Snyders reclaims top spot in Kayak AOY race

After his second Top 10 in Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX competition, Rus Snyders has retaken the top spot in the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race.

With a second-place finish at the Upper Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis., where he finished just an inch and a half behind winner Tyler Cole, the Tennessee angler has 733 points and reclaimed the lead from Alabama’s Nick Dyer, who did not compete at La Crosse and has 727 points after his first three events.

Snyder’s shallow-water skills shined once again at La Crosse, as he fished grass with swim jigs and worms to get the job done.

Elite Series pro Greg DiPalma is third in the standings with 726 points followed by Nebraska’s Marty Hughes Jr. in fourth with 723 points. Ohio’s Eric Siddiqi is fifth with 718 points.

The season finale is scheduled for Oct. 7-8 at the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. The Susquehanna River has hosted several Hobie BOS events in the past and produced impressive numbers of smallmouth. While this is his first year in a kayak, it is in DiPalma’s home region, and he will no doubt have a chance to make a run at the top spot.

Four events will count towards the final Angler of the Year standings, giving competitors who fished all five events an edge heading into the last tournament.