Better late then never, if you want to read my first gut take on the Classic, you can read it on the Versus Network here. For this entry, I kind of wanted to wait and a day and digest the TV shows and articles.

From BassZone.com

The more I think about it, we should not be that surprised, lipless rattle baits and Alabama in February are like 2 peas in a pod....

You heard quite a bit that Jeff Kriet had the sweetest spot, but I think ultimately his area was too small for 3 days. KVD has a much larger ares to himself that he could rotate through his sweetspots. I think the dropping water opened a window on Saturday, but when it started to come up on Sunday, that brought the big ones bag into biting position and it was all over for everyone not named KVD. Too bad, even though Kriet was not on my Fantasy Fishing team, by the end of day 1 I was really pulling for him.

The winning details and gear:

> RedEye Shad gear: 7' medium-action Quantum Tour KVD cranking rod, Quantum Tour KVD casting reel (5:1), 17- and 20-pound Bass Pro Shops XPS fluorocarbon, 1/2-ounce Strike King RedEye Shad (gold and gold/sexy-shad).

> KVD switched out the stock hooks for #2 Mustad KVD Elite Triple Grip trebles.

On a side not, we will should have interviews with Jeff Kriet, KVD & Zona for our bass fishing podcast in the near future!