Fantasy Fishing: Don't expect a repeat

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Last year the Elites made their first visit to the Pasquotank River on the Albemarle Sound and it’s almost entirely memorable because it became a Kyle Welcher blowout. The whole field was painting on the same new canvas. One of them just happened to do it in vibrant colors while the other toiled in black and white.

But if you make your Fantasy Fishing picks based entirely on that one derb, you’re likely to get disappointed.

I’m not saying that Kyle Welcher can’t win it. He very well might. But don’t look for a 45-pound margin of victory. No matter who wins, this time it’s going to be much tighter at the top. First off, they’re going two months later than last time. Second, it’s now more of a known commodity.

While forward-facing sonar will be allowed, and it played a big role in Welcher’s dominance (and will matter again) it won’t be the dominant paradigm.

So while I’m using last year’s standings as a loose guidepost, I’m also willing to almost completely disregard them in some instances. As the season enters its final trimester, look for river experts as well as anglers who can fish close or make an extra-long runs, and have the wisdom to know when to do one over the other.

Here are my selections:

BUCKET A: Don’t Call it a Comeback

BIG WATER CHAMP: Never discount momentum in fishing and Chris Johnston is riding a pile of it. Fresh off his Century Club win at Santee, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him go back-to-back, and while it’s his brother in the lead for AOY, don’t be surprised to see Chris in the top five at season’s end. He finished 21st at the Pasquotank last year.

SOLID SECOND PICK: If it’s hard for you to imagine Trey McKinney struggling two tournaments in a row, that’s because he never has. Now that he got the clunker out of the way at Santee Cooper, it’s time to get back to your regularly-scheduled programming. He finished 3rd last year at the Pasquotank.

BUCKET B: The Box Maker

BIG WATER CHAMP: Jason Christie is well inside the 2027 Classic cut – after missing the last two – and added another win to his long list this season, but hasn’t been consistent. Look for another Top 10 – building on the two he’s already earned on rivers this season – and discount the fact that he finished 83rd here last season.

A SOLID SECOND PICK: Another angler who surprisingly struggled at the Pasquotank last year was Alabamian Wes Logan. This is a tournament that sets up well for the river hammer, so expect him to lock a signature swim jig in his hand, cover some water, and rebound with a to finish. He has extremely low ownership percentage right now, so if he wins you can make up lots of ground in your fantasy groups.

BUCKET C: Quiet Carolina Killer

BIG WATER CHAMP: If the season ended today, Shane LeHew would likely be in the Classic but he has no wiggle room to work with. Fortunately, he can take a big step toward qualifying for his 8th Classic in a row if he repeats his Pasquotank finish from last year. He’s earned three checks in six events this season but hasn’t cracked a Top 10. His last one? Ninth at the Pasquotank last season.

A SOLID SECOND PICK: Coming off a Top 10 in the cypress laden Santee Cooper lakes, Greg Hackney can move into the Classic conversation with another money finish in the Carolinas. The Pasquotank sets up perfectly for him so I’m going to write off last year’s 58th place finish as an unlucky aberration.

BUCKET D: Mid-Atlantic River Expert

BIG WATER CHAMP: Jacob Powroznik is outside the Classic cut but not so far as to make in unobtainable. He’s been to nine of them, but missed this year’s event and no doubt that stung. Fortunately, he’s a shallow water expert, a mid-Atlantic river rat, and a grinder. If it gets hot and tough, look for him to flick a Senko around to the tune of four big bags.

A SOLID SECOND PICK: A hate to pick someone with absolutely no momentum whatsoever, but at some point John Cox is going to get his ship righted and surprise those who’ve written him off, with a Top 10, or even a win. No FFS river events are right up his alley.

BUCKET E: Fear the Turtle

BIG WATER CHAMP: After enjoying his best season in years in 2025, this year Bill Lowen has virtually fallen off the map. He’s in Bucket E for a reason after three brutal tournaments, but in all likelihood this is his best chance for a win or even a Top 10 in the remainder of the season. Just don’t look at where he finished last year here (spoiler alert: 100th).

A SOLID SECOND PICK: John Crews has more time fishing mid-Atlantic rivers than well over 90% of the field, but last year’s Pasquotank debacle should have him primed for a big comeback. He’s not in any danger of getting relegated off the tour, but he no doubt needs at least a check to get him back on the path that put him in 14 Classics.