DECATUR, Ala. Every angler in contention for one of the three 2008 Bassmaster Classic berths awarded through the Bassmaster Southern Open trail has his eye on fellow pros Terry Scroggins of Palatka, Fla.; Charlie Hartley of Grove City, Ohio; and Mark Davis of Mount Ida, Ark.
The trio hold the top three spots in the season-long Southern Open points race. They would need 360-degree vision to keep tabs on the many pros who would like to surpass them the 196-point spread between No. 1 and No. 20 leaves the coveted Classic berths within reach of many.
It all comes down to the Bassmaster Southern Open event on Wheeler Lake, Oct. 18-20, in Decatur, Ala. That's the finish line in the points race to score a berth at the 2008 Classic on South Carolina's Lake Hartwell, Feb. 22-24, out of Greenville.
One of the many pros aiming to outdo the top three is Sean Dassau of Helena, Ala., who goes into the Wheeler event 13th in the standings, just 134 points out of first.
"I feel really confident about this tournament," the 38-year-old pro said. "How I end up depends partly on how the top 10 do, and I know there are four to five guys who will do well. The Classic is a dream and a goal of mine, and this is my best shot yet."
Hartley, just as determined to secure his first Classic berth, scouted Wheeler Lake for about eight days.
"I'd really like to compete in the Bassmaster Classic," said Hartley, 43, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro who did not secure a Classic entry through the Elite circuit. "The top three get to go, and I'm in second, so if I have a good tournament, I get to go to the Classic. That would be wonderful.
The 38-year-old Scroggins, who leads the points, is a four-time Classic contender and already has an '08 Classic berth in hand by way of the Bassmaster Elite Series. But as the winner of the first two Southern Open season events, Scroggins could pull off a one-of-a-kind feat at Wheeler one that would make BASS history: a season sweep.
Also at stake for the top five Southern Open pros will be 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series qualifying berths.
Kennedy earns his stripes
Last month, James Kennedy of Lacombe, La., wrapped up his first Bassmaster Elite Series season. He ended up 80th in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, a finish in the lower echelon, but he has the wisdom to be more than satisfied with his rookie year.
"I feel I had an awesome season," said Kennedy, who worked his way up to the Elite Series through the Bassmaster Open level. "I requalified. That was my main goal. And I built momentum. Although I had some miscues this year that hurt me badly, I look forward to the 2008 season because I know it will be better for me."
"The rookie stuff's over with," the 42-year-old said. "Your first season out there, you've got a lot to learn. There's a lot of pressure and you're always wondering, 'Can I get this done?' I focused on learning how to compete at the Elite level.
"I know now I can, there's no doubt in my mind about that."