The first event of every Bassmaster Elite Series event always comes with a ton of pontification.
I know a lot of folks know what that means, at least partly. I know the strict definition taken from Websters is: “express one’s opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic.”
I know that sounds almost cringe worthy, but I also know these pontifications aren’t exactly dogmatic or pompous, though they may be annoying.
I think I know a lot about the Elite Series. I know no one knows everything about bass fishing, especially in Florida. I know a friend bet me $100 no one would weigh more than 18 pounds on Day 1 of the FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at the St. Johns River. I know I have an extra $100 in beer money now.
I know most people outside of Florida do not realize a big thing about derbies in this state. I know things seismically shift by the appearance of big fish. I know they change things in every derby, but in Florida, you must have one to even rate. I know you get two and you likely lead like Jay Przekurat does on Day 1.
I know he had two fish that together weighed 15 pounds or more. I know those two fish alone would put him in the Top 30 of this tournament.
I know in almost four decades of covering events in Florida, I’ve never seen a stringer that weighed 25 pounds made up of just 5-pounders. There’s always an eye-popper in there.
I know a case in point is 104 anglers caught 96 limits. I know that average is about 13 pounds.
I know the make-up of this derby is borderline scary. I know the Top 25 have at least 16 wins between them. I know it’s much more than 16 considering Livesay, Crews, Iaconelli and Palaniuk have multiples.
I know I should count all those titles. I know I’m sometimes lazy late in the day. I know I told you about a new-found $100 in beer money. I know it’s clear enough this Top 25 is as stout as it can get.
I know there is obviously a sophomore slump. I know last season after Day 1 of the Elite Series there were four rookies in the top 10. I know one of them won that event. I know there is an opportunity to “express one’s opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic.”
I know I won’t do that. I know that annoying.
I know I’m surprised Steve Kennedy posted a zero on Day 1. I know he did catch a decent weight; only four fish but one of them was a 5-pound plus bruiser. I know Kennedy is a perennial sandbagger, so he likely had a double-digit weight. I know that wouldn’t turn any heads. But I also know it would have been a good start. I know on his way in, his shift actuator went out. I know none of that matters in the grand scheme of things.
I know he becomes the sixth zero in 10 events scattered over more than a decade of Elite events on the St. Johns. I know only one angler has ever zeroed two days in a row on the St. Johns. I know that angler was Rick Clunn. I know Rick Clunn has won two events on the St. Johns.
I know, given my own age, Rick Clunn taught us to never except the idea that our best days are behind us. I know I believe that. I know I told you about my new-found $100 in beer money. I know, for me, that kind of proves a point.
