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Trenton, Mich.—The season finale on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour got under way on the Detroit River Thursday morning. 200 pros along with their co-anglers headed out of Elizabeth Park Marina to compete in the Chevy Open.
As the anglers made their way down the Detroit River, they faced three decisions, stay in the river, head out to the unforgiving waters of Lake Erie or make the long run to Lake St. Clair. Normally, practice dictates the direction an angler will travel, however when Lake Erie is in the mix, wind is the ultimate factor. Thursday, the wind blew enough to change the mind of several anglers.
As the wet and tired fishermen made their way to the weigh-in stage, it was evident that the Big Water was rough on the competitors. To no one’s surprise, Erie Legend Steve Clapper came to the stage with a good limit. The long time FLW angler brought five fish to the scales that totaled 22 pounds. The Lima, Ohio fisherman took the lead after day one.
Directly behind Clapper was Indiana angler Thomas Moleski. Thomas is familiar with the Detroit River area posting several top ten finishes in both the BFL and Stren Series events. His first day total f 21-4 put him in second.
Jay Yelas entered this event leading the Land O Lakes angler of the year race. A 26th place finish would secure a second AOY title for the Skeeter pro on the FLW Tour. Jay came in with 15-2 on Thursday that left him well back in the pack. Shinichi Fukae is the only angler with a real shot of taking the crown away Yelas. Shinichi weighed in 18-14 and finished the day in 10th. If he finishes 26 places higher than Jay, Shinichi will earn this year’s AOY title.
Top Ten
1. Steve Clapper 22-0
2. Thomas Moleski 21-4
3. Terry Baksay 19-5
3. Eric Struif 19-5
3. David Walker 19-5
6. Danny Pierce 19-4
7. Brent Crow 19-2
7. Kevin Long 19-2
9. Katsutoshi Furusawa 19-0
10. Shinichi Fukae 18-14
Walker On Target
David Walker came into this event in 56th place in the AOY standings and having missed the last two Championships. “This tournament was not about winning or making a check,” the Tennessee angler said. “I’ve been on the sidelines for the last couple of years and it is not fun.” David planned to head out on Erie Thursday but decided to make the run the Lake St. Clair instead. “With the wind, I didn’t think I had enough time to fish Erie the way I need to. Everybody knows St. Clair is the place to go for a check and Erie is where the winning fish are. Tomorrow, if the wind is right I will go to the big water.”
David waded through 20 St. Clair keepers on day on to post a weight of 19-5 and in a tie for third. He cast tube and used a drop-shot for the majority of his fish on the first day. Even if he decides to change areas, he won’t change what he is doing. “It is not that you have to fish each lake different,” he said. “On Erie it just takes longer to find the right spots and you have to be able to move around.
“The guys on top know the lake and don’t have to waste time looking for areas.”
Pierce Piecing it Together
When Danny Pierce left his home in Greenbrier, Arkansas for his first visit to the Detroit River, he had the upcoming FLW Championship on his mind. “I qualified for the Cup last year and throughout most of the practice for this event, I was thinking about where I would fish on Lake Quachita,” he said.
Even with his thoughts elsewhere, the Ranger pro quickly put a solid pattern together. Making the rough ride to Lake St. Clair on Thursday morning, Danny wasted no time putting quality fish in the boat. “I started catching fish as soon as the trolling motor hit the water,” he said. “As soon as my co-angler had his limit fish, we headed back.”
Danny culled through 15 keeper fish to bring a limit of 19-4 to the scales. He stayed on the west side of St. Clair all day and plans to return to that area on Friday. “I several areas on this lake, but I will milk these three spots tomorrow,” said the Landers Chevrolet pro. “I will need another 19 pound limit to make it to the weekend and then maybe the wind will let up enough to get to my other spots.”
When the BASS ZONE caught up with Danny, he was busy piecing back the equipment that was damaged during the day one. “This was the roughest water I have ever been on. Parts were flying off, the trolling motor was rocking and I was just trying to make it back in one piece.
Brent stayed Put
Brent Crow had plans to visit the big water of Lake Erie after boating several limits in practice. However, after running only five miles, he decided to stay in the river and try his luck in the calmer water. “I think I made the right decision by staying put,” the Alabama pro said. “I knew I could catch a decent limit in the River, but I didn’t expect 19 pounds.”
In fact, Brent weighed in 19-2 and will begin day two tied for 7th. Brent credited his G-Loomis rods and P-Line fluorocarbon line with the success he had on Thursday. “The fluro makes a difference and several times today I got a fish in and the line was nicked up pretty bad.” Crow was only able to boat six keepers on Thursday, but feels strong about his chances on Friday. “I only went to one spot today and it should replenish. I have a couple of more spots in the river and of course there is always Lake Erie.”
Brent estimated it would have taken him two hours to reach his spots on Erie almost twice as long as it did in practice. “Not only is it rough going out there, and then you have to fight the waves to stay in position. I didn’t think I would have enough time today, but if the wind isn’t as bad tomorrow, I might try it.” Brent stated he thought another 19 pound limit would keep him in the top ten.
DAY
ONE TOP 100
| Pl. |
Pro
Angler
|
Hometown,
State |
| 1 |
STEVE
CLAPPER |
LIMA,
OH |
5 |
22-00 |
| 2 |
THOMAS
MOLESKI |
ELKHART,
IN |
5 |
21-04 |
| 3 |
TERRY
BAKSAY |
EASTON,
CT |
5 |
19-05 |
| 3 |
ERIC
STRUIF |
LAKE
VILLA, IL |
5 |
19-05 |
| 3 |
DAVID
WALKER |
SEVIERVILLE,
TN |
5 |
19-05 |
| 6 |
DANNY
PIERCE |
GREENBRIER,
AR |
5 |
19-04 |
| 7 |
BRENT
CROW |
HARTSELLE,
AL |
5 |
19-02 |
| 7 |
KEVIN
LONG |
BERKLEY,
MI |
5 |
19-02 |
| 9 |
KATSUTOSHI
FURUSAWA |
TOKYO
JAPAN 1920153, JP |
5 |
19-00 |
| 10 |
SHINICHI
FUKAE |
MINEOLA,
TX |
5 |
18-14 |
| 11 |
CLIFFORD
PIRCH |
PAYSON,
AZ |
5 |
18-10 |
| 12 |
TREVOR
JANCASZ |
WHITE
PIGEON, MI |
5 |
18-09 |
| 12 |
CHRISTOPHER
KING |
SOUTH
AMHERST, OH |
5 |
18-09 |
| 14 |
SHAD
SCHENCK |
WAYNETOWN,
IN |
5 |
18-07 |
| 15 |
CARL
SVEBEK III |
SILOAM
SPRINGS, AR |
5 |
18-05 |
| 16 |
ANDRE
MOORE |
ALABASTER,
AL |
5 |
18-04 |
| 17 |
JOSH
MYERS |
CHATHAM,
ON |
5 |
18-01 |
| 18 |
TONY
DEFILIPPO |
CEDAR,
MI |
5 |
18-00 |
| 19 |
JACOB
POWROZNIK |
PRINCE
GEORGE, VA |
5 |
17-14 |
| 19 |
STEVE
REDDING |
PLANO,
TX |
5 |
17-14 |
| 19 |
CLARK
WENDLANDT |
LEANDER,
TX |
5 |
17-14 |
| 22 |
JEFF
MILLER |
CRESTWOOD,
IL |
5 |
17-08 |
| 23 |
RICKY
D SCOTT |
VAN
BUREN, AR |
5 |
17-00 |
| 24 |
TERRY
BOLTON |
PADUCAH,
KY |
5 |
16-13 |
| 24 |
JACK
GADLAGE |
BENTON,
KY |
5 |
16-13 |
| 26 |
BRYAN
COATES |
AMHERST,
OH |
5 |
16-11 |
| 26 |
KOBY
KREIGER |
OKEECHOBEE,
FL |
5 |
16-11 |
| 28 |
MICHAEL
MURPHY |
GILBERT,
SC |
5 |
16-10 |
| 29 |
MARK
DAVIS |
MOUNT
IDA, AR |
5 |
16-08 |
| 29 |
DARREL
ROBERTSON |
JAY,
OK |
5 |
16-08 |
| 31 |
AL
GAGLIARDUCCI |
AGAWAM,
MA |
5 |
16-06 |
| 32 |
GLENN
CHAPPELEAR |
ACWORTH,
GA |
5 |
16-05 |
| 32 |
MARK
HARDIN |
JASPER,
GA |
5 |
16-05 |
| 32 |
KEITH
MONSON |
BURGIN,
KY |
5 |
16-05 |
| 32 |
JOHN
PETERS |
OKEECHOBEE,
FL |
5 |
16-05 |
| 36 |
CHRIS
ELLIOTT |
BEAUFORT,
NC |
5 |
16-04 |
| 36 |
TIM
KLINGER |
BOULDER
CITY, NV |
5 |
16-04 |
| 36 |
GARY
YAMAMOTO |
MINEOLA,
TX |
5 |
16-04 |
| 39 |
CODY
BIRD |
GRANBURY,
TX |
5 |
16-03 |
| 40 |
DALE
EVANS |
RIDGEVILLE,
SC |
4 |
16-02 |
| 40 |
RICHARD
LOWITZKI |
ST
CHARLES, IL |
5 |
16-02 |
| 42 |
MARTY
HOTTOT |
CHATHAM,
ON |
5 |
16-01 |
| 42 |
JASON
KNAPP |
UNIONTOWN,
PA |
5 |
16-01 |
| 44 |
SCOTT
DOBSON |
CLARKSTON,
MI |
5 |
15-14 |
| 44 |
BRENT
EHRLER |
REDLANDS,
CA |
5 |
15-14 |
| 46 |
JAY
YELAS |
TYLER,
TX |
5 |
15-12 |
| 47 |
DAVID
DUDLEY |
LYNCHBURG,
VA |
5 |
15-11 |
| 47 |
ART
FERGUSON III |
ST.
CLAIR SHORES, MI |
5 |
15-11 |
| 47 |
ANTHONY
GAGLIARDI |
PROSPERITY,
SC |
5 |
15-11 |
| 50 |
KEVIN
BISHOP |
HILTON,
NY |
5 |
15-08 |
| 51 |
TRACY
ADAMS |
WILKESBORO,
NC |
5 |
15-07 |
| 51 |
TOM
MONSOOR |
LA
CROSSE, WI |
5 |
15-07 |
| 53 |
MATT
AREY |
SHELBY,
NC |
5 |
15-05 |
| 53 |
GABE
BOLIVAR |
RAMONA,
CA |
5 |
15-05 |
| 53 |
BOBBY
LANE |
LAKELAND,
FL |
5 |
15-05 |
| 53 |
DAVE
LEFEBRE |
UNION
CITY, PA |
4 |
15-05 |
| 53 |
JEFFREY
THOMAS |
BROADWAY,
NC |
5 |
15-05 |
| 58 |
JIM
TUTT |
LONGVIEW,
TX |
5 |
14-15 |
| 59 |
BRANDON
COULTER |
KNOXVILLE,
TN |
5 |
14-14 |
| 59 |
JASON
REYES |
HUMBLE,
TX |
5 |
14-14 |
| 61 |
ROB
KILBY |
HOT
SPRINGS, AR |
5 |
14-13 |
| 61 |
GREG
PUGH |
CULLMAN,
AL |
5 |
14-13 |
| 63 |
LEWIS
DENNEY |
INDIAN
MOUND, TN |
5 |
14-11 |
| 64 |
RON
SHUFFIELD |
BISMARCK,
AR |
5 |
14-10 |
| 65 |
CHIP
HARRISON |
BREMEN,
IN |
5 |
14-09 |
| 66 |
PATRICK
GOODMAN |
WHITE
PIGEON, MI |
5 |
14-08 |
| 67 |
MARK
ROSE |
MARION,
AR |
5 |
14-06 |
| 68 |
CHARLES
CUMMINGS |
LEEDS,
AL |
5 |
14-05 |
| 68 |
ALVIN
SHAW |
STATE
ROAD, NC |
5 |
14-05 |
| 70 |
CHRIS
MCCALL |
JASPER,
TX |
5 |
14-04 |
| 71 |
MIKE
HAWKES |
SABINAL,
TX |
5 |
14-03 |
| 71 |
RICK
MARSH |
HIGH
POINT, NC |
5 |
14-03 |
| 71 |
SAM
SWETT |
COVINGTON,
LA |
5 |
14-03 |
| 71 |
MICHAEL
YAWGEL |
CROMWELL,
CT |
5 |
14-03 |
| 75 |
HANK
CHERRY |
MAIDEN,
NC |
5 |
14-02 |
| 76 |
JEFF
MAGEE |
MENDENHALL,
MS |
5 |
14-00 |
| 77 |
JOHN
DEVERE |
BEREA,
KY |
5 |
13-15 |
| 77 |
LARRY
NIXON |
BEE
BRANCH, AR |
5 |
13-15 |
| 79 |
ROGER
CRAFTON |
BOCA
GRANDE, FL |
5 |
13-14 |
| 79 |
MIKE
SURMAN |
BOCA
RATON, FL |
5 |
13-14 |
| 81 |
SEAN
MINDERMAN |
SPOKANE,
WA |
4 |
13-12 |
| 82 |
CHARLIE
INGRAM |
SANTA
FE, TN |
5 |
13-11 |
| 82 |
BRENT
LONG |
CATAWBA,
NC |
5 |
13-11 |
| 84 |
BRENNAN
BOSLEY |
BENTON,
AR |
5 |
13-10 |
| 84 |
DEREK
JONES |
CHICAGO,
IL |
5 |
13-10 |
| 84 |
SCOTT
MARTIN |
CLEWISTON,
FL |
5 |
13-10 |
| 87 |
BRIAN
BYLOTAS |
OLYPHANT,
PA |
5 |
13-09 |
| 87 |
MATT
HERREN |
TRUSSVILLE,
AL |
5 |
13-09 |
| 87 |
CRAIG
POWERS |
ROCKWOOD,
TN |
5 |
13-09 |
| 87 |
WESLEY
STRADER |
SPRING
CITY, TN |
5 |
13-09 |
| 91 |
BUD
PRUITT |
SPRING,
TX |
5 |
13-08 |
| 92 |
TOM
BURNS |
CARBONDALE,
IL |
5 |
13-07 |
| 92 |
STACEY
KING |
REEDS
SPRING, MO |
5 |
13-07 |
| 92 |
JOHN
SAPPINGTON |
WILLARD,
MO |
5 |
13-07 |
| 95 |
TEE
WATKINS |
EAST
POINT, KY |
5 |
13-06 |
| 96 |
ANDY
SANDERS |
OTTAWA,
OH |
3 |
13-05 |
| 96 |
MIKE
TROMBLY |
PERRYSBURG,
OH |
5 |
13-05 |
| 96 |
ALFRED
WILLIAMS |
JACKSON,
MS |
5 |
13-05 |
| 99 |
TODD
AUTEN |
LAKE
WYLIE, SC |
5 |
13-04 |
| 99 |
CHAD
MORGENTHALER |
COULTERVILLE,
IL |
3 |
13-04 |
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