Before you read this post, be sure to check out the 2012 Bassmaster classic preview part 1.
Excitement is only building as we get closer and closer to the classic! Today, we are going to take a look at a few of the favorites to take the title, and make a few predictions.
One of the things that makes tournament bass fishing so much fun is on any given weekend, it’s anyone’s game.
At the same time though, you don’t see the same guys at the top of the standings year in and year out by accident! Let’s get up close and personal with a few of our favorites.
Kevin VanDam, The Defending Champ
When looking at favorites to win, you have to start with the defending champ.
KVD is a machine! He studies like crazy—he practices and researches like no one else. His bag of tricks always seems to have one more surprise for his competitors.
It’s hard to pick against a guy like KVD—but that is exactly what I am doing. Yeah, call me crazy, but I don’t think Kevin is taking the title this year.
First, he is recovering from hernia surgery. Granted, bass fishing is not football, but hernias hurt. Recovering from hernias hurts. And fishing all day long with a giant prize on the line, while recovering from hernia surgery, hurts!
KVD is always a threat if he is on the water and breathing, and he will do well this year, but I don’t see him taking it home.
Ott Defoe
Ott has put together a monster year in 2011.
Rookie of the year? Check.
First place at All-Star Weekend? Check.
Momentum and a growing fan-base? Check and check.
Bassmaster Classic title? Not this year…
Ott has a lot going for him, and he is going to be a big star in this sport for a long time—but this year is just a little too soon. He is going to do well, and make a very respectable showing for himself, but the title is not ready to head to Tennessee just yet.
Mike Ioconelli
Mike Ioconelli is currently 18th in the angler of the year standings.
To me, he is a dark horse in this Classic.
As the only angler to have won a Classic, Angler of the Year, and Federation Nation championship, I sense good things from the New Jersey native this February.
I’ve also heard he’s done an incredible amount of homework, and practiced like crazy when the Red River was open for it.
Oh, and one last thing—Mike was runner up to Skeet Reese on the Red River in 2009.
Edwin Evers
That same Classic in 2009 that saw Ioconelli take 2nd place to Skeet Reese saw Evers finishing in 5th.
Edwin has also turned in some other notable performances on the Red—namely three top 25 finishes since 2000.
Evers is of course current second fiddle to KVD in the Angler of the Year standings.
This could certainly be a great Classic for him, and I expect it to be just that.
The Official Prediction
So, we’ve taken a look at four of the anglers who have to be favorites to take home the title.
So, who is the official MVF pick to take home the biggest prize in bass fishing?
Actually, none of them. My official pick to win the 2012 Bassmaster Classic is…
Gerald Swindle!
Swindle is a native of Alabama (as are many others in the field), and is currently third in the Angler of the Year standings.
I don’t have much else to go on besides that. Mark my words though, Gerald Swindle will be the 2012 Bassmaster Classic champion.
See ya on the water…