Fishing News - 9/30/00
From BASS
OWE'S W.C.F. YOUNGSTER TAKES LEAD AT MOBILE BAY
North Carolina Pro Tops Field Entering Final Round
MOBILE, Ala., Sept. 30, 2000 - North Carolina's Dustin Wilks, at 23 the youngest pro in the 15-man field in the $225,000 Lowe's Home Improvement World Championship Fishing bass and boating event, proved to be steadier than his most experienced counterparts Saturday en route to taking the lead entering Sunday's final round.
Wilks, second in the boating competition and third in fishing, leads the overall standings with 65 points. Arkansas's Stephen Browning, who leads the fishing division and stands eighth in the boating portion, is second with 61 points. California's Skeet Reese is third with 60.
Under the Lowe's W.C.F. format, the pros fish for bass in the morning before taking their stock bass boats for an afternoon spin around a timed course. Fishing accounts for 60 percent of their overall score, with
their boat-handling skills credited with 40 percent.In the calm waters off of the bow of the battleship U.S.S. Alabama in Mobile Bay, Wilks turned in another excellent run on the serpentine course before an estimated crowd of 8,000 fishing fans. His run of 50:98
seconds in his Team Yamaha Triton was the second-fastest Saturday. Earlier in the day, Wilks weighed in a five-bass limit totaling 6-14."It feels good to be leading the overall," Wilks said. "This thing is going down to the wire. "The racing is going well, but my fishing hasn't been going so well. I struggled to catch what I had today. Five or 6 pounds tomorrow would
look real good."Browning leads the fishing competition with 13 pounds, 13 ounces, ahead of Texan Gary Klein (13-2) and Wilks (13 pounds). If he is to overtake Wilks in the overall race, Browning realizes that he will have to make an improvement Sunday at the helm of his Team Lowrance Evinrude powered Triton.
"The fishing's real tough right now, but I've been fortunate to catch a limit both days," he said. "I've got to make a good run tomorrow and gain probably four to six points to have a chance at winning the overall. But that's certainly doable."
Reese blistered the challenging Lowe's W.C.F. course Saturday, turning in the fastest run so far this season. His run of 49:48 seconds driving the Team Flowmaster/BC Powders Mercury Champion gave him a two-day total
time of 1:40:33."It was a great run, but I think I can go faster - maybe take another second off," said Reese, whose fishing performance isn't as impressive (sixth place with 8-5). "I just need to find some decent fish."
The overall winner of the Lowe's W.C.F. event takes him $50,000, while
the fishing and boating division winners each earn $25,000. The outdoor festival at Battleship Park begins at 10 a.m. as a prelude to the day's action. Weigh-ins begin at 1 p.m. with the boating competition starting at 3 p.m. At the conclusion of the boating competition, the 15 pros will participate in a photo and autograph session for fans. All events are free, but there is a $2 charge for parking at the park.The BASSMASTER Tournament Trail is the oldest and most prestigious pro
bass fishing tournament circuit. It continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism, and sportsmanship for more than three decades.Sponsors of the 2000 BASSMASTER Tournament Trail include: Ranger Boats, RangerTrail Trailers, Mercury Outboards, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco Batteries, Worldwaters.com, Humminbird/Zercom Marine, Pennzoil Marine, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, First USA/B.A.S.S. Platinum Visa, MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Gore-Tex Outerwear, GMAC Insurance.
B.A.S.S. Web site: http://www.bassmaster.com.
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