This is definitely going to be a different kind of GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, but I say that for a couple of reasons I like. For one thing, this will be the first Classic since I’ve been fishing B.A.S.S. that I won’t have on five layers of clothing.
That’s going to eliminate the common concerns of cold-weather fishing like ice in your rod tips and the fatigue factor of carrying that extra weight. Over the course of a day, this can increase the number of casts you make and improve your overall efficiency.
Another difference will be the number of ways you can catch fish on Lake Conroe. With the warmer weather, there’s going to be a lot of diversity and that’s a big difference from years past when there was always a wintertime pattern going on.
I think in another week when we look back at how the Classic fish were caught, we’re going to see a broad range of patterns. I think that’s going to make it very interesting to see the different ways that people go about figuring out how to catch them on Conroe.
Going into this tournament, you have to have the mindset: “What can I do to win?”
It’s not about second place. I saw that last year and as good as everybody makes it sound, second place sucks.
So, you have to think about your strengths. Fortunately, this event will let a lot of guys fish their strengths.
The good thing is there won’t be any unforeseen secrets. On Lake Conroe, it’s what-you-see-is-what-you-get, so that’s going to make it fun.
There might be a lot of anglers doing something similar, but I think it’s going to come down to some slight bait variation that will give a guy the edge.
Also, I kind of predict that you’re not going to see a guy do damage all three days on the same bait. I think you’ll need several patterns: a main and back-up and patterns for morning and afternoon.
You look at last year’s Classic, you saw Edwin Evers do three different things on three different days. I can see that happening again this year.
That’s going to require several different baits, and I’m looking forward to fishing a couple of new PRADCO models that will be introduced at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. It’s exciting to see something we’ve been working on a long time finally reach its completion.
More importantly, I feel like one or both of these baits could play a big role in my tournament. Put it this way, if I get around some fish, I’m going to catch them on these baits.
Now considering how diverse this Classic will likely be, I believe a guy may not want to be on the best pattern going, because that’s going to get a lot of pressure. But a guy who is on the second- or third-place pattern could sneak up the standings and maybe catch one of those Conroe giants that can push him to the top.
This is all part of learning how to fish this event. Not to take anything away from the rookies and first-time qualifiers — they have just as good a chance at winning as any of us. But there’s a difference between fishing experience and Classic experience.
One thing I know from experience is that if you end up in the top 5 or so, you’re going to have a good number of spectator boats. That’s a great part of this event, but it can really change the way you fish, because it can make an area a one-time thing.
You fish a spot and then all that spectator traffic means you probably won’t get to fish it again. But that’s where Conroe’s diversity could end up shining.