Foutz Busts 27-15 From The Shallows

By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff

Jacob Foutz said he’s a big fan of smallmouth, especially when they do the things that allow him to tally a big limit like the 27-pound, 15-ounce bag that led Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite Series event on St. Lawrence River out of Clayton, N.Y.

With mild and mostly sunny conditions, the day yielded anElite Series record 61 bags of 20 pounds or more. Foutz, a rookie from Charleston, Tenn., heads into Day 2 leading fellow rookie Jay Przekurat, of Stevens Point, Wis., by 1-02.

“That’s my biggest bag of smallmouth, and that’s the biggest bag I’ve weighed in a tournament, as well,” Foutz said. “It’s pretty cool to do it with smallmouth.

“That’s my favorite thing in the whole world. I grew up in east central Ohio fishing Lake Erie, so I feel at home out here. This place is so much fun. I love catching smallmouth and this place is unreal.”

A productive morning saw Foutz target shallow shoals along a 200-yard stretch near the river mouth where he secured his weight within three hours of takeoff. Noting that he caught his fish from 6 inches to 5 feet, Foutz said his smallmouth were mostly postspawn, but he’s not discounting possible spawning activity.

“I think the full moon (on Wednesday) has a bunch of fish up shallow,” he said. “In practice, I managed to catch a few shallow and then go deep, but today I never had to go deep.

“I caught most of my weight by 9:30 and then went and messed around the rest of the day. I really went and practiced for three-quarters of the day. Hopefully, I found a few places that will help me (going forward).”

Foutz was understandably guarded with his bait details, but he said he caught all of his bass on one traditional smallmouth finesse bait. While he’s confident with his game plan and execution, Foutz also expressed appreciation for some astronomical alignment.

“I got lucky to catch 27-15,” he said. “My two biggest ones followed my bait all the way back to the boat and pretty much hit their noses on my trolling motor. They turned around and started swimming away, I flipped to both of them and caught both of them.

“Stuff like that doesn’t happen. It was just one of those days when everything goes your way.”

Foutz said he plans on repeating his general game plan on Day 2, but he might expand his area. He believes this week’s full-moon phase might pull more fish shallow.

“I feel comfortable fishing for smallmouth; they’ve always been good to me,” Foutz said. “I feel like I’m at home this week; I feel like I’m on Erie. The good thing about this lake is that the fish are bigger and there are way more of them.”

Putting himself in position to capitalize on seasonal movements of smallmouth allowed Przekurat to leverage a steady stream of fish that were coming to him. This strategy yielded a limit of 26-13.

“I’m just fishing normal smallmouth stuff for this time of the year,” Przekurat said. “The fish are (mostly) done spawning and they’re making their way out to that deeper stuff in Lake Ontario.

“I’m focusing on that mid-depth range. They’re not out in that 30- to 40-foot range yet.”

Using a mix of dropshots, tubes and Ned rigs, Przekurat fared better than he had anticipated. Getting his work done before noon, he leisurely made his way back to the weigh-in while exploring new areas.

“I actually stumbled on a different school today that I did not find in practice, so I’m looking forward to getting back out there (on Friday),” Przekurat said. “The first hour, I caught a couple of small fish, then about 9:30 or 10 o’clock, I realized that the big ones had moved to a smaller spot.

“I was done around 11:45 and then I made my way back. I didn’t want to risk anything because I had a pretty big bag.”

Cory Johnston of Cavan, Ontario, is in third place with 26-03. Johnston, who won last year’s Bassmaster Northern Open on the St. Lawrence River, started his day at the river mouth, where he checked a flat known for random roamers.

When that spot yielded nothing impressive, Johnston devoted the rest of his day to Lake Ontario. Splitting his time between U.S. and Canadian waters, Johnston caught his bass on a trio of finesse baits in 10 to 25 feet.

“There were no surprises today,” Johnston said of his main area’s dependability. “I stayed away from it in practice for obvious reasons. I made one quick pass through there, saw a few and got out of there.”

Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., won the day's $1,000 big-bass award with a 6-12.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at the Antique Boat Museum. The weigh-in will be held back at the museum at 3 p.m., with only the Top 47 anglers advancing to Day 3.

Day 1 Standings

1. Jacob Foutz -- Charleston, TN -- 5, 27-15 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 27-15

2. -- Jay Przekurat -- Stevens Point, WI -- 5, 26-13 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 26-13

3. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 5, 26-03 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 26-03

4. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 5, 25-09 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 25-09

5. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 5, 25-07 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 25-07

6. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 5, 25-03 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 25-03

7. Derek Hudnall -- Denham Springs, LA -- 5, 25-02 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 25-02

7. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 5, 25-02 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 25-02

9. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 5, 25-00 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 25-00

10. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 5, 24-10 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 24-10

11. Patrick Walters -- Summerville, SC -- 5, 24-07 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 24-07

12. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 24-04 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 24-04

13. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 5, 23-14 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 23-14

14. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 5, 23-08 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 23-08

15. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 5, 23-06 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 23-06

16. Alex Redwine -- Blue Ash, OH -- 5, 23-04 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 23-04

16. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 23-04 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 23-04

18. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 5, 23-02 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 23-02

19. KJ Queen -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 23-01 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 23-01

20. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 5, 22-15 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 22-15

21. Bob Downey -- Detroit Lakes, MN -- 5, 22-13 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 22-13

22. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 5, 22-09 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 22-09

23. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5, 22-08 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 22-08

24. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, ON -- 5, 22-07 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 22-07

25. Buddy Gross -- Chattanooga, TN -- 5, 22-06 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 22-06

26. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 5, 22-05 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 22-05

27. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 5, 22-04 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 22-04

28. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 5, 22-04 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 22-04

29. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 5, 22-01 -- 72 -- $1,000.00
Day 1: 5, 22-01

30. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 5, 22-00 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 22-00

31. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 5, 21-15 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 21-15

32. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 5, 21-15 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 21-15

33. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 5, 21-12 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 21-12

33. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA -- 5, 21-12 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 21-12

35. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 5, 21-11 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 21-11

36. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 5, 21-10 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 21-10

37. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 5, 21-09 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 21-09

38. John Cox -- Debary, FL -- 5, 21-08 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 21-08

38. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 5, 21-08 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 21-08

38. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 5, 21-08 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 21-08

41. Cody Huff -- Ava, MO -- 5, 21-08 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 21-08

42. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 5, 21-07 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 21-07

43. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 5, 21-05 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 21-05

44. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 5, 21-04 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 21-04

45. Michael Iaconelli -- Pittsgrove, NJ -- 5, 21-01 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 21-01

46. Drew Benton -- Blakely, GA -- 5, 20-15 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 20-15

47. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 5, 20-13 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 20-13

48. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 5, 20-12 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 20-12

49. Josh Douglas -- Isle, MN -- 5, 20-11 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 20-11

50. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 5, 20-11 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 20-11

51. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 5, 20-11 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 20-11

52. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 5, 20-10 -- 49
Day 1: 5, 20-10

53. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 5, 20-09 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 20-09

53. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 20-09 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 20-09

55. Mike Huff -- London, KY -- 5, 20-08 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 20-08

56. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 5, 20-08 -- 45
Day 1: 5, 20-08

57. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5, 20-06 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 20-06

58. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 5, 20-04 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 20-04

59. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 5, 20-01 -- 42
Day 1: 5, 20-01

60. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 5, 20-00 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 20-00

61. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 5, 20-00 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 20-00

62. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 5, 19-14 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 19-14

63. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 5, 19-13 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 19-13

64. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 5, 19-10 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 19-10

65. Joshua Stracner -- Vandiver, AL -- 5, 19-08 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 19-08

66. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 5, 19-06 -- 35
Day 1: 5, 19-06

67. Masayuki Matsushita -- Tokoname-Shi, JAPAN -- 5, 19-03 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 19-03

68. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 5, 19-02 -- 33
Day 1: 5, 19-02

69. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 18-13 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 18-13

70. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 5, 18-12 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 18-12

70. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 18-12 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 18-12

70. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 5, 18-12 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 18-12

73. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 5, 18-08 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 18-08

74. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 5, 18-06 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 18-06

74. Matty Wong -- Honolulu, HI -- 5, 18-06 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 18-06

76. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 5, 17-11 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 17-11

77. Joseph Webster -- Hamilton, AL -- 5, 17-09 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 17-09

77. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 5, 17-09 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 17-09

79. Darold Gleason -- Many, LA -- 5, 17-09 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 17-09

80. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 5, 17-08 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 17-08

81. Jonathan Kelley -- Old Forge, PA -- 5, 17-03 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 17-03

82. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 5, 17-02 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 17-02

83. Jake Whitaker -- Hendersonville, NC -- 5, 17-02 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 17-02

84. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5, 16-15 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 16-15

85. Daisuke Aoki -- Minamitsurugun, JAPAN-- 5, 16-07 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 16-07

86. Bryan New -- Saluda, SC -- 5, 15-15 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 15-15

87. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 5, 15-08 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 15-08

88. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 5, 14-14 -- 13
Day 1: 5, 14-14

89. David Williams -- Newton, NC -- 5, 14-10 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 14-10

90. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 5, 14-01 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 14-01