By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff
Fighting through a painfully slow morning, John Crews of Salem, Va., capitalized on the afternoon bite and caught a limit of 17 pounds, 3 ounces to retain his lead in the Bassmaster Elite Series season opener at the St. Johns River in Florida with a two-day total of 45-03.
Crews will head into Saturday’s semifinal round with a 9-13 lead over Elite Series rookie Masayuki Matsushita of Tokoname-Aichi, Japan.
A telling moment that bespoke the attitude driving Crews’ decisions came midmorning when Crews’ cameraman asked if he had a target weight.
“I never do that; I want to catch as much as I can,” Crews said. “If you say, ‘I’ll be okay if I get 15,’ or, ‘I’ll be okay if I get 18,’ if you reach that, you might take your foot off the gas.
“Early on in my career, I settled more than I should have in a tournament, instead of going for the kill. Whether I finish first, second, 12th, 15th or whatever, I’m going to try to catch every fish I can catch.”
Despite high-pressure, postfrontal conditions, Crews did not take his foot off the gas Friday. Retracing his Day-1 game plan, he returned to Rodman Reservoir, where he threw a jerkbait and a dropshot. Rigged with a prototype Missile Baits worm, the latter produced all of his Rodman catches.
By the time he left Rodman at 1 p.m., Crews had only a small limit of 10-09 that he anchored with a 4-pounder. The reservoir was much more productive on Day 1, as Crews locked out with a 24-pound bag that included an 8-01.
“I got very fortunate to catch the bag that I caught yesterday, but I made some good adjustments today,” he said.
Specifically, he fished his way out of the Rodman canal and spent the rest of his afternoon targeting shallow cover on the main river. His afternoon effort allowed him to make three upgrades with a 4 1/2-pounder, a 4 and a 2.
Crews caught his main-river fish on a 1/2-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer with a Missile Baits D Bomb in the bruiser (black/blue) color. While the bulky 4-inch creature bait is typically used for flipping and pitching presentations, Crews said the D Bomb proved appealing to the quality bass he needed.
“It’s a big profile and when the (ChatterBait’s) blade is vibrating, the whole tail portion of it kicks and it looks big,” Crews said. “These big fish are used to eating bream and crappie. If you throw the little stuff, you can catch some fish, but I like the bigger stuff.”
Crews’ most notable catch came around 2:35 when a fish bit and missed his bait. He threw back to the same spot and again missed a bite. On his third cast to the spot, he caught his largest fish of the day.
“I think it was the same fish,” Crews said. “Sometimes, they just get mad that they missed it.”
Crews said he’s unsure if he will return to Rodman on Day 3. After Friday’s flat calm conditions seemed to hinder the bite, he said he needs wind to stimulate the fish. If Saturday looks windy, he’ll go; if not, he’ll work his main-river spots.
Matsushita caught nearly twice what he caught on Day 1 and improved from 41st place to second with a two-day total of 35-06. Spending his day in the main river, Matsushita bolstered his Day-1 weight of 12-01 with 23-05 — the day’s heaviest catch.
“I fished all shallow water; 3 to 5 feet,” he said. “I got bites all day. I caught two big ones in the morning and when the (sun shined brightly) I caught three big bites.”
Matsushita caught all of his bass on a free rig — a Texas-rigged worm with a tear drop weight hanging from his line. He used a 3/16-ounce weight and a Zoom Magnum Finesse worm in junebug and redbug colors.
Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., added 13-05 to his Day 1 limit of 22 pounds and remained in third place with 35-05. Returning to the Rodman canal, Blaylock caught most of his fish on a wacky-rigged watermelon red Yum finesse worm.
Blaylock caught one of his keepers on a Booyah Hard Knocker lipless bait. While the reaction bait played a bigger role on Day 1, he was unable to replicate that success Friday.
“I went through the whole area with moving baits and never got a single bite,” Blaylock said. “It never did feel right and then once I started picking up finesse, I started catching one here, one there. I just knew right off the bat that, as soon as I got the first one, this is what it’s going to take to get bites today.
“I kept the other stuff honest throughout the day, but it just wasn’t working.”
Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with the 9-13 largemouth he caught on Day 1.
Crews leads the VMC Monster Bag standings for the event’s heaviest limit with his 28-pound first-round bag.
The Top 47 remaining anglers will take off at 7:30 a.m. ET Saturday from Palatka City Docks. The weigh-in will be held at Palatka Riverfront Park at 3:30 p.m., with only the Top 10 pros advancing to Sunday's final round with a chance at the $100,000 first-place prize.
Day 2 Standings
1. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 10, 45-03 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 28-00 -- Day 2: 5, 17-03
2. Masayuki Matsushita -- Tokoname-Shi, JAPAN -- 10, 35-06 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 12-01 -- Day 2: 5, 23-05
3. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 10, 35-05 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 22-00 -- Day 2: 5, 13-05
4. Patrick Walters -- Summerville, SC -- 10, 34-13 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01
5. Bob Downey -- Hudson, WI -- 6, 33-15 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 27-04 -- Day 2: 1, 06-11
6. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 10, 33-12 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 19-07 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05
7. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 10, 31-08 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 13-04 -- Day 2: 5, 18-04
8. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 10, 30-13 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 12-12 -- Day 2: 5, 18-01
9. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 10, 30-02 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 20-00 -- Day 2: 5, 10-02
10. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 10, 29-05 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 17-09 -- Day 2: 5, 11-12
11. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 10, 29-01 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 13-01 -- Day 2: 5, 16-00
12. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 10, 28-05 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 13-02 -- Day 2: 5, 15-03
13. Jake Whitaker -- Fairview, NC -- 10, 28-03 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 12-12 -- Day 2: 5, 15-07
14. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 8, 27-13 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 20-04 -- Day 2: 3, 07-09
15. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 10, 27-10 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 13-15 -- Day 2: 5, 13-11
16. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 9, 27-09 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 12-13 -- Day 2: 4, 14-12
17. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 10, 26-11 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 12-04 -- Day 2: 5, 14-07
18. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 10, 26-11 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 14-02 -- Day 2: 5, 12-09
19. Matty Wong -- Honolulu, HI -- 7 -- 26-10 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 19-14 -- Day 2: 2, 06-12
20. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 9, 26-08 -- 81
Day 1: 4, 08-11 -- Day 2: 5, 17-13
21. Jonathan Kelley -- Old Forge, PA -- 8, 26-07 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 18-04 -- Day 2: 3, 08-03
22. Jay Yelas -- Turner, OR -- 10, 26-07 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 13-12 -- Day 2: 5, 12-11
23. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 10, 26-06 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 14-10 -- Day 2: 5, 11-12
24. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 9, 26-03 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 19-03 -- Day 2: 4, 07-00
25. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 8, 25-11 -- 76
Day 1: 3, 04-00 -- Day 2: 5, 21-11
26. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 10, 25-10 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 16-04 -- Day 2: 5, 09-06
27. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 10, 25-09 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 12-13 -- Day 2: 5, 12-12
28. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA -- 9, 24-15 -- 73
Day 1: 4, 08-09 -- Day 2: 5, 16-06
29. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 10, 24-14 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 11-13 -- Day 2: 5, 13-01
30. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 10, 24-14 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 11-14 -- Day 2: 5, 13-00
31. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 10, 24-13 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 14-13 -- Day 2: 5, 10-00
32. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 8, 24-07 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 18-15 -- Day 2: 3, 05-08
33. Jay Przekurat -- Stevens Point, WI -- 8, 24-07 -- 68
Day 1: 4, 13-01 -- Day 2: 4, 11-06
34. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 9, 24-02 -- 67
Day 1: 4, 07-07 -- Day 2: 5, 16-11
35. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 10, 24-01 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 07-10
36. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 10, 23-09 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 13-07 -- Day 2: 5, 10-02
37. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 10, 23-08 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 11-03 -- Day 2: 5, 12-05
38. John Cox -- Debary, FL -- 10, 23-03 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 09-06 -- Day 2: 5, 13-13
39. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 8, 23-02 -- 62
Day 1: 3, 08-07 -- Day 2: 5, 14-11
40. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 23-01 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 14-05 -- Day 2: 5, 08-12
41. David Williams -- Newton, NC -- 9, 22-07 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 11-11 -- Day 2: 4, 10-12
42. Bryan New -- Saluda, SC -- 7 -- 21-14 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 18-11 -- Day 2: 2, 03-03
43. Buddy Gross -- Chatanooga, TN -- 6, 21-12 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 17-02 -- Day 2: 1, 04-10
44. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 9, 21-11 -- 57
Day 1: 4, 08-04 -- Day 2: 5, 13-07
45. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 7 -- 21-11 -- 56
Day 1: 2, 09-08 -- Day 2: 5, 12-03
46. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 7 -- 21-06 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 19-00 -- Day 2: 2, 02-06
47. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 10, 20-15 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 10-14 -- Day 2: 5, 10-01
The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on day 3
48. Joseph Webster -- Hamilton, AL -- 9, 20-12 -- 53 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-05 -- Day 2: 4, 09-07
49. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 6, 20-11 -- 52 -- $3,500
Day 1: 1, 09-13 -- Day 2: 5, 10-14
50. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 9, 20-01 -- 51 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 10-14 -- Day 2: 5, 09-03
51. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, ON -- 10, 19-14 -- 50 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 09-03 -- Day 2: 5, 10-11
52. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 19-14 -- 49 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 09-10 -- Day 2: 5, 10-04
53. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 8, 19-08 -- 48 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 3, 04-08
54. Josh Douglas -- Isle, MN -- 6, 19-04 -- 47 -- $2,500
Day 1: 1, 02-07 -- Day 2: 5, 16-13
55. Cody Huff -- Ava, MO -- 9, 19-02 -- 46 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 09-07 -- Day 2: 4, 09-11
56. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 8, 19-00 -- 45 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 09-05 -- Day 2: 4, 09-11
57. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 8, 18-14 -- 44 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-14 -- Day 2: 3, 05-00
58. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 9, 18-09 -- 43 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 08-00 -- Day 2: 4, 10-09
59. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 7 -- 18-06 -- 42 -- $2,500
Day 1: 2, 05-14 -- Day 2: 5, 12-08
60. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 8, 18-04 -- 41 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 3, 03-04
61. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 8, 17-15 -- 40 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-00 -- Day 2: 3, 04-15
62. Drew Benton -- Blakely, GA -- 8, 17-15 -- 39 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-05 -- Day 2: 3, 06-10
63. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 8, 17-05 -- 38 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 04-09 -- Day 2: 5, 12-12
64. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 10, 17-05 -- 37 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-10 -- Day 2: 5, 04-11
65. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 7 -- 17-04 -- 36 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 06-14 -- Day 2: 3, 10-06
66. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 10, 17-02 -- 35 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 08-15 -- Day 2: 5, 08-03
67. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 7 -- 16-11 -- 34 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-07 -- Day 2: 2, 02-04
68. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 9, 16-03 -- 33
Day 1: 4, 07-05 -- Day 2: 5, 08-14
69. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 5, 15-00 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00
70. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS7 -- 15-00 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 09-06 -- Day 2: 2, 05-10
71. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 9, 14-14 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 06-00 -- Day 2: 4, 08-14
72. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 9, 14-13 -- 29
Day 1: 4, 07-00 -- Day 2: 5, 07-13
73. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 9, 14-06 -- 28
Day 1: 4, 05-10 -- Day 2: 5, 08-12
74. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 6, 14-05 -- 27
Day 1: 4, 07-00 -- Day 2: 2, 07-05
75. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 7 -- 14-00 -- 26
Day 1: 4, 09-11 -- Day 2: 3, 04-05
76. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 7 -- 13-15 -- 25
Day 1: 2, 02-05 -- Day 2: 5, 11-10
77. Mike Huff -- London, KY -- 10, 13-14 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 07-10 -- Day 2: 5, 06-04
78. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5, 13-00 -- 23
Day 1: 1, 03-14 -- Day 2: 4, 09-02
79. Alex Redwine -- Blue Ash, OH -- 7 -- 12-15 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 09-15 -- Day 2: 2, 03-00
80. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 7 -- 12-03 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 10-08 -- Day 2: 2, 01-11
81. Joshua Stracner -- Vandiver, AL -- 8, 12-02 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 06-08 -- Day 2: 3, 05-10
82. Darold Gleason -- Many, LA -- 6, 11-15 -- 19
Day 1: 4, 07-03 -- Day 2: 2, 04-12
83. Jesse Tacoronte -- Kissimmee, FL -- 6, 11-15 -- 18
Day 1: 3, 04-13 -- Day 2: 3, 07-02
84. Jacob Foutz -- Charleston, TN -- 5, 11-10 -- 17
Day 1: 3, 08-14 -- Day 2: 2, 02-12
85. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 4, 11-03 -- 16
Day 1: 3, 04-11 -- Day 2: 1, 06-08
86. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 5, 09-03 -- 15
Day 1: 3, 05-04 -- Day 2: 2, 03-15
87. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 6, 09-01 -- 14
Day 1: 1, 01-11 -- Day 2: 5, 07-06
88. KJ Queen -- Catawba, NC -- 6, 08-13 -- 13
Day 1: 2, 03-15 -- Day 2: 4, 04-14
89. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 4, 06-14 -- 12
Day 1: 2, 03-12 -- Day 2: 2, 03-02
90. Derek Hudnall -- Denham Springs, LA -- 3, 04-11 -- 11
Day 1: 3, 04-11 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00
91. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 3, 04-10 -- 10
Day 1: 2, 03-09 -- Day 2: 1, 01-01
92. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 2, 03-15 -- 9
Day 1: 1, 02-06 -- Day 2: 1, 01-09
93. Michael Iaconelli -- Pittsgrove, NJ -- 3, 03-06 -- 8
Day 1: 1, 00-14 -- Day 2: 2, 02-08
94. Daisuke Aoki -- Minamitsurugun, JAPAN -- 2, 03-04 -- 7
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 2, 03-04
