Bass East Pre-Tournament Predictions

for “FLW Tour”  on ”Lake Guntersville”

Tournament Trail: FLW Tour Lake:  Lake Guntersville, Alabama
Dates: February 12-15th 2009 Angler: Keith Combs, Del Rio, Texas

When it comes to Springtime Bass competition few anglers are as aggressive as Del Rio Texas’s Keith Combs, at locating bass! Combs accolades continue to grow, and with a recent $12,0000 payday last week on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee this Texan is sitting high in his Ranger Saddle as he throttles his way to Alabama’s Lake Guntersville.    Log unto www.FLWOutdoors.com to follow Keith Combs daily FLW Tour Performance.

www.Powertackle.com          www.TrophyBassGuide.com  www.Rangerboats.com     www.Evinrude.com     www.Keith@PowerTackle.com

Q. What does Lake Guntersville have for Structure and Cover?

A. “This is where pre-tournament planning comes in for me. I have never been on Lake Guntersville, however my research indicates Guntersville is well know for its expansive weedbeds, creek channels, docks, bluffs and of course those Guntersville Giants.”

Q. What do you believe will be the Tournaments Prevalent Patterns?

A. “I am anticipating there will be a variety of patterns, especially with an impoundment the size of Guntersville. However, bass are indeed creatures of habit and with that said my experience leads me to believe they will be moving shallow. This is where a working knowledge of the lake really is beneficial, having the ability to actually pinpoint the bass’s transitional movement gives an angler lateral stability in developing not only the prevalent patterns, but more so the changing patterns!”   

Q. Considering normal basic Early Spring Seasonal Patterns, which Techniques do you believe will be utilized?

A. “I am assuming that the water temperatures will be ranging in the low to mid 50 degree range, and as I mentioned the bass should be moving shallow. Which means techniques such as rattling large lipless crankbaits, big bladed spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits may very well be the ticket to success, But, you have to have a back-up technique the anglers knowing when and where to drag Carolina rigs or Football rigs just might find a school of staging bass.”

Q. Which Type of Baits will most of the bass be caught on?

A. “I really wish I knew that answer! Maybe after my practice days I can be more specific! I can tell you though that I will have the following Power Tackle Rods rigged and ready to cover the entire water column until I find their comfort zone. A 7’3” Grass Mat rod spooled with 65lb/green Power Pro and a Black Stanley Frog, Paragon 7’ Crankbait rod for retrieving lipless crankbaits, and one of my favorites 7’3” Football Jig Special for dragging jigs ranging from ½ oz to 1 oz.” 

Q. What do you look for during your Practice Days?

A. “With four practice days, and only written knowledge of Guntersville, I will concentrate my efforts in areas with creek arms, harboring a variety of depths. Within these areas I’ll narrow my search to specific locations with shallow grass, spawning flats that also provides deep water close by should cold fronts blow in.”

Q. With everything taken into perspective how much weight will you be looking for each day at the scales, and what will it take to win this event?

A. “There is not doubt some the most proficient anglers competing on the FLW Tour will indeed locate a school of those Guntersville Giants. Realistically my goal is to product a 20lb bag each day. I honestly feel this is where I need to be if I’m going to be in contention for the final day’s competition!”