A look back at Toledo Bend

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Toledo Bend Reservoir’s 185,000 acres will be the site of a second Elite Series tournament in 11 months when the four-day Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend presented by Econo Lodge begins Thursday.
Toledo Bend Reservoir’s 185,000 acres will be the site of a second Elite Series tournament in 11 months when the four-day Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend presented by Econo Lodge begins Thursday.
Fred Roumbanis missed the Day 4 Top 12 cut by less than a pound last May, the last time the Elite Series came here.
Fred Roumbanis missed the Day 4 Top 12 cut by less than a pound last May, the last time the Elite Series came here.
Kevin VanDam caught 29-5 on Day 1 and remained in first place all four days in winning the 21st B.A.S.S. title in his illustrious career.
Kevin VanDam caught 29-5 on Day 1 and remained in first place all four days in winning the 21st B.A.S.S. title in his illustrious career.
VanDam used a variety of Strike King deep-diving crankbaits, like the 6XD, 8XD and 10 XD to compile his winning weight of 96-2.
VanDam used a variety of Strike King deep-diving crankbaits, like the 6XD, 8XD and 10 XD to compile his winning weight of 96-2.
KVD provided a clinic on deep cranking for Bassmaster LIVE viewers.
KVD provided a clinic on deep cranking for Bassmaster LIVE viewers.
And the “clinic” continued with an up-close a personal lesson in how to remove a treble hook embedded in his hand.
And the “clinic” continued with an up-close a personal lesson in how to remove a treble hook embedded in his hand.
Aided by Bassmaster photographer Garrick Dixon, left, VanDam provided step-by-step instructions on how to use a length of braided fishing line to quickly and almost painlessly remove a barbed hook.
Aided by Bassmaster photographer Garrick Dixon, left, VanDam provided step-by-step instructions on how to use a length of braided fishing line to quickly and almost painlessly remove a barbed hook.
Dixon yanks and the line, which is looped around the bend of the hook, while VanDam presses down on the hook shaft, which disengages the barb from his flesh. One, two, three – pull. Done. Back to fishing.
Dixon yanks and the line, which is looped around the bend of the hook, while VanDam presses down on the hook shaft, which disengages the barb from his flesh. One, two, three – pull. Done. Back to fishing.
Brent Ehrler finished 42nd last year at Toledo Bend. He’s coming off a heart-breaking third place finish at the Bassmaster Classic after leading the first two days.
Brent Ehrler finished 42nd last year at Toledo Bend. He’s coming off a heart-breaking third place finish at the Bassmaster Classic after leading the first two days.
Gerald Swindle finished 34th here last year en route to his Angler of the Year title.
Gerald Swindle finished 34th here last year en route to his Angler of the Year title.
Like he did all year long, Swindle survived at Toledo Bend and advanced to the next tournament. He departed in second place in the A.O.Y. standings, 28 points behind Greg Hackney.
Like he did all year long, Swindle survived at Toledo Bend and advanced to the next tournament. He departed in second place in the A.O.Y. standings, 28 points behind Greg Hackney.
Ish Monroe finished third in 2016 with a four-day total of 83-4.
Ish Monroe finished third in 2016 with a four-day total of 83-4.
Monroe flipped shallow cover with ¾- and ½-ounce jigs in compiling his third-place total.
Monroe flipped shallow cover with ¾- and ½-ounce jigs in compiling his third-place total.
Edwin Evers finished 10th with bass like this one caught on a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm paired with a Head Turner standup jig.
Edwin Evers finished 10th with bass like this one caught on a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm paired with a Head Turner standup jig.
VanDam, and several other Elite Series anglers took advantage of the early morning shad spawn for their first keepers of the day.
VanDam, and several other Elite Series anglers took advantage of the early morning shad spawn for their first keepers of the day.
Chris Lane finished second last year with 88-7.
Chris Lane finished second last year with 88-7.
Lane relied primarily on a River2Sea Whopper Plopper topwater bait.
Lane relied primarily on a River2Sea Whopper Plopper topwater bait.
Lane concentrated on the areas around shallow, flooded vegetation.
Lane concentrated on the areas around shallow, flooded vegetation.
Lane also flipped a Lucky Strike Drop Dead Craw to land a few key bass.
Lane also flipped a Lucky Strike Drop Dead Craw to land a few key bass.
Especially when you’re contending for the title, losing a big bass near the boat is agonizing.
Especially when you’re contending for the title, losing a big bass near the boat is agonizing.
Lane landed a lot more than he lost in finishing third.
Lane landed a lot more than he lost in finishing third.
Obviously, Lane’s bone-colored Whopper Plopper was dynamite at Toledo Bend.
Obviously, Lane’s bone-colored Whopper Plopper was dynamite at Toledo Bend.
Hank Cherry made a strong run at the 2016 title at Toledo Bend, starting in third place on Day 1 and finishing 6th.
Hank Cherry made a strong run at the 2016 title at Toledo Bend, starting in third place on Day 1 and finishing 6th.
Cherry caught most of his fish swimming a white jig around docks, cypress trees and shallow vegetation...
Cherry caught most of his fish swimming a white jig around docks, cypress trees and shallow vegetation…
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...Cherry also caught some key fish while flipping a punch rig in thick cover.
…Cherry also caught some key fish while flipping a punch rig in thick cover.
Cypress Bend Park always draws big crowds for an Elite Series weigh-in.
Cypress Bend Park always draws big crowds for an Elite Series weigh-in.
How close was Cherry fishing to the shore? Close enough for Canada geese to get a bird’s eye view.
How close was Cherry fishing to the shore? Close enough for Canada geese to get a bird’s eye view.
Cherry’s 6th-place weight of 81-2 shows what it will take to contend at Toledo Bend – an average of 20-pounds-plus per day.
Cherry’s 6th-place weight of 81-2 shows what it will take to contend at Toledo Bend – an average of 20-pounds-plus per day.
Toledo Bend’s water level isn’t up in the bushes this year, like it was in ’16.
Toledo Bend’s water level isn’t up in the bushes this year, like it was in ’16.
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of big bass caught this week, just that the methods of catching them may change.
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of big bass caught this week, just that the methods of catching them may change.
Keith Combs finished 4th at The Bend last year.
Keith Combs finished 4th at The Bend last year.
Combs caught most of his fish on a Strike King 6XD, concentrating in depths of 12 to 15 feet.
Combs caught most of his fish on a Strike King 6XD, concentrating in depths of 12 to 15 feet.
Combs caught his biggest bag of the tournament – 24-13 – on the final day.
Combs caught his biggest bag of the tournament – 24-13 – on the final day.
Ish Monroe, on the other hand, posted his lowest weight of the tournament – 17-7, which left him in third place, where he started the day.
Ish Monroe, on the other hand, posted his lowest weight of the tournament – 17-7, which left him in third place, where he started the day.
Monroe’s flipping pattern produced some big bites.
Monroe’s flipping pattern produced some big bites.
Chris Lane’s key lure, the River2Sea Whopper Plopper, was clearly the key to success here.
Chris Lane’s key lure, the River2Sea Whopper Plopper, was clearly the key to success here.
Lane’s topwater pattern produced plenty of excitement.
Lane’s topwater pattern produced plenty of excitement.
Excitement – again and again and again.
Excitement – again and again and again.
Kevin VanDam fished shallow along seawalls, like this, to take advantage of the shad spawn early each day.
Kevin VanDam fished shallow along seawalls, like this, to take advantage of the shad spawn early each day.
Obviously, that early tactic wasn’t a waste of time.
Obviously, that early tactic wasn’t a waste of time.
VanDam took big bass honors the first two days with an 8-5, followed by an 8-11.
VanDam took big bass honors the first two days with an 8-5, followed by an 8-11.
It’s bass in that class – 8 pounds and up – that make Toledo Bend such an exciting tournament location.
It’s bass in that class – 8 pounds and up – that make Toledo Bend such an exciting tournament location.
Kevin VanDam’s victory at Toledo Bend broke a five-year drought in first-place finishes for the legendary angler, which he followed up with two more wins in 2016.
Kevin VanDam’s victory at Toledo Bend broke a five-year drought in first-place finishes for the legendary angler, which he followed up with two more wins in 2016.
The number 23 comes up twice in association with this year’s tournament at Toledo Bend: 1) It’s the 23rd time B.A.S.S. has held a tournament here; and 2) Kevin VanDam’s all-time victory total is 23.
The number 23 comes up twice in association with this year’s tournament at Toledo Bend: 1) It’s the 23rd time B.A.S.S. has held a tournament here; and 2) Kevin VanDam’s all-time victory total is 23.