2014 Classic Post Game with Kevin Hawk.

Find out how local knowledge helped win this Classic

By Luigi De Rose

Pre-Classic Interview Part 1

Pre-Classic Interview Part 2

Photo: Darren Jacobsen BASS

Well, it has been a week since BASS crowned Randy Howell as its new king. A lot has been penned on Randy’s intuition and the baits he and others used to best the bass at Lake Guntersville. IBASSIN is taking an unique approach to our post-game coverage. We contacted Kevin Hawk, 2010 FLW Cup Champ, Elite angler and Lake Guntersville guide for his perspective on the outcome of the 2014 Classic. We wanted him to reflect on his pre-Classic interviews with the events that occurred throughout the three day event.

We connected with Kevin while he was in Ohio preparing of a future seminar.

IBASSIN:

Thanks for taking the time to do post Classic commentary. One thing I was impressed with was how accurate you were on picking the areas that a majority of anglers fished in the Classic. You stated that Seibold and Alred’s were the place to be. 

Hawk:

The lower end is traditionally a great place to fish for bigger bass. The mentality is to win the Classic. This desire to win makes it so different than other tournaments. Anglers really focus on big bass and Guntersville is full of giants, so Classic anglers need to focus on winning more than just catching bass. It is a winner takes all tournament, so anglers really go for it.

Remember, most of the field has fished Guntersville before so they are aware of the more productive locations.  Many probably did well in practice and knew that big fish lived in the Seibold and Alred’s areas.

IBASSIN:

Tharp, Evers and Mueller didn’t stick to the lower section. They all produced larger bags than most of the field. Are you surprised?

Hawk:

No it didn’t surprise me at all. The Goose Pond area is always good and Evers did well there. It is a great place. Tharp was further up in the “Miracle Mile” area where the lake narrows down. Mueller also fished up there. That is where his giant bag came from. It is a well-known area and I am sure others fished there as well.

IBASSIN:

Why is it called the “Miracle Mile”?

Hawk:

That’s where miracles are made from.

IBASSIN: 

One comment that came up throughout the event was how shallow the bass were found.

Hawk:

That is typical Guntersville. Bass move right to the bank as soon as it gets warm. Historically, it happens every year. It is something all the locals know about.

IBASSIN:

You called it regarding bait selection. You stated that it would be won on moving baits: a trap, jerkbait or crankbait. One thing I found surprising was the popularity of the Texas Red colour.

Hawk:

I think the reason the red played such a key role was due to the rain. The rain muddied a lot of areas and put a lot of colour into the water. Red baits really shows up well in those conditions. When the water becomes dirtier is when red and orange really produce. Red is a great local colour and water clarity dictated what would be working during the Classic. If the water was clearer, shad colours would have done well.

IBASSIN

Riprap became a dominant pattern during the Classic, is that another traditional pattern on Guntersville?

Hawk:

Riprap does produce but grass gets all the attention when you read about Guntersville. Riprap creates funnels for the bait and bass as they move to the backs of the creeks and coves. The current also was a huge draw as it passed through these sections. The rain helped create more current than normal which was another factor in making these areas good. Rocks retain a lot of warmth and with it being such a cold winter; it probably helped hold the bass.

IBASSIN: Were you surprised with anything from the Classic?

Hawk:

The weights were still impressive considering the challenging conditions. I think the muddier water hurt a lot of anglers. It is difficult to really say or speculate what was happening. I really am impressed with the gutty call by Randy Howell when he went into Spring Creek. I am impressed with his decisions and that is what usually is needed to win a Classic.

IBASSIN:

Thanks for your input and helping our readers get a clear picture of the 2014 Classic. Good luck on your seminar and first Elite tournament.

Hawk:

Any time. Glad to be of help.

Kevin Hawk really displayed his knowledge as he explained the intricacies of fishing the most important bass tournament in the world.  He was truly informative and never speculated on the questions that were asked of him. He backed up his answers with his vast experiences and great knowledge on the matter. IBASSIN expects to see great things from this young angler in the near future.