We’re only three tournaments into the Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing season, and if you’re still looking to me for advice on your picks, I give you credit for your loyalty … even if I’m questioning your judgement. The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour was rough for me. I had the runner-up on my team, which sounds great, but I also had the last-place finisher. Ouch.
The good news is that even though I’m in fourth place out of five in the private group shared by the Bassmaster pundits, I’m not so far behind the leader that I’m entirely out of contention. So, I’m saying there’s a chance.
Unfortunately, I also don’t know much about the Tenn-Tom Waterway. I’ve never been there and never covered a tournament there. I know it has largemouth and spots, there’s a lot of shallow cover and there are plenty of current-driven areas. Whether they’ll be spawning, I’m not sure, but the weather forecast looks pretty darn good for some fish to be thinking about it. And I believe this will be a low-weight tournament, so guys who can grind might do well.
This is a no forward-facing sonar tournament, and I’m banking on shallow-water power fishing to be the main game. My picks are based mostly on gut feeling, a hunch that John Cox is going to win and my belief that old-school tactics will be prevalent in the Top 10.
Here goes nothing.
Bucket A: Trey McKinney
This is a tough bucket. There are some pros here who are red hot this season, including several who just made the Top 10 at the Classic, but no one stands out to me as a runaway favorite. I initially went with Stetson Blaylock because I’ve seen him catch fish on tough, diverse waters before. But then I decided to try a new strategy I’m calling “Pick Trey McKinney for every tournament.” McKinney is that good, and every time I don’t pick him, I get burned. He also has a ton of experience on tough low-weight fisheries back home in Illinois. Judging by the popularity of this pick, others agree with me.
Another great choice:
I still believe Stetson Blaylock is a smart choice. Whether he has to throw a squarebill, swim a jig or junk fish to get a limit every day, I believe he’ll find a way to get into contention by the weekend. Another good choice is Brock Mosley, the only Mississippian in the Bucket.
Bucket B: Hunter Shryock
Here again, I didn’t see an obvious first pick, at least not based on what I understand about this fishery. I went with Hunter Shryock because he’s had his best tournaments over the last few years in situations where he can flip and crank and otherwise power fish in shallow water. I’d rate the Ohio native who now lives in Tennessee as an underdog in this one, but I believe he’ll get it done.
Another great choice:
Jacob Powroznik has only been picked by about 1.3% of players, but I’d say that’s an oversight. He knows how to find bass on moving water, and if fish do get on beds, he’s got a shot at a high finish.
Bucket C: Caleb Kuphall
Bucket C is stacked with pros who feel like great picks, including Justin Atkins, who’s fresh off a high finish in the Classic and grew up fishing around Columbus, Miss. I was all set to pick Atkins until I saw that more than 20% of players had already chosen him. I decided to go against the crowd and went with Caleb Kuphall. Come on river rat, find me a buzzbait bite to make the cut!
Another great choice:
In addition to Atkins, give a hard look toward Chris Johnston (for obvious superstar reasons) and Tristan McCormick, who’s due for a breakout event.
Bucket D: Greg Hackney
Greg Hackney hasn’t made a Top 10 since April of 2024. That all changes on the Tenn-Tom. He’s as good of a pitcher and flipper as there is, and with forward-facing sonar not allowed on this one, his old-school tactics will help him rise to the top. See you on Sunday, Hack.
Another great choice:
There are a lot of great veterans in this bucket, including Scott Canterbury, Seth Feider and John Crews. They’re all great picks, but I have a sneaky feeling Will Davis Jr. is going to find a spinnerbait or swim jig bite and make the cut to the weekend.
Bucket E: John Cox
I’ve known John Cox a long time, and I’ve seen him win everything from slugfests to grinders. The one thing that’s never changed is his ability to sniff out the best shallow bite on any given fishery. And he always seems to be a step ahead of the fish when they’re headed to the bank in spring. Easy pick.
Another great choice:
Jason Christie and Pat Schlapper are great picks. So is Russ Lane, who made the Top 10 in an Open on the Tenn-Tom last season.
Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge
• Greg Hackney, Gonzales, La.
• Pat Schlapper, Eleva, Wis.
• Cliff Pace, Ovett, Miss.
• Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala.
• Brock Mosley, Collinsville, Miss.
• John Cox, DeBary, Fla.
• Hunter Shryock, Ooltewah, Tenn.
• Luke Palmer, Coalgate, Okla.
