By BassFan Staff
(Part 2 of a 3-part examination of the 2016 Bassmaster Classic field, with anglers listed in alphabetical order. To read part 1, click here.)
Matt Herren – Trussville, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 5
> Best Classic finish: 7th (2010 – Lay Lake)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 29th (2013 Classic)
> Current world rank: 32
> Insight: Herren is coming off a stellar year that saw him miss only one paycheck and he’s hoping that consistency translates to a Grand opening to 2016. He likes being able to formulate patterns and Grand should allow that sort of strategy to flourish. He could be a threat if he gets off to a good start.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Brett Hite – Phoenix, Ariz.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 3
> Best Classic finish: 7th (2015 – Lake Hartwell)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 27th (2013 FLW Tour)
> Current world rank: 21
> Insight: Hite made his presence felt on the Elite Series during his initial season on the circuit in 2014, then had a strong showing at his first Classic last February. Don’t expect him to be rattled by the atmosphere. He saw the lake in December before it flooded and got muddy so he’ll have a solid game plan once practice gets going.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Randy Howell – Guntersville, Ala.
> Qualified through: Oneida Lake Northern Open winner & Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 13
> Best Classic finish: 1st (2014 – Lake Guntersville)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 10th (2013 Classic)
> Current world rank: 57
> Insight: Had a consistent season last year, but no Top-20 finishes aside from the Classic. If anyone knows about following his instincts in the Classic, it’s Howell, who waylaid fish after fish off a causeway on the final day at Guntersville 2 years ago. Howell’s posted one B.A.S.S. win in each of the last 3 years so he’d like make it 4 in a row with his second Classic title. He proved in 2013 he can handle the elements – and Grand – in finishing 10th.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Mike Iaconelli – Pittsgrove, N.J.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 15
> Best Classic finish: 1st (1999 – Louisiana Delta)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 4th (2013 Classic), 18th (2007 Elite Series), 10th (2006 Elite Series)
> Current world rank: 29
> Insight: One of the last guys into the Classic via points will be one of the most dangerous once the competition begins. He was the day-1 leader at the ’13 Classic and if not for some on-the-water distractions on day 2 (trolling motor, barking dog), he may have been able to claim his second career Classic title. He knows how to prepare for these types of events and seems to understand the fishery at Grand.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Alton Jones – Lorena, Texas
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 16
> Best Classic finish: 1st (2008 – Lake Hartwell)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 31st (2013 Classic), 19th (2007 Elite Series), 33rd (2006 Elite Series)
> Current world rank: 55
> Insight: Jones’ finish at the ’13 Classic at Grand fell short of his expectations and he’ll be looking to pick up where he left off at the end of the 2015 season (two Top-3s in the last four events). If the water remains high, there should be some targets for him to throw at.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Chris Lane has developed a knack for winning ever since his 2012 Classic victory.
Bobby Lane – Lakeland, Fla.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 8
> Best Classic finish: 2nd (2015 – Lake Hartwell)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 15th (2013 Classic)
> Current world rank: 54
> Insight: While Lane hasn’t racked up the victories at the rate his brother, Chris, has, it’s consistency that’s defined Bobby’s career so far. He has Top-15 finishes in each of the past three Classics, including a runner-up showing a year ago. He’s developed enough versatility in his game to be a threat anywhere at any time of the year.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Chris Lane – Guntersville, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 5
> Best Classic finish: 1st (2012 – Red River)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 41st (2013 Classic)
> Current world rank: 12
> Insight: Ever since his win at the ’12 Classic, Lane has acquired a taste for victories. He’s racked up a win in each season since his Red River triumph. Grand was a struggle for him in 2013 as he attempted to defend his title, but he’s more seasoned now and is better equipped to handle the lake that's void of his favorite feature – vegetation.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Russ Lane – Prattville, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 5
> Best Classic finish: 4th (2010 – Lay Lake)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 53rd (2013 Classic)
> Current world rank: 67
> Insight: Lane is chomping at the bit to get another shot at Grand as he was stricken by an illness during the ’13 event that sapped him of his energy and derailed his game plan. He’s back in the Classic after a strong 2015 campaign and has put in plenty of time on the water this winter.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Jordan Lee – Vinemont, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 1
> Best Classic finish: 6th (2014 – Lake Guntersville)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: N/A
> Current world rank: 179
> Insight: Lee turned out to be a quick study during his rookie Elite Series season. He was the de facto Rookie of the Year if you remove FLW Tour transplant Brent Ehrler from the equation. Lee handled the spotlight well as a local at the ’14 Classic at Guntersville, but Grand is a different animal. Might be hampered by inexperience, but you won’t know by his demeanor.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Bill Lowen could be a factor if the water conditions at Grand Lake continue to be cloudy or muddy.
Brandon Lester – Fayetteville, Tenn.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 1
> Best Classic finish: 19th (2015 – Lake Hartwell)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: N/A
> Current world rank: 60
> Insight: This will be Lester’s second turn at the Classic and the easy-going Tennessean has demonstrated he has the game to compete on a consistent basis. He’ll apply what he learned at Hartwell last year and it wouldn’t be a shock to see his name moving up the leaderboard on the final day.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Trevor Lo – St. Paul, Minn.
> Qualified through: Bassmaster College Classic champion
> Classics fished: 0
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: N/A
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: With the level of success achieved by former college fishing standouts like Matt and Jordan Lee and Brett Preuett, Lo will have some big shoes to fill at the Classic. He’ll have nothing to lose and everything to gain on the sport’s biggest stage as he tries to showcase his skills against some of the world’s best. He’s never fished at Grand and that could work to his advantage.
Bill Lowen – Brookville, Ind.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 7
> Best Classic finish: 10th (2012 – Red River)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 18th (2013 Classic)
> Current world rank: 41
> Insight: Lowen could be one to keep an eye on if the water clarity is on the murky side. He’s still hunting his first victory and the conditions could play right into his hands. He’s right at home when a slow-down mindset is required and he’s confident he can correct the mistakes he made in 2013.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Justin Lucas – Guntersville, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 1
> Best Classic finish: 9th (2015 – Lake Hartwell)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 28th (2013 FLW Tour)
> Current world rank: 6
> Insight: Lucas blossomed into a real force in his second Elite Series season, scoring a win at the Sacramento River and trailing only runaway winner Aaron Martens in the AOY chase. He performed well across a diverse range of fisheries. He’s a big fan of jerkbaits in cold water and that’s definitely going to be an option at Grand.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Aaron Martens has ascended to the top of the world rankings for the first time in his career. Now, he'd like a Classic title to go with it.
Aaron Martens – Leeds, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 16
> Best Classic finish: 2nd (2002, 2004, 2005, 2011)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 28th (2013 Classic), 15th (2007 Elite Series), 9th (2006 Elite Series)
> Current world rank: 1
> Insight: The world’s top-ranked angler enjoyed a historic season in 2015 and he’ll be the first boat away from the dock on day 1 at Grand Lake. What he’d really like is to be the last man standing on the final day. The four-time Classic runner-up found his winning touch last year with a pair of victories. He badly wants to shake the “best to never have won the Classic” tag and nail down a career-defining triumph.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Thomas Martens – Austin, Texas
> Qualified through: Bassmaster Team Championship Classic winner
> Classics fished: 0
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: N/A
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: The practicing physician’s biggest claim to fame in fishing before his win at the Team Championship was that he shared the same last name (no relation) as the world’s top-ranked pro. Now, he’ll be going head to head with Aaron and 53 others in Oklahoma. Not much is expected from Martens, but sometimes those are the ones you have watch out for.
Billy McCaghren – Mayflower, Ark.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 1
> Best Classic finish: 24th (2010 – Lay Lake)
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: N/A
> Current world rank: 118
> Insight: The last man to qualify via the AOY points, McCaghren is excited to be back in the Classic for the first time since 2010. He’s no stranger to off-colored water so if Grand is a little dingy, he could find a comfort zone and surprise some people.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Brandon McMillan – Belle Glade, Fla.
> Qualified through: Lake Seminole Southern Open winner
> Classics fished: 0
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: 78th (2013 FLW Tour)
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: Among the best at flipping and punching grass in the southeast, McMillan won’t find a blade of green stuff at Grand. That makes him a bit of a long shot, but Grand is the type of lake that suits all kinds of styles. He’ll have some momentum coming off a Top-10 at the Lake Okeechobee FLW Tour.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.
Levi McNeill – West Valley, Utah
> Qualified through: B.A.S.S. Nation Championship – West Division
> Classics fished: 0
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Grand: N/A
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: Grand Lake will be a massive departure from the lakes McNeill is used to fishing around Utah and Wyoming, but he had to make adjustments along the way to his stellar showing at the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. Making adjustments on the fly at Grand will be vital to any success he has in his first Classic.
End part 2 (of 3).
