Aaron Martens and the 07 Classic

[McCarter]

Will he do it this year?  Can he break the 2nd place curse?  He is no stranger to Alabamas Lay Lake.  He finished 2nd place at the BM Classic here in 2002. 

With 3 consecutive 2nd place Classic finishes, its obvious that it is only a matter of time before he seals the deal.

Hes got my vote.  I think he will do it this year.  He is no doubt one of the most, if not the most, versatile anglers in the world.  And this tournament should play right into his strengths. 

Any thoughts?

McCarter himself

[Cheetam]

He can do it...and I like that Vault stuff...

[Duke]

He has only done that twice. Last year's runner-up was Rick Morris (did it on a chatterbait in the river). Sorry to be a party-pooper.

My pick though has got to be Kevin VanDam. He's pretty due to win again. The whole year of 2006 w/o a win is an eternity for this guy.

[McCarter]

according to my resources, Martens was 2nd place at lay lake in 2002, did not qualify for the classic in 2003, 2nd place at lake wylie in 04 and 2nd place at 3 rivers in 05. 

So, when i say consecutive, i mean in classics fished.  To say it another way, he has placed 2nd place in 3 of 3 classic fished since 2002, not including 2006.

McCarter himself

[Hooksetter]

I gotta agree with ya Duke, KVD gets my no. 1 vote. If KVD were not fishing the Classic this year, I would have to go with Greg Hackney, I think he is ready to make a serious run at a Classic title.

[Duke]

according to my resources, Martens was 2nd place at lay lake in 2002, did not qualify for the classic in 2003, 2nd place at lake wylie in 04 and 2nd place at 3 rivers in 05. 

I stand corrected 

I agree about Hackney Hooksetter. He's the real deal when he gets on 'em.

[HellaBass]

I think Russ Lane could be tough - http://russlanefishing.com/index.html

[jcox7]

My vote is for Ike they peeed him off and now he cant be beat>>>>>>>>>>>

[rufus]

After fishing the Wonderland with you Jeff I know why you picked Ike . We had a good time that day catching all those fish on "jigging spoons" . Next year we will have to try the AWESOME Jcox rig.

[bosshawg]

 i's got to go w/ike myself. he's on a roll & the mojo going. If all the AOY hupla don't get to him & he's got his prioities in order, my money is on him.

[LUMBERLEO]

I think Luke will be a major player again this year.  The guy can just plain catch fish.  I loved watching him spank swindle in the match fishing series...  KVD actually had a really good year. He did not win but quite a few top tens and if he wasn't d-qued from that 1 tournament he could have easily been angler of the year.

Scott

[Cheetam]

I think Luke will be a major player again this year.  The guy can just plain catch fish.  I loved watching him spank swindle in the match fishing series...  KVD actually had a really good year. He did not win but quite a few top tens and if he wasn't d-qued from that 1 tournament he could have easily been angler of the year.

Scott

I didn't think Luke was fishing the Classic since he didn't fish BASS this past year?

[LUMBERLEO]

I thought that two but I was told by a fairly reliable friend that the winner from last year is automatically in the next event..  But I am deffinently not sure.  KInda interested to find out know.......

[Hooksetter]

There is a thread on this subject on the bassmaster.com message boards. According to the posts there Luke was offered a slot in The Elite Series, even though he declined to enter before the Classic and the field was supposedly locked at the time of the Classic, so he could have a chance to defend his title but he declined. I think the way the rule is written it gives the reigning Classic champion an automatic berth in the following Classic PROVIDING he fishes the current tour schedule. Don't quote me on that but I think that is how it reads.

Willie

[Duke]

You're absolutely right Hooksettr. He passed on his opportunity. Doesn't make a whole lot of financial sense to me, but I believe some of his major sponsors are also FLW sponsors. I think thats a crock.

[blakstr1]

Even though I always want to see KVD win and would be ecstatic if he did it again, my pick for '07, is the G man himself..Gerald Swindle.  I'm also looking hard at Greg Hackney, plan on all 3 of these guys being in the hunt.

[Dan]

Winter fishing in Alabama on the Coos system for spots.... sounds a bit like a Michigander has to have a good chance. Those spots fish like smallies. Those California guys like the hot weather and can't fish without fresh quacamole. Lane and Hackney are the odds on favorites, but I too like KVDs chances.