FLW SeriesBP Eastern Division“Clarks Hill”
Tournament Trail: FLW Series BP Eastern Division
Angler: Del Rio, Texas’s Keith Combs
Date: October 22-25 2008
Del Rio, Texas’s Professional FLW Bass Angler Keith Combs, managed to collect $8,230.00 on Applining, Georgia’s, Clarks Hill. Carrying a 5-bass limit to the scales for three days of competition, Combs compares his Tournament Performance to his Pre-Tournament Predictions for Bass East.
Q. Do you feel your practice and preparation for this event went as planned?
A. No, not really It was my first time on the lake and I was not sure what to expect. I did catch my fish shallow cranking . I just did not have enough spots .
Q. Playing the “Monday Morning Quarterback”, what changes if any would you
make, after your 36th Place finish?
A. I would have spent more time looking for offshore structure ,long shallow points and isolated shallow cover .
Q. You originally predicted shallow cranking would be the prevalent pattern, and that most bass would be caught on crankbaits. Was this true and which style, running depth and colors were most productive?
A. I caught most of my fish on a shallow running shad pattern crankbait ,paired with a Power Tackle crankbait rod. Alot of the other anglers were throwing shad pattern Rattle Traps.
Q. Your forecast of 12-13 lbs a day was right on the money, except for David Fritt’s 59lbs 10oz! However, many anglers struggled to get a limit, did the Weather conditions play a major role in these results at the scales?
A. My first day of practice the fish were fairly easy to catch .Progressively colder temperatures shut the bite down and mades the fishing tough.
Q. What final notes will you make in your ‘Fishing Log’ under Clarks Hill, October 2008 in preparation for the next time you compete there?
A. I would watch the the tape and try to figure out what Fritts was doing! I would spend more time looking for long Shallow points , some offshore structure and more shallow cover .
Q. What’s next on the Bass Fishing agenda for Keith Combs?
A. I will be headed to Lake Texoma, Denison, TX for the B.A.S.S Central Open 10/30/2008 – 11/01/2008
Hawkeye’s Pre-Tournament Bass East Predictions
FLW Pro Keith Combs gives his prediction.
Q: What does this Lake have for Structure and Cover?
A: The lake has a lot of points and humps, and the primary cover is shallow hydrilla, stumps and rock.
Q: What will be the Tournaments Prevalent Patterns?
A: Fishing points will be the primary pattern but, Someone will find them in the grass.
Q: Considering Seasonal Patterns, which Techniques will be utilized?
A: Cranking shallow points.
Q: Which Type of Baits will most of the bass be caught on?
A: Shallow cranking, football jigs and Carolina rigs.
Q: What do you look for during your Practice Days?
A: Covering water fast and look for active fish. I may have as many as 11 Power Tackle Rods on my deck. Everyday I try to fish a different area and continued to move fast.
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: I think the guy that brings 12-13 lbs a day will win the tournament.
By Billy “Hawkeye” Decoteau
