Fantasy Fishing: J-Lee was tops at St. Clair

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — The impressive numbers and weights northern smallmouth fisheries continue to kick out is a fine representation of the overall fish health, fishery maintenance and angler awareness that exists in this part of the country. Detroit certainly didn’t disappoint.

The final regular-season event of the 2017 season was no exception as the Bassmaster Elite Series pros truly showed off at the Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite at St. Clair.

Jordan Lee of Cullman, Ala., was the best selection among Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing players as he produced 370 points for his ownership.

From St. Clair, the Top 50 angers in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race will advance to the championship on Mille Lacs in central Minnesota. From there the Top 37 or 38 will earn a berth to the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods at Lake Hartwell, March 16-18.

At that event, the season’s most consistent angler will be crowned what is considered the most respected title in the sport. Fantasy players have one more shot to earn points as well.

It’s a very tight race between Jason Christie and Brandon Palaniuk, and there’s a lot on the line as the season winds down for everyone else.

Here are the results for St. Clair:

St. Clair

“bassslayer14” was the Fantasy Fishing champion at St. Clair posting a top score of 1,352 points.

“rdmairet’s” Champlain selections:

Bucket A: Jordan Lee, 370 points

B: Aaron Martens, 245

C: Michael Iaconelli, 213

D: Paul Mueller, 260

E: Takahiro Omori, 264

Total: 1,352

Following the St. Clair event, “jackbassca” took over the lead on the season with a total of 11,082 points. He has one event remaining to potentially win the grand prize, a Triton bass boat.

“jackbassca’s” team for Champlain:

Bucket A: Brandon Palaniuk, 217 points

B: Aaron Martens, 245

C: Jonathon VanDam, 251

D: Chad Pipkens, 191

E: Chris Lane, 165

Total: 1,069

St. Clair’s perfect team:

Bucket A: Jordan Lee, 370 points

B: Mark Daniels Jr., 290

C: Brock Mosley, 300

D: Paul Mueller, 260

E: Gerald Spohrer, 272

Total: 1,492

BUCKET A: J. LEE

The reigning 2017 Classic champ almost won the whole thing, but ran out of fish on the Championship Sunday. He earned his 1.3-percent ownership an impressive 370 points. Here’s the breakdown: 285 points for fourth place, 40 bonus points for catching the Phoenix Boats Big Bass, a 6-pound, 13-ounce giant, 40 additional bonus points for weighing the tournament’s heaviest bag at 25-9, and finally 5 bonus points for leading Day 3.

The second-best selection in Bucket A was the event’s champion Jason Christie who was a bargain at only 2.4-percent ownership. Christie earned 305 points, 300 for the win and 5 bonus points for leading the final day.

The worst pick in this bucket was a surprising James Elam who earned his 0.4-percenet only 81 points after finishing a dismal 97th place.

BUCKET B: DANIELS

Bassmaster rookie Mark Daniels Jr. has been enjoying a tremendous first season on the Elite Series. His four-day total was 85-7, earning his 0.4-percent ownership 290 points following a third-place finish.

The second-best selection in this bucket was Matt Lee who earned his 3-percent ownership 280 points for a solid fifth-place finish.

The worst selection in Bucket B was an uncharacteristic Matt Herren who earned his 0.6-percent ownership only 85 points following a 95th-place finish.

BUCKET C: MOSLEY

Second-year pro Brock Mosley earned his second second-place finish in three events, (he also claimed second to Kevin VanDam at St. Lawrence a few weeks ago.) His impressive performance earned his 0.5-percent ownership 300 points: 295 points for second place and 5 bonus points for leading after the second day of competition.

The second-best selection in Bucket C was Micah Frazier who finished up in 12th place. He earned his 0.2-percent ownership 254 points.

The worst selection in Bucket C was another big-time name who struggled at St. Clair — Dean Rojas. Rojas earned his 1.4-percent ownership only 63 points after a 106th-place finish.

BUCKET D: MUELLER

Paul Mueller said his success at this tournament probably saved his career as an Elite Series pro. He weighed 75-7 across four days, which landed him in 10th place having earned his 8.9-percent ownership 260 points.

The second-best selection was Mark Menendez who earned his 1-percent ownership 241 points after finishing in 17th place.

The worst pick in Bucket D was David Fritts who earned his 0.4-percent ownership only 61 points after a tough 107th-place finish.

BUCKET E: SPOHRER

Bassmaster rookie Gerald Spohrer earned his best finish yet by weighing 80-1 across the four-day event, which was good enough for seventh place. Spohrer earned his 0.3-percent ownership 272 points.

The second-best selection was Japanese angler Takahiro Omori who earned his 17.6-percent ownership 264 points for finishing in ninth place.

The worst selection in the final bucket was Robbie Latuso who earned his 0.1-percent ownership only 59 points for a difficult 108th-place finish.