Conroe and the Classic record book

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Before the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods comes the hype, the talk, the buzz. It happens every year, and it’s not just about who will win, but about the bass that will be caught. Almost invariably they’ll be giants, far outpacing the weights of any previous championship. The hype usually starts with local anglers excited to have fishing’s biggest championship on their home waters. They recall the lake record. They’ve seen the Polaroids on the tackle shop bragging boards. They remember the fish that broke lines and hearts. Soon there’s talk that it might take 20 pounds a day just to make the cut. <p> <em>All captions: Ken Duke</em>
Before the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods comes the hype, the talk, the buzz. It happens every year, and it’s not just about who will win, but about the bass that will be caught. Almost invariably they’ll be giants, far outpacing the weights of any previous championship. The hype usually starts with local anglers excited to have fishing’s biggest championship on their home waters. They recall the lake record. They’ve seen the Polaroids on the tackle shop bragging boards. They remember the fish that broke lines and hearts. Soon there’s talk that it might take 20 pounds a day just to make the cut.

All captions: Ken Duke

This story is not that story. You are in the no hype zone. Instead we’ll look at the Classic records that are realistically in jeopardy at Lake Conroe — from the pounds and ounces records to other benchmarks of the sport.
This story is not that story. You are in the no hype zone. Instead we’ll look at the Classic records that are realistically in jeopardy at Lake Conroe — from the pounds and ounces records to other benchmarks of the sport.
And don’t worry. Just because there’s no hype here doesn’t mean there’s no excitement. The Classic record book will almost certainly get a makeover in Houston. At least one record has already fallen and another has been tied. I’ll rank others as “Probable,” “Possible” and “Longshot.”
And don’t worry. Just because there’s no hype here doesn’t mean there’s no excitement. The Classic record book will almost certainly get a makeover in Houston. At least one record has already fallen and another has been tied. I’ll rank others as “Probable,” “Possible” and “Longshot.”
<b>New Record: Most experienced field</b></p> Let’s start with a record that has already fallen. This is the most experienced field of competitors in the history of the championship. The average qualifier has already fished in 5.98 Classics, breaking the old record of 5.92 set in 2006. Thirteen anglers in the field have already fished in 11 or more. I think this is significant and makes things tougher for the rookies. Almost everything gets easier with experience, and the Classic is no exception. The format takes everyone out of their routine, and spectator boats are rarely an issue for most anglers until they get to the Classic. Coping is a serious challenge until you’ve done it a few times.
New Record: Most experienced field
Let’s start with a record that has already fallen. This is the most experienced field of competitors in the history of the championship. The average qualifier has already fished in 5.98 Classics, breaking the old record of 5.92 set in 2006. Thirteen anglers in the field have already fished in 11 or more. I think this is significant and makes things tougher for the rookies. Almost everything gets easier with experience, and the Classic is no exception. The format takes everyone out of their routine, and spectator boats are rarely an issue for most anglers until they get to the Classic. Coping is a serious challenge until you’ve done it a few times.
<b>Tied Record: Most Classic titles in field (12)</b></p> <p>A scan of the competitors fishing in the 47th Bassmaster Classic shows that they hold 12 Classic crowns: Casey Ashley (2015), Boyd Duckett (2007), Edwin Evers (2016), Randy Howell (2014), Michael Iaconelli (2003), Alton Jones (2008), Takahiro Omori (2004), Skeet Reese (2009) and Kevin VanDam (2001, 2005, 2010 and 2011). That ties a record set in 1989, 2005, 2006 and 2016. With that many former champs, there’s no shortage of anglers who know how to win at the highest level.
Tied Record: Most Classic titles in field (12)
A scan of the competitors fishing in the 47th Bassmaster Classic shows that they hold 12 Classic crowns: Casey Ashley (2015), Boyd Duckett (2007), Edwin Evers (2016), Randy Howell (2014), Michael Iaconelli (2003), Alton Jones (2008), Takahiro Omori (2004), Skeet Reese (2009) and Kevin VanDam (2001, 2005, 2010 and 2011). That ties a record set in 1989, 2005, 2006 and 2016. With that many former champs, there’s no shortage of anglers who know how to win at the highest level.
<b>Probable: Martens moves into third for career Classic weight</b></p> <p>It’s not exactly a “record” with a capital “R,” but if Aaron Martens weighs in more than 34 pounds in this year’s Classic, he’ll pass Gary Klein and move into third on the all-time list behind Kevin VanDam and Rick Clunn. He won’t move up any more places than that, though. The gap between second and third is nearly 200 pounds.
Probable: Martens moves into third for career Classic weight
It’s not exactly a “record” with a capital “R,” but if Aaron Martens weighs in more than 34 pounds in this year’s Classic, he’ll pass Gary Klein and move into third on the all-time list behind Kevin VanDam and Rick Clunn. He won’t move up any more places than that, though. The gap between second and third is nearly 200 pounds.
<b>Possible: Father and son Classic champs</b></p> <p>Guido and Dion Hibdon are the only father and son combo to both win the Classic. Guido did it in 1988 and Dion in 1997. The Joneses — Alton and Alton Jr. — will join their ranks in 2017 … if Alton Jr. wins. It’s a tall order, but he’s experienced on the lake, has outstanding guidance from his father and understands that there’s no second place at the Classic. Consider him a legitimate threat.
Possible: Father and son Classic champs
Guido and Dion Hibdon are the only father and son combo to both win the Classic. Guido did it in 1988 and Dion in 1997. The Joneses — Alton and Alton Jr. — will join their ranks in 2017 … if Alton Jr. wins. It’s a tall order, but he’s experienced on the lake, has outstanding guidance from his father and understands that there’s no second place at the Classic. Consider him a legitimate threat.
<b>Possible: Sibling Classic champs</b></p> <p>No brothers have each claimed a Classic title, but it could happen this year if Bobby Lane gets it done on Conroe. He’s been close before — 4th in 2008, 2nd in 2015 — and a win would give him a trophy to match the one younger brother Chris earned in 2012. Bobby is working with B.A.S.S. legend and longtime Conroe angler Zell Rowland, so he’ll have a local expert’s insights.
Possible: Sibling Classic champs
No brothers have each claimed a Classic title, but it could happen this year if Bobby Lane gets it done on Conroe. He’s been close before — 4th in 2008, 2nd in 2015 — and a win would give him a trophy to match the one younger brother Chris earned in 2012. Bobby is working with B.A.S.S. legend and longtime Conroe angler Zell Rowland, so he’ll have a local expert’s insights.
<b>Possible: Hackney completes the Grand Slam</b></p> <p>Six anglers have won three-fourths of pro bass fishing’s “Grand Slam” — Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Bassmaster Classic champion, FLW Angler of the Year and FLW Wood Cup champion. Greg Hackney has a chance to be the first to complete the slam. He just needs to win the Classic.
Possible: Hackney completes the Grand Slam
Six anglers have won three-fourths of pro bass fishing’s “Grand Slam” — Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Bassmaster Classic champion, FLW Angler of the Year and FLW Wood Cup champion. Greg Hackney has a chance to be the first to complete the slam. He just needs to win the Classic.
<b>Longshot: Biggest bass (Preston Clark, 11-10 in 2006)</b></p> <p>There’s a lot of talk about Conroe producing a fish big enough to eclipse Preston Clark’s 11-10 from the 2006 Classic on Florida’s Kissimmee Chain. Don’t hold your breath. While there are certainly bigger bass in Conroe, there aren’t the numbers of giants that were available at the 2006 Classic. Keep two things in mind: (1) It’ll be post-spawn, and most of the really big bass will have lost about five percent of their body weight (yes, that’s all), and (2) Conroe has produced 17 Toyota ShareLunkers (13 pounds-plus), but only one since 2009. A double-digit fish could hit the scales, but there’s a significant gap between a 10-pounder and Clark’s mark of 11-10.
Longshot: Biggest bass (Preston Clark, 11-10 in 2006)
There’s a lot of talk about Conroe producing a fish big enough to eclipse Preston Clark’s 11-10 from the 2006 Classic on Florida’s Kissimmee Chain. Don’t hold your breath. While there are certainly bigger bass in Conroe, there aren’t the numbers of giants that were available at the 2006 Classic. Keep two things in mind: (1) It’ll be post-spawn, and most of the really big bass will have lost about five percent of their body weight (yes, that’s all), and (2) Conroe has produced 17 Toyota ShareLunkers (13 pounds-plus), but only one since 2009. A double-digit fish could hit the scales, but there’s a significant gap between a 10-pounder and Clark’s mark of 11-10.
<b>Longshot: Heaviest daily catch</b></p> <p>The top numbers are 33-5 (Rick Clunn in 1976 with a 10-bass limit) and 32-3 (Paul Mueller in 2014 with a five-bass limit). Both of those records came on Day 2 of Lake Guntersville Classics … 38 years apart. And before you say we should forget about Clunn’s mark with 10 bass, keep in mind that his number could have been much higher if he didn't need to save some fish for the final round whereas Mueller was pulling out all the stops to recover from a disastrous Day 1. The smart money says both marks will still be on top of the heap after the Conroe Classic, though everyone seems to agree that a single catch in the high 20s or even low 30s is possible.
Longshot: Heaviest daily catch
The top numbers are 33-5 (Rick Clunn in 1976 with a 10-bass limit) and 32-3 (Paul Mueller in 2014 with a five-bass limit). Both of those records came on Day 2 of Lake Guntersville Classics … 38 years apart. And before you say we should forget about Clunn’s mark with 10 bass, keep in mind that his number could have been much higher if he didn’t need to save some fish for the final round whereas Mueller was pulling out all the stops to recover from a disastrous Day 1. The smart money says both marks will still be on top of the heap after the Conroe Classic, though everyone seems to agree that a single catch in the high 20s or even low 30s is possible.
<b>Longshot: Heaviest winning weight</b></p> <p>There are two top marks here also — heaviest winning weight in Classic history (75-9 by Rick Clunn in 1984 with a seven-bass creel limit) and heaviest winning weight with a five-bass limit (69-11 by KVD in 2011). They both look safe even though many are guessing the winning weight to be somewhere in the 60s. Daily catches in the 20s are expected, but for the same angler to post three straight days in the 20s could be a stretch on a fairly small body of water that’s post-spawn and has hundreds of spectator boats playing “follow” (and too often “fish behind”) the leader.
Longshot: Heaviest winning weight
There are two top marks here also — heaviest winning weight in Classic history (75-9 by Rick Clunn in 1984 with a seven-bass creel limit) and heaviest winning weight with a five-bass limit (69-11 by KVD in 2011). They both look safe even though many are guessing the winning weight to be somewhere in the 60s. Daily catches in the 20s are expected, but for the same angler to post three straight days in the 20s could be a stretch on a fairly small body of water that’s post-spawn and has hundreds of spectator boats playing “follow” (and too often “fish behind”) the leader.
<b>Longshot: Heaviest average bass (3-10, Lake Guntersville in 2014)</b></p> <p>If you really want to assess a fishery, forget the top weights — the winner and the individual big bass. They’re outliers, exceptions. What you look at is the average bass. What does the average bass coming to the scales look like? In 2014, the average fish weighed in from Lake Guntersville weighed 3-10. That was impressive! In fact, it was nearly 11 ounces heavier than the next best Classic (St. Lawrence River in 1980). Can Conroe top 3-10? Time will tell and spring is certainly the time to do it, but few believe that Conroe is as good a fishery as Guntersville was in 2014.
Longshot: Heaviest average bass (3-10, Lake Guntersville in 2014)
If you really want to assess a fishery, forget the top weights — the winner and the individual big bass. They’re outliers, exceptions. What you look at is the average bass. What does the average bass coming to the scales look like? In 2014, the average fish weighed in from Lake Guntersville weighed 3-10. That was impressive! In fact, it was nearly 11 ounces heavier than the next best Classic (St. Lawrence River in 1980). Can Conroe top 3-10? Time will tell and spring is certainly the time to do it, but few believe that Conroe is as good a fishery as Guntersville was in 2014.
<b>Longshot: Oldest champion (Woo Daves, 54 in 2000)</b></p> <p>There are two anglers in this year’s field who are old enough to eclipse Woo Daves as the oldest champ in history — Shaw Grigsby (60) and Boyd Duckett (56). If Matt Herren wins, he’ll be 10 days younger than Daves when he won in 2000. While Grigsby and Duckett are both more than capable of winning, they’re just two anglers out of 52 and that makes for long odds (26:1, if you like math and consider all the competitors to be equal). By the way, when Grigsby fished his first Classic in 1986, 10 of this year’s qualifiers hadn’t been born.
Longshot: Oldest champion (Woo Daves, 54 in 2000)
There are two anglers in this year’s field who are old enough to eclipse Woo Daves as the oldest champ in history — Shaw Grigsby (60) and Boyd Duckett (56). If Matt Herren wins, he’ll be 10 days younger than Daves when he won in 2000. While Grigsby and Duckett are both more than capable of winning, they’re just two anglers out of 52 and that makes for long odds (26:1, if you like math and consider all the competitors to be equal). By the way, when Grigsby fished his first Classic in 1986, 10 of this year’s qualifiers hadn’t been born.
<b>Longshot: Youngest champion (Stanley Mitchell, 21 in 1981)</b></p> <p>If you think pro bass fishing is a young man’s sport? You’re wrong, and here’s a little bit of the proof. This will be the first Classic since 1995 with an angler in the field young enough to pass Stanley Mitchell as youngest champ ever. John Garrett is nearly two months younger than Mitchell was at the 1981 championship. The Classic has been cruel to the very young. Mitchell is the only angler in Classic history younger than 22 to finish in the top 12. Last year’s youngest qualifier, Trevor Lo, was 21 years, 8 months old, and finished last out of 55 anglers.
Longshot: Youngest champion (Stanley Mitchell, 21 in 1981)
If you think pro bass fishing is a young man’s sport? You’re wrong, and here’s a little bit of the proof. This will be the first Classic since 1995 with an angler in the field young enough to pass Stanley Mitchell as youngest champ ever. John Garrett is nearly two months younger than Mitchell was at the 1981 championship. The Classic has been cruel to the very young. Mitchell is the only angler in Classic history younger than 22 to finish in the top 12. Last year’s youngest qualifier, Trevor Lo, was 21 years, 8 months old, and finished last out of 55 anglers.