With the Bassmasters Classic coming up this week, I thought it would be cool to get thoughts and opinions on who we all think have the chance to win or at least do very well in the event. I would like to see our Cali guys do well, but there is to many others that should do much better. Personally like Tim Horton and Kevin Wirth. I believe conditions and ambition will play into there hands. But talk about ambition Gary Klein has tasted the victory to many times and has not been able to deliver the final blow, I would really like to see Klein win this thing. We all know Kevin VanDam is always a threat but for some reason I just dont feel this is his weekend, hopefully he will prove me wrong. Denny Brauer is having a HUGE year can his luck hold on for the Classic, if so this would be the biggest year of his career. All these names and I havent even mentioned Mike Iaconelli, all I can say is good luck. He has been extremely busy the last year living as the 2003 classic champ and will need to try and relax get out of the classic champ hipe and fish hard.

So I guess my pick and hopeful's would be Gary Klien all or nothing and Denny Brauer to do very well if not win.


Here is the roster

BASS Federation – Southern Division
Russ Lane
BASS Federation – Central Division
William Pippen
BASS Federation – Northern Division
Thad Takes
BASS Federation – Western Division
Jeff Boyer
BASS Federation – Eastern Division
George Acord
CITGO Bassmaster Open — Southern Division
Tim Horton
David Walker
Denny Brauer
CITGO Bassmaster Open — Central Division
Edwin Evers
Tim Carroll
Steve Sennikoff
CITGO Bassmaster Open — Northern Division
Art Ferguson III
Kevin Wirth
Chuck Economou
CITGO Bassmaster Open — Western Division
Bink Desaro
John Murray
Skeet Reese
CITGO Bassmaster Tour presented by Busch Beer
Gerald Swindle
Michael Iaconelli
Kelly Jordon
Aaron Martens
Scott Suggs
Bernie Schultz
Takahiro Omori
Brent Chapman
Chad Brauer
Davy Hite
Chris Baumgardner
Marty Stone
Brett Hite
Jim Bitter
Lee Bailey
Peter Thliveros
Harold Allen
Mark Kile
Brian Snowden
Mike McClelland
Randy Blaukat
Paul Elias
Mark Tucker
Jason Quinn
Ben Matsubu
Bassmaster Elite 50 Series
Kevin VanDam
Stacey King
Alton Jones
Greg Hackney
Gary Klein
Zell Rowland
Mark Davis
Dean Rojas
Tommy Biffle
Dustin Wilks
2003 CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year
Jay Yelas

Lets hear some thoughts and opinions.

I gotta go with Greg Hackney, Mark Davis, and Gary Klein. Hackney is the hottest fisherman on the planet right now, Davis is having a great year with 3 wins, and Klein is DUE! Maybe Skeet can sneak in there too.

Doug

Of course I`d like to see Skeet kick some butt and represent the west but I`m really impressed by Aaron Martens(also from the west) and think he has a very good chance to win it.

I've gotta go with Gerald Swindle as my 1st choice. 2nd is Greg Hackney. All the old pros stand a chance, but the new, young guys are outworking em this year. Even if Gerald doesn't win, I hope he makes it far cause he's always good for a few laughs!

I don't know if anyone remembers (I'm sure nobody cares) but I picked ole Mike Ike last year!
:+

I was the only one to pick him in the ACProshop contest ($250 gift certificate) and I placed my entry 2 minutes past the deadline!!!!!!!! x( ;(

I think Doug is right on target with this one...Davis and Hackney are in THE ZONE! Klein -- maybe, but personally I think KVD will sneak in there.

the godfather

Im with Doug also, those guys are on fish no matter where they're fishing. I think Skeet will be in the top 10. I sure wish I was fishing it. My goal is to be fishing the classic within the next 6 years. I just hope I don't wake up, LOL:+

Rich

Fish fear round tubers and Bass Tech kickboats!!
http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/richcaro.htm

BINK DESARO ALL THE WAY!!!
Im supposed to fish a coupla days with him in Boise after the Classic, I can't wait...

I gotta go with Hackney, Denny Brauer, and I will go out on a limb and take a flier on Harold Allen. Talk about somebody being due! Besides, I gotta pull for an old school Texas homey.

Im rootin for Skeet because hes representin the west, but Im pumped on Ike, Dennys probably gonna get some good fish, and Swindle. I like to see what happens!

I would like to Iaconolli win it....YYYYAAAAAA WWWHHHHHHHOOOOOOO YYYYAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH.

Jus kiddin... I would like Skeet to take it. Represent the Westside!!!

Deacon

I can't believe that no one has mentioned Kevin VanDam. He is just too good not to include and coming off the elite-50 win I would not count him out.

I will be rooting for one of the Western anglers to win! Go Skeet, Bink, John, and Jeff!

Brian L. Garland

I'll try and post end of day results here on the forum as the event happens