Two active Bassmaster Elite Series pros were still alive for a 2008 Bassmaster Classic berth through the Central Bassmaster Opens. The Central season wrapped up yesterday (Saturday) at Lake Amistad and one made it, the other didn't.
Dave Wolak (pictured), who finished 7th at Amistad, clinched the overall Central points title and is in the Classic. "This year I was almost the first person out (of the Classic)," he said. "It was one of the most disappointing things of my career last year being at the Classic, but not being in it. Making it this year is awesome. It was a big sense of relief."
Bradley Hallman entered the event at 6th in the Central points (three spots away from a Classic berth). He caught 14-02 on day 1 at Amistad, which put him in 35th, but nosedived on day 2 with just 5-13 and fell to finish 87th at Amistad and 12th in the Central points.
Along with Wolak, Clark Reehm of Russellville, Ark. (2nd in the points) and Jay Fuller of Kingston, Okla. (3rd) also qualified for the Classic.
The 28-year-old Reehm, a longtime triple-A-level pro, said of his Classic berth: "It's a relief. There was a lot of stress going into this tournament."
For 24-year-old Fuller, this was his first season in the front of the boat. "I'm speechless," he said. "The Classic's a dream come true, and I'm looking forward to it."
The Top 5 in the final Central points qualify to fish the 2008 Elite Series. If any of those qualifiers decline their invitation, BASS will invite additional Central points leaders down to the 10th-place spot. Below is a look at the final Top 10 in the 2007 Central points.
1. Dave Wolak -- N.C. -- 819
2. Clark Reehm -- Ark. -- 767
3. Jay Fuller -- Okla. -- 736
4. Brian Clark -- Tex -- 692
5. Pat Golden -- N.C. -- 676
6. Bobby Myers -- Okla. -- 669
7. Danny Smith -- La. -- 659
8. Trevor Rogge -- Minn. -- 635
9. Larry Byrd -- La. -- 632
10. Robert Byrd -- Texas -- 630
A few additional notes:
> Texan Trent Huckaby won Amistad. The full details of his winning pattern will be posted soon.
> Wolak was previously requalified for the '08 Elite Series, but draws his tour card from the Centrals, which means BASS will invite an additional angler from the 2007 Elite Series points list. That pro would be Bill Smith, Jr., who previously said he likely wouldn't fish the Elite Series in 2008. That means Paul Hirosky (85th in the points) is likely guaranteed a spot in the '08 Elite Series.
> Both Clark and Fuller said they intend to fish the Elite Series. BassFans may recognize Clark as a former pro bull rider who turned to fishing after a career-ending injury. He fished the 2007 BassFan Army Weekend Warrior Championship (through Media Bass), and won the Texoma Central Open and finished 2nd at the Texoma TTT this past spring.
