Classic Predictions 2024

KYbass1276 reply :

Well it's almost that time agin, the Bassmaster Classic. So I was wondering who you guys think might win or hope to see win this years classic. Any guesses on what the winning weight might be.

preach4bass reply :

KVD

Catt reply :

Alabama's Lay Lake during pre-spawn

Keep an eye on Steve Kennedy, Aaron Martins, Tim Horton & Gerald Swindle they are from Alabama.

I don't know why but Greg Hackney comes to mind so he's my pick

IrishJig reply :

I think Edwin Evers has a good chance this year.

Jnamo reply :

KVD

roadwarrior reply :

Aaron Martens, 42 lbs 8 oz.

Sam reply :

Someone we have not heard about before.

Around 40 pounds or greater.

bitman reply :

Luke Clausen

38 pounds

blueranger1 reply :

Aaron Martins - Dark horse Jeff Kriet!

cabela10 reply :

Quote
Luke Clausen
38 pounds

I do not believe Luke Clausen is fishing the Classic this year on Lay Lake. He forfeited his automatic berth by not entering the Elite Series.

cbfishalot reply :

Cabela10

I think your right!!! There was a big artical in bassmaster last year after the classic. It talked indepth about what you said and why he didn't enter the elite series. The other way he could of qulified for the classic would be to have fished in either the northern or southern tour and finish no less then third. They also talked about he will be only the second person in history to not attempt to defend his title. It was a very interesting artical.

Bitman: If he was fishing I would also say Luke Clausen.

I'M GOING WITH IKE (if he doesn't have a blow up) or ISH!!!!!!!

cabela10 reply :

cbfishalot,

I'm assuming the first person not to defend the Classic title was Brian Kershel, since he dead 6 months after his Classic win. Clausen might be the first to not defend by not wanting to fish B.A.S.S.

I would be willing to bet that FLW and his Chevy sponsor wanted him to fish strictly FLW Outdoors events.

cbfishalot reply :

Cabela10,

The artical talked about Luke missed the deadline to enter the elite series. After winning the classic he was able to enter and gave BASS his credit card number to reserve a spot in the elite series. A couple of days to a week later he called BASS and withdrew his entry. It had something to do with a injury to his elbow. Many people believe it had something to do with sponsership and of course the FLW. Look at it however you want he is the FLW's poster boy. I think it's a shame that he's not going to fish in this years classic.

5bass reply :

Hackney or Ike

earthworm77 reply :

I'd like to see KVD or Aaron Martens win it. Edwin Evers is deserving too. I'm not sure about the Clausen thing. Historically speaking before the Elite series was created, the winner of the previous years Classic got an automatic birth to the following years Classic. The logic was that the winner would be out touring and not concentrating on the qualifying fishing so he got a bone. I do not know much about the Elite series because it doesn't really interest me but I do know that FLW had a problem with Clausen fishing BASS and vice versa, wondering if the rule was created to save face and eliminate the FLW's boy, I think I rember him commiting to their season over BASS.

Z71 reply :

I'll stay true to S.C. and say Davey Hite, he's due another one.

eastkybass reply :

I will go with IKE or KVD. Luke was about to go with BASS then went and met with the FLW boys then changed his mind. My guess it has alot to do with not wanting him to compete on both same reason after IKE has blown up tons of time and acted like a fool on the water Ranger drops him when he says he isn't doing FLW this year.

cabela10 reply :

Quote
I'd like to see KVD or Aaron Martens win it. Edwin Evers is deserving too. I'm not sure about the Clausen thing. Historically speaking before the Elite series was created, the winner of the previous years Classic got an automatic birth to the following years Classic.

The winner of the Classic does get a automatic berth into next years Classic, but they also have to fish all the qualifying events and pay for it. So it doesn't matter if would finish dead last with Velvick, he would still be able to fish the Classic.

The stories I heard on Clausen was that he immediately declined to fish the Elite Series right after his Classic win. I heard they approached him within 30 minutes after he won the event and he said that he wasn't interested and wanted to focus on FLW.

cabela10 reply :

Where can I find the list of participants for this years Classic. I've looked and can't find.

cbfishalot reply :

Cabela10

The night we first started talking about the whole Luke Clausen thing I looked on several web searches and couldn't find it either. I would think the field would be set already.

BillyBob reply :

The field is not set yet because you got the Federation championship and the Series championship to go. Thats 7 spots left, out of 50.

cabela10 reply :

Okay, is there a list of the 43 guys then?

7 spots left, d**n that seems a lot for having just the federation and weekend series left.

I thought only 1 or 2 guys from each would make it... not a total of 7.

Matt Fly reply :

Michael Iaconelli

Steve Kennedy

Kevin VanDam

Aaron MartensD

Dean Rojas

Kevin Wirth

Skeet Reese

Edwin Evers

Tommy Biffle

Kelly Jordon

Greg Hackney

Jason Quinn

Gerald Swindle

Denny Brauer

Russ Lane

Alton Jones

John Murray

Jared Lintner

Peter Thliveros

John Crews

Matt Reed

Mike McClelland

Todd Faircloth

Randy Howell

Mike Wurm

Bill Lowen

Jeff Reynolds

Lee Bailey

Mark Tucker

Timmy Horton

Terry Scroggins

Zell Rowland

Jeff Kriet

Rick Clunn

Takahiro Omori

Gary Klein

Ishama Monroe

James Niggemeyer (Southern Tour)

Tom Hamlin (Southern Tour)

Boyd Duckett (Southern Tour)

Heres 40 that have qualified.

Awaiting the 3 northern qualifiers, the top six federation anglers and the Outdoor Series Champion to be determined later in jan 07 = 50 anglers.

James Niggemeyer is a local angler from Texas, great stick. I'll be rooting for my fellow Texans. Kelly Jordan and Tak would be wise choices. Tak is deadly during pre spawn with the lipless baits, and KJ is deadly with the jig.

Matt

cabela10 reply :

mattfly, where can this list be found on the bassmaster website?

Gatorbassman reply :

I'd like to see Bill Lowen take it home.

sodaksker reply :

Horton, no surprise for me.

Lane reply :

Mike McClelland is also DEADLY with a jig, and is a SUPER guy! His personal story is

amazing as well. I told him that I would be pulling for him!

Matt Fly reply :

Quote
mattfly, where can this list be found on the bassmaster website?

I got my info off of the Inside line. Gary Y's site.

Matt

Rattlinrogue reply :

Not really a prediction,but I'd sure like to see Gary Klein finally win one.Other than him,I'm always a KVD supporter.You also can never count Ike out.

cabela10 reply :

I'll go with Skeet Reese because I think he might of actually grew up a little bit after having his recent kid.

Javelin_Venom reply :

I'm gonna be rooting for Denny Brauer. Came on strong this year, hope he can get his second classic.

cabela10 reply :

anyone from this forum going to the Classic to watch?

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Quote

Quote
I'd like to see KVD or Aaron Martens win it. Edwin Evers is deserving too. I'm not sure about the Clausen thing. Historically speaking before the Elite series was created, the winner of the previous years Classic got an automatic birth to the following years Classic.

The winner of the Classic does get a automatic berth into next years Classic, but they also have to fish all the qualifying events and pay for it. So it doesn't matter if he would finish dead last with Velvick, he would still be able to fish the Classic.

The stories I heard on Clausen was that he immediately declined to fish the Elite Series right after his Classic win. I heard they approached him within 30 minutes after he won the event and he said that he wasn't interested and wanted to focus on FLW.

That is hilarious. Though, I'm sure Velvick makes more money then all those other fisherman due to his announcing gig.

If he has the goatee, I am going to say Kelly Jordan will win the Classic. If not, I would like to see KVD win it.

hi_steel_basser reply :

Aaron Martens will take 2nd again this year, losing to a federation guy. ;D I'd really like to see him win this time, but he is the eternal bridesmaid.

SneakySnook reply :

Ike or KVD

NJBassDevil3254 reply :

Quote
Aaron Martins, 42 lbs 8 oz.

I want Aaron to win too.

reelon reply :

I would like for Aaron Martens to win, but I think that it is more because of the second places that he had in the past so........Go Ike

Hawgin reply :

I think it will be Steve Kennedy. He was on such a great run last year, and I think that rolls over to this year. Also, since he is somewhat local I think he has the advantage of knowing the lake, seasonal pattern, and he is familiar with fishing for both LM's and spots, and when to switch between them. I would like to see Timmy Horton win it, but I think Kennedy is just to dialed in right now.

Ky_Lake_Dude reply :

Im goin with the local guy Russ Lane to win this one.

Ky_Lake_Dude reply :

Quote

Quote
Luke Clausen
38 pounds

I do not believe Luke Clausen is fishing the Classic this year on Lay Lake. He forfeited his automatic berth by not entering the Elite Series.

Thats exactly right.

coondog reply :

Jason Quinn 39lbs.10ozs.

kbj3579 reply :

I'm going to go with a team, my picks in order:

1. E squared - I think one of the most versitle right now. I perdict first classic won with drop shot.

2. Hackney - jig, jig, jig

3. Kennedy - another one that seems to be there no matter the conditions.

4. Aarron Martens - Should be especially tough if fish stay deep.

5. James Niggemeyer - My dark horse, the boy can fish though, just go back and look at the Southern tour results last year.

I left out the obvious Ike and KVD, you know one or both will be there the last day.

Gatorbassman reply :

OK have have been looking at the history of everyone that will be fishing the Classic and this is my short list.

1. Aaron Martins- He is from that part of Alabama. He is consistanly good during the pre-spawn. He finished 2nd on Lay Lake in 2002.

2. Edwin Evers- He is very good during pre-spawn in that part of the country.

3. KVD- Mr. consistant. Also has a great history in pre-spawn tournaments.

4. Ike- Good with cold water power fishing. I don't think he will blow up this year.

5. Zell Roland-(My Long Shot) He know Lay Lake very well and if he sticks to his game plan he will be in the top 10.

Shadcranker reply :

Russ Lane- he knows this lake better than anyone there.

Sam reply :

If I recall correctly, Luke said he was no longer going to fish B.A.S.S. events and only fish the FLW.

Latest edition of Bass Times lists Luke as "Fishes FLW Tour" on page 30 so Luke is gone to the FLW.

bassmasta7 reply :

Im going to hope for Ike and predict Ike. I wish this was on Toho again. Last year was great with all those gigantic limits. I like how BASS scheduled a lot of their tournaments around the spawn last year.

flyphisher # reply :

Russ Lane, Mike McClelland, or Swindle maybe even Faircloth..Would love to see Steve Kennedy win one, He grew up in this area before moving to Auburn...Will take between 35-38 lbs... With this weather we have had in the south, the fish are off big time. LMB will be scarce that week and spots and smallies just dont get big enough.

CJ reply :

Aaron Martens is my pick.Kevin Wirth is who I would like to see win it.

Pond-Pro reply :

Gary Klien with 37 pounds 4 ounces.

That would be cool if he could win his first classic in 25 attempts.

richweaver reply :

KVD OR IKE to win the classic

rocknfish9001 reply :

It all depends on the conditions. If it is muddy or rainy, i think that KVD and Hackney have a good chance, seeing how they are great at jig fishing, and power fishermen in general. But if it is clear and cold, i think that Martens (and possibly ike) could pull a victory due to their finnesse skills.

Minuteman reply :

Like to see Aaron Martens win, for once!

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

Boyd Duckett ..... OK, so I cheated. He is in the un-official lead right now by about a pound. I did however pick him for my fantasy team because he was a local with a low point value. I started doing a little research on the Bassmaster website and one of the editors actually picked him before the tourney started .... He called him "The best fisherman you've never heard of".

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