Pros’ Picks: Forrest Wood Open

FLW Tour pros counter the pundits with their own picks for the Wheeler Lake FLW Outdoors Fishing Challenge

FLW Kentucky Lake scores

Pundits: 2,784
Pros: 2,514

Yearly totals

Pundits: 14,800
Pros: 14,173

All I can say is that it’s about time. I’ve got to admit, when I was asked to be a pro picker earlier this season, I thought it would be like taking candy from a baby. But I was in for a rude awakening. The fact that the pundits have consistently dominated over the pros this season is one of the great mysteries of the universe.

In my analysis of this phenomenon, I have concluded that the pros and pundits who contribute to these columns can be separated into three basic categories:

1. The conservative. The conservative picker tends to lack creative thinking. Most pickers in this group rely on choosing anglers who have a past history of doing well on the lake we are fishing. The conservatives are usually very consistent, but I think this type of selection process can create a hollow feeling even if they win. Most pundits fall into this category, but pros can also fall into this group from time to time.

2. The fence-rider. The fence-rider tends to be a conservative gambler. He can be identified by his tendency to choose local favorites along with a current “hot” angler. This can be a good game plan, but the fence-rider tends to let his intellectual mind overpower his intuitive abilities, therefore limiting his long-term potential for improvement.

3. The gambler. The gambler can be identified by his inconsistent performances. He tends to finish near the top or near the bottom. But the gambler also tends to win more than the other groups. I like the gamblers. The pros tend to be gamblers. Gamblers fish and pick from their heart and intuition.

Our world is full of mysteries and surprises – like why Clark is the only pro on the tour who refuses to wear Tevas in the summer. I can see his white socks as I run down the lake before I can see Tony the Tiger on his boat. Or why Gerald is from the heart of Alabama and jams to hip-hop, i.e. “Nellyville.” Or how Washburn is dominating the pick standings. The list goes on and on.

And who thought this wouldn’t be an educating experience?

Good luck to all at Wheeler.

– Randy

Hot picks

The Manteo Machine is a heavy favorite at this year’s Forrest Wood Open; all eight pros and pundits give David Dudley the nod at Wheeler. Steady Clark Wendlandt comes in big again (despite his choice of footwear) with five picks. Last year’s Wheeler winner Larry Nixon and Kevin VanDam each check in with four votes while Rick Clunn and AOY leader Dan Morehead garner three apiece. Rounding out the multiple vote-getters are David Fritts and Steve Kennedy, each with two picks.
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Wal-Mart FLW Tour stop No. 6
Forrest Wood Open
Wheeler Lake, Florence, Ala.
June 18-21

Randy Blaukat
FLW pro, Lamar, Mo.
Previous tournament score (Kentucky Lake): 729
Yearly total: 3,372

1) David Dudley. While visiting with Dudley after narrowing his gap on Dan Morehead recently, I get the feeling he will be the FLW Angler of the Year. Dudley probably has the most natural talent of anyone in fishing today. Believe me, I know. When I came in with almost 15 pounds on the last day of the 2002 M1 tournament on the tough Mobile Delta, I thought the $700,000 was as good as mine – only to watch Dudley hold the check over his head a few moments later. (Awesome job, David.) He fishes on instinct, and although he might not have the experience, he has the gift of catching fish. If Dudley irons out some rough edges, I think he would be the dominating figure in pro fishing.
2) Rick Clunn. Rick told me he is going to spend more time practicing at Wheeler that in any of our previous events. The winner of the Forrest Wood Open on nearby Pickwick several years ago, I think Rick will be really focused on the position of the fish at Wheeler.
3) Brent Chapman. Brent has been fishing great all year and is coming off a near-win in a recent BASS event. He reminds me a lot of Dudley in respect to his natural abilities. Chapman is one of those anglers who will have 14 rods on his deck when he goes out, and he catches fish on all of them. He’s an awesome angler.
4) Toshinari Namiki. Namiki is way overdue for a top finish. He will have a lot of practice here and is on the bubble for the Jacobs Cup. Namiki is a clutch angler, and I look for him to have his best event of the year at Wheeler. He absorbs information and assimilates it very quickly.
5) Jim Eakins. I have known Eakins for years, as we used to fish a lot of the same regional events back in Missouri. He fishes to win and seems to do well in the summer months. I am surprised he has not done better this year, but his top 10 at Beaver did not surprise me. He has a lot of experience, is very relaxed and has done well on other Tennessee Valley Authority systems in the past.

Clark Wendlandt
FLW pro, Cedar Park, Texas
Previous tournament score: 635
Yearly total: 3,721

1) David Dudley. Dudley just won the first Northern Everstart and is on a great roll. He also wants to win the AOY race. He will excel at Wheeler.
2) Kevin VanDam. Kevin is on the bubble for the Jacobs Cup. He always does well on the Tennessee River and especially at Wheeler. He will move way up in the overall standings.
3) Clark Wendlandt. I have done well on Wheeler almost every time I have fished it and I am itching to fish another tournament on the Tennessee River, especially after Kentucky Lake.
4) Kelly Jordan. Kelly has won here in the past and I expect him to do very well in this tournament.
5) Dan Morehead. I am picking Dan because the AOY race is fairly tight and he must do well. I think Dan will perform well under pressure.

Koby Kreiger
FLW pro, Okeechobee, Fla.
Previous tournament score: 619
Yearly total: 3,671

1) David Dudley.
2) Kevin VanDam.
3) Aaron Martens.
4) David Fritts.
5) Rick Clunn.

Gerald Swindle
FLW pro, Warrior, Ala.
Previous tournament score: 531
Yearly total: 3,409

1) Andy Morgan.
2) David Fritts.
3) David Dudley.
4) Larry Nixon.
5) Kevin VanDam.

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Pundits’ Picks: Forrest Wood Open
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