2013 CSFL Classic Pre-Tournament Report: Derek Strub

By Luigi De Rose

The Competitive Sport Fishing League (CSFL) is closing the 2013 season with their annual Classic this weekend. The three-day event, September 13 to 15, will launch from the gorgeous town of Orillia, Ontario.  The CSFL’s best anglers of the year will compete for a $40,000 purse.  Fifty anglers will blast off each day at 7am and weigh-in at 4pm on Friday and Saturday out of Centennial Park, Port of Orillia, with the final day’s weigh-in to take place on Sunday September 15th at 3pm at the Montana’s Cookhouse parking lot across from Home Depot.

Anglers will have tremendous opportunities on Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Lake Simcoe is very well known as a big bass factory and its massive size offers endless structure for smallmouth bass to live and grow to massive size. Couchiching has a healthy population of both bass yet smallmouth are the dominant fish to catch there.

The CSFL experimented this year in creating a pre-Classic qualifying Regional Championship event on the Bay of Quinte. Anglers competed in seven divisions this summer.  Only a select few qualified for the Regional and then those top finishers advanced to the final Classic.

IBASSIN contacted two of the very best to chat about the up-coming event. Here is what they had to say.

Derek Strub

A super Simcoe smallmouth. Derek will be
loving to catch a limit of these.
(Photos: Derek Strub)

Derek is a big water, smallmouth angler. The Elora, Ontario angler has numerous accolades to his credit, one of his dearest is the 2010 Canadian Open. This Classic’s water matches his style of fishing exceptionally well.  

Derek’s partner will be legendary angler Mike Desforges. Mike has a spectacular tournament resume. He knows how to win and one of his mightiest victories was capturing $100 000 on Lake Simcoe.  These two are fierce and dangerous on Simcoe.

IBASSIN:

How was today, the last practice day?

Strub:

Well, we fished Couchiching today if that is any indicator of how horrible the fishing is on Simcoe. We decided to fish here based on the poor fishing we (Mike and himself) had plus the big waves out there. The wind is strong and we wanted to be ready if the tournament is restricted to Couchiching.

IBASSIN NOTES:
If a small-craft warning is issued during the event and the tournament organization tells anglers to fish, then CSFL might be held legally responsible for any possible negative outcomes. Also, many insurance companies have a disclaimer for recklessness.  Disobeying a warning or boating in dangerous conditions could void some policies.

IBASSIN:

So, how important is the wind in this event?

Strub:

The heavy wind might actually improve the bite. The bite has been so tough any change might improve it. It cannot make it any worse.

The wind will be a huge factor in decision making throughout the tournament. The main factor wind will have is travelling. If it’s too windy, we won’t get to fish all our best places.  Right now the fish are scattered and you’ll have to hit as many places as you can to scratch out a limit.

Derek runs a Carstar wrapped walleye boat to ensure he gets to the
smallmouth regardless of the weather.

IBASSIN:

Winning weight?

Strub:

I still think 60lbs will win it. That is if the lake (Lake Simcoe) is still open.

IBASSIN:

Really? That seems very high considering the poor fishing conditions.

Strub:

No, that isn’t too high at all. Someone will catch them. A week ago, we were catching loads of 5 and 6 pound bass.

IBASSIN:

Top 3 lures?

Strub:

Tube

Jackall SS Squirrel Jerkbait

Flipping Jig

IBASSIN:

Flipping jig? Will largemouth even factor into this tournament?

Strub:

I think a mix bag will be very important. It is difficult to catch a limit out there. I think if you discount the largemouth you’ll regret it. That is especially true if we are restricted to fishing only Couchiching. Then, a mix bag will be very important. During a normal situation, this would be all smallmouth but the conditions are not great right now.

IBASSIN:

Thanks for your insight and good luck!

Strub:

Thanks! Anytime IBASSIN needs me just call.