Championship Picks: Logan Martin Lake

Welcome to the final installment of the 2006 Pundits’ Picks. After a long season of prognostication, it all comes down to this: six qualifying pundits competing in a winner-take-all Pundits’ Championship at Logan Martin Lake. Here’s how we got here.

In the Pro Division, the defending Pundit Champion, Clark Wendlandt, kept his shoes clean and accumulated a 5-0 record during the five-event, head-to-head Pundits’ regular season. However, he stepped in it a little bit in the Pundits’ Playoffs at Lake Champlain and was ousted from the championship by FLW Outdoors TV host Keith Lebowitz.

Once again this year, loquacious Rob Newell dominated the Staff Division in the regular season with a 5-0 record. However, like his nemesis Wendlandt, Newell fell flat in the Champlain playoffs, lost to pro Randy Blaukat and did not advance to the championship.

In fact, Blaukat was the only pro to qualify for the championship. The other five pro pundits all lost their playoff matchups against the staff pundits at Lake Champlain. Here were the results:

No. 2 staff Gary Mortenson def. No. 5 pro Carl Svebek 882-711

No. 3 staff Jeff Schroeder def. No. 4 pro Art Berry 925-843

No. 4 staff Jason Sealock def. No. 3 pro Dave Lefebre 837-720

No. 5 staff Brett Carlson def. No. 2 pro David Dudley 848-828

No. 6 staff Keith Lebowitz def. No. 1 pro Clark Wendlandt 895-869

No. 6 pro Randy Blaukat def. No. 1 staff Rob Newell 804-744

Thus, in the spirit of the FLW Championship final round, we have six pundits – mostly from the Staff Division – remaining in the winner-take-all Championship Picks at Logan Martin Lake. Top score for the tournament takes the 2006 Pundit of the Year title. May the most prophetic pundit win.

Tournament site

Logan Martin Lake is packed with bass and it’s a large fishery. So, particularly in a field of just 48 boats, everyone’s going to have access to some good fish. The key to finding them for many pros will be the ability to manage current. Logan Martin’s an impoundment on the Coosa River, and the impact on the tournament will be sizable if Alabama Power pulls water through the lake during the week. Look for crankbait fishermen and those who like to go deeper to come up big if the water starts moving or if the weather stays hot. On the other hand, the 48 pros who made the championship didn’t get there by not knowing how to handle current, so that doesn’t really help much in your picks. Besides, there’s a lot of good shallow-water fishing at the lake, too, with docks and tons of structure for fish to hang out in. To wit: Luke Clausen, in his rookie year, won this tournament here in 2004 by fishing docks. At the time, it was Clausen’s first-ever visit to the lake, too. Needless to say, he wasn’t on very many picks lists prior to that one, but you can bet your bottom dollar he will be for this one. Still, pick your poison, as far your picks go, because they’ll be catching them a thousand different ways at the championship. Add the bracket format to that mixture, and it makes for some very spicy punditry, indeed.

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Wal-Mart FLW Tour stop No. 7

Wal-Mart FLW Tour Championship

Logan Martin Lake, Birmingham, Ala.

Aug. 2-5

Gary Mortenson Editor FLWOutdoors.com Record: 4-2 Points: 4,221

1) DION HIBDON.Hibdon won the 1997 Bassmaster Classic on Logan Martin Lake and it appears that he has a very favorable bracket matchup despite his 43rd-ranked seed. In addition, Hibdon will almost assuredly employ his secret weapon – the invaluable resources of his legendary angling father, Guido – something any of the championship finalists would give their right eye for. Overall, Hibdon’s veteran savvy and wealth of experience fishing pressure-packed tournaments should allow him to make a strong run for the title at the 2006 FLW Tour Championship. 2) ANTHONY GAGLIARDI.While No.1 seeds have a history of falling short, I’m willing to bet that Gagliardi has what it takes to continue fishing through the finals. For starters, I like his matchups. Secondly, he’s been on an absolute tear this year. And finally, he finished in third place at the 2004 FLW Championship on this same body of water. 3) LUKE CLAUSEN.I really tried to avoid picking Clausen for two reasons: One, there is a very real chance that everyone will pick him, and if you’re trying to capture a Pundit title, it’s best to zig while everyone else zags; secondly, picking the 2004 FLW Tour Champion is about as creative as coming up with a new sitcom entitled “Friends II.” However, that being said, Clausen absolutely dominated on Logan Martin Lake in 2004. His daily catches were monstrous in comparison to the rest of the field. And he has the perfect laid-back attitude necessary to stay calm during the most nerve-wracking events of the season. So, call me a sellout, but I’m sticking by the Luke-ster. 4) RAY SCHEIDE.This is the pick that’s going to win me the title. Although Scheide only finished the championship in 26th place in 2004, it was more a result of bad luck than a reflection on his fishing ability. After round one, Scheide offered up a whopping 20 pounds, 6 ounces – one of the better two-day weights of the tournament – but alas, he ran into a buzzsaw in the form of Aaron Martens, who beat him out by a whole 5 ounces to advance. In addition, Scheide is having a banner year, finishing fourth overall in the FLW Tour’s yearend standings. He’s quiet, unassuming, and he’s going to be gunning for a championship title in just a few short days. Mark my words. 5) DAVE LEFEBRE.I’ll be the first to admit that I’m taking a flyer on the Keebler Kid. He’s got a rough bracket; Thanh Le is a tough kid and the always dangerous Jay Yelas looms in round two. However, Lefebre finished seventh at the championship in 2004 and he always seems to step it up a notch in big tournaments. Plus, he’s a funny guy, which always scores bonus points with yours truly.

Jeff Schroeder Editor FLWOutdoors.com Record: 3-3 Points: 4,373

1) MATT HERREN.Herren is a near-lock to make it out of the opening round at Logan Martin. He has consistently busted nice sacks of fish the first two days at the last three championships, so we know he does his homework for the big one. However, he has also consistently bonked on day three at the last two years’ championships, causing him to finish reliably in the 20s. Still, Herren has inarguably been the most consistent pro out there since he began fishing the tour in 2003, having never finished worse than 11th place in the standings and ultimately creeping up to No. 2 in points this season. His three top-10 finishes in 2006 prove that he’s still feeling the magic, and with this tournament being held so close to home in Alabama, I’m betting that Herren finally puts together four consistent days in a row and wins his first major FLW Outdoors title. 2) LARRY NIXON.What else is there to say about the General except that he’s a man on a mission when it comes to these championships? My friend, former opponent in punditry and championship qualifier himself, co-angler Rob Newell, recently told me that, as he was practicing at Logan Martin last week, he only saw one other pro on the water. It was Nixon. Newell said the wily veteran had a determined look in his eye that said: “I saw my old pal George Cochran win his retirement fund at this thing last year, and I darn well plan on doing the same thing for myself this year.” That’s good enough for me. Of course, fate would have it that Nixon faces off against Cochran in the opening round. Sorry, George, you got yours already. It’s the General’s turn now. 3) LUKE CLAUSEN.Clausen’ll probably go out and win this thing again because, as everyone knows, the Unflappable One tends to get up for these big events. Win in `Bama with 6-pound line and a worm? No problem for ol’ Cool Hand in 2004. Same goes for 2006. He’s a must-pick since everyone else will have him. However, I would argue that Clausen’s coming out of the toughest bracket in the championship. He’s got Tom Monsoor to start – no slouch with the finessey stuff himself – and then Shin Fukae or Alton Jones staring at him in the second round. Fukae might win this derby if he didn’t have Luke to contend with in his brackets, and you never know when Jones’ll pop up with a magical four-day stretch, which can happen anywhere, anytime. But as solid as those three are, there’s going to be nothing more intimidating next week than the soft-spoken Westerner carrying his light line and little worms down to Logan Martin Lake. 4) CLIFFORD PIRCH.I’m hoping this is my moneymaking pick. I love his opening matchup against fellow Western dude Brent Ehrler because these two already have a history of battling for supremacy out on Havasu, Mead, Clear, the Delta and the like. Too bad they’re both two of the nicest guys to come out of the Western Division or there might actually be some bad blood between them, which would spice things up nicely. As it is, they’re both easygoing, light-line, small-bait aces in the Western mold a la Luke Clausen, which should obviously serve them well around the docks at Logan Martin. I say Pirch comes out ahead against Ehrler, barely, and makes a run to become the second Western pro to win the championship in Birmingham. 5) SCOTT MARTIN.He placed second at the championship here in 2004 and seems to be rolling really well into this one, with top finishes at Kentucky Lake and Lake Champlain. If Martin wins this championship, at what point do we stop referring to him as “Roland’s son” and instead start calling Roland “Scott’s dad”? Not yet. But, ooh son, the legacy’s really working on it.

Jason Sealock Associate editor FLW Outdoors Record: 3-3 Points: 4,249

1) ANTHONY GAGLIARDI.He’s on a hot streak this year and he did really well the last time it was hot here. He can catch them deep and could find the mother lode that others miss out deep. 2) DAVE LEFEBRE.You’re my boy, Blue. 3) DION HIBDON.He’s been a hard charger this last half, and he is unbelievable on lakes with lots of docks. Oh yeah, I think he also won a little tournament here a while back. 4) SHINICHI FUKAE.Besides our angler of the year, who’s been hotter on tour this year? He swings for the fences, and if the finesse bite is on like I’m banking on it being, he’s in the cut again. 5) SCOTT MARTIN.He told me he’s going to win this thing. That’s good enough for me to put him in the top five.

Brett Carlson Editor FLWOutdoors.com Record: 3-3 Points: 4,006

1) ANTHONY GAGLIARDI.It’s FLW Tour Championship time, which means its time for the big guns to come out. With loads of cash on the line, I’ve decided to pick the best bass anglers in the world, regardless of their track records on Logan Martin Lake. No. 1 on that list right now is Prosperity, S.C., pro Anthony Gagliardi. He’s had a great year, the AOY race is off his chest, and he’s free to swing for the fences. When Gags swings it’s like Tyson in his prime; everybody else ducks and prays. 2) CLARK WENDLANDT.These shoes just look cleaner all the time. Things are so bright in fact, that the Leander, Texas, pro has earned over $50,000 in his last four tour-level events. Plus, over a $1 million in career earnings tells me that Clark has consistently proven that he is one of the best in the sport. Despite qualifying for the championship nine times, Wendlandt has never finished in the top five. I predict he ends a remarkable turnaround season with a second-place check worth another $50,000. 3) JAY YELAS.I don’t know a lot about Mr. Yelas; I just know that he’s widely regarded as a gentleman and he’s one of the best anglers in the business. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought a gentleman, George Cochran, won last year’s championship. Plus, I really like the way his bracket is set up. 4) LARRY NIXON.If he gets past Cochran, his good friend and the defending champion, Nixon could be one to watch. His chances will improve dramatically if the weather heats up and the fish move deep. He’s had a very solid, if not spectacular, 2006 season. How about ending it in spectacular fashion with a $500,000 check? 5) LUKE CLAUSEN.Flippers and crankers beware, here comes the little finesse worm. Birmingham in August sounds like another tough, hot tournament. But don’t expect the Spokane, Wash., pro to be sweating it out. Clausen’s in with Shin, so it will certainly be a tough bracket. But the tougher things get, the more effective the million-dollar man becomes.

Keith Lebowitz Co-host “FLW Outdoors” on FSN Record: 2-4 Points: 3,924

1) DION HIBDON.The big fella won the Classic here a few years back. I like going with a hot stick and, besides, the entire Hibdon family is on fire right now, including Dion’s son, Payden. Coming off a strong performance at Champlain, Dion is ready to win another one of these biggies. 2) LUKE CLAUSEN.How can you not include the 2004 FLW Tour Champion in the top five? Luke is looking to become the first ever to win both the Classic and the FLW Tour Championship in the same year. And here, he returns to the site of his first championship victory. 3) CLARK WENDLANDT.He’s never won one of these events and, after years of being shutout from victory, the man we like to call Clean Shoes is due. 4) JAY YELAS.He has a knack for finding his way in big events. Yelas returns to the FLW Tour Championship after a couple of years off. 5) CLIFFORD PIRCH.My dark-horse pick in this event. Pirch has been as consistent as any angler this year. He’s always around the fish, and watch for him to break through at the 2006 FLW Tour Championship.

Randy Blaukat FLW pro Lamar, Mo. Record: 1-5 Points: 3,543

1) SHINICHI FUKAE.Shin has made a fortune this year with the finesse worm, and Logan Martin’s Shaky Head-loving spots will give him a shot at his third win this season. 2) TOSHINARI NAMIKI.This is Toshi’s farewell tournament in the U.S. He has put in almost a month of practice here and will no doubt have a lot of deep brush piles located that have big Kentuckys in them. 3) DANNY CORREIA.Danny is fishing as well as any pro on tour right now. He is a top deepwater expert and has a good history of doing well on Alabama’s overfished lakes. 4) RANDY BLAUKAT.My goal is to make it past the first round, which is something I’ve never done at these championships since the bracket format was introduced. If I am fortunate enough to do that, I’ll be happy. 5) MIKE HAWKES.Mike is one of the most underrated anglers on tour today. He has a win on the FLW Series side, and I look for him to capitalize on this momentum.

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