2/23/06
Zero Minus 24: Classic Start Is Less Than One Day Away!
"There is not another hook in my tackle box to be sharpened, let's get
started!" Tim Horton's anxious statement when asked what do you do
this week. The hoopla is just about over, save for today's media day, but
the fact is all of the kid's events are complete, the Fishing For The Cure event
is over. The Dinners, the Luncheons, the site seeing, the preparation, all
complete. In what could only be rivaled by the two weeks of getting ready
for the Super Bowl, The 2006 Bassmaster Classic is officially "hyped to the
max."So many questions, (so few answers,) can Terry Scroggins get it done on his home water? Can Rick Clunn win a 5th Classic? Does a rookie have a chance? Can Jeff Coble shock the world of professional bass fishing and make us all reevaluate what we are doing? These questions and dozens more had made these past two weeks bigger than virtually anyone other two week period in the sport. Most sports for that matter.
You have read and re-read the stories, it is doubtful that any stones have been left unturned, but just in case you have been living under a stone, here is a run down of some of the hype leading into tomorrow's event.
Swan Song? Three former Classic winners are leaving BASS after this week. George Cochran, ('87 and '96,) Larry Nixon ('83,) and Jay Yelas ('02) are saying "bah-by" to the organization where they cut their bass fishing teeth, leaving for the FLW Tours where they can align better with boat and motor sponsors that they have worked with for many years. The question is, can one of these BASS legends capture one more title before sailing off into the sunset, or leaving for greener pastures? (choose you own cliche.)
Home Lake Jinx? Fortunately, this will be the last mention of Terry Scroggins trying to win on the lake that he has more experience on than just about any other body of water. I am sure he is tired of it, but that what two weeks of waiting will do. It is important to note however, that if Scroggins can get it done this week, it speak volumes about not only his fishing ability, but about his ability to block out other distractions that might serve to prevent him from the conquest. Knowing that everyone wants to see how he fishes and where he fishes, Scroggins will need to over come a lot more than simply tough and changing fishing conditions. If he does pull off the win, it might need to be mentioned from now on, whenever any discussion about the most amazing tournament performances takes place.
Five Time Champ? If Rick Clunn wants to eliminate any and all thoughts or challenges to his "Greatest Angler" title that he received recently, all he needs to do is win a fifth Classic. Yep, that would do it. Clunn, who won on Toho in 1977 only needs to win the Classic one more time to solidify himself as the world's greatest. Clunn will be the first to admit that when he won on Toho in '77, much of his success came on day one when he actually got lost in the fog, (no GPS then baby,) and began running a foreign bank with a buzz bait. Not luck, only opportunity waiting for effort. Clunn is not finished in this business, why not this week?