By BassFan Staff
A 6-pound bite is always a huge bonus for a competitor at a Northern smallmouth venue. Thanh Le and Joe Balog each got one of those today, and those massive bronzebacks propelled them to the early lead at the Detroit River FLW Tour Open.
Le's 6-11 giant highlighted a 22-14 stringer that placed him at the top of the leaderboard. Balog, a longtime Lake Erie ace, was just an ounce back with a bag that was topped by a 6-02.
Michigan's own Chad Pipkens, a three-time Forrest Wood Cup qualifier on the co-angler side who has limited tour-level experience from the front of the boat, sacked 21-11 to grab the No. 3 slot. Veteran Bill McDonald topped the anglers who fished Lake St. Clair with a 21-09 bag that left him in 4th.
There was a three-way tie for the 5th spot as Spencer Shuffield, Brian Metry and Chris McCall all weighed 21-08.
Here's a peek at the Top 10, with deficit margin from the leader indicated by red numbers in parentheses:
1. Thanh Le: 22-14
2. Joe Balog: 22-13 (0-01)
3. Chad Pipkens: 21-11 (1-03)
4. Bill McDonald: 21-09 (1-05)
5. (tie) Spencer Shuffield: 21-08 (1-06)
5. (tie) Brian Metry: 21-08 (1-06)
5. (tie) Chris McCall: 21-08 (1-06)
8. Tim Wilson: 21-04 (1-10)
9. Jeff Vizachero: 20-12 (2-02)
10. Cory Johnston: 20-11 (2-03)
Fourteen of the 136 competitors (slightly more than 10 percent) topped the 20-pound mark and seven more came within a pound of that standard. The average bag was slightly over 15 pounds, and anyone who caught that much has a chance at making the first cut tomorrow.
There's a decidedly local flavor to the upper portion of the leaderboard – among the Top 10, only Le (Arizona), Shuffield (Arkansas) and McCall (Texas) are not residents of the region. McDonald, who hails from Indiana, is competing here for just the second time.
The high winds that often plague events at Erie and the surrounding bodies were absent today and don't show up in the forecast for the remainder of the event. Another relatively mild, sunny day is predicted for tomorrow, with a high temperature of 87 degrees and a south/southeast breeze topping out at 9 mph.
The field will be cut to the Top 20 tomorrow, with the winner determined Sunday based on highest cumulative weight.
Nice Start for Le
> Day 1: 5, 22-14
Le's first fish of the day was a 6-11 bruiser, and he followed that up with about 10 more keeper bites en route to compiling the day's best sack. He targeted rock piles in 20 to 30 feet of water and caught fish on tubes and a dropshot rig.
"I had a good practice and that's about what I thought I'd be able to do," he said. "I'm not getting a lot of bites, but the ones I'm getting are big.
"I have to move around quite a bit. It's usually just one fish on each place, but sometimes I get lucky and get a couple."
He's completely committed to spending the tournament on Erie.
"I've got a mental block about St. Clair – I can't fish over there. It's shallow and it has grass, and I just can't do it when it comes to smallmouths."
He has high hopes for a similar bag tomorrow.
"I'm around those type of fish and it just depends if I get bit or not. If I get the bites, I could have the same bag, or at least somewhere around 20 pounds."
2nd: Balog Exceeded Expectations
> Day 2: 5, 22-13
Balog was confident he could catch a bag in the 18-pound range, but he exceeded that by nearly a pound per fish.
"It was more than I expected," he said. "I fished places where you catch big fish and I stuck with it. I almost bailed at about 11:00 when I only had two, but then I got in one place and caught two more pretty quick. After that I knew it was just a matter of time before I caught my fifth one."
He got eight keeper bites and boated six of them. His best fish was a 6-02.
Joe Balog got only eight bites, but they were enough to put him within an ounce of the lead.
"I fished multiple spots in one general area. There was a guy who wasn't catching them, but he insisted on staying on top of me the whole time and that ticked me off. I'm going to have a talk with him and see if I can get him to back off.
"There wasn't a whole lot of pressure and the fishing's super-slow. I fished all day for eight bites and it could've easily been four. I got fortunate twice – the first thing was catching a 6-02, and the next thing was I stopped at a place on the way in and culled a 3-pounder with a 4."
He's pretty sure he'll be forced to fish some other locales tomorrow.
"For a guy to do well on Erie, in my opinion, you're going to have to switch water. There's not a place where you can catch 20 big fish – there might be a place with four, then another place with one, and another with three. I hit a dozen places today and only found fish on four or five of them.
"If the fish are there, then you've got a chance to win, but you have to take them one at a time."
3rd: Pipkens Loaded Up Early
> Day 1: 5, 21-11
Pipkens, who had a top finish of 67th in three Opens last year, followed up a strong practice with a superb opening day on Erie.
"I caught big bags every day in practice, but the fish are kind of scattered," he said. "I caught them in several different places, and some of the places that were best today I didn't even catch fish on in practice."
He boated close to 20 keepers and the biggest was a 4 1/2-pounder. He said he lost a 5-pounder at the end of the day and a 4 1/2 earlier.
He revealed that he's dropshotting a Poor Boys Erie Darter and also throwing a crankbait.
"I caught them pretty quick this morning – I had over 20 pounds at 9 o'clock. We left them biting in a couple of areas and went out and did a little exploring, and maybe figured something out for tomorrow.
"My co-angler caught a 5-07 and I got four or five of those kind of fish in practice, so I know they're around."
4th: McDonald Sticking with St. Clair
> Day 1: 5, 21-09
McDonald has never been in a boat on Erie. He competed in one EverStart on St. Clair and did fairly well, so he decided to devote his tournament to that lake.
"I came up and pre-practiced and did real well," he said. "When I came back for official practice I didn't catch them good on Sunday, but I did on Monday and Tuesday."
He went through about a dozen keepers – all caught on a dropshot rig – and his best fish weighed a little over 5 pounds. He lost a couple that he thinks would've helped him.
"I had everything pretty much to myself and I'd like to think I can go out and catch them again, but I don't know because this is fishing. I just feel blessed for what I had today and I'll go back out tomorrow and give it a try."
112th: Lucas a Bit Overwhelmed
> Day 1: 5, 11-13
This is Lucas' first visit to the Detroit River and he's found himself a bit awed by the vastness of the venue. He stuck to St. Clair and came back with a 3 1/2-pounder and a quartet of 2s.
"It's just really hard to break down bodies this big in 3 days," he said. "It's not like Okeechobee, where you can go to the bank and find the grass and see (the fish) in 2 feet of water or less. There's grass out in the middle of St. Clair that you're never going to find out about unless you know the area.
"On the second day of practice I started going out into Erie and got about halfway to Pelee Island when I said (forget) this and turned back around. I felt like a peanut out there in those 3-foot waves."
He thought he'd found something on St. Clair the following day, but those fish weren't around today.
"I'll just go out tomorrow and go fun-fishing. A bomb doesn't hurt you as bad in an Open as it does in a Major, but you still want to catch fish."
Notable
> Day 1 standings – 136 anglers, 110 limits, 9 fours, 3 threes, 8 twos, 3 ones, 3 zeroes.
Weather Forecast
> Fri., Aug. 24 – Sunny - 87°/65°
- Wind: From the S/SE at 9 mph
> Sat., Aug. 25 – Sunny - 89°/67°
- Wind: From the S/SE at 10 mph
> Sun., Aug. 26 – Partly Cloudy - 85°/68°
- Wind: From the S at 8 mph
Day 1 Standings
1. Thanh Le -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 22-14 (5)
2. Joe Balog -- Harrison Township, Mi -- 22-13 (5)
3. Chad Pipkens -- Holt, Mi -- 21-11 (5)
4. Bill McDonald -- Greenwood, In -- 21-09 (5)
5. Brian Metry -- Grosse Pointe, Mi -- 21-08 (5)
5. Spencer Shuffield -- Bismarck, Ar -- 21-08 (5)
7. Chris McCall -- Brookeland, Tx -- 21-06 (5)
8. Tim Wilson -- Gas City, In -- 21-04 (5)
9. Jeff Vizachero -- Grosse Ile, Mi -- 20-12 (5)
10. Cory Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 20-11 (5)
11. Heath Wagner -- Angola, In -- 20-10 (5)
12. Chris Baumgardner -- Gastonia, Nc -- 20-06 (5)
13. Craig Dowling -- Franklin, Tn -- 20-01 (5)
13. Todd Schmitz -- Goshen, In -- 20-01 (5)
15. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, Sc -- 19-15 (5)
16. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 19-10 (5)
16. Michael Sitko -- Farmington Hills, Mi -- 19-10 (5)
18. Kenneth (Boo) Woods -- Hazard, Ky -- 19-07 (5)
19. Kevin Vida -- Clare, Mi -- 19-06 (5)
20. Ryan Chandler -- Hobart, In -- 19-01 (5)
20. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 19-01 (5)
22. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, Nc -- 19-00 (5)
23. Chris King -- South Amherst, Oh -- 18-14 (5)
24. Todd Koehler -- Bradenton, Fl -- 18-13 (5)
25. Randy Ramsey -- Battle Creek, Mi -- 18-12 (5)
26. John Cox -- Debary, Fl -- 18-11 (5)
27. Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Al -- 18-07 (5)
28. James Lindner -- Baxter, Mn -- 18-06 (5)
29. Ronald Salisbury Sr -- East China, Mi -- 18-03 (5)
30. Bill Day -- Frankfort, Ky -- 18-02 (5)
30. John Devries -- Fishers, In -- 18-02 (5)
30. David McCrone -- Minnetonka, Mn -- 18-02 (5)
33. Shad Schenck -- Waynetown, In -- 18-01 (5)
33. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 18-01 (5)
35. Chip Harrison -- Pierceton, In -- 17-15 (5)
35. Michael Trombly -- Perrysburg, Oh -- 17-15 (5)
37. Shawn Murphy -- Nicholasville, Ky -- 17-13 (5)
37. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, Ar -- 17-13 (5)
39. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 17-10 (5)
40. JT Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 17-09 (5)
41. Mark Rose -- West Memphis, Ar -- 17-08 (5)
42. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, Ok -- 17-07 (5)
42. Steve Clapper -- Lima, Oh -- 17-07 (5)
42. Derek Yamamoto -- Boulder City, Nv -- 17-07 (5)
45. Chris Martinkovic -- Liberty Township, Oh -- 17-05 (5)
46. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 17-04 (5)
47. Ben Felton -- Marshall, Mi -- 17-03 (5)
48. Wil Hardy -- Harlem, Ga -- 17-02 (5)
49. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, Pa -- 16-14 (5)
49. David Reault -- Livonia, Mi -- 16-14 (5)
51. Dion Hibdon -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 16-11 (5)
52. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, Tx -- 16-09 (5)
53. Terry Baksay -- Easton, Ct -- 16-08 (5)
53. Glenn Browne -- Ocala, Fl -- 16-08 (5)
53. Tommy Robinson -- Westland, Mi -- 16-08 (5)
56. Skip Johnson -- Goodells, Mi -- 16-07 (5)
57. Chris Blackwell -- Clarksville, Tn -- 16-06 (5)
58. Jonathan Newton -- Rogersville, Al -- 16-03 (5)
59. Scott Suggs -- Bryant, Ar -- 16-02 (5)
60. Art Ferguson III -- St. Clair Shores, Mi -- 16-01 (5)
60. Shinichi Fukae -- Palestine, Tx -- 16-01 (5)
60. Vic Vatalaro -- Kent, Oh -- 16-01 (5)
63. Dick Shaffer -- Rockford, Oh -- 15-15 (5)
64. John Shields -- Ingersoll, On -- 15-14 (5)
65. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, Az -- 15-13 (5)
65. Blake Nick -- Adger, Al -- 15-13 (5)
67. Michael Stetich -- Omaha, Ne -- 15-12 (5)
68. Teddy Bradley -- Mishawaka, In -- 15-11 (5)
69. Bryan Coates -- Amherst, Oh -- 15-10 (4)
69. Tommy Dickerson -- Orange, Tx -- 15-10 (5)
69. Jared Rhode -- Port Clinton, Oh -- 15-10 (5)
69. Jay Yelas -- Corvallis, Or -- 15-10 (5)
73. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 15-08 (5)
74. Jon Bondy -- South Woodslee, On -- 15-05 (5)
74. Luke Clausen -- Spokane, Wa -- 15-05 (5)
74. John Hempel -- Brownstown, Mi -- 15-05 (5)
77. Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, Tn -- 15-03 (5)
77. Mark Modrak -- China Twp., Mi -- 15-03 (5)
79. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 15-02 (5)
80. Greg Bohannan -- Rogers, Ar -- 15-01 (5)
81. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 15-00 (5)
82. Shane Long -- Springfield, Mo -- 14-15 (5)
83. Matthew Malmquist -- White Lake, Mi -- 14-14 (5)
83. Jeff Tennell -- Franklin, In -- 14-14 (5)
85. Cecil Cole -- Durand, Mi -- 14-13 (5)
86. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 14-12 (5)
87. Wayne Macklin -- Fowlerville, Mi -- 14-11 (5)
87. Jim Moynagh -- Carver, Mn -- 14-11 (5)
89. Gary Yamamoto -- Palestine, Tx -- 14-09 (5)
90. Jeff Miller -- Homer Glen, Il -- 14-07 (5)
91. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, Az -- 14-06 (5)
91. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 14-06 (5)
93. Tom Beale -- Rochester Hills, Mi -- 14-04 (5)
94. Chad Prough -- Chipley, Fl -- 14-03 (5)
94. Tim Sprouse -- Clarksville, Tn -- 14-03 (5)
96. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, Sc -- 14-00 (5)
97. Ray Scheide -- Dover, Ar -- 13-12 (5)
98. Tim Gaskill -- Edwardsville, Il -- 13-10 (5)
98. Andrew Luxon -- Richmond, Ky -- 13-10 (5)
100. Jim Dillard -- West Monroe, La -- 13-09 (4)
101. Travis Loyd -- Kinmundy, Il -- 13-03 (5)
102. Rick Roberts -- Macomb, Mi -- 13-02 (5)
103. Don Mcculla -- New Baltimore, Mi -- 13-01 (5)
104. Matt Elkins -- Spencerville, Oh -- 13-00 (4)
105. JT Palmore -- Blackstone, Va -- 12-12 (4)
105. Pete Thliveros -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 12-12 (5)
107. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, On -- 12-10 (5)
107. Wade Hendricks -- Thompsons Station, Tn -- 12-10 (4)
109. Keith Monson -- Burgin, Ky -- 12-05 (5)
110. John Leader -- Granger, In -- 12-03 (5)
111. Michael Neal -- Dayton, Tn -- 11-15 (5)
112. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, Al -- 11-13 (5)
113. Erhardt Tulgestka -- Posen, Mi -- 11-10 (5)
114. Chris Williams -- South Lyon, Mi -- 10-12 (4)
114. John Zubkoff -- Monroe, Mi -- 10-12 (4)
116. Jacob Powroznik -- Prince George, Va -- 10-10 (5)
117. Daniel Welch -- New Martinsville, Wv -- 10-02 (3)
118. Matt Pennington -- Springdale, Ar -- 9-08 (4)
119. Randall Tharp -- Gardendale, Al -- 8-07 (3)
120. Andrew Smith -- Harrison Township, Mi -- 8-05 (3)
121. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 8-04 (4)
122. Harry Moore -- Valley, Al -- 7-11 (2)
123. Scott Michael -- Hazel Park, Mi -- 7-09 (2)
124. James Dixon -- Southfield, Mi -- 7-02 (3)
125. Tony Dumitras -- Wnston, Ga -- 6-10 (2)
126. Frank Novock -- Rockwood, Mi -- 6-04 (2)
127. Robert Morin -- Seymour, Tn -- 5-10 (2)
128. Michael Williamson -- Fort Smith, Ar -- 5-03 (2)
129. Darrell Davis -- Dover, Fl -- 4-14 (2)
130. Paul Molan -- Chardon, Oh -- 4-00 (2)
131. Mark Peiser -- Pittsboro, In -- 3-14 (1)
132. Jeremy York -- Monroe, Ga -- 3-05 (1)
133. Brien Vaughn -- Kinmundy, Il -- 2-15 (1)
George Cochran. Hot Springs, Ar -- 0-00 (0)
Jeramy Lassiter. Muncie, In -- 0-00 (0)
Jason Weast. Macks Creek, Mo -- 0-00 (0)
Big Bass
Day 1: Thanh Le -- 6-11 -- $500
