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FANTASY: Lake Amistad Pundit Picks

By: Rob Russow  (archive)
ESPNOutdoors.com

Pundit picks for upcoming tournament

After the Classic threw most of our pundits a curveball, they are eager to get back on track at the first event of the 2009 Elite Series on Lake Amistad.

High water and unpredictable weather will put the anglers to the test once again, but there is little doubt that some true Texas giants will cross the scales.

As usual, the pundits were all over the board when it came to picking their favorites for the event, but a few names jumped to the top as consensus picks. The first is really no surprise. Coming off a huge victory in the Classic and backed up by 20th- and ninth-place finishes the last two years on Amistad, Skeet Reese was chosen by four of the seven pundits.

The second favorite may come as more of a surprise, but was also chosen by four pundits. Kevin Short may just be the perfect example of how a talented angler learns a lake and gets better on it each and every year. Last year, he was charging on all cylinders and slammed the biggest bag of the tournament, narrowly missing out on the win. Look out this year, he has been practicing landing 9-pounders by fishing nearby Choke Canyon.

From there, things get a little more muddled, as four anglers brought in three pundit votes each. Former Amistad champion Ish Monroe, always-steady Edwin Evers, swimbait-favorite Steve Kennedy and easy-pick-to-win KVD were popular choices to be in the mix this weekend.

Here's a look at who our pundits like at Lake Amistad:

James Overstreet
ESPN Outdoors Photographer

Edwin Evers — Edwin has been strong every year on Amistad, and he'll probably fish again on Sunday this year.

Mike Iaconelli — Momentum is huge in this sport, and Ike came close at the Classic. He's always consistent on Amistad and should earn you some quality points this week.

Ish Monroe — He's already won once on Amistad, and has to have the highest average finish there since the Elite Series first visited Del Rio.

Kevin Short — Ole 'Pinky' has had some of his best tournaments on Amistad, and he's been getting acclimated to yanking large Texas bass by spending the last week at Choke Canyon catching 9-pounders. At least that's what he claims — I won't totally believe it until I see some better pictures.

Kelly Jordon — News is fish are on the beds and it's going to be ugly. If there's a sight bite anywhere in Texas, I'll take K.J. every time.

Mark Zona
TV Personality

Mike Ike — At times I truly wonder what planet this guy is on, but one thing is for sure about him — he can flat out jam 'em and right now he is absolutely on fire. The space monkey has been in the top 10 in almost every event he's fished in the last six months. That reason alone puts him in my list of awesome people who are good at catching bass.

Skeet Reese — It's time to pick him in every event — he's earned the title "Captain Awesome" … for now.

KVD — One thing is for sure, when he gets a sour taste in his mouth from a previous event, you better look out. It appeared the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year was, let's just say, none too happy. Amistad was not to kind to him last year, so look at this like a little Michigan payback.

Mike McClelland — Just a gut that he was on the winning fish last year here and didn't close the door. If this turns into a tournament where the fish are in that weird "I want to spawn, but not quite yet," McStick will shine like a St. Patty's Day pot of gold. Colder temps could play right into his hands.

Dean Rojas — Going on the opposite of McClelland here. If some bruisers have committed to the spawn, he'll find 'em — he always does. He made a sweet explosion in the final event last year at Oneida, and should really continue that momentum here.


Tommy Sanders
Host, The Bassmasters

Mark Davis — A good showing in border waters last year, plus decades of experience counts for a lot. If he gets onto something, expect him to exploit it to the fullest. The only question is can he overachieve for four days straight? At Amistad this year, maybe you can grab the brass ring with two monster days and two simply good days.

Ish Monroe — A bit of drama that you're trying to put behind you can really help you focus on the job at hand. And no one can question this guy's mastery of Amistad. He's got a good Texas record and plenty of incentive to light it up here with his fishing.

Byron Velvick — I think Byron has proved to the world and himself that he is ready for a big win. This could be a track meet where a little bit of inside knowledge can put you in the inside lane.

Mike McClelland — The experience factor again, especially when it comes to figuring things out quickly and playing a song that you know by heart. With a win in every Elite Series season so far, why not get 2009's beatdown out of the way quickly?

Kevins — Kevin One is of course Van Dam. It's been a whole one event since he was in the limelight — an eternity for him, I'm guessing — so he's ready to remind himself why it's good to be the king. Kevin Two is Short. He still has a score to settle vs. Amistad and I like him when the water is backed up into unfamiliar places.


Steve Bowman
ESPN Outdoors Editor

Skeet Reese — The guy is hot and it's not often a Classic Champion follows up with a regular-season win. David Fritts did it and Skeet is the type of guy who can do it. Add his versatility to the mix and what looks like a tournament with a lot of changes in store from a weather standpoint, and he looks even better.

Ken Cook — Cook is on his farewell tour this season. He's undoubtedly a great angler and he's had great success at Amistad in the past. An old school angler always is a factor in this event. Cook is thinking clearly and has little pressure — that combination makes him someone to watch.

Kelly Jordon — He's another hot angler who has more or less stunk it up at Amistad in the past. But he's a bed-fishing expert, and while the conditions won't make it easy on the rest of the field, Jordon will have it figured out.

Brian Snowden — Snowden is always good early in the year. He came close at the Classic and he seems to be getting better all the time. He may have something to prove, so you know he's determined.

Terry Scroggins — The best angler in the field who has yet to win at this level. He seems to always catch them, especially when there are big fish in the equation.


Kyle Carter
ESPN Outdoors Editor

Steve Kennedy — He finished 83rd there last season, but fifth and third the two seasons before that. If it will indeed be a pre-spawn, swimbait tournament, you've got to like this guy. Plus, he's just one of those anglers who can sneak in huge bags, and there should be a few huge bags to go around this weekend.

Skeet Reese — The man just catches fish. He's finished 20th and ninth the last two seasons on Amistad, and he just won a tournament (I can't remember the name of it). It's hard to leave Reese off your team at this point.

Clark Reehm — He led going into the final day last year and you can get him for 14.4. He was a rookie last season, so to start on a lake where he has confidence should help him. I don't think he'll win it, but he's definitely worth the price.

Matt Sphar — This New York state guy hasn't finished outside the top-25 in his two trips to Amistad, and like Reehm, he's a bargain at 15 even. I'm just disappointed that he's no longer representing the movie "The Alphabet Killer" (not as disappointed as I was in the movie, but that's another issue). New jersey, new sponsor, new Sphar? I hope not.

Kevin Short — Outside of the zero he put up on Day Two in 2007 (yeah, I had to bring that up), Short has been nothing short (not funny) of phenomenal on Amistad. And by adding him to my team at 17.4 points, I can take a bunch of points home with me, and … wait … maybe I should have spent those.


Alan Clemons
ESPN Outdoors contributor

Steve Kennedy — Versatility could be a key this week and Kennedy's adept with everything from a Carolina-rig to a big honkin' swimbait.

Terry Scroggins — One of the best power fishermen on the Tour could be right at home with a jig or giant worm.

Skeet Reese — OK, big boy, you want to be picked every week? You've got it. Now get the job done on the water.

Kevin VanDam — Something tells me missing the final day cut in the Classic last month will fuel KVD's fires, and a big crankbait or worm might be in his arsenal this week.

Edwin Evers — My gut instinct darkhorse pick — he's no spring chicken when it comes to figuring out what's happening shallow or deep.


Rob Russow
ESPN Outdoors pundit upstart

Kevin Short — Short seems to be figuring things out. In 2006, he let his wife catch a bigger bass on Amistad than he did. In 2007, he dropped a huge bag on the first day and then a huge bomb on the second day. In 2008, he put the pieces together and backed up the big bag of the tournament with solid limits to finish just over a pound from victory. I guess that means he is going to win in 2009.

Steve Kennedy — I'm sorry, I just love this man. When he is on fish and having fun, there is no one more entertaining to watch (or have you forgotten his massacre of Clear Lake?). His finishes on Amistad have been consistent and he throws that Kinami Flash and swimbait with the best of them. I'll bet those play a major role this week and Kennedy will be in the mix.

Ish Monroe — When this tournament busts wide open on the final day, Ish will be there to clean up. He can throw a swimbait and sight-fish his way to the top, and maybe even bring back that frog that helped him to victory in 2006. The bottom line is that Ish has the best average finish on Amistad for the three years the Elite Series has been there. You better get you some of this.

Edwin Evers — Evers has quietly become "the man" on Amistad. Well, after Ish, that is. Now, my guess is, he is tired of playing second fiddle. I'm looking at Evers to flip some trees and catch some big 'uns on beds to capture the tournament title. Ride that momentum from the Classic and it might just be a magic week for the Oklahoma native.

Todd Faircloth — I just don't know what to think about Mr. Todd. I thought he was a rock last year standing head-to-head with KVD for most of the season last year. Then he crumbled to dust on Oneida and had a lackluster Classic to start 2009. If there is anywhere to regain the magic, it's Amistad, where he has put a whoopin' on them border bass. If he doesn't, he is off the team … permanently. Consider yourself on notice.


Tired of hearing from anglers, former anglers or writers? Here's Bassmaster.com's HTML guru with a hard look at the numbers.


Fred Lalande
Bassmaster.com Web Producer

Must Starts:

Ishama Monroe — Monroe has been to Amistad three times with the Elite Series. He finishd first in 2006, sixth in 2007 and 14th in 2008. Note: He also finished 16th in '07 Central Open in Del Rio.

Todd Faircloth — Elite Series Amistad finshes: first in 2008, fourth in 2007 and 48th in '06.

Edwin Evers — 11th in 2006, 8th in 2007 and 9th in 2008

Solid Picks:

Kevin VanDam — KVD finished sixth in 2006, fifth in 2007 and 56th in 2008.

Note: The reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year didn't make cut at the Classic and needs to make a strong statement for the first Elite Series event. Also, this lake owned him last year and he'll be looking for revenge.

Michael Iaconelli — Ike finished 16th in 2006, second in 2007 and 17th in 2008.

Note: Ike is coming off a great performance at the 2009 Classic and will no doubt be riding the momentum.

Sleepers:

Jami Fralick — Fralick finished 19th in 2008, 28th 2007 and 76th in 2006

Note: He was third in 2007 Central Open on Amistad and he finished eighth at this year's Classic (leading going into Day Three), so he's fishing well of late.

Kevin Short — Short was third in 2008, 59th in 2007 and 69th in 2006.



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