Breaking down the AOY leaders

Posted on
The 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series has three more events leading to the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship. A river bordering Canada, a lake on the New York and Vermont state line and a large lake in Michigan are the remaining fisheries. <p> <em>All Captions: Craig Lamb</em>
The 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series has three more events leading to the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship. A river bordering Canada, a lake on the New York and Vermont state line and a large lake in Michigan are the remaining fisheries.

All Captions: Craig Lamb

Each is unique; all have smallmouth and clear water. The final turn of the season sets up to be totally different. That’s the plan: To give the pros a challenge going into the finish line of the AOY race. Here’s the Top 12, their stats and how they stack up.
Each is unique; all have smallmouth and clear water. The final turn of the season sets up to be totally different. That’s the plan: To give the pros a challenge going into the finish line of the AOY race. Here’s the Top 12, their stats and how they stack up.
<b>Todd Faircloth</b><br> Points: 467. Rank: 12. <br> Faircloth’s best finish thus far was 8th at Toledo Bend. The Texan’s low finish this season was 66th at Lake Dardanelle, coincidentally the final event before break time.
Todd Faircloth
Points: 467. Rank: 12.
Faircloth’s best finish thus far was 8th at Toledo Bend. The Texan’s low finish this season was 66th at Lake Dardanelle, coincidentally the final event before break time.
Faircloth won at Lake St. Clair in 2015. The same year he finished 80th at the St. Lawrence River, the first stop after the break. Faircloth finished 8th at Lake Champlain in 2006 and 40th last year at the AOY championship held on Mille Lacs.
Faircloth won at Lake St. Clair in 2015. The same year he finished 80th at the St. Lawrence River, the first stop after the break. Faircloth finished 8th at Lake Champlain in 2006 and 40th last year at the AOY championship held on Mille Lacs.
Faircloth stands a fair chance of keeping the momentum going into the final swing. The high finish on the St. Lawrence River and win at Lake St. Clair will give him confidence through the season. So will what happened in 2014. That year, he came close to winning the AOY title.
Faircloth stands a fair chance of keeping the momentum going into the final swing. The high finish on the St. Lawrence River and win at Lake St. Clair will give him confidence through the season. So will what happened in 2014. That year, he came close to winning the AOY title.
<b>Greg Hackney</b><br> Points: 473. Rank: 11. <br> Hackney’s best finish was 5th at Lake Okeechobee. The Arkansan’s low finish was 66th at Sam Rayburn.
Greg Hackney
Points: 473. Rank: 11.
Hackney’s best finish was 5th at Lake Okeechobee. The Arkansan’s low finish was 66th at Sam Rayburn.
Hackney’s best finish on the schedule coming up came in 2015 with a 3rd at the St. Lawrence River. He finished 21st at Lake Champlain in 2007 and took 37th at the AOY championship last year on Mille Lacs. He finished 53rd at Lake St. Clair in 2015.
Hackney’s best finish on the schedule coming up came in 2015 with a 3rd at the St. Lawrence River. He finished 21st at Lake Champlain in 2007 and took 37th at the AOY championship last year on Mille Lacs. He finished 53rd at Lake St. Clair in 2015.
Hackney is widely recognized for his guerilla style of angling, fishing heavy cover with heavyweight tackle. He’s also proven the tactic works in the North, even when lightening up. Hackney won the 2014 AOY title in Michigan on Bay de Noc.
Hackney is widely recognized for his guerilla style of angling, fishing heavy cover with heavyweight tackle. He’s also proven the tactic works in the North, even when lightening up. Hackney won the 2014 AOY title in Michigan on Bay de Noc.
<b>Jordan Lee</b><br> Points: 474. Rank: 10. <br> Lee’s best finish was 4th at Sam Rayburn. The Alabamian’s low finish was 62nd at Ross Barnett. Not counting toward AOY points, but certainly worthy of mentioning was the win at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Jordan Lee
Points: 474. Rank: 10.
Lee’s best finish was 4th at Sam Rayburn. The Alabamian’s low finish was 62nd at Ross Barnett. Not counting toward AOY points, but certainly worthy of mentioning was the win at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
In 2015, Lee finished 33rd at the St. Lawrence River, and 6th on Lake Champlain in 2014. At Lake St. Clair he finished 29th in 2015, and brought home 25th last year at the AOY championship on Mille Lacs.
In 2015, Lee finished 33rd at the St. Lawrence River, and 6th on Lake Champlain in 2014. At Lake St. Clair he finished 29th in 2015, and brought home 25th last year at the AOY championship on Mille Lacs.
Lee has the momentum of his Classic win on his side. That happened with last-minute heroics at Lake Conroe. He served notice of being able to win anywhere, anytime.
Lee has the momentum of his Classic win on his side. That happened with last-minute heroics at Lake Conroe. He served notice of being able to win anywhere, anytime.
<b>Edwin Evers</b><br> Points: 484. Rank: 9. <br> Evers’ best finish was 16th at Lake Dardanelle, the final event prior to the break. The Oklahoman’s low finish was 56th at Cherokee Lake.
Edwin Evers
Points: 484. Rank: 9.
Evers’ best finish was 16th at Lake Dardanelle, the final event prior to the break. The Oklahoman’s low finish was 56th at Cherokee Lake.
In 2015 he won at the St. Lawrence River. The same year he finished 18th at Lake St. Clair. In 2007, the former Classic champion finished 22nd at Lake Champlain. Evers took 49th place last year at the AOY championship on Mille Lacs.
In 2015 he won at the St. Lawrence River. The same year he finished 18th at Lake St. Clair. In 2007, the former Classic champion finished 22nd at Lake Champlain. Evers took 49th place last year at the AOY championship on Mille Lacs.
The 11-time B.A.S.S. winner and 2016 world champion heads into the home stretch with solid history on the fisheries coming up. The evidence is the win on the St. Lawrence, the first stop coming up, and at St. Clair.
The 11-time B.A.S.S. winner and 2016 world champion heads into the home stretch with solid history on the fisheries coming up. The evidence is the win on the St. Lawrence, the first stop coming up, and at St. Clair.
<b>Bobby Lane</b><br> Points: 489. Rank: 8. <br> Lane’s best finish was 4th at Ross Barnett. The Floridian’s low finish was 87th at Toledo Bend.
Bobby Lane
Points: 489. Rank: 8.
Lane’s best finish was 4th at Ross Barnett. The Floridian’s low finish was 87th at Toledo Bend.
Lane’s best finishes for upcoming events was a pair of 15th-place finishes at the St. Lawrence River (2015) and St. Clair (2016). He finished 52nd at Lake Champlain in 2009 and 16th at Mille Lacs in 2016.
Lane’s best finishes for upcoming events was a pair of 15th-place finishes at the St. Lawrence River (2015) and St. Clair (2016). He finished 52nd at Lake Champlain in 2009 and 16th at Mille Lacs in 2016.
Lane might be from Florida, where largemouth lurk in the weeds, but this seasoned pro is having a great season. Lane finished 8th at the world championship and can take his shallow water A Game up north, where the same ideal conditions prevail in clearer water.
Lane might be from Florida, where largemouth lurk in the weeds, but this seasoned pro is having a great season. Lane finished 8th at the world championship and can take his shallow water A Game up north, where the same ideal conditions prevail in clearer water.
<b>Kevin VanDam</b><br> Points: 494. Rank: 7. <br> VanDam’s best finish was 2nd at Ross Barnett. The Michigan pro’s low finish was 62nd at Cherokee Lake.
Kevin VanDam
Points: 494. Rank: 7.
VanDam’s best finish was 2nd at Ross Barnett. The Michigan pro’s low finish was 62nd at Cherokee Lake.
KVD’s highest finish for upcoming event was a 7th at Lake Champlain in 2007. He finished 10th last year at the AOY championship on Mille Lacs. He placed 41st at Champlain in 2015, and 63rd at St. Clair in 2015.
KVD’s highest finish for upcoming event was a 7th at Lake Champlain in 2007. He finished 10th last year at the AOY championship on Mille Lacs. He placed 41st at Champlain in 2015, and 63rd at St. Clair in 2015.
KVD has already come close to winning twice this season. The remaining events are on clear water lakes inhabited by largemouth and smallmouth, his favorite. That alone will be a confidence booster. The Michigan native is looking forward to all three events, especially in his home state at Lake St. Clair.
KVD has already come close to winning twice this season. The remaining events are on clear water lakes inhabited by largemouth and smallmouth, his favorite. That alone will be a confidence booster. The Michigan native is looking forward to all three events, especially in his home state at Lake St. Clair.
<b>Jason Christie</b><br> Points: 502. Rank: 6. <br> Christie is off to a good start. He went into the break with a 2nd-place finish at Toledo Bend. Then he scored 7th at Sam Rayburn. The low score of 42nd came last March at Lake Okeechobee.
Jason Christie
Points: 502. Rank: 6.
Christie is off to a good start. He went into the break with a 2nd-place finish at Toledo Bend. Then he scored 7th at Sam Rayburn. The low score of 42nd came last March at Lake Okeechobee.
Christie finished 82nd at the St. Lawrence in 2016. His other finishes were a 7th at St. Clair in 2015, and an 18th at Mille Lacs in 2016.
Christie finished 82nd at the St. Lawrence in 2016. His other finishes were a 7th at St. Clair in 2015, and an 18th at Mille Lacs in 2016.
If the bass are in the weeds then Christie can find the fish with a frog. There will be plenty of that type of fishing on the St. Lawrence River and some on Lake Champlain. Christie is off to a great start and he can do more than just throw a frog in the pads.
If the bass are in the weeds then Christie can find the fish with a frog. There will be plenty of that type of fishing on the St. Lawrence River and some on Lake Champlain. Christie is off to a great start and he can do more than just throw a frog in the pads.
<b>Mark Davis</b><br> Points: 506. Rank: 5. <br> Davis is showing signs of the consistency needed to win a fourth AOY title. He went into the summer break after a 2nd-place finish at Lake Dardanelle. For all other events the Arkansas pro stayed inside the top 40.
Mark Davis
Points: 506. Rank: 5.
Davis is showing signs of the consistency needed to win a fourth AOY title. He went into the summer break after a 2nd-place finish at Lake Dardanelle. For all other events the Arkansas pro stayed inside the top 40.
Davis has fished multiple events at the upcoming fisheries during the current Elite Series era. He placed 6th at the St. Lawrence in 2015 and 20th in 2013. Then he finished 79th at St. Clair in 2015 and 2nd in 2013.
Davis has fished multiple events at the upcoming fisheries during the current Elite Series era. He placed 6th at the St. Lawrence in 2015 and 20th in 2013. Then he finished 79th at St. Clair in 2015 and 2nd in 2013.
Davis is experiencing one of his best seasons in recent years. Three decades on the B.A.S.S. tour and three AOY titles is enough to convince anyone, including Davis, that he stands a good chance of a strong finish this season.
Davis is experiencing one of his best seasons in recent years. Three decades on the B.A.S.S. tour and three AOY titles is enough to convince anyone, including Davis, that he stands a good chance of a strong finish this season.
<b>Casey Ashley</b><br> Points: 510. Rank: 4. <br> Ashley is enjoying one of his best seasons. He finished 13th at Dardanelle and Rayburn, missing Championship Sunday by one spot. The South Carolina pro has three Top 20s, including a 4th-place finish at Toledo Bend.
Casey Ashley
Points: 510. Rank: 4.
Ashley is enjoying one of his best seasons. He finished 13th at Dardanelle and Rayburn, missing Championship Sunday by one spot. The South Carolina pro has three Top 20s, including a 4th-place finish at Toledo Bend.
Ashley’s best finish for lakes coming up came at Lake St. Clair, where he finished 13th in 2015. He placed 22nd last year at Mille Lacs, and 29th at the St. Lawrence River in 2015. He finished 82nd at Lake Champlain in 2007.
Ashley’s best finish for lakes coming up came at Lake St. Clair, where he finished 13th in 2015. He placed 22nd last year at Mille Lacs, and 29th at the St. Lawrence River in 2015. He finished 82nd at Lake Champlain in 2007.
Ashley, in the back of his mind, is thinking of a home state homecoming at the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. First, he will fish with confidence after the strong showings at St. Clair and Mille Lacs.
Ashley, in the back of his mind, is thinking of a home state homecoming at the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. First, he will fish with confidence after the strong showings at St. Clair and Mille Lacs.
<b>Brandon Palaniuk</b><br> Points: 513. Rank: 3. <br> Already three appearances at Championship Sunday, and consistency is the reason. That’s what it takes to win AOY. The Top 12s in February came at Cherokee, the first event of the season, and most recently at Dardanelle. Palaniuk at mid-season made the final cut at Toledo Bend, finishing 5th. He also won at Sam Rayburn.
Brandon Palaniuk
Points: 513. Rank: 3.
Already three appearances at Championship Sunday, and consistency is the reason. That’s what it takes to win AOY. The Top 12s in February came at Cherokee, the first event of the season, and most recently at Dardanelle. Palaniuk at mid-season made the final cut at Toledo Bend, finishing 5th. He also won at Sam Rayburn.
Palaniuk’s top finishes for fisheries coming up was a win at St. Lawrence in 2013 and 2nd place at St. Clair in 2015. He finished 11th last year at the AOY championship and 19th in 2015 at the St. Lawrence River.
Palaniuk’s top finishes for fisheries coming up was a win at St. Lawrence in 2013 and 2nd place at St. Clair in 2015. He finished 11th last year at the AOY championship and 19th in 2015 at the St. Lawrence River.
Look at his scorecard and you will see that Palaniuk gets better with every event on the schedule. A strong history last year at the upcoming fisheries could mean even better performances as the season winds down.
Look at his scorecard and you will see that Palaniuk gets better with every event on the schedule. A strong history last year at the upcoming fisheries could mean even better performances as the season winds down.
<b>Jacob Wheeler</b><br> Points: 518. Rank: 2. <br> Wheeler is on a hot streak after fishing three times on Championship Sunday. He won the first event of the season at Cherokee, followed up with a 10th at Toledo Bend and 3rd place at Sam Rayburn.
Jacob Wheeler
Points: 518. Rank: 2.
Wheeler is on a hot streak after fishing three times on Championship Sunday. He won the first event of the season at Cherokee, followed up with a 10th at Toledo Bend and 3rd place at Sam Rayburn.
Wheeler’s past in the upcoming schedule is through the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Opens. His highest finish was a 2nd on Lake Champlain in 2016 and 14th at St. Clair in 2014.
Wheeler’s past in the upcoming schedule is through the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Opens. His highest finish was a 2nd on Lake Champlain in 2016 and 14th at St. Clair in 2014.
Two angling strengths of Wheeler come into play at the fisheries coming up. Those are smallmouth and finding fish offshore. Wheeler is excited about what’s to come. He should be, based on the opportunity to leverage his favorite styles of fishing.
Two angling strengths of Wheeler come into play at the fisheries coming up. Those are smallmouth and finding fish offshore. Wheeler is excited about what’s to come. He should be, based on the opportunity to leverage his favorite styles of fishing.
<b>Ott DeFoe</b><br> Points: 527. Rank: 1. <br> Never mind that DeFoe is the only angler in the top 3 without a win. What matters is consistency. The Tennessee pro has proven that thus far with three consecutive Top 12s, beginning with the first event at Cherokee. He’s stayed inside the top 20 in four of the seven events held thus far.
Ott DeFoe
Points: 527. Rank: 1.
Never mind that DeFoe is the only angler in the top 3 without a win. What matters is consistency. The Tennessee pro has proven that thus far with three consecutive Top 12s, beginning with the first event at Cherokee. He’s stayed inside the top 20 in four of the seven events held thus far.
DeFoe’s highest finish for upcoming events was a 14th place last year at the AOY championship on Mille Lacs. He finished 78th at the St. Lawrence River in 2015, and 92nd at Lake St. Clair in 2015.
DeFoe’s highest finish for upcoming events was a 14th place last year at the AOY championship on Mille Lacs. He finished 78th at the St. Lawrence River in 2015, and 92nd at Lake St. Clair in 2015.
DeFoe is in the driver’s seat, although he’s got plenty of company ready to take it away. The Tennessean likes his smallmouth, and he will have plenty of chances to catch them at the remaining fisheries on the schedule.
DeFoe is in the driver’s seat, although he’s got plenty of company ready to take it away. The Tennessean likes his smallmouth, and he will have plenty of chances to catch them at the remaining fisheries on the schedule.