Pros pick three

The pros predict the winner of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

Posted on
Bassmaster Classic Media Day was full of hustle and bustle as always, but I sat down with anglers to get their three picks to win the 45th Bassmaster Classic.
Bassmaster Classic Media Day was full of hustle and bustle as always, but I sat down with anglers to get their three picks to win the 45th Bassmaster Classic.
Classic rookie and College champ, Brett Preuett was up first.
Classic rookie and College champ, Brett Preuett was up first.
Edwin Evers was his first choice. “He is an all-around good angler and he’s won everything but the Bassmaster Classic. I think he is due one.”
Edwin Evers was his first choice. “He is an all-around good angler and he’s won everything but the Bassmaster Classic. I think he is due one.”
2014 Rookie of the Year Jacob Powroznik was his next choice. “He is a heck of an angler. I think he’s been here quite a bit as well.”
2014 Rookie of the Year Jacob Powroznik was his next choice. “He is a heck of an angler. I think he’s been here quite a bit as well.”
His final choice was Aaron Martens. “He has come in second so many times that I think it is his time to break through. He is an awesome finesse fisherman so that’ll help in this cold water.”
His final choice was Aaron Martens. “He has come in second so many times that I think it is his time to break through. He is an awesome finesse fisherman so that’ll help in this cold water.”
Andy Montgomery won the Lake Norman Open and helped Cliff Prince punch his Classic ticket. Here is who he thinks will excel on Lake Hartwell.
Andy Montgomery won the Lake Norman Open and helped Cliff Prince punch his Classic ticket. Here is who he thinks will excel on Lake Hartwell.
The hometown favorite, Casey Ashley, was his first selection. “I just don’t see how you can pick someone other than that.”
The hometown favorite, Casey Ashley, was his first selection. “I just don’t see how you can pick someone other than that.”
Aaron Martens is selected once again. “For obvious reasons.”
Aaron Martens is selected once again. “For obvious reasons.”
Cliff Prince is happy with his picks of Casey Ashley, Aaron Martens and Brett Hite.
Cliff Prince is happy with his picks of Casey Ashley, Aaron Martens and Brett Hite.
Todd Faircloth, who has been battling sickness all week, picks his three anglers for the week.
Todd Faircloth, who has been battling sickness all week, picks his three anglers for the week.
Aaron Martens has been an overwhelming pick for the majority.
Aaron Martens has been an overwhelming pick for the majority.
Cliff Pace, the 2013 Classic Champion, was his second choice.
Cliff Pace, the 2013 Classic Champion, was his second choice.
Edwin Evers rounds out his trio. “You really can’t go wrong with those three guys on any body of water, but here even more so.”
Edwin Evers rounds out his trio. “You really can’t go wrong with those three guys on any body of water, but here even more so.”
Bobby Lane fished his first ever Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell in 2008. Here are his picks.
Bobby Lane fished his first ever Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell in 2008. Here are his picks.
The local favorite Casey Ashley. “Not only is he an amazing fisherman, but he knows Hartwell better than anybody.”
The local favorite Casey Ashley. “Not only is he an amazing fisherman, but he knows Hartwell better than anybody.”
“I liked my chances with a shallow water angler going into practice, but since then I just don’t think it will pan out. Local knowledge helps.”
“I liked my chances with a shallow water angler going into practice, but since then I just don’t think it will pan out. Local knowledge helps.”
Cliff Pace is another angler receiving attention this week. “He won Grand Lake with the jig in brushpiles and was dominant. Faced with similar conditions here, it could work out the same.”
Cliff Pace is another angler receiving attention this week. “He won Grand Lake with the jig in brushpiles and was dominant. Faced with similar conditions here, it could work out the same.”
He picked a wild card with his last choice. Going with my brother. “He knows how to win after struggling during practice. He finds a way to figure them out during the tournament.”
He picked a wild card with his last choice. Going with my brother. “He knows how to win after struggling during practice. He finds a way to figure them out during the tournament.”
Steve Lund is a Classic rookie and here is his take on Lake Hartwell this week.
Steve Lund is a Classic rookie and here is his take on Lake Hartwell this week.
Two words: Casey Ashley.
Two words: Casey Ashley.
Greg Hackney is the 2014 Angler of the Year and the Cayuga Champion. “Hackney is on a good streak right now and is very consistent. He said one of his keys to success is being on the water more often and he showed it last year.”
Greg Hackney is the 2014 Angler of the Year and the Cayuga Champion. “Hackney is on a good streak right now and is very consistent. He said one of his keys to success is being on the water more often and he showed it last year.”
And finally, Aaron Martens. “I think he will be able to fish better in those conditions compared to other anglers.”
And finally, Aaron Martens. “I think he will be able to fish better in those conditions compared to other anglers.”
Justin Lucas is fishing in his first Bassmaster Classic. Lucas lines up his picks.
Justin Lucas is fishing in his first Bassmaster Classic. Lucas lines up his picks.
Jacob Powroznik is an angler Lucas knows well from their years on the FLW Tour. “As everybody learned this year, he is a dang hammer.”
Jacob Powroznik is an angler Lucas knows well from their years on the FLW Tour. “As everybody learned this year, he is a dang hammer.”
“Aaron Martens is so dangerous offshore and I think he will be a big player.”
“Aaron Martens is so dangerous offshore and I think he will be a big player.”
Last but not least, Mike Iaconelli. “He always performs when it’s game time in big events.”
Last but not least, Mike Iaconelli. “He always performs when it’s game time in big events.”
Jared Lintner had a stellar 2014 season. Here are his picks for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
Jared Lintner had a stellar 2014 season. Here are his picks for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
Aaron Martens. “I’ve known him since I was younger and he is so good. This cold front is gonna hurt them, but he will figure them out.”
Aaron Martens. “I’ve known him since I was younger and he is so good. This cold front is gonna hurt them, but he will figure them out.”
Andy Montgomery is on a hot streak after winning the Open on Lake Norman. “We have fished around each other all week it seems and I know he has figured something out.”
Andy Montgomery is on a hot streak after winning the Open on Lake Norman. “We have fished around each other all week it seems and I know he has figured something out.”
“I could say Casey Ashley for my last pick, but instead I’m going with a dark horse.”
“I could say Casey Ashley for my last pick, but instead I’m going with a dark horse.”
“Todd Faircloth is under the weather, but it doesn’t matter, he’s going to catch them.”
“Todd Faircloth is under the weather, but it doesn’t matter, he’s going to catch them.”
David Kilgore fished the 2014 Bassmaster Classic and finished 8th on Lake Guntersville. He is back again after winning the Southern Open on Smith Lake this past year.
David Kilgore fished the 2014 Bassmaster Classic and finished 8th on Lake Guntersville. He is back again after winning the Southern Open on Smith Lake this past year.
Andy Montgomery. “I stayed with him during pre-practice and he is from this part of the world. He has a very good shot here.”
Andy Montgomery. “I stayed with him during pre-practice and he is from this part of the world. He has a very good shot here.”
Jacob Powroznik is a dark horse, but I think he could wreck em this week.”
Jacob Powroznik is a dark horse, but I think he could wreck em this week.”
Coby Carden from Alabama is his final pick. “He is doing the same thing I am and if the fish don’t move, then he could do really well.”
Coby Carden from Alabama is his final pick. “He is doing the same thing I am and if the fish don’t move, then he could do really well.”
Randall Tharp had a chance to win the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, here is his take on the event.
Randall Tharp had a chance to win the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, here is his take on the event.
Short and sweet: B-Hite. “Brett Hite’s track record speaks for itself here.”
Short and sweet: B-Hite. “Brett Hite’s track record speaks for itself here.”
Casey Ashley. “No doubt. He proved it last year when he won the FLW Tournament here.”
Casey Ashley. “No doubt. He proved it last year when he won the FLW Tournament here.”
“Justin [Lucas] might be a stretch, but he is a West Coast angler with a lot of experience here, like me, I just think if a guy that has never fished the Classic is going to win…it’ll be him.”
“Justin [Lucas] might be a stretch, but he is a West Coast angler with a lot of experience here, like me, I just think if a guy that has never fished the Classic is going to win…it’ll be him.”
Scott Rook is fishing in another Bassmaster Classic. He is a veteran of the sport and here are his picks for this week.
Scott Rook is fishing in another Bassmaster Classic. He is a veteran of the sport and here are his picks for this week.
Can’t go wrong with Aaron Martens.
Can’t go wrong with Aaron Martens.
Mike McClelland was pick number two.
Mike McClelland was pick number two.
Brett Hite was his final pick. His thumbs down is because he would like to hoist the trophy at the end of the weekend, even if he thinks these guys will do well.
Brett Hite was his final pick. His thumbs down is because he would like to hoist the trophy at the end of the weekend, even if he thinks these guys will do well.
Coby Carden is at Lake Hartwell for his 2nd Classic in as many years.
Coby Carden is at Lake Hartwell for his 2nd Classic in as many years.
Jacob Powroznik has become a highly selected choice this week.
Jacob Powroznik has become a highly selected choice this week.
So has A-Mart, Aaron Martens.
So has A-Mart, Aaron Martens.
Todd Faircloth is under the weather, but always deadly when the title is on the line.
Todd Faircloth is under the weather, but always deadly when the title is on the line.
Clifford Pirch is a clear-water finesse specialist. Here is his take on the clear waters of Lake Hartwell.
Clifford Pirch is a clear-water finesse specialist. Here is his take on the clear waters of Lake Hartwell.
Justin Lucas: “He is a west coast angler at heart and does well with a swimbait and other techniques that could pay off this week.”
Justin Lucas: “He is a west coast angler at heart and does well with a swimbait and other techniques that could pay off this week.”
“Matt Herren catches them! He sounds like he is confident. We fished a tourney a few years ago on Murray and it setup like this.”
“Matt Herren catches them! He sounds like he is confident. We fished a tourney a few years ago on Murray and it setup like this.”
“Aaron Martens has everything, but he has those clear water fisheries under his belt. One of the best fishermen in the world.”
Brian Snowden is up next.
Brian Snowden is up next.
No doubt Casey Ashley.
No doubt Casey Ashley.
He has to think hard.
He has to think hard.
Edwin Evers and Mark Davis round out his three picks.
Edwin Evers and Mark Davis round out his three picks.
Speaking of Edwin Evers. Here are his thoughts.
Speaking of Edwin Evers. Here are his thoughts.
Andy Montgomery and Casey Ashley are the closest anglers to the lake as well as sticks in their own right.
Andy Montgomery and Casey Ashley are the closest anglers to the lake as well as sticks in their own right.
Bill Lowen is his wildcard choice. “He’s always on fish.”
Bill Lowen is his wildcard choice. “He’s always on fish.”