By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — Joey Cifuentes III played a dicey game and ended up on the right side of the risk/reward calculation.
The angler from Clinton, Ark., brought in the event’s heaviest bag so far Friday with five bass that weighed 26 pounds, 1 ounce. That, combined with his Day-1 limit of 19-13, gave Cifuentes the lead in the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Seminole with a total weight of 45-14.
New Jersey's Mike Iaconelli is second, trailing by 2-15.
“It was really slow out there and I apologize to everyone who was watching Bassmaster LIVE. It took me a while to get it,” Cifuentes said. “I worked my butt off out there and it worked out.”
Fishing in Spring Creek, Cifuentes spent the majority of his day targeting standing timber in 20 to 22 feet. A classic prespawn staging scenario, this habitat provides fish the right mix of heat-retaining cover, ambush feeding opportunities and protective structure. The latter presents the biggest challenge.
“Getting the fish to bite hasn’t been that hard; it’s just getting the fish out,” Cifuentes said. “That’s what’s so stressful, because they’re sitting in groups of like two or three big trees together, so they’re hard to get out. But if I get lucky and they go the right way, I can steer them.”
Bassmaster LIVE saw Cifuentes lose an estimated 4-pounder when the bass ran into unyielding cover. Despite his best dislodging efforts, which included sticking his rod into the water, Cifuentes was unable to free the ensnared fish before it shook the hook.
Compounding the challenge of fishing such unforgiving habitat, Cifuentes found his best way to entice bites was a dropshot on spinning gear. Typically a light-line finesse technique, Cifuentes made strategic adjustments that improved his ability to manage the timber.
“I’m using a bigger leader and line on my spinning rod, so I can really pull on them,” Cifuentes said. “I’m using a 7-foot medium rod with 15-pound Berkley x5 Braid and a 12-pound Berkley 100% fluorocarbon leader.”
Cifuentes said his dropshot is comprised of a 1/4-ounce weight and a 6-inch hand-poured worm in the morning dawn color. To minimize snags, he Texas-rigged the worm.
“I rig the worm weedless because you’re reeling around timber and if you had an open hook you’d be getting hung all the time,” he said. “I’m using a small 1/0 hook and I think that’s key because I don’t think the fish can see the hook as much.”
Iaconelli, who won the 2002 Georgia Bassmaster Tour event on Lake Seminole, added 23-09 Friday to his Day-1 weight of 19-06 and sits in second with 42-15.
“This place has a special memory for me and maybe there's a little bit of good mojo there. I’m trying to keep that going,” Iaconelli said. “I have one really special area and that scares me a little bit, but if that special area keeps producing, I’ll have a good shot to make (Championship Sunday).”
Both days, Iaconelli has fished a small bay in the Flint River. He’s spending most of his time targeting what he calls the last staging point before bass move onto a spawning flat.
On Day 1, Iaconelli caught all of his fish on reaction baits. Today, half of the bass he caught bit a reaction bait and half bit a soft-plastic bait.
“Ninety percent of my weight has come from this area and it’s unlike the way I like to fish,” Iaconelli said. “I’m high-strung; I don’t like to sit still. I’m Power-Poling down and sitting.
“It’s tough for me to fish like that, but it’s a special spot. Fish are swimming past me by the minute. It’s the kind of place that’s feast or famine, so if they stop funneling through that area, I’m happy I made the (Semifinal Saturday) cut.”
Another longtime B.A.S.S. star, Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., is in third place with 38-12. After placing 44th on Day 1 with 14-05, Hackney added Friday’s second-heaviest bag, 24-07.
Hackney said he’s fishing a mix of reaction and slower baits. As he explained, the key to his second-round improvement was calmer weather.
“Yesterday, it was hard for me to be efficient in that wind,” Hackney said. “This morning it was warmer and it was slick and I could be more efficient.”
Hackney said he’s fishing a couple of scenarios, one of which is drop-off related. Water movement, he said, is playing a role in his strategy.
“There’s a lot of fish that are up, but there’s also a lot of fish that haven’t gotten there yet,” Hackney said. “It’s a weird deal; we’ve had such warm weather, but there’s so much water running through the system that it’s keeping it colder. The water temperature’s not warming up with these 80-degree days.”
Jason Christie of Dry Creek, Okla., earned the $1,000 daily bonus for catching the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day with his 6-05. Matt Arey of Shelby, N.C., still leads the race for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the tournament with the 8-01 he caught on Day 1.
The Top 50 remaining anglers will take off at 7:30 a.m. ET Saturday from the Earle May Boat Basin Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3:30 p.m., with only the Top 10 advancing to Championship Sunday for a chance at the $100,000 first-place prize.
FS1 will broadcast live with the leaders beginning at 8 a.m. with continuing coverage on Bassmaster.com.
Day 2 Standings
1. Joey Cifuentes III -- Clinton, AR -- 10, 45-14 -- 104
Day 1: 5, 19-13 -- Day 2: 5, 26-01
2. Michael Iaconelli -- Pittsgrove, NJ -- 10, 42-15 -- 103
Day 1: 5, 19-06 -- Day 2: 5, 23-09
3. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 38-12 -- 102
Day 1: 5, 14-05 -- Day 2: 5, 24-07
4. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 10, 38-06 -- 101
Day 1: 5, 19-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-02
5. Bob Downey -- Detroit Lakes, MN -- 10, 37-02 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 18-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-06
6. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 10, 36-15 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 17-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-11
7. Jonathan Kelley -- Old Forge, PA -- 10, 36-04 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 20-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08
8. John Cox -- DeBary, FL -- 10, 36-00 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 18-07 -- Day 2: 5, 17-09
9. Jason Christie -- Dry Creek, OK -- 10, 35-05 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05
10. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 10, 34-14 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 12-14 -- Day 2: 5, 22-00
11. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 10, 34-11 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 15-01 -- Day 2: 5, 19-10
12. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 10, 34-05 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 17-14
13. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 10, 34-00 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 18-08 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08
14. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 10, 33-14 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 18-05 -- Day 2: 5, 15-09
15. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 10, 33-13 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 11-15 -- Day 2: 5, 21-14
16. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 10, 33-12 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 14-12 -- Day 2: 5, 19-00
17. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 10, 33-12 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 15-03 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09
18. Derek Hudnall -- Zachary, LA -- 10, 33-09 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09
19. Drew Benton -- Panama City, FL -- 10, 33-07 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 20-06 -- Day 2: 5, 13-01
20. Kyoya Fujita -- Minamitsuru, Yamanashi -- 10, 33-01 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 16-05
21. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 10, 32-15 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 21-06 -- Day 2: 5, 11-09
22. David Gaston -- Sylacauga, AL -- 10, 32-14 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 12-15 -- Day 2: 5, 19-15
23. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 32-13 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 16-02 -- Day 2: 5, 16-11
24. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 10, 32-04 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-13
25. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 10, 32-04 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 16-06 -- Day 2: 5, 15-14
26. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 10, 32-03 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 17-00 -- Day 2: 5, 15-03
27. Will Davis Jr -- Sylacauga, AL -- 10, 32-02 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 21-13 -- Day 2: 5, 10-05
28. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 10, 32-01 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 15-12 -- Day 2: 5, 16-05
29. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 10, 32-00 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 17-14 -- Day 2: 5, 14-02
30. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 10, 31-14 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 15-07 -- Day 2: 5, 16-07
31. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 10, 31-13 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 15-06 -- Day 2: 5, 16-07
32. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 10, 31-03 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 15-15 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04
33. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 10, 31-01 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 14-12 -- Day 2: 5, 16-05
34. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 30-15 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 20-11 -- Day 2: 5, 10-04
35. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 10, 30-00 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 13-04 -- Day 2: 5, 16-12
36. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 10, 29-15 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 13-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06
37. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 10, 29-13 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 13-04 -- Day 2: 5, 16-09
38. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 10, 29-12 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 15-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-07
39. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 10, 29-09 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 13-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-13
40. Cody Huff -- Ava, MO -- 10, 29-07 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 12-14 -- Day 2: 5, 16-09
41. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 10, 29-04 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 08-06 -- Day 2: 5, 20-14
42. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 10, 29-03 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 12-04 -- Day 2: 5, 16-15
43. Bryant Smith -- Roseville, CA -- 10, 29-03 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 13-13 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06
44. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 10, 28-15 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 15-03 -- Day 2: 5, 13-12
45. Darold Gleason -- Many, LA -- 10, 28-14 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 15-10 -- Day 2: 5, 13-04
46. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 10, 28-14 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 14-09 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05
47. Cole Sands -- Calhoun, TN -- 10, 28-11 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 13-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10
48. Joshua Stracner -- Vandiver, AL -- 10, 28-07 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 13-11 -- Day 2: 5, 14-12
49. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 10, 28-04 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 14-04 -- Day 2: 5, 14-00
50. Cooper Gallant -- Bowmanville, ON -- 10, 28-02 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 14-13 -- Day 2: 5, 13-05
The following anglers did not make the cut and will not advance to Day 3.
51. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA-- 10, 28-02 -- 54 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-09 -- Day 2: 5, 13-09
52. KJ Queen -- Catawba, NC -- 10, 28-01 -- 53 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-12 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05
53. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 10, 28-00 -- 52 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-03 -- Day 2: 5, 15-13
54. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 10, 27-15 -- 51 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 16-13 -- Day 2: 5, 11-02
55. Jeff Gustafson -- Kenora, ON -- 10, 27-10 -- 50 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-09 -- Day 2: 5, 14-01
56. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 10, 27-09 -- 49 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08
57. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 10, 27-05 -- 48 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-03 -- Day 2: 5, 16-02
58. Alex Wetherell -- Middletown, CT -- 10, 27-04 -- 47 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-15 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05
59. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 10, 26-14 -- 46 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 15-07 -- Day 2: 5, 11-07
60. Jacob Foutz -- Charleston, TN -- 10, 26-13 -- 45 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-03 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10
61. John Soukup -- Sapulpa, OK -- 10, 26-11 -- 44 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-01 -- Day 2: 5, 12-10
62. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, AR -- 10, 26-10 -- 43 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-08 -- Day 2: 5, 15-02
63. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 10, 26-09 -- 42 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-03 -- Day 2: 5, 13-06
64. Joseph Webster -- Hamilton, AL -- 10, 26-07 -- 41 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-14 -- Day 2: 5, 14-09
65. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 10, 26-05 -- 40 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 17-05 -- Day 2: 5, 09-00
66. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 10, 26-04 -- 39 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-01 -- Day 2: 5, 14-03
67. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 10, 26-00 -- 38 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 08-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-12
68. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 10, 25-11 -- 37 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-03 -- Day 2: 5, 14-08
69. Patrick Walters -- Eutawville, SC -- 10, 25-09 -- 36 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-00 -- Day 2: 5, 12-09
70. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 10, 25-03 -- 35 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 10-04 -- Day 2: 5, 14-15
71. Josh Douglas -- Isle, MN -- 10, 25-00 -- 34 -- $2,500.00
Day 1: 5, 10-10 -- Day 2: 5, 14-06
72. Jay Przekurat -- Stevens Point, WI -- 10, 24-15 -- 33 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-00 -- Day 2: 5, 10-15
73. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 10, 24-12 -- 32 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 08-05
74. Bradley Hallman -- Edmond, OK -- 10, 24-12 -- 31 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 09-12
75. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 10, 24-12 -- 30 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-01 -- Day 2: 5, 10-11
76. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 10, 24-12 -- 29 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-05
77. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 10, 24-07 -- 28 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-11 -- Day 2: 5, 10-12
78. Buddy Gross -- Chattanooga, TN -- 10, 24-06 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 09-03 -- Day 2: 5, 15-03
79. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 10, 24-06 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 14-12 -- Day 2: 5, 09-10
80. Kyle Norsetter -- Cottage Grove, WI -- 10, 24-02 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 11-02 -- Day 2: 5, 13-00
81. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 9, 23-15 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 13-07 -- Day 2: 4, 10-08
82. Chad Pipkens -- DeWitt, MI -- 10, 23-14 -- 23
Day 1: 5, 11-15 -- Day 2: 5, 11-15
83. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 10, 23-12 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 14-02 -- Day 2: 5, 09-10
84. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 22-11 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 11-01 -- Day 2: 5, 11-10
85. David Williams -- Newton, NC -- 10, 22-08 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 13-08 -- Day 2: 5, 09-00
86. Matty Wong -- Honolulu, HI -- 10, 22-02 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 12-05 -- Day 2: 5, 09-13
87. Masayuki Matsushita -- Tokoname-Shi, JAPAN -- 10, 21-08 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 07-10 -- Day 2: 5, 13-14
88. Skylar Hamilton -- Jefferson, TN -- 10, 21-06 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 10-05 -- Day 2: 5, 11-01
89. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 10, 20-07 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 07-15 -- Day 2: 5, 12-08
90. Mike Huff -- London, KY -- 10, 20-06 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 09-13 -- Day 2: 5, 10-09
91. Alex Redwine -- Blue Ash, OH -- 10, 20-04 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 07-04 -- Day 2: 5, 13-00
92. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 10, 19-07 -- 13
Day 1: 5, 09-01 -- Day 2: 5, 10-06
93. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 10, 19-05 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 11-10 -- Day 2: 5, 07-11
94. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 8, 19-05 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 08-14 -- Day 2: 3, 10-07
95. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 10, 18-10 -- 10
Day 1: 5, 09-02 -- Day 2: 5, 09-08
96. Jake Whitaker -- Hendersonville, NC -- 10, 18-06 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 10-15 -- Day 2: 5, 07-07
97. Keith Poche -- Cecil, AL -- 7, 18-03 -- 8
Day 1: 5, 12-05 -- Day 2: 2, 05-14
98. Logan Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 8, 18-03 -- 7
Day 1: 5, 11-12 -- Day 2: 3, 06-07
99. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 10, 18-03 -- 6
Day 1: 5, 10-09 -- Day 2: 5, 07-10
100. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 7, 17-05 -- 5
Day 1: 5, 14-10 -- Day 2: 2, 02-11
101. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 7, 17-03 -- 4
Day 1: 5, 13-10 -- Day 2: 2, 03-09
102. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 7, 16-00 -- 3
Day 1: 2, 02-10 -- Day 2: 5, 13-06
103. Bryan New -- Saluda, SC -- 7, 14-06 -- 2
Day 1: 3, 04-14 -- Day 2: 4, 09-08
104. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 5, 11-00 -- 1
Day 1: 5, 11-00 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00
