With my first Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors appearance right around the corner, I look back to the beginning of my first Bassmaster Elite Series season and think about the goals I set for myself. No. 1 was to make the Bassmaster Classic, but I also wanted to win an Elite event and win Bassmaster Rookie of the Year (ROY).
Now that I’ve checked all of those boxes, I can head into the biggest event our sport has to offer with a lot of confidence. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, and the Classic is like no other event I’ve ever fished, but I know I can compete with these guys.
Winning two blue trophies and earning the ROY title last season showed me I could win the Classic just as any other guy.
I attended my first Classic nine years ago, when I first started fishing bass tournaments. I attended the 2015 event at Lake Hartwell with Larry Nixon and worked the Bassmaster Classic Expo for sponsors. I remember walking into the arena — I saw all the fans, the stage and the guys rolling through on their boats. That was pretty cool.
That moment when I saw a Classic in person, at that point in time, I was very early in my professional fishing career. But when I saw that first Classic weigh-in, I said, “I want to weigh in on that stage someday.”
Now that I’ve earned the opportunity to be on the Classic stage, it’s kind of surreal. It’s just unbelievable. To me, it’s like if you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. If you work hard enough, you can do anything you set out to do.
It’s hard to get here; a lot goes into making the Classic. Hopefully, I’ll get the chance to fish more, but I’ll never forget this one.
I’m well aware of how big this event will be and how many additional elements we’ll have, in addition to the fishing. However, once the competition begins, I’m going to treat this kind of like any other tournament.
You’re trying to get your five biggest bites. Everything has to go your way, so maybe a technique you’re most confident with lines up with the event.
I try to win every tournament I can, but to win a Classic, everything has to line up. I’ve done all the preparation to put myself in the best position possible for my first Classic. I believe that effort will pay off, but you just have to get those big bites — and you can’t lose them.
In terms of challenges at the Bassmaster Classic, I think probably the pressure and the sheer number of people watching will be the biggest consideration for me. I try not to think about that, but there will probably be people following me around on the water, so I’ll have to learn how to manage that.
Ultimately, whatever adjustment or consideration I have to make at the Classic will be worth it. This is a big deal. It’s a career changer, and you can see that in all the guys who have won.
That makes me want it even more.
