ORANGE, Texas — The first Elite Series event of the 2015 season begins tomorrow and will certainly test the best anglers in the world. The Sabine River has proved to be a fickle fishery even with the majority of the Elite Series anglers coming to Orange, Texas, for the second time. For seasoned veterans and wide-eyed rookies, this week will put their equipment, mental stamina and perseverance to the test.
We asked a few anglers what we should expect from this go-round with the Sabine River and who can stand the test of time this week.
Tommy Biffle
- Greg Hackney: You can’t count out the reigning Angler of the Year, especially when he is from this neck of the woods and knows where they live on the river.
- Todd Faircloth: He won here in 2013 and this is in his backyard as well. He most likely has the most time on this body of water and that is important when you have to settle down in certain areas.
Will this year’s weights be better or worse compared to 2013?
- It is probably just as bad and rough as it was last time we were here. They say some live here, but you better know the canals they live in if you expect to catch a limit this week.
Randall Tharp
- Jacob Powroznik and Terry Scroggins are both fishing around my area, and I have the utmost confidence that one of them, if not both, with sack them better than most.
- Todd Faircloth: He undoubtedly knows this place better than anyone and his win in 2013 showed it.
Will this year’s weights be better or worse compared to 2013?
- From what I saw, I think the weights will be better this year. A lot more boats will be in the better areas on this river. If you give the best anglers in the world a repeat chance at a body of water, they will correct their mistakes and do better the second time around.
Kelly Jordon
- Todd Faircloth: He is the defending champ and is from this neck of the woods. No doubt that gives him an advantage.
- Greg Hackney: This sets up for a flipping/pitching type of event, and he is one of the best at doing that in tight areas. The reigning Angler of the Year was on some good fish in 2013 as well.
- Chris Lane: Just like Hackney, this sets up in Chris Lane’s wheelhouse because of the way you have to catch some of the better fish here.
Will this year’s weights be better or worse compared to 2013?
- Weights should be lower than in 2013 for a couple reasons. The muddy and unproductive water will condense the field into specific areas and that pressure will hurt the weights. Also I don’t think there are a lot of keeper bass living in this river because of the hurricane that wiped out the population. I don’t think they have spent money to stock the river so they have relied on the natural process of yearly spawns to try and rebuild the population.
Brent Ehrler
- Greg Hackney: He knows this style of fishing and the lay of the land that we are playing on this week.
- Randall Tharp: Known as a great shallow water angler, and the way it’s setting up he could do well.
- Terry Scroggins: He did well here last time, and he likes this style of fishing. The shallow nature of the Sabine plays into some of the southern anglers like Scroggins.
Will this year’s weights be better or worse compared to 2013?
- I didn’t fish here in 2013, but after seeing that event I think it will be tougher. All the other guys have been here and it’s tougher for the newer guys coming in for the first time. Fishing is tougher with the amount of dirty water that has invaded the river. I don’t think a limit is in the cards for me, but I’m hoping for a couple keepers each day.