This tournament is setting up to be a real challenge for fantasy managers. With as little prior information available, being successful will be all about making smart, instinctive choices.

The Genuity River Rumble on the Mississippi River out of Fort Madison features a playing field that few are familiar with. There has been one previous BASS tournament held out of Fort Madison and that was an Open tournament in 2006 that was won by Darrin Schwenkbeck. Elite Series pros that fared well in that tournament include Jason Williamson (tied for second), Derek Remitz (sixth), J Todd Tucker (19th), Fred Roumbanis (20th) and Boyd Duckett (21st).

Those results should be taken for what they are, less a predicator of success in this tournament, but a measure of some experience on what for most competitors will be a new body of water. Knowing the general characteristics of the river and how it fishes should help those competitors, but they will need to be careful not to fish too much from memory as the river has changed in the last three years.

The flooding last year changed the river in ways the pros will need to adjust to in the short practice they have. Being familiar with river systems in general will be important experience and anglers with Arkansas River experience should be considered when building a fantasy roster. Kevin Short, Scott Rook, Greg Hackney and even Billy McCaghren are all river rats with plenty of knowledge of current, backwaters and the changing nature of river fishing. With the exception of Hackney, they are plenty affordable as well. … MORE

Fantasy Fishing Challenge Message Board