Editor’s Note: Bassmaster Elite Series fans have the opportunity to visit www.ESPNOutdoors.com/hottestrig and vote for their favorite Elite angler’s boat designs in the Hottest Rig Running contest. Fans can vote each week until the winner is announced July 29 at the Bassmaster Memorial presented by Evan Williams Bourbon in Syracuse, N.Y. The winner of the contest will receive $10,000
Final Results: Pros | Co-Anglers
GROVE, Okla. — Scoring his second Bassmaster Elite Series victory of 2007, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., totaled 78 pounds, 2 ounces, over four days of competition at the Sooner Run presented by Longhorn Tobacco, outdoing home state favorite Jeff Kriet of Ardmore by nearly 4 pounds.
With the victory, VanDam’s 12th, he adds $100,000 to his career earnings of nearly $2.5 million, which makes him BASS’ all-time money leader. The victory also propelled VanDam to the top of the standings for Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards in the sport.Fishing fans can view all of the on-the-water action on The Bassmasters on ESPN2 at 9 a.m. ET Saturday, June 30.VanDam joins 2006 Sooner Run champion Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., the only other two-time Elite Series winner. Coincidentally, VanDam, whose other Elite win this season came on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville, predominantly used the same lure, a Strike King crankbait, in both Elite wins.”I have had a couple of mediocre tournaments this year and that really motivates me to do well,” the 39-year-old said. “Fishing against this level of competition really fuels my competitive nature. Once you get the taste of victory, you want nothing else.”Concentrating on main lake and secondary points with the crankbait, VanDam did well early, boating two keeper bass in the morning. As is his customary style, the two-time Bassmaster Classic champion moved frenetically around the lake.He concentrated on depths of 4 feet to as deep as 15 feet. The key, he said, was to locate points that were unique and to thoroughly work his spots with a number of casts.”Persistence was the key,” VanDam said. “I had confidence in my spots, and although I moved around a lot I was thorough in my approach.”
After a tremendous Saturday, in which Kriet weighed the biggest limit of the tournament, the Oklahoman slipped to second with a sub-par final day of 14 pounds, 8 ounces. He failed to notch his first Elite victory and second BASS victory, but did move up from sixth to fourth in the Angler of the Year standings.
Primarily working Carolina-rigs and swimbaits on picturesque Grand, Kriet failed Sunday to entice the big bites he enjoyed Saturday.”I don’t feel like I did anything wrong execution-wise,” the 38-year-old said. “It was a great week. My day is going to come soon. I am going to win one of these events soon. Mark my words.”
Fellow Oklahoman Edwin Evers, of Talala, finished third, just ounces behind Kriet with 73 pounds, 7 ounces. In fourth was Kevin Short of Mayflower, Ark., with 72 pounds, 7 ounces. Tied for fifth with 70 pounds, 11 ounces were Davy Hite of Prosperity, S.C., and Kelly Jordon of Mineola, Texas.Marty Robinson, who entered the day in third, slipped to seventh with 69 pounds, 0 ounces. McClelland, the 2006 Sooner Run champion, finished 11th with 66 pounds, 14 ounces.The next Bassmaster Elite Series tournament is July 12-15 on Lake Champlain out of Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Fishing fans can watch live, streaming video of all Elite Series weigh-ins at www.ESPNOutdoors.com. On Sunday, fans can also monitor www.ESPNOutdoors.com throughout the day for live updates and Hooked Up with Tommy Sanders and ESPN Outdoors personality Mark Zona.
Day 4 Purolator Big Bass
Pro: Edwin Evers; Talala, Okla.; 5-13
Location and Field
Sooner Run presented by Longhorn — Bassmaster Elite Series
Grand Lake
Grove, Okla.
June 21-24
Field
108 pros, 108 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3
Launch
North Beach Development
61201 East 270 Rd.
Grove, OK
Weigh-in
North Beach Development
61201 East 270 Rd.
Grove, OK
Local sponsors: Local sponsors include Grand Lake Association.
Bassmaster Elite Series sponsors: Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide, Evan Williams Bourbon and Costa Del Mar.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com. Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
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.
2007 The Sooner Run 6/21-6/24
Grand Lake, Grove OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 20 78-02 315 $101,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 21-08 Day 3: 5 16-03 Day 4: 5 18-12
2. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 20 74-05 300 $39,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 16-02 Day 3: 5 24-11 Day 4: 5 14-08
3. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 20 73-07 290 $27,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 5 13-10 Day 4: 5 22-00
4. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 20 72-07 285 $19,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 21-08 Day 4: 5 16-09
5. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 20 70-11 278 $17,250.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 22-05 Day 3: 5 16-01 Day 4: 5 20-10
5. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 20 70-11 278 $17,250.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 19-01 Day 3: 5 16-11 Day 4: 5 17-08
7. Marty Robinson Landrum, SC 19 69-00 272 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 20-05 Day 3: 5 17-12 Day 4: 4 10-15
8. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 20 67-14 268 $14,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 15-07 Day 4: 5 15-10
9. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 20 67-06 264 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 18-02 Day 4: 5 14-07
10. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 20 66-15 260 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 5 15-08 Day 4: 5 16-03
11. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 20 66-14 257 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 13-05 Day 4: 5 16-15
12. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 20 65-15 254 $12,300.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 16-01 Day 4: 5 16-08
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PUROLATOR BIG BASS
Day
1 Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 05-14 $1,000.00
2 Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 06-04 $1,000.00
3 Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 06-02 $1,000.00
4 Edwin Evers Talala, OK 05-13 $1,000.00
PUROLATOR BIG BASS OF TOURN
Jerry Mcvey Stewartsville, MO 06-11 $1,000.00
BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT
Day
1 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 21-11 $1,000.00
2 Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 22-05 $1,000.00
3 Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 24-11 $1,000.00
4 Edwin Evers Talala, OK 22-00 $1,000.00
BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT OF TOURN
Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 24-11 $8,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 102 528 1480-02
2 97 520 1449-13
3 46 244 693-03
4 11 59 200-09
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256 1351 3823-11
TOYOTA TUNDRA BASSMASTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
-------------------------------------------
Place Name St Pts
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1 Kevin VanDam Mich. 1775
2 Skeet Reese Calif. 1713
3 Jared Lintner Calif. 1670
4 Jeff Kriet Okla. 1638
5 Terry Scroggins Fla. 1581
5 Ishama Monroe Calif. 1581
7 Derek Remitz Texas 1527
8 Aaron Martens Ala. 1513
9 Kelly Jordon Texas 1504
10 Casey Ashley S.C. 1447
11 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 1446
12 Chris Lane Fla. 1445
13 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1442
14 Scott Rook Ark. 1430
15 Stephen Browning Ark. 1425
15 Timmy Horton Ala. 1425
17 John Crews Va. 1420
18 Mike McClelland Ark. 1417
19 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 1396
20 Edwin Evers Okla. 1394
21 Peter Thliveros Fla. 1393
22 Mark Tyler Okla. 1382
23 Todd Faircloth Texas 1379
24 John Murray Ariz. 1374
25 Tommy Biffle Okla. 1370
26 Boyd Duckett Ala. 1352
27 Kevin Short Ark. 1351
28 Alton Jones Texas 1345
29 Gary Klein Texas 1340
30 Dean Rojas Texas 1339
31 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 1338
32 Gerald Swindle Ala. 1336
33 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 1335
34 Greg Hackney La. 1325
35 Kevin Wirth Ky. 1319
36 Davy Hite S.C. 1316
37 Mark Menendez Ky. 1309
38 Brent Chapman Kan. 1301
39 Jason Quinn S.C. 1285
39 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 1285
41 Takahiro Omori Texas 1282
42 Randy Howell Ala. 1246
43 Denny Brauer Mo. 1243
44 Pete Ponds Miss. 1242
45 Cliff Pace Miss. 1239
46 Brian Snowden Mo. 1237
47 Mark Tucker Mo. 1229
48 Scott Campbell Mo. 1213
49 Jason Williamson S.C. 1210
50 Russ Lane Ala. 1206
51 Dave Wolak N.C. 1204
52 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 1203
53 Paul Elias Miss. 1193
54 Matt Reed Texas 1184
55 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 1179
56 Ben Matsubu Texas 1174
57 Marty Robinson S.C. 1173
58 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 1172
59 James Niggemeyer Texas 1171
60 Mike Wurm Ark. 1149
61 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 1144
62 Ken Brodeur Conn. 1142
63 Bill Lowen Ohio 1139
64 Lee Bailey Ala. 1134
65 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 1119
66 Britt Myers S.C. 1117
67 Kenyon Hill Okla. 1105
68 Bernie Schultz Fla. 1097
69 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1088
70 Rick Morris Va. 1077
71 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 1069
72 Ken Cook Okla. 1060
73 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 1052
74 Zell Rowland Texas 1046
75 Jim Murray Ga. 1045
76 Marty Stone N.C. 1038
77 Rick Clunn Mo. 1034
78 James Charlesworth Fla. 1027
79 Kurt Dove Va. 1022
80 James Kennedy La. 1017
81 Grant Goldbeck Md. 1011
82 Kevin Langill N.C. 1010
83 Bradley Hallman Okla. 992
84 Bill Smith Ky. 966
85 Jeff Connella La. 965
86 Jami Fralick S.D. 955
87 Glenn Delong Ohio 954
88 Guy Eaker N.C. 944
89 Preston Clark Fla. 919
90 Charlie Hartley Ohio 904
90 Mark Rogers Fla. 904
92 Paul Hirosky Pa. 902
93 Matt Amedeo Ohio 876
94 Jimmy Mason Ala. 874
95 Darrin Schwenkbeck N.Y. 873
96 Bradley Stringer Texas 871
97 Dave Smith Okla. 845
98 Eric Nethery Ga. 836
99 Doc Merkin Ill. 824
100 Terry Butcher Okla. 817
101 Steve Daniel Fla. 813
102 Keith Phillips Ala. 807
103 Byron Velvick Texas 787
104 Jon Bondy Canada 779
105 Rick Ash Pa. 744
106 Charlie Youngers Fla. 741
107 Frank Scalish Ohio 739
108 Elton Luce Jr Texas 525
TOYOTA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
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Place Name St Pts
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1 Derek Remitz Texas 1527
2 Casey Ashley S.C. 1447
3 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 1285
4 Scott Campbell Mo. 1213
5 Jason Williamson S.C. 1210
6 Marty Robinson S.C. 1173
7 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 1172
8 James Niggemeyer Texas 1171
9 James Charlesworth Fla. 1027
10 James Kennedy La. 1017
11 Glenn Delong Ohio 954
12 Matt Amedeo Ohio 876
TOYOTA MOVING FORWARD AWARD
---------------------------------------------------------
Place Name 2006 Finish 2007 Standings
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1 Fred Roumbanis 69 11
2 Chris Lane 61 12
3 Mark Tyler 64 22
4 Kevin Short 67 27
5 Pete Ponds 83 44
6 Ken Brodeur 98 62
7 Scott Rook 47 14
8 Ishama Monroe 37 5
9 Mark Menendez 68 37
10 Stephen Browning 45 15
11 Jeff Kriet 33 4
12 Terry Scroggins 31 5
13 Morizo Shimizu 48 31
14 Timmy Horton 30 15
14 Jared Lintner 18 3
16 Rick Morris 81 70
17 Britt Myers 76 66
18 Mark Rogers 99 90
19 Brian Snowden 54 46
20 Grant Goldbeck 88 81
20 Gary Klein 36 29
22 Skeet Reese 7 2
23 Davy Hite 40 36
23 Mike McClelland 22 18
25 Kurt Dove 82 79
25 John Crews 20 17
25 Brent Chapman 41 38
28 Kevin VanDam 3 1
29 Ray Sedgwick 56 55
29 Kelly Jordon 10 9
29 Ken D Cook 73 72
BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT REPORT
Place Name Lbs-Ozs
-----------------------------------------------------------
1 Kevin VanDam 268-14
2 Derek Remitz 249-04
3 Jared Lintner 247-04
4 Skeet Reese 241-06
5 Aaron Martens 239-06
6 Terry Scroggins 239-00
7 Ishama Monroe 236-08
8 Jeff Kriet 234-14
9 Fred Roumbanis 231-13
10 Mark Tyler 228-07