All Those Exes Need Some Texas
Posted by Pete Robbins on Oct 19th 2020
Photo courtesy of bassmaster.com
Big bass. Big stage. Big dreams – and arguably none of ‘em get any bigger than a Bassmaster Classic held in Texas. Furthermore, despite the fact that professional anglers have a distinct and decided advantage on their home waters, or close to home, everyone wants a chance to fish a home-state Classic.
It’s not just a chance to win a championship. It’s a chance to defend your turf.
That probably goes double for our friends from Texas, who see their territory as a nation unto itself. So when the Classic heads to Ray Bob in Ft. Worth in March, which Texans will be there to compete?
Clark Wendlandt and Frank Talley seem to be shoo-ins.
Chris Zaldain, who is not a Texan by birth, but now actually lives in Ft. Worth, is pretty much a lock.
Brad Whatley is just inside the bubble.
At the same time, there are some current and former Texans who have some pretty heavy lifting to do in order to avoid working the Expo. In particular, three-time TTBC winner Keith Combs, along with Randy Sullivan and Ray Hanselman are in the fifties in AOY. So is Jay Yelas, a former Texan who now once again calls the west coast home. Lee Livesay, your Chickamauga champ, is mathematically eliminated from rising into the cut.
Fortunately for all of them, the road to Texas goes through Texas.
Through a COVID-induced quirk of scheduling, Texas Fest on Lake Fork was moved from June to November. Normally at this time of year anglers far below the cutline would be fishing for pride, or dollars, or perhaps points to make them feel better. Now, they’re all in a win-and-you’re-in battle to the death for a Classic spot. I’m not thankful to COVID for anything, but this is one side effect that seems to have worked out well. It gives everyone something to fish for, and some more than most – and I guarantee you that just about every one of the Texas and semi-Texans listed above will think of little else between now and early November.
