Bass fishing’s biggest week began Monday, but the professionals weren’t in the spotlight. Younger fishermen took the main stage Monday for the National Guard Junior World Championships, which were held on Lake Neely Henry in Gadsden. Sixty-two anglers, ages 11-18, took over the lake Monday to prove they were the best. The top five finishers all received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
While Monday was devoted to the future stars, the pros did have a hand in the events. The fishermen who will compete for the Wal-Mart/FLW Tour Championship drove the boats for the junior competitors and helped them throughout the day.
The waters won’t be as busy today, with no competition being held, but the professional anglers will register for the tournament and meet the public at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Wednesday will kick off the big event with anglers taking off from Pell City’s Lakeside Park at 7 a.m.
The 48 competitors will be on the water until 3:30 p.m. and will then be taken to the BJCC for the weigh-in. The first day could be an important one with the unique bracket-style competition.
Auburn native Steve Kennedy will face Tim Klinger in the first round. Should Kennedy advance after the first two days of fishing, he will meet either Dean Rojas or Terry Bolton. Kennedy and Bolton have been pitted against each other before. In fact, Kennedy beat Bolton in his home state of Kentucky.
The match up is just one of many that could make for an interesting time on Lake Logan Martin this week. While it’s natural to think competitors from Alabama would dominate in their home state, one native said it’s not that simple.
"It’s often said the hometown guys are cursed," Trussville native Matt Herren said. "Reason is the home town guy knows too much. I know so much about the lake, it’s hard."
Herren is another one who is expected to have a good week. Currently second in the standings, he will face Toshinari Namiki in the opening round of the championship tournament. Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, S.C. is currently first in the standings and will face Ishama Monroe in the first round.
Wednesday will also feature the opening of the FLW Outdoors Boat and Outdoor Show at the BJCC. The show will include more than 140 exhibits and sponsor booths. While waiting for the anglers to return to Birmingham for the weigh-in each afternoon, bass fishing fans will be able to check out some of the top boats on the market today at the outdoors show. Friday will feature the taping of Fox Sports’ Best Damn Sports Show which begins at 2 p.m. at the BJCC.
The field will be cut to 12 competitors after Friday’s weigh-in and one of those twelve will win the grand prize - $500,000 on Saturday.
