Kevin VanDam

ALTON JONES ROCK SOLID ON DAY TWO

February 24, 2008
(basszone.com, February 23, 2008)

Greenville, SC. – Excited. Jazzed. Pumped. Stoked. Whatever word you want to use to try and describe the feelings of those atop the leader board Saturday morning would be appropriate because at launch, the feeling was purely electric with 2,000 screaming fans greeted the 50-man field at launch.

Friday had cold air, rain, and clouds all day – but the fish responded and three anglers crossed the stage with 20-pound sacks of bass. Classic rookie Charlie Hartley rocked the crowd at the Bi-Lo center with a five-fish bag that tipped the scales at just over 21 pounds.

Close behind him was Arkansas pro, and veteran angler, Scott Rook with 20-13. Rook, who’s fishing his sixth Classic, went to the back of pockets and threw a Shad Rap to put together his best five. He wasn’t able to match his opening day pace, and slid down the pile weighing only 7-12 Saturday. He’ll head into Sunday still fishing with hope of a win in his sights.

KVD ended the opening day in third – just under a pound back from Hartley – putting the most dangerous man in bass fishing just where he wanted to be to start the second day of competition. The obvious question remained though: Would his cranking pattern hold up once the promised sun peaked out from under the blanket of clouds?

http://www.basszone.com/2008classic/saturday/story1.htm

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