Elite Series Breaking News!!!

Just learned from TBrinksFishing.com that the Elite Series Tournament for this week has been moved to Fort Gibson Lake due to unsafe conditions on the Arkansas River.

So does this give the Oklamhoma Boys an advantage?

From BassFan I learned that Fort Gibson hosted a Bassmaster Central Open in October 2001. The results of that tournament are here... I think it's hard to extrapolate to much from a tournament in October vs. June. OK boy Edwin Evers didn't do well in that tournament and OK boy Jeff Kriet came in 38th with just under 8lbs for 3 days.

It very well could be a tough tournament as the lake does not seem to be a bass factory. 6 or 7lbs or even less could win it.

I guess we will see if Rick Clunn can live up to his trash talk about how good he is on short notice with little practice.

Interesting Bass Zone claims the lake is right now a pretty good bass fishery where it takes 20lb stringers to win tournaments. OK boy Kenyon Hill says there will be several 20lb stringers caught.

Update: OK I have discovered that this was hardly breaking news. Had I been on Facebook earlier I would have found out 9 hours ago. Several of my FB friends did status updates throughout the day.

DNF

Did Not Fish Today

Here are the Elite Series AOY Standings
Angler of the Year Standings

1 Skeet Reese -- Calif. -- 1170
2 Greg Hackney -- La. -- 1017
3 Edwin Evers -- Okla. -- 990
4 Dean Rojas -- Ariz. -- 984
5 Dave Wolak -- N.C. -- 963
6 Brian Snowden -- Mo. -- 947
7 Michael Iaconelli -- N.J. -- 938
8 Greg Vinson -- Ala. -- 918
8 Aaron Martens -- Ala. -- 918
10 Jeff Kriet -- Okla. -- 912
11 Cliff Pace -- Miss. -- 902
12 Bill Lowen -- Ohio -- 881
13 Steve Kennedy -- Ala. -- 877
14 Derek Remitz -- Ala. -- 863
15 Todd Faircloth -- Texas -- 860
16 Gary Klein -- Texas -- 854
17 Shaw Grigsby -- Fla. -- 850
18 James Niggemeyer -- Texas -- 841
19 Zell Rowland -- Texas -- 833
20 John Crews -- Va. -- 828
21 Terry Butcher -- Okla. -- 823
22 Stephen Browning -- Ark. -- 821
23 Guy Eaker -- N.C. -- 817
24 Scott Rook -- Ark. -- 812
25 Mark Tucker -- Mo. -- 810
26 Mark Davis -- Ark. -- 802
27 Bobby Lane -- Fla. -- 801
27 Jared Lintner -- Calif. -- 801
27 Tommy Biffle -- Okla. -- 801
30 Kevin Wirth -- Ky. -- 798
31 Denny Brauer -- Mo. -- 795
32 Clark Reehm -- Ark. -- 788
33 Mike McClelland -- Ark. -- 776
34 Kelly Jordon -- Texas -- 774
34 Kevin Short -- Ark. -- 774
36 Bradley Roy -- Ky. -- 769
37 Ish Monroe -- Calif. -- 768
38 Kevin VanDam -- Mich. -- 766
39 Matt Herren -- Ala. -- 757
40 Billy McCaghren -- Ark. -- 752
41 Morizo Shimizu -- Japan -- 744
42 Dustin Wilks -- N.C. -- 743
43 Russ Lane -- Ala. -- 742
44 Gerald Swindle -- Ala. -- 741
45 Randy Howell -- Ala. -- 738
45 Terry Scroggins -- Fla. -- 738
47 Boyd Duckett -- Ala. -- 737
48 Jason Quinn -- S.C. -- 736
49 Alton Jones -- Texas -- 735
49 Brent Chapman -- Kan. -- 735
51 Takahiro Omori -- Texas -- 734
52 Jason Williamson -- S.C. -- 728
53 Byron Velvick -- Texas -- 719
54 Kotaro Kiriyama -- Ala. -- 718
55 Pat Golden -- N.C. -- 712
55 Jeff Connella -- La. -- 712
55 Casey Ashley -- S.C. -- 712
58 Paul Elias -- Miss. -- 708
59 Marty Robinson -- S.C. -- 701
60 Peter Thliveros -- Fla. -- 692
60 Bradley Hallman -- Okla. -- 692
62 Mark Menendez -- Ky. -- 674
63 Matt Reed -- Texas -- 673
64 Rick Morris -- Va. -- 662
65 Grant Goldbeck -- Md. -- 658
66 Cliff Crochet -- La. -- 656
67 Pete Ponds -- Miss. -- 638
68 Wade Grooms -- S.C. -- 632
69 J Todd Tucker -- Ga. -- 628
69 Matt Greenblatt -- Fla. -- 628
71 Dennis Tietje -- La. -- 624
71 Mark Tyler -- Okla. -- 624
73 Davy Hite -- S.C. -- 622
74 Marty Stone -- N.C. -- 620
74 Fred Roumbanis -- Okla. -- 620
76 Charlie Hartley -- Ohio -- 592
77 Vince Fulks -- Okla. -- 590
77 Timmy Horton -- Ala. -- 590
79 Rick Clunn -- Mo. -- 589
80 Jami Fralick -- S.D. -- 586
81 Kenyon Hill -- Okla. -- 580
82 Bernie Schultz -- Fla. -- 560
83 Keith Poche -- Ala. -- 555
84 Chad Griffin -- Texas -- 546
85 Mark Burgess -- Mass. -- 544
86 John Murray -- Ariz. -- 538
87 David Smith -- Okla. -- 502
87 Byron Haseotes -- Mass. -- 502
89 Chris Lane -- Ala. -- 498
90 Britt Myers -- S.C. -- 480
91 Yusuke Miyazaki -- Texas -- 478
92 Jeremy Starks -- W.Va. -- 474
93 Scott Ashmore -- Okla. -- 432

It's good to see The Wolverine is having a good year, so far. Bass Fishing Bloggers Boyd Duckett and Brent Chapman need to pick up the pace.

2010 Elite Series Clear Lake Day Final (Liveblogged)

Could BassTrakk be right and Byron and Guy have goose eggs? If so Bill Lowen walks away if it. Only the weigh-in will tell.

Well BassCam seems to show Byron with fish, so there is a good chance it is Velvicks tournament.

What is this? Am I going to get to watch the weigh-in today?

I saw the National Anthem and now Elvis and Trip are shooting the breeze.

Yes here comes Biffle with 5 Fish 22-15 for the day for 81-14.

Next is Skeet 25-1 for Skeet 85-3, "I had a big swim bait all day long" "I realized where they were yesterday" says he lost a 7lber right at the end of the day. Thinks he will be leading AOY points coming out of Cali. "If I don't see anything else this season I want to see Guy Eaker qualify for the classic.

Brian Snowden won his first boat at clear lake, only had 4 fish today.

Boyd Duckett 17-13 for 79-8. Catching them on Berkley Chiggar craw, a few on swimbait. Skeet gets a hard time about losing to Boyd in the Classic, it was pretty funny.

Matt Herren only 13-14 "My pattern died"

Jared Lintner "The Milkman" 5 for 16-1 for 78-9 "set a record today for smallest bag at Clear Lake". Says he lost some good fish today. Pimping the Revo Toro for swimbait fishing.

Terry Butcher former full time Bull rider. Threw a Boogie bait.

Bradley Roy with 15-9 for 78-11. They call him "Pampers" "Tried to swing for the fence and obviously I missed." Thanks sponsors and family. Was using a spining rod and fishing a jerkbait. "Today the hitch didn't come up."

Randy Howell with 18-14 and 86-2 takes lead. Threw swimbait with no luck was hurting right up until the end of the day. For the tournament had a early jerkbait bite. Today started with a big swimbait and thinks it might have scarred his jerkbait fish away.

Guy Eaker with 22-7 for 90-11 and into the lead. "I can't believe the fish we caught in 1 place." Bill Lowen was fishin' shallow and Guy was fishing deeper. "The Good Lord blessed me the do this for 35 years and I give Him all the credit."

Bill Lowen 23-0 for the lead with 92-9. "There is to much clear water here" "I am not a swimbait fisherman and that is what you need to do to win here." Caught fish on black/blue Chatterbait and swim jig. Says he had 3 5lber hooked outside the mouth today that had to go back thanks to Cali law. "The water got cleaner as the tournament went on" Had an early limit.

Byron Velvick 22-14 for the win 98-6. His big fish was 6-2. "I love clear lake man, this place rocks." Need to fish a swimbait real slow, most guys reel them in to fast. Was using a brand new bait that came through the weeds good. Likes to doctor up the swimbaits, wants them to have a scent trail. Says high to Dad and Armed Forces. Sounded like he believes in a slow stop and go, stop and go, retrieve for the swimbait.

Post Script: I am not a Byron fan thanks to his appearance on the Bachelor where I thought he came off as a total creep. I would have much rather seen Bill Lowen or Guy Eaker win this one. Still Congratulations Byron!!! Clearly the guy can fish Clear Lake.

Now when can I switch my fantasy line up. My year is in the super suck truck.

Here are the final standings:
1 Byron Velvick 5 29- 0 5 22- 0 5 24- 8 5 22-14 20 98- 6
2 Bill Lowen 5 22-14 5 22- 9 5 24- 2 5 23- 0 20 92- 9
3 Guy Eaker 5 21-14 5 22- 6 5 24- 0 5 22- 7 20 90-11
4 Randy Howell 5 23- 3 5 23- 7 5 20-10 5 18-14 20 86- 2
5 Skeet Reese 5 20- 4 5 18-12 5 21- 2 5 25- 1 20 85- 3
6 Tommy Biffle 5 16- 8 5 21-13 5 20-10 5 22-15 20 81-14
7 Terry Butcher 5 18- 3 5 21-13 5 22-12 5 17-12 20 80- 8
8 Bradley Roy 5 19- 8 5 22- 1 5 22- 9 5 15- 9 20 79-11
9 Boyd Duckett 5 17-14 5 20-14 5 22-15 5 17-13 20 79- 8
10 Jared Lintner 5 23- 4 5 17-14 5 21- 6 5 16- 1 20 78- 9
11 Brian Snowden 5 17- 6 5 21- 3 5 22-12 4 14-11 19 76- 0
12 Matt Herren 5 21-13 5 18- 6 5 21-12 5 13-14 20 75-13

2010 Elite Series Clear Lake Day #3

It looks like the Real-Time Leaderboard isn't making the transition to Day 3. Although I don't really know if the weigh in has started. Well I haven't even posted this yet and now it's working.

Looks like 19 year old rookie Bradley Roy will make the Top 12 as will Lowen and Eaker and probably Skeet. It's amazing that Bill Lowen and Guy Eaker are pretty much fishing the exact same water and they both came in with 24lbs within 2ozs of each other. Now they have said in an interview that if only 1 guy had it than it would be a winning spot, but I am not so sure because it seems to not be kicking out the super submarines over 7lbs.

Hmmm Skeet is now in 11th with a lot of guys yet to weigh, but none of the guys left to weigh were near the top at the end of yesterday. It will take a couple of monster sacks to bump Skeet.

Byron is in the lead with 75-8 and he gained 6 whole ounces on Bill Lowen today. So far Byron's 24-8 is the big bag of the day.

Here are the Top 12:
1 Byron Velvick
2 Bill Lowen
3 Guy Eaker
4 Randy Howell
5 Bradley Roy
6 Terry Butcher
7 Jared Lintner
8 Matt Herren
9 Boyd Duckett
10 Brian Snowden
11 Skeet Reese
12 Tommy Biffle

It's good to see that Boyd is back on the ball and big props to Bradley Roy who is definitely in contention to win if he can figure out how to bag multiple 8 pounders.

My fantasy team, not good at all.

There were 18 bags of 20lbs or more today and yesterday there were 16, so the fishing seems to be getting better. No one popped a super pig as big bass was only 7-7 today.

Elite Series Clear Lake Day 2

Here is the Top 12. Impressive to see Roy in there.
1 Byron Velvick 5 29- 0 5 22- 0 10 51- 0
2 Randy Howell 5 23- 3 5 23- 7 10 46-10
3 Bill Lowen 5 22-14 5 22- 9 10 45- 7
4 Guy Eaker 5 21-14 5 22- 6 10 44- 4
5 Bradley Roy 5 19- 8 5 22- 1 10 41- 9
6 Jared Lintner 5 23- 4 5 17-14 10 41- 2
7 Bobby Lane 5 16- 3 5 24-13 10 41- 0
8 Matt Herren 5 21-13 5 18- 6 10 40- 3
9 Terry Butcher 5 18- 3 5 21-13 10 40- 0
10 Grant Goldbeck 5 19- 2 5 20- 5 10 39- 7
11 Skeet Reese 5 20- 4 5 18-12 10 39- 0
12 Greg Hackney 5 16- 9 5 22- 5 10 38-14

My Fantasy Team
Skeet 11th
Rojas 24th
KVD 59th
Roumbanis 70th
Ish 75th
All I can say is ouch, the past two weeks have been about the worst fantasy line ups I've ever had.

The Weigh-In has started...



John Murray is going Hero or Zero...

2010 Elite Series Clear Lake Day 1

Top 12
1 Byron Velvick 5 29- 0 5 29- 0
2 Jared Lintner 5 23- 4 5 23- 4
3 Randy Howell 5 23- 3 5 23- 3
4 Bill Lowen 5 22-14 5 22-14
5 Guy Eaker 5 21-14 5 21-14
6 Matt Herren 5 21-13 5 21-13
7 Denny Brauer 5 21- 9 5 21- 9
8 Kelly Jordon 5 21- 8 5 21- 8
9 Jeff Kriet 5 21- 4 5 21- 4
10 Skeet Reese 5 20- 4 5 20- 4
11 Matt Greenblatt 5 19-13 5 19-13
12 Gary Klein 5 19-10 5 19-10

Outstanding day for Hellabass who has Velvick, Lintner, Kriet, and Skeet.

I've got Skeet 10th, Rojas 19th, KVD 51st, Roumba 78th, Ish 82nd. Pathetic!!!

The weigh in has started...

Ish is behind the 8 ball again. 3 for 8-4.
Roumbanis just 4 for 11-10, I more fish would have really helped.
Skeet with 20-4 which looks to be pretty good for today.
Rojas did OK with 19lbs
KVD with a mediocre 15lbs

I am really going to need a big Day 2.


Bada Bing here is my Fantasy Line Up:
KVD
Skeet
Rojas
Roumbanis
Ish

You might want to check out these Elite Series anglers blogs:
John Murray
Bradley Roy
Kota Kiriyama
Brent Chapman
Mark Menendez

From Facebook Clark Rheem thinks he may be onto something. Rick Clunn says it's tough and Mark Davis didn't have anything to say.

Elite Series Cali Delta Day Final

And now we know, it's Little John Crews by an ounce over Skeet. Hackney was 1 good 2.5lb keeper away from winning. Congratulations Little John!!!

No time to liveblog the weigh in, which I now believe starts at 6PM. I've got some lures I want to go test out.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apparently they are running BassTrakk today:

11:05AMCST:
1 Greg Hackney * 15 57 lbs 5 oz -- 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
2 John Crews * 14 54 lbs 14 oz 2 lbs 7 oz 1 3 lbs 0 oz 1 3 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
3 Michael Iaconelli * 15 54 lbs 10 oz 2 lbs 11 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
4 Skeet Reese * 15 52 lbs 10 oz 4 lbs 11 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
5 Stephen Browning * 12 47 lbs 9 oz 9 lbs 12 oz 1 1 lbs 8 oz 1 1 lbs 8 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
6 James Niggemeyer * 12 46 lbs 15 oz 10 lbs 6 oz 1 4 lbs 8 oz 1 4 lbs 8 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
7 Rick Clunn * 14 46 lbs 8 oz 10 lbs 13 oz 1 2 lbs 12 oz 1 2 lbs 12 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
8 Denny Brauer * 16 46 lbs 0 oz 11 lbs 5 oz 1 5 lbs 0 oz 1 5 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
9 Dustin Wilks * 15 45 lbs 12 oz 11 lbs 9 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
10 Shaw E Grigsby 13 45 lbs 12 oz 11 lbs 9 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
11 Gary Klein * 13 44 lbs 3 oz 13 lbs 2 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
12 Zell Rowland * 11 41 lbs 8 oz 15 lbs 13 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz

5:00PMCST:
1 Skeet Reese * 20 69 lbs 14 oz -- 5 17 lbs 4 oz 6 18 lbs 4 oz 1 1 lbs 0 oz
2 John Crews * 18 67 lbs 3 oz 2 lbs 11 oz 5 15 lbs 5 oz 5 15 lbs 5 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
3 Greg Hackney * 18 65 lbs 13 oz 4 lbs 1 oz 3 8 lbs 8 oz 3 8 lbs 8 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
4 Stephen Browning * 16 58 lbs 9 oz 11 lbs 5 oz 5 12 lbs 8 oz 6 14 lbs 0 oz 1 1 lbs 8 oz
5 James Niggemeyer * 16 57 lbs 8 oz 12 lbs 6 oz 5 15 lbs 1 oz 8 19 lbs 3 oz 3 4 lbs 2 oz
6 Rick Clunn * 18 54 lbs 13 oz 15 lbs 1 oz 5 11 lbs 1 oz 6 11 lbs 13 oz 1 0 lbs 12 oz
7 Michael Iaconelli * 15 54 lbs 10 oz 15 lbs 4 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
8 Dustin Wilks * 17 50 lbs 12 oz 19 lbs 2 oz 2 5 lbs 0 oz 2 5 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
9 Denny Brauer * 17 48 lbs 0 oz 21 lbs 14 oz 2 7 lbs 0 oz 2 7 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
10 Gary Klein * 14 47 lbs 3 oz 22 lbs 11 oz 1 3 lbs 0 oz 1 3 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
11 Shaw E Grigsby 13 45 lbs 12 oz 24 lbs 2 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz
12 Zell Rowland * 11 41 lbs 8 oz 28 lbs 6 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz 0 0 lbs 0 oz

If Hack fills his limit than this thing looks like a 3 way race.

Elite Series Cali Delta Day 3 (Liveblogged)

The Weigh-In has now started.

The big news: Stephen Browning crashes and burns. Just 1 fish for 13 ounces.

Meanwhile Greg Hackney sacks 25-7, anchored by an 8-10 and he goes into the lead with 57-5.

Ike has moved up to 2nd with 54-10.

Weights are way down today. It looks like it was about as bad as Day 1.

The Wolverine got only 3 fish today and is out of the Top 10.

6:35PM Weigh In over.

I believe there were only 16 limits and 1 Skunk

KVD finished in 29th

Here is the Top 10
1 Greg Hackney 5 14-14 5 17- 0 5 25- 7 15 57- 5
2 Michael Iaconelli 5 14- 0 5 25-12 5 14-14 15 54-10
3 Skeet Reese 5 15- 1 5 18-13 5 18-12 15 52-10
4 John Crews 4 15- 2 5 21-13 4 14-15 13 51-14
5 Stephen Browning 5 21-11 5 23- 9 1 0-13 11 46- 1
6 Dustin Wilks 5 14-11 5 14- 6 5 16-11 15 45-12
7 Shaw E Grigsby 5 14- 8 5 18-14 3 12- 6 13 45-12
8 Gary Klein 5 13- 9 5 21-10 3 9- 0 13 44- 3
9 Rick Clunn 4 9-13 5 18-15 4 15- 0 13 43-12
10 James Niggemeyer 1 2- 8 5 18- 9 5 21- 6 11 42- 7

Zell Rowland was 1st out of the cut, still I think this was his best finish in a long time.

I would think this one is most likely a race between the top 4.

Elite Series Cali Delta Day 3

Apparently not a single Elite Series Rookie made the cut.

Gary Klein doesn't seem to think he is on any really big fish, but he must believe he can put together a couple more really good bags because he doesn't plan to switch areas.

Why can't I change my fantasy roster for Clear Lake, now? Actually I'm probably only going to get rid of 1 guy even though my roster has sucked for the Delta.

The Ninja is blogging it...

Elite Series Cali Delta Day 2 (with Liveblogging)

I am watching Hooked Up with Zona and Sanders for the 1st time. It's pretty good. Wonder if anything is up at Bass Zone? (Ok apparently Wide Open starts at 9:05PM) As for Hooked UP, I have no clue why they don't archive it so it can be watched anytime.

Send congratulations to John Murray for making the cut here... John has to be feeling fortunate he only caught 3 fish for 5-12 today. That puts him 4 bass shy of his limit, yet he still made the cut in 43rd.

Unfortunately blogger Brent Chapman didn't make the cut.

Liveblogged:
The Weigh-In has now started.
The weights are up today.

Bradley Roy caught 12-8 for a total of 18-14 which I think will get him in the cut, but it might not. Quite a few people so far who were behind him yesterday did a leap frog.

Currently
Gary Klein is in the lead with 35-3
Scott Rook has big bag at 25-11
Greg Vinson has big bass with a 8-10

BAM: Stephen Browning sacked 23-9 for a 45-4 Total, Yes that is 10lbs on 2nd Place at the Moment.

Apparently Clark Reehm was late and will get a 2lb penalty. Won't matter much, he is well in the cut with 26-10.

John Crews moves into 2nd with 36-15

Ike pounds 25-12 to move into 2nd with 39-12.

Skeet caught 18-13 which moves him into 5th for now with 33-14. Hmmm how are my other Fantasy anglers doing.
Ish is on the cut bubble for sure with 19-4 total.
Rojas only caught 8-7 today but will make the cut with 20-1.
Aaron Martens is out of the cut with 16-14
Boom Boom Roumba laid an egg, no better than 84th.

Only a few left will Ish and Bradley Roy make the cut? I think Roy is screwed.

Unbelievable Tim Horton comes in with the Skunk and Roy gets the 50 spot. Ish in 49th. All Horton needed to bounce Roy was 3-11.

The weigh in is over.

Correction: apparently the cut spot is 49 not 50 so 19 year old rookie Bradley Roy was 1st man out. I'm confused Bassfan says the Top 50 make it and according to the Live Leaderboard Roy is #50

Update: Clarification from the Bass Zone, only the Top 47 anglers will fish Day 3. So that means my guy Ish is out also. I am assuming the fact that there are less Elite Series anglers than in years past is the reason for the change.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Murray blogs Day 1... John is in 16th place and did it on only 3 fish.



The Youngest Gun:This is Bradley Roy who is on the Elite Series at just 19 years old. His official website is a BLOG. I like this kid already. And guess what, he is keeping the blog up to date. GO READ IT!!!

If you are on Facebook I recommend you sign up on his Fan Page...

From what I have seen, Bradley seems like a fine kid and I wish him well. He has a shot at the cut because he is sitting in 47th Place with 3 for 6-6. That is a better day than Ish, A-Mart, Boom Boom, and Mark Tyler. I am thinking he is probably going to need to up his weight by about 10lbs to make the cut.

A-Mart: Apparently he has a leg injury that is drastically effecting his fishing. I think I read a comment on Facebook that said he looked like he was in a lot of pain from what could be seen on the Bass Cast Cam. I wish I had known this at this time yesterday, so I could have dropped him for KVD. Not that KVD is killing it, but I think an injured A-Mart is serious trouble. You just can't fish very well on one leg.

Update on A-Mart from Bassmaster.com: "The diagnosis: a possible tear in his right calf. Martens was given a stronger painkiller, and planned to ice and rest his injury as much as possible last night."

Elite Series Cali Delta Day 1

Well Bassfan's the start of Elite's Season is now upon us.

The Weigh-In has now started.
Dave Wolak with the early lead with 19-8

Notables:
Skeet 15-1
Ike 14-0
Biffle 1 for 5-10
A-Mart 4 for 5-0 (Not good for the fantasy squad at all)
Boom Boom Roumba 2 for 4-9 (Uggggg!)
The Squirrel 14-3
The Ninja currently in 2nd with 15-2
Tim Horton and Guy Eaker also with 15-2
KVD 9-6
Some guy named Dennis Tietje is in 2nd with 15-4
Rojas 4 for 11-10 (I suppose this one could be a lot worse for fantasy)
Right now John Crews has big bass with a 7-2
Stephen Browning takes the lead with 21-11. He did really well the last time at the Cal Delta.
The Wolverine 15-13 into 4th Place
Ish 2 for 5-13 (My fantasy team is now in serious trouble, I am going to need some big Day 2's.)

My Fantasy Line Up as of Day 1
11th, 29th, 53rd, 64th, 67th Not Good at all.


Wow Big Show and Duckett with the Skunk!!!! Could it be the rods?

Earlier Today:
The big questions in my mind:

Will KVD win even more tournaments this year and will he get himself a 3rd consecutive AOY title?

Can Ike stay on fire?

Can Skeet stay on fire?

Can MN kid Derrick Remitz return to his Rookie of the Year form?

Will the Cali events play big in the AOY race for the West Coasters?

As for Live Coverage:
It looks like there will be Bass Cam's, Bass Cast, Bass Trakk, Hooked Up, and Weigh-In's, so lots of options. I really have not paid attention to what Bass Zone is doing this year.

My Fantasy Team:
Skeet
Martens
Rojas
Boom Boom the Roomba Man
Ish

I went big Cali and "West Side" on this one but will change it up some for Clear Lake. Yes I probably am a fool for leaving Van Dam off. Hard to believe Ish only got onto 7.5% of fantasy teams.

2010 BASS/ESPN Elite Series FBF Now Open

Sign up for ESPN Fantasy Fishing Here...

Well ESPN has changed their game once again this year; They have totally scrapped angler values and salary caps. Now there are 3 "Buckets" of anglers. The 1st Bucket has the Top 15 Anglers from last years AOY standings and you get to choose 2 from this Bucket. The 2nd Bucket has the next 15 anglers according to last years AOY race and you get to choose 2 from this Bucket. The 3rd Bucket has 21 anglers in it and you get to choose 1.

It seems to me that going to the Bucket system might not change the make up of fantasy line ups very much because the Bucket's conform similarly to what was offered in the angler point value system; Under that system you could field 2 top tier guys, but not really 3 and if you had 2 top tier guys you had to have a minimum of 1 guy at the very bottom of the totem pole of angler value, which would leave you with a choice of 2 mid to low angler value guys to fill out your roster.

Prizes this year go down 10 places for the Classic, 8 places for Elite Series Tournaments, and 10 places for the end of the year. No surprise that the ESPN prizes are not nearly as good as FLW Fantasy Fishing but all things considered the ESPN prizes are pretty good.
Full Prizes listing here...

For the Bassmasters Classic at Lay Lake rosters Lock: Feb 19 8:00AM ET.