Mark Davis' Pattern, Baits & Gear

Davis, a three-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, concluded 2013 with a runner-up showing and started the new campaign just one slot lower. They're his best finishes in 6-plus years on the Elite Series. Like Faircloth, he fished differently each day. Unlike the guy who ended up right in front of him, he never had any extremely light days, nor any truly massive sacks. "I didn't figure out a whole lot in practice," he said. "I did find the sight-fish (he caught on day 1) and there were some good-looking banks in that area, so I just went over there and slowed down and had confidence in what I was doing. "I tried to fish the conditions, but stay with the same water."

Cranking gear: 7' medium-action Team Lew's HM85 Million composite cranking rod, Lew's BB1 Pro casting reel (6.4:1 ratio), 15-pound Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon line, Strike King KVD 1.5 (green crawfish or sexy chartreuse).

Flipping gear: 7'10" Team Lew's HM85 Million flipping stick, same reel, 50-pound Seaguar SmackDown braided line, 1-ounce Strike King tungsten weight, 5/0 Mustad flipping hook, 4" Strike King rodent (black/blue).

Sight-fishing gear: 7' heavy-action Team Lew's HM85 Million rod, same reel as crankbait, 20-pound Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon, 5/0 Mustad Hook, Texas-rigged Strike King Rage Bug (blue craw).

Main factor: "Picking out two or three key areas and staying with them instead of running all over the lake."

Performance edge: "That Lew's cranking rod really did a good job for me. I caught the bulk of my fish that way."

Lake Seminole 2-5 Patterns Bassfan 3/19/14 (John Johnson)