The first-ever Bassmaster Elite Series season is officially a wrap. BassFans know Mike Iaconelli is the 2006 Angler of the Year, but there are other stories within the final points. Here's a brief look at a few notable movements after the Table Rock finale. (Note: To view the final 2006 Elite Series points, click here.)
The Top 37 in the points receive a berth in the 2007 Bassmaster Classic.
- Gary Klein's disastrous 73rd-place finish at Table Rock nearly knocked him out of the Classic. He fell 7 spots, but ended the year in 36th. Close.
- Ish Monroe's 7th-place finish moved him up 11 spots to 37th, and he was the last one to make the Classic.
- Kota Kiriyama's 17th at Table Rock did help him improve 6 spots, but he finished 38th in the points – 4 points out of the Classic.
- Shaw Grigsby finished 12th at Table Rock, but remember that he was DQd and didn't fish day 4. All he needed was 9 more points to make the Classic, but he ended the season 39th in the points and will sit this one out.
- Davy Hite's double goose-egg and last-place finish dropped him 18 spots to 40th. No Classic.
The Top 70 in the points requalify for the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series. Those 71st and below, according to current BASS rules, must qualify through another means.
- Rookie Jon Bondy's 5th at Table Rock moved him up 12 spots to 62nd in the points. He qualified for the 2007 Series.
- Kevin Short finished 3rd at Table Rock and improved 19 spots to finish 67th in the points. He's in for '07.
- Frank Scalish saved the farm. His 17th at Table Rock was his best finish since 2003. It moved him up 11 spots to 70th in the points and he was the last man to requalify.
- Ken Cook never caught a fish at Table Rock and dropped 14 spots to 73rd in the points.
- Charlie Youngers and Dave Smith also dropped out of the 2007 Elite Series, based on their Table Rock performances.
