The 2016 Bassmaster Classic just ended with Edwin Evers coming out on top in legendary fashion, and yet the Elite Series season is already upon us. Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees showed its tough side as numerous anglers struggled to catch a limit throughout competition.
My team faced a similar struggle as two of the “for sure” anglers in my lineup didn’t perform up to their standards. Seeing Kevin VanDam and Mike Iaconelli struggle on a body of water they excelled at in 2013 wasn’t expected, but my other three picks were solid. With Greg Hackney finishing 10th, Bobby Lane in 11th and James Watson finishing 15th, I salvaged what could’ve been an awful Fantasy Fishing performance.
For the legendary St. Johns River, I’ll be selecting a few new anglers to my teams that I haven’t in the past.
BUCKET A: ROJAS
Safe Bet: The Lane Brothers
Chris and Bobby Lane know this fishery well and it suits their styles. Chris won this event in 2014, and the date of the tournament was very similar to this time around. With four of his seven B.A.S.S. wins coming in the state of Florida, Chris Lane is a safe bet.
Meanwhile, Bobby Lane continued his streak of Top 20 Classic finishes and seems like one of the more relaxed anglers when it comes to competition. He doesn’t let things get to him and stays focused on each cast. I expect another solid finish from Big Fish Bobby Lane.
Worth a Risk: Dean Rojas
Mid-March in Florida means two things — bed fishing and probably topwater. Dean Rojas may throw his favorite frogs around the St. Johns River and also stare down some fish that are bedding. It seemed that the first big wave of fish went to the beds in Palatka, but waves should continue to move in over the next month or so. Rojas could be deadly this week. A second-place finish here in 2014 should also sweeten the deal.
Gut tells me: Rojas
He may not win the event, but I expect him to make some noise and be in contention at some point in this event.
BUCKET B: R. LANE
Safe Bet: Todd Faircloth
After struggling for most of last season, Todd Faircloth made a move up the standings and got himself in the Classic as well as in the winner’s circle at Lake St. Clair. He has momentum on his side. He found his mojo that we are so accustomed to him having. Faircloth notched a Top 10 on this fishery in 2014.
Worth a risk: Russ Lane
Flipping should be a player in this event, and Russ Lane is one of the most underrated flippers on the Elites. A swim jig could be a factor as well, and being able to switch it up can be key. I think Lane could find his comfort zone in that shallow Florida grass.
Gut tells me: R. Lane
I don’t think he will have a high ownership percentage, and I expect his skills to line up well in Palatka this time around.
BUCKET C: LINTNER
Safe bet: Jared Lintner
When I think of Jared Lintner, I think of shallow grass fishing on places like the California Delta and Toledo Bend, which means I’m most certainly adding the St. Johns River to that list. I expect the milkman to find some water to himself and maximize it for a solid finish in Palatka.
Worth the risk: Jason Williamson
It seems that Jason Williamson always does well when the schedule puts the Elites in Florida. He claimed a Top 12 on Lake Toho in the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open earlier this year, and his fishing style suits the “1,000 flips for a giant fish” pattern. He is a slower fisherman who picks apart the cover in front of him, especially in Florida. Don’t be surprised if he comes in with a high finish here. He made the final day here in 2014, in case you aren’t convinced yet.
Gut tells me: Lintner
A low projected ownership percentage means he is already on my radar. The milkman should deliver in the first Elite event of the year.
BUCKET D: JORDON
Safe bet: Tharp and Morgenthaler
Two guys who bring the heat in Florida are Randall Tharp and Chad Morgenthaler. Whether it’s Lake Okeechobee, Toho or the St. Johns, these guys should be factors in this event. Tharp isn’t accepting his low Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year finish last year, and if you’ve ever seen Tharp fish with a hyper-focus mentality, you know it can be lights out.
Worth a risk: Kelly Jordon
Kelly Jordon is one of the quieter Elite Series pros, so if you don’t pay attention, you could miss him. But when it comes to big fish, grass and shallow fishing, he is your guy. He went after bed fish in the Lake Guntersville Elite event last year, so with even more fish bedding, there are more opportunities for him to shine.
Gut tells me: Jordon
I’m content with taking a risk on Jordon because I expect a big reward in terms of a high finish from him.
BUCKET E: C. GRIGSBY
Safe bet: Drew Benton
Drew Benton is from Florida and is a stick on Lake Seminole and lakes like it, so it isn’t surprising that he took the title at Lake Okeechobee on the FLW circuit in 2013. He is relatively young and is probably one of the most underrated anglers vying for a Rookie of the Year title.
Worth a risk: Chad Grigsby
Chad Grigsby will be a newcomer to the Elite Series in 2016. He hails from Minnesota, but he is not a finesse fisherman. Grigsby has shown his power fishing prowess by qualifying through the Southern Opens. With success on lakes like Okeechobee and Santee Cooper on the FLW level, Grigsby could shine bright down in the Sunshine State for Stop No. 1 this year.
Gut tells me: Grigsby
He is no relation to Shaw Grigsby, but his success rate in Florida could make you think he is. If Chad Grigsby doesn’t do well in this week, I would be thoroughly surprised.
In regard to the overall winning weight for your tiebreaker, I believe it should take upward of 90 pounds.