Reese sitting pretty

Skeet Reese isn't taking any chances at the Capital Clash, he's not going to be conservative in his approach, he wants to rack up the AOY points.

MARBURY, MD — Many Elite Series pros would be tempted to fish conservatively with an eight and a half pound lead heading into the final day. Skeet Reese, who leads the Capital Clash presented by Advance Auto Parts, probably would, too, if he had a choice.

"I'm just going to milk what I've got for whatever I can get," said Reese, looking to become the first wire to wire winner of the 2007 season, which would give him 320 AOY points. "I turned four bites in practice into the lead that I've got now.

"I figure if I can get 10 pounds I'll be in good shape. Another 15 to 18 pounds and that'll slam the door as loud as I can."

That's not to say the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year leader is overconfident.

His area in Nanjemoy Creek has been good for four fish on Thursday, seven on Friday and seven on Saturday, but Reese had to work hard for his bites on Day Three.

And he had the aid of a cooperative bunch of observer boats. Sunday's blast-off was twenty minutes later, giving weekenders extra time to put a lure in front of the fish.

"I have no idea what to expect. I went in yesterday not knowing if I was going to get a bite," said Reese. "I know more fish are in there, but if they've repositioned themselves to bite my cricket is another thing."

Reese's back-up spot has produced a few fish this week, but for the most part they're "not giants".

"I haven't had more than three or four bites all week in any other place," he said. "But a few pound and a half to two pounders would look really good right now."