2013 BASSMASTER CLASSIC Interview PART 2: Cliff Pace's Classic Winning Strategies

Cliff Pace working on a limit.
(Photo: James Overstreet, BASS)

By Luigi De Rose

Part two of the interview with Cliff Pace, recently crowned 2013 BASSMASTER CLASSIC Champion, we chatted more on tackle, fishing conditions and strategy.  Cliff had laser beam focus throughout the entire three day tournament. He adjusted exceptionally well considering the weather fluctuated from freezing air temps with snow to balmy.  Cliff led the entire tournament and landed two of the heaviest creels of the Classic. By the commencement of the final day, Pace held a six pound lead. Most considered the tournament his to lose.  
(click here for PART ONE of the interview)

IBASSIN

Take the readers through Day 1 and 2.

Cliff Pace

Both days the strategy was almost the same but the bass bit differently on each day. The mornings were cold so I started deep. The deeper areas were best in the morning. My shallower areas got progressively better in the afternoon. That’s when the jerk bait bite was better. I feel those areas improved because the shad moved up in the water column later in the day. That made a difference how I targeted the bass.

The Chronarch proved itself all week.

First thing, I used was a 1/2oz V& M football jig. The jig was dressed with a V& M Twin Tail trailer. I would dye the pumpkin trailer orange to make it more appealing.  It was best for the deeper spots. The bass were holding off the main lake, mostly secondary points in the 10 to 25 foot range. They just were not in one specific depth. I had to determine where they were throughout each day. Usually, I would stick to the jig until 10am.

For the jig, I used a Shimano 7’ 2” Crucial rod in heavy power teamed with a Shimano 200 E Chronarch reel spooled with 15lb test Hi-Seas Fluorocarbon line.

IBASSIN

What type of structure did you focus on?

Cliff Pace

Let me explain what I mean. On the secondary points, there were flatter sections with one deep sloping spot.  The deeper areas, steeper sections, were right on the end of the point. It would fall into much deeper water than the surrounding area. The sections off either side of the point had a gradual taper. These sections were shallower than right off the point. The bass would reposition around each of these areas throughout the tournament day.

IBASSIN

Jerk baits got a lot of press. How did that factor into your presentations?

Cliff Pace

Another on the jig.
(Photo: James Overstreet, BASS)

The bass bit the jig very well on day 1, especially in the morning. The jerk bait was good in the afternoon. On the second day, I fished with the jig a bit too long and when I switched over to the jerk bait, the bass really started biting it. On the third day, I started with the jig and then switched over to the jerk bait. I figured they bit it so well on the second day, it would work but the conditions were not right for a jerk bait. After the front and with the bright sun, it wasn’t working. I switched back to the jig late in the final day and luckily I caught two more. I really left the door open for someone else to win it.

IBASSIN

What brands of jerk bait were best?

Cliff Pace

The Jackall Squad Minnow

Jackall jerk baits were best. The Soul Shad and Squad Minnow are what I used.  I stuck to their threadfin shad colour. It matched the water colour perfectly.

IBASSIN

Did you try to “match the hatch” of the bait fish?

Cliff Pace

Not really. Jackall’s threadfin shad matched the water on Grand the best.  Water colour was more influential than trying to match the bait. It had to be visible to the fish but match the water clarity.

IBASSIN

Jerk bait gear?

Cliff Pace

 

I selected the Shimano Crucial Crankbait rod in medium/heavy.  It had the perfect action for what I needed.  I teamed it up with a Shimano Chronarch 200 E5 reel. It was spooled with 8 lb. Hi-Seas Fluorocarbon line. 

The gears in the Shimano reels worked really well. When the weather is so cool, other reels have failed me. These Shimano reels worked very well during the entire Classic.  Never did the gears slip or get jammed up.  It allowed me to just focus on fishing and not worry about my gear. When you’re trying to win (the BASSMASTER Classic), you need everything to go right and to just focus on fishing.

IBASSIN

Thanks for your time and good luck on tour!

Cliff Pace

Thanks for calling me and I enjoyed talking fishing with you.

Cliff Pace is a true angler who will represent BASS and the fans of fishing well. He is articulate, knowledgeable and skilled. One of his most valued qualities is his kind and approachable manner. He is the guy who will take the time to chat fishing at the ramp or tournament.  He is a real gentleman.