Is the town of Ava, Missouri – population just under 3,000 — big enough to support the weight of five Bassmaster Classic trophies?
Clearly, Cody Huff hopes it is. In fact, he hopes that over time it can support more than that, but right now the young pro is just putting one foot in front of the other, working on his first. He’s his own competitor, but nevertheless the helpful aura of Hall of Famer and four-time Classic champ Rick Clunn is always shining at least a bit on his efforts.
“I dreamed my whole life of fishing the same tournaments that Rick was fishing,” he said. “I’ve talked to Rick about everything under the sun. When he talks, you have to listen. The main thing he’s told me about winning a Classic is that you can’t leave anything to chance.”
Today Huff weighed in one of only two bags over the magic 20-pound mark. He’s only 1-4 behind leader Justin Hamner. The other thing he’s learned from Clunn, both by example and through conversation, is that no lead here is safe.
“He told me to get all you can get every day you can get it,” Huff said. “There’s no such thing as feeling comfortable.”
In other words, the lone angler in front of him can’t expect him to let off the gas pedal, and the ones behind him won’t give him any slack.
This tournament may come down to who can remain in the hunt and then close the door on Day 3. Getting comfortable is a task best delayed until Monday.
In no particular order, here’s what I think after the first day of competition:
Great Expectations — Based on practice and my read on the anglers’ attitudes at media day, I expected bigger weights in the top half of the field than what we actually got. Usually, it’s the opposite way around as the sandbaggers’ association kicks into full gear. Still if you look at it even cursorily, despite some naysayers’ reports of Grand Lake’s demise, this group caught the snot out of the bass. The field of 56 anglers produced 54 limits and 53 bags over 10 pounds, plus 19 over 15. Notably, many if not most of those bags came via old-fashioned power fishing.
Winning Weights – When Cliff Pace won here in 2013, he averaged 18-4 a day to total 54-12. Edwin Evers averaged just a touch over 20 pounds a day in his 2016 win, bolstered by a massive 29-3 limit on Championship Sunday. Jason Christie came in 2nd that year, and averaged less than 17 pounds a day. Obviously, a lot can change over the course of an Oklahoma weekend, but with two anglers over 20 pounds, five over 18 pounds and 10 over 16 pounds, there’s at least a chance we’ll see a Grand Lake Classic winning weight record. At the very least, I’d be surprised if Pace’s 2013 weight is not eclipsed.
Day One History – In 2013, there were three bags over 20 pounds on Day One, 10th place was 16-13, and 25th place was 12-5. In 2016, there was only one 20-pound bag, 10th place was 14-12, and 25th was 11-12. Today we split the difference on twenties, with two. Tenth place is 16-3, just below 2013’s mark. Twenty-fifth place is 14-5, two pounds heavier.
Packing on the Freshman 15 – The Elite Series rookies have made quite a statement through two Elite Series events this season, and the first-year Classic qualifiers didn’t take their feet off that same gas pedal. Through Day One, Adam Rasmussen is in 3rd, Tyler Williams is in 9th and Kyle Patrick is in 12th.
Past Classic Winners – While the basic math says we can expect a first-time Classic champ on Sunday, if Jeff Gustafson or Jason Christie were to win it would be their second title, and if Hank Cherry wins it’ll be his third. Right now, Cherry seems to have the best chance – he’s in 7th. Gussy is in 29th and Christie has Fantasy Fishing fans across the world holding their breath as he sits in 35th.
AOY Winners – The field includes four past Anglers of the Year: Kyle Welcher is in 30th; Brandon Palaniuk is in 31st; Clark Wendlandt is in 35th; and Greg Hackney is in 41st.
Go North – Of course last year’s Classic champ, Jeff Gustafson, is the northernmost resident to ever win the title. Other than him, the last northerner to take home the title was Kevin VanDam in 2011 (and before that in 2010). Right now, the top contenders to reverse that trend are Adam Rasmussen (3rd), Jay Przekurat (5th) and Tyler Williams (9th).
Boomer Sooner – We haven’t had a home state Classic winner since Ott DeFoe in 2019, and before that Edwin Evers here in 2016. Oklahomans Jason Christie and Luke Palmer are in 35th and 13th, respectively, and semi-transplant Kenta Kimura is in 27th.
The Foreign Contingent – The four Canadians in the field – Chris Johnston, Cooper Gallant, Jeff Gustafson and Cory Johnston — are in an average position of 28th, with only Gallant (17th) inside the cut. The three Japanese anglers – Taku Ito, Kenta Kimura and Kyoya Fujita – are in an average position of 34th, with only Ito (22nd) inside the cut. The lone Australian, Carl Jocumsen, is in 51st.
402 in the House – You couldn’t swing a swimbait in the Expo today without whacking someone wearing a Ben Milliken-themed hat or shirt. We’ve never seen a rookie with this kind of following – usually they come in relatively anonymously, seen but not heard. While Milliken may be polarizing amongst certain factions, if he were to win the place might explode.
Cut Weight Math – As of today, the 25th place cut weight is 14-5. Whether you subscribe to the 2X or 2X+1 formula, that would mean it’ll take either 28-10 or 29-10 to get to fish on Sunday.
Tyler Williams, Quote Factory –
- “I was a little nervous about the distance between the boat and the stage. It took quite a jump.”
- “When I go fishing, I have no expectations.”
- “The Yamaha guy gave me a chicken sandwich for the ride. That was pretty cool.”
- “For some reason, pressure doesn’t get to me. I don’t know if I just don’t care.”
- “I didn’t want to, but I had to get a jerkbait out.”
Random Tulsa Area Notables not Present at the Weigh-In – Elvin Bishop, Gus Frerotte, WWE’s Goldberg.
