Nobody thought it was possible, Aaron Martens least of all. But on the final day of competition at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Martens massed a 23-pound, 5-ounce sack of bass and stunned the crowd, and the field, who all thought such a feat was impossible. He edged second-place finisher Seth Feider of Bloomington, Minn., by a little less than a pound.
“I’m still in shock,” Martens said, surrounded by reporters behind the stage, trophy at rest beside him on a chair. “I can’t believe I won. It still hasn’t set in yet.”
Martens, originally from California but now a resident of Leeds, Ala., wasn’t sure how much his limit weighed — it’s difficult to judge weight at a tournament where winners can be decided by ounces. But his bag included a 6-2 largemouth that was second only to Seth Feider’s 6-4 bass, which won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award of $1,500 for the tournament.
“I didn’t know how much I actually had,” Martens said. “The only time all day when I thought I had a shot to win was when I saw 23-5 on the scales. The BASSTrakk (unofficial leaderboard) said I had 20-11. I thought I maybe had 22. But I just didn’t know. I overestimated BASSTrakk the first day, so maybe I got a little gun-shy and underestimated today. I’m still really in shock.”
For Martens, each B.A.S.S. win is a redemption of sorts. He’s widely regarded as one of the best anglers to compete in the modern era of bass fishing, and this marks only his ninth B.A.S.S. win across almost two decades of competition. Alongside those nine wins sit 13 gut-wrenching second-place finishes — four of which were at the Bassmaster Classic and seven were at Elite events.
Martens’ last win came at the 2015 Bassmaster Elite at Chesapeake Bay.
Martens also set a unique B.A.S.S. mark today: He climbed 19 spots on the final day to win an Elite event — a feat made possible because this weather-shortened event spanned three days, instead of four, and the Top 51 anglers fished the final day, instead of the traditional Top 12.
His winning pattern involved drop shotting a 4-inch Roboworm in Aaron’s magic red color on massive weed flats. The largemouth and smallmouth were mixed together and he caught quality fish of both species, although it was the largemouth that ultimately propelled him to victory.
He fished predominantly deep (20 to 30 feet) the first two days, but moved shallow today into 12 to 21 feet. He made a critical tackle change and switched to a 6’11” medium-heavy rod that allowed him to move hooked fish through the grass and to the boat. He noted that areas with several different weed types were best.
Brandon Palaniuk of Hayden, Idaho, retained his lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with one event remaining in the season. He was awarded $1,000 for leading at the end of the event.
“I don’t think about the race — I just think about catching them the next day,” Palaniuk said. “Every guy wants to win an Angler of the Year title, but I know for me, mentally, I fish a lot better not knowing where I am in the race. It’s not like I don’t care. It’s more like a racecar driver — if you’re worried about the guy behind you, you’re looking back and slowing down. I’m not going to do that. I’m going full speed ahead.”
Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tenn., won the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award of $500 for leading the tournament on Saturday’s second day of competition.
Palaniuk was also awarded the Toyota Bonus Bucks Award of $3,000 for being the highest-placing eligible entrant in the program. The second-highest-placing eligible entrant, Adrian Avena of Vineland, N.J., received $2,000.
Alton Jones of Lorena, Texas, earned the Power-Pole Captain’s Cash Award of $1,000 for being the highest-placing angler who is registered and eligible and uses a client-approved product on his boat.
The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau and the City of Plattsburgh hosted the event.
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Huk, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Minn Kota, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Shimano, Advance Auto Parts, Livingston Lures, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine
Connect with #Bassmaster and the #BassmasterClassic on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster
and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
See more bass tournament news here
Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, jmatthews@bassmaster.com or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com
2017 Bassmaster Elite at Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels 7/27-7/30
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 15 58-12 110 $100,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 23-05
2. Seth Feider Isle, MN 15 57-14 109 $26,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 19-15 Day 3: 5 20-06
3. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 15 57-05 108 $21,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 20-07
4. Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN 15 56-10 107 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 20-12 Day 3: 5 18-02
5. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 15 56-09 106 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 19-02 Day 3: 5 19-06
6. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 55-08 105 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 18-01
7. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 15 55-07 104 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 18-12
8. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 15 55-00 103 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 17-11
9. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 15 54-14 102 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 19-03
10. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 15 54-14 101 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 18-04 Day 3: 5 18-10
11. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 15 54-04 100 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 17-05
12. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 15 54-04 99 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 18-07 Day 3: 5 16-13
13. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 15 54-03 98 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 5 17-07
14. David Walker Sevierville, TN 15 53-15 97 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 17-13
15. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 15 53-14 96 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 18-06 Day 3: 5 17-00
16. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 15 53-10 95 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 16-05
17. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 15 53-10 94 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 19-13 Day 3: 5 16-03
18. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 15 53-09 93 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 5 18-04
19. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 15 53-09 92 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 19-00
20. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 15 53-08 91 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 5 19-01
21. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 15 53-00 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 17-07 Day 3: 5 17-12
22. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 15 52-14 89 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 18-07
23. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 15 52-09 88 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 5 18-08
24. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 15 52-02 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 17-06
25. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 15 52-01 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 16-09
26. Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 15 51-06 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 15-09
27. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 15 51-04 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 19-04
28. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 15 51-03 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 5 16-04
29. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 15 50-15 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 17-05
30. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 15 50-14 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 16-14
31. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 15 50-13 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 17-04
32. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 15 50-11 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 19-05 Day 3: 5 15-08
33. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 15 50-08 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 15-12
34. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 15 50-03 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 5 16-02
35. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 15 49-08 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 19-03 Day 3: 5 15-10
36. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 15 49-08 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 14-13
37. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 15 49-00 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 14-08
38. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 15 48-05 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 15-02
39. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 15 48-01 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 15-00
40. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 15 48-00 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 15-08
41. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 15 47-15 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 14-15
42. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 15 47-14 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 14-15
43. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 15 47-11 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 12-10
44. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 15 47-05 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 14-06
45. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 15 47-01 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 13-01
46. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 15 47-00 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 14-01
47. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 15 46-15 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 13-10
48. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 15 46-12 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 14-09
49. Fred Roumbanis London, AR 15 46-06 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 14-00
50. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 15 45-15 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 11-15
51. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 15 42-15 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 10-13
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Seth Feider Isle, MN 06-04 $1,500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 107 539 1732-12
2 107 539 1687-06
3 51 255 847-02
———————————-
265 1333 4267-04
