Classic A Level Field, But A Few Faces Surface

Who's on 'em, and who's not? Tough to tell, but it's a safe bet that most of the 2005 Bassmaster Classic field isn't on much of anything. Sure, it's the Classic and everyone's more tight-lipped than usual. But the genuine tenor has been that the Three Rivers is a great unknown, and a pretty level playing field.

For one, anglers don't really know how good their spots are, since sticking

practice fish on this body of water is akin to a crime. There simply aren't many keepers, so why catch what you'll need 2 days later?

Second, the field is thick with southern flippers and power-fishermen who have little to no experience on industrialized northern rivers.

Third is the luck factor. It's very likely one big bite – backed up with a few limits – could win the Classic. Whether that bite comes through luck, or as the result of a pattern, is anyone's guess.

To sum it up, nobody seems to have a clear advantage. Yes, there's a few whispers about a few names, but overall, the Classic is wide-open.

Mental Drift

In a tournament that seems to be wide-open, one key factor will be mental strength. Anglers have to focus through long periods without a keeper bite, then execute when something happens. There will be constant pangs of "Should I move?" and "Will this bait work?" So those who stay focused should have an advantage.

"This tournament's as tough as it can get," David Walker said. "I feel it's as level a playing field as I've ever been on. I want to win. I don't care if I have to catch 12 pounds or 120. It doesn't matter, as long as you win.

"I think a poor bite always helps me though. It gets the guys down a little. They give up pretty quick. That's in my favor."

Kevin VanDam thinks it's to his advantage too. "I think this is probably the best opportunity for the whole field to win the Classic that there has ever been. What I mean is, at most Classics, realistically, only half the field has a legitimate shot. At this one, every angler has a legitimate chance. That said, mentally, a lot of guys will take themselves out of it before they get that opportunity, when they could have hung around a lot longer."

One factor sure to affect mental focus is lost fish. In a tournament where every keeper bite matters, lost fish can be a huge drain.

"You have to catch every one, and they come off a lot," Aaron Martens said. "The problem is, the smaller fish are unhealthy. You go to hook them and you wind up pulling them through the water. It's hard to pull on a fish here and have your rod stop. It's more like pulling a stick through the water.

"And when you hook them, they come up and jump right away. As soon as you hook them, they're on the surface. It could be really frustrating if you lost two or three keepers every day. I checked every barb on every bait. I'm ready, but it'll be a really stressful tournament."

"These fish are aggressive, but they're not aggressive," Kevin Wirth said. "They're not eating correctly because of lack of current, so you're going to lose some. Bar none, you're going to lose some."

George Cochran, who recently won the Forrest L. Wood Championship at Lake Hamilton, Ark. during a tough bite, and who also holds the record for the lowest Classic-winning weight, had this to say. "In this tournament, everybody here has an idea of what they need, but it's going to be a real tough tournament. Some guys who were really excited will go back to their (practice) spots, but they won't catch any.

"Some guy who are like me, who will go and try a new area, and just calm down and fish instead of running, might win it."

Scattered Bites

If there's one thing every angler agreed on, it's that fish management is a dead issue. In this tournament, under these conditions, you've got to catch all you can every day, even if it's only an ounce or two improvement. And everybody thinks winning is about covering water.

"You have to swing every day, and catch whatever you can catch," Tommy Biffle said.

"I don't think any fish are bunched up," Terry Scroggins noted. "You have to cover water and catch one here, catch one there."

"I think there are no secrets," Takahiro Omori said. "You just try to make more casts, make good decisions on the water and just fish hard – stay positive all day long, mentally, and don't give up."

Top 10 To Watch

Considering all of the above, and other factors too, here are BassFan's recommendations for the Top 10 to watch at the 2005 Classic. In no particular order, they are:

1) Greg Hackney – He's No. 1 in the State Farm-BassFan World Rankings and the 2005 FLW Angler of the Year (AOY). There's simply no hotter stick in fishing right now. He was tight-lipped about his practice, but there were whispers of success. He said he got too locked into one thing at Lake Hamilton, so he's on guard against that here.

2) Kevin VanDam – The most dominant angler of the modern era, and this event is perfect for him. Like a vacuum cleaner, he'll suck up every keeper bite he can from the Three Rivers. A strong favorite who seems confident.

3) Aaron Martens – Yes, only one other angler (Mark Davis) has ever won AOY and the Classic in the same year, but if anyone could do it, it's Martens. With two Classic 2nds to his credit (or discredit), is he finally ready to close? Small fish, tough bite, power-fishing combined with finesse – that's a tournament he can win.

4) Mike Iaconelli – He's red-hot right now and ranked No. 10 in the world. Has solid experience on industrial rivers (he's from Jersey) and he's won a Classic before. Could easily pull it off here again.

5) Kevin Wirth – Lives outside Louisville, Ky. and is an Ohio River expert. In fact, he said he's now seen every single mile of the Ohio River, from here to the Mississippi. It was no secret he had a strong practice, and he said he's confident.

6) Jeff Kriet – Had a career year this year (6th in the Bassmaster Tour points) and is a finesse specialist. A big-time sleeper pick who could do serious damage. Said he might bring a float-n-fly rig. Now that's thinking.

7) Rick Clunn – The mental master has won more Classics than anyone else, and has more tough-bite experience than most of the field combined. He's coming off a strong year to fish his 29th Classic, but first since 1991. He wants it bad.

8) Marty Stone – The No. 2 ranked angler in the world knows the score – it's tough, everyone's here, let's fish. Stone can almost always catch them, and was consistent this year. Needs a big win to put him over the top.

9) Skeet Reese – It's hard not to pick a stick who's No. 3 in the world and a tough-bite specialist. He has enough Classic appearances under his belt to approach this like any other tournament.

10) Gary Klein – He's the angler who's fished the most Classics (22) without a win, and he's the angler who was added to the field after a points controversy. Bears watching for his skills and desire to win, but also for how the controversy affects him.

Others To Watch

> Dave Wolak – The BassFan.com Rookie of the Year Race is from Pennsylvania, but lacks experience here. A young gun who could do it.

> George Cochran – The record-holder for lowest Classic-winning weight just won a cool half-million at Lake Hamilton. Will that help or hurt him?

> Jay Yelas – He's not sure what he can catch, but he's due for something big.

> Ed Cowan – The favorite among the Federation qualifiers, he won the Paducah Divisional downriver, and is from Pennsylvania. Has a good feeling.

> Takahiro Omori – The reigning Bassmaster Classic champion is the only one who can tie Clunn's record of two consecutive Classic wins. Odds are against him though.

> Edwin Evers – One of those guys waiting to strike. Shines at odd times.

> Larry Nixon – A true legend who had a strong Championship at Lake Hamilton. Has won on the Ohio River before, but that was downriver. What's he got here?

> Dean Rojas – Disappointed after Hamilton, and dying for a win. He made a wake at the Classic last year, and is a big swinger. Will he connect, or strike out?

Notable

> If Cochran wins, he'll have a good shot at owning the Top 2 lowest Classic-winning weight records. "That would be sweet, that would be real sweet," he said.

> On the other hand, if Rojas wins, he would have a shot at owning the heaviest BASS winning weight (108-12, 2001 Toho Top 150) and lowest Classic-winning weight, if he broke Cochran's record.

> Nixon on low-weight tournaments: "The only thing is, you just have to realize in your mind that 4 pounds might be a heck of a catch. You don't worry about it and just go out and try as hard as you can. I know when I won (on the Ohio) at Cincinnati, the biggest thing in my mind was it wouldn't take much to win."

Weather Report

According to the Weather Channel, conditions should stay stable throughout the tournament, with seasonable temperatures and mild winds. Here's the forecast for the tournament days.

Fri., July 29 - Partly Cloudy - 82°/62°
> Wind: From the N/NE at 6 mph

Sat., July 30 – Mostly Sunny - 84°/63°
> Wind: From the NE at 6 mph

Sun., July 31 – Partly Cloudy - 86°/66°
> Wind: From the SE at 6 mph