Mud was the word at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic as daily rain soaked all activities.
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Photo: Alan McGuckin - Mud was the word at this yearâs Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC). Daily torrential rain and thunderstorms soaked the outdoor venue fields used for parking and exhibits to a point that concerts and other activities were totally cancelled on Day 2 and 3 of the tournament.Photo: Alan McGuckin - Still, the tournament went on, and John Crews continued to show heâs fishing really well these days with an 8-pound, 7-ounce beast on Day 1.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Kevin VanDam shows off an armload of the most popular lures â all of them focused on catching bass in 15â40 feet of water. Strike Kingâs 10XD, giant flutter spoons, swimbaits and football jigs were most popular. Photo: Alan McGuckin - Casey Ashley notched a Top 10 using a 3/4 ounce peanut butter & jelly-colored football jig, with a green pumpkin Zoom Z-Hawg trailer. He used a Quantum Speed Freak reel to pick up slack quickly as most of his bites occurred in 20â22 feet of water. Photo: Alan McGuckin - Like most anglers, the current Bassmaster Classic championâs biggest concern of the week was not getting a bite, but instead severe storms in the Lake Fork region.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - A mix of B.A.S.S. and FLW anglers, along with their friends and families, tiptoed through the mud backstage at the weigh-in. Photo: Alan McGuckin - This Toyota 4Runner had the right idea by heading for higher ground.Photo: Alan McGuckin - Gerald Swindle kept the crowd laughing as usual, saying, âIt rained so much today, I saw a giraffe in rubber boots and two ducks holding an umbrella.â
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Three of the TTBCâs most popular anglers, Keith Combs, Kevin VanDam and Brandon Palaniuk, sign autographs for the large crowd that showed up on Day 1 prior to Day 2 and Day 3 being canceled to the public due to intense storms and mud. Photo: Alan McGuckin - Todd Faircloth prepares for Day 1 under threatening storm clouds that never seemed to go away throughout this traditionally great event. Photo: Alan McGuckin - Jason Christie took the early lead with this 9-pound behemoth.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Mike Iaconelli has a magical relationship with giant Texas bass. The New Jersey angler has had an incredible run of success in Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournaments â including the 8 pounder he caught this year to anchor another Top 10 finish.Photo: Alan McGuckin - Iaconelli talks to emcee Dave Mercer about what a special event the TTBC is.Photo: Alan McGuckin - Dressed in red, white and blue in recognition of Memorial Day, Iaconelliâs daughter stole a kiss from her daddy as he rode to the weigh-in stage.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Petty Officer Nathaniel Glass brought goosebumps to onlookers as he sang our national anthem prior to tournament takeoff.Photo: Alan McGuckin - Patriotism was not lost at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Memorial Day weekend. Photo: Alan McGuckin - Brent Ehrler caught the kind of 10-pounder Lake Fork is famous for on the final day of competition.
Photo: Alan McGuckin - Ehrler holds the 10-pounder up on stage that ultimately sealed victory for him.Photo: Alan McGuckin - Not only did the big 10-pounder win him the tournament â but also the key to a brand new Tundra for catching the biggest bass of the tournament.Photo: Alan McGuckin - Confetti flies to finalize a rain-soaked event that was trying for both fans and organizers â but still carried a feeling of patriotism, fellowship and fat green fish.