James RickardThe crazy AOY race
June 17th 2008 00:48
I had planned to hold off writing about the Angler of the Year race until later--probably July. However, things have really changed since I wrote about it less than two weeks ago. There have been two tournaments since then and positions have changed big time! Fishing itself is not that exciting but for the past couple of years, these races have rivaled anything in sports!
This year, points are breaking down like this—First place is awarded 300 points, 2nd place gets 295 and it continues with five point intervals for the first five positions. For the next five spots there are four point intervals with 276 points going to sixth place, 272 for seventh and so on. Starting at 11th place with 257 points you get three point intervals up to 15th place that’s worth 245 points. After that, you have a two point interval at each position from 16 on down.
Now you know why I just look at who wins or does well—I’m not a math genius and I don’t even play one on TV! There is one aspect of the contest that makes sense—no fish=no points!
This weekend’s tournament, the Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake, was a real shootout between my two biggest influences—Kevin VanDam who is Mr. Bass Fishing by all modern standards, and my main man, The Zenmaster, Rick Clunn. Despite the rain, lightning and boat traffic from two other tournaments being held on the lake, these two managed some spectacular weigh-ins!
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of their contest within a contest was that both VanDam and Clunn were fishing crankbaits around the same kind of structure. Heading into the final day of the tournament it wasn’t a matter of who would win. It was the old vs. the new—or at least the present.
One thing should be made clear. This tournament wasn’t simply a Cinderella story of someone getting hot and riding a wave of success to victory. Rick Clunn has won four Bassmaster Classics in his long career and VanDam has already captured two Bassmaster titles so, the quality was definitely there and it was a contest between two of the biggest names in the sport.
Heading into the final day of competition, VanDam held a 7 pound 3 ounce lead on Clunn who had vaulted from 8th place to be within striking distance. However, what was shaping up as battle of the Masters, fell by the wayside as Clunn managed a weight of only 10 pounds and 13 ounces and fell to finish ninth in the tournament. KVD didn’t fare much better, posting only 16 pounds 9 ounces but still had a four day total to keep him at the top and secure his victory for the tournament and allow him to jump into the lead for AOY.
Kudos have to go to Tim Horton who fished hard enough to move up to second in the tournament and weighted in at 24-11 and also won the big bass competition with a fish weighing 6-6!
It seems somewhat fitting that Todd Faircloth and Mike McClelland are 2 and 3 respectively. They've been jockeying for supremacy all year long and no matter where they finish, you can bet they'll be battling to the end! Last year's winner, Skeet Reese is in the fourth slot and this years Bassmaster Classic winner, Alton Jones sits in the 8th position.
With three Angler of the Year tournaments remaining, the next AOY contest will be June 26-29. The event was originally scheduled to be in Iowa but weather and flooding has caused the tournament to be moved to Tennessee.
VanDam image-kevinvandam.com
Horton image-probassanglers.com
Clunn image-espn.go.com
This year, points are breaking down like this—First place is awarded 300 points, 2nd place gets 295 and it continues with five point intervals for the first five positions. For the next five spots there are four point intervals with 276 points going to sixth place, 272 for seventh and so on. Starting at 11th place with 257 points you get three point intervals up to 15th place that’s worth 245 points. After that, you have a two point interval at each position from 16 on down.
Now you know why I just look at who wins or does well—I’m not a math genius and I don’t even play one on TV! There is one aspect of the contest that makes sense—no fish=no points!
KVD ready for more fish!
Tim Horton made a strong move to second.
One thing should be made clear. This tournament wasn’t simply a Cinderella story of someone getting hot and riding a wave of success to victory. Rick Clunn has won four Bassmaster Classics in his long career and VanDam has already captured two Bassmaster titles so, the quality was definitely there and it was a contest between two of the biggest names in the sport.
Rick Clunn faltered the last day!
Kudos have to go to Tim Horton who fished hard enough to move up to second in the tournament and weighted in at 24-11 and also won the big bass competition with a fish weighing 6-6!
It seems somewhat fitting that Todd Faircloth and Mike McClelland are 2 and 3 respectively. They've been jockeying for supremacy all year long and no matter where they finish, you can bet they'll be battling to the end! Last year's winner, Skeet Reese is in the fourth slot and this years Bassmaster Classic winner, Alton Jones sits in the 8th position.
With three Angler of the Year tournaments remaining, the next AOY contest will be June 26-29. The event was originally scheduled to be in Iowa but weather and flooding has caused the tournament to be moved to Tennessee.
Here are the AOY standing as they are now:
Kevin VanDam 2043
Todd Faircloth 1978
Mike McClelland 1949
Skeet Reese 1898
Edwin Evers 1862
Terry Scroggins 1772
Scott Rook 1770
Alton Jones 1741
Dean Rojas 1735
Kenyon Hill 1719
Brian Snowden 1671
Steve Kennedy 1647
Kelly Jordon 1632
Bryan Hudgins 1628
Randy Howell 1618
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
Kevin VanDam 2043
Todd Faircloth 1978
Mike McClelland 1949
Skeet Reese 1898
Edwin Evers 1862
Terry Scroggins 1772
Scott Rook 1770
Alton Jones 1741
Dean Rojas 1735
Kenyon Hill 1719
Brian Snowden 1671
Steve Kennedy 1647
Kelly Jordon 1632
Bryan Hudgins 1628
Randy Howell 1618
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
VanDam image-kevinvandam.com
Horton image-probassanglers.com
Clunn image-espn.go.com
| 77 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by tlcorbin
Raven
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...