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The Full Story

Bassmaster Classic: Lake Wylie, NC

Preview: Classic Pros Scour Lake Wylie With Mixed Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — They were eight of the most precious hours of the year for pros competing in the 34th annual CITGO Bassmaster Classic, yet none of the casts made during Wednesday's practice round even counted.

The 53 Classic contenders got their first look at Lake Wylie (where the three-day world-championship event kicks off Friday) since the 12,000-acre Charlotte lake went off limits 30 days ago. All were looking to set the foundation for a run at the $200,000 winner's purse and the most important crown in professional fishing.

Catching the lake's largemouth bass was not particularly important. Locating them – and then figuring out how to make them bite – was.

Predictably, the day yielded a wide variety of results. Some pros could barely conceal their excitement about their success Wednesday. Others did poorly enough that they were ready to abandon the game plans that had been conceived during the official five-day pre-practice period a month ago. And some anglers were satisfied, but not thrilled with their practice round.

The contrast can be seen in the practice results of the two local pre-Classic favorites — Jason Quinn and Chris Baumgardner.

“I'm jacked. I'm ready to get this thing going,” said Quinn, a 32-year-old pro who guides on Lake Wylie and is making his second Classic appearance. “My practice day was real good. It went extremely well and I'm looking forward to getting it started.

“Actually it went a little better than I expected. I fished enough stuff and tried to hit each spot quick to check on things. I caught a few fish just to see what size they were. I had eight or nine bites

“I stopped fishing to do four or five media interviews on the docks today. I did as many interviews on docks as I did fishing them.”

Contrast that with the experience of the other local favorite.

“It was a little slow – a lot slower than I expected,” said Baumgardner, a 43-year-old pro from Gastonia, N.C., competing in his third Classic. “I caught a few fish. I could have had a limit that would have gone 12 or 13 pounds.

“I ran some shallow water mostly today, places where I caught them in pre-practice. The fish were still there, but they wouldn't take a bait. I don't know what to think about that. It was real hard to catch fish. I only had eight or nine bites.

“I did pinpoint fish in a few areas where maybe I can go catch some and then go to my deep-water spots. Today kind of hurt my confidence. I was kind of counting on that shallow-water bite.”

Texan Jay Yelas, the 2002 Classic champion, admitted that he struggled to find bass on Wednesday.

“I thought it was pretty tough,” he said. “I had six bites and shook off three of them.

“The year I won it I found the fish on the one practice day and I knew I had something special. I can't say that this time.”

Former Kentucky Derby jockey and five-time Classic qualifier Kevin Wirth was rather secretive about his practice round, but hinted of big things to come starting Friday.

“It was kind of slow, but I think it's going to get better,” the Kentucky pro said “What I tried to do today would have turned out to be pretty good if I could have connected better with the fish. I missed too many fish.

“It was a whole lot better than I expected. I was kind of down in the dumps after my pre-practice. But I made some adjustments today and it worked. I think it's something that I can pick back up with on Friday and it could get better and better as the week goes on. I think it's something that I can really expand on.”

Three-time CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year and 1995 Classic winner Mark Davis could muster up little enthusiasm for his chances after the struggle he endured on Wednesday.

“It was real slow. It was a lot worse than I expected,” the Arkansas angler said. “The conditions were somewhat different from pre-practice. The water was lower and clearer. Some guys found fish in the places they found them in pre-practice, but I didn't. I think the conditions are just different. It's been 30 days and things have changed.

“I'm probably going to have abandon my game plan and try something different if I'm going to do any good in this tournament.”

Another former Classic champion and Angler of the Year admitted being baffled after his eight practice hours on Lake Wylie.

“I didn't do any good. I didn't do much. I expected better,” said Davy Hite of Prosperity, S.C. “I didn't fish a couple of my best spots, but I fished some spots where there should have been some fish.

“The water jumped back up in the last few days and there is a lot of muddy water up on the upper end of the lake. Maybe it will settle down the next couple of days. Or maybe I'll have to make some adjustments.

“I saw guys doing some things to catch fish, but not catching any good fish. I'm going to stick with my game plan at least through the first day and do the things that I caught some big fish doing in pre-practice.”

The casts start counting for real at 6:45 a.m. on Friday when the Classic boats are launched at the Buster Boyd Access Area on Highway 49 near Lake Wylie.

Day 1: Omori Leads Day 1 of Classic

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Takahiro Omori came to the U.S. from Japan in 1992 to live out his dream of becoming a professional bass fisherman.

Some 12 years later, he’s a step closer to the ultimate dream of all professional fishermen — a victory in the Bassmaster Classic.

Omori, 33, caught the heaviest limit of the first day of the 34th Classic with five Lake Wylie bass that weighed 16 pounds, 2 ounces.

"Since I was 15 years old, I dreamed about fishing in the Classic," said Omori, a Japanese citizen who lives on Lake Fork near Emory, Texas. "This is just the first day, but it’s a dream come true."

Omori has some stiff competition close on his heels, including last year’s Classic champion Mike Iaconelli of Runnemeade, N.J., who is three ounces back at 15-15. Dean Rojas of Grand Saline, Texas, is third with 15-8, and Bassmaster Tour all-time money leader and past Classic champion Denny Brauer is fourth with 15-7.

Omori seized the lead on the first day, which featured partly cloudy skies and warm temperatures, by moving around Lake Wylie in search of bass in shallow water.

"I just move along a little bit here and there," he said. "I’m just being open-minded."

Omori, who was born in Tokyo, caught his first bass at the age of 9. He came to the U.S. in 1992 to pursue a professional fishing career, paving the way for a wave of Japanese pros that have joined him here over the past decade.

Bass were introduced to Japan in 1925, and bass fishing has a large fan base in the country. Visiting U.S. pros and returning Japanese pros often are mobbed by throngs of adoring fans.

"They would go nuts," Omori said when asked how Japanese fans would react to his success in the Classic.

Omori is the first Japanese pro to lead the Classic and only the second non-American fisherman to lead it. Gerry Jooste of Zimbabwe led the first day of the 1997 Classic on Alabama’s Lake Logan Martin.

Rojas, Brauer and Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., who is in fifth place, didn’t divulge their specific tactics, but the three anglers are fishing in the same general area of the lake, about "two-thirds of the way" up the Catawba River impoundment, where they’re concentrating on shallow cover such as boat docks and laydowns in muddy water.

"It’s pretty muddy up there," Rojas said, "but the fish don’t seem to care."

Meanwhile, Iaconelli used a two-pronged approach to make it into second place, the same spot he held after the first day of last year’s Classic in New Orleans, where Iaconelli went on to win. He switched back and forth between deeper off-shore structure and shallow water.

"Having more than one pattern is the key to winning," Iaconelli said. "Ireally believe this is the type of tournament where you have to do multiple things."

Iaconelli’s deeper water produced the heaviest bass of the first day, a 7-4 largemouth that ranks as the fifth-heaviest bass caught in the Classic’s 34-year history

"I have mixed feelings because I had the kind of weight I wanted, but not the number of bites," Iaconelli said. "But I know there are some quality fish in there, and you don’t come to the Classic to catch five little knuckleheads. If I only get four or five bites a day, I’ll take those kind of bites."

Iaconelli said he fished the deeper water, targeting bass on off-shore structure, during periods of lower light conditions, such as early in the morning and when the sun went behind clouds. He headed for shallow water and fished cover when the sun was bright.

"The only thing I have to do now is adjust my timing," Iaconelli said. "My timing may have been a little bit off [Friday]."

The second day of fishing starts at 6:30 a.m. local time today. ESPN and ESPN2 will provide live tournament updates throughout the day Saturday, and Saturday’s weigh-in will be televised from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Central on ESPN.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight

1 Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 16-02

2 Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 4 15-15

3 Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 5 15-08

4 Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 5 15-07

5 Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 15-02

6 Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 13-07

7 Jason Quinn Clover, SC 5 13-04

8 Aaron Martens Castiac, CA 5 13-03

9 Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 5 12-13

10 Marty Stone Linden, NC 5 12-06

11 Thad Takes Center Point, IA 5 11-14

12 Chad Brauer Osage Beach, MO 5 11-00

13 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 10-13

14 Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 5 10-12

14 Stacey King Reeds Spring, MO 5 10-12

16 Brent Chapman Shawnee, KS 4 10-07

17 Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 10-05

18 Steve Sennikoff Forney, TX 5 10-04

19 Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 5 9-15

20 John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 8-15

20 Mark Kile Tonto Basin, AZ 4 8-15

22 Harold Allen Shelbyville, TX 4 8-12

22 Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 3 8-12

24 Edwin Evers Mannsville, OK 5 8-03

25 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 4 6-15

26. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 4 6-14
Day 1: 4 6-14
27. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 3 6-09
Day 1: 3 6-09
28. Jeff Boyer Auburn, Wash. 3 6-01
Day 1: 3 6-01
29. Lee Bailey Hebron, Conn. 2 5-11
Day 1: 2 5-11
30. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 3 5-05
Day 1: 3 5-05
31. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 3 5-04
Day 1: 3 5-04
31. Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 2 5-04
Day 1: 2 5-04
33. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 3 4-13
Day 1: 3 4-13
33. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 2 4-13
Day 1: 2 4-13
35. Paul L Elias Pachuta, Miss. 2 4-09
Day 1: 2 4-09
36. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 2 3-12
Day 1: 2 3-12
37. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 1 3-09
Day 1: 1 3-09
38. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 2 3-08
Day 1: 2 3-08
38. Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 2 3-08
Day 1: 2 3-08
40. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 2 3-04
Day 1: 2 3-04
41. Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 2 3-03
Day 1: 2 3-03
42. William Pippen Crossett, Ark. 1 2-15
Day 1: 1 2-15
43. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 1 2-12
Day 1: 1 2-12
44. Tim Horton Tuscumbia, Ala. 1 2-11
Day 1: 1 2-11
45. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 1 2-05
Day 1: 1 2-05
46. Tim Carroll Owasso, Okla. 1 1-11
Day 1: 1 1-11
47. Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 2 1-10
Day 1: 2 1-10
48. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 1 1-03
Day 1: 1 1-03
49. Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
49. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
49. George Acord Lancaster, Pa. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
49. Scott Suggs Alexander, Ark. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
49. Chuck Economou Redington Shores, Fla. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00

Day 2: Rojas Grabs Classic Lead Entering Final Round

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dean Rojas already has a prominent place in the BASS record books, but on Saturday he took a big step toward professional fishing immortality by grabbing the lead heading into the final round of the CITGO Bassmaster Classic.

The Texas pro, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Lake Wylie Saturday, holds BASS records for single-day weight (45 pounds, 2 ounces on Lake Tohopekaliga) and total weight for a four-day tournament (108-12).

On Saturday, his five-bass limit weighing 10-12 propelled him from third into first place with a two-day total of 26-4.

That put Rojas 10 ounces ahead of first-round leader Takahiro Omori (25-10). Local favorite and Lake Wylie guide Jason Quinn moved up from seventh to third (24-1) Saturday, followed by California's Aaron Martens (23-12) and Marty Stone of North Carolina (23-2).

But the day belonged to Rojas, who spent the entire eight hours casting within sight of Omori.

“I had the same amount of bites today that I had yesterday, but the size and the quality just wasn't there today,” two-time BASS winner Rojas said. “I fished basically the same areas, but I caught two fish from new water.

“Takahiro and I pass by each other at times during the day. It's a pretty good-sized area, but he's in sight of me pretty much the whole day. Today we had a little confrontation, where our boats came together and his entourage (of spectator boats) and my entourage kind of combined into one.”

“I think we had about 150 boats all together,” Rojas said. “I respect Takahiro as an angler and he's a friend. We're just going to work together, I imagine, and each fish what we need to fish.

“We're both on the fish to win. It could be the death of us or it could turn out to be the greatest thing that ever happened.”

Omori, a 33-year-old Japanese pro now living in Emory, Texas, caught a limit for the second consecutive day, but Saturday’s weighed but 9½ pounds.

“Me and Dean are pretty much fishing the same area, so whoever gets the best bites (Sunday) will win,” said Omori, who has won three BASS events since coming to America in 1992. “Today, I went to three different baits to catch five keepers.”

Quinn, 32, is such a local favorite that he was followed all around Lake Wylie by as many as 60 spectator boats. Still, the three-time Classic contender managed to catch five largemouth weighing 10-13.

“I'm doing real well,” he said. “I think my chances are pretty good. I've got some places that I haven't fished, yet, that I've been kind of trying to save. So I'll be swinging for the fences tomorrow.”

Defending Classic champion Michael Iaconelli, who was in second place after Day 1 of the Lake Wylie event, saw his hopes of becoming just the second angler to win consecutive world championships all but disappear Saturday when he was disqualified for fishing in an off-limits area.

BASS tournament director Trip Weldon said the New Jersey pro didn’t earn any weight for the one bass (weighing 1-6) in his livewell.

“At the tournament briefing on Tuesday night, we handed the briefing sheet to the anglers and it says the bass live-release area will be announced at the tournament briefing,” he said. “I announced that it was from the far side of the boat ramp over to the riprap where it meets the lake under the bridge. Behind the no-wake buoy.

“Mike called me today around 12:30 or so and asked me exactly where the off-limits was. I said, ‘Mike, if you're looking at T Bones (Restaurant) and go over to the riprap out where it meets the lake, from there past the boat ramp behind the no-wake buoys is off-limits.”

“I found out later that he went inside there and fished the docks, including the dock that goes parallel to the walkway to T Bones Restaurant, clearly behind the no-wake buoys and I disqualified his catch for the day,” Weldon said. “He did it after the phone call. Evidently he misunderstood me, but I think I was clear both in the briefing and also our phone conversation. Mike's a great champion. I hate it, but that's the way it goes.”

“Bottom line is I made a mistake,” said Iaconelli, who is in 22nd place. “I wouldn't intentionally fish an off-limits area in the Bassmaster Classic or any other tournament.”

South Carolina's Davy Hite took Saturday's Purolator Big Bass award with a 5-pound, 6-ounce bass.

Sunday's final round promises to be a shoot-out for the $200,000 top prize, with the top 10 anglers separated by about 7 pounds.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight
1. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 10 26-04
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 10-12
2. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 10 25-10
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 9-08
3. Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 10 24-01
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 10-13
4. Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 10 23-12
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 10-09
5. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 10 23-02
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-12
6. Stacey D King Reeds Spring, Mo. 10 22-09
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 11-13
7. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 22-05
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 11-08
8. Tom Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 8 21-08
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 3 6-06
9. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 10 21-01
Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 11-02
10. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 6 19-14
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 1 4-07
11. Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 7 19-13 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 5-04 Day 2: 5 14-09
12. Brent Chapman Shawnee, Kan. 8 19-08
Day 1: 4 10-07 Day 2: 4 9-01
13. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 10 18-13
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 8-01
14. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 8 18-05
Day 1: 3 5-04 Day 2: 5 13-01
15. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 8 18-03
Day 1: 3 8-12 Day 2: 5 9-07
16. Steve Sennikoff Forney, Texas 9 17-11
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 4 7-07
17. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 9 17-09
Day 1: 5 8-15 Day 2: 4 8-10
18. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 8 16-14
Day 1: 3 4-13 Day 2: 5 12-01
19. Thad Takes Center Point, Iowa 7 16-08
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 2 4-10
20. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 7 16-07
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 2 3-00
21. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 7 16-02
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 2 5-02
22. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 9 15-15
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 4 5-10
22. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 4 15-15 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 15-15 Day 2: 0 0-00
24. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 9 15-12
Day 1: 4 6-14 Day 2: 5 8-14
25. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 8 15-08
Day 1: 3 5-05 Day 2: 5 10-03
26. Harold Allen Shelbyville, Texas 7 14-09 $5,500.00
Day 1: 4 8-12 Day 2: 3 5-13
27. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 7 14-04 $5,500.00
Day 1: 2 4-13 Day 2: 5 9-07
28. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 7 13-08 $5,500.00
Day 1: 2 3-12 Day 2: 5 9-12
29. Mark Kile Tonto Basin, Ariz. 7 12-15 $5,500.00
Day 1: 4 8-15 Day 2: 3 4-00
30. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 5 12-13 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 0 0-00
31. Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 6 12-06 $5,500.00
Day 1: 2 3-08 Day 2: 4 8-14
32. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 7 12-05 $5,500.00
Day 1: 4 6-15 Day 2: 3 5-06
33. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 7 12-03 $5,500.00
Day 1: 2 3-04 Day 2: 5 8-15
34. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 11-11 $5,500.00
Day 1: 1 2-05 Day 2: 4 9-06
35. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 11-08 $5,500.00
Day 1: 3 6-09 Day 2: 2 4-15
36. Paul L Elias Pachuta, Miss. 4 10-06 $5,500.00
Day 1: 2 4-09 Day 2: 2 5-13
37. Lee Bailey Hebron, Conn. 4 10-01 $5,500.00
Day 1: 2 5-11 Day 2: 2 4-06
38. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 6 9-14 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 8-03 Day 2: 1 1-11
39. Jeff Boyer Auburn, Wash. 5 9-02 $5,500.00
Day 1: 3 6-01 Day 2: 2 3-01
40. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 3 9-00 $5,500.00
Day 1: 1 3-09 Day 2: 2 5-07
41. Tim Carroll Owasso, Okla. 4 8-11 $5,500.00
Day 1: 1 1-11 Day 2: 3 7-00
42. Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 5 8-08 $5,500.00
Day 1: 2 3-03 Day 2: 3 5-05
43. Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 4 6-14 $5,500.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 4 6-14
44. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 2 6-11 $5,500.00
Day 1: 1 2-12 Day 2: 1 3-15
45. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 3 5-13 $5,500.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 5-13
46. William Pippen Crossett, Ark. 3 5-11 $5,500.00
Day 1: 1 2-15 Day 2: 2 2-12
47. Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 4 5-09 $5,500.00
Day 1: 2 1-10 Day 2: 2 3-15
48. Tim Horton Tuscumbia, Ala. 2 4-03 $5,500.00
Day 1: 1 2-11 Day 2: 1 1-08
49. George Acord Lancaster, Pa. 2 3-12 $5,500.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-12
50. Chuck Economou Redington Shores, Fla. 2 3-09 $5,500.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-09
51. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 2 3-08 $5,500.00
Day 1: 2 3-08 Day 2: 0 0-00
52. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 2 2-11 $5,500.00
Day 1: 1 1-03 Day 2: 1 1-08
53. Scott Suggs Alexander, Ark. 1 1-15 $5,500.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 1-15

Day 3: Omori Wins 2004 Classic

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Japanese pro Takahiro Omori conjured up some last-minute heroics Sunday to become the first non-American to win the CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch Beer and capture the sport's world championship title.

The 33-year-old Tokyo native, who came to America in 1992 to become a professional angler despite knowing only one person and little English, caught his two largest bass with fewer than five minutes remaining Saturday to nail down the $200,000 top prize, trophy and title.

“This is the best day of my life,” said Omori, who pounded the stage repeatedly and cried openly before the 13,200 spectators in the Charlotte Coliseum. “I've waited 18 years for my dream to come true — since I was 15.

“The money is great, but it's not about the money. It's the trophy, really. It's awesome.”

Omori’s final-round catch of 13½ pounds gave him a three-day total of 39 pound, 2 ounces, and a 2¾-pound margin over California's Aaron Martens (36-6).

The four-time BASS winner used a variety of lures (Yamamoto and Zoom creature baits, Lunker Lure jig and a Bagley Balsa BII crankbait) to target fallen trees in shallow water in Lake Wylie and collect the winning catch.

On Sunday, he abandoned the jig and creature baits in favor of the crankbait as his allotted fishing time wound down, and it proved to be a timely switch. It produced bass at 1:45, 2:10 and 2:12 p.m. He stopped fishing at 2:15 p.m. to make the run back to Buster Boyd ramp by the 2:30 p.m. deadline.

“I had lost two 5-pounders (earlier in the day) and I thought it cost me the Classic,” said Omori, a Japanese citizen with an immigrant visa who lives full time in Emory, Texas. “But I never give up. With fishing, you never know what is going to happen.”

For the second time in three years, Martens, 31, finishes second in the Classic.

“Sure, I'm disappointed,” said Martens, whose success came by fishing the Highway 49 bridge with a homemade spinner that sported a Zoom Fluke plastic body. “But I had a good tournament and caught a lot of fish this week. I just didn't get enough big bites.”

Former Classic champion Kevin VanDam of Michigan brought in a five-bass limit weighing 13-6 on Sunday to climb into third place with 35-11. Second-round leader Dean Rojas of Texas struggled to catch 9-1 to drop to fourth with 35-5, followed by fellow Texan Kelly Jordon's 34-7 on the strength of a 13-6 limit Sunday.

VanDam scored by fishing fairly deep rocks with a Strike King Series 6 crankbait and 10-inch Zoom worm.

“The competition is so good now to the point that you can't make any mistakes and you've got to be on top of your game,” he said. “That's what makes the Classic so great.”

Local favorite Jason Quinn managed just 9-13 Sunday to finish sixth with 33-14.

“It's been a good tournament,” the Lake Wylie pro said. “I didn't get the bites I thought I could get. But, hey, that's fishing; I'll get them next time.”

On Sunday, defending Classic champion Michael Iaconelli pocketed a second $1,000 Purolator Big Bass of the Day award with a 4-14 largemouth. Iaconelli also won the Purolator Big Bass of the Tournament award, boating a 7¼-pounder on Day 1 for another $2,000.

In addition to his Classic title, Omori earned the final berth in September’s Busch Shootout, an invitation-only tournament on a mystery lake that hearkens back to the early days when the Classic location was kept secret until competitors arrived on site via a chartered plane.

Shootout competitors earned their berths by bringing in the heaviest sacks of the season on the CITGO Bassmaster Tournament Trail presented by Busch Beer. The final spot was reserved for the angler with the heaviest single-day catch at the Classic, which Omori won with his 16-2 catch in the first round.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Winnings

1. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 15 39-02 $200,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 9-08 Day 3: 5 13-08
2. Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 15 36-06 $50,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 10-09 Day 3: 5 12-10
3. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 35-11 $40,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 5 13-06
4. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 15 35-05 $35,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 10-12 Day 3: 5 9-01
5. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 15 34-07 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 5 13-06
6. Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 15 33-14 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 10-13 Day 3: 5 9-13
7. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 11 33-09 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 1 4-07 Day 3: 5 13-11
8. Stacey D King Reeds Spring, Mo. 15 33-00 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 10-07
9. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 14 32-07 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 10-12 Day 3: 4 9-05
10. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 14 32-04 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 8-15 Day 2: 4 8-10 Day 3: 5 14-11
11. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 13 31-09 $12,000.00
Day 1: 3 8-12 Day 2: 5 9-07 Day 3: 5 13-06
12. Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 11 30-12 $12,000.00
Day 1: 2 5-04 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 4 10-15
13. Brent Chapman Shawnee, Kan. 13 29-02 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 10-07 Day 2: 4 9-01 Day 3: 5 9-10
14. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 14 28-09 $9,500.00
Day 1: 4 6-14 Day 2: 5 8-14 Day 3: 5 12-13
15. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 13 28-07 $8,900.00
Day 1: 3 4-13 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 11-09
16. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 12 27-01 $8,800.00
Day 1: 3 5-04 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 4 8-12
17. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 14 26-02 $8,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 8-01 Day 3: 4 7-05
18. Tom Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 10 26-01 $8,200.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 3 6-06 Day 3: 2 4-09
19. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 20-13 $12,100.00
Day 1: 4 15-15 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 1 4-14
20. Steve Sennikoff Forney, Texas 10 19-11 $8,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 4 7-07 Day 3: 1 2-00
21. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 11 19-01 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 4 5-10 Day 3: 2 3-02
22. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 10 18-13 $5,500.00
Day 1: 3 5-05 Day 2: 5 10-03 Day 3: 2 3-05
23. Thad Takes Center Point, Iowa 8 18-09 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 2 4-10 Day 3: 1 2-01
24. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 7 16-07 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 2 3-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
25. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 7 16-02 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 2 5-02 Day 3: 0 0-00

Articles from BASS

Complied by Brandon Shook

President/Publisher: Brandon Shook.