If the Classic had ended after Day 2, I would have been in the 95th percentile. I did all right, but not good enough! That was a practice tournament — meaning it doesn’t count to your season-ending total. But, I’m not messing around this time. I expect to be among the finest Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing pickers by the end of St. Johns. Is “pickers” the right word? What would you call a Fantasy participant? A fantasizer?
OK, this is getting weird. Moving on …
The first Bassmaster Elite Series event is visiting Palatka, Fla., on the St. Johns River. This is a sight fisherman’s dream tournament, and there will be groups of anglers sharing water looking for large bedded females, and there will be plenty. This event is usually a slugfest, and I’d expect it to be no different this time around.
Shared water will certainly be a factor, but as we’ve seen in the past, an event like this can be won in a crowd. I think hunger and momentum should be the biggest factors in your picks — or at least heavily considered. The list of anglers who could win this thing is pretty long; in fact, all of Bucket A would be a good choice if you could make that happen.
Based on history with the St. Johns, performance and momentum during the final events of 2015 and following the 2016 Classic, my choices are strong but obvious. With the full field anxious to get the season started, a lot of stud anglers have a chance to pull this off.
Again, I’ve consulted with that pesky voice in my head, “Gerald,” and he has some good ideas worth considering as well — even one or two that conflict with my better judgment. Just like last time, I’ll list my choice angler followed by two runners-up and a dark horse that could sneak in and steal the show.
Bucket A: Jones
Alton Jones won it in 2012 and finished fourth in 2014. His 2015 performance earned him the 17th spot in the AOY points race, which turned into an eighth-place finish at the 2016 Classic. He’s an obvious pick for St. Johns and a safe bet at that.
My second choice would be Keith Combs who finished third in 2012 and eighth in 2014. He is coming off of a ninth-place finish at the Classic and has solid momentum. Above that, he is way overdue for a win. I’d expect Combs to find some big green fish.
My third choice would be Dean Rojas. He finished 11th in 2012 and second in 2014. Momentum is clearly on his side after finishing third in the 2015 AOY race and seventh at the Classic. Rojas will do well here, guaranteed.
Dark Horse: Justin Lucas
Bucket B: Faircloth
There’s no question that momentum is on Todd Faircloth’s side. After a rough start in 2015, he made an awesome comeback and earned a Classic berth, which he made the most of by finishing sixth in Tulsa. The last two times he fished St. Johns, he finished second and 10th. There’s not much doubt he’ll weigh some fat girls this time around, too.
My second choice would be Randy Howell. This is where that little voice in my head is calling me dirty names. Howell is one fierce competitor, and has been at the top of his game over the last several years. He took home ninth- and seventh-place finishes in 2012 and 2014, respectively. That’s not to mention a solid Classic performance this year. He’s still on a roll since his 2014 world championship and could pay off big for fantasy pickers, er, whatever.
The sleeper here is Gerald Swindle. He has a history of doing well in Florida, including a win at the 2011 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #1 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Not only is he way overdue, he’s hungry, and very few fans wouldn’t want to see the G-Man hoist a trophy over his head.
Dark Horse: Brett Hite
Bucket C: Scroggins
Terry Scroggins had a difficult 2015, and being a Florida native, he knows the game — especially in the spring. He finished sixth in 2012 and 27th in 2014, but expect him to come out swinging in Palatka as he looks to get 2016 off to a good start. He’s one helluva sight fisherman, to boot.
I’d also be very comfortable with Shaw Grigsby here. He’s one of the finest sight fishermen on the face of the planet; he may have written the book on it. He won the Elite Series event on the Harris Chain of Lakes in 2011, which was a sight fishing deal. He also won on the St. Johns River in 1999. Expect Grigsby to show up with a chip on his shoulder.
Jared Lintner is a good pick here, also. He finished 38th in 2012 and 18th in 2014. He’s hungry for a win, and has been very consistent over recent years. After missing the 2016 Classic, you can bet he’ll be out for blood this year.
Dark Horse: Mark Menendez
Bucket D: Morgenthaler
Chad Morgenthaler knows Florida bass. He won the first Southern Open of 2015 on Lake Toho, earning a spot in this past Classic. He also won the Bassmaster Classic Wild Card in 2013 on Lake Okeechobee.
Gerald is yelling at me on this one. He thinks I should have picked Randall Tharp, who is also a hammer on Florida waters, but following the momentum that comes with a Classic appearance; I’m sticking with Morgenthaler.
Second choice is Tharp. He will be a solid choice, and I won’t hold it against you if you side with that voice in my head.
My third choice is a sleeper. Cliff Crochet finished seventh in 2012 and 32nd in 2014. I may slide Crochet into this spot before it’s over. He has been on tour for a few years so far, and he would like to shake things up and make a little noise. He’s due.
Dark Horse: Cliff Prince
Bucket E: Dave Lefebre
There are a lot of unfamiliar names in this bucket, and I think making the right choice could be nothing short of a gamble. While this will be Dave Lefebre’s first year on the Elite Series, he’s no spring chicken. After six career wins on the FLW tour and amassing more than $1.8 million in earnings, he knows professional bass fishing very well. You can’t go wrong with experience and a drive to prove self-worth.
Gerald is telling me to go with Florida resident Drew Benton. If for no other reason than a few quality finishes on several of his home state’s top bass lakes, I think he might be a good choice. Benton is new to the Elite Series, but he has history here, and that plays.
My third choice is Luke Clausen. He was the 2006 Bassmaster Classic champion on Florida’s Lake Toho. He’s fished professionally for many years, but with this being his first season fishing the Elite Series, he’ll be swinging for the fences.
Dark Horse: Shane Lineberger