Classic: Ike at 54, Hack at 60

Interviews with Classic contenders are starting to pop up in newspapers, and the info therein can be used to augment the always-excellent BassFan scouting reports.

In an interview with a Pennsylvania paper, Ike says, “I predict about 16 to 18 pounds a day to win.” That’s 54 pounds max.

On the other hand, Hack – the only Louisianian in the field – says in this interview, “This thing is lining up to be a slugfest. It’s been cold, and the bass have been like people, all holed up with cabin fever. And we’re getting this warm-up, and the bass are going to be either bedding or feeding.”

The article adds: “Recent reports from the marshes south of U.S. 90 are that female largemouths are loaded with roe. Hackney said combine that with sunny skies, the first afternoon temperatures at 70 degrees and Friday’s full moon and, he said, ‘It will surprise me if it takes less than 60 pounds to win.'”

For the math-challenged among us, that’s another 2 pounds per day more than Ike is predicting so…

…on the other other hand, maybe these guys are playing a psych out game with each other.

More: Hack

“I think this bunch [Classic qualifiers] doesn’t realize how good the fishing is here. It’s real good, and it’s going to get better. We’re going to see a 10- or 11-pounder (big bass) from somebody, maybe one each day. It’s going to be great.”

More: Ike

“One of the biggest reasons that you’ll see guys staying close is that in 2003, they opened up a project (on the delta) called the Davis Pond Project.

“That is a Mississippi River water diversion project. If you look at a map, the Mississippi River comes almost straight west to east; it gets to New Orleans and makes a big ‘S’ and goes south.

“Engineers made a man-made canal. Instead of that water flowing down to the delta, which it still does, they created this diversion and now the Mississippi River flows into the top of the delta.

“In essence what they did was create a flush that moves through the system with fresh Mississippi River water. And it is fertile and holds bait. Every year since they opened the project, fishing up there has gotten better and better.

“The northern area of the Delta, which never played a factor in past tournaments, is now going to be key.”

Key, eh? Hmm.