Fantasy Fishing: Your questions answered

Look for Chris Johnston to show out in Bucket C.

Written by

Pete Robbins

Another Bassmaster Elite Series derby, another likely slugfest. After leaving the Century Club environs of the Santee Cooper Lakes, the Elites had only a brief time off before heading to one of the many gems on the Tennessee River. It seems like the season just started, but we’re already three deep. In the simplest terms, that means that anglers who were riding high through South Carolina need to keep it up, and those who’ve yet to rev up their engines need to start now.

As for me, I was so far behind at Santee Cooper Lakes that the Struggle Bus passed me by and then backed up and ran me over. I need to turn things around before the likes of Ronnie Moore, Rich Lindgren and Coy Greathouse similarly stomp on me.

I’m not taking any huge risks, but I’m going to frame each bucket “Jeopardy-style,” in the form of a question. Where you come down on any particular query should indicate your pick. It’s like a Magic 8-Ball for fishing. Now that I’ve mixed various metaphors and similes, here are my picks:

BUCKET A: COX

The key question: Can John Cox keep up this incredible pace?

My answer: I’ll be surprised if John Cox doesn’t. The shallow water expert is the only Elite to make it to Sunday (or Monday, in the case of Santee Cooper) in every tournament this year. While he may stumble at some point, I wouldn’t bet on it happening at Chickamauga. After all, the lake has been his personal piggy bank for several years now, and the majority of the bass should still be in his shallow wheelhouse.

If you disagree: Pick Buddy Gross, a local hammer in his own right, with two Elite wins, and more likely coming.

BUCKET B: POWROZNIK

The key question: Can a spinning rod play a role on the Tennessee River?

My answer: Yes, yes it can, and while he may not use it exclusively, expect Jacob Powroznik to flick a Senko around all sorts of shallow hidey-holes and spawning areas and pick off giants. He might even supplement it with a drop shot for the spooky ones.

If you disagree: Pick Scott Martin, who disappointed me (and likely himself) at dad’s old stomping grounds at Santee Cooper and is currently just inside the Classic bubble.

BUCKET C: JOHNSTON

The key question: Which Canadian will win a tournament this year?

My answer: Right now Cory Johnston may be doing better (fifth place) in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race than his brother (52nd) or Gussy (66th), but I’m betting that Chris Johnston is going to earn his second Elite Series victory (and first in the South) before the year is over. He had a solid but not exceptional result at Chickamauga in 2020 but needs some better ones to get back inside the Classic bubble.

If you disagree: If you think that no true Canadian will win again this year, pick honorary Canadian Seth Feider, last year’s AOY, who is right inside the Classic cut and needs to pick up the pace to have any chance of repeating.

BUCKET D: KENNEDY

The key question: Can Steve Kennedy have two great finishes in a row?

My answer: Steve Kennedy has always been my Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing nemesis. I seem to pick him when he bombs and get off the bandwagon right before he lights up the scoreboard. He had a really good finish at Santee Cooper after two Florida bombs. I’m betting that by staying in the South, staying shallow and going to a familiar (non-Florida) venue he’ll get the train back on its tracks permanently to qualify for Knoxville.

If you disagree: Consider Justin Hamner, who excelled in the Bassmaster Classic and will need to rebound from a Santee Cooper bomb to get back.

BUCKET E: ATKINS

The key question: Which matters more, experience or Tennessee River experience?

My answer: They’re both critical, and Mike Iaconelli has them both in mass quantities, but Justin Atkins – who won a Forrest Wood Cup on South Carolina’s Lake Murray – just needs it a little bit more at this point in his career. He has a major title, but for some reason has had trouble getting his footing at B.A.S.S. At a low ownership percentage, it’s a risk worth taking.

If you disagree: Go with Mike Iaconelli, who is going to step out of this mini-funk at some point, and based on last year’s Northern Opens (and kayak results) may just do so with a win.