Rookie Remitz New Leader, Kennedy 2-15 back

There's 1 day left to fish at the Amistad Elite Series in Del Rio, Texas, which brings up a lot more questions than answers.

Question 1: Can the rookie Derek Remitz, who vaulted from 7th to 1st today with a 30-07 limit, hold off heavy hitters like Steve Kennedy, Mike Iaconelli, and others?

Question 2: Will the heavy

winds and fierce frontal conditions in tomorrow's forecast help Kennedy, who led days 1 and 2, and who described dark skies as a "dream" for his swimbait bite? Also, will the wind keep Remitz off his main-lake fish?

Question 3: Will Mike Iaconelli finally get the big bite that's eluded him the previous 3 days?

Question 4: Can Todd Faircloth whack another 36 pounds, and cap his day-3 rally?

Question 5: Will Edwin Evers hit with his all-out gamble tomorrow?

Question 6: Will anyone in the Top 12 stick the 40-pound sack that's within reach?

That's how tomorrow sets up, but here's a quick summary of what happened today.

As noted, Remitz pulled a surprise attack and moved into the lead. He's a rarity in the field, because he's improved every day: 20-03, 29-07, 30-07. With 80-01 total, and a 26 1/2-pound average, he leads Kennedy by 2-15.

Kennedy caught 36-10 on day 1, less than half that on day 2, then split the difference today with 24-02.

Both anglers who were tied for 2nd tumbled today. Rookie Scott Campbell caught 13-01 and finished 17th. Gary Klein caught 8-08 and finished 27th.

That left the door open for Mike Iaconelli to gain a spot and settle into 3rd. Of the Top 3, Ike's been the most steady – 27-09, 24-08, 24-03. Again though, he has yet to catch a big fish.

Todd Faircloth was today's mountain-climber. He stuck the biggest sack of the day (36-07), and the second-biggest of the tournament, to catapult from 39th to 4th.

And Edwin Evers, in 5th, weighed another 20 pounds today and improved one spot.

Here's a look at the Top 12 who'll fish tomorrow (the rest of the Top 50 anglers didn't make the cut). Total weight is followed by distance from leader in red.

1. Derek Remitz: 80-01
2. Steve Kennedy: 77-02 (2-15)
3. Mike Iaconelli: 76-04 (3-13)
4. Todd Faircloth: 75-01 (4-16)
5. Edwin Evers: 71-04 (8-13)
6. Davy Hite: 69-13 (10-04)
7. Kevin VanDam: 68-04 (11-13)
8. Jeff Kriet: 67-01 (12-16)
8. John Murray: 67-01 (12-16)
10. Skeet Reese: 66-14 (13-03)
11. Ken Brodeur: 66-12 (13-05)
12. Ish Monroe: 66-09 (13-08)

Faircloth, Reese, Brodeur and Monroe all moved into the cut today, while Campbell, Klein, Dean Rojas and Cliff Pace fell out. Rojas was first out of the cut – he missed it by 2 ounces.

Nasty weather – or good, depending on how you look at it – is in the forecast for tomorrow. Winds pushing 30 mph are expected to pummel the lake, with thunderstorms and possible hail developing.

Several pros noted that BASS tournament director Trip Weldon had already warned them he may pull the field early if conditions warrant. The 2:00 timeframe was apparently stated as the possible end-of-day.

Which brings back the questions noted above. Remitz is exposed to the wind big-time, whereas Kennedy wants the wind. Kennedy can catch them when it's blowing (like it was today), but not when it's slick (like it was on day 2).

Ike's a definite wildcard right now. He's been plugging away with 5- and 6-pounders, but if the weather brings the weights down tomorrow, and he weighs another 25, he could easily take it without a big bite.

Faircloth caught all his weight today in a narrow time window from a single school. He's going back after that school tomorrow, but if the past 3 days are any judge, a single-school bite is highly unpredictable.

Evers heads into day 4 with not much. He had a bad practice, has been fishing new water daily, and plans to go sling big baits tomorrow in an all-out gamble.

VanDam's running a pattern, and he needs some chop on the surface. He's fairly protected against the wind, because he can find the right water all over the lake. Like Ike, though, the big bite's eluded him this week and his pattern's more focused on steady quality. He's got a major deficit in front of him too.

The most interesting development, perhaps, is the lack of any sight-fishing impact. And with the expected wind tomorrow, it likely won't play a major role.

Remitz: 'It was Incredible'

For a rookie, it's probably intimidating to look back and see names like Kennedy, Iaconelli, Evers, and VanDam behind you.

It's definitely a little daunting to Minnesotan-turned-Texan Derek Remitz.

"It was incredible," he said of his day. "It's one of the best feelings in my life right now. It's just kind of cool to be up there with all the big dogs.

"The only thing that really scares me is I know all these guys can catch them, and they're all going for it tomorrow."

His bag today included a 9-pounder, one about 7, then a 5 1/2 and a couple of 4s.

He's fishing deep, and noted today was the direct opposite of yesterday. Here's why. He didn't have a good fish until 1:30 yesterday, but today, he had all his weight by 9:30.

"After that, I kind of went and did a little pre-fishing – went to look for one or two more good spots. I went looking shallow, but never got a shallow bite. I haven't all week. That helped me determine what I'll do tomorrow."

On whether he can win, he said: "I think if can get to my stuff, and if those fish bite, I really think I can catch another 25 to 30 pounds.

"The wind is supposed to be blowing really hard tomorrow, and that makes it tough to fish what I'm doing

2nd: Kennedy Back to Big Bait

After a light, 16-pound day 2, Kennedy began this morning where he started day 1. He'd previously caught two flip-fish there, and a 5-pounder out of a tree.

Today, he threw a swimbait at that same tree. He had a bite on the left side, and saw a huge boil, but didn't hook up. He then threw to the right side and stuck a 5-pounder.

"When that happened, it was apparent to me the swimbait bite was on," he said.

After that, he caught two flip-fish, and a 6-pound swimbait fish, but hit a dead time through the afternoon.

In the late afternoon, once the wind started blowing, he connected with an 8-02 swimbait fish off a point in the main lake.

"It's supposed to blow tomorrow – we have major storms coming in," he noted. "The first day really felt like pre-frontal conditions and the bite was on. Yesterday, it was like post-frontal and I never got a big bite. Today, I saw a bunch of fish – 10s and 12s that followed – but they wouldn't eat.

"Tomorrow, with the weather coming in, I think they're going to eat. I'm pumped. I'm excited."

On whether he thinks he can win, he said: "Yes, I really do. I had lots of follows today. They're right where they're supposed to be. If they decide to eat, I can catch them. Dark skies would be heaven for me.

3rd: Ike Intercepting

It's consistency that's put Ike within striking distance, but consistency may not be enough to win. He likely needs more than the 25 1/2-pound average he's at right now, but he's confident in what he's doing, and won't change.

"I'm stoked," he said. "What I talked about the first day (fishing transient fish) is really materializing for me. I'm fishing four areas that are set up real similar. The fish are coming into these areas from deep water, and I'm intercepting them as they come into the coves.

"What I'm trying to do this week is to let the day dictate what bait I fish. I'm so confident in the areas, all I'm doing is trying to decide what the best tool is for that day.

"I'm a little ways back, but I'm excited – I feel like I have a real opportunity to win this thing."

He noted he "needs the right bites to win tomorrow" – meaning, something more than the 5s and 6s he's weighed so far. And the best way to do that, in his opinion, is to stick to his current approach.

And he has been bed-fishing on occasion. As he's fishing, if he sees a female locked on, he fishes for her. But he's not about to go on an all-out bed search tomorrow.

4th: Faircloth 'Shook Up'

Faircloth literally came out of nowhere today and not only made the cut, but moved into definite striking distance.

He caught the second-best sack of the tournament so far (36-07) and trails Remitz by only 4-16.

"I'm still a little shook up over it to tell you the truth," he said. "I've weighed in quite a few big stringers in my life, but never one quite like that."

Along with a 10-11 (the day's big bass), his bag also included an 8. His final limit came from 15 to 20 feet of water.

"I had about 13 pounds at noon, but I caught all the fish I weighed in between 12:30 and 12:45 – it all happened in 15-minute timeframe," he said.

"I couldn't believe what had just happened. I got on a big school yesterday, but after I caught one, they set down on me. I came back 30 minutes later and caught a few more, but this school today – they kept on biting.

"It was just one of those days you dream about."

Given what he caught today, his 5-pound deficit is fairly minor, which is why he thinks he's got a shot at winning.

"When you're dealing with fish like this, somebody can catch 40 pounds. It's doable here. I saw some more fish come up after I caught those fish, so I know there's more fish in my area.

"I'm going back to that area to beat it out and see what I can come up with. If get around another school like that, I think I have a legitimate shot at it."

On whether he's worried about his fish changing, which has been the norm for most of the field, he said: "No, I'm not worried. I've been catching them that way in that depth range ever since practice.

"The fish are sitting out there ready to come up and spawn, but I don't think anything's going to change overnight."

5th: Evers Will Gamble

Evers has been hanging around inside Top 6 since the tournament began, and nobody's more surprised than he is.

"I feel great," he said. "I had a horrible practice, so I've just been fishing. I fished all new water today for the most part, and I'm going to swing for the fences tomorrow.

"I'll have big baits tied on, and I don't really care what happens. I'm going to try to win."

He plans to rework some of the stuff he found today, but strike out into new water too – something he's done every day.

BassFans may remember that he led day 2 here last year, then faded and finished 11th.

"It's completely different from last year," he noted. "Last year I was catching my fish sight-fishing, but that's kind of been my downfall so far this year. I've spent 3 or 4 hours every day looking for them.

"It's been driving me nuts. I'm just too hard-headed in wanting to do that. But I feel like they're going to move up any minute."

He thinks he needs to catch a bag in the low-30s tomorrow to have a chance to win.

6th: VanDam Will Watch Wind

Like Evers, VanDam fished the final day here last year. Actually, he entered day 4 in 2nd place last time – 4 pounds behind then-leader and eventual winner Monroe.

This time around, he's got a bigger hill to climb – almost 12 pounds.

"I've got a lot to make up, but this is the lake you can do it on," he said.

"It's a great weather forecast for my style of fishing," he added. "That's really what hurt me the last 2 days – there not being any wind. There won't be any sight-fishing going on tomorrow, which is going to make it challenge.

"I'm up for it. I'm looking forward to it."

About his plans for tomorrow, he said: "I'm just fishing a pattern, and I'm going to let the wind dictate where I'm able to run it. There's a certain type of water I'm looking for.

"I need to catch 30-plus to have a chance to win. But this is a lake where that happens on a regular basis."

13th: Rojas off Roller Coaster

A 2-ounce margin isn't much at Amistad – it's pretty much nothing – but that's how much Rojas missed the cut by.

"I had some difficulties this morning, and it made for a challenging day," he said, and declined to elaborate further.

"Emotionally, it's been a roller-coaster week," he added. I'm kind of glad it's over."

He was able to catch a few late fish to salvage his day, but never did get to the fish he wanted, he said.

"It's a good start to the season. I've got some good points, and some momentum to go into the season with. I'm happy where I'm at, and I'm ready to go to California."

19th: Roumbanis Lost Cut Fish

Last year at Amistad, California pro Fred Roumbanis finished 2nd after he lost the winning fish late in the day. Today, he lost his cut fish first thing in the morning.

That said, it was his 10-05 day 1 that ultimately doomed him.

"I'm a little disappointed, to be honest," he said. "I don't know what happened the first day, to be honest. It was just a weird deal. I think I scrambled around a little too much.

"I felt good yesterday, but today, I lost so many big fish."

He threw a swimbait in 25 feet of water all 3 days – a 6-inch Reaction Strike Poseidon that he designed.

About his lost fish today, he said: "I broke my rod on one that was about 9 pounds. When the rod broke, it cut my line. I tried chasing the line, but it swam away too fast.

"And right off the bat this morning, I tried to swing a 4-pounder in. I thought I wouldn't need it, but I missed the cut because of that 4-pounder.

"Actually, I'm pretty happy (with the finish) after thinking I was completely out of it," he added. "And I'm excited to be going to California. I grew up on the Delta (site of the next event)."

Notable

> Day 3 stats – 50 anglers, 47 limits, 1 four, 2 threes.

> Remitz on whether the bass get this big in his native Minnesota: "They sure don't. And you know, the last 2 days I've been trying to judge what I have, and I honestly couldn't. I don't get a chance to look at that many big fish. I used to use a culling scale, but it started lying to me one time and I threw it away. Now I just use the tried and true balance beam."

> Kennedy actually caught two fish on one cast today, but not in a typical way. "That 7-pounder I caught today actually spit up a keeper-size bass," he said. "It was still alive. I don't even know how it got my bait in its mouth. The fish was only halfway down its throat. It was a 14- or 15-inch fish."

> Famed Japanese lure designer Seiji Kato (formerly of Team Daiwa and Lucky Craft, now of Jackall) won the co-angler division with 48-08. He beat New Mexico's Franco Vallejos (46-03) and Texan Dennis Lala (44-08) and won a fully rigged boat valued at $50,000.

Weather Forecast

Here's the Weather Channel's forecast for the final tournament day:

> Sun, March 11 – Scattered Strong T-Storms – 74°/58°
- Wind: From the SE at 16 mph

Day 3 Standings

1. Derek Remitz -- Huntsville, Ala. -- 15, 80-01 -- 305
Day 1: 5, 20-03 -- Day 2: 5, 29-07 -- Day 3: 5, 30-07

2. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Ala. -- 15, 77-02 -- 305
Day 1: 5, 36-10 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06 -- Day 3: 5, 24-02

3. Michael Iaconelli -- Runnemede, N.J. -- 15, 76-04 -- 290
Day 1: 5, 27-09 -- Day 2: 5, 24-08 -- Day 3: 5, 24-03

4. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Texas -- 15, 75-01 -- 285
Day 1: 5, 18-02 -- Day 2: 5, 20-08 -- Day 3: 5, 36-07

5. Edwin Evers -- Talala, Okla. -- 15, 71-04 -- 280
Day 1: 5, 29-11 -- Day 2: 5, 20-14 -- Day 3: 5, 20-11

6. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, S.C. -- 15, 69-13 -- 276
Day 1: 5, 25-15 -- Day 2: 5, 22-01 -- Day 3: 5, 21-13

7. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, Mich. -- 15, 68-04 -- 272
Day 1: 5, 26-08 -- Day 2: 5, 24-08 -- Day 3: 5, 17-04

8. John Murray -- Phoenix, Ariz. -- 15, 67-01 -- 266
Day 1: 5, 19-04 -- Day 2: 5, 27-10 -- Day 3: 5, 20-03

8. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, Okla. -- 15, 67-01 -- 266
Day 1: 5, 26-14 -- Day 2: 5, 21-04 -- Day 3: 5, 18-15

10. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, Calif. -- 15, 66-14 -- 260
Day 1: 5, 25-02 -- Day 2: 5, 21-07 -- Day 3: 5, 20-05

11. Ken Brodeur -- Niantic, Conn. -- 15, 66-12 -- 257
Day 1: 5, 23-07 -- Day 2: 5, 19-08 -- Day 3: 5, 23-13

12. Ishama Monroe -- Hughson, Calif. -- 15, 66-09 -- 254
Day 1: 5, 25-02 -- Day 2: 5, 18-01 -- Day 3: 5, 23-06

The following anglers didn't make the cut and won't be fishing tomorrow:

13. Dean Rojas -- Grand Saline, Texas -- 15, 66-07 -- 250 -- $10,750
Day 1: 5, 27-00 -- Day 2: 5, 21-12 -- Day 3: 5, 17-11

13. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, Calif. -- 15, 66-07 -- 250 -- $10,750
Day 1: 5, 26-02 -- Day 2: 5, 19-09 -- Day 3: 5, 20-12

15. John Crews -- Salem, Va. -- 15, 66-04 -- 245 -- $10,600
Day 1: 5, 23-04 -- Day 2: 5, 23-00 -- Day 3: 5, 20-00

16. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, Fla. -- 15, 65-13 -- 243 -- $10,500
Day 1: 5, 30-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-14 -- Day 3: 5, 19-03

17. Scott Campbell -- Springfield, Mo. -- 15, 65-08 -- 241 -- $11,500
Day 1: 5, 36-00 -- Day 2: 5, 16-07 -- Day 3: 5, 13-01

18. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, Okla. -- 14, 65-01 -- 239 -- $10,500
Day 1: 4, 14-15 -- Day 2: 5, 28-00 -- Day 3: 5, 22-02

19. Fred Roumbanis -- Auburn, Calif. -- 15, 64-05 -- 237 -- $11,500
Day 1: 5, 10-05 -- Day 2: 5, 33-02 -- Day 3: 5, 20-14

20. Mark Tyler -- Vian, Okla. -- 15, 64-02 -- 235 -- $10,500
Day 1: 5, 20-08 -- Day 2: 5, 26-05 -- Day 3: 5, 17-05

21. Cliff Pace -- Petal, Miss. -- 15, 63-01 -- 233 -- $10,250
Day 1: 5, 28-03 -- Day 2: 5, 20-06 -- Day 3: 5, 14-08

22. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, Mo. -- 15, 62-14 -- 231 -- $10,250
Day 1: 5, 20-11 -- Day 2: 5, 19-12 -- Day 3: 5, 22-07

23. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, Kan. -- 15, 62-04 -- 229 -- $10,250
Day 1: 5, 23-01 -- Day 2: 5, 21-03 -- Day 3: 5, 18-00

24. Matthew Sphar -- Pavilion, N.Y. -- 15, 61-11 -- 227 -- $10,250
Day 1: 5, 19-15 -- Day 2: 5, 23-11 -- Day 3: 5, 18-01

25. Alton Jones -- Waco, Texas -- 15, 61-05 -- 225 -- $10,250
Day 1: 5, 28-07 -- Day 2: 5, 17-11 -- Day 3: 5, 15-03

26. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, Ark. -- 15, 61-03 -- 223 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 27-04 -- Day 3: 5, 15-15

27. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, Texas -- 14, 60-15 -- 221 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 26-09 -- Day 2: 5, 25-14 -- Day 3: 4, 8-08

28. Jami Fralick -- Martin, S.D. -- 15, 60-02 -- 218 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-04 -- Day 2: 5, 22-13 -- Day 3: 5, 23-01

28. Grant Goldbeck -- Gaithersburg, Md. -- 12, 60-02 -- 218 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 26-00 -- Day 2: 4, 20-14 -- Day 3: 3, 13-04

30. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr -- Gainesville, Fla. -- 15, 58-12 -- 215 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-00 -- Day 2: 5, 16-14 -- Day 3: 5, 22-14

31. Steve Daniel -- Clewiston, Fla. -- 15, 58-11 -- 213 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 22-08 -- Day 2: 5, 16-07 -- Day 3: 5, 19-12

32. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, Ohio -- 15, 58-05 -- 211 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 26-12 -- Day 2: 5, 19-09 -- Day 3: 5, 12-00

33. Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, Ala. -- 15, 58-01 -- 209 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 21-12 -- Day 2: 5, 20-01 -- Day 3: 5, 16-04

34. Jason Quinn -- Lake Wylie, S.C. -- 15, 57-07 -- 207 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-04 -- Day 2: 5, 24-05 -- Day 3: 5, 13-14

35. Ben Matsubu -- Hemphill, Texas -- 15, 57-03 -- 204 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-03 -- Day 2: 5, 21-01 -- Day 3: 5, 15-15

35. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, Ky. -- 15, 57-03 -- 204 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-01 -- Day 3: 5, 20-02

37. Kevin Langill -- Terrell, N.C. -- 15, 54-15 -- 201 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-09 -- Day 2: 5, 22-12 -- Day 3: 5, 16-10

38. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, S.C. -- 15, 54-11 -- 199 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-02 -- Day 2: 5, 22-02 -- Day 3: 5, 14-07

39. Paul Hirosky -- Guys Mills, Pa. -- 15, 54-08 -- 197 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-14 -- Day 2: 5, 19-09 -- Day 3: 5, 18-01

40. Jimmy Mize -- Ben Lomond, Ark. -- 15, 54-03 -- 195 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-14 -- Day 2: 5, 15-00 -- Day 3: 5, 18-05

41. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, Ark. -- 15, 54-02 -- 193 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 21-13 -- Day 2: 5, 14-08 -- Day 3: 5, 17-13

42. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, La. -- 15, 54-00 -- 191 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 25-03 -- Day 2: 5, 12-01 -- Day 3: 5, 16-12

43. Bill Lowen -- North Bend, Ohio -- 15, 53-10 -- 189 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-12 -- Day 2: 5, 24-02 -- Day 3: 5, 14-12

44. Denny Brauer -- Camdenton, Mo. -- 15, 53-05 -- 187 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-02 -- Day 2: 5, 22-07 -- Day 3: 5, 11-12

45. Bradley Hallman -- Norman, Okla. -- 15, 51-05 -- 185 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-06 -- Day 2: 5, 22-05 -- Day 3: 5, 11-10

46. Jeff Connella -- Bentley, La. -- 15, 50-11 -- 183 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-14 -- Day 2: 5, 21-00 -- Day 3: 5, 11-13

47. Greg Gutierrez -- Red Bluff, Calif. -- 15, 50-00 -- 181 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 22-15 -- Day 2: 5, 13-10 -- Day 3: 5, 13-07

48. Ken D Cook -- Lawton, Okla. -- 15, 49-06 -- 179 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 28-15 -- Day 2: 5, 12-05 -- Day 3: 5, 8-02

49. Bryan Hudgins -- Orange Park, Fla. -- 13, 47-07 -- 177 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-10 -- Day 3: 3, 10-04

50. Randy Howell -- Springville, Ala. -- 15, 47-00 -- 175 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-01 -- Day 2: 5, 17-12 -- Day 3: 5, 9-03

Big Bass

> Day 3: Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Texas -- 10-11 -- $1,000
> Day 2: Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, Okla. -- 8-12 -- $1,000
> Day 1: Scott Campbell -- Springfield, Mo. -- 12-07 -- $1,000