UltimateBassin.com - The Full Story - Eagle Mountain/Lake Benbrook

UltimateBassin.com

The Full Story

BASS Elite Series: Eagle Mountain Lake, TX

Elite Series Event # 6 of 11

Preview: Fort Worth Fisheries Site of Bassmaster Memorial

Bassmaster Majors What’s at stake: $601,400 in cash to the top 25 pros, including $250,000 to the champion as well as the Don Butler Memorial trophy.

Telecast: For the first time ever, ESPN2 will provide same-day coverage of a regular-season BASS event. Coverage of the Bassmaster Memorial weigh-in at Will Rogers Coliseum will air Sunday, May 21 at 7 p.m. ET.

ESPN2’s expanded tournament coverage of the Bassmaster Memorial will be featured on The CITGO Bassmasters on May 27 at 10 a.m ET.

The Pros Said It
“Eagle Mountain Lake is fishing about the way I thought it would. The water level increased by about 15 to 18 inches and there is just a ton of ways to catch them right now. I probably have had about 20 bites today.” – Gary Klein, 48, Weatherford, Texas, two-time CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year

“The shad can be found all around docks and when you present moving baits, the bass are really feeding on them.” - Brian Snowden, 33, of Springfield, Mo., who is ranked 74th on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index

“The lake has a lot of potential. Right now, the fish are in a post-spawn state and you can catch them in shallow water. With this field, there will be a lot of different patterns used and some of these guys will find a way to catch them.” – Davy Hite, who will turn 41 on Thursday, winner of the last CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on Clarks Hill Lake.

“This is a very small lake, so boat traffic will be a problem. At this point, it is basically guys waiting to find the right boat docks that will produce that one kicker fish that can get you to the top.” – Peter Thliveros, 45, who is ninth on the BASS all-time money list.

The Strategy
Klein: In a tournament where there is an abundance of little fish, Klein says finding the kicker fish- in the 5- to 6-pound range - will determine who makes the cut. Klein had 20 bites halfway through his second day of practice and is catching bass on a crankbait, flipping a jig and worms.

Snowden: Snowden is flipping soft-plastics around boat docks in depths of 6 to 10 feet. He has caught a 3-pounder but has yet to locate spots where the all-important kicker fish live.

Hite: Hite estimates that 25 to 30 pounds will put him safely above the cut. He points to boat traffic as a problem and hasn’t found one specific technique that is working for him in practice. He is optimistic he will develop something solid before the tournament begins.

Thliveros: Thliveros said boat docks would be the areas of choice for most of the field. He has caught fish throwing soft-plastics and crankbaits around docks. Although boat traffic will limit his areas, his chance at taking home the $250,000 top prize is as good as everyone else’s, he said.

Day 1: Wolak Looking to Shake off Sophomore Slump

FORT WORTH, Texas - Two weeks ago, Dave Wolak wasn’t even aware he had qualified for the lucrative Bassmaster Majors. After Thursday, the Warrior Run, Pa., angler led the decorated field at the Bassmaster Memorial in the chase for the $250,000 top prize after catching a 16-pound, 14-ounce limit.

Right behind Wolak was Arkansas’ Mike McClelland, trailing the leader by only five ounces.

Fishing fans will have two chances to watch coverage from the Bassmaster Major. For the first time ever, ESPN2 will provide same-day coverage of a BASS event outside of the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Coverage of the Bassmaster Memorial weigh-in at Will Rogers Coliseum will be aired on Sunday, May 21 at 7 p.m. ET.

ESPN2’s expanded tournament coverage of the Bassmaster Memorial will be featured on The CITGO Bassmasters on Saturday, May 27 at 10 a.m ET

Wolak found out about his Majors qualification after the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series’ Pride of Augusta presented by Lowrance. He qualified for all three Majors because he was the 2005 Toyota Rookie of the Year but he simply did not know that his status gave him automatic entry.

“I was ecstatic when I found out at Clarks Hill,” Wolak said, who is 48th on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index. “Now, to be leading the tournament with a shot at all that money is a great feeling. There are not many occupations when you have a chance at winning that kind of cash without an investment.” The $250,000 top prize would more than double Wolak’s career BASS earnings to date.

The key to success for Wolak was capitalizing on an early topwater bite, and then moving deeper later in the day. The 29-year-old angler caught fish in water of up to 30 feet deep.

He has three spots that he has confidence in and plans to sporadically visit all three on Friday. With a “touchy” bite at Eagle Mountain Lake, Wolak said, the key to boating the fish is to imitate the shad, which are the main forage for bass on the smallish fishery.

“The shad are really concentrated in certain spots and if you find one of those, you have to be patient and sit on it,” Wolak said.

McClelland, who qualified for the Majors through the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, boated seven of his eight keeper bites on his way to a 16- pound, 9-ounce limit with a Jewel jig in very shallow water - 2 to 5 feet deep.

“I am in my comfort zone at this time of year at this type of lake,” McClelland said. “These fish are shallow and I would be very surprised if someone wasn’t catching them shallow.”

The Jewel jig that the Bella Vista, Ark. angler threw is the same bait that helped McClelland win the 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship.

Rounding out the top five were Mineola, Texas, resident Kelly Jordon (15-6), Little Rock, Ark., angler Scott Rook (15-0) and Auburn, Calif., angler Skeet Reese (14-6).

The full field will fish on Friday on Eagle Mountain Lake. Only the top 12 will fish on Saturday and the top six on Sunday at Benbrook Lake.

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5 16-14 0 $1,000.00

Day 1: 5 16-14

2. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 16-09 0

Day 1: 5 16-09

3. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 3 15-06 0

Day 1: 3 15-06

4. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 15-00 0

Day 1: 5 15-00

5. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 14-06 0

Day 1: 5 14-06

6. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 5 13-15 0

Day 1: 5 13-15

7. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 5 13-08 0

Day 1: 5 13-08

8. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 13-03 0

Day 1: 5 13-03

9. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 12-08 0

Day 1: 5 12-08

10. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 12-06 0

Day 1: 5 12-06

10. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 5 12-06 0

Day 1: 5 12-06

12. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 3 12-03 0 $1,000.00

Day 1: 3 12-03

13. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 11-12 0

Day 1: 5 11-12

14. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 11-07 0

Day 1: 5 11-07

15. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 11-06 0

Day 1: 5 11-06

16. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 11-02 0

Day 1: 5 11-02

17. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 5 10-15 0

Day 1: 5 10-15

18. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 4 10-12 0

Day 1: 4 10-12

19. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 10-10 0

Day 1: 5 10-10

20. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 10-08 0

Day 1: 5 10-08

21. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 9-04 0

Day 1: 5 9-04

22. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 9-01 0

Day 1: 5 9-01

23. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 4 9-00 0

Day 1: 4 9-00

24. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 8-14 0

Day 1: 5 8-14

25. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 4 8-07 0

Day 1: 4 8-07

26. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 5 8-03 0

Day 1: 5 8-03

27. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 4 8-02 0

Day 1: 4 8-02

28. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 4 7-15 0

Day 1: 4 7-15

29. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 4 7-13 0

Day 1: 4 7-13

29. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 3 7-13 0

Day 1: 3 7-13

31. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 4 7-07 0

Day 1: 4 7-07

32. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 7-03 0

Day 1: 5 7-03

33. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 3 6-14 0

Day 1: 3 6-14

34. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 4 6-12 0

Day 1: 4 6-12

35. John Crews Salem, Va. 2 6-10 0

Day 1: 2 6-10

36. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 2 6-09 0

Day 1: 2 6-09

37. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 3 6-04 0

Day 1: 3 6-04

38. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 3 5-14 0

Day 1: 3 5-14

38. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 3 5-14 0

Day 1: 3 5-14

40. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 2 5-10 0

Day 1: 2 5-10

41. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 3 5-05 0

Day 1: 3 5-05

42. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 3 5-02 0

Day 1: 3 5-02

42. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 3 5-02 0

Day 1: 3 5-02

44. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 3 5-01 0

Day 1: 3 5-01

44. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 2 5-01 0

Day 1: 2 5-01

46. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 2 4-03 0

Day 1: 2 4-03

47. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 2 3-05 0

Day 1: 2 3-05

48. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 2-15 0

Day 1: 5 2-15

49. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 2 2-12 0

Day 1: 2 2-12

50. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 2 2-10 0

Day 1: 2 2-10

51. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 2 2-08 0

Day 1: 2 2-08

52. Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 1 2-06 0

Day 1: 1 2-06

53. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 1 1-13 0

Day 1: 1 1-13

54. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 1 1-03 0

Day 1: 1 1-03

55. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 0 0-00 0

Day 1: 0 0-00

Day 2: Iaconelli Surges to Top Position

FORT WORTH, Texas – You can call it a Texas tangle between two Toyota anglers. Following Day 2 of the Bassmaster Memorial, a couple of young and personable BASS pros, Mike Iaconelli and Dave Wolak, sat atop the leaderboard – just ounces separating their weights. Toyota-sponsored Mike Iaconelli led with 27 pounds, 6 ounces while Toyota-sponsored Dave Wolak – the Day 1 leader – was right behind with 26-14.

Fishing fans will have two chances to catch the exciting finale from Fort Worth. For the first time ever, ESPN2 will provide same-day coverage of a regular-season BASS event. Coverage of the Bassmaster Memorial weigh-in at Will Rogers Coliseum will be aired on Sunday, May 21 at 7 p.m. ET. Expanded tournament coverage will be featured on The CITGO Bassmasters Saturday, May 27 on ESPN2 at 10 a.m.

Iaconelli, 33, continued to build on an impressive year during Day 2 of the Bassmaster Memorial, even by his own high standards. The 2003 CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion won the $100,000 top prize at the Southern Challenge presented by Berkley in April and has not finished a CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series event lower than 20th place since then.

“I was fishing with a confidence technique in spinning tackle,” the Runnemede, N.J., pro said. “I am fishing great this year and I am supremely confident heading into Benbrook.”

While anglers fished Thursday and Friday on Eagle Mountain Lake, the field has been cut to the top 12 pros and they will move to Benbrook Lake on Saturday and Sunday to fish a six-hole course. Weights will be zeroed and because Iaconelli is leading the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, he gets to choose where on the course he will begin tomorrow.

The fan-friendly pro is going into Benbrook Lake without knowing which pattern he will fish. Although some anglers in the top 12 viewed the lake previously – which is allowed under BASS rules- none of them were allowed to practice, and Iaconelli has no knowledge of the fishery, he said. “Sometimes when you have no preconceived notions, you perform better,” Iaconelli explained.

While Iaconelli has found consistence this season, second-place Wolak is in a sophomore slump. But a strong finish at the first-ever Bassmaster Major would turn the tide for the 29-year-old pro, he said.

“I am looking forward to Benbrook,” the Warrior Run, Pa., pro said. Qualifying for the Majors on the strength of his 2005 Toyota Rookie of the Year win, Wolak on Friday stuck with what vaulted him to the Day 1 lead. He targeted suspending fish in deep water around boat docks with spinning tackle.

Rounding out the top 12 fishing Saturday were Californian Skeet Reese (26-3), Texan Matt Reed (25-8), Arkansan Mike McClelland (24-10), Virginian John Crews (22-0), Floridian Peter Thliveros (21-15), Texan Todd Faircloth (21-3), Louisiana’s Greg Hackney (21-1), Oklahoman Edwin Evers (20-14), Kentucky’s Mark Menendez (20-14) and Alabama’s Randy Howell (19-12).

One unexpected fan in the crowd at Friday’s weigh-in was Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, who took the stage to greet the competitors and kick off the festivities. “$250,000 is a lot of money and I want you to clap as hard as you can when these anglers cross the stage,” Moncrief urged the crowd.

Twice as Nice

BASS gave away a brand new Triton boat to the observer of the angler who had the biggest bass on Day 2 of the Memorial. When angler Peter Thliveros pulled his big bass out of the bag, Kent Caulfield, who observed Kevin VanDam, thought his chance of winning the fully-equipped, $50,000 boat was gone.

“When I saw that thing, I knew it wasn’t going to happen,” the Cherryville, Kansas, native said. “That fish was huge.” But as Caulfield waited in the wings, looking at Thliveros’ 7-pound fish, he found out that the Florida pro’s observer was ineligible because he was an event employee.

“I had no idea,” Caulfield said. This isn’t the first time Caulfield has won a boat. “Three years ago, I won the first Triton boat that Purolator gave away in a draw out of 200,000 people,” he said. “The IRS loves me.”

He also will be an observer at the Bassmasters Legends at Little Rock in August. VanDam finished in 26th place with 15-18.

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 10 27-06 0 $1,000.00

Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 16-14

2. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 9 26-14 0 $1,000.00

Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 4 10-00

3. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 10 26-03 0

Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 11-13

4. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 10 25-08 0

Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 11-09

5. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 9 24-10 0

Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 4 8-01

6. John Crews Salem, Va. 7 22-00 0

Day 1: 2 6-10 Day 2: 5 15-06

7. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 9 21-15 0 $1,000.00

Day 1: 5 8-03 Day 2: 4 13-12

8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 10 21-03 0

Day 1: 5 9-01 Day 2: 5 12-02

9. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 10 21-01 0

Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 9-11

10. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 9 20-14 0

Day 1: 4 8-02 Day 2: 5 12-12

10. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 7 20-14 0 $1,000.00

Day 1: 3 12-03 Day 2: 4 8-11

12. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 9 19-12 0

Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 4 7-04

13. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 9 19-09 0 $11,650.00

Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 4 8-07

13. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 8 19-09 0 $11,650.00

Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 3 6-01

15. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 10 19-02 0 $11,400.00

Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 8-08

15. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 9 19-02 0 $11,400.00

Day 1: 4 8-07 Day 2: 5 10-11

15. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 8 19-02 0 $11,400.00

Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 3 4-02

18. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 8 18-00 0 $11,200.00

Day 1: 5 7-03 Day 2: 3 10-13

19. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 8 17-15 0 $11,050.00

Day 1: 3 5-02 Day 2: 5 12-13

19. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 4 17-15 0 $11,050.00

Day 1: 3 15-06 Day 2: 1 2-09

21. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 7 17-13 0 $10,900.00

Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 2 6-14

22. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 7 17-08 0 $10,800.00

Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 2 5-02

23. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 7 17-00 0 $10,700.00

Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 2 3-13

24. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 7 16-00 0 $10,600.00

Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 2 3-10

25. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 7 15-13 0 $10,500.00

Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 2 4-06

26. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 7 15-08 0

Day 1: 2 2-10 Day 2: 5 12-14

27. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 7 14-14 0

Day 1: 4 7-15 Day 2: 3 6-15

28. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 8 14-13 0

Day 1: 3 5-01 Day 2: 5 9-12

28. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 7 14-13 0

Day 1: 2 4-03 Day 2: 5 10-10

30. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 7 14-12 0

Day 1: 4 9-00 Day 2: 3 5-12

31. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 9 14-11 0

Day 1: 5 8-14 Day 2: 4 5-13

31. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 8 14-11 0

Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 3 5-07

33. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 10 14-06 0

Day 1: 5 2-15 Day 2: 5 11-07

33. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 7 14-06 0

Day 1: 2 5-01 Day 2: 5 9-05

35. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 6 14-05 0

Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 1 2-09

36. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 7 13-15 0

Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2: 4 6-02

37. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 7 13-01 0

Day 1: 4 7-07 Day 2: 3 5-10

38. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 8 12-15 0

Day 1: 3 5-02 Day 2: 5 7-13

39. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 6 12-14 0

Day 1: 2 2-12 Day 2: 4 10-02

39. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 6 12-14 0

Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 3 6-00

41. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 6 12-11 0

Day 1: 3 5-14 Day 2: 3 6-13

42. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 6 12-02 0

Day 1: 3 5-05 Day 2: 3 6-13

43. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 6 12-01 0

Day 1: 4 6-12 Day 2: 2 5-05

44. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 6 10-12 0

Day 1: 2 2-08 Day 2: 4 8-04

44. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 4 10-12 0

Day 1: 4 10-12 Day 2: 0 0-00

46. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 5 10-00 0

Day 1: 3 6-04 Day 2: 2 3-12

47. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 5 9-15 0

Day 1: 1 1-03 Day 2: 4 8-12

48. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 5 9-00 0

Day 1: 2 3-05 Day 2: 3 5-11

49. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 4 8-04 0

Day 1: 3 5-14 Day 2: 1 2-06

50. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 4 7-13 0

Day 1: 4 7-13 Day 2: 0 0-00

51. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 5 7-12 0

Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 7-12

52. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 3 7-07 0

Day 1: 2 5-10 Day 2: 1 1-13

53. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 2 6-09 0

Day 1: 2 6-09 Day 2: 0 0-00

54. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 2 3-08 0

Day 1: 1 1-13 Day 2: 1 1-11

55. Brooks Rogers Quitman, Texas 1 2-06 0

Day 1: 1 2-06 Day 2: 0 0-00

Day 3: Thliveros Surges Into Lead at Memorial

FORT WORTH, Texas – After a poor practice at Eagle Mountain Lake, Peter Thliveros was less than thrilled with his chances at winning the $250,000 top prize at the first-ever Bassmaster Major.

Now, fast forward to Saturday at the Bassmaster Memorial in Fort Worth. The wily veteran from Jacksonville, Fla., led the tournament after catching a 15-pound, 3-ounce limit and is headed into Sunday’s finale at Benbrook Lake with confidence he previously did not have. Thliveros led angler Mark Menendez of Paducah, Ky., by more than 1 pound.

Fishing fans can catch all of the-on-the-water action plus the weigh-in from Will Rogers Coliseum on ESPN2 on Sunday, May 21 at 7 p.m. ET. For the first time ever, ESPN2 will provide same-day coverage of a regular-season BASS event.

ESPN2’s expanded tournament coverage of the Bassmaster Memorial will be featured on The CITGO Bassmasters Saturday, May 27 on ESPN2 at 10 a.m.

“This is my tournament to lose,” said Thliveros, who for the second consecutive day weighed-in the Purolator Big Bass and also had the BUSCH Heavyweight Bag of the day. “I have never been this confident heading into the final day at a BASS tournament before.”

In his 17 years as a BASS pro, the 32nd-ranked angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index has amassed more than $900,000 in tournament earnings. However, a $250,000 Memorial payday would push him over the threshold, making him the latest BASS millionaire, joining 13 other anglers.

An ex-chef who toiled in his father’s Italian restaurant in Jacksonville, Thliveros fished a ½-ounce Team Supreme jig around riprap – a pattern he said is unique in the field – on the way to seven keeper-sized bites.

Second-place Menendez – who was the only angler to catch a limit – strolled across the Memorial stage at Will Rogers Coliseum with his dog Barkley, weighing in 13-14. Much like the rest of the field, the 35th-ranked angler on the Power Index had little previous knowledge of Benbrook Lake.

“You’ve got to let instincts take over when you have little knowledge of a fishery,” said Menendez, 41. “I just let that Strike King bait show me the way.”

The $250,000 top prize would augment an already significant comeback for Menendez. It was just last year when Menendez was stricken with viral meningitis and feared it would end his fishing career. But after a fifth-place finish at the 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship and a stellar 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series season, the two-time BASS winner is once again a force to be reckoned with.

Lurking right behind Thliveros and Menendez was 2003 CITGO Bassmaster Classic champ Mike Iaconelli. The Runnemede, N.J., pro has had a banner season and like Thliveros, is nearing the $1 million mark in BASS career earnings. Last month, Iaconelli won the Southern Challenge presented by Berkley on Lake Guntersville in Alabama and has yet to place lower than 20th. As soon as he completes the Memorial, Iaconelli will fly to California to appear on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday, May 24, at 12:05 a.m. ET.

“I have the advantage heading into Sunday because I get to select where I start,” Iaconelli said, who will choose his starting location on the six-hole course because he leads the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. “But you have to catch the fish to win any tournament.”

The rest of the top six moving into Sunday’s finale are California’s Skeet Reese (10-9), Louisiana’s Greg Hackney (7-10) and Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers (7-3).

Memorial Expo

Big crowds showed up on the opening day of the ESPN Outdoors Expo at the Bassmaster Memorial. The show – at Will Rogers Coliseum in conjunction with the Memorial weigh-in – is a smaller version of the popular annual expo during CITGO Bassmaster Classic week.

One feature getting the most attention from fishing fans were the CastingKids exhibit – manned by Texas Federation Nation volunteers and state youth director Trey Scott. Children who tried their hand at a cast received an official certificate of competition as well as a free copy of Junior Bassmaster magazine. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the volunteers to spend quality time with the kids and teach them the techniques of fishing,” Scott said.

For the first time, the BASS Federation Nation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are teaming up to access a network of 1,200 volunteers who will work together on grass-roots projects across the state, Scott said.

“We’re so pleased with the success of both the Memorial and the expo,” said Don Rucks, vice president and general manager of BASS, who was at the weigh-in Saturday. “The whole idea of the Bassmaster Majors was to elevate a few tournaments above and beyond the Elite Series and we feel like we’ve accomplished that goal. The fan and angler feedback has been amazing.”

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 4 15-03 0 $3,000.00

Day 1: 5 8-03 Day 2: 4 13-12 Day 3: 4 15-03

2. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 13-14 0 $1,000.00

Day 1: 3 12-03 Day 2: 4 8-11 Day 3: 5 13-14

3. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 4 10-12 0 $1,000.00

Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 16-14 Day 3: 4 10-12

4. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 4 10-09 0

Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 4 10-09

5. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 3 7-10 0

Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 9-11 Day 3: 3 7-10

6. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 3 7-03 0

Day 1: 4 8-02 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 3 7-03

7. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 3 7-00 0 $16,500.00

Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 4 8-01 Day 3: 3 7-00

8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 2 4-11 0 $16,000.00

Day 1: 5 9-01 Day 2: 5 12-02 Day 3: 2 4-11

9. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 2 4-06 0 $16,500.00

Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 4 10-00 Day 3: 2 4-06

10. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 1 4-02 0 $15,000.00

Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 4 7-04 Day 3: 1 4-02

11. John Crews Salem, Va. 2 4-00 0 $13,100.00

Day 1: 2 6-10 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 2 4-00

12. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 0 0-00 0 $13,000.00

Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 0 0-00

Day 4: Thliveros Cooks up Win at Bassmaster Memorial

FORT WORTH, Texas – Who says dreams don’t come true? It was just last week that Jacksonville , Fla., native Peter Thliveros dreamt during his sleep that he had won a BASS tournament. He woke up not lending much credence to the premonition but on Sunday, that dream became reality as the former Italian chef secured a solid creel – 10 pounds, 5 ounces – to win the Bassmaster Memorial and the $250,000 top prize. His 25-pound, 8-ounce, two-day total bested New Jersey angler Michael Iaconelli by more than three pounds.

Along with the unprecedented same-day coverage for a regular-season event airing tonight on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET, fishing fans can see all of the on-the-water action from Fort Worth, Texas, on the CITGO Bassmasters on Saturday, May 27 at 10 a.m. ET.

“The dream was very life-like but I didn’t think much about it afterwards,” said Thliveros. “When I pulled into the arena and realized Edwin Evers had done well - as he had in my dream – I choked up.”

Dreams aside, Thliveros rode a wave of confidence into Sunday’s finale. “Peter T.” – as he’s known to fans – had an unproductive practice period but eventually developed a jig pattern right before competition began. He used two Team Supreme jigs to boat nearly all of his fish, including the four he caught on Sunday.

“I had a real cold streak in practice and I just couldn’t get anything going,” Thliveros said, who jumped up 13 places to 23rd place on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index. “But persistence paid off and in the last few minutes of practice, I found something that worked.”

After a nine-year drought, the 17-year veteran’s last BASS win came in January 2005 in his home state of Florida at the Harris Chain of Lakes. That win was worth $100,000 and has marked a resurgence of sorts for the 46-year-old, he said. In 2006, he has made the top 50 cut in four of the five Elite Series tournaments.

Although Iaconelli ultimately fell short – totaling 22 pounds, 3 ounces in the last two days – the 2003 CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion has yet to finish a tournament lower than 20th place. He won $100,000 at the Southern Challenge presented by Berkley on Lake Guntersville in Alabama earlier this season and has moved up to second place on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index.

Eerily similar to Thliveros’ dream, Evers took the third-place spot with 20- 4. Mark Menendez of Kentucky came in fourth with 17-14, Skeet Reese of California was in fifth with 14-4 and Greg Hackney of Louisiana rounded out the Super Six with 9-13.

The Memorial marked Reese’s 27th top-10 BASS finish and despite not getting the win, the angler said he is looking forward to the next Bassmaster Major, the Bassmaster American on July 27-30 at Lake Wylie in Charlotte, N.C., and the $250,000 top prize.

“The money is insane with these Majors,” Reese said. “These are the greatest events because you can swing for the fences and the reward at the end of the rainbow is fantastic.”

Two more millionaires

Two more anglers joined the BASS millionaires club on Sunday with their wins at the Bassmaster Memorial in Fort Worth.

Thliveros’ first-place finish earned him $250,000. Along with the additional $5,000 he won in tournament contingency awards, he now has total BASS career earnings of $1,160,439.

Iaconelli also joined the club because of his second-place paycheck of $33,500. He now has $1,007,829. “It seems like yesterday I was fishing for $30 or $50 in local tournaments,” said Iaconelli, who has fished professionally for seven years. “It’s an incredible feeling.”

There are 15 anglers who have earned more than $1 million by fishing BASS. Leading is Kevin VanDam with $1,984,808. Also included are CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series anglers Denny Brauer, Rick Clunn, Gary Klein, Shaw Grigsby, Davy Hite and Zell Rowland.

A new perspective
When the format for the Bassmaster Majors was announced last year, Kentucky angler Mark Menendez didn't believe he would have the opportunity to fish. Entry was based on the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings from the past three years and because he contracted viral meningitis, Menendez only fished in six tournaments in 2005, leaving him short in AOY points.

BASS officials gave the 40-year-old from Paducah a medical exemption entry into the Memorial and the angler made the most of his entry, finishing fourth with a two-day catch of 17 pounds, 14 ounces.

Menendez’ life-threatening illness has changed his outlook on fishing – and life.

“I'm fortunate just to be standing here. I realize that every day,” he said. “I'm fortunate to have a beautiful wife and two beautiful children so fishing has now become secondary in my life. It's my vocation and I want to do well, but it just doesn't have the same importance it once did.”

The fourth-place finish was his first top 10 of the year and earned him $22,000.

“The illness just made me realize there are more important things in life than catching a bass,” Menendez said. “But I'm not belittling what we do for a living. … I felt a tremendous amount of pressure to make the Bassmaster Classic and make the finances to continue the fishing machine, so to speak.”

Menendez, who thanked his family while he was on weigh-in stage at the Will Rogers Coliseum, feels a little different now.

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 8 25-08 0 $255,000.00

Day 1: 5 8-03 Day 2: 4 13-12 Day 3: 4 15-03 Day 4: 4 10-05

2. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 9 22-03 0 $33,500.00

Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 16-14 Day 3: 4 10-12 Day 4: 5 11-07

3. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 8 20-04 0 $28,500.00

Day 1: 4 8-02 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 3 7-03 Day 4: 5 13-01

4. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 6 17-14 0 $22,000.00

Day 1: 3 12-03 Day 2: 4 8-11 Day 3: 5 13-14 Day 4: 1 4-00

5. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 6 14-04 0 $20,000.00

Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 4 10-09 Day 4: 2 3-11

6. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 4 9-13 0 $17,000.00

Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 9-11 Day 3: 3 7-10 Day 4: 1 2-03

Articles and images from BASS

Compiled by Brandon Shook

President/Publisher: Brandon Shook.