By BassFan Staff

Three anglers gained some significant separation between themselves and the rest of the remaining field today at the Lake St. Clair Bassmaster Elite Series in Michigan. The trio consists of a guy whose résumé is full of accolades (but few of them recent); a popular former Bassmaster Classic champion who's trying desperately to qualify for the 2014 edition on his adopted home lake; and the newly crowned Angler of the Year (AOY).

Mark Davis caught a 20-15 bag (the third straight day he's exceeded the 20-pound barrier) and retained the lead with a 63-10 total. Chris Lane, the day-1 leader, sacked a tournament-best 22-15 and moved up 1 position to 2nd with a 62-09 total.

Meanwhile, Martens' 20-11 stringer not only kept him in contention for the win with a 62-02 aggregate, but it also clinched his second career points crown. That honor was secured when Kevin VanDam failed to make the Top-12 cut after beginning the day in 27th place (for more on that, click here).

After that, there's a drop of 4 1/4 pounds down to Derek Remitz, who boxed 22-04 to jump from 12th to 4th with 57-14. One ounce behind him is Kota Kiriyama, who weighed 17-06 today.

Here are the totals for the 12 anglers who'll compete on day 4, with red numbers in parentheses indicating deficit margin from the leader:

1. Mark Davis: 63-10
2. Chris Lane: 62-09 (1-01)
3. Aaron Martens: 62-02 (1-08)
4. Derek Remitz: 57-14 (5-12)
5. Kota Kiriyama: 57-13 (5-13)
6. Keith Combs: 56-08 (7-02)
7. Morizo Shimizu: 56-04 (7-06)
8. Nate Wellman: 56-02 (7-08)
9. Takahiro Omori: 55-05 (8-05)
10. Randy Howell: 55-02 (8-08)
11. Jeremy Starks: 54-15 (8-11)
12. Alton Jones: 54-03 (9-07)

From a weather perspective, it was a serene day on the Detroit River system as the winds out of the south were relatively light. The lack of wind was offset, however, by the huge number of wave-creating pleasure boats that take to the water under such ideal weekend conditions. More of the same is anticipated for day 4.

Shimizu (20-11 today) and Jones (21-08) were the only competitors who moved into the Top 12. Jones, like Lane, is traveling north to Lake Huron (the other finalists are fishing Lake Erie) and allowed Lane to finish off his massive stringer from a group of fish that Jones was working.

Exiting the Top 12 were Michael Simonton (9th to 28th with a four-fish, 12-09 sack) and Rick Clunn (10th to 20th, 14-03). Clunn's quest to make the '14 Classic, which will be held at the site of one of his four victories in the event, appears over unless he enters and wins the Bassmaster Wild Card event set for Florida's Lake Okeechobee in December.



B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito
Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito

Chris Lane had the biggest bag in the field for the second time in 3 days.

Davis and Lane could both make the Classic without winning this event – a possibility that seemed remote when it started. The list of double qualifiers will drop the cutoff on the points list to at least 35th, and both are inside that number on the adjusted standings (they're 32nd and 34th, respectively).

The mark could go to 36th if tomorrow's winner becomes a double-qualifier, and that's where the pre-qualified Jason Christie currently resides. That means that rookie Josh Bertrand, at No. 37, still has a chance to get in.

Sunday's forecast for the Detroit area calls for a mix of clouds and sun, a high temperature of 86 degrees and a southwesterly wind to 12 mph.

More of the Same for Davis

> Day 3: 5, 20-15 (15, 63-10)

Davis' routine hasn't varied – there's been no reason to change it. He drifts around on a big shoal in Erie, dropshotting a Strike King Dream Shot, and gets 10 or fewer quality bites per day.

"It was the same old deal in the same place, same bait, same everything," he said. "It's not easy – I only caught seven bass today. But when a couple of them are 5-pounders, you can end up with a pretty good stringer.

"There's a lot of fish in that area and they come and go, in and out. It's a huge area and it's not like I'm just fishing one isolated spot. There's not one specific cast that I have to line up every time. I'll go back tomorrow and catch what that place will give me because I've got all my eggs in that basket."

His last fish of the day was his biggest – a 5-05.

"That one was out a little bit deeper than the other ones, so I might have to try some more of that tomorrow."

The three-time AOY and former Classic champion thinks he'll need to catch at least 20 pounds on day 4 to have a chance at his first tour-level win since 2007.

"You never know for sure what you're going to need – somebody could catch a couple of 6-pounders and make a big move."

2nd: Lane Caught Lots of 'Em

> Day 3: 5, 22-15 (15, 62-09)

Lane had caught the biggest fish on each of the first 2 days – a 5-12 on each occasion. Today his best was a 5-11, which was 2 ounces smaller than one Jones caught from the place in Huron they're sharing.

"I caught a lot of fish today and just kept culling up to what I had," he said. "Hopefully I can really put the hammer down on them tomorrow.

"I left at 12:45 today because I wanted to see how long it'd take me to get back without killing myself or killing my fish if it gets rough. I think I can stay until 1:30 tomorrow. It'd be nice to catch them and get out before all the (recreational) boats come out."

He said he lost one fish that would've helped him, maybe two.

"My goal for tomorrow will be 25 pounds, and that's possible. I just need to go there and catch a bunch of the biggest ones."

B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito
Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito

It was a memorable 41st birthday for Aaron Martens.

3rd: Big Day for Martens

> Day 3: 5, 20-11 (15, 62-02)

Martens celebrated his 41st birthday today and received a couple of special presents – the AOY trophy and a visit from his wife and two children, who drove all night from their home in Alabama to get to the weigh-in.

"That was crazy – I had no idea they were coming. My wife drove the whole way. She's an animal.

"I'm glad because now they can take stuff back with them and I'll have more room in my rig."

If he can make up his 1 1/2-pound deficit, one of those items will be his third Elite Series trophy.

"They bit a little bit better today. I actually made a few stops on the way and caught four fish from another area. I ended up weighing three of those."

He boated 10 keepers and his biggest was just over 4 1/2 pounds. He lost one that would've gone about 4.

"I've got the same gameplan for tomorrow – nothing's changed. I'm really hungry for some sleep."

4th: Remitz Bounces Back Hard

> Day 3: 5, 22-05 (15, 57-14)

Remitz is pleased that he'll end up with a finish that'll be by far his best of the season, but thinks he let a grand opportunity slip by on day 2 when he came in with an ounce less than 16 pounds.

"It's kind of bittersweet for me," he said. "I'm very happy to be in 4th right now, but I had to win this tournament to make the Classic and I know the potential of where I'm fishing (on Erie).

"It's good for 20 or 21 pounds a day, but I had that one off day. I guess the wind was wrong and I couldn't get the right line on it, and I also lost four bites that I know were bass."

He went through 10 keepers today and his bag was topped by a 5 1/4-pounder.

B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito
Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito

Derek Remitz bounced back with a vengeance after a lackluster day 2.

"It was a standard day on Erie – if you can get eight or 10 bites, you should have about 20 pounds. I'll go back tomorrow because I know what's swimming there, and I could catch 14 pounds and I could catch 22 again.

"Hopefully it'll be the latter."

5th: Lighter Day for Kiriyama

> Day 3: 5, 17-06 (15, 57-13)

Kiriyama caught a couple of 4-pounders early, but none that size after about 9:30.

"I went back to the same place I've been fishing (on Erie), but the wind switched from the north to the south and I found out they weren't biting," he said. "I went to another place in the same area and caught those two good ones right away and I thought it might be good, but then it died."

He ended up catching only five keepers and isn't sure what he'll do on day 4.

"I'll have to wait and see what the wind's doing. That's going to be a big factor."

28th: Simonton was Too Conservative

> Day 3: 4, 12-09 (13, 48-14)

Michael Simonton's finish was easily his best in 2 seasons on the Elite Series, but he said it could've been better had he taken a few more risks and not been as concerned about making a paycheck.

"I think it was a good growing experience for me," he said. "I left an hour early on the first 2 days so I could be sure I got back, so I burned 2 hours of fishing time right there. The first day I had 21 pounds so it wasn't that bad of a mistake, but on day 2 I only had four fish and I knew there was a good late bite.

"I was around the fish to win, but I didn't fish to win, if that makes sense. But that being said, I learned a lot that I think I can use in the future."

He fished a 4-inch Mike's Rx Baits tube with a green-pumpkin body, a smoke tail and orange, purple and black flakes.

"It seemed like a bait that the big ones wanted."

Notable

> Day 3 stats – 50 anglers, 47 limits, 2 fours, 1 two.

> Hank Cherry wrapped up the circuit's Rookie of the Year award today. The North Carolinian, who'd previously competed for 2 seasons on the FLW Tour, finished among the Top 40 in six of the eight events.

> Brent Chapman relinquished his "reigning Angler of the Year" title to Martens today, but picked up a paycheck and secured his slot in next year's Classic with a 44th-place finish. To read his competition recap, click here to go to BassFan's Pro View Reports.

Weather Forecast

> Sun., Aug. 25 – Partly Cloudy – 86°/69°
- Wind: From the S/SW at 12 mph

Day 3 Standings

1. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, AR -- 15, 63-10 -- 99 -- $500
Day 1: 5, 22-01 -- Day 2: 5, 20-10 -- Day 3: 5, 20-15

2. Chris Lane -- Guntersville, AL -- 15, 62-09 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 22-09 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01 -- Day 3: 5, 22-15

3. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 15, 62-02 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 21-14 -- Day 2: 5, 19-09 -- Day 3: 5, 20-11

4. Derek Remitz -- Grant, AL -- 15, 57-14 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 19-10 -- Day 2: 5, 15-15 -- Day 3: 5, 22-05

5. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, AL -- 15, 57-13 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 20-07 -- Day 2: 5, 20-00 -- Day 3: 5, 17-06

6. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 15, 56-08 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 20-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-06 -- Day 3: 5, 16-14

7. Morizo Shimizu -- Osaka, Japan -- 15, 56-04 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 17-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09 -- Day 3: 5, 20-11

8. Nate Wellman -- Newaygo, MI -- 15, 56-02 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 17-07 -- Day 2: 5, 18-03 -- Day 3: 5, 20-08

9. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 15, 55-05 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 18-02 -- Day 2: 5, 20-03 -- Day 3: 5, 17-00

10. Randy Howell -- Springville, AL -- 15, 55-02 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 20-04 -- Day 2: 5, 18-07 -- Day 3: 5, 16-07

11. Jeremy Starks -- Scott Depot, WV -- 15, 54-15 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 18-13 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04 -- Day 3: 5, 17-14

12. Alton Jones -- Lorena, TX -- 15, 54-03 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 16-01 -- Day 2: 5, 16-10 -- Day 3: 5, 21-08

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on day 4.

13. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, AL -- 15, 54-01 -- 87 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-07 -- Day 2: 5, 14-07 -- Day 3: 5, 20-03

14. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 14, 53-05 -- 86 -- $10,000
Day 1: 4, 12-05 -- Day 2: 5, 21-09 -- Day 3: 5, 19-07

15. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 15, 52-06 -- 85 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 13-13 -- Day 2: 5, 21-05 -- Day 3: 5, 17-04

16. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, FL -- 15, 52-00 -- 84 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-15 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09 -- Day 3: 5, 17-08

17. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 15, 51-09 -- 83 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-14 -- Day 2: 5, 16-12 -- Day 3: 5, 16-15

18. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 15, 51-07 -- 82 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 18-10 -- Day 3: 5, 17-13

19. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 15, 50-03 -- 81 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-15 -- Day 2: 5, 14-11 -- Day 3: 5, 19-09

20. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 15, 50-02 -- 80 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-03 -- Day 3: 5, 14-03

21. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 15, 50-01 -- 79 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-00 -- Day 2: 5, 16-01 -- Day 3: 5, 18-00

22. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, OH -- 15, 49-14 -- 78 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-00 -- Day 3: 5, 15-10

23. John Crews -- Salem, VA -- 15, 49-07 -- 77 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-08 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08 -- Day 3: 5, 16-07

24. Cliff Pace -- Petal, MS -- 15, 49-04 -- 76 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-15 -- Day 3: 5, 14-00

25. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 15, 49-03 -- 75 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-09 -- Day 2: 5, 17-07 -- Day 3: 5, 15-03

26. Josh Bertrand -- Gilbert, AZ -- 15, 49-01 -- 74 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-11 -- Day 2: 5, 14-03 -- Day 3: 5, 16-03

27. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 15, 49-00 -- 73 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 15-09 -- Day 3: 5, 18-03

28. Michael Simonton -- Fremont, OH -- 13, 48-14 -- 72 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 21-02 -- Day 2: 4, 15-03 -- Day 3: 4, 12-09

29. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, GA -- 15, 48-09 -- 71 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-03 -- Day 2: 5, 18-08 -- Day 3: 5, 15-14

30. Hank Cherry -- Maiden, NC -- 15, 48-00 -- 70 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-13 -- Day 2: 5, 19-07 -- Day 3: 5, 12-12

31. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 15, 47-15 -- 69 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-06 -- Day 2: 5, 17-07 -- Day 3: 5, 15-02

32. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, TX -- 15, 47-14 -- 68 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-04 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08 -- Day 3: 5, 16-02

33. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, NJ -- 15, 47-12 -- 67 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-08 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05 -- Day 3: 5, 15-15

34. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 14, 47-07 -- 66 -- $10,000
Day 1: 4, 13-03 -- Day 2: 5, 17-15 -- Day 3: 5, 16-05

35. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 15, 47-06 -- 65 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-02 -- Day 3: 5, 13-13

36. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 15, 46-13 -- 64 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-08 -- Day 2: 5, 16-02 -- Day 3: 5, 14-03

37. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 15, 46-13 -- 63 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-03 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10 -- Day 3: 5, 16-00

38. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 15, 46-09 -- 62 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-08 -- Day 2: 5, 14-02 -- Day 3: 5, 15-15

39. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 15, 46-08 -- 61 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 13-13 -- Day 2: 5, 17-09 -- Day 3: 5, 15-02

40. John Murray -- Phoenix, AZ -- 15, 46-01 -- 60 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-12 -- Day 3: 5, 13-14

41. Cliff Crochet -- Pierre Part, LA -- 15, 45-14 -- 59 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-07 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04 -- Day 3: 5, 13-03

42. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, SC -- 15, 45-13 -- 58 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-14 -- Day 3: 5, 15-04

43. Ott DeFoe -- Knoxville, TN -- 15, 45-08 -- 57 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04 -- Day 3: 5, 14-13

44. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, AL -- 15, 45-01 -- 56 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-02 -- Day 3: 5, 14-03

45. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 15, 45-00 -- 55 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-01 -- Day 3: 5, 14-04

46. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 15, 44-11 -- 54 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 13-05 -- Day 2: 5, 17-08 -- Day 3: 5, 13-14

47. Jonathon VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 15, 44-07 -- 53 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-07 -- Day 3: 5, 13-05

48. BJ Haseotes -- Centerville, MA -- 14, 44-06 -- 52 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10 -- Day 3: 4, 12-00

49. Brandon Card -- Caryville, TN -- 15, 43-15 -- 51 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-04 -- Day 3: 5, 13-04

50. Pete Ponds -- Madison, MS -- 12, 38-13 -- 50 -- $5,000
Day 1: 5, 16-10 -- Day 2: 5, 14-00 -- Day 3: 2, 08-03