Kevin VanDam

CHASING SKEET

September 16, 2009
(basszone.com, September 16, 2009)

Montgomery, AL – Only two days remain in the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series season and California’s Skeet Reese controls his own destiny with the Toyota Trucks Angler Of the Year title on the line. With a finish of 4th or higher, Reese will take home his second TTAOY trophy in three years.

While that may seem like a lock (Skeet’s lowest finish in 2009 was a 29th), the two anglers lurking in second and third in the TTAOY standings may have something to say about that. 16 points behind Reese is Kevin VanDam and 24 points back is Mike Iaconelli, who jumped from 11th to 3rd with a victory last Sunday on Lake Jordan.

Much like Lake Jordan, the anglers that The BZ spoke with after a day of practice on the river said that finding quality bites could be a grind, especially if there is a lack of current. Weather will once again play a factor as rain is expected to pelt the area throughout both competition days.

While the 12 remaining competitors will be unable to lock during the two days of competition on the Alabama River, there’s over 40 miles of river available to explore for both spotted bass and largemouth. Most likely, a mix of both species will be required to win.

The real key comes down to current. As Gerald Swindle said, “You can still catch bass at Jordan even without current but down here, the bass strictly relate to the current. When they kick that current on, it should be easier to catch them.” With Lake Jordan expected to be dropped four feet beginning on Wednesday, current is expected to be ripping down the river during both days of competition.

http://www.basszone.com/2009eliteseries/alabama/riverpreview/story.htm

---