California Native Aaron Martens Leaps to Second Place with Banner Day
STOCKTON, Calif. – Madison, Ala., rookie Derek Remitz continued his first-year domination of the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series, grabbing the Day 2 lead at the Duel on the Delta presented by Mahindra Tractors with a 27-pound, 9-ounce limit and finishing Friday with 50 pounds, 14 ounces. Fellow Alabama Elite pro Aaron Martens of Leeds, trails by a mere three ounces with 50-11.
The 24-year-old Remitz is in a rare position for a rookie. The former sod-farmer led the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year rankings and the 2007 Toyota Rookie of the Year race after his season-opening win on Texas’ Lake Amistad and is poised to build on his lead with a stellar performance on the California Delta.
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action on The Bassmasters Saturday, March 31, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The winner of the event will receive a $100,000 top prize.
The second tournament on the Elite Series is shaping into a battle between Remitz and 2005 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Martens. The duo sits more than eight pounds ahead of nearest finisher Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande, Calif., who had 42 pounds, 0 ounces. Remitz started Friday with only one keeper fish in his livewell until capitalizing on a mid-day run that started around 11 a.m. He stayed close to his opening spot but after finding little success, he looked for new water.
He was working an Omega jig - the same bait he primarily threw in his win on Amistad - slowly around precise pieces of structure
“I’m beginning to recognize subtle hints that are keys to my pattern, and it relates to slight differences in the bottom, or a certain kind of grass,” Remitz said.
Martens has had considerable success in the state of California scoring all three of his BASS victories in the Golden State. Martens’ last BASS win came on Clear Lake in April of 2002 and he also was victorious on Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville.
“I’ve got them figured out now,” Martens said exuding confidence. “It’s just up to me to finish it off.”
Similar to Remitz, Martens said that he caught all of his 30-pound, 10-ounce limit on new areas including a 11-pound, 2-ounce Purolator Big Bass, which earned him a $1000 premium.
Martens played it close to the vest on his pattern information, but did said he was fishing slowly.
Rounding out the top five were Thursday leader Mark Tyler, of Vian, Okla., in fourth with 40 pounds, 8 ounces, and Rick Morris of Virginia Beach, Va., fifth with 39 pounds, 8 ounces. Only the top 50 anglers will participate Saturday.
Leading the co-angler division was Gerry Johnson of Modesto, Calif., with 39 pounds, 8 ounces. Trailing Johnson was Californians Robby Chikasawa (28-0) of Sacramento in second, and Sal Herrera (27-10) of Discovery Bay, in third.
Day Three of the “Duel on the Delta” presented by Mahindra Tractors will launch Saturday from Stockton’s Weber Point at 6:50 a.m. PT. Weigh-ins will begin at 3:00 p.m. PT and can be viewed at www.espnoutdoors.com.
Day 2 Purolator Big Bass
Pro: Aaron Martens; Leeds, Ala.; 11-2
Co-angler: Gerry Johnson; Modesto, Calif.; 8-3
Location and Field
Duel on the Delta- Bassmaster Elite Series
California Delta
Stockton, Calif.
March 22-25
Field
108 pros, 108 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 after Friday
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Saturday
Launch
Weber Point
221 North Center Street
Stockton, Ca.
6:50 a.m. PT
Weigh-in
Weber Point
221 North Center Street
Stockton, Ca.
3 p.m. PT
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