The one thing

What was the big takeaway from 2013 for our All Stars? Find out right here.

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<p><strong>The one thing </strong></p> <p>A tournament season is a complex thing. In addition to the thousands of miles traveled, there are thousands of decisions that lead — or don't lead — to catching fish. But since we can't ask the Toyota All-Stars about the thousands of things they did to get here, we got them to narrow it down to just one critical thing. Here's what they had to say.</p>
The one thing A tournament season is a complex thing. In addition to the thousands of miles traveled, there are thousands of decisions that lead — or don’t lead — to catching fish. But since we can’t ask the Toyota All-Stars about the thousands of things they did to get here, we got them to narrow it down to just one critical thing. Here’s what they had to say.
Hank Cherry My one thing would have to be my decision to come fish the Bassmaster Elite Series. I've enjoyed it tremendously!
Hank Cherry My one thing would have to be my decision to come fish the Bassmaster Elite Series. I’ve enjoyed it tremendously!
Keith Combs I had a different mentality this year. I went into each tournament trying to win it. I decided that one win was better than eight in-the-money finishes — both financially and from a career perspective. I won the second tournament of the year [Falcon Lake] and went from there.
Keith Combs I had a different mentality this year. I went into each tournament trying to win it. I decided that one win was better than eight in-the-money finishes — both financially and from a career perspective. I won the second tournament of the year [Falcon Lake] and went from there.
John Crews For me, the one thing was just having fun. That was a big part of my success this year. Having fun trickles down into things like staying positive. When I stay positive, I can focus on catching bass. For me, it all starts with having fun.
John Crews For me, the one thing was just having fun. That was a big part of my success this year. Having fun trickles down into things like staying positive. When I stay positive, I can focus on catching bass. For me, it all starts with having fun.
Edwin Evers I had a pretty solid year. I can't say that there was any one thing that got me here [All-Star Week]. If I had to narrow it down, it was that I made good adjustments throughout the year and was able to be consistent.
Edwin Evers I had a pretty solid year. I can’t say that there was any one thing that got me here [All-Star Week]. If I had to narrow it down, it was that I made good adjustments throughout the year and was able to be consistent.
Michael Iaconelli I just kept pushing all year. My Elite season had a lot of ups and downs — mostly downs — but I kept my head in it. Ultimately, though, I'm here because of the fans. Being voted in is very special. It's an affirmation that you're doing things right, and I really appreciate this opportunity to represent the fans.
Michael Iaconelli I just kept pushing all year. My Elite season had a lot of ups and downs — mostly downs — but I kept my head in it. Ultimately, though, I’m here because of the fans. Being voted in is very special. It’s an affirmation that you’re doing things right, and I really appreciate this opportunity to represent the fans.
Alton Jones When the 2013 schedule came out, I decided to visit and pre-practice for every venue that I had never been to or done well at. That sent me to the Alabama River, the St. Lawrence River and Lake St. Clair. I did my homework, and it paid off. A good work ethic pays the same dividends in this job as in most others.
Alton Jones When the 2013 schedule came out, I decided to visit and pre-practice for every venue that I had never been to or done well at. That sent me to the Alabama River, the St. Lawrence River and Lake St. Clair. I did my homework, and it paid off. A good work ethic pays the same dividends in this job as in most others.
Bobby Lane I slowed down. In the past, I was wound too tight — always going 100 mph, always on the trolling motor. In practice, I'd find two or three groups of fish and then roll through them in the first couple of hours on the first day of competition. This year, I stayed with those fish longer and stayed on the bite instead of leaving it.
Bobby Lane I slowed down. In the past, I was wound too tight — always going 100 mph, always on the trolling motor. In practice, I’d find two or three groups of fish and then roll through them in the first couple of hours on the first day of competition. This year, I stayed with those fish longer and stayed on the bite instead of leaving it.
Aaron Martens I was able to win Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year and qualify for All-Star Week because I never gave up. I finished 85th at the first tournament of the season, and that put me in
Aaron Martens I was able to win Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year and qualify for All-Star Week because I never gave up. I finished 85th at the first tournament of the season, and that put me in “fight mode.” At that point I could have either packed it in and started thinking about next year or got mad and buckled down. I got mad and was able to turn things around.
Cliff Pace I'm here because I won the Bassmaster Classic, but the reason I won that tournament and the reason I had a good year in 2013 is because of my work ethic. I prepare hard, practice hard and fish each tournament hard. I try not to be outworked at any event.
Cliff Pace I’m here because I won the Bassmaster Classic, but the reason I won that tournament and the reason I had a good year in 2013 is because of my work ethic. I prepare hard, practice hard and fish each tournament hard. I try not to be outworked at any event.
Brandon Palaniuk I was voted in by the fans after a pretty poor season. I believe in the fans 100 percent. As professional anglers and fishing industry people, the fans are our most important asset. Without them, we don't exist.
Brandon Palaniuk I was voted in by the fans after a pretty poor season. I believe in the fans 100 percent. As professional anglers and fishing industry people, the fans are our most important asset. Without them, we don’t exist.
Skeet Reese Being voted in by the fans is humbling. For most of the voting period, I did nothing to solicit votes. Down the stretch I got passed in the balloting by Randy Howell. That's when I decided to make an 11th hour push and ask the fans for their votes. They really came out for me, and I truly appreciate it.
Skeet Reese Being voted in by the fans is humbling. For most of the voting period, I did nothing to solicit votes. Down the stretch I got passed in the balloting by Randy Howell. That’s when I decided to make an 11th hour push and ask the fans for their votes. They really came out for me, and I truly appreciate it.
Gerald Swindle Without a shadow of a doubt, the key to my being here was having a GoPro camera on my boat. It let the fans see who I am and what I'm about. It was a real turning point and allowed me to reach the fans of our sport in a better way. I really appreciate their support.
Gerald Swindle Without a shadow of a doubt, the key to my being here was having a GoPro camera on my boat. It let the fans see who I am and what I’m about. It was a real turning point and allowed me to reach the fans of our sport in a better way. I really appreciate their support.
Kevin VanDam I was able to stay in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race all year because I didn't have any bombs. I was hurt by the fact that I didn't get to fish in the finals [top 12] all year, but I made all the cuts to fish on Saturday. You could say that it wasn't what I did that put me here, but what I didn't do.
Kevin VanDam I was able to stay in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race all year because I didn’t have any bombs. I was hurt by the fact that I didn’t get to fish in the finals [top 12] all year, but I made all the cuts to fish on Saturday. You could say that it wasn’t what I did that put me here, but what I didn’t do.
Chris Zaldain At the first Elite tournament of the year on the Sabine River, I finished 51st — one place outside the cut and one place away from getting a check. It stings to be the first guy outside the cut. After the first day, I decided I needed to turn things around, and I kept that mentality all year long.
Chris Zaldain At the first Elite tournament of the year on the Sabine River, I finished 51st — one place outside the cut and one place away from getting a check. It stings to be the first guy outside the cut. After the first day, I decided I needed to turn things around, and I kept that mentality all year long.