Scott Siller, a 44-year-old policeman from Milwaukee, Wis. who's in his second season of competing in the Bassmaster Northern Opens, took the day-1 lead in the event at Lake Champlain on Thursday with a stringer weighing 20 pounds even.
“I really didn’t have a very good practice,” he said. “I had a couple of areas where I caught some big fish (largemouth), and I went in there today and within an hour and a half I had about 20 pounds.”
Siller held a 10-ounce lead over Bassmaster Elite Series pro Mike Iaconelli, who sacked 19-06. Iaconelli, who's in the midst of a mediocre season on the Elite trail, may need a victory to get into the 2015 Bassmaster Classic barring a big move up the standings in the final two regular-season events and the AOY championship. He secured his berth in this year's Classic by winning the Open at Lake Erie last September.
Ryan Cooper was 3rd with 19-01, followed by FLW Tour standout Shiniki Fukae in 4th with 18-13. Richard Nitkiewicz, making his debut at the Open level, completed the Top 5 with 18-11.
Here's a look at the initial Top 12:
1. Scott Siller: 20-00
2. Mike Iaconelli: 19-06
3. Ryan Cooper: 19-01
4. Shinichi Fukae: 18-13
5. Richard Nitkiewicz: 18-11
6. James Vitaro: 18-09
7. Jordan Lee: 17-13
8. Joseph Wood: 17-09
9. Aaron Martens: 17-07
10. Dave Wolak: 17-06
11. Chris Daves: 17-03
12. Richard McCrone: 17-02
