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The Full Story
Bassmaster Memorial: Oneida
Lake, N.Y.
Major Event # 2 of 3
Day 1 | Day 2 |
Day 3 | Day 4
Day 1: Kennedy Opens Memorial with Nearly Two
Pound Lead
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Despite utilizing just half of his allotted
practice time, Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala., boated 17 pounds, 12 ounces,
of Oneida Lake largemouth bass Thursday at the Bassmaster Memorial presented
by Evan Williams Bourbon to distance himself from Kelly Jordon of Mineola,
Texas, by almost 2 pounds.
Kennedy, the 2006 Toyota Rookie of the Year, went to Alabama for the funeral
of his grandmother, Gladys, on Monday – the first day of practice on Oneida.
He still was able to practice for a portion of Tuesday, but the 38-year-old
cited his experience last year at a Bassmaster Elite Series event on Oneida
as the key to his day Thursday. Kennedy finished in 30th place in that
tournament.
Fishing fans can catch all the action from the Bassmaster Memorial and see
which angler wins the $250,000 top prize at 9 a.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 4, on
ESPN2.
“I was living right today,” said Kennedy, who won an Elite Series event
earlier this year on California’s Clear Lake. “With the limited practice, I
really don’t have much to go to out there but I was able to get lucky and
land some big bites. I finally sat on a spot that I did well on last year
and it paid off.”
Kennedy, who holds the BASS tournament record for heaviest four-day catch
set at Clear Lake, started the day in search of smallmouth but after a
frustrating start decided to switch gears and target largemouth. He, like
many others in the 51-angler field, feels that the fish are deeper than last
year and aren’t biting as well.
Friday, Kennedy will use the same pattern and will look to catch more than
10 pounds, an amount he feels will put him safely in the top 12. The top 12
anglers will move on to Saturday’s competition, before which the weights
will be zeroed on Lake Onondaga. The final day of action Sunday will feature
the top six anglers, again on Onondaga. Anglers will fish a rotating
six-hole course on both days.
“It will be tough to repeat those big bites Friday,” said Kennedy, who
landed the Purolator Big Bass of the Day, a 5-pound, 1-ounce brute. “But
it’s not like I have any other areas to go to.”
Jordon, who totaled 15 pounds, 15 ounces, was confident that he could catch
another solid limit Friday. The 36-year-old caught all of his fish by 10:30
a.m. and never culled. He started out targeting 15 pounds, and he was happy
with the extra weight.
“I am surrounded by a ton of fish,” the four-time BASS winner said. “I’m
pretty confident that I can make the cut. We will have to see what Onondaga
holds.”
Four ounces behind Jordon was Chris Lane of Winter Haven, Fla., in third
with 15 pounds, 11 ounces. Rounding out the top five was Mike McClelland of
Bella Vista, Ark., in fourth with 15 pounds, 9 ounces, and Dean Rojas of
Grand Saline, Texas, in fifth with 15 pounds, 8 ounces.
Every angler in the field caught a five-fish limit. John Murray of Phoenix
is on the bubble in 12th place with 14 pounds, 7 ounces.
As with every Elite-level tournament, www.ESPNOutdoors.com is providing
live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins. Additionally, visitors to the
site can access analysis, photo galleries, blogs from Elite Series anglers
and abundant coverage of events. On Sunday, fans can catch Hooked Up with
ESPN2 Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders at 5:30 p.m. to
preview the final weigh-in.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 5 17-12 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-12
2. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 15-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-15
3. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 5 15-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-11
4. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-09
5. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 5 15-08 0
Day 1: 5 15-08
6. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 5 15-04 0
Day 1: 5 15-04
7. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 15-01 0
Day 1: 5 15-01
8. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 5 15-00 0
Day 1: 5 15-00
9. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 14-13 0
Day 1: 5 14-13
10. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 14-10 0
Day 1: 5 14-10
11. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 5 14-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-09
12. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
13. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 14-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-06
13. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 5 14-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-06
15. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 14-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-04
16. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 5 14-01 0
Day 1: 5 14-01
16. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 5 14-01 0
Day 1: 5 14-01
18. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 14-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-00
19. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 5 13-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-13
20. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 5 13-12 0
Day 1: 5 13-12
21. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
22. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 5 13-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-08
22. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 13-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-08
24. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 13-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07
25. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 5 13-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-05
26. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
27. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
27. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
29. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 13-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-02
30. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 5 12-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-14
31. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
32. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
32. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
34. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08
34. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08
36. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
36. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
36. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
39. Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
40. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 5 12-02 0
Day 1: 5 12-02
41. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
42. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
43. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
43. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
45. Derek Remitz Madison, Ala. 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11
45. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11
45. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11
48. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 5 11-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-08
49. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 10-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-08
50. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 5 9-12 0
Day 1: 5 9-12
51. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 9-01 0
Day 1: 5 9-01
Day 2: Rojas Leads Memorial by 2 Ounces
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Primarily using a “comfort technique”, Dean
Rojas of Lake Havasu, Ariz., caught 17 pounds, 9 ounces, of Oneida Lake
largemouth Friday and took the lead at the Bassmaster Memorial presented by
Evan Williams Bourbon. Rojas’ two-day total of 33 pounds, 1 ounce, then was
erased as weights were zeroed for the top 12 anglers, who qualified for
Saturday’s third round of action.
The tournament moves to Onondaga Lake for the final two days of action, and
anglers will rotate through a six-hole course. Despite leading and then
promptly losing the advantage, Rojas was excited about the change of venue.
Fishing fans can catch all the action from the Bassmaster Memorial and see
which angler wins the $250,000 top prize at 9 a.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 4, on
ESPN2.
“I’m charged up,” said Rojas, a two-time BASS winner. “I don’t know that
much about Onondaga, but I feel like I learned a lot about New York
fisheries today. These fish can be caught in extremely shallow water and I
feel like I can continue throwing a frog, which is what I’m most comfortable
doing.”
Rojas was one of many anglers who strictly targeted largemouth bass. The
36-year-old, who will celebrate his 37th birthday Tuesday, caught fish by
making long casts to shallow pockets of water.
Rojas was surprised that many of his best spots were vacant. He was able to
upgrade his weight throughout the day and caught his biggest fish, a
4-pound, 8-ounce bass, in 6 inches of water.
Operating within BASS rules, Rojas was able to drive the six-hole course on
Onondaga after weighing in. He was not able to fish the course but was able
to identify spots he intends to visit Saturday.
“My goal heading into this tournament was to win, and you don’t get many
chances at this level,” Rojas said. “I hope I can continue this run.”
Though Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala., slipped to second, the 2006 Toyota
Rookie of the Year will start on even ground with Rojas and the 10 other
competitors Saturday. Kennedy spent much of his time Friday working
different baits, including a spinnerbait, frog and creature bait.
Kennedy used just half of his allotted practice time after attending the
funeral for his 94-year-old grandmother, Gladys, on Monday in Alabama.
“I’ll be honest, I don’t know anything about Onondaga,” Kennedy said as he
peered out at the lake after weighing in. “I don’t see a whole lot of docks
out there. That’s not good for what I plan to do. But all you can do is
prepare with a variety of rods on the deck and go fishing.”
Two California pros were in third and fourth place Friday. Jared Lintner of
Arroyo Grande moved up five places to third with a two-day total of 30
pounds, 9 ounces, and Skeet Reese of Auburn moved up 28 places into fourth
with 30 pounds, 3 ounces. In fifth was John Murray of Phoenix with 30
pounds, 0 ounces.
By virtue of his lead in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year
standings, Reese has first choice of the hole in which he’ll start.
Qualifying for the 12th and final spot was Jeff Kriet of Ardmore, Okla.,
with 27 pounds, 14 ounces. Kriet narrowly edged out Kelly Jordon of Mineola,
Texas, by 1 ounce for the right to fish Saturday.
Each Bassmaster Major pairs up observers with competing pros. The observer
matched with the pro who catches the Purolator Big Bass on Day 2 of the
tournament wins a fully rigged Triton Boat package valued at $50,000.
By way of the 5-pound brute caught by Oklahoma’s Kenyon Hill, Tim Clark of
Canton, Ohio, won the boat. The McKinley Bassmasters club member was
thrilled for the learning experience.
As with every Elite-level tournament, www.ESPNOutdoors.com is providing
live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins. Additionally, visitors to the
site can access analysis, photo galleries, blogs from Elite Series anglers
and abundant coverage of events. On Sunday, fans can catch Hooked Up with
ESPN2 Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders at 5:30 p.m. to
preview the final weigh-in.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 10 33-01 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 17-09
2. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 32-07 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 14-11
3. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 30-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 15-09
4. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 30-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 17-07
5. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 10 30-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 15-09
6. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, FL 10 29-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 15-10
6. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 10 29-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-01
8. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 10 28-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 14-15
9. John Crews Salem, VA 10 28-14 0
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 13-13
10. Randy Howell Springville, AL 10 28-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 13-14
11. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 10 28-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 12-14
12. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 27-14 0
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 14-11
13. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 10 27-13 0 $11,700.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 11-14
14. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 27-10 0 $11,600.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 13-04
15. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 27-07 0 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 14-00
16. Chris Lane Winter Haven, FL 10 27-06 0 $11,350.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 11-11
16. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 10 27-06 0 $11,350.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 14-02
18. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 27-05 0 $11,200.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 12-12
19. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 10 27-04 0 $12,050.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 15-12
19. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 27-04 0 $11,050.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 11-11
21. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 10 27-02 0 $10,900.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 13-01
22. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, TX 10 26-10 0 $10,750.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 14-14
22. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 26-10 0 $10,750.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 13-02
24. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 26-09 0 $10,550.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 12-13
24. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 26-09 0 $10,550.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-00
26. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 26-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 13-12
27. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 26-05 0
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 13-00
28. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 26-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 11-14
29. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 25-15 0
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 12-13
30. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 25-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 13-08
31. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 10 25-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 13-10
32. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 25-08 0
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 12-05
33. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 10 25-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 11-15
33. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, CA 10 25-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 12-15
35. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 10 25-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 13-11
36. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 10 25-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 12-07
37. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 25-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 12-07
38. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 25-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 13-04
39. Derek Remitz Madison, TX 10 25-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 13-07
40. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 10 24-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 12-09
40. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 10 24-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 10-03
42. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 24-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 13-10
43. Ray Sedgwick Cross, SC 10 23-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 11-11
44. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, FL 10 23-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 11-08
45. Alton Jones Waco, TX 10 23-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-02
46. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 10 23-06 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 11-09
47. Ishama Monroe Hughson, CA 10 23-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 13-15
48. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, OK 10 22-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 11-03
49. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 10 22-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 07-10
49. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 22-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 10-02
51. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 10 21-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 11-10
Day 3: Wolak Leads Memorial Heading into Final
Day
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Aided by his knowledge of New York
fisheries, Dave Wolak, a Pennsylvania native, mastered New York’s Onondaga
Lake, catching a 22-pound, 0-ounce limit Saturday at the Bassmaster Memorial
presented by Evan Williams Bourbon. Wolak, who now resides in Wake Forest,
N.C., opened up a more than 1-pound advantage over Peter Thliveros of
Jacksonville, Fla.
With a number of New York fisheries at his disposal, Wolak, who moved from
Pennsylvania to North Carolina just last year, had never visited Onondaga
before Saturday but had nothing but praise.
Fishing fans can catch all the action from the Bassmaster Memorial and see
which angler wins the $250,000 top prize at 9 a.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 4, on
ESPN2.
“Onondaga was off my radar but I probably should have been coming here every
day,” said Wolak, the 2005 Toyota Rookie of the Year. “My experience on
lakes similar to this did put me in the right mind-set today. I have logged
enough hours on these types of places that I know where the big fish should
be and I know the correct way to catch them.”
Wolak’s 22-pound limit, the heaviest thus far, included a 5-8 brute caught
at noon ET on a jig. His lone BASS victory came in one of three Bassmaster
Majors last year – the Bassmaster American presented by Advance Auto Parts
on South Carolina’s Lake Wylie.
With the experience he gained from last year’s Major, Wolak was able to
“calm his nerves” Saturday and catch fish in all of the six holes in the
course format, upgrading his weight throughout the day.
“I’m trying to concentrate but as I process what this victory would mean to
me and my family, I am having a tough time,” said Wolak. “I’m so pumped for
tomorrow.”
The defending Bassmaster Memorial champion, Thliveros, totaled 20 pounds, 13
ounces, and lurks close behind Wolak. Perhaps Thliveros was better prepared
for Onondaga than the rest of the qualifying anglers, as he used a portion
of his practice day to ride the course, locating areas he might want to
fish, which is allowable under BASS rules.
He feels that he will need to catch more than 20 pounds Sunday to have a
chance at overtaking Wolak. He, like Wolak, caught fish all day on a variety
of patterns and was able to upgrade his weight throughout the day.
“It seemed like I could do nothing wrong out there,” the 47-year-old said.
“I didn’t want to burn up my areas for Sunday but I don’t think that is
possible on this lake.”
Referring to Sunday as “just another day on the water”, Thliveros, who has
amassed more than $1 million in BASS career earnings, will look to nab his
sixth BASS victory.
Trailing Thliveros by ounces was Day 1 leader Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala.,
in third with 20 pounds, 3 ounces. Rounding out the top six who qualify for
the final round of action were John Murray of Phoenix in fourth with 18
pounds, 10 ounces; Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande, Calif., in fifth with 18
pounds, 8 ounces, and Day 2 leader Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu, Ariz., in
sixth with 18 pounds, 7 ounces.
Sitting outside the cut line by two ounces in seventh was Skeet Reese of
Auburn, Calif. Reese earned $16,500 for his performance at the Memorial and
now sits within $1,000 of earning more than $1 million in BASS career
earnings. With his next check in a tournament, Reese will become the 20th
angler to earn BASS millionaire status.
The first two days of the Memorial were held on New York’s Oneida Lake.
Saturday, weights were zeroed for the top 12 qualifiers and anglers fished a
rotating six-hole course. Sunday, the top six will fish the same six-hole
course with starting positions determined based on the Toyota Tundra
Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
As with every Elite-level tournament, www.ESPNOutdoors.com is providing
live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins. Additionally, visitors to the
site can access analysis, photo galleries, blogs from Elite Series anglers
and abundant coverage of events. On Sunday, fans can catch Hooked Up with
ESPN2 Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders at 5:30 p.m. to
preview the final weigh-in.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 5 22-00 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 5 22-00
2. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, FL 5 20-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 20-13
3. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 20-03 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 20-03
4. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 18-10 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 18-10
5. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 18-08 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 18-08
6. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, TX 5 18-07 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 18-07
7. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 18-05 0 $16,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 17-07 Day 3: 5 18-05
8. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 5 18-01 0 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 18-01
9. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 16-13 0 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 16-13
10. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 5 16-11 0 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 16-11
11. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 14-15 0 $13,100.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 14-15
12. John Crews Salem, VA 5 09-04 0 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 09-04
Day 4: Thliveros Defends Memorial Title by 2
Ounces
Back to top
 SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Needing every ounce of his two-day total of
39 pounds, 0 ounces, Peter Thliveros of Jacksonville, Fla., defended his
Bassmaster Memorial presented by Evan Williams Bourbon crown Sunday, holding
off his nearest competitor, Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala., by just 2 ounces.
Thliveros, who scored victory in the 2006 Bassmaster Memorial in Fort Worth,
Texas, enjoyed a solid start, catching four bass in the first hour of
competition. With the victory and the top prize of $250,000, he has amassed
more than $1.5 million in BASS career earnings.
Weights were zeroed for the top 12 anglers after two days of competition on
New York’s Oneida Lake. The final two days were held on Onondaga Lake and a
rotating six-hole course set up by BASS officials.
Fishing fans can catch all the action from Thliveros’ narrow victory at 9
a.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 4, on ESPN2.
“It seems like destiny,” said Thliveros, a six-time BASS winner. “This
victory and defending this title are the hallmark of my career.”
Thliveros, 47, clinched the victory by boating a smallmouth bass at 4:35
p.m. ET, in his final hour of fishing. His final catch, however, perhaps was
not as beneficial as what he did before his first cast of the tournament.
Thliveros used a portion of his practice day to ride Onondaga Lake and
locate productive areas, which is permissible under BASS rules.
“That was the best decision I made all week,” he said. “I felt very good
about this tournament coming in, and after practicing at Oneida the first
two days, I knew I had a chance to make the finals.”
Calling his pattern a “patience deal,” Thliveros caught every fish he
weighed on a Zoom superfluke. He credited his Florida roots in helping him
slow down and entice the biggest bass.
Despite his disappointment, Kennedy, who posted a two-day total of 38
pounds, 14 ounces, continues a superb season in which he has notched one
Bassmaster Elite Series victory and set the BASS record at California’s
Clear Lake for heaviest four-day weight in a tournament.
For the majority of his fishing day, Kennedy worked a swimbait to big
structure and targeted bigger bites. Using a jig, the 2006 Toyota Rookie of
the Year nearly boated a fish he estimated at more than 5 pounds, but was
unable to land it.
“Unbelievable!” said Kennedy, a one-time BASS winner. “This one hurts. It
really does. But there is nothing I can do about it now.”
Finishing third and fourth were two Arizona anglers. Moving up one spot to
third was John Murray of Phoenix, with 37 pounds, 10 ounces. In fourth was
Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu, with 36 pounds, 0 ounces.
Day 3 leader Dave Wolak of Wake Forest, N.C., slipped to fifth with a
two-day total of 35 pounds, 15 ounces. Finishing sixth was Jared Lintner of
Arroyo Grande, Calif., with 34 pounds, 12 ounces.
The next stop on the Bassmaster Elite Series is the Capitol Clash presented
by Advance Auto Parts on Aug. 9-12 at the Potomac River. The next and final
Bassmaster Major of the season is scheduled for Aug. 23-26 on the Arkansas
River.
With only two events left in the season, the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler
of the Year standings, unaffected by the Bassmaster Majors, remains a tight
race. Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., leads two-time Bassmaster Classic
champion Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., by 21 points.
As with every Elite-level tournament, www.ESPNOutdoors.com is providing
live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins. Additionally, visitors to the
site can access analysis, photo galleries, blogs from Elite Series anglers
and abundant coverage of events. On Sunday, fans can catch Hooked Up with
ESPN2 Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders at 5:30 p.m. to
preview the final weigh-in.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, FL 10 39-00 0 $250,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 20-13 Day 4: 5 18-03
2. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 38-14 0 $35,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 20-03 Day 4: 5 18-11
3. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 10 37-10 0 $30,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 18-10 Day 4: 5 19-00
4. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, AZ 10 36-00 0 $22,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 18-07 Day 4: 5 17-09
5. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 10 35-15 0 $29,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 5 22-00 Day 4: 5 13-15
6. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 34-12 0 $17,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 18-08 Day 4: 5 16-04
Articles and images from BASS
Compiled by Brandon Shook
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