Entry 236-3
Preparing for the 2008 Classic with Mike Wurm
Editor’s Note: Mike Wurm of Hot Springs, Arkansas, the oldest of the three Strike King contenders in the 2008 Bassmaster Classic, has qualified for 10 Classics in the past 20 years. At 55-years old, he’ll be one of the oldest contestants in this year’s event. How is Wurm preparing for the biggest fishing tournament of the year, how will he fish the Classic, and what did he learn in practice before the cut-off? We’ll learn the answers to these questions this week.
Part 3: Preparing for Freaky Warm Fronts
Question: Mike, if you get one of those freaky, 50- to 60-degree warm fronts moving onto the lake before or during the Classic in February, what baits will you fish?
Wurm: I’ll start fishing more shallow and then move off the main river channel to the backs of the creeks. I’ll probably start fishing the Strike King crankbaits. I’ll still be fishing the Wild Shiner jerkbait, but I’ll be fishing it faster than I will in cold weather. I may start throwing a Strike King spinner bait or a big top-water bait, like the Rebel Pop-R, because bass will eat it at this time of year, if the water warms-up.
Another possibility will be the King Shad because it’s about the size of the herring in the lake. That bait can produce some really-big bites for me. The King Shad won’t only be important for me during the Classic, but it will be important all year on the tournament circuit. At just about everywhere a BASS Elite tournament will be held this year, we’ll be fishing for big post-spawn bass. 
That’s where the King Shad really becomes productive. We’ll also be fishing lakes that home really-big bass, like Lake Amistad and Falcon Lake, both in Texas. These types of lakes are where the King Shad really shines.
Question: What color King Shad do you like to fish?
Wurm: I prefer the new colors with the clear bodies, like the blue glimmer shad.
Question: Mike, what will be required for you to win, other than catching more and bigger bass than any of the other contestants?
Wurm: I’m praying for really-cold, bad weather. I’d love to see the weather stay cold, so I can fish with my finesse lures, like the Bitsy Bug, the spoon and the drop-shot rig. I like to fish offshore cover. In the past, I’ve performed better when the tournaments have been tough, and the weather has been really severe. 
When the weather’s tough, I’m at my best. So, I’m hoping for really-bad, cold weather at the Classic.
Question: How many Classics have you fished, Mike?
Wurm: This 2008 one is number 10.
Question: What will it mean for you to win the Classic?
Wurm: It will mean the world to me. The Classic is a career maker. It will ensure my legacy in bass fishing, and that $500,000 prize will help my wallet and help pay off a lot of bills. I’m getting closer to retirement, so that money will be a nice little retirement fund. Winning the Classic will be the highlight of my bass-fishing career.
Next: Age is Only a Number
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
