Classic: Top 10 To Watch
Decision-Makers, Crowd Managers Top List

Photo: BassFan Once again, Kevin VanDam's a clear Bassmaster Classic favorite, even more so since he's first boat out tomorrow.

But throughout practice, it became more and more apparent that edge had become dull. The conditions are just too stable to give river rats any major advantage. The fish, and the pros, are clustered in a handful or oxbows, and the Red's fishing more like a miniature Santee Cooper or Toledo Bend than a fast-changing lowland waterway.

Given the tight quarters, and the inevitable horde of spectator traffic in this bass-crazy community, the edge therefore has to go to those with experience in Classics and crowds.

What Could Happen

Assuming, for a moment, that nobody's found a secret, isolated hole, this Classic will probably be won within sight of other competitors.

That's where decisions and movement come in. Competitors will have to decide where to start on day 1, then whether to camp on top of the area and guard it, or make a move to new water.

Any move opens up the area for other competitors, and the mover risks being shut out of new water when he or she arrives at a new destination. It's simply that crowded.

The other important factor is the decisions within a given area. Competitors will probably need to make a bait or technique change at some point in a hot area. How well he or she does that, and how well it's guarded from prying eyes, could make all the difference.

Still another factor, and a big one, is temperament. A flotilla of spectator boats can muddy and ruin the tender oxbows in a few minutes. Anyone in the hunt is going to have to manage that frustration. More than a few pros have noted that their ideal position would be 4th or 5th place going into the final day and a few pounds out. That would seemingly keep them out of the spotlight.

Photo: BassFan Bobby Lane (left) and Mike McClelland illustrate just how tight some of the fishing will be.

With all that in mind and more, here's a look at BassFan's recommendation on the Top 10 to watch at this event.

Top 10 To Watch

1. Kevin VanDam – He's the greatest angler of the modern era, a two-time Classic winner, and the No. 1 ranked angler in the world. His last Classic victory was on a river (Pittsburgh, 2005). What sets VanDam apart as perhaps the clear favorite this week is his ability to work with and within crowds – both other competitors and spectators. The spinnerbait's also going strong, which makes him look even better. Plus, he's first boat out tomorrow.

2. Aaron Martens – Not saying much about his practice, but has noted a few quiet things to BassFan that spells only one thing: He's on good fish. He can get psyched out from time to time when it comes to crowds and sharing water, but there's arguably nobody better at finding something subtly different in and around other boats. Currently ranked 9th in the world.

3. Edwin Evers – The Oklahoma pro excels on this type of water, and had a baby last week. He's also good at factoring weather and fish movement. The jury's out on his crowd management. But he's notably low-key about having other boats around – meaning, he's not apt to get caught up in any conflicts. Look for a Top 5 from him here. Ranked right ahead of Martens at 8th in the world.

4. Rick Clunn – Is fishing out of an aluminum with a jet drive, which should help him maneuver in the oxbows and let him move more efficiently. Has a long, strong record on waters like this, and the demeanor to handle crowds. Hasn't had a big Classic in a while, but is the only one to have won four of them. Will this be the year he wins his fifth?

Photo: BassFan Scott Rook shared water successfully last year, and deserves a look for overall favorite.

6. Gary Klein – Klein's due. It's just that simple. This is his 27th Classic, yet a victory has always eluded him. Seems to understand that day 1 is important, but day 2 is when things will really materialize, and he's open to changing everything if need be. Won't get rattled by crowds and so forth, and could do heavy damage with the jig.

7. Matt Herren – This wily Alabama fisherman is making his first-ever Classic appearance, and will fish BASS this year, rather than FLW. A potential problem for Herren is that he can get knocked off his game by mental setbacks (like crowding). It's happened over the past few years on the FLW side, and he's now ranked 101st in the world, whereas he used to be a Top 10 regular in the Rankings. He's just such a commanding angler there's no way he can't be a favorite this week.

8. Mike Iaconelli – Ike's going to fish Pool 4, and he's got a spot in 5 to fish on the way back up. At least that's his plan. Ike's strength lies in his flexibility. That said, his temperament will likely be tested this week. And remember that he's twice had his weight DQd at the Classic. Which Ike will reign? Likely the former, not the latter, which means he'll probably keep a cool head, make a crucial change or two, and finish somewhere inside the Top 5.

9. Steve Kennedy – Will fish from an aluminum jon-style boat with an old beater motor he got from his father's garage. That motor won a lot of money, and Kennedy's an angler BassFans can identify with. He keeps an even keel, gets after it like nobody's business, and is easily one of the best anglers in the field. Will his boat carry him to hidden waters, and to victory? Perhaps. What would that victory lap look like?

10. Terry Scroggins – There's just a feeling out there that this could be Scroggins' year. Maybe that's because he's received so little attention in the Classic run-up. He's definitely well under the radar, which likely suits him just fine. He's a level-headed pro with massive flipping skills. A lot could hinge on his first decision tomorrow.

Others To Watch

> Mark Davis – Back in the Classic for the first time since 2004. Has a strong aversion to crowds, so it'll be worth noting how he handles that.

> Mike Burns – Won the hard-fought Central Open points this year. Makes a comfortable living, so has nothing riding on this Classic other than the pure stoke-factor. From Plano, Texas – a few hours away – and has fished here plenty.

> Greg Hackney – A strong pre-tournament favorite, but the stable conditions and crowding pretty much erase his river-rat advantage. Still a heavy threat though.

> Bill Lowen – An accomplished river rat fishing his second Classic.

> Ish Monroe – One angler who'll make the massive run to Pool 3. Will it be worth it?

> Davy Hite - Won a Classic in Louisiana, but did that with a long run and an isolated spot. Won't have that luxury here.

> Alton Jones – The odds are against him repeating as champion – only Rick Clunn has done that. But he's second boat out, which is a big advantage.

> Kim Bain-Moore – The first woman ever to fish the Classic. Is feeling burnt right now, and had a frustrating final practice day. Will she rebound?

Photo: BassFan There's no reason to think Aaron Martens won't solve the presentation puzzle this week.

> Todd Faircoth – Similar to Jordon in that he's a Texan, a killer stick, and well under the radar.

> Mike McClelland – Has established himself as a premier angler and is currently ranked 5th in the world. Capable of striking at any time.

> Shaw Grigsby – A fan favorite who's back on track and fishing very well.

Launch/Weigh-In Info

Anglers will launch their boats at 7:15 a.m. at Red River South Marina, which is in a large oxbow of Pool 5, about 14 miles north of the Joe D. Waggonner Jr. Lock & Dam No. 5. NO PUBLIC PARKING is available at the marina. Instead, those who wish to view the launch must take the shuttle from the CenturyTel Center.

Daily weigh-ins begin at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the CenturyTel Center (2000 CenturyTel Dr., Bossier City, La.).

The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo will be held at the Shreveport Convention Center during the following hours:
> Friday: 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.
> Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
> Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Weather Forecast

Saturday's temperatures will be 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the average this week. Note the overnight lows and the wind-direction change.

> Fri., Feb. 20 - Sunny - 66°/42°
- Wind: From the S at 12 mph

> Sat., Feb. 21 - A.M. Showers - 56°/30°
- Wind: From the W/NW at 11 mph

> Sun., Feb. 22 - Sunny - 55°/32°
- Wind: From the NE at 8 mph

Notable

> VanDam, as the 2008 Angler of the Year, will be first boat out tomorrow. Alton Jones, as defending Classic champ, will launch second. The rest of the order is determined by random draw.

> To read BassFan's Classic Scouting report, which includes a map of the Red River, plus practice notes from several in the field, click here.

> To read a previous BassFan story about the layout of the Red, and how the different pools fish, click here.

Appendix 1: 2009 Bassmaster Classic Field

1. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, S.C.
2. Kim Bain-Moore -- Alabaster, Ala. (WBT)
3. Ken Baumgardner -- Monongahela, Pa. (Federation Nation)
4. Michael Burns -- Plano, Texas (Central Opens)
5. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, Kan.
6. Rick Clunn -- Ava, Mo. (Central Opens)
7. Mark Davis -- Mt. Ida, Ark.
8. Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, Ala.
9. Jay Evans -- Corvallis, Mont. (Federation Nation)
10. Edwin Evers -- Talala, Okla.
11. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Texas
12. Terry Fitzpatrick -- Waukon, Iowa (Federation Nation)
13. Jami Fralick -- Martin, S.D. (Central Opens)
14. Shaw Grigsby -- Gainesville, Fla.
15. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, La.
16. Matt Herren -- Trussville, Ala. (Southern Opens)
17. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, Okla.
18. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, S.C.
19. Randy Howell -- Springville, Ala.
20. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, Ala.
21. Bryan Hudgins -- Orange Park, Fla.
22. Michael Iaconelli -- Runnemede, N.J.
23. Alton Jones -- Waco, Texas
24. Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, Texas
25. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Ala.
26. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, Ala.
27. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, Texas
28. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fla. (Southern Opens)
29. Bill Lowen -- North Bend, Ohio
30. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, Ala.
31. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, Ark.
32. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, Calif.
33. Rick Morris -- Virginia Beach, Va.
34. Scott Parker -- Londonberry, N.H. (Federation Nation)
35. Waine Pittman -- Villa Rica, Ga. (Federation Nation)
36. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Ala. (Southern Opens)
37. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, Calif.
38. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu, Ariz.
39. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, Ark.
40. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, Okla.
41. Bryan Schmidt -- Olney, Texas (Federation Nation)
42. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, Fla.
43. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, Fla.
44. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, Mo.
45. Peter Thliveros -- St. Augustine, Fla.
46. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, Mich.
47. Byron Velvick -- Del Rio, Texas
48. Dustin Wilks -- Rocky Mount, N.C.
49. David Williams -- Maiden, N.C. (Weekend Series)
50. Kevin Wirth -- Crestwood, Ky.
51. Dave Wolak -- Wake Forest, N.C.