Pre-Classic interviews with Elite anglers

Several anglers that will compete in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic stopped by the Bassmaster television studio to participate in an event called the Car Wash.

Greg Hackney started the day by first doing an interview segment that will be used on Bassmaster.com and Bassmaster television.

The Classic is still more than a week away, but Hackney already had on his game face.

What Hackney didnât plan on was being asked to sing. Every angler that came through the Car Wash would be asked to sing the same song.

After a bit of coaxing and lots of laughs, Hackney was all in, and performed a very entertaining rendition of the chosen music.

Hackney felt he knocked it out of the park; the fans will be the ultimate judge of that. As part of the live Classic weigh-in, fans will see a compilation of Hackneyâs performance and those of his fellow competitors on the big screen in the BOK Center in Tulsa.

David Walker got a kick out of learning Hackney was outside singing. Not so fast Walker, you get to go next.

Walker warmed up his pipes by doing a series of how-to videos that will be viewed this year on Bassmaster.com.

Videographer Carey Barret worked with Walker on the concept for the videos.

Multiple cameras were focused on Walker while he passed on some of the tips that have made him one of the best tournament fishermen in the world.

Walker discussed the use of some of his favorite Target crankbaitsâ¦

â¦and why he occasionally changes the size of the hooks.

While shooting the video segments, we couldnât help but notice an interesting item in the dry storage of Walkerâs boat. When all else fails on the water, Walker can pull out what he calls the âwheel of decision.â

And yes he sang, too, accompanied by his wife Misty, and daughters Olivia and Lilly.

Before Walker began his interview segments, the girls had fun and posed for pictures in the studio.

Walker was asked a series of questions, including what it would mean to win the Bassmaster Classic.

This will be Walkerâs 10th time to fish the Classic. His best finish was third, both in 2001, 2002.

After finishing up with his singing, Greg Hackney moved into the studio and did a series of how-to videos. Here he discussed when to use braid, fluorocarbon or monofilament line.

Walker stopped by on his way out the door to visit with Hackney. They both agreed the singing was the most challenging part of their Car Wash experience.

When you view this segment from Hackney on Bassmaster.com, youâll learn how to properly trim the skirt and weed guard on your jigs from one of the best jig fishermen in the world. Thereâs more to it than you may think.

The parade of Classic anglers into the studio kept moving along, Jacob Powroznik was next to be miked-up.

Powroznik started his video segment by explaining how he organizes his crankbaitsâ¦

â¦then why a jerkbait is not just effective in colder water. Powroznik backs that theory up by sharing how he used a jerkbait to win a spring, sight fishing tournament last year on Toledo Bend.

He will teach you why you should match the skirt color on your baits to the forage.

Steve Bowman prepped Powroznik for his interview session.

We also got a first look at some of the new boat and truck wraps Bassmaster Elite Series anglers will roll with in 2016.

Powroznik pulled away to continue his drive to Grand Lake, making room for the 2012 Classic champ Chris Lane to back his boat into the studio.

As a former Classic champion, Lane had some unique insight into what it meant to win a Bassmaster Classic.

And then he was asked to perform a duet with Classic competitor Ott Defoe.

Pow! And perform they did.

Chris Lane discussed in this video why every angler should have go-to bait. His is one of his own design, a Luck-E-Strike Drop Dead Craw.

Several segments were recorded with Chris Lane, including how to choose the right rod action, boat control and soft plastics.

Ott Defoe discussed choosing the right sunglassesâ¦

â¦tying a fluorocarbon leader to braidâ¦

â¦and finally his system of choosing the right crankbait based on water temperature.

Ott Defoe will attack Grand Lake with a boat full of baits and gear, and a few hundred pounds of baits to back those up.

They donât call him âMarty the Partyâ for nothing. Marty Robinson was one of the more enthusiastic singers to roll through the Car Wash.

Aaron Martens thought so, too.

The last two anglers of the day talked about new baits before going to work.

Martens wasnât too sure about the whole singing thingâ¦

â¦but sing he did.

Steve Bowman sat down and had a lengthy conversation with the three-time Angler of the Year. Bowman will host a new series featured this year on Bassmaster.com, called Fish Tales.

Having worked more than three decades of B.A.S.S. tour events and more than 30 Bassmaster Classics, Bowman will use that considerable history to question an angler about his career.

But itâs not just about fishing, there are moments and stories that will make you laughâ¦

â¦and you will also learn about an anglerâs personal journey in life, including how Aaron Martens has almost died on several occasions.

The Car Wash was a long day for everybody involved, but in the end the content recorded will teach viewers how to catch more fish, revealed personal stories that may have never been heard, and we found out who could sing, and who could not. Attend the live weigh-in, in Tulsa to find out. But be aware, you may be asked to sing, too.