It was a mind game against uncontrollable skies as to whether they would be counted in or left out by rain clouds they couldn’t control. Concurrently, a major pressure front stemming from questions about inclusion or exclusion from the 2012 Bassmaster Classic was toying with the souls of many Elite Series pros.
With seven regular season events already in their Tundras’ rear view mirror, it all comes down to today and tomorrow. Can guys like Gary Klein and Kelly Jordon bag miraculous enough limits of bass both today and tomorrow to assure their seat in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic?
BoatUS Angler “Weigh-to-Win” member Kelly Jordon didn’t hesitate to talk about the storm. “Pressure? Absolutely, there’s pressure! I gotta catch them today and tomorrow to make the Classic. Heck, the Classic is pretty much being held on my home water. How can I miss that?” asked the normally very laid back, East Texas resident, whose home is just 140 miles from Shreveport’s Red River waters.
Here’s the math – sort of. The top 28 finishers in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race following this Sunday’s weigh-in are assured a place in bass fishing’s biggest dance next February on the Red River. But … but … based on double qualification through Bassmaster Open tournaments, it’s highly likely that as many as 35+ Elite Series pros will make it to Shreveport.
Terry “Big Show” Scroggins stood near Jordon at morning blast-off, and offered him reassurance. “Awe, you’ll make it, K.J.,” said Scroggins, who has already safely secured a seat in Shreveport.
“I knew going into the Arkansas River that it would be tough on me, and it was. But the thing about it is, I had found the right fish there. In practice, I located the same area that most of the top finishers eventually came from, but there was only room for about 25 boats in there, and I was the 30th or so boat to get there the first day,” explained Scroggins.
“Big Show” continued. “Overall, it’s been a good year. I’ve finished in the Top 25 in six out of seven events. I wish I’d have won at home on the St. Johns River instead of finishing second. That would have made it a great year. But there’s no pressure now for me. The King of the Hill is up there,” said Scroggins in reference to Kevin VanDam. “He’s got the A.O.Y. wrapped up as far as I’m concerned.”
While Scroggins feels no pressure because his fate has already been decided, living legend Gary Klein feels no pressure for reasons he’s not used to feeling. Klein, who has amazingly made it to 29 Bassmaster Classics, has had a tough year to say the least. However, based on the new B.A.S.S. rule that says if you win an Elite you’re automatically in the Classic, Klein has one last chance. And based on his small 9-pound limit yesterday, the last chance comes down to today.
Klein reflected on the past four months as he arranged eight Quantum reels across the deck of his boat. “It hasn’t been a lack of focus. But certainly, as the year progressed I had to readjust my goals to reality. I’ve just missed the bite this year. I’ve just missed it. But really there’s no pressure today. I don’t have anything to lose. I’m going to try to go out there today and catch 18 pounds. Don’t count me out,” said Klein, in an ironic way that seemed to sum up the thoughts of so many sitting under uncertain skies here in the North Alabama Mountain Lakes region -- “Don’t count me out.”