“I don’t like slug-fest-type tournaments,” Shane LeHew said. “It seems like when there are plenty of big fish, and they’re biting, luck becomes more of a factor. I prefer to take on a tough event, like Winyah Bay, and rely on knowledge and experience—let the other guys spin out. There’s a bit more pressure to perform in tough conditions, and I like that.”
LeHew is originally from Eastern Iowa and learned to catch bass from stingy Mississippi River backwaters, not an easy task in that part of the country. He spent his formidable years catching pressured bass from North Carolina’s Lake Norman, and similar fisheries like Hartwell and Murray.
“Those lakes get quite a bit of pressure, and being able to produce consistent results during the busiest time of the year helped prepare me to fish tournaments on high-pressure lakes across the country.”
Pressure is a funny thing. It comes in the form of day-to-day obligations with home and family, sponsors, gear, weather, you name it; how a pro angler handles that pressure certainly impacts how they perform on the water.
“I’ve always been a pretty level-headed guy, I don’t let things get to me and I fish cleaner because of it,” he said. “Pressure affects people differently, some guys thrive on it, some guys crumble under it, I just brush it aside and focus on making the best possible cast every time.”
Speaking of pressure, LeHew is an Elite Series newcomer, he formally fished the FLW Tour, so he knows top-tier events. He understands how to curb what’s known to derail others. But he also doesn’t discount the value of what his future at B.A.S.S. looks like.
When asked about his current position in the Top 10 of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, he won’t let it impact his decisions.
“Sure, it’s a very important title, and I hope I’m still in contention for it near the end of the season,” he said. “It’s still pretty early, and a lot can happen. I’d be honored to claim it, but it’s not a concern yet. I know better than to think too much about it.”
A graduate of the University of North Carolina Charlotte, he built experience on different bodies of water that ultimately led to building a tough competitor.
“College fishing is huge right now, and there’s a tremendous opportunity to build necessary experience to be competitive on different lakes across the country,” LeHew said. “And that’s a great way to build a tolerance to the pressures of bass tournaments.”
When asked about how he deals with stress, he said to keep it simple.
“If you’re stressing about stubborn bass, fall back on your fundamentals and stick to what you’re good at,” he said. “It’s about being confident, and it’s important to fish your strengths whenever possible.
“I also like to unwind after a practice or tournament day by rigging rods and grilling some good food with my travel partner Brandon Cobb,” he explained. “We travel together, and sometimes share information when it makes sense. Having someone to work with you can trust and rely on is also important when dealing with pressure. We keep each other grounded.”
LeHew started out strong Day 1 of the 2019 Toyota Bassmater Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department after catching a 20-plus-pound bag of Lake Fork giants. He’ll begin Day 2 in 14th place, a deficit that is certainly manageable
So it’s reasonable to assume his stress level is under control.
