Martens Whacks 23-14 As Weights Beat Expectations

By BassFan Staff

The last time Aaron Martens saw Douglas Lake, the water level was down considerably from its current height, an annual occurrence due to the winter drawdown. Things have changed mightily at the French Broad River impoundment since he last visited the lake in late March, the second of two pre-practice scouting trips.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is Martens’ ability to pick apart water well off the bank and mine bites when and where others can’t.

He put on a clinic today, catching a 23-14 stringer to blow away expectations for what would be leading after day 1 at the Douglas Lake Bassmaster Elite Series. The five-time Elite Series winner already exceeded his 2-day totals from each of the first two events of the season and is about 3 pounds shy of what he caught at Bull Shoals over 2 days a couple weeks ago.

“I’m doing good, but I need to continue to do good,” he said. “Otherwise, I’m going to be really bummed out. I needed this. Not that I haven’t caught a whole bunch of fish this year. I’ve caught tons of them. I’ve just been jinxing the big ones. Today, I had eight good, big bites.”

Three others joined him in the 20-pound club. Matt Reed occupies 2nd place, exactly 2 pounds back of Martens, while Andy Montgomery and Britt Myers are tied for 3rd with matching 21-01 sacks.

It’s a 3-plus pound drop to 5th place Jeff Kriet, who caught 17-15. Things are bunched up from there on down. Just over a pound separates Matt Greenblatt (6th, 17-09) and Mike McClelland (10th, 16-04), while Tommy Biffle, Kevin Short and Alton Jones are tied for 50th with 11-09.

Here's a look at the Top 10 through 1 day of competition, with their deficit margin from the leader indicated by red numbers in parentheses:

1. Aaron Martens: 23-14
2. Matt Reed: 21-14 (2-00)
3 (tie). Andy Montgomery: 21-01 (2-13)
3 (tie). Britt Myers: 21-01 (2-13)
5. Jeff Kriet: 17-15 (5-15)
6. Matt Greenblatt: 17-09 (6-05)
7. Cliff Prince: 16-09 (7-05)
8 (tie). Matt Herren: 16-07 (7-07)
8 (tie). Dean Rojas: 16-07 (7-07)
10. Mike McClelland: 16-04 (7-10)

The popular opinion heading into this week was that the better bites would be found off shore in the 15-foot range and deeper. The bank would certainly produce bites, especially with a shad spawn in full bloom, but the difference-makers would be caught out deep, pulled from schools chasing wads of bait. It’s a gamble, though, as there’s no telling when a certain school is going to turn on.

As some pros noted, timing is a pretty crucial factor. So far, the lake is fishing quite small and crowding was an issue for several leaders. Sharing fish and dealing with company will figure heavily into the outcome. Limits weren’t an issue (92 anglers weighed full bags), but the leaders will be the ones with a couple or more 5-pounders.

Brent Chapman, the current leader in the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year (AOY) standings, is tied with Kevin VanDam for 55th after catching 11-02, which puts him less than a pound out of the 50-cut. Randy Howell, who was 2nd to Chapman, had a solid day and is tied for 12th after sticking 16-01.

Temperatures pushed into the low-80s today and there was a negligible breeze, not exactly ideal conditions for a good bite. There’s a possibility of a thunderstorm overnight, which may reposition some fish for tomorrow. The forecast for tomorrow is calling for temps in the mid-80s with the chance of additional thunderstorms.

The field will be trimmed to the Top 50 after day 2 with the Top 12 following day 3 advancing to the final day, when the winner will be determined by highest cumulative weight.

Martens Having to Share

> Day 1: 5, 23-14

Despite the muggy weather in eastern Tennessee, Martens was still planning on going for his usual jog after a long day on the water.

“It’s so stinking hot, but I don’t care. I work out,” he said.

He had an equally hot day catching fish. He worked on 12 to 15 spots and said sharing water could be an issue down the road. He had a hunch a big sack was possible, though.

“I saw half the field go by me today,” he added. “Everybody knows everything.”

He went through 25 fish and wound up weighing two 5-pounders and three in the 4-pound range. He didn’t lose any fish that would’ve improved his haul and he’s anxious to get back on the water to see if a similar bag is doable tomorrow.

“I don’t know. I’m curious myself,” he said. “If too many guys figure them out, it could be tough.”

2nd: Reed Gambled On Deep Stuff

> Day 1: 5, 21-14

Before the tournament started, Reed was convinced the winning fish were going to come from off-shore schools. His thinking appears to be spot-on so far. He worked “a bunch” of deeper-water spots to catch his weight. His bag was anchored by a 5-03 brute and his smallest fish was 4 pounds.

“I felt like if I caught them, I’d have a big weight, but it’s scary as crud trying to catch one,” he said. “You don’t know if you can catch them. You know if you do, they’re going to be good ones.

“In my mind, there’s no doubt it’s going to be won out there. That was my thinking before it even started. If you wanted to fish for a check you better go fish the bank.”

Patience is a huge factor this week, especially with the community holes taking a beating.

“It’s a huge gamble and you have to commit to it because if you get one of the schools to fire you can catch it in a hurry,” he added. “I panicked at one point this morning. I started on a spot and couldn’t work on it. I didn’t catch one there and ran to the bank for about 20 minutes. I basically looked in the mirror and said, ‘You idiot.’ I went back out by 8 and had a limit before 10. I hit two areas where I caught them, then I could breathe.”

3rd (tie): Montgomery Went Off Shore

> Day 1: 5, 21-01

Andy Montgomery isn’t a deep-water angler by nature. He’d rather be beating the bank. But when the big bites are concentrated offshore, that’s where he’ll go.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said. “It looks good on the scales, but it wasn’t easy at all. I ran into one school and it’s an absolute timing thing.”

He figured a big weight was possible after catching nearly 23 pounds one day in practice. He worked on 12 spots today and anticipates the same tomorrow, possibly more with the addition of new water.

His sack was anchored by a pair of a 5 1/2-pounders, which were the best among the eight keepers he went through. The water temperature in some of his spots hit the 80-degree mark today.

5th: Kriet Stayed Deep

> Day 1: 5, 17-15

Kriet spent the day fishing his strength -- deep water -- and he’s yet to throw a bait at the bank all week. He’s pretty happy with the solid start he’s off to.

“I would’ve been happy with 15 (pounds). I was hoping I could catch them,” he said. “I found a few fish. I just never caught a big one. They were all the same size.”

He said the bulk of his fish came out of a couple schools. He noted there are plenty of schools out there, but he’s yet to unlock what he says is the winning pod of fish.

“There are lots of fish, but I can’t make them bite,” he added. “A lot of guys have found the right fish. It’s just hard to get them to bite.

“The fish are moving a whole lot. There are big balls of bait out in the middle of the lake and that’s where the big ones are. They’re just out there under those schools of bait. Those fish are suspended big-time. It would blow your mind to see some of the schools of suspended fish. You have to hope some of them will fire before this thing’s over.”

93rd: Murray Too Deep

> Day 1: 5, 7-02

John Murray couldn’t trigger consistent bites from the depth range he fished today and he’ll probably slide up tomorrow in hopes of salvaging points in the AOY race. He had to take a 2-pound penalty today after having six fish in his livewell at one point.

After boxing an early limit, he noticed his best fish was close to expiring. He then lost a good fish at the boat and stuck another keeper, which he put in the livewell for his sixth fish. His marshal brought the mistake to his attention after he made his next cast.

Rule C16 states, in part, that the angler must cull down to the legal limit and incur a 2-pound penalty for each fish over the legal limit. Murray thought the rule stated he had to cull down to four, so he threw back two fish instead of one.

“I was going backward all day,” he said. “I would’ve had about 12 pounds if everything had gone right. I have just not figured out how to catch those deep fish and that’s my fault. I can see plenty of fish deep, but it seems the bigger ones are in the 15- to 25-foot range.”

99th: Late Penalty Hurts Scanlon

> Day 1: 5, 1-08

Casey Scanlon had plenty of reasons to be feeling confident entering this event. He was fresh off clinching a spot in next year’s Bassmaster Classic thanks to his victory at the Table Rock Central Open, which he won on a cranking pattern.

He went cranking again today and caught all of his fish on the same bait he used last weekend. However, he took a 10-pound penalty because he was 10 minutes late to check-in, a mistake he takes full responsibility for.

“It was just a mental error,” he said. “I went through boat check in the morning and the normal guy wasn’t doing it so when they asked me my check-in time, I said, 3:30 because for some reason I had in my head check-in was at 3:30.”

His correct check-in time was 3:15, so when he checked in at 3:25, he was 10 minutes late.

“It hurts. I probably would’ve been close to a check if I catch them tomorrow,” he said. “It was a bad deal. I just have to be more careful.

“It was a pretty decent day. I caught a lot of keepers, but lost a few nice fish. I had a 5-pounder try to eat a crankbait out of the mouth of another fish I was bringing in. I did a lot of running around and mixed up shallow and deep spots. The bigger fish are suspended and I just haven’t figured out how to catch those fish.”

Notable

> Day 1 stats -- 99 anglers, 92 limits, 3 fours, 3 threes, 1 two.

> Jeremy Starks weighed in early today after experiencing a dizzy spell on the water. He caught 16-01 and is tied for 12th. He told BassFan via text message that he's hoping to be back on the water tomorrow.

> If VanDam makes the Top-50 cut tomorrow, he’ll tie his own Elite Series record of 16 consecutive cuts that he set back in 2008-2010.

> Among the favorites who call Tennessee home, the early nod goes to Brandon Card. The top rookie so far this season caught 16-01 and is tied for 12th with two others. Ott Defoe is 20th with 14-14 while David Walker has some work to do tomorrow after catching 10-01, which put him in a tie for a 73rd.

> Chapman checked in with his day-1 recap. To read it, click here to go on tour with BassFan Big Sticks.

Weather Forecast

> Fri., May 4 – Partly Sunny/Chance of Thunderstorms - 85°/66°
- Wind: From the SW at 6 mph

> Sat., May 5 – Partly Cloudy - 87°/62°
- Wind: From the W at 4 mph

> Sun., May 6 – Partly Cloudy - 87°/62°
- Wind: From the N/NE at 3 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 5, 23-14 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 23-14

2. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, TX -- 5, 21-14 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 21-14

3. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, SC -- 5, 21-01 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 21-01

3. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5, 21-01 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 21-01

5. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, OK -- 5, 17-15 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 17-15

6. Matt Greenblatt -- Port St Lucie, FL -- 5, 17-09 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 17-09

7. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 5, 16-09 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 16-09

8. Matt Herren -- Trussville, AL -- 5, 16-07 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 16-07

8. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, AZ -- 5, 16-07 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 16-07

10. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, AR -- 5, 16-04 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 16-04

11. Shaw E Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL -- 5, 16-02 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 16-02

12. Randy Howell -- Springville, AL -- 5, 16-01 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 16-01

12. Jeremy Starks -- Scott Depot, WV -- 5, 16-01 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 16-01

14. Brandon Card -- Caryville, TN -- 5, 16-01 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 16-01

15. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, SC -- 5, 16-00 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 16-00

16. Jamie Horton -- Centerville, AL -- 5, 15-14 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 15-14

17. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 5, 15-12 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 15-12

17. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 5, 15-12 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 15-12

19. Nate Wellman -- Newaygo, MI -- 5, 15-01 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 15-01

20. Ott DeFoe -- Knoxville, TN -- 5, 14-14 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 14-14

21. Travis Manson -- De Pere, WI -- 5, 14-12 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 14-12

22. Cliff Pace -- Petal, MS -- 5, 14-12 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 14-12

23. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, FL -- 5, 14-08 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 14-08

24. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 14-05 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 14-05

24. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 14-05 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 14-05

26. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5, 14-01 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 14-01

27. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, AR -- 5, 13-12 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 13-12

28. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 5, 13-11 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 13-11

29. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, AR -- 5, 13-04 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 13-04

29. Fletcher Shryock -- Newcomerstown, OH -- 5, 13-04 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 13-04

31. Chris Lane -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 13-03 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 13-03

32. Terry Butcher -- Talala, OK -- 5, 13-02 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 13-02

33. Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, AL -- 5, 13-01 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 13-01

34. Kelly Jordon -- Palestine, TX -- 5, 12-13 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 12-13

34. Pete Ponds -- Madison, MS -- 5, 12-13 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 12-13

36. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, OH -- 5, 12-08 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 12-08

37. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 4, 12-07 -- 63
Day 1: 4, 12-07

38. Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, AL -- 5, 12-06 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 12-06

39. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 5, 12-04 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 12-04

40. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 5, 12-03 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 12-03

41. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 5, 12-01 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 12-01

42. Kyle A. Fox -- Lakeland, FL -- 5, 12-00 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 12-00

43. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, OK -- 5, 11-15 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 11-15

44. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 5, 11-14 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 11-14

44. Bradley Roy -- Lancaster, KY -- 5, 11-14 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 11-14

46. Jonathon VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 5, 11-13 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 11-13

47. Michael Simonton -- Fremont, OH -- 5, 11-10 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 11-10

48. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 5, 11-09 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 11-09

48. Alton Jones -- Woodway, TX -- 5, 11-09 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 11-09

48. Kevin Short -- Mayflower, AR -- 5, 11-09 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 11-09

51. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, AL -- 3, 11-08 -- 49
Day 1: 3, 11-08

52. John Crews -- Salem, VA -- 5, 11-06 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 11-06

53. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, GA -- 5, 11-05 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 11-05

54. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, AR -- 5, 11-04 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 11-04

55. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 5, 11-02 -- 45
Day 1: 5, 11-02

55. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 5, 11-02 -- 45
Day 1: 5, 11-02

57. Derek Remitz -- Grant, AL -- 5, 11-01 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 11-01

58. Denny Brauer -- Camdenton, MO -- 5, 11-00 -- 42
Day 1: 5, 11-00

59. James Niggemeyer -- Van, TX -- 5, 10-15 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 10-15

60. Paul Elias -- Laurel, MS -- 5, 10-14 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 10-14

61. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, SC -- 5, 10-13 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 10-13

62. Grant Goldbeck -- Boerne, TX -- 5, 10-13 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 10-13

63. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 10-12 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 10-12

64. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 5, 10-10 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 10-10

64. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 5, 10-10 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 10-10

66. Chad Griffin -- Cresson, TX -- 5, 10-09 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 10-09

67. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 5, 10-08 -- 33
Day 1: 5, 10-08

67. Morizo Shimizu -- Matsugaoka JAPAN -- 5, 10-08 -- 33
Day 1: 5, 10-08

69. Dustin Wilks -- Rocky Mount, NC -- 5, 10-07 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 10-07

70. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, AL -- 5, 10-04 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 10-04

71. Michael Iaconelli -- Pittsgrove, NJ -- 5, 10-03 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 10-03

72. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, CA -- 5, 10-02 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 10-02

73. Cliff Crochet -- Pierre Part, LA -- 5, 10-01 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 10-01

73. Jared Miller -- Norman, OK -- 5, 10-01 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 10-01

73. David Walker -- Sevierville, TN -- 5, 10-01 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 10-01

76. Casey D Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 5, 10-00 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 10-00

76. Chris Zaldain -- San Jose, CA -- 5, 10-00 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 10-00

78. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, OK -- 5, 09-10 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 09-10

79. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 5, 09-09 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 09-09

80. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5, 09-08 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 09-08

80. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5, 09-08 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 09-08

82. Russell Parrish -- Riesel, TX -- 5, 09-06 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 09-06

83. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, TX -- 5, 09-05 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 09-05

84. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 5, 09-03 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 09-03

85. Clark Reehm -- Shreveport, LA -- 5, 08-07 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 08-07

86. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 5, 08-03 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 08-03

87. Jami Fralick -- Martin, SD -- 4, 08-01 -- 13
Day 1: 4, 08-01

88. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, OK -- 5, 08-00 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 08-00

89. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, TX -- 5, 07-15 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 07-15

90. Pat Golden -- Bethlehem, GA -- 5, 07-14 -- 10
Day 1: 5, 07-14

91. Kevin Ledoux -- Choctaw, OK -- 5, 07-13 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 07-13

92. Jason Quinn -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5, 07-06 -- 8
Day 1: 5, 07-06

93. John Murray -- Phoenix, AZ -- 5, 07-02 -- 7
Day 1: 5, 07-02

94. David Smith -- Del City, OK -- 5, 06-04 -- 6
Day 1: 5, 06-04

95. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, AL -- 4, 05-00 -- 5
Day 1: 4, 05-00

96. Byron Velvick -- Boenre, TX -- 3, 04-09 -- 4
Day 1: 3, 04-09

97. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 3, 04-04 -- 3
Day 1: 3, 04-04

98. Brent Broderick -- Oregonia, OH -- 2, 03-02 -- 2
Day 1: 2, 03-02

99. Casey Scanlon -- Lenexa, KS -- 5, 01-08 -- 1
Day 1: 5, 01-08