With a three-day total weight of 54 pounds, 13 ounces, Auburn, California's Skeet Reese took the title that has, until yesterday, eluded him. In his runner-up finish, Runnemede, New Jersey's Mike Iaconelli came close to taking home his second title, but didn't do anything to damage his reputation as one of the toughest anglers in the world when a title's on the line.
2009 Classic Champion Skeet Reese got off to a fast start, landing two fish weighing ten pounds early in the day. Photo: BASS Saturday's press conferences gave reporters the first indication of just how pumped up Reese was at being in contention going into the third day. When asked how he would handle the final fishing, Day Two leader Jami Fralick, not known for being overly demonstrative, responded he was just going to stay calm and go fishing. Reese couldn't contain himself, jumping into the conversation and peppering Fralick with questions that, in essence, let everyone know that Skeet was, well, Skeet, and anything but calm about his position. Fralick wound up in eighth place, failing to match his Saturday catch.
Classic fans were entertained with everything from the requisite t-shirt cannons to the music of the Zac Brown Band. The dynamic duo's finish capped off a high-energy series of weigh-ins, highlighted more by the enthusiastic crowds that crowded into the Classic venues on both sides of the Red River. Sunday morning, before the doors had opened on the Classic Expo, attendance had already shredded previous records. The weigh-ins were no exception, with the CenturyTel Arena packed with fans who hooted, hollered and cheered on their favorites.
For Reese, the title erases his last-second loss in 2007, and gives him a centerpiece win to go along with his 2008 Angler of the Year title. For Iaconelli, it's proof that while he's a fan favorite for his antics, his fishing skills are never in question. In ten Classic appearances, he's threatened for the title in five, and has become one of those boats early leaders hate to see coming up from behind.
This event, in addition to its record-setting attendance, set a more significant mark with a woman making the 51-angler field for the first time. But that's about as far as the record-setting went for Kim Bain-Moore, the Alabama/Australian who took the Women's Bassmaster title, finishing forty-seventh and failing to make the final round cut.
As the week continues, we'll have more from the Classic, including looks at some of the "secret weapons" used by the anglers and looks at some of the people who are making their presence known in the fishing world.
Like we say, "we'll keep you posted."