Brandon Palaniuk burst onto the scene at last year's Bassmaster Classic with a 4th Place Finish. He followed that up with a second straight Bassmaster Classic berth this season, yet 2012 has been the real coming out party for Brandon. This is the year he learned how to win at the Elite Series level. He did so at Bull Shoals and nearly did it again at Green Bay this past weekend.
I had the chance to catch up with him today as he drove away from Green Bay. When asked about the difference between this year and last year, he said "I think this year I have gambled a little more, last year I was concerned about just cashing a check instead of fishing to win. I've had an up and down year, but this has been key to my success," said Palaniuk. He proved this with his win and second place finish and has cemented himself as one of the top pros on the Elite Series trail.
It also seems like in both instances, he found two areas that were totally ignored by the rest of the field. At Bull Shoals, he found a deep area while most of the field was fishing shallow along the bank. At Green Bay, it was the same thing again as up to 85% of the field was fishing close to the boundary limits imposed by the Wisconsin DNR. Brandon found something unique and nowhere close to any of his fellow competitors. "I fished the first two days up near everyone else, and I just didn't have the confidence that that area was going to hold up and be enough to win," added Palaniuk. Instead, he spent the last practice day searching every available area for the winning pattern. "On the third day, I burned almost all of my gas and almost all of my trolling motor power, looking for something else," added the Idaho pro. He nearly found the winning pattern as he lead after three days.
Like a true professional, Brandon is quick to point out that "JVD beat me, it was definitely his time to win." He went into the final day thinking that if he caught 20lbs, he would win. Even driving back to the ramp, he thought he had it won, but sometimes "you just get beat," added Palaniuk.
The second year pro has matured into a threat to win any event he competes in and now has the confidence, knowing that he has the skills to compete with the best in the world.
If you haven't checked out thebassbite.com yet, now would be a good time.
There is a new photo caption contest up. There are some great pictures to work with but this one cracked me up the most. I think it's even more funny since it is Nate Wellman. I'm sure there will be some crazy captions for this one.
Dean Rojas has been a fixture on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail for years and is one of the biggest names in bass fishing. He is currently in 7th Place on the Bassmaster Elite Series Points list and coming off a win at Toledo Bend and a 20th place finish at West Point Lake this weekend. I had the chance to talk with him and discuss the importance of momentum in fishing, life on the road and developing fishing products for his sponsors.
TB: Dean, you have been on a roll lately. After a win, how do you balance the media responsibilities, while not losing the focus on the next event?
DR: It has been a very busy few weeks for me. I have been doing a bunch of promotions stuff for my sponsors, doing interviews, participating in writer's conferences and making sponsor appearances. It takes more effort definitely, but it's part of my responsibility for my sponsors and I am willing to do whatever it takes to promote them.
TB: Now that you are qualified for the Classic, does that take the pressure off? Also, how did momentum from the win help you on the next event?
DR: The Classic qualification is huge, I don't have to worry about that and I can fish the way I want to for the rest of the year. I can fish for the win at each event and not worry about just trying to gain points. Momemtum is great, it gives you that extra boost of confidence.
TB: Speaking of fishing the way you want; you are really known for fishing with a frog and sight fishing, what other techniques or styles do you feel are your best?
DR: I have really been labeled a "frog guy" because of everything I have done with the bait, but I really like flippin' and pitching my fighting frog by Big Bite Baits. Really, I love to do it all man.
TB: The Fighting Frog is a great bait, and it seems like you have a bunch of great signature series baits. Tell me about the process of designing new baits. How long does it take from the prototype stage to being available to the average angler?
DR: It can take some time. For example, I was using the Big Bite Baits Warmouth last year at Smith Mountain and finished 3rd with it. It took some refining and development, but around the end of 2010 it was ready to go. Some baits we test never make it to the production line because we find they aren't up to our standards. We want to make sure we always put out the best baits and products we can.
TB: The WarMouth is a cool bait and looks like it would be great on beds. What other uses have you found for it? Also what are your favorite colors?
TB: With all of the great colors you developed for Eco Pro Tungsten, which are your favorites?
DR: The green pumpkin is a perfect match for the green pumpkin WarMouth. I also really like the Black Neon and Sapphire Pumpkin.
TB: You just did great atWest Point Lake, have you ever fished it before this weekend? How do you prepare for a new lake you have never fished?
DR: I went up to West Point before the cutoff and did alot of looking around. On a new lake I do as much research as I can. I look at lake maps and look for likely areas. That way, when official practice comes I can either verify or deny any preconceived notions I have of the place. Research definitely pays off.
TB: Lake Havasu City, Arizona is a long ways from pretty much all of the tournament venues. How many days are you on the road each year, and what made you want to live in Lake Havasu?
DR: Lake Havasu is a great training ground. When I was getting started professionally I knew I wanted to live there. The diversity of the lake really prepares you for all of the situations we fish. The lake is full of all types of structure, largemouth and smallmouth, current, rocks, clear water and dirty water. It has really worked out and it's home for me. I am gone quite a bit between tournaments, traveling, prefishing and with sponsor obligations. I would say I am gone roughly 180 days of the year, so about half of the time.
TB: The life of a pro angler isn't as glamorous as it looks. It takes time, being on the road and dedication in order to succeed. Dean Rojas is a true professional and an ambassador to the sport.
I be sharing my interview with Dean Rojas tomorrow. Check back to see what he says about his recent win, life on the road and designing signature series tackle.
Ott DeFoe of Knoxville,
TN is preparing to make the
switch from the FLW Tour to the Bassmaster Elite Series. He’s a young guy, but has been fishing at the
top level for a few years now. With over $400,000 in earnings with FLW Outdoors alone, he is a rising star. He is
happy to be making the switch to the Elites and to try to fulfill his childhood
dream of fishing the Bassmaster Classic. In addition to fishing full-time, he is also a guide on some of the best lakes in the country in East
Tennessee. I had the chance to talk with Ott to see how he is preparing for the new season.
TB: Tell me about the name Ott.
OD: It’s actually a nickname. My real name is Arthur, but I was always called Ott. It’s after my Great Uncle, his name was Ott.
TB: Now, you’re a young guy (25), but it seems like you have been around forever. Tell me about your progression from the BFL’s all the way to the Elite Series.
OD: I started fishing the BFL’s when I was 16 and finished in 13th when I was 17. From there, I started fishing the EverStarts and then the FLW Series in 2006. When I was 21, I qualified for the FLW Tour and fished the tour until 2010.
TB: Ott, congrats on making the Elite Series. What do you think about the change from FLW
to B.A.S.S.?
OD: Thanks. I grew up
watching Bassmaster on TV and reading the magazine so this is a dream come
true. There are some really good
fishermen on both tours and I know the competition will be strong. The biggest difference between both tours is
the points structure. On the Elites, you
get rewarded for higher finishes with bonus points. FLW uses a straight points system and really
rewards consistency. Now, I am going to
have to try to get some good finishes in order to make it to the top of the
standings.
TB: I notice a lot of great fisherman come from the East
Tennessee area, what makes the fisherman from there so good and what lakes do
you fish in that area?
OD: I think the
biggest thing about the area is the diversity of the lakes. I think the style of fishing in our area
really helps the anglers who are raised there. We fish DouglasLake, Cherokee and Ft.
Loudon/Tellico lakes. They are all very
good fisheries. I am really happy about
a new partnership I have with the Jefferson County Chamberthat will allow me to share the news about the great fishing in my area.
TB: I see Douglas Lake is on the B.A.S.S. Southern Open schedule this
year. What do you expect from that
event?
OD:Douglas
is a great lake for numbers of fish. For
that tournament, I think everyone will have a limit; both pros and
co-anglers. It’s a unique lake and the
fish will be shallow and offshore.
Basically, someone can fish however they feel comfortable. I think there will be several 20 lb bags
brought in and it will take close to 60 pounds to win it.
TB: I have noticed you
fishing out of an aluminum boat a few times, like at the Bassmaster Southern
Open on LakeSeminole and the Forrest Wood Cup on
Lanier. What is your strategy for that?
OD: I take a look at
how the lake is fishing. If the weights
are low and the fishing is tough, there is a great chance to do well up a river. It is really my preferred way to fish,
anytime there is current I feel like I can catch them. I have a great setup for it, a Tracker tunnel
hull. It’s great because you can kind of
get away from everyone and sometimes have an area all to yourself.
TB: I see you are sponsored by Citrus Stick rods.Tell me a little more about the rods.They are definitely bright and unique.
OD: They are a flash green color and that really helps with
the brand recognition, but they are really great rods. They are well balanced and priced right,
around $150. They have some new things
coming out and I am really excited to be working with them.
To learn more about Ott and to see news from his latest tournaments, check out his site ODFishing.net
Seventeen years ago, 23 year old Bryan Kerchal won the Bassmaster Classic. He was the first and only to win the Classic from the Federation before he tragically died a few months later. Recently a Federation angler has been compared to Bryan. The similarities are there, both moved up through the Federation, both qualified for the Classic and they are within a month of being the same age at the time of the event. Can Brandon Palaniuk win the Classic just like Bryan?
Just a few short months ago, Brandon Palaniuk was hanging out with friends, fishing, and working in
Northern Idaho for a company that built
logging roads. Since he was eight years old he has dreamed of fishing the Classic and and now he is preparing to do it. He will also be fishing this year on the Elite Series. You might not have heard his name yet, but his fishing accomplishments
are making sure you take notice. Brandon has long been a dominant force in the Pacific
Northwest, making the Idaho Federation Nation and TBFState
teams with amazing consistency over the last few years. His success has also allowed him to represent
the state of Idaho
at the national level in the Federation three times. At the age of 23, he has done more than most
fishermen have done in a lifetime. He
recently won the Federation Nation National Championship which gave him a berth
into both the Elite Series and the Bassmaster Classic. With him growing up in tiny Rathdrum,
ID; I fished against him several times when I
was living in WashingtonState and just had the
chance to talk with him to see how things have changed since making the Classic.
TB: You qualified through the Federation, probably one of
the most difficult paths. Walk me
through the qualification you made all the way to the classic.
BP: It all started
with fishing the Idaho
qualifiers for the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.
From there I made the IdahoState team and was invited to fish the Western
Divisional on LakeMartinez in Yuma,
AZ. I didn’t really have anything special going
on down there and caught eight or nine pounds each day but ended up winning for
Idaho (he finished 14th with 23lbs 9oz over 3 days) and qualified
for the Nationals on the Red River in Shreveport, LA. I was able to win that event and make it to
the Classic and also make the Elite Series.
TB:The story behind
that win was pretty cool.Tell me how
you did it.
BP: I found a spot in
practice that was really hard to get into, but I had read that tournaments have
been won back there. I waited until the
last half of the day of the last practice day to try to get back there. It was a really shallow path and I had to
remove things like thick hyacinths mats just to make a path. It got really shallow in places and was only
a few inches deep in spots. It took me 2
hours and 15 minutes to make that first path.
I didn’t want anyone else to see me go back there so on the first tournament
day; I waited until all the boats had blasted past me to sneak in there. I was just cranking a rock jetty until they
were all gone. Once I make it back there
it took me a little while to figure out the sweet spots, but I had it all to
myself.
TB: Now that you’ve made the Elite Series, what are your
goals? Are you nervous?
BP: I want to have a solid season and re-qualify. Of course, I’d also love to win Rookie of the
Year, but this is a strong class of rookies.
Guys like David Walker, Andy Montgomery, Ott Defoe, Keith Combs have all
been fishing on the FLW Tour for years, plus you have all of the other
rookies. I’m a little nervous, but don’t
have any expectations for myself.
TB: Since qualifying for the Elites, I see you have picked
up a few new sponsors. What new
companies will you be working with and what other sponsors do you have now?
TB:Idaho is not really
known as a bass fishing state, what do you have to say about the bass fishing
in Idaho?
BP: It’s really good
bass fishing, in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest in general. You know how good it is, you lived
there. I believe the Northwest is one of
the most versatile regions in the entire country. You can fish clear lakes or muddy water, deep
lakes or shallow places; the Northwest has it all. We have some of the best fishing in the
country for maybe nine months of the year.
TB: What do you think of the similarities between
you and Bryan Kerchal?
BP: I have watched the video of that Classic at least twenty
times and every time I watch it I get choked up. Bryan
brought a lot of light the federation and was an amazing representative for the
entire federation. I am honored to be
representing the federation and hope to do well in his honor. He was a true inspiration for everyone who
fishes the and dreams of winning the classic.
If you missed it, a 23 year old from a small in Idaho will be fishing next month's Bassmaster Classic. He qualified via the Bassmaster Federation Nation, one of the hardest ways to qualify. Find out Brandon's secrets to making the Classic in my interview on Monday.
The past few months have been tumultuous to say the least for Michael Bennett. In October, he was in sight of qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite Series until a 65th place finish at Lake Seminole moved him down to 15th on the Southern Open points list, just out of range for qualification. Then, just last week he decided against fishing the FLW Tour as there was no guarantee that he would be given a new team sponsor deal. Bassfan did an interview with him last week and the bass fishing world has paid attention and the forums and social media sites have been voicing their opinion on what happened. A former Forrest Wood Cup winner with over 1.5 million in winnings will now be sitting out the 2011 FLW Tour season. Overall the support has been in favor of Michael, and he remains positive and optimistic about his future as a professional bass fisherman. I had the chance to talk with Michael earlier today and get his thoughts on bass fishing, his recent news and the future of bass fishing.
Michael has been a huge supporter of FLW Outdoors since an early age. I remember when we first met after he qualified for the 2002 BFL All-American at the age of 17 (The youngest ever pro qualifier for this championship event). I had the opportunity to also qualify for that event as a co-angler at the age of 18, and his older brother R.J. also qualified that year at the age of 19. It was definitely a year for the young guys from the West making the trip to Shreveport, LA. With that said, there should be no denying his loyalty to FLW Outdoors.
TB: What are your thoughts on the whole FLW issue?
MB: It's just a weird situation. I have been fishing FLW events since they were called Operation Bass and have been loyal to the tour for the last six years. I feel like I have done everything they have wanted me to. When I won the Forrest Wood cup, I felt like I hit a milestone and felt like it would make it easier to get sponsors. Obviously I won a good amount of money, but I am looking at it from a return on investment aspect. It's much harder when you pay your own way and it puts much more pressure on your fishing. It was just a business decision and I understand that with the economy things are bad for everyone. I wouldn't rule out fishing FLW again, just not for the next year.
TB: You got into the Southern Open on Toho in a few weeks and also mentioned the PAA as an option, what all do you have planned for this year?
MB: Definitely the Southern Opens to try to qualify for the Elite Series. That's one of my goals and then to see what types of sponsor possibilities come about from that if I make it in. The PAA is a great organization but I probably won't fish it this year. I'm going to focus on the Opens and my new business I started. It will definitely be a year with less fishing, which will be kind of weird for me, but it may be good for me. For whatever reason, 2010 was tougher for me and I believe it was mental more than anything. 2010 was good for me in other ways and I'm really excited to be working with BassTackleSupply.com. They are based right near me in Panama City and have been doing alot with the clubs and weekend guys.
TB: What are you expecting from this Toho event in a few weeks? What is your game plan?
MB: As you know, in Florida weather is everything. I will be watching the weather every single day until the tournament starts. I've been there before and have done pretty well, so I feel like I'm ready. It will either be pre-spawn, a spawning deal or a situation where you have to deal with a cold front. That's Florida fishing. If it's a spawn tournament, I doubt it will be like the year Rojas broke the record. It might never be like that again.
TB: You did well the last time in 2008, the last time the FLW Tour made a stop at Toho: What did you do that year to place 22nd?
MB: The first day I had around 3 pounds but had almost 17 the next. It was post spawn last time and I kind of camped in one little area. We had a little cold front come through so it was pretty tough on the first day. The fish were feeding on those big golden shiners the second day and I just went back and forth in one little area. The thing about Florida is that everyone expects huge bass and 20lb stringers, but if the weather is bad it's a struggle, and many times getting that 10-12 pounds every day is what does well.
TB: I know you count sight fishing as one of your strengths, what else do you consider a strength?
MB: Anything topwater would definitely be one of my strengths. I also like any time we are faced with clear water. I feel really comfortable with finesse techniques, like a senko or a small worm. Really Florida lakes fit my style because you can fish clear water, topwater and soft plastics most of the time.
TB: Looking back a few years to when you won the FLW Tour stop on Smith Lake in Alabama. You fished depths of up to 60 feet with a wacky-rig, that was just crazy! What other "off the wall" type stuff has really worked for you over the years?
MB: One thing in Florida which most people don't do it to fish the offshore stuff. I have done pretty well fishing offshore grass. Those types of places get less pressure and are less obvious to most of the fishermen.
TB: I always try to ask pros what advice they have for someone fishing from the back of the boat. What advice do you have for co-anglers?
MB: Number one would be to not get discouraged and to keep your bait wet. In many situations, especially in Florida, fish are moving in and out of areas. Keep casting around because fish might move in on a spot five minutes after it's already been fished by a pro. For the most part, it's not a good idea to copy what the pro is doing. Usually they are going to get the first chance at the fish and catch them if they are going to bite. Also don't be afraid to experiment with new baits.
TB: What do you think of the changes with B.A.S.S. and FLW?
MB: Both organizations are making some changes that are positive for the sport. It's really too soon to tell what is going to happen, but I feel like we are kind of over the hump and moving forward.
It was great talking with with Michael and I'm confident he will continue his success on whatever trail he decides to fish in the future. Michael's Facebook Fan Page is pretty active with news from his tournaments. If you haven't already: Become a Follower. Also check out his website MichaelBennettFishing.com.
"If I had one tournament to fish for the rest of my life, it would be the U.S. Open." these are the words Rick Clunn just stated recently on Bassfan.com. The tournament is a unique test of both skills and endurance as it is held in the middle of the desert outside of Las Vegas, NV. Clifford Pirch just won his second title (he also won in 2007). The win put him among other multiple winners like Aaron Martens, Byron Velvick, Mike Folkestad, John Murray, Rick Clunn. That is pretty good company.
Rick Clunn went on to say how even the Bassmaster Classic "isn't what it used to be because guys are getting so much help in that tournament and on the Elite Series. You can't get that kind of help on Lake Mead - you've got to do it yourself. 'It's the toughest tournament there's ever been and the toughest there ever will be. In my mind, you cannot say you're the best until you've won a U.S. Open in July, August or September.'"
I had the chance to talk with Cliff after his recent win and learned a little more about how he did it.
CP: The Open is such a fun event. There are no points to worry about or anything, so I felt really relaxed. A limit just doesn't cut it on Mead. I spent the entire time just looking for quality bites.
TB: As tournament fishermen, we learn something every time we enter a tournament. What did you learn from this event?
CP: I found a couple of new spots during the tournament that produced some fish and decided to stick with them. I rolled with the changes. Sometimes it is best to just throw what you think you know out the window.
TB: What were your go-to baits during the event?
CP: I threw a bunch of different things during the tournament. Lake Mead is a great drop-shot lake, so I threw a bunch of Robo's. I also caught them on topwater, a crankbait and a spinnerbait.
TB: How did you like the tournament in July instead of September like it is traditionally held?
CP: I liked it better in September just because it is a little coloer, but the fishing was really good in July. Most of the lakes I go to, July is a bad time because the water is so stagnant, but the fishing was actually pretty good on Mead.
TB: I grew up fishing Lake Mead and am glad to see it is on the rebound. Some things have changed with the lake since I have been there, like the increase in the Smallmouth population and the Quagga (zebra) mussels. How did these affect you?
CP: I didn't weigh in any smallmouths. All of the ones I caught in the tournament were small and I culled them. I did catch a big one in practice. The zebra mussels weren't that big of a deal. They didn't cut my line on fish or anything, but sometimes your line would get nicked.
TB: The Forrest Wood Cup is coming up at Lake Lanier in Georgia. Have you ever been there?
CP: I spent a little time there earlier this year, but didn't do much fishing. I basically just spent the time driving around and getting to know the place. I am really looking forward to the event.
I decided not to talk too much about the cheating scandal with Cliff because I didn't want to take away from his accomplishments. Winning one U.S. Open is a huge deal, but winning it again has made Clifford a true Western Bass Legend. Congrats again Cliff!
The U.S. Open just wrapped up and people are still talking about it, mostly due to the cheating scandal that happened, but someone did win this tournament. FLW Tour Pro Clifford Pirch beat the field and the desert heat and won it all. I will have an interview with him tomorrow night.
The Bassmaster Opens kicked off today on Lake Amistad
and like Bryon Velvick predicted in his interview the fishing was crazy
good. Multiple 20lb bags and a fish over 10 pounds were weighed in, but
the real story was at the top of the leaderboard. Tied with Elite Series
Angler Clark Reehm was an 18 year old all the way from Liberty Lake , Washington
with 24 pounds even. What an amazing feat for a rookie from smallmouth
country to be leading an event of this magnitude in Texas . I know Joey from my days with
theInland Empire Bass Club in Spokane ,
WA . I was able to talk to
him tonight and see how he's feeling. He had an awesome day out there and
was culling 3 and 4 pound fish and caught nearly 30 fish today. He's really
excited about his chances for tomorrow since he will be the first boat out tomorrow, he was #202 - dead last this morning.
"I figured I had 22 or 23 pounds and was happy to see I had 24 pounds,
I figured I would be in the top 10 but was pumped when they said I was
leading" Joey said. His bag could have been bigger if he didn't lose a
7+ lb fish. He went on to say that "nobody was even close to my
area, I should be able to do it again if the weather doesn't change too
much."
Good luck Joey! Check out his website
to learn more about this up and coming pro. Bassmaster has a cool video that can be seen here and the standings can be found here.
Byron Velvick, winner of the recent Elite Series event on Clear Lake. He is a king of swimbait fishing and one of the best at sight fishing. What are the keys to his success?
10 Questions with Byron Velvick:
TB: First off, congrats on the win! That was awesome to win it with a swimbait again. How has swimbait fishing changed in the last 10 years between your Three Day Record catch at Clear Lake in 2000 and this year’s Golden State Shootout?
BV: It has changed exponentially, from black to white, night to day. It’s a whole different game now. Back then swimbaits were seen as a novelty and nobody took it seriously. Baits that were over six inches were shocking, everyone was just fishing traditional baits and then when the baits started getting bigger than eight inches, people just kind of blew it off as impossible that a fish would bite it. But they worked! The fishing was so great on swimbaits back then because nobody threw them I mean fish would eat them at the boat. They had never seen anything like it.
TB: Now everyone has a swimbait tied on at places like Clear Lake, the baits are getting better and better; tell me about the Rago BV 3D Hitch you were using.
BV: I have been fishing with Jerry Rago’s baits for years. Guys like him and Bruce Porter (Basstrix), Alan Cole (AC Plug), Ken Huddleston (Huddleston baits), these guys deserve props. They started the whole swimbait thing.
I did have some input on the design and helped test it out. This bait is new and different. One of the best things about it is that is really weedless and swims the right way; you can almost swim it like you are swimming a jig.
TB: I know you are a two time US Open Champion. Are you fishing it again this year? And how bad do you want to win another?
BV: The U.S. Open is a great tournament. The atmosphere surrounding the event is so much fun and I fish it every year. This year I have to check the dates to see if it conflicts. But it’s timed right this year, right after ICAST. I have won two but I can’t count how many close finishes I have had, I’d really like to win one again.
TB: You have always been a star on the West Coast, but up until recently you have struggled on the national tour, what’s changed?
BV: The biggest change is I now have more time. It feels good and I’m more relaxed. The Bachelor stuff is over, BassCenter is done and I film Going Coastal in the fall so it doesn’t interfere with the tour.
Another positive thing for me on the Elites is the change to no co-anglers. I welcomed the Marshall program with open arms. It makes it a lot easier to stay focused and not have to worry about someone else catching fish in the back of the boat. I can do my own thing and not worry.
This sport is really mostly mental and I am getting more confident. I used to beat myself up when I had a bad practice but now I get excited about it. I had three Top 12 finishes last year where I found all of those fish during the event.
TB: What is a bigger goal for you, Angler of the Year or the Bassmaster Classic?
BV: I get asked this one all of the time. My goal is to win AOY. I feel like it much harder to do. Where the Classic is just having one good tournament, Angler of the Year is consistency and having a great season.
TB: Now I noticed you have a new sponsor in Tightlines Fishing and their UV plastic baits. I saw them at ICAST and was impressed, but what really makes them different?
BV: Awesome baits! It’s a new plastic and a whole new look. The baits actually reflect UV just like a baitfish does under water. They did a lot of research and so did I. I was fishing them at the Classic and I caught my fish on these baits. They are becoming my primary soft plastics. What Berkeley did for scent, Tightlines is doing for sight.
TB: Since you now call Lake Amistad home, what do you expect the fishing to be like for the Bassmaster Central Open that starts tomorrow?
BV: It’s going to be crazy good. My 3-Day record (83lbs 5oz) is in danger of being broken this week. They just caught a 13.5 pound fish yesterday and two Share Lunkers (Fish over 13lbs in TX) recently. The fishing is really good and a little of everything will work. This lake is so diverse, it could be won out deep with jigs like when Remitz won it or up shallow sight fishing like when Ish won. It’s going to be a great tournament.
TB: Now what do you expect for the next Elite event on Smith Mountain Lake?
BV: Exactly like last year, sight fishing and swimbaits. I did well last year because the lake really fits my style.
TB: I know you’re a swimbait expert, any advice for people just starting to fish with these baits?
BV: I think the mistake a lot of people make when using swimbaits is not knowing how to fish them. These baits work best when you slow roll them, pause and hover them. A lot of guys just cast and reel like a rattletrap, sure that will work, but you need to fish them slow on a slack line to get the best action.
Another thing I like to do is “match the hatch”. When I go to a new lake, I go to the local bait shops and see what kind of live bait they sell. I ask them what the top guides’ request. I want to know everything from the size, shape, and color of the baitfish so I can find a swimbait that matches what the locals use.
TB: What advice do you have for fisherman aspiring to become a Pro?
BV: Rick Clunn said I am the poster child of tenacity. A lot of these guys started off like rockstars in their 20’s and I took a little longer. I did well on the West Coast but I got my brains beat out on the National Tour. My advice is to be prepared to take your lumps. Stay with it and believe in yourself. Don’t give up. What a lot of people don’t know is that sure I won two U.S. Opens, but when I started fishing them I was still in college. I saved up all of my money all year so I could fish them and I finished dead last in my first three U.S. Opens, I didn’t even catch a fish, I didn’t even make it to the stage. You really have to learn how to lose as well as to learn to win.
Tomorrow Night I will be posting my exclusive interview with Byron Velvick, swimbait legend and winner of the recent Bassmaster Elite Series Golden State Shootout on Clear Lake. Be sure to check back to see his keys to success.
At 19 years old, most guys are chasing girls, drinking beer
illegally, working for a low wage or just trying to figure out which major to
choose. This time in life is filled
with uncertainty.
Hardly anyone has it figured out.
But one teenager who does is Bradley Roy, barely 19 years old and living the life of a pro bass
fisherman. Last week, he began his
rookie year of the Bassmaster Elite Series, fishing against the best bass
fisherman in the world.
Anyone who fishes bass tournaments has most likely dreamed
of fishing for a living. How could you
not want to fish and get paid to do it?
Bass fishermen often spend years and thousands of dollars chasing the
dream of being a pro. The Bassmaster
Elite Series is seen by most as the pinnacle of tournament bass fishing. The field size is limited, you have to
qualify to get in, and the entry fees are steep; but the rewards are
great. The difficulty in just qualifying
for the Elite’s will eliminate most who ever try to get in. So how is it that a 19 year old from Kentucky
is already fishing at the sports top level?
After talking to Bradley, it is obvious that he is mature
beyond his years. He gives all of his
credit to a great support system around him that was extremely supportive of
his fishing at a young age. Bradley was
able to rise to the top of the sport in a short period of time, but he has been
fishing competitively for years. He is a
product of the BASS Federation Nation and it’s Junior Program. At 13,
he won the 2004 Junior Bassmaster World Championship’s inaugural event on Lake
Norman in North Carolina. In 2008 he was
a team member on the Kentucky Bass Federation Nation State Team and was the
Kentucky representative to the Federation Nation Championship. Success has come quickly for Bradley and
people everywhere are watching to see how he will do in the Elite Series. I had a chance to talk with him after his
first tournament on the California Delta where he finished in 50th
Place.
TB: Congrats on the Top 50 finish Bradley. So how did you sleep the night before the
tournament and were you nervous in the morning on Day 1?
BR: I slept well.
Actually I wasn’t really nervous, I was at peace. I had a hard practice so I knew it was tough
out there. Overall I was pretty
calm. If I would have had a better
practice it would have been much worse.
I had to put it out of my mind
that I was fishing against guys like KVD.
The morning of the tournament I was calm until I was idling out. That’s when it hit me. It was a surreal feeling for me, but it was a
great feeling.
TB: How did you prepare for such a big tournament
on an unfamiliar lake?
BR: I learned a lot from watching television of
past events, but really I didn’t do anything different for the fishing side of
things. I did spend more time making
sure my tires, vehicle and trailer were prepared for the long drive out to
California.
TB: How long was that drive for you?
BR: 40 hours of driving time,
almost 2500 miles.
TB: That’s a long trip. At least they all won’t be that far
away. Are you traveling with anybody?
BR: I am traveling with Mark Menendez and Greg
Vinson. They have been a great help in
just showing me the ropes of life on the
tour.
TB: Going back to the Delta: What would you have
done differently if you could do it again and what were the highs and lows?
BR: I learned a lot on the Delta.
The tide was a whole new thing for me, and I didn’t really like it. I realized
late in the tournament that I should have been keying more on the outside grass
instead of just fishing the tules. As
far as the highs and lows: The low would
be missing the cut. I actually might
have made it if it weren’t for a California regulation that requires you to
release any fish that is hooked outside of the mouth. I was having a tough day already and to have to
throw a big one back when you don’t have a limit is really hard on you. I would say the best memory was getting a
limit on Day 2. It was kind of a moral
victory for me.
TB: What tournament are you most
looking forward to on the schedule?
BR: People always ask me and I always say “the
next one”. You have to take it one
tournament at a time. I feel like the star-struck
feeling is gone and I’m ready for Clear Lake.
TB: Have you been to any of them on the schedule?
BR: Kentucky Lake, I have been there a few times
and it’s only four and a half hours from home.
TB: Since you’re a rookie, have
you had any rookie hazing?
BR: Not much, everyone has been
pretty good to me. Maybe just a few
jokes about my age
TB: Who were your idols growing
up?
BR: I didn’t really have just one
idol. I really liked the style of
fishing of KVD, and he’s so consistent.
TB: So what’s your style?
BR: I am a power fisherman. I like to be flipping and pitching with an 8
foot rod and braid. I can use a spinning
rod and have done well in a few tournaments but would rather power fish.
TB: On your website (www.bradleyroy.com) you have been
keeping up with your tournament updates, are you going to continue that
throughout the season?
BR: Yeah I will be. I really want to show people the true life on
the tour. People think the life of a
professional bass fisherman is glamourous, but they don’t see it all. They don’t see the driving all day and
sleeping in the truck to save a few dollars.
Or doing laundry at 5 A.M. in a laundry mat and trying not to eat at fast food restaurants every
day. I want to be able to show them a
little more about what it’s like.
TB: What two pieces of advice do
you have for a young fisherman following in your footsteps?
BR: Number one would be to spend time on the
water. Just like any other sport, the
more you practice, the better you get.
No matter where you fish, a pond, creek, lake, whatever. Spend as much time as you can fishing and
learning. Number two would be to get involved in the Bassmaster
Federation. I am a product of this organization,
both through the Junior Federation and the Federation Nation.
Bradley is sponsored by: Berkley, Abu Garcia, Triton Boats,
Mercury, Motor Guide, Power Pole, Gray Construction, Costa Del Mar, D&L
Tackle, Whitaker Bank, Angler’s Outpost and Marine.
The Bassmaster Elite Series is gearing up for it's first ever postseason to determine the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. One of the "Top 12" is Gary Klein, a bass fishing legend and two time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year. Tanya interviewed him a few years ago and got some great tips from him and also found out his views of the changing sport. Check it out.
With all the hype and attention Bassmaster is getting with the Top 12 race for the Angler Year, I thought it would be a good time to post an interview. Tanya Tyler interviewed Skeet right after his 2007 AOY Victory. Check it out:
Casey Ashley burst onto the B.A.S.S. scene a few years ago and has proved he has staying power. The young pro from South Carolina has shown he was not just a rookie sensation. Tanya Tyler interviewed him a few years ago and got some great tips from him. Check out the interview.
One of the best finesse fisherman on the planet is Elite Series Pro Kota Kiriyama, also know as "The Ninja". He helped make Japanese techniques like the drop-shot and the flick shake popular in the U.S. His success proves that he knows what he's doing, with an Elite win last year on Erie and five 2nd place over the years with B.A.S.S, he has proven that he can compete anywhere in the country. I see him as a favorite in a few weeks when the Elite Series hits Lake Oneida in New York. Anywhere that there are smallmouth, Kota seems to do well.
I had the opportuity to talk to him and ask him a few questions. Since he is on the Jackall Pro-Staff, my first question was about the flick shake. I asked him what his favorite color was and he said Sunburn Melon because it is a great all around color for all water clarity.
Next I wanted to ask him about his new swimbait he has coming out, appropriately named the Swimming Ninja, it's a six inch bait and has some great looking colors. I asked him "what makes it different than any other swimbait?" Kota said "The thing that makes this bait so great is that you can reel it very slow and still get the same action". He also pointed out to the stinger hook, that is already attached. This eliminates the need for customization. I can't wait to try it out.
It seems like techniques like the drop-shot, flick shake and others have been popular in Japan for years before they hit the states. I asked Kota which bait or technique is next in line to take America by storm. He said to look for things like small swimbaits to really become more popular. Interesting...we'll have to keep an eye on that.
You can learn more about Kota, see some cool videos and his blog at Ninjatacklebox.com. Thanks Kota!
