By BassFan Staff

In part 3 of the 2015 BassFan Pro Angler Survey, you’ll find the results to the second batch of questions posed to anglers who fished the Elite Series and FLW Tour this year.

This group of questions wasn’t as hard-hitting as the first part of the survey, but it gives BassFans a glimpse into who the pros think are the best among their peers at certain techniques as well as who they think gets too much attention or not enough credit for their skills and accomplishments.

You may have a different take and we'd like to hear it, so drop us a Feedback note. If you missed the first two parts of the survey results, click here to read Part 1 and click here to check out Part 2.

Again, responding to any or all questions was not required; therefore the total replies for each question may vary.

13. Who is the best active pro angler to have not won a Bassmaster Classic, Forrest Wood Cup or Angler of the Year title?

Results (86 responses)
> Edwin Evers: 12 votes
> Todd Faircloth: 10 votes
> Wesley Strader: 9 votes
> Andy Morgan: 7 votes*
> Jacob Powroznik: 6 votes
> Cody Meyer: 5 votes
> Ish Monroe: 3 votes
> Scott Canterbury: 3 votes
> Jason Christie: 3 votes
> Gary Klein: 2 votes*
> Justin Lucas: 2 votes
> 18 other anglers each received 1 vote
* Morgan and Klein have both won multiple AOY titles

Analysis: It’s no surprise that Evers and Faircloth are at the top of this list. Both have had incredibly consistent careers – they both rank among the career leaders with five Elite Series wins apiece – and are constant threats to win an AOY and in contention at the Classic. Strader has been another model of consistency over the years. It would appear not so much a matter of if any of these pros will ever claim one of the sport’s top honors, but simply when.

14. Who is the most underrated angler you compete against?

Results (77 responses)
> Wesley Strader: 9 votes
> Todd Faircloth: 6 votes
> Scott Canterbury: 5 votes
> Bryan Thrift: 5 votes
> Robbie Dodson: 4 votes
> Clifford Pirch: 3 votes
> Dean Rojas: 2 votes
> Derek Remitz: 2 votes
> Jacob Powroznik: 2 votes
> Brent Ehrler: 2 votes
> Steve Kennedy: 2 votes
> Todd Auten: 2 votes
> Michael Neal: 2 votes
> John Cox: 2 votes
> Matt Arey: 2 votes
> 26 other anglers each received 1 vote

Analysis: Strader has finished in the Top 23 in FLW Tour points for seven years running and flies largely under the radar. Faircloth has won five Elite Series events, but still is recognized for his easy-going, even-keeled manner. Neither are attention-seekers on or off the water, but they clearly have the respect of their peers.



BassFan
Photo: BassFan

15. Who is the most overrated angler you compete against?

Results (65 replies)
> Jimmy Houston: 7 votes
> Brandon Palaniuk: 7 votes
> Scott Martin: 7 votes
> Gerald Swindle: 4 votes
> Jacob Wheeler: 4 votes
> Ish Monroe: 3 votes
> Skeet Reese: 2 votes
> Byron Velvick: 2 votes
> Mark Rose: 2 votes
> Randy Howell: 2 votes
> Randy Haynes: 2 votes
> 18 other anglers each received 1 vote

Analysis: We’d love to know the reasoning behind those who voted for Houston, Palaniuk and Martin. Houston has been a great ambassador for the sport of fishing for decades and, don’t forget, he won two B.A.S.S. AOY awards back in the day. Palaniuk is one of the faces of the new generation of pros and has already tasted a fair amount of success (B.A.S.S. Nation champion and two Elite Series wins before age 27) while Martin’s résumé (Cup champion, AOY, multiple Tour wins, successful TV show) speaks for itself. Still, something about these guys must rub some people the wrong way.

16. Who is the best jig fisherman you compete against?

Results (80 responses)
> Andy Morgan: 13 votes
> Greg Hackney: 10 votes
> Jim Moynagh: 8 votes
> Bryan Thrift: 4 votes
> Casey Ashley: 4 votes
> Tom Monsoor: 4 votes
> Matt Herren: 3 votes
> Mike McClelland: 3 votes
> Denny Brauer: 3 votes
> Andy Montgomery: 2 votes
> Cliff Pace: 2 votes
> John Devere: 2 votes
> Gary Klein: 2 votes
> 17 other anglers each received 1 vote

Analysis: No real surprises here. “When in doubt, tie on a jig,” is a mantra Morgan, Hackney and Moynagh have subscribed to for years and it’s brought them all great success.

17. Who is the best crankbait fisherman you compete against?

Results (74 responses)
> David Fritts: 28 votes
> Kevin VanDam: 22 votes
> Randy Haynes: 16 votes
> Keith Combs: 3 votes
> Mark Rose: 2 votes
> 3 other anglers each received 1 vote

Analysis: Talk about a battle of the titans. Fritts is widely considered this era’s premier crankbait maven/guru while VanDam has won countless events by chucking and winding plugs. If you were picking an all-time fantasy fishing team and you needed someone to fill your crankbait slot, either would be a solid choice. Randy Haynes, who’s made a name for himself with deep-diving baits on the Tennessee River, isn’t far behind.

BassFan
Photo: BassFan

18. Who is the best flipper/pitcher you compete against?

Results (81 responses)
> Andy Morgan: 45 votes
> Tommy Biffle: 13 votes
> Greg Hackney: 4 votes
> Jason Christie: 3 votes
> Randall Tharp: 3 votes
> Ish Monroe: 2 votes
> 9 other anglers each received 1 vote

Analysis: If Denny Brauer were still active on the Elite Series, maybe he gives Morgan a run for his money in this category, but as it stands, the two-time FLW Tour AOY is considered the best in the business – by a wide margin – when it comes to working with the flipping stick in his hands.

19. Who is the best swimbait fisherman you compete against?

Results (71 responses)
> Skeet Reese: 10 votes
> Steve Kennedy: 8 votes
> Randy Haynes: 6 votes
> Byron Velvick: 5 votes
> Mark Rose: 5 votes
> Bryan Thrift: 5 votes
> Brandon Palaniuk: 3 votes
> Cody Meyer: 3 votes
> Clent Davis: 2 votes
> Anthony Gagliardi: 2 votes
> JT Kenney: 2 votes
> 15 other anglers each received 1 vote

Analysis: When it comes to swimbaits, it takes a different breed of angler to know what sets certain baits apart. Paddletails, wooden baits, glide baits, slow sink, fast sink, hand-poured, boot-tailed…there are so many factors and options out there. Reese certainly didn’t hurt his standing as a swimbait fisherman after riding a Basstrix paddletail swimbait to a win at Lake Guntersville this spring. Steve Kennedy’s prowess with a swimbait dates back to his Clear Lake win in 2007 and his subsequent quest to keep his favorite bait a secret.

20. Which angler has the best fashion sense off the water?

Results
> Skeet Reese: 9 votes
> Scott Martin: 8 votes
> Brent Ehrler: 4 votes
> Justin Lucas: 2 votes
> Byron Velvick: 2 votes
> James Watson: 2 votes
> 21 other anglers each received 1 vote

Analysis: Few anglers have branded themselves quite like Reese has when it comes to his attire – and even his hair styles – on the water. His signature black and yellow color scheme makes him one of the most recognizable anglers, but his peers seem to think highly of his duds off the water as well. Scott Martin, who may have the best hair among all pros, fell 1 vote shy of tying Reese for the lead in this category.

21. Which angler has the worst fashion sense off the water?

Results
> JT Kenney: 4 votes
> Gerald Swindle: 4 votes
> Tommy Biffle: 3 votes
> Jim Moynagh: 3 votes
> Mike Iaconelli: 3 votes
> Rick Clunn: 2 votes
> Flechter Shryock: 2 votes
> Jacob Wheeler: 2 votes
> Adrian Avena: 2 votes
> David Dudley: 2 votes
> Koby Kreiger: 2 votes
> Randy Haynes: 2 votes
> 9 other anglers each received 1 vote

Analysis: Maybe we should push for some sort of fashion competition on social media to try break the tie between Kenney and Swindle, both of whom seem to march to their own unique fashion beat. The three-way tie for third features Tommy Biffle, who may be wise to market a signature series line of shorts, along with long-haired Minnesotan Jim Moynagh and Mike Iaconelli, who still rocks high tops during tournaments.

> In the gallery below, you'll find additional graphics displaying the top vote-getters in all of the categories.



22. Will Kevin VanDam win another Bassmaster Classic?

Results (89 responses)
> Yes: 54 (60.67 percent)
> No: 35 (39.33 percent)

Analysis: The most dominant angler the sport has ever seen won four Classics – and 10 other Bassmaster tournaments – between 2001 and 2011, but finds himself winless since the ’11 Classic at the Louisiana Delta. Should we be worried that KVD has come back to earth? His peers seem to think he’ll recapture his big-game mojo soon.

23. Will Kevin VanDam win another Angler of the Year title?

Results (88 responses)
> Yes: 49 (55.68 percent)
> No: 39 (44.32 percent)

Analysis: Winning the Classic requires being good (and a little lucky) for a 3-day tournament. Winning an AOY title requires a season’s worth of skill, focus and good fortunes along with so many other factors. VanDam has sat atop the points heap on eight different occasions in his career (7 B.A.S.S., 1 FLW) and the prevailing wisdom among those who compete against him is that he’ll be back on top at some point.

24. Which of your competitors would you want to have your back in a fight?

Results (72 responses)
> Ish Monroe: 7 votes
> Jacob Powroznik: 6 votes
> Randy Haynes: 3 votes
> Cliff Crochet: 3 votes
> Travis Fox: 3 votes
> Gerald Swindle: 3 votes
> Bobby Lane: 2 votes
> Troy Broussard: 2 votes
> Peter Thliveros: 2 votes
> Greg Hackney: 2 votes
> Barry Wilson: 2 votes
> Payden Hibdon: 2 votes
> Andy Morgan: 2 votes
> Russ Lane: 2 votes
> 31 other anglers each received 1 vote

Analysis: Monroe likely got the nod here because of his throw-down with Keith Poche at Lake Toho earlier this year. For the sake of this question, street cred matters and Monroe has it in spades. Powroznik’s offensive lineman’s build made him a popular choice as well.


– End Part 3 (of 3) –