Rojas Earns Redemption

Putting to rest a seven-year drought, Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu, Ariz., scored victory at the Champion’s Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide on New York’s Oneida Lake, the final Bassmaster Elite Series event of the season. With the victory, Rojas crossed the $1 million mark in career BASS earnings and upped his victory tally to three by posting a four-day total of 65 pounds, 2 ounces, which was enough to hold off hard-charging Kevin Langill of Terrell, N.C., and 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Mike Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J.

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.

Rojas found success rotating in three primary areas throughout the tournament. Known for his proficiency with a frog, he employed that technique throughout the tournament while mixing it up with a Slurpee’s brush beaver flipped to shallow, grassy areas.

With changing weather conditions, Rojas said it was important to adapt and be flexible. Through the four-day event, anglers experienced rain and hail mixed with periods of sunshine.

Known for its smallmouth, Oneida yielded largemouth to most of the top competitors including Rojas. After narrowly missing out on a victory and ultimately finishing second at the Bassmaster Memorial staged on Oneida Lake and Lake Onondaga in 2007, Rojas was able to exact a measure of redemption on a New York fishery.

“This is so awesome,” said Rojas, 37. “I’ve had my fair share of crash and burns over the years but it just makes this so much sweeter. I had such a clean practice and when the season started I knew that I would do well on Oneida.”

With his solid showing at Oneida, Rojas moved up to 7th in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, earning a $28,000 bonus for his placement. Sunday, he landed the Purolator Big Bass of the Day, a 4-pound bass, earning a $1,000 premium.

Rojas, who was born in New York, was presented with a Kermit stuffed animal on stage due to his steady use of the frog in Elite Series tournaments. Throughout the tournament, he used two Spro frogs to entice the biggest bass.

A new bait that was introduced at ICAST, called the popping frog, was Rojas’ savior on Sunday. He threw the bait after his flipping pattern came undone and was able to catch 14 pounds, 8 ounces. The other bait was the Spro Bronzeye frog.

“Everything went my way this week,” said Rojas. “I have been putting in the hard work all these years and it’s nice to see it pay off in a big way. It was a wonderful week.”

Moving up from third to second was Langill, who posted a four-day total of 60 pounds, 7 ounces. The North Carolina pro scored his highest finish ever in a Bassmaster Elite Series event and closes the season in promising fashion.

The 35-year-old pro keyed in on schooling bass all week. One of the indicators that he used to find his fish were the circling birds. When he saw a group of birds, he would cast to the areas they were near.

His pattern also relied heavily on his electronics and most of his weight was caught during the early portion of the day on Sunday. He mixed up a few baits but primarily used a Rat-L-Trap.

“It was just an awesome morning,” said Langill. “The weather changed me though and that made things tough. I’m tickled to end the season this way.”

Slipping from second to third was Iaconelli with 59 pounds, 4 ounces. In fourth was Dustin Wilks of Rocky Mount, N.C., with 59 pounds, 0 ounces. Taking fifth was Dave Wolak of Wake Forest, N.C., with 57 pounds, 9 ounces.

Posting solid finishes were 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones (6th) and Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark. (11th).

With the season ending today, 84 Bassmaster Elite Series qualifying spots for 2009 were determined as well as 36 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers, set for Shreveport-Bossier City, La., on Feb. 20-22. The spots were awarded based on the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, which can be found below.

The 2009 Elite Series schedule can be found on Bassmaster.com.

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.

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

Launch/Weigh-in
Oneida Shores County Park
9400 Bartell Road
Brewerton, N.Y,
Thurs-Sat (8 a.m./5 p.m.)
Sunday- 10 a.m./7 p.m.

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

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.