Photo: ESPN Outdoors
Kevin VanDam expects huge crowds and energy at this Bassmaster Classic.
It's gut-check time for the Red River Bassmaster Classic field.
The official practice (some call it "pre-practice") begins tomorrow and ends Sunday. For many, like Kevin VanDam, this will be their first launch on the Red in many years. For others, it'll be their first return since the lake went off-limits in December.
BassFan spoke with several Classic competitors and asked each the same two questions:
1. In your gut, right now, how do you feel?
2. What's one prediction you'd make for this Classic?
Their answers appear below.
Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, Mich. -- 19th Classic
In your gut, right now, how do you feel? – "I think it's going to be a really good Classic on all fronts. Not only the fishing, but from an event standpoint with the outdoors show, the fans and things like that. The sportshows I've been to down there, there's a lot of enthusiasm and the people are really excited for it to come up. The big thing for me is the weather and how it's going to shake out. We're now close enough to really get a pretty good handle on it – the warming conditions down there. The river levels have been stable, so it looks like we dodged that bullet. The conditions should really showcase the fishery. And there are so many fans within a 4-hour drive of there – from Dallas all the way up to Little Rock – a lot of people will come to this event. I think we'll see a really good one."
What's one prediction you'd make for this Classic? – "I think the crowds are going to be better than we've seen in a long time, again because of the location. We've not been to this region in a long time, and just the vibe I get from the places I've been, I think it's going to be great. Fishermen love to fish, and with the economy the way it is, it's a good release (for the fans)."
Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, La. -- 7th Classic
In your gut, right now, how do you feel? – "I feel like it's going to be really good, just going by how the weather's lining up. I'd rather it be miserable, but it should be very good fishing I think. I'm going to try to stick with (my instincts). I'm really just going fishing (tomorrow). I don't have a big expectation of what I need to do. I'm going to fish for whatever I get on, regardless, so I don't have any preconceived notions like "This is the weight I need to catch." I'll just go fishing, see what I can catch, and it'll have to be good enough regardless."
What's one prediction you'd make for this Classic? – "I'm going to say this Classic is going to break the five-fish weight record. That's my prediction." (The current five-fish Classic record, set by Luke Clausen at Toho in 2006, is 56-02.–Ed.)
Photo: BassFan
Brent Chapman predicts a protest or similar controversy, given the makeup of the Red River and Louisiana navigation laws.
Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, Kan. -- 8th Classic
In your gut, right now, how do you feel? – "I feel good. I kind of purposely put the rods away after the season, and did just a little bit of fishing through the fall. And with everything frozen, I didn't even have the opportunity to fish the last month or so. So the thought of fishing is getting me fired up. I'm really ready to fish again. I went out the other day to break in the new boat, knock the cobwebs off the rods and see if I could still throw a baitcaster. I caught a 7, and that really got me fired up and ready to fish. Probably the most exciting thing is I've discovered that tournament fishing is actually the most relaxing part of my job. With the off-season I had, and all the preparing and sponsor stuff, I'm ready to go get on the water where I can relax and take it easy a little bit."
What's one prediction you'd make for this Classic? – "I'm sure somebody in this tournament is going to be protested, or somebody's going to get into somewhere that's a gray area, just because of the Louisiana laws and all that stuff."
Greg Pugh – Cullman, Ala. -- 1st Classic
In your gut, right now, how do you feel? – "I feel pretty good right now. From what I've heard since the last week we could be on the water, the fishing's been pretty tough. But I felt like I had a good practice, and I'm looking forward to getting back over there. I don't have butterflies or anything, I'm just real anxious to get there. Anytime you go into a championship, there's an anxiety where you want to get in there and get going and see if your fish are still there."
What's one prediction you'd make for this Classic? – "I predict it'll be one of the biggest crowds they've ever had at the Classic."
Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, Texas -- 7th Classic
In your gut, right now, how do you feel? – "It's always awesome to make a Classic, and I'm looking forward to this one. If you look at the water, it looks nice, and that's great – it's good for fishing, good for the fans. I think it'll be a really exciting Classic."
What's one prediction you'd make for this Classic? – "I think it could very likely come close to beating the Classic weight record. I think the fish are there. It's got a shot at it."
Dustin Wilks -- Rocky Mount, N.C. -- 5th Classic
In your gut, right now, how do you feel? – "I feel real good. Everywhere I fished before the off-limits, I caught a lot of fish. I think it'll just be a wide-open tournament. And I should say I've had some funny things happen. I don't know if it's good luck or bad luck, but it's kind of weird. My boat number's 13, and I filled up at least five times (yesterday), and without ever looking at the pump, every pump I pulled up to was number 13."
Photo: BassFan
Dustin Wilks thinks the Classic will be won "doing something out of the ordinary."
What's one prediction you'd make for this Classic? – "I think it'll be won doing something out of the ordinary. I don't think it'll be won on any traditional spot."
Matt Herren -- Trussville, Ala. -- 1st Classic
In your gut, right now, how do you feel? – "Really, I'm calm about the whole deal. I'm excited just to get the opportunity to fish the Classic, but yet, I'm really unsure about what's going to transpire. I've never fished a tournament on the Red, and practicing there in December vs. what's happening when we get back should be totally different. It's truly going to be fresh. I won't be living off any past memories. The biggest key in a river is seeing how the pressure shakes out – how fish react to pressure and what areas will produce with a lot of pressure. That's the little things that guys who fished here will have knowledge of, but I won't until the event starts unfolding."
What's one prediction you'd make for this Classic? – "I predict that the crowds will be incredible."
