Participating in his 8^th Bassmaster Classic, Bill Lowen said he was “Cautiously Optimistic” heading into the first day of competition.  Off the record he will tell you he feels “really good” about this event. “Its exactly like it was the last time we were here in 2013 and I thought I could win that event. We had weather blow in and it messed up my areas. This year we don’t have the weather, the weather is actually getting better and the fishing should too.” Says Lowen. “Its been really good up to this point and hopefully its just going to get better.”

“You hear these guys talking and all down in the mouth, I call it sandbagging, but it sounds like guys aren’t getting many bites and I have been getting 10-15 a day. My weights have been good and so I feel good.” Last time the Classic was held on Grand Lake in Grove, OK, Lowen finished 18^th.  “Last time here I just could not get the big bite that I was getting prior to all the weather, but this year the fish are still where I found them 3 years ago, the only difference is they are bigger.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen when we get out there, I might finish dead last, who knows, but I know I won’t go down without a fight. I’m not fishing for two pounders, I’m fishing for the bigger fish and if I get 5 big bites, I’ll have 20 pounds. If 20 pounds a day don’t win this, then I know I made a hell of a run at it.”

Unofficially, Lowen is in 5^th place according to Basstrak. With the weigh-in looming for day 1 of competition, pay close attention to Bill Lowen, He’s due.