When Major League Fishing launched a new game for Phoenix Fantasy Fishing players this year – Beat JT Kenney Presented by 13 Fishing – it was assumed that someone would, in fact, beat JT Kenney. But the longtime former pro and current MLFNOW! color commentator isn’t relinquishing his championship belt without a fight.
After a few strong events in a row, JT has climbed all the way to third place in the standings. And with just two events left in the Bass Pro Tour season, he’s confident he can top all his challengers.
“I’m just over here biding my time, waiting to take over the top spot when it counts,” he said.
Keep in mind that anyone who picks a Fantasy Fishing lineup for Bass Pro Tour events is automatically entered into the Beat JT Kenney competition, where the season-long winner will earn both the championship belt and a premium prize package from 13 Fishing. Here are JT’s picks for the penultimate event of the year, Zenni Stage 6 Presented by Toyota on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake. Be sure to lock in your lineups before lines on at 7:45 a.m. CT on Thursday.
PICK YOUR TEAM | GRAND LAKE PRIMER
Flight 1
JT’s Picks: Cole Floyd, Ott DeFoe, Brent Ehrler, Takahiro Omori, Wesley Strader
This is a unique time of year to visit Grand Lake, so I’m not totally sure what to expect. With the water a little high, I think there’s a decent chance we see this event get won shallow (and maybe even if it falls back to normal pool, too – bladed jigs around shallow cover have been tough to beat no matter the conditions all season). However, I’m trying to cover a few bases with these picks.
Cole Floyd was an easy one. He’s coming off a win at Stage 5 on Beaver Lake, and he’s lights-out this time of year. Takahiro Omori is also hot as a firecracker. I’m confident those two guys are going to fish their way and make it work.
Ott DeFoe is another great dirt dobber who should be in his wheelhouse running up one of the rivers or creeks on Grand to some dirty water. He and Wesley Strader both have a fair amount of experience on Grand – not necessarily at this time of year, but that can still help. Strader just feels like a safe pick to me because he can catch them dirt shallow or offshore.
Lastly, Brent Ehrler isn’t quite in the same mold as all those other power fishermen (although he can certainly catch them shallow). But he’s an ultra versatile angler who seems to consistently show up for summertime events.
Flight 2
JT’s Picks: Zack Birge, Brent Chapman, James Elam, Jeff Sprague, Jacob Wheeler
Zack Birge has been an auto-pick for me just about all year, so there’s no way I am leaving him off the squad when he’s fishing a lake he knows very well with the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year title on the line. Likewise, I know Jacob Wheeler has been going through a lot off the water, but he’s strong mentally, and you know he wants to defend that AOY crown. Birge currently leads Wheeler by 1 point – don’t be surprised if the margin between them is still just a point or two either way entering the season finale.
While Birge has fished the most MLF events on Grand, James Elam might actually have the most local knowledge of anyone in the field. I know Brent Chapman knows the lake well, too. Plus, he’s always great up shallow. Finally, Jeff Sprague has turned himself into one of the most consistent anglers on tour, and I think Grand will suit his style with lots of fish to be caught winding around the banks.