VanDam Leads Clunn
June 15, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Bassmaster Elite Series anglers are learning that it’s not a wise idea to fire up Kevin VanDam. After narrowly missing out on his 14th BASS victory by 8 ounces on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake last week and absorbing considerable trash talk from eventual winner Jeremy Starks of Charleston, W. Va., the three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year has dominated the Bassmaster Elite Series’ Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard® Platinum Marine Batteries on Kentucky Lake, taking a three-day total of 68 pounds, 4 ounces, and a near 7-pound advantage into the final day of competition.
“I’m fired up, man,” said VanDam, 40. “I was very disappointed last week but more times than not, I’m going to come back strong. I just wish Jeremy was in the field for this one.”
In addition to closing on a victory, VanDam is piling up the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points. A wire-to-wire victory would earn him 320 points and with previous leader Todd Faircloth finishing in a tie for 18th, VanDam will take hold of the lead in the season-long points standings with only three events remaining.
If VanDam is the top performer in the AOY points race, he will take home $250,000. The standings also will determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers. The Classic is set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La., on the Red River.
Fishing fans can catch all of the action on The Bassmasters on Saturday, June 21, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. As always, live, streaming video of the final day weigh-in and real-time leaderboards can be accessed on http://www.Bassmaster.com.
If VanDam is able to hang on at Kentucky, he will earn $100,000, which would push his career BASS earnings to nearly $3 million. Additionally, a victory would also mark his fourth in Elite Series competition, the most for any angler since the format was created in 2006.
VanDam said his day was much like he expected. He had to contend with boat pressure from other tournament circuits. He “mixed it up” with a variety of lures, including his most productive bait, a Strike King sexy shad.
“I planned very well for today,” said VanDam, a two-time Bassmaster Classic champion. “I knew I would get hit hard by the boat traffic so I stayed away from some of my stuff. I still have a good many spots that I haven’t even touched yet.”
Falling behind VanDam further was four-time Bassmaster Classic Rick Clunn. His credentials are as impressive as VanDam but he has not been in contention for a tournament victory for more than two years. Still, with a productive crankbait bite on Kentucky Lake, Clunn, 61, remains dangerous.
He boated 17 pounds, 11 ounces, Saturday and has been fishing areas far away from the launch site where little boat traffic exists. He said that he feels most comfortable when he has his own water and will continue to look for those areas Sunday.
“After 35 years, I have run out of excuses,” said Clunn, who has a three-day total of 61 pounds, 7 ounces. “My spots just didn’t pan out today but tomorrow is a new day.”
Moving from eighth to third was Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., with 59 pounds, 1 ounce. In fourth was all-time BASS four-day heavyweight record hold Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., with 58 pounds, 14 ounces and fifth was Elite rookie Wade Grooms of Bonneau, S.C., with 57 pounds, 0 ounces.
Only the top 12 anglers will fish Sunday including Mike McClelland (seventh) of Bella Vista, Ark., who is in the top five in the Angler of the Year standings. Others in the cut line include Oklahoma’s Bradley Hallman (eighth), Kenyon Hill (ninth) and Edwin Evers (10th).
In the co-angler division, Michael Bass of Austin, Texas, took home the top prize of $25,000 with a three-day total of 45 pounds, 0 ounces. Bass outlasted Jason Seaton of Martinsville, Ind., with 44 pounds, 1 ounce, and Brian Hickey of Cadiz, Ky., with 43 pounds, 14 ounces. Hickey finished in second place in the co-angler competition in last week’s Elite Series event on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake.
Straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border, Kentucky Lake is 185 miles in length, with 160,000 surface acres and 2,380 miles of shoreline. Barkley, a navigable canal, adds another 80,000 surface acres. The Bassmaster Elite Series made its last stop at Kentucky Lake in June 2006, when the top seven pros each caught more than 60 pounds through four days. Winner Morizo Shimizu weighed in 66 pounds, 9 ounces.
Daily weigh-ins and launches at the Bluegrass Brawl will take place at Kentucky Dam Marina, 1300 Administration Drive through Sunday. Launches begin at 8 a.m. CT and weigh-ins begin at 5 p.m.
Activities at the Bluegrass Brawl include a musical performance Sunday afternoon by country artists Nashville Songwriters. There will be a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 3:30 p.m. and a “Boat Performance with Skeeter” class daily at 4 p.m. both days, as well as Skeeter boat demo rides from noon to 2 p.m.
Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 4:30 p.m. CT of Hooked Up, hosted by BASS emcee Keith Alan and ESPN Outdoors personalities Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona. The show, which airs on Bassmaster.com, will preview the final weigh-in. Live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins begins at 5 p.m. CT on Bassmaster.com.
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 Bluegrass Brawl is the Kentucky Sports Authority.
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
Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries®
Kentucky Lake
Gilbertsville, Ky.
June 12-15, 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
Kentucky Dam Marina
1300 Administration Drive
Gilbertsville, Ky.
8 a.m./ 5 p.m. CT
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.
KVD Holds Kentucky Lake Lead
June 14, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Continuing his domination of fisheries in the Tennessee River Chain, three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., extended his lead to nearly 3 pounds Friday with a two-day total of 46 pounds, 6 ounces, at the Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard® Platinum Marine Batteries. His nearest competitor, four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn, weighed 24 pounds, 0 ounces, to build his two-day total to 43 pounds, 12 ounces.
Admittedly disappointed last week after missing out on an Elite Series victory by just 8 ounces to West Virginia’s Jeremy Starks on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake, another fishery in the Tennessee River chain, VanDam is back for redemption this week.
In addition to his top position in the Elite event, VanDam continues to work towards his ultimate goal, scoring his fourth Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. If VanDam continues to hold, he could take the top position in the race after this event as previous AOY leader Todd Faircloth is in a respectable 21st but will lose significant ground with VanDam’s success. Mike McClelland, who was in fourth in the AOY standing heading into the event, is third at Kentucky while Skeet Reese, the reigning AOY who is third in the standings, was 14th.
The top performer in the season-long AOY points race will take home $250,000. The standings also will determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers. The Classic is set for Feb. 20-22 out of Shreveport, La., on the Red River.
A victory would earn VanDam, 39, $100,000 and push his career BASS earnings to nearly $3 million. It would also mark his 13th BASS victory and his fourth in Elite Series competition, the most for any angler since the format was created in 2006.
Fishing fans can catch all of the action on The Bassmasters on Saturday, June 21 at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. As always, live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins and real-time leaderboards can be accessed on http://www.Bassmaster.com.
“I’ve got a few places I’m trying to save,” said VanDam. “Tomorrow [Saturday] should be interesting. There are a few other tournaments scheduled and I just hope that it doesn’t get too crowded out there.”
Despite missing two big fish early in his competition day, VanDam, also a two-time Bassmaster Classic champion, was happy with his day. He started the day with a target of catching more than 20 pounds and satisfied his goal, catching 21 pounds, 9 ounces, upgrading his weight throughout the day.
He continued to throw a variety of baits in his typical run-and-gun style, moving from spot to spot in efficient fashion. His primary lure, a Strike King sexy shad, remained effective Friday and he will continue to utilize it throughout the tournament.
“A lot of guys have found the productive areas,” said VanDam. “But you have to fish the areas right to really catch them. Your bait has to hit at the right angle and your presentation is absolutely key here.”
Clunn is perhaps the only angler in the Elite field to have more credentials than VanDam. Though the 61-year-old is in the later stages of his career, Clunn, a 14-time BASS winner, proved he could still capitalize on a solid crankbait bite.
In addition to his four Classic titles, Clunn has 14 BASS victories, 31 Classic appearances and has earned nearly $2 million in BASS career earnings.
His 24-pound, 0-ounce, limit included the Purolator Big Bass of the Day, a 7-pound, 2-ounce lunker. He upgraded throughout the day, primarily throwing a crankbait, switching to a jig when the bite slowed.
“I’m trying to stay away from all of the boat traffic,” said Clunn of the considerable boats on spacious Kentucky Lake. “I feel that is the only way to win this tournament.”
McClelland, who dropped one place to third, had 39 pounds, 7 ounces. In fourth was Bradley Hallman of Norman, Okla., with 39 pounds, 7 ounces and fifth was Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., with 37 pounds, 4 ounces.
Elias received a bit of good news Friday. The BASS all-time four-day heavyweight record holder was awarded 1 pound of weight to his two-day total after being incorrectly penalized the amount on Thursday. Elias brought six fish to the weigh-in Thursday and per BASS rules wasn’t allowed to weigh his largest fish. But BASS officials incorrectly assessed Elias an additional 1-pound penalty.
Other notable finishes include 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones of Mineola, Texas (18th), Elite rookie Clark Reehm of Russellville, Ark., (34th) and Bryan Hudgins of Orange Park, Fla., (41st), who finished in the cut for the eighth consecutive time in 2008. Only the top-50 anglers will fish Saturday with the top 12 moving on to Sunday, the final day of competition. 2006 Kentucky Lake Elite champion Morizo Shimizu of Japan missed the cut, finishing 55th.
In the co-angler division, Matt Hoffman of Highland Heights, Ky., held off some hard-charging competitors in the chase for the $25,000 top prize bringing his two-day total to 31 pounds, 9 ounces. Indiana’s Jason Seaton moved to second with 31 pounds, 4 ounces and Texan Michael Bass was third with 30 pounds, 7 ounces. The co-angler competition ends Saturday.
Straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border, Kentucky Lake is 185 miles in length, with 160,000 surface acres and 2,380 miles of shoreline. Barkley, a navigable canal, adds another 80,000 surface acres. The Bassmaster Elite Series made its last stop at Kentucky Lake in June 2006, when the top seven pros caught more than 60 pounds through four days. Winner Morizo Shimizu of Japan weighed in 66 pounds, 9 ounces.
Daily weigh-ins and launches at the Bluegrass Brawl will take place at Kentucky Dam Marina, 1300 Administration Drive. Launches Thursday-Sunday begin at 8 a.m. CT and weigh-ins begin at 5 p.m.
Activities at the Bluegrass Brawl include a musical performance Saturday and Sunday afternoon by country artists Nashville Songwriters. There will be a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 3:30 p.m. and a “Boat Performance with Skeeter” class daily at 4 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 4:30 p.m. at the weigh-in site.
Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 4:30 p.m. CT of Hooked Up, hosted by BASS emcee Keith Alan, ESPN Outdoors personalities Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona. The show, which airs on Bassmaster.com, will preview the final weigh-in. Live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins begins at 5 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com.
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 Bluegrass Brawl is the Kentucky Sports Authority.
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
Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries®
Kentucky Lake
Gilbertsville, Ky.
June 12-15, 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
Kentucky Dam Marina
1300 Administration Drive
Gilbertsville, Ky.
8 a.m./ 5 p.m. CT
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.
VanDam Leads Bluegrass Brawl
June 13, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
After barely missing out on his 13th BASS win at Alabama’s Wheeler Lake last weekend, three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam is back in the saddle again, leading the Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries® with a Thursday catch of 24 pounds, 13 ounces.
VanDam’s nearest competitor was Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., who weighed 23 pounds, 6 ounces. Perhaps the best angler in the history of bass fishing, VanDam continued his assault on the Tennessee River chain. He finished second at Wheeler last week, finishing behind first-time BASS winner Jeremy Starks of Charleston, W.Va., by just 8 ounces, and again used a similar pattern to propel himself into the early lead of the four-day tournament.
More important, VanDam moved up significantly in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. If his position holds, he will be in good shape with only three events remaining to score his fourth AOY title. Texan Todd Faircloth, who led VanDam by just 18 points heading into the Kentucky Lake event, was 39th and Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., who was in third in the season-long points race, was tied for 10th. McClelland, who was in fourth in the AOY standings, could also gain significant ground. The winner of the AOY will receive $250,000 and the points will also determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers.
With a victory, VanDam, 39, would earn $100,000, pushing his BASS career earnings mark to nearly $3 million. Also a two-time Bassmaster Classic winner, VanDam is seeking his fourth victory in Elite Series competition, which would be the most for any angler since the inception of the groundbreaking circuit.
Fishing fans can catch all of the action on The Bassmasters on Saturday, June 21 at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. As always, live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins and real-time leaderboards can be accessed on http://www.Bassmaster.com.
In third was Byron Velvick of Del Rio, Texas, with 21 pounds, 15 ounces. Trailing Velvick were Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., in fourth with 21 pounds, 1 ounce and Bradley Hallman of Norman, Okla., in fifth with 20 pounds, 12 ounces. BASS four-day heavyweight record holder Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., was sixth with 20 pounds, 4 ounces.
“I’m still not happy about last week,” said VanDam. “That’s the way fishing goes though. You can bet I’m going to get my share and I feel like I’m dialed in right now.”
His 24-13 limit included a six-pound, seven-ounce lunker, good enough for Purolator Big Bass honors and a $1,000 premium. Like last week on Wheeler, VanDam used a variety of lures to entice the biggest bass. He was executing his typical run-and-gun style, spending little time on locations before moving to the next.
His most productive lure, like Wheeler, was a Strike King sexy shad. He was bothered by boat pressure from anglers not in the tournament but felt he could fight through it as the tournament progressed.
“Kentucky Lake is absolutely on fire right now,” VanDam said of the spacious fishery. “We have hit it at the perfect time. This is going to be a very exciting tournament.”
McClelland has located three schools of fish that he is targeting throughout the day. Thursday, he was able to expand on his primary area and made a subtle bait change which he believed led to bigger bites.
He estimated he caught 30 fish that weighed more than 3 pounds and feels that local boat pressure could be a problem as the tournament unfolds.
“My practice was just insane,” said McClelland, 40. “I located some great areas that were away from the crowds. I’m hoping these spots can hold up.”
Elias, who was sixth, made a costly mistake, bringing six fish to the weigh-in. His penalty, losing his largest fish, estimated at more than 6 pounds, and a 1-pound subtraction, significantly impacted his weight. Still, he feels he is on the fish to win his second Elite event of 2008.
2006 Kentucky Lake Elite champion Morizo Shimizu of Japan struggled to an 83rd-place finish. Other notables include Kevin Wirth of Crestwood, Ky. (15th) and Canadian Jon Bondy (18th). Only the top 50 anglers will fish Saturday with the top 12 advance to Sunday, the final day of competition.
Meanwhile, Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., had his Thursday catch disqualified for violation of rule 6.iii, stating “all competitors are bound by the prevailing statutes and regulations of the various states within which they fish”. Biffle was cited for fishing in Tennessee waters without a valid license.
In the co-angler division, Matt Hoffman of Highland Heights, Ky., leads the chase for the $25,000 top prize with 18 pounds, 14 ounces. Trailing Hoffman were Missouri’s Dave Dickherber in second with 16 pounds, 8 ounces and Indiana’s Jason Seaton with 16 pounds, 2 ounces. The co-angler competition ends Saturday.
Straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border, Kentucky Lake is 185 miles in length, with 160,000 surface acres and 2,380 miles of shoreline. Barkley, a navigable canal, adds another 80,000 surface acres. The Bassmaster Elite Series made its last stop at Kentucky Lake in June 2006, when the top seven pros caught more than 60 pounds through four days. Winner Morizo Shimizu of Japan weighed in 66 pounds, 9 ounces.
Daily weigh-ins and launches at the Bluegrass Brawl will take place at Kentucky Dam Marina, 1300 Administration Drive. Launches Thursday-Sunday begin at 8 a.m. CT and weigh-ins begin at 5 p.m.
Activities at the Bluegrass Brawl include a musical performance Saturday and Sunday afternoon by country artists Nashville Songwriters. There will be a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 3:30 p.m. and a “Boat Performance with Skeeter” class daily at 4 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 4:30 p.m. at the weigh-in site.
Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 4:30 p.m. CT of Hooked Up, hosted by BASS emcee Keith Alan, ESPN Outdoors personalities Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona. The show, which airs on Bassmaster.com, will preview the final weigh-in. Live, streaming video of the daily weigh-ins begins at 5 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com.
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 Bluegrass Brawl is the Kentucky Sports Authority.
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
Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries®
Kentucky Lake
Gilbertsville, Ky.
June 12-15, 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
Kentucky Dam Marina
1300 Administration Drive
Gilbertsville, Ky.
8 a.m./ 5 p.m. CT
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
Starks Notches First Elite Win, Scalish Talks Smallies
June 10, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Jeremy Starks claimed his first Bassmaster Elite Series Tour win on Lake Wheeler in fairytale fashion. Not only was he able to out fish Kevin Van Dam on day 4, but he survived a bout of food poisoning and competition from a stubborn local angler. Jeremy details the techniques he used to pull big largemouth bass off his magic “spot on a spot.”
Frank Scalish is a well-known authority on finding and catching smallmouth bass. Especially the impressive specimens that call Lake Erie home. Frank his here to share the details of a specialized deep jerkbait technique that he developed to catch roaming smallies on both sides of the spawn. He also has some offers some priceless insight into the important differences between the spawning patterns of smallmouth bass and their largemouth brethren.
