A-Rig On Deep Stuff Was Key To Davis' Triumph

Alex Davis is a full-time guide at Lake Guntersville who bills himself as "the Spinnerbait Kid." However, it was the Alabama Rig that carried him to victory at last week's Southeastern EverStart on his home water.

The 26-year-old amassed 81-12 over 3 days to edge FLW Tour pro Justin Lucas by a little more than 3 pounds. The A-Rig accounted for 12 of his 15 weigh-in fish.

Ironically, he believes the A-Rig cost him a win at last October's Guntersville FLW Tour Open. That tournament was the coming-out party for the umbrella-style contraption and he was the only Top-10 finisher who wasn't throwing it on the final day, opting to stay with his grass pattern.

"If it hadn't shown up until a week later, that one could've been a whole different ball game," he said.

It was the key weapon in his own arsenal this time, and he employed it with deadly precision. He caught a 30-pound bag on day 2, then added 27 on the final day to hold off a desperate charge by day-1 leader Lucas.

The win was the first at the triple-A level for Davis, who plans to fish a full Tour schedule in 2013. Here's how he did it.

Practice

Davis' life could be characterized as one continuous practice session for Guntersville tournaments, as he's on the water (either guiding or fishing on his own) 6 days a week. He'd competed in a BFL there the previous week and said he lost several quality fish en route to a 25th-place showing.

"I can't blame anybody but myself for that one," he said. "I had the fish on to end up in the Top 3, but that's one of those 'woulda, coulda, shoulda' kind of deals."

Plying the lake's ever-abundant grass was the key to faring well in that event, and he thought that scenario might carry over to the EverStart. But once the EverStart got under way, it quickly became apparent that post-spawn fish on the ledges were the ticket to contention.

Competition

> Day 1: 5, 24-09
> Day 2: 5, 30-02
> Day 3: 5, 27-01
> Total = 15, 81-12

Davis started day 1 in the grass, thinking he could box 20 pounds without too much difficulty. But when he only had 13 after several hours of concentrated effort, he knew he had to move to the depths and throw the A-Rig.

He went to a ledge where he'd enticed a couple of big ones while prepping for the BFL and sacked up his 24 1/2 pounds in about 10 minutes. That put him in 8th place – a little less than 5 pounds off Lucas' pace.

He had about 23 pounds after the first 2 hours of day 2 when he told his co-angler they were "going practicing" (i.e. visiting deep spots that he knew about, but hadn't fished recently). The first one yielded 20 pounds in 10 minutes, but none of those fish helped him. The next one surrendered 30 pounds in less than half an hour.

He started day 3 with a 4-pound edge over 2nd-place Casey Martin. The fish at his first stop quit biting after he'd amassed about 20 pounds, and then he caught all of his weight at his second stop.

"I threw back a bunch – I think on the day I caught 20 fish that (combined to weigh) almost 100 pounds," he said. "Some were in 12 feet (of water), some were in 20 feet and I could see some on my graph in 30 feet, suspended at about 15 feet. I'd have to make a lot of casts for those and count down the lures, and once in a blue moon I'd get it right."

Once he began fishing the depths, he focused on a 15-mile stretch that included Honeycomb Creek, Brown's Creek and Seibold Creek. He fished approximately two dozen locales along that run.

"I'd stay for a bit and if I was catching fish, I'd just sit on them. If I wasn't, I'd just run to the next one."

Winning Gear Notes

> A-Rig gear: 7'11" heavy-action iRod or 7'6" heavy-action Halo rod, Abu Garcia Skeet Reese Revo or Shimano Curado E7 casting reel, 65-pound Vicious braided line, 1/8-, 1/4-, 3/8- or 1/2-ounce Strike King or Buckeye J-Will jigheads, Strike King Shadalicious (chartreuse shad) or unnamed swimbaits (shad).

> Soft jerkbait gear: 7'6" medium-heavy Abu Garcia Veritas rod, Shimano Curado E7 casting reel, 17-pound Vicious Pro Elite fluorocarbon line, 3/4-ounce Revenge jighead, Strike King Z2 (shad).

The Bottom Line

> Main factor in his success – "Figuring out that the grass wasn't happening anymore and going and fishing places that I knew about, but didn't fish in practice."

> Performance edge – "My Humminbird electronics. I'd turn the sensitivity way up and I could see the suspended fish and see where the bait was. For fishing deep stuff, you need that real bad."

Notable

> Those interested in booking a guided trip with Davis can contact him through his website, www.SpinnerbaitKid.com.

Much of the tackle referenced above is available at the BassFan Store. To browse the selection, click here..

Final Standings

1. Alex Davis -- Albertville, Al -- 24-09 (5) -- 30-02 (5) -- 54-11 (10) -- 27-01 (5) -- 81-12 (15) -- $34,767

2. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, Al -- 29-06 (5) -- 17-08 (5) -- 46-14 (10) -- 31-10 (5) -- 78-08 (15) -- $11,920

3. Rick Cotten -- Guntersville, Al -- 25-11 (5) -- 23-11 (5) -- 49-06 (10) -- 26-13 (5) -- 76-03 (15) -- $9,933

4. Marshall Deakins -- Dunlap, Tn -- 22-13 (5) -- 25-00 (5) -- 47-13 (10) -- 27-08 (5) -- 75-05 (15) -- $8,940

5. Casey Martin -- New Market, Al -- 27-09 (5) -- 23-00 (5) -- 50-09 (10) -- 23-00 (5) -- 73-09 (15) -- $7,947

6. Richard Peek -- Centre, Al -- 24-15 (5) -- 23-11 (5) -- 48-10 (10) -- 24-07 (5) -- 73-01 (15) -- $6,953

7. Mark Rose -- West Memphis, Ar -- 20-15 (5) -- 27-04 (5) -- 48-03 (10) -- 22-12 (5) -- 70-15 (15) -- $5,960

8. Gary Fleming -- Russellville, Al -- 25-09 (5) -- 20-01 (5) -- 45-10 (10) -- 23-15 (5) -- 69-09 (15) -- $4,967

9. Derek Hicks -- Rocky Face, Ga -- 23-01 (5) -- 21-07 (5) -- 44-08 (10) -- 16-01 (5) -- 60-09 (15) -- $3,973

10. J.T. Kenney -- Palm Bay, Fl -- 25-07 (5) -- 23-09 (5) -- 49-00 (10) -- 9-14 (2) -- 58-14 (12) -- $2,980

The following anglers did not make the cut and did not fish on day 3.

11. Jason Tucker -- Dutton, Al -- 20-04 (5) -- 23-07 (5) -- 43-11 (10) -- $1,987

12. Rodger Beaver -- Dawson, Ga -- 22-15 (5) -- 20-08 (5) -- 43-07 (10) -- $1,987

13. Randy Haynes -- Counce, Tn -- 22-01 (5) -- 20-13 (5) -- 42-14 (10) -- $1,987

14. Billy Brindle -- Calhoun, Ga -- 19-04 (5) -- 21-00 (5) -- 40-04 (10) -- $1,987

15. Robert Boyd -- Russellville, Al -- 16-11 (5) -- 23-04 (5) -- 39-15 (10) -- $1,987

16. Troy Gibson -- Eufaula, Al -- 19-01 (5) -- 20-14 (5) -- 39-15 (10) -- $1,490

17. Jonathan Henry -- Grant, Al -- 21-09 (5) -- 17-10 (5) -- 39-03 (10) -- $1,490

18. Bo Cross -- Knoxville, Tn -- 18-01 (5) -- 20-01 (5) -- 38-02 (10) -- $1,490

19. Randall Tharp -- Gardendale, Al -- 18-10 (5) -- 17-14 (5) -- 36-08 (10) -- $1,490

20. Josh Bragg -- Jacksonville, Al -- 15-00 (5) -- 21-05 (5) -- 36-05 (10) -- $1,490

21. Keith Pace -- Monticello, Ar -- 21-04 (5) -- 14-10 (5) -- 35-14 (10) -- $1,391

22. Scott Canterbury -- Springville, Al -- 18-14 (5) -- 16-12 (5) -- 35-10 (10) -- $1,391

23. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 18-01 (5) -- 17-05 (5) -- 35-06 (10) -- $1,391

24. Clayton Batts -- Macon, Ga -- 14-07 (5) -- 20-03 (5) -- 34-10 (10) -- $1,391

25. Erwin Cole -- Murfreesboro, Tn -- 17-11 (5) -- 16-09 (5) -- 34-04 (10) -- $1,391

26. Josh Butler -- Huntsville, Al -- 19-15 (5) -- 14-01 (5) -- 34-00 (10) -- $1,291

27. Arch Cornett -- Huntsville, Al -- 15-00 (5) -- 19-00 (5) -- 34-00 (10) -- $1,291

28. Chad Prough -- Chipley, Fl -- 17-09 (5) -- 16-06 (5) -- 33-15 (10) -- $1,291

29. Pat Kelly Sr -- Guntersville, Al -- 18-15 (5) -- 14-07 (4) -- 33-06 (9) -- $1,291

30. Edward Guice -- Decatur, Al -- 19-00 (5) -- 14-04 (5) -- 33-04 (10) -- $1,291

31. Hadley Coan -- Huntsville, Al -- 22-05 (5) -- 10-09 (3) -- 32-14 (8) -- $1,192

32. Phil Cury -- Jacksonville, Fl -- 14-08 (5) -- 18-05 (5) -- 32-13 (10) -- $1,192

33. Ty Solis -- Albany, Ga -- 16-04 (5) -- 15-02 (5) -- 31-06 (10) -- $1,192

34. Larry Jones -- Acworth, Ga -- 14-02 (5) -- 17-00 (5) -- 31-02 (10) -- $1,192

35. John Macdonald -- Peterborough, On -- 16-11 (5) -- 14-07 (5) -- 31-02 (10) -- $1,192

36. Corey Bradley -- Mcdonald, Tn -- 16-10 (5) -- 14-06 (5) -- 31-00 (10) -- $1,192

37. Lonnie Oneal -- Valdosta, Ga -- 16-02 (5) -- 14-13 (5) -- 30-15 (10) -- $1,192

38. Matt Peters -- Cotter, Ar -- 15-02 (5) -- 15-03 (5) -- 30-05 (10) -- $1,192

39. Drew Benton -- Panama City, Fl -- 17-07 (5) -- 12-10 (5) -- 30-01 (10) -- $1,192

40. Brandon Mcmillan -- Clewiston, Fl -- 15-13 (5) -- 14-04 (5) -- 30-01 (10) -- $1,192

41. Bryan Gregory -- Fort Payne, Al -- 25-09 (5) -- 4-07 (1) -- 30-00 (6) -- $1,093

42. Scott Noel -- Loveland, Oh -- 14-10 (5) -- 15-05 (5) -- 29-15 (10) -- $1,093

43. Tim Buckner -- Scottsboro, Al -- 14-06 (5) -- 15-08 (5) -- 29-14 (10) -- $1,093

44. Brian Latimer -- Belton, Sc -- 14-11 (5) -- 15-01 (5) -- 29-12 (10) -- $1,093

45. Jeremy York -- Monroe, Ga -- 15-07 (5) -- 14-03 (5) -- 29-10 (10) -- $1,093

46. Kent Ware -- Wadmalaw Island, Sc -- 16-05 (5) -- 13-04 (5) -- 29-09 (10) -- $1,093

47. David Pollard -- Carrollton, Ga -- 15-08 (5) -- 14-01 (5) -- 29-09 (10) -- $1,093

48. Jason S. Smith -- Albany, Ga -- 19-08 (5) -- 9-11 (5) -- 29-03 (10) -- $1,093

49. Ron Brown -- Mount Pleasant, Sc -- 16-01 (5) -- 12-15 (5) -- 29-00 (10) -- $1,093

50. Rick Williams -- Decatur, Al -- 13-11 (5) -- 15-04 (5) -- 28-15 (10) -- $1,093

51. Robert Morin -- Seymour, Tn -- 16-12 (5) -- 11-15 (5) -- 28-11 (10)

52. Tim Malone -- Gatlinburg, Tn -- 15-00 (5) -- 13-11 (5) -- 28-11 (10)

53. Currey Holley -- Pulaski, Tn -- 13-02 (5) -- 15-08 (5) -- 28-10 (10)

54. Derek Yasinski -- Senoia, Ga -- 15-14 (5) -- 12-11 (5) -- 28-09 (10)

55. John Duvall -- Madison, Ga -- 16-04 (5) -- 12-02 (5) -- 28-06 (10)

56. Adam Brown -- Attalla, Al -- 16-03 (5) -- 12-02 (5) -- 28-05 (10)

57. Joseph Kremer -- Osteen, Fl -- 15-09 (5) -- 12-11 (5) -- 28-04 (10)

58. Barry Wilson -- Birmingham, Al -- 12-12 (5) -- 15-07 (5) -- 28-03 (10)

59. Scott Kerslake -- Henderson, Nc -- 14-01 (4) -- 13-13 (5) -- 27-14 (9)

60. Bryan Honnerlaw -- Moore Haven, Fl -- 16-09 (5) -- 11-03 (4) -- 27-12 (9)

61. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, Sc -- 12-12 (5) -- 14-15 (5) -- 27-11 (10)

62. Rick Taylor -- West Olive, Mi -- 14-11 (5) -- 12-15 (5) -- 27-10 (10)

63. Greg Willimon -- Pickens, Sc -- 13-09 (5) -- 14-00 (5) -- 27-09 (10)

64. Robert Knobb -- Belvidere, Tn -- 3-04 (1) -- 23-14 (5) -- 27-02 (6)

65. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, Al -- 15-00 (5) -- 12-02 (5) -- 27-02 (10)

66. William Weidler -- Helena, Al -- 16-10 (5) -- 10-06 (3) -- 27-00 (8)

67. Arnie Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 15-00 (5) -- 12-00 (5) -- 27-00 (10)

68. Sean Skey -- Sumter, Sc -- 12-12 (5) -- 14-04 (5) -- 27-00 (10)

69. Jason Abrams -- Johnson City, Tn -- 19-05 (5) -- 7-10 (3) -- 26-15 (8)

70. Frank Clark -- Benton, Il -- 13-02 (5) -- 13-13 (5) -- 26-15 (10)

71. Koby Kreiger -- Okeechobee, Fl -- 13-07 (4) -- 13-07 (5) -- 26-14 (9)

72. Justin Atkins -- Columbus, Ms -- 13-07 (5) -- 13-05 (5) -- 26-12 (10)

73. Scott Wiley -- Bay Minette, Al -- 14-07 (5) -- 12-02 (5) -- 26-09 (10)

74. John Mcgoey -- Omemee, On -- 18-03 (5) -- 7-14 (4) -- 26-01 (9)

75. Hiroshi Kojima -- Athens, Al -- 13-13 (5) -- 12-01 (5) -- 25-14 (10)

76. Tommy Robinson -- Westland, Mi -- 11-08 (3) -- 14-03 (5) -- 25-11 (8)

77. Greg Johnson -- Jacksonville, Fl -- 10-01 (4) -- 14-15 (5) -- 25-00 (9)

78. Bryan Gustafson -- Fort Frances, On -- 17-13 (5) -- 7-01 (3) -- 24-14 (8)

79. Tony Haymon -- Penney Farms, Fl -- 14-03 (5) -- 10-10 (3) -- 24-13 (8)

80. Scott Mansfield -- Mckenzie, Tn -- 17-14 (5) -- 6-08 (3) -- 24-06 (8)

81. Lionel Botha -- Port St. Lucie, Fl -- 8-02 (4) -- 15-15 (5) -- 24-01 (9)

82. Chad Aaron -- Lawrenceburg, Tn -- 14-07 (5) -- 9-03 (4) -- 23-10 (9)

83. Mike Parrott -- Ashland, Al -- 13-11 (5) -- 9-11 (4) -- 23-06 (9)

84. Naohiro Maruo -- Justin, Tx -- 9-05 (3) -- 13-13 (5) -- 23-02 (8)

85. Keith Fels -- Ocala, Fl -- 14-00 (5) -- 9-01 (3) -- 23-01 (8)

86. Yancy Windham -- Reform, Al -- 5-08 (3) -- 17-08 (5) -- 23-00 (8)

87. Thomas Helton -- Charleston, Tn -- 12-15 (5) -- 10-00 (4) -- 22-15 (9)

88. Will Yelverton -- Hazel Green, Al -- 12-12 (4) -- 10-01 (4) -- 22-13 (8)

89. Steven (Mike) Salvador -- Sioux Narrows, On -- 13-08 (5) -- 9-03 (4) -- 22-11 (9)

90. Anthony Hunt -- Tamarac, Fl -- 11-14 (5) -- 10-13 (4) -- 22-11 (9)

91. George Kapiton -- Inverness, Fl -- 14-10 (5) -- 7-14 (3) -- 22-08 (8)

92. Jason Danes -- Winter Haven, Fl -- 13-03 (5) -- 9-04 (4) -- 22-07 (9)

93. Randall Cnota -- Panama City, Fl -- 5-04 (2) -- 17-01 (5) -- 22-05 (7)

94. Brandon Medlock -- Lake Placid, Fl -- 7-14 (3) -- 14-04 (5) -- 22-02 (8)

95. Bob Pauer -- Scottsboro, Al -- 12-12 (5) -- 9-02 (4) -- 21-14 (9)

96. Frank Mackin -- New Port Richey, Fl -- 17-05 (5) -- 4-08 (2) -- 21-13 (7)

97. Darrell Davis -- Dover, Fl -- 13-11 (5) -- 7-14 (4) -- 21-09 (9)

98. Ken Sessions -- Pace, Fl -- 14-04 (5) -- 6-15 (3) -- 21-03 (8)

99. William Shelton III -- La Crosse, Va -- 15-02 (5) -- 5-15 (2) -- 21-01 (7)

100. Michael Brown -- Etobicoke, On -- 17-07 (5) -- 3-07 (1) -- 20-14 (6)

101. T W Loring -- Greendale, In -- 15-12 (5) -- 4-13 (2) -- 20-09 (7)

102. Webb Collums -- Jackson, Ms -- 16-03 (5) -- 4-04 (2) -- 20-07 (7)

103. T.J. Mcdonald -- Prestonsburg, Ky -- 6-07 (3) -- 13-15 (5) -- 20-06 (8)

104. Jeff Fitts -- Keystone Heights, Fl -- 9-08 (3) -- 10-14 (5) -- 20-06 (8)

105. James Kemper -- Frankfort, Ky -- 11-07 (5) -- 8-13 (3) -- 20-04 (8)

106. Danny Dunn -- Oshawa, On -- 9-02 (4) -- 11-00 (5) -- 20-02 (9)

107. Lee Black -- Danville, Al -- 8-07 (3) -- 10-11 (5) -- 19-02 (8)

108. John Cox -- Debary, Fl -- 12-02 (5) -- 6-11 (3) -- 18-13 (8)

109. Clark Smith -- Pell City, Al -- 12-07 (5) -- 6-04 (2) -- 18-11 (7)

110. Bill Chambers -- North Bay, On -- 13-15 (5) -- 4-09 (2) -- 18-08 (7)

111. Jimmy Harrison -- Marianna, Fl -- 10-11 (5) -- 7-12 (4) -- 18-07 (9)

112. Jason Counsil -- Casselberry, Fl -- 14-08 (5) -- 3-14 (2) -- 18-06 (7)

113. Lon Fleming -- Piedmont, Sc -- 11-06 (5) -- 5-13 (2) -- 17-03 (7)

114. Robert Naramore -- Hampton, Ga -- 8-08 (4) -- 8-05 (3) -- 16-13 (7)

115. Patrick Bone -- Cleveland, Ga -- 11-05 (5) -- 5-06 (2) -- 16-11 (7)

116. Brian Merriman -- Falkville, Al -- 4-02 (3) -- 12-03 (4) -- 16-05 (7)

117. Jerry Gore -- Orlando, Fl -- 10-07 (3) -- 5-08 (2) -- 15-15 (5)

118. Gary Krammes -- Pottsville, Pa -- 8-10 (4) -- 6-09 (3) -- 15-03 (7)

119. Bobby Simmons -- Columbia, Tn -- 4-07 (2) -- 10-10 (5) -- 15-01 (7)

120. Danny Shell -- Albertville, Al -- 10-10 (2) -- 4-05 (1) -- 14-15 (3)

121. Royce Railey -- Columbus, Ga -- 9-08 (4) -- 5-06 (2) -- 14-14 (6)

122. Bryon Luman -- Huntsville, Al -- 14-08 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 14-08 (5)

123. Edgar Miller -- Mobile, Al -- 2-11 (1) -- 11-10 (5) -- 14-05 (6)

124. Jared Haas -- Hixson, Tn -- 14-04 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 14-04 (5)

125. Bill Hutchison -- Bessemer, Al -- 11-03 (5) -- 2-09 (1) -- 13-12 (6)

126. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, Ms -- 13-10 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-10 (5)

127. Ricky Murphy -- Chickamauga, Ga -- 13-04 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-04 (5)

128. Justin Hamner -- Birmingham, Al -- 2-10 (1) -- 10-05 (4) -- 12-15 (5)

129. Jesse (Jesus) Tacoronte -- Kissimmee, Fl -- 12-09 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-09 (4)

130. Bill Kisiah -- Muscle Shoals, Al -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-02 (5) -- 12-02 (5)

131. Harry Moore -- Valley, Al -- 5-04 (2) -- 6-14 (3) -- 12-02 (5)

132. Steve Crowley -- Lakeland, Fl -- 4-05 (2) -- 7-11 (3) -- 12-00 (5)

133. David Turner -- Hiram, Ga -- 8-09 (4) -- 3-05 (1) -- 11-14 (5)

134. John Cromwell -- Arlington, Tn -- 7-08 (2) -- 4-04 (2) -- 11-12 (4)

135. Leon Knight -- Guntersville, Al -- 3-02 (1) -- 8-05 (3) -- 11-07 (4)

136. Joe Walters -- Summertown, Tn -- 11-06 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 11-06 (5)

137. Tony Dumitras -- Wnston, Ga -- 6-05 (2) -- 3-11 (1) -- 10-00 (3)

138. Darryl Stewart -- Dothan, Al -- 9-04 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-04 (3)

139. Alex Pappas -- Jensen Bch., Fl -- 8-15 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-15 (3)

140. Richard Stevens -- Galatia, Il -- 7-00 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-00 (3)

141. Shaye Baker -- Tallassee, Al -- 2-15 (2) -- 3-03 (1) -- 6-02 (3)

142. Marty Brown -- Dalton, Ga -- 5-03 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-03 (2)

143. Craig Taylor -- Tallahassee, Fl -- 5-00 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-00 (2)

144. Leon Williams -- Fairdale, Ky -- 4-13 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-13 (2)

145. Lealand Johnson -- Huntsville, Al -- 2-10 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-10 (1)

146. Robert Comalander -- Fairhope, Al -- 2-05 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-05 (1)

147. J W Moreno -- Piney Flats, Tn -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-11 (1) -- 1-11 (1)

Jim Blanchard. Albany, Ga -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Lee Haas. Hixson, Tn -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)