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My favorite Pro is Marty Stone. Marty and I are good friends, and he is a genuine great fellow. He has to be one of the nicest guys I have ever met! Not just saying this because we are friends, saying it because I really respect his tactics, influence, attitude and respectful approach to fishing. He is second to none!

Mike Bailey
Bassin USA Pro-Staff
North Carolina

Well, my choice would have to be Kevin Vandam just because of his versatility. He is from Michigan and he gives all them southern boys all they can handle. He is probably one of the best spinnerbait fisherman out there, but he won the classic flippin and pitchin. Got to admire that.

Joe, I am a little late in my reply however the most admired Pro and the best are two different things. I would say that Rick Clunn is the toughest competitor and would strike the most fear in my heart if I was in the lead and he was trailing by a few pounds. Rick Clunn is with out a doubt the Pro who has been around the longest and has won the most money and Classics, His ditractors have always said that up until his win in the old Western Bass U S Open in Lake Mead that he won classics becuase the seasonal pattern favored his Buzzbait and Crankbait upper third creek pattern and all classics where held in the Fall. I think Rick is the best there has ever been, but like he said the best has not even been conceived in our minds yet. If not Rick Clunn Hank Parker was super imppressive for a few years and won a ton of money in short order, one could argue that for a short period of time he was unbeatable and when he returns he is as unbeatable as ever. The argument against him was that Denny Brauer and David Fritts had there as I would call it "John Wayne year" and if they choose retirement after that we could make the same case for them. The classic on the Ohio river showed thta Larry Nixon has the ability and tenacity to be the best when the going is near impposable,lowest wheight in any classic. Two others that deserve mention are Mark Davis and George Cochrane both are always there as is David Hite. I willtell you from personal expeirence they are all very very good at what they do, I had the pleasure of drawing to very good pros (or they had the misfortune of drawing me) years ago Tommy Martin and Ricky Green both were gentlemen and exceptional Bassfishermen who could teach you more by accident than most people could on purpose. I would still pick Rick Clunn as the best and Larry Nixon as my second, but as any of them will tell you you are only as good as your last Tournament and or cas or year with all the young bloods coming up!!! Good Bassin Dan Bass