Kevin VanDam

Back to old heights for Hite

May 08, 2010
(bassmaster.com, May 8, 2010)

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. — Davy Hite knows what it’s like to be in the zone.

There was a time when Hite, a two-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, was rewriting the BASS record books and consistently contending at tournaments. But the Ninety Six, S.C., veteran has had a tough go of it the past year, failing to notch a top-10 finish.

Conversely, Skeet Reese, dripping with mojo, has entered new territory, seeking his fifth consecutive top-five finish in Elite competition. And Reese was all set to take his second Elite victory in 2010 as he maintained a lead through the first two days on Lake Guntersville.

Until Hite, who toted 28 pounds, 6 ounces to the scales Saturday, threw a kink in Reese’s plans. Hite, the 1999 Bassmaster Classic champion, built his three-day total to 79 pounds, 10 ounces, good enough to take over the top position from the red-hot Reese at the Synergy Southern Challenge.

Buoyed by a 7-14 brute, Hite was able to register his second consecutive day of more than 27 pounds. With changing conditions on Guntersville — Saturday brought wind with no current — Hite has been able to keep pace by finding success with multiple patterns.

“This sport is just like any other sport,” said Hite, 44. “You get on a roll and you can’t explain it but you know when it’s happening. Everything gets easier.

“About six or seven years ago, I was able to string together wins consistently and for some reason, it stopped happening. It’s been a bit of a dry spell recently. So, it just feels great to be back in contention.”

Hite’s versatility included a finesse pattern mixed in with a crankbait, an obvious choice on Guntersville. He was less forthcoming with his other lure choices but said that he feels confident whatever the conditions present Sunday.

The windy conditions Saturday caused Hite to eliminate the finesse pattern from his arsenal and look to his other options. The crankbait proved key for the seven-time Bassmaster winner as it landed the 7-14.

While Hite lauded modern-day electronics, in the same breath, he said has been able to locate road beds using his own instincts. Some of these areas, Hite said, have made the difference and allowed him to pinpoint where the schooling bass are located.

“I’m just happy to be able to have a shot at winning one of these,” Hite said. “I’m not going to take it for granted this time. I’m going to enjoy every last second.”

While the windy conditions and lack of current didn’t affect Hite in the least, Reese, of Auburn, Calif., was left scrambling and settled for 21-10. Still, if not for a lost bass early in his day — one he estimated would have upped his total to 25 pounds — Reese would be connected with Hite.

But with Hite taking off, Reese is seemingly just hoping to hang on as most of his areas that were so productive for the first two days have been rendered ineffective due to the conditions. Thusly, he said he would “punt” Sunday and put together a different plan at launch.

“The fish just aren’t positioning like they were, and it’s really affecting me,” said Reese, the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “That big one cost me right off the get-go. Clearly, there is something that is working out there. I just haven’t figured it out yet but I know a 30-pound bag is out there.”

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/elite/news/story?id=5173949

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