YUMA, Arizona – The BAM Pro Tour’s launch at Lake Martinez in Arizona continued for a second day of action with Zack Thompson of Alameda, Calif. boosting his lead for heaviest limits to nearly a full 10-pounds, adding another 22-pounds to his two-day total for 45.16.
With more than a half-foot water drop in the water level, Thompson, was forced to make an adjustment. “I got to continue fishing the same way I like to,” he said. But I had to follow the fish out as the transitioned into deeper areas.”
Although he has expanded his lead, for Championship Sunday, weights and keeper counts are zeroed; so, once again all top-10 anglers that made the final field cut will start on a level playing field. “It’s a grind, but I’ll be around better fish and hope continue one more day,” he added.
Thompson wasn’t ready to reveal his presentation; but he did share that he was throwing it on a St. Croix Legend Extreme rod mated to a Seviin reel spooled with 20-pound P-Line Tactical.
In 2nd for catching the most keepers, Karl Okerman from Blanchard, Idaho also widened the gap between himself and his nearest competitor from two scorable bass to eight, notching a total keeper count of 38 for two days on the water.
“I knew I had to catch at least 10,” said Okerman. “The first day it was more difficult with the wind blowing, but today it slicked down and the sun came out, so I was able to see more fish. I was focused on finding bigger ones and found them in deeper in the weeds, using my electronics.”
Rounding out the top-three, Ish Monroe of Oakley, Calif. has claimed two five-fish limits for a total of 35.41. Monroe is running backwater areas. “I’m relying on my RELiON Batteries, and Lowrance Ghost Trolling Motor to cover a lot of water and get where I need to for this event,” stated Monroe.
Monroe has already disclosed his two-prong approach of flipping a Missile Baits D-Bomb and throwing a Z-Man JackHammer with a Missile Baits Spunk Shad trailer. “I had to change up my D-Bomb color today,” said Monroe. “I went to Candy Grass.”
Join anglers at Lake Martinez for the weigh-in at Fisher’s Landing at 3:15 pm or watch Day Three weigh in Live
Note: BAM Pro Tour anglers are ranked in the Pro Tour events by both biggest five fish limit and numbers of scorable bass caught.
First place is held by the angler with five biggest bass and second place is the highest keeper count. The standings then continue to alternate by weight/numbers. Anglers ranked by weight are denoted with an asterisk. Field will be cut at end of Day Two.
Top-10 BAM Pro Tour Lake Martinez Day One
Place/Angler/Day 1 Big Bass/ Day 1 Weight/Day 2 Big Bass/ Day 2 Weight
1 Zack Thompson 22.24 22.92 22 45.16*
2 Karl Okerman 14.83 16.30 38* 31.13
3 Ish Monroe 18.39 17.02 34 35.41*
4 Bill O’Shinn 17.20 15.19 30* 32.39
5 Cameron Karber 18.61 15.95 16 34.56*
6 Greg Gutierrez 17.51 12.14 26* 29.65
7 Nicholas Cloutier 18.52 15.80 17 34.32*
8 Conrad Demecs 14.05 19.33 24* 33.38
9 Mark Pilgrim 16.29 17.64 20 33.93*
10 Colby Pearson 18.22 11.79 22* 30.01
2024 BAM Pro Tour Next Stop
After the debut of the BAM Pro Tour on Lake Martinez, the second stop will take place at Lake Almanor, more info is available here.
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