While Tommy Biffle kicked it into high gear in the first leg of Toyota Trucks Championship Week, two anglers known for their clutch performances, Kevin VanDam and Skeet Reese, uncharacteristically struggled.
While Tommy Biffle kicked it into high gear in the first leg of Toyota Trucks Championship Week, two anglers known for their clutch performances, Kevin VanDam and Skeet Reese, uncharacteristically struggled.
The duo headed into the Berkley Powerbait Trophy Chase neck-and-neck in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings but the door swung wide open for the entire field following a tough Saturday, the first day of the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason.
Still, Reese did just enough to overtake VanDam and take a six-point advantage in the AOY standings over the hard-charging Biffle, who pushed himself into a tie with VanDam for second with 230 points. Biffle put himself near the head of the class with his Saturday limit of 15 pounds, 0 ounces, which led the 12-angler field. The AOY standings reflect what happened Saturday but Sunday could, once again, shake the leaderboard up.
Saturday was more about the success of Biffle than the other anglers struggles. Lake Jordan plays to Biffles strengths and while he didnt divulge specifics of his pattern, astute fishing fans know that the Wagoner, Okla., pro was using the flipping stick.
Im definitely fishing like I like to, said Biffle, 51. My goal is to win this tournament and win the next one and hope that a few other guys struggle. I have a chance and that is all you can ask for.
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from Toyota Trucks Championship Week on The Bassmasters, which will air for three hours on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 4-7 p.m. ET.
Also, the daily weigh-ins for two Elite Series postseason events will air live on ESPN360.com, ESPNs broadband sports network, while a wealth of unique content will also be available at Bassmaster.com throughout Championship week.
Despite the lead, Biffle said he didnt do as well as he had expected. His practice was productive and Biffle was confident that he could weigh a limit in the 20-pound range. Though his total could have been more his largest fish came unbuttoned — he wasnt catching them nearly as well as he had in practice.
Right behind Biffle in the Jordan competition was 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Mike Iaconelli. Iaconelli, who trailed Biffle by just 4 ounces, entered the tournament in 11th in the AOY standings but shot to fourth after Saturday. The postseason format also supremely benefited Gerald Swindle, who entered the tournament 12th in the AOY standings but moved to seventh after a nice day.
There is not a lot of pressure on me and that is a good thing, said Iaconelli, who has five BASS wins. I honestly think it settles me down. There is no reason to be conservative and to know you can fish for everything you have is a good feeling. Im shooting for the AOY and I know I have nothing to lose.
Cliff Pace was third after Saturday in the Jordan competition and moved up to fifth in the AOY standings. The complete AOY standings can be found below.
While the AOY leaderboard shuffled and Reese struggled, he still picked up a spot and leapfrogged VanDam. Considering the two have been battling for supremacy over the last few years, Reese was excited to take the lead. But his bite on Jordan is not as solid as he would have liked and Sunday will serve as a quasi practice day during which, he said, he will try to develop something new.
No doubt, Im going to have to change things up, said Reese, the 2009 Bassmaster Classic champion. Im indifferent about today. I look at it like I shoot par. If you would tell me that I could take this lead into the Alabama River, I might take it.
Many anglers compared the Postseason competition to a football game. Saturday was the first quarter of competition and Sunday will represent the second quarter. After a brief halftime anglers will take Monday off and fish a two-day practice period on the Alabama River on Tuesday and Wednesday the Postseason competition picks up with the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, set for Montgomery, Ala., and the Alabama River, on Sept. 17-18.
The field qualified for the Postseason through their regular-season performances on the Bassmaster Elite Series. The top 12 anglers in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings after the regular season had their points recalculated and took those scores into the Postseason. Each leg of the Postseason will be scored on a 50-point sliding scale.
For its inaugural Postseason, BASS returned to its birthplace. BASS founder Ray Scott attended the weigh-in and said a few words to the crowd.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNOutdoorsmedia.com for images and more.
Official sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards.
Supporting sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Bass Pro Shops, Costa Del Mar, Ramada, SpongeTech and Triton Boats.
About BASS: For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, the Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and ESPN360.com; and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Womens Tour, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
TOYOTA TUNDRA BASSMASTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
After first day of Berkley Powerbait Trophy Chase
Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings
1. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 236
2. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 230
2. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 230
4. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 220
5. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 217
6. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 211
7. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 210
8. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 208
9. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 202
9. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 202
11. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 195
12. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 192
DAY 1 STANDINGS- BERKLEY POWERBAIT TROPHY CHASE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 15-00 Day 1: 5 15-00
2. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 14-12 Day 1: 5 14-12
3. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 5 12-14 Day 1: 5 12-14
4. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 5 12-10 Day 1: 5 12-10
5. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 12-06 Day 1: 5 12-06
6. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 11-05 Day 1: 5 11-05
7. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 10-14 Day 1: 5 10-14
8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 10-11 Day 1: 5 10-11
8. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 10-11 Day 1: 5 10-11
10. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 10-01 Day 1: 5 10-01
11. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 9-07 Day 1: 5 9-07
12. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 3 4-01 Day 1: 3 4-01
