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Kansan Brent Chapman in 13th
Velvick Comfortable in California , Takes Opening Day Lead at Bassmaster Elite Series Event on Clear Lake

March 18, 2010 - Feeling right at home, Byron Velvick toted 29 pounds of Clear Lake bass to the scales Thursday and took the opening-round lead at the Golden State Shootout, the second event of the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series season.  Nearing the ten-year anniversary of when Velvick established the three-day BASS’ record for tournament weight here, Velvick – once a West Coast resident – raided Clear Lake in a similar manner, boating the first double-digit bass of the Elite season, a 10-11 beauty. 

Now settled in Del Rio , Texas – on the periphery of another bass-factory Lake Amistad – Velvick is in a different place now.

“Ten years ago, I actually missed some of my bigger bites,” said Velvick, 45.  “But not today.  I have more knowledge now and the equipment is miles ahead of where it was.  I absolutely love this fishery.  Maybe I should move to Clear Lake .” 

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. 

Although prevailing Clear Lake wisdom would assume that Velvick tied on a big swimbait and fired it around the whole day, the two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier said not so. Instead, he is mixing up his lure choice – a swimbait is still a big part of it – and is mining shallow water spots that have consistently produced over the years.

“You have to mix it up,” said Velvick.  “It’s just not a good idea to stick with one lure. Variety is the name of the game this week.  And I think that was a key to my success today (Thursday). I’m doing something a little bit different but it’s smart.”

With Clear Lake in a funky way – cold nights and mornings give way to bluebird, warm conditions later in the day – a deep bite has been productive for a bevy of anglers.  But Velvick says it is “disintegrating” and will stick with his milk run throughout the rest of the week.

The record – 83 pounds, 5 ounces – would certainly be in jeopardy if the Elites were three day affairs.  But Velvick will have to sustain his performance for four days this week and for that to happen, the two-time BASS winner said he needed boat traffic, from locals and competitors, to be limited.

More than 5 pounds behind Velvick was Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande, Calif.   Although he faces a sizable deficit, Lintner, who landed 23 pounds, 4 ounces, has a sparkling resume here – he won a 2005 Bassmaster Open on the fishery -- and could make up ground quickly with the right bite.

Lintner has had a whirlwind week.  On Saturday, driving from the Delta event, Lintner was involved in a car accident not of his fault.  The story is chronicled here and Lintner was actually fishing out of a back-up boat Thursday, one that he had never used prior to the event.

“Everyone really came through for me this week,” said Lintner, 36.  “Monday I barely got any practice time.  But I’m in a good place now and I feel comfortable.”

Like Velvick, Lintner was hitting areas that have produced for him in tournament’s past.  He threw big baits for the majority of the day but was unsure if that pattern would hold up.  He wasn’t committed to any strategy for Friday and instead would formulate it late Thursday.

“I don’t want to fish chicken but it’s a weird deal,” said Lintner.  “I see stretches of areas where 30-pound limits could be had but they just aren’t biting.”

The general consensus is that the lake could really turn on over the weekend.  Still, a minority thinks that the Elite pros will miss it due to the moon phase and instead the lake will show its true colors next week.  Regardless, Clear Lake is a fishery capable of yielding impressive weights. 

In third was Randy Howell of Springville , Ala. , with 23-3.  Trailing Howell in fourth was Bill Lowen of North Bend , Ohio , with 22-14.  Rounding out the top five was 70-year-old Guy Eaker of Cherryville , N.C. , with 21-14. 

Lurking in striking distance was Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., in tenth.  Reese, who missed out on victory at the Delta last week by an ounce, is looking for redemption at a fishery he dominates on.  Reese finished second in 2007 here while Steve Kennedy won that event.  Kennedy failed to land a limit Thursday, limping to 71st.

In surprising fashion, five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam again had a relative struggle. He was 51st.  John Crews of Salem , Va. , who won last week’s Elite season opener, was 76th.  The full standings are below

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.

The full Elite field will compete Friday, with the top 47 advancing to Saturday’s competition. Only the top 12 will still be in the game the final day, Sunday, for the $100,000 top prize.

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

DAY 1 GOLDEN STATE SHOOTOUT STANDINGS

2010 Golden State Shootout 03/18-03/21

Clear Lake , Lakeport   Calif.

(PRO Division) Standings Day 1

 

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

 

1.  Byron Velvick          Del Rio , Texas           5  29-00     

  Day 1: 5   29-00  

2.  Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande , Calif.    5  23-04     

  Day 1: 5   23-04  

3.  Randy Howell           Springville , Ala.        5  23-03     

  Day 1: 5   23-03  

4.  Bill Lowen             North Bend , Ohio         5  22-14     

  Day 1: 5   22-14  

5.  Guy Eaker              Cherryville , N.C.        5  21-14     

  Day 1: 5   21-14  

6.  Matt Herren            Trussville, Ala.         5  21-13     

  Day 1: 5   21-13  

7.  Denny Brauer           Camdenton , Mo.           5  21-09     

  Day 1: 5   21-09  

8.  Kelly Jordon           Mineola, Texas           5  21-08     

  Day 1: 5   21-08  

9.  Jeff Kriet              Ardmore , Okla.           5  21-04     

  Day 1: 5   21-04  

10. Skeet Reese            Auburn , Calif.           5  20-04     

  Day 1: 5   20-04  

11. Matt Greenblatt        Palm Beach Gardens , Fl  5  19-13     

  Day 1: 5   19-13  

12. Gary Klein              Weatherford , Texas       5  19-10     

  Day 1: 5   19-10  

13. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira , Kan.       5  19-09     

  Day 1: 5   19-09  

13. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista , Ark.        5  19-09     

  Day 1: 5   19-09  

15. Bradley Roy            Lancaster , Ky.           5  19-08     

  Day 1: 5   19-08  

16. Pat Golden             High Point , N.C.        5  19-07     

  Day 1: 5   19-07  

17. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo , Fla.          5  19-03     

  Day 1: 5   19-03  

18. Grant Goldbeck         Gaithersburg , Md.        5  19-02     

  Day 1: 5   19-02  

19. Kotaro Kiriyama        Moody, Ala.              5  19-00     

  Day 1: 5   19-00  

19. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City , Ariz   5  19-00     

  Day 1: 5   19-00  

21. Aaron Martens          Leeds, Ala.              5  18-15     

  Day 1: 5   18-15  

22. Terry Butcher          Talala , Okla.            5  18-03     

  Day 1: 5   18-03  

22. Morizo Shimizu         Osaka , Japan            5  18-03     

  Day 1: 5   18-03  

24. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, Ark.          5  18-02     

  Day 1: 5   18-02  

24. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville , Fla.        5  18-02     

  Day 1: 5   18-02  

26. Edwin Evers            Talala , Okla.            5  18-01      

  Day 1: 5   18-01  

26. Jami Fralick           Martin , S.D.             5  18-01     

  Day 1: 5   18-01  

26. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, N.J.       5  18-01     

  Day 1: 5   18-01  

29. Boyd Duckett           Demopolis , Ala.          5  17-14     

  Day 1: 5   17-14  

30. Cliff Pace             Petal, Miss.            5  17-13     

  Day 1: 5   17-13  

31. Clark Reehm            Russellville , Ark.       5  17-11     

  Day 1: 5   17-11  

32. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, Mo.        5  17-06     

  Day 1: 5   17-06  

33. Keith Poche            Troy , Ala.               5  17-04     

  Day 1: 5   17-04  

34. James Niggemeyer       Van, Texas               5  17-01     

  Day 1: 5   17-01  

35. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, La.        5  16-14     

  Day 1: 5   16-14  

36. Jeff Connella          Bentley , La.             5  16-13     

  Day 1: 5   16-13  

36. Bradley Hallman        Norman , Okla.            5  16-13     

  Day 1: 5   16-13  

38. David Smith            Del City , Okla.          5  16-12     

  Day 1: 5   16-12  

39. Greg Hackney           Gonzales , La.            5  16-09     

  Day 1: 5   16-09  

40. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, Okla.           5  16-08     

  Day 1: 5   16-08  

40. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, Texas            5  16-08     

  Day 1: 5   16-08  

42. Timmy Horton           Muscle Shoals, Ala.      5  16-05     

  Day 1: 5   16-05  

43. Zell Rowland           Austin , Texas            5  16-04     

  Day 1: 5   16-04  

44. Bobby Lane              Lakeland , Fla.          5  16-03     

  Day 1: 5   16-03  

45. Charlie Hartley        Grove City , Ohio         5  16-02     

  Day 1: 5   16-02  

45. Billy McCaghren        Mayflower, Ark.          5  16-02     

  Day 1: 5   16-02  

47. Davy Hite              Ninety Six, S.C.        5  16-01     

  Day 1: 5   16-01  

48. Derek Remitz           Grant , Ala.              5  16-00     

  Day 1: 5   16-00  

49. Mark Tyler             Vian , Okla.              5  15-11     

  Day 1: 5   15-11  

50. Dave Wolak             Wake Forest , N.C.       5  15-08     

  Day 1: 5   15-08  

51. Peter Thliveros        St Augustine, Fla.       5  15-06     

  Day 1: 5   15-06  

51. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo , Mich.         5  15-06     

  Day 1: 5   15-06  

53. Gerald Swindle         Warrior, Ala.            5  15-05     

  Day 1: 5   15-05  

54. Vince Fulks            Purcell , Okla.           5  15-03     

  Day 1: 5   15-03  

54. Mark Menendez          Paducah , Ky.             5  15-03     

  Day 1: 5   15-03  

54. Takahiro Omori         Emory , Texas             5  15-03     

  Day 1: 5   15-03  

57. Casey Ashley           Donalds, S.C.           5  15-02     

  Day 1: 5   15-02  

57. Shaw Grigsby           Gainesville , Fla.        5  15-02      

  Day 1: 5   15-02  

59. Russ Lane              Prattville , Ala.        5  14-13     

  Day 1: 5   14-13  

59. Marty Robinson         Lyman, S.C.             5  14-13     

  Day 1: 5   14-13  

59. Jason Williamson       Aiken , S.C.              5  14-13     

  Day 1: 5   14-13  

62. Mark Tucker            Saint Louis, Mo.         5  14-12     

  Day 1: 5   14-12  

63. Rick Morris            Virginia Beach , Va.      5  14-11     

  Day 1: 5   14-11  

63. Jason Quinn            Lake Wylie , S.C.         5  14-11     

  Day 1: 5   14-11  

65. Dennis Tietje          Roanoke , La.             5  14-07     

  Day 1: 5   14-07  

66. Kevin Wirth            Crestwood , Ky.           5  14-05     

  Day 1: 5   14-05  

67. Scott Ashmore          Broken Arrow , Okla.      5  14-04     

  Day 1: 5   14-04  

68. Matt Reed              Madisonville , Texas      5  14-01     

  Day 1: 5   14-01  

69. J Todd Tucker          Moultrie, Ga.            5  14-00     

  Day 1: 5   14-00  

70. Chad Griffin            Cresson , Texas           5  13-01     

  Day 1: 5   13-01  

71. Steve Kennedy          Auburn , Ala.             3  13-01     

  Day 1: 3   13-01  

71. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka , Ala.           3  13-01     

  Day 1: 3   13-01  

73. Scott Rook              Little Rock , Ark.        4  13-00     

  Day 1: 4   13-00  

74. Alton Jones            Waco , Texas              5  12-13     

  Day 1: 5   12-13  

75. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs , Ark.        5  12-09     

  Day 1: 5   12-09  

76. John Crews              Salem , Va.               4  12-02     

  Day 1: 4   12-02  

77. Marty Stone            Fayetteville , N.C.       3  12-01     

  Day 1: 3   12-01  

78. Mark Burgess           Norton , Mass.            4  11-10     

  Day 1: 4   11-10  

78. John Murray            Phoenix , Ariz.           4  11-10     

  Day 1: 4   11-10  

78. Fred Roumbanis         Bixby , Okla.             4  11-10     

  Day 1: 4   11-10  

81. Britt Myers            Lake Wylie , S.C.         3   8-06     

  Day 1: 3    8-06  

82. Ish Monroe             Hughson , Calif.          3   8-04     

  Day 1: 3    8-04  

82. Dustin Wilks           Rocky Mount , N.C.       3   8-04     

  Day 1: 3    8-04  

84. Kenyon Hill            Norman , Okla.            3   7-15     

  Day 1: 3    7-15  

85. Pete Ponds             Madison , Miss.          2   7-15     

  Day 1: 2    7-15  

86. Wade Grooms            Bonneau , S.C.            3   7-11     

  Day 1: 3    7-11  

87. Paul Elias             Laurel, Miss.           2   7-06     

  Day 1: 2    7-06  

88. Byron Haseotes         Centerville , Mass.      2   5-15     

  Day 1: 2    5-15  

88. Yusuke Miyazaki         Forney , Texas            2   5-15     

  Day 1: 2    5-15  

90. Chris Lane             Guntersville , Ala.      2   5-02      

  Day 1: 2    5-02  

91. Jeremy Starks          Charleston , W.Va.        1   3-07     

  Day 1: 1    3-07  

92. Kevin Short            Mayflower, Ark.          1   3-02     

  Day 1: 1    3-02  

93. Rick Clunn             Ava , Mo.                 0   0-00     

  Day 1: 0    0-00  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Totals

Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight

 1       72       416      1429-12

----------------------------------

         72       416      1429-12

 

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