Fantasy Fishing; Bassmaster Classic Edition

Last year, after my colleague asked me to go bass fishing, we started following the Bassmaster Elite’s and playing fantasy fishing.  Why?  Why not!  We like to fish but spend a lot of time locked up in this office.  So talking about fishing and following the tour is a better way to pass time than talking about religion and politics.  We are now firmly entrenched in fantasy fishing.  It’s free to play and you have 11 chances at a $2500 Bass Pro gift card ($3000 if you are a BASS member) and if you have the highest point total across all 10 elite series events you win a new bass boat with all the fixings.  I’m not sure I’m interested in that particular boat but being a buy low sell high kind of guy, it would be a good problem to have.   

The first event of the season is the Bassmaster Classic.  Bass fishing is like car racing, they have the super bowl right away.  I wanted to work through my fantasy roster for the classic and why I picked them.  

Edwin Evers Bucket #1

Edwin is my top pick to win the classic.  Last year’s winner of the overall fantasy competition, he won the boat, used a strategy that used past results on the body of water the event was taking place on and the proximity that the angler resides to the body of water.  I kind of went against the grain because I think that Evers finished 25^th here in 2013.  However, I read an article by Evers where he said that last time he was distracted by all the family and friends present during 2013.  He said he wouldn’t let that happen this time and I believe him.  

Jason Christie Bucket #2

Christie is another Oklahoma boy and lives hear the lake.  He also finished in the top ten in 2013.  This was a no brainer but I still give Evers the edge to win it all over Christie. 

Kevin VanDam Bucket #3

I would not bet against VanDam.  He does well in the classic and finished just behind Christie in the top ten here in 2013.  He’s also a hometown boy, me being from Michigan and all.  The only regret I have about this bucket is that my gut keeps telling me to go with Ott Defoe but I can’t bet against KVD. 

Mike Iaconelli Bucket #4 

Iaconelli finished fourth here in 2013 and is a fine fisherman who was only thrown off in 2013 because of an incident with a dog.  He’s assured everyone that his relationship with the canine species is improved and it won’t be a problem this year.  

James Watson Bucket #5

I picked Watson in this group because he resides not far away from the lake in Missouri and also because I watched an episode of Major League Fishing where he lapped the rest of the field jigging a spoon on boat docks.  Now that’s versatility!!

This is not the boat but more my speed.  Photo by Brandon Morgan

My overall strategy for the season will be to use the past results and proximity strategy while not ignoring the favorites.  Case in point, I pick Edwin Evers to win it all despite his 25^th place finish last time on this lake.  He has proximity but not past results.  Christie should be the favorite; he has proximity and past results.  But I believe Evers when he says that he let himself be distracted.

 

Here is the link for fantasy fishing if you want to have some fun with it.