Menendez, Pace Catch 21-Plus To Surge Ahead

Despite having company that wasn't around on day 1, Mark Menendez and Cliff Pace both cleared the 21-pound threshold today at the Dardanelle Bassmaster Elite Series in Arkansas. Their big bags – which were among the three best of the day – allowed them to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the field.

Menendez, who's fishing out of an aluminum boat to access a hard-to-reach backwater locale, sacked 21-08 today for a 2-day total of 39-04 that led the cut to the Top 50 at the midway point. With nasty weather in the forecast, he anticipates some difficulty making the long run to the spot in his tin rig tomorrow, but said he's going no matter what.

Pace is ambushing fish on their way in and out of a spawning area, and his 21-12 stringer put him in 2nd with a 38-07 total. Like Menendez, he didn't weigh a fish today that topped 5 pounds, but none were under 4.

After that, it's more than a 4 1/2-pound drop down to Kevin VanDam, who caught 18-06 today to climb eight spots into 3rd. He's fishing a community area along with numerous other anglers who made the cut and is throwing a variety of baits.

Matt Herren put together his second straight solid bag (15-07) and remained in 4th with 32-08. He's caught all his fish from the same place and is unsure whether it has anything left to offer him tomorrow.

Alton Jones weighed 14-14 today and finished out the Top 5 with a 32-03 total. He caught another sight-fish today and spent the last 2 hours working on a 5-pound female that he couldn't get to bite. With the big cold front coming, he doubts she'll still be on the bed tomorrow.

Here's a look at the current Top 12 (red numbers in parentheses indicate deficit margin from leader):

1. Mark Menendez: 39-04
2. Cliff Pace: 38-07 (0-13)
3. Kevin VanDam: 33-12 (5-08)
4. Matt Herren: 32-08 (6-12)
5. Alton Jones: 32-03 (7-01)
6. Fred Roumbanis: 32-01 (7-03)
7. Denny Brauer: 31-11 (7-09)
8. Jim Murray: 31-03 (8-01)
9. Greg Vinson: 30-15 (8-05)
10. Chris Lane: 30-06 (8-14)
11. Skeet Reese: 29-06 (9-14)
12. Bradley Hallman: 28-14 (10-06)

Conditions were about the same as on day 1 (overcast skies with a stiff breeze), but with no fog delay, weights went up significantly. It took 20-15 to make the 50-cut – a position that required less than 10 pounds after the first day.

There were just three newcomers to the Top 12. Jim Murray jumped 22 places to 8th with 19-03 today for a 31-03 total, Greg Vinson catapulted 44 spots to 9th with a tournament-best 21-14 bag that gave him a 30-15 total, and Bradley Hallman moved up 28 rungs with 18-04 today for a 28-14 total.

Moving out were day-1 leader Brent Chapman, who fell to 27th with just two fish for 5-11, along with Billy McCaghren (10th to 14th with 12-06) and Stephen Browning (12th to 23rd with 10-15).

A frigid front is on its way – the high temperature in the Russellville, Ark. area tomorrow is predicted to be 46 degrees. Rain showers are expected during the afternoon hours, with perhaps even a little snow mixed in. Wind from the west/southwest is expected to hit 16 mph.

The field will be reduced to the Top 12 after tomorrow's weigh-in. The winner will be determined Sunday by the highest 4-day weight.

Menendez Adapted

The fish in Menendez's out-of-the-way hole weren't impressed with the Strike King Rage plastic offering he'd caught them with on day 1. But it didn't take him long to discover that another bait from the same manufacturer suited them just fine.

"There were still plenty of them in there, but they just wouldn't bite it," he said. "The bait and the presentation completely changed. I finally caught two little ones, and then I got three good ones in a row."

He ended up going through about 15 keepers before he had five that were all between 4 and 5 pounds. Then he guarded the area for awhile and left at about 2:00.

He had the place all to himself on day 1, but was joined by two other competitors today. He didn't identify them, but said one was another member of the aluminum contingent who didn't make the cut. The other, who may be fishing tomorrow, was in a fiberglass rig and "tore it up pretty good."

Wind is his biggest concern for tomorrow.

"It could hurt my travel plans. Fishing the G3 with a (90-horsepower motor), it's a big issue for me.

"But I'm committed. If it takes me 3 hours to get there, then I'll get there in 3 hours. But those fish are the winners."

2nd: Pace's Fish a Mix

Pace believes he's catching a mix of pre-spawn and post-spawn fish.

"I'm catching them on moving baits and getting reaction bites," he said. "I don't think they're spawning, or at least I can't see them if they are. I think they're fish that are using the area to go in and out.

"I did exactly the same thing (as on day 1). I had some other people in there today and that really could have hurt me, but they all pretty much honored my stuff except for one. That's just one of those deals."

He ended up catching seven or eight keepers, all in the 4 1/4-pound range. It took him until almost 1:00 to get a limit and he culled a couple of times thereafter.

"I didn't catch more numbers, but it was better quality. I'll go back to the same area tomorrow, although I might have to change the way I'm fishing. But the area obviously has a lot of potential."

3rd: VanDam in a Crowd

VanDam is sharing his primary spot with a bevy of other competitors, most of whom will be back in action tomorrow.

"The area's real good, without a doubt," he said. "We'll just have to see how it all shakes out.

"The weather concerns me more than anything because it's supposed to get real cold. A lot of these fish are shallow and I don't know what it'll do to them. I definitely don't see them being as active."

He caught "quite a few" keepers, but nothing over 4 pounds. He only needed about an hour to compile a limit.

"With so many people in the area, I'm moving around quite a bit. And I'm throwing the kitchen sink at them."

4th: Herren Played Nursemaid

Herren has only one area that he has much confidence in and he hopes it'll continue to produce for him.

"It was more of a grind today," he said. "I may be out of fish, or maybe not. It's a good-size area I'm fishing and I'm learning a little more about it every day.

"I've already got my tackle ready for tomorrow and I'll have a different mindset about what I need to do. I'm just going fishing."

His fish changed up on him a bit today, but he got things squared away and had a limit by noon. He culled twice and then pulled out.

"That's all I've got and I'm nursing it as hard as I can nurse it. I found one other area this afternoon that I think has a little bit of potential and I accidentally shook one off there that felt like a quality fish.

"All the fish I've caught are about the same size. I haven't caught a 6- or 7-pounder since I've been here."

5th: Jones Thinks Sight-Bite's Over

Sight-fishing has been a significant part of Jones' attack, but he doesn't expect that to hold up through the coming weather.

"I think more of them pulled up today," he said. "I came back through late and caught a 3-pounder, and the female I spent the last 2 hours working on and the male that was with her were both new.

"But with that front coming through hard, it wouldn't surprise me if all of them are gone tomorrow."

He can't see the fish in his primary area, but he thinks it replenished some today.

"I still caught one or two in there, so it wasn't a total loss. Tomorrow I'll run some new water again.

"I was a little disappointed in one of my backup areas – the rain muddied it up and there was current running through it, and it cooled from 60 degrees to 54. Tomorrow everything's going to be cold, though, so it won't matter. I'll just go out and make another run at it."

8th: Murray's Bites got Bigger

Georgia's Jim Murray made his first 50-cut in the past six Elite events. He's plying an area favored by about 10 other competitors who'll also be back tomorrow.

"I just got bigger bites than I did yesterday," he said. "The longer day helped because I'm not getting a whole lot of bites. I'm in a crowd and I just have to weave around and find somewhere to fish.

He caught seven keepers for the day and the biggest was just under 5 pounds. He's focusing on water that's 2 feet deep or shallower.

"I caught two big ones pretty quick, and then I went about 2 1/2 hours without a bite when it got sunny and slick for awhile. Then the clouds and wind moved back in and I caught them pretty quick.

"This was the biggest bag I've caught since I've been here and I'll just have to play the weather conditions tomorrow. I'll fish for quality bites – I won't be looking for just keepers."

27th: Chapman Baffled

Chapman was surprised to be leading after day 1, and then totally befuddled by his two-bite follow-up. He was left wondering whether his fish had deserted him.

"That's the million-dollar question," he said. "I really can't believe that they just weren't there. The two I caught bit great and other people caught them in areas around me. It's got me totally stumped."

He'll go back to that area tomorrow, but might make an early departure if it looks like a repeat of today is in the offing.

"I'm not going to die by it – I'll move around and just go fishing. I don't have a lot to lose at this point. I'd love to catch another 19-pound bag and make the cut for Sunday, but I'd also love to get a Top 20 for the points aspect as well."

Notable

> Day 2 stats – 100 anglers, 55 limits (14 more than day 1), 18 fours, 11 threes, 12 twos, 4 ones.

> Tim Horton, who weighed just one fish on day 1, moved up 49 places to 40th with a 20-03 bag that included a 7 1/2-pounder – the day's biggest fish.

> John Murray weighed a four-fish bag for the second day in a row and missed the cut by 1-12, continuing a long streak of frustration at Dardanelle. To read his day 2 report, click here to go On Tour With the BassFan Big Sticks.

> Mike Iaconelli's streak of five straight Elite finishes of 9th or better (including his runner-up showing at the Bassmaster Classic) ended with a thud. He caught just two fish each day and ended up 96th.

Weather Forecast

Here's the weather forecast for the remaining tournament days. For more weather information, including satellite and radar imagery, visit OutdoorsFanWeather.com.

> Sat., March 28 - PM Rain/Snow Showers - 46°/33°
- Wind: From the W/SW at 16 mph

> Sun., March 29 - Sunny - 64°/42°
- Wind: From the W at 9 mph

Day 2 Standings

1. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 10, 39-04 -- 305
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 21-08

2. Cliff Pace -- Petal, MS -- 10, 38-07 -- 295
Day 1: 5, 16-11 -- Day 2: 5, 21-12

3. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 10, 33-12 -- 290
Day 1: 5, 15-06 -- Day 2: 5, 18-06

4. Matt Herren -- Trussville, AL -- 10, 32-08 -- 285
Day 1: 5, 17-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-07

5. Alton Jones -- Waco, TX -- 10, 32-03 -- 280
Day 1: 5, 17-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-14

6. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, OK -- 10, 32-01 -- 276
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-05

7. Denny Brauer -- Camdenton, MO -- 10, 31-11 -- 272
Day 1: 5, 16-06 -- Day 2: 5, 15-05

8. Jim Murray -- Arabi, GA -- 10, 31-03 -- 268
Day 1: 5, 12-00 -- Day 2: 5, 19-03

9. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, AL -- 9, 30-15 -- 264
Day 1: 4, 09-01 -- Day 2: 5, 21-14

10. Chris Lane -- Lakeland, FL -- 10, 30-06 -- 260
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 14-08

11. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 10, 29-06 -- 257
Day 1: 5, 15-13 -- Day 2: 5, 13-09

12. Bradley Hallman -- Norman, OK -- 9, 28-14 -- 254
Day 1: 4, 10-10 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04

13. James Niggemeyer -- Van, TX -- 10, 28-07 -- 251
Day 1: 5, 14-06 -- Day 2: 5, 14-01

14. Billy Mccaghren -- Mayflower, AR -- 10, 28-01 -- 248
Day 1: 5, 15-11 -- Day 2: 5, 12-06

15. Terry Butcher -- Talala, OK -- 10, 28-01 -- 245
Day 1: 5, 13-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-12

16. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 27-12 -- 243
Day 1: 5, 12-14 -- Day 2: 5, 14-14

17. Bill Lowen -- North Bend, OH -- 10, 27-09 -- 241
Day 1: 5, 15-01 -- Day 2: 5, 12-08

18. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, SC -- 10, 27-04 -- 239
Day 1: 5, 12-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-03

19. Pat Golden -- High Point, NC -- 10, 27-03 -- 237
Day 1: 5, 09-14 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05

20. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 10, 27-01 -- 235
Day 1: 5, 10-03 -- Day 2: 5, 16-14

21. Kevin Wirth -- Crestwood, KY -- 10, 27-00 -- 233
Day 1: 5, 12-11 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05

22. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 8, 27-00 -- 231
Day 1: 3, 09-12 -- Day 2: 5, 17-04

23. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, AR 10 -- 26-04 -- 229
Day 1: 5, 15-05 -- Day 2: 5, 10-15

24. Kevin Short -- Mayflower, AR -- 9, 26-03 -- 227
Day 1: 4, 09-06 -- Day 2: 5, 16-13

25. Brian Clark -- Haltom City, TX -- 10, 26-00 -- 225
Day 1: 5, 13-00 -- Day 2: 5, 13-00

26. Mark Tucker -- Saint Louis, MO -- 8, 25-15 -- 223
Day 1: 3, 10-02 -- Day 2: 5, 15-13

27. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 7, 25-02 -- 226
Day 1: 5, 19-07 -- Day 2: 2, 05-11

28. Shaw E Grigsby -- Gainesville, FL -- 9, 25-01 -- 219
Day 1: 4, 14-13 -- Day 2: 5, 10-04

29. Guy Eaker -- Cherryville, NC -- 8, 25-00 -- 217
Day 1: 3, 08-10 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06

30. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, OH -- 9, 24-15 -- 215
Day 1: 5, 13-00 -- Day 2: 4, 11-15

31. Jami Fralick -- Dallas, NC -- 9, 24-08 -- 213
Day 1: 5, 13-08 -- Day 2: 4, 11-00

32. Chad Griffin -- Cresson, TX -- 8, 24-06 -- 211
Day 1: 3, 06-11 -- Day 2: 5, 17-11

33. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, TX -- 9, 24-05 -- 209
Day 1: 5, 14-14 -- Day 2: 4, 09-07

34. Randy Howell -- Springville, AL -- 8, 24-04 -- 207
Day 1: 3, 07-03 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01

35. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 8, 23-10 -- 205
Day 1: 5, 15-02 -- Day 2: 3, 08-08

36. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, AR -- 8, 23-09 -- 203
Day 1: 3, 08-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-02

37. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 9, 23-01 -- 201
Day 1: 5, 11-07 -- Day 2: 4, 11-10

38. Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, AL -- 10, 22-15 -- 199
Day 1: 5, 11-07 -- Day 2: 5, 11-08

39. Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, AL -- 10, 22-12 -- 197
Day 1: 5, 10-10 -- Day 2: 5, 12-02

40. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 6, 22-09 -- 195
Day 1: 1, 02-06 -- Day 2: 5, 20-03

41. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, AZ -- 8, 22-05 -- 193
Day 1: 5, 14-14 -- Day 2: 3, 07-07

42. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, GA -- 7, 22-05 -- 191
Day 1: 2, 05-13 -- Day 2: 5, 16-08

43. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 9, 22-01 -- 189
Day 1: 5, 10-12 -- Day 2: 4, 11-05

44. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 9, 21-14 -- 187
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 4, 07-03

45. Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, TX -- 8, 21-08 -- 185
Day 1: 5, 14-14 -- Day 2: 3, 06-10

46. Wade Grooms -- Bonneau, SC -- 5, 21-08 -- 183
Day 1: 2, 06-14 -- Day 2: 3, 14-10

47. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 7, 21-06 -- 181
Day 1: 2, 07-03 -- Day 2: 5, 14-03

48. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, FL -- 10, 21-01 -- 179
Day 1: 5, 07-00 -- Day 2: 5, 14-01

49. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 9, 21-01 -- 177
Day 1: 4, 08-00 -- Day 2: 5, 13-01

50. Pete Ponds -- Madison, MS -- 9, 20-15 -- 175
Day 1: 5, 13-06 -- Day 2: 4, 07-09

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not be fishing tomorrow.

51. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 8, 20-12 -- 173
Day 1: 3, 07-00 -- Day 2: 5, 13-12
52. Jon Bondy -- Windsor CANADA -- 7, 20-08 -- 171
Day 1: 2, 04-06 -- Day 2: 5, 16-02
53. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, AR -- 9, 20-01 -- 169
Day 1: 4, 08-00 -- Day 2: 5, 12-01
54. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 9, 20-00 -- 167
Day 1: 4, 08-15 -- Day 2: 5, 11-01
55. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, OK -- 9, 19-14 -- 165
Day 1: 4, 09-14 -- Day 2: 5, 10-00
56. John Murray -- Phoenix, AZ -- 8, 19-03 -- 163
Day 1: 4, 09-06 -- Day 2: 4, 09-13
57. Morizo Shimizu -- Osaka JAPAN -- 8, 18-08 -- 161
Day 1: 4, 10-13 -- Day 2: 4, 07-11
58. Mark Tyler -- Vian, OK -- 6, 17-14 -- 159
Day 1: 4, 10-08 -- Day 2: 2, 07-06
59. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 8, 17-10 -- 157
Day 1: 5, 11-14 -- Day 2: 3, 05-12
60. Derek Remitz -- Grant, AL -- 6, 17-10 -- 155
Day 1: 1, 02-04 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06
61. John Crews -- Salem, VA -- 6, 17-10 -- 153
Day 1: 1, 02-15 -- Day 2: 5, 14-11
62. Byron Velvick -- Del Rio, TX -- 7, 17-08 -- 151
Day 1: 5, 12-11 -- Day 2: 2, 04-13
63. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 6, 17-02 -- 149
Day 1: 5, 12-00 -- Day 2: 1, 05-02
64. Matthew Sphar -- Pavilion, NY -- 6, 17-01 -- 147
Day 1: 2, 06-03 -- Day 2: 4, 10-14
65. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 9, 17-00 -- 145
Day 1: 5, 09-12 -- Day 2: 4, 07-04
66. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 7, 17-00 -- 143
Day 1: 2, 03-03 -- Day 2: 5, 13-13
67. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 6, 17-00 -- 141
Day 1: 1, 02-13 -- Day 2: 5, 14-03
68. Dave Wolak -- Wake Forest, NC -- 8, 16-14 -- 139
Day 1: 4, 09-05 -- Day 2: 4, 07-09
69. Rick Morris -- Virginia Beach, VA -- 7, 16-07 -- 137
Day 1: 2, 06-01 -- Day 2: 5, 10-06
70. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 7, 16-06 -- 135
Day 1: 2, 05-03 -- Day 2: 5, 11-03
71. Marty Stone -- Fayetteville, NC -- 7, 16-00 -- 133
Day 1: 5, 10-12 -- Day 2: 2, 05-04
72. Jimmy Mize -- Ben Lomond, AR -- 6, 15-15 -- 131
Day 1: 1, 03-05 -- Day 2: 5, 12-10
73. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, CA -- 7, 15-02 -- 129
Day 1: 4, 09-10 -- Day 2: 3, 05-08
74. Paul Elias -- Laurel, MS -- 6, 14-13 -- 127
Day 1: 4, 09-02 -- Day 2: 2, 05-11
75. Jeremy Starks -- Charleston, WV -- 7, 14-10 -- 125
Day 1: 5, 11-00 -- Day 2: 2, 03-10
76. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 7, 14-06 -- 123
Day 1: 2, 03-10 -- Day 2: 5, 10-12
77. David Smith -- Del City, OK -- 5, 14-05 -- 121
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05
78. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 7, 14-02 -- 119
Day 1: 2, 04-03 -- Day 2: 5, 09-15
79. Jason Quinn -- York, SC -- 7, 13-13 -- 117
Day 1: 2, 02-12 -- Day 2: 5, 11-01
80. Vince Fulks -- Purcell, OK -- 6, 13-03 -- 115
Day 1: 1, 01-12 -- Day 2: 5, 11-07
81. Luke Gritter -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 6, 13-02 -- 113
Day 1: 2, 03-13 -- Day 2: 4, 09-05
82. Peter E Thliveros -- St Augustine, FL -- 6, 12-14 -- 111
Day 1: 2, 03-14 -- Day 2: 4, 09-00
83. Clark Reehm -- Russellville, AR -- 4, 12-08 -- 109
Day 1: 1, 01-01 -- Day 2: 3, 11-07
84. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, OK -- 6, 12-06 -- 107
Day 1: 2, 03-08 -- Day 2: 4, 08-14
85. Dustin Wilks -- Rocky Mount, NC -- 6, 12-05 -- 105
Day 1: 3, 06-00 -- Day 2: 3, 06-05
86. Ken D Cook -- Lawton, OK -- 4, 11-14 -- 103
Day 1: 1, 04-05 -- Day 2: 3, 07-09
87. Mike Wurm -- Hot Springs, AR -- 4, 11-10 -- 101
Day 1: 1, 01-09 -- Day 2: 3, 10-01
88. Jeff Connella -- Bentley, LA -- 5, 11-09 -- 99
Day 1: 3, 07-07 -- Day 2: 2, 04-02
89. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, TX -- 3, 10-15 -- 97
Day 1: 1, 02-12 -- Day 2: 2, 08-03
90. Scott Campbell -- Springfield, MO -- 4, 10-13 -- 95
Day 1: 2, 05-05 -- Day 2: 2, 05-08
91. Elton Luce Jr. -- Brookeland, TX -- 5, 10-11 -- 93
Day 1: 1, 01-12 -- Day 2: 4, 08-15
92. Mark Burgess -- Norton, MA -- 5, 10-08 -- 91
Day 1: 1, 01-14 -- Day 2: 4, 08-10
93. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, AL -- 4, 10-08 -- 89
Day 1: 2, 04-02 -- Day 2: 2, 06-06
94. Kevin Langill -- Terrell, NC -- 5, 09-15 -- 87
Day 1: 2, 05-01 -- Day 2: 3, 04-14
95. Jeff Reynolds -- Idabel, OK -- 3, 08-09 -- 85
Day 1: 1, 02-05 -- Day 2: 2, 06-04
96. Michael Iaconelli -- Runnemede, NJ -- 4, 08-07 -- 83
Day 1: 2, 03-05 -- Day 2: 2, 05-02
97. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, SC -- 2, 05-06 -- 81
Day 1: 1, 02-06 -- Day 2: 1, 03-00
98. Brent Broderick -- Oregonia, OH -- 2, 04-15 -- 79
Day 1: 1, 02-10 -- Day 2: 1, 02-05
99. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, TX -- 2, 03-03 -- 77
Day 1: 1, 01-10 -- Day 2: 1, 01-09
100. Grant Goldbeck -- Gaithersburg, MD -- 4, 02-01 -- 76
Day 1: 0, -01-00 -- Day 2: 4, 03-01

Big Fish

Day 2: Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 7-08
Day 1: Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 6-00