BASS decided this morning to cancel day 1 of the Guntersville Bassmaster Elite Series in Guntersville, Ala. A significant, violent system of storms is predicted to roll through the area by early this afternoon.
While the early morning decision did perplex some in the field, since conditions seemed fine at dawn and through the morning hours (light rain and wind), most recognized the potential for life-threatening situations. The storm was blamed for 10 deaths yesterday when a tornado struck along the Texas-Mexico border. The system was also blamed in the death of a Louisiana man struck by lightning.
The Elite Series event has therefore been shortened to 3 days. The full field will fish days 1 and 2 (Friday and Saturday), after which the field will be cut to the Top 12 for the final day. Co-anglers will fish only days 1 and 2. The water is off-limits today.
What follows are some notes from the Elite Series pros about what effect the cancellation will have on their strategy, and how they feel about the decision.
Jones Will Fish the Same
Alton Jones was the runner-up here last year, and told BassFan that the cancellation won't affect his overall strategy, in terms of where and what he'll fish. He will, however, probably upgrade more than usual tomorrow, since his fish have to last only 3 days now, instead of 4.
One plus he noted is that the fish get to rest an extra day, "which is always good on a fishery. So I think tomorrow should be more fun. But as far as strategy, it doesn't change anything."
One possible implication of the front is its effect on sight-fish. The water's already heavily stained, and if heavy rains dump a lot of water into the system, it could blow out some of the shallower creeks and bedding areas.
About the sight-bite, he said: "I think sight-fishermen are loving the cancellation. Today wasn't a good sight-fishing day anyway, with the rain and wind. But that's why it's so important to have bites on multiple patterns for different conditions."
About BASS's decision to cancel, he noted: "I'm really a little bit baffled. It's hard not to be fishing on a morning like this. It's a fishing day. But you always want to play it safe. Safety is always the most important consideration."
Kennedy Unsure Of Effect
BassFan caught up with Steve Kennedy while he was in a tackle store. Imagine that.
He noted that he has a deep and shallow bite, but his shallow bite's strong, so the cancellation could work to his advantage because he thinks the deep guys needed today's clouds and wind.
"I'm sure it's going to change it up a little bit," he said of the cancellation. "I was really looking forward to getting out there today. I got on that shad-spawn bite that I missed totally last year. I figured they'd bite a spinnerbait all day today.
"It may actually help me though," he added. "Last year I did so well sight-fishing, and there are a lot of fish up. Some of these guys catching them out on the ledges might have a little trouble after 8:00 or 9:00, and (not having today) could hurt them. But I have a ton of sight-fish. Every place I caught them last year, they're there again."
About the decision to cancel, he said: "I looked at the radar and I wouldn't have called it from what I saw. But I don't like being out there in lightning and storms. I'm one of the guys who'll go to the bank if there's lightning. So I don't have a problem with it. I need a day off anyway."
Thliveros Fine With 1 Less Day
Peter Thliveros said he had a "really good practice." He's fishing the mid-depth range, which is typically where he's comfortable, so he doesn't think the cancellation will have much effect on his strategy.
"Tomorrow I'm just going to do what I would have done today," he said. "It's hard to say if (the cancellation) will help or hurt me, but I don't think it's going to affect me. Either I'll make it work or I won't."
Jeff Reynolds supports the decision 100%, because 'your life's not something you should take for granted.'
One thing he particularly likes about the decision is its potential impact on sight-fishermen, especially if storms muddy the water.
"I think absolutely it could hurt them, and I hope it teaches them a lesson," he said. "You can't count on sight-fish every time. Some people have made a living at it for years. Maybe this time it'll hurt them a little bit."
Reynolds: 100% Support
Like the others above, Jeff Reynolds will stick to his same gameplan tomorrow, and start just like he would have today.
Asked if he thinks one pattern could last for the shortened event, he said: "That's a tough question. Lots of fish are on the bank, and lots of fish are out (deep). I could see someone just sight-fishing and making the cut. And I could see someone just fishing out and making the cut. There's really a lot of things going on right now.
"I found a bunch of fish up, but not many good ones, and I don't really have that many places to fish out," he added. "So this is probably better for me. If they're there and I can catch them, we won't have as many days I'd need to spend on them."
About the decision, he said: "I support it 100%. I know a lot of guys were griping, but even if it clears off and turns bluebird, I still support it. If they think it's going to get bad, I don't want to be out there. Your life's not something you should take for granted. It's not worth getting somebody killed."
Jordon Sees Positives
In Kelly Jordon's view, there's a positive to the decision that not many have considered. It involves spectators.
"Right now I'd like to be out there fishing – it's just raining real heavy," he said earlier this morning. "But I do know the storm killed people in Texas, and it has severe potential. It's a tough call, but safety first. If it has the potential to get bad and be life-threatening, there's no reason to be out there.
"It just shortens it by a day," he added. "The (Bassmaster) Classic's only 3 days, and that's plenty to get it going on. And the cancellation means more guys will be fishing and weighing in for the fans on Saturday, which is always a bigger crowd.
"It has its pros and cons, but it's good for everybody."
Notable
> To read BassFan's Scouting Report for the event, which was published last night, click here.
