Skeet Crushes Guntersville
One Goal Down, Two More to Go

Guntersville , Ala. – After Winning the 2009 Bassmaster Classic at the Red River in Shreveport , La. In February, one might assume that Skeet Reese would be ready to use the 2009 Elite Series schedule as a victory lap of sorts. They might think that it's time to roll the Lucky Craft Big Rig through town and soak up the adoration of the fans off the water. Well, anyone who thought that has gotten a rude awakening, and they certainly have gotten a glimpse of what makes Reese tick.

Entering the Southern Challenge 65 points behind a bass angler's black cloud, Kevin VanDam, Reese proved that he is not afraid of his own challenge as he posted his third Elite 12 finish of the season. The end result of his push to the top at Guntersville was that Reese, who entered the tournament in 2 nd place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, not only solidified his standings, but even gained on the leader VanDam, the spread is now five points.

Along with inching closer to the postseason, Reese also accomplished a goal he set for himself at the outset of the season; his $25,000 payday at Guntersville pushed him over the $2 million mark in career earnings. With $2,001,041.60 the 39-year-old Auburn pro became the third angler behind VanDam and Denny Brauer to eclipse the mark.

“It was something I knew was reachable after winning the Classic, and something I set as one of my goals for the season,” said Reese. “Having done that, now I want to win another tournament and claim my second AOY title; that's my focus for the rest of the season.”

As for Guntersville, Reese said the Elite Series pros hit it at just the right time, and that the fishing was “off the frickin' charts.” He reported catching somewhere between 500 to 800 bass during the four day tournament, and in doing so he notched his third entry into the century club (when an angler records a final weight over 100 pounds for a tournament) and finished a charging second behind fellow West Coast native Aaron Martens.

“I don't really know what to say about the fishing at Guntersville,” Reese said. “The amount of quality fish I caught was staggering. I threw back between 25 and 30 fish that weighed five pounds, it was amazing.” He said he had established his game plan by the second day of practice, so when an intense storm came through the area on Wednesday, he chose to stay indoors. “I'm glad I didn't go out there, it was ugly.”

Reese relied primarily on a Lucky Craft RC 2.5 in Splatterback Shad color rigged on his Abu Garcia SKT Revo, and 15-pound-test Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon line on a fiberglass rod. “All of the best fish I caught were on top of the ledges in four to five feet of water,” Reese reported. “They kept pulling the current and we kept jacking the fish; it was a lot of fun.”

His 104-pound, 4-ounce total was the result of steady daily weights. “I think all of my fish were basically clones,” Reese said. “On Sunday my biggest fish weighed 5-13, and my smallest weighed 5-8, I didn't have any giants in my bag, just solid five pounders.”

With three events left on the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule, Reese turns his focus next to Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee Triumph in Paris , Tenn. June 3-6. “One goal down, two more to go,” Reese said. “It's all about those goals from here on out.”

Skeet Reese is a Bassmaster Elite Series pro, he is the 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion and the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year who has compiled career earnings that total more than $2 million in career earnings. Reese has qualified for 10 Bassmaster Classic appearances, and has finished in the top 10 44 times, including four wins in BASS competition in an 11 year career.  Reese is a 39-year-old California native who resides in Auburn , Calif. with his wife Kim, and two daughters; Leamarie and Courtney. Visit his website: www.skeetreeseinc.com .