(Editor's note: This is part 2 of a 3-part story that analyzes the 2009 Bassmaster Classic field by splitting it into thirds in alphabetical order. Part 3 will be published on Monday. To read part 1, click here.)
Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, S.C.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (37th)
> Fished: 12 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 1st (1999)
> Current world rank: 85th
> Insight: It's his first Classic since 2006, and it could be a good one. He won at the Red in the fall of 2001 – the second of back-to-back triumphs to open a new Bassmaster season. Had a terrible start to the '08 campaign, but fished superbly in the middle and held on to claim the Classic berth. His second triumph in this event – and second in Louisiana (he won on the Delta in 1999) – certainly isn't out of the question.
Randy Howell -- Springville, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (8th)
> Fished: 7 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 11th (1999)
> Current world rank: 45th
> Insight: Not a true power-fishing maven like many in the field, but he usually fares decently at river-oriented events, no matter where they're held. He's coming off his best all-around season (eight Top 30s in 11 events) and has had a little bit of success at the Red. Not a prohibitive favorite at this point, but a guy who could climb into the mix if a few things break his way.
Tim Horton -- Muscle Shoals, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (20th)
> Fished: 9 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 10th (2005)
> Current world rank: 22nd
> Insight: This will be his 10th straight Classic, but he's yet to make a huge impact on one. Now the president of the Professional Anglers Association (PAA), he's had a lot of business to tend to this
Tim Horton will make his 10th straight appearance in the sport's premier event.
offseason that wasn't directly related to his own fishing, but seems to have handled it fine while suffering the minimal amount of stress. He's primarily on offshore structure angler, so this one doesn't set up extremely well for him. But if it's a big-weight event, as some predict it will be, he could find a way to get in on the action.
Bryan Hudgins -- Orange Park, Fla.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (29th)
> Fished: 0 Classics
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Current world rank: 109th
> Insight: He had a good year on the Elite Series in '08, but then couldn't bankroll the '09 circuit and is currently not on the list of anglers who'll fish the circuit this year. He won the Harris Chain Southern Open last week, though, and will take that momentum into the Classic. The St. Johns River rat can catch 'em in shallow water and could be heard from at the Red if he encounters the right conditions.
Mike Iaconelli -- Runnemede, N.J.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (10th)
> Fished: 9 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 1st (2003)
> Current world rank: 18th
> Insight: It remains to be seen whether a few months away from high-level competitive fishing has cooled him down or not. He absolutely sizzled toward the end of '08, finishing no lower than 9th in the last three Elite Series tournaments and then ripping up FLW Outdoors events through the fall. If he's still got the good juju going, he should be a major player at the Red. His power-oriented game fits the venue and he's never had much trouble with rivers.
Alton Jones -- Waco, Texas
> Qualified through: Defending champion
> Fished: 11 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 1st (2008)
> Current world rank: 15th
> Insight: He followed up his win last year at Hartwell with an excellent year on the Elite Series and has thoroughly enjoyed all of the trappings that come with being the reigning Classic champion. He'd like to do it all over again, and might get that chance. He has few peers when it comes to carving up a piece of
Alton Jones would love to join Rick Clunn as the only anglers to win back-to-back Classics.
cover – whether it's deep or shallow. His chances might improve if conditions take a turn for the worse and the bite gets a little bit tough.
Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, Texas
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (28th)
> Fished: 6 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 5th (2004)
> Current world rank: 42nd
> Insight: He's a pre-spawn stud who could run away and hide if he gets on the best fish. He has no qualms about going for broke and has a penchant for getting the one huge bite that can turn a solid finish into a win. His Classic record is unspectacular, but he's bound to make some serious noise one of these years. This could be his time.
Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (16th)
> Fished: 2 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 8th (2007)
> Current world rank: 21st
> Insight: Seems to have the aura of a guy who's going to win at least one Classic before he's finished. He's extremely versatile and always prone to make a run at victory wherever bass swim. Has a propensity for saving his best for last and could easily climb up from the middle of the pack. He's truly in his element when fish are offshore, but skinny water doesn't scare him a bit. A good wildcard pick.
Kota Kiriyama -- Moody, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (25th)
> Fished: 4 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 4th (2000)
> Current world rank: 23rd
> Insight: Another guy who does several things well and can turn in a strong showing when such a feat might be unexpected. Has a mixed record on rivers, so there's little to be gleaned there to help handicap his chances. Was up and down through the latter half of 2008, a stretch that included his win at Erie. Not a short-list favorite, but not a total longshot, either.
Gary Klein -- Weatherford, Texas
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (23rd)
> Fished: 26 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 2nd (2003)
> Current world rank: 35th
> Insight: Time for the annual "Will this finally be the year that Klein wins the Classic?" questions again, and they won't go away until he does it. Of course, the odds are long against any individual angler in any given year, but the Red seems to represent a good opportunity for him. He learned to flip from the
Gary Klein will be back to take his 27th crack at winning the Classic.
legendary Dee Thomas, he understands current as well as anybody and he's adept at discovering subtle presentation variances that can put an extra pound or two in the bag. He's a sentimental pick, but a logical one, too.
Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fla
> Qualified through: Southern Opens
> Fished: 1 Classic
> Best Classic finish: 4th (2008)
> Current world rank: 52nd
> Insight: He would've been here even if he'd never fished an Open last year – he ended up 15th in the Elite Series points. His Classic debut last year (after coming over from the FLW Tour) was a memorable one, and this one should set up pretty well for him, too. He's most dangerous in his home state, but he's familiar enough with the puzzles that the Red will present and is a fearless gambler, especially in an event of this magnitude. Worth watching, for sure.
Bill Lowen -- North Bend, Ohio
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (11th)
> Fished: 1 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 33rd (2007)
> Current world rank: 37th
> Insight: He grew up fishing the Ohio River, and if you can catch them there, you can catch them anywhere that water moves. Seems to be finding his groove – last season was easily the best of his three on the Elite Series – and he's already proven that he's not afraid to look for something off the beaten path. If he finds it, he could be in contention throughout the event.
Aaron Martens -- Leeds, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (13th)
> Fished: 9 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 2nd (2002, 2004, 2005)
> Current world rank: 9th
> Insight: The Classic's Heartbreak Kid is at his best on deep, clear lakes and has a major disdain for mud, so at first glance, it might seem that there's little chance of him ending his frustrations this year. But lest we forget, he has a seemingly natural affinity for figuring out fish and he's shined in the past at places that didn't seem to fit his style. Maybe not a top-of-the-list guy this year, but never one to overlook.
Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, Ark.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (3rd)
> Fished: 5 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 12th (2007)
> Current world rank: 5th
> Insight: Primarily known for his offshore structure prowess, but he can get it done in the shallows, too. Has vast experience on the Red and has met with some success there at both the tour and Open levels. His 12th-place finish at Lay Lake 2 years ago is by far his best in a Classic – he failed to crack the Top 30 in any of the other four. He's one of the best in the game right now, but his Classic struggles alone are enough to push him a little ways down the list.
Ish Monroe -- Hughson, Calif.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (31st)
> Fished: 4 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 14th (2007)
> Current world rank: 47th
> Insight: He makes no bones about it: When it comes to the Classic, he sees no difference between 2nd place and dead-last. He'll put all of his eggs in the flimsiest of baskets in an effort to win this event, and it often backfires – three of his appearances have resulted in finishes of 42nd or worse. This could be the year his all-or-nothing mentality pays off. Or not.
Rick Morris -- Virginia Beach, Va.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points (39th)
> Fished: 3 Classics
> Best Classic finish: 2nd (2006)
> Current world rank: 105th
> Insight: A power-fisherman through and through who can score big bags if he gets into the right places. He was somewhat of a surprise runner-up at the Toho Classic 3 years ago, and this is the first time he's been back since. Gained his berth when Rick Clunn double-qualified via the Central Opens and will try to take advantage of that break.
Scott Parker -- Londonberry, N.H.
> Qualified through: Federation Nation
> Fished: 0 Classics
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: He has some high-level experience, having fished three Bassmaster Invitationals in 1997-98 (his best showing was 26th at New York's St. Lawrence River). He's competed against VanDam and Co. before and certainly won't be awestruck, and he's no newcomer to current. Still a definite longshot, though.
Notable
> To read part 1 of this story, click here.
