2013 Bassmaster Classic

Chris Lane, 2012 Bass Master Classic Champion has a huge wall to climb as the 2013 Classic field blasted out of Wolf Creek on Oklahoma's Grand Lake of the Cherokees. Lane, blanked on Day One as B.A.S.S. unveiled Lanes 2012 Classic Banner for the rambunctious crowd in the Tulsa BOK Center and was the only angler not to weigh at least one fish. Lane himself said he was now doomed in his shot to repeat as the Classic Champ as brother Bobby, who weighed 15-7, came out from back stage to give his brother a huge hug.

                Others who will have to have a miracle day to make the cut after competition ends on Day Two starts with Jared Knuth, who got to the Classic via a Bass Nation Championship win, had boat problems on day one and managed only one fish that weighed 1-4, leaving the Lew's Fishing sponsored competitor in high danger of falling out of Classic contention.

                Russ Lane is also behind the eight ball to make the cut as his weak showing of 2-7 put him way back in the pack for Day Two.

                Matt Lee, the College qualifier, met his match on Day One when the Auburn University student was unable to put a winning pattern together and managed only 4-15. "I just got started and nothing happened on my first hole and I started running around and suddenly, the day was over," stated Lee.

                Tennessee Pro, David Walker, Terry Scroggins, Andy Bravence, Cliff Prince and Takahiro Omori are all in danger of not making the cut without huge 25 pound catches today.

                Skeet Reese disappointed himself and the crowd with his light weight of 6-9 for Day One and knows he has a mountain to climb. "It's bad to take yourself out of it on Day One," quipped Reese. The former AOY and a Classic Champion may have to work the Expo without a miracle catch on Day Two.

                Casey Scanlon won a B.A.S.S. Central Open to qualify for the Classic, but is in his first season as an Elite Series Pro. Scanlon has a big following and his Day One weight of 9-2 fell short of his expectations.

                It appears that the bubble weight is 12 pounds and Oklahoma Pro Tommy Biffle holds down that weight. Biffle, who appeared unwavered by his mid range weight wanted the cold weather and got it. It was his bite that changed. "I fish shallow a lot and had a good bite going but this new cold front kind of put a stop to it," cast Biffle. He added that if the fish adjust, because there are a lot of good fish in this lake to catch, he could have a good Day Two.

                Ish Monroe is right beside Biffle in the standings and was not certain what he was going to have to do other than catch bigger fish and more of them on Day Two.

                Half the field will be working the Expo on Sunday, not a place they want to be even with the cold temperatures, after all, it's the 2013 Bass Master Classic.  Tommy Sanders, ESPN Analyst summed it up in an advertisement for the Classic, "53 Kings but only one crown", that's what this tournament is all about.