Getting Reel - Fishing News

Weekend Fantasy Fishing Outlook - Harris Chain

by Don Zaegel on March 4th, 2008

     This weekend kicks off the 1st tournament of the Elite Series regular season on the Harris Chain of Lake in Florida. With patterns expected to be spawn and post-spawn, I am assuming we will see a variety of baits thrown at these fish. Some key lures that I predict we will see will be 4-6 inch swimbaits, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits used to search grass lines and flats with submerged vegetation. For the spawners, finesse worms and craw imitations will do most of the work.

     Because you will see some fat spawners mixed in with the majority of the sacks, I expect we will see some good sized weights brought to the scales. The challenge for the anglers will be to see who has enough spawners to last throughout all four days of competition. With that being said, I expect we will see it take 65 lbs to make the final day cut with the overall winner having 75 lbs. My big bass prediction for the tournament is 9.8 lbs. but that is really just a blind guess. Florida waters are easily capable of giving up 11 & 12 lb fish at any given time. With a whole mess of water at their disposal, whoever can come across 2 or 3 of those fish along with some other quality bites might have enough to seal the deal.

     My top 3 angler predictions are as follows. My predictions are based solely off of history.

1. Terry Scroggins - Anglers deep into fishing do not need me to explain this one. Scroggins and Florida go together like chips and dip. There ain’t nothin’ sweeter.

2. Peter Thileveros - He has a proven success record at the Harris Chain and most important of all, it is recent success compared to success 10 years ago where the lake has gone through multiple changes. If Peter T can also find the right area with large numbers, he will be able to sit and milk it which suits his style.

3. Kevin Vandam - I don’t care if you ever get tired of hearing his name. If you play to win than he should be on your fantasy team. With conditions expected to be post spawn, there should be a wealth of big bass willing to chase down a spinnerbait. Lights out!

Dark Horse - Mark Davis - Especially if you are a fantasy fishing player. You can score Mark for a sweet deal at 4.0 market value. With a proven track record, Mark is well over the $1 million mark in career earnings. This will be Mark’s 1st year back with BASS since the creation of the Elite Series. A while ago, Mark made the move over to the FLW and had to re-qualify through the Opens to compete on the Elite Series Trail.

Best Buy Deal - Bobby Lane - For three simple reasons. First, he is a Florida boy who knows how to catch Florida bass. Second, he is riding a high and pumped after an amazing showing at his first ever Bassmasters Classic. Third, he can straight up fish. At 4.4 market value, he easily makes my team.

     After the picks have been locked, I will post my team to see.

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POSTED IN: BASS, BASS Elite Series, Fantasy Fishing, Miscellaneous