Lester Moves To Top With 26-Pound Stringer

By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

Brandon Lester said he didn't do much differently on day 2 of the Grand Lake Bassmaster Elite Series than he'd done on day 1. His second-round bag was nearly 9 pounds heavier, though, and he rocketed from 29th place to 1st.

"I caught about the same amount of fish, but they were just bigger today," said the fifth-year pro from Tennessee. "I guess more females moved up (to spawn)."

Lester, who's seeking his first Elite Series triumph, has a two-day total of 43-09. He has a 1-pound lead over nine-time Elite winner Kevin VanDam, who boxed 20-10 to move up from 4th to 2nd with 42-09. VanDam is the only competitor who's exceeded 20 pounds on both days.

Jacob Wheeler jumped from 42nd to 3rd with a 22-04 haul for a 39-03 total. Cliff Crochet caught a 19-pound-plus stringer for the second straight day and climbed from 16th to 4th with 38-15.

Cliff Pace, the winner of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic at Grand, completed the top 5 with 38-13 after catching a 17-09 bag.

Here are the totals for the current top 12, with deficit margins from the leader indicated by red numbers in parentheses:

1. Brandon Lester: 43-09
2. Kevin VanDam: 42-09 (1-00)
3. Jacob Wheeler: 39-03 (4-06)
4. Cliff Crochet: 38-15 (4-10)
5. Cliff Pace: 38-13 (4-12)
6. Jordan Lee: 38-11 (4-14)
7. Bradley Roy: 38-05 (5-04)
8. Dave Lefebre: 38-03 (5-06)
9. Greg Vinson: 37-10 (5-15)
10. Seth Feider: 37-02 (6-07)
11. Roy Hawk: 36-13 (6-12)
12. (tie) James Elam: 36-10 (6-15)
12. (tie) Randall Tharp: 36-10 (6-15)

VanDam, Pace and two-time reigning Classic champion Jordan Lee were the only members of the day-1 top 12 to remain among that group. The back-sliding contingent was headed by day-1 leader Takahiro Omori, who caught just 7-13 (barely a third of what he'd brought to the scale on Thursday) and plummeted to 43rd.

Dave Lefebre made a big move in the right direction, jumping from 71st to 8th with a 24-01 sack. First-year Elite competitor Roy Hawk, the runner-up to Omori in the season opener at Lake Martin, rode a 19-14 bag from 37th to 11th.

It took 30-06 to make the top 50 cut and advance to day 3. Those who fell on the wrong side of it included reigning Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk (56th), Greg Hackney (62nd), Skeet Reese (67th), Bobby Lane (69th), Ott DeFoe (77th), Mike Iaconelli (81st), Keith Combs (87th) and Jason Christie (97th).

The bite should continue to be strong during a sunny weekend that will undoubtedly bring more fish to the shallows as the water temperature continues to its push into the mid 60s. Saturday's forecast calls for a high air temperature of 74 degrees and only light winds out of the northeast.

Only the top 12 will survive the day-3 cut, with the winner determined Sunday based on cumulative weight.

Personal Record for Lester

> Day 2: 5, 26-03 (10, 43-09)

Lester's bag was the biggest he's ever caught in a tournament at any level.

"I had probably 17 pounds by 7:30 or so," he said. "It started out quick and then I just kind of culled all day long.

"For a long time I had three big ones and two 2 1/2-pounders, then I went messing around at the end of the day and culled those with two more big ones and found another way to catch some."

His biggest fish was a 6 1/4-pounder and the smallest he weighed was a 4 1/2.

"I'm not sharing water and that was a really big key to the day, I think. The area where I caught most of them, I only saw one other boat in there.

"I feel good (about the weekend) because I think I understand what's going on and I understnad the phase the fish are in."

2nd: VanDam Struck Quickly

> Day 2: 5, 20-10 (10, 42-09)

VanDam had another excellent day, but he was quick to emphasize that there's no guarantee he'll be able to keep up his pace on the weekend.

"I've been fortunate," he said. "I could easily have a tough day – Takahiro had one today. I feel good about where I'm at, for sure, but I can't say for sure that I'm going to get any big bites.

"I could end up catching 10 pounds, but so far, so good."

He compiled most of his sack during the early part of the day, which afforded him the opportunity to explore other places. A jig that he fished at a rather quick pace produced most of his weight.

His bag was topped by a 5 1/2-pounder. He lost a 5-pound bite – the first fish he's farmed that would've aided him.

"It's good fishing right now, obviously, and it's one of those deals where you have to make the most of it when you can. I think I'm going to have to keep catching 20 pounds a day – it's going to take over 80 pounds to win this thing."

3rd: One Spot was Kind to Wheeler

> Day 2: 5, 22-04 (10, 39-03)

Wheeler caught the vast majority of his weight from one locale – it gave him a 5 1/2-pounder, a 5 and a 4 1/2.

"I don't know if it'll reload, but I doubt it will," he said. "It's a shallow-water stretch and there might be some more pull up, but I don't know.

"All of my fish are either spawning or getting ready to spawn. I've caught quite a few each day flipping and then a few on reaction stuff, but not as many. Today was a little tougher for that – reaction wasn't the deal today, in my opinion.

He went through only 10 keepers on day 2 after catching about 30 on day 1. He's prepared to do some sight-fishing over the weekend if he thinks it's necessary.

"The water clarity isn't that good and a lot of the big ones are spawning deeper than where you can see them. I can't say that people won't catch a few doing that and it'll definitely be in my arsenal, but it'll be difficult because of the clarity."

4th: Crochet Committed to One Place

> Day 2: 5, 19-04 (10, 38-15)

While some of the leaders are rotating through various locales, Crochet is hanging out in one place.

"I've got one section I'm staying in and I think that's helping me," he said. "I can do a better job if grinding instead of having to make decisions about whether to go somewhere else.

"I'm sharing it with a couple of guys, and one made the cut and the other one didn't. I don't know if the guy who made it caught anything in there today."

After throwing a variety of baits on opening day, he stuck to just one on day 2. His bag was topped by a fish that weighed nearly 6 1/2 pounds.

"It was a slow morning and then I hit a little spurt. I had a couple of spurts throughout the day.

"The fish are there to keep it going, but I just have to get the right bites. So far, I've gotten those."

43rd: Omori in the Dark

> Day 2: 5, 7-13 (10, 31-09)

Omori was shocked that he struggled so badly after having such a stellar day 1. He had only one fish, a 1 1/2-pounder, for more than half of day 2.

"We had bright sun and it was warmer and the fish should've bit better," he said. "I wish I knew why they didn't.

"I did all I could, but there was just nothing happening. It's not like I lost a bunch of big ones – I just didn't have any bites. It's just part of fishing and I'll forget about it and move on."

A hefty jig produced his massive day-1 haul, but it enticed only one bite on day 2. He had to resort to a light Texas rig to fill out a limit.

"I don't know what I'll do tomorrow. I'll think about it tonight, but I won't decide until tomorrow morning."

Notable

> Day 2 stats – 108 anglers, 92 limits (10 fewer than day 1), 6 fours, 5 threes, 2 twos, 2 ones, 1 zero (1 more than day 1).

Weather Forecast

> Sat., April 28 – Sunny - 74°/49°
- Wind: From the NE at 6 mph

> Sun., April 29 – Sunny - 75°/56°
- Wind: From the SSE at 11 mph

Day 2 Standings

1. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 10, 43-09 -- 110
Day 1: 5, 17-06 -- Day 2: 5, 26-03

2. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 10, 42-09 -- 109
Day 1: 5, 21-15 -- Day 2: 5, 20-10

3. Jacob Wheeler -- Harrison, TN -- 10, 39-03 -- 108
Day 1: 5, 16-10 -- Day 2: 5, 22-09

4. Cliff Crochet -- Pierre Part, LA -- 10, 38-15 -- 107
Day 1: 5, 19-11 -- Day 2: 5, 19-04

5. Cliff Pace -- Petal, MS -- 10, 38-13 -- 106
Day 1: 5, 21-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-09

6. Jordan Lee -- Grant, AL -- 10, 38-11 -- 105
Day 1: 5, 20-04 -- Day 2: 5, 18-07

7. Bradley Roy -- Lancaster, KY -- 10, 38-05 -- 104
Day 1: 5, 18-12 -- Day 2: 5, 19-09

8. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, PA -- 10, 38-03 -- 103
Day 1: 5, 14-02 -- Day 2: 5, 24-01

9. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, AL -- 10, 37-10 -- 102
Day 1: 5, 19-13 -- Day 2: 5, 17-13

10. Seth Feider -- Bloomington, MN -- 10, 37-02 -- 101
Day 1: 5, 18-07 -- Day 2: 5, 18-11

11. Roy Hawk -- Lk Havasu Cty, AZ -- 10, 36-13 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 16-15 -- Day 2: 5, 19-14

12. James Elam -- Tulsa, OK -- 10, 36-10 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 19-13 -- Day 2: 5, 16-13

13. Randall Tharp -- Port St. Joe, FL -- 10, 36-10 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 18-05 -- Day 2: 5, 18-05

14. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, AZ -- 10, 36-02 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 14-03 -- Day 2: 5, 21-15

15. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 10, 36-00 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 23-05 -- Day 2: 5, 12-11

16. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 10, 36-00 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 19-03 -- Day 2: 5, 16-13

17. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 35-05 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 21-08 -- Day 2: 5, 13-13

18. Bill Weidler -- Helena, AL -- 10, 35-04 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 19-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08

19. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, CA -- 10, 35-02 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 21-08 -- Day 2: 5, 13-10

20. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 10, 35-02 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 16-09 -- Day 2: 5, 18-09

21. Fred Roumbanis -- Russellville, AR -- 10, 34-12 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 18-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-03

22. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 10, 34-11 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 17-01 -- Day 2: 5, 17-10

23. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 34-09 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 16-13

24. Jesse Wiggins -- Cullman, AL -- 10, 34-08 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 13-12 -- Day 2: 5, 20-12

25. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 10, 34-06 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 16-10 -- Day 2: 5, 17-12

26. Kyle Monti -- Okeechobee, FL -- 10, 34-05 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 22-06 -- Day 2: 5, 11-15

27. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 10, 34-05 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 21-00 -- Day 2: 5, 13-05

28. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 10, 34-03 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 15-14 -- Day 2: 5, 18-05

29. Alton Jones Jr. -- Waco, TX -- 10, 34-02 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 15-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-06

30. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 34-02 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 16-11 -- Day 2: 5, 17-07

31. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, AL -- 10, 34-01 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 17-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-08

32. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 10, 33-10 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 5, 18-15

33. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 10, 33-07 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 17-09 -- Day 2: 5, 15-14

34. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, AZ -- 10, 33-05 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 13-09 -- Day 2: 5, 19-12

35. Randy Howell -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 33-01 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 17-02 -- Day 2: 5, 15-15

36. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 10, 32-09 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 18-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-04

37. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, CA -- 10, 32-09 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 17-04 -- Day 2: 5, 15-05

38. Josh Bertrand -- San Tan Valley, AZ -- 10, 32-08 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 19-15 -- Day 2: 5, 12-09

39. Adrian Avena -- Vineland, NJ -- 10, 32-05 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 17-05 -- Day 2: 5, 15-00

40. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 10, 32-00 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04

41. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 10, 31-11 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 17-06 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05

42. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, AR -- 10, 31-10 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 20-08 -- Day 2: 5, 11-02

43. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 10, 31-09 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 23-12 -- Day 2: 5, 07-13

44. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, SC -- 10, 31-09 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 14-07 -- Day 2: 5, 17-02

45. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA 10 -- 31-09 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 16-09

46. Fletcher Shryock -- Dennison, OH -- 10, 31-07 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 15-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-11

47. Mark Daniels Jr. -- Tuskegee, AL -- 10, 31-00 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 15-12

48. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 10, 30-13 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 17-03 -- Day 2: 5, 13-10

49. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 10, 30-13 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 14-02 -- Day 2: 5, 16-11

50. Chris Zaldain -- Laughlin, NV -- 10, 30-06 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 15-07 -- Day 2: 5, 14-15

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

51. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 10, 30-03 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 12-15 -- Day 2: 5, 17-04

52. Brandon Card -- Knoxville, TN -- 10, 30-02 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 17-07 -- Day 2: 5, 12-11

53. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 10, 30-02 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 13-03 -- Day 2: 5, 16-15

54. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 10, 30-01 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06

55. David Walker -- Sevierville, TN -- 10, 30-01 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 14-13

56. Brandon Palaniuk -- Hayden, ID -- 9, 30-00 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 16-15 -- Day 2: 4, 13-01

57. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, SC -- 10, 29-07 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 15-12 -- Day 2: 5, 13-11

58. Alton Jones -- Lorena, TX -- 10, 29-06 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 16-03 -- Day 2: 5, 13-03

59. Hunter Shryock -- Newcomerstown, OH -- 10, 29-03 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 15-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-12

60. Jonathon VanDam -- Gobles, MI -- 10, 29-02 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 15-11 -- Day 2: 5, 13-07

61. Gerald Spohrer -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 29-01 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 15-09 -- Day 2: 5, 13-08

62. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 29-00 -- 49
Day 1: 5, 15-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-09

63. Kelly Jordon -- Flint, TX -- 10, 28-15 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 12-05 -- Day 2: 5, 16-10

64. Dustin Connell -- Clanton, AL -- 10, 28-15 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 14-13 -- Day 2: 5, 14-02

65. Gary Klein -- Mingus, TX -- 10, 28-14 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 17-04 -- Day 2: 5, 11-10

66. Boyd Duckett -- Guntersville, AL -- 8, 28-07 -- 45
Day 1: 5, 18-07 -- Day 2: 3, 10-00

67. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 10, 28-05 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 13-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04

68. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 27-13 -- 43
Day 1: 5, 14-04 -- Day 2: 5, 13-09

69. Bobby Lane Jr. -- Lakeland, FL -- 10, 27-12 -- 42
Day 1: 5, 11-13 -- Day 2: 5, 15-15

70. Mike McClelland -- Bentonville, AR -- 10, 27-12 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 14-10 -- Day 2: 5, 13-02

71. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 9, 27-10 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 18-02 -- Day 2: 4, 09-08

72. Brandon Coulter -- Knoxville, TN -- 10, 27-10 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 12-00 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10

73. Drew Benton -- Panama City, FL -- 9, 27-01 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 16-12 -- Day 2: 4, 10-05

74. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, TN -- 10, 27-01 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 14-07 -- Day 2: 5, 12-10

75. Chad Pipkens -- Lansing, MI -- 10, 26-13 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 13-08 -- Day 2: 5, 13-05

76. John Murray -- Spring City, TN -- 10, 26-10 -- 35
Day 1: 5, 13-14 -- Day 2: 5, 12-12

77. Ott DeFoe -- Blaine, TN -- 10, 26-07 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 14-04 -- Day 2: 5, 12-03

78. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, AL -- 9, 26-05 -- 33
Day 1: 4, 09-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01

79. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 10, 25-10 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 13-14 -- Day 2: 5, 11-12

80. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 10, 25-09 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 12-08 -- Day 2: 5, 13-01

81. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, NJ -- 10, 25-07 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 12-13 -- Day 2: 5, 12-10

82. Tyler Carriere -- Youngsville, LA -- 10, 25-04 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 13-14 -- Day 2: 5, 11-06

83. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 9, 25-03 -- 28
Day 1: 4, 08-14 -- Day 2: 5, 16-05

84. Chris Groh -- Spring Grove, IL -- 7, 25-02 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 20-04 -- Day 2: 2, 04-14

85. Robbie Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 24-09 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 12-07 -- Day 2: 5, 12-02

86. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 10, 24-04 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 5, 09-09

87. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 10, 24-03 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 14-00 -- Day 2: 5, 10-03

88. Chris Lane -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 23-14 -- 23
Day 1: 5, 14-08 -- Day 2: 5, 09-06

89. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 10, 23-08 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 11-09 -- Day 2: 5, 11-15

90. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 10, 23-07 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 11-11 -- Day 2: 5, 11-12

91. Matt Lee -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 23-03 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 11-02 -- Day 2: 5, 12-01

92. Tim Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 10, 22-11 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 12-10 -- Day 2: 5, 10-01

93. Jake Whitaker -- Fairview, NC -- 8, 22-09 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 15-01 -- Day 2: 3, 07-08

94. Morizo Shimizu -- Suita, Japan -- 8, 21-15 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 13-09 -- Day 2: 3, 08-06

95. Shaw Grigsby Jr. -- Gainesville, FL -- 10, 21-14 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 09-14 -- Day 2: 5, 12-00

96. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, OK -- 10, 20-11 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 11-03 -- Day 2: 5, 09-08

97. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 8, 20-07 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 13-12 -- Day 2: 3, 06-11

98. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 10, 20-07 -- 13
Day 1: 5, 09-04 -- Day 2: 5, 11-03

99. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 7, 20-06 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 12-12 -- Day 2: 2, 07-10

100. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 10, 20-05 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 11-13 -- Day 2: 5, 08-08

101. Randy Sullivan -- Breckenridge, TX -- 7, 20-00 -- 10
Day 1: 4, 11-12 -- Day 2: 3, 08-04

102. Shin Fukae -- Palestine TX -- 9, 19-12 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 11-14 -- Day 2: 4, 07-14

103. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 9, 19-09 -- 8
Day 1: 5, 12-14 -- Day 2: 4, 06-11

104. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 7, 17-13 -- 7
Day 1: 2, 05-08 -- Day 2: 5, 12-05

105. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 6, 17-08 -- 6
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 1, 02-08

106. Paul Elias -- Laurel, MS -- 7, 14-14 -- 5
Day 1: 3, 05-08 -- Day 2: 4, 09-06

107. Darrell Ocamica -- New Plymouth, ID -- 6, 14-03 -- 4
Day 1: 5, 11-02 -- Day 2: 1, 03-01

108. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 4, 11-12 -- 3
Day 1: 4, 11-12 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00