The equivalent, for an angler, to Lebron James swishing a last-second three-pointer is to land a 5-pounder on the last cast. John Crews of Salem, Va., executed that feat on the California Delta in the grandest of fashions Sunday to score victory at the Duel in the Delta, the Bassmaster Elite Series season-opener.
That fish added just enough weight to Crews’ four-day total of 72 pounds, 6 ounces, to best Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., by the slimmest of margins. Reese (72-5) was visibly shaken. Crews wasn’t.
“This is just unbelievable,†said Crews, 31. “When it’s your time, it’s just your time. I knew I was on the fish to win and I never have had that feeling before. I’m almost speechless.â€
Fans can catch extended analysis on Bassmaster.com and ESPN2 will recap the entire competition on the Sunday, March 28, edition of The Bassmasters at 10:30 a.m. ET. The episode will air again Saturday, April 17, at 10 a.m. ET.
Crews certainly seemed to have a horseshoe in his back pocket this weekend. But ultimately, Crews identified an area that many of his Elite brethren overlooked. His success can be directly tied to locating an area that was immune to the changing conditions that plagued many on the Delta this week.
Case in point: Crews weighed his heaviest limits on Friday and Sunday. The conditions on those days were on total opposite ends of the spectrum with Sunday producing blue-bird skies while Friday rain, wind and frigid conditions prevailed.
The four-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier concentrated on a dead-end slough that held deep, thick hydrilla in 4 to 8 feet of water depth. He worked the flipping stick slowly and methodically. As with most of the competitors this week, patience was a virtue for Crews as keeper bites were few and far between.
“I found that area the first day of practice and actually only got one bite in there,†said Crews, who took his first BASS victory Sunday. “But there was something that looked right there. The water was deeper and the fish weren’t moving. And they were kept off the bank because of the boat traffic. The bite wasn’t tide-dependent and I knew it could be a winning area if I executed.â€
The victory is sweet redemption after an “atrocious†beginning to the 2009 Elite season. Though he missed out on qualifying for the 2010 Classic, Crews finally felt he was starting to put something together late last year. Mentally, he said, he was in a good place and he was able to extend the good vibes into this week. Now, his confidence is soaring.
“Right now, I’m in such a good place with my fishing,†said Crews. “I don’t know how I will do at Clear Lake (the next Elite event) but I know I have a chance of winning. And that feels good.â€
Reese is no stranger to just missing out on victory – he lost the 2007 Classic by mere ounces — but even with his unfavorable luck, the sting of losing by one ounce was evident. Like Crews, Reese was able to piece together solid days throughout the event while other anglers were all over the map.
Reese fished two areas Sunday and worked a few baits – a chigger craw, creature bait and chatterbait. He explored new water in the morning that led to little success. But then he moved to his primary area – a long run from the launch location – and was able to put together 18 pounds, 12 ounces, a weight he thought was good enough to claim his fourth BASS victory.
Reese wanted nothing more than to claim victory in front of the vibrant homestate final-day crowd of 5,900, but it wasn’t in the cards.
“I’m speechless right now,†said Reese, the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “I had a great week overall but I hate finishing second. I really hate it. All you can hope for is to keep positioning yourself to get the victory and they will come.â€
Still, Reese, who is at the top of his game, has his eyes on a larger prize. Reese earned valuable Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points and his top nemesis, Kevin VanDam – who has scored the last two AOYs – stumbled a bit at the Delta. The season promises to be a back-and-forth battle between the two titans.
It was Saturday leader Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., who opened the door for Crews and Reese. After a tremendous 25-plus pound limit Saturday, Hackney faltered Sunday, failing to catch a limit.
“I had two on that could have made the difference,†said Hackney, the 2004 Rookie of the Year. “But that’s on me.â€
In fourth was Mike Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J., with 70-4. Rounding out the top five was Shaw Grigsby of Gainesville, Fla., with 63-11.
The next event for Elite Series anglers is the Golden State Shootout on fish-factory Clear Lake March 18-21. The Lakeport, Calif.-based event set then-BASS records in 2007 and with warming conditions in store, it promises to be another shootout. The Elite Series is comprised of eight regular-season events and the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason.
Elite anglers were competing on the California Delta for a $100,000 first-place prize, points toward qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite Series postseason and 2011 Bassmaster Classic.
TROKAR DUEL IN THE DELTA- FINAL STANDINGS
2010 Stockton, CA 3/11-3/14
California Delta, Stockton CA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. John Crews Salem, VA 18 72-06 305 $101,000.00
Day 1: 4 15-02 Day 2: 5 21-13 Day 3: 4 14-15 Day 4: 5 20-08
2. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 20 72-05 295 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 18-12 Day 4: 5 19-11
3. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 19 70-04 295 $20,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 25-07 Day 4: 4 12-15
4. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 20 67-12 285 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 25-12 Day 3: 5 14-14 Day 4: 5 13-02
5. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 17 63-11 280 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 3 12-06 Day 4: 4 17-15
6. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 16 62-15 286 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 23-09 Day 3: 1 00-13 Day 4: 5 16-14
7. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 16 58-13 272 $13,000.00
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 21-06 Day 4: 5 16-06
8. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 19 56-00 268 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 16-11 Day 4: 4 10-04
9. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 18 55-10 264 $12,000.00
Day 1: 4 09-13 Day 2: 5 18-15 Day 3: 4 15-00 Day 4: 5 11-14
10. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 17 47-14 260 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 11-10 Day 4: 2 06-14
11. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 14 47-03 257 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 21-10 Day 3: 3 09-00 Day 4: 1 03-00
12. Zell Rowland Austin, TX 11 41-08 254 $10,500.00
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 5 23-04 Day 3: 4 12-13 Day 4: 0 00-00
BIG BASS OF TOURNAMENT
Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 08-10 $500.00
Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 08-10 $500.00
BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT OF TOURN
Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 25-12 $500.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 30 289 738-08
2 55 375 1079-04
3 17 163 461-11
4 6 45 149-07
———————————-
108 872 2428-14
TOYOTA TUNDRA BASSMASTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
2010 Duel in the Delta – Stockton, CA Pro Points After California Delta, Stockton, Calif. Ending 03-14-2010, Day 4
——————————————-
Place Name St Pts
——————————————-
1 John Crews Va. 305
2 Skeet Reese Calif. 295
2 Greg Hackney La. 295
4 Stephen Browning Ark. 286
5 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 285
6 Shaw Grigsby Fla. 280
7 James Niggemeyer Texas 272
8 Dustin Wilks N.C. 268
9 Rick Clunn Mo. 264
10 Denny Brauer Mo. 260
11 Gary Klein Texas 257
12 Zell Rowland Texas 254
13 Greg Vinson Ala. 251
14 Derek Remitz Ala. 248
15 Kevin Short Ark. 245
16 Jeff Kriet Okla. 243
17 J Todd Tucker Ga. 241
18 Mark Davis Ark. 239
19 Peter Thliveros Fla. 237
20 Dave Wolak N.C. 235
21 Scott Rook Ark. 233
22 Bradley Hallman Okla. 231
23 Dean Rojas Ariz. 229
24 Guy Eaker N.C. 227
25 Edwin Evers Okla. 225
26 Alton Jones Texas 223
27 Bill Lowen Ohio 221
28 Paul Elias Miss. 219
29 Kevin VanDam Mich. 217
30 Mark Tucker Mo. 215
31 Todd Faircloth Texas 213
32 Steve Kennedy Ala. 211
33 Clark Reehm Ark. 209
34 Jeff Connella La. 207
35 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 205
36 Jason Quinn S.C. 203
37 Russ Lane Ala. 201
38 Kevin Wirth Ky. 199
39 Pat Golden N.C. 197
40 Brian Snowden Mo. 195
41 Pete Ponds Miss. 193
42 Matt Herren Ala. 191
43 Vince Fulks Okla. 189
44 John Murray Ariz. 187
45 Jami Fralick S.D. 185
46 Chad Griffin Texas 183
47 Mike McClelland Ark. 181
