Scenes from a Wild Card registration

Wild Card contenders talk about what it will take to win the golden ticket.

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There are a lot of things more exciting than tournament registration. The next 32 images are just 32 of them ... from a tournament registration.
There are a lot of things more exciting than tournament registration. The next 32 images are just 32 of them … from a tournament registration.
Registration at the Bassmaster Classic Wild Card presented by Star Tron was an intimate affair. There are just 49 anglers in the field, but the ones here are excited — excited about a chance to earn the last Classic spot, excited about the prospect of some good fishing here in south Florida and excited about the small field. After all, it increases the chances of any individual winning.
Registration at the Bassmaster Classic Wild Card presented by Star Tron was an intimate affair. There are just 49 anglers in the field, but the ones here are excited — excited about a chance to earn the last Classic spot, excited about the prospect of some good fishing here in south Florida and excited about the small field. After all, it increases the chances of any individual winning.
In addition to some cash, here's what's really at stake — a handsome trophy and a Golden Ticket! I made the ticket at home … and it's far from official … but the tournament winner does get one free admission to the Bassmaster Classic, and it's pretty much guaranteed that the winner will experience
In addition to some cash, here’s what’s really at stake — a handsome trophy and a Golden Ticket! I made the ticket at home … and it’s far from official … but the tournament winner does get one free admission to the Bassmaster Classic, and it’s pretty much guaranteed that the winner will experience “mystic and marvelous surprises that will entrance, delight, intrigue, astonish and perplex him beyond measure,” which is pretty much what Willy Wonka promised.
Heading into registration, I was curious about what these anglers thought it might take to win. Here, in ascending order, are their best guesses along with some other stuff you might find entertaining. Who was the most optimistic about catches? Keep clicking to find out.
Heading into registration, I was curious about what these anglers thought it might take to win. Here, in ascending order, are their best guesses along with some other stuff you might find entertaining. Who was the most optimistic about catches? Keep clicking to find out.
You already know about Bobby and Chris, the Elite Series brothers who have fished multiple Classics together. This is Arnie Lane, the other Lane brother and the man trying to put a third Lane sibling in the same Classic. Perhaps needless to say, it's never been done before. Arnie was the most pessimistic angler polled about the potential winning weight. He said 51 pounds should do it.
You already know about Bobby and Chris, the Elite Series brothers who have fished multiple Classics together. This is Arnie Lane, the other Lane brother and the man trying to put a third Lane sibling in the same Classic. Perhaps needless to say, it’s never been done before. Arnie was the most pessimistic angler polled about the potential winning weight. He said 51 pounds should do it.
Brothers fight. That's just what they do. For proof we offer Ohio's Fletcher and Hunter Shryock and their tug-of-war over the Golden Ticket. They may share information and gather with family for the holidays, but with just one Classic spot left, each will do all he can to claim it for himself.
Brothers fight. That’s just what they do. For proof we offer Ohio’s Fletcher and Hunter Shryock and their tug-of-war over the Golden Ticket. They may share information and gather with family for the holidays, but with just one Classic spot left, each will do all he can to claim it for himself.
Several Floridians went low with their predictions for the Wild Card winning weight. Patrick Pierce of Jacksonville selected 55 pounds … and he's a biologist. Another Florida biologist in the field, Jeff Holland, chose 61 pounds.
Several Floridians went low with their predictions for the Wild Card winning weight. Patrick Pierce of Jacksonville selected 55 pounds … and he’s a biologist. Another Florida biologist in the field, Jeff Holland, chose 61 pounds.
Quakertown, Pennsylvania's James McMullen looks very serious in his approach to the Wild Card tournament … and why not? It's the last shot any of these guys have to make it to the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
Quakertown, Pennsylvania’s James McMullen looks very serious in his approach to the Wild Card tournament … and why not? It’s the last shot any of these guys have to make it to the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
You can't have registration without someone doing the registering. This is B.A.S.S. tournament specialist Lisa Talmadge, who greets each angler with ruthless efficiency and a smile.
You can’t have registration without someone doing the registering. This is B.A.S.S. tournament specialist Lisa Talmadge, who greets each angler with ruthless efficiency and a smile.
Terry Segraves has more experience on Florida waters than just about anyone in the field. He also had the shortest drive — about 90 miles from his home in Kissimmee. Segraves thinks 58 pounds should be good enough to claim the last Golden Ticket.
Terry Segraves has more experience on Florida waters than just about anyone in the field. He also had the shortest drive — about 90 miles from his home in Kissimmee. Segraves thinks 58 pounds should be good enough to claim the last Golden Ticket.
The longest drive in the field belonged to Maine's Jonathan Carter, who's trying to get to his second Bassmaster Classic. Carter's one-way trip from South Portland to Okeechobee is a shade under 1,500 miles.
The longest drive in the field belonged to Maine’s Jonathan Carter, who’s trying to get to his second Bassmaster Classic. Carter’s one-way trip from South Portland to Okeechobee is a shade under 1,500 miles.
Capt. Sandy Melvin outranks most of the other anglers at this event by a stripe or two. The Boca Raton native picked 58-12 as the likely winning weight.
Capt. Sandy Melvin outranks most of the other anglers at this event by a stripe or two. The Boca Raton native picked 58-12 as the likely winning weight.
Bernie Schultz can run, but he can't hide from the camera … at least not completely. The popular Florida pro has one of the best and most popular columns on Bassmaster.com and is vying for his ninth Classic appearance.
Bernie Schultz can run, but he can’t hide from the camera … at least not completely. The popular Florida pro has one of the best and most popular columns on Bassmaster.com and is vying for his ninth Classic appearance.
Sixty pounds is a nice round number — 20 a day. That should do it according to North Carolina hopeful Jamey Caldwell who earned his way here through both the Northern and Southern Opens.
Sixty pounds is a nice round number — 20 a day. That should do it according to North Carolina hopeful Jamey Caldwell who earned his way here through both the Northern and Southern Opens.
<p>The 60-pound mark was popular, too. That's what Elite pro Greg Hackney said when asked how much it would take to win on Okeechobee this week. If he can win, he'll qualify for his 12th straight Classic. Here, newly-announced Elite pro Chad Morgenthaler and Hackney check on their boat numbers for Thursday's launch. Morgenthaler's prediction was 68 pounds.</p>
The 60-pound mark was popular, too. That’s what Elite pro Greg Hackney said when asked how much it would take to win on Okeechobee this week. If he can win, he’ll qualify for his 12th straight Classic. Here, newly-announced Elite pro Chad Morgenthaler and Hackney check on their boat numbers for Thursday’s launch. Morgenthaler’s prediction was 68 pounds.
<p>Boyd Duckett now calls Guntersville home. Though he's had his struggles in Florida in the past, the 2007 Classic champ is fighting to get back to the big dance rather than watch it from his back deck. He says that 61 pounds should be enough to win.</p>
Boyd Duckett now calls Guntersville home. Though he’s had his struggles in Florida in the past, the 2007 Classic champ is fighting to get back to the big dance rather than watch it from his back deck. He says that 61 pounds should be enough to win.
Derek Remitz has been working with his friend and Florida bassin' superstar Bobby Lane to figure out Okeechobee's bass.
Derek Remitz has been working with his friend and Florida bassin’ superstar Bobby Lane to figure out Okeechobee’s bass. “The Wolverine” won the first Elite event he ever fished and thinks 61-12 will take the title at the Wild Card.
Kelley Jaye of Dadeville is an Alabama pro looking for his first Classic appearance after his rookie year with the Elites. Jaye thinks 65 pounds should do it this week on Okeechobee.
Kelley Jaye of Dadeville is an Alabama pro looking for his first Classic appearance after his rookie year with the Elites. Jaye thinks 65 pounds should do it this week on Okeechobee.
Kathy Scott, the Okeechobee County Tourism Coordinator, welcomed the anglers to the lake. The county hosts dozens of big bass tournaments every year and is one of the most hospitable venues for bass anglers in the entire country.
Kathy Scott, the Okeechobee County Tourism Coordinator, welcomed the anglers to the lake. The county hosts dozens of big bass tournaments every year and is one of the most hospitable venues for bass anglers in the entire country.
Russ Lane and Kelly Jordon are a couple of Elite anglers and Classic veterans taking their last shot at a Classic berth for this year. Between them, they have 14 championship appearances on their résumés.
Russ Lane and Kelly Jordon are a couple of Elite anglers and Classic veterans taking their last shot at a Classic berth for this year. Between them, they have 14 championship appearances on their résumés.
Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., will be an Elite rookie in 2014, but he wants to kick off the season with his first Bassmaster Classic appearance. A win at Okeechobee would do that. Lester thinks 66 pounds should do it.
Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., will be an Elite rookie in 2014, but he wants to kick off the season with his first Bassmaster Classic appearance. A win at Okeechobee would do that. Lester thinks 66 pounds should do it.
Before the registration meeting began, Florida Elite angler Cliff Prince was sharing videos of his son's first deer hunts from earlier this year. It looked like a great time. Prince will hit the water relaxed on Thursday, looking for his second Classic appearance.
Before the registration meeting began, Florida Elite angler Cliff Prince was sharing videos of his son’s first deer hunts from earlier this year. It looked like a great time. Prince will hit the water relaxed on Thursday, looking for his second Classic appearance.
Bradley Roy is still the youngest pro in the Elite Series, and he's determined to get to the Bassmaster Classic. If he had to bet, he'd take 67-9 as the winning weight in the Wild Card.
Bradley Roy is still the youngest pro in the Elite Series, and he’s determined to get to the Bassmaster Classic. If he had to bet, he’d take 67-9 as the winning weight in the Wild Card.
Picking right behind Roy, Alabama Elite pro Keith Poche opted for a weight just one ounce heavier (67-10), making him a dangerous man in any battle on
Picking right behind Roy, Alabama Elite pro Keith Poche opted for a weight just one ounce heavier (67-10), making him a dangerous man in any battle on “The Price is Right.” When Poche fished his first Classic in 2012, he grabbed the lead on the first day before finishing a strong third.
Georgia's J Todd Tucker loves Lake Guntersville, site of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. It's no wonder then that he's doing everything in his power to fish it. Three strong days on Okeechobee should do it.
Georgia’s J Todd Tucker loves Lake Guntersville, site of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. It’s no wonder then that he’s doing everything in his power to fish it. Three strong days on Okeechobee should do it.
Shaw Grigsby has lots of experience on Okeechobee and has won everywhere he's fished in Florida. The Golden Ticket would send him to his 16th Classic. He chose 68 pounds as the winning weight.
Shaw Grigsby has lots of experience on Okeechobee and has won everywhere he’s fished in Florida. The Golden Ticket would send him to his 16th Classic. He chose 68 pounds as the winning weight.
It's hard to imagine anyone having more enthusiasm for fishing than Ohio Elite angler Charlie Hartley. He sometimes skateboards down the ramp to get in his boat. Like Keith Poche, Hartley led the first day of his first Classic. That was back in 2008.
It’s hard to imagine anyone having more enthusiasm for fishing than Ohio Elite angler Charlie Hartley. He sometimes skateboards down the ramp to get in his boat. Like Keith Poche, Hartley led the first day of his first Classic. That was back in 2008.
There were other luminaries taking in the awesome aura of registration. Left to right, that's Steve Chapman, Steve Porter and Mike Ortego watching the festivities from the back of the room. Chapman and Ortego are hosts of Fishing Florida Radio, the Sunshine State's number one fishing program, and Porter is the man who started the big-blade spinnerbait craze in the 1980s right here on Lake Okeechobee. He thinks 69 pounds will win.
There were other luminaries taking in the awesome aura of registration. Left to right, that’s Steve Chapman, Steve Porter and Mike Ortego watching the festivities from the back of the room. Chapman and Ortego are hosts of Fishing Florida Radio, the Sunshine State’s number one fishing program, and Porter is the man who started the big-blade spinnerbait craze in the 1980s right here on Lake Okeechobee. He thinks 69 pounds will win.
Jamie Horton, the Elite pro from Centreville, Ala., is looking to get back to the Classic in Birmingham. It would hurt to miss one so close to home. Horton picked 69-5 as the winning total.
Jamie Horton, the Elite pro from Centreville, Ala., is looking to get back to the Classic in Birmingham. It would hurt to miss one so close to home. Horton picked 69-5 as the winning total.
Oklahoma Elite pro Dave Smith takes a moment to relax and unwind after the practice period ends and before the official registration meeting begins. Anglers will fish all on their own — no marshals — for the first two days of the Wild Card.
Oklahoma Elite pro Dave Smith takes a moment to relax and unwind after the practice period ends and before the official registration meeting begins. Anglers will fish all on their own — no marshals — for the first two days of the Wild Card.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what message is this one sending about Shaye Baker's chances of winning on Okeechobee this week? The Alabama angler and Bassmaster.com columnist connected with some good bass early in the week and will find out what he's really on when things start on Thursday. He thinks it'll take 72-8 to win.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what message is this one sending about Shaye Baker’s chances of winning on Okeechobee this week? The Alabama angler and Bassmaster.com columnist connected with some good bass early in the week and will find out what he’s really on when things start on Thursday. He thinks it’ll take 72-8 to win.
And the most optimistic angler in the field? It was Oklahoma's Jeff Kriet who picked 73 pounds as the winning tally. Is
And the most optimistic angler in the field? It was Oklahoma’s Jeff Kriet who picked 73 pounds as the winning tally. Is “the Squirrel” on those kind of fish?
But it was B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes who was the most optimistic of anyone about the fishing on Okeechobee. He predicted a winning weight of 73-8. He has confidence in these guys even if they don't!
But it was B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes who was the most optimistic of anyone about the fishing on Okeechobee. He predicted a winning weight of 73-8. He has confidence in these guys even if they don’t!