Even after leading the Bassmaster Elite Series anglers in points for two consecutive events, Alton Jones and Terry Scroggins said Saturday that they aren't ready to stake any claims in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
It's too early to feel confident," said Jones, in first place with 853 points after the season's third event concluded last Saturday. "All a lead really means is that whatever the mark will be for AOY, I need fewer (additional) points than anybody else does."
Jones, now the one setting that mark, has a streak going. In eighth place after one event, he took the top spot after the second event. His lead is the product of consistency: three consecutive final-day, Top 12 cuts.
Any wind at Jones' back may be the breath of Scroggins, who also has three Top 12s and is now 30 points behind Jones.
"There are five events left and a lot of fishing to do, so being second doesn't mean anything right now," Scroggins said Saturday as the Alabama Charge on Pickwick Lake concluded.
He said his mindset is not to shoot for the AOY leader, but rather to remain consistent. He has managed a steady-as-she-goes performance so far: 10th, second and eighth, respectively, in the first, second and third Elite Series competitions of the season.
Both Jones and Scroggins are mindful of the anglers at their backs. Not the least on that list is six-time AOY Kevin VanDam, who held on to the No. 3 spot Saturday. VanDam, the reigning AOY, was 80 points behind Jones, and 50 short of Scroggins.