(Editor's note: This is part 1 of a 3-part story that analyzes the 2009 Bassmaster Classic field by splitting it into thirds in alphabetical order. Parts 2 and 3 will be published in the coming days.)
So long as the Red River doesn't take on the characteristics of its name over the next couple of weeks, the 2009 Bassmaster Classic in Bossier City, La. should be a derby that lives up to its billing as bass fishing's premier event. A lot of places across the country are begging for rain right now, but it'll be nice if Mother Nature can spare the Oklahoma-Louisiana region until later this month.
Lots of big bass call the Red home, and this is a time of year when they're accessible in shallow water. They're gearing up for their annual reproduction duties and will likely be in the mood for some pre-spawn nourishment.
The best intel says it'll take a 4-pound average – or real close to it – to win. And if the average is 4, that means some 8s will come to the stage. It should be a fun tournament for the participants and a weekend's worth of exciting weigh-ins for the fans.
And for the first time ever, a female contestant will try to go pound-for-pound with the men. That adds a non-traditional element to a tournament that otherwise shapes up as a good, old-fashioned pigfest.
BassFan begins its annual analysis of the 51-angler field today with a look at how each angler got here, how they've fared in Classics past and what might be expected from them at the Red.
Casey Ashley -- Donalds, S.C.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (26th)
> Fished: 1 Classic
> Best Classic finish: 17th (2008)
> Current world rank: 33rd
> Insight: He was a hometown favorite at his inaugural Classic last year at Lake Hartwell, and he certainly didn't flop in that role. That pressure won't exist this year, so he can just go out and fish. He loves to toss a jig around, and the Red should supply ample opportunity for that. Definitely a guy to keep an eye on.
Kim Bain-Moore -- Alabaster, Ala.
> Qualified through: Women's Bassmaster Tour
> Fished: 0 Classics
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Current world rank: 263rd
> Insight: As the first woman to fish the sport's premier event, she'll be swamped by media attention during the days leading up to the Classic and through at least day 1 of competition. If she catches a strong opening-day bag, she'll attract a horde of followers on day 2. She competed in 10 events on the FLW Tour the past 2 years with a top finish of 80th. It would be a huge story if she fished her way into contention, but when everything is factored in, she's a decided longshot.
Ken Baumgardner -- Monongahela, Pa.
> Qualified through: Federation Nation
> Fished: 0 Classics
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: One of a half-dozen Federation Nation qualifiers, all of whom will be major longshots in this type of field. He's done most of his highest-level fishing in the north and will likely have a learning curve to work his way around during the 3 official practice days.
Michael Burns -- Plano, Texas
> Qualified through: Central Opens
> Fished: 0 Classics
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: If you're looking for a non-Elite Series entrant to bet on, this is probably your guy. Living just 3 hours away, he has some familiarity with the Red and has fared well there in triple-A competition. Nothing about the event is likely to overwhelm him, and that's a key consideration when trying to peg a darkhorse.
Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, Kan.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (22nd)
> Fished: 7 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 10th (2002)
> Current world rank: 40th
> Insight: Considering his love for flipping and pitching and throwing shallow crankbaits, he might be a good bet to notch his first-ever single-digit finish in a Classic. Endured a rough off-season that was lowlighted by the loss of his major non-endemic sponsorship with GE Silicone II, but seems ready to put all that behind him. His career record on river systems is very strong and he won an Open on this venue in 2000. A definite threat.
Rick Clunn -- Ava, Mo.
> Qualified through: Central Opens
> Fished: 31 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 1st (1976, 1977, 1984, 1990)
> Current world rank: 78th
> Insight: In addition to his unprecedented four Classic victories, he's logged an astounding 16 Top 10s in the event. The last two of that quartet of wins occurred on rivers (the James in 1990 and the Arkansas in 1984). He finished 17th at last April's Open on the Red, but prior to that hadn't fared particularly well there in recent years. At age 62, he might not be the threat he once was, but he's certainly not one who can be counted out. This marks his final chance to claim a Classic win in four straight decades.
Mark Davis -- Mt. Ida, Ark.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (12th)
> Fished: 13 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 1st (1995)
> Current world rank: 19th
> Insight: This will be his first Classic since 2004 and he hasn't been a real factor in one of these things since 1996 (he's fared no better than 17th in his last seven appearances). He's done some good work on rivers during his career, but primarily in the summer months, and he's not a big fan of the Red. He'd be more of a favorite on just about any other venue.
Boyd Duckett took the Classic victory lap 2 years ago and had the type of pre-practice at the Red River that made him think he has a chance to do it again.
Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (33rd)
> Fished: 2 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 1st (2007)
> Current world rank: 24th
> Insight: Had a mediocre sophomore Elite season after his sparkling 2007 debut campaign that included the Classic win at Lay Lake in his home state and also a victory in the Legends Major at Dardanelle. But he rallied at the end of the year to make his third straight Classic and is a substantial threat to cop his second crown. Had an excellent pre-practice before the Red went off-limits in December and will go back brimming with confidence.
Jay Evans -- Corvallis, Mont.
> Qualified through: Federation Nation
> Fished: 0 Classics
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: A complete unknown from a place where bass fishing probably enjoys less popularity than anywhere in the continental U.S. There aren't many places like the Red in Big Sky country, so he'll likely be at a big disadvantage in terms of experience.
Edwin Evers -- Talala, Okla.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (6th)
> Fished: 8 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 6th (2005)
> Current world rank: 8th
> Insight: His familiarity with the venue and his past record on the Red put him on the short list of pre-tournament favorites. He loves fishing in Louisiana and he's banked a lot of money down there. He's also excited about the time of year and the chance to catch bigger-than-normal bags. He'll have a new addition to his family before the tournament starts and that might prove to be a minor distraction, but there are a lot of factors working in his favor.
Todd Faircloth has been fishing extremely well for a long time now and the Red River is a venue where he's had some success.
Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Texas
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (2nd)
> Fished: 6 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 5th (2001
> Current world rank: 2nd
> Insight: There's no reason to think he can't be a major factor here – he's fished well just about everywhere he's gone over the past 2 years and the Red suits his shallow, power-fishing style. He's extremely familiar with the place and finished 3rd at a Bassmaster Tour event there in 2001. A victory in this event would take a lot of the sting out of his failure to claim the Elite Series Angler of the Year (AOY) title last summer.
Terry Fitzpatrick -- Waukon, Iowa
> Qualified through: Federation Nation
> Fished: 0 Classics
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: As an Iowan, he undoubtedly has river experience on the Mississippi, but whether that transfers well remains to be seen. Could he be this year's Terry McWilliams (the Fed Nation qualifier who finished 4th at Lay 2 years ago)? Time will tell.
Jami Fralick -- Martin, S.D.
> Qualified through: Central Opens
> Fished: 1 Classic
> Best Classic finish: 38th (2005)
> Current world rank: 122nd
> Insight: He's about to enter his 4th year as an Elite Series pro, but has yet to make a Classic via that route (he was a Federation qualifier in his only other appearance in Pittsburgh in '05). Has had some solid Elite showings on river systems and was 13th at last year's Open at the Red. It wouldn't be a shock to see him make the cut for the final day, but he's still a longshot to contend.
Shaw Grigsby -- Gainsesville, Fla
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (30th)
> Fished: 10 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 2nd (1993)
> Current world rank: 66th
> Insight: He's primarily a clear-water, finesse-type angler, so he won't really be in his element on the Red. Also, his recent river record isn't stellar, although he did log a 4th at the Arkansas in the '06 Legends Major. A popular veteran who many would like to see do well, but not a favorite to cop the crown.
Greg Hackney comes into the Classic on a strong roll and is at or near the top of a lot of people's favorites lists.
Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, La.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (36th)
> Fished: 6 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 5th (2008)
> Current world rank: 41st
> Insight: The former No. 1-ranked angler in the world will enter the Classic on a major upswing and will be right near the top on almost every list of favorites. He did his best Elite Series fishing of '08 at the end of the season and then took top overall honors at the FLW Series East/West Slugfest (er, Fish-Off) at Falcon Lake. He's not a true Red River homer, but he knows the place better than most and it should play to his strengths. Many will be disappointed if he isn't one of the six anglers on the stage for the final weigh-in festivities.
Matt Herren -- Trussville, Ala.
> Qualified through: Southern Opens
> Fished: 0 Classics
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Current world rank: 101st
> Insight: The longtime FLW Tour stalwart makes his Classic debut after a couple of sub-par years (by his standards) on his former circuit. He steps right in to a venue that should suit his flipping- and pitching-oriented game and preference for fishing shallow water. He has a knack for figuring out fish under many types of conditions and if he gets something going, he usually sustains it. He could make an immediate splash – a big one – on his new trail.
Kenyon Hill -- Norman, Okla.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (17th)
> Fished: 3 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 9th (2003)
> Current world rank: 39th
> Insight: His Classic appearances have been sporadic (1994, '98, 2003 and this year), but he comes in off one of his best years ever. His '08 campaign included a win and two other Top 12s, and just one finish of 70th or lower. He usually fares pretty well on rivers (his first tour-level win was on the Alabama in '01), although the Red was unkind to him that same year (he finished 109th). He's at home in shallow water and could be a factor.
