I’ve got a fantasy fishing conundrum I’m dealing with. Maybe you guys can help me.
On one hand you’ve got Terry Scroggins: a guy that knows the St. Johns River, site of this week’s Bassmaster Elite Series Citrus Slam, about as well as Aquaman knows the ocean. On the other hand there’s the sight-fishing sultan, Shaw Grigsby, who triumphed in a bed-fish beatdown at the Harris Chain last week.
Grigs and Scroggs are both in Group B in the Bassmaster fantasy pool, so that means I can only pick one. Decisions, decisions.
You know what I like to do when I’m facing a tough decision? I like to make a positives and negatives list. Here we go.
Terry Scroggins
Positives:
– Grew up fishing the St. Johns river
– Knows how the spawn plays out at this waterbody
– Knows where to find a limit if his bed fish won’t play
– Has some momentum with a 10th-place finish at Harris
– Did I mention he knows the St. Johns like his favorite pair of boxer shorts?
Negatives:
– Knowing too much could hurt him – I read an article at Bassmaster.com where Big Show said he already had a pretty good idea of where he wanted to fish. Having preconceived notions can hurt you in a big way if those notions don’t hold true.
– All reports indicate that this could be another event dominated by spawning fish, and bed-fish can erase a local’s advantage in a hurry.
Shaw Grigsby
Positives:
– Arguably the best sight-fisherman in the field, and he proved it at Harris
– Fresh off a win
– Won’t have to change his mindset or approach much if this turns into another sight-fishing slugfest
– Qualified for the 2012 Classic with his W last week, no pressure
– Not as “local” as Scroggins, but he’s a Florida boy who ought to be able to make adjustments if needed
Negatives:
– Fishing on an emotional high… will he lose his edge? It’s not uncommon to see a pro suffer a post-victory hangover.
– Shaw had fish coming to him at Harris. The dock talk indicates most of the St. Johns fish are in a finicky post-spawn funk. Will he be able to downshift and coax big bites?
Okay, let’s see here. That’s five positives and two negatives for Scroggs and that’s one, two, three, four, five positives and two negatives for Grigs.
Dangit!
What do you think? Share your thoughts on Grigs vs. Scroggs and the rest of your fantasy fishing predictions in the comments section.
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Jody White
March 15, 2011 at 3:28 pm
I hated making this decision so I went with Bobby Lane because I thought he might be motivated for a bounce-back performance. But I would love for some people to change my mind.
Dwain
March 15, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Left Scroggins on my team again
Jesse Hall
March 15, 2011 at 5:27 pm
I went with Scroggins because, like in your article, if they do end up in post-spawn and hard to find then I think Terry will have the advantage. I just dont see Grigs winning back to back tourney’s, although I think they will both do well.
Jason
March 15, 2011 at 8:12 pm
I think I’m going to have to saddle up with Scroggins for the same reason.
Not to mention, Terry’s not exactly a slouch when it comes to sight-fishing, either.
Martin
March 15, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Just a thought. I love Grigsby, I’ve been following B.A.S.S. tournaments since the early 90’s, and his win on Seminole made me travel 24 hours from Canada to Southern Georgia to fish that lake for a week ( in 1997 ).
I’m happy for his win last week, but it’s was not a sight-fishing slug-fest. My understanding is that there was that little pond that had those big females coming up, that Grisby knew about since the 70’s and it was the hot spot this week. And he is still a great sight-fisherman. That’s it, I wouldn’t read more into that win. His next win may take another 10 years, or may never come.
If Scroggins knows so much about the St-John’s River, I would pick him over Shaw, but I might be wrong.
Bass Pundit
March 16, 2011 at 1:43 am
Flip a coin and take em both in Advanced Anglers.
John
March 16, 2011 at 9:03 am
You’re playing fantasy fishing like Boyd Duckett gathers info on the Delta.
Jason
March 16, 2011 at 9:06 am
Best. Comment. Ever.