Quinn (8-6).
Much to the delight of an enthusiastic hometown crowd, Quinn, from Lake Wylie, S.C., squeaked into the six-angler field after his weight tied with 2004 Classic champion Takahiro Omori's. Because Quinn is higher than Omori in the Angler of the Year standings, he advanced.
But it wasn't all bad news for Omori. With the sixth-place finish, the talented Texan crossed the $1 million threshold in BASS career earnings. He became the 17th angler to accomplish the feat.
Hole priority tomorrow will be awarded to anglers based on current Angler of the Year standings. Kevin VanDam leads the six-angler field in those rankings.
Also, fishing fans can visit the Expo at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart on Sunday. The expo is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
2006 Bassmaster American 07/27-07/30
Lake Wylie, Charlotte N.C.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5 15-06 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 2 4-13 Day 3: 5 15-06
2. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 5 10-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 5 10-07
3. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 4 9-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 4 9-11
4. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 9-02 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 4 9-07 Day 3: 5 9-02
5. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 8-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 8-09 Day 3: 5 8-14
6. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 8-06 0
Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 5 8-06
6. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 4 8-06 0 $17,500.00
Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 10-15 Day 3: 4 8-06
8. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 8-02 0 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 8-02
9. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 4 7-15 0 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 8-10 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 4 7-15
10. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 7-14 0 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 10-09 Day 3: 5 7-14
11. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 4 7-13 0 $13,100.00
Day 1: 5 9-00 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 4 7-13
12. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 3 4-13 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 3 4-13
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Big Bass
Day
1 David Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5-07 $1,000.00
2 Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5-05 $1,000.00
3 Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 4-03 $1,000.00
Day
1 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 16-04 $1,000.00
2 Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 15-12 $1,000.00
3 David Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 15-06 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 36 229 489-14
2 21 184 395-15
3 7 54 106-13
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64 467 992-10