PARIS, Tenn. — Anglers are typically less than optimistic about their prospects in a tournament after three days of practice. Such was the case last week at the Grand Lake Elite Series event. Then the poor-mouthing changed to superlatives once the tournament began.
So in that way, the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Kentucky Lake presented by Abu Garcia is no different. There was little confidence expressed in the anglers’ meeting Thursday before this four-day event begins Friday.
“The top weights will probably be good because somebody is going to find a spot or two,” said Kevin VanDam, who won his 25th career B.A.S.S. event at Grand Lake on Sunday. “But I haven’t found a spot. It’s probably one of the worst practices I’ve ever had.”
However, this is Kentucky Lake. The 160,000-acre impoundment on the Tennessee River has produced winning weights topping 90 pounds the last three times the Elite Series has been here. And no one has a better track record at Kentucky Lake than VanDam, who was second in 2015, when Edwin Evers won with 97-4; first in 2010 with 92-5; second in 2009 when Bobby Lane won with 97-9; first in 2008 and third in 2006.
“The water was high, and they’re dropping the water real fast,” VanDam said. “The fish want to be on the bank. They’re not out (offshore) yet. It’s not good at all.”
While the Elite Series has typically been here in June, when bass have spawned and moved offshore to the Tennessee River ledges, Steve Kennedy won two FLW tournaments here in May. And Kennedy has struggled in practice too.
“When we got here, we walked around the marina, and there were beds everywhere,” Kennedy said. “Now all those beds are dry. Where those beds were three days ago, it’s dry land because they sucked it down so fast.
“I don’t have a clue right now. I expect somebody will catch them looking at ‘em (on spawning beds). But I don’t know where one (bed) is right now.”
Every one of the half-dozen anglers expressed similar stories about, well, cluelessness. And, again, that’s not unusual after practice at any Elite Series event. But this is Kentucky Lake. When asked to predict the winning weight, Kennedy’s response was typical: “It’s Kentucky Lake, so more than 80 pounds, pushing 100 possibly.”
Fred Roumbanis echoed those thoughts, saying, “It’s hard to say it will only take 80 pounds to win on this lake. I know the potential of this place. Somebody is bound to have found them. I could see it taking close to 90 pounds. It’s Kentucky Lake.”
Added Roumbanis, with a laugh, “But I haven’t seen that at all. The way my practice has been, I could see it taking 40 pounds.”
Again, Roumbanis was joking about 40 pounds. While it’s never wise to put much stock in pre-tournament talk, it wouldn’t be prudent to leave one subject unmentioned in a story about Kentucky Lake – pre-tournament or not. It’s a four-letter word around the lake right now. It begins with a “c” and ends with a “p.” You know, carp.
We’ll wait until the tournament begins before delving deeply into that subject, and let the facts speak, rather than spread rumors. But it’s safe to say there is wide interest in this event. Will Kentucky Lake produce its usual superlatives, or is there reason for concern?
Daily takeoffs begin at 6 a.m. CT and weigh-ins at 3 p.m. CT at Paris Landing State Park.