The significance of this Saturday is much more significant than the rest. In fact, it is the most important Saturday of the season. A choice few anglers are fishing for the win, which nearly pales in comparison to the remainder of the field, whose priority is gaining valuable points in Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. This is it—the last chance—unless you qualify for Championship Sunday. Some anglers will leave here and go to the AOY Championship in September. Others will go home for the season.
Michael Iaconelli explained.
“Making the top 50 is a great thing but the goal is always to advance to Championship Sunday, and here, to gain as many points as possible going into the AOY Championship,” he said.
“In this particular event, because the weights are so big, guys are catching really big smallmouth, and you’re going to have to gamble to advance,” he continued. “In a normal event you just kind of keep doing what you are doing, and you’ve got a good shot at making it to Championship Sunday. You need a 5 or 6 pounder to add to those 4s to get in, and do that today.”
Lots is on the line and with only 50 anglers remaining they will have a chance to spread out, giving them better odds of reaping those rewards.