ALABAMA ROOKIE DEREK REMITZ STORMS INTO LEAD AT ‘BATTLE ON THE BORDER’
‘Elite 12’ for Sunday’s Finale Promises Tough Competition for Rookie Remitz
DEL RIO, Texas – Competing in his first Bassmaster Elite Series event, Huntsville, Ala., pro Derek Remitz scored the Saturday lead at the “Battle on the Border presented by Longhorn” on Lake Amistad in Texas.
Building his three-day total to 80 pounds, 1 ounce, the 24-year-old Elite Series rookie replaced Alabama pro Steve Kennedy in the top spot. After leading two days, Kennedy dropped one notch in the standings with his three-day total of 77-2.
Remitz’s first-day finish gave little sign that he would be leading by the third day: His Thursday total of 20 pounds, 3 ounces, put him in 37th. But on Friday, he shot up to seventh after catching 29 pounds, 7 ounces. Then he brought 30 pounds, 7 ounces to the scales Saturday, besting Kennedy by almost three pounds.
To claim the $100,000 top prize, Remitz will have to hold off his fellow Elite 12 pros, the anglers who earned a spot for the final day of competition Sunday.
Remitz will be up against a star-studded field that includes 2006 Toyota Rookie of the Year Kennedy; 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Mike Iaconelli, in third with 76-4; three-time Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam, in seventh with 68-4; and defending “Battle on the Border” champion Ish Monroe, who was last over the cutline with 66-9.
The season-opening Elite event pays a total purse of $673,150 to the top 50 pros. Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action on The Bassmasters Saturday, March 17, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
“This is something that you always dream about,” said Remitz, who recently moved from Texas to Alabama to be better positioned for travel to all 2007 Elite Series events. “It’s almost unreal and I am just in shock right now. But I am a pretty mellow guy and I think I can fight off the nerves.”
Kennedy said he was eager for the thunderstorms and cloud cover forecast for Sunday.
“The weather should make them bite tomorrow,” the 37-year-old said Saturday evening. “Today, they weren’t that interested in anything I threw at them.”
Texan Todd Faircloth jumped 35 places into fourth after boating 36 pounds, 7 ounces on Saturday for a three-day total of 75-1. His limit included a 10-11 lunker for Purolator Big Bass Honors and a $1,000 premium.
The 31-year-old pro said he caught four of his fish in an incredible 15-minute stretch.
“It all happened so quick that it seems like a dream,” Faircloth said. “I am still shaking.”
Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers, with 71-4, rounded out the top five.
The co-angler competition ended Saturday with Seiji Kato of Outsu, Japan, emerging as the winner. His total of 48 pounds, 8 ounces, bested New Mexico’s Franco Vallejos (46-3) and Texan Dennis Lala (44-8).
Kato took home a fully rigged Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $50,000.
For related photos of the event, click here.
Day 3 Purolator Big Bass
Pro: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 10-11
Co-Angler: David Meza, San Jose, Calif., 8-0
Location and Field
Battle
on the Border – Bassmaster Elite Series
Lake Amistad
Del Rio, Texas
March 8-11
Field
108 pros, 108 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 after Friday
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Saturday
Launch
Lake Amistad Resort & Marina
16 East Diablo
Del Rio, Texas 7884
7:50 a.m. CT (note Daylight Saving Time change for Sunday)
Weigh-in
Lake Amistad Resort & Marina
16 East Diablo
Del Rio, Texas 7884
4 p.m. CT
2007 Battle on the Border Pro 03/08-03/11
Lake Amistad, Del Rio, Texas
PRO Division Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Derek Remitz Huntsville, Ala. 15 80-01 305
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 29-07 Day 3: 5 30-07
2. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 15 77-02 305 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 36-10 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 24-02
3. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 15 76-04 290
Day 1: 5 27-09 Day 2: 5 24-08 Day 3: 5 24-03
4. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 75-01 285 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 36-07
5. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 15 71-04 280
Day 1: 5 29-11 Day 2: 5 20-14 Day 3: 5 20-11
6. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 15 69-13 276
Day 1: 5 25-15 Day 2: 5 22-01 Day 3: 5 21-13
7. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 68-04 272
Day 1: 5 26-08 Day 2: 5 24-08 Day 3: 5 17-04
8. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 15 67-01 266
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 27-10 Day 3: 5 20-03
8. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 15 67-01 266 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-14 Day 2: 5 21-04 Day 3: 5 18-15
10. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 15 66-14 260
Day 1: 5 25-02 Day 2: 5 21-07 Day 3: 5 20-05
11. Ken Brodeur Niantic, Conn. 15 66-12 257
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 5 23-13
12. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 15 66-09 254
Day 1: 5 25-02 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 23-06
13. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 15 66-07 250 $10,750.00
Day 1: 5 27-00 Day 2: 5 21-12 Day 3: 5 17-11
13. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 15 66-07 250 $10,750.00
Day 1: 5 26-02 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 5 20-12
15. John Crews Salem, Va. 15 66-04 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 5 23-04 Day 2: 5 23-00 Day 3: 5 20-00
16. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 15 65-13 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 30-12 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 19-03
17. Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 15 65-08 241 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 36-00 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 13-01
18. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 14 65-01 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 4 14-15 Day 2: 5 28-00 Day 3: 5 22-02
19. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 15 64-05 237 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 33-02 Day 3: 5 20-14
20. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 15 64-02 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 26-05 Day 3: 5 17-05
21. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 15 63-01 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 28-03 Day 2: 5 20-06 Day 3: 5 14-08
22. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 15 62-14 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 5 22-07
23. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 15 62-04 229 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 23-01 Day 2: 5 21-03 Day 3: 5 18-00
24. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 15 61-11 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 5 23-11 Day 3: 5 18-01
25. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 15 61-05 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 28-07 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 15-03
26. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 15 61-03 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 27-04 Day 3: 5 15-15
27. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 14 60-15 221 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-09 Day 2: 5 25-14 Day 3: 4 8-08
28. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 15 60-02 218 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 22-13 Day 3: 5 23-01
28. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 12 60-02 218 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-00 Day 2: 4 20-14 Day 3: 3 13-04
30. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 15 58-12 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 16-14 Day 3: 5 22-14
31. Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 15 58-11 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-08 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 19-12
32. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 15 58-05 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 26-12 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 5 12-00
33. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 15 58-01 209 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 20-01 Day 3: 5 16-04
34. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 15 57-07 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 24-05 Day 3: 5 13-14
35. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 15 57-03 204 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 21-01 Day 3: 5 15-15
35. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 15 57-03 204 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 20-02
37. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 15 54-15 201 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 22-12 Day 3: 5 16-10
38. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 15 54-11 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 22-02 Day 3: 5 14-07
39. Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 15 54-08 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 19-09 Day 3: 5 18-01
40. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 15 54-03 195 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 18-05
41. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 15 54-02 193 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 17-13
42. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 15 54-00 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-03 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 16-12
43. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 15 53-10 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 24-02 Day 3: 5 14-12
44. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 15 53-05 187 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 22-07 Day 3: 5 11-12
45. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 15 51-05 185 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 22-05 Day 3: 5 11-10
46. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 15 50-11 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 21-00 Day 3: 5 11-13
47. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 15 50-00 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 5 13-10 Day 3: 5 13-07
48. Ken D Cook Lawton, Okla. 15 49-06 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 28-15 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 5 8-02
49. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 13 47-07 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 16-10 Day 3: 3 10-04
50. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 15 47-00 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 9-03
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Big Bass
Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 12-07 $1,000.00
Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 8-12 $1,000.00
Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 10-11 $1,000.00
Big Bag
Stephen Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 36-10 $1,000.00
Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 33-02 $1,000.00
Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 36-07 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 95 523 1965-01
2 95 512 1810-09
3 47 245 895-04
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237 1280 4670-14
2007 Battle on the Border 03/08-03/11
Lake Amistad, Del Rio, Texas
CO-ANGLER Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Seiji Kato Outsu, Japan 13 48-08 0 $50,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 3 5-11 Day 3: 5 27-06
2. Franco Vallejos Albuquerque, N.M. 15 46-03 0 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 11-00
3. Dennis Lala Goliad, Texas 15 44-08 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-15 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 9-00
4. Anthony Hall San Jose, Calif. 9 43-01 0 $3,500.00
Day 1: 2 7-07 Day 2: 5 24-05 Day 3: 2 11-05
5. Bret Myers Keller, Texas 13 42-05 0 $2,625.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 3 10-00 Day 3: 5 16-04
5. David Stewart Cedar Park, Texas 11 42-05 0 $3,125.00
Day 1: 5 23-02 Day 2: 3 14-11 Day 3: 3 4-08
7. Ron Tyson Marrietta, Ga. 14 42-04 0 $2,250.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 4 10-08
8. Bryan Talmadge Pell City, Ala. 15 41-15 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 5 8-03
9. Mark Banks West Falls, N.Y. 13 41-10 0 $1,750.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 3 8-11 Day 3: 5 17-05
10. Albert Hudson Austin, Texas 12 40-10 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 5 9-14 Day 2: 5 22-10 Day 3: 2 8-02
11. Allen Burkhalter Columbus, Ga. 13 39-04 0 $1,250.00
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 4 7-11 Day 3: 4 10-00
12. Frank Mealer Irondale, Ala. 14 38-14 0 $875.00
Day 1: 4 10-03 Day 2: 5 18-05 Day 3: 5 10-06
12. Todd Lee Jasper, Ala. 12 38-14 0 $875.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 2 6-02
14. Russell Lohman Pineville, La. 15 38-12 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 10-00 Day 3: 5 15-02
15. Roger Howell Clayton, Ala. 14 38-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 10-14 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 13-02
16. Eulon Lee Montgomery, Ala. 13 38-07 0 $750.00
Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 5 20-13 Day 3: 5 10-09
17. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 12 38-05 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 2 3-03 Day 3: 5 11-11
18. Chad Kallina San Marcos, Texas 13 37-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 1-15 Day 2: 4 18-08 Day 3: 4 17-01
19. Al Odom Irmo, S.C. 14 37-00 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 10-04 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 5 14-13
20. Joe Barnett Fergus Falls, Minn. 9 36-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 24-12 Day 2: 1 1-09 Day 3: 3 10-03
21. Eric Peck Williamsburg, Mich. 13 34-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 11-08 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 4 9-12
22. Mike Power Canyon Lake, Texas 15 34-01 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 7-07 Day 3: 5 15-07
23. Bill Adams Exeter, Calif. 9 33-09 0 $750.00
Day 1: 2 6-10 Day 2: 5 22-06 Day 3: 2 4-09
24. Kirk Lizama Oakdale, Calif. 11 33-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 1 1-05
25. Gary Miller Kearney, Mo. 12 33-01 0 $750.00
Day 1: 3 11-10 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 4 7-01
26. Jimmy Swindle Gardendale, Ala. 8 32-15 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 10-04 Day 2: 5 22-11 Day 3: 0 0-00
27. Adam McAndrews Santa Clara, Calif. 13 32-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 9-10
28. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 10 32-06 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 10-07 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 2 3-15
29. Dennis Whitaker Branson, Mo. 14 31-14 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 4 6-07
30. Greg Perkins San Antonio, Texas 12 31-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 2 2-08
31. Howard Stephens Columbia, S.C. 12 31-11 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 13-03 Day 2: 4 5-15 Day 3: 4 12-09
32. Richard Lindgren Lakeville, Minn. 12 31-07 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 8-11 Day 2: 3 9-11 Day 3: 5 13-01
33. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 14 31-02 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 10-11 Day 2: 5 10-05 Day 3: 5 10-02
34. Allen Ruddick Las Cruces, N.M. 14 28-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 8-04 Day 2: 5 10-04 Day 3: 5 10-00
35. Travis Manson Green Bay, Wisc. 8 27-15 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 4-13 Day 2: 5 21-01 Day 3: 1 2-01
36. David Doty Cottage Grove, Minn. 13 27-11 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 7-11 Day 2: 5 9-05 Day 3: 5 10-11
37. David Meza San Jose, Calif. 8 27-01 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 5-14 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 1 8-00
38. George Holloway Del Rio, Texas 12 27-00 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 8-04 Day 2: 4 10-05 Day 3: 5 8-07
39. Frederic Jullian Beziers, France 10 26-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 8-00 Day 3: 0 0-00
40. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, Ariz. 8 26-06 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 1 4-15 Day 3: 2 3-13
41. Jason Baird Gypsum, Kan. 9 25-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 10-09 Day 2: 5 13-12 Day 3: 1 1-07
42. Jack Oliver Mckinney, Texas 10 25-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 2-15 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 3 8-06
43. Mark Child Mansfield, Texas 11 24-06 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 1 1-02
44. Clark Franklin Midland, Texas 10 23-13 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 7-14 Day 2: 3 9-01 Day 3: 3 6-14
45. Brad Young Artesia, N.M. 10 23-06 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 10-05 Day 2: 4 8-03 Day 3: 3 4-14
46. Eugene Burgett Dalton City, Ill. 10 23-00 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 7-07 Day 2: 5 11-06 Day 3: 2 4-03
47. Javier Guillen Tarragona 43004, Spain 9 21-15 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 2 3-00 Day 3: 2 2-15
48. Wayne Lindgren Minneapolis, Minn. 8 21-11 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 2 2-15 Day 3: 1 2-06
49. Matthew Weaver Sweetwater, Texas 9 19-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 3 6-06 Day 3: 1 2-12
50. Bill Trinkle San Antonio, Texas 6 19-10 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 5-15 Day 2: 3 12-09 Day 3: 1 1-02
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Big Bass
Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, Ariz. 9-14 $500.00
David Stewart Cedar Park, Texas 8-15 $500.00
David Meza San Jose, Calif. 8-00 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 22 339 931-12
2 15 341 903-15
3 5 164 418-01
----------------------------------
42 844 2253-12