A look at the Pokegama Classic Bracket

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The Bassmaster Elite season is not quite over. The season culminated Sunday in Brandon Palaniuk winning the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, as well as the Elites settling the field for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. But there’s one more competition.
The Bassmaster Elite season is not quite over. The season culminated Sunday in Brandon Palaniuk winning the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, as well as the Elites settling the field for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. But there’s one more competition.
It’s the 2017 Classic Bracket, and while it’s not the last chance, it is another chance to qualify for the Lake Hartwell Classic. The first eight anglers out of the Classic berths given to the top 35 Elites in the AOY points, plus double qualifiers, will battle in head-to-head matchups over the next four days, Sept. 19-22.
It’s the 2017 Classic Bracket, and while it’s not the last chance, it is another chance to qualify for the Lake Hartwell Classic. The first eight anglers out of the Classic berths given to the top 35 Elites in the AOY points, plus double qualifiers, will battle in head-to-head matchups over the next four days, Sept. 19-22.
From Mille Lacs Lake, those eight anglers have headed about 100 miles north to Pokegama Lake. That’s Pokegama Lake near Grand Rapids, Minn., not Pokegama Lake in Pine County near the state border with Wisconsin (bottom). Don’t go to that one. Also, don’t go east across the border to the Pokegama Lake near Minong, Wis. With more than 10,000 lakes, Minnesota has had some duplicate naming, and Pokegama is the least of that issue. (That’s a trivia question this week)
From Mille Lacs Lake, those eight anglers have headed about 100 miles north to Pokegama Lake. That’s Pokegama Lake near Grand Rapids, Minn., not Pokegama Lake in Pine County near the state border with Wisconsin (bottom). Don’t go to that one. Also, don’t go east across the border to the Pokegama Lake near Minong, Wis. With more than 10,000 lakes, Minnesota has had some duplicate naming, and Pokegama is the least of that issue. (That’s a trivia question this week)
The Pokegama where the Elites will fish is a 6,612-acre lake in Itasca County, Minn. The lake is approximately 112 feet deep at its deepest point and has homes bordering almost the entire lake. The Pokegama Golf Course on the northern shore will serve as headquarters for all the tournament activities. One of the main draws of Grand Rapids, Minn., is the Judy Garland Museum on the way into town.
The Pokegama where the Elites will fish is a 6,612-acre lake in Itasca County, Minn. The lake is approximately 112 feet deep at its deepest point and has homes bordering almost the entire lake. The Pokegama Golf Course on the northern shore will serve as headquarters for all the tournament activities. One of the main draws of Grand Rapids, Minn., is the Judy Garland Museum on the way into town.
Somewhere over the rainbow, the winner might just pass, and possibly visit, the largest collection of Wizard of Oz items that sits right off 169 near Grand Rapids. Garland, aka Dorothy from Kansas, was born there, and the slippers she wore in the 1939 film are on display, along with many other artifacts from the iconic film. Like Dorothy, after four days, one of the anglers will have dreams that they dreamed of come true -- a Classic berth.
Somewhere over the rainbow, the winner might just pass, and possibly visit, the largest collection of Wizard of Oz items that sits right off 169 near Grand Rapids. Garland, aka Dorothy from Kansas, was born there, and the slippers she wore in the 1939 film are on display, along with many other artifacts from the iconic film. Like Dorothy, after four days, one of the anglers will have dreams that they dreamed of come true — a Classic berth.
Starting Tuesday, the eight anglers will begin their four head-to-head matches, which are set up much like a typical NCAA basketball bracket. The No. 1 seed faces the No. 8 seed, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5. Bassmaster LIVE will begin airing the morning matches at 8:15 a.m. ET on Bassmaster.com. The competitors will fish three hours from 8:30 to 11:30 ET and the broadcast will end shortly after, at approximately 11:45. After a break, the other two matches will be from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET, with LIVE starting at 1:15 and closing down around 4:45. All times are approximate and subject to change. On Wednesday, the anglers switch the time period, morning to afternoon and vice versa, to complete their six-hour, quarterfinal matches where each can weigh five fish per day.
Starting Tuesday, the eight anglers will begin their four head-to-head matches, which are set up much like a typical NCAA basketball bracket. The No. 1 seed faces the No. 8 seed, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5. Bassmaster LIVE will begin airing the morning matches at 8:15 a.m. ET on Bassmaster.com. The competitors will fish three hours from 8:30 to 11:30 ET and the broadcast will end shortly after, at approximately 11:45. After a break, the other two matches will be from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET, with LIVE starting at 1:15 and closing down around 4:45. All times are approximate and subject to change. On Wednesday, the anglers switch the time period, morning to afternoon and vice versa, to complete their six-hour, quarterfinal matches where each can weigh five fish per day.
Match 1 pits No. 1 seed Steve Kennedy vs. No. 8 Jacob Powroznik and will begin Tuesday morning. Kennedy finished 40th in the AOY points, and if he doesn’t win and another spot opens up to an Elite, he is next in line to receive it. As it stands, Jason Williamson is the last man into the Classic after he took 39th in AOY points, just 4 points ahead of Kennedy with 648.
Match 1 pits No. 1 seed Steve Kennedy vs. No. 8 Jacob Powroznik and will begin Tuesday morning. Kennedy finished 40th in the AOY points, and if he doesn’t win and another spot opens up to an Elite, he is next in line to receive it. As it stands, Jason Williamson is the last man into the Classic after he took 39th in AOY points, just 4 points ahead of Kennedy with 648.
Kennedy is a three-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion and an eight-time Classic qualifier. Kennedy finished second in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods on Lake Conroe in Houston. In 135 tournaments, he has finished in the money 97 times to accumulate more than $1.6 million in B.A.S.S. earnings.
Kennedy is a three-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion and an eight-time Classic qualifier. Kennedy finished second in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods on Lake Conroe in Houston. In 135 tournaments, he has finished in the money 97 times to accumulate more than $1.6 million in B.A.S.S. earnings.
In 2017, Kennedy secured his third Elite Series win in the GoPro Bassmaster Elite at Lake Dardanelle presented by Econo Lodge, but he failed to make any other Top 12s this year. Kennedy did make five Top 50 cuts, including a 17th-place finish in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires and Wheels. Kennedy began the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship within the Classic cut in 37th place but fell three spots after finishing 41st.
In 2017, Kennedy secured his third Elite Series win in the GoPro Bassmaster Elite at Lake Dardanelle presented by Econo Lodge, but he failed to make any other Top 12s this year. Kennedy did make five Top 50 cuts, including a 17th-place finish in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires and Wheels. Kennedy began the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship within the Classic cut in 37th place but fell three spots after finishing 41st.
No. 2 seed Mike Iaconelli holds the longest current streak of GEICO Bassmaster Classic appearances with 16 in a row. Iaconelli, who has qualified for the Classic 18 times, won the coveted title in 2003. Ike will face No. 7 seed Adrian Avena in Match 4 that begins Tuesday afternoon.
No. 2 seed Mike Iaconelli holds the longest current streak of GEICO Bassmaster Classic appearances with 16 in a row. Iaconelli, who has qualified for the Classic 18 times, won the coveted title in 2003. Ike will face No. 7 seed Adrian Avena in Match 4 that begins Tuesday afternoon.
In 2006, Iaconelli, a four-time Elite Series winner, added a Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year to his resume. He has nearly $2.5 million in B.A.S.S. earnings. Ike finished 18th in the 2016 AOY race.
In 2006, Iaconelli, a four-time Elite Series winner, added a Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year to his resume. He has nearly $2.5 million in B.A.S.S. earnings. Ike finished 18th in the 2016 AOY race.
Iaconelli started the postseason in 46th place in AOY points and thought a top finish could put him in the Classic, but he finished at 41st after placing 11th on Mille Lacs. A pair of 93rd-place finishes this season on Lake Okeechobee and Lake Champlain worked to negate his four paydays and two Top 12s. Ike will be trying to extend the longest active streak of Classic qualifications to 17.
Iaconelli started the postseason in 46th place in AOY points and thought a top finish could put him in the Classic, but he finished at 41st after placing 11th on Mille Lacs. A pair of 93rd-place finishes this season on Lake Okeechobee and Lake Champlain worked to negate his four paydays and two Top 12s. Ike will be trying to extend the longest active streak of Classic qualifications to 17.
Jonathon VanDam goes into the bracket as the No. 3 seed after finishing 42nd in points. JVD, who has fished in the shadow of his Uncle Kevin for much of his career, has just two Classic appearances since beginning with B.A.S.S. in 2011. VanDam does have one Elite Series win and $500,000 in earnings. In 87 events, he has finished in the money 41 times. Last year, he was 80th in points.
Jonathon VanDam goes into the bracket as the No. 3 seed after finishing 42nd in points. JVD, who has fished in the shadow of his Uncle Kevin for much of his career, has just two Classic appearances since beginning with B.A.S.S. in 2011. VanDam does have one Elite Series win and $500,000 in earnings. In 87 events, he has finished in the money 41 times. Last year, he was 80th in points.
JVD started the postseason in 49th place in AOY, outside the bracket cut, but climbed in when he weighed 67-2 over three days to finish eighth on Mille Lacs.
JVD started the postseason in 49th place in AOY, outside the bracket cut, but climbed in when he weighed 67-2 over three days to finish eighth on Mille Lacs.
JVD made his mark this year with three Top 25 finishes, including a third place on Ross Barnett Reservoir and a fifth on the St. Lawrence River. He had three 80-plus finishes that neutralized his chances at a clean shot into the Classic. His first-round opponent is No. 6 seed Ish Monroe, and their Match 3 starts Tuesday afternoon.
JVD made his mark this year with three Top 25 finishes, including a third place on Ross Barnett Reservoir and a fifth on the St. Lawrence River. He had three 80-plus finishes that neutralized his chances at a clean shot into the Classic. His first-round opponent is No. 6 seed Ish Monroe, and their Match 3 starts Tuesday afternoon.
Kelley Jaye, a fifth-year pro from Dadeville, Ala., is the No. 4 seed who is searching for his first GEICO Bassmaster Classic berth. In 67 B.A.S.S. events, Jaye has finished in the money 29 times. In 2016, Jaye finished 64th in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
Kelley Jaye, a fifth-year pro from Dadeville, Ala., is the No. 4 seed who is searching for his first GEICO Bassmaster Classic berth. In 67 B.A.S.S. events, Jaye has finished in the money 29 times. In 2016, Jaye finished 64th in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
Jaye had the best season of his career in 2017, making two Top 12 cuts and five checks. On his way to his 10th-place finish at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest, Jaye lit up Bassmaster LIVE — catching two fish on one cast.
Jaye had the best season of his career in 2017, making two Top 12 cuts and five checks. On his way to his 10th-place finish at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest, Jaye lit up Bassmaster LIVE — catching two fish on one cast.
Jaye’s highest finish of 2017 was fifth place at Lake Champlain. He began the AOY Championship in 41st but fell two spots to 43rd after catching only 12-15 on Mille Lacs on Day 3. Jaye is pitted against No. 5 seed Dave Lefebre in Match 2, which begins Tuesday morning.
Jaye’s highest finish of 2017 was fifth place at Lake Champlain. He began the AOY Championship in 41st but fell two spots to 43rd after catching only 12-15 on Mille Lacs on Day 3. Jaye is pitted against No. 5 seed Dave Lefebre in Match 2, which begins Tuesday morning.
Lefebre won more than $2 million on the FLW Tour before joining the Elite Series last season. In 47 B.A.S.S. tournaments, Lefebre has finished in the money 28 times. He has fished two Classics, with 14th at Conroe his highest finish.
Lefebre won more than $2 million on the FLW Tour before joining the Elite Series last season. In 47 B.A.S.S. tournaments, Lefebre has finished in the money 28 times. He has fished two Classics, with 14th at Conroe his highest finish.
Lefebre ended his first year on the Elite Series in 31st place in AOY behind a runner-up finish on Wheeler Lake. The Pennsylvania pro has won the Texas Toyota Bass Classic (now the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest), and has three tour level wins. Lefebre is a 15-year veteran who qualified for 12 Forrest Wood Cups.
Lefebre ended his first year on the Elite Series in 31st place in AOY behind a runner-up finish on Wheeler Lake. The Pennsylvania pro has won the Texas Toyota Bass Classic (now the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest), and has three tour level wins. Lefebre is a 15-year veteran who qualified for 12 Forrest Wood Cups.
He began the competition on Mille Lacs in third place on Day 1, giving him the potential to gain a Classic bid, but he then fell to 27th to end the AOY in 44th and take the fifth seed in the Classic Bracket. ¬¬Lefebre had two sixth-place finishes this season along with a 15th, but three finishes above 80th hurt him.
He began the competition on Mille Lacs in third place on Day 1, giving him the potential to gain a Classic bid, but he then fell to 27th to end the AOY in 44th and take the fifth seed in the Classic Bracket. ¬¬Lefebre had two sixth-place finishes this season along with a 15th, but three finishes above 80th hurt him.
No. 6 seed is Ish Monroe, a three-time Elite Series champion and a 10-time Classic qualifier. His best Classic performance was 14th on Lay Lake in 2007.
No. 6 seed is Ish Monroe, a three-time Elite Series champion and a 10-time Classic qualifier. His best Classic performance was 14th on Lay Lake in 2007.
Monroe, whose most recent B.A.S.S. victory came on Lake Okeechobee in 2012, has won more than $1.4 million with B.A.S.S. as he’s cashed in 127 of his 232 tournaments. He was the last man in the 2017 Classic, finishing 40th in the points outside the cut but getting in via an Opens spot.
Monroe, whose most recent B.A.S.S. victory came on Lake Okeechobee in 2012, has won more than $1.4 million with B.A.S.S. as he’s cashed in 127 of his 232 tournaments. He was the last man in the 2017 Classic, finishing 40th in the points outside the cut but getting in via an Opens spot.
Monroe’s average season was topped by a seventh-place finish in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett. Monroe also placed 18th in the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest on Sam Rayburn, but he had lulls in bodies of water where he usually excels, including Lake Okeechobee and Toledo Bend. Monroe cut just three checks this year and began the AOY Championship as the last man in the Classic cut at 38th, before struggling on Mille Lacs and falling to 45th.
Monroe’s average season was topped by a seventh-place finish in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett. Monroe also placed 18th in the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest on Sam Rayburn, but he had lulls in bodies of water where he usually excels, including Lake Okeechobee and Toledo Bend. Monroe cut just three checks this year and began the AOY Championship as the last man in the Classic cut at 38th, before struggling on Mille Lacs and falling to 45th.
At 27, Adrian Avena is the youngest angler in the bracket. Avena qualified for the Elite Series via the Northern Opens in 2015 after a successful run on the FLW Tour. Avena had one Top 12 his rookie year but failed to qualify for the Classic.
At 27, Adrian Avena is the youngest angler in the bracket. Avena qualified for the Elite Series via the Northern Opens in 2015 after a successful run on the FLW Tour. Avena had one Top 12 his rookie year but failed to qualify for the Classic.
In 34 B.A.S.S. events, Avena has made a check in 17. The “Jersey Boy” finished 46th in his first year in the AOY standings. The last man to make the postseason, Avena began the AOY Championship in 50th place but caught 64-9 to finish 14th on Mille Lacs and climb into the bracket at 46th in points.
In 34 B.A.S.S. events, Avena has made a check in 17. The “Jersey Boy” finished 46th in his first year in the AOY standings. The last man to make the postseason, Avena began the AOY Championship in 50th place but caught 64-9 to finish 14th on Mille Lacs and climb into the bracket at 46th in points.
Avena had a 12th on Lake Okeechobee and a 15th on Lake Champlain, but he posted four finishes over 60th place — cutting just three checks this year. He has the unenviable task of facing fellow New Jerseyan Mike Iaconelli, who’s won both a Classic and AOY title.
Avena had a 12th on Lake Okeechobee and a 15th on Lake Champlain, but he posted four finishes over 60th place — cutting just three checks this year. He has the unenviable task of facing fellow New Jerseyan Mike Iaconelli, who’s won both a Classic and AOY title.
Jacob Powroznik, who laid down to allow road roommate Koby Kreiger to advance in last year’s bracket, won two Elite Series events in his first season en route to the 2014 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year title. He’s also made three Classic appearances, including a top finish of fifth in his first Classic on Lake Hartwell in 2015.
Jacob Powroznik, who laid down to allow road roommate Koby Kreiger to advance in last year’s bracket, won two Elite Series events in his first season en route to the 2014 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year title. He’s also made three Classic appearances, including a top finish of fifth in his first Classic on Lake Hartwell in 2015.
Out of 48 B.A.S.S. tournaments, Powroznik has cut a check in 39 -- earning over a half a million dollars. Powroznik finished fourth in last year’s AOY race.
Out of 48 B.A.S.S. tournaments, Powroznik has cut a check in 39 — earning over a half a million dollars. Powroznik finished fourth in last year’s AOY race.
Powroznik came into the postseason in 43rd place in AOY but fell to 47th as the last man into the bracket. He had a subpar season for him, with no Top 12s in 2017, a first in his four-year career. J-Pow’s highest finish was 18th on Toledo Bend, the location of his first Elite Series win.
Powroznik came into the postseason in 43rd place in AOY but fell to 47th as the last man into the bracket. He had a subpar season for him, with no Top 12s in 2017, a first in his four-year career. J-Pow’s highest finish was 18th on Toledo Bend, the location of his first Elite Series win.
B.A.S.S. officials are serving as judges and will be on the anglers’ boats to weigh and record each fish. (Nice looking golf course on the lake). They will serve as official keepers of their angler's best five fish daily to determine winners. The Match 1 winner advances to face the winner of Match 2 and the Match 3 and 4 winners face off in the semifinals on Thursday with their weights at zero. They will have a six-hour fishing day for Matches 5 and 6, from 8:30 to 2:30 ET with LIVE beginning approximately 15 minutes before the start.
B.A.S.S. officials are serving as judges and will be on the anglers’ boats to weigh and record each fish. (Nice looking golf course on the lake). They will serve as official keepers of their angler’s best five fish daily to determine winners. The Match 1 winner advances to face the winner of Match 2 and the Match 3 and 4 winners face off in the semifinals on Thursday with their weights at zero. They will have a six-hour fishing day for Matches 5 and 6, from 8:30 to 2:30 ET with LIVE beginning approximately 15 minutes before the start.
The semifinal winners advance to Friday’s final, Match 7, which will be competed in the same time slot as Thursday. In case of a tie, the heaviest one-day catch serves as the first tiebreaker, then the second heaviest as the next tiebreaker. The third tiebreaker is the heaviest single fish weighed, and if that doesn’t break it, the higher seed coming into the event will. The winner receives a berth into the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The remaining seven anglers fall back into their final 2017 AOY ranking in case another spot for any possible duplications -- there are two Bass Pro Shops Opens remaining with a potential Classic berth at each falling to an Elite. (The 169 bridge crossing the lake looks like a likely spot to fish.)
The semifinal winners advance to Friday’s final, Match 7, which will be competed in the same time slot as Thursday. In case of a tie, the heaviest one-day catch serves as the first tiebreaker, then the second heaviest as the next tiebreaker. The third tiebreaker is the heaviest single fish weighed, and if that doesn’t break it, the higher seed coming into the event will. The winner receives a berth into the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The remaining seven anglers fall back into their final 2017 AOY ranking in case another spot for any possible duplications — there are two Bass Pro Shops Opens remaining with a potential Classic berth at each falling to an Elite. (The 169 bridge crossing the lake looks like a likely spot to fish.)
There was plenty of drama last year, including Koby Kreiger’s match with Powroznik that created some controversy as well. Krieger was the only angler outside a Classic berth in the AOY points, and it was almost painful to watch as he struggled to catch a fish with opponent Powroznik encouraging his road roommate. Krieger finally won but lost in the next round. Also, Dean Rojas had a last-minute rally to defeat Jordan Lee while Kevin VanDam and Brett Hite cruised to the final, with KVD taking the title. This week should provide plenty more excitement, and the Classic berth on the line will create urgency for each of the eight anglers.
There was plenty of drama last year, including Koby Kreiger’s match with Powroznik that created some controversy as well. Krieger was the only angler outside a Classic berth in the AOY points, and it was almost painful to watch as he struggled to catch a fish with opponent Powroznik encouraging his road roommate. Krieger finally won but lost in the next round. Also, Dean Rojas had a last-minute rally to defeat Jordan Lee while Kevin VanDam and Brett Hite cruised to the final, with KVD taking the title. This week should provide plenty more excitement, and the Classic berth on the line will create urgency for each of the eight anglers.