Versatile Velvick Maintains Lead at Bassmaster Elite Series Event on Clear Lake
Category: press release
Mar 19th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Mar 19th, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Just as Clear Lake is starting to warm up, so is Byron Velvick. Velvick, a West Coast transplant who now resides in Del Rio, Texas, wasn’t able to land a monster bass, like Thursday, but the two-time BASS winner managed 22 pounds Friday, building his two-day total to 51 pounds. Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., upgraded his total to 46-10, enough to keep Velvick honest heading into the weekend.
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| Bryron Velvick talks about his Day Two success. (Photo courtesy of BASS) |
Velvick has considerable big-fish chops – he established the BASS three-day tournament record here with 83 pounds, 5 ounces, — and is tapping into his extensive knowledge of Clear Lake. Still, Elite events are all about learning and adapting and Velvick says he has been able to accrue new knowledge of the fishery each day. And things are setting up to be a slugfest.
“It’s going to be like an Easter egg hunt on Sunday,” said Velvick of the fish being susceptible to sight fishing. “It is just going to be sick.”
Bassmaster.com will cover the 2010 Golden State Shootout with daily analysis, photo galleries, standings and a real-time leaderboard. ESPN360.com will offer live, streaming video. ESPN2 will recap the competition on The Bassmasters at 9 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 4, and again at 11 a.m. ET, Saturday, April 17.
Velvick has been mining areas that have produced for him in the past. In fact, one – his primary – was the area that yielded the three-day record. This week, he hasn’t pigeonholed himself into one technique. Instead, he is changing up his lure presentation between three choices.
Some of his strategy has involved protecting his areas from other anglers – both locals and pros. And with the lake turning on and pleasant conditions in store, the lake could be a madhouse over the weekend.
But Velvick has a sound contingency plan. He has formulated something that he can go to and feel confident in scrounging a solid limit if necessary.
“I’ve learned a lot over the past two days,” said Velvick, 45. “I have a little something figured out where I know what I can do no matter what happens.”
The two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier said he missed a couple of key bites Friday but Velvick was able to consistently land bites – he totaled 15 to 18 — throughout the day.
While Velvick has been running and gunning, Howell has sat on one spot the entire tournament. The area is comprised of spawning flats and the fish are coming in waves. The early bite has proved stout – Howell landed a limit in 15 minutes – but it gives way to a sporadic bite later in the day.
Howell has been fearful of vacating his area, allowing other competitors to work it and like Velvick, has been playing defense. He has been switching up between two baits, a 10-inch cut tail worm and a football jig. Those produced 14 bites, which included an 8-pounder that ended up coming off at the boat.
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| Randy Howell has hunkered down on one main spawning area in which he’s guarded closely. (Photo courtesy of BASS) |
“This is the first time in a long time that I feel like I have an area with the potential to win,” said Howell, 36. “I have a lot of confidence and I plan to either win it or lose it on that area.”
The nine-time Classic qualifier is no stranger to fast starts. Countless times in 2009 Elite competitions, Howell started off strong but faltered a bit in the end. Still, he was able to compile a bundle of top-20 finishes and qualified for the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason.
Strangely enough, Howell and Velvick were neck-and-neck last week at the Elite season-opener on the California Delta. But they were fighting it out for 82nd with Velvick edging out Howell, who finished 83rd. Both are looking for redemption here and to put themselves back in the top half of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
In third was Bill Lowen of North Bend, Ohio with 45 pounds, 7 ounces. In fourth was Guy Eaker of Cherryville, N.C., with 44-4. Eaker and Lowen are sharing an area that continues to produce but the question remains if the area can withstand the heavy assault both anglers are applying to it.
On the opposite end of the experience spectrum from the 70-year-old Eaker is 19-year-old Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Ky. Roy is right behind Eaker in the standings though with 41-9, enough to settle into fifth place.
Local favorite Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande slipped from second to sixth. He still remains within striking distance at 41-2. Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., made the move of the tournament up 37 places from Thursday to seventh.
He was buoyed by the second double-digit bass Clear Lake has yielded this week. Lane boated an 11-pound, 1-ounce, behemoth Friday – tops for the tournament thus far – on his 10th cast of the morning. The brute fell for a 9-inch Osprey swimbait.
Prohibitive favorite Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., was 11th with 39-0. Five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam fell to 59th and missed the Saturday cut. VanDam’s struggles are surprising but with the schedule setting up well for himself, the 2010 Classic champion is still certain to be a factor in the AOY race this year.
Other notables in the cutline were 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion Boyd Duckett (13th), 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Michael Iaconelli (20th) and Elite rookie Matt Greenblatt of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (22nd). Only the top 47 advanced to Saturday’s competition. The top 12 will move on to Sunday and fish for the $100,000 top prize.
Clear Lake is the largest natural lake to lie entirely within California. In sharp contrast to the sprawling, shallow Delta system – where last week’s Elite event was held — Clear Lake is 19 miles long, measures eight miles wide at its widest point, and has an average depth of 27 feet.
Fans are invited to the daily launches and weigh-ins at Library Park, located at 3rd and 5th streets in Lakeport. Boats launch at 7 a.m. PT; weigh-ins will begin at 3:30 p.m. PT.
All events are free and open to the public.
Bassmaster Elite Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Skeeter and Yamaha.
Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance and Triton Boats
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, the Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and ESPN360.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
DAY 2 GOLDEN STATE SHOOTOUT STANDINGS
2010 Lakeport, CA 3/18-3/21
Clear Lake, Lakeport CA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 10 51-00 310
Day 1: 5 29-00 Day 2: 5 22-00
2. Randy Howell Springville, AL 10 46-10 295
Day 1: 5 23-03 Day 2: 5 23-07
3. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 10 45-07 290
Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 5 22-09
4. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 10 44-04 285
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 5 22-06
5. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 41-09 280
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 22-01
6. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 41-02 276
Day 1: 5 23-04 Day 2: 5 17-14
7. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 10 41-00 272
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 24-13
8. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 10 40-03 268
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 18-06
9. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 10 40-00 264
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 21-13
10. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 10 39-07 260
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 20-05
11. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 39-00 257
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 18-12
12. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 38-14 254
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 22-05
13. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 10 38-12 251
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 20-14
14. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 38-09 248
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 21-03
15. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 10 38-06 245
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 20-11
16. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 38-05 243
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 21-13
17. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 38-04 241
Day 1: 5 21-04 Day 2: 5 17-00
18. Pat Golden High Point, NC 10 37-13 239
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 18-06
19. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 10 37-08 237
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 19-05
20. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 37-06 235
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 19-05
21. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 10 36-12 233
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 17-12
22. Matt Greenblatt Palm Beach Gardens, FL 10 36-09 231
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 5 16-12
23. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 36-09 229
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 17-00
24. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 36-06 227
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 17-06
25. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 10 36-00 225
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 19-02
26. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 10 35-15 223
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 14-07
27. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 35-15 221
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 17-14
28. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 10 35-12 219
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 14-03
29. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 35-10 217
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 16-00
30. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 8 35-08 215
Day 1: 3 13-01 Day 2: 5 22-07
31. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 10 35-02 213
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 20-13
32. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 35-00 211
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 19-14
33. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 34-11 209
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 18-03
34. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 10 34-10 207
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 18-10
35. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 10 34-08 205
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 17-07
36. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 34-07 203
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 16-10
37. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 10 34-02 201
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 18-00
38. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 34-01 199
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 15-15
39. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 34-00 197
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 15-01
40. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 33-14 195
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 18-11
41. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 10 33-13 193
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 18-05
42. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 33-11 191
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 14-02
43. Keith Poche Troy, AL 10 33-10 189
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 16-06
44. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 9 33-06 187
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 4 15-05
45. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 33-03 185
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 18-00
46. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 8 33-00 183
Day 1: 3 12-01 Day 2: 5 20-15
47. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 10 32-12 181
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 17-10
48. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 32-10 179
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 14-08
49. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 10 32-05 177
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 15-08
50. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 10 32-05 175
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 16-10
51. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 10 32-04 173
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 16-15
52. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 9 31-13 171
Day 1: 4 13-00 Day 2: 5 18-13
53. David Smith Del City, OK 10 31-10 169
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 14-14
54. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 31-06 167
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 15-05
55. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 31-05 165
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 12-02
56. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 10 31-04 163
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 17-03
57. Zell Rowland Austin, TX 10 31-03 161
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 14-15
58. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 10 31-01 159
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 15-11
59. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 31-00 157
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 15-10
60. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 30-14 155
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 16-01
61. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 30-11 153
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 18-02
62. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 10 30-11 151
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 15-15
63. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 8 30-07 149
Day 1: 3 13-01 Day 2: 5 17-06
64. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 10 30-02 147
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 15-05
65. Alton Jones Waco, TX 10 30-01 145
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 17-04
66. Vince Fulks Purcell, OK 9 29-15 143
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 4 14-12
67. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 9 29-05 141
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 4 13-00
68. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, SC 10 28-07 139
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 13-12
69. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 10 28-03 137
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 13-12
70. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 9 27-14 135
Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 5 16-04
71. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 8 27-06 133
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 3 11-04
72. John Crews Salem, VA 9 26-07 131
Day 1: 4 12-02 Day 2: 5 14-05
73. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 8 26-01 129
Day 1: 3 07-15 Day 2: 5 18-02
74. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 9 25-13 127
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 4 11-09
75. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 8 25-13 125
Day 1: 3 08-04 Day 2: 5 17-09
76. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 8 24-12 123
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 3 10-01
77. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 9 24-04 121
Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 5 12-10
78. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 7 24-03 119
Day 1: 2 05-15 Day 2: 5 18-04
79. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 7 24-00 117
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 2 07-03
80. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 8 23-05 115
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 3 08-08
81. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 7 23-03 113
Day 1: 4 11-10 Day 2: 3 11-09
82. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 7 22-13 111
Day 1: 2 07-06 Day 2: 5 15-07
83. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 8 21-14 109
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 3 08-13
84. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 6 21-08 107
Day 1: 1 03-07 Day 2: 5 18-01
85. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 8 20-15 105
Day 1: 3 08-04 Day 2: 5 12-11
86. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 7 20-14 103
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 2 06-14
87. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 7 19-03 101
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 4 11-08
88. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 6 19-03 99
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 4 14-01
89. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 3 11-05 97
Day 1: 2 07-15 Day 2: 1 03-06
90. Byron Haseotes Centerville, MA 4 10-12 95
Day 1: 2 05-15 Day 2: 2 04-13
91. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 4 10-04 93
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 1 01-14
92. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 2 07-12 91
Day 1: 1 03-02 Day 2: 1 04-10
93. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 2 05-10 89
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-10
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 72 416 1429-12
2 75 425 1496-09
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147 841 2926-05