I rode with Greg Vinson today. And rode. And rode. We covered over 220 round-trip miles. At the New Orleans Arena his best 5 fish weighed 14 pounds, 3 ounces. That’s a great start. Hopefully he can capitalize on what we learned about his area today as the 2011 Bassmaster Classic rolls on.

One of the big stories this week is that long run Greg, and half the field, are making.

Another big factor that will shape the destiny of our 51 contestants is the rising, dirty water – thanks to a southerly blow that will hold the tides up, fill backwaters and scatter fish.

Some big flippers reported that their fish bit funny today. Randall Tharp and Terry Scroggins each lost 3 “good fish” that would have moved them way up the standings.

Bobby Lane laughed “what high, dirty water? Where I’m fishing it’s low and clean.” He sits in 5th with over 16 pounds.

Brent Chapman (4th) actually welcomes higher water, as do tourney leader Aaron Martens (20-07), Scott Rook (2nd with 19-06) and Kevin VanDam (3rd with 19-03). All 3 of them are sharing the same stretch of water with each other and several others.

Why?

“It is, without a doubt, the best spawning habitat in the entire Delta,” said VanDam who caught one over 8 pounds in practice from the area. “I will be stunned if it is not won from that area.”

Keep up with the stunning developments from the 2011 Bassmaster Classic this week at AnglersChannel.com!