2010 bassmaster classic picks?

[Bassboss]

I know it's early, but I wanna who y'all think will be in the top 12 for the 2010 classic, February 19-21, in Birmingham, Ala.

These are the contenders:
Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C.
Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla.
Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo.
Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark.
Terry Butcher Talala, Okla.
Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan.
Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala.
Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas
Jami Fralick Martin, S.D.
Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla.
Greg Hackney Gonzales, La.
Matt Herren Trussville, Ala.
Randy Howell Springville, Ala.
Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J.
Alton Jones Waco, Texas
Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas
Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala.
Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas
Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla.
Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla.
Russ Lane Prattville, Ala.
Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala.
Billy McCaghren Mayflower, Ark.
Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark.
Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky.
John Murray Phoenix, Ariz.
Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas
Cliff Pace Petal, Miss.
Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C.
Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz.
Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark.
Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala.
Mark Tucker St. Louis, Mo.
Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich.
Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas
Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky.


Here's my picks thus far:

1)KVD
2)Michael Iaconelli
3)Billy McCaghren
4)Dean Rojas
5)Casey Ashley
6)Kelly Jordon
7)Aaron Martens
8)Todd Faircloth
9)Denny Brauer
10)Randy Howell
11)Alton Jones
12)Gerald Swindle

[nofearengineer]

My Bassmasters viewing experience has been limited, but I have to say, other than the obvious guys like Van Damm and Skeet Reese (not in the 2010 classic?), I really like Kelly Jordan. He seems more like the fisherman I aspire to be....not a showboat.

[Jigger]

Originally Posted by Bassboss

I know it's early, but I wanna who y'all think will be in the top 12 for the 2010 classic, February 19-21, in Birmingham, Ala.

These are the contenders:
Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C.
Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla.
Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo.
Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark.
Terry Butcher Talala, Okla.
Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan.
Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala.
Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas
Jami Fralick Martin, S.D.
Shaw Grigsby Gainesville, Fla.
Greg Hackney Gonzales, La.
Matt Herren Trussville, Ala.
Randy Howell Springville, Ala.
Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J.
Alton Jones Waco, Texas
Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas
Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala.
Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas
Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla.
Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla.
Russ Lane Prattville, Ala.
Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala.
Billy McCaghren Mayflower, Ark.
Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark.
Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky.
John Murray Phoenix, Ariz.
Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas
Cliff Pace Petal, Miss.
Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C.
Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz.
Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark.
Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala.
Mark Tucker St. Louis, Mo.
Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich.
Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas
Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky.


Here's my picks thus far:

1)KVD
2)Michael Iaconelli
3)Billy McCaghren
4)Dean Rojas
5)Casey Ashley
6)Kelly Jordon
7)Aaron Martens
8)Todd Faircloth
9)Denny Brauer
10)Randy Howell
11)Alton Jones
12)Gerald Swindle

My favorites, not necessarily who I think will win.

1.Gary Klein. A really nice guy. I'm pulling for him first and foremost. A true veteran. He deserves to win.
2.Alton Jones. A class act.
3.Tommy Biffle. Been second twice. An old timer.
4.Greg Hackney. Country boy. The real deal.
5.Kelly Jordan. Loads of talent. I would not be surprised.
6.Casey Ashley. young gun with lots of ability.
7.Shaw Grigsby. Multi talented. Good with a fly rod. I like that.
8.Jami Fralick. Came close last year. Northern boy. Good fisherman. Underdog.
9.Stephen Browning. Unassuming.
10.Bobby Lane. young gun from Fla. I like him.
11.Randy Howell. Seems like a nice guy.
12.Todd Faircloth. Seems like a nice guy too.

Here are the jerks and grunts and the ones I'm pulling against:
1.Mike Iconelli. Show off. Jackass.
2.Gerald Swindle. Ditto.
3.Aaron Martens. Creep. Crybaby. Whiner. I hope he's last.

KVD. I really respect and admire him. A class act but I'm pulling against him. Let someone else win.

[bassinbob]

I'm going with The Hack Attack. Nice guy. I'm pulling for him.

[Jigger]

Hey, what about the winner of the women's tour? Are they not doing that anymore. I hope not. That's so unfair to those who really earned their way in.

[rodnreel]

I'm wondering the same thing, nofear. Why is Skeet not on that list? The defending champs are always invited back. He would be included in my front runners list along with Aaron Martens, Ike, and Swindle. I really like Swindle for this tourney to break through and win his first Elite Series tournament in his home state of Alabama.

[Jigger]

OK, here are my top 12 picks to WIN, in this order (subject to revision as I learn more about the lake and the conditions as it gets closer to blast off).

1.KVD. Duh.
2.Skeet Reese. Not a fan of his but he's good.
3.Mike Iconelli. Not a fan of his either but he lives his mantra----never give up.
4.Kelly Jordon. Close to KVD in talent---but not that close, but who is?
5.Gary Klein. Sentimental favorite. I think he's been there twenty something times.
6.Alton Jones. Has the ability. He proved it already.
7.Greg Hackney.
8.Bobby Lane. I may delete him later. Florida boy kind of new to the tour and fishing in Feb. Lots of talent though and hungry. Long shot.
9.Tommy Biffle. Been second twice. Sentimental favorite. The stars would have to align for him. Kind of a one trick pony. Flipper/Pitcher.May delete him later.
10.Mark Menendez. Versatile.
11.Boyd Duckett. Did it once before.
12.Gerald Swindle. Not a fan. Should know the lake. He's from Alabama.

[carolina-rig-01]

Originally Posted by Jigger

OK, here are my top 12 picks to WIN, in this order (subject to revision as I learn more about the lake and the conditions as it gets closer to blast off).

1.KVD. Duh.
2.Skeet Reese. Not a fan of his but he's good.
3.Mike Iconelli. Not a fan of his either but he lives his mantra----never give up.
4.Kelly Jordon. Close to KVD in talent---but not that close, but who is?
5.Gary Klein. Sentimental favorite. I think he's been there twenty something times.
6.Alton Jones. Has the ability. He proved it already.
7.Greg Hackney.
8.Bobby Lane. I may delete him later. Florida boy kind of new to the tour and fishing in Feb. Lots of talent though and hungry. Long shot.
9.Tommy Biffle. Been second twice. Sentimental favorite. The stars would have to align for him. Kind of a one trick pony. Flipper/Pitcher.May delete him later.
10.Mark Menendez. Versatile.
11.Boyd Duckett. Did it once before.
12.Gerald Swindle. Not a fan. Should know the lake. He's from Alabama.

Jigger,
Although I think you made some good picks and I agree with several of them, I do disagree with some of what you said. First off Kelly Jordan is a great angler but I really don't think he is the closest to KVD. Not sure who that honor would go to but a few of the guys I would rank above KJ are Mike McClellend, Mike Iaconelli, and Skeet Reese. I don't consider Bobby Lane a long shot by anymeans, he has been around for quite a while and has proven himself on the FLW tour and has established himself really well so far on the B.A.S.S side as well. Tommy Biffle may be known as a flipper and pitcher but non of these guys are one trick ponies, they all are outstanding at any technique they need to use or they wouldn't be fishing at this level. KVD is known for slinging spinnerbaits while burning down a bank with the trolling motor on high but don't think for a minute that he can't slow down and flip, dropshot, or anyother technique if he needs to and the same can be said for any of the other guys on tour. Just look at the event Dean Rojas won on Oneida a while back. He is known for throwing a frog and that is what kept him in the lead for the first 3 days, but conditions changed and his frog bite dried up on him and he won the event with a flipping stick in his hands while pitching shallow grass, they are all versatile. And you called Gerald Swindle a showoff and a jackass, I have met the guy before and I can honestly say that I was amazed at how down to earth and fun to be around Gerald is. He can come across in a way that will turn people off at times but at the end of the day he is a good ol boy that deserves a lot of respect for his abilities. I can't stand to see Iaconelli go crazy, it makes him look like a moron and honestly makes me uncomfortable to watch at times. But I also know for a fact that Ike is a very down to earth guy who is a very different person that you would expect when you meet him. A lot of what you see from these guys is them making themselves marketable for companies, it's a business and whether it's done by tournament finishes or by their personalities they have to market themselves in a way that companies want them on their prostaff, it's how they pay the bills but a lot of times it leaves a lot of these guys being misunderstood because of how they come across. Anyways I just thought I would say my peace on this subject and also make a few pics of my own.

1. Gerald Swindle ( I am a fan but that isn't why I picked him), he is a local boy who will most likely be a factor.

2. Dean Rojas, I really think this lake will set up well for him.

3. Mike Iaconelli, this guy just amazes me with his ability catch fish everywhere they go.

Dark horses that I would like to see do well:

1. Gerald Swindle, he has been through a lot the last few years and is too good of an angler to not have a tournament win and why not notch his first one at home in Alabama in the biggest tournament of them all.

2. Steve Kennedy, just seems like a great guy and is probably my favorite of all the anglers.

3. Terry Butcher, I have fished against him in several tournaments and it's just too cool to see him in the classic.

4. Jeff Kreit, no matter how good of a tournament Jeff Kreit has, KVD always seems to sneak up behind him with just enough weight to beat him. I would like to see him return the favor.

[Jigger]

Carolina,
Thanks for your opinions. They are well reasoned. Good picks. I've never met any of these guys and all I have to base my opinions on is TV, Bassmaster magazine, Bass Times, Bassin' and other fishing publications I watch or read religiously.

About the only thing I take issue with is that guys like Swindle and Iconelli and Aaron Martens do some of the things they do to make them selves more "marketable". I may be out of touch or out of date but their behavior on TV makes me NOT want to buy anything any of those 3 are promoting. I think Ranger boats agreed with me after they abandoned Iconelli after the American flag incident.

[carolina-rig-01]

Originally Posted by Jigger

About the only thing I take issue with is that guys like Swindle and Iconelli and Aaron Martens do some of the things they do to make them selves more "marketable". I may be out of touch or out of date but their behavior on TV makes me NOT want to buy anything any of those 3 are promoting. I think Ranger boats agreed with me after they abandoned Iconelli after the American flag incident.

I could not agree with you more about the Iaconelli/American flag tantrum. He was out of line and he lost almost all of his sponsors for it, rightfully so. He worked hard to build a career with these companies and he ruined it in less than a minute, and it was his fault. I read an article where he talked about that whole deal and what it did to his outlook on how he has been behaving. He realized that he acted childish and almost ruined a career that most of us would kill to have but it also was a great lesson for him about how fast things can come undone. Since then he has been much more well behaved. Like I said earlier I am not really a fan of Ikes and when he "Goes Ike" it drives me nuts but I also realize that it is a way for him to seperate himself from the rest of the pack as far as being marketable and name recognition. By the way I also agree that Aaron Martins comes across as a cry baby, never met the guy though and he may be a super guy who just rubs me the wrong way so I really can't say. I didn't mean to hi-jack your post though, I really like hearing everyones opinions on who will win the Classic.

[Gbassman]

boyd duckett is going to go for a repeat! He has home field advantage.