News
2012 Classic 3rd Place: Alton Jones (31-11)
Photos - Basszone.com 2008 Classic champion Alton Jones made a hard charge up the leader board on Saturday, putting himself in prime position to take another Classic trophy home to Texas. Jones was able to improve on his day one total by over four pounds, and his 17-14 day two sack has him sitting in 3rd place headed into the final day the Classic.
After weighing his options and sleeping on his decision, Alton decided not to abandon his day one area, but rather to return with the confidence that the right fish to win the Classic were swimming in his prime location. The decision paid off handsomely and Jones plans on sticking to his guns again on day 3.
“I was considering making a change today and checking out another area but decided to give my day one spot another try. You never want to leave fish, and I have some history with this particular spot and know what it is capable of producing.
More Falcon Fun
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Right now I’m packing my boat to head back to Falcon. But this time it’s for “business.” I’m hosting my annual charity event down there. I recently returned from Falcon, as well.
Little Alton and I went down there and caught some nice ones last week. He needed another day to pre-fish for the year-end Bass Champs Championship on Falcon, and I decided to go down there with him. The north end of the lake is more accessible to fishing because it’s close to the ramp; however, when we arrived, every place you wanted to pull up on was full.
There were lots of competitors practicing. I could only stand about 30 minutes of that, then we put the boat on the trailer and headed to the other end of the lake. There were fewer boats but the fish were plentiful.
I don’t like to fish in crowds, and there is definitely something to be said for getting away from them. The first place we pulled up on, Little Alton whacked a 10-pounder; then a little while later, I caught one! Shortly after, we both lost really big fish from that same spot. I go down to Falcon and fish for three days, and if I’ve caught a 10-pounder, I feel pretty good. But having caught two in a day is unreal!
My charity event is LifeLine’s Fish with the Pros. It’s an event for 10 guests who have paid to spend time with five Elite Series pros, in this case Gary Klein, Matt Reed, Keith Combs, Byron Velvick and me. All of the money goes to LifeLine; we’re there donating our time. Complete Story
Alton's airways
In his bid to capture AOY, Jones scouts Arkansas River by plane
By Mike Suchan
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – “You’re cheating,” the girl at the counter blurted upon learning of Alton Jones’ flight plan.
Jones was checking in with Central Flying Service to scout the Arkansas River for the Elite Series Diamond Drive there June 9-12. A man from another group setting out for an aerial view of the flooding on the Mississippi River overheard the exchange, and added his two cents.
“You’d need a long fish finder.”
Actually, Jones was equipped with a handheld GPS, video and still cameras, a notebook and the most important tool, his eyes. Afterward, Jones said “1.4 hours in an airplane is like 1.4 months on the water.”
And it’s not cheating.
“Tournament rules state we can’t be on the river during the off-limits, but we can fly over it,” said Jones, who even called B.A.S.S. tournament officials to make certain the impromptu trip was kosher. “What I did today is available to any of the Elite Series competitors who want to take the time and spend the money to do this.” Complete Story
Alton on Angler of the Year
AOY leaders say all could change
Even after leading the Bassmaster Elite Series anglers in points for two consecutive events, Alton Jones and Terry Scroggins said Saturday that they aren't ready to stake any claims in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
"It's too early to feel confident," said Jones, in first place with 853 points after the season's third event concluded last Saturday. "All a lead really means is that whatever the mark will be for AOY, I need fewer (additional) points than anybody else does." Read More
