Entry 236-1

Preparing for the 2008 Classic with Mike Wurm

Part 1: The Warm Up

Question: Mike, what are you doing to get ready for the Classic?

Wurm: Right now, I’m in Palatka, Florida, pre-fishing for the Southern Open.

Question: Why are you fishing a tournament 3 weeks before the biggest tournament of the year, the Bassmaster Classic?

Wurm: This is BASS’s first open for the new year. I’m fishing the Southern Open circuit for two reasons. The schedule doesn’t compete with the Elite Series circuit, and by fishing this circuit, I get another chance to qualify for the Classic and/or the Elite Series, if I have a bad year on the Elite circuit this year.

Question: So, you’re double downing on your chances to make the Classic and the Elite Series next year. Is that right?

Wurm: Absolutely.

Question: What do you have to do to qualify for the Elite Series?

Wurm: You can qualify if you finish in the top 10 on the Southern Open circuit. The top-three finishers in the Open series go to the Classic.

Question: What is required to stay on BASS’s Elite Series?

Wurm: You have to be one of the top-84 fishermen from the previous season. Last year, I finished 35th in the 2007 Elite Series, so I’m guaranteed a spot in the 2008 Elite Series.

Question: Why would you fish another tournament this close to the Classic?

Wurm: This tournament is the first tournament of the Southern Open circuit. If I’ll be fishing the circuit, I have to fish this tournament. Besides, I can’t pre-fish for the Classic now, and to stay in shape, mentally as well as physically, for the Classic, I need to be fishing. I haven’t fished very much this winter, so now’s a good time to get started. By fishing a tournament before the Classic, I can get tuned-up to compete.

Also, we’ll be using our own boats this year in the Classic. I just bought a new boat, and I need to get accustomed to it, get it packed-up with all the equipment I need and break it in, so I’ll be ready for Classic week. With the new boat, I have to get accustomed to knowing where my rods and tackle are located in the boat and how to drive and handle it. Fishing this tournament is a really-good warm-up for the Classic.

Question: What lures will you need for the Classic?

Wurm: I went to the lake we’ll be fishing, Lake Hartwell, before the Classic cut-off. I didn’t fish the lake that much. I just did a lot of riding around it. I learned that the weather will determine my lure selection. But I’m pretty sure I’ll be using the drop-shot rig with a Strike King finesse worm, the Strike King Bitsy Bug, the Wild Shiner jerkbait, the Series 3 or Series 5 crankbait, the Carolina rig and some Custom Shop lures. I want to have whatever types of lures I’ll need to match the weather conditions.

February is one of the most-unpredictable months of the year. A warm front can hit, bringing 50- to 70-degree weather, which will push the bass up close to the spawning flats. Or, a cold front may come through with snow, sleet and rain and push the bass out close to the main river channel. So, I need to have the lures to fish either condition.

Next: What I Learned at Practice

Contents:

• Part 1: The Warm Up
• Part 2: What I Learned at Practice
• Part 3: Preparing for Freaky Warm Fronts
• Part 4: Age is Only a Number
• Part 5: The Classic Hoopla