Fishing News - 10/27/00

        From BASS

Gary Klein leads overall at Lowe's World Championship Fishing in

Kentucky

Skeet Reese tops the boating field while Brent Chapman takes first in

fishing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Oct. 27, 2000 -- Some familiar names rose to the occasion during Friday's first day of competition in the $230,000 Lowe's World Championship Fishing event at Taylorsville State Park, October 27-29.

Once again, Gary Klein of Weatherford, Texas competing for Team Ford Trucks - displayed his remarkable consistency in taking the overall lead with a second-place finish in the fishing and a sixth place in boating for a total of 67 points. In the four previous Lowe's W.C.F. events, Klein not only has collected the most powerboating points (108) driving a Mercury-powered Triton, but ranks first in overall performance with 237 points.

In fishing, Brent Chapman of Shawnee, Kan. - competing for Team Kumho Tires in a Yamaha/Skeeter rig - overcame decidingly tough fishing conditions at Herrington Lake (the first of three separate angling venues) with the only limit posted on the day, a six-pound, one-ounce creel of largemouth bass.

His effort provided 48 points for his rodwork, but a difficult first day on the powerboating course where he finished last, dropped him down in the standings to sixth overall with 50 points.

"I don't know if the baits were the real key or everyone else just got in the mindset if they're not catching three- or four-pounders they get frustrated. I just knew that five 12-inchers would be good. I went out trying to get a limit of fish because I knew that five or six pounds would be a good start for the week," said Chapman who used Rapala Risto Rap and Bandit crankbaits (Tennessee Shad and Fire Tiger) rigged on 10-pound test P-Line, a seven-foot fiberglass crankbait rod and Quantum E600 reel.

"The fish are still in a dormant stage. When the water starts cooling off dramatically that's when they get in that mode of fattening up for the winter. They just haven't got there yet. Everyone thinks that Guist Creek Lake (tomorrow's fishing site) is where the fishing competition will be won. And, I would have to agree. From the quality of fish I saw there, if someone catches good keepers, they have the opportunity to weigh in a 15-pound bag."

In the powerboating category, California's Skeet Reese piloting the Team Flowmaster/BC Powders Mercury powered Champion proved that he had not lost his touch from a month ago when he won the boating division at the

Lowe's W.C.F. in Mobile, Ala. With a solid, 1.196 minute run on the lengthy Taylorsville course, Reese made believers of anyone who might have doubted his strong practice times, ones that had his competitors desperately looking for ways to trim their times.

A surprise in the boating competition was Pennzoil Marine entrant, Kevin Wirth, a home state pro from Crestwood, Kentucky, who placed second with a 1.3.12 minute run. At each Lowe's W.C.F. event, a local angler is invited to compete and, in Wirth, they found someone who is no stranger to racing pressure. In 1981, this former BASS Masters Classic qualifier rode a mount in the Kentucky Derby.

"When I led my horse into the gate [at the Derby], I realized that this was just another race. As long as I keep that in perspective here, I'll do okay." 

         B.A.S.S. Web site: http://www.bassmaster.com.

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