B.A.S.S.
With his big win, fame came calling. And when it did, Pace missed 354 calls — in about the time it took him to take the Classic crown.
2013 Bassmaster Classic
Grand Lake O' the Cherokees - Tulsa, OK, Feb 22 - 24, 2013
How Pace missed 354 phone calls in one evening
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When "Game Face" Cliff Pace was riding in the boat for his victory lap after he won the Bassmaster Classic, his cell phone was ringing off the hook.
With his big win, fame came calling. And when it did, Pace missed 354 calls, and his voicemail box quit taking messages.
The new notoriety has been overwhelming, for sure, but Pace is staying level-headed about it.
"I'm still me," he said today during the B.A.S.S. Twitter Chat, held in celebration of his victory, "and I'm going to stay me. I'm looking forward to showing the world who 'me' is."
Below is a transcript of the chat, lightly edited for spelling and clarity. You can also check out Twitter chat transcripts from other pros, including Mike Iaconelli, Kevin VanDam, Aaron Martens, Boyd Duckett, Jonathon VanDam, Todd Faircloth, Brent Chapman, Randy Howell, Ish Monroe, Brandon Palaniuk, Jeremy Starks and Alton Jones.
Keep up with Twitter chats, tournament news and bass fishing advice by following B.A.S.S. on Twitter at @BASS_Nation.
Thank you, @CliffPaceFishin for joining us right after your big Classic win! Fans, we're ready for your questions!
Thanks for joining in on the Twitter chat! I'm excited to be talking about my Classic experience and answer any of your questions!
If you are looking for an apprentice or just someone to hang out with, please let me know! CONGRATS!
Thank you!
What's your five go to baits on a really tough day
My five are @bayououtdoorsV&M football head jig, V&M flippin jig, Cyclone spinnerbait ... V&M trickster worm and a @jackall_incDD Cherry crankbait
Sweet thanks!
What was your go to lure?
In the morning it was 1/2 ounce @bayououtdoorsV&M football head jig, afternoon it was a @Jackall_IncSquad Minnow
How did you feel after ending day 3 with only 4 fish?
After coming off the water, I felt like I missed something. I struggled the entire day and was disappointed.
Congratulations! You seemed really calm when you won, what were you actually thinking?
I was thinking nothing. I was truly in a trance, in shock from winning the Classic.
if you could change one thing you did while on the water those three days what would it be?
Catch 5 bass on the last day!
Cliff, what's your favorite creature bait and color
My favorite is a @bayououtdoorsV&M slump hog. It's a new bait, and I like it in green pumpkin.
What were you keying on to help you catch those better quality fish?
I was keying on my patience in areas that I knew had those fish in them, channel swings located off the main lake.
What is ur fave #bossfishingjig color?
I like a dark green pumpkin.
Rutgers U Bass Club @RU_Bassfishing
Congrats on your classic win, Cliff! What were you keying in on throughout the tournament?
Channel swings located off the main lake.
Going into practice, how did you feel about your chances in the Classic?
I felt really good. I knew it was going to be a tougher tournament, but I knew the potential was there. I knew I was going to have to slow down and figure it out, and that fits my style well.
What was the key to your success at the classic? What bait? #BassmasterClassic
Persistence was the key. Doing what I knew I needed to do and staying focus was very important to get a quality bite.
Rutgers U Bass Club @RU_Bassfishing
What were your thoughts on the last day after not catching a limit which was rare for you, since you had whacked them previously?
My goal was to leave the water knowing that I had it, and instead I knew I had left the door open to not win it.
What were the steps you took in deciding your starting pattern on Grand?
Analyzing the water conditions the area had been having. It was warm then got really cold. That gave me a good idea about how the fish were going to be setting up.I marked places in December and started running different types of water in practice.
When you heard Palaniuk’s weight were you sure you’d won?
No, but I felt pretty good about it.
Rutgers U Bass Club @RU_Bassfishing
How did you make the fish on grand lake react to your baits since the water temp was so cold? Was this the coldest you ever fished
Not the coldest water temp I had ever fished, but definitely the coldest air temp. My trick was fishing incredibly slow.
Rutgers U Bass Club @RU_Bassfishing
What made the final day much more challenging than the previous 2 days? Did your pattern change? What adjustments did you make?
My pattern did change. The wind was not blowing into the area I was fishing anymore.I had been sticking with a jerkbait, but the third day I couldn't make them bite. So, I had to switch baits.
Did you ever get that panic feeling on Sunday?
Not really. I knew that that was the one thing that could prevent me from winning the tournament.
Congrats! Thanks for entertaining, showing us a higher level of Bassin & provoking us to think & open our minds.
Thanks, I really appreciate it!
Fielding Brewbaker @fieldingPGA
What was your best producing bait of the tournament??
My best producing bait was split between the @bayououtdoorsV&M football head jig and the @jackall_incSquad Minnow.
Fielding Brewbaker @fieldingPGA
Thank you! Congratulations!
First, thanks for interview Thurs. Really enjoyed the chat. 2nd, can I ask what you said to Palaniuk on stage?
I told him he was a great fisherman & he has a long, solid career in this sport, and I congratulated him for putting himself in position to win.
Thanks! (And I think you are correct!) #Palaniuk#Great#Fisherman
How long we're you pausing the jerk and did it change thur the day and tourney?
Normally about 7 to 12 seconds, and I stuck with that throughout the entire event.
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