Without question, one of the most cerebral anglers on tour is Gary Klein. He always is on top of his game and rarely does he have an issue on the water. His boat, his tackle and his rods and reels are an extension of that expertise. Gary has been on top of his game for a long time and has won an event in every decade he has fished. He has also qualified for the Bassmaster Classic an amazing 28 times. He lives fishing and is still a student of the game.
We had a chance to catch him today at Kentucky Lake preparing for an upcoming BASS Elite Series tournament. Here is how that discussion went.
1. You have a week off before your next event at Pickwick. What are you up to?
"I am at Kentucky Lake preparing for our June Tournament. Fish are on the beds now but I am spending my time looking at off-shore stuff hunting for "Sweet Spots" that could pay bigtime when we come back. I am looking channel bends with small points, fingers on those bends and basically I am just riding around and getting as much info as possible. We only get 3 days of practice so I utilize these weeks to better myself for the future."
2. Your next event is at Pickwick. When do you head there? How will it set up?
"I have a writers event starting Thursday at Lake Wheeler then I head over to Pickwick on Sunday. We can fish both Pickwick and Wilson and there are some options there. Could be some sight fish but it could be a post-spawn event. We will have some options. We will be able to fish and not just look at them to catch them. Multiple techniques will be there. It will be a good tournament. I am going there with an open mind. I think there will be some topwater fishing. If I only had one topwater it would be a 1/2 Lunker Lure buzzbait. I like the Lucky Craft Gunfish and will change to a buzzbait or a popper when the conditions allow for it.
3. Guntersville is next after that. Do you look forward to that event?
"Guntersville is exceptional but it hasn't always been that way and yes I look forward to it. They stopped spraying the grass and as you know it all about habitat. You have to have a place for the young bass to hide; good cover, and a food source and its all come together there. Think about it, if you took all the buildings out of New York City do you think the dynamic would change? The same is true for bass fishing. If you have good cover, you will have a good fishery."
4. You were one of the first early adopters of the Power Pole. How important are they?
"They are an essential tool. Not only for bed fishing as most would think but they are critcal for shallow water fishing....period. They will hold in 8 foot of water so they are vital to what I do. I actually added another one, I have two, right after the Smith Mountain event. I want to be able to work cover more effectively and the Power Poles afford me that chance. I look at it this way. A boat is a floating platform that I want to be the most efficient possible. Organization is a big key. My livewells are very important. I use the best pumps and an Oxygenator too. My livewells are like a jacuzzi."
5. What are the most important goals you set for yourself?
"I am a competitor and I fish against the best of the best. Its about decisions and committment. That is what I love about this sport. I want to be the best I can be fish by fish, day by day, tournament by tournament and want to maximize every day on the water. Of course I want to win and be on the top but if I can go into the last day close I know I am doing it right. I have been at this a long time and have learned that being on top takes a fish by fish approach. I am really not worried about winning the Classic or AOY but I want to be the best I can be everyday and if I do that I will be where I want to be at the end of the year."
