THE MAN, THE BAIT AND THE CLASSIC

Classic Baits

EDITOR'S NOTE: Thirty-six-year old Jay Yelas, of Tyler, Texas won the 2002 BASS Master's Classic in July after winning FLW Angler of the year for 2001-2002. Here, Yelas describes the tactics, both physical and mental, that he used to help him win the biggest fishing tournament in the nation.

THE CLASSIC BAITS

"Of the 14 bass I weighed in during the Classic, I caught three of them on the 3/8-ounce Berkley fire-tiger-colored, deep-diving, Frenzy crankbait," Jay Yelas reports. "The other 11 bass -- all of my big bass -- were taken on the Jay Yelas Power Jig. This 5/8-ounce bait with a black/brown/pumpkinseed skirt and a Berkley green-pumpkin Power-Frog trailer also helped me win the Lake of the Ozarks tournament in 1997. I designed this jig for Berkley about five years ago. Since then, I'd been trying constantly to improve on the design. The jig I fished in the Classic was a prototype with a new head design and a 5/0 Gamakatsu hook in it. "I only lost two fish in the 2002 Classic -- one the first day on a crankbait and one the second day on a jig. I felt really good about my ability to execute the strike and my lure's ability to catch the fish. During the tournament, I had nine bites the first day, seven bites the second day and four bites on the final day for a total of 20 bites. I missed two fish, caught 19 and weighed in 14."

WHAT WINNING THE CLASSIC MEANS TO JAY

"The BASS Masters Classic is the pinnacle of bass fishing and makes a fisherman's career," Yelas emphasizes. "The Classic is the biggest tournament in the world and is the one major event that I haven't won. This tournament sets up a fisherman. The men who win the Classic often are remembered for a long time after their victories. Personally, this Classic means a lot to me. I'm a spiritual guy, and I love God. When God decides that it's your turn to win the Classic, you win. God loves us so much, and He knows if we win the Classic when we're too young and immature, the victory may go to our heads and create more pride than we can handle. The Bible says that 'God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.' I believe God waited until I was a humble-enough guy to handle winning a world championship without letting that win go to my head. I've gotten to a place in my walk with the Lord where He can trust me to handle a big win like this with humility and the ability to represent him well."

To learn more about the Jay Yelas Power Jig or the Frenzy crankbait, click here at www.purefishing.com

TOMORROW: THE MOTOR AND THE SPOT THAT WON THE CLASSIC