When the Stren Series Western Division makes its first stop Feb. 1-4 at Lake Havasu in Havasu City, Ariz., local pro Mike Goodwin will have a jig tied on. It will be a 5/8-ounce, brown/purple model with an Uncle Josh pork trailer.

“The jig is always my go-to bait on Havasu this time of year,” Goodwin said. “It may not produce as many bites as other lures, but it catches quality fish. That is what it will take to do well in this tournament.”

Goodwin, who won the 2004 Stren Series event on Havasu and finished 11th in the 2005 event, says largemouths and smallmouths alike will be in prespawn patterns.

He predicts the tournament will be won with largemouths that are relating to man-made fish trees and brush piles in 10 to 20 feet of water, although there could be a decent flipping bite around tules and wood in the Colorado and Bill Williams rivers. Perch-pattern crankbaits and spinnerbaits also could be effective in some riverine backwaters.

Goodwin’s call: 22 pounds to make the top 10; 28 to 30 pounds to win.