10 Popular Bassmaster Classic Fantasy Fishing Picks
OutdoorHub Reporters 02.23.12
The 42nd annual Bassmaster Classic fishing competition begins February 24th, 2012! And the organizers of the event are hosting a fantasy fishing competition for those who can’t actually participate in the tournament fishing. So while the 2012 qualifiers are vying for the $500,000 grand prize, fantasy fishing players can win numerous prizes, the grand prize being a $5,000 major retailer gift card.
There are 49 qualifiers competing in the Bassmaster Classic this year. We’ve put together a short list of 10 popular competitors. Find the complete list of qualifiers here.
- Kevin VanDam The Michigan native is a favorite in this year’s competition. Vandam has won four Bassmaster Classic titles already, including two consecutive wins the past two years. If he wins this year, he will set a new record for three wins in a row, and a fifth championship title.
- Shaw Grigsby has come close to winning titles in 1993 and 2000 and placed among the top 20 in 2009. Could this year be his big year?
- Gerald Swindle The southern Alabama boy with a humble history, Swindle has placed third in 2005’s competition and fifth in 2001. Can his stand-up comedy laugh the fish out of the water?
- Davy Hite has garnered many placements among the top 10 finishers, 1999 was a great year for him as the title winner. 2012 will be his 14th time in attendance at the tournament. Odds may be in his favor.
- Edwin Evers “E2” In his 11 participating competitions, Evers has finished among the top 10 twice. When asked why he fishes, he says “The sunrise and sunset of every day is great. And trying to figure those fish out is crazy, but I love it.”
- Denny Brauer won the 1998 Classic and is now making his 21st appearance. He continually places among the top six spots, having placed second twice.
- Dean Rojas He has participated in the tournament 10 times; half of his appearances have placed him in top 25 slots. The closest he has come to winning was a fourth place title in 2004. Getting closer and closer each year.
- Aaron Martens This will be his 13th appearance at the tournament. Four times he’s come close to the winning titles as the runner-up. Three other times he’s finished among the top 10.
- Mike Iaconelli Won the Classic in 2003 and has consistently given the other competitors a run for their money. The Jersey boy has taken a second place title and ended up in the top 10 three times.
- Ott DeFoe Newcomers have taken competitions by storm and audiences by surprise before. 2012 will be Defoe’s first Bassmaster Classic tournament. Winning multiple recognitions, he’s come a long way since his first tournament when he didn’t catch a single fish!
To enter the Fantasy Fishing competition, go to bassmasterfantasy.com.
