By Jonathan Manteuffel
Special to BassFan


Lost fish again plagued anglers on day 2 of the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Champlain, but Jamie Hartman fished clean and maintained his lead from day 1 – lbeit by ounces. The New York native (who has moved to Arkansas to be closer to more tournaments) weighed a 20-03 limit – almost 2 pounds lighter than yesterday – to give him a 42-04 total.

“I just didn’t get the big largemouth bites today,” Hartman said. “I did get one largemouth near the end of the day that I weighed. The rest were smallmouths.”

Seth Feider moved up 2 places to 2nd on the strength of a 21-07 limit, almost a pound better than the previous day. His 41-08 aggregate leaves him just 12 ounces behind the leader. Feider also rounded up the day’s big bass, a northern brute largemouth weighing 6-06.

Koby Kreiger charged up from 26th into 3rd place on the strength of a 22-pound bag that was almost 4 pounds heavier than his day-1 effort. His 40-01 total puts him 2-03 off the lead.

Rounding out the Top 5 are defending Angler of the Year Scott Canterbury in 4th with 39-05 (20-02 on day 2), and Ed Loughran III (19-13) tied with David Mullins (19-04) in 5th with 39-01.

The lower half of the Top 10 is comprised of Brock Mosely in 7th (38-15, 19-02), Cory Johnston in 8th (38-11, 21-08), Buddy Gross in 9th (38-08, 17-06), and Micah Frazier in 10th (38-06, 17-14).

The composition at the Top 10 changed considerably as Kreiger, Canterbury, Loughran and Cory Johnston rose into the Top 10, while Stetson Blaylock, Brandon Palaniuk, Chris Johnston, Paul Mueller and Bryan Schmitt fell out.

Just missing the Top-40 cut in 41st place was Caleb Kuphall with 33-10, 3 ounces shy of fishing on day 3. The field will be cut to the Top 10 after Saturday’s weigh-in and those anglers fish for the win on Sunday (determined by aggregate 4-day weight).

Palaniuk fell outside the Top 10 on a tiebreaker, as Frazier had a heavier daily bag than either of Palaniuk's. That didn't matter, but it would after day 3.

The rainstorms that plagued anglers on day 1 were gone, replaced with sunny skies and slick water.

“The weather was really nice for running around today,” Hartman noted. “All my places were pretty wide open. I’m looking at a big flat that produced in practice but hasn’t really shown out in the tournament yet.

“I’m not fishing moving baits – I’ve caught them all on a Carolina rig in the 12- to 13-foot depth range,” he added. “I’ve been throwing that rig up here for 10 or 15 years and I know how to use it on this lake to be productive.”

Hartman didn’t lose any fish, but he had a smallmouth that died almost right away after he caught it.



B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito
Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito

Seth Feider's day-2 bag included this 6-06 kicker.

“It was about a 4-pounder, so I kept it (rather than releasing it before it expired),” he said. “I lost 4 ounces (dead fish penalty), but it was too good a fish to turn back.”

Bassmaster rules prohibit the culling of dead fish, though ailing ones may be released while still alive.

Feider is fishing with a lot of confidence – so much so that he shook off a good bite today.

“That was probably a stupid thing to do now that I think about it,” he said. “I’ve never shook off a fish in a tournament before.”

Having caught a good bag that included a 6-06 kicker by 10 o'clock, he might be forgiven his indiscretion.

“I fished for some bonus smallmouths and caught four nice ones before 9 a.m.,” he noted. “I figured I still needed one big bucket (largemouth) anyway so I ran down south to the spot I worked over yesterday. Right away I caught a 3-pound largemouth that culled a little smallie. Then I moved to a dock nearby and got the big one that culled the 3-pounder.

“After that I was done and went looking for new places for tomorrow,” he added. “I found two good ones and I’m right where I want to be.”

Feider enticed the smallmouths with dropshots and crankbaits, and the largemouths with his namesake 5/8-ounce Stealth Feider Jig from Outkast Tackle.

Kreiger said he could thank the calm, sunny weather for his big move up today.

“I was fishing a jerkbait and a topwater, targeting smallmouths,” he said. “They see it better in conditions like this. I lost too many yesterday. I probably should have slowed down to see if they’d get the bait better.

“I just covered a lot of water and picked up one here and one there,” he added. “I got one 4-1/2 pound largemouth in the mix that culled a 3-15 smallmouth, but mostly they were all smallmouths. Sometimes if they’d follow the bait but not hit it, I could throw back in with a wacky-rigged V&M Chopstick and get them.”

His plan is the same for day 3.

“If you throw the jerkbait and topwater all day you’ll end up with a pretty good bag at the end of the day, if you can get them in the boat,” he noted. “You’ll also end up with sore arms. I have some stuff to rub on my elbows and wrists tonight.”

Points leader Clark Wendlandt missed the cut in 46th place with 33-01, a deficit of 12 ounces. That leaves the door open for Hartman, Canterbury and Gross to duke it out for the lead.

Notable

> Day 2 stats – 85 anglers, 83 limits, 2 fours.

> Several anglers reported bass in their livewells spitting up perch that weighed 4 to 8 ounces – more than the margin between making cuts and not.

Weather Forecast

> Sat., Aug. 1 – Sunny – 82°/67°
- Wind: From the E and light

> Sun., August 2 – Showers Likely – 80°/70°
- Wind: From the S at 6-11 mph

Day 2 Standings

1. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 10, 42-04 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 22-01 -- Day 2: 5, 20-03

2. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 10, 41-08 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 20-01 -- Day 2: 5, 21-07

3. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 10, 40-01 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 18-01 -- Day 2: 5, 22-00

4. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 10, 39-05 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 19-03 -- Day 2: 5, 20-02

5. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 10, 39-01 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 19-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-13

5. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 10, 39-01 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 19-13 -- Day 2: 5, 19-04

7. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 10, 38-15 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 19-13 -- Day 2: 5, 19-02

8. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 10, 38-11 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 17-03 -- Day 2: 5, 21-08

9. Buddy Gross -- Chickamauga, GA -- 10, 38-08 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 21-02 -- Day 2: 5, 17-06

10. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 38-06 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 20-08 -- Day 2: 5, 17-14

11. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 10, 38-06 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 19-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-10

12. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 10, 37-14 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 18-08 -- Day 2: 5, 19-06

13. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 10, 37-11 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 18-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-07

14. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 10, 37-10 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 19-06 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04

15. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 10, 37-09 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 18-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-13

16. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 10, 37-01 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 19-12 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05

17. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 10, 37-01 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 18-09 -- Day 2: 5, 18-08

18. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 10, 36-08 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-08

19. Hunter Shryock -- Newcomerstown, OH -- 10, 36-06 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 17-00 -- Day 2: 5, 19-06

20. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 10, 36-05 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 18-08 -- Day 2: 5, 17-13

21. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, ON -- 10, 36-02 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 19-06 -- Day 2: 5, 16-12

22. Rob Digh -- Denver, NC -- 10, 35-15 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 18-06 -- Day 2: 5, 17-09

23. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 10, 35-14 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 19-06 -- Day 2: 5, 16-08

24. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 10, 35-11 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 17-11

25. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 10, 35-09 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 19-11

26. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, ON -- 10 -- 35-08 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 17-03 -- Day 2: 5, 18-05

27. Garrett Paquette -- Canton, MI -- 10, 35-07 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 17-07 -- Day 2: 5, 18-00

28. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 10, 35-05 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 17-05 -- Day 2: 5, 18-00

29. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 10, 35-04 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 16-00 -- Day 2: 5, 19-04

30. Shane Lineberger -- Lincolnton, NC -- 10, 35-04 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 17-08

31. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 10, 35-04 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 17-10 -- Day 2: 5, 17-10

32. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 10, 34-14 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 18-03 -- Day 2: 5, 16-11

33. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 10, 34-12 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 16-01 -- Day 2: 5, 18-11

34. Drew Cook -- Midway, FL -- 10, 34-07 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 17-11

35. Patrick Walters -- Summerville, SC -- 10, 34-06 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 16-01 -- Day 2: 5, 18-05

36. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 10, 34-06 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 18-04 -- Day 2: 5, 16-02

37. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 34-06 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 17-01 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05

38. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 10, 34-03 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 17-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-10

39. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 10, 34-00 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 15-05 -- Day 2: 5, 18-11

40. Derek Hudnall -- Denham Springs, LA -- 10, 33-13 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 16-11 -- Day 2: 5, 17-02

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on day 3.

41. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 10, 33-10 -- 60 -- $7,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-06 -- Day 2: 5, 17-04

42. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 10, 33-08 -- 59 -- $7,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-15

43. Kyle Monti -- Okeechobee, FL -- 10, 33-05 -- 58 -- $7,500.00
Day 1: 5, 18-07 -- Day 2: 5, 14-14

44. Destin DeMarion -- Grove City, PA -- 10, 33-03 -- 57 -- $7,500.00
Day 1: 5, 15-09 -- Day 2: 5, 17-10

45. Greg DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 10, 33-03 -- 56 -- $7,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-15 -- Day 2: 5, 16-04

46. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 10, 33-01 -- 55 -- $5,000.00
Day 1: 5, 16-03 -- Day 2: 5, 16-14

47. Drew Benton -- Blakely, GA -- 10, 33-00 -- 54 -- $5,000.00
Day 1: 5, 16-01 -- Day 2: 5, 16-15

48. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 10, 32-15 -- 53 -- $5,000.00
Day 1: 5, 16-03 -- Day 2: 5, 16-12

49. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 10, 32-11 -- 52 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 15-13 -- Day 2: 5, 16-14

50. Cody Hollen -- Beaverton, OR -- 10, 32-11 -- 51 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-05 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06

51. Jake Whitaker -- Fairview, NC -- 10, 32-08 -- 50 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 14-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-08

52. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 10, 32-05 -- 49 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05

53. Bob Downey -- Hudson, WI -- 10, 32-04 -- 48 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 14-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04

54. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 10, 32-03 -- 47 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 14-03

55. Mike Huff -- Corbin, KY -- 10, 32-00 -- 46 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 17-00

56. Dale Hightower -- Mannford, OK -- 10, 31-15 -- 45 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 14-06 -- Day 2: 5, 17-09

57. Brett Preuett -- Monroe, LA -- 10, 31-15 -- 44 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 17-04 -- Day 2: 5, 14-11

58. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 31-14 -- 43 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-07

59. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 10, 31-14 -- 42 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-05 -- Day 2: 5, 15-09

60. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 10, 31-14 -- 41 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 16-00

61. Jay Yelas -- Lincoln City, OR -- 10, 31-13 -- 40 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 16-13

62. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 10, 31-11 -- 39 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-08 -- Day 2: 5, 15-03

63. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 10, 31-05 -- 38 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-13 -- Day 2: 5, 14-08

64. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 10, 30-15 -- 37 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 18-10 -- Day 2: 5, 12-05

65. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 10, 30-15 -- 36 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 14-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06

66. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 10, 30-14 -- 35 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10

67. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 10, 30-11 -- 34 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 17-02 -- Day 2: 5, 13-09

68. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 10, 30-04 -- 33 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 18-05 -- Day 2: 5, 11-15

69. John Cox -- Debary, FL -- 10, 30-00 -- 32 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 15-01 -- Day 2: 5, 14-15

70. Quentin Cappo -- Prairieville, LA -- 10, 29-15 -- 31 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 13-10 -- Day 2: 5, 16-05

71. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 10, 29-14 -- 30 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-10 -- Day 2: 5, 13-04

72. Jesse Tacoronte -- Kissimmee, FL -- 10, 29-14 -- 29 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 13-10 -- Day 2: 5, 16-04

73. Randy Pierson -- Oakdale, CA -- 10, 29-09 -- 28 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 16-04 -- Day 2: 5, 13-05

74. Harvey Horne -- Bella Vista, AR -- 10, 29-01 -- 27 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 17-03 -- Day 2: 5, 11-14

75. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 10, 28-11 -- 26 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 12-15 -- Day 2: 5, 15-12

76. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 10, 28-07 -- 25 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 18-05 -- Day 2: 5, 10-02

77. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 28-01 -- 24 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 13-13 -- Day 2: 5, 14-04

78. Randy Sullivan -- Breckenridge, TX -- 10, 28-00 -- 23 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 14-14 -- Day 2: 5, 13-02

79. Bill Weidler -- Helena, AL -- 10, 27-15 -- 22 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 14-02 -- Day 2: 5, 13-13

80. Chris Groh -- Spring Grove, IL -- 10, 27-10 -- 21 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 12-14 -- Day 2: 5, 14-12

81. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 9, 27-04 -- 20 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 17-03 -- Day 2: 4, 10-01

82. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 10, 26-14 -- 19 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 11-08 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06

83. Tyler Carriere -- Youngsville, LA -- 10, 26-04 -- 18 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 11-11 -- Day 2: 5, 14-09

84. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 10, 24-08 -- 17 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 12-15 -- Day 2: 5, 11-09

85. Robbie Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 9, 21-07 -- 16 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 10-00 -- Day 2: 4, 11-07