Bassmaster Elite Series pro Derek Remitz took over the lead on Friday at the Lake Erie Bassmaster Northern Open as he caught a 22-06 sack for a 2-day total of 46-10. He'll take an 11-ounce lead over Pete Gluszek into the final day.
Remitz lost a 4-pound smallmouth at the side of his boat at 10:30 a.m., which would've been his first keeper of the day. He quickly regained composure and was able to capitalize on a feeding flurry that added four bass to his catch.
Even then he didn’t leave. Staying resulted in another late afternoon frenzy that sealed the lead.
“I got a late start, but I knew the bass were still in the area,” Remitz said. “The biggest key is the wind, which is blowing in such a way that I can make controlled drifts across the best habitat.”
Ironically, the wind blew again from the northeast, although its predicted shift on Saturday could require significant adjustments.
“I wouldn’t be catching what I am now had it not blown that direction,” he added.
Remitz is fishing specific small rocks that create breaks in the current – the rocks serve as ambush points for the smallmouth to feed on baitfish as they are swept past. His most productive lure is a dropshot rig that matches the live bait.
“I don’t like to drift, but it’s the only way to stay on my area,” he added. “The wind is too strong to stay precisely on top of my spots using the trolling motor.”
Day-1 leader David Reault weighed only four fish for 9-03 and plummeted to 40th place.
Here are the totals for the 12 anglers who advanced to Saturday:
1. Derek Remitz: 46-10
2. Pete Gluszek: 45-15
3. Whitney Stephens: 44-12
4. Jeff Lugar: 44-03
5. Steve Clapper: 43-05
6. Jason Root: 43-02
7. James Jacobus: 42-10
8. Tim Sprouse: 41-08
9. Al Farace: 41-01
10. Destin Demarion: 40-11
11. Zachary Maisch: 40-10
12. Fletcher Shryock: 40-04
