DEL RIO, Texas – Competing in his first Bassmaster Elite Series event, Huntsville, Ala., pro Derek Remitz scored the Saturday lead at the “Battle on the Border presented by Longhorn” on Lake Amistad in Texas.
Building his three-day total to 80 pounds, 1 ounce, the 24-year-old Elite Series rookie replaced Alabama pro Steve Kennedy in the top spot. After leading two days, Kennedy dropped one notch in the standings with his three-day total of 77-2.
Remitz’s first-day finish gave little sign that he would be leading by the third day: His Thursday total of 20 pounds, 3 ounces, put him in 37th. But on Friday, he shot up to seventh after catching 29 pounds, 7 ounces. Then he brought 30 pounds, 7 ounces to the scales Saturday, besting Kennedy by almost three pounds.
To claim the $100,000 top prize, Remitz will have to hold off his fellow Elite 12 pros, the anglers who earned a spot for the final day of competition Sunday.
Remitz will be up against a star-studded field that includes 2006 Toyota Rookie of the Year Kennedy; 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Mike Iaconelli, in third with 76-4; three-time Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam, in seventh with 68-4; and defending “Battle on the Border” champion Ish Monroe, who was last over the cutline with 66-9.
The season-opening Elite event pays a total purse of $673,150 to the top 50 pros. Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action on The Bassmasters Saturday, March 17, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
“This is something that you always dream about,” said Remitz, who recently moved from Texas to Alabama to be better positioned for travel to all 2007 Elite Series events. “It’s almost unreal and I am just in shock right now. But I am a pretty mellow guy and I think I can fight off the nerves.”
Kennedy said he was eager for the thunderstorms and cloud cover forecast for Sunday.
“The weather should make them bite tomorrow,” the 37-year-old said Saturday evening. “Today, they weren’t that interested in anything I threw at them.”
Texan Todd Faircloth jumped 35 places into fourth after boating 36 pounds, 7 ounces on Saturday for a three-day total of 75-1. His limit included a 10-11 lunker for Purolator Big Bass Honors and a $1,000 premium.
The 31-year-old pro said he caught four of his fish in an incredible 15-minute stretch.
“It all happened so quick that it seems like a dream,” Faircloth said. “I am still shaking.”
Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers, with 71-4, rounded out the top five.
The co-angler competition ended Saturday with Seiji Kato of Outsu, Japan, emerging as the winner. His total of 48 pounds, 8 ounces, bested New Mexico’s Franco Vallejos (46-3) and Texan Dennis Lala (44-8).
Kato took home a fully rigged Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $50,000.
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 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 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com.
2007 Battle on the Border Pro 03/08-03/11
Lake Amistad, Del Rio, Texas
PRO Division Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Derek Remitz Huntsville, Ala. 15 80-01 30 Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 29-07 Day 3: 5 30-07
2. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 77-02 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 36-10 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 24-02
3. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 15 76-04 290
Day 1: 5 27-09 Day 2: 5 24-08 Day 3: 5 24-03
4. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 75-01 285 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 36-07
5. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 15 71-04 280
Day 1: 5 29-11 Day 2: 5 20-14 Day 3: 5 20-11
6. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 15 69-13 276
Day 1: 5 25-15 Day 2: 5 22-01 Day 3: 5 21-13
7. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 68-04 272
Day 1: 5 26-08 Day 2: 5 24-08 Day 3: 5 17-04
8. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 15 67-01 266
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 27-10 Day 3: 5 20-03
8. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 15 67-01 266 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-14 Day 2: 5 21-04 Day 3: 5 18-15
10. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 15 66-14 260
Day 1: 5 25-02 Day 2: 5 21-07 Day 3: 5 20-05
11. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 15 66-12 257
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 5 23-13
12. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 15 66-09 254
Day 1: 5 25-02 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 23-06
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