Money fish of 2015

A look back at the fish that clinched tournament victories in the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series season.

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There are moments in every season when a tournament hinges on one bite. While the record book will always show a cumulative weight of 20 fish caught over four days, there always seems to be one key fish that’s the difference between the thrill of victory …
There are moments in every season when a tournament hinges on one bite. While the record book will always show a cumulative weight of 20 fish caught over four days, there always seems to be one key fish that’s the difference between the thrill of victory …
… and the agony of defeat. The 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series was no stranger to those key catches, and here are the eight moments that can be best described as the year’s money fish.
… and the agony of defeat. The 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series was no stranger to those key catches, and here are the eight moments that can be best described as the year’s money fish.
Chris Lane kicked off the season with a win at the Sabine River. While much of that event centered on a small, out-of-the-way sliver of water, Lane’s key moment occurred on Day 2 in an area filled with other Elite anglers.
Chris Lane kicked off the season with a win at the Sabine River. While much of that event centered on a small, out-of-the-way sliver of water, Lane’s key moment occurred on Day 2 in an area filled with other Elite anglers.
While they were piled in the back of a dead-end canal, Lane stopped short, almost to the mouth.
While they were piled in the back of a dead-end canal, Lane stopped short, almost to the mouth.
It was on that stop where he caught his biggest fish of Day 2 and allowed him to stay on top of the standings.
It was on that stop where he caught his biggest fish of Day 2 and allowed him to stay on top of the standings.
The weight of the fish was one thing, but the location allowed Lane to expand his area.
The weight of the fish was one thing, but the location allowed Lane to expand his area.
As the event wore on and his small area gradually petered out, this fish and the area he caught it in proved invaluable.
As the event wore on and his small area gradually petered out, this fish and the area he caught it in proved invaluable.
It was here he capped tournament winning stringers on those final two days.
It was here he capped tournament winning stringers on those final two days.
The knowledge and confidence gained from this one fish catch was the difference.
The knowledge and confidence gained from this one fish catch was the difference.
It allowed him to spread his wings and flex his muscles on the Sabine ...
It allowed him to spread his wings and flex his muscles on the Sabine …
... and celebrate a season-opening victory, his seventh with B.A.S.S.
… and celebrate a season-opening victory, his seventh with B.A.S.S.
Key areas and the fish they served up were no stranger to Lake Guntersville. That second event was won by Skeet Reese.
Key areas and the fish they served up were no stranger to Lake Guntersville. That second event was won by Skeet Reese.
Reese shared water in Seibold Creek with Michael Iaconelli, who led the event for the first three days. The area was getting beat up, and Reese moved to Town Creek with his big swimbait. Hooking this fish showed him and us how this event would be eventually won.
Reese shared water in Seibold Creek with Michael Iaconelli, who led the event for the first three days. The area was getting beat up, and Reese moved to Town Creek with his big swimbait. Hooking this fish showed him and us how this event would be eventually won.
Reese would go on to pile up a four-day total of 92 pounds, 11 ounces by concentrating on mid- and deep-range cover in both areas.
Reese would go on to pile up a four-day total of 92 pounds, 11 ounces by concentrating on mid- and deep-range cover in both areas.
He would slow roll the swimbait through the cover to initiate bigger bites.
He would slow roll the swimbait through the cover to initiate bigger bites.
The victory was his second on Lake Guntersville, his fifth Elite win and eighth with B.A.S.S.
The victory was his second on Lake Guntersville, his fifth Elite win and eighth with B.A.S.S.
Justin Lucas said it wasn’t the type of area where an angler would normally win on the California Delta. And the fish he caught on Day 4 would typically not turn a head in an event on that legendary fishery, but it was just what Lucas needed on a day when many of the remaining Top 12 anglers struggled.
Justin Lucas said it wasn’t the type of area where an angler would normally win on the California Delta. And the fish he caught on Day 4 would typically not turn a head in an event on that legendary fishery, but it was just what Lucas needed on a day when many of the remaining Top 12 anglers struggled.
Lucas braved five-foot waves to put together a fast limit in an area many local anglers believed was too salty for bass to live.
Lucas braved five-foot waves to put together a fast limit in an area many local anglers believed was too salty for bass to live.
That’s where the first fish on Day 4 became really key to winning. Without that limit, Aaron Martens might have had an even more incredible year. “I knew there were a lot of 3-pound fish in there,” Lucas said. “That’s what I had today. I had 16 pounds, so I basically caught five 3-pound fish. I kept that area in my back pocket, and it worked out.”
That’s where the first fish on Day 4 became really key to winning. Without that limit, Aaron Martens might have had an even more incredible year. “I knew there were a lot of 3-pound fish in there,” Lucas said. “That’s what I had today. I had 16 pounds, so I basically caught five 3-pound fish. I kept that area in my back pocket, and it worked out.”
During the event Lucas caught most of his fish sight-fishing for bedding bass and flipping the shallow vegetation that blankets the shoreline of the Delta.
During the event Lucas caught most of his fish sight-fishing for bedding bass and flipping the shallow vegetation that blankets the shoreline of the Delta.
That tactic produced 21 pounds on Day 1, 25 pounds on Day 2, 19 pounds on Day 3 and his final, most important stringer of the week weighed only 16 pounds. It gave the Californian a hometown win, his first on the Elite Series.
That tactic produced 21 pounds on Day 1, 25 pounds on Day 2, 19 pounds on Day 3 and his final, most important stringer of the week weighed only 16 pounds. It gave the Californian a hometown win, his first on the Elite Series.
We are not even sure when Aaron Martens landed the key fish on Lake Havasu. We just know that somehow it had everything to do with black birds nesting in the thick tules of the lake. That wasn’t the only way he caught his bass at Havasu, which included a 19-pound, 5-ounce bag on the final day. He also used a drop-shot rig some during the week. But after the final weigh-in, the buzz was about the birds.
We are not even sure when Aaron Martens landed the key fish on Lake Havasu. We just know that somehow it had everything to do with black birds nesting in the thick tules of the lake. That wasn’t the only way he caught his bass at Havasu, which included a 19-pound, 5-ounce bag on the final day. He also used a drop-shot rig some during the week. But after the final weigh-in, the buzz was about the birds.
“I do that all the time,” said Martens, who won on Mother’s Day with his own mother, Carol, in the crowd. “I don’t know why people don’t believe me when I say it. The birds fall out of the nest, and the bass eat them. Birds are definitely part of their diet.”
“I do that all the time,” said Martens, who won on Mother’s Day with his own mother, Carol, in the crowd. “I don’t know why people don’t believe me when I say it. The birds fall out of the nest, and the bass eat them. Birds are definitely part of their diet.”
“I probably shouldn’t even be talking about it, because I’ve known about it for 25 years,” said Martens, who added several fish spit up black feathers in his livewell during the tournament. “I’ve caught them in California and had them spit up full-grown blackbirds. Maybe it’s such a good pattern because so many people don’t believe it.”
“I probably shouldn’t even be talking about it, because I’ve known about it for 25 years,” said Martens, who added several fish spit up black feathers in his livewell during the tournament. “I’ve caught them in California and had them spit up full-grown blackbirds. Maybe it’s such a good pattern because so many people don’t believe it.”
Though the pattern led to a victory, Martens said there were times when it was frustrating to execute. The thickness of the tules, combined with the high winds during much of the tournament, caused him problems with tangles and forced him to change baits frequently. Once he hooked a fish deep in the tules, landing it was an adventure.
Though the pattern led to a victory, Martens said there were times when it was frustrating to execute. The thickness of the tules, combined with the high winds during much of the tournament, caused him problems with tangles and forced him to change baits frequently. Once he hooked a fish deep in the tules, landing it was an adventure.
Martens didn’t know it at the time, but his victory, along with a second at Sacramento and third at Sabine, were shaping his season into something extra special.
Martens didn’t know it at the time, but his victory, along with a second at Sacramento and third at Sabine, were shaping his season into something extra special.
In all honesty, Edwin Evers actually had two money fish that separated him from the field of BASSfest on Kentucky Lake.
In all honesty, Edwin Evers actually had two money fish that separated him from the field of BASSfest on Kentucky Lake.
The tournament was a slugfest in every sense of the term. On Day 1, Evers boated a 24-pound stringer, anchored by an 8-pounder, that would put him in third place. But after Day 2 he would catch more than 27 pounds and never really relinquish the top spot. But the lead was actually hard to hold onto, especially on the final day.
The tournament was a slugfest in every sense of the term. On Day 1, Evers boated a 24-pound stringer, anchored by an 8-pounder, that would put him in third place. But after Day 2 he would catch more than 27 pounds and never really relinquish the top spot. But the lead was actually hard to hold onto, especially on the final day.
Evers had mostly set up a milk run along the ledges of Kentucky Lake, all within about a mile. One key area, though, would serve up multiple big fish and give him the weight he needed to prevail. “They all came within a 5-foot circle, I can promise you,” Evers said. “Every one of them came from the same spot.”
Evers had mostly set up a milk run along the ledges of Kentucky Lake, all within about a mile. One key area, though, would serve up multiple big fish and give him the weight he needed to prevail. “They all came within a 5-foot circle, I can promise you,” Evers said. “Every one of them came from the same spot.”
It looked like clear sailing for Evers, until Kevin VanDam put together several flurries that had him building a big weight on the final day. VanDam even took the lead on BASSTrakk, until Evers hooked up with a truly special fish.
It looked like clear sailing for Evers, until Kevin VanDam put together several flurries that had him building a big weight on the final day. VanDam even took the lead on BASSTrakk, until Evers hooked up with a truly special fish.
Even with a decent limit in the boat, this huge bass would actually give Evers the win. It weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces, culled a 4-pounder, and provided the needed margin.
Even with a decent limit in the boat, this huge bass would actually give Evers the win. It weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces, culled a 4-pounder, and provided the needed margin.
Evers wound up winning by 3 pounds as he secured his ninth Bassmaster victory, scaring the Century mark with 97-4.
Evers wound up winning by 3 pounds as he secured his ninth Bassmaster victory, scaring the Century mark with 97-4.
Evers would put together the unthinkable by becoming the first angler to win back-to-back Elite Series events. His winning ways on the St. Lawrence River began with a strategy of going against the grain.
Evers would put together the unthinkable by becoming the first angler to win back-to-back Elite Series events.
His winning ways on the St. Lawrence River began with a strategy of going against the grain.
He made a conscious effort to head in the opposite direction of the rest of the field. And because of a full moon, he would stay shallow in the event, using a variety of baits to get smallmouth to either bite or reveal themselves.
He made a conscious effort to head in the opposite direction of the rest of the field. And because of a full moon, he would stay shallow in the event, using a variety of baits to get smallmouth to either bite or reveal themselves.
Once they showed themselves, he would camp on the area and more often than not catch the fish.
Once they showed themselves, he would camp on the area and more often than not catch the fish.
His money fish had shades of Justin Lucas’ money area. This one was called the Parkway. The area was a funnel for spawning fish making their way from a big flat to the main river.
His money fish had shades of Justin Lucas’ money area. This one was called the Parkway. The area was a funnel for spawning fish making their way from a big flat to the main river.
It was also the pipeline for countless boats moving in and out of the river. Evers had not fished the area prior to Day 4.
It was also the pipeline for countless boats moving in and out of the river. Evers had not fished the area prior to Day 4.
And he wasn’t there long before he boated one of two back-to-back, 4-pound smallmouth that would give him the confidence to stick to the area and add enough weight for the margin of victory.
And he wasn’t there long before he boated one of two back-to-back, 4-pound smallmouth that would give him the confidence to stick to the area and add enough weight for the margin of victory.
Evers got to flash the two sign as he posed with his second Elite trophy of the season, his 10th Bassmaster win.
Evers got to flash the two sign as he posed with his second Elite trophy of the season, his 10th Bassmaster win.
There are perhaps few other key fish that were so obvious, and at the same time seen by so many, than Aaron Martens' money fish on the final day at Chesapeake Bay.
There are perhaps few other key fish that were so obvious, and at the same time seen by so many, than Aaron Martens’ money fish on the final day at Chesapeake Bay.
Martens had spent the week focusing on boat docks, mostly with a spinnerbait. His work allowed him to lead the event every day. But on the final day it looked as if Martens might let this event slip through his hands.
Martens had spent the week focusing on boat docks, mostly with a spinnerbait. His work allowed him to lead the event every day. But on the final day it looked as if Martens might let this event slip through his hands.
In one of the most-watched Bassmaster LIVE shows, Bill Lowen was mounting an incredible comeback, catching 3- and 4-pounders one after the other. Meanwhile, Martens was struggling, big time. Lowen's took a lead of almost 10 pounds on BASSTrakk.
In one of the most-watched Bassmaster LIVE shows, Bill Lowen was mounting an incredible comeback, catching 3- and 4-pounders one after the other. Meanwhile, Martens was struggling, big time. Lowen’s took a lead of almost 10 pounds on BASSTrakk.
Those watching the show saw an angler on the verge of meltdown at times as Martens lost at least three fish, and he was talking to himself. Some of that talk was about how he was awaiting a beneficial tide.
Those watching the show saw an angler on the verge of meltdown at times as Martens lost at least three fish, and he was talking to himself. Some of that talk was about how he was awaiting a beneficial tide.
Then Martens made a change, the
Then Martens made a change, the “tide got right,” and it seemed as if the stingy fish of hours earlier became overly generous.
Martens would boat several keepers in quick succession. But the real money fish would surprise him and the rest of the audience. This 7-pound, 2-ounce monster turned the whole day upside down.
Martens would boat several keepers in quick succession. But the real money fish would surprise him and the rest of the audience. This 7-pound, 2-ounce monster turned the whole day upside down.
Martens would go on to win his second Elite Series event of the season with a 5-pound cushion.
Martens would go on to win his second Elite Series event of the season with a 5-pound cushion.
The whole process, from nail-biting moments to the big fish, provided one of the most memorable moments in Bassmaster history. It also continued his run to a third AOY title, this one claimed in record fashion after the best Elite season ever.
The whole process, from nail-biting moments to the big fish, provided one of the most memorable moments in Bassmaster history. It also continued his run to a third AOY title, this one claimed in record fashion after the best Elite season ever.
It would have been hard to pick Todd Faircloth as the eventual winner of the Bassmaster Elite Series on St. Clair. After Day 1, he was in eighth place. And at the time anglers like Alton Jones and Brandon Palaniuk looked to be in a position to blow away the field.
It would have been hard to pick Todd Faircloth as the eventual winner of the Bassmaster Elite Series on St. Clair. After Day 1, he was in eighth place. And at the time anglers like Alton Jones and Brandon Palaniuk looked to be in a position to blow away the field.
Faircloth would slowly gain speed, though. He would move to sixth place on Day 2. Then second on Day 3. While he was moving up, the trend seemed to show other anglers were dropping. Faircloth would find his money fish near Bell’s Hump, located on the Canadian side of Lake St. Clair.
Faircloth would slowly gain speed, though. He would move to sixth place on Day 2. Then second on Day 3. While he was moving up, the trend seemed to show other anglers were dropping. Faircloth would find his money fish near Bell’s Hump, located on the Canadian side of Lake St. Clair.
“I wasn’t really fishing a specific spot, rather it was an expansive area that had all the right components to continue producing 20-pound bags each day,” the five-time Elites Series champion explained. “I felt a real freedom each day after putting about 19 pounds in the livewell. That freedom made it easy for me to explore more specific spots, and zero in on what I felt were the very best locations in my area.”
On the final day, he quickly built a solid limit that would be well shy to his daily 20-pound consistent stringer. He wasn't sure he could top 20 pounds a fourth day because he had caught so many on Day 3. Like in previous days, he would search for grassy-patch areas that held the better fish branching out from his key areas.
On the final day, he quickly built a solid limit that would be well shy to his daily 20-pound consistent stringer.
He wasn’t sure he could top 20 pounds a fourth day because he had caught so many on Day 3. Like in previous days, he would search for grassy-patch areas that held the better fish branching out from his key areas.
It was after one of those moves that Faircloth hooked into this 5-pound smallmouth bass. The fish not only gave him the weight he thought he needed, but it allowed him to slow down and milk the area, which pushed his weight to his heaviest of the tournament, 22 pounds, 2 ounces.
It was after one of those moves that Faircloth hooked into this 5-pound smallmouth bass. The fish not only gave him the weight he thought he needed, but it allowed him to slow down and milk the area, which pushed his weight to his heaviest of the tournament, 22 pounds, 2 ounces.
While the fish was the key to him winning, it provided one more benefit. For the first time in the last five events, Faircloth climbed into contention to qualify for the 2016 Bassmaster Classic.
While the fish was the key to him winning, it provided one more benefit. For the first time in the last five events, Faircloth climbed into contention to qualify for the 2016 Bassmaster Classic.