Edwin Evers Leads First Round Of Lake Havasu Elite Series Bass Tournament

Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., takes the lead on the first day of the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, bringing 20 pounds, 7 ounces to the scales on Thursday. 

May 7, 2015

Edwin Evers Leads First Round Of Lake Havasu Elite Series Bass Tournament

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LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – The wind was blowing hard across Lake Havasu before daylight Thursday, and it only got worse throughout the day as it sometimes pushed 30 miles per hour.

But big gusts and even bigger waves weren’t enough to keep the scenic fishery on the California-Arizona border from showing just how far it’s come.

Oklahoma pro Edwin Evers caught five bass that weighed 20 pounds, 7 ounces to take the Day 1 lead in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels. He was one of 20 anglers to bring at least 16-0 to the scales on a day when many elected to fish close to the launch site instead of making rough journeys along the Colorado River.

Phoenix, Ariz., pro John Murray was second with 19-8. He was followed by Matthew Herren of Ashville, Ala., with 18-9; Randall Tharp of Port St. Joe, Fla., with 18-3; and Mike Kernan of Wylie, Texas, with 18-2.

“It was a great day, but I wasn’t really doing anything special,” Evers said. “It’s not like I’ve got one area I can go into and find a big school of fish. I’m going to have to fish new water all week, and hopefully find more fish like I caught today. The fish are out there, but it’s going to be a week of adjustments, for sure.”

A 20-pound bag was once considered virtually impossible on Havasu, but anglers raved Thursday about the lake’s metamorphosis. Murray, who has been fishing Havasu for three decades, said he once enjoyed fishing tournaments on the lake because he knew it wouldn’t take much to win.

He said things are different now.

“I’m fishing techniques I don’t normally fish, actually a technique that I used to win a tournament on this lake 23 years ago,” Murray said. “I’ve been fishing this lake since 1985. Back then, it took about 10 pounds to win here. I’m fishing the same spots now and just catching bigger fish.”

Murray said he believes the size of the bass on Havasu began improving when quagga mussels appeared during the early 1990s.

Quaggas are an invasive Ukrainian species that most believe were accidentally introduced into the lake. The mussels often settle in massive colonies that can block water intakes and affect municipal water supplies, causing billions of dollars in damage.

But Murray said the quaggas actually jumpstarted Havasu’s fish growth.

“Quagga mussels kicked the food chain into high gear,” Murray said. “Divers say the crawdads are all over the bottom, and the redear (sunfish) are growing to world-record size now. Before the quaggas showed up, fish this size just weren’t here.”

While some anglers were bothered by the high winds Thursday, others, like Murray, said it actually helped their cause on a lake as clear as Havasu.

“The wind is why they bite,” Murray said. “If we didn’t have the wind today, it would have been a battle – at least for my stuff. I saw the weather forecast, and I geared my tackle for the wind.”

If the forecast is correct and the wind is much lighter for Friday’s second round, Murray said he might have to use some new tricks to further his success. Tharp and other pros said it isn’t likely to have much effect on their tactics either way.

“I really only saw one other angler doing what I’m doing,” said Tharp, who needed the good day after finishing 61st, 84th and 98th in the first three Elite Series events of the season. “I caught my fish early and then spent most of the day running new water, looking for something I could use the rest of the week. I actually got three bites this afternoon and didn’t set the hook.

“I know it does for some, but I honestly don’t believe the wind makes any difference for what I’m doing.”

The tournament will resume with take-off at 6:15 a.m. Friday from Lake Havasu State Park. Weigh-in is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. back at the park, with only the Top 52 anglers advancing to Saturday.

2015 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels 5/7-5/10Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City  AZ.(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Edwin Evers            Talala, OK               5  20-07  100Day 1: 5   20-072.  John Murray            Phoenix, AZ              5  19-08   99Day 1: 5   19-083.  Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  18-09   98Day 1: 5   18-094.  Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL         5  18-03   97Day 1: 5   18-035.  Mike Kernan            Wylie, TX                5  18-02   96Day 1: 5   18-026.  Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL          5  17-15   95Day 1: 5   17-157.  Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             5  17-13   94Day 1: 5   17-138.  Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX                5  17-12   93Day 1: 5   17-129.  Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  17-08   92Day 1: 5   17-0810. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI            5  17-06   91Day 1: 5   17-0611. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  16-11   90Day 1: 5   16-1111. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX               5  16-11   90Day 1: 5   16-1111. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL             5  16-11   90Day 1: 5   16-1114. David Williams         Maiden, NC               5  16-08   87Day 1: 5   16-0815. Casey Scanlon          Lanexa, KS               5  16-07   86Day 1: 5   16-0716. Jacob Powroznik        Port Haywood, VA         5  16-05   85Day 1: 5   16-0517. Kevin Hawk             Guntersville, AL         5  16-04   84Day 1: 5   16-0418. Josh Bertrand          Gilbert, AZ              5  16-03   83Day 1: 5   16-0318. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  16-03   83Day 1: 5   16-0320. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  5  16-00   81Day 1: 5   16-0021. Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL         5  15-15   80Day 1: 5   15-1522. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  15-14   79Day 1: 5   15-1423. Billy McCaghren        Mayflower, AR            5  15-12   78Day 1: 5   15-1223. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         5  15-12   78Day 1: 5   15-1225. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  15-10   76Day 1: 5   15-1026. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               5  15-09   75Day 1: 5   15-0926. Zell Rowland           Montgomery, TX           5  15-09   75Day 1: 5   15-0928. Randy Howell           Springville, AL          5  15-07   73Day 1: 5   15-0729. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC              5  15-06   72Day 1: 5   15-0630. Brandon Card           Caryville, TN            5  15-05   71Day 1: 5   15-0530. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         5  15-05   71Day 1: 5   15-0530. Fred Roumbanis         Bixby, OK                5  15-05   71Day 1: 5   15-0533. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL                5  15-04   68Day 1: 5   15-0433. Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                5  15-04   68Day 1: 5   15-0435. Davy Hite              Ninety Six, SC           5  15-02   66Day 1: 5   15-0235. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        5  15-02   66Day 1: 5   15-0237. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  15-01   64Day 1: 5   15-0138. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  14-12   63Day 1: 5   14-1238. David Walker           Sevierville, TN          5  14-12   63Day 1: 5   14-1240. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR            5  14-11   61Day 1: 5   14-1141. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  14-09   60Day 1: 5   14-0941. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              5  14-09   60Day 1: 5   14-0943. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            5  14-08   58Day 1: 5   14-0844. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX               5  14-07   57Day 1: 5   14-0745. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  14-07   56Day 1: 5   14-0746. Seth Feider            Bloomington, MN          5  14-06   55Day 1: 5   14-0646. Britt Myers            Lake Wylie, SC           5  14-06   55Day 1: 5   14-0646. David Smith            Del City, OK             5  14-06   55Day 1: 5   14-0649. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             5  14-06   52Day 1: 5   14-0650. Chad Pipkens           Holt, MI                 5  14-05   51Day 1: 5   14-0550. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR          5  14-05   51Day 1: 5   14-0552. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ     5  14-01   49Day 1: 5   14-0153. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  13-15   48Day 1: 5   13-1554. Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN            5  13-14   47Day 1: 5   13-1454. Brent Ehrler           Newport Beach, CA        5  13-14   47Day 1: 5   13-1456. Chad Morgenthaler      Coulterville, IL         5  13-11   45Day 1: 5   13-1157. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            5  13-10   44Day 1: 5   13-1057. Gary Klein             Weatherford, TX          5  13-10   44Day 1: 5   13-1059. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  13-09   42Day 1: 5   13-0960. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          5  13-08   41Day 1: 5   13-0861. Kurt Dove              Del Rio, TX              5  13-07   40Day 1: 5   13-0761. Jared Miller           Norman, OK               5  13-07   40Day 1: 5   13-0763. Randy Allen            Shreveport, LA           5  13-05   38Day 1: 5   13-0564. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX               5  13-03   37Day 1: 5   13-0365. Gerald Swindle         Warrior, AL              5  12-15   36Day 1: 5   12-1566. Koby Kreiger           Bokeelia, FL             5  12-15   35Day 1: 5   12-1567. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS         5  12-14   34Day 1: 5   12-1468. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK              5  12-12   33Day 1: 5   12-1268. Dennis Tietje          Roanoke, LA              5  12-12   33Day 1: 5   12-1270. Jordan Lee             Vinemont, AL             5  12-09   31Day 1: 5   12-0970. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY            5  12-09   31Day 1: 5   12-0972. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  5  12-08   29Day 1: 5   12-0873. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  12-07   28Day 1: 5   12-0774. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA              5  12-06   27Day 1: 5   12-0674. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS                5  12-06   27Day 1: 5   12-0676. Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL            5  12-03   25Day 1: 5   12-0377. Kenyon Hill            Norman, OK               5  12-02   24Day 1: 5   12-0277. Ken Iyobe              Tokoname  Aichi JAPAN    5  12-02   24Day 1: 5   12-0277. Kevin Short            Mayflower, AR            5  12-02   24Day 1: 5   12-0280. Matt Reed              Madisonville, TX         5  12-00   21Day 1: 5   12-0081. Jonathon VanDam        Kalamazoo, MI            5  11-15   20Day 1: 5   11-1582. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TX AUSTRALIA  5  11-09   19Day 1: 5   11-0982. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                5  11-09   19Day 1: 5   11-0984. Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC           5  11-05   17Day 1: 5   11-0585. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN       4  11-03   16Day 1: 4   11-0386. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  11-02   15Day 1: 5   11-0287. Scott Ashmore          Broken Arrow, OK         5  10-15   14Day 1: 5   10-1587. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            5  10-15   14Day 1: 5   10-1589. Nate Wellman           Newaygo, MI              5  10-10   12Day 1: 5   10-1090. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          5  10-05   11Day 1: 5   10-0591. Kevin Ledoux           Choctaw, OK              4  10-05   10Day 1: 4   10-0592. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, AR          5  10-02    9Day 1: 5   10-0293. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL         4  10-01    8Day 1: 4   10-0194. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           5  09-09    7Day 1: 5   09-0995. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              4  09-08    6Day 1: 4   09-0896. Chris Zaldain          San Jose, CA             4  08-14    5Day 1: 4   08-1497. Hank Cherry Jr         Maiden, NC               4  08-06    4Day 1: 4   08-0698. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  08-04    3Day 1: 5   08-0498. Fletcher Shryock       New Philadelphia, OH     5  08-04    3Day 1: 5   08-04100. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              3  07-05    1Day 1: 3   07-05101. Derek Remitz           Grant, AL                3  07-04    0Day 1: 3   07-04102. James Elam             Tulsa, OK                3  07-01    0Day 1: 3   07-01103. Matt Lee               Auburn , AL              3  06-10    0Day 1: 3   06-10104. Byron Velvick          Boenre, TX               3  06-05    0Day 1: 3   06-05105. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA               3  06-00    0Day 1: 3   06-00106. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN            3  05-11    0Day 1: 3   05-11107. Joseph Sancho          New Windsor, NY          3  05-08    0Day 1: 3   05-08108. J Todd Tucker          Moultrie, GA             2  05-07    0Day 1: 2   05-07109. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL        3  04-11    0Day 1: 3   04-11110. Kotaro Kiriyama        Moody, AL                2  04-02    0Day 1: 2   04-02111. Stephen Longobardi     Northford, CT            2  03-15    0Day 1: 2   03-15112. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               2  03-03    0Day 1: 2   03-03———————————————————————–TotalsDay   #Limits    #Fish      Weight1        93       524      1457-04———————————-93       524      1457-04

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