By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff
CLAYTON, N.Y. — If you’re going to have a superlative moment, do it when there’s a lot on the line.
Following that sentiment, Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala., sacked up the biggest bag of smallmouth bass he’s ever caught and surged into the lead on Day 2 of the Bassmaster Elite Series event at the St. Lawrence River with a total weight of 53 pounds, 6 ounces.
“Today was an absolutely phenomenal day,” said Welcher, who also leads the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. “That was, by far, the best day of smallmouth fishing I’ve ever had. Yesterday was my second-best day of smallmouth fishing.
“There’s still two days to go. It’s fun to catch them really well, but it’s like the saying, ‘What a difference a day makes.’ I’m just going to try to make good adjustments, stay on top of the fish and catch them.”
After tying Matty Wong of Honolulu, Hawaii, for fifth place on Day 1 with 25-10, Welcher added 27-12 – the second day’s biggest bag. He anchored his Day-2 bag with the day’s biggest bass — a 6-08.
Heading into Saturday, Welcher holds an 8-ounce lead over Canadian Chris Johnston, who won the 2020 event at this venue.
Along with the $100,000 first-place prize and the blue trophy, the final event of the season will award a berth in the Bassmaster Classic, scheduled for March 22-24 in Tulsa, Okla. Welcher said that positioning himself well for the AOY title and a Classic qualification follows his season goals.
“That’s been the plan all year, from the first tournament,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to make that plan come to fruition.”
Generally repeating his Day-1 strategy, Welcher swung hard and made a long run to Canadian waters. His bites started early, but amassing his big limit took most of the morning.
“I think the pressure from me sitting on them affected them,” Welcher said. “When I first got there this morning, I caught three or four really quickly, and then I kept going up and down the same stretch and could tell, by the hour, they were getting smarter.”
Welcher said his main area had two stretches of 100 and 120 yards, where he fished scattered rock in 20 to 25 feet. Welcher caught all of his bass on a dropshot. Strategic weight selection was essential to his success.
“I’m trying to throw the lightest weight that I can get away with because, from what I have found, a big smallmouth wants to come up and get a bait,” Welcher said. “They don’t like to get it off the bottom.
“Especially if there are two or three of them there, I feel like the biggest one likes to come up. So, I like to have (a weight) that sinks slower. I use a 1/4-ounce if I’m in over 20 feet and if I’m out past 25, I’ll throw a 3/8, just because it’s hard to hit them in the wind.”
The light to moderate winds of Day 2 dramatically contrasted the opening round’s blustery complexion. With strong southeast winds roiling Lake Ontario, Welcher faced a rough, soaking ride through waves of 6-plus feet.
“It was a lot easier to navigate today, but I had some boat issues, so the ride today was actually scarier,” Welcher said. “I just had more time to fish the good areas today.”
Hailing from Otonabee, Ontario, Johnston is in second place with 52-14. After weighing 28-03 on Day 1, he added a second-round limit of 24-11.
“I’m looking forward to getting back out there,” Johnston said. “I know (no one) is going to feel bad for me, but it was a little tougher day today. I caught lots of fish, but they were all 3 to 4 pounds.
“It’s hard to complain about that, but tomorrow, I could go to those spots and there could be 5s and 6s. You never know about that. I’m usually cursed with one bad day on this place and hopefully, today was my bad day.”
Johnston fished some of the spots he worked on Day 1 and then ran new water. Targeting a mix of rockpiles and breaks in 12 to 25 feet, he caught most of his fish on a dropshot with a SPRO CJ Smasher.
Taku Ito of Chiba, Japan, is in third place with 52-05. After placing ninth on Day 1 with 24-14, Ito added 27-07 – Day 2’s second-heaviest catch (behind Welcher).
Ito, who won the 2021 Elite Series event at the St. Lawrence, said he focused on one spot in Lake Ontario. Taking advantage of the day’s relatively calm conditions, Ito made an hour-long run and found a congregation of heavyweights.
“I fished an area with many 5-pounders, 6-pounders,” Ito said. “Yesterday, I fished in 15 feet. Today, I fished in 25 feet.
“Yesterday, there was too much wind, so (not many) bites. Today, I got more bites. I’m a little bit worried about all this change.”
Ito said he caught his bass on a dropshot and a Neko rig. He enhanced his soft plastics with a Japanese scent formula.
Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at the Antique Boat Museum. The weigh-in will be held at the museum at 3 p.m., with only the Top 10 anglers advancing to Sunday for a chance at the $100,000 first-place prize and automatic Classic berth.
Day 2 Standings
1. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 10, 53-06 -- 104
Day 1: 5, 25-10 -- Day 2: 5, 27-12
2. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 10, 52-14 -- 103
Day 1: 5, 28-03 -- Day 2: 5, 24-11
3. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 10, 52-05 -- 102
Day 1: 5, 24-14 -- Day 2: 5, 27-07
4. Patrick Walters -- Summerville, SC -- 10, 52-01 -- 101
Day 1: 5, 24-14 -- Day 2: 5, 27-03
5. Kyoya Fujita -- Minamitsuru, JAPAN -- 10, 51-09 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 24-10 -- Day 2: 5, 26-15
6. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 10, 48-14 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 23-11 -- Day 2: 5, 25-03
7. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 10, 48-11 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 25-06 -- Day 2: 5, 23-05
8. Bryant Smith -- Roseville, CA -- 10, 48-09 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 29-05 -- Day 2: 5, 19-04
9. Cooper Gallant -- Bowmanville, ON -- 10, 48-05 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 26-12 -- Day 2: 5, 21-09
10. John Cox -- DeBary, FL -- 10, 47-14 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 23-10 -- Day 2: 5, 24-04
11. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 10, 47-13 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 24-01 -- Day 2: 5, 23-12
12. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 10, 47-02 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 19-14 -- Day 2: 5, 27-04
13. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 10, 47-01 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 22-04 -- Day 2: 5, 24-13
14. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 10, 47-00 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 25-12 -- Day 2: 5, 21-04
15. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 10, 46-13 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 24-07 -- Day 2: 5, 22-06
16. Joey Cifuentes III -- Clinton, AR -- 10, 46-09 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 23-07 -- Day 2: 5, 23-02
17. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 10, 46-08 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 21-11 -- Day 2: 5, 24-13
18. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 10, 46-06 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 22-09 -- Day 2: 5, 23-13
19. Matty Wong -- Honolulu, HI -- 10, 46-03 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 25-10 -- Day 2: 5, 20-09
20. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 10, 45-11 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 25-04 -- Day 2: 5, 20-07
21. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 10, 45-11 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 23-09 -- Day 2: 5, 22-02
22. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 10, 44-15 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 21-12 -- Day 2: 5, 23-03
23. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 10, 44-14 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 24-07 -- Day 2: 5, 20-07
24. Jacob Foutz -- Charleston, TN -- 10, 44-13 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 21-03 -- Day 2: 5, 23-10
25. KJ Queen -- Conover, NC -- 10, 44-08 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 21-00 -- Day 2: 5, 23-08
26. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 10, 43-15 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 22-12 -- Day 2: 5, 21-03
27. Alex Redwine -- Blue Ash, OH -- 10, 43-14 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 23-03 -- Day 2: 5, 20-11
28. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 10, 43-13 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 20-06 -- Day 2: 5, 23-07
29. Cole Sands -- Calhoun, TN -- 10, 43-12 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 22-10 -- Day 2: 5, 21-02
30. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 10, 43-06 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 18-15 -- Day 2: 5, 24-07
31. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 10, 43-04 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 20-11 -- Day 2: 5, 22-09
32. Jay Przekurat -- Stevens Point, WI -- 10, 43-03 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 23-15 -- Day 2: 5, 19-04
33. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 10, 43-03 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 20-06 -- Day 2: 5, 22-13
34. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 10, 42-11 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 19-12 -- Day 2: 5, 22-15
35. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 10, 42-10 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 21-14 -- Day 2: 5, 20-12
36. David Gaston -- Sylacauga, AL -- 10, 42-08 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 22-03 -- Day 2: 5, 20-05
37. Bryan New -- Saluda, SC -- 10, 42-06 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 18-13 -- Day 2: 5, 23-09
38. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 42-05 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 18-02 -- Day 2: 5, 24-03
39. Kyle Norsetter -- Cottage Grove, WI -- 10, 42-05 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 22-08 -- Day 2: 5, 19-13
40. Will Davis Jr -- Sylacauga, AL -- 10, 42-04 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 21-03 -- Day 2: 5, 21-01
41. Masayuki Matsushita -- Tokoname-Aichi, JAPAN -- 10, 42-02 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 17-14 -- Day 2: 5, 24-04
42. Bob Downey -- Detroit Lakes, MN -- 10, 42-00 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 22-09 -- Day 2: 5, 19-07
43. Cody Huff -- Ava, MO -- 10, 41-14 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 22-01 -- Day 2: 5, 19-13
44. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA 10 -- 41-13 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 18-14 -- Day 2: 5, 22-15
45. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 41-11 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 21-15 -- Day 2: 5, 19-12
46. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 10, 41-09 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 18-06 -- Day 2: 5, 23-03
47. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 10, 41-04 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 17-10 -- Day 2: 5, 23-10
48. Josh Douglas -- Isle, MN -- 10, 41-02 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 22-11 -- Day 2: 5, 18-07
49. Alex Wetherell -- Middletown, CT -- 10, 40-15 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 18-06 -- Day 2: 5, 22-09
50. Joseph Webster -- Hamilton, AL -- 10, 40-14 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 21-02 -- Day 2: 5, 19-12
The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on Day 3
51. Jeff Gustafson -- Kenora, ON -- 10, 40-11 -- 54 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 19-08 -- Day 2: 5, 21-03
52. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 10, 40-09 -- 53 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 20-15 -- Day 2: 5, 19-10
53. Jonathan Kelley -- Old Forge, PA -- 10, 40-04 -- 52 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 17-00 -- Day 2: 5, 23-04
54. Drew Benton -- Panama City, FL -- 10, 40-03 -- 51 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 18-05 -- Day 2: 5, 21-14
55. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 10, 39-14 -- 50 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 17-10 -- Day 2: 5, 22-04
56. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 10, 39-12 -- 49 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 20-05 -- Day 2: 5, 19-07
57. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 10, 39-11 -- 48 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 19-00 -- Day 2: 5, 20-11
58. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 10, 39-04 -- 47 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 21-04
59. John Soukup -- Sapulpa, OK -- 10, 39-04 -- 46 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 18-04 -- Day 2: 5, 21-00
60. Jake Whitaker -- Hendersonville, NC -- 10, 39-03 -- 45 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 21-03
61. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 10, 38-15 -- 44 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 21-05 -- Day 2: 5, 17-10
62. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 10, 38-14 -- 43 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 20-13 -- Day 2: 5, 18-01
63. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 10, 38-14 -- 42 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 19-01 -- Day 2: 5, 19-13
64. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 10, 38-14 -- 41 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 19-09 -- Day 2: 5, 19-05
65. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 10, 38-09 -- 40 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 23-09
66. Buddy Gross -- Chattanooga, TN -- 10, 38-09 -- 39 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 17-02 -- Day 2: 5, 21-07
67. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 10, 38-08 -- 38 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 20-07 -- Day 2: 5, 18-01
68. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 10, 38-08 -- 37 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 20-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-08
69. Logan Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 38-03 -- 36 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 19-15 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04
70. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 10, 38-02 -- 35 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 20-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-14
71. Mike Huff -- London, KY -- 10, 38-00 -- 34 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 16-13 -- Day 2: 5, 21-03
72. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 10, 38-00 -- 33 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 18-03 -- Day 2: 5, 19-13
73. David Williams -- Newton, NC -- 10, 37-10 -- 32 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 19-15 -- Day 2: 5, 17-11
74. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 10, 37-10 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 19-01 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09
75. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 10, 37-09 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 14-12 -- Day 2: 5, 22-13
76. Chad Pipkens -- DeWitt, MI -- 10, 37-07 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 18-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-11
77. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 10, 37-06 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 19-09 -- Day 2: 5, 17-13
78. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 10, 37-05 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 16-01 -- Day 2: 5, 21-04
79. Michael Iaconelli -- Pittsgrove, NJ -- 10, 37-02 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 17-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-14
80. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 10, 37-02 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 19-01 -- Day 2: 5, 18-01
81. Jason Christie -- Dry Creek, OK -- 10, 36-15 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 14-14 -- Day 2: 5, 22-01
82. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 10, 35-13 -- 23
Day 1: 5, 18-05 -- Day 2: 5, 17-08
83. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 35-09 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 5, 20-14
84. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 10, 35-09 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 16-15 -- Day 2: 5, 18-10
85. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 35-06 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 20-06 -- Day 2: 5, 15-00
86. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 10, 34-10 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 15-06 -- Day 2: 5, 19-04
87. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 10, 34-06 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 18-08 -- Day 2: 5, 15-14
88. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 10, 34-01 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 18-01 -- Day 2: 5, 16-00
89. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 10, 33-13 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 11-07 -- Day 2: 5, 22-06
90. Derek Hudnall -- Zachary, LA -- 10, 33-10 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 14-05 -- Day 2: 5, 19-05
91. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 10, 33-09 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 11-04 -- Day 2: 5, 22-05
92. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 10, 33-08 -- 13
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01
93. Skylar Hamilton -- Jefferson, TN -- 10, 33-06 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 11-06 -- Day 2: 5, 22-00
94. Larry Nixon -- Bee Branch, AR -- 9, 31-13 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 18-07 -- Day 2: 4, 13-06
95. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 10, 31-13 -- 10
Day 1: 5, 14-08 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05
96. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 10, 30-11 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 16-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-06
97. Darold Gleason -- Many, LA -- 10, 30-01 -- 8
Day 1: 5, 14-03 -- Day 2: 5, 15-14
98. Bradley Hallman -- Edmond, OK -- 10, 29-13 -- 7
Day 1: 5, 11-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-01
99. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 10, 29-04 -- 6
Day 1: 5, 12-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-11
100. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 9, 27-06 -- 5
Day 1: 4, 05-05 -- Day 2: 5, 22-01
101. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 5, 18-13 -- 4
Day 1: 5, 18-13 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00
102. Keith Poche -- Cecil, AL -- 5, 16-05 -- 3
Day 1: 5, 16-05 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00
