The Championship’s bubble boys

At this week's Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship, select anglers will vie for the coveted Toyota Angler of the Year title, but the bottom 20 or so will battle it out for berths to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.

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Cliff Pirch wants to give this Classic thing another shot. He qualified for his first last year but finished 51st. To make back-to-back appearances, he knows he can’t slip up at Escanaba, Mich., and the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
Cliff Pirch wants to give this Classic thing another shot. He qualified for his first last year but finished 51st. To make back-to-back appearances, he knows he can’t slip up at Escanaba, Mich., and the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
Alton Jones won the 2008 Classic on Lake Hartwell out of Greensboro, S.C., and he’s set dead aim at returning to the scene in 2015. Currently, he’s the last man in and is working to keep his focus on the fishing and not worry about the point watching.
Alton Jones won the 2008 Classic on Lake Hartwell out of Greensboro, S.C., and he’s set dead aim at returning to the scene in 2015. Currently, he’s the last man in and is working to keep his focus on the fishing and not worry about the point watching.
James Niggemeyer is well inside the bubble with 514 points and wants to avert disaster and be waving for a third Classic appearance.
James Niggemeyer is well inside the bubble with 514 points and wants to avert disaster and be waving for a third Classic appearance.
With 506 points, Bobby Lane also just has to take care of business and he’ll make his eight consecutive Classic, the first being on Hartwell where he posted his top finish of fourth.
With 506 points, Bobby Lane also just has to take care of business and he’ll make his eight consecutive Classic, the first being on Hartwell where he posted his top finish of fourth.
First-year Elite angler Brandon Lester is in position despite only two Top 25 finishes. He did make five two-day cuts and another finish in the top half of the field should put him in his first Classic.
First-year Elite angler Brandon Lester is in position despite only two Top 25 finishes. He did make five two-day cuts and another finish in the top half of the field should put him in his first Classic.
Kevin Short is in prime position for his third Classic with 487 points, and this despite missing an entire event after rushing home when a tornado devastated his homestead in Mayflower, Ark.
Kevin Short is in prime position for his third Classic with 487 points, and this despite missing an entire event after rushing home when a tornado devastated his homestead in Mayflower, Ark.
Bernie Schultz’s first Classic was in 1989, and he’s returned seven more times, the last being in 2009, but it’s certain he’d think nine was divine.
Bernie Schultz’s first Classic was in 1989, and he’s returned seven more times, the last being in 2009, but it’s certain he’d think nine was divine.
Takahiro Omori would sure like more fireworks in an 11th Classic appearance, which would coincide with the 11th anniversary of his 2004 Classic win on Lake Wyle in North Carolina.
Takahiro Omori would sure like more fireworks in an 11th Classic appearance, which would coincide with the 11th anniversary of his 2004 Classic win on Lake Wyle in North Carolina.
Cliff Prince wants to get the bad taste out of his mouth from a 51st-place showing in his first Classic in 2013. He’s the first man out right now, tied in points at 475 with last man in, Alton Jones.
Cliff Prince wants to get the bad taste out of his mouth from a 51st-place showing in his first Classic in 2013. He’s the first man out right now, tied in points at 475 with last man in, Alton Jones.
Classic veteran Jeff Kriet, at 471 points, needs to make up some ground if he hopes to make his ninth Classic. Once there, he can be a force as he took second to KVD in 2010 on Lay Lake and placed sixth on Hartwell in 2008.
Classic veteran Jeff Kriet, at 471 points, needs to make up some ground if he hopes to make his ninth Classic. Once there, he can be a force as he took second to KVD in 2010 on Lay Lake and placed sixth on Hartwell in 2008.
Brian Snowden hasn’t made the Classic since 2011, but he contended in 2009 on the Red River with a third. A short climb will give him his sixth appearance.
Brian Snowden hasn’t made the Classic since 2011, but he contended in 2009 on the Red River with a third. A short climb will give him his sixth appearance.
Who will ever forget Marty Robinson dancing on the big stage in Shreveport during his first of two Classic appearances? A third party would have Marty bustin’ moves once again.
Who will ever forget Marty Robinson dancing on the big stage in Shreveport during his first of two Classic appearances? A third party would have Marty bustin’ moves once again.
Tim Horton went retro at the most recent of his 11 Classic berths. Bet on similar duds as that 2012 event was also his best Classic finish at sixth. He’s got some climbing though as he’s in a three-way tie with Snowden and Robinson with 470 points.
Tim Horton went retro at the most recent of his 11 Classic berths. Bet on similar duds as that 2012 event was also his best Classic finish at sixth. He’s got some climbing though as he’s in a three-way tie with Snowden and Robinson with 470 points.
Only one point behind that trio is Andy Montgomery, who is looking for his second berth, the first being in 2011.
Only one point behind that trio is Andy Montgomery, who is looking for his second berth, the first being in 2011.
With 466 points, Chris Zaldain is only 9 points behind the last man in, but he’d need to climb over a half dozen others to secure his second Classic.
With 466 points, Chris Zaldain is only 9 points behind the last man in, but he’d need to climb over a half dozen others to secure his second Classic.
Just a point back of Zaldain is Casey Scanlon, who qualified for the 2013 Classic by winning an Open and is taking aim at No. 2 through the AOY points.
Just a point back of Zaldain is Casey Scanlon, who qualified for the 2013 Classic by winning an Open and is taking aim at No. 2 through the AOY points.
Eight would be great for Stephen Kennedy as he’s fished in seven Classics over the past 8 years, missing only the 2013 event.
Eight would be great for Stephen Kennedy as he’s fished in seven Classics over the past 8 years, missing only the 2013 event.
With 459 points, Davy Hite would need a big move to get into his 15th Classic. His Classic history began in 1993 and he won the 1999 New Orleans Classic after a second-place finish in 1996. He also contended in 2005 at Pittsburgh with a seventh.
With 459 points, Davy Hite would need a big move to get into his 15th Classic. His Classic history began in 1993 and he won the 1999 New Orleans Classic after a second-place finish in 1996. He also contended in 2005 at Pittsburgh with a seventh.
Terry Scroggins, the Big Show, needs a big showing to keep alive his string of 10 consecutive Classic appearances. The final angler in the 50-man field has 458 points and a big climb to reach his 12th Classic.
Terry Scroggins, the Big Show, needs a big showing to keep alive his string of 10 consecutive Classic appearances. The final angler in the 50-man field has 458 points and a big climb to reach his 12th Classic.