The Smith Lake Elite 50 sets up an interesting set of dynamics. First, there's the "old" crowd who made
the E50s through their all-time winnings. Against them is a set of young guns ready to inflict some damage.
Then, there's the deep vs. shallow battle. Smith Lake could produce a substantial deep bite for beefy spots – which western and northern anglers might get on. But if the spawn is full-on, there'll be a mass angler migration to the bank and sight-fishermen will likely carry the day.
Lastly, there's the 6-hole Megabucks-style course. This course water – a very substantial portion of the lake – is off-limits on days 1 and 2. That sets up two very different tournaments within one tournament, where anglers on days 3 and 4 will face entirely new water.
Top 10 To Watch
Here, in no particular order, is BassFan's recommendation for the Top 10 to watch.
1) Gerald Swindle – He's fishing close to home and has done damage here before. He slipped quite a bit in the regular-season points this year, but the E50s represent a brand new playground. Strong local advantage if he makes it to the courses.
2) Dave Wolak – The Bassmaster rookie terror rubs shoulders with the true elite today, on a lake he's never fished. Has the patience to slow down with finesse, but if his deep bite tanks, will likely have trouble against seasoned sight-fishermen.
3) Skeet Reese – Made a hard charge for BASS Angler of the Year (AOY), but fell short with a Table Rock disaster. Likes to pick an area and stick with it, which might be the ticket here for days 1 and 2.
4) Kevin VanDam – Last year's Elite 50 points winner, seems to attack E50 events with a vengeance. Rarely falters and always a threat to win.
5) Shaw Grigsby – Missed the E50s last year due to heart surgery, but ready to go now. A dominant sight-fisherman who's due for a big one.
6) Marty Stone – He's No. 1 in the State Farm-BassFan World Rankings and a proven scrambler. The water's clearer here than he prefers, but the lake might fish like the North Carolina lakes he knows so well.
7) Luke Clausen – Alabama impoundment? Spotted bass? Look no further than Luke Clausen. He followed up an FLW Tour Championship win with a solid Bassmaster Tour season. Will the new guard shine this week?
Alabama son Gerald Swindle, who finished 5th here last year, is a Smith Lake specialist.
8) Dean Rojas – Accomplished sight-fisherman who's solid with spots. Hasn't been fishing too well this year, but fresh start in E50s might give him the boost he needs. Strong deep threat too.
9) Aaron Martens – He's the 2005 AOY and this type of lake is tailor-made for him. Showed the strength to switch up under pressure at Table Rock, so look for his versatility to shine here.
10) Jay Yelas – Where have all the great ones gone? Yelas needs a turnaround, and no better place than here, where he could line up some big bed-fish for day 1 and ride those into the cut.
Others To Watch
> Mark Davis – Won two of four Elite 50 events last year, but his shoulder has plagued him all year.
> Roland Martin – One of the all-time greats fishing against a list of all-time greats.
> Zell Rowland – Lake seems primed for a topwater bite, but late start will likely scare most anglers off. Rowland, however, has the discipline to stick with topwater all day.
> Alton Jones – Miserable Bassmaster Tour season, but fresh off a 3rd at the Beaver Lake FLW. Great sight-fisherman too.
> Mark Tyler – Squeaked into the E50s and has something to prove.
> Mike Iaconelli – If the bad boy can spank some big spots, watch out.
> Edwin Evers – "The Double E" is becoming dominant, and almost always figures them out.
> Kenyon Hill – Good tough-bite stick who loves to catch spots. Due for something – anything.
Weather Forecast
Wed., April 20 – Sunny – 80°/55°
> Wind: From the S/SW at 6 mph
Thurs., April 21 – PM T-Storms – 81°/57°
> Wind: From the W at 6 mph
Fri., April 22 – Scattered T-Storms – 76°/50°
> Wind: From the W at 5 mph
Sat., April 23 – Partly Cloudy – 67°/36°
> Wind: From the NW at 10 mph
Notable
> Tonight's weigh-in begins at 7:00 CST, so BassFans can expect coverage to be posted a few hours later than it is for regular-season events.
> Here's the complete E50 field that's fishing today, separated by qualification status:
All-Time Money List
1. Denny Brauer -- $1,889,176
2. Rick Clunn -- $1,627,544
3. Larry Nixon -- $1,579,658
4. Kevin VanDam -- $1,450,108
5. Jay Yelas -- $1,312,607
6. Shaw Grigsby, Jr -- $1,259,855
7. Gary Klein -- $1,239,343
8. Ron Shuffield -- $1,047,521
9. Roland Martin -- $1,038,067
10. George Cochran -- $1,028,409
11. Mark Davis -- $1,018,121
12. Davy Hite -- $942,150
13. Zell Rowland -- $937,765
14. David Fritts -- $881,355
15. Peter Thliveros -- $838,289
16. Jim Bitter -- $824,368
17. Alton Jones -- $816,479
18. Tommy Biffle -- $809,978
19. David Wharton -- $773,755
20. Michael Iaconelli -- $732,245
Top 27: 3-Year Tour Points Average
1. Skeet Reese -- 24
2. Brent Chapman -- 66
3. Tim Horton -- 69
4. Edwin Evers -- 70
5. Kelly Jordon -- 78
6. Kevin Wirth -- 81
7. Terry Scroggins -- 90
8. Gerald Swindle -- 93
9. Marty Stone -- 94
10. Ish Monroe -- 97
11. Stacey King -- 108
12. Bud Pruitt -- 112
13. Brian Snowden -- 114
14. Jeff Reynolds -- 125
15. Mike Reynolds -- 130
16. Jeff Kriet -- 133
17. Bernie Schultz -- 136
18. Jimmy Mize -- 140
19. Mike Wurm -- 142
20. Guy Eaker -- 149
20. Chad Morgenthaler -- 152
22. Dustin Wilks -- 153
23. Dean Rojas -- 158
24. Luke Clausen -- 160
25. Kenyon Hill -- 162
26. Randy Howell -- 164
27. Mark Tyler -- 165
2004 Classic Champion – Takahiro Omori
2005 AOY – Aaron Martens
2005 BASS Rookie of the Year – Dave Wolak
