Home sweet home

A look back at what the home-field advantage has really meant to Classic anglers, and who will reap the "benefits" at Lake Guntersville.

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So how’s that home-field advantage working for ya?
 
Kevin VanDam always seems to have some sort of advantage, but when it came to the 2000 Classic on Lake Michigan, the home-field advantage went out the window. Woo Daves won that event.
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Woo Daves knows all too well the home-field jinx. He had three events on his home water, the James River (1987-1989) — but had to go to VanDam’s home water to win the 2000 Classic.
<p>David Fritts was a reported "lock" to win in 1994 on High Rock Lake, but Bryan Kerchel became the only B.A.S.S. Nation angler to win a Classic.</p>
David Fritts was a reported “lock” to win in 1994 on High Rock Lake, but Bryan Kerchel became the only B.A.S.S. Nation angler to win a Classic.
<p>Ricky Green was known as "Mr. Consistency" when it came to the Classic, but when the event was held on the Arkansas River in his home state, he was never a factor.</p>
Ricky Green was known as “Mr. Consistency” when it came to the Classic, but when the event was held on the Arkansas River in his home state, he was never a factor.
<p>Jason Christie knows the pressures of being at home. He fished the last Classic on his home lake and finished in 7th place.</p>
Jason Christie knows the pressures of being at home. He fished the last Classic on his home lake and finished in 7th place.
<p>Which Christie did in front of a large flotilla of spectators. If the home-field advantage provides a surplus of anything, it's the witness count.</p>
Which Christie did in front of a large flotilla of spectators. If the home-field advantage provides a surplus of anything, it’s the witness count.
<p>Boyd Duckett was a virtual unknown Opens angler, who slipped by all the home-field voodoo to become the only Classic champion to win at home. Incidentally, he lives on Lake Guntersville now, but failed to qualify for the 2014 event.</p>
Boyd Duckett was a virtual unknown Opens angler, who slipped by all the home-field voodoo to become the only Classic champion to win at home. Incidentally, he lives on Lake Guntersville now, but failed to qualify for the 2014 event.
<p>Russ Lane was a favorite on Lay Lake - about an hour from his hometown of Prattville, Ala. -  but fell to Kevin VanDam.</p>
Russ Lane was a favorite on Lay Lake – about an hour from his hometown of Prattville, Ala. –  but fell to Kevin VanDam.
<p>The 2014 Classic involves many players with the home-field advantage, such as Chris Lane, who claimed a Classic win in 2012.</p>
The 2014 Classic involves many players with the home-field advantage, such as Chris Lane, who claimed a Classic win in 2012.
<p>Randy Howell, originally from North Carolina, has lived nearby for 12 years.</p>
Randy Howell, originally from North Carolina, has lived nearby for 12 years.
<p>Aaron Martens, originally from California, now lives in Alabama. Martens won an Elite event on Guntersville back in 2009. </p>
Aaron Martens, originally from California, now lives in Alabama. Martens won an Elite event on Guntersville back in 2009. 
<p>Gerald Swindle, who has had his share of heartbreaks in Alabama, owns a cabin on the shores of the lake.</p>
Gerald Swindle, who has had his share of heartbreaks in Alabama, owns a cabin on the shores of the lake.
<p>Randall Tharp has lived most of his life in Alabama.</p>
Randall Tharp has lived most of his life in Alabama.
<p>Cody Carden is a B.A.S.S. Nation angler, but as history shows us, you can't count out the underdog -- even at home.</p>
Cody Carden is a B.A.S.S. Nation angler, but as history shows us, you can’t count out the underdog — even at home.
<p>Auburn University's Jordan Lee joins the Classic field by way of winning the Carhartt College Series Bassmaster Classic Bracket.</p>
Auburn University’s Jordan Lee joins the Classic field by way of winning the Carhartt College Series Bassmaster Classic Bracket.