Starks Takes First BASS Win

With the odds stacked against him, Jeremy Starks of Charleston, W.Va., outlasted perennial favorite and three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam to take his first BASS victory Sunday with a four-day total of 78 pounds, 10 ounces, at the Southern Challenge presented by Advance Auto Parts.

Starks played the role of David to VanDam’s Goliath at the seventh Elite tournament of the season. VanDam’s considerable credentials include two Bassmaster Classic titles, 13 BASS wins and the title of all-time BASS career earnings leader. With the victory, Starks earned $100,000 and moved to 70th place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

“You couldn’t script it any better than this,” said Starks, 35. “If you’re going to beat somebody, it can’t get any better than beating the best in the world.”

Fans can catch all of the action from Wheeler Lake on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, June 14, on ESPN2 at 9 a.m. ET. Additionally, live, streaming video of the remaining 2008 Elite Series weigh-ins, photo galleries and analysis can be accessed at http://www.Bassmaster.com.

After Starks, the top five shook out with VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., (78-2) in second; Terry Scroggins of Palatka, Fla., (67-1) third; John Murray of Phoenix (66-0) in fourth and Matthew Sphar of Pavilion, N.Y. (65-2) fifth. Only the top-12 anglers qualified for Sunday.

Despite narrowly missing out on his fourth Elite Series title, VanDam moved to second in the 2008 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year rankings. Todd Faircloth, who finished sixth at Wheeler, reclaimed the top spot and leads VanDam by just 18 points. Skeet Reese, the reigning AOY, is third and previous leader Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., slipped to fourth. The full standings can be found below.

In the “Trail to the Trophy” the Elite field is competing for a $250,000 top prize and the majority of qualifying berths into the 2009 Bassmaster Classic. The race will culminate with the final Elite Series event of the 2008 season, the Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice on Oneida Lake out of Syracuse, N.Y.

Most anglers in the field were skeptical of Starks’ strategy. He found a “magic spot” in practice and didn’t fully attack until the final day, opting to manage his fish. In fact, before the final day, he only threw 25 casts to his best spot.

The strategy almost backfired, however; when Starks pulled to his spot Sunday morning he found a local angler there. Starks fumed for 30 minutes, not throwing a cast. Eventually the local pulled off, leaving Starks alone.

In the end, his patience paid off and he boated 21 pounds, 15 ounces, Sunday, the biggest limit of the day. Throughout the tournament, he caught every fish he weighed on a 10-inch Berkley power worm in plum color. He described the winning spot as an “old submerged creek feeding a main channel that had subtle bends in it”.

“I was thinking about VanDam all day,” said Starks, who had a best finish of ninth before Sunday. “I was having a lot of fun out there talking smack. It’s just competition. Now I can’t wait to win another one.”

Like Starks, VanDam, 40, managed his bite throughout the four days and focused on one spot. He felt he made a bad decision Thursday in not maximizing his opportunities. He used a Strike King sexy shad to boat most of his fish but mixed it up with five to six other lures.

He felt the Sunday bite was much tougher than he anticipated, but he still managed to catch 20 pounds, 0 ounces. His BASS career earnings, now more than $2.8 million, are inching closer to the $3 million mark.

“I had the opportunities to win it,” said VanDam, who estimated he lost six fish Sunday. “It’s tough to get in position to win, so when I let one slip away I’m definitely disappointed.”

Japan’s Morizo Shimizu finished in seventh while Elite rookie Corey Waldrop of Fort Worth, Texas, finished ninth.

Next, the Elite Series circuit heads to Kentucky Lake and Gilbersville, Ky. The event will be the eighth of the Elite season and will take place next week, June 12-15.

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 took place at Ingalls Harbor, 701 Market St. NW, Decatur, Ala.

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 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.

June 26-29 River Rumble Mississippi River Fort Madison, Iowa

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 Surges to Wheeler Lead

Perhaps the best angler on the planet put on another show Saturday as three-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., seized the lead at the Southern Challenge presented by Advance Auto Parts on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake. Heading into the final day of competition, VanDam, who has a three-day total of 58 pounds, 2 ounces, clings to a more than 1-pound advantage over his nearest competitor, Jeremy Starks of Charleston, W.Va.

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. Sunday, the final day of competition, will feature only the top 12 anglers.

Fishing fans are running out of superlatives to describe VanDam. He is the all-time career earnings leader in BASS competition with nearly $3 million, and he has two Bassmaster Classic titles and an impressive 13 BASS wins. A victory Sunday would mark his second in Alabama and his fourth in Elite Series competition, the most prestigious level of professional fishing.

He would also earn $100,000 and considerable points in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. Looking for his fourth AOY title, VanDam was in fourth place in the “Trail to the Trophy” heading into Wheeler. He should improve in the AOY rankings with another high finish, although Todd Faircloth (fourth) of Jasper, Texas, and 2007 AOY winner Skeet Reese (14th) of Auburn, Calif., fared well. Faircloth and Reese were both in the top five in the AOY standings heading into Wheeler.

While VanDam’s ultimate goal is another AOY title, he is focused on the Wheeler event, the seventh of the 2008 season.

“It’s good to be in the lead,” said VanDam, 40. “I’m thrilled with how good they were biting out there. The way you have to fish this lake is show them what you have. Keep throwing everything you have at them until you find something that works.”

VanDam is using six or seven different baits including crankbaits, worms and jigs. He has keyed on one productive area, and though Saturday started out slow for him, VanDam was able to piece together a limit and significantly upgrade before noon.

He said he culled a number of good-sized fish and decided to lay off his area in the later part of the competition day, hoping to let it rest for the final day. While he is in the lead, he lamented a decision he made Thursday, the first day of competition, to let his area rest.

“After I caught 18 pounds, I left my area alone and went to look for some other stuff,” VanDam said. “That could cost me. With these guys and this level of competition, I should know better. You have to maximize your opportunities.”

Oddly enough, Starks has not been maximizing his opportunities. The 35-year-old who is in contention for his first BASS victory has found one area that he feels is the winning spot but has thrown less than 25 casts to it. Saturday, he only threw one cast into the area, catching a 6-pounder, the biggest of the day for him.

Through the rest of the day, he worked the outside edges of the spot and was able to catch 20 pounds. He described the spot as a “shell bed on a ledge.” Through three days of competition, he estimated he has boated six fish weighing more than 5 pounds on the “honey hole.”

“I didn’t even get into the meat of the area today,” said Starks, who has a three-day total of 53 pounds, 11 ounces. “I can’t wait for tomorrow. I feel really good and I know I can bring a big limit to the scales.”

Starks is working a 10-inch Berkley power worm and caught a limit Saturday in his first seven casts. He has effectively guarded his spot for four days but plans to spend his whole day in the area Sunday.

Behind Starks was Day 1 and 2 leader Terry Scroggins of Palatka, Fla., with 53 pounds 11 ounces. Rounding out the top five were Faircloth with 51 pounds, 13 ounces, and John Murray of Phoenix with 50 pounds, 13 ounces.

Notable anglers also qualifying for Sunday’s cut were Japan’s Morizo Shimizu (seventh) and Elite rookie Corey Waldrop of Fort Worth, Texas (eighth).

Mike McClelland, who led the AOY race heading into Wheeler, will relinquish his points lead as he finished the event in 43rd place.

In the co-angler competition, which ended Saturday, Bob McMullin of Pevely, Mo., jumped from second to first with a three-day total of 37 pounds, 2 ounces. With the victory, McMullin earned $25,000. He outdid Brian Hickey of Cadiz, Ky., who had 34 pounds, 15 ounces, and Bryan Talmadge of Pell City, Ala., with 30 pounds, 11 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 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 Chad Bradford at noon 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. Sunday, as well as Skeeter boat demo rides from noon to 2 p.m.

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 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.

June 26-29 River Rumble Mississippi River Fort Madison, Iowa

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.

“Big Show” Grabs Big Lead

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.

June 26-29 River Rumble Mississippi River Fort Madison, Iowa

July 31- Aug. 3 Empire Chase Lake Erie/Niagara River Buffalo, N.Y.

Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice Oneida Lake Syracuse, N.Y

BASS Elite Returns to Birthplace

With five Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments remaining, BASS heads back to the state were it was founded during the organization’s celebration of its 40th anniversary. The Elite Series makes its seventh stop of the season at Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., for the Southern Challenge presented by Advance Auto Parts.

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. Elite angler and 1998 Classic champion Denny Brauer won an Open-level event in 2003 on Wheeler with a three-day total of 32 pounds, 10 ounces.

In 2007, Frank Ippoliti worked the ledges of the main lake’s banks with a green-pumpkin jig to win the third and final Southern Open of the season with 38 pounds, 1 ounce overall in the three-day event. Popping the jig off the ledges in areas that had moving shad produced limits for Ippoliti all three days, as he topped a tight field with a top-10 spread of just 7 pounds.

Elite Series pro and Alabaman Russ Lane of Prattville, who finished 10th in the 2007 Southern Open at Wheeler, said he expects to see a lot of big bags in this year’s Southern Challenge.

“Something that’s happened with that lake, as well as some of the other Tennessee River lakes like Pickwick and Wilson,” said Lane, who weighed in 31 pounds, 0 ounces in October’s Southern Open. “They’re getting a whole lot better. There are more fish there now. Creeks could come into play in that tournament.

“It’s still early post-spawn, there’ll be a lot of fish shallow, like around docks and stumps, but also there’ll be some schools of fish that’ll be found out in 10-15 feet of water. If anybody can find maybe three schools out there in 12 feet, they’re going to be really hard to beat.”

Lane said there will be a lot of techniques going on. He expects some anglers to go with topwater lures, some big crankbaits and smaller swimbaits under docks.

“I think it’ll take 65 pounds total to win,” he said. “A lot of people may laugh and think it’s not going to take that much, but when everybody gets there and practice gets going, they’re going to see a different Wheeler than they’re used to.”

Meanwhile, the Trail to the Trophy heats up as the Elite Series enters the home stretch with five events to go. Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., leads the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race and is inching closer to the $250,000 top prize. Texan Todd Faircloth lurks 10 points behind, while 2007 AOY winner Skeet Reese and three-time AOY winner Kevin VanDam are third and fourth, respectively.

Daily weigh-ins and launches at the Southern Challenge will take place at Ingalls Harbor, 701 Market St. NW, Decatur, Ala. Launches Thursday-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 Chad 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 2:30 p.m. of Hooked Up, hosted by 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 Carolina Clash’s daily weigh-ins begins at 3 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 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.

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.