Time to Vote for your 2011 Bassmaster All-Star

[djkimmel]

There's 12 B.A.S.S. Toyota Trucks All-Star week positions open for the July post-season tournament where the victor can win $100,000 at the 2011 Elite Series - Evan Williams Bourbon All-Star Championship, Alabama River - Montgomery, AL, Jul 29 - 31, 2011!!

8 spots have been decided by the top 8 anglers in Elite Series standings at the end of the Dixie Duel. As most of you know, they are lead by 7-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and 2011 Angler of the Year, Kevin VanDam.

That leaves 4 spots open that you get to choose by voting every day from now until July 10, 2011. You can vote once every day. The top 4 vote-getters from you, the fan, will also participate during Toyota Trucks All-Star week.

The four winners will join the eight who already qualified for the July 23-31 postseason event in Alabama. The $100,000 competition will happen on Lake Jordan out of Wetumpka, Ala., for two days, then move on for a final three days on the Alabama River out of nearby Montgomery.

You can pick 1 angler each day from each of the 4 regions. All of the Michigan Elite Anglers are in Region 2 including rookie Jonathon VanDam! This makes it challenging for us Great Lakes region anglers but you have to pick your favorite and make it count! A tough choice for me too, but since I've known his Dad Randy for something like 29 years and am running Jonathon's official website, I have to make that choice.

AS ADDED INCENTIVE TO VOTING Twelve fans will be chosen from all entries and will be paired with the 12 Toyota Trucks All-Star Week anglers. The fan who is paired with the All-Star Week Champion will WIN a boat and motor package with an MSRP of over $30,000!!

[djkimmel]

I did vote a couple times for Ryan Said because he's a great young man and a member of GreatLakesBass.com as Jonathon is. The rest of my Region 2 votes have to go for JVD because of my long time relationship with the VanDam family. I even ran into the Patriarch of the family the other day, Dick VanDam, and we had a nice chat about the 'old' federation days.

I'm voting for Andy Montgomery in Region 1 because he did very well in Rookie of the year race and I want to help out the young anglers.

Region 2 - JVD

Region 3 - Russell Lane because the Z-Train, Mark Zona told me he's one of the good guys, and I saw a post by Don Barone about how involved Russ Lane is with helping out in youth fishing and charity causes.

Region 4 I'm going with a very nice young man who seems to be one heck of an angler and also came up through federation ranks like so many of us have tried - Brandon Palaniuk. KVD said at the 2011 Classic that he too tried to make it to the Classic through the federation ranks but it was too tough so he just went pro!

[Dan]

On the final day at Wheeler Russ Lane had two five pounders hit his crankbait. He had both of them right to the boat and then the wheels came off and he lost both fish.
Sunday morning Kelly Jordan and Russ Lane ran bumper to bumper down Wheeler. I was riding with KJ.  The B.A.S.S. helicopter crew came down the river right at water level and filmed us running at 70 mph through some rough darn water. I'm hoping they include some of that footage when they air the Dixie Duel Sunday morning at 7:00 am. It's rebroadcasted on ESPN Classic at 10:00 am.

[Dan]

Have you voted today?

[Dan]

Are you taking advantage of your daily opportunity to vote for your favorite B.A.S.S. angler for the post season?

[djkimmel]

I am. Anyone else? I know all the anglers sure would appreciate another chance. I think we'd all want the same if we were in their shoes!

[dartag]

Ok so here is my  " conspiracy theory "

Skeet has no chance of making all star week on points.   He fishes the last event and comes in with 6 fish.  Weighs his 5 then finds the 6th fish in his well.  Turns himself in and still gets a check.  Now he is the man of the year.  Even Jerry Mckinnis did a coulmn about him on what a sportsman he is..  He gets voted in and the rest is history.

BTW I did vote for him.   

Now i have to go because they are watching me.....

[djkimmel]

You just never know... I sure would like to see Jonathon VanDam get a chance to fish All-Star Week instead of Denny Brauer.