Dave Lefebre of Erie, Pa., has been easily, if not unfairly, overlooked for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. I had a recent conversation with him, and he jokingly asked me why he isn’t getting any love in Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing pundit stories and in Bassmaster’s annual Classic odds gallery.
He did shave my beard off at Okeechobee a few weeks ago after I lost a bet with the man. I’ve shared the boat with him on several occasions during media junkets, so I know he’s just giving me a hard time; there’s a good chance I deserve it after betting against him in Florida.
I miss my beard.
After I pondered what he said, I realized that while it was said in jest, he was right. He isn’t getting the attention at this year’s Classic that he clearly deserves.
He’s good on Conroe — very good. He should be as feared as Keith Combs, Mike Iaconelli, Brent Ehrler and others.
In 2009 Lefebre won the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) on Lake Conroe, which was then considered to be the world championship of bass fishing, as it combined the top B.A.S.S. and FLW pros. He won it.
He finished fifth in 2010, again on Conroe, and he said he lost numerous fish during the final day that would have put him in contention to win for a second time on the Houston-area lake.
Just fish stories? I’d like to take a shot here, and maybe level the playing field now that my face is bare, (the pen is mightier than the sword?), but I can’t. Lefebre can catch bass at Conroe. Fact.
The dude is a powerhouse anywhere bass swim: Docks; shallow, muddy wood-infested waters; Lake Erie smallmouths; shallow grass lakes of Florida just to list a few.
Remember when he almost won on Wheeler in 2016? He led going into Championship Sunday, but was overtaken by Japan’s Takahiro Omori. Here’s a quick refresher. (I know he’s not happy with those results, but it easily illustrates his talent and versatility.)
Speaking of how versatile he is, check out this giant kitty cat he caught during the final day of practice for the 2017 Classic. He knows how to catch all kinds of fish. (Insert sinister laughing here.)
Fishing can often be a game of what ifs, and shoulda, coulda, wouldas, but if Iaconelli had beaten Combs during that sudden death fish-off at Conroe not too long ago, perhaps Lefebre would be carrying more pundit favor coming into the Classic.
“I don’t mind being the underdog,” Lefebre said. “Combs and Ike will be covered up with spectator boats, and I might be left alone, which will help my productivity early in the tournament. I’m totally okay with it, I’m going out to win the Classic regardless of what anyone else thinks.”
After 17 years as a pro — most of which on the FLW Tour — Lefebre knows what top-tier competitive angling is all about.
He’s as fierce a competitor as anyone out there, and he knows how to win.
“Am I little salty about not being ranked as high as I feel I should be? Maybe a little, but not to the point where it will affect how I will fish Conroe this week. I know what I’m capable of,” he said with a laugh. “I’d love to prove all the doubters wrong and take home the title. Winning the Classic on a lake that’s been good to me in the past would be awesome. I’m excited to get the tournament started — I can’t get enough of this game, and the Classic is the greatest of them all.”
Don’t bet against Dave Lefebre. I did and lost a nine-month beard because of it. He has the resume — especially on Lake Conroe — to be considered one of the toughest competitors at the Classic this year.
As a member of the press and an editor at Bassmaster, I must cover the sport and remain objective. But personally, I’d love to see Lefebre win as much as anyone launching a boat on Friday.
You may want to consider making a last-minute change to your Fantasy line up. Just saying.
I miss my beard.