I’ve been looking forward to the Northern Swing all year, and the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain demonstrated why. I’ve always enjoyed fishing this lake, but earning a top 20 finish gave me the boost I’ve needed.
It’s been a tough year, and this is the first time I’ve made the Elite check cut since the season opener at Toledo Bend. That kind of negativity can really wear on you throughout the year, and I know I’ve let it affect my performance.
I’ve always been hard on myself, ever since I played sports in my youth. When I think about my sponsors and everyone that supports me, I always want to do well for them. That pressure can definitely get to you — especially when I’m having a tough year like this one.
Obviously, when you’re in any kind of a rut and things aren’t going well, it’s always nice to come out of that, take a deep breath and realize the disappointment isn’t going to continue. This improvement came at a good time because, honestly, a season like I’ve had can make you start to wonder, “Can I really do this?”
I had an outstanding rookie year and proved I can compete at this level, but this season has shown me just how hard it is to maintain consistency at this level. I know it’s unrealistic to expect every year to bring the level of success I experienced in 2023, but I have to say my second year on the Elites has been more challenging than I could have imagined.
That frustration has been weighing on me for most of the year, but leaving Champlain with a top 20 finish took a lot of that emotional weight off my shoulders. It’s easy to let doubt build up in your mind, but once you get things going in the right direction, momentum is very important in this sport.
I have to say, a big part of enduring this year’s challenges and disappointments is the people I surround myself with. My family and friends are all very supportive; they uplift me and help keep me motivated to give my best every day.
With that in mind, I headed into the Northern Swing with the attitude of putting this season’s frustrations in the past. I decided to start fresh and just enjoy the change of scenery and the more pleasant climate.
I have a lot of confidence in the northern fisheries, especially Lake Champlain. I’ve been coming here for the past decade, even back to when I fished as a co-angler, so I feel like I know what to expect.
I understand what the fish do, what baits to throw and what class of fish to seek. I feel really comfortable with how these smallmouth behave, so I started the Champlain event with a healthy dose of enthusiasm that ended up serving me well.
The best part about doing well at Lake Champlain is the momentum it gives me as we head into the season’s final event at the St. Lawrence River. That’s another venue I’ve fished several times, but this tournament will be different. If I win, I get to fish the 2025 Bassmaster Classic, which I would not otherwise get to do.
I definitely want to make another check, but I’m going to treat this one differently — I’m going to fish to win.
