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Skeet Reese wins 2009 Bassmaster Classic

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skeet-reese2
After painfully getting edged out of the top spot in the 2006 Bassmaster’s Classic by a mere 6 ounces, Auburn CA’s Skeet Reese put the final feather in his professional career Sunday by winning the 2009 Classic on the Red River in Bossier City, LA.

Reese sacked 16 pounds, 12 ounces on the final day to beat 2003 Classic champion Mike Iaconelli by 11 ounces. For the win, Reese fished a 3/8-ounce Lucky Craft Redemption spinnerbait and a Berkeley Crazy Legs Chigger Craw. For his efforts, he collects a check for $500,000 — bringing his career earnings to nearly $2 million!

I’m sure it was us posting a photo of his pimped out F650 tow rig last week that gave Reese the good karma and propelled him to the win! What’s that, Skeet? Oh, our cut of the prize money is in the mail? Sweet, thanks!

OMG!

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monster-kenai-king
This one’s from the Holy Crap files! Check out this very bright (still had sea lice!) and oh so giant king salmon from the Kenai River! The fish was taken June 30th, 2004 by a client of guide Greg Brush of EZ Limit Guide Service in Soldotna.

Take a really, really close look at that fish…the wrist of the tail is as big as your thigh and you could fit your head inside its mouth! And then there’s the adipose fin that’s the size of a salad plate…

Although not a world record…not even close, if you can believe that…Greg (right) says the fish was in the mid 80’s (duh!) and is his personal best during his tenure as a guide on the Kenai.

The best part of the whole deal is the client released the fish! Super manly man stud props for that!

Though the Kenai’s slowing down as a giant factory, there are still monsters lurking in its emerald depths and Les Anderson’s all-tackle world record of 97 pounds, 4 ounces is never safe here. Check out the story of the World Record King HERE

How do I become a pro angler?

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JD,
Ive loved fishing since i was first introduced to it at the age of three by my grandmother(RIP). I am 24 years old now and my whole life I have dreamed of becoming a pro angler.

I have had this dream forever but i don’t have the knowledge or resources to began my journey as a angler. So could you please help me out on how to get started as angler. Thank you and good luck fishing.

–Andre

Andre,

Well, I would start with your local bass club — there’s usually one or more clubs in “bassy” parts of the country. Start fishing the smaller tournaments — they’ll be less expensive to start with and you can get a whole lot of experience there.

Then, once you’ve had some success, graduate to the next level. In a lot of cases, future pros get their start by fishing as “co-anglers” (aka back seaters) until they finish enough times in the top 25 to move on.

To get onto one of the two big bass tours — the Wal Mart FLW Tour and the Bassmasters Tour, you’ll have to win enough times in their lower levels to qualify. Once there, you’ll have to have some solid financial backing from sponsors because it costs quite a bit of $$ to be on tour. Keep in mind that very few of the touring pros are making the big dough.

But, if you have the fire and want to dedicate yourself, I’m sure you’ll do well. Check out my FLW Touring pal Big Fred Contaoi’s website for a glimpse into the life: http://www.bigfredfishing.com

Lake Pardee primed for action!

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When Northern California’s Lake Pardee re-opens to fishing on Friday, Feb. 6th., 2009, anglers should see some white-hot fishing…if it’s anything like the action we encountered on Media Day on Sunday.

The preview day of fishing was open to a select few bass pros and media members (organized by Kent Brown of Ultimate Bass Radio and hosted by Pardee Recreation Co. owners Richard and Kerry Copper). Record-class smallmouth bass were the target de jour. Pardee is rapidly gaining a reputation of being a top-notch smallie fishery, and several bronzebacks in the 8 to 9+ pound class were taken there last season.

But’s let’s back up here…
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