Ability To Stay Focused Should Separate A Few From Field

By Jason Bryant
Special to BassFan

Uncertainty is the name of the game as the 49-angler Bassmaster Classic field prepares to take on a schizophrenic Red River out of Shreveport, La. An unseasonably warm and blustery final practice day left many pros scratching their heads after a miserably cold and damp pre-practice period. Conditions will flip-flop again prior to blastoff as southwest gusts swing around to the north and partly cloudy skies give way to clear, post-frontal conditions.

When B.A.S.S. held its premier event on this river system in 2009, Skeet Reese methodically milked a transition point outside a crowded Bobo's Hole for more than 54 pounds of pre-spawn largemouths. The consensus among the field is that kind of pattern won't exist in this year's edition of the Classic. The Red River bass, like the weather, are in a state of flux, and most of the pros BassFan spoke with are preparing for a junk-fishing ordeal.

The only theme that's certain to carry over from 3 years ago is the presence of multiple competitors packed into limited stretches of relatively clean oxbows and backwaters. The water level is receding slowly after recent rains, but the main river is still extremely off-color and deemed to be completely unfishable. That equates to bumper-boat sessions in the few areas where visibility is more than a few inches.

What Could Happen

It seems just about every angler in the field can pinpoint the handful of locations holding tournament-quality fish within an hour's boat ride of the launch in Pool 5. Launch order will be a key factor for those who choose to stay in the home pool and maximize their available fishing time.

If an angler can claim a chunk of water on day 1 and piece together a worthy limit, anglers with lesser weights may feel pressured to surrender that patch of water on subsequent days. Look for a 15-pound limit out of the blocks to be the benchmark for staying in the hunt.

The wildcard factor in this event is represented by the handful of pros who will gamble by making a long run in search of fish they won't have to share. Some anglers excel at fishing in tight quarters, while others shudder at the thought. Time spent waiting in locks and long idling sessions through stump-filled canals will test the patience of those who'll try to avoid the crowds.

Whether it's the mental chess match that accompanies fishing within sight of other boats, or the nerve-wracking reality of cutting one's available fishing time in half by making a long run, the angler who wins this event will do so because of his ability to stay focused and stave off the stress that this fishery will dole out in heavy doses over the next 3 days.

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 – No Classic watch list would be complete without a mention of the two-time defending champ and No. 1-ranked angler in the world. Few can rival VanDam's mental toughness and decisiveness. He played big-time head games with the competitors in Lake Cataouatche last year en route to his fourth Classic title at the Louisiana Delta, and look for him to do the same if he finds himself working a community hole in this event. VanDam shines in high-pressure situations that play havoc on lesser minds. He'll also enjoy the privilege of being first boat out of the gate, so he'll have the first shot at what he's deemed the most productive stretch of the Red.

2. Aaron Martens – Martens has an undeniable knack for coaxing bites from fish that other anglers miss. That ability could pay huge dividends if he finds himself in a jumble of boats doing laps in the same crowded oxbow. If he gets out to a fast start and bolsters his confidence, watch out.

3. Mike Iaconelli – Louisiana Classics have been good to Ike. He put himself on the map with his dramatic victory in New Orleans in 2003. He finished 2nd at the Red River in 2009 and managed an 11th-place showing at the Louisiana Delta last year. Add to that the fact that the New Jersey native has a penchant for clutch performances in tour-level championships and you get the feeling that Ike is due for another milestone title. He's not afraid to mix it up in a crowd if he has to, and his '03 Classic victory is proof that he's willing to make a long-distance run if that's what it takes to seal the deal. All that makes him an easy choice to find his way into the Super Six.

4. Bill Lowen – Lowen gets a double nod thanks to his river-rat reputation and his skill with a flipping stick. This one isn't shaping up to be an event where anyone expects to do a lot of culling, and that plays right into Lowen's wheelhouse. His Ohio Riiver background has conditioned him to be a grinder and he'll be able to roll with the Red's punches as well as anyone in the field.

5. Steve Kennedy – Kennedy's got at least three spots he wants to check on day 1 – one of which he thinks might not get a lot of attention from his fellow competitors. He was noticeably excited about what he found on the last day of practice, but admitted he's concerned that he won't be able to get on his best stuff due to his No. 30 boat draw. This one's a boom-or-bust pick. If he can scratch out a limit in the teens on day 1, he'll be in good shape.

6. Edwin Evers – Evers' strength lies in his versatility. The manic nature of the Red River won't intimidate him and he's riding a wave of consistency that's earned him the No. 2 spot in the BassFan World Rankings. Evers sought out secluded water in Pool 4 in 2009 and it paid off with a 5th-place finish. He wouldn't say whether he'd try to duplicate that method in this event, but he seemed confident that he could adjust to whatever conditions he finds on day 1.

7. Stephen Browning – Browning's another angler who gets a mention based strictly on his river pedigree. Look for the Arkansas pro to settle in and go to work on the abundance of shallow cover the Red has to offer. Chances are he'll keep a jig rod in his hand most of the time, but he won't hesitate to mix it up with a square-bill or a spinnerbait if he has to.

8. Brent Chapman – Don't let the soft-spoken Kansan fly under the radar. Chapman's scored back-to-back 5th-place finishes in the last two Classics, and shallow-water power-fishing is his bread and butter. After watching him make the trek to Venice last year, it's evident he's not afraid to attempt a hero run if he feels that's what gives him the best chance to win. His calm demeanor should work to his advantage if he's forced into a pack.

9. Takahiro Omori – A bit of a sentimental pick, but Omori's got the skill set to make big things happen. If this tournament turns into a junk-fishing contest like several pros have predicted, look for Tak to flex his power-fishing muscles and surge to the top of the heap. He prides himself on his ability to read water conditions and adjust accordingly. He's also one of those old-school pros who seems to flourish when the bite gets tough.

10. Chris Lane – Lane's confidence is through the roof thanks to an impressive 2011 Elite Series campaign and a Southern Open victory at Florida's Harris Chain last month. The Red River won't offer much in the way of grass, but there's no shortage of shallow timber and hyacinth mats that will make the Florida pro feel at home. You have to figure one of the two Lane brothers will show up in this event, and Chris gets the call based on momentum.