Kevin VanDam

ELITE STOP NUMBER NINE - THE OLD HICKORY

June 26, 2008
(basszone.com, June 26, 2008)

Nashville, TN – We’re not in Kansas (err…Iowa) anymore Toto! The storms and the deluge of water that followed have forced many rivers in the Midwest – including the mighty Mississippi – into record-level flood stages forced the ninth stop of the 2008 Elite Series away from Iowa and into Tennessee. Angler’s thoughts are with the people in Iowa due to the recent flooding. The unfortunate situation in Iowa has created a unique situation at Old Hickory. Three days of practice this week and no pre-fishing prior to the cutoff. Let the game begin on Thursday.

While this week marks the first time the Elites have visited Old Hickory, to many fishing the Tennessee Triumph at Old Hickory, this week will be a little more “comfortable” given that BASS has held tour-level events there four times since 1996 – with the last coming in 2000. And while the 22,500-acre lake, located near Metropolitan Nashville, TN, likely won’t cough up many (if any) 20+-pound stringers over the week, the resurgence of milfoil and a solid forage base of shad will certainly provide ample opportunities for the 107-angler field.

As The BASS ZONE reported earlier in the week though, anglers are “singing the blues” over the potential for low weights this week (click here)…but that’s nothing new. With the exception of Falcon Lake, every pre-tournament report this year has been the proverbial grind session. In their defense though, you do have to be somewhat realistic given that Old Hickory is on the small side in terms of fishable water and since 1996 it’s taken an average of roughly 14 pounds per day to win.

With just over 97 miles of shoreline from dam to dam, the Cumberland River impoundment will likely be won shallow according to most pros we spoke to. And while there are some bronzebacks in the lake, many pros don’t see them as being a huge player. All agree that current will be critical, and if it doesn’t flow it could be a long week.

With only this week marking the official “IN or OUT” for both the AOY race and a potential slot in February’s Classic, there’s a lot on the line for those in contention. With a myriad of potential patterns possible, The BASS ZONE staff was at the ramp Wednesday and caught up with ten Elite pros for the low down on Old Hickory this week.

http://www.basszone.com/2008eliteseries/oldhickory/preview/story.htm

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