Benton’s Day 2 on Niagara

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Drew Benton the 8th seed for this tournament was far enough behind in his bracket vs. Kevin VanDam, that he decided to gamble and fish on Day 2 for largemouth in Tonawanda Creek.
Drew Benton the 8th seed for this tournament was far enough behind in his bracket vs. Kevin VanDam, that he decided to gamble and fish on Day 2 for largemouth in Tonawanda Creek.
Who is the mysterious Bassmaster tournament official wearing the broad-brimmed hat, and sitting in the boat with Benton?
Who is the mysterious Bassmaster tournament official wearing the broad-brimmed hat, and sitting in the boat with Benton?
Why that’s the number one University of Alabama fan on the Bassmaster staff, Elite Tournament Director Trip Weldon. And by the way, that “A” on his hat stands for the University of Alabama.
Why that’s the number one University of Alabama fan on the Bassmaster staff, Elite Tournament Director Trip Weldon. And by the way, that “A” on his hat stands for the University of Alabama.
Tonawanda Creek is indeed Paradise Found. It is lined with beautiful homes and parks.
Tonawanda Creek is indeed Paradise Found. It is lined with beautiful homes and parks.
By the time we caught up with Benton, he had already found a 1-pound, 6-ounce largemouth.
By the time we caught up with Benton, he had already found a 1-pound, 6-ounce largemouth.
He set about fishing the docks and boat house, both around them and underneath them.
He set about fishing the docks and boat house, both around them and underneath them.
You might notice the sign “Perfect timing” on the dock. For Benton, today was not perfect timing for catching bass here.
You might notice the sign “Perfect timing” on the dock. For Benton, today was not perfect timing for catching bass here.
After an hour and a half, he headed back to the Niagara River, but slowly. Tonawanda Creek, at least the part Benton covered, was a no wake zone.
After an hour and a half, he headed back to the Niagara River, but slowly. Tonawanda Creek, at least the part Benton covered, was a no wake zone.
Which gave us time to take in lots of folks out on the creek for fun, including this young family.
Which gave us time to take in lots of folks out on the creek for fun, including this young family.
On Tonawanda Creek, it felt like we were experiencing a summer weekend - there were lots of folks on the water for a Wednesday. Up north, folks take advantage of a beautiful summer day, even in the middle of the week.
On Tonawanda Creek, it felt like we were experiencing a summer weekend – there were lots of folks on the water for a Wednesday. Up north, folks take advantage of a beautiful summer day, even in the middle of the week.
Once Benton made it back to the Niagara River he set about tying on a different bait, using the tried and true “teeth method” to cut his line.
Once Benton made it back to the Niagara River he set about tying on a different bait, using the tried and true “teeth method” to cut his line.
No bites here, so he quickly moved along the river.
No bites here, so he quickly moved along the river.
He moved back to a grassy inlet with occasional humps on the bottom
He moved back to a grassy inlet with occasional humps on the bottom
After about 30 minutes, the Rookie of the Year leader hooked up.
After about 30 minutes, the Rookie of the Year leader hooked up.
This smallmouth would certainly measure.
This smallmouth would certainly measure.
He and Weldon measure the bass at 3 pounds.
He and Weldon measure the bass at 3 pounds.
Benton retied his crankbait in hopes of catching another fish like it.
Benton retied his crankbait in hopes of catching another fish like it.
Out in the main channel is bracket competitor, Kevin VanDam, running south.
Out in the main channel is bracket competitor, Kevin VanDam, running south.
And at 4:30 pm, Benton had to shut down. He had 4-6 for the day, and 5-10 for his two days. It wasn't enough to catch VanDam, who had a total of 20-8.
And at 4:30 pm, Benton had to shut down. He had 4-6 for the day, and 5-10 for his two days. It wasn’t enough to catch VanDam, who had a total of 20-8.