Smith Lake Bassmaster Open Underway

Kevin Hawk leads the Bassmaster Southern Open at Smith Lake after the first day. B.A.S.S. photo by James Overstreet.

The final B.A.S.S. Open of 2012 began yesterday at Smith Lake in Jasper, Alabama. Like the final Northern and Central Open events before it, this Southern Open finale has major ramifications for various anglers in terms of 2013 Bassmaster Classic qualifications and invitations to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series next year.

Kevin Hawk, who sprang into prominence in the bass fishing world in 2010 when he won the Forrest Wood Cub at Lake Lanier, leads the three-day event after one day of fishing. Hawk, who said he caught his fish a variety of ways, brought 16 pounds, 7 ounces to the scales on Day 1. Hawk has fished all three Southern Opens, so a win would earn him a berth in the Bassmaster Classic. Going into this weekend, he was second in the Southern Opens points race. Whether or not he notches the win, it will be interesting to see whether he takes a shot at the Elites in 2013 if he finishes high enough in the standings to get an invitation. He has fished the FLW Tour for the past four years (two as a pro and two before that as a co-angler).

Green Bay Announced

The "Mystery Lake"is a mystery no more. This afternoon B.A.S.S. revealed that the June 28-July 1 Elite Series tournament will be held out of Green Bay, Wisconsin, providing the pros access to a world-class smallmouth fishery in Lake Michigan. Most Elite Series pros agree that the fishing could be fabulous, although winds create a major question mark about how the event will actually play out. It appears the reporters for BassFan are good detectives. They speculated a week or so ago that the tournament would be held in Wisconsin and even listed Green Bay as one of two likely venues.

Sights Set on St Johns Win for Alton Jones

Alton Jones leads the Elite Series Opener on the St. Johns River after three days. Photo courtesy of B..A.S.S; by Seigo Saito.

The good news for Alton Jones is that he's leading the St. Johns Showdown by more than 9 pounds going into this morning's final day of competition. The bad news is that a single fish could erase that lead on the St. Johns River, and any one of the 12 anglers who qualified for the final day could catch a monster bag today and win the tournament.

Jones is in his element, though. He's one of the best sight-fishermen on tour, especially when the bedding fish are getting hit hard and have gotten fussy -- and that's exactly what is going on at the St. Johns River right now. He's adept at finding fish, moving away from them and then "sight fishing by feel." He's also understands when NOT to catch a fish. In fact, leaving males so that more females would move into the area has been an important part of his strategy this week.

"I've been fishing professionally for 21 years now," Jones said this morning on Facebook, "but I still have a few butterflies this morning. I'm going to go out and give God my very best effort today and leave the results in his hands."