Mercury angler Skeet Reese was dominant Sunday at the Blue Ridge Brawl on Smith Mountain Lake, winning his fifth Bassmaster event and taking the lead in the 2010 BASS Angler of the Year standings. Anglers driving Mercury Pro XS 250 hp engines have won all four of the BASS Elite events in 2010.
Also winning on the BASS tour with Mercury Pro XS engines this year have been Kevin VanDam, John Crews and Byron Velvick. VanDam also won his third Bassmaster Classic in February with a Mercury Pro XS. The fifth stop on the tour is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday at Pickwick Lake near Florence, Ala.
Reese, the 2007 BASS Angler of the Year and 2009 Bass Classic Champion, boated more than 17 pounds each of the four days on Smith Mountain Lake. He closed the tournament with 19 pounds, 14 ounces Sunday for a four-day total of 78 pounds, one ounce, using big swimbait lures to bring in the lunkers.
"I worked my tail off this week and I burned through a ton of water," said Reese, 40. "I knew it can be a grind here and you're never guaranteed to catch them so I never felt comfortable, even until the end. But it was a great week and it's special to win like this."
Smith Mountain is a good lake for Reese. The clear fishery is loaded with docks and is similar to Clear Lake, Calif., where Reese is extremely comfortable and confident. In the past, Reese has recorded fourth- and ninth-place finishes here.
