G-ville practice with Wes Logan

Just eight days after his first Bassmaster Elite Series win on Neely Henry Lake, Wes Logan is back to work, practicing for the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville.
Just eight days after his first Bassmaster Elite Series win on Neely Henry Lake, Wes Logan is back to work, practicing for the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville.
It was an early start for Logan and his good buddy Justin Atkins.
It was an early start for Logan and his good buddy Justin Atkins.
The Elites will be taking off at 5:30 a.m. CT each tournament day from Goose Pond.
The Elites will be taking off at 5:30 a.m. CT each tournament day from Goose Pond.
At roughly 5:45 a.m. Logan makes his first stop to check out an offshore grass flat.
At roughly 5:45 a.m. Logan makes his first stop to check out an offshore grass flat. “I’m just trying to see what the grass looks like,” Logan said. “The shad will spawn on these flats, but I’m just not sure how or when yet.”
Lake Guntersville is full of different types of grass including eelgrass, hydrilla and milfoil.
Lake Guntersville is full of different types of grass including eelgrass, hydrilla and milfoil.
“The Eelgrass is great for the lake, but it makes it difficult to fish at times.”
A look at Logan's Humminbird Helix unit showing submerged vegetation.
A look at Logan’s Humminbird Helix unit showing submerged vegetation.
“The grass has really changed the way you have to fish the lake,” he said. “This eelgrass is evidently deeper rooted, so it doesn’t get ripped out nearly as bad during floods.”
“You have to know that they live in it and around it,” said the newest Bassmaster Elite Series Champion. “Somebody will find them grouped up in it.”
Logan hooks up with his first fish of the day around 6 a.m. CT.
Logan hooks up with his first fish of the day around 6 a.m. CT.
A solid keeper to get his day going.
A solid keeper to get his day going.
Logan digs around in his Skeeter FXR to get his lure rigged up.
Logan digs around in his Skeeter FXR to get his lure rigged up.
A couple casts later, Logan hooks up again.
A couple casts later, Logan hooks up again.
Logan mentioned how he noticed something a little bit different before getting his first few bites of the morning.
Logan mentioned how he noticed something a little bit different before getting his first few bites of the morning.
Another solid chunk.
Another solid chunk.
On to the next one. Logan scans his Humminbird unit to find another potential sweet spot.
On to the next one. Logan scans his Humminbird unit to find another potential sweet spot.
Moments after shutting down to fish again, Logan
Moments after shutting down to fish again, Logan “quick releases” a fish at the boat. “I’d be so mad if that happens on tournament day,” Logan said with a laugh.
Look out! After catching this Guntersville stud, Logan decides to keep it moving.
Look out! After catching this Guntersville stud, Logan decides to keep it moving.
Per usual, Logan starts the morning with a wide variety of lures tied on.
Per usual, Logan starts the morning with a wide variety of lures tied on.
Logan makes the move to the bank to keep it honest.
Logan makes the move to the bank to keep it honest.
“I just want to burn down the bank a little bit and see if I can get a bite or two up shallow,” Logan said. “I’m trying to keep all options open.”
A closer look at some of the shoreline vegetation.
A closer look at some of the shoreline vegetation.
“I’m not really looking for anything in particular,” he said. “I just want to get a feel for what is going on up here.”
The Springville, Ala., native rigs a bait to cover some water while looking around.
The Springville, Ala., native rigs a bait to cover some water while looking around.
The shores of Lake Guntersville have an abundance of visible vegetation.
The shores of Lake Guntersville have an abundance of visible vegetation.
Once again, time to make a move.
Once again, time to make a move.
But not before he has himself a couple of chocolate chip cookies. Surely there is a story behind the cookies right?
But not before he has himself a couple of chocolate chip cookies. Surely there is a story behind the cookies right? “Nope, just Walmart brand,” joked Logan.
Logan makes a quick move to a spot that caught his eye late on Day 1 of official practice and hooks up.
Logan makes a quick move to a spot that caught his eye late on Day 1 of official practice and hooks up.
“I knew this spot looked good yesterday, but I wanted to save it for when I felt like they would be biting.”
A look at a small blade of milfoil.
A look at a small blade of milfoil.
As you would expect, Logan is extremely efficient during practice. Making as many cast as possible and not wasting valuable time.
As you would expect, Logan is extremely efficient during practice. Making as many cast as possible and not wasting valuable time.
Logan mentioned numerous times that he does his best to not
Logan mentioned numerous times that he does his best to not “miss” anything in practice. Keeping an open mind and not getting too locked-in to any one thing.
There's no question that Logan's Yamaha VMAX SHO gets a solid workout during practice.
There’s no question that Logan’s Yamaha VMAX SHO gets a solid workout during practice.
One of Logan's favorite baits — a Zoom Z Craw.
One of Logan’s favorite baits — a Zoom Z Craw.
After getting out his trusty Zoom Z Craw, it's back to work.
After getting out his trusty Zoom Z Craw, it’s back to work.
“There’s so many bass in this place,” he said. “They’re coming and going in all directions.”
“You just have to know that they’re somewhere.”
Logan continues to keep his options open.
Logan continues to keep his options open.
“I’m really trying to find something and eliminate things from my head all at the same time.”
Logan continues to search the shallows.
Logan continues to search the shallows.
Signs of life.
Signs of life.
“This place doesn’t really set up well to just fish down the bank,” says Logan. “I’m just trying to find a few stretches that look good that I could come back and hit really quick in the tournament.”
Logan decides the tie on another one of his favorite lures.
Logan decides the tie on another one of his favorite lures.
A Dirty Jigs Scott Canterbury Pro Buzzbait is his next weapon of choice.
A Dirty Jigs Scott Canterbury Pro Buzzbait is his next weapon of choice.
“It just allows me to cover a lot of water.” he said. “I can look around and fish effectively at the same time.”
A keeper largemouth has to be 15 inches on Lake Guntersville.
A keeper largemouth has to be 15 inches on Lake Guntersville.
Logan captures another keeper.
Logan captures another keeper.
As Logan mentioned early in the day, the eelgrass often makes certain areas hard to fish.
As Logan mentioned early in the day, the eelgrass often makes certain areas hard to fish.
The shallow eelgrass will get churned up, causing it to mat at the surface. This eliminates the use of a lot of lures.
The shallow eelgrass will get churned up, causing it to mat at the surface. This eliminates the use of a lot of lures.
Is is often difficult to find areas on Lake Guntersville without floating eelgrass.
Is is often difficult to find areas on Lake Guntersville without floating eelgrass.
Another solid look at what the eelgrass will do when it gets chopped up.
Another solid look at what the eelgrass will do when it gets chopped up.
Logan will have one more day of practice to fine-tune his gameplan before the start of competition.
Logan will have one more day of practice to fine-tune his gameplan before the start of competition.
Thanks for letting us to hop in the boat, Wes!
Thanks for letting us to hop in the boat, Wes!