Tournament News | Our Pundit Picks for BASS Elite on West Point

5/3/2011 9:08:50 AM

Look who we think will fish well here and why

We're winding down the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Season. After this tournament there are only three tournaments left in the season. So this can be a make or break tournament for a lot of anglers. It makes choosing who's going to do well in a tournament more difficult because every guy really steps up his game. But we're going with some history, some hot streak and some gut instinct on these picks.

Jason

A Steve Kennedy - This is probably going to be a popular pick at this tournament. He learned to fish from his father fishing on West Point Lake. While he hasn't been to West Point in more than 5 years, he still knows how the lake fishes and he'll know some historically productive areas.

B Mark Menendez - the last time B.A.S.S. had an Open here, Menendez took home the trophy and the cash. So he knows a little about the lake as well. Plus Menendez has been relatively quiet, which means it's about time to get back in the top 12 cut.

C Russ Lane - This is going to be a post spawn tournament and Lane has proven that he's best when the bass leave the shallows and first start showing up offshore. He's a powerful crankbait angler who doesn't get enough credit for what he can do with a crankbait. This tournament should setup like he likes to fish.

D J. Todd Tucker - Going with a "Georgia" pick here. You always need a good local in the mix and J. Todd has been having a pretty good year especially for big bass. One or two big bass here will go far.

E David Walker - this was one of the tougher brackets to select an angler. I think there are a lot of good up and comers in this bracket but I went with a guy who can really catch them shallow after they spawn. He's a master of running obvious cover quickly and picking off the best bass on the most obvious places.

Terry

A Dean Rojas - He's on a roll and should be able to catch them on the frog and looking at them both here.

B Kelly Jordon - He's both a great sight angler and post spawn angler. Look for him to have a break out tournament. Always seems to happen in May and June.

C Takahiro Omori - He's tough in postspawn tournaments and whether it's shallow flipping or shallow cranking I like Tak in this one.

D Greg Vinson - He's a tough stick that you haven't heard much about this season. And he knows these type of waters well. If he can look at them, watch out.

E Keith Combs - He's always a threat. A home-run hitter who can win at this level, and West Point should play well to his strengths. Look for him to have a high finish.

Todd

A Mike Iaconelli -  He's extremely focused and motivated right now. He seems to perform better when it matters more, like qualifying for the Classic.

B Gerald Swindle – Gerald’s on top of his game right now, both as an angler and as a superhero helping his fellow man!

C Fred Roumbanis – Boom Boom’s got a break out event coming, and I think it’s going to be here.

D J.Todd Tucker – He's been fishing too good this year to ignore any longer.

E Ott DeFoe – He was my preseason Rookie of the Year pick, and I’m just staying with him.

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