As soon as I was old enough to understand what it was, I liked fishing. I started tournament bass fishing at (age) 12 or 13 and it has been something I've had a passion for ever since. |
I can't escape the pressure in this one. But I don't think it'll bother me too much. If it had been a few years ago, when I was first getting started (on the circuit), it might have. But I feel really good going into this one. |
I felt like I had a good opportunity coming into this tournament, and I'm glad that I didn't disappoint. To be able to do this on your home lake is just great. You don't get to many opportunities like that. |
Knowing that I might not be able to make it (in pro bass fishing), I wanted to have something to fall back on. I didn't know exactly how things were going to happen -- I thought I maybe I'd have to work for a while. Things have gone well, but I'm glad I have that degree. |
Over the last 10 years I've really spent some time on the water. That's what has helped me to keep progressing to the point where I am now. |
The last couple of years have been really good to me. |
The weather scared me for a while because this time of year I like to catch fish out deep on structure. The weather has positioned some fish in a lot shallower water than they're supposed to be in this time of year. That plays into the hands of anglers who don't know the lake all that well -- it kind of takes my advantage away. But there are still some fish out deep, so I'm sticking to my guns. I've got some other things I can do, too. |
There are a ton of big fish in Lake Murray and the lake has been overlooked a bit the past few years. It has the biggest fish on the tour, I think. I look for somebody to catch a 10-pounder in this tournament. |