Aarons' line

[mark poulson]

I wonder what weight line Aaron was using? He broke off a couple of good fish, but swung everything, so I would guess it was at least 6lb.
Mark

[gt5bass]

he was using 5#. In hind site he says he probably could have gotten away with 8# but the bait had better action with 5#.

[Ray L.]

I know he is sponsored by Sunline but I also know he was fishing a lot of junk piles around the bridge pileings.That stuff is full of rusted metal and lumber bound to saw off any line.I am also on Sunline prostaff and yes you can swing very hard and not worry about break off's.I would imagine he was probably useing Shooter or FC Sniper, both are great fluro.Shoot me an email and I will tell you more about it Mark.I would also guess it was probably 6 or 8 pound at the most, heck he could have even gone down to 4 pound you never know with Aaron, whatever it takes to get the bites he will do it. I really feel for him he fished as well as he could and came so close.He will get 'em next year.
Think about this K.V.D. has won 3 tournaments in a row man that is quite the deal.Only Roland has done that in B.A.S.S. history.
Ray L.

[Ron C]

...the fish that Aaron lost at the boat late on Day-3 did not break off, but rather came unbuttoned as he was attempting to swing it in the boat. That fish was an obvious keeper (it looked like a pound and a halfer) and definitely would have won it for him.

I was deeply saddened that Aaron did not win. In my opinion, he was (by far) the best situational angler in this tournament, but the breaks simply did not go his way. Such is the sport of bass fishing. From an overall standpoint, I sincerely believe that Aaron is the best professional angler in the game right now, but KVD was able to capitalize on Aaron's misfortune - just as Hank Parker did when Jim Bitter accidentally dropped a fish over the side during a BASSMASTER Classic several years ago .

I would have to agree with Ray L that Aaron was probably using 5 lb test line, although he frequently uses 4 lb test line.

I did hear a rumor (before the Classic and from a very reliable source) that there may be a significant sponsor change in Aaron's future.

[Hub Spinner]

You are right, the last fish Aaron lost bounced off the gunnel as he tried to boat flip it. Aaron guestimated to be a pound and a halfer too.

He had broken one off earlier in the day and the day before I believe. He figured it rubbed him on the bridge support.

[muskyman]

2nd place is like kissing your sister. But I do have to hand it to the guy. Getting 2nd place this many times at the classic, you know he has what it takes. Under the pressure and rotten fishing conditions. Some of those bass weighed in looked like swimbaits when they were held up !

[Rick G]

Ron, I just came back from the Classic today. It was a great event, and the arena and the tackle show were packed. Yes, the fish were dinks but the best fisherman ALWAYS wins in a 3 day event. Aaron will have his day, but Kevin Van Dam is our sports best ambassaduer and by far its best fisherman. The guy just flat out knows how to WIN. P.S. the sponcer change with Aaron is not a done deal. Rick G.

[NaCl]

Looks like Aaron has caught a case of "Gary Klein Seconditis!" HAR HAR! Few more 2nds and he could beat out Klein for the all time 2nd Champ...ouch!

Actually, I was happy to see Aaron lead for two days. And, I was disappointed for him when he dropped to second. He's put himself in position to win several Classics over the past few years and he was AOY this year. That's a pretty great accomplishment in my book. And, I think it's only a matter of time till he finally wins the Classic.

.....NaCl

[Rick G]

to see how Aaron and KVD do in the next couple of Classic's as they are in Florida and the "sunshine state" has been very hard on both those guys in the recent past. Look for Terry Scroggins, T.O. or Gerald Swindle to be tough to beat. Rick G.

[hugo bass]

Tommy Biffle has 3 classic- runner ups as well. ouch.

[Ray L.]

Aaron is great but for the past few years K.V.D. is by far the best ambassaduer.I had the pleasure of fishing with him the last time the tour was out here and he is quite the gentleman when it comes to meet and greet and also always takes the high rode when on the water as I was witness first hand at what could have been a very heavy situation but he took the high rode.I was very impressed with him then as I would have gone off on the guy who encroached but he kept his cool and just did his thing and then got out of there.He even went so far as to say good luck to the person as we left.
I hope Rick gets him back here soon to speak at the Bassathon because he is great.He already has the Hack Attack which has got me fired up man what if K.V.D. was there also .
By no means am I saying Aaron is not that great.He is the best in the west and has proved it over and over....Even though I read George Krammer say Dobyns is the best.Gary is in my mind the only other person who would even have a chance at competing with Aaron in any tournament out west. I would say Gary is a close......very close second to Aaron as who is the best in the west.
Ray L.

[Rick G]

is the complete package. He can promote,speak,endorse products better than any other angler. But the bottom line is 3-time BASS A.O.Y. and now 2- time classic champion KVD is firing on all cylinders. And think he is just hitting his prime. He has unending energy for kids and autographs and is a full-time class act. I talked to him before the Classic about this years B.A.T. and he has a Kansas deer hunt scheduled during that time, but with this weekend's win that might change. I will keep you informed. But I can tell you the " Hack Attack", Ike, and Mr. Dance are all fired up about this years show. Stay tuned. Rick G.

[mark poulson]

I just want to say thanks out loud for coming through again. Dan got my cover replaced, and my seats, too. Great service again. What can I say, but thanks.
Mark

[Ray L.]

Just that lineup alone is awesome.The B.A.S.S. angler of the year...
Bill Dance one of the early pioneers of tournament bass fishing...
Ike everyone knows about him.......
What a lineup........
Everyone on here should try to make this event
Ray L.

[ddavis]

Bill Dance? I thought the "dance man" was Skeet!