Berry continues to roll on Lake Pleasant

Pro Art Berry of Ramona, Calif., used a two-day catch of 19 pounds to grab the top qualifying spot heading into tomorrow's semfinals. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Art Berry.

January 30, 2003 • Gary Mortenson • Archives

Collins commandeers top spot in Co-angler Division

PEORIA, Ariz. – Art Berry picked up right where he left off. After turning in a dominating performance in yesterday’s competition in the Pro Division, Berry needed only three fish to record a strategic 5-pound, 1-ounce catch to boost his overall total to 19 pounds for the tournament. Qualifying for the top-20 cut with ease, Berry also managed to finish the opening round of competition with almost a 2 1/2-pound cushion over his nearest rival.

Although Berry argued that he could have caught a much larger stringer, the native of Ramona, Calif., said that his plan all along was to save enough fish for the semifinal and final rounds of competition.

“It’s just incredible, it really is,” said Berry of his two-day run atop the leaderboard. “It’s such an awesome opportunity that you have to take advantage of it when you get that chance. I went back to the same spot today, got five bites and landed three fish by 9 a.m. Then I stopped fishing. I’m still really dialed in on these fish. It’s very exciting.”

Berry, who continues to target suspending bass over submerged trees, said that he all but guarded his honey hole throughout the entire day.

“I went up and down that bank all day,” said Berry. “I used exactly the same strategy I’ve been using all week. I just really have these fish figured out.”

So what’s in store for tomorrow’s competition?

“I’m going to be doing the same thing tomorrow,” he said. “Without heavy boat traffic in my area, I should be able to catch between 8 and 10 pounds. That should be enough to get me to the finals. And once I get there, it’s going to be no holds barred. I’d really love to win this tournament. You dream about things like this.”

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top five qualifiers were: Jim Furr (second) of Phoenix, Ariz., with a two-day catch of 16 pounds, 9 ounces; Jack Trahan (third) of Kingman, Ariz., with a total catch of 15 pounds, 13 ounces; Brent Ehrler (fourth) of Redlands, Calif., with a catch of 15 pounds, 10 ounces; and Larry Cross (fifth) of Calimesa, Calif., with a catch of 15 pounds, 7 ounces.

Trahan also won the day’s big bass award in the Pro Division after landing the largest fish of the tournament to date – an 8-pound, 1-ounce largemouth. Trahan, who moved up 21 places from yesterday with the help of that fish, won $500 for his efforts.

Collins nabs top spot in Co-angler Division

When you produce the largest stringer in your division on a particular day, usually good things happen. And today was no exception. Using a stellar catch of 8 pounds, 10-ounce, Gary Collins of Moorpark, Calif., leapfrogged seven places, boosted his overall total to 15 pounds, 7 ounces and claimed frontrunner status in the surprisingly competitive Co-angler Division.

And no one was more surprised than Collins himself.

“Considering I only had one bite in all of pre-fishing, I’m on Cloud Nine right now,” said Collins. “Coming into the tournament, I was just hoping for one good bite a day. No way did I think I’d be culling fish. But I had two great partners who stuck with me the whole time and that really made a difference. I couldn’t have had it any better.”

Gary Collins of Moorpark, Calif., boosted his overall total to 15 pounds, 7 ounces and claimed frontrunner status in the Co-angler Division heading into Friday (Photo by Gary Mortenson)” BORDER=”1″ ALIGN=”left”>Collins, who has perfected a slow finesse, drop-shot technique throughout the tournament, said the key to Lake Pleasant is to fish slowly.

“The No. 1 word for the first two days of this tournament has been patience,” said Collins, who is fishing in 15 to 25 feet of water using 4 1/2- and 6-inch worms rigged wacky style. “If you think you’re fishing slowly, you’re not fishing slowly enough. I’m literally dropping my bait down on the bottom and letting it drift. If you jiggle the bait at all, you won’t get a bite. It really is finesse fishing.”

With a berth in the semifinals locked up, Collins said he is champing at the bit to get out on the water tomorrow.

“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow,” said Collins. “I’ve wanted to fish with (pro partner) Art Berry for a long time and I’m finally going to get that chance. I’m enjoying everything right now, including the beautiful weather.”

Collins believes that it will take about 6 pounds to advance to the finals.

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top five co-angler qualifiers were: Day-one leader Dean Kreuzer (second) of Mesa, Ariz., with a catch of 13 pounds, 15 ounces; Mario Caporuscio (third) of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., with a catch of 13 pounds, 15 ounces; Reese Randall (fourth) of Payson, Ariz., with a catch of 11 pounds, 6 ounces; and Jason Billmaier (fifth) of Las Vegas, Nev., with a catch of 11 pounds.

Kyle Clement of Anderson, Calif., won the day’s big bass award in the Co-angler Division after netting a 5-pound, 15-ounce largemouth. Clement, who qualified for the semifinals in ninth place, won $200 for his efforts.

Tomorrow’s takeoff is scheduled to take place at 7 a.m. at Pleasant Harbor Marina, located at 8708 West Harbor Boulevard in Peoria, Ariz.