They say no one remembers who finished second at a Bassmaster Classic, but you can bet Bryan Schmitt will never forget how close he came to winning the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
Placing third the first two days, the Elite from Deale, Md. gained a spot on Championship Sunday, but finished a pound and 7 ounces behind Jeff Gustafson, who became Canada’s first Classic winner.
“The idea that no one remembers second is something near and dear to me,” Schmitt said. “Finishing second last year gave me the confidence that I was right there; that I could win one of these.
“When it’s that close, one bite can make the difference.”
Long removed from the sting of defeat, Schmitt said he has come to view his runner-up finish as a stepping stone in his path to a potential Classic win.
“I look at it as a definite benefit,” he said. “Of course, I would have liked to win, but it gave me the confidence to know that I could be there one day. I was so close and, more than anything, it gave me motivation.”
The way forward
Schmitt owns two blue trophies, but taking home a second-place Classic trophy whet his appetite for the sport’s biggest prize — the Ray Scott trophy. Much more than wishful thinking, Schmitt will attack Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees with a well-formed game plan based on insightful reflection and calculated intention.
The foundation: “I believe it is imperative for me to fish the Classic the way I’d fish any other tournament: ‘How can I generate the most bites?’” Schmitt said. “If you get caught in the mindset of, ‘I’m only gonna target big ones because I want to win or bust,’ you’re gonna bust way more often.”
Take it in steps: Going even deeper into that thought, Schmitt explained his roadmap to Classic success.
“To get into the (final round) cut is the No. 1 goal, however I can do it,” Schmitt said. “Even if there’s a remote outside chance I can make the cut, my mindset is to generate bites — big bait, little bait, whatever it takes to make the cut.
“If you get caught up in the mindset of ‘swinging for the fence because it’s the Classic,’ you’re not going to do yourself any justice.”
Manage the moment: Compared to a regular-season Elite event, Schmitt said the hectic pace of Classic Week’s stacked schedule requires a strong mental constitution. On the water, that’s even more important.
“There’s so much other stuff going that your adrenalin is so high at blast-off, that you could find yourself at 12 o’clock and you haven’t slowed down,” Schmitt said. “Next thing you know, it’s panic mode.
“You have to find a way to get some bites, so you calm down and then it starts to happen.”
Early production is key: Filling a limit is the basic goal, but Schmitt said that icebreaker sets the day’s pace.
“Getting the Classic started is critical,” he said. “I think that first bite in the Classic is a big deal.”
Shaking things up
As Schmitt points out, Classic competition begins several days after the main practice session. That, alone creates a disconnect that must be considered.
“Practice is so far removed from the start of the tournament that everything’s gonna change, so I don’t want to get locked into anything,” Schmitt said. “I just want to know every way possible I can get bites.”
Last year, a shaky head with a Missile Baits Mini Magic Worm elevated by a Floatzilla did most of Schmitt’s Classic work on the Tennessee River’s shallow, isolated targets. Look for that same bait to see plenty of Classic playing time.
“That bait will definitely be used and it will probably get some of my (keepers),” Schmitt said. “That’s a bite getter.”
Could it happen?
Last year, the stars nearly aligned for Bryan Schmitt. Flash forward 12 months and he believes Grand Lake could reward his diligence with another shot at the title.
“One hundred percent; there is an opportunity here, for sure,” Schmitt said. “I’ve fished a lot of events and I know when it’s not right. There is an opportunity here, but this is definitely a lake where I have to let the day happen the way the fish want it to happen.
“If I can get the clue early enough in the morning, and then be able to (fully) run that deal, it can happen.”
Noting that he has a few things up his sleeve, Schmitt said he’ll start Day 1 with primary and back-up plans in place. He has yet to dial in a sure thing, but he’s hopeful Grand Lake will steadily reveal the winning formula.
“I’m hoping that if I can get enough bites, the size will show up,” Schmitt said. “This place is not a numbers factory; you’re not going to go out here and catch a lot of fish.
“There’s going to be several people that don’t have a limit because they go out and throw a big glidebait looking for five big bites, but they only got one. I don’t want to do that. I don’t care how I have to catch them, I just want to get bites.”
On the front side of this tournament, it’s hard to say what it will take to do that. One thing’s for certain: Bryan Schmitt will remember who took last year’s second place.
