Davis Tops 20 Again To Lead At Halfway Point

BassFan Staff

The position Mark Davis was in coming into the Lake St. Clair Bassmaster Elite Series dictated that he employ a heavy risk-reward strategy for the final derby of the 2013 season. So far, the returns are falling on the reward side.

The veteran from Arkansas, who hasn't won a tour-level event of any stripe since 2007 and hasn't topped one on the Bassmaster circuit since 2 years prior to that, found himself atop the leaderboard today as his 20-10 stringer gave him a 2-day total of 42-11. A win would get him into the 2014 Classic, but he can't afford to fall more than a handful of places over the weekend in order to qualify via the points list.

He has a 1-04 advantage over Aaron Martens, who's now in complete command of the Angler of the Year (AOY) race after previous points leader Edwin Evers failed to make the 50-cut. Martens, who sacked 19-09 today for a 41-07 total, will finish ahead of Evers on the points list as long as he doesn't fall below 24th place in the final tournament standings. He also must stay 8 places ahead of Kevin VanDam, who's in 27th place in the event, to nail down his second career AOY.

Kota Kiriyama, who hasn't logged a Top-12 finish since his victory on the other side of Lake Erie 5 years ago, moved up to 3rd with a 20-pound stringer that gave him a 40-07 aggregate. Day-1 leader Chris Lane found the going much rougher in Lake Huron today and slipped to 4th with a 17-01 sack for a 39-10 total.

Keith Combs, who's had a brilliant season except for a narrowly missed 50-cut at Bull Shoals, caught 19-06 to share the No. 4 spot with Lane.

Here's how the Top 12 looks at the midway point (red numbers in parentheses denote deficit margin from the leader):

1. Mark Davis: 42-11
2. Aaron Martens: 41-07 (1-04)
3. Kota Kiriyama: 40-07 (2-04)
4. (tie) Chris Lane: 39-10 (3-01)
4. (tie) Keith Combs: 39-10 (3-01)
6. Randy Howell: 38-11 (4-00)
7. Takahiro Omori: 38-05 (4-06)
8. Jeremy Starks: 37-01 (5-10)
9. Michael Simonton: 36-05 (6-05)
10. Rick Clunn: 35-15 (6-12)
11. Nate Wellman: 35-10 (7-01)
12. Derek Remitz: 35-09 (7-02)

Evers caught a 17-pound bag today, but it wasn't enough to overcome a 13-pound day 1 and he bowed out of the event in 54th. He dominated the points chase for much of the season, but now needs a huge stumble by Martens to claim the AOY.

There were only three newcomers to the Top 12 – Omori (20-03 today), Clunn (18-03) and Wellman (18-03). Wellman's 10-place climb was the biggest of the trio.

They bumped out St. Lawrence River winner Brandon Palaniuk (tied for 5th to 24th, 13-02), reigning Classic champion Cliff Pace (7th to 14th, 14-15) and Keith Poche (11th to 22nd, 14-07).

Today's weather conditions were similar to day 1, except the wind shifted directions a bit. Those who made long runs to Erie or other destinations were jostled around pretty good this morning, but a calm afternoon made for a much easier return trip.

The day-3 forecast for the Detroit vicinity predicts a sunny sky, a high temperature of 81 degrees and an 8-mph wind out of the east/southeast.

The field will be reduced to the Top 12 following the weigh-in, with the winner determined Sunday based on highest 4-day weight.

More Bites for Davis

> Day 2: 5, 20-10 (10, 42-11)

Davis got more bites than he did on day 1, which was a good thing. He lost his biggest one of the day, however, and that cost him about 2 1/2 pounds.

"It was a little easier today as far as numbers," he said. "Everything else was about the same and I lost a great big fish again (he'd farmed a 5-pounder and a 4 on day 1). It's still a hard deal and it's very risky and very iffy.

"Even though the wind was from a different direction, it was still hard to get there. It moved the fish and made them set up a little differently, but it seemed like they bit a little better."

He got about 10 keeper bites and his bag was topped by a 5 1/4-pounder. He thinks the one he lost would've gone 6.

He's been dieting and working out over the past few months and estimates that he's dropped about 20 pounds. That's serving him well at this event.

"I've been wanting to get back in shape and get back to catching fish again. I have some bibs I'm using here that I couldn't wear for a long time because they were too small, but now I can wear them again.

"Getting back in those pants has improved my fishing."

2nd: Martens' Fish Dwindling

> Day 2: 5, 19-09 (10, 41-07)

Martens said his best spot on Erie was only about half as good today as on day 1, and only about a third as good as it was during practice.

"It's on a downward spiral," he said. "But I've got other spots and other ideas. I should be all right.

"I went to check on one of my next-best areas, and that's where (Davis) is. I'm not sure if he's fishing the one really good rockpile I found, but he's in that area."

He boated just eight or nine keepers today, including a 4-10. He insists he's still not thinking in terms of the AOY, which he could close out on day 3, and is committed to returning to Erie throughout the weekend.

"I can't catch more than about 10 pounds (on St. Clair). I can't figure out how anybody's catching more than that."

3rd: Late Bite Lifts Kiriyama

> Day 2: 5, 20-00 (10, 40-07)

Kiryama's final bite allowed him to reach the 20-pound threshold for the second straight day.

"I had a 5-04 and it came almost at the end of the day," he said. "I was just about to leave and start heading back when I caught that one."

He's sharing water with several other competitors, all of whom survived the 50-cut.

"I was fishing deep and catching them, and now everybody's all over that."

He's dropshotting a Jackall Crosstail Shad and a prototype worm. They produced eight keepers on the day.

"The fish didn't bite as well today and I kind of struggled. I'll do pretty much the same things tomorrow, but I'll change my timing and how I approach it a little bit."

4th: Tough Day for Lane

> Day 2: 5, 17-01 (10, 39-10)

Lane's bag was 5 1/2 pounds lighter than the one he caught the previous day, but he was happy to have it. He must win – or come very close – to get into next year's Classic.

"The way I look at it, I survived a bad day today," he said. "Performance-wise and decision-making and all of that, I just didn't fish as good. I'll be ready to go tomorrow, though, and hopefully I'll catch the five I need to catch.

"It's like I'm back to the first day now – I know what I need to do, and now I just need to go do it."

He's caught a 5-12 bruiser from Huron each day that've taken big-bass honors. Today, however, he didn't have much quality to go along with his big one.

"I left there fairly early, about 10:30, and fished some in the (St. Clair) River. I found spots where I can catch a bunch of fish, but I know they're not what I need.

"Tomorrow I'll just sit there and soak. I'm looking forward to a fantastic day."

5th: Combs' Backup Place Produced

> Day 2: 5, 19-06 (10, 39-10)

Combs' 2014 Classic berth was secured way back in March when he won the event at Falcon Lake, but he nonetheless had a couple of points-oriented goals coming into this week. If he stayed in the Top 8 on the AOY list, he'd qualify for both the post-season and the 2013 and '14 Toyota Texas Bass Classics (he's the reigning champion of that event).

His primary area produced no fish that were much over 3 pounds today, but a backup place provided him with several culls. All told, he went through 20 keepers, including a 4 3/4-pounder.

"It was different today," he said. "The stuff I fished yesterday still had, but they wouldn't bite. I don't know if it was the pressure or the weather or what, but they wouldn't react."

He's pursuing his second victory of the campaign and thinks it'll take about 22 pounds on each of the next 2 days to achieve it.

"I believe I'm around the fish to win the tournament. I don't know that much about Erie and a lot of it's guesswork, but I can be right there if I have a couple of great days."

24th: Palaniuk Back to Earth

> Day 2: 5, 13-02 (10, 33-09)

Palaniuk had his first lackluster day on the water in quite some time. He won at the St. Lawrence in wire-to-wire fashion and dominated the first 2 days at the Mississippi River before he was KO'd due to an inadvertent culling violation.

Like Lane, he's going to Lake Huron. He caught nothing there today, though, and had to return to St. Clair to scrounge up a pedestrian limit.

He said his Huron fish simply disappeared.

"That's typical for smallmouth, but I still like them," he said. "I had one spot in 45 feet of water out in the middle of the lake, and after that I didn't have anything else to go to.

"After the 7 great days I've had, I'll take this bad one."

For day 3, he's considering a 270-mile round trip to a location that's even farther north in Huron. He ran more than 200 miles to Lake Ontario and back on each day of the St. Lawrence derby.

"It'll depend a lot on the wind. The problem is this one's like 90 miles of open lake. The other one was manageable because it was only about 30 miles of lake."

Notable

> Day 2 stats – 99 anglers, 82 limits (10 fewer than day 1), 10 fours, 4 threes, 1 two, 1 one, 1 zero (1 fewer than day 1).

Weather Forecast

> Sat., Aug. 24 –Sunny – 81°/62°
- Wind: From the E/SE at 8 mph

> Sun., Aug. 25 – Partly Cloudy – 84°/68°
- Wind: From the S/SW at 12 mph

Day 2 Standings

1. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, AR -- 10, 42-11 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 22-01 -- Day 2: 5, 20-10

2. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 10, 41-07 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 21-14 -- Day 2: 5, 19-09

3. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, AL -- 10, 40-07 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 20-07 -- Day 2: 5, 20-00

4. Chris Lane -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 39-10 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 22-09 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01

5. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 10, 39-10 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 20-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-06

6. Randy Howell -- Springville, AL -- 10, 38-11 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 20-04 -- Day 2: 5, 18-07

7. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 10, 38-05 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 18-02 -- Day 2: 5, 20-03

8. Jeremy Starks -- Scott Depot, WV -- 10, 37-01 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 18-13 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04

9. Michael Simonton -- Fremont, OH -- 9, 36-05 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 21-02 -- Day 2: 4, 15-03

10. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 10, 35-15 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-03

11. Nate Wellman -- Newaygo, MI -- 10, 35-10 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 17-07 -- Day 2: 5, 18-03

12. Derek Remitz -- Grant, AL -- 10, 35-09 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 19-10 -- Day 2: 5, 15-15

13. Morizo Shimizu -- Osaka, Japan -- 10, 35-09 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 17-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09

14. Cliff Pace -- Petal, MS -- 10, 35-04 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 20-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-15

15. Hank Cherry -- Maiden, NC -- 10, 35-04 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 15-13 -- Day 2: 5, 19-07

16. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 10, 35-02 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 13-13 -- Day 2: 5, 21-05

17. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 10, 34-10 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 17-14 -- Day 2: 5, 16-12

18. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, FL -- 10, 34-08 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 15-15 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09

19. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, OH -- 10, 34-04 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-00

20. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 10, 34-00 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 16-09 -- Day 2: 5, 17-07

21. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 9, 33-14 -- 79
Day 1: 4, 12-05 -- Day 2: 5, 21-09

22. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, AL -- 10, 33-14 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 19-07 -- Day 2: 5, 14-07

23. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 10, 33-10 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-10

24. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 10, 33-09 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 20-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-02

25. John Crews -- Salem, VA -- 10, 33-00 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 17-08 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08

26. Josh Bertrand -- Gilbert, AZ -- 10, 32-14 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 18-11 -- Day 2: 5, 14-03

27. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 10, 32-13 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 15-06 -- Day 2: 5, 17-07

28. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, GA -- 10, 32-11 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 14-03 -- Day 2: 5, 18-08

29. Cliff Crochet -- Pierre Part, LA -- 10, 32-11 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 14-07 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04

30. Alton Jones -- Lorena, TX -- 10, 32-11 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 16-01 -- Day 2: 5, 16-10

31. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 32-10 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 16-08 -- Day 2: 5, 16-02

32. BJ Haseotes -- Centerville, MA -- 10, 32-06 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10

33. John Murray -- Phoenix, AZ -- 10, 32-03 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-12

34. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 10, 32-01 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 16-00 -- Day 2: 5, 16-01

35. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, NJ -- 10, 31-13 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 14-08 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05

36. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, TX -- 10, 31-12 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 16-04 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08

37. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 10, 31-06 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 13-13 -- Day 2: 5, 17-09

38. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 9, 31-02 -- 62
Day 1: 4, 13-03 -- Day 2: 5, 17-15

39. Jonathon VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 10, 31-02 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 15-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-07

40. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, AL -- 10, 30-14 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 15-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-02

41. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 10, 30-13 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 13-05 -- Day 2: 5, 17-08

42. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 10, 30-13 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 15-03 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10

43. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 10, 30-13 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 15-09

44. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 10, 30-12 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 15-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-01

45. Brandon Card -- Caryville, TN -- 10, 30-11 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 17-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-04

46. Ott DeFoe -- Knoxville, TN -- 10, 30-11 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 15-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04

47. Pete Ponds -- Madison, MS -- 10, 30-10 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 16-10 -- Day 2: 5, 14-00

48. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 10, 30-10 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 16-08 -- Day 2: 5, 14-02

49. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 30-10 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 15-15 -- Day 2: 5, 14-11

50. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, SC -- 10, 30-09 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-14

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

51. Shaw E Grigsby Jr. -- Gainesville, FL -- 9, 30-09 -- 49
Day 1: 5, 15-10 -- Day 2: 4, 14-15

52. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 10, 30-05 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 16-09 -- Day 2: 5, 13-12

53. Bradley Roy -- Lancaster, KY -- 10, 30-03 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 14-01 -- Day 2: 5, 16-02

54. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 10, 30-01 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 13-01 -- Day 2: 5, 17-00

55. Jamie Horton -- Centerville, AL -- 10, 29-13 -- 45
Day 1: 5, 18-01 -- Day 2: 5, 11-12

56. Casey D Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 10, 29-13 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 14-13 -- Day 2: 5, 15-00

57. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, TX -- 10, 29-11 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 17-14 -- Day 2: 5, 11-13

58. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, CA -- 10, 29-11 -- 42
Day 1: 5, 16-10 -- Day 2: 5, 13-01

59. Chris Zaldain -- San Jose, CA -- 10, 29-11 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 16-00 -- Day 2: 5, 13-11

60. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 10, 29-11 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 14-10 -- Day 2: 5, 15-01

61. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, OK -- 10, 29-10 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 14-15 -- Day 2: 5, 14-11

62. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, AR -- 10, 29-08 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 16-08 -- Day 2: 5, 13-00

63. Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, AL -- 10, 29-08 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 15-11 -- Day 2: 5, 13-13

64. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, AL -- 10, 29-06 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 14-14 -- Day 2: 5, 14-08

65. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, AR -- 10, 29-00 -- 35
Day 1: 5, 13-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-05

66. Kevin Short -- Mayflower, AR -- 10, 28-05 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 12-15 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06

67. Kevin Hawk -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 28-05 -- 33
Day 1: 5, 14-01 -- Day 2: 5, 14-04

68. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, OK -- 10, 28-02 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 13-02 -- Day 2: 5, 15-00

69. David Walker -- Sevierville, TN -- 10, 27-14 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 14-00 -- Day 2: 5, 13-14

70. Jason Quinn -- Rock Hill, SC -- 10, 27-12 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 12-12

71. Kurt Dove -- Del Rio, TX -- 10, 27-05 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 11-04 -- Day 2: 5, 16-01

72. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, TX -- 9, 26-14 -- 28
Day 1: 4, 08-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-02

73. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, OK -- 10, 26-12 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 14-07 -- Day 2: 5, 12-05

74. Chad Pipkens -- Holt, MI -- 10, 26-09 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 15-07 -- Day 2: 5, 11-02

75. James Elam -- Tulsa, OK -- 10, 26-06 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 13-15 -- Day 2: 5, 12-07

76. Matt Herren -- Trussville, AL -- 10, 26-02 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 11-11 -- Day 2: 5, 14-07

77. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 10, 25-15 -- 23
Day 1: 5, 11-07 -- Day 2: 5, 14-08

78. Kevin Ledoux -- Choctaw, OK -- 10, 25-12 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 12-02 -- Day 2: 5, 13-10

79. Kelly Jordon -- Palestine, TX -- 10, 25-11 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 13-11 -- Day 2: 5, 12-00

80. Jami Fralick -- Martin, SD -- 9, 25-11 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 12-06 -- Day 2: 4, 13-05

81. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, AZ -- 10, 25-10 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 10-06 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04

82. Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, AL -- 10, 25-06 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 13-14 -- Day 2: 5, 11-08

83. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 9, 25-03 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 15-05 -- Day 2: 4, 09-14

84. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 9, 25-02 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 12-14 -- Day 2: 4, 12-04

85. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, AR -- 10, 24-11 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 14-00 -- Day 2: 5, 10-11

86. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, OK -- 9, 24-09 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 16-00 -- Day 2: 4, 08-09

87. Paul Elias -- Laurel, MS -- 8, 22-00 -- 13
Day 1: 5, 12-10 -- Day 2: 3, 09-06

88. Matt Greenblatt -- Port St Lucie, FL -- 8, 21-08 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 3, 05-10

89. Fletcher Shryock -- New Philadelphia, OH -- 7, 21-06 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 15-08 -- Day 2: 2, 05-14

90. Casey Scanlon -- Shawnee Mission, KS -- 8, 21-03 -- 10
Day 1: 5, 12-06 -- Day 2: 3, 08-13

91. Dennis Tietje -- Roanoke, LA -- 9, 20-09 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 10-01 -- Day 2: 4, 10-08

92. James Niggemeyer -- Van, TX -- 10, 20-07 -- 8
Day 1: 5, 11-08 -- Day 2: 5, 08-15

93. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 9, 17-15 -- 7
Day 1: 5, 08-08 -- Day 2: 4, 09-07

94. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, SC -- 8, 16-11 -- 6
Day 1: 4, 08-09 -- Day 2: 4, 08-02

95. Chip Porche -- Bixby, OK -- 6, 15-11 -- 5
Day 1: 5, 11-12 -- Day 2: 1, 03-15

96. Jared Miller -- Norman, OK -- 5, 15-02 -- 4
Day 1: 5, 15-02 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00

97. Grant Goldbeck -- Boerne, TX -- 5, 12-10 -- 3
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 5, 12-10

98. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, SC -- 5, 11-08 -- 2
Day 1: 2, 05-03 -- Day 2: 3, 06-05

99. David Smith -- Del City, OK -- 4, 10-09 -- 1
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 4, 10-09