Rojas Takes Day 2 Lead

Searching for his first win in seven years, Dean Rojas took one step closer at the Champion’s Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide on Oneida Lake, the final Bassmaster Elite Series event of the 2008 season. The Lake Havasu City, Ariz., pro climbed to the top with 18 pounds, 3 ounces, Saturday to build his three-day total to 50 pounds, 10 ounces, taking the lead from 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J., who had 47 pounds, 0 ounces.

Fishing fans can watch the on-the-water action from the Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, Aug. 16, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. Additionally, fans can check into Bassmaster.com for live, streaming video of the weigh-ins, real-time leaderboards, analysis, photo galleries and more throughout the four-day event.

Rojas has found success rotating in three primary areas throughout each day. He has been largely unaffected by boat pressure and the changing weather conditions and has been consistent on spacious Oneida in his quest for the $100,000 top prize.

“I’m so ready to win this thing,” Rojas said, referring to his BASS win drought. “I just have to keep my head up and focus Sunday. I really want it bad.”

Rojas is focusing on largemouth in shallow water, using his customary frog. He is prepared for whatever weather condition that might play out Sunday and is confident that he can catch fish throughout the day. He boated a 4-pounder, the biggest bass of his Saturday limit, at 2 p.m.

Rojas has found success on New York fisheries in the past. He finished second last year at a 2007 Bassmaster Memorial and was first in that event after the two-day preliminary competition on Oneida, showing his New York chops. He said he feels the largemouth bite is only way to win the tournament.

“I’m ready to win one, it’s been so long,” said the 37-year-old. “I’m just going to go out there and fish hard tomorrow.”

Heading into the tournament, Rojas had more than $970,000 in BASS career earnings. A solid showing at Oneida along with his Angler of the Year bonus, in which he should finish in the top 10, will push him to more than $1 million in career earnings.

Iaconelli relinquished the lead to Rojas after catching 14 pounds, 4 ounces, a solid limit but a departure from the 20-pound, 1-ounce limit he boated Friday. The 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year felt his fish were biting finicky Saturday but was encouraged by Sunday’s forecast for rain and cloud cover.

Iaconelli is using heavy baits in search of reaction strikes, a somewhat different philosophy compared to what most of the field is using. He has mainly focused on a primary spot, milking it for all it is worth. Like Rojas, he has focused on largemouth. He felt the key to his success was the weight selection he was using with his baits.

“I’m excited to get back out there tomorrow,” the 36-year-old said. “If things shake out right, I think I can catch a giant bag.”

Rounding out the top five were Kevin Langill of Terrell, N.C., in third with 45 pounds, 14 ounces; Dustin Wilks of Rocky Mount, N.C., in fourth with 43 pounds, 9 ounces; and 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, in fifth with 43 pounds, 3 ounces.

The field was cut to the top 12 anglers for the final day. Also in the cut were Arkansas pros Mike McClelland (sixth) and 1995 Bassmaster Classic champ Mark Davis (10th).

In the co-angler division, two New York amateurs, Ron Plocek of Liverpool and Jesse Herbert of Pennellville, tied for the top spot with 23 pounds, 7 ounces, and split the prize money associated with the top two prizes, earning $17,500 each. Trailing the two homestate anglers was David Paul of New London, Conn., in third place with 23 pounds, 5 ounces.

Known as the “thumb” of New York’s Finger Lakes, Oneida is 21 miles long and 5 miles wide, with shelves and shoals formed by glaciers. The natural body of water features plenty of shoreline vegetation and an abundance of rocky offshore structure.

As part of the celebration of crowning the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, BASS’ outdoors expo Saturday and Sunday at the season finale will include performances by national recording artist Heartland and local musical group The Custom Taylor Band. At the conclusion of the final weigh-in Sunday night, BASS will host a fireworks display at Oneida Shores, set for approximately 8:40 p.m.

Sunday’s final-day launch begins at 10 a.m. and the final weigh-in begins at 7:30 p.m.

Weekend activities at the Champion’s Choice include a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 3:30 p.m. and a “Boat Performance with Skeeter” class daily at 4 p.m. On Saturday, fans can talk to the Elite pros during “Ask the Experts” at Bassmaster University, set for 4:30 p.m. on the weigh-in stage.

Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 6:35 p.m. of Hooked Up, hosted by BASS emcee Keith Alan and ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. The show will preview the final weigh-in. Live, streaming video of the Champion’s Choice daily weigh-ins begins at 4:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and at 7 p.m. Sunday on Bassmaster.com <http://www.bassmaster.com/> .

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.

Location and Field
Champion’s Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide
Oneida Lake
Syracuse, N.Y.
August 7-10, 2008

Field
106 pros, 106 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

McClelland Heavyweight Champ

Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., collected enough pounds and ounces of bass throughout the Bassmaster Elite Series season to win the 2008 Berkley Heavyweight Award. McClelland, who should finish in the top three in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race Sunday, received $20,000 for his Berkley Heavyweight effort at the season-ending Champion’s Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide on Oneida Lake out of Syracuse, N.Y.

Introduced in 2007 to the Bassmaster Elite Series, the Berkley Heavyweight Award is presented to the angler who catches the heaviest total weight of bass through the first two days of all 11 Elite Series events of the season.

McClelland’s final Berkley Heavyweight tally was 368 pounds, 9 ounces. That was nearly 16 pounds better than the weight posted by runner-up Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., the 2008 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. VanDam, who won the inaugural Berkley Heavyweight Award in 2007, earned $10,000 for this year’s second-place effort.

“It’s cool to win this award,” said McClelland, who made the top-12 cut Saturday and will compete Sunday for the Champion’s Choice trophy and $100,000 first-place prize. “It’s a true test, bringing in the most weight while going up against a full field of competitors the first two days of competition at every event – more than 100 pros.”

Helping McClelland’s cause was his season-opening victory at the Sunshine Showdown on the Harris Chain of Lakes out of Leesburg, Fla. Through the first two days, McClelland had more than 30 pounds. 

Finishing third in the Berkley Heavyweight standings was Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, with 344 pounds, 0 ounces. He won $5,000.

 

2008 Berkley Heavyweight Award

1. Mike McClelland 368-9 $20,000

2. Kevin VanDam 352-10 $10,000

3. Todd Faircloth 344-0 $5,000

 

 

Ike Bags 20 lbs, Day 2 Lead

Settling into one of his customary grooves, Mike Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J., surged into the Day 2 lead at the Champion’s Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide on Oneida Lake, boating a limit weighing 20 pounds, 1 ounce Friday to build his two-day total 32 pounds, 12 ounces, enough to fend off a hard-charging Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., by just 5 ounces.

Iaconelli, the 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion, has had a disappointing season by his lofty standards. Heading into Oneida Lake, he was 18th in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, but the 36-year-old “hit a groove” through the last few events, finishing seventh at an Elite event on Old Hickory Lake and fifth on Lake Erie last weekend. 

Fishing fans can watch the on-the-water action from the Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, Aug. 16, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. Additionally, fans can check in at http://www.Bassmaster.com for live, streaming video of the weigh-ins, real-time leaderboards, analysis, photo galleries and more throughout the four-day event.

In other news, Kevin VanDam scored his fourth Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year trophy Friday, barely making the top-50 cut for Saturday. VanDam held off a consistent Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, to earn the prestigious award and the $250,000 top prize. Furthermore, with the prize money, VanDam made history in becoming the first pro to cross the $3 million threshold in career BASS earnings.

A former AOY winner himself, Iaconelli had a magical day, his five-fish limit counting as the Berkley Heavyweight Bag of the tournament.

“I didn’t think it was possible to catch that much weight on Oneida,” Iaconelli said. “It was just an amazing day. I couldn’t do anything wrong. I’ve just never seen that much weight caught here.”

Duplicating a steady pattern he used Thursday, Iaconelli focused on one small area, throwing a “magic bait.” He attributed some of his success to his Northern roots. 

“I think it definitely helps,” Iaconelli said. “I feel comfortable making the adjustments that I need to make. I understand how the fish move and change because I have had a lot of experience on Northern fisheries.”

Trailing Iaconelli by ounces was Rojas, who weighed in 32 pounds, 7 ounces. Rojas was able to move up three spots from fifth Friday by executing the same pattern. He is focusing on three primary areas and believes that the weather is conducive to his fishing style. 

 

He hasn’t seen much boat traffic in his areas and previously has had much success on New York fisheries. He finished second last year at a 2007 Bassmaster Memorial and was first after the two-day preliminary competition on Oneida, showing off his New York chops.

Rojas is focusing on largemouths and feels that is the only way to win the tournament. Experiencing a seven-year drought in the win department, he is eager to score victory. 

“I’ve been really close a few times,” the 37-year-old said. “It’s been awhile and I can almost taste it. I’m ready to go fishing tomorrow.”

Heading into the tournament, Rojas had more than $970,000 in BASS career earnings. A solid showing along with his Angler of the Year bonus – he should finish in the top 10 – will push him into the ranks of the BASS Millionaires’ Club. 

Rounding out the top five were Kevin Langill of Terrell, N.C., with 31 pounds, 4 ounces in third; Terry Butcher of Talala, Okla., in fourth with 31 pounds, 0 ounces; and Steve Kennedy of Auburn Ala., who slipped from first to fifth with a two-day total of 30 pounds, 9 ounces.

The field was cut to the top 50 anglers Friday. Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., is 13th and could supplant Faircloth for second place in the Angler of the Year standings, while 2007 Angler of the Year winner Skeet Reese qualified for yet another cut in 28th. 

In the co-angler division, Kyle Kempkers of Hamilton, Mich., overtook Day 1 leader Ron Plocek of Liverpool, N.Y., for the Friday lead. Co-anglers are vying for a $25,000 top prize. Kempkers’ two-day total was 18 pounds, 4 ounces while the local Plocek has a two-day total of 17 pounds, 13 ounces.

Known as the “thumb” of New York’s Finger Lakes, Oneida is 21 miles long and 5 miles wide, with shelves and shoals formed by glaciers. The natural body of water features plenty of shoreline vegetation and an abundance of rocky offshore structure.

As part of the celebration of crowning the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, BASS’ outdoors expo Saturday and Sunday at the season finale will include performances by national recording artist Heartland and local musical group The Custom Taylor Band. At the conclusion of the final weigh-in Sunday night, BASS will host a fireworks display at Oneida Shores, set for approximately 8:40 p.m.

Launches Thursday-Saturday for the Champion’s Choice begin at 8 a.m. ET and weigh-ins at 5 p.m. at Oneida Shores County Park, 9400 Bartell Road, Brewerton, N.Y. Sunday’s final-day launch begins at 10 a.m. and the final weigh-in begins at 7:30 p.m.

Weekend activities at the Champion’s Choice include a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 3:30 p.m. and a “Boat Performance with Skeeter” class daily at 4 p.m. On Saturday, fans can talk to the Elite pros during “Ask the Experts” at Bassmaster University, set for 4:30 p.m. on the weigh-in stage.

Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 6:35 p.m. of Hooked Up, hosted by ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. The show will preview the final weigh-in. Live, streaming video of the Champion’s Choice weigh-in begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and at 7 p.m. Sunday on Bassmaster.com.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide. 

 

 

KVD Clinches AOY

He didn’t realize how difficult a Bassmaster Elite Series season with two victories could be, but Friday, Elite pro Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., put the ups and downs behind him as he was named the 2008 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. VanDam endured a seasonlong fight with Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, but overtook Faircloth on Day 2 of the Champion’s Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide on Oneida Lake to claim his fourth Bassmaster Angler of the Year award.

To claim the title and the $250,000 top prize, VanDam, 40, had to overcome several discouraging finishes in the 11-event Bassmaster Elite Series season. Despite being the only pro with two wins on the circuit this year, he came perilously close to losing out on the AOY title.

Going into the season finale here on Oneida Lake, VanDam had five top-10 finishes and made the top-50 cut in all but one tournament, the Battle on the Border at Texas’ Lake Amistad, where he finished 56th.

VanDam started the year with a third-place showing at the 2008 Bassmaster Classic, which doesn’t count toward the Angler of the Year standings. He opened the regular season with a decent 31st-place finish at the March 6-9 Sunshine Showdown at the Harris Chain of Lakes out of Leesburg, Fla., but followed that up with his first victory of 2008, in the Citrus Slam on the Kissimmee Chain out of Lake Wales, Fla.

“I have to thank my family and my sponsors,” VanDam said from the BASS weigh-in stage where he accepted his trophy Friday from Tom Ricks, Vice President and General Manager, BASS. “And BASS has done a really phenomenal job to give us a platform like the Elite Series, to go out here and follow our dreams.

“There are a lot of young, aspiring anglers here, the Junior World Championship is going to go this weekend. Those kids want to be up here, they want to do this, this is the top level of professional bass fishing, and BASS has made it this way, and ESPN. I am just so excited to be here.”

The AOY points lead ping-ponged among VanDam, Faircloth and Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., who won the season opener. The chase eventually was narrowed to Faircloth and VanDam as Faircloth remained consistent throughout the season and VanDam claimed a second victory, this time at the Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake out of Gilbertsville, Ky.

“It really hasn’t sunk in yet, I can’t believe it,” VanDam said Friday after raising his fourth Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year trophy. “I knew this week would be critical and Todd has not had a bad tournament all year. For both of us to stumble yesterday, I was really disappointed. I thought I’d blown it, but I knew I had a second chance, I knew I had to make it happen. It’s a relief.”

Faircloth fought VanDam to the end, winning the Battle on the Border – ironically the one event in which VanDam stumbled out of the top 50 – but VanDam’s legendary determination and competitiveness gave him the edge.

“I found some deep fish during practice, I really wish I wouldn’t have even found them. It really messed with my head throughout this tournament,” said Faircloth, whose second-place finish in the AOY points was the best effort of his career. “That’s fishing. You can’t bank on anything.

“This would’ve been a really big deal for me in my career. The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title is a good deal to have on your resume. I was real close, and wish the outcome would’ve been a little bit different. But I had a really good year, I don’t have anything to hang my head about.”

A full list of the finalized standings will be available after the Champion’s Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide ends Sunday.

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