SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Consumed with some positive mojo, Chad Griffin of Cresson, Texas, a Bassmaster Elite Series rookie, capitalized on consistency Friday on a New York fishery that he had never seen until this week, jumping 12 places to the lead at the Oneida Lake bass fishing tournament with a two-day total of 33 pounds, 11 ounces, good enough for a little more than a 1-pound advantage over Elite veteran Bernie Schultz of Gainesville, Fla. The positive vibes started early in the week, when Griffin started practice and quickly realized that Oneida is similar to the Texas waters he has worked throughout his career.
Griffin, who said he has been disappointed with his season, hasn't had much to feel good about most of the year, but a banner performance - and the $100,000 top prize - would do wonders for his confidence and bottom line. Targeting both largemouth and smallmouth, primarily with an EZEE jig, Griffin has had his areas to himself all week.
Griffin made a key tweak Friday that helped jet him up the leaderboard. After missing several hook-ups Thursday - he felt he could have brought more than 20 pounds to the scale if he had executed - he opted for smaller hooks Friday. The move was the right one, to the tune of an 18-pound, 8-ounce limit, the biggest of the tournament through Day 2.
"This is really exciting," said Griffin, 32. "I've felt good all week. It's like an eerie feeling. The first time I laid eyes on Oneida, I fell in love. The grass reminds me of back home."
Griffin, who like most of the field keyed on areas with vegetation, had all of his weight by noon Friday and elected to explore new water for the remainder of the tournament. His search proved just as productive, as he was able to upgrade his total by culling three times.
With a season-best finish of 30th, Griffin is in an unfamiliar position in first place, but the rookie feels that he is capable of closing out his first BASS victory.
"Definitely," said Griffin, who Thursday landed the big bass of the tournament thus far, a 5-8 lunker. "My areas have enough fish and I know how to catch them. It's just a matter of execution."
Schultz also hopped up the leaderboard with a strong showing Friday after turning around some early morning struggles. Targeting largemouth and smallmouth, he is focusing on grassy areas and is essentially fishing with his gut, fishing spots that look the most promising. Another interesting subplot for Schultz is his bid for a 2010 Classic berth. The eight-time Classic qualifier entered the tournament in 56th in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings and with virtually no shot of landing a berth. But Schultz has performed this week while others have slipped and opened the door a bit.
Despite the positive news, Schultz, with a two-day total of 32 pounds, 3 ounces, is concerned that his areas might not hold up.
"I'm a little concerned," said Schultz, 54. "It was a really slow, aggravating day today despite the numbers. I just have to keep moving Saturday and see what happens."
In third was Jason Quinn of York, S.C., with 31-12. Day 1 leader Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., slipped to fourth with 31-1, and Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., moved to fifth with 30-11.
After a tight leaderboard Thursday, things shook out a bit Friday. Still, 28 anglers are within 6 pounds of Griffin. Only the top 50 anglers advance to Saturday, and then the top 12 will move on to fish Sunday.
With the culmination of the regular season, the AOY points will be set for the postseason. Four-time AOY Kevin VanDam (33rd) and Skeet Reese (17th) were jockeying for the lead. Toyota Trucks Championship Week is set for Sept. 10-18 on two productive Alabama fisheries. The first of the two postseason tournaments, the Trophy Chase, will take place Sept. 12-13 on Lake Jordan out of Wetumpka; the finale, the Trophy Triumph, is slated for Sept. 17-18 on the Alabama River from Montgomery.
In the race to qualify for the 2010 Classic, set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala., Elite Series veteran Matt Reed of Madisonville, Texas, and rookie Billy McCaghren of Mayflower, Ark., were on the bubble heading into the Champion's Choice. McCaghren (48th) barely squeaked in to the top 50 cut, while Reed struggled and missed out.
In other news, Ken Cook of Lawton, Okla., officially retired from Elite Series competition Friday after missing the cut. The 1991 Classic champion was treated to a special gathering Friday to celebrate his illustrious career. Cook finished in 75th place.
Fans are encouraged to attend the Champion's Choice daily launches (6 a.m. ET) and weigh-ins (4 p.m.) through Sunday at Oneida Shores County Park, 9400 Bartell Rd., Brewerton.
DAY 2 STANDINGS
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 10 33-11 305
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 18-08
2. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 32-03 295
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 16-12
3. Jason Quinn York, SC 10 31-12 290
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 16-05
4. Randy Howell Springville, AL 10 31-01 290
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 13-08
5. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 30-11 280
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 17-04
6. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 30-07 276
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 15-15
7. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 29-15 272
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 13-04
8. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 10 29-12 268
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 14-03
9. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 10 29-10 264
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 17-09
10. Terry Butcher Talala, OK 10 29-07 260
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 14-01
11. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 29-05 257
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 15-09
12. John Crews Salem, VA 10 29-02 254
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 15-02
13. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 10 29-00 251
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 15-01
14. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 28-15 248
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 13-12
15. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 10 28-13 245
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 13-04
16. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 28-13 243
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 14-03
17. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 28-12 241
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 13-04
18. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 10 28-11 239
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 15-08
19. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 28-10 237
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 12-13
20. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 10 28-09 235
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 12-05
21. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 10 28-08 233
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 13-13
22. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 10 28-04 231
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 13-04
23. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 10 28-03 229
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 15-05
24. Peter E Thliveros St Augustine, FL 10 28-03 227
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 12-04
25. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 28-01 225
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 17-04
26. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 28-01 223
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 12-07
27. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 28-00 221
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 14-15
28. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 27-11 219
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 15-15
29. Scott Campbell Springfield, MO 10 27-10 217
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 14-00
30. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, NC 10 27-09 215
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 13-02
31. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 27-07 213
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 12-04
32. Alton Jones Waco, TX 10 27-06 211
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 13-10
33. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 27-02 209
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 13-02
34. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 26-14 207
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 13-02
35. Pat Golden High Point, NC 10 26-13 205
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 14-01
36. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 26-13 203
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 13-05
37. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 10 26-12 201
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 14-04
38. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, VA 10 26-12 199
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 13-09
39. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 10 26-09 197
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-10
40. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 10 26-07 195
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 14-03
41. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 10 26-05 193
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 14-10
42. Jeff Reynolds Platter, OK 10 26-04 191
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 11-12
43. Clark Reehm Russellville, AR 10 26-03 189
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-05
44. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 26-02 187
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 13-04
45. Jeremy Starks Charleston, WV 10 26-00 185
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 11-13
46. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 25-14 183
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-00
47. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 25-12 181
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 14-02
48. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 10 25-11 179
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 14-13
49. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 10 25-09 177
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 12-02
50. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 10 25-09 175
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-00
51. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 10 25-06 173
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 10-04
52. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 25-05 171
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 13-12
53. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 10 25-05 169
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 12-00
54. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 10 25-04 167
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 12-01
55. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 10 25-03 165
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 13-06
56. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, AR 10 25-03 163
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 11-15
57. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 10 25-03 161
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 12-12
58. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 10 25-03 159
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-10
59. Grant Goldbeck Gaithersburg, MD 10 25-03 157
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 10-15
60. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 10 25-02 155
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 11-14
61. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 25-02 153
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 12-15
62. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 25-01 151
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 13-08
63. Luke Gritter Kalamazoo, MI 10 25-01 149
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 13-03
64. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, KY 10 24-15 147
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-04
65. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 24-15 145
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-06
66. Jim Murray Arabi, GA 10 24-13 143
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 13-02
67. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 24-11 141
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 11-09
68. Mark Tyler Vian, OK 10 24-07 139
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 13-09
69. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 24-07 137
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 13-07
70. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 10 24-07 135
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 12-15
71. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 24-07 133
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 12-06
72. Vince Fulks Purcell, OK 10 24-07 131
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 13-05
73. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 24-06 129
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 09-12
74. Jami Fralick Martin, SD 10 24-06 127
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 11-14
75. Ken D Cook Lawton, OK 10 24-04 125
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 11-14
76. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 10 24-03 123
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 12-15
77. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 10 24-03 121
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 12-11
78. Chris Lane Lakeland, FL 10 24-01 119
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 12-00
79. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 10 24-00 117
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 11-14
80. Brent Broderick Oregonia, OH 10 23-11 115
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 13-13
81. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 10 23-10 113
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 13-00
82. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 10 23-10 111
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 11-14
83. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 23-09 109
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 13-00
84. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, MO 10 23-03 107
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 11-11
85. Marty Stone Fayetteville, NC 10 23-01 105
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 10-13
86. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 10 23-00 103
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 12-02
87. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 10 22-14 101
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 09-13
88. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 22-10 99
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 11-15
89. David Smith Del City, OK 10 22-07 97
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 10-14
90. Elton Luce Jr. Brookeland, TX 10 22-02 95
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 10-01
91. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 10 22-02 93
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 11-03
92. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 10 22-01 91
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 11-09
93. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 21-02 89
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 08-11
94. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 10 21-02 87
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 09-05
95. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 10 20-08 85
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 09-01
96. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 10 19-09 83
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 10-09
97. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 5 11-14 81
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-14
98. Bill Lowen North Bend, OH 5 09-07 79
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 09-07
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BIG BASS
Day
1 Chad Griffin Cresson, TX 05-08 $0.00
2 Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 04-13 $0.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 96 480 1251-09
2 98 490 1274-03
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194 970 2525-12