LEESBURG, Fla. -- With a string of second-place finishes to his credit in BASS competition, Brian Snowden of Reeds Spring, Mo., might be ready to break through and score his first BASS victory at the Sunshine Showdown bass fishing tournament on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
Snowden, who has totaled 54 pounds, 0 ounces, through three days of competition, opened up a commanding margin Saturday of nearly 10 pounds over two-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark.
Throughout the Sunshine Showdown, Snowden has been consistent while other anglers have been all over the map. He has caught more than 16 pounds each of three days and rounded out his total with a 16-pound, 13-ounce catch Saturday, the second-heaviest of the day.
"I'm tired of second place," the 35-year-old Snowden said. "If I lose this one, I know it's all my fault. I'm anxious to get out there tomorrow."
While Saturday's competition was plagued with strong, gusting winds, Snowden was able to take advantage of one of his secondary areas, which was protected from the gales. As he did Thursday and Friday, Snowden continued to flip to off-color water with two primary baits, a Beaver and a Zoom Speed Craw, both in black neon.
He has been in a stretch of areas that have been pressured by other competitors, but he has maintained a slow, methodical pace that has allowed him to entice the most bites. He said his success is due to his steady presentation and his concentration on a limited stretch of water throughout the tournament.
With a victory Sunday, Snowden would earn $100,000, pushing his BASS career earnings to nearly $500,000.
"All I need is five more decent bites," he said. "The key has been fishing slowly. I really have executed well and slowed down to the best of my ability."
McClelland also displayed a measure of consistency The 40-year-old has boated a limit weighing more than 13 pounds each of three days, primarily throwing a Zoom Trick Worm. Like Snowden, he has fished slowly, pitching to lily pads or grassy areas.
Facing a nearly insurmountable margin, McClelland, who has a three-day total of 44 pounds, 2 ounces, was realistic about his chances Sunday. "I'm fishing for second." However, McClelland was pleased with his performance on the Harris Chain.
"This is the best event I have ever fished in Florida," the five-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier said. "I always struggled here, but I made up my mind to slow down and fish confidently. Just having some success here is a definite moral victory for me."
Slipping from second to third was Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., with 42 pounds, 10 ounces. Following Lane was Dean Rojas of Grand Saline, Texas, in fourth with 42 pounds, 6 ounces.
Joining brother Bobby in the top five was Chris Lane of Winter Haven, Fla., in fifth with 41 pounds, 3 ounces. After his brother jumped 82 places Friday, Chris jumped 45 spots Saturday. For Sunday's final day, the field was cut to the top-12 anglers, and they include Japan's Morizo Shimizu in eighth and Pennsylvania's Rick Ash in ninth.
2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Skeet Reese finished 17th, while 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones tied for 37th. In addition to tournament positioning, pros are building points in the 2008 Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. The winner will be determined after the 11 Elite events, with the top 36 in the standings qualifying for the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.
In the co-angler division, which concluded Saturday, Jim McDevitt of Eldon, Mo., took home the $25,000 top prize and his second BASS victory, catching 33 pounds, 12 ounces, through three days. Trailing McDevitt were Fred Rigdon of Florida with 27 pounds, 12 ounces, and Kentucky's Gerald Smith, with 25 pounds, 8 ounces.