K Short Winning Streak, Part 2

Here we go with the second and final part of the convo with Kevin Short on him chalking up three B.A.S.S. wins in 3 consecutive years. Pretty impressive. If’n you missed part 1, it’s here.

MS River, Pickwick, Table Rock – not exactly like waters. For that matter, June, April, October – not exactly like months. Can you explain?

All have been similar situations in terms of how the fish were relating to the cover. Most were suspended around wood, and cranking was the absolute best way to catch them.

In Iowa, it took a combination of flipping, spinnerbaiting/ buzzbaiting, and some cranking to get the job done. The last day there was all about cranking.

Pickwick was all about figuring out where on the trees the fish were suspended. Again, cranking was King. At T-Rock, it took a combination of deep dropshotting, spoon jigging, jig fishing, and finally cranking. Once again, the last day was all about catching those fish that had suspended around the wood.

When they do that, there’s no more effective way to catch them than with a shallow crankbait, especially that [Zoom] WEC E1.

That’s 250 grand in 3 years in winnings in just those 3 derbies alone. You still gonna sleep in the back of your truck next season? Maybe get one of those nifty assistants?

Hey – what’s wrong with sleeping in the back of your truck? I’ve got a Lance camper that cost almost as much as the first house I ever bought. Flat panel TV, DirecTV, DVD player, surround sound, convection oven, shower – it’s not like I’m roughing it out here.

Assistant? I’m not sure that the wife would like someone doing her job. She keeps me pretty much lined out on where we need to go and when we need to get there. I’d have a hard time doing what I do without her.

Noticed any increased interest among your peers about what you’re doing out there? Are they asking for your opinion more often?

Nah, they still look at me like I’m some kind of pink freak. Those guys have it all figured out – or think they do. Most of them think their poo doesn’t stink and they know everything there is to know about catching bass. Just ask one of them.

They have bought a bunch of E1s, though. Gotta love that.

Gonna scratch at you a little here. You fished four Opens this year and won at Table Rock, but you’re not in the ‘012 Classic because T-Rock was the only Central Open you fished. That pretty much sucks, right?

If Table Rock had been the only Open I’d fished, it wouldn’t bother me at all. But having fished the Northern Opens, I actually fished more Opens than anyone else who qualified for the Classic through the Opens with the exception of Fletcher Shryock. How fair is that? Guess you have to hate the game, not the player.

Speaking of the Classic, let’s say it’s 2012: I assume you want to make the Classic by winning another B.A.S.S. event, but would you be cool with qualifying through the points?

I’d definitely want to have my cake and eat it too, in the form of winning an Elite event.

It would be satisfying to be consistent enough to make the Classic through the points on the Elite Series. But a win certainly puts a chunk of change in your pocket, and another win in 2012 would put me in a very small group of guys.

I’d be good with either one, but I’ll be gunning for another “W.”

– End of part 2 of 2 –