Oklahoma’s Kenyon Hill Takes Third BASS Win at Bassmaster Elite Event on Clarks Hill Lake

EVANS, Ga. – Dedicating the win to his dying father, Kenyon Hill of Norman, Okla., scored his third BASS win with a four-day total of 68 pounds, 0 ounces, on stingy Clarks Hill Lake at the Pride of Georgia presented by Evan Williams Bourbon. Hill held off local favorite Davy Hite, who won the 2006 Elite event on Clarks Hill, and Saturday leader Edwin Evers, also of Oklahoma.

While other anglers faltered, Hill managed a consistent bite that got stronger as the tournament progressed. He weighed his heaviest limit Sunday, 18 pounds, 2 ounces, to close the victory and earn the $100,000 top prize. His Sunday limit was anchored by a 7-pound, 1-ounce brute that fell for a swimbait, good enough for Purolator Big Bass Honors and the $1,000 premium.

In addition to the prize money, Hill earned significant points in the all-important Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Standings and jumped to sixth in the standings. The winner of the season-long points chase earns $250,000 and the standings also determine the brunt of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers.

While the accolades were “special”, Hill had one thing on his mind, his dying father, Loren, when he accepted the trophy.

“He supported me emotionally and financially when I decided I wanted to be a professional angler,” Hill said of his father, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. “I want to get the trophy to him as soon as possible so he can have it sit on his mantle. He doesn’t have much time left but I know this will make him feel good.”

Throughout the four-day tournament, Hill targeted shallow water located in six points that featured a hard bottom. The 43-year-old visited and revisited the spots, working a variety of lures, including a pencil popper, a swimbait and a Carolina rig. He felt that the Carolina Rig was his “safety net” and allowed him to throw the other lures to entice the bigger bass.

To see all of the action from Clarks Hill, fishing fans can watch The Bassmasters on Saturday, May 10 at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.

Hill had come close before at Clarks Hill, finishing second to Hite in 2006. The difference, he said, was his willingness to adapt to the conditions and mix up his presentation.

“This is such special deal,” said Hill, who has earned nearly $900,000 in BASS career earnings. “My last win was in 2003. I almost forgot what it felt like.”

Hite, who outlasted Hill in 2006, ended up second for his best finish of 2008. The finish vaulted the Prosperity, S.C., pro from 79th to 50th in the AOY standings and after a slow start, should add some momentum to his season.

Like 2006, Hite used a mop jig and “grinded it out” throughout the week. He was excited about the next stop on the Elite Series, a May 15-18 event on South Carolina’s Lake Murray, as he considers it a home lake along with Clarks Hill.

“I swung for the fences this week and I have no regrets,” said Hite, a 7-time BASS winner. “It feels good to be home and I am looking forward to next week.”

Dropping to third was Evers, who held a more than 1-pound advantage heading into the final day. The lack of wind and bluebird skies ultimately killed his bite and he was unable to register a quick start as he did Friday and Saturday.

Rounding out the top five was three-time Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., in fourth with 55 pounds, 1 ounce, and local favorite Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., in fifth with 54 pounds, 10 ounces.

Also in the star-studded final 12 were 2007 Angler of the Year Skeet Reese (ninth) and 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones (11th).

The Clarks Hill event was the fifth of 11 events for the 108 Elite Series pros. Next, the circuit travels to Columbia, S.C., and Lake Murray on May 15-18.

To see related photos of the event, click here.

Local sponsors include Columbia County.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.

Location and Field
Pride of Georgia presented by Evan Williams Bourbon
Clarks Hill Lake
Evans, Ga.
May 1-4, 2008

Field
108 pros, 108 co-anglers
Cut to top-50 pros and co-anglers after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3

Launch/Weigh-in
Wildwood Park
Appling, Ga
6:40 a.m./ 3 p.m.

2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Event Tournament Locations/Dates

March 6-9	Sunshine Showdown	Harris Chain of Lakes	Leesburg, Fla.
March 13-16	Citrus Slam	Kissimmee Chain	Lake Wales, Fla.
April 3-6	Lone Star Shootout	Falcon Lake	Zapata, Texas
April 10-13	Battle on the Border	Lake Amistad	Del Rio, Texas
May 1-4	Pride of Georgia	Clarks Hill Lake	Evans, Ga.
May 15-18	Carolina Clash	Lake Murray	Columbia, S.C.
June 5-8	Southern Challenge	Wheeler Lake	Decatur, Ala.
June 12-15	Bluegrass Brawl	Kentucky Lake	Gilbertsville, Ky.
June 26-29	River Rumble	Mississippi River	Fort Madison, Iowa
July 31- Aug. 3	Empire Chase	Lake Erie/Niagara River	Buffalo, N.Y.
Aug. 7-10	Champion’s Choice	Oneida Lake	Syracuse, N.Y.