Top stories of 2011

These are the highlights, lowlights and spotlights of the year coming to a close. Before you fire up Auld Lang Syne, take a look at the biggest stories of 2011.

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<p> If you're wondering what the top stories in bass fishing were for 2011, this image is a big hint. It was an interesting lap around the sun, and these were the events that made the biggest splashes.</p>
If you’re wondering what the top stories in bass fishing were for 2011, this image is a big hint. It was an interesting lap around the sun, and these were the events that made the biggest splashes.
<p> <strong>#10 - Palaniuk Power</strong></p> <p> Brandon Palaniuk found the limelight in 2010 after winning the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship. He then went on to finish fourth in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic, evoking images of the late Bryan Kerchal as he blew a fish whistle on the Classic stage. His good fortune continued as a rookie in the Elite Series, where he squeaked into the last spot in the 2012 Classic.</p>
#10 – Palaniuk Power

Brandon Palaniuk found the limelight in 2010 after winning the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship. He then went on to finish fourth in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic, evoking images of the late Bryan Kerchal as he blew a fish whistle on the Classic stage. His good fortune continued as a rookie in the Elite Series, where he squeaked into the last spot in the 2012 Classic.

<p> <strong>#9 - Win and You're In</strong></p> <p> If you won a 2011 Bassmaster Open and fished all three in that region, you earned an automatic berth in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic. Nevertheless, only four of the nine Opens winners qualified, including Fletcher Shryock (above), Gerald Swindle, Mark Tucker and Kelly Pratt. That left five potential Classic spots unclaimed.</p>
#9 – Win and You’re In

If you won a 2011 Bassmaster Open and fished all three in that region, you earned an automatic berth in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic. Nevertheless, only four of the nine Opens winners qualified, including Fletcher Shryock (above), Gerald Swindle, Mark Tucker and Kelly Pratt. That left five potential Classic spots unclaimed.

<p> <strong>#8 - The Lady Elite ... Almost</strong></p> <p> Sitting in second place in the Central Opens points standings going into the third and final event of the season, Janet Parker was in great position to lock up an Elite Series invitation for 2012. Then the wheels came off. Parker finished 100th in the tournament and wound up 20th in the Centrals — well outside the Elite cut.</p>
#8 – The Lady Elite … Almost

Sitting in second place in the Central Opens points standings going into the third and final event of the season, Janet Parker was in great position to lock up an Elite Series invitation for 2012. Then the wheels came off. Parker finished 100th in the tournament and wound up 20th in the Centrals — well outside the Elite cut.

<p> <strong>#7 - College Bass Makes a Splash</strong></p> <p> For the first time, a college bass team is sending an angler to the Bassmaster Classic. In 2012 it'll be Andrew Upshaw from Stephen F. Austin State University, who edged his teammate in the 2011 College Bass Classic.</p>
#7 – College Bass Makes a Splash

For the first time, a college bass team is sending an angler to the Bassmaster Classic. In 2012 it’ll be Andrew Upshaw from Stephen F. Austin State University, who edged his teammate in the 2011 College Bass Classic.

<p> <strong>#6 - BASS Relocates</strong></p> <p> After six years, six months and seven days in Celebration, Fla., BASS packed up and headed back to the state in which it was born — Alabama, but this time to Birmingham instead of Montgomery.</p>
#6 – BASS Relocates

After six years, six months and seven days in Celebration, Fla., BASS packed up and headed back to the state in which it was born — Alabama, but this time to Birmingham instead of Montgomery.

<p> <strong>#5 - Wellman's Woes</strong></p> <p> After winning the Bassmaster Northern Open on Lake Erie, his co-angler alleged that Nate Wellman offered to buy a bass on the water. Wellman claimed he was just joking, but paid the price when he passed up his berth in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic by agreeing to sit out the final Northern Open.</p>
#5 – Wellman’s Woes

After winning the Bassmaster Northern Open on Lake Erie, his co-angler alleged that Nate Wellman offered to buy a bass on the water. Wellman claimed he was just joking, but paid the price when he passed up his berth in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic by agreeing to sit out the final Northern Open.

<p> <strong>#4 - Ott to Trot</strong></p> <p> Tennessee's Ott DeFoe left no doubt about who was the best rookie in 2011 after finishing fourth in the Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year race and capping his season with a $100,000 win at All-Star Week. Now he's looking forward to his first Bassmaster Classic.</p>
#4 – Ott to Trot

Tennessee’s Ott DeFoe left no doubt about who was the best rookie in 2011 after finishing fourth in the Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year race and capping his season with a $100,000 win at All-Star Week. Now he’s looking forward to his first Bassmaster Classic.

<p> <strong>#3 - Slinging the Chandelier</strong></p> <p> Umbrella rigs aren't new, but castable versions debuted in the big-time bass fishing arena in 2011 when Paul Elias won an FLW tournament by cracking 100 pounds and lapping the rest of the field with something called The Alabama Rig. As much of the bass world clamors to get one of these devices, we're all waiting to see just how well they perform in 2012.</p>
#3 – Slinging the Chandelier

Umbrella rigs aren’t new, but castable versions debuted in the big-time bass fishing arena in 2011 when Paul Elias won an FLW tournament by cracking 100 pounds and lapping the rest of the field with something called The Alabama Rig. As much of the bass world clamors to get one of these devices, we’re all waiting to see just how well they perform in 2012.

<p> <strong>#2 - Seven for Kevin</strong></p> <p> With his unprecedented fourth consecutive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in hand, Kevin VanDam now has seven — just two fewer than BASS legend Roland Martin and four more than any other angler in history. VanDam used 2011 to further solidify his rightful claim to the title of greatest bass angler of all-time.</p>
#2 – Seven for Kevin

With his unprecedented fourth consecutive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in hand, Kevin VanDam now has seven — just two fewer than BASS legend Roland Martin and four more than any other angler in history. VanDam used 2011 to further solidify his rightful claim to the title of greatest bass angler of all-time.

<p> <strong>#1 - VanDominated!</strong></p> <p> It was déjà vu all over again at the Louisiana Delta in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic. Kevin VanDam won here in 2001, and he repeated in 2011 in dominating fashion, setting a record for heaviest Classic catch in the 5-bass-limit era and becoming the first angler to win back-to-back Classics since Rick Clunn in 1976-77.</p>
#1 – VanDominated!

It was déjà vu all over again at the Louisiana Delta in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic. Kevin VanDam won here in 2001, and he repeated in 2011 in dominating fashion, setting a record for heaviest Classic catch in the 5-bass-limit era and becoming the first angler to win back-to-back Classics since Rick Clunn in 1976-77.