Amistad Lake – One in the Books
Del Rio, Tex. – With all of the post Classic fervor behind him, Skeet Reese jumped in the Lucky Craft Big Rig and headed to south Texas and the big bass factory of Amistad Lake. The impoundment has become a favored stop on the Bassmaster Elite Series schedule since it was added in 2006.
With all of the responsibilities that came with being the Bassmaster Classic Champion continuing, Reese looked forward to getting back to work as the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series opener was set to kick off. “I had a less than stellar practice,” said the Auburn, Calif. pro. “I did manage to catch one on the second day of practice that weighed between nine and ten pounds on a Lucky Craft Slim Shad D9 jerkbait, but didn't feel like I had anything solid to go on.”
With a lackluster practice behind him, Reese ‘went fishing' on Thursday's opening round, looking to expand on the one area that he caught the big fish on during preparations. “I started with the jerkbait and managed to catch a few fish, but wasn't able to get the big bite on it that I had in practice,” Reese said. “So, I turned to an Osprey swimbait, and managed to catch one good fish, and weighed 18 pounds, 14 ounces, which put me in 12 th place.”
Despite a strong start, the 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion saw his daily weight slip on day two to 16 pounds, 4 ounces, dropping him four places in the standings on cut day, where he stood in 16 th place, still in position to make the Elite 12. He did miss one opportunity to push his weight even higher, when he hooked a big fish on the swimbait on the spot he caught the big bass on in practice.
“I really think it was the fish I caught in practice,” he opined. “I hooked it and before I knew it, she went under the boat and was jumping on the other side, and by the time I got her under control again, she made a sudden surge and pulled free from the hook, she was a Texas sized giant, and would have really helped, but that's how things go.”
A 13-pound, 12 ounce performance on day three gave him a total weight of 48 pounds, 14 ounces for the tournament, giving him a 22 nd place finish. “IT's not a bad start to the season, but I certainly would have liked to start off on a higher note,” said Reese. “Either way, it didn't put me at a disadvantage starting out the season; I'll take it.”
In the end, South Carolina's Jason Williamson earned the victory by posting back to back limits that topped 30 pounds to beat the field by more than seven pounds. “Jason did a great job, and I congratulate him on the win,” Reese said. “I also need to congratulate my roommate John Murray and his wife Amy on the birth of their first child on Sunday, March 16 th , congratulations you guys, I can't wait to meet T.J.”
With one in the books, the Bassmaster Elite Series moves to Lake Dardanelle the end of March, and you can be sure the Lucky Craft Express will be rolling into town looking for a big week.
