UltimateBassin.com - The Full Story

UltimateBassin.com

The Full Story

BASS Tour: Lakes Toho/Kissimmee, FL

Tour Event # 1 of 6

Preview: Bassmasters Return to Record-Setting Site

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — For bass fishermen, there are few more hallowed waters than Lake Tohopekaliga.

It was here in January of 2001 that the 22,750-acre lake provided two of the most remarkable days in competitive fishing history and rewrote the BASS record book.

It began when Dean Rojas opened with a five-bass record catch of 45 pounds, 2 ounces and followed with a 34-9 stringer on Day Two. The second day, Arkansas’ Mark Davis brought in 41-10. The previous five-bass record of 34-7 was broken five times over those two magical days. In addition to the two 40-pound-plus stringers, eight limits of more than 30 pounds were posted. Another 29 limits of 20 pounds or more were caught, and an estimated 21 bass weighing more than 10 pounds were brought to the scales.

Rojas also set the four-day tournament record with 108 pounds, 12 ounces of largemouth bass.

Still fresh in the pros’ mind, the once-in-a-lifetime big-bass festival that exploded on Toho was the result of impeccable timing. The tournament was held at the end of an eight-day warming trend in the heart of spawning season. Although it surprised many of the pros, those big, egg-laden female bass moved onto their shallow beds in a giant wave on the last afternoon of the official practice day.

An unseasonably warm Florida winter is the backdrop this year as the much-anticipated $618,000 CITGO Bassmaster Tour kicks off the 2005 season on Toho, Jan. 27-30, and the pros could not be more excited.

“It looks like we’ve got some cold weather on the way, so it should back the fish off a little bit,” said Charlie Youngers, a Tour pro from Oviedo. “I’m guessing that they’ve tried to move up [to spawn]. When I was down there before the cutoff [the Kissimmee Chain is off-limits for 30 days], they acted like they wanted to move up a little bit, and they were full of roe.

“If we get a serious cold front right before the tournament it might change things, but if we get a moderate front we could be looking at one heck of a tournament. It’s going to be a slugfest. It’s going to be one of those deals where you come in with a 20-pound bag, and it won’t even get any attention.”

Who wouldn’t be delighted about returning to Kissimmee, site of that famous January big-bass extravaganza where the record book was assaulted? At stake is the $110,000 first-place prize and valuable points toward the prestigious 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic in Pittsburgh.

The northernmost body of water on the Kissimmee Chain, Lake Toho is one of Florida’s largest natural lakes. The Osceola County lake is 13 miles long and has a maximum width of better than four miles.

The pros and their co-angler partners will enjoy the early benefits of a massive effort bigger than anything ever attempted in Florida — a year-long, $9 million restoration project that improved much of the lake’s nursery and spawning areas. It began with a drawdown that drained the lake of about half its water for much of 2004. During that time, bulldozers and dump trucks removed muck in shallow areas and exposed a hard sand bottom.

Many miles of shoreline were restored by removing 1 1/2 feet of muck and planting desirable vegetation.

“It’s going to look a whole lot different than it did the last time the guys were here,” Youngers said. “All of the mats, the flat reeds, the tussocks and stuff that we were flipping the last time are all gone. All of that is now clean sand bottom with sporadic Kissimmee grass that’s starting to grow back. It’s gorgeous.”

Although some anglers will run to the other lakes, Toho will probably get most of the attention.

“With the warm weather we’ve had, I’m sure the fish have moved up on Toho,” Youngers said. “They’re probably about like they were when Rojas caught all of those fish.

“Absolutely, I think it will be a spawn tournament. The fish may shut down somewhat, but once they commit to the beds they’re either going to be heading towards them or coming off of them. They’re going to be up somewhere shallow.”

Eight-time BASS winner and Florida pro Shaw Grigsby, who has won a past tournament on Toho, isn’t so sure.

“If it stays this way, it should be a spawning deal,” he said. “What I expect is that we’re going to have pretty nice weather until a day or two before practice starts, and then we’re going to get iced over – typical tournament weather.

“It’s been the most marvelous weather since right after Christmas. I guarantee you the fish have been going nuts just about everywhere in the state”

Grigsby pointed out that the mild winter weather is different from the scenario that led to the 2001 onslaught.

“Back then we had extreme cold all the way up to the warming trend that occurred right before the tournament,” he explained. “This winter we haven’t had that kind of cold. What made that tournament so special is that we had one of the coldest winters on record, and then – all of a sudden – we got a warm spell that lasted until about the third day of the tournament.

“The water warmed up and the bass all moved in and spawned at one time. Now the fish are coming in while nobody’s fishing and some are spawning. The cold weather is going to move in, and the fishing will be spotty at best.

“If it stays warm, you might have some spawning going on during the tournament as well as some post-spawn activity. If that happens, it’ll be really good, fun fishing, but it won’t be what Rojas had with all of the fish coming in to spawn at one time. That was a very, very special time to have a tournament, and we hit it perfectly.”

Daily weigh-ins will take place at Kissimmee Lakefront Park on Thursday and Friday at 3:25 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The angler launch begins at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Day 1: Wirth: The Weight

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Lake Toho didn’t exactly serve up any surprises during the first day of the Citgo Bassmaster Tour event, at least for the professional anglers fishing in the season’s opening tournament.

It actually was tough, at least by Lake Toho standards. But even with only one 9-pound largemouth hitting the scales and 36 limits caught out of 155 possible there were a few bright spots that have many of the anglers believing they’ve only scratched the surface of the great fishing so many anglers expect to see from this lake.

Kevin Wirth is leading the way with a five-fish stringer totaling 15 pounds, 5 ounces. Lee Bailey Jr. follows him, in second with 15-3. Reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion, Takahiro Omori is third with 13-6, while Jeff Kriet is fourth with 13-3, and Dean Rojas, who set the all-time catch record on this lake in January 2001 is fifth with 13-2.

"I said it was going to be tough,’’ said Mark Davis, who weighed in only 2 keepers and is in 93rd place with 3-10. But Davis added that there is still a lot of fishing left on a fishery that is on the verge of breaking out into the slugfest so many had hoped for.

"I just hope it starts happening before it’s too late,’’ Davis said.

The timing of that hoped-for breakout, regardless if it occurs during this event, will have an immeasurable impact on the outcome of the tournament. From the top of the standings to the bottom, anglers are reporting that fishing is getting better by the hour, leaving everyone to believe that it’s only a matter of time.

But after a day of fishing in which the vast majority of the anglers are facing the very real reality that they are running out of time, strategies for the second day of the event could set the tone for the final two days and the season as a whole.

With a new slate of changes set for the 2006 Bassmaster season, where the next two Classic fields will be impacted anglers have more at stake than ever before.

"This year is so important,’’ said Tim Horton, who won here in December 2001. "You can’t make any mistakes.’’

From Horton’s standpoint he is in a quandary. He only weighed in four fish for a 7-1 total and 50th place finish.

"Any other year and I would gamble, make a big change and try to tap into a way to make a big move,’’ Horton said. "But the importance of not getting behind this season is too big. If I gamble and lose, I get behind for this season’s Classic and next year’s Classic.

"That means I’ve got to be conservative. With so much at stake, I’d be happier with another 7- or 8-pound stringer than to gamble and lose.’’

Horton’s quandary is present from one end of the spectrum to the other. Even the leaders don’t feel safe. With top stringers only touching in the 15-pound range, a lake that has produced two 40-pound plus stringers and a few 30-pound plus stringers to boot is a scary thing considering many of the anglers believe those things could be on the near horizon.

"I’ve got to go back and try to catch that 15-pounds tomorrow and hope it turns into 25 pounds,’’ Bailey said. "On this lake, you are never safe."

If a slate of anglers find the type mother lode of fish that defined this lake when Rojas caught them in 2001, those anglers with 15 pounds a day could drop rapidly. It’s not likely, but when you are in the race for two Classic berths, it doesn’t keep you from thinking about it.

They are at least in better shape than the vast majority of anglers who will have to gamble to make up for the shortfall. But with a share of the anglers gambling, and another share staying put just trying to stay even, the sky is the limit for the scenarios that could take place on the second day of the event.

Anglers are fishing to make a top 12 semifinal cut after Friday’s round. Currently three anglers, Kevin VanDam, Norio Tanabe and Tim Loper, are tied in that position with 11 pounds, 6 ounces. Typical angler math says that you double that weight and subtract 1- or 2-pounds and the total is the weight needed to get in the semifinal.

That math may be thrown out the window in this one if the fishing continues to get better. The signs of that were present all day, as the first half of the tournament field weighed in mostly small weights, but almost to the man the anglers in the lead were those in the later flights.

"It seems like this thing is going in reverse,’’ Rojas said.

His weight almost proves that. He weighed in 13 pounds, 2 ounces on Thursday and on the final day of the January 2001 event where he set the record; he weighed in 13 pounds, 8 ounces.

Those are the type things that keep professional anglers awake at night. And if the big weights come, it will be just another thing that won’t surprise many of these fishermen.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts.

1. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 15-05 305
Day 1: 5 15-05
2. Lee Bailey Hebron, Conn. 5 15-03 295
Day 1: 5 15-03
3. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 4 13-06 290
Day 1: 4 13-06
4. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 13-03 285
Day 1: 5 13-03
5. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 5 13-02 280
Day 1: 5 13-02
6. Woo Daves Spring Grove, Va. 5 12-15 276
Day 1: 5 12-15
7. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 5 11-12 272
Day 1: 5 11-12
7. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 4 11-12 272
Day 1: 4 11-12
9. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 5 11-08 264
Day 1: 5 11-08
10. Tim Loper Terry, Miss. 5 11-06 260
Day 1: 5 11-06
10. Norio Tanabe Tokyo 153, Japan 5 11-06 260
Day 1: 5 11-06
10. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 11-06 260
Day 1: 5 11-06
13. David Dudley Lynchburg, Va. 5 10-14 251
Day 1: 5 10-14
13. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 10-14 251
Day 1: 5 10-14
15. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 4 10-10 245
Day 1: 4 10-10
16. George Cochran Hot Springs, Ark. 5 10-05 243
Day 1: 5 10-05
17. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 5 10-04 241
Day 1: 5 10-04
18. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 10-02 239
Day 1: 5 10-02
19. Andre Moore Scottsdale, Ariz. 5 9-15 237
Day 1: 5 9-15
20. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5 9-14 235
Day 1: 5 9-14
21. John Crews Jetersville, Va. 4 9-11 233
Day 1: 4 9-11
22. Curt Lytle Zuni, Va. 5 9-10 231
Day 1: 5 9-10
23. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 5 9-09 229
Day 1: 5 9-09
24. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 5 9-08 227
Day 1: 5 9-08
25. Jay Kendrick Ooltewah, Tenn. 5 9-05 225
Day 1: 5 9-05
25. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 4 9-05 225
Day 1: 4 9-05
27. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 5 9-04 221
Day 1: 5 9-04
27. David Mansue Robbinsville, N.J. 1 9-04 221 $1,000.00
Day 1: 1 9-04
29. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 3 9-03 217
Day 1: 3 9-03
30. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 5 9-02 215
Day 1: 5 9-02
31. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 8-15 213
Day 1: 5 8-15
32. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 8-13 211
Day 1: 5 8-13
33. Jeff Magee Mendenhall, Miss. 5 8-10 209
Day 1: 5 8-10
33. Mark Rizk Arab, Ala. 4 8-10 209
Day 1: 4 8-10
35. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 5 8-06 205
Day 1: 5 8-06
35. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 8-06 205
Day 1: 5 8-06
35. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 4 8-06 205
Day 1: 4 8-06
38. R J Bennett Roseville, Calif. 5 8-03 199
Day 1: 5 8-03
38. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 2 8-03 199
Day 1: 2 8-03
40. Luke Clausen Spokane Valley, Wash. 4 8-01 195
Day 1: 4 8-01
41. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 8-00 193
Day 1: 5 8-00
41. Darryl Burkhardt Gresham, Ore. 4 8-00 193
Day 1: 4 8-00
43. Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 4 7-14 189
Day 1: 4 7-14
44. Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 3 7-13 187
Day 1: 3 7-13
45. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 3 7-10 185
Day 1: 3 7-10
46. Tom Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 3 7-06 183
Day 1: 3 7-06
47. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 5 7-03 181
Day 1: 5 7-03
48. Scott Suggs Alexander, Ark. 3 7-02 179
Day 1: 3 7-02
48. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 2 7-02 179
Day 1: 2 7-02
50. Paul Elias Pachuta, Miss. 4 7-01 175
Day 1: 4 7-01
50. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 4 7-01 175
Day 1: 4 7-01
52. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 4 6-15 171
Day 1: 4 6-15
53. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 3 6-13 169
Day 1: 3 6-13
54. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 6-12 167
Day 1: 5 6-12
54. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 5 6-12 167
Day 1: 5 6-12
54. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 4 6-12 167
Day 1: 4 6-12
57. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 5 6-11 161
Day 1: 5 6-11
58. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 5 6-10 159
Day 1: 5 6-10
59. Gerald Gostenik Dearborn, Mich. 5 6-09 157
Day 1: 5 6-09
59. Brent Chapman Shawnee, Kan. 4 6-09 157
Day 1: 4 6-09
59. Marcel Veenstra Brighton, Mich. 4 6-09 157
Day 1: 4 6-09
62. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 2 6-06 151
Day 1: 2 6-06
63. Jason Reyes Humble, Texas 4 5-15 149
Day 1: 4 5-15
64. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 2 5-14 147
Day 1: 2 5-14
65. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 2 5-13 145
Day 1: 2 5-13
66. Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 4 5-09 143
Day 1: 4 5-09
67. Danny White Milledgeville, Ga. 3 5-05 141
Day 1: 3 5-05
68. Chip Hawkins White Hall, Ark. 1 5-04 139
Day 1: 1 5-04
69. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 3 5-00 137
Day 1: 3 5-00
70. Frank Ippoliti Smithsburg, Md. 3 4-15 135
Day 1: 3 4-15
70. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 3 4-15 135
Day 1: 3 4-15
70. Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 3 4-15 135
Day 1: 3 4-15
73. Rick Morris Lanexa, Va. 4 4-14 129
Day 1: 4 4-14
73. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 3 4-14 129
Day 1: 3 4-14
73. Mike Hicks Mineral, Va. 3 4-14 129
Day 1: 3 4-14
76. Tom Mann, Jr Buford, Ga. 3 4-12 123
Day 1: 3 4-12
77. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark. 3 4-11 121
Day 1: 3 4-11
77. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 3 4-11 121
Day 1: 3 4-11
79. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 4 4-08 117
Day 1: 4 4-08
79. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 2 4-08 117
Day 1: 2 4-08
79. Homer Humphreys, Jr Minden, La. 1 4-08 117
Day 1: 1 4-08
82. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 2 4-07 111
Day 1: 2 4-07
83. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 3 4-05 109
Day 1: 3 4-05
83. Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 2 4-05 109
Day 1: 2 4-05
85. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 3 4-03 105
Day 1: 3 4-03
85. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 3 4-03 105
Day 1: 3 4-03
87. Roger Boler Slidell, La. 3 3-15 101
Day 1: 3 3-15
87. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 2 3-15 101
Day 1: 2 3-15
89. Randy Dearman Onalaska, Texas 2 3-14 97
Day 1: 2 3-14
90. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 2 3-13 95
Day 1: 2 3-13
90. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 2 3-13 95
Day 1: 2 3-13
92. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 2 3-11 91
Day 1: 2 3-11
93. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 2 3-10 89
Day 1: 2 3-10
93. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 1 3-10 89
Day 1: 1 3-10
95. David Gliebe Stockton, Calif. 2 3-08 85
Day 1: 2 3-08
96. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 2 3-05 83
Day 1: 2 3-05
97. Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 2 3-04 81
Day 1: 2 3-04
98. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 2 3-03 79
Day 1: 2 3-03
98. Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 2 3-03 79
Day 1: 2 3-03
98. Johnny Lesesne Blue Ridge, Ga. 2 3-03 79
Day 1: 2 3-03
101.Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 2 3-01 75
Day 1: 2 3-01
102.Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 1 3-00 74
Day 1: 1 3-00
103.Harold Allen Shelbyville, Texas 2 2-15 73
Day 1: 2 2-15
104.Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 1 2-14 72
Day 1: 1 2-14
105.Dion Hibdon Stover, Mo. 2 2-13 71
Day 1: 2 2-13
105.Mike McClelland Vella Vista, Ark. 2 2-13 71
Day 1: 2 2-13
105.Pete Gluszek Franklinville, N.J. 1 2-13 71
Day 1: 1 2-13
108.Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 2 2-12 68
Day 1: 2 2-12
108.Charlie Youngers Oviedo, Fla. 2 2-12 68
Day 1: 2 2-12
110.Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 1 2-11 66
Day 1: 1 2-11
111.Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 2 2-10 65
Day 1: 2 2-10
111.Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 2 2-10 65
Day 1: 2 2-10
111.David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 2 2-10 65
Day 1: 2 2-10
114.O T Fears III Sallisaw, Okla. 2 2-08 62
Day 1: 2 2-08
114.Gary Yamamoto Mineola, Texas 2 2-08 62
Day 1: 2 2-08
116.Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 1 2-05 60
Day 1: 1 2-05
117.Terry Baksay Monroe, Conn. 1 2-03 59
Day 1: 1 2-03
118.Tim Carroll Owasso, Okla. 1 2-01 58
Day 1: 1 2-01
118.Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 1 2-01 58
Day 1: 1 2-01
118.Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 1 2-01 58
Day 1: 1 2-01
121.Chris Bielert Danbury, Conn. 1 2-00 55
Day 1: 1 2-00
122.Jesse Draime Long Beach, Miss. 1 1-13 54
Day 1: 1 1-13
123.Jarrett Edwards Del Norte, Colo. 1 1-12 53
Day 1: 1 1-12
123.Robert Hamilton Jr Hattiesburg, Miss. 1 1-12 53
Day 1: 1 1-12
123.Stacey D King Reeds Spring, Mo. 1 1-12 53
Day 1: 1 1-12
126.Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 1 1-10 50
Day 1: 1 1-10
127.Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 1 1-08 49
Day 1: 1 1-08
128.Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 1 1-07 48
Day 1: 1 1-07
128.Morizo Shimizu Murrita, Calif. 1 1-07 48
Day 1: 1 1-07
130.Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 1 1-06 46
Day 1: 1 1-06
131.Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 1 1-05 45
Day 1: 1 1-05
132.Kyle Mabrey Birmingham, Ala. 1 1-03 44
Day 1: 1 1-03
132.Roland Martin Naples, Fla. 1 1-03 44
Day 1: 1 1-03
134.Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 1 1-02 42
Day 1: 1 1-02
135.Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 1 0-15 41
Day 1: 1 0-15
135.Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 1 0-15 41
Day 1: 1 0-15
137.David Cooke Mooresville, N.C. 1 0-14 39
Day 1: 1 0-14
137.Sean Hoernke Magnolia, Texas 1 0-14 39
Day 1: 1 0-14
137.Mark Rose Marion, Ark. 1 0-14 39
Day 1: 1 0-14
140.Tommy Stiles Mc Minnville, Tenn. 1 0-12 36
Day 1: 1 0-12
141.Terry Adams Morgan City, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Mike Auten Benton, Ky. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Jack A Gadlage Benton, Ky. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Louis Iribarren Port Jervis, N.Y. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Steve Sennikoff Forney, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Thad Takes Center Point, Iowa 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
141.Jack Wade Knoxville, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00

By Steve Bowman, FishFactory.com

Day 2: Takahiro Takes Charge

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- The hoped-for breakout of huge bass was more like a breakdown during the second day of the Citgo Bassmaster Tour on Lake Toho. But there were definitely moments that showed Lake Toho can still serve up the big numbers.

Takahiro Omori has taken the second-day lead after posting a 17 pound, 15 ounce limit that moved him from third place to the top of the pack with 31 pound, 5 ounces, a 5 pound, 11 ounce lead. David Walker follows him in second with 25-8. Terry Scroggins is third with 24-15. Jeff Kriet is fourth with 24-13 and Ron Shuffield is fifth with 24-7.

Of the semifinal 12, four of the anglers have a Bassmaster Classic Championship to their credit _ Omori, Woo Daves, Kevin VanDam and Jay Yelas. Likewise, three of the anglers have won the Angler of the Year title.

The heady competition in the semifinal was overshadowed by big moves from several anglers.

Shuffield’s move into the fifth-place position is just one of those. Going into the day he was in 55th place with just 6 pounds, 11 ounces. But the small area where those fish were caught produced almost triple the weight with a 17 pound, 11 ounce stringer. And he wasn’t the only one who benefited from an increase in activity.

Scott Rook (6th place, 24 pounds, 7 ounces) produced an almost identical stringer of 17 pounds, 12 ounces to jump from 71st to the semifinal round of 12 anglers, And Jay Yelas jumped from 79th place to 10th a 16 pound, 10 ounces stringer.

"It looks like the sleeping giant hasn’t come completely awake, but it’s showing signs of wanting to wake up,’’ said Dean Rojas, who hedged his bets that the fish in his area would certainly come alive by the end of the second day.

For Rojas who dropped from 5th place to 35th and Lee Bailey Jr. who dropped from 2nd to 21st, the changes didn’t come soon enough in the areas they were fishing.

A big reason for the shift was a surprise cold front that pushed through the area bringing it with strong winds, spitting rain at times and heavy overcast skies. On the first day, the technique of flipping defined the event as high skies and calm water produced almost all of the leading stringers.

But as the weather changed, those anglers who did not change with it were left behind. Omori, for example, caught all of his weight by cranking a shallow-water crankbait around vegetation in Lake Kissimmee. His stringer was capped by a 7 pound, 10 ounce largemouth.

While the flippers cursed the clouds and the wind, Omori said the clouds definitely helped him get more bites.

The big stringers all came on moving baits; Shuffield and Rook caught their weight on lipless crankbaits and Kevin VanDam, who flipped the first day, moved into the final 9 pound, 1 ounce stringer caught on spinnerbaits.

"I just hope it stays the same,’’ VanDam said. "Give me some wind and clouds and a big blade and I can break a big sack. It’s about ready to be on with a spinnerbait.’’

With the upturn in weights by a few of the anglers and the constantly changing conditions, it would seem that possibility is likely. But it’s just as likely that it could go the other way.

The biggest factor will be what the weather will do. Early weather reports predicted low pressure and a possibility of rain. But they also called for temperatures to be at or near the 70-degree mark. The front, though, has changed that some. Weather reports are mixed. The clouds and rain are even more expected, buy the temperatures are expected to dip lower than first expectations.

"In Florida, the last thing you want is a cold front,’’ Bailey said. "This front really shut down the fish I was catching. They just don’t bite and if they do, they aren’t very energetic about it.’’

How this current weather system affects the fishery will tell the tale.

"I’m hoping that we’re far enough along that the fish are going to move and want to feed,’’ VanDam said. "If that happens, it could get really good."

And if it doesn’t, Omori may have such a strong lead that he could eke out a limit each day and waltz from a Classic Championship to victory in the season opener.

Regardless, all of the anglers, from Omori in the lead to VanDam, will have to change with the conditions if they expect to win.

"This is the way it’s supposed to be,’’ said Gerald Swindle (9th place, 21-6). "It’s flying by the seat of your pants fishing, what better way is there to start the season.’’

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Points Winnings

1. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 9 31-05 310 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 13-06 Day 2: 5 17-15
2. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 10 25-08 295
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 13-12
3. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 9 24-15 290
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 4 13-07
4. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 10 24-13 285
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 11-10
5. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 10 24-07 280
Day 1: 5 6-12 Day 2: 5 17-11
6. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 8 22-11 276
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 5 17-12
7. Woo Daves Spring Grove, Va. 10 22-06 272
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 9-07
8. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 7 22-00 268 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 2 6-11
9. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 10 21-06 264
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 11-02
10. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 9 21-02 260
Day 1: 4 4-08 Day 2: 5 16-10
11. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 9 21-01 257
Day 1: 4 9-05 Day 2: 5 11-12
12. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 20-07 254
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 9-01
12. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 10 20-07 254
Day 1: 5 9-02 Day 2: 5 11-05
14. Andre Moore Scottsdale, Ariz. 9 20-03 248 $5,300.00
Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 4 10-04
15. Curt Lytle Zuni, Va. 10 20-00 245 $5,200.00
Day 1: 5 9-10 Day 2: 5 10-06
16. Jay Kendrick Ooltewah, Tenn. 10 19-13 243 $5,050.00
Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 5 10-08
16. Mark Rizk Arab, Ala. 8 19-13 243 $5,050.00
Day 1: 4 8-10 Day 2: 4 11-03
18. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 9 19-11 239 $4,900.00
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 4 9-09
19. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 10 19-09 237 $4,750.00
Day 1: 5 8-06 Day 2: 5 11-03
19. David Dudley Lynchburg, Va. 9 19-09 237 $4,750.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 4 8-11
21. Lee Bailey Hebron, Conn. 7 19-05 233 $4,600.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 2 4-02
22. Norio Tanabe Tokyo 153, Japan 9 19-04 231 $4,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 4 7-14
23. Jeff Magee Mendenhall, Miss. 10 18-12 229 $4,400.00
Day 1: 5 8-10 Day 2: 5 10-02
24. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 10 18-09 227 $4,300.00
Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 5 8-11
25. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 9 18-08 225 $4,200.00
Day 1: 4 7-01 Day 2: 5 11-07
26. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 9 18-04 223 $4,100.00
Day 1: 5 9-08 Day 2: 4 8-12
27. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 6 18-02 221 $3,900.00
Day 1: 2 8-03 Day 2: 4 9-15
28. Tim Loper Terry, Miss. 10 17-14 219 $3,750.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 6-08
28. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 9 17-14 219 $3,750.00
Day 1: 4 6-12 Day 2: 5 11-02
30. R J Bennett Roseville, Calif. 10 17-12 215 $3,600.00
Day 1: 5 8-03 Day 2: 5 9-09
31. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 9 17-09 213 $3,450.00
Day 1: 4 8-06 Day 2: 5 9-03
31. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 7 17-09 213 $3,450.00
Day 1: 5 8-06 Day 2: 2 9-03
33. George Cochran Hot Springs, Ark. 10 17-06 209 $3,300.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 7-01
34. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 10 17-03 207 $3,200.00
Day 1: 5 8-13 Day 2: 5 8-06
35. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 6 17-02 205 $3,100.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 1 4-00
36. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 10 16-05 203 $3,000.00
Day 1: 5 6-12 Day 2: 5 9-09
37. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 8 16-04 201 $2,900.00
Day 1: 3 4-14 Day 2: 5 11-06
38. Rick Morris Lanexa, Va. 9 16-01 199 $2,800.00
Day 1: 4 4-14 Day 2: 5 11-03
39. Scott Suggs Alexander, Ark. 7 16-00 197 $2,700.00
Day 1: 3 7-02 Day 2: 4 8-14
40. Luke Clausen Spokane Valley, Wash. 9 15-15 195 $2,600.00
Day 1: 4 8-01 Day 2: 5 7-14
41. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 7 15-08 193 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 4-07 Day 2: 5 11-01
42. Mike Hicks Mineral, Va. 8 15-00 191 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 4-14 Day 2: 5 10-02
43. Darryl Burkhardt Gresham, Ore. 9 14-14 189 $2,400.00
Day 1: 4 8-00 Day 2: 5 6-14
44. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 9 14-12 187 $2,375.00
Day 1: 4 6-15 Day 2: 5 7-13
44. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 8 14-12 187 $2,375.00
Day 1: 3 6-13 Day 2: 5 7-15
46. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 6 14-07 183 $2,350.00
Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 3 5-04
47. Roger Boler Slidell, La. 8 14-06 181 $2,300.00
Day 1: 3 3-15 Day 2: 5 10-07
48. Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 8 14-05 179 $2,300.00
Day 1: 4 7-14 Day 2: 4 6-07
49. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 6 14-03 177 $2,200.00
Day 1: 4 10-10 Day 2: 2 3-09
49. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 4 14-03 177 $3,200.00
Day 1: 2 3-03 Day 2: 2 11-00
51. Gerald Gostenik Dearborn, Mich. 9 14-01 173 $2,150.00
Day 1: 5 6-09 Day 2: 4 7-08
52. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 10 14-00 171 $2,150.00
Day 1: 5 6-11 Day 2: 5 7-05
53. Randy Yarnall Womelsdorf, Pa. 7 13-12 169 $2,050.00
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 4 8-13
53. Tommy Stiles Mc Minnville, Tenn. 6 13-12 169 $2,050.00
Day 1: 1 0-12 Day 2: 5 13-00
55. O T Fears III Sallisaw, Okla. 7 13-09 165 $2,000.00
Day 1: 2 2-08 Day 2: 5 11-01
56. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 13-08 163 $2,000.00
Day 1: 4 11-12 Day 2: 1 1-12
57. John Crews Jetersville, Va. 6 13-05 161 $1,950.00
Day 1: 4 9-11 Day 2: 2 3-10
58. Homer Humphreys, Jr Minden, La. 3 13-01 159 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 4-08 Day 2: 2 8-09
59. Byron Velvick Boulder City, Nev. 7 13-00 157 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 3-05 Day 2: 5 9-11
60. Chris Bielert Danbury, Conn. 6 12-15 155 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 2-00 Day 2: 5 10-15
61. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 5 12-13 153 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 7-02 Day 2: 3 5-11
62. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 6 12-12 151 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 3-10 Day 2: 5 9-02
63. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 5 12-08 149 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 1-10 Day 2: 4 10-14
64. Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 8 12-03 147 $1,925.00
Day 1: 4 5-09 Day 2: 4 6-10
64. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 12-03 147 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 3-15 Day 2: 3 8-04
66. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 5 12-02 143 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 1-02 Day 2: 4 11-00
66. Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, Mi 5 12-02 143 $1,925.00
Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2: 2 4-05
68. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 6 12-00 139 $1,925.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 1 1-02
69. David Mansue Robbinsville, N.J. 3 11-15 137 $2,925.00
Day 1: 1 9-04 Day 2: 2 2-11
70. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 7 11-14 135 $1,925.00
Day 1: 3 4-05 Day 2: 4 7-09
70. Jarrett Edwards Del Norte, Colo. 6 11-14 135 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 5 10-02
72. David Gliebe Stockton, Calif. 6 11-10 131 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 3-08 Day 2: 4 8-02
73. Pete Gluszek Franklinville, N.J. 6 11-07 129 $1,925.00
Day 1: 1 2-13 Day 2: 5 8-10
74. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 11-01 127 $1,925.00
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 3 7-04
75. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 10-15 125 $962.50
Day 1: 3 7-10 Day 2: 2 3-05
75. Frank Ippoliti Smithsburg, Md. 5 10-15 125 $962.50
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 2 6-00
77. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 7 10-14 121
Day 1: 2 3-11 Day 2: 5 7-03
78. Brent Chapman Shawnee, Kan. 7 10-13 119
Day 1: 4 6-09 Day 2: 3 4-04
78. Thad Takes Center Point, Iowa 5 10-13 119
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 10-13
80. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 4 10-12 115
Day 1: 2 5-14 Day 2: 2 4-14
81. Joe Thomas Milford, Ohio 6 10-11 113
Day 1: 3 4-11 Day 2: 3 6-00
82. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 6 10-10 111
Day 1: 5 8-15 Day 2: 1 1-11
82. Robert Hamilton Jr Hattiesburg, Miss. 6 10-10 111
Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 5 8-14
84. Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 6 10-09 107
Day 1: 1 1-06 Day 2: 5 9-03
84. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 6 10-09 107
Day 1: 2 3-13 Day 2: 4 6-12
86. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 10-07 103
Day 1: 2 2-12 Day 2: 3 7-11
87. Doug Garrett Cabot, Ark. 4 10-06 101
Day 1: 1 2-14 Day 2: 3 7-08
88. Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 6 10-03 99
Day 1: 1 2-05 Day 2: 5 7-14
89. Sean Hoernke Magnolia, Texas 6 10-02 97
Day 1: 1 0-14 Day 2: 5 9-04
90. Jason Quinn Clover, S.C. 4 10-01 95
Day 1: 2 3-01 Day 2: 2 7-00
91. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 6 9-15 93
Day 1: 1 2-11 Day 2: 5 7-04
92. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark. 6 9-13 91
Day 1: 3 4-11 Day 2: 3 5-02
93. Danny White Milledgeville, Ga. 5 9-11 89
Day 1: 3 5-05 Day 2: 2 4-06
94. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 5 9-09 87
Day 1: 5 9-09 Day 2: 0 0-00
94. Mike McClelland Vella Vista, Ark. 4 9-09 87
Day 1: 2 2-13 Day 2: 2 6-12
96. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, Ala. 5 9-04 83
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 0 0-00
97. Chip Hawkins White Hall, Ark. 3 9-03 81
Day 1: 1 5-04 Day 2: 2 3-15
98. Mike Auten Benton, Ky. 5 9-00 79
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 9-00
99. Jason Reyes Humble, Texas 6 8-15 77
Day 1: 4 5-15 Day 2: 2 3-00
99. Jesse Draime Long Beach, Miss. 5 8-15 77
Day 1: 1 1-13 Day 2: 4 7-02
101.David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 5 8-14 75
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 8-14
102.Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 8-08 74
Day 1: 3 4-03 Day 2: 2 4-05
103.Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 6 8-06 73
Day 1: 5 6-10 Day 2: 1 1-12
103.Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 4 8-06 73
Day 1: 2 3-03 Day 2: 2 5-03
105.Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 4 8-02 71
Day 1: 2 5-13 Day 2: 2 2-05
106.Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 6 8-01 70
Day 1: 2 2-10 Day 2: 4 5-07
106.Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 3 8-01 70
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 8-01
108.Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 8-00 68
Day 1: 5 8-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
109.Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 3 7-09 67
Day 1: 2 3-10 Day 2: 1 3-15
110.Johnny Lesesne Blue Ridge, Ga. 5 7-07 66
Day 1: 2 3-03 Day 2: 3 4-04
111.Tom Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 3 7-06 65
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 0 0-00
112.Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 5 7-03 64
Day 1: 5 7-03 Day 2: 0 0-00
113.Stacey D King Reeds Spring, Mo. 4 7-02 63
Day 1: 1 1-12 Day 2: 3 5-06
114.Paul Elias Pachuta, Miss. 4 7-01 62
Day 1: 4 7-01 Day 2: 0 0-00
115.Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 4 6-13 61
Day 1: 3 5-00 Day 2: 1 1-13
116.Dion Hibdon Stover, Mo. 5 6-12 60
Day 1: 2 2-13 Day 2: 3 3-15
117.Tom Mann, Jr Buford, Ga. 5 6-10 59
Day 1: 3 4-12 Day 2: 2 1-14
118.Marcel Veenstra Brighton, Mich. 4 6-09 58
Day 1: 4 6-09 Day 2: 0 0-00
119.Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla. 5 6-07 57
Day 1: 1 0-15 Day 2: 4 5-08
119.Elton Luce Jr Brookeland, Texas 4 6-07 57
Day 1: 1 1-07 Day 2: 3 5-00
121.Gary Yamamoto Mineola, Texas 4 6-06 55
Day 1: 2 2-08 Day 2: 2 3-14
121.Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 3 6-06 55
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 6-06
121.Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 2 6-06 55
Day 1: 2 6-06 Day 2: 0 0-00
124.Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 4 6-03 52
Day 1: 3 4-03 Day 2: 1 2-00
125.Roland Martin Naples, Fla. 4 6-02 51
Day 1: 1 1-03 Day 2: 3 4-15
125.Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 3 6-02 51
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 6-02
127.Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 3 5-10 49
Day 1: 2 4-08 Day 2: 1 1-02
127.Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 3 5-10 49
Day 1: 2 3-04 Day 2: 1 2-06
129.David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 3 5-08 47
Day 1: 2 2-10 Day 2: 1 2-14
130.Mark Rose Marion, Ark. 3 5-07 46
Day 1: 1 0-14 Day 2: 2 4-09
131.Tommy Martin Hemphill, Texas 3 5-06 45
Day 1: 2 4-05 Day 2: 1 1-01
132.Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 4 5-02 44
Day 1: 2 2-10 Day 2: 2 2-08
133.Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 2 4-08 43
Day 1: 1 3-00 Day 2: 1 1-08
134.Terry Baksay Monroe, Conn. 2 4-05 42
Day 1: 1 2-03 Day 2: 1 2-02
135.Eric Nethery Acworth, Ga. 2 3-14 41
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-14
135.Randy Dearman Onalaska, Texas 2 3-14 41
Day 1: 2 3-14 Day 2: 0 0-00
137.Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 2 3-13 39
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 1 1-12
138.Tim Carroll Owasso, Okla. 2 3-12 38
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 1 1-11
139.Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 3 3-11 37
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 3-11
140.Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 2 3-09 36
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-09
141.Jack A Gadlage Benton, Ky. 3 3-08 35
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 3 3-08
142.Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 2 3-04 34
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 3-04
143.David Cooke Mooresville, N.C. 3 3-03 33
Day 1: 1 0-14 Day 2: 2 2-05
144.Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 2 3-00 32
Day 1: 1 1-08 Day 2: 1 1-08
145.Harold Allen Shelbyville, Texas 2 2-15 31
Day 1: 2 2-15 Day 2: 0 0-00
146.Ken Cook Lawton, Okla. 1 2-13 30
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 2-13
147.Charlie Youngers Oviedo, Fla. 2 2-12 29
Day 1: 2 2-12 Day 2: 0 0-00
148.Terry Adams Morgan City, La. 2 2-05 28
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 2-05
149.Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 1 2-01 27
Day 1: 1 2-01 Day 2: 0 0-00
150.Mark Rogers Naples, Fla. 2 2-00 26
Day 1: 1 1-05 Day 2: 1 0-11
151.Morizo Shimizu Murrita, Calif. 1 1-07 25
Day 1: 1 1-07 Day 2: 0 0-00
152.Louis Iribarren Port Jervis, N.Y. 1 1-06 24
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 1-06
153.Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 1 1-03 23
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 1-03
153.Kyle Mabrey Birmingham, Ala. 1 1-03 23
Day 1: 1 1-03 Day 2: 0 0-00
155.Bradley Stringer Huntington, Texas 1 0-15 21
Day 1: 1 0-15 Day 2: 0 0-00
156.Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
156.Steve Sennikoff Forney, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
156.Jack Wade Knoxville, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00

By Steve Bowman, FishFactory.com

Day 3: Omori in Command

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- Takahiro Omori just keeps rocking along. Prior to the Citgo Bassmaster Tour event on Lake Toho, Omori’s average finish on Toho slumbered around 87th place in four tournaments.

Even with a Bassmaster Classic Championship on his resume, which normally is the kiss of death for anglers starting the new season, Omori just can’t do anything wrong. He’s taken the third-day lead with a five-fish stringer of 11 pounds, 5 ounces, giving him a total of 42 pounds, 10 ounces.

With that lead he is threatening to become only the third angler in 34 years to back up a Classic championship with a regular-season win. The first was David Fritts in 1993 and the last was Denny Brauer in 1998.

Chasing him is David Walker in second, who cut Omori’s lead by 3 ounces with an 11 pound, 8 ounce stringer, but still labors more than five pounds behind with 37 pounds, 00 ounces. And exactly nine pounds back are Gerald Swindle (12 pounds, 4 ounces) and Ron Shuffield (9 pounds, 3 ounces), who are tied with 33 pounds, 10 ounces in third place.

Jeff Reynolds (12 pounds, 3 ounces) is fifth with 33-4. And Terry Scroggins (7 pounds, 15 ounces) rounds out the final six with 32-14.

Giving credence to Omori’s doing-every-thing-right performance is the fact that he is catching his fish with a "fast-moving" bait.

"I know if I’m going to win, it has to be flipping,’’ Walker said. "If you look at the standings, every angler who has chosen moving baits has fallen by the wayside.’’

Walker’s point is well taken by those like Kevin VanDam, who expected the mild temperatures, wind and low-pressure skies to fit perfectly into his spinnerbait-wielding hands. VanDam, though, who is known for his expertise with a blade on days like Saturday, could only manage one keeper, a 2 pound, 3 ounce swimmer that left him in 12th place.

"I wound for them all day, but they wouldn’t come out and find it,’’ VanDam said. "They just wouldn’t chase anything.’’

That is, unless it was being tossed by Omori. His success with what is believed to be a lipless crankbait can’t be explained while others have failed. He is working his lure around a variety of submerged grass and weeds found throughout Lake Toho and nearby Lake Kissimmee.

He’s used both of those lakes to build his stringers. On day one, he caught his weight from Toho. On day two, they came from Kissimmee and on day three he caught his limit from Kissimmee and culled twice in Toho.

Omori didn’t serve up any reasons as to why his "moving-bait" tactic was working. But those behind him are hoping that the standard chain of events will soon take their toll.

"There’s still time for anything to happen,’’ Swindle said. "It might be working for him right now. But I feel like I pulled a big one out of the hat today to just still be here.

"I don’t expect that I have a chance to win, but I think the man who keeps looking might stumble onto something."

Swindle said he reverted to his fly by the seat of his pants on day three and it worked, but it was slow to develop. After take off, he never put his boat on plane, instead he dropped his trolling motor and began throwing a spinnerbait. The move quickly paid off with a 6 pound, 3 ounce lunker. But by 1:30, that was the only fish in the boat.

"I picked up and started running,’’ Swindle said. "Now you know when it’s 1:30 and your running away from the launch that you really ain’t got it figured out. I was running away and passed Takahiro coming back in, I’m sure he thought I was an idiot."

But Swindle’s madness paid off. He quickly boated four more keepers, targeting isolated patches of wind-blown hyacinth and grass mats located near the mouths of canals. It was good enough to move him into the final.

"I feel like I’ve got a rabbit sticking out of my butt,’’ Swindle said. "And I’m scared to sit down because I will kill him. You can bet, I’ll be sleeping on my stomach tonight.’’

In the middle of the changes that some anglers like Swindle are making, other anglers are hoping that the expected break out of big fish will finally come on Sunday.

The most notable is Walker, who is literally just one big bite away from winning the tournament.

"I haven’t caught a big fish in this tournament yet,’’ Walker said. "This is Florida and you shouldn’t be able to flip and flip and catch two pounder after two pounder without catching a big fish.

"You couldn’t have told me before today that I could catch so many two pounders on this lake and still be in contention to win. I feel like my time’s coming, it has to be.’’

Walker is flipping a Berkley Power Craw on a 1 1/2-ounce sinker to catch his fish in the same area he caught a 30-pound plus stringer in 2001.

"This is actually in my favor, because if you keep catching them in Florida like I am, the big ones will come,’’ Walker said.

They will have to if Walker expects to make up the deficit. From his standpoint, he’s banking on it no matter what happens with the sketchy weather that has plagued the event.

"The weathermen haven’t got it right yet,’’ Walker said. "So, I can’t pay attention to that, I’m just going to keep on doing what I do and believe that the big ones will bite.’’

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts. Winnings

1. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 14 42-10 310 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 13-06 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 11-05
2. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 15 37-00 295
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 11-08
3. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 15 33-10 290 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 5 12-04
3. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 15 33-10 290
Day 1: 5 6-12 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 9-03
5. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 14 33-04 280
Day 1: 4 9-05 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 5 12-03
6. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 13 32-14 276
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 4 13-07 Day 3: 4 7-15
7. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 13 29-07 272 $12,000.00
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 6-12
8. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 11 28-10 273 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 2 6-11 Day 3: 4 6-10
9. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 13 27-13 264 $9,000.00
Day 1: 4 4-08 Day 2: 5 16-10 Day 3: 4 6-11
10. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 11 26-11 260 $8,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 11-10 Day 3: 1 1-14
11. Woo Daves Spring Grove, Va. 11 24-01 257 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 9-07 Day 3: 1 1-11
12. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 11 22-10 254 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 9-01 Day 3: 1 2-03

By Steve Bowman, FishFactory.com

Day 4: Back to Back

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- For a moment Takahiro Omori thought he would take the same course so many anglers before him had taken.

David Walker has just weighed in an 11 pound, 7 ounce stringer, and Omori couldn’t convince himself on what his four fish would weigh. He thought seven pounds, which would be enough to win, but it could be six pounds, which could mean the complete opposite.

"I never get nervous,’’ Omori said, while waiting his turn to go to the scales. "But I’m nervous now. I just don’t know.’’

Omori didn’t need to worry. His four fish hit the scales at 8 pounds, 1 ounce and in the process the Japanese angler hit a couple of milestones. The first is becoming only the third angler in 34 years to back up a Bassmaster Classic Championship with a Tour victory. He shares that distinction with Denny Brauer and David Fritts.

The second, and probably the most important, at least for Omori, was this became his first Tour win. He’s had two second place finishes on the Tour and winning is everything, even after taking home a Classic title only six months ago.

"That was last year,’’ Omori said. "I have to refresh my mind this year. After this week, I think I did a pretty good job. I’m like a fighter, I want to win against the best fishermen in the world.’’

The win put Omori on top of the Angler of the Year standings and in the driver’s seat in a year some are calling the "most important season in bass fishing."

Omori won the tournament concentrating on two areas, one in Lake Toho the other in Lake Kissimmee. Both consisted of islands of submerged and emerging grass, where Omori would make "long, silent" casts with a gold/black back Team Daiwa TD Vibration, a lipless crankbait.

"I covered a lot of water until today,’’ he said.

The tactic was somewhat surprising. Casting moving baits around grass, especially in Toho, is an age-old standby for producing weight. But for most of the anglers in this event, if they were moving they soon moved totally out of the standings. Even Kevin VanDam, the king of moving baits and covering water, had to flip his way into the semifinals. And once he started moving and covering water he quickly exited the field.

"’I have no idea why it was working for me and not for them,’’ Omori said. "I was really surprised to see Kevin and Jay (Yelas) not do very good (Saturday).

"The only thing I can think of is I was in the right area."

It didn’t hurt matters that on the second day of the tournament, he caught a 7 pound, 11 ounce bass that gave him a 5-pound plus lead. That one fish would prove critical.

On the final day, Omori almost found himself in VanDam and Yelas’ shoes. He could only manage four keepers and weighed in his smallest limit of the event.

Meanwhile, Walker was making a small charge that would cut Omori’s lead in half. While Omori reveled in his one big bass, Walker commiserated over the fact that he had spent four days flipping on one of Florida’s legendary lakes and failed to come up with even one five-pound plus bite.

"Your not supposed to be able to do that in Florida,’’ Walker said.

Walker, who has finished second twice in a Bassmaster opener in Florida (the last time was 2003 at the Harris Chain), was mainly flipping a Berkley Power Craw on 1 1/2 ounce tungsten weight. He backed that up with a Junebug Berkely Sinking Minnow.

"I should have caught a big one,’’ Walker said. "How do you go that many days and not get a big bite? I never had one I thought was a gorilla.’’

Walker was the only angler in the field who weighed in a limit in each of the four days of the tournament.

"That one bite means everything,’’ he said.

That might not be far from the truth. Almost to the man, each of the anglers making the final day cut managed a big bite that was five pounds or better. And more often than not, when the big bass didn’t show up the anglers disappeared in the also-ran colum.

For the first time in the event none of the top anglers managed to boat anything over four pounds.

Rank Name Hometown Bass Weight Pts. Winnings

1. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 18 50-11 315 $102,000.00
Day 1: 4 13-06 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 11-05 Day 4: 4 8-01
2. David Walker Sevierville, Tenn. 20 48-07 295 $38,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 11-08 Day 4: 5 11-07
3. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 18 42-01 290 $25,000.00
Day 1: 4 9-05 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 5 12-03 Day 4: 4 8-13
4. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 17 37-08 285 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 6-12 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 9-03 Day 4: 2 3-14
5. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 15 36-06 280 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 4 13-07 Day 3: 4 7-15 Day 4: 2 3-08
6. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 16 35-15 276 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 5 12-04 Day 4: 1 2-05

By Steve Bowman, FishFactory.com

By Brandon Shook

President/Publisher: Brandon Shook.