Entry 240-4
Who Will Win the 2008 Classic with Shaw Grigsby
Editor’s Note: Shaw Grigsby of Gainesville, Florida, the host of “One More Cast” TV show on the Versus Channel, has won over $2 million in tournament bass fishing, been a professional bass fisherman for 25 years, fished 10 Bassmaster Classics and been the color commentator for the Classic for many years. Grigsby’s one of the most well-respected tournament anglers on the BASS circuit. We’ve asked Grigsby to handicap the 2008 Classic and tell us who will win. Here are Grigsby’s picks of the anglers he believes will do well or win the Classic this year. He’ll also tell us how he’d fish the Classic, if he were competing this year.
Part 4: The Lures that May Win the 2008 Bassmasters Classic
Question: If you were going to fish the 2008 Classic at Lake Hartwell, how would you fish it, Shaw, and which four lures would you use?
Grigsby: I’d have to pick the Red Eye Shad as my number-one lure. The Red Eye Shad is nose weighted, falls all the way to the bottom and swims as it falls. So, whether I’m fishing the bait in 30 feet of water or catching bass in 5 feet of water on the flats where they’ve moved to spawn, the Red Eye Shad will be the best bait to use. The other advantage this lure gives me is the bass will be feeding on shad and the blue back herring, and Strike King makes these two colors in the Red Eye Shad.
Question: On what pound-test line would you fish the Red Eye Shad?
Grigsby: Normally I’d fish it on Sufix 12-pound-test line, but if I really wanted to get the bait deep, I’d fish it on 10-pound-test line. I’d fish a Quantum Randy Howell 7-foot Signature Series cranking rod because it has a really-light tip, making it perfect for casting the Red Eye Shad.
Question: Would you fish deep or shallow?
Grigsby: I’d probably start off deep. 
This is February, and even though this winter hasn’t been really cold except for brief periods of time, a brutal cold front has moved into the Northeast. So, the temperatures around Lake Hartwell have still been cool, even though they haven’t been extremely cold. The bass still will be out on those ledges and drop-offs looking for shad. I’d fish the Red Eye Shad in, around and under those ledges.
Question: Okay, Shaw, what’s your number-two bait?
Grigsby: I’d start with the new Football Jig, an awesome jig that falls head first and sits upright on the bottom. It’s great for spotted bass and largemouths, and Lake Hartwell homes both. I can fish the Football Jig on either 10- or 12-pound-test line, and it has a strong-enough hook that I can penetrate a bass’s jaw, even in 30 feet of water. You can get the Football Head jig with only the jig, or you can get the bait with a skirt on it. I like the Football Head jig with the skirt. I’d probably slightly trim the skirt and put a Rage Chunk behind it. I’d choose green pumpkin for the skirt color and the chunk color. 
If I didn’t get any strikes with those colors, I’d switch to the watermelon red.
Question: How would you fish that jig on the bottom?
Grigsby: I’d probably drag the jig across the bottom, occasionally hopping it. Spotted bass will often take that jig when it hops. I’d drag the jig over ledges, along old creek beds and on points in major creeks. The bass have to know that the spawn is near, so they’re holding on those staging areas preparing to spawn. The bass will be ganged-up and really close to the spawning areas, but not quite on them, yet. So, these will be my first two baits of choice.
Contents:
- Part 1: Kevin VanDam
- Part 2: Greg Hackney
- Part 3: Mike Wurm
- Part 4: The Lures that May Win the 2008 Bassmasters Classic
- Part 5: Two More Lures for Winning the 2008 Classic
