"If I find it, then I'll probably fish something vertical," Faircloth said. "In high water conditions, I also look for a field with a steep bank or a field where I can get to the shoreline. The important thing to remember is that the fish will be moving up and down in those areas."

Faircloth, who competes on the Yamaha and Skeeter teams on the Bassmaster trail, will be at the Boat Show on Saturday helping with the tournament weigh-in, visiting with anglers, conducting a seminar and signing autographs.

"If someone wants to just sit down and talk fishing all day, we'll do that," said the Jasper, Texas, native.

The Boat Show Tournament annually signals the beginning of the fishing season in northwest Louisiana. It attracts more than 300 anglers, competing in four-person teams, who will weigh their two largest bass of the day in hopes of earning a portion of the $20,000 in cash in prizes.

Although Faircloth isn't the most recognizable name in professional bass fishing, he has been a consistent money winner on the trail. He's finished in the money 61 times in 94 events and has picked up checks totalling $504,512.30.

Faircloth also won the final event on the 2006 Elite Series Trail at Table Rock Lake with a 50.9-pound stringer. He and second-place finisher Edwin Evers were the only two anglers to weigh a five-fish limit in all four days of competition. It was Faircloth's first victory since turning pro seven years ago.

"The previous year, Table Rock really bit me, keeping me out of the Classic, but I got redemption in September," Faircloth said.

The Missouri lake is a rocky impoundment of mostly clear water holding spotted, small mouth and largemouth bass. Of the 20 fish that Faircloth weighed, all but one were spotted bass.

"It's a real good fishery, except in September, when the pattern hasn't changed from summer to fall," he said. "I caught all of my fish drop shotting in about 30-40 feet of water."

Faircloth is a newcomer to the art of drop shot fishing, picking up a lot of details about the method from fellow pro Aaron Martens.

"A lot of people in the south haven't picked up on drop shotting, but it will put fish in the boat," Faircloth said. "You fish vertical, right under your boat and you have to let your electronics be your eyes. It's a method that you have to try yourself and build your confidence in."

Since the Classic is scheduled for Feb. 23-25 in Birmingham on Lay Lake and since the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Trail won't kick off until March 8 on Lake Amistad, Faircloth has had more time than usual to attend early season boat shows. That allows him to push his sponsor products, like the 20i Skeeter boat that he drives.

"I'm a pack rat and that's why I like the Skeeter," Faircloth said. "I can carry 20 rods, a bunch of tackle and even a spare prop, but I still have plenty of room to maneuver on the huge deck up front. It's very wide and stable."

  

Todd Faircloth talks to reporters after winning a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament in Missouri in September. Faircloth is making an appearance at the

 

Todd Faircloth file
Hometown: Jasper, Texas
Home lake: Sam Rayburn
Birth date: July 25, 1975
Career winnings: $504,512.30
Total weight caught: 2,298 lbs., 10 ozs.
Times in the Bassmaster Classic: 5
Times in the money: 61 of 94
Family: (Wife) Angie; (Child) Hudson
Hobbies: Deer and duck hunting