What's at stake on Sunday

The final day of the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship is chock full of 2017 and 2018 implications for the entire field. They include crowning a new AOY Champion, awarding Classic spots, a Toyota Rookie of the Year title, prize money that comes with moving up the AOY standings, and a $25,000 check and a blue trophy for the guy with the most weight this week. Hereâs where each Elite stands in the Mille Lacs derby, with their weight, and whatâs at stake for each angler. All captions by Steve Bowman.

1st place: Keith Combs (49-14) has an almost 3-pound lead going into the final day. Heâs firmly locked into the Classic, win, lose or draw. Make no mistake, though, he wants to win. The prize money, taking home a blue trophy, representing sponsors and possibly ending the season on a high note are all motivations. Combs is in it to win it.

2nd place: James Elam (47-4) also has a fairly solid lock on a Classic berth. His initial mission is accomplished. Unlike Combs, though, heâs never put a blue trophy on his shelf. And he has to avoid total disaster. He came in this event in 35th in AOY points, just 5 points from being out. Heâs currently in 27th with a 30-point cushion.

3rd place: Clifford Pirch (47-1) came in to this event needing a top 20 finish to get in the Classic. Heâs done that and more and now has his sights set on winning his first Elite event. He matched Combsâ weight on Day 2, and feels he can do that again. Pirch made a mistake not pushing hard enough on Day 1.

4th place: Jacob Wheeler (46-15) may have taken himself out of AOY contention with a 22nd place finish at St. Clair, but heâs not ready to concede in any way. A lot of things have to go wrong for Palaniuk and Christie for Wheeler to win the title. But heâs not taking his foot off the gas in this event, even if he has to settle for his second win of the season.

5th place: Jonathon VanDam (46-15) needs to stay near the top of these standings. The math doesnât add up for him to make it in the Classic this week. But if he wants to stay in the Classic Bracket next week he cannot stumble.

6th place: Matt Lee (46-15) was more worried about staying in the Elite Series last year at this time. Now heâs all but locked up a Classic berth and seems to be fishing inspired all season, possibly on the wings of younger brother Jordanâs Classic win. He simply needs to stay steady. And he may want to simply beat his brother.

7th place: Jordan Lee (46-0) is a lock for the Classic no matter what happens, but heâs still been at the top of the standings this year on a regular basis. Heâs just 15 ounces behind his big brother and these two may have a little something extra going between them on the competitive side.

8th place: Skeet Reese (45-12) was uncharacteristically on the bubble for the Classic coming into the AOY derby. After a strong Day 2, heâs climbed well into the Classic standings. But has to stay there. He canât afford to drop 15 places or more, or he will be relegated to the Classic Bracket, an event he wonât be able to make (due to a family commitment), so his Classic hopes come down to the final day.

9th place: Luke Clausen (45-1) is in the grand position of not being able to drop out of the Classic at this point. Heâs fishing for an increased payday, having spent the last two days getting the work he needed done. He may go for broke and hope for a derby-winning bag.

10th place: Russ Lane (45-1) holds the same position as Clausen, just higher in the Classic points. Heâs fishing for an increased payday, and is a position to use the day to learn more about smallmouth for future reference.

11th place: Mark Daniels Jr. (44-13) is on his way to his first Classic with no way to fall out going into the final day. But like those just before him, could work his way into a bigger paycheck and or more knowledge on catching smallmouth.

12th place: Seth Feider (44-9) is probably disappointed with where he is sitting. He too will qualify for his first Classic, but expectations were for him to win this event. He won here last year and it wasnât enough to send him to the Classic, and there was no trophy. This year thereâs a payday and a trophy, two things he was excited about. Look for him to not sit quietly in this place and try and figure out how to catch a really big sack.

13th place: Aaron Martens (43-12) is a lock for the Classic. But heâs been known to have some sneaky other-worldly finishes in big events. He could hurt some feelings with the right bites.

14th place: Edwin Evers (43-11) is a lock for the Classic. He could spend the day coaching his best friend Jason Christie and never catch a fish. His competitive spirit though will make him want to climb the standings. Heâs in 5th at the moment in AOY, with Casey Ashley a few points behind him. He wonât want to take a cut in pay, by losing a spot.

15th place: Adrian Avena (43-11) came into this event on the bubble for the Classic Bracket. His good showing has him well within next weekâs showcase event. He has no chance of making the Classic this week. But canât drop too many places or he will miss the Bracket. Right now he has a 9-point cushion. Thatâs not much in this event.

16th place: Micah Frazier (43-10) is sitting in the Classic standings at 31st for now. Heâs in at the moment but itâs not a comfortable spot. He canât afford to drop 15 or 20 places. Depending on the performance of others, a drop like that would force him to fish next week.

17th place: Jason Christie (43-1) knows all too well what is at stake for him. He has to finish 15 places ahead of Brandon Palaniuk to win the AOY title. Right now he is just three places ahead, and with very little room to move. But if he can catch a bigger stringer than what heâs been producing, and Palaniukâs early-morning struggles last all day, he feels he has a shot. Regardless, he always plays by the credo: If you are going to beat me, you will have to earn it. Heâs won too many final-day showdowns to count him out.

18th place: Alton Jones (42-11) came in needing to catch a limit to lock himself into the Classic. Heâs played that game and is a lock. Now he will be looking to move up.

19th place: Dustin Connell (42-9) is a lock for the Classic, sitting 11th in the points race at the moment. But heâs fishing to win the Rookie of the Year race and heâs six points behind Jamie Hartman. Connell is working to move up, while hoping the others will finish in between him and Hartman.

20th place: Brandon Palaniuk (42-5) has all eyes on him. Heâs in control of his own destiny and at times itâs seemed inspired. After a fumble at St. Clair, he came back and in the waning minutes of Day 2 in this derby, caught a giant that allowed him to hold onto the AOY lead by 12 points. He knows he has to have at least 20 pounds plus in the final to close the door on Christie. Thatâs happened all week, despite it taking all day. Palaniuk will be looking to close the door early, but early struggles could create even more pressure.

21st place: Cliff Pace (42-1) is a lock for the Classic. Where he falls in the standings, though, will be big in terms of AOY points. Christie is hoping he will be one of 12 anglers to pass Palaniuk on Day 3.

22nd place: Michael Iaconelli (41-7) is fighting for a spot in the Classic Bracket. He had hoped a win here would put him in the Classic this week, but those hopes are all but lost. He is in the tenuous position of not needing to fall more than 8 to 10 places or even the Bracket berth could be lost.

23rd place: Kevin VanDam (40-14) is a lock for the Classic. But in his trademark competitive style, KVD will be fishing for more than a limit in the final. Christie is probably eyeing him with hopes he can be one of those to overtake Palaniuk and gain him a point. VanDam simply wants to best everyone, even if itâs just for one day.

24th place: Josh Bertrand (40-14) is on the bubble for the Classic. He can lose a few places and still get in this week. But he will likely be fighting for his life to make sure that doesnât happen. He came into this event in 36th and remains there at this time. But heâs just 10 points from being out.

25th place: Gerald Swindle (40-4) struggled a bit here last year, but still fared well enough to win his second AOY title. He is a lock for the Classic, but will still want to finish the year strong.

26th place: Brent Ehrler (39-12) is another lock for the Classic. But has the potential to occupy one of those places that could take away points or give points to the AOY or ROY race.

27th place: Mark Davis (39-12) too is a lock for the Classic. But has the potential to occupy one of those places that could impact the AOY or ROY race.

28th place: Dave Lefebre (39-8) is fighting in every way to make the Classic. At this point, he probably has no shot at making the Classic this week. But he needs to continue catching them at the same pace to stay in the Classic Bracket. He canât afford to drop 18 places.

29th place: Brandon Coulter (38-14) is a lock for his first Classic appearance. Heâs built his stringers from 16 pounds on Day 1 to 22 pounds on Day 2. Coulter could be one of who has the potential to occupy one of those places that take away points or give points to the AOY or ROY race.

30th place: Jesse Wiggins (38-13) is already in the Classic after winning the Southern Open on Harris Chain. Regardless of where he finishes, he likely wonât change the number of Elites going to the Classic, but he does have the potential to keep someone in or help others win a title.

31st place: Bobby Lane Jr. (38-10) is a lock for the Classic, but like so many in the mid-range of this field could impact how the eventual pointsâ race plays out.

32nd place: Bill Lowen (38-6) is fighting for his Classic life. He has no shot of making the Classic this week. But is the first angler out of the Bracket. He needs to make up at least three points in the final and more than likely it could be as much as 10 places. Thatâs a difference of 3 pounds. He caught 20 on Day 1 and dropped to 17 pounds for Day 2. Now he has to make up for that shortfall and then some to get in to next weekâs Bracket.

33rd place: Steve Kennedy (38-3) came to Mille Lacs on the Classic bubble and has stayed there. Currently heâs the last one in, with 1-pound separating from four places above him and five below him. He needs a strong finish on Day 3 or he will be fishing next week.

34th place: Mike McClelland (37-12) is in the Classic after winning the Central Open on Table Rock. But can he play the spoiler for the two anglers in front of him or help others needing him in other parts of the ranks.

35th place: Kelly Jaye (37-10) is on the wrong side of the bubble for the Classic. But he can still get in this week with a super day in the final. He needs to move 15 places to qualify this week or he will be relegated to Bracket next week.

36th place: Jamie Hartman (36-15) stumbled big on Day 1, allowing Dustin Connell to take the lead in the ROY race. Day 2 was much better with a 23-10 stringer that put him back on top by six points. He will need more of the Day 2 performance to take the title.

37th place: Todd Faircloth (36-15) is a lock for the Classic. But has the potential to occupy one of those places that could take away points or give points to the AOY or ROY race.

38th place: Bradley Roy (36-13) is a lock for the Classic. But has the potential to occupy one of those places that could take away points or give points to the AOY or ROY race.

39th place: Ott DeFoe (36-12) is a lock for the Classic and like those sitting around him has the potential to occupy one of those places that could take away points or give points to the AOY or ROY race.

40th place: Randy Howell (36-10) has secured his spot in the Classic, but still needs to catch a decent limit to take away any doubt. He could be a helper or a spoiler in some of the other races.

41st place: Jason Williamson (35-13) had an incredibly strong start to the season, where he was at the top of the AOY standings. Now Williamson finds himself looking at finishing the season in what promises to be a rough-and-tumble Classic Bracket. He can still make the Classic this week. But heâs sitting in 41st place in the derby. And heâs approximately 30 points away from being in the Classic. That means a top 10 here, which also translates to a lot of help from those above him while catching the eventâs largest stringer thus far.

42nd place: Brandon Lester (34-7) is 37th in the AOY race and needs to keep building on his performance if he wants to stay in the Classic. Heâs currently 8 points in. But would have to have a tragic finish to drop completely out.

43rd place: Casey Ashley (34-7) is a lock for the Classic on Hartwell where he won two years ago. His lower position in the derby standings puts him in a position to change the standings above him if he were to have big day.

44th place: John Crews (33-11) is probably a lock into the Classic. He can only lose six points and that would keep him in around the 32nd position. Heâs currently in 30th place.

45th place: Greg Hackney (33-10) is a lock for the Classic. Like Ashley, his lower position in the derby standings puts him in a position to change the standings above him if he were to have big day.

46th place: Hank Cherry (33-8) sits in 33rd in the AOY race and will likely not drop much further. But he could affect other races and anglers, including two anglers sitting behind him in derby standings.

47th place: Brock Moseley (33-4) may have shot himself out of contention on Day 1 of this event with an 11-12 stringer. He now sits in 47th place and needs to beat Powroznik and Lowen by five places to get into the Bracket or catch up to Avena, who is in 15th at the moment. He has to have a lot of heartbreaks ahead of him, while also producing a strong 20-plus stringer in the final. His fate revolves around catching a big sack, while other anglers stumble.

48th place: David Walker (32-11) is locked into the Classic and at this point canât drop too much. A move up the standings, though, would provide some changes in points for several anglers.

49th place: Jacob Powroznik (30-6) is in a position for the first time in his career of not making the Classic. Heâs struggling in this event, sitting in 49th, a standing that has him on the bubble for making the bracket. He canât make the Classic this week. But he knows he canât lose any more points. Heâs at the low-end of the quota. He still needs to catch them on Sunday if he wants to stay in the Bracket. He will be watching Bill Lowen closely. Heâs the only angler who could knock him out.

50th place: Ish Monroe (27-10) certainly has a contentious relationship with Mille Lacs. This is the second year in a row that he has had to scratch and claw to gain points from a lake that has not treated him very well. Ish is last place (50th) in the derby, and things would have to turn exceptionally good for him and really dirty for the rest of the field for him to move up more than a few places. Heâs likely booked his travel to the Classic Bracket at this point.