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As excited as Randall Tharp is to fish the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on the familiar waters of Alabama’s Lake Guntersville, he’s cautious in his optimism, lest he fall victim to the infamous “Classic Curse” – anglers competing in their home state rarely fare well, despite a perceived home-field advantage.
“The challenge for me is to stay away from my past history there and fish the tournament for what it is,” says the Trigger X and VMC pro, a native Alabamian who launched his career by cashing checks in tournaments on Guntersville. “If I do that, I think I have a really good chance to win.”
Having made a name for himself on vegetation-rich lakes like Guntersville and Florida’s Okeechobee, Tharp will be in his element in this year’s Classic.
“Guntersville’s a grass lake – there’s a lot of grass that’s really tall,” he says. “I always try to fish to my strengths and flipping and pitching is obviously one of those strengths. So, I’ll be able to utilize the VMC Hooks as well as the Trigger X soft-plastics without a doubt in the Bassmaster Classic. I’m excited about that opportunity.”
For his pitchin’ and flippin’, Tharp will reach most often for Trigger X’s Goo Bug – his “favorite bait shape that they have.” He also likes the Flappin’ Bug, Flappin’ Craw, Flutter Worm, Buzz Tail Worm and Slop Hopper.
Regarding the “Classic Curse,” perhaps Tharp can get off on a technicality – he no longer lives in Alabama. He moved to Florida in the summer of 2013. Still, his legacy on Guntersville is difficult to forget. In FLW, B.A.S.S. and BFL competition there, he’s won three times and finished in the top 10 an additional six times. Of those, a third- and a 10th-place came in February.
“I don’t get to fish there like I used to, but I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for Lake Guntersville,” Tharp says. “I won enough money there to start fishing regionally. I can’t really put it into words, I’m so excited. It’s not my first Bassmaster Classic, but I feel I like I’ll have a really good opportunity there.”
This will be Tharp’s second Bassmaster Classic. He placed 35th in the 2011 Classic on the Lousiana Delta. In 2013, he won the FLW’s season-championship tournament, the Forrest Wood Cup, and a Bassmaster Central Open.
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