Kelly Jordon caught a four-day total weight of 83-11 to win the most recent B.A.S.S. event held on Guntersville Reservoir.
Kelly Jordon loves the Tennessee River impoundments.
The Texan brought in 16 pounds, 11 ounces Saturday which allowed him to claim the $478,000 Alabama CITGO BASSMASTER Tour event on Lake Guntersville for his second career win.
Jordon, who had a four day total of 83-11, won his first B.A.S.S. title on nearby Lake Wheeler in 2001.
"This is unbelievable," said the visibly excited angler who won by a 6 pound, 4 ounce margin. "I've been nervous all day long. I caught over 20 pounds each of the first three days, which I had never done before, but I knew Kevin VanDam was right behind me."
VanDam, who led after day two, finished second with 77-7 and claimed $50,000 for his efforts.
With the $110,000 first prize, Jordon has now won $220,000 on Tennessee River Alabama impoundments the last two years.
"I love the Tennessee River and Lake Wheeler," said Jordon, who caught his fish primarily on War Eagle spinnerbaits (3/4 ounce with golden shiner blades and white curly tail trailer. "These lakes are a lot like my lakes back home in that they have grass, shallow water, stumps and big bass."
Oklahoma's Tommy Biffle finished third with 71-4, day-one leader Randy Blaukat of Missouri claimed fourth with 71-3, and pre-tournament favorite Tim Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala., finished fifth with 70-12.
"This lake is awesome," said VanDam, who utilized Strike King's new 3X Lizard (green pumpkin). "It is one of my all-time favorite lakes. I fished my first B.A.S.S. event here in 1989 and I have had several top five finishes. It fishes a lot like lakes in Michigan because of the milfoil and the fact it is an easy lake to pattern."
The Alabama CITGO BASSMASTER Tour event marks the next-to-last event on the series and the B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year award point race is tight. Davy Hite leads the race for the Tour championship with 569 points, but Larry Nixon is close behind with 564. Defending champion Mark Davis is third with 551, one point ahead of 2001 CITGO BASS Masters Classic Champion VanDam with 550. Tim Horton is fifth with 545.
In addition to determining the tour champion, the points are also utilized to determine representatives in the CITGO BASS Masters Classic. The top 30 pros following the final event at Lake Eufaula in May will advance to bass fishing's world championship.
The Alabama CITGO BASSMASTER Tour event on Lake Guntersville will be televised on ESPN2 Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. (ET) and will be re-aired on Friday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (ET).