News
Alton Jones' 9-pound lead is strong
Photo by BASS/James Overstreet - PALATKA, Fla. — Alton Jones, leading the St. Johns River Showdown by more than 7 pounds going into Saturday’s competition, padded his lead by the end of the day to 9 pounds, 1 ounce, setting himself up to be hard to catch in Sunday’s final round.
But even with 62 pounds, 14 ounces over three days, Jones of Woodway, Texas, still has some work to do to claim his first Bassmaster Elite Series event title. His top threats include Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, in second with 53-13; Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., third with 51-3; Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas, fourth with 48-7; and Cliff Crochet of Pierre Part, La., fifth with 48-6. Read More
Alton Jones nabs the lead on the St. Johns
Photo - James Overstreet - PALATKA, Fla. — Alton Jones, leading the Bassmaster Elite Series event on the St. Johns River by 7 pounds, 4 ounces, on the second day, could easily feel like he’s been dropped into the plot of the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day.
One year ago on the same fishery, Jones led the Elite Series field after two days by 7 pounds, 9 ounces. He finished the tournament in third place, coming up short of fulfilling his goal of a first Elite Series win. Now, like Murray in the movie, he has a chance to change the ending of the story.Jones, the 2008 Bassmaster Classic champ from Woodway, Texas, brought a whopping 28 pounds, 7 ounces to the scales Friday, jumping from 17th place into the lead at the season opener with a two-day total of 44-14. Read More
Jones Crushes 28-07 To Grab Day-2 Lead
Photo Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito - When filling out a list of top sight-fishermen on the Bassmaster Elite Series, Alton Jones' name needs to be there. Near the top. In ink.
On a day when the bite toughened across the board, the Texas pro pulled in nearly 28 1/2 pounds to give himself a 44-14 total and a commanding 7-plus pound lead heading into the weekend at the St. Johns River Bassmaster Elite Series.
He opened the day in 17th place, but three 8-pound, egg-filled brutes he pulled off their nests catapulted him past everyone at the halfway point of the season opener.
Jones is no stranger to having the field chasing him on the St. Johns. He led the first 3 days here a year ago, and held a 7 1/2-pound lead following day 2 then as well. Read More
St. Johns bedding bass moving quickly
Photo James Overstreet - PALATKA, Fla. — If fishing conditions are any indication, you can expect some big changes in the leaderboard Friday at the Bassmaster Elite Series St. Johns River Showdown. Big female bass that are on a spawning bed one day are likely to be gone the next.
"I saw a bunch of big ones (in practice Wednesday)," said Alton Jones. "I thought I was going to go in there this morning and wreck 'em. They were gone. There were about 30 females swimming around in an area the size of a football field, and they were just gone." Read More
Classic In Depth - Alton Jones - Fourth Place
Story and photos by Dan O'Sullivan - Alton Jones is a veteran of 186 Bassmaster tournament entries and 14 Bassmaster Classics. His 2008 Bassmaster Classic Championship at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina cemented him as one of the best anglers in the business. When you add a Classic victory to his 40 top 10 finishes, five Bassmaster wins and more than $2 million in career earnings; Jones is a living hall of famer. That's not to say that he wouldn't enjoy adding a second Classic title to that résumé. Practice
With the experience of a veteran, Jones spent two days at the Red River before the waterway went off limits in December. But, rather than simply drive through the river hoping to see areas that he might fish; Jones went the extra mile.
"I actually only went on the water one of the days in pre-practice," said the Woodway, Tex. pro "I flew over the Red River in a helicopter on the other day because I can observe areas much more efficiently from the air than from just reading a map, or driving it in my Skeeter." Read More
