Mike Ball of Pismo Beach, California would root for Brain Snowden to win the AOY if he could as Snowden's originally from his home town.
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Ball is in Escanaba after winning a sweepstakes from Punch cigars.
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Kelly Majestic of Gladstone, Mich., doesn't know many of the anglers.
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But picked Jason Christie to win AOY based on "a nice smile."
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Paul Sacks of Waterford, Mich.: "I'd like to Aaron Martens win it because I like seeing guys do it back to back."
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Warren Dutter thinks Faircloth will win. "He's working the hardest for it, I think."
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Amy Vivio picks Greg Hackney. "He's a good fisherman and I'm pulling for him."
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Bertie Depsey is picking Skeet Reese because he wears her favorite color.
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Quentin Johnson of Escanaba, Mich., simply picked Aaron Martens and shrugged his shoulders at every other question.
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Christina Johnson of Escanaba, Mich.: "I'm picking Jason Christie. I heard my husband bragging about him earlier."
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Joe Johnson of Escanaba, Mich.: "Faircloth. He's having a good year and I think he'll pull it out."
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LT. Mark Zawacke picked Aaron Martens from a line up of photos of the leaders. "He's the youngest looking guy there,'' he said.
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Sgt. TJ Moore of the Escanaba Police Dept. picked Todd Faircloth out of a line up of photos. His reason? "He looks more serious."
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Todd Schrew of Escanaba, Mich.: "Hackney. I don't know, really, but Hackney has a good lead."
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Dave Leavitt of Eagle River, Mich.: "Probably Hackney. I think he has the momentum. And I think he deserves to win."
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Joyce Leavitt of Eagle River, Mich.: "I like Faircloth. We met him at Lacrosse and connected. We have kept up with him ever since."
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Steve Kositzky of Escanaba, Mich.: "Whoever is leading. They didn't go today, they probably won't tomorrow."
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Eric and Kendra Bouchard had differing opinions. Her father picked Jason Christie "because he drives a Ranger." Kendra picked Casey Ashley, but wouldn't reveal her reasons.
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Ray Kussmaul: "Greg Hackney, because he has the lead. But I like them all."
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Jason Preaseau of Hermansville, Mich.: "I'm going to say Aaron Martens because he's a good smallmouth fisherman. But really it's anybody's game."
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Steve Smith of Hermansville, Mich.: "I think Todd Faircloth. He's a good fisherman and seems to know what he's doing."
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10-year old Tyler Kangan of Escanaba, Mich. wants Jared Lintner to win. "He just signed my shirt,'' he said. Plus, according to Kangan's father, Lintner is friends of the family.
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Justin Vanderkodde of Kent City, Mich.: "Aaron Martens because I think he's one of the most consistent guys out there."
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Mai Xiong of Milwaukee: "I'm hoping for Aaron Martens. He has ties to the Milwaukee area and I have to go with the hometown."
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Ma Xiong of Milwaukee: "I feel the same way, A Mart will win. He's the drop-shot king."
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Joua Thad of Milwaukee, picked Iaconelli, and not for his fishing prowess either. "I met him last year and he knows how to break dance."
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Brian Wartick of Escanaba, Mich., showed his home-state preference by picking Kevin VanDam. When told KVD wasn't in the contest, he immediately said "Michael Iaconelli then. He's hot right now."
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Cal Ditzman of Green Bay, Wisc., came over to check on the festivities mainly because his son is a big fisherman. While he said the winner will be determined by the weather, but expects Hackney to hang on.
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Bruce Kennedy of Munsing, Mich., wasted no time in picking Brian Snowden. "I'd go for Snowden if he was in the running, but I have to pick Aaron. I like watching him fish."
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Aaron Her and Xu Her of Steven's Point, Mich., were the antithesis of each other, at least in regards to picking a winner. Aaron mulled it over, tossing out "tough call."
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Xu stepped right in with: "I like Todd Faircloth. He's very versatile and he's very sneaky. Even though Hackney is leading, I think something will happen and Faircloth will do it."
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Jim Muffler grew up not far from Escanaba, but currently resides in Karnack, Texas. "Hackney is one my idols,'' he said. "I'd like to see him win."
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