Bass hasn't staged a top-level event at Arkansas' Lake Dardanelle in more than 2 years, and the most recent winner on that venue is anxious to get back. The Legends Major, which was originally scheduled to take place at the Arkansas River for the second straight year, was moved to Dardanelle due to what bass deemed "unsafe conditions" on the river.
"I've got nothing against the Arkansas River, but when they made that change, it didn't break my heart," said Davy Hite, who won the 2005 Elite 50 at Dardanelle. "It's a different time of year (the E50 took place in May) and the fish will be in a different stage, but success in this sport, like most others, has a lot to do with momentum and confidence and that sort of thing.
"I always look forward to going back to a place where I've had a win."
The Top 5 from the '05 E50 will fish the Legends. Mike Iaconelli was the runner-up in that event, followed by Aaron Martens, Rick Clunn and Gary Klein.
Also, there are a few on the Legends roster with more recent experience at Dardanelle. Rookie Derek Remitz finished 5th at an Eastern FLW Series event there this past spring. Steve Kennedy was 40th, Chris Lane was 91st and Takahiro Omori was 125th.
