Aaron Martens called it a “picture-perfect day.” Mark Davis said he was “singing hymns all day.” Chris Lane landed inside his “comfort zone.” And that’s how it was for three of the hottest pros in bass fishing on Thursday, the first day of the April 3-6 A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite on Table Rock Lake. Martens, the 2013 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, took the Day 1 lead at Table Rock with 18 pounds, 11 ounces of largemouth bass. Davis, currently in the lead for the 2014 AOY prize, was second with 18 pounds, 8 ounces. Right behind them with 18-5 was Lane, who won the most recent Elite Series event less than two weeks ago.
The three leaders have lots of company. Weighing 17-4 to tie at fourth place were Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., and Jamie Horton of Centreville, Ala. They were 1 pound, 7 ounces, behind Martens.
Even the pro in 12th place trailed Martens by 3-5. That mark was set at 15-6 by Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark.
Martens, a California native who relocated to Leeds, Ala., several years ago, anchored his 18-11 with an 8-0.
“I had a picture-perfect day,” Martens said. “I caught almost everything that bit, and I didn’t lose very many. I pulled that 8-pounder from between three or four trees on non-heavy line.”
Martens, who has fished Table Rock Lake many times, tried to find new areas during the three-day practice. In the end, he returned to spots on which he had success in the past — “fishing old stuff,” he called it.
A solid pattern helped, he said, but the only two lures he used Thursday were key.
“One bait I’m using is pretty phenomenal, but I bet half the guys are using it too,” he said, declining to name the lures.
Even if the weights were not tight, Martens expects Day 2 of the tournament to see changes in the leaderboard.
“This lake is notorious for having a leader one day, and then that guy blanks,” Martens said.
Davis, who is from Mount Ida, Ark., won a Bassmaster Tour on Table Rock in 2004. His history helped him get to work Thursday. And that work involved a lot of “hunting and pecking,” he said.
“That’s how you have to fish this lake,” he said.
Davis came into the Table Rock event leading the points race after finishing third in both of the first two tournaments of the season.
Lane, a Florida transplant to Guntersville, Ala., skipped over Table Rock’s clear, clear water. Instead, he went back to a favorite comfort zone of his: casting in shallow, stained water up into the backs of creeks.
He targeted big bass, selecting three baits to go after the larger bass. The strategy worked. One of his five largemouth bass was a 5-9 and another weighed 5-4.
Lane was trading size for numbers; he caught just seven fish all day.
That, on a day when many of the pros weeded through scores of bass less than 15 inches — the legal keeper size — to put together a five-bass limit in any combination of largemouth, spotted bass and smallmouth.
The event’s first prize is $100,000 and an instant qualification for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. The Elite pros also are out to earn points that count toward a Classic qualification and the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
Martens’ 8-0 was the largest bass of the day. He became the front-runner for the event’s Carhartt Big Bass award of up to $1,500.
The full field of 108 Elite pros will return to the Table Rock at 6:30 a.m. Friday at State Park Marina (300 State Park Marina Drive, Branson, MO 65616).
Friday’s weigh-in will be at State Park Marina. On Saturday and Sunday, the weigh-ins will move to the Bass Pro Shops location at Branson Landing. All weigh-ins are scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m. CT.
There’s no admission charge for any Bassmaster event.
Local sponsor: Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, www.bransonchamber.com.
Local Host: Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Booyah, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Plano, Power-Pole, Ramada, Rigid Industries, Shimano
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series Proud Partner: Mustang Survival
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
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Media Contact: Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com, and Helen Northcutt, 205-936-2044, hnorthcutt@bassmaster.com.
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2014 A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Table Rock Lake 4/3-4/6
Table Rock Lake, Branson MO.
Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 18-11 100
Day 1: 5 18-11
2. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 18-08 99
Day 1: 5 18-08
3. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 18-05 98
Day 1: 5 18-05
4. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 17-04 97
Day 1: 5 17-04
4. Jamie Horton Centerville, AL 5 17-04 97
Day 1: 5 17-04
6. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 5 16-13 95
Day 1: 5 16-13
7. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 16-08 94
Day 1: 5 16-08
8. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 16-00 93
Day 1: 5 16-00
8. Jared Miller Norman, OK 5 16-00 93
Day 1: 5 16-00
8. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 16-00 93
Day 1: 5 16-00
11. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 15-09 90
Day 1: 5 15-09
12. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 15-06 89
Day 1: 5 15-06
13. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 15-02 88
Day 1: 5 15-02
14. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 5 14-11 87
Day 1: 5 14-11
15. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 14-10 86
Day 1: 5 14-10
15. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 14-10 86
Day 1: 5 14-10
17. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 14-08 84
Day 1: 5 14-08
17. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 5 14-08 84
Day 1: 5 14-08
19. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 14-03 82
Day 1: 5 14-03
20. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 14-02 81
Day 1: 5 14-02
21. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 14-00 80
Day 1: 5 14-00
22. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 5 13-14 79
Day 1: 5 13-14
22. Casey Scanlon Lanexa, KS 5 13-14 79
Day 1: 5 13-14
24. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 13-12 77
Day 1: 5 13-12
25. Randall Tharp Port Saint Joe, FL 5 13-09 76
Day 1: 5 13-09
26. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 5 13-07 75
Day 1: 5 13-07
26. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 13-07 75
Day 1: 5 13-07
28. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 13-04 73
Day 1: 5 13-04
29. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 13-03 72
Day 1: 5 13-03
30. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 13-02 71
Day 1: 5 13-02
30. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 13-02 71
Day 1: 5 13-02
32. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 4 13-01 69
Day 1: 4 13-01
33. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 13-00 68
Day 1: 5 13-00
34. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 12-15 67
Day 1: 5 12-15
34. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 12-15 67
Day 1: 5 12-15
36. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 5 12-09 65
Day 1: 5 12-09
37. James Elam Tulsa, OK 5 12-07 64
Day 1: 5 12-07
37. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 5 12-07 64
Day 1: 5 12-07
39. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 12-06 62
Day 1: 5 12-06
39. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 12-06 62
Day 1: 5 12-06
39. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 12-06 62
Day 1: 5 12-06
42. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 12-05 59
Day 1: 5 12-05
42. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 12-05 59
Day 1: 5 12-05
42. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 12-05 59
Day 1: 5 12-05
45. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 12-04 56
Day 1: 5 12-04
46. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 5 12-02 55
Day 1: 5 12-02
46. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 5 12-02 55
Day 1: 5 12-02
48. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 12-01 53
Day 1: 5 12-01
49. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 5 12-00 52
Day 1: 5 12-00
50. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 11-15 51
Day 1: 5 11-15
51. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 11-14 50
Day 1: 5 11-14
51. Boo Woods Oneida, KY 5 11-14 50
Day 1: 5 11-14
53. Glenn Browne Ocala, FL 5 11-12 48
Day 1: 5 11-12
53. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 11-12 48
Day 1: 5 11-12
55. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 11-11 46
Day 1: 5 11-11
56. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 5 11-09 45
Day 1: 5 11-09
57. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 11-08 44
Day 1: 5 11-08
58. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 11-07 43
Day 1: 5 11-07
59. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 11-06 42
Day 1: 5 11-06
60. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 11-05 41
Day 1: 5 11-05
61. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 11-04 40
Day 1: 5 11-04
62. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 5 11-03 39
Day 1: 5 11-03
62. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 11-03 39
Day 1: 5 11-03
64. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 5 11-01 37
Day 1: 5 11-01
64. Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 5 11-01 37
Day 1: 5 11-01
64. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 11-01 37
Day 1: 5 11-01
67. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 11-00 34
Day 1: 5 11-00
67. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 11-00 34
Day 1: 5 11-00
67. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 11-00 34
Day 1: 5 11-00
70. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 10-15 31
Day 1: 5 10-15
70. Joseph Sancho New Windsor, NY 5 10-15 31
Day 1: 5 10-15
72. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 10-14 29
Day 1: 5 10-14
73. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 5 10-13 28
Day 1: 5 10-13
73. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 10-13 28
Day 1: 5 10-13
75. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 4 10-13 26
Day 1: 4 10-13
76. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 10-11 25
Day 1: 5 10-11
76. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 10-11 25
Day 1: 5 10-11
78. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 10-10 23
Day 1: 5 10-10
78. Trevor Romans Plano, TX 5 10-10 23
Day 1: 5 10-10
80. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 10-09 21
Day 1: 5 10-09
81. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 10-08 20
Day 1: 5 10-08
82. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 10-07 19
Day 1: 5 10-07
82. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 5 10-07 19
Day 1: 5 10-07
84. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 5 10-06 17
Day 1: 5 10-06
84. Kevin Hawk Guntersville, AL 5 10-06 17
Day 1: 5 10-06
84. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 5 10-06 17
Day 1: 5 10-06
84. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 10-06 17
Day 1: 5 10-06
88. Kelly Jordon Palestine, TX 5 10-05 13
Day 1: 5 10-05
89. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 5 10-02 12
Day 1: 5 10-02
90. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 5 10-01 11
Day 1: 5 10-01
91. Jeremy Starks Scott Depot, WV 5 09-15 10
Day 1: 5 09-15
92. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 09-14 9
Day 1: 5 09-14
92. David Smith Del City, OK 5 09-14 9
Day 1: 5 09-14
94. Joel Baker Talala, OK 5 09-11 7
Day 1: 5 09-11
95. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 4 09-10 6
Day 1: 4 09-10
96. BJ Haseotes Centerville, MA 5 09-08 5
Day 1: 5 09-08
97. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 09-06 4
Day 1: 5 09-06
98. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 09-01 3
Day 1: 5 09-01
99. Mike Kernan Wylie, TX 5 09-00 2
Day 1: 5 09-00
100. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 4 08-09 1
Day 1: 4 08-09
101. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 4 08-00 0
Day 1: 4 08-00
102. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 4 07-14 0
Day 1: 4 07-14
103. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 4 07-13 0
Day 1: 4 07-13
104. Grant Goldbeck Boerne, TX 3 06-14 0
Day 1: 3 06-14
105. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 3 05-14 0
Day 1: 3 05-14
106. Nate Wellman Newaygo, MI 3 05-12 0
Day 1: 3 05-12
107. Byron Velvick Boenre, TX 2 04-08 0
Day 1: 2 04-08
108. Michael Simonton Fremont, OH 2 03-13 0
Day 1: 2 03-13
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 96 521 1285-14
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96 521 1285-14
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