It has been a frustrating Bassmaster Elite Series season for me so far, with the occasional bright spot mixed in with a lot of disappointments. The crazy thing is I can’t figure out why I’ve struggled. I feel like my decisions on and off the water have been solid, but I’ve lost key fish at critical junctures and they’ve cost me a lot of points.
While I’m in a subpar 63rd-place overall, I’m fortunately not unreasonably far out of the Classic cut. A few points here or there would have made a big difference.
At the Classic, I was in fifth place after the first day, but I also lost the two biggest fish I hooked that day. In the end it didn’t really matter because I struggled after that, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
At Lake Fork on Day 1 I was struggling most of the day with just a limit of small fish. Late in the afternoon I finally got a turn on one key offshore spot. I fired out my crankbait and on my first cast I caught a 6-pounder. I dropped her in the livewell and made another cast and hooked one just about the same size, but it came off at the boat. I ended up with a limit that weighed 13 pounds despite including a 6-pounder. With another one in that range, I would’ve gained at least 3 or 4 pounds and jumped way up the leaderboard. The memory still stings.
Despite those memories, I still have good feelings about the rest of the season. When the 2021 season ended, I made the long haul out to Oahe to scout it. At the time, several people asked me if it was really worth it. All I could say was that if I was on the Classic bubble, I wanted to know that I’d done everything I could to make it. It might not pay off, but if that’s the difference maker I’ll be thrilled. I’m certainly much more familiar with the big lake than I was before. I feel really positive about our tournament out there.
Next up we have the St. Lawrence River, a fishery that’s been very good to me already in my career. I was the runner-up there in 2017 and finished thrid in 2020. I’m excited to get there and to get on with the season, but also it’s just a fun place to fish. I certainly don’t look at the points every day, but I’m generally aware of where I stand – I figure I can climb into the Classic cut with three top 25 finishes, and a Top 10 will be huge.
The competitive spirit in me craves an appearance in every Classic. I know that my sponsors will support me even if I miss one or two, but after making three in a row I will be deeply disappointed if I don’t make it back in 2023. After five runner-up finishes in B.A.S.S. competition, I’m also increasingly hungry for a victory. I know that everyone wants that blue trophy, but after so many near misses I feel like it should happen sooner or later – and I’d rather it be sooner.
A lot of anglers have great careers without earning an Elite victory. Look at Gerald Swindle, for example. If I had to choose between his two Bassmaster Angler of the Year trophies and a single win, I’d take his accomplishments every time. But that doesn’t make me any less hungry to win every time I launch the boat.
I know that it’s often a long process too. When I came in second at Pickwick last year I finished behind only Bill Lowen, who’d been waiting over a decade for his first B.A.S.S. win. I’m OK with it now, but I strive at every event to break through.
After some rejuvenation at home with my family, I’m ready to get on the road and complete the 2022 season. I’m excited about what lies in front of me. I’m looking forward, not back.