Friday at the Toyota Trucks All-Star Week, eight pros came, and after, four remain. In one case, the decision came down to 1 ounce.
By besting their Friday opponents, Casey Ashley, Edwin Evers, Ott DeFoe and Gerald Swindle earned their way into the second round of the All-Star Championship at the Alabama River.
Saturday's matches, predetermined by a bracketed playoff structure, will be Ashley vs. Evers and DeFoe vs. Swindle. Sunday, only the two winners from Saturday will compete for a winner-take-all prize of $100,000.
The tournament's match play, similar to the old FLW Tour Championship format, but with a smaller field — set up heated head-to-head contests Saturday, not the least of which was Swindle vs. Terry Scroggins. They're travel buddies and good friends who are used to sharing information. Even though they went head-to-head Friday, both said they still traded information on techniques and patterns.
Swindle won by 1 ounce. He had 12-05 to Scroggins' 12-04.
"I've been looking for that one ounce since I left Toledo Bend, and I finally found it," said Swindle, who lost by 1 ounce to Dean Rojas at Toledo Bend during the regular Bassmaster Elite Series season.
Swindle also said he had bittersweet feelings about besting his buddy Scroggins.
"That's my boy. To put him out, that hurts. Tomorrow will be different. I can turn the fire up (now that) the personal, emotional side is taken away."
Ashley defeated Skeet Reese, Evers edged Aaron Martens and DeFoe bested Mike Iaconelli.
