Surman, Kenney Top Big O List

Muddy water, community-hole rotation, post-cold front conditions – that's when veterans (and locals) shine. So it's no wonder that those with Okeechobee knowledge dominate BassFan's Top 10 watch list for the FLW Tour opener. Mixed in are a few wildcards – either locals or last year's high finishers – who could make a strong run at the top too.

Not much has changed on Okeechobee since yesterday's Scouting Report. Fishing spots are few and far between, and the field is condensed (big-time) into three clear-water areas: Monkey Box, South Bay and Moonshine. The bite is "off" (maybe) and conditions are crowded – all of which means just one big bite added to a 3-pound average could be huge.

Top 10 To Watch

In no particular order they are:

1) Mike Surman – A 20-year Okeechobee veteran with one prior FLW victory (1996) and two other Top 10s. He also finished 3rd at the 1990 and 1998 BASS Invitationals on Okeechobee. He had his best year last year and is 19th in the world going into this event. Besides all that, as a former co-owner of Gambler, he designed a bunch of Gamber baits for Florida waters (notably Okeechobee) that he and others have used to win a pot of money on the Big O. If anyone can find something different, he can.

2) J.T. Kenney – He won the FLW event in 2002 and also chalked up a 2nd, 4th and 5th in the prior three Okeechobee EverStarts. At the most recent EverStart he set new 1- and 2-day EverStart weight records – all while fishing in a crowd. But now that crowd contains the FLW elite. Can he repeat?

3) Alton Jones – Ranked 4th in the world right now (the highest-ranked angler fishing this tournament) and a strong flipper. He's consistent, darn good, is comfortable in a crowd and shines under tough bites (remember the Paducah Elite 50?). Question is, will he come out swinging?

4) Shinichi Fukae – Ever get the feeling that no matter how hard you try, someone will sneak in at the last minute to grab the glory? The pros call it getting "Fukaed." The reigning FLW Angler of the Year (AOY) is back. He finished 4th on Okeechobee last year and his experience in Japan means on-the-water crowds are the norm for him.

5) Dean Rojas – His record-setting catch at the Toho Bassmaster still carries weight in Florida, and he finished 7th at Okeechobee last year. But he bombed here the year before. He's pumped to start the year and will likely swing for the fences. He's known as a sight-fisherman, but is a good flipper too and doesn't mind crowds. If he connects, it could be huge. If he misses, it'll probably be a big miss.

6) Greg Hackney – He's the hottest tour angler right now, and even though he still hasn't won a tour event, he's a threat to win every tournament he enters. He finished 2nd at the Okeechobee Bassmaster Open in November. There's no counting Hackney out, ever, and tough conditions only seem to strengthen his edge.

7) David Dudley – The million-dollar man finished 3rd at Okeechobee last year. He also finished 7th here in 2002. He's a big sight-fisherman (likely no help) but is also a strong flipper, which could help him get a crucial big bite. He's also crafty. And for all-out efficiency, he's tough to match. With some personal distractions now behind him, he's primed to win again.

8) Larry Nixon – When experience matters, look nor further than Nixon. He finished 7th here last year and the worm – Nixon's forte – could play huge if the bite stays tough. He's fishing with a bum hand, but he's always dangerous.

9) Chad Morgenthaler – He's riding the wave of a strong Okeechobee EverStart finish (7th) this year, and a 2nd at the EverStart there last year. He had those fish figured out the first 2 days, then stumbled slightly after the cut. But it proves he knows the "new" Okeechobee and can handle the crowded conditions.

10) Koby Kreiger – He's a semi-local (a transplant from Indiana), but his past tour performances on the Big O have been less than memorable. That said, it's a different lake this year and one or two big bites could win the tournament. He's a longshot, but the local advantage is too much to look past.

Others To Watch

> Zell Rowland – Today marks his return to FLW competition. He's back on the rise and fishing with a new attitude.

> Ray Scheide – He won last year's event as a rookie. Is there more Okeechobee gas in his tank?

> Chris McCall – Last year's runner-up, but he faces a changed lake. Will he change too?

> Aaron Martens – A tough-bite, clear-water specialist whose patience could be a deciding factor.

> Asa Godsey – A local and FLW rookie. Pure wildcard, but local advantage important.

> Takahiro Omori – The current Classic champ has been busy. Will that affect his focus?

> Mike Wurm – Promised BassFans his new approach would turn it up a notch this year. But words are just words, and it all turns real for Wurm today.

> Clark Wendlandt – The FLW powerhouse and two-time AOY finished 6th at Okeechobee in 2003.

Notable

> Along with Fukae, three other Japanese residents fished the Tour last year. All four – Fukae, Katsutoshi Furusawa, Morizo Shimuzo and Masaki Shimono – will fish the Tour again this year.

> Here's the list of FLW Tour "rookies" according to FLW Outdoors. Note that many are Bassmaster Tour anglers – and a few have fished an FLW event before – but FLW considers them rookies nonetheless (but BassFan doesn't in terms of the BassFan Rookie of the Year Race).

- Richard Bennett
- Michael Bennett
- Art Berry (fished one event in 2000)
- Roger Boler (fished one event in 2004)
- Michael Brown
- Marcus Clouse
- Ramie Colson, Jr.
- Scott David
- William Davis
- Mary Divincenti
- William Drown
- Brent Ehrler
- Dale Evans
- Art Ferguson III
- Asa Godsey
- Nick Grebb
- Greg Gulledge
- Toby Hartsell
- Michael Johnson
- Bobby Lane
- Bobby Lanham
- Sean Minderman
- Ish Monroe
- Simon Morrow
- Steve Naas
- Keith Pace
- Clifford Pirch
- James Quillman
- Joe Small
- Walt Starling
- Scott Suggs
- Stephen Tosh Jr.
- Terry Tucker (fished one event in 2003)
- Paul Whitman Jr.
- Ken Wick
- Stephen Wilson
- Derek Yamamoto