Cortiana Is A First-Time Leader After 22-02 Bag

By MLF Communications Staff

The top of the leaderboard was stacked with 20-pound bags once again Saturday after Day 2 of the MLF Pro Circuit stop at Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, New York.

While 12 pros busted 20 pounds on the second day of competition, Kyle Cortiana of Broken Arrow, Okla., brought a limit weighing 22 pounds, 2 ounces to the scale Saturday to vault into the lead. Cortiana’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 42-10 gives him a 15-ounce advantage over Kyle Hall of Granbury, Texas, who led after Day 1 of the event. Hall brought a limit weighing 19-14 Saturday for a two-day total of 41-11.

Andy Newcomb of Camdenton, Mo., finished the day in third place with 10 bass weighing 41-11, while Matt Becker of Finleyville, Penn., moved into fourth with a two-day total of 40-10. Milford, Del.'s Kurt Mitchell finished the day with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 40-01 to round out the Top 5.

Despite coming in an hour early due to livewell issues, Cortiana managed to catch enough to sit atop the leaderboard after two days of competition.

“Today was awesome and the Lord blessed me,” Cortiana said. “He puts it on my heart to throw a bait or to move from one place to another, so it’s truly Him that did it and not me.

“My dad got to fly up here and experience all of this with me for the first time, so that’s been amazing,” he continued. “He’s got such a big heart, so it’s been awesome to see his response to all of this and his excitement for me. It’s made me even more excited during this event because I know he’s able to watch and experience it all first-hand.”

Saturday marked the first time in his career that Cortiana has led a Pro Circuit event, making the experience all the more exhilarating for the Oklahoma pro, who has yet to make a championship round this year.

“I started on a spot where I caught them on Day 1, dragging a Carolina rig with a Yum Christie Craw on it and caught 18 pounds pretty quick before running new water,” Cortiana said. “I hit a few of the same areas because I knew there were multiple fish there, but for the most part my game plan is to get the weight I need to maintain my position and keep running new water to prep for the weights zeroing on Monday in the Championship Round.”

With several career-altering opportunities up for grabs this week – including the Angler of the Year (AOY) title, Rookie of the Year (ROY) title, qualification for the TITLE Championship, and the opportunity to advance to the MLF Bass Pro Tour – the pursuit for valuable points is on and the event is shaping up to be one of the tightest races in the history of the Pro Circuit.

After ending Day 2 in 24th place, rookie Nick Hatfield of Greeneville, Tenn. solidified his position Saturday to win the ROY.

“This has been a great year,” Hatfield said. “I was already thrilled to have qualified for the Pro Circuit through the Toyota Series last year, but when the schedule came out, I got even more excited because it really fit my strengths. I think that has played a big part in being able to achieve this goal and I feel super blessed.”

Hatfield began fishing with MLF in 2013, coming up through the College Fishing program, before making his way through the BFLs and the Toyota Series to advance to the Pro Circuit.

“It’s all a process and I’ve dreamed of doing this since before I was in high school, so to be out here doing it and to see some success in my very first year as a pro is pretty cool,” Hatfield said.

Although he is happy with the award, Hatfield said he wasn’t satisfied to stay where he is now.

“This isn’t it for me,” he continued. “I want to keep learning and keep moving up – I want to be one of the top dogs around here, so I’ve still got some work to do to make that happen.”

Anglers take off at 6:30 a.m. ET each day from the Plattsburgh Waterfront, located at 5 Dock Street in Plattsburgh. Weigh-ins are also held at the park daily at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action all four days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7 a.m. ET at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Day 2 Standings

1. Kyle Cortiana -- 20-08 (5) -- 22-02 (5) -- 42-10 (10)

2. Kyle Hall -- 21-13 (5) -- 19-14 (5) -- 41-11 (10)

3. Andy Newcomb -- 20-14 (5) -- 20-13 (5) -- 41-11 (10)

4. Matt Becker -- 20-09 (5) -- 20-01 (5) -- 40-10 (10)

5. Kurt Mitchell -- 20-00 (5) -- 20-01 (5) -- 40-01 (10)

6. Dakota Ebare -- 19-13 (5) -- 20-03 (5) -- 40-00 (10)

7. Skeet Reese -- 18-09 (5) -- 20-14 (5) -- 39-07 (10)

8. Michael Neal -- 19-02 (5) -- 20-01 (5) -- 39-03 (10)

9. Casey Scanlon -- 21-08 (5) -- 17-09 (5) -- 39-01 (10)

10. Tyler Stewart -- 18-05 (5) -- 20-02 (5) -- 38-07 (10)

11. Lane Olson -- 19-02 (5) -- 19-00 (5) -- 38-02 (10)

12. Ron Nelson -- 17-15 (5) -- 20-02 (5) -- 38-01 (10)

13. Spencer Shuffield -- 18-02 (5) -- 19-15 (5) -- 38-01 (10)

14. Alex Davis -- 19-06 (5) -- 18-11 (5) -- 38-01 (10)

15. Justin Lucas -- 18-04 (5) -- 19-08 (5) -- 37-12 (10)

16. Joey Cifuentes -- 17-15 (5) -- 19-12 (5) -- 37-11 (10)

17. Cole Floyd -- 20-09 (5) -- 16-15 (5) -- 37-08 (10)

18. Cody Pike -- 19-08 (5) -- 18-00 (5) -- 37-08 (10)

19. Jim Moynagh -- 18-03 (5) -- 19-02 (5) -- 37-05 (10)

20. Mark Rose -- 19-07 (5) -- 17-13 (5) -- 37-04 (10)

21. Jon Canada -- 18-07 (5) -- 18-13 (5) -- 37-04 (10)

22. Shonn Goodwin -- 20-01 (5) -- 16-14 (5) -- 36-15 (10)

23. Martin Villa -- 17-08 (5) -- 19-07 (5) -- 36-15 (10)

24. Nick Hatfield -- 17-06 (5) -- 19-07 (5) -- 36-13 (10)

25. Evan Barnes -- 21-02 (5) -- 15-10 (5) -- 36-12 (10)

26. Steve Lopez -- 15-13 (5) -- 20-12 (5) -- 36-09 (10)

27. Scott Dobson -- 17-06 (5) -- 18-15 (5) -- 36-05 (10)

28. Billy Hines -- 18-05 (5) -- 18-00 (5) -- 36-05 (10)

29. Jared McMillan -- 15-09 (5) -- 20-11 (5) -- 36-04 (10)

30. Matt Greenblatt -- 18-03 (5) -- 18-01 (5) -- 36-04 (10)

31. Chase Serafin -- 18-00 (5) -- 18-03 (5) -- 36-03 (10)

32. Nick Lebrun -- 16-04 (5) -- 19-09 (5) -- 35-13 (10)

33. David Walker -- 16-07 (5) -- 19-05 (5) -- 35-12 (10)

34. Corey Neece -- 15-08 (5) -- 20-03 (5) -- 35-11 (10)

35. John Voyles -- 16-05 (5) -- 19-04 (5) -- 35-09 (10)

36. Chris Lane -- 17-09 (5) -- 17-14 (5) -- 35-07 (10)

37. Troy Stokes -- 16-06 (5) -- 19-00 (5) -- 35-06 (10)

38. Justin Cooper -- 16-09 (5) -- 18-08 (5) -- 35-01 (10)

39. Keith Carson -- 15-01 (5) -- 19-15 (5) -- 35-00 (10)

40. John Hunter -- 16-07 (5) -- 18-09 (5) -- 35-00 (10)

41. Terry Bolton -- 17-11 (5) -- 17-05 (5) -- 35-00 (10)

42. Randy Howell -- 17-11 (5) -- 17-04 (5) -- 34-15 (10)

43. Braxton Setzer -- 19-05 (5) -- 15-07 (5) -- 34-12 (10)

44. Miles Burghoff -- 18-08 (5) -- 16-03 (5) -- 34-11 (10)

45. Jason Reyes -- 18-12 (5) -- 15-13 (5) -- 34-09 (10)

46. Larry Nixon -- 19-00 (5) -- 15-07 (5) -- 34-07 (10)

47. Grae Buck -- 16-01 (5) -- 18-06 (5) -- 34-07 (10)

48. Tim Frederick -- 18-03 (5) -- 16-01 (5) -- 34-04 (10)

49. Jacob Wall -- 16-06 (5) -- 17-14 (5) -- 34-04 (10)

50. Kyle Gelles -- 17-01 (5) -- 17-03 (5) -- 34-04 (10)

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on day 3.

51. Matt Reed -- 16-11 (5) -- 17-04 (5) -- 33-15 (10) -- $10,000

52. Shannon Abbott -- 15-02 (5) -- 18-11 (5) -- 33-13 (10) -- $10,000

53. Jimmy Washam -- 14-10 (5) -- 19-01 (5) -- 33-11 (10) -- $10,000

54. Jimmy Reese -- 18-04 (5) -- 15-07 (5) -- 33-11 (10) -- $10,000

55. Derrick Snavely -- 15-10 (5) -- 17-15 (5) -- 33-09 (10) -- $10,000

56. Wesley Strader -- 15-14 (5) -- 17-11 (5) -- 33-09 (10) -- $6,333

57. J Todd Tucker -- 16-02 (5) -- 17-07 (5) -- 33-09 (10) -- $5,500

58. Joe Wieberg -- 17-06 (5) -- 16-03 (5) -- 33-09 (10) -- $5,500

59. Matthew Stefan -- 14-08 (5) -- 19-00 (5) -- 33-08 (10) -- $5,500

60. Brian Latimer -- 16-13 (5) -- 16-10 (5) -- 33-07 (10) -- $5,500

61. Phillip Dutra -- 18-11 (5) -- 14-11 (5) -- 33-06 (10) -- $5,000

62. Christian Greico -- 16-13 (5) -- 16-09 (5) -- 33-06 (10) -- $5,000

63. Jason Lieblong -- 15-05 (5) -- 17-15 (5) -- 33-04 (10) -- $5,000

64. Mitch Crane -- 17-13 (5) -- 15-06 (5) -- 33-03 (10) -- $5,000

65. Pete Ponds -- 16-11 (5) -- 16-07 (5) -- 33-02 (10) -- $5,000

66. Gary Yamamoto -- 18-02 (5) -- 14-15 (5) -- 33-01 (10) -- $5,000

67. Steve York -- 16-00 (5) -- 17-01 (5) -- 33-01 (10) -- $5,000

68. John Cox -- 18-08 (5) -- 14-07 (5) -- 32-15 (10) -- $5,000

69. Brett Hite -- 17-05 (5) -- 15-09 (5) -- 32-14 (10) -- $5,000

70. Tyler Woolcott -- 16-14 (5) -- 16-00 (5) -- 32-14 (10) -- $5,000

71. Josh Bragg -- 16-06 (5) -- 16-08 (5) -- 32-14 (10) -- $5,000

72. Trevor Fitzgerald -- 17-14 (5) -- 14-15 (5) -- 32-13 (10) -- $5,000

73. Ricardo Gonzalez -- 16-14 (5) -- 15-15 (5) -- 32-13 (10) -- $5,000

74. Ricky Robinson -- 18-00 (5) -- 14-10 (5) -- 32-10 (10) -- $5,000

75. Ramie Colson Jr -- 15-12 (5) -- 16-13 (5) -- 32-09 (10) -- $5,000

76. Jimmy Neece Jr -- 18-07 (5) -- 14-00 (5) -- 32-07 (10)

77. Blake Hall -- 15-07 (5) -- 16-15 (5) -- 32-06 (10)

78. Laramy Strickland -- 16-11 (5) -- 15-08 (5) -- 32-03 (10)

79. Chad Warren -- 18-06 (5) -- 13-12 (5) -- 32-02 (10)

80. Lance Crawford -- 15-00 (5) -- 17-01 (5) -- 32-01 (10)

81. James Niggemeyer -- 15-09 (5) -- 16-08 (5) -- 32-01 (10)

82. Joshua Weaver -- 13-05 (5) -- 18-10 (5) -- 31-15 (10)

83. Clayton Batts -- 15-00 (5) -- 16-14 (5) -- 31-14 (10)

84. Andrew Loberg -- 17-02 (5) -- 14-11 (5) -- 31-13 (10)

85. Barron Adams -- 15-14 (5) -- 15-14 (5) -- 31-12 (10)

86. Mickey Beck -- 16-05 (5) -- 15-02 (5) -- 31-07 (10)

87. Tom Monsoor -- 15-10 (5) -- 15-13 (5) -- 31-07 (10)

88. Brandon Mosley -- 18-12 (5) -- 12-10 (5) -- 31-06 (10)

89. Bill McDonald -- 16-06 (5) -- 14-14 (5) -- 31-04 (10)

90. Robby Lefere -- 15-11 (5) -- 15-09 (5) -- 31-04 (10)

91. Josh Butler -- 15-07 (5) -- 15-12 (5) -- 31-03 (10)

92. Scott Wiley -- 19-05 (5) -- 11-13 (5) -- 31-02 (10)

93. Todd Walters -- 16-05 (5) -- 14-10 (5) -- 30-15 (10)

94. Blake Smith -- 15-03 (5) -- 15-12 (5) -- 30-15 (10)

95. Tai Au -- 16-13 (5) -- 13-15 (5) -- 30-12 (10)

96. Mitchell Webb -- 15-11 (5) -- 15-00 (5) -- 30-11 (10)

97. Chad Grigsby -- 16-08 (5) -- 14-02 (5) -- 30-10 (10)

98. Jeff Reynolds -- 17-14 (5) -- 12-11 (5) -- 30-09 (10)

99. Colby Miller -- 17-05 (5) -- 13-02 (5) -- 30-07 (10)

100. Darrell Davis -- 15-06 (5) -- 15-01 (5) -- 30-07 (10)

101. Jason Meninger -- 16-11 (5) -- 13-10 (5) -- 30-05 (10)

102. Shane Lineberger -- 14-06 (5) -- 15-15 (5) -- 30-05 (10)

103. Brad Knight -- 15-01 (5) -- 15-03 (5) -- 30-04 (10)

104. Dicky Newberry -- 14-08 (5) -- 15-10 (5) -- 30-02 (10)

105. Bobby Lane -- 15-01 (5) -- 15-01 (5) -- 30-02 (10)

106. Kerry Milner -- 11-12 (5) -- 18-05 (5) -- 30-01 (10)

107. Randy Despino -- 13-04 (5) -- 16-09 (5) -- 29-13 (10)

108. Clark Reehm -- 15-14 (5) -- 13-12 (5) -- 29-10 (10)

109. Greg Bohannan -- 11-03 (5) -- 18-06 (5) -- 29-09 (10)

110. Jamie Horton -- 16-07 (5) -- 13-02 (5) -- 29-09 (10)

111. Rusty Trancygier -- 14-02 (5) -- 15-03 (5) -- 29-05 (10)

112. Miles Howe -- 13-04 (5) -- 16-00 (5) -- 29-04 (10)

113. Tommy Dickerson -- 15-08 (5) -- 13-12 (5) -- 29-04 (10)

114. Dave Parsons -- 16-02 (5) -- 13-00 (5) -- 29-02 (10)

115. Chris Groh -- 16-08 (5) -- 12-09 (5) -- 29-01 (10)

116. Lance Oligschlaeger -- 14-11 (5) -- 14-04 (5) -- 28-15 (10)

117. Michael Matthee -- 11-08 (5) -- 17-06 (5) -- 28-14 (10)

118. Bruce Parsons -- 15-15 (5) -- 12-14 (5) -- 28-13 (10)

119. Terry Luedtke -- 10-15 (5) -- 17-08 (5) -- 28-07 (10)

120. Scott Towry -- 12-06 (5) -- 15-12 (5) -- 28-02 (10)

121. Kyle Weisenburger -- 15-11 (5) -- 11-12 (5) -- 27-07 (10)

122. Jacopo Gallelli -- 14-00 (5) -- 13-00 (5) -- 27-00 (10)

123. Cameron Mattison -- 8-09 (4) -- 18-05 (5) -- 26-14 (9)

124. Cole Harris -- 13-05 (5) -- 13-09 (5) -- 26-14 (10)

125. Ron Farrow -- 9-10 (5) -- 17-02 (5) -- 26-12 (10)

126. Mike McClelland -- 16-09 (5) -- 10-01 (5) -- 26-10 (10)

127. Cole Hewett -- 12-04 (5) -- 14-04 (5) -- 26-08 (10)

128. Stuart Arthur -- 12-12 (5) -- 13-03 (5) -- 25-15 (10)

129. Jordan Osborne -- 11-03 (5) -- 14-11 (5) -- 25-14 (10)

130. Nick Gainey -- 13-14 (5) -- 11-03 (5) -- 25-01 (10)

131. Colby Schrumpf -- 11-11 (5) -- 13-06 (5) -- 25-01 (10)

132. Tom Redington -- 14-12 (5) -- 10-01 (5) -- 24-13 (10)

133. Stephen Albertson -- 12-14 (4) -- 11-14 (5) -- 24-12 (9)

134. Mark Fisher -- 15-03 (5) -- 9-08 (5) -- 24-11 (10)

135. Richard Lowitzki -- 14-08 (5) -- 10-03 (5) -- 24-11 (10)

136. Dylan Hays -- 8-02 (4) -- 16-05 (5) -- 24-07 (9)

137. Robert Nakatomi -- 13-08 (5) -- 10-12 (5) -- 24-04 (10)

138. Mike Surman -- 12-00 (5) -- 12-03 (5) -- 24-03 (10)

139. Jason Abram -- 11-11 (5) -- 12-03 (5) -- 23-14 (10)

140. Aaron Britt -- 8-02 (3) -- 15-05 (5) -- 23-07 (8)

141. Rusty Salewske -- 15-03 (5) -- 8-00 (5) -- 23-03 (10)

142. Charlie Evans -- 9-12 (5) -- 13-05 (5) -- 23-01 (10)

143. Jim Tutt -- 11-01 (5) -- 11-15 (5) -- 23-00 (10)

144. Cal Lane -- 8-08 (3) -- 14-06 (5) -- 22-14 (8)

145. Jason Blair -- 14-09 (5) -- 7-07 (5) -- 22-00 (10)

146. Takayuki Koike -- 9-13 (4) -- 12-03 (5) -- 22-00 (9)

147. Jason Vance -- 8-09 (4) -- 13-05 (5) -- 21-14 (9)

148. Jeff McLain -- 7-15 (5) -- 12-14 (5) -- 20-13 (10)

149. Brandon McMillan -- 4-14 (2) -- 13-04 (5) -- 18-02 (7)

150. Grant Galloway -- 8-06 (3) -- 8-11 (5) -- 17-01 (8)

151. Clabion Johns -- 16-10 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-10 (5)

152. Charlie Ingram -- 12-07 (5) -- 3-13 (1) -- 16-04 (6)

153. Jeff Bridges -- 6-10 (3) -- 9-08 (5) -- 16-02 (8)

154. Darrel Robertson -- 8-05 (3) -- 6-09 (5) -- 14-14 (8)