Veterans Look To Erase Early-Season Struggles

BassFan Staff

(Part 3 of a 3-part examination of the 2017 Bassmaster Classic field, with anglers listed in alphabetical order. To read part 1, click here. To check out part 2, click here).

Ish Monroe – Hughson, Calif.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 9
> Best Classic finish: 14th (2007 – Lay Lake)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 50th (2010 TTBC), 34th (2013 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 63
> Insight: Monroe was the last man into the Classic through the Elite Series points (thanks to Bryan Schmitt winning the Lake Champlain Northern Open – Schmitt didn’t meet the criteria to use the automatic Classic berth) but he could be among the favorites, especially if there’s a frog bite going on. Missed the cut in the first two Elite Series derbies, so he’s due for a bounce-back event. Perhaps the Classic will be it.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Andy Montgomery – Blacksburg, S.C.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 2
> Best Classic finish: 36th (2011 – Louisiana Delta)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 36th (2010 TTBC), 2nd (2009 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 52
> Insight: Surged toward the end of the 2016 season to qualify for the Classic via points and he’s picked up where he left off with two top-50 finishes to start ‘17, including a 10th at Lake Okeechobee. Expect Montgomery to find Conroe to his liking with its plethora of boat docks and shallow-water opportunities. While he’s been in the pro ranks for a number of years now, he’s somewhat of an unknown in major events. Maybe that changes this week.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Darrell Ocamica – New Plymouth, Id.
> Qualified through: B.A.S.S. Nation
> Classics fished: 0
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: None
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: One of the longshots from the amateur ranks, Ocamica actually made the jump to the Elite Series this year and is 1-for-2 on cashing checks. Everything is a learning experience for the rookie and the Classic is a chance for him to open some eyes and prove he belongs.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Takahiro Omori – Emory, Texas
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 11
> Best Classic finish: 1st (2004 – Lake Wylie)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 22nd (2012 TTBC), 11th (2011 TTBC), 3rd (2010 TTBC), 14th (2009 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 65
> Insight: If there’s a silver lining to the Classic for Omori, it’s that he can’t finish any lower than 52nd. After consecutive 108th-places finishes to start off what’s been a miserable 2017 Elite Series season, the former Classic champ is probably chomping at the bit to take out his frustrations on some big Texas bass. He loves to power-fish shallow water and Conroe should offer him ample scenarios to do just that.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Brandon Palaniuk – Rathdrum, Id.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 6
> Best Classic finish: 2nd (2013 – Grand Lake)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 48th (2013 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 36
> Insight: Hard to believe this is Palaniuk’s seventh Classic – he’s only 30 years old – but the budding superstar from Idaho seems to relish the big stage and his fishing talents continue to evolve. He had a top-12 at the season opener and a triple-digit bomb at Lake Okeechobee, so the Classic will be a good spot for him to get straightened out and fish for the win.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Clifford Pirch – Payson, Ariz.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 3
> Best Classic finish: 13th (2015 – Lake Hartwell)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 21st (2012 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 79
> Insight: Known for his prowess in deep, clear water, this Classic might not be in his wheelhouse, but he has an affinity for dock fishing and Conroe will offer up plenty of opportunities, especially if there are fry-guarders or even some spawners around. He’s no stranger to winning prestigious tournaments (he has three U.S. Open titles to his credit), but a Classic win would dwarf them all.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Jacob Powroznik – Prince George, Va.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 2
> Best Classic finish: 5th (2015 – Lake Hartwell)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 3rd (2013 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 28
> Insight: Did not start ’17 like he’d hoped (82nd in points), but he’s developed into a consistent threat no matter the season or scenario. He’s especially lethal when there are spawning fish available (he claims to have better vision than 95 percent of his competitors), but he can also power-fish with the best of them. Also, he seems unflappable regardless of the stage or stakes.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Skeet Reese – Auburn, Calif.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 16
> Best Classic finish: 1st (2009 – Red River)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: None
> Current world rank: 61
> Insight: Started the 2017 season in a bit of a rut (he’s an unthinkable 100th in points), but nothing seems to rattle the 17-time Classic qualifier. Hasn’t finished better than 14th in six Classics since his Red River victory in ’09. He’s never competed at Conroe, but he’s typically strong in spawn/post-spawn scenarios.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Dean Rojas – Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 14
> Best Classic finish: 4th (2015 – Lake Hartwell)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: None
> Current world rank: 23
> Insight: His sterling career is missing just one thing – either an AOY title or a Classic championship. Had a top-10 at Lake Okeechobee so he’ll carry some good vibes to Conroe, where he’s never fished before. Has top-7 finishes in the last two Classics, so he hasn’t been that far off. Is this the year he seals the deal?
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Bradley Roy – Lancaster, Ky.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 0
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: None
> Current world rank: 90
> Insight: Caught his personal-best largemouth at Conroe prior to it going off limits and would like to match the feat this week. This will be his first Classic so there’s no telling how he’ll react to the big event. This is already his 8th season on the Elite Series so he shouldn’t be too overwhelmed by much of anything. He’s been consistent over his career, but has just one top-12 finish since the start of the 2012 season.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Wesley Strader – Spring City, Tenn.
> Qualified through: Lake Toho Southern Open winner
> Classics fished: 1
> Best Classic finish: 40th (2003 – Louisiana Delta)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 9th (2011 TTBC), 27th (2012 TTBC), 30th (2013 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 32
> Insight: Among the top anglers in the sport without an AOY or major title to his credit, Strader is back in the Classic for the second time in his career. He’s seen it all over the years so whatever Conroe throws at him, don’t expect him to flinch. After missing the cut at Guntersville to start the year, he has two top-30 finishes on the FLW Tour to get some momentum going.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Gerald Swindle – Guntersville, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (Angler of the Year)
> Classics fished: 15
> Best Classic finish: 3rd (2005 – Three Rivers)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 25th (2010 TTBC), 21st (2011 TTBC), 15th (2012 TTBC), 11th (2013 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 13
> Insight: As good as he’s been over the years, the Classic has always been a thorn in Swindle’s side. He has only two top-10 finishes in 15 career Classics, the most recent coming in 2005. He devoted himself to a simpler approach on and off the water in 2016 and it paid off with a second AOY title. So far, he’s missed one cut and made one cut in 2017. Conroe could set up to his liking with plenty of shallow-water options.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Randall Tharp – Port St. Joe, Fla.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 3
> Best Classic finish: 5th (2014 – Lake Guntersville)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 18th (2010 TTBC), 15th (2013 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 9
> Insight: Has only missed one money cut since the start of the 2016 season and comes into this week 4th in AOY points. He was a frustrated spectator at last year’s Classic and he should find Conroe to his liking with all the shallow-water opportunities.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Kevin VanDam – Kalamazoo, Mich.
> Qualified through: Classic Bracket winner & Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 25
> Best Classic finish: 1st (2001 – Louisiana Delta, 2005 – Three Rivers, 2010 – Lay Lake, 2011 – Louisiana Delta)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 5th (2013 TTBC), 23rd (2011 TTBC), 21st (2010 TTBC), 35th (2009 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 16
> Insight: Got his mojo back last year by winning two Elite Series events and the Classic Bracket. He’s well-versed at Conroe in the fall and should be a threat if it’s a post-spawn bite. A win would break the tie with Rick Clunn for most Classic titles and possibly light the fuse on another explosive season.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Jesse Wiggins – Cullman, Ala.
> Qualified through: Smith Lake Southern Open winner
> Classics fished: 0
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: None
> Current world rank: 285
> Insight: Generated a lot of buzz in his Elite Series debut at Cherokee Lake as he nearly took home the win. He’s been looking forward to this opportunity since last spring when he won at his home lake. He’s already locked into next year’s Classic by virtue of his win at the Harris Chain Southern Open in January. He manages the highs and lows with the calmness of a veteran but we’ll have to see how he handles the nerves and butterflies in Houston.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Jason Williamson – Aiken, S.C.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 1
> Best Classic finish: 47th (2011 – Louisiana Delta)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: None
> Current world rank: 49
> Insight: Off to a great start (2nd in AOY points), Williamson is a known big-bass hunter so Conroe in the spring could play right into his wheelhouse. His Texas track record is stout to boot with a win at Lake Amistad in 2009 to go with top-10s at Amistad and Lake Falcon in 2008 and Falcon again in ’13. His confidence may be at all-time high heading into his second Classic as he’s posted five straight top-20 finishes since last August and he’s 2nd in AOY so far this season.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Chris Zaldain – Laughlin, Nev.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 2
> Best Classic finish: 41st (2016 – Grand Lake)
> Tour-level finishes at Conroe: 6th (2013 TTBC)
> Current world rank: 38
> Insight: Off to a poor start this season, but he’s established himself as a consistent presence on the Elite Series. He’s yet to finish higher than 41st in two previous Classics, but Conroe is a big-fish venue and he has a knack for tangling with some giants – he caught a 12-pounder at the Cal Delta and won a truck with this 7-12 at last year’s TTBC. He could use a big event this week to turn his season around.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

End part 3 (of 3)