The Classic is Coming

   With the 2004 Bassmaster Classic approaching, there is a definite need to 'sum up' what is about to occur, what is going on now, and what has just past. Also contained in this article is inside information on Lake Wylie from two North Carolina pros, Dustin Wilks and Chris Baumgardner.

   However, before progressing, here is a handy list of pre-Classic events and information: 

• 2004 Classic Contest - this contest was launched July 14, and will end July 27, 2004, 5:00 PM CT. Quite simply, submit your best guess as to which pro will win the '04 Classic and his total winning weight. Closest guess takes a $350 tackle pack from AlabamaLakes.com.
• Lake Wylie Description - get a feel for Lake Wylie. This report was submitted by pro Brian Snowden just after the Classic scouting period.
• Scouting Period Results - read what some of the pros think about Wylie.
• Elite 50 Pros' Predictions - the Elite 50 pros sound off on the '04 Classic.

   According to Brian Snowden, the Classic is likely to be a good one: "I had three good days of practice with nice limits each day," and "from what I have seen I feel that it is going to be a great Classic, because there are a lot of healthy bass over four pounds in the lake." Dustin Wilks agrees "there’s enough 2.5-pounders to make a 12-pound sack not that spectacular."

   As to Classic favorites, there are several. Gary Klein is a well-known favorite, Mark Davis is certainly on a roll (having won two E50s in a row), Kevin VanDam won the E50 Series, 2004 AOY Gerald Swindle comes to mind, and several North Carolina pros have a good shot at the title. Most notably, Chris Baumgardner, Dustin Wilks, and Jason Quinn.

   "I’ve fished Wylie all my life; it’s where I learned to fish," Chris Baumgardner says. "I had a fairly good practice," he continues. "I kind of went out looked at it, kind of feeling out things. I didn’t really want to fish my best places. To win, I’m thinking 15 pounds a day. It’s got a lot of 2- to 4-pounders. I plan on catching most of my fish shallow."

   Dustin Wilks lives only four hours from Lake Wylie, and expects a large family turnout. "A lot of my friends are going down, along with my wife, mom, dad, and brother. I’ve had guys calling me up from my (BASS Federation) bass club days congratulating me. It’s like my first Classic."

   Both pros had an encouraging practice period. Wilks: "It’s a perfect lake; clean water, dirty water, shallow cover, deep cover. If it stays hot, it could be a real shallow tournament. It’ll take close to 15 pounds a day to win it. There’s enough 2.5-pounders to make a 12-pound sack not that spectacular."

   Baumgardner has more experience on Lake Wylie, and agrees with Wilks as far as Classic weights are concerned. "Actually, I had a fairly good practice. I kind of went out looked at it, kind of feeling out things. I didn’t really want to fish my best places. To win, I’m thinking 15 pounds a day. It’s got a lot of 2- to 4-pounders. I plan on catching most of my fish shallow."

   Jason Quinn has fished Lake Wylie, according to Wilks, "since he could breathe." He continued: "Jason Quinn is definitely the favorite."

   Baumgardner agrees. "I guess Jason Quinn would be one of the favorites," he said. "He’s a good offshore angler."

   Quinn, Baumgardner, Wilks, or none of the above? That is the Classic excitement. The unknown. Stay tuned to UltimateBassin.com for the most up-to-date tournament coverage on the web. Once Classic competition begins, stay right here for the news and the quickest updates available.

By Brandon Shook

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