By BassFan Staff

Brandon Palaniuk took another step Saturday toward establishing himself as the top smallmouth bass-catcher in all of professional fishing. Meanwhile, Aaron Martens took another step toward solidifying his 2015 season as the most dominant in the history of the Bassmaster Elite Series.

Palaniuk's 20-pound stringer on day 3 of the regular-season finale at Lake St. Clair in Michigan gave him a 64-05 total, and he'll take a 2-pound cushion into the final day in pursuit of his third Elite Series victory since joining the circuit in 2011. His closest pursuer is four-time Elite winner Todd Faircloth, who's closing a sub-par season with a flourish. The Texas veteran sacked 21-11 on day 3 to improve his total to 62-05.

James Elam, who's worked a big-fish area near Lake Huron with Palaniuk all week, fell one spot to 3rd as a 17-12 bag gave him a 61-08 aggregate. In 4th was 2013 St. Clair winner Chris Lane, who caught a tournament-best 24-00 to gain 26 places in the standings.

Jonathon VanDam, who boxed an 18-02 sack on his 27th birthday, rounded out the Top 5 with 57-11.

Here are the totals for the 12 anglers who advanced to Sunday, with their deficit margins from the leader denoted by red numbers in parentheses:

1. Brandon Palaniuk: 64-05
2. Todd Faircloth: 62-05 (2-00)
3. James Elam: 61-08 (2-13)
4. Chris Lane: 58-06 (5-15)
5. Jonathon VanDam: 57-11 (6-10)
6. Greg Vinson: 57-09 (6-12)
7. Brett Hite: 57-08 (6-13)
8. Chad Pipkens: 57-04 (7-01)
9. Fletcher Shryock: 56-14 (7-07)
10. Keith Poche: 56-08 (7-13)
11. Aaron Martens: 56-01 (8-04)
12. Jason Christie: 55-10 (8-11)

Martens, a two-time winner this season whose weight has gone up by a few ounces on each succeeding day of the event, is now within a whisker of clinching his third career Angler of the Year (AOY) crown and second in 3 years. If he moves up another four places on day 4 (he gained five Saturday with a 19-04 bag), his lead in the AOY standings would extend to more than 100 points and would render his appearance in next month's AOY Championship event at Sturgeon Bay a mere formality. Regardless of what happens Sunday, he'll need only to catch a single keeper over 2 days in that derby to wrap up the title.

Hite climbed from 13th to 6th with a 19-05 haul on day 3. Poche gained 15 places with a 21-04 bag and Christie improved 19 slots, also with a 21-04 sack.



B.A.S.S./Gary Tramontina
Photo: B.A.S.S./Gary Tramontina

Todd Faircloth has topped the 20-pound mark on each of the event's 3 days.

Exiting the Top 12 were day-1 leader Alton Jones (3rd to 24th with a three-fish sack that weighed 12-04), Casey Scanlon (4th to 36th, 9-01), J. Todd Tucker (9th to 30th, 13-02), Dave Smith (11th to 14th, 16-11) and Edwin Evers (12th to 18th, 16-01).

The final-day weather forecast predicts scattered thunderstorms for the Detroit area, with a high temperature of 81 degrees and winds out of the south/southwest to 7 mph.

Palaniuk Leery About Day 4

> Day 3: 5, 20-00 (15, 64-05)

The fishing in the St. Clair River locale that Palaniuk and Elam are sharing has gotten progressively more difficult since day 1. An 80-boat local tournament launching in that vicinity will compound matters for day 4.

The spot gave him four fish today – three that went 4 pounds or better and a 2-pounder. He departed around noon and returned to St. Clair to catch his limit fish, then culled the 2-pounder with a 3.

He's a bit nervous about the additional company that he and Elam will likely have on Sunday.

"We had (local) guys trying to come in and fish with us today, so I don't know what's going to happen," he said. "I hope they're respectful enough to know that we've got a shot at winning an Elite tournament, but you never know.

"I've at least got to go up there and see what's going on. That place has produced too much of my weight. If I don't catch any there, I might try one or two other areas up there or I might come down to St. Clair."

He's certain there are more big fish in or around his honey hole.

"They seem to be moving – like they move in and out. There's a lot of bait in that area, and it kind of cycles around.

"I think if they're there, they'll bite."

2nd: Faircloth Pillaging Grass Flat

> Day 3: 5, 21-11 (15, 62-05)

Faircloth has caught at least 20 pounds with a dropshot each day from a large flat on St. Clair that features a lot of grass and a lot of bait.

"There's key areas within the grass where the fish seem to want to be," he said. "I've had some boats around me, but not on my specific stuff. Nobody who made the Top 12 is fishing around me and I haven't had any issues (with company) before now."

His day-3 bag contained a 6-03 bruiser that tied Palaniuk for big fish of the event. Despite that, he's not sure that a 25-pound bag is possible from his area.

"I caught that 6 today, but I hadn't seen many of those. I'm catching a lot of 3- to 3 1/2-pounders."

B.A.S.S./Gary Tramontina
Photo: B.A.S.S./Gary Tramontina

James Elam had to return to Lake St. Clair to pick up three of the fish he took to the scale.

His performance this season has been well below his standards, but his second straight strong outing will put him in the AOY Championship and give him an opportunity to reach next year's Classic.

"My goal going into the Chesapeake was to finish the season on a positive note after not having the best of years. Fortunately I've been able to do that."

3rd: Elam Relocated

> Day 3: 5, 17-12 (15, 61-08)

Elam managed only two fish – albeit big ones – from the St. Clair River spot he and Palaniuk have divvied up. He caught his other three from St. Clair.

"Most of those fish have scattered, but there's still some stragglers and that's what we're catching now," he said. "There were so many grouped up on the first day – it was like a once-in-a-lifetime deal."

Like Palaniuk, he has some trepidation about all the local competitors who'll be joining them on Sunday.

"I think everybody knows we've been fishing there. It doesn't really matter, though, because I'm going to get right in there anyways. I don't think they'll bother us too much.

"I have to at least go up there and start. It's going to take a lot of weight to win and I can't catch more than 17 pounds in St. Clair."

His best fish on day 3 was a 4 1/2-pounder.

"I lost two big ones – I've been losing some every day. Somehow I'm not getting the hook in good enough."

4th: Lane Staying Close

> Day 3: 5, 24-00 (15, 58-06)

Lane is fishing in St. Clair, just a couple miles from the launch ramp. He said better execution and a couple of equipment adjustments were a key to his huge day.

He's throwing a soft-plastic swimbait and employing a faster reel and heavier rod than he began the tournament with. His program is current-related.

All five fish he brought to the scale Saturday weighed between 4 1/2 and 5 pounds.

B.A.S.S./Gary Tramontina
Photo: B.A.S.S./Gary Tramontina

Chris Lane boated a tournament-best 23-pound bag on day 3.

"I didn't really catch a bunch – I was culling 4 1/2s with 4 3/4s," he said. "I didn't quit early; I stayed on them. It's a lot of drifting and getting the bait to the right depth."

Can he catch an even bigger bag on the final day and make a run at his second win of the season?

"I caught a 5-08 the first day, so a 25-pound bag is possible. I'm just going to go have fun and enjoy it. There's nothing better than catching big smallies on live TV."

24th: Jones' Spot Dried Up

> Day 3: 3, 12-04 (13, 53-12)

Neither Jones nor Scanlon go a bite from the locale they'd been sharing at the southern end of Lake Huron. Jonathon VanDam had joined them the first 2 days, but he went elsewhere to collect his 18 pounds.

"I'm guessing the fish ran out," Jones said. "We caught what was there and they never replenished. When they're there, they're usually pretty cooperative.

"I had to run around and scramble and I ended up catching three good ones, but I needed one more to make the Top 12. I'm never too disappointed with a Top-25 finish, though. I solidified my place in the Classic, so that's the silver lining."

He employed a dropshot rig with a Yum Warning Shot. His fish came from depths of 35 to 40 feet.

"The current there was so swift that you had to go 200 yards upriver to give your bait time to get to the bottom when you drifted across," he said.

Notable

> Day 3 stats – 50 anglers, 47 limits, 1 three, 1 two, 1 zero.

Weather Forecast

> Sun., Aug. 30 – Scattered T-Storms - 81°/63°
- Wind: From the SSW at 7 mph

Day 3 Standings

1. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 15, 64-05 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 23-04 -- Day 2: 5, 21-01 -- Day 3: 5, 20-00

2. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 15, 62-05 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 20-01 -- Day 2: 5, 20-09 -- Day 3: 5, 21-11

3. James Elam -- Tulsa, OK -- 15, 61-08 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 23-07 -- Day 2: 5, 20-05 -- Day 3: 5, 17-12

4. Chris Lane -- Guntersville, AL -- 15, 58-06 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 17-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-13 -- Day 3: 5, 24-00

5. Jonathon VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 15, 57-11 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 20-06 -- Day 2: 5, 19-03 -- Day 3: 5, 18-02

6. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, AL -- 15, 57-09 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 19-03 -- Day 2: 5, 19-09 -- Day 3: 5, 18-13

7. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, AZ -- 15, 57-08 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 20-07 -- Day 3: 5, 19-05

8. Chad Pipkens -- Holt, MI -- 15, 57-04 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 18-12 -- Day 2: 5, 22-01 -- Day 3: 5, 16-07

9. Fletcher Shryock -- New Philadelphia, OH -- 15, 56-14 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 17-05 -- Day 2: 5, 22-01 -- Day 3: 5, 17-08

10. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, AL -- 15, 56-08 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 18-03 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01 -- Day 3: 5, 21-04

11. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 15, 56-01 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 18-05 -- Day 2: 5, 18-08 -- Day 3: 5, 19-04

12. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 15, 55-10 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 17-01 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05 -- Day 3: 5, 21-04

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on day 4.

13. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 15, 55-06 -- 88 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-03 -- Day 2: 5, 14-07 -- Day 3: 5, 22-12

14. David Smith -- Del City, OK -- 15, 55-02 -- 87 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-14 -- Day 2: 5, 21-09 -- Day 3: 5, 16-11

15. Koby Kreiger -- Bokeelia, FL -- 15, 54-15 -- 86 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-13 -- Day 2: 5, 17-03 -- Day 3: 5, 18-15

16. Nate Wellman -- Newaygo, MI -- 15, 54-14 -- 85 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-15 -- Day 2: 5, 17-13 -- Day 3: 5, 18-02

17. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 15, 54-09 -- 84 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-11 -- Day 2: 5, 17-15 -- Day 3: 5, 20-15

18. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 15, 54-08 -- 83 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-11 -- Day 2: 5, 19-12 -- Day 3: 5, 16-01

19. David Williams -- Maiden, NC -- 15, 54-07 -- 82 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-10 -- Day 2: 5, 18-05 -- Day 3: 5, 18-08

20. Randy Allen -- Shreveport, LA -- 15, 54-06 -- 81 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 19-07 -- Day 3: 5, 19-01

21. Boyd Duckett -- Guntersville, AL -- 15, 54-04 -- 80 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-13 -- Day 2: 5, 21-05 -- Day 3: 5, 17-02

22. Chris Zaldain -- San Jose, CA -- 15, 54-02 -- 79 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-07 -- Day 2: 5, 16-07 -- Day 3: 5, 19-04

23. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, OH -- 15, 53-15 -- 78 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-03 -- Day 2: 5, 18-13 -- Day 3: 5, 15-15

24. Alton Jones -- Lorena, TX -- 13, 53-12 -- 77 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 23-10 -- Day 2: 5, 17-14 -- Day 3: 3, 12-04

25. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, AL -- 15, 53-10 -- 76 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-14 -- Day 2: 5, 16-05 -- Day 3: 5, 20-07

26. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 15, 53-07 -- 75 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-05 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01 -- Day 3: 5, 17-01

27. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 15, 53-03 -- 74 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-11 -- Day 2: 5, 17-13 -- Day 3: 5, 16-11

28. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 15, 52-12 -- 73 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 13-12 -- Day 2: 5, 19-04 -- Day 3: 5, 19-12

29. Jordan Lee -- Vinemont, AL -- 15, 52-09 -- 72 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-10 -- Day 2: 5, 14-14 -- Day 3: 5, 20-01

30. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, GA -- 15, 52-04 -- 71 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-14 -- Day 2: 5, 19-04 -- Day 3: 5, 13-02

31. John Murray -- Phoenix, AZ -- 15, 52-04 -- 70 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-13 -- Day 2: 5, 15-12 -- Day 3: 5, 19-11

32. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, TX -- 15, 51-06 -- 69 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-04 -- Day 2: 5, 18-06 -- Day 3: 5, 14-12

33. Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, TN -- 15, 50-14 -- 68 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-14 -- Day 3: 5, 18-04

34. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 15, 50-13 -- 67 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-03 -- Day 2: 5, 15-11 -- Day 3: 5, 16-15

35. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, AZ -- 15, 50-06 -- 66 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-14 -- Day 2: 5, 14-09 -- Day 3: 5, 16-15

36. Casey Scanlon -- Lanexa, KS -- 15, 50-05 -- 65 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 21-10 -- Day 2: 5, 19-10 -- Day 3: 5, 09-01

37. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 15, 50-02 -- 64 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-02 -- Day 2: 5, 16-12 -- Day 3: 5, 15-04

38. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 15, 50-00 -- 63 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-08 -- Day 2: 5, 12-04 -- Day 3: 5, 17-04

39. Kevin Hawk -- Guntersville, AL -- 15, 49-12 -- 62 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-08 -- Day 2: 5, 18-03 -- Day 3: 5, 14-01

40. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 15, 49-09 -- 61 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-07 -- Day 2: 5, 16-05 -- Day 3: 5, 14-13

41. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, TX -- 15, 49-07 -- 60 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-07 -- Day 3: 5, 16-15

42. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, AL -- 15, 48-11 -- 59 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-03 -- Day 3: 5, 15-04

43. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 15, 48-10 -- 58 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-13 -- Day 3: 5, 14-06

44. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 15, 48-04 -- 57 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08 -- Day 3: 5, 14-01

45. Kurt Dove -- Del Rio, TX -- 15, 47-11 -- 56 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-05 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06 -- Day 3: 5, 14-00

46. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, AR -- 15, 46-03 -- 55 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-05 -- Day 2: 5, 17-03 -- Day 3: 5, 12-11

47. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 15, 45-08 -- 54 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-08 -- Day 2: 5, 17-02 -- Day 3: 5, 10-14

48. Jacob Powroznik -- Port Haywood, VA -- 15, 44-07 -- 53 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-11 -- Day 2: 5, 14-11 -- Day 3: 5, 11-01

49. Hank Cherry Jr -- Maiden, NC -- 12, 40-03 -- 52 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-05 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09 -- Day 3: 2, 06-05

50. Matt Lee -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 33-03 -- 51 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-02 -- Day 2: 5, 18-01 -- Day 3: 0, 00-00