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Elias Shatters BASS Heavyweight Record with More Than 130 Pounds; Takes Bassmaster Elite Series Win at Lake Falcon

Category: Tournament

 Apr 6th, 2008 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Apr 6th, 2008 at 12:00 AM

ZAPATA, Texas – Demolishing the four-day BASS heavyweight catch record, Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., scored his sixth BASS victory in comeback fashion at the Bassmaster Elite Series’ Lone Star Shootout presented by Longhorn on Falcon Lake besting his nearest competitor, Terry Scroggins of Palatka, Fla., by just 4 ounces.Aided by a 37-pound, 11-ounce Sunday catch, Elias jumped from fifth to first. His four-day total of 132 pounds, 8 ounces, demolished the previous record of 122 pounds, 14 ounces, set by Alabama’s Steve Kennedy on California’s Clear Lake in 2007. The top six anglers bested Kennedy’s record.Though Elias took the victory, fish factory Falcon Lake also starred in the competition. The mainstream reservoir on the Rio Grande River with a surface area of 83,654 acres yielded catches of more than 100 pounds to all of the 12 anglers who qualified for the final day, an unprecedented accomplishment. Furthermore, Terry Scroggins Sunday nearly eclipsed the one-day BASS heaviest catch record of 45 pounds, 2 ounces.With the victory, Elias takes the $100,000 top prize and jumps to 30th place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, the season-long points race which boast a $250,000 top prize and determines the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers.”It was just one of those days,” said Elias through tears. “I was struggling early and found a way to entice those bigger bass around 1:30.”Fishing fans can catch all of the big-bass action from Falcon Lake on The Bassmasters on ESPN2 Saturday, April 12 at 9 a.m. ET.Primarily working a deep-diving crankbait the first three days of competition, Elias, the 1982 Bassmaster Classic champion, mixed in a Mann’s worm the final day.Sunday, Elias knew he was on the right fish, but he didn’t identify the correct technique until later in the day. Switching up his presentation method, Elias threw from shallow to deeper water and was able to upgrade his weight in the final hours of competition.”It just seems like everything is coming together lately,” said Elias, 56. “I had the best day on the water I have experienced in 30 years of tournament fishing.”Finishing runner-up by mere ounces was Scroggins, who totaled 132 pounds, 4 ounces. Scroggins rallied hard on the final day, catching 44 pounds, 4 ounces, nearly an astounding 9-pound average per fish. But he came up short on two accounts; he missed out on the win and the record for BASS heaviest daily catch. That record, accomplished by Dean Rojas in 2001 on Florida’s Lake Tohopekaliga, survived the weekend.Despite the banner day, Scroggins, 39, lamented the one he lost late in the competition. He estimated the bass weighed more than 10 pounds and would have certainly pushed him ahead of Elias.”I just can’t forget about that fish,” said Scroggins. “It’s a shame. But I had a great tournament and an awesome morning that I will never forget.”Scroggins was able to capitalize on the early bite, catching the majority of his fish in the first hour of competition. The five-time BASS winner used a Yum worm and a Carolina-rig throughout the competition.Staying in third was Byron Velvick of Del Rio, Texas, who totaled 131 pounds, 15 ounces. After leading the first three days of competition, Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., slipped to fourth, weighing only 19 pounds, 15 ounces Sunday. His four-day total was 129 pounds, 7 ounces.Failing to score his fifth BASS victory, Martens was frustrated with his final-day performance. He was plagued by boat pressure from other competitors all week and was optimistic his areas would hold up on the final day but ultimately fell short.Rounding out the top five was Mark Davis of Mt. Ida, Ark with 128 pounds, 15 ounces. Slipping from second, Davis was unable to match the final-day weights of the other competitors. But the three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year sits at the top of the 2008 AOY standings, putting himself in prime position for the $250,000 top prize and qualification into the 2009 Bassmaster Classic. The full points standings can be found below.In sixth was Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., with 125 pounds, 10 ounces. Although Rook was nearly 7 pounds behind Elias, he still beat out Kennedy’s four-day heavyweight record and sits in third-place in the AOY standings, 13 points behind Davis.The Elite circuit will stay in Texas for its next event, traveling northwest to Del Rio, Texas. The Battle on the Border is set for April 10-13 on Lake Amistad.For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.Local sponsors of the Lone Star Shootout are Zapata County Chamber of Commerce & County of Zapata.Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.Location and FieldLone Star Shootout presented by LonghornFalcon LakeZapata, TexasApril 3-6, 2008Field109 pros, 109 co-anglersCut to top 50 after Day 2Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3Launch/Weigh-inFalcon Lake Park Public Boat Ramp1/2 mile south of Veleno Bridge /U.S. Hwy 83 on County RoadZapata, Texas2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Event DatesDate Event Name Fishery Host CityMarch 6-9 Sunshine Showdown Harris Chain of Lakes Leesburg, Fla.March 13-16 Citrus Slam Kissimmee Chain Lake Wales, Fla.April 3-6 Lone Star Shootout Falcon Lake Zapata, TexasApril 10-13 Battle on the Border Lake Amistad Del Rio, TexasMay 1-4 Pride of Georgia Clarks Hill Lake Evans, Ga.May 15-18 Carolina Clash Lake Murray Columbia, S.C.June 5-8 Southern Challenge Wheeler Lake Decatur, Ala.June 12-15 Bluegrass Brawl Kentucky Lake Gilbertsville, Ky.June 26-29 River Rumble Mississippi River Fort Madison, IowaJuly 31- Aug. 3 Empire Chase Lake Erie/Niagara River Buffalo, N.Y.Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice Oneida Lake Syracuse, N.Y.Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.2008 Lone Star Shootout 4/3-4/6Falcon Lake, Zapata TX.(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$1. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 20 132-08 305 $100,000.00Day 1: 5 28-05 Day 2: 5 39-01 Day 3: 5 27-07 Day 4: 5 37-112. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 20 132-04 295 $42,000.00Day 1: 5 33-01 Day 2: 5 25-01 Day 3: 5 29-14 Day 4: 5 44-043. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 20 131-15 290 $26,000.00Day 1: 5 34-14 Day 2: 5 41-11 Day 3: 5 25-03 Day 4: 5 30-034. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 20 129-07 300 $19,000.00Day 1: 5 42-00 Day 2: 5 37-13 Day 3: 5 29-11 Day 4: 5 19-155. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 20 128-15 280 $18,000.00Day 1: 5 35-04 Day 2: 5 33-09 Day 3: 5 33-04 Day 4: 5 26-146. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 20 125-10 276 $15,500.00Day 1: 5 35-12 Day 2: 5 24-09 Day 3: 5 35-04 Day 4: 5 30-017. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 20 120-01 272 $17,000.00Day 1: 5 33-15 Day 2: 5 25-06 Day 3: 5 29-15 Day 4: 5 30-138. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 20 118-02 268 $14,500.00Day 1: 5 33-04 Day 2: 5 27-09 Day 3: 5 27-08 Day 4: 5 29-139. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 20 114-13 264 $14,000.00Day 1: 5 24-14 Day 2: 5 30-03 Day 3: 5 34-00 Day 4: 5 25-1210. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 20 113-03 260 $14,500.00Day 1: 5 28-02 Day 2: 5 28-04 Day 3: 5 34-01 Day 4: 5 22-1211. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 20 112-06 257 $12,500.00Day 1: 5 34-11 Day 2: 5 31-10 Day 3: 5 25-12 Day 4: 5 20-0512. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 20 108-07 254 $13,300.00Day 1: 5 25-07 Day 2: 5 29-10 Day 3: 5 36-01 Day 4: 5 17-05———————————————————————–PUROLATOR BIG BASSDay1 Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 13-02 $1,000.002 Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 11-00 $1,000.003 Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10-05 $1,000.004 Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10-06 $1,000.00PUROLATOR BIG BASS OF TOURNScott Campbell Springfield, MO 13-02 $1,000.00BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHTDay1 Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 42-00 $1,000.002 Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 41-11 $1,000.003 Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 36-01 $1,000.004 Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 44-04 $1,000.00BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT OF TOURNTerry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 44-04 $10,000.00———————————————————————–TotalsDay #Limits #Fish Weight1 107 539 2617-022 105 537 2528-143 50 250 1329-064 12 60 335-12———————————-274 1386 6811-02Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Standings——————————————-Place Name St Pts——————————————-1 Mark Davis Ark. 7702 Dean Rojas Ariz. 7613 Scott Rook Ark. 7574 Rick Morris Va. 7475 Kenyon Hill Okla. 7346 Mike McClelland Ark. 7327 Casey Ashley S.C. 7228 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 7078 Kevin VanDam Mich. 7078 Skeet Reese Calif. 70711 Terry Scroggins Fla. 70412 Bobby Lane Fla. 69113 Todd Faircloth Texas 69013 Steve Kennedy Ala. 69015 Derek Remitz Ala. 68016 Bill Lowen Ohio 67117 Byron Velvick Texas 66418 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 66318 Alton Jones Texas 66320 Aaron Martens Ala. 66021 Brian Snowden Mo. 65522 Mike Wurm Ark. 65423 Shaw Grigsby Fla. 65324 Britt Myers S.C. 65025 Jason Quinn S.C. 63626 Jared Lintner Calif. 61126 Mark Menendez Ky. 61128 Bernie Schultz Fla. 60329 Randy Howell Ala. 59730 Paul Elias Miss. 58930 Gary Klein Texas 58932 Matt Reed Texas 58733 Gerald Swindle Ala. 57734 Fred Roumbanis Okla. 56835 Kelly Jordon Texas 56436 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 56136 Dave Wolak N.C. 56138 Brent Chapman Kan. 54438 Morizo Shimizu Japan 54440 Scott Campbell Mo. 52441 Preston Clark Fla. 52242 Dustin Wilks N.C. 51943 Tommy Biffle Okla. 51244 Chris Lane Fla. 51145 Jason Williamson S.C. 51045 Ish Monroe Calif. 51047 Kevin Short Ark. 50948 Edwin Evers Okla. 50349 Takahiro Omori Texas 50150 Wade Grooms S.C. 49850 Marty Stone N.C. 49852 Jimmy Mize Ark. 49652 Billy Brewer Texas 49654 Ben Matsubu Texas 49254 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 49256 Boyd Duckett Ala. 48957 John Crews Va. 48457 Terry Butcher Okla. 48459 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 48360 Pat Golden N.C. 47661 Kevin Wirth Ky. 47462 Guy Eaker N.C. 47363 Rick Clunn Mo. 47164 Peter Thliveros Fla. 46565 Charlie Hartley Ohio 44766 Timmy Horton Ala. 44667 Russ Lane Ala. 44568 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 44069 Zell Rowland Texas 43970 Rick Ash Pa. 43271 Jay Fuller Okla. 42972 Jeff Kriet Okla. 42672 Kevin Langill N.C. 42674 Jim Murray Ga. 42474 Jon Bondy Canada 42476 Cliff Pace Miss. 42277 Mark Tyler Okla. 42078 John Murray Ariz. 41079 Elton Luce Texas 40780 Clark Reehm Ark. 40581 Bradley Hallman Okla. 40182 Davy Hite S.C. 39883 Stephen Browning Ark. 39683 Denny Brauer Mo. 39685 Ken Cook Okla. 39486 Brian Clark Texas 39287 Corey Waldrop Texas 39188 James Kennedy La. 38389 Jeff Connella La. 38290 David Sherrer La. 37091 Marty Robinson S.C. 36692 Mark Tucker Mo. 35993 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 35794 Steve Daniel Fla. 35395 Glenn Delong Ohio 34796 Greg Hackney La. 34597 Jami Fralick S.D. 33598 Pete Ponds Miss. 33499 James Niggemeyer Texas 330100 Bobby Myers Okla. 321101 Todd Auten S.C. 319102 Paul Hirosky Pa. 316102 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 316104 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 303105 Kurt Dove Va. 302106 David Smith Okla. 270107 Matt Amedeo Ohio 266108 Randy Allen La. 262109 Grant Goldbeck Md. 2472008 Berkley HeavyweightBerkley Heavyweight ReportPlace Name Lbs-Ozs———————————————————–1 Byron Velvick 129-052 Mark Davis 128-133 Aaron Martens 120-154 Rick Morris 119-125 Scott Rook 117-066 Dean Rojas 111-137 Terry Scroggins 111-018 Bobby Lane 110-089 Kevin VanDam 109-1510 Kenyon Hill 109-11