I’ve done several interviews concerning next week’s Classic. But I’ve only been asked once about what I really want out of it. You know, what is it that’ll make me leave Oklahoma with a smile on my face and an inner feeling of satisfaction?
You might think that the answer to that question is obvious — that I want to win. But, you’d be wrong. Of course, winning would be nice. There’s nothing like being the Classic Champion. But more than that, I want this Classic to be complete. I want to put together the whole package, top to bottom.
The idea is to give it everything I’ve got, no regrets. On the water that means coming in every day knowing that I did my best and that I did it the right way. No regrets. No second thoughts. Off the water that means lots of quality time with our fans and with our sponsors. I want every fan who meets me to say it was a positive experience, and I want the sponsors to say the same thing.
If my interviews and the articles written about me make sense and if they give our fans insight into the world of professional bass fishing I’ll be happy. I’ll be happier still if something I say helps another angler catch more and bigger bass.
Along with that I want to have a successful practice and put together a solid pattern for the actual competition. It doesn’t have to be the winning pattern, although that would be nice. One in which I figure out what they’re doing and manage to get some of them in the boat will make me happy. Three enjoyable days in a row on the water is about all a man can ask for in this business.
One of my problems the last time we were here is that I tried too hard. You know, being a successful angler isn’t always about fishing hard. It’s also about fishing smart. This time I want to relax, put a few things together and have a good time when I cross the stage — hopefully three times. No pressure, just a good ol’ boy from Alabama having a good time.
I also want to have a positive experience with Holly and the kids. The Classic is special. It’s not a bass, or a B.A.S.S., tournament. It’s The Classic. There’s no guarantee I’ll ever fish another one. I hope I will and I think I will but that doesn’t mean it’ll happen. This is a tough sport with a lot of good anglers in it. Qualifying for the Classic is by no means a given, not for anyone.
As I write this I’m beginning to realize that what I think of as the whole package is really fun. I just want to have fun, and I want the people around me to have fun. If that happens, my Classic will be a success and I’ll leave Oklahoma with a smile on my face regardless of where I end up in the standings.