BASS Communications

Only 21 points separate Todd Faircloth and Kevin VanDam as the 2008 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year contest heads towards the finish line. And three other competitors — Mike McClelland, Skeet Reese and Edwin Evers — are within theoretical striking distance.

"Things are looking good. It's a realistic possibility, there's no doubt about that," Faircloth says, referring to a first AOY title. "But, you've got to look at it objectively. This is a tough fight. The anglers in the hunt are all top professionals. They're going to catch fish. They always do. That means I have to catch fish, too.

"I have to say that it's developing just like we thought it would — going down to the last tournament. That's the way it should be in a competitive sport. That's the way I want it." Read More

BASS Communications

Day 4 - The final day was all about cushion for Todd Faircloth. He came into this event 16 points down and is now up by 21 points in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. He knows he will need every single point he gets his paws on. Oneida is a wildcard that could go in any direction. KVD finished third there in 2006, Faircloth was in 36th and despite the big gap he was just a few pounds behind. Oneida will be about ounces; as in who catches the 2 pound, 1 ounce fish instead of the 2 pounder. Over a few days those single ounces can add up just like these points. With smallmouth in the equation, KVD will be on his game and he's had a day's rest. Faircloth won't be afforded a moment's rest. Practice starts Monday morning.

Day 3 - Tenacious T just keeps hanging on and getting better. He now has a 15-point lead, which doesn't seem like much until you consider that was about the deficit he started with in this event. Now he's up and he did it catching smallmouth against the best smallmouth guy in the world. Can anyone say "Year of Destiny?" He could lose some of those points on the final day, but with the way things have been going for him, that's not likely. He just needs to stay above 12th place to walk away from this event with the lead in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

Day 2 - Todd Faircloth should be referred to as "Tenacious T." He just keeps making this Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race more interesting. Going into the season no one could have guessed that he and KVD would be going at it mano-a-mano at this juncture. To top it off, they are gunning at each other with smallmouth in the mix and Faircloth is winning. He's obviously not giving up easily. He's not only hanging onto the TTAOY lead by a narrow margin, but he's in position to win this event.

Day 1 - Todd Faircloth posted a strong 20 pounds, 1 ounce on Day One at Lake Erie and continues to make a strong run as he has temporarily overtaken KVD for the AOY lead. If he can keep up the pace he will put himself in contention not only for AOY, but also for another Elite Series victory