|
See
the Final Standings - Kansas Brent Chapman takes 10th
YELAS TAKES WIRE-TO-WIRE WIN AT CITGO
BASSMASTERS CLASSIC
Texas Pro Scores 6-Pound-Plus
Win
in Fishing's Big Show
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 27, 2002 - Texas pro Jay Yelas put the finishing touches on
one of the most dominant victories in CITGO BASSMASTERS Classic
history Saturday on Lay Lake in Birmingham.
Just how dominating was Yelas' performance?
Consider that the 36-year-old pro became only the third winner
to lead the Classic from wire to wire. And with his 4-pound,
13-ounce largemouth Saturday, he became the first Classic champion
to take big-bass honors all three days of the Classic.
Entering Saturday's final round with a
lead of nearly 10 pounds, Yelas had eliminated most of the suspense
in the race for the $200,000 top prize and the most important
title in fishing. As it turned out, that bass weighing 4-13 was
enough to wrap up the most prestigious victory of his career.
"This is just the thrill of a lifetime
for me," said Yelas, who joined the B.A.S.S. Millionaire
Club with his $203,000 earnings. "I can't tell you how much
this means to my career and to me personally.
"Winning the Classic makes your career
as a professional fisherman. The BASSMASTERS Classic is the pinnacle
of bass tournament fishing."
Yelas secured a victory lap in the Birmingham-Jefferson
Civic Center Arena before a standing-room-only crowd by bringing
in four bass weighing 10-11 Saturday to boost his three-day total
to 45-13. That proved to be a lengthy cast away from his closest
pursuer, California's Aaron Martens, who finished with 39-9.
Tennessee's David Walker finished third
for the second consecutive Classic (35-13), followed by O.T.
Fears of Oklahoma (31-6) and former Classic champion Larry Nixon
of Arkansas (31-3).
Yelas had little reason to change tactics
in the final round. Once again, he fished in the shadow of the
Logan Martin Dam, spending the morning casting to schooling bass
with a Berkley Popper topwater plug and Berkley Frenzy deep-diving
crankbait. When the dam's turbines came to life about 10:15 a.m.
and created current in the area, he again switched to a prototype
Berkley Power Jig with a Power Frog trailer tied to 25-pound
Trilene XT line.
That strategy produced a mixed bag of largemouth
and spotted bass, as well as the biggest bass of the tournament
each day.
"I think this was a really unique
Classic because I don't think anyone has ever won it fishing
a tailrace," he said. "It was a struggle today before
they started generating water. I only had one small fish, but
once the current started, I knew I was in pretty good shape."
Martens, a 29-year-old three-time B.A.S.S.
winner competing in his fourth Classic, might have sealed his
fate by deciding to target spotted bass instead of the heavier
largemouths.
"Yes, that probably hurt me in the
end," said Martens, who relied on a hand-tied hair jig and
4-inch Robo worm. "But from what I saw in practice, I thought
I could catch 18- or 19-pound stringers of spots. There are some
giant spots in this lake."
Walker, 37, said this third-place showing
was not as frustrating as last year's close call on the Louisiana
Delta near New Orleans.
"Last year ... I lost two fish the
second day that would have won the tournament," he said.
"This Classic was a great deal of fun, and I'm totally satisfied
with third because I know I did my best."
Walker's success came on a variety of lures,
including a Lake Fork Trophy Tackle Tungsten Jig and Twitch Worm.
The B.A.S.S. Notebook
News and notes from the World Championship of Bass Fishing
Classic Fact
Seven past Classic winners fished the 2002 championship: Tommy
Martin, Davy Hite, Larry Nixon, Mark Davis, George Cochran, Kevin
VanDam and Woo Daves. VanDam and Daves are the only two not to
make the Day 3 cut. (The field of 52 anglers was cut to 25 after
the Day 2 weigh-in.) Larry Nixon was the highest placing former
champ in this year's Classic, capturing 5th place.
Ray Scott's Classic Appearance
Today, B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott made a return to the Classic
stage to reminisce about the past. "The Classic has become
such an awesome event. It proves that kids don't have to come
from a wealthy background to be successful. All they need is
a fishing pole and a big ol' dream," said Scott.
Outstanding
B.A.S.S. pro Rick Clunn is adding another award to his already
full trophy case. Clunn was presented with the inaugural B.A.S.S.
Outstanding Achievement Award for the many accomplishments he
has amassed over the past 29 years, including four Classic victories
and 28 Classic appearances. As he accepted the trophy, Clunn
said, "Please don't make professional fishermen into heroes.
Instead, consider us examples that illustrate the American dream
and the potential that exists for everyone that lives in this
great country." The presentation ended with a bald eagle
soaring from the upper bleachers, landing on stage next to him.
Million Dollar Cast
Dawn Stegall of Pordell, Okla., was drawn out of the crowd of
thousands at the final weigh-in to participate in the CITGO Cast
For One Million Dollars. Stegall had to stand on the back deck
of a boat and cast a plug 60 feet into the mouth of a giant bass.
She missed. Had she made the cast, $1 million would have been
awarded. Instead, she left towing a new fully loaded Triton boat
worth $35,000. Not a bad catch.
Yelas Makes History
No Classic competitor has ever won the big bass award all three
days. Jay Yelas changed that this year. The 6-2 (Day 1), 6-4
(Day 2) and 4-13 (Day 3) big bass solidified the championship
title and gave Yelas this unprecedented accomplishment.
Quote Of The Day
"I suspect the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."
Rick Clunn (quoting Mark Twain) referring to sentiments that
his winning days are over.
By sanctioning over 20,000 tournaments
worldwide through its B.A.S.S. Federation, B.A.S.S. is the world's
largest fishing organization. The CITGO BASSMASTER Tournament
Trail is the oldest and most prestigious pro bass fishing tournament
circuit. It continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism,
and sportsmanship after more than three decades. B.A.S.S. is
a wholly owned subsidiary of ESPN.
Sponsors of the 2002 CITGO BASSMASTERS
Classic included: CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Chevrolet Trucks,
Mercury Marine, Yamaha Outboards, Triton Boats, Skeeter Boats,
Lowrance Electronics, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, Kumho Tires,
Long John Silver's, MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Bass Pro Shops,
Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools, and B.A.S.S. Platinum Visa/First
USA.
Associate Sponsors include Bass Cat Boats
and G3 Boats.
The 2002 CITGO BASSMASTERS Classic was
presented locally by the State of Alabama, City of Birmingham,
Jefferson County and Shelby County.
See
the Final Standings
Back
to Classic Coverage
Fishing News
Archives
Back to Fishing
News from
Zeiner's
Bass Shop | Kansas
Angler Online |
Swim
Tail Lures
|
