Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships / Photos: Bassmaster

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs didn’t leave the Pasquotank River with a trophy, but he did leave with a hard-earned $1,500 Yamaha Power Pay check and a big reminder about trusting his instincts. Combs was the second highest finishing Power Pay angler behind Easton Fothergill for this event, highlighting the fact there are multiple opportunities to win through Yamaha’s popular contingency program. The Texas native leaned on simplicity, top-tier equipment and a traditional flipping bite to grind out a fifth-place finish that paid off.

“I was in the right stretch, right where the winner, Kyle Welcher fished and I was fishing trees as well,” Combs said. “I wasn’t too dialed into what was going on and didn’t get a bunch of bites in practice. It looked awesome in that area, but it took fishing during the tournament to really see what the potential could be.”

The week on the Pasquotank was a grind for most of the 103-angler field and Combs’ performance quietly underscored just how critical one big bite can be and how confidence in a simple plan can turn a rough practice into a profitable tournament.

Combs is known for his power-fishing roots and his deepwater prowess, especially on lakes like Falcon, Amistad and Sam Rayburn, where he’s stacked up giant limits and earned multiple trophies over the years. But on the tight, winding waters of the Pasquotank, his approach was refreshingly straightforward.

The most memorable moment of the tournament for Combs came on the first day, when he made what he called a “monster run.” With so many anglers hesitant to stretch their fuel tanks, Combs rolled the dice on a far-off area that had showed signs of life.

“The run was only about 40 miles one way, but the conditions and waves made it much longer than you’d think,” he said. “It took me about an hour and ten minutes each way and it was a no-brainer. I have great equipment, and I was totally prepared.”

That gamble nearly didn’t pay off until the very last minute.

“I allowed myself a little extra time because I know my Yamaha will crank every single time, so I could fish until the last minute,” Combs said. “On dang near my last cast, I caught an 8-pound, 2-ounce bass. That was huge for my event, but I wasn’t sold on that long run and pattern, so I decided to stay closer the rest of the tournament.”

The kicker bass helped anchor one of the heaviest bags of Day 1 and gave Combs enough of a buffer to fish more methodically the following days. While the rest of his tournament didn’t include another true giant, his consistency near Elizabeth City was enough to notch a top five finish.

Known for dissecting offshore structure with big crankbaits and ledge techniques, Combs has spent most of his career dominating on sprawling reservoirs. But in recent years, he’s shown more versatility, adapting to shallow, tough-fishing venues like the Sabine River, Neely Henry and now the Pasquotank River.

That willingness to adapt and trust in his gear showed in full on this stop.

“There’s no doubt about it, having confidence in your boat, motor and electronics makes those tough decisions a lot easier,” Combs said. “That Yamaha SHO never misses a beat. That gave me the freedom to make the run when I needed to and the peace of mind to fish right up until the last second.”

If you want to reap the rewards of Yamaha Power Pay like Keith Combs, you’re in luck, Power Pay supports over 550 tournaments and pays out to anglers of all levels. There are numerous bass, walleye, and saltwater tournaments eligible for payouts and it’s 100% free to register for. Sign up today or learn more at https://yamahapowerpay.com/overview.