“Big Show” Grabs Big Lead

June 7, 2008 by admin

Looking to avenge two second-place finishes in Bassmaster Elite Series competition, Terry Scroggins of Palatka, Fla., extended his lead Friday to almost 4 pounds with a two-day total of 40 pounds, 10 ounces, at the Southern Challenge presented by Advance Auto Parts on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake. The versatile pro has scored five BASS wins but has yet to break through in an Elite Series event, the most prestigious level of tournament fishing.

The victory would be surprising for Scroggins, considering his poor track record on Wheeler and a lackluster practice period. He would earn $100,000 and considerable points in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race if he is able to hold on. The “Trail to the Trophy” is beginning to heat up with four events remaining after Wheeler, as the 107 anglers are vying for a $250,000 top prize and qualifying berths in the Bassmaster Classic.

Fishing fans can catch all of the action from Wheeler on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, June 14, on ESPN2 at 9 a.m. ET. Additionally, live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins, photo galleries and analysis can be accessed at http://www.Bassmaster.com.

Scroggins’ nearest competitor was Jeremy Starks of Charleston, W.Va., with 36 pounds, 11 ounces. Rounding out the top five were Shaw Grigsby of Gainesville, Fla., with 35 pounds, 8 ounces, three-time Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam (35-6) and John Murray of Phoenix (34-14). Only the top 50 anglers will move on to fish Saturday.

Despite losing a 5-pounder early in the day, Scroggins didn’t lose his momentum Friday, boating 18 pounds, 7 ounces. The five-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier continues to primarily work a jig in a spot that he described as a “channel turn on a flat.” He is mixing in a 10-inch worm and is fishing both baits relatively slow in 20 to 30 feet of water.

“If I can get the area to myself, I think I can pull this thing off,” said Scroggins, who is sharing his area with Elite pro Kevin Wirth, who qualified for Saturday. “It’s so tough to win an Elite event at this level. I just need to execute and continue doing what I’m doing”

Scroggins believes that the area has enough fish to replenish, and he’ll continue to target it throughout the competition. But the 39-year-old does have roughly 15 other spots that he can visit if needed. Explaining how productive his area can be, Scroggins said he culled 15 3-pound fish Thursday and felt that his bite significantly improves when Wheeler pulls current.

“The fish are getting smarter each day and it’s important to slow down and give them a few different looks,” he said.

Starks, who has yet to score a BASS victory, has identified one “honey hole” that he believes is capable of yielding the winning weight. He has caught all of his weight on 20 casts and has spent the rest of his time essentially guarding the spot.

He is unsure of the spot’s potential but he says it’s a unique area. Friday, he caught all of his weight by 7:15 a.m., just more than an hour into the competition. He does have other areas where he believes he can grind out a healthy limit if his primary area falls apart.

“The opportunity to win an event doesn’t come along too often,” said Starks, 35. “It’s been really tough to stay away from that area but I feel like if I manage my fish I have a good shot at winning this one.”

The Decatur Flats of Wheeler continue to be a popular location for many of the Elite anglers. Because it is within site of the launch location at Ingalls Harbor, fishing fans can see up to 15 anglers there at a time.

Notable anglers qualifying for Saturday were Japan’s Morizo Shimizu (sixth), California’s Skeet Reese (14th) and Arkansas’ Mike McClelland (31st). The top 12 anglers after Day 3 will move on to Sunday’s final day of competition.

McClelland, who led the AOY race heading into Wheeler, will relinquish his lead to Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, barring an amazing Saturday comeback. Faircloth is again finding success as he’s in eighth place at this event, while VanDam and Reese, who were third and fourth, respectively, in the AOY standings, are in the top 15 at this event.

In the co-angler division, Jimmy Dudley of White, Ga., took the Day 2 lead with 25 pounds, 4 ounces. Co-anglers are competing for a top prize of $25,000 in the three-day competition. Trailing Dudley were Bob McMullin of Pevely, Mo., with 23 pounds, 6 ounces, and Brian Hickey of Cadiz, Ky., with 23 pounds, 0 ounces.

With 1,063 miles of shoreline, Wheeler is the largest of three Alabama lakes that connect with the Tennessee River. It has been the host of nine BASS events, including the 1974 Bassmaster Classic.

Daily weigh-ins and launches at the Southern Challenge are taking place at Ingalls Harbor, 701 Market St. NW, Decatur, Ala. Launches Saturday and Sunday begin at 6 a.m. CT and weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m.

Activities at the Southern Challenge include a musical performance by artist Chadd Bradford at noon Saturday and Sunday. There will be a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 1:30 p.m. and a “Boat Performance with Skeeter” class daily at 2 p.m. both days, as well as Skeeter boat demo rides from noon to 2 p.m.

On Saturday, fans can talk to the Elite pros during “Ask the Experts” at Bassmaster University, set for 2:30 p.m. at the weigh-in site. On Saturday and Sunday kids can enjoy a bounce house, a coloring contest, face painting and much more.

Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. of Hooked Up, hosted by ESPN Outdoors personalities Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona. The show, which airs on Bassmaster.com <http://www.bassmaster.com/> , will preview the final weigh-in.

Meanwhile, BASS, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2008, conducted the first BASS tournament June 5-7, 1967, on Arkansas’ Beaver Lake. The first event, called the All-American Bass tournament, was held by BASS founder Ray Scott, who officially created BASS in 1968 following the success of this first tournament.

For related photos, click here.

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.

The local sponsor of the Southern Challenge is the Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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
Southern Challenge presented by Advance Auto Parts
Wheeler Lake
Decatur, Ala.
June 5-8, 2008

Field
107 pros, 107 co-anglers
Cut to top-50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

Launch/Weigh-in
Ingalls Harbor
701 Market St. NW
Decatur, Ala
6 a.m./ 3 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.