SYRACUSE, N.Y. – For the second consecutive day, anglers fishing the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series’ Empire Chase presented by Mahindra Tractors on Oneida Lake put up a fierce battle in which only ounces separated the top athletes vying for the $100,000 win.
Emerging as the leader was Yusuke Miyazaki of Texas with 15 pounds, 13 ounces for a tournament total of 32-6. His performance in the tight race can be seen on The CITGO Bassmasters Saturday, July 15 at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
Japan native Miyazaki, 36, said he alternated between reaction baits and worms to bring in his five-fish limit of smallmouth on Friday. He worked in mid-depths of water and focused on only three spots, as opposed to fishing all over the lake, which many other anglers reported doing.
“I struggled a little bit with the reaction baits, but I plan to do my best tomorrow,” said Miyazaki.
He’ll have to work hard on Saturday as several other accomplished anglers are pursuing the top spot. While only the top 50 anglers and co-anglers advance to Day 3, there is just 2 pounds separating second through 11th place and the anglers occupying those positions are well within striking distance of the lead.
One of those anglers - not surprisingly - was Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla. His 31-9 total put him in second place and marked the sixth time this season that he’s made the top 50 cut in an Elite event. With a victory, Evers, 31, would win his fourth BASS title in his seven-year career.
Right behind him were fellow Oklahomans Ken Cook in third (31-5) and Tommy Biffle in fourth (31-3).
Day 1 leader Lee Bailey of Alabama lost 35 minutes of fishing to mechanical problems but still managed a fifth-place showing with a total of 31-2, or just more than 1 pound out of the lead. “I had a good day and I’m going to switch up the lures tomorrow and see if those largemouth will keep biting,” he said, noting that both of his limits have been largemouth bass, by far the minority to smallmouth on Oneida.
Other anglers making the top 50 cut on Friday were tournament favorites Kevin VanDam of Michigan - second on the Bassmaster Power Index - and 2003 CITGO Bassmaster Classic champ Michael Iaconelli of New Jersey (tied for seventh); Bassmaster Memorial winner Peter Thliveros of Florida (11th); come-from-behind angler Charlie Youngers of Florida (13th); 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic runner-up Rick Morris (33rd) and BassCenter’s Byron Velvick (tied for 36th).
In an unexpected moment during the weigh-in, BASS officials presented Elite angler Mike Reynolds of California with an American flag that had been flown in his name over the Multi-National Corps in Iraq. It was sent by 1st Sgt. Stan Harvey, who said in a letter that he flew the flag after seeing on www.bassmaster.com Reynolds’ personally financed boat design – which is a collage of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine seals with the phrase “These Colors Don’t Run.”
The Multi-National Corps conducts stability operations to support the establishment of government, the restoration of essential services, and economic development in Iraq. “I had no idea what kind of impact this boat wrap would have,” said Reynolds, who wiped tears from his eyes as he read the letter. Reynolds ended Day 2 in 50th place with 25-3 and will fish on Saturday.
Co-anglers also kept it close on Friday, but New York’s own Larry Lafaver of Watertown managed to keep his lead and finished Day 2 with a total of 17-3. The top 25 co-anglers are competing for $115,400 in cash and merchandise. Their three-day competition ends on Saturday, when the winner gets a fully rigged Triton boat valued at $45,000.
Elite Series anglers are vying for $673,150 in cash to the top 50 Elite pros and valuable points towards qualifying in the Bassmaster Majors, CITGO Bassmaster Classic and the race for the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year award.
Local Sponsors: Local sponsors include the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series sponsors: Sponsors of the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series include CITGO Petroleum Corp., Toyota, Busch Beer, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide, Advance Auto Parts and Theraseed®.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 550,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or www.bassmaster.com.
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