Front Deck
bigbitebaits.gifblazer.pngduckett.pngecstar.pngepic.jpggamakatsu.jpggemini.jpglowrance.gifp-charge_icon.pngp-logo.pngspro.jpgsunline.jpgsuzuki.png

The timing's different and the lake level is much higher than when he won there in 2011, but it seems like there's no way to stop Dean Rojas at Toledo Bend.

Rojas sacked 17-14 today, including a 7-02 kicker, to run his 3-day total to 62-11 and take over the lead with one day on the water remaining. Tomorrow, the Arizona pro will leave the dock seeking to close out his third Elite Series victory and fifth career B.A.S.S. win.

He'll have to hold off a group of competitors that is seemingly one hook set away from making up a lot of ground in a hurry on a lake that has churned out nearly 60 double-digit bass in the last year. Every angler in the Top 12 has caught at least one 20-pound bag so far and some have caught two so the potential is there for pretty much anyone among the finalists to hoist the trophy Sunday afternoon. From Rojas to Casey Ashley in 12th, the gap is just 8-04.

"I don't have a number in mind because I don't know what I can catch tomorrow," Rojas said when asked what he thinks he needs to win on Sunday. "If the opportunities present themselves, I can catch 25 (pounds). If not, I'll do the best with what I've got. If it's meant to happen, it'll happen." Read more