Losers’ Picks: Lake Champlain
Welcome to the losers’ bracket of Pundits’ Picks. This is where we throw back into the water all the pundits who are culled from Punditville throughout the season. See, we still care about their picks and opinions, but they just don’t count.
Hot picks
The losers almost unanimously like Shinichi Fukae at Lake Champlain, who earned six picks out of seven pundits. Coming in next with three votes apiece are David Dudley, Kevin Vida and Clark Wendlandt. Mark Zona also makes the list with two votes from the losers.
As proof that most of the pundits seem to share the same brain (and it’s debatable exactly how big it is), there were heavy repeat picks in the entire 10-pundit pool. Seemingly poised to win Angler of the Year, Fukae took home eight total picks. Four others came in with five votes apiece: Dudley, Vida, Wendlandt and Zona. Also deserving mention are Chip Harrison, Dave Lefebre, Tom Monsoor and Jim Moynagh, who each earned two picks total.
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Wal-Mart FLW Tour stop No. 6
Forrest Wood Open
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
June 23-26
Rob Newell
Contributing editor, FLW Outdoors
Previous tournament score: 901
1) Chad Grigsby. It’s time for the Great Grigsby to shine!
2) Tom Monsoor. Lake Champlain and Monsoor go together like swimming jigs and smallmouth.
3) Dave Lefebre. He’s been rolling since Old Hickory.
4) Shinichi Fukae. Shin can taste the FLW Angler of the Year, and he’s been putting his time in on Champlain.
5) Marcel Veenstra. Veenstra has done his time down South on the FLW Tour this year. Now he’s ready for the tour to come a little closer to home where he can “wear `em out.”
Patrick Baker
Editor, FLWOutdoors.com
Previous tournament score: 767
1) Shinichi Fukae. Obviously a head pick. The mind can’t deny an angler who has been a champion in his native Japan and who is tearing up the FLW Tour in his first season. He’s No. 1 in the standings going into Champlain, and I think his hot streak will continue for the rest of the season.
2) Clark Wendlandt. His impressive numbers from season to season – with this season being no exception – speak for themselves. Not picking Wendlandt at this point would be highly illogical, Captain.
3) Rick Clunn. Here’s where the gut picks begin. He’s due for a strong FLW finish, and I’ve got a feeling about the legendary angler’s chances at Champlain.
4) Jim Moynagh. Like Clunn, Moynagh isn’t threatening to tear the roof off the yearly standings, but something is telling me to bet on him anyway.
5) Kevin Vida. This one goes a little deeper than a hunch, but the man on the bubble for championship qualification will fight extra hard to stay in the top 48.
Dave Washburn
Executive editor, FLW Outdoors
Previous tournament score: 752
1) Shinichi Fukae.
2) Clark Wendlandt.
3) Dean Rojas.
4) David Dudley.
5) Kevin Vida.
Jeff Schroeder
Editor, FLWOutdoors.com
Previous tournament score: 701
1) Mark Zona. The Mad Hatter of Michigan is making his one and only tour-level appearance at Champlain this year. And that’s of his own volition. (He qualified for the FLW Tour but decided he’d rather sell boats instead.) Given that he chose this one, plus his unyielding dominance in last year’s Northern events, I’d say Zona probably thinks he can pull in some coin at Champlain. Watch out, FLW, the Z-Man cometh.
2) Shinichi Fukae. Say, Charlie Evans, how do you say “Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year” in Japanese?
3) Alton Jones. Looking good right now and looked really good at Champlain in 2002.
4) Kevin Vida. More Northern exposure. He’ll scorch the smallie bite.
5) Clark Wendlandt. Lake Champlain is his favorite fishery, and he’s a favorite at any fishery.
David Dudley
FLW pro, Manteo, N.C.
Previous tournament score: 699
1) Greg Hackney. As hot as he is, it’s pretty much a no-brainer with Hackney.
2) Anthony Gagliardi. One of best sight-fishermen in the world.
3) Shinichi Fukae. He’s as hot as a firecracker.
4) David Dudley. Normally I like to pick myself fifth, but I’m going with fourth place this time because of the sight-fishing going on and also because I’m going to finish in front of Zona by 1 ounce – again.
5) Mark Zona. Without a doubt, he’s the best Northern fisherman walking this planet.
Carl Svebek III
FLW pro, Siloam Springs, Ark.
Previous tournament score: 599
1) Mike Surman.
2) Darrel Robertson.
3) Carl Svebek.
4) Bobby Curtis.
5) David Dudley.
Randy Blaukat
FLW pro, Lamar, Mo.
Previous tournament score: 492
1) Dion Hibdon.
2) Gary Yamamoto.
3) Shinichi Fukae.
4) Takahiro Omori.
5) Masaki Shimono.
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