ProBassAnglers.com's 

Coverage Of The

2006 Bassmaster Classic

Predictions-Kelly Jordon

ProBassAnglers.com asked Kelly to pick his top five for the 2006 Classic.

"I don't think I can pick just five, maybe I can pick five and then some sleepers.  Here goes:"

1. Terry Scroggins-"He is the popular pick, no doubt, he lives in Florida, that has got to give him a leg up in that he understands the vegetation maybe a little better than the rest of the field."

"He has won three times in Florida, a tour event at Okeechobee in 2003, an Open event here in November (05) and he has also won on the St. John's which pretty much ties any kind of condition you can face in Florida, Terry has demonstrated that he is a threat to win."

"I think there will be four or five deals working in this Classic, and Terry could be on all five, he knows this water that well.  I also think that with possible weather changes, Terry will have an advantage in that he can adjust faster to say, falling water temperature."

"Other guys can do it, but Terry will be awfully tough to beat."

2. Kevin Van Dam-"I'm not going out on a limb here, there is no doubt that Kevin is going to be on most people's list, although Florida might not be his best water." 

"Watch out for KVD if this thing becomes a spinner bait or rip bait event.  He is not known for being a flipper or pitcher, but the man can do it all."

3. Tim Horton-"They don't come any better in the Southern Lakes than Tim Horton.  Take a look at the stats, a lot of these guys who make the predictions never look at the stats.  Tim Horton is the real deal, and he is hoping to lay low this week.  He could get it done."

"Horton won on Toho in December of 2001, he also won an Open event on Okeechobee.  He also has three other top tens in Florida."

4. David Walker-"He is another of these guys that people tend to forget about.  David has 5 top tens in Florida, including a 2nd at Toho last year about three weeks before this event will be there."

"David doesn't have a tour win, but he is major-league due-watch out!"

"Florida lakes seem to favor the way he likes to fish.  He is very good around the grass and does well flipping matts."

5. Dean Rojas-"He is good with flippin and with frogs baits and horney toad type lures."

"Obviously, Dean was once the man on Toho, he set the world record, and I am sure he will check on those areas during the tournament.  It doesn't figure to be that kind of tournament, that was a special two days, I think Dead caught almost 80 pounds of his 108 pounds in two days."

"If he doesn't try to force things with that frog, it he allows it to be a bait that he uses to make a few casts and then get back on something else, he could do it.  That frog could very well produce a big bite or two, but I don't see it producing enough bites that he could win on that bait alone."

Sleepers-"I have to mention Jeff Reynolds or Oklahoma, he has done well in Florida"

"My big time sleeper however, the guy that I think could really do it, is Greg Hackney.  Hackney hasn't fished any events since the Summer and you know he is going to come out stomping mad after them!"