Is Reese Coming of Age as Elite Series Angler?

CELEBRATION, Fla. – Are fishing fans witnessing the coming of age of Skeet Reese?

That is an obvious question considering the impressive start the Auburn, Calif., pro has enjoyed on the Bassmaster Elite Series this season.

Before Reese proved he was human by finishing in a tie for 53rd in last weekend’s Southern Challenge presented by Purolator on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville, he had been nothing short of sensational.

After coming within 6 ounces of winning the Bassmaster Classic, Reese opened with a ninth at Lake Amistad, followed by a fourth on the California Delta. He placed second at Clear Lake and rebounded from a slow start to post a sixth at Clarks Hill.

As a result, Reese finds himself in rarified air — leading the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race as the season nears the mid-way point. After five tournaments, he holds a 25-point lead over three-time Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam, who won the Guntersville event.

Listening to Reese, you get the idea that he is unimpressed with his red-hot start.

“I’m just fishing,” he said on the eve of the Guntersville tournament. “I’ve had four good tournaments — five if you include the Classic. That doesn’t mean anything because there are seven tournaments still to be fished. That’s a lot of time on the water, a lot of casts, and anything can happen.

“I’d like to keep some momentum going and continue to fish well.”

Momentum is something that he knows well. Entering the 2006 Elite Series season, Reese was one of the most consistent pros based on his performances over the previous three seasons. And before stumbling at Guntersville, he had recorded seven consecutive top-12 finishes.

“I don’t know if it’s a different work ethic or different outlook,” the 37-year-old said. “I don’t know if it’s maturity, wisdom — heck, I don’t know what it is. But I definitely seem to be fishing better right now than I have in a little while.

“I’ve fished well the last four or five years. But this year, I’m able to kick it up a notch a little bit more so than before. I’m making better decisions now; I’m not scared to make decisions or move on ideas. I feel like I’m fishing current conditions better than fishing yesterday’s pattern. I can’t explain it, but I wish I could.”

Perhaps the reason for his career acceleration is his rather unique approach to each tournament day.

“I don’t ever go out there expecting to catch them, by any means,” Reese said. “Because I think when you expect something, that’s when it goes south on you.”

Despite a stellar 10-year career, Reese has only been in Angler of Year contention once before this season.

“That’s when I had a little taste of that and I decided I really wanted it,” he said. “Since then, Angler of the Year has been my No. 1 goal to achieve on tour. I may not ever get it, but I’m not going to give up.”
 

From BASS