Auburn , Calif. – The 2010 Bassmaster Classic at Lay Lake is over, and suffice it to say, it did not go as planned for 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion. In his attempt to repeat as the Classic champion, Reese found the fishing at Lay Lake to be tough, and in uncharacteristic fashion, he finished in 44 th place.

“I spent a couple of my practice days trying to locate the upriver pattern that I used in 2007 when I finished 2 nd in the Classic, but that wasn't there,” said Reese. “I found the water levels to be high, cold and muddy coming out of Logan Martin Dam, and that wasn't good for that program.”

So, the then reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion spent two days scouring the main lake area of Lay Lake looking for the winning pattern. “I expected there to be a spinnerbait bite, especially with the water being dirty,” he said. “So, I picked up my one ounce Redemption Lures spinnerbait and went after it.”

Reese knew that Lay Lake's backwaters and creeks were going to be the ticket, so he committed himself to running those with the spinnerbait, Lucky Craft LV 100 and 500's, and flipping a jig or Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craw.

“I caught a couple of solid fish in practice, but never developed the kind of program that made me feel comfortable to lock down in an area and start fishing,” he said. “I planned on running what I knew, and figuring things out as I went; which is usually when I'm at my best, and it just didn't work out.”

One great event for the Classic Champion was the unveiling of his banner in the rafters at the Classic. “The fans roared when I came into the arena, and BASS set it up so I made a full lap of the floor,” he said. “I saw my banner drop, and it was a real emotional moment. It meant my name would forever be there with the greats of the sport, the guys I've looked up to for so many years; I'll never forget it.”

In the end, Reese missed making the cut for the first time in many years, and pent Sunday working the Classic Expo. He spent time in the booths of his sponsors, Berkley, Wright & McGill Co. / TroKar Hooks and Wiley X Sunglasses, along with his own personal Skeet Reese inc. booth.

“While I would have rather been fishing, it was great to see what happens at the Classic Expo,” said Reese. “The fans were amazing. At one point, we did a two hour autograph session at my booth, and there were never less than 50 people in line; it was amazing.”

His sponsor Wright & McGill Co. offered a show promotion that gave a mock, yellow and black Skeet Reese jersey to anyone who purchased one of his signature Skeet Reese Tessera rods at the show. “I couldn't even count how many of those jerseys were there,” he said. “There must have been hundreds of them there; someone even came up with the idea of having a group shot, so we did a picture in the Dick's booth.”

 

Reese also got to preview his new Wiley X sunglasses for the world. The new signature style features a black frame, and Reese's signature yellow on the WX logo on the side; they generated many comments. “Wiley X was a little concerned with the yellow, but it didn't take long for them to tell me that the response was positive,” said Reese. “I'm glad I was able to hear that, yellow and black has always been good for me, it will do well for them as well.”

Reese also signed autographs in the Pure Fishing booth, and was swamped with fans there as well. “The whole show was amazing. Don't get me wrong, I would not wish to be there again, but it was a good week for the whole industry.”

Reese now turns his attention to the start of the Bassmaster Elite Series, and his home waters of the California Delta and Clear Lake . “I'm ready to get the season started, the goal will be to win the Angler of the Year title; the Lucky Craft / PowerBait Big Rig is rolling, and ready to get to business.”