Wheeler, Feider Rocket To The Top

By BassFan Staff

The two anglers who now sit atop the leaderboard at the Lake Champlain Bassmaster Elite Series were nowhere near their present positions a day earlier. And considering how tightly the standings are packed, there's certainly no guarantee they'll stay there through the final day of the weather-shortened event.

Jacob Wheeler, the winner earlier this year at Cherokee Lake, jumped from 30th place to the top slot on Saturday with a 20-12 stringer that gave him a 2-day total of 38-08. He's a pound ahead of 2nd-place Seth Feider, who moved up from 32nd with a 19-15 haul for a 37-08 aggregate.

After that, there's a three-way tie for 3rd just an ounce behind Feider – Brandon Lester (who caught 17-08 today), Steve Kennedy (19-13) and Matt Lee (18-07) all have 37-07.

Here's how the new top 12 stacks up, with red numbers in parentheses indicating deficit margins from the leader:

1. Jacob Wheeler: 38-08
2. Seth Feider: 37-08 (1-00)
3. (tie) Brandon Lester: 37-07 (1-01)
3. (tie) Steve Kennedy: 37-07 (1-01)
3. (tie) Matt Lee: 37-07 (1-01)
6. (tie) Jordan Lee: 37-05 (1-03)
6. (tie) Jeff Kriet: 37-05 (1-03)
8. Kelley Jaye: 37-03 (1-05)
9. Alton Jones: 36-15 (1-09)
10. (tie) Brandon Palaniuk: 36-14 (1-10)
10. (tie) Adrian Avena: 36-14 (1-10)
12. (tie) Matt Herren: 36-12 (1-12)

Due to the cancellation of Thursday's opening round due to powerful winds, 51 anglers will fish on the final day instead of 12. At least one-third of those competitors have a chance to claim the victory as the top 18 are separated by only 3 pounds.

There were other huge upward moves in addition to those by Wheeler and Feider. Kennedy climbed 28 places with a 19-13 stringer and reigning Bassmaster Classic champion Jordan Lee improved 36 positions with 20-08.

Kelley Jaye (up 13 places), Angler of the Year leader Brandon Palaniuk (11) and Adrian Avena (4) were the other newcomers to the Top 12.

Day-1 leader Todd Faircloth caught just 14-04 and dropped to 20th. Others who fell out of the top 12 were Jason Christie (5th to 28th, 15-01), Shane Lineberger (6th to 42nd, 13-14), Edwin Evers (9th to 32nd, 15-04), Ott DeFoe (tied for 10th to 13th, 17-15), Paul Mueller (tied for 10th to 33rd, 15-05) and Robbie Latuso (12th to 59th, 12-09).

The WeatherChannel.com forecast for the final day is promising from a Northern fishing standpoint – it calls for sunny skies, a high temperature of 79 degrees and a light breeze from the northeast.

All Bronzebacks for Wheeler

> Day 3: 5, 20-12 (10, 38-08)

Wheeler has brought only smallmouths to the scale thus far. He said he's much more comfortable at this venue than he was last week at the St. Lawrence River, where he finished 47th.

"This is a lake I have tournament experience on (from his FLW days) and I know the holes – I know what's a community hole and what isn't and where the smallmouth live and where they don't live.

"I did pretty much the exact same stuff today that I did yesterday, and I found a few other areas today just fishing. I'm be-bopping around the lake, but fishing the same types of places."

He boated about 50 keepers, the biggest of which was a 4 1/2-pounder. He said his sack would've been in excess of 22 pounds had he roped in all of his bites.

He's doing a lot of power-fishing, but slowing down at times.

"This lake's been good to me – I had some bad finishes to start out with, but I'm on a good streak recently. The plan for tomorrow is just to go fishing again and get as big a bag as I possibly can.

"Baitfish are present in the areas I'm fishing and that's what the smallmouth are keying on. The bait and the bass might both be gone tomorrow – smallmouth are goofy as heck – but I expect it to be a fun day, regardless."

2nd: Feider Going Mostly Green

> Day 3: 5, 19-15 (10, 37-08)

Feider, a Minnesota resident and renowned smallmouth ace, is relying primarily on largemouths in this derby. He's weighed seven green fish to this point, including four today.

"I'm mixing it up and going for both (species) and I'm doing two totally different deals," he said. "My smallmouth didn't really bite today, but I know they're still there. It was just a case of them being smallmouth."

His bag was topped by a 5 1/2-pound largemouth that was the largest fish to cross the stage today. The lone smallmouth he weighed was his smallest fish.

He said he lost two 4-pounders and another fish he didn't see, but which felt heavy.

"I'm going to need at least another 19 pounds tomorrow to have a chance (to win)."

3rd: Lester Loading Up Late

> Day 3: 5, 17-08 (10, 37-07)

Lester's bag was about 2 1/2 pounds lighter than the one he brought to the stage the previous day.

"It was a little big slower," he said. "The thing with me is that I can't catch anything first thing in the morning, but the second half of the day is fast and furious.

"I had a limit my 9:30, but they were just little largemouths that I caught just to make myself feel better. The smallmouth really don't start biting until about 12:30 or 1. I'm fishing specific targets and the sun just positions them. It was the same way in practice, so it's no real surprise."

He handled about 15 keepers and weighed four smallmouths and a largemouth. He's alternating between a dropshot and a Ned rig.

"I don't think it's as much about the bait as it is the fish being there. If I pull up on a spot and they're there, as soon as the bait gets to the bottom they're on it.

"I've only got one or two places where I'm spending a good amount of time and making multiple casts. A lot of places are just one or two casts and then it's on to the next one."

3rd: Culls Boosted Kennedy

> Day 3: 5, 19-13 (10, 37-07)

Like Lester, Kennedy did his best work in the latter portion of the day.

"I've got one big area and I stayed with that until noon, then I went looking for some bigger ones that I could actually see on my electronics," he said. "I found one spot where I upgraded three times in about five casts.

"I caught those three good ones and then it was over."

He's weighed all smallmouths to this point and caught at least a dozen today that were 3 pounds or heavier. His best specimen registered 4 1/2.

"I know a lot of places where I can catch one or two, but really only two places where I can fish around for awhile and catch more than that. But I think I can do what I'm doing just about anywhere on the lake and get a big bite."

He said his execution has been far better than last week, when he finished 60th at the St. Lawrence. He had 12 bites from fish that weighed 4 pounds or more and landed only three of them.

"I've been experimenting a little and I like where I'm at right now. I'm getting it together finally."

3rd: Lee is In and Out

> Day 3: 5, 18-07 (10, 37-07)

Matt Lee, who's bidding for this third top-12 finish of the season. He's fishing a 5-mile stretch of the Inland Sea and plying various depths.

"My key depth is 20 to 25 feet, but I've got one spot that's 11 and another that's 35, so I'm all over the place," he said. "I'm looking for rock that's out of the ordinary or groups of rocks and I've tried to find places that are close together so I could run a bunch of them."

A 4-pounder was the biggest of the 15 keepers he caught. He's throwing a Strike King Dreamshot on a dropshot rig and a wacky-rigged Ocho.

"My two best areas from yesterday, I never got a bite today. I've got a bunch of places, but if they show back up on those two, it could be good tomorrow. I fished with Aaron (Martens) for awhile yesterday, but other than that there hasn't been anybody around.

"What I need tomorrow are four big smallmouth and one lucky largemouth bite – like a 5 1/2-pounder. You just have to be in the right place at the right time to get that."

Notable

> Day 3 stats – 109 anglers, 107 limits (same as previous day), 1 four, 1 zero (same as previous day).

Weather Forecast

> Sun., July 30 – Sunny - 79°/61°
- Wind: From the NE at 6 mph

Day 3 Standings

1. Jacob Wheeler -- Harrison, TN -- 10, 38-08 -- 110 -- $500.00
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 20-12

2. Seth Feider -- Isle, MN -- 10, 37-08 -- 109
Day 1: 5, 17-09 -- Day 2: 5, 19-15

3. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 10, 37-07 -- 108
Day 1: 5, 19-15 -- Day 2: 5, 17-08

4. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 10, 37-07 -- 107
Day 1: 5, 17-10 -- Day 2: 5, 19-13

5. Matt Lee -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 37-07 -- 106
Day 1: 5, 19-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-07

6. Jordan Lee -- Grant, AL -- 10, 37-05 -- 105
Day 1: 5, 16-13 -- Day 2: 5, 20-08

7. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, OK -- 10, 37-05 -- 104
Day 1: 5, 20-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01

8. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, AL -- 10, 37-03 -- 103
Day 1: 5, 18-01 -- Day 2: 5, 19-02

9. Alton Jones -- Lorena, TX -- 10, 36-15 -- 102
Day 1: 5, 20-11 -- Day 2: 5, 16-04

10. Brandon Palaniuk -- Hayden, ID -- 10, 36-14 -- 101
Day 1: 5, 18-01 -- Day 2: 5, 18-13

11. Adrian Avena -- Vineland, NJ -- 10, 36-14 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 18-08 -- Day 2: 5, 18-06

12. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 10, 36-12 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 18-15 -- Day 2: 5, 17-13

13. Ott DeFoe -- Knoxville, TN -- 10, 36-11 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 18-12 -- Day 2: 5, 17-15

14. Chris Lane -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 36-04 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04

15. David Walker -- Sevierville, TN -- 10, 36-02 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 18-06 -- Day 2: 5, 17-12

16. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, CA -- 10, 35-13 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 18-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-09

17. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 35-11 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 17-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-11

18. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 35-08 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 16-02 -- Day 2: 5, 19-06

19. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 10, 35-07 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 18-08 -- Day 2: 5, 16-15

20. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 10, 35-05 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 21-01 -- Day 2: 5, 14-04

21. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 10, 35-04 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 17-13 -- Day 2: 5, 17-07

22. Bradley Roy -- Lancaster, KY -- 10, 35-03 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 19-05

23. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 10, 35-01 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01

24. Gerald Spohrer -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 34-15 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 17-13 -- Day 2: 5, 17-02

25. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 10, 34-12 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 16-13 -- Day 2: 5, 17-15

26. Fletcher Shryock -- New Philadelphia, OH -- 10, 34-12 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 17-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-08

27. Chad Pipkens -- Lansing, MI -- 10, 34-11 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 18-03 -- Day 2: 5, 16-08

28. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 10, 34-09 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 19-08 -- Day 2: 5, 15-01

29. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 34-08 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 17-02 -- Day 2: 5, 17-06

30. Dustin Connell -- Clanton, AL -- 10, 34-07 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 18-01 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06

31. Drew Benton -- Panama City, FL -- 10, 34-07 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 16-13 -- Day 2: 5, 17-10

32. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 10, 34-01 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 18-13 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04

33. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 10, 34-01 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 18-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-05

34. Cliff Pace -- Petal, MS -- 10, 34-00 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 16-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-00

35. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, CA -- 10, 34-00 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 17-13 -- Day 2: 5, 16-03

36. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 10, 34-00 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 17-00 -- Day 2: 5, 17-00

37. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 10, 33-14 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 5, 19-03

38. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 10, 33-10 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 16-15 -- Day 2: 5, 16-11

39. James Niggemeyer -- Van, TX -- 10, 33-09 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 17-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-00

40. Gary Klein -- Mingus, TX -- 10, 33-05 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 14-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09

41. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 10, 33-03 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 16-04 -- Day 2: 5, 16-15

42. Shane Lineberger -- Lincolnton, NC -- 10, 33-01 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 19-03 -- Day 2: 5, 13-14

43. Paul Elias -- Laurel, MS -- 10, 33-00 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 16-04

44. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 10, 32-15 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 14-02 -- Day 2: 5, 18-13

45. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 10, 32-15 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 18-06 -- Day 2: 5, 14-09

45. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 10, 32-15 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 18-06 -- Day 2: 5, 14-09

47. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, AZ -- 10, 32-08 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 17-15 -- Day 2: 5, 14-09

48. Fred Roumbanis -- London, AR -- 10, 32-06 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 16-00 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06

49. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 10, 32-03 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 16-05

50. Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, TN -- 10, 32-02 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 14-03 -- Day 2: 5, 17-15

51. Chris Zaldain -- Laughlin, NV -- 10, 32-00 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 17-01 -- Day 2: 5, 14-15

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

52. Luke Clausen -- Otis Orchards, WA -- 10, 32-00 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 16-10 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06

53. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 10, 31-15 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-03

54. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, AL -- 10, 31-10 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 13-14 -- Day 2: 5, 17-12

55. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, SC -- 10, 31-05 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 14-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01

56. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 10, 31-05 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 14-14 -- Day 2: 5, 16-07

57. David Williams -- Newton, NC -- 10, 31-04 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 16-06 -- Day 2: 5, 14-14

58. Brandon Card -- Knoxville, TN -- 10, 31-04 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 16-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-15

59. Robbie Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 31-03 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 18-10 -- Day 2: 5, 12-09

60. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 10, 31-03 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 17-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-12

61. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 31-02 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 14-10 -- Day 2: 5, 16-08

62. Alton Jones Jr. -- Lorena, TX -- 10, 31-00 -- 49
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 14-09

63. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 10, 30-08 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 16-03 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05

64. Jesse Wiggins -- Cullman, AL -- 10, 30-07 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 14-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-11

65. Bobby Lane Jr. -- Lakeland, FL -- 10, 30-05 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 16-09 -- Day 2: 5, 13-12

66. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA 10 -- 30-04 -- 45
Day 1: 5, 14-03 -- Day 2: 5, 16-01

67. Randy Howell -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 30-03 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 18-09 -- Day 2: 5, 11-10

68. Jesse Tacoronte -- Orlando, FL -- 10, 30-02 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 14-14

69. Jonathon VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 10, 30-01 -- 42
Day 1: 5, 13-05 -- Day 2: 5, 16-12

70. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, AR -- 10, 30-00 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 14-15 -- Day 2: 5, 15-01

71. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 10, 29-14 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 14-09 -- Day 2: 5, 15-05

72. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, SC -- 10, 29-13 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 15-12 -- Day 2: 5, 14-01

73. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, AR -- 10, 29-13 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 14-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06

74. Boyd Duckett -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 29-12 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 16-09 -- Day 2: 5, 13-03

75. John Hunter Jr -- Shelbyville, KY -- 10, 29-12 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 13-04 -- Day 2: 5, 16-08

76. Mark Daniels Jr. -- Tuskegee, AL -- 10, 29-08 -- 35
Day 1: 5, 12-07 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01

77. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 10, 29-07 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 13-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-12

78. John Murray -- Spring City, TN -- 10, 29-07 -- 33
Day 1: 5, 14-05 -- Day 2: 5, 15-02

79. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 10, 29-06 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 12-13 -- Day 2: 5, 16-09

80. Josh Bertrand -- San Tan Valley, AZ -- 10, 29-06 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 13-15 -- Day 2: 5, 15-07

81. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 10, 29-05 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 16-03 -- Day 2: 5, 13-02

82. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 10, 29-04 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 15-09 -- Day 2: 5, 13-11

83. Cliff Crochet -- Pierre Part, LA -- 10, 29-03 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 17-03 -- Day 2: 5, 12-00

84. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 10, 29-03 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 16-09 -- Day 2: 5, 12-10

85. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, AZ -- 10, 29-02 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 12-06 -- Day 2: 5, 16-12

86. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, PA -- 10, 29-01 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 14-00 -- Day 2: 5, 15-01

87. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, AL -- 10, 28-13 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 11-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-09

88. Randall Tharp -- Port St. Joe, FL -- 10, 28-11 -- 23
Day 1: 5, 16-11 -- Day 2: 5, 12-00

89. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, AR -- 10, 28-09 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 14-10 -- Day 2: 5, 13-15

90. Morizo Shimizu -- Osaka, Japan -- 10, 28-05 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 14-06 -- Day 2: 5, 13-15

91. Koby Kreiger -- Bokeelia, FL -- 10, 28-03 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 13-00 -- Day 2: 5, 15-03

92. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 10, 28-00 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 13-04 -- Day 2: 5, 14-12

93. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, NJ -- 10, 27-15 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 15-06 -- Day 2: 5, 12-09

94. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 10, 27-09 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 15-05 -- Day 2: 5, 12-04

95. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 27-06 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 5, 12-11

96. Tyler Carriere -- Youngsville, LA -- 10, 27-01 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 14-10 -- Day 2: 5, 12-07

97. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 26-06 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 16-11 -- Day 2: 5, 09-11

98. Tim Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 10, 26-03 -- 13
Day 1: 5, 12-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-12

99. Brett Preuett -- Monroe, LA -- 10, 25-13 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 12-00 -- Day 2: 5, 13-13

100. Kelly Jordon -- Flint, TX -- 10, 25-13 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 12-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-06

101. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 10, 25-12 -- 10
Day 1: 5, 14-13 -- Day 2: 5, 10-15

102. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 10, 25-06 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 10-02

103. James Elam -- Tulsa, OK -- 10, 24-13 -- 8
Day 1: 5, 12-15 -- Day 2: 5, 11-14

104. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 9, 24-06 -- 7
Day 1: 5, 13-12 -- Day 2: 4, 10-10

105. Shaw Grigsby Jr. -- Gainesville, FL -- 10, 23-12 -- 6
Day 1: 5, 11-05 -- Day 2: 5, 12-07

106. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 9, 23-03 -- 5
Day 1: 4, 09-01 -- Day 2: 5, 14-02

107. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 10, 21-10 -- 4
Day 1: 5, 13-04 -- Day 2: 5, 08-06

108. Darrell Ocamica -- New Plymouth, ID -- 5, 14-07 -- 3
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 5, 14-07

109. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, MN -- 5, 13-02 -- 2
Day 1: 5, 13-02 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00