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+--- Thread: ARIZONAS DEAN ROJAS ENDS SEVEN-YEAR DROUGHT (/showthread.php?tid=436701)
ARIZONAS DEAN ROJAS ENDS SEVEN-YEAR DROUGHT - FishNews - 08-13-2008
SYRACUSE, New York - Putting to rest a seven-year drought, Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu, Arizona, scored victory at the Champion's Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide on New York's Oneida Lake, the final Bassmaster Elite Series event of the season. With the victory, Rojas crossed the $1 million mark in career BASS earnings and upped his victory tally to three by posting a four-day total of 65 pounds, 2 ounces, which was enough to hold off hard-charging Kevin Langill of Terrell, N.C., and 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Mike Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J.
Fishing fans can watch the on-the-water action from the Aug. 7-10 Champion's Choice on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, Aug. 16, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
Rojas found success rotating in three primary areas throughout the tournament. Known for his proficiency with a frog, he employed that technique throughout the tournament while mixing it up with a Slurpee's brush beaver flipped to shallow, grassy areas.
With changing weather conditions, Rojas said it was important to adapt and be flexible. Through the four-day event, anglers experienced rain and hail mixed with periods of sunshine.
Known for its smallmouth, Oneida yielded largemouth to most of the top competitors including Rojas. After narrowly missing out on a victory and ultimately finishing second at the Bassmaster Memorial staged on Oneida Lake and Lake Onondaga in 2007, Rojas was able to exact a measure of redemption on a New York fishery.
"This is so awesome," said Rojas, 37. "I've had my fair share of crash and burns over the years but it just makes this so much sweeter. I had such a clean practice and when the season started I knew that I would do well on Oneida."
With his solid showing at Oneida, Rojas moved up to 7th in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, earning a $28,000 bonus for his placement. Sunday, he landed the Purolator Big Bass of the Day, a 4-pound bass, earning a $1,000 premium.
Rojas, who was born in New York, was presented with a Kermit stuffed animal on stage due to his steady use of the frog in Elite Series tournaments. Throughout the tournament, he used two Spro frogs to entice the biggest bass.
A new bait that was introduced at ICAST, called the popping frog, was Rojas' savior on Sunday. He threw the bait after his flipping pattern came undone and was able to catch 14 pounds, 8 ounces. The other bait was the Spro Bronzeye frog.
"Everything went my way this week," said Rojas. "I have been putting in the hard work all these years and it's nice to see it pay off in a big way. It was a wonderful week."
Moving up from third to second was Langill, who posted a four-day total of 60 pounds, 7 ounces. The North Carolina pro scored his highest finish ever in a Bassmaster Elite Series event and closes the season in promising fashion.
The 35-year-old pro keyed in on schooling bass all week. One of the indicators that he used to find his fish were the circling birds. When he saw a group of birds, he would cast to the areas they were near.
His pattern also relied heavily on his electronics and most of his weight was caught during the early portion of the day on Sunday. He was fishing a lipless crankbait over grass.
"It was just an awesome morning," said Langill. "The weather changed me though and that made things tough. I'm tickled to end the season this way."
Slipping from second to third was Iaconelli with 59 pounds, 4 ounces. In fourth was Dustin Wilks of Rocky Mount, N.C., with 59 pounds, 0 ounces. Taking fifth was Dave Wolak of Wake Forest, N.C., with 57 pounds, 9 ounces.
Posting solid finishes were 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones (6th) and Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark. (11th).
With the season ending today, 84 Bassmaster Elite Series qualifying spots for 2009 were determined as well as 36 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers, set forShreveport-Bossier City, La., on Feb. 20-22. The spots were awarded based on the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, which can be found below.
The 2009 Elite Series schedule, which will begin next March, can be found on Bassmaster.com.
Known as the "thumb" of New York's Finger Lakes, Oneida is 21 miles long and 5 miles wide, with shelves and shoals formed by glaciers. The natural body of water features plenty of shoreline vegetation and an abundance of rocky offshore structure.
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.
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 Field
Champion's Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide<br />
Oneida Lake<br />
Syracuse, N.Y.<br />
August 7-10, 2008
Field<br />
106 pros, 106 co-anglers<br />
Cut to top 50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2<br />
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3
Launch/Weigh-in<br />
Oneida Shores County Park<br />
9400 Bartell Road<br />
Brewerton, N.Y,<br />
Thurs-Sat (8 a.m./5 p.m.)<br />
Sunday- 10 a.m./7 p.m.
2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Event Tournament Locations/Dates
March 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, Texas
April 10-13 Battle on the Border Lake Amistad Del Rio, Texas
May 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 Tennessee Triumph Old Hickory Lake Hendersonville, Tenn.
July 31- Aug. 3 Empire Chase Lake Erie/Niagara River Buffalo, N.Y.
Aug. 7-10 Champion's Choice Oneida Lake Syracuse, N.Y
About BASS
For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.
The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women's Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.
BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 525,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
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2008 Elite Series - Champion's Choice PRO 08/07-08/10 Oneida Lake, Syracuse N.Y.<br />
(PRO Division) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz 20 65-02 310 $102,000.00<br />
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 18-03 Day 4: 5 14-08<br />
2. Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 20 60-07 295 $30,000.00<br />
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 14-10 Day 4: 5 14-09<br />
3. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 20 59-04 295 $36,000.00<br />
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 20-01 Day 3: 5 14-04 Day 4: 5 12-04<br />
4. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 20 59-00 285 $18,000.00<br />
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 15-13 Day 4: 5 15-07<br />
5. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 20 57-09 280 $18,000.00<br />
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 13-11 Day 3: 5 13-14 Day 4: 5 16-03<br />
6. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 20 56-07 276 $17,500.00<br />
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 15-13 Day 4: 5 13-04<br />
7. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 20 56-01 272 $15,000.00<br />
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 13-05 Day 4: 5 13-15<br />
8. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 20 55-04 268 $14,500.00<br />
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 13-06 Day 4: 5 13-07<br />
9. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 20 55-03 264 $14,000.00<br />
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 5 11-05 Day 4: 5 12-14<br />
10. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 20 54-15 260 $13,500.00<br />
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 13-12 Day 4: 5 13-09<br />
11. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 20 53-08 257 $72,500.00<br />
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 17-14 Day 3: 5 15-00 Day 4: 5 10-07<br />
12. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 20 53-04 254 $12,300.00<br />
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 5 12-05 Day 4: 5 11-13<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Purolator Big Bass<br />
Day<br />
1 Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 4-14 $1,000.00<br />
2 Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 5-00 $500.00<br />
2 Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5-00 $500.00<br />
3 Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5-10 $1,000.00<br />
4 Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz. 4-00 $1,000.00
Purolator Big Bass of Tournament<br />
Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5-10 $1,000.00
Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year Leader<br />
Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas $1,000.00
Berkley Big Bag<br />
Day<br />
1 Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 17-10 $1,000.00<br />
2 Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 20-01 $1,000.00<br />
3 Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz. 18-03 $1,000.00<br />
4 Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 16-03 $1,000.00
Berkley Big Bag of Tournament<br />
Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 20-01 $10,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Totals<br />
Day #Limits #Fish Weight<br />
1 96 516 1215-07<br />
2 89 491 1171-01<br />
3 46 238 573-08<br />
4 12 60 162-04<br />
----------------------------------<br />
243 1305 3122-04
2008 TOYOTA TUNDRA BASSMASTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
Place Name Hometown Points
1 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 2691
2 Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 2603
3 Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 2577
4 Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 2485
5 Alton Jones Waco, Texas 2430
6 Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 2428
7 Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz. 2411
8 Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 2372
9 Terry Scroggins San Mateo, Fla. 2323
10 Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 2291
11 Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 2285
12 Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 2261
13 Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 2255
13 Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 2255
15 Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 2247
16 Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 2209
17 Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 2206
18 Fred Roumbanis Bixby, Okla. 2196
19 Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 2194
20 Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 2180
21 Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 2159
22 Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 2149
23 Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 2132
24 Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 2127
25 Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 2110
26 Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 2071
27 Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 2066
28 Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 2057
29 Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 2053
30 Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, Fla. 2043
31 Ish Monroe Hughson, Calif. 2039
32 Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, Fla. 2032
33 Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 2026
34 Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 2023
35 Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas 2007
36 Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 1998
37 Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 1989
38 Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 1984
39 Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 1983
40 Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 1975
41 Derek Remitz Grant, Ala. 1974
42 Chris Lane Lakeland, Fla. 1969
43 Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 1968
44 Morizo Shimizu Osaka, Japan 1966
45 Marty Stone Fayetteville, N.C. 1950
46 Jason Williamson Aiken, S.C. 1941
47 Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 1932
48 Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 1922
49 Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 1920
50 John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 1915
51 Ray Sedgwick Cross, S.C. 1910
52 Jason Quinn York, S.C. 1907
53 Kevin F Short Mayflower, Ark. 1886
53 Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 1886
55 Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 1856
56 Jon Bondy Windsor, Canada 1846
57 Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 1843
58 Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 1836
59 Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 1828
60 Scott Campbell Springfield, Mo. 1817
61 Britt Myers Lake Wylie, S.C. 1815
62 Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 1803
63 Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 1793
64 Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 1780
64 Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 1780
66 Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 1779
67 Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 1776
68 Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 1757
69 Kevin Langill Terrell, N.C. 1742
70 Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 1726
71 Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 1698
71 John Crews Salem, Va. 1698
73 Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 1685
74 Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, Md. 1666
75 James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 1661
76 Wade Grooms Bonneau, S.C. 1651
77 Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 1649
78 Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 1640
79 Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 1609
80 Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 1587
81 Brian Clark Haltom City, Texas 1581
82 Billy Brewer Bruceville, Texas 1578
83 Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 1550
84 Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 1544
85 Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C. 1543
86 Ken D Cook Lawton, Okla. 1539
86 Marty Robinson Lyman, S.C. 1539
88 Clark Reehm Russellville, Ark. 1530
89 Jim Murray Arabi, Ga. 1505
90 Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 1503
91 Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 1497
92 Kurt Dove Fairfax, Va. 1492
93 David Smith Del City, Okla. 1488
94 Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, Texas 1483
95 Elton Luce Brookeland, Texas 1477
96 Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, Texas 1417
97 Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 1407
98 Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 1371
99 Jay Fuller Kingston, Okla. 1361
100 Steve Daniel Clewiston, Fla. 1355
101 Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 1333
102 Rick Ash Pottstown, Pa. 1264
103 Randy Allen Shreveport, La. 1184
104 David Sherrer Shreveport, La. 1181
105 James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 1143
106 Paul Hirosky Guys Mills, Pa. 1021
107 Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 914
108 Matt Amedeo Clinton, Ohio 875
109 Bobby Myers Broken Arrow, Okla. 438
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR<br />
2008 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR<br />
After Oneida Lake, Syracuse, NY ending 08-10-2008, Day 4<br />
-------------------------------------------<br />
Place Name St Pts<br />
-------------------------------------------<br />
1 Bobby Lane Fla. 2247<br />
2 Wade Grooms S.C. 1651<br />
3 Brian Clark Texas 1581<br />
4 Billy Brewer Texas 1578<br />
5 Clark Reehm Ark. 1530<br />
6 Pat Golden N.C. 1497<br />
7 Corey Waldrop Texas 1417<br />
8 Jay Fuller Okla. 1361<br />
9 Randy Allen La. 1184<br />
10 David Sherrer La. 1181<br />
11 Bobby Myers Okla. 438
BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT STANDINGS
Place Name Lbs-Ozs<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------<br />
1 Mike McClelland 368-09<br />
2 Kevin VanDam 352-10<br />
3 Todd Faircloth 344-00<br />
4 Michael Iaconelli 341-12<br />
5 Mark Davis 341-03<br />
6 Terry Scroggins 340-09<br />
7 Edwin Evers 338-12<br />
8 Skeet Reese 337-01<br />
9 Aaron Martens 336-05<br />
10 Randy Howell 336-03
Media Contact<br />
Doug Grassian, (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com or Anthony Bartkowski (407) 744-4566 or Anthony.a.bartkowski@espn.com