AOY: the fans weigh in

The fans weigh in on their favorites for Angler of the Year at the Bassmaster University & Expo.

Mike Ball of Pismo Beach, California would root for Brain Snowden to win the AOY if he could as Snowden's originally from his home town.
Mike Ball of Pismo Beach, California would root for Brain Snowden to win the AOY if he could as Snowden’s originally from his home town.
Ball is in Escanaba after winning a sweepstakes from Punch cigars.
Ball is in Escanaba after winning a sweepstakes from Punch cigars.
Kelly Majestic of Gladstone, Mich., doesn't know many of the anglers.
Kelly Majestic of Gladstone, Mich., doesn’t know many of the anglers.
But picked Jason Christie to win AOY based on
But picked Jason Christie to win AOY based on “a nice smile.”
Paul Sacks of Waterford, Mich.:
Paul Sacks of Waterford, Mich.: “I’d like to Aaron Martens win it because I like seeing guys do it back to back.”
Warren Dutter thinks Faircloth will win.
Warren Dutter thinks Faircloth will win. “He’s working the hardest for it, I think.”
Amy Vivio picks Greg Hackney.
Amy Vivio picks Greg Hackney. “He’s a good fisherman and I’m pulling for him.”
Bertie Depsey is picking Skeet Reese because he wears her favorite color.
Bertie Depsey is picking Skeet Reese because he wears her favorite color.
Quentin Johnson of Escanaba, Mich., simply picked Aaron Martens and shrugged his shoulders at every other question.
Quentin Johnson of Escanaba, Mich., simply picked Aaron Martens and shrugged his shoulders at every other question.
Christina Johnson of Escanaba, Mich.:
Christina Johnson of Escanaba, Mich.: “I’m picking Jason Christie. I heard my husband bragging about him earlier.”
Joe Johnson of Escanaba, Mich.:
Joe Johnson of Escanaba, Mich.: “Faircloth. He’s having a good year and I think he’ll pull it out.”
LT. Mark Zawacke picked Aaron Martens from a line up of photos of the leaders.
LT. Mark Zawacke picked Aaron Martens from a line up of photos of the leaders. “He’s the youngest looking guy there,” he said.
Sgt. TJ Moore of the Escanaba Police Dept. picked Todd Faircloth out of a line up of photos. His reason?
Sgt. TJ Moore of the Escanaba Police Dept. picked Todd Faircloth out of a line up of photos. His reason? “He looks more serious.”
Todd Schrew of Escanaba, Mich.:
Todd Schrew of Escanaba, Mich.: “Hackney. I don’t know, really, but Hackney has a good lead.”
Dave Leavitt of Eagle River, Mich.:
Dave Leavitt of Eagle River, Mich.: “Probably Hackney. I think he has the momentum. And I think he deserves to win.”
Joyce Leavitt of Eagle River, Mich.:
Joyce Leavitt of Eagle River, Mich.: “I like Faircloth. We met him at Lacrosse and connected. We have kept up with him ever since.”
Steve Kositzky of Escanaba, Mich.:
Steve Kositzky of Escanaba, Mich.: “Whoever is leading. They didn’t go today, they probably won’t tomorrow.”
Eric and Kendra Bouchard had differing opinions. Her father picked Jason Christie
Eric and Kendra Bouchard had differing opinions. Her father picked Jason Christie “because he drives a Ranger.” Kendra picked Casey Ashley, but wouldn’t reveal her reasons.
Ray Kussmaul:
Ray Kussmaul: “Greg Hackney, because he has the lead. But I like them all.”
Jason Preaseau of Hermansville, Mich.:
Jason Preaseau of Hermansville, Mich.: “I’m going to say Aaron Martens because he’s a good smallmouth fisherman. But really it’s anybody’s game.”
Steve Smith of Hermansville, Mich.:
Steve Smith of Hermansville, Mich.: “I think Todd Faircloth. He’s a good fisherman and seems to know what he’s doing.”
10-year old Tyler Kangan of Escanaba, Mich. wants Jared Lintner to win.
10-year old Tyler Kangan of Escanaba, Mich. wants Jared Lintner to win. “He just signed my shirt,” he said. Plus, according to Kangan’s father, Lintner is friends of the family.
Justin Vanderkodde of Kent City, Mich.:
Justin Vanderkodde of Kent City, Mich.: “Aaron Martens because I think he’s one of the most consistent guys out there.”
Mai Xiong of Milwaukee:
Mai Xiong of Milwaukee: “I’m hoping for Aaron Martens. He has ties to the Milwaukee area and I have to go with the hometown.”
Ma Xiong of Milwaukee:
Ma Xiong of Milwaukee: “I feel the same way, A Mart will win. He’s the drop-shot king.”
Joua Thad of Milwaukee, picked Iaconelli, and not for his fishing prowess either.
Joua Thad of Milwaukee, picked Iaconelli, and not for his fishing prowess either. “I met him last year and he knows how to break dance.”
Brian Wartick of Escanaba, Mich., showed his home-state preference by picking Kevin VanDam. When told KVD wasn't in the contest, he immediately said
Brian Wartick of Escanaba, Mich., showed his home-state preference by picking Kevin VanDam. When told KVD wasn’t in the contest, he immediately said “Michael Iaconelli then. He’s hot right now.”
Cal Ditzman of Green Bay, Wisc., came over to check on the festivities mainly because his son is a big fisherman. While he said the winner will be determined by the weather, but expects Hackney to hang on.
Cal Ditzman of Green Bay, Wisc., came over to check on the festivities mainly because his son is a big fisherman. While he said the winner will be determined by the weather, but expects Hackney to hang on.
Bruce Kennedy of Munsing, Mich., wasted no time in picking Brian Snowden.
Bruce Kennedy of Munsing, Mich., wasted no time in picking Brian Snowden. “I’d go for Snowden if he was in the running, but I have to pick Aaron. I like watching him fish.”
Aaron Her and Xu Her of Steven's Point, Mich., were the antithesis of each other, at least in regards to picking a winner. Aaron mulled it over, tossing out
Aaron Her and Xu Her of Steven’s Point, Mich., were the antithesis of each other, at least in regards to picking a winner. Aaron mulled it over, tossing out “tough call.”
Xu stepped right in with:
Xu stepped right in with: “I like Todd Faircloth. He’s very versatile and he’s very sneaky. Even though Hackney is leading, I think something will happen and Faircloth will do it.”
Jim Muffler grew up not far from Escanaba, but currently resides in Karnack, Texas.
Jim Muffler grew up not far from Escanaba, but currently resides in Karnack, Texas. “Hackney is one my idols,” he said. “I’d like to see him win.”