Bellfishingspot

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[bellfishingspot]

Caught one more off a bed. So fun to catch this way. #bedfishing #strikeking #bassnation #bass #fishing #largemouth #rodent #abugarcia #viciousfishing

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Yep they are still spawning. Caught this one off a bed. Didnt see any females that were interested in biting anything. #strikeking #bass #bassnation #largemouth #fishing #spawn #backpackbaby

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Caught this one off a bed thanks to the help of this monster on my back. Ready for the females to move up. #bass #bassnation #largemouth #spawner #bedfishing #strikeking #rodent

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The tackle wall is coming together and a bit more organized. Still could use some stuff. @strikekinglurecompany #strikeking #strikekinglurecompany #viciousfishing #mustadhooks #pegboard #organizing #winterfun #ragetail

[bellfishingspot]

First time this has happened to me. I've heard people have problem with the #veritas rods before. Luckily it was on a fish and I didn't lose the fish. Appears I'll be trying to get a duckett ghost rod alot faster than I expected.

[bellfishingspot]

I believe the fall bite is on. My spinnerbait is all beat up after these two and a few others. #bass @bass_nation #strikeking @strikekinglurecompany #burner #spinnerbait #viciousfishing #fall #lake #windy #largemouth #quantum #smoke #abugarcia #veritas

[bellfishingspot]

Yes we did enough to win. Here are the two best ones. #bass #bassnation #tournament #largemouth #weighin #winning #bigbass

[bellfishingspot]

Time to see of we caught enough to win this deal. #bass #bassnation #largemouth #tournament #weighin

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I would love to have five of these come Saturday. #bass #bassnation #largemouth #dog #sweetspot #lilypads #pads #abugarcia #veritas #quantum #smoke #viciousfishing #strikekinglurecompany

[bellfishingspot]

New way to keep their mouth shut. #largemouth #fishing #boat #strikeking #strikekinglurecompany #purepoison #chartreuse

[bellfishingspot]

No giants but ill take it for as hot as it was yesterday. Fished for about 2 hours and these came in about a 30 span. Missed several others before I made a key change. #bass #largemouth #livewell #supersaver #aerator #fishing #quantum #viciousfishing

[bellfishingspot]

Someone wanted to say hey to this bass. #bass #bassnation #fishing #largemouth #lunchbreak #lab #chocolatelab #summertime #quantum #vicious #viciousfishing

[bellfishingspot]

My first bass on a carolina rig. Its different but I dont see it being thrown much so it should be effective. #bass #largemouth #fish #fishing #c-rig #lab #dog #chocolatelab #summer

[bellfishingspot]

Elites Tackle Lake Dardanelle

The Elite Series heads to Russellville, Arkansas for the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Dardanelle May 15 - 18. This marks the third stop for the Elite Series at Lake Dardanelle and first since 2009. Mark Menendez worked a smaller aluminum boat through a culvert to win the event back in 2009. (Side note: I wish Mark was able to defend his Lake Dardanelle title this year, but I am also glad to see all the support from Skeet Reese, Dave Mercer, and all the other Elite anglers helping support Mark and his family after his wife passed away earlier this year.) Anglers will not be able to reach that area this year because they have to use the same boat they started the season with. The bigger fiberglass boats will not fit through that same culvert. There are still several big areas that anglers can focus on at Lake Dardanelle that could be the winning areas. The main river can be a place to catch a big sack in the summer, but with the cold winter they have not moved out that far yet. Illinois Bayou by the launch site and Spadra Creek at the north end of Lake Dardanelle should be the two biggest players in the tournament.

Remember the percentages listed here are likely to change before the tournament starts. Keep that in mind when deciding on your fantasy team.

Bucket A: Kevin VanDam

Kevin VanDam is have a “slow” season sitting 14th in Angler of the Year (AOY) standings. This sounds like a copy from any event, but this lake blends well into the way VanDam likes to fish. With four major BASS events on Lake Dardanelle, VanDam has finished no worse than 10th (8th in 2004, 10th in 2005, 3rd in 2007, and 2nd in 2009). VanDam was the runner up to Mark Menendez in the 2009 event on Lake Dardanelle. KVD is the second most owned fantasy angler at 13.4%, but that is still pretty low considering his past history at this lake. I hope this is the event KVD wins and makes a strong charge up the AOY leaderboard.

Greg Hackney

Greg Hackney may be from Louisiana, but he has fished a lot of tournaments in Arkansas. Lake Dardanelle offers a lot of areas to fish the way Hackney likes to fish. Hackney has fished three BASS events at Lake Dardanelle making a check at each event and he took home a Top 12 at two of those events. Greg Hackney is only owned by 1.4% of fantasy players so he really is a steal for the bucket.

Scott Rook

There are very few anglers on the Elite Series that has as much experience on the Arkansas River as Scott Rook. Rook has more experience further down the river around Little Rock or Pine Bluff, but do not be afraid to take Rook on your fantasy team. Scott Rook is having one of his best seasons in a while on the Elite Series sitting in 10th in the AOY standings. Rook is owned by 1.9% of fantasy players so there is plenty to be gained over other fantasy players by taking Rook. Having a few of VanDam’s lucky cookies in his box does not hurt at what will be his home event of the season.

I left Mark Davis off my fantasy players to pick not because I expect him to have his first bad tournament, but more for the 44.5% fantasy ownership of Davis. This being a post spawn event on a lake not far from his home, Lake Dardanelle could easily host Davis to his fifth Top 12 finish out of five events this season.

Bucket B: Brent Chapman

Brent Chapman is sitting right around the cut line for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic being 27th in the AOY standings currently. Interestingly enough, 27th is Chapman’s worst finish in four BASS events on Lake Dardanelle. With another 27th or better finish will help Chapman hold onto a Classic spot for Lake Hartwell next year. Chapman is the fifth most owned angler for the bucket at 5.0%. I am hopefully Chapman is the highest point getter for the bucket, but I expect him to at least beat several of the anglers with higher ownership percentages for the bucket.  

Randy Howell

Randy Howell is the 2014 Bassmaster Classic champion and a camping buddy of Brent Chapman. These two have a chance to be battling each other Sunday on Lake Dardanelle. Howell has made a check in three BASS events on Lake Dardanelle including a win in 2004. The one event Howell did not make a check at Lake Dardanelle was 2007 when only the top 25 made a check because of the major event (Howell finished 28th). Howell is the favorite for the bucket at 24.8% so if you need a safe pick Howell should be your choice.

Matt Herren

Matt Herren has only fished one BASS event on Lake Dardanelle, but he made the Top 12 cut in that event. Herren is having a solid season with three Top 50 finishes in the four events so far. At 1.8% fantasy ownership Herren is a real steal as well. Look for Herren to be right in the hunt for his first Top 12 of finish of the season.

Bucket C: Davy Hite

Davy Hite mentioned on First Look at Toledo Bend that he did not make the cut, but will make the Top 12 at Lake Dardanelle. It did not look like he was saying it to blow smoke either. Hite has won an event on Lake Dardanelle back in 2005 which was fished at about the same time of year as this event will be. Hite also finished 18th at the Lake Dardanelle event in 2009. Only 4.6% of fantasy players are taking Hite right now, so with a strong finish there is a lot to be gained over other fantasy players.

Fred Roumbanis

Fred Roumbanis had a bit of an off tournament at Toledo Bend, but Lake Dardanelle could be just what Roumbanis needs to forget about that. Roumbanis has fished two BASS events at Lake Dardanelle and took home Top 12 finishes in each event. I have a feeling it could be Hite and Roumbanis fighting for the best finisher of this bucket. Roumbanis is owned by 7.8% of fantasy players so there is still plenty of opportunity to gain over other fantasy players.

Stephen Browning

Stephen Browning is one of the anglers that may have as much experience on Lake Dardanelle as Scott Rook being he is from Hot Springs, Arkansas. Browning already has a Classic spot with his week at the last Central Open on the Red River. The combination of Browning having experience here and a Classic spot wrapped up should let Browning fish a little more aggressively. Watch for Browning to be towards the top of the leaderboard come Sunday. The only reason to avoid Browning is his 26.1% fantasy ownership. If you want a safe pick for this bucket Browning would be the angler to take. If you want to try and pass other fantasy players, I would look for a lower owned angler.

Bucket D: Kevin Short

No one will have a bigger cheering section or fans pulling an angler to have a great tournament than Kevin Short. What his family has been through in the last two weeks is something that no one would want to go through. Luckily no one in Short’s direct family was killed in the tragic tornado that went through Mayflower and Vilonia. That being said Short is not just a sentimental pick, but a smart pick. Short has fished Lake Dardanelle since he was a boy. He has seen the lake through its ups and downs over time. Short may have a lot going on in his hometown about an hour from Lake Dardanelle, but he will be able to find what he needs to excel at this event. Short is the most owned angler at 23.4% for the bucket, but that does not really matter to me this week. Short is a stick on Lake Dardanelle and a solid tournament can be the right therapy for him at this point.

Tommy Biffle

Tommy Biffle is the third most angler in the bucket at 14.8%, but he has made a check all four events he has fished on Lake Dardanelle. Biffle won an event not far up the Arkansas River at Fort Gibson. This has not been the best season for Biffle so Biffle needs to do what it takes to shoot for a win and the automatic Classic berth that comes with a win.

Billy Mccaghren

Billy Mccaghren lives in Mayflower as well and was luckily spared from the tornado. Like Short, Mccaghren has fished Lake Dardanelle most than almost any other lake. Mccaghren took home a 14th place finish in his one BASS event on Lake Dardanelle. Watch for Mccaghren to be right there again battling for a Top 12 finish. Mccaghren is owned by 9.3% of fantasy players which seems pretty low considering he lives so close to Lake Dardanelle.

Bucket E: Greg Vinson

Greg Vinson has fished one BASS event at Lake Dardanelle taking home an 11th place finish in 2009. Lake Dardanelle is the type of fishery that fits right into the way Vinson likes to fish. Vinson is the second most owned angler at 20.8%, but that is because he could be the safest pick for the event. If Vinson is the highest fisher for the bucket, he can still beat 4 out of 5 fantasy players for you on your team.

Boyd Duckett

Boyd Duckett is the angler I wanted to take for Lake Dardanelle this week, but he has not had a solid finish yet this year which has hurt my fantasy team a couple times already. Duckett won the major event at Lake Dardanelle in 2007 and made a check at the 2009 event. Duckett is a nice value pick at 8.9% fantasy ownership, but his strategy of fishing for Sunday is a high risk, high reward strategy. Get Duckett on your team if you think he gets his first Top 12 finish of the season at Lake Dardanelle.

Pete Ponds

Pete Ponds may not be the first name to jump out at you in Bucket E, but do not let him surprise you to finish well at this event. Ponds was the last angler to make a check at the 2009 event on Lake Dardanelle. Ponds last Top 12 finish came at West Point Lake in 2013 fishing a secret little runoff flowing into the lake. Lake Dardanelle offers places that could set up just like this if Ponds can find them. A 2.1% fantasy ownership does not hurt either when you looking at Ponds for your fantasy team.

Remember to get your Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing team locked in before the event starts May 15. The person who chooses the best team for Toledo Bend wins $2,500 in Bass Pro Shops gift cards.

[bellfishingspot]

They bite pretty well before the storms arrived. All on a strike king rage tail shellcracker with 15lb vicious florocarbon. #bass #fishing #lake #boat #strikeking #quantum #ragetail #abugarcia #vicious

[bellfishingspot]

The Elites Prepare for Toledo Bend

On May 1st the Bassmaster Elite Series will take off from Many, LA in the quest of winning the Evan Williams Bourbon Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend. The Elite Series has visited Toledo Bend twice before in mid-April in 2011 and early June in 2012. With as long as winter has hung around there may be some fish just coming off the bed, but look for the winner of this event to be targeting post spawn bass. For this reason your fantasy team should be heavy on anglers who can grind out a solid limit when bass are in their post spawn funk. Remember the fantasy ownership percentages of the anglers discussed in this article are likely to change before the event kicks off next week. Bucket A: Mark Davis

Mark Davis has to be off to the best start to an Elite Series season ever. Davis has not won an event yet, but he has only missed five points through the first three events. Davis is also one of the best post spawn anglers on the Elite Series. Mark Davis took open a check the last two times the Elite Series visited Toledo Bend including a top twelve finish in 2012. Davis is the fourth most owned angler in the Bucket A at 15.6%. Watch for Davis to carry his hot streak of consecutive top twelve finishes to five after this event (Davis had a top twelve finish to end 2013 on Lake St. Clair).

Todd Faircloth is always a strong competitor anytime the Elite Series goes to a lake in Texas (Toledo Bend is on the Louisiana / Texas boarder). Two of Faircloth’s four wins have come on events in Texas. Faircloth is sitting in 5th in Angler of the Year (AOY) points so he could use another strong event to move up the AOY leaderboard. Todd Faircloth was also one of the most consistent anglers in the last two events on Toledo Bend finishing 17th in 2011 and 15th in 2012. Watch for Faircloth to break through with his first top twelve on Toledo Bend at time. Todd Faircloth was the first angler I thought of going into this event. The reason he is not on my fantasy team is fantasy ownership percentages. Faircloth is the most owned angler in the bucket at 21.3%. If you do not mind taking the bucket favorites, Faircloth is a wise pick.

Ott Defoe may seem like a dark horse pick for Bucket A at a 2.9% fantasy ownership, but he could be one of the safest picks in the end. Defoe took home a check in the last two Toledo Bend events and just missed a top twelve in 2012. Defoe has excelled at almost every Elite Series stop since he joined the Elites. For a “dark horse” pick, Defoe could easily be the highest finisher of the entire bucket.

Bucket B: Matt Herren

Matt Herren in Bucket B will be my true dark horse pick of the event. Herren is only owned by 0.6% of fantasy players. If Herren can beat the others in the bucket there are a lot of points to be gained over other fantasy players. Herren is sitting in 22nd in AOY standings and needing a solid event to stay in the top 35 to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. Herren finished 8th in 2012 and 38th in 2011 at Toledo Bend. Look for Herren to take another solid finish at Toledo Bend this year.

Timmy Horton’s last top twelve finish came in 2012 on Toledo Bend. Horton finished 6th in that event and 47th in 2011 at Toledo Bend. Horton is sitting in 25th in AOY standings and needs a solid finish like Herren. At only 2.9% fantasy ownership there is a lot that can be gained by taking Horton if he has a strong event as well.

John Crews is always a name I overlook when deciding on my fantasy team and he always seems to have a solid finish at the end of each event. I am not overlooking Crews this time. Many people seem to be overlooking Crews with only a 1.0% fantasy ownership. Crews took home a check the last two times the Elite Series visited Toledo Bend. John Crews may not be the highest finisher for the fantasy bucket, but watch for him to end up being one of best for the bucket. That can help you beat the majority of fantasy players even if he just beats the favorites for the bucket.

Bucket C: Fred Roumbanis

Fred Roumbanis needs a strong event to get back in the hunt for a Bassmaster Classic spot through the AOY standings. Currently Roumbanis is 61st in AOY standings after a disastrous start at Lake Seminole. An event on Toledo Bend is just what Fred Roumbanis needs to turn his season around. Roumbanis was 5th in 2011 and 21st in 2012 at Toledo Bend. A 3.1% fantasy ownership is low enough that he beats the majority of fantasy players for you with a strong top twelve finish.

I am not sure the last time I talked about Marty Robinson for fantasy fishing, but his history the last two times on Toledo Bend makes him a strong choice for this event. Robinson was 18th in 2011 and improved to finish 3rd in 2012. Robinson is owned by 4.0% of fantasy players. If you go with Robinson for your fantasy team, you may be dancing right along with Robinson like he is sure to be doing.

Terry Scroggins is the least owned angler in Bucket C that I will mention at 2.5%, but is almost as reliable for a solid finish as the others. Scroggins was 29th in 2011 and improved to finish 20th in 2012. Scroggins is sitting in 46th in the AOY standings so he needs a good event to move up for a Classic spot. Scroggins may not have the best history on Toledo Bend, but he has two solid finishes. Scroggins is also a good pick for being all the way down in Bucket C.

Bucket D: Ish Monroe

Two anglers make up over half the fantasy ownership in Bucket D and Ish Monroe is one of them. Monroe is the second most owned angler in Bucket D at 27.0%. Monroe is a bit of a high risk / high reward pick. Monroe took home a top twelve finish on Toledo Bend in 2011 and was 50th in 2012. Monroe is sitting in 80th in AOY points. It is a little early to think that Monroe needs to win to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic, but the events are counting down. Hopefully Monroe has an event more like in 2011 than 2012 to be one of the top anglers for this bucket.

Matt Reed took home a check in the 2011 Toledo Bend event. Reed missed a check in the 2012 event, but he is still a solid pick with a 4.8% fantasy ownership. Most of Matt Reed’s top 20 events in the past have come on lakes similar to Toledo Bend in the late spring – early summer. If you want to avoid the top two anglers in this bucket Matt Reed should be in consideration for your fantasy team.

Keith Poche did the opposite of Matt Reed at Toledo Bend in the last two events. Poche just missed a check in 2011 finishing 52nd and returned to Toledo Bend to finish 23rd in 2012. The fish should position themselves a little closer to how they were when the Elites visited Toledo Bend in 2012 than when they did in 2011. A 5.4% fantasy ownership does not hurt either when considering Poche for your fantasy team.

Bucket E: Chris Zaldain

Chris Zaldain was not fishing the Elite Series when the Elites visited Toledo Bend in 2011. Zaldain did fish in the 2012 Toledo Bend event and finished 12th. Zaldain has a 3.7% fantasy ownership which seems low for an angler that took a top twelve finish in his one visit to Toledo Bend on the Elite Series. Zaldain is having a rough season and could use Toledo Bend to make a charge up the AOY leaderboard to have a shot at the Bassmaster Classic.

Greg Vinson took home a top twelve finish at Toledo Bend in 2011 and was one decent keeper from making a check at the 2012 event. Vinson is having a bad season, but a 7.0% fantasy ownership still seems low considering Vinson is in Bucket E. I have a feeling Vinson will try to gamble and go for a win at this event to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. This could result in a great finish and a ton of fantasy points for anglers who take Vinson, or a total crash and burn of your fantasy team.

Scott Ashmore missed a check in the 2011 event at Toledo Bend, but came back with vengeance just missing the top twelve cut in the 2012 event. Ashmore is only owned by 1.6% of fantasy players so he can make up a lot of points for your fantasy team if he is one of the best finishes of the bucket.

Remember to get your fantasy fishing team locked in before the event starts May 1. Whoever can put the fantasy team together that makes the most points for the event wins $2,500 in Bass Pro Shops gift cards. Hopefully this can help you select that special winning fantasy team.

[bellfishingspot]

Watch for the White River Chain Experts

The Bassmaster Elite Series rolls into the third event of the season in Branson, Missouri for the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite Series at Table Rock Lake. This will be the second time the Elite Series has visited Table Rock Lake and first time since 2006. With all the snow and cold in the area it has kept the fish from spawning like they want to this time of year. Table Rock Lake is comparable to the other two big White River lakes: Beaver Lake and Bull Shoals Lake which the Elite Series has been to the last two years. I used those results along with the 2011 and 2012 Central Opens on Table Rock Lake to decide on my fantasy team and fantasy considerations.

Remember that all percentages in this article can change from the time it was written to the time the event starts based on changes fantasy players make.

Bucket A: Mark Davis

Mark Davis is off to a great start to the 2014 Elite Series season. Davis has a six point lead in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings over Todd Faircloth. Look for Davis to continue his early season tear of the Elite Series. This event is almost a home event for Davis who lives in Mt. Ida, Arkansas. Davis is the third most owned angler in Bucket A at 15.7%, but if he is the best in the Bucket that still beats 85% of fantasy players.

Gerald Swindle is also a strong choice for Bucket A. Swindle made a check at the first two events this year and is sitting in 13th in the AOY standings. This will be a pre-spawn event which typically sets up for a junk fishing angler which is what Swindle tends to succeed at. Watch for the Toyota pro to throw the entire tackle box each day to bring a big limit to the weigh-in stage. Swindle is only owned by 1.5% of fantasy owners so he can beat almost all fantasy owners for you if you take him in Bucket A.

Matt Herren is the lowest owned angler in the bucket at 0.1%, but took a 3rd place finish in 2012 on Bull Shoals Lake. Matt Herren is 18th in the AOY standings. If you want a high risk / high reward angler, Herren is the one to take here. If Herren is the highest finisher in the bucket, he you will beat all fantasy players for you in Bucket A.

Bucket B: Kevin Short

Kevin Short may be a river expert, but he has excelled at Table Rock Lake and the White River chain in the past. Short was 3rd at the Elite event on Table Rock Lake in 2006 and won the 2011 Bass Pro Shops Central Open. Short is owned by 6.1% of fantasy players so he can really help fantasy players excel over the rest at this event.

Picking the favorite in fantasy buckets is not always the best choice, but Jason Christie could be considered an exception at this event. Christie is excellent at fishing the White River chain with wins at Beaver Lake and Bull Shoals Lake in the early spring of 2013. A 37.4% fantasy ownership is high, but he can still beat over half of fantasy players with a strong finish.

Mike McClelland is another strong White River chain angler in this bucket. No one would be surprised to see McClelland fishing on Sunday at Table Rock Lake. McClelland was the first name I thought of for this tournament. I decided on Short for my team simply for fantasy percentages. McClelland's fantasy ownership is 9.5% which is not to bad, but third highest for the bucket.

Bucket C: Casey Scanlon

Casey Scanlon took home a win at the 2012 Bass Pro Shops Central Open on Table Rock Lake which helped Scanlon qualify for the Elite Series. Scanlon is a bit underrated at 4.9% fantasy ownership considered his past history at Table Rock. There are bigger names in this bucket, but Scanlon could be the underdog in the bucket to help you compete for the highest fantasy score of the event.

Brian Snowden is the third most owned angler at 14.1% in Bucket C, but this will be considered his home lake event. Snowden is another White River chain expert. Expect Snowden to compete for a win here.

Kevin VanDam is considered a treat anytime his boat is in the water. KVD is the highest owned angler in the bucket, but 32.6% ownership is not to bad considering he has fallen to Bucket C. KVD missed his first check in an Elite Series event since 2010 last week at the St. John's river. Do no expect KVD to miss a check two events in a row.

Bucket D: Matt Reed

Bucket D is where I look to make a big leap over other fantasy players with Matt Reed. Reed made a check in the last two Elite events on Bull Shoals, but only has a 0.4% fantasy ownership. Reed appears to be the real hidden gym of the bucket.

Brandon Palaniuk is the highest owned angler in the bucket with 37.7% fantasy ownership, but has a win on the White River chain (Bull Shoals, 2012). Bull Shoals and Table Rock are similar to lakes Palaniuk is used to back in Idaho. Palaniuk tends to be an up and down angler from tournament to tournament. Palaniuk had to down tournaments to start the season so expect him to bounce back on Table Rock. 

Ishama Monroe took home a check at the two Elite Series events on Bull Shoals and a top twelve at the 2006 Table Rock Lake event. Ish is the fourth most owned angler in Bucket D at 9.7%. Ish could easily be the most consistent angler in the bucket. If you looking for a safer choice in Bucket D, Ish should be your choice.

Bucket E: Boyd Duckett

Boyd Duckett took home two checks at the two Elite Series stops at Bull Shoals Lake. Look for Duckett to get a check at this event as well. A 2.1% fantasy ownership seems very low for what Duckett should be at. Duckett has a real chance to be the highest finishing angler of the bucket.

As long as Edwin Evers is Bucket E, he will always be an angler to strongly consider. At nearly 70% fantasy ownership there is no real upside with Evers. If you need a safe pick in Bucket E, Edwin Evers should be the angler you choose. Evers took home two checks at the two events on Bull Shoals Lake. Evers was also the runner up at the 2006 Elite Series event on Table Rock Lake.

Johnathan VanDam is the second most owned angler in Bucket E at 10.8% ownership. VanDam took home two checks in the two Bull Shoals events including a top twelve at the 2013 event. VanDam is a strong finesse angler when smallmouth are in play and they will be here at Table Rock Lake.

Hopefully this will provide you with some food for thought when you choosing your fantasy anglers. Remember to get your fantasy team locked in before the event starts April 3rd. Remember that the fantasy player with the highest score at this event wins $2,500 in Bass Pro Shops gift cards and gets a leg up in the hopes of winning that new Triton boat for the most fantasy points throughout the entire season.