Time to pack the bags for Tulsa - my 34th consecutive trip to a Bassmaster Classic.

The pros began practice there today (Friday), probing Grand Lakes O’ Cherokees, some 90 miles outside of Tulsa where the weigh-ins will be conducted.

With some nasty weather possible, that trip back and forth from BOK Arena could make things interesting. It was supposed to snow there this weekend but the forecast for tournament days calls for a warming trend (highs in low 50s) through next Thursday.

The pros practice for a few days then get involved in other classic activities before the “official” practice day next Wednesday. Thursday is Media Day and competition runs from Friday through Sunday.

(By the way…Beef O’ Brady’s in Granger, Ind. will be hosting “Classic Night” next Sunday with restaurant specials and a big screen TV piping in live coverage of the weigh-in that begins around 5:30 our time. This is the fifth time O’ Brady’s has done this.)

I get into Tulsa Tuesday evening and will get to see the lake first hand on Wednesday as Jonathon VanDam’s press partner. (We’ll be leaving the hotel at 4 a.m. to hook up his boat and make the long trek to Grand. – ugh!)

On Media Day, the pros will gather for one-on-one interviews with the massive press crew on hand. There’s a “Champion’s Dinner” that night and I’ll be hitting the Classic Outdoor Show Friday while the pros are fishing. Following Friday’s weigh-in press conference, I’ll pack up my interview gear, run to the hotel and grab a shower before heading to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Dinner.

Saturday will be filled with meetings prior to the weigh-in, and Sunday will be much the same.

There’s little time to rest at the Classic.

Who will win? I’m not going to try to speculate, but you know you can’t count out KVD. There are a lot of Oklahoma heavy hitters in the field who know Grand Lake quite well. I’d watch Edwin Evers, Mike McCelland and rookie Jason Christie.

If the weather changes drastically, watch out for KVD. He’s oozing with confidence right now.