A classic prediction
By Jason Houchins
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With the Super Bowl of professional bass fishing starting today, I can’t help but wonder as I always do, what it would be like to compete at the highest level. I know a few people personally who have, and by just by talking with them about it I can feel their excitement. What is going through the minds of rookie contenders and veterans alike as the Bassmasters Classic begins? How do they mentally and physically prepare for such an event? For many years I’ve watched in amazement as some of my heroes (Woo Daves and Denny Brauer) hoisted the trophy after years of chasing it. I remember when Takahiro won the Classic, and I actually cried as he rode around the stadium alone celebrating his victory. Look at what he sacrificed just to be a professional bass fisherman. He left his friends and family to come to a foreign country and live in a camper/ tow van to accomplish his dreams. He won the Bassmasters Classic! All these are pretty compelling Classic memories that are now history. What will this year’s Classic memory be? Will history play a role?
Reading all the latest reports and practice information from everyone, Grande looks a lot like several lakes around the country. It’s muddy, a little high, and colder than normal. These few factors will definitely help level the playing field in this cast of great fisherman. I believe that someone as always will figure this one out and bring a significant catch to the scales but I look for it to be someone who is an unknown to the world of bass fishing. Crankbaits and Jigs will most likely dominate this tournament as low visibility will hamper the possible jerkbait bite that played such a huge factor the last time the Classic was at Grande. All of this will definitely play a big physiological factor as well, and histories past memories and patterns will be erased with the current conditions of the lake.
I do most things fishing related with my gut. I’m not into all the little fine details that most people are about tournament fishing. I’m sure it has cost me in the past but I’m also sure it’s helped shaped me much more in the big picture of tournament angling. That being said my Classic pick is definitely a gut thing and has to be, considering this guy has never fished one. Nothing satisfies me more than to see someone in any walk of life work, scrape, and claw to get their opportunity. Most of us fish at the modest levels in the world of bass fishing just trying to break even as fishing will never be more than a passion to us. Be it financial strains, careers, family, jobs, or a combination of these things, we know we will never get that chance. But seeing a man that I have competed against for many years make to the Classic, sorry but he’s my pick.
Fabian Rodriguez has fished at all levels of competition throughout the many years and has the stripes to prove it. He has earned his way through the BASS Nation this year to compete in his first ever Classic. This guy is no rookie and to underestimate him would be quite foolish. His battle scars of Federation and BASS Opens of years past has help mold him into the perfect Classic Underdog. Someone who is an everyday guy who loves to fish and has juggled career, family, and fishing for many years. He didn’t qualify through a college team event, he didn’t win one tournament and coast his way to the Classic, he did it through maybe the toughest way possible, via the Federation. Do I have stats to from Classics past to back up my pick, of course not. I have nothing but a gut feeling and the belief that someone who has struggled to get to the Classic and is an everyday guy is going to have his day. Maybe its wishful thinking, or maybe it’s just me justifying my own hope as possibly being in his position one day. No matter the reason, whether it’s a genuine belief, a hope, or deep down me trying to live vicariously through someone else, I’m rooting for him to win it all!
