Ron Shuffield won the last big B.A.S.S. derby here 21 years ago in 1991. And two years before, in October of 1989, career-long Quantum pro Gary Klein won with a skinny 30-pounds.
Klein outsmarted the stingy fishery 23 years ago with West Coast techniques in The Bull’s clear waters-- exclusively with spinning tackle. In fact, he joked recently about the fact that even though he showed living legend Rick Clunn the pattern in practice that week, Clunn, like most southern pros, rejected the light line and “egg beater” looking reel regimen.
So history begs to know whether we might see a very rare spinning tackle driven Elite Series win this week on The Bull. “Spinning tackle could be a factor today, especially if it slicks off under calm winds and sunny skies,” said Marty Robinson, sporting his favorite Carhartt knit cap on a chilly morning at the Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock and Marina.
“Weather will determine if the bass are on shallow rock, suspended, or on deep rock,” said Scroggins. “You might be catching them shallow one day on crankbaits and spinnerbaits, and then the weather changes, and they’ll shoot down the hill in a hurry to deeper rock, and that’s when shaky heads and drop-shots on spinning reels will be a factor,” predicts Scroggins.
Robinson and Scroggins both agree spinning reels will be a factor, but neither was willing to say this event would be won with a spinning reel in hand.
However, the never bashful Gerald Swindle says no way will they spin to win. “Nope. The guy that wins this has to catch at least one 4-pounder each day, and I don’t see that happening with spinning tackle over a four day event,” said Swindle.
“When Gary Klein won here with spinning tackle, the water was probably a lot cleaner. The only dude in this tournament that has even a remote chance to win with spinning tackle is Aaron Martens,” said Swindle.
“And I say that because he’s the only one willing to dead-stick a drop shot over a branch in 70-feet of water for 64 seconds until one decides to bite.”