Jasper, Ala. - BASS anglers beware. Three-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and 2001 Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam is in a groove. VanDam, who won the Bassmaster Elite 50 Series points championship last year, is picking up right where he left off in 2004. He leads the Smith Lake bass fishing event after two days.
VanDam's second limit in as many days weighed an even 11 pounds - a far cry from the 20-pound string he had on the first day, but more than enough to hold onto the top spot. With a two-day total of 31-2, he's more than two pounds ahead of another former Angler of the Year and Classic champion, Arkansas' Mark Davis.
"Things have been going my way lately as far as execution goes," VanDam said. "I had a real good tournament at Table Rock until the end, and I'm doing well here. I just feel like I'm fishing well."
The only drawback to the day for VanDam is that all weights are zeroed for the weekend, putting qualifying anglers on even ground. The 12 semifinalists will be confined to a six-hole course and a set rotation for the final rounds.
VanDam was upbeat about the fresh start despite losing the lead he's built over the first two days.
"When you're in the lead position, you certainly don't like the zeroing," he said, "but I'm looking forward to the six-hole course tomorrow because I feel like it suits my style."
Notorious for his fast-paced running and gunning style, VanDam has had to slow down a little on Smith Lake this week.
"The fish aren't chasing much out here," said VanDam. "You just have to take what the lake gives you."
The leader is keying on a 15-mile stretch of bank, looking for points and pockets and focusing on post-spawn fish. He's been throwing a variety of jigs and soft plastics to catch his bass.
Following VanDam and surviving the cut are two-time Angler of the Year and 1995 Classic champion Mark Davis (28-13), Illinois' Chad Morgenthaler (25-1), Oklahoma's Jeff Kriet (24-8), Texas' Kelly Jordon (23-15), 2002 Angler of the Year and 2001 Classic champion Jay Yelas (23-13), Kentucky's Kevin Wirth (23-9), Texas' Zell Rowland (23-8), 2003 Classic champion Mike Iaconelli of New Jersey (22-13), California's Skeet Reese (22-11), 1983 Classic champion Larry Nixon of Arkansas (21-14) and 1999 Classic Champion Davy Hite of South Carolina (21-12).
Davis, who was recently named the 10th greatest angler of all-time in the ESPN Outdoors Greatest Angler Debate, is one of the most decorated anglers in BASS history. His Day Two limit at Smith Lake tipped the scales at 12-1. He's been fishing soft plastics in spawning pockets and around flooded bushes.
Like VanDam, Davis is looking forward to the six-hole fishing course and the semifinals.
"A lot of stuff I've been doing will work well on that course," Davis said. "I like these Elite-50s because it just feels more relaxed, and I really like the later start time."
Tommy Biffle has also been fishing flooded bushes, but as fans of the sport know, Biffle is a flipper and pitcher, so he's fishing differently from Davis. Biffle was flipping a jig in bushes, and, despite catching only three fish on the day, his weight of 13-7 was good enough for the catch of the day and an extra $1,000. Biffle's big bag included a 5-13 lunker that took the Big Bass Award and another $1,000 check.
Fishing in his first Elite-50 and in third place after two days, Chad Morgenthaler caught four fish on Day Two - all spotted bass - for a total of 9-15. Morgenthaler has been focusing on the main lake and post-spawn fish. As he tells it, his day could have been even better.
"I lost a couple of fish today," Morgenthaler said. "These Alabama spots have some serious attitude!"
Each Elite 50 angler will have a payday in the no-entry-fee event. The winner will take home a check for $100,000, and the last place finisher will earn $5,000. The total payout for each of the four Elite 50 events is $400,000.
Part One of the Bassmaster Elite 50 Series event on Smith Lake will be telecast on The Bassmasters on Saturday, April 30 at 10:00 a.m. ET on ESPN2. Part Two will air on May 7 at 10:00 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
2005 Alabama Bassmaster Elite 50 Pro 04/20-04/23
Smith Lake, Jasper, Ala.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total
$$$
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 31-02 310
$1,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-02 Day 2: 5 11-00
2. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 10 28-13 295
$2,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 12-01
3. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 9 25-01 290
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 4 9-15
4. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 9 24-08 285
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 4 9-06
5. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 8 23-15 280
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 3 8-12
6. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 9 23-13 276
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 4 9-12
7. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 10 23-09 272
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 11-11
8. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 10 23-08 268
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 12-14
9. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 10 22-13 264
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 10-06
10. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 10 22-11 260
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 10-02
11. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark. 8 21-14 257
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 3 6-14
12. Davy Hite Prosperity, S.C. 9 21-12 254
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 4 8-00
13. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 8 21-09 251
$5,700.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 3 9-10
14. Edwin Evers Mannsville, Okla. 10 21-07 248
$5,600.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 9-03
15. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 9 20-15 245
$5,500.00
Day 1: 4 8-02 Day 2: 5 12-13
16. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 8 20-14 243
$5,500.00
Day 1: 3 8-01 Day 2: 5 12-13
16. Dean Rojas Grand Saline, Texas 7 20-14 243
$5,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 2 3-11
18. David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 9 20-12 239
$5,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 4 9-10
19. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 10 19-15 237
$5,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 9-12
20. Jeff Reynolds Platter, Okla. 9 19-10 235
$5,300.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 4 8-02
20. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 7 19-10 235
$5,300.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 2 5-05
22. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 9 19-07 231
$5,200.00
Day 1: 4 8-12 Day 2: 5 10-11
22. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 8 19-07 231
$5,200.00
Day 1: 3 7-12 Day 2: 5 11-11
24. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 9 19-00 227
$5,200.00
Day 1: 4 7-07 Day 2: 5 11-09
25. Stacey D King Reeds Spring, Mo. 8 18-06 225
$5,200.00
Day 1: 4 8-07 Day 2: 4 9-15
26. Luke Clausen Spokane Valley, Wash. 8 18-04 223
$5,200.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 3 7-03
27. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 9 18-03 221
$5,200.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 4 7-09
28. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 6 18-00 219
$5,200.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 1 4-05
29. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 7 17-14 217
$5,200.00
Day 1: 2 5-15 Day 2: 5 11-15
30. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 7 17-09 215
$5,200.00
Day 1: 4 9-11 Day 2: 3 7-14
31. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 7 17-03 213
$5,200.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 2 6-01
32. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 4 17-01 211
$7,200.00
Day 1: 1 3-10 Day 2: 3 13-07
33. Jim Bitter Fruitland Park, Fla. 6 15-00 209
$5,200.00
Day 1: 1 4-14 Day 2: 5 10-02
34. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 7 14-14 207
$5,200.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 2 3-12
34. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 7 14-14 207
$5,200.00
Day 1: 4 9-05 Day 2: 3 5-09
36. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, N.C. 6 14-13 203
$5,100.00
Day 1: 2 4-13 Day 2: 4 10-00
36. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 6 14-13 203
$5,100.00
Day 1: 3 5-11 Day 2: 3 9-02
38. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 14-09 199
$5,100.00
Day 1: 4 11-12 Day 2: 1 2-13
39. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 6 13-14 197
$5,100.00
Day 1: 2 5-10 Day 2: 4 8-04
40. Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 6 13-10 195
$5,100.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 1 2-00
41. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 6 13-07 193
$5,000.00
Day 1: 1 2-08 Day 2: 5 10-15
42. Ron Shuffield Bismarck, Ark. 6 12-04 191
$5,000.00
Day 1: 4 8-13 Day 2: 2 3-07
43. Roland Martin Naples, Fla. 5 12-00 189
$5,000.00
Day 1: 4 9-08 Day 2: 1 2-08
44. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 5 11-08 187
$5,000.00
Day 1: 4 9-10 Day 2: 1 1-14
45. George Cochran Hot Springs, Ark. 6 11-05 185
$5,000.00
Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 1 1-15
46. David Wharton Sam Rayburn, Texas 5 9-02 183
$5,000.00
Day 1: 3 5-08 Day 2: 2 3-10
47. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 5 8-08 181
$5,000.00
Day 1: 3 4-15 Day 2: 2 3-09
48. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 4 8-04 179
$5,000.00
Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 1 2-11
49. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 3 5-10 177
$5,000.00
Day 1: 1 1-05 Day 2: 2 4-05
50. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 2 4-08 175
$5,000.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 4-08
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Big Bass
Day
1 Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 5-08 $1,000.00
2 Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5-13 $1,000.00
Day
1 Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 5-08 $1,000.00
Day
1 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 20-02 $1,000.00
2 Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 13-07 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 26 198 497-06
2 16 169 395-00
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42 367 892-06