Entry 287-1
Denny Brauer Predicts How the Strike King Pros Will Do in the 2009 Classic
Editor’s Note: With the 2009 Bassmaster Classic only a few weeks away in Shreveport, Louisiana, on the Red River, Strike King asked its pro Denny Brauer to analyze the conditions that the four Strike King Pros, who will be fishing the Classic – Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Shaw Grigsby of Gainesville, Florida; Mark Davis of Mt. Ida, Arkansas; and Greg Hackney of Gonzales, Louisiana – will face. A professional angler for 28 years, Brauer has fished with and against these pros during their careers. Brauer, who has participated in 19 Bassmaster Classics since 1980 and took home first place in 1998, was also named Angler of the Year in 1987.
Part 1: Kevin VanDam
Question: What will affect Kevin VanDam’s fishing at this year’s Bassmaster Classic on Louisiana’s Red River?
Brauer: Although many of the anglers are praying for rain and bad weather, Kevin will do best if the weather and the water during the 2009 Classic are clear and stable. If a warming trend hits, that warming trend will play in Kevin’s favor. All these elements will allow Kevin to fish his best fishing style, as Kevin’s a run-and-gun type of competitor. He fishes a lot of water fast, finds as many bass as he can and catches as many bass as he can. Kevin likes fast-moving baits, and he’s at his best when he’s running and gunning. If the Red River conditions during the Classic are as I’ve described, Kevin will be tough to beat.
Question: What effect will cold rain and muddy water have on Kevin’s chances of winning?
Brauer: First of all you have to realize that Kevin is very capable of winning any tournament on any day with any type of weather or water conditions. Having said that, you always have to look at a competitor’s comfort level. 
I don’t think he’ll be nearly as comfortable under bad-weather conditions, as he will be under good-weather conditions. Kevin, like Tiger Woods, has and will win a lot of tournaments. But like Tiger Woods, Kevin won’t win every tournament. If the Red River has very-bad weather and water conditions during the 2009 Classic at the end of February, Kevin’s performance may be affected.
Question: Spectator pressure will play a major role in how all the competitors fish, and Kevin will have as many spectators if not more than any other competitor. Do you think Kevin will make a long run to get away from spectators and find water that nobody is fishing, or do you think he’ll stay close and manage the spectators to buy more time to fish?
Brauer: If Kevin or any of the other anglers decide to make a long run, they’re not only giving up the time required to get from where they are to where they want to be, they’ll have to travel through locks. The time wasted in the locks can be costly. Now if the conditions are terrible, rainy, cold and windy, more than likely the number of spectators Kevin has following him will be reduced drastically. Another factor is when you get into the backwaters, the river can be dangerous to run through at full throttle. You better know where you’re going and how to get there, if you want to get that boat up to full plane.
I think any spectator who wants to follow any of the pros, not only Kevin, has to be conscious of the fact that at the end of the day he may be a buying lower unit for his motor, if he tries to run and gun with Kevin. Besides, if there’s anyone conditioned to dealing with spectator pressure, that person is Kevin VanDam, because he always has a crowd when he fishes. I believe Kevin will find bass and concentrate on catching them, while managing the spectators as best as he can.
Question: What factors could cause Kevin to have a great Classic or a terrible Classic?
Brauer: I think if the water’s clear, and the weather’s stable, Kevin’s odds to win rise dramatically. He’ll get on flats and fish to his strengths. I really believe the tournament will be won in the backwater areas of the Red River. However, if the water’s clear, someone like Kevin who knows how to fish jetties really can have a good chance fishing Strike King’s Series 3 or Series 5 on those jetties.Kevin can move a bait fast, and if the water temperature is warm, and the bass are aggressive, Kevin’s odds to win will increase dramatically.
Question: Which baits do you expect Kevin to be fishing in the 2009 Bassmaster Classic?
Brauer: I think the Red Eye Shad in the sexy-shad color will be Kevin’s go-to bait. But Kevin won’t be the only fisherman fishing the Red Eye Shad. Also, if the region has stable conditions, and the fish are in the right mood, a 3/4-ounce Red Eye Shad may be a tournament winner.
Question: What else could cause Kevin to not have a good tournament?
Brauer: I really believe that unless Kevin has muddy and cold water, he will perform at the top of his game.
Next: Shaw Grigsby
Contents:
- Part 1: Kevin VanDam
- Part 2: Shaw Grigsby
- Part 3: Mark Davis
- Part 4: Greg Hackney
- Part 5: Denny Brauer on Classic Pressures
