Masters of Vision

Interview

He knew he could be good very early:

I’ll tell you, my very first pro tournament, I had that feeling. Competing against the best in the world, you always wonder how you stack up. I learned some tough lessons, like not being intimidated by someone’s name or success. In my mind, I knew I could compete at the top level. I’ve never said — or felt — like I couldn’t win. Day in, day out, I believe I can.

But achievement was still a work in progress:

It’s constant — you’re always trying to come up with new techniques, ideas, lures or patterns. Once you’ve competed for a long time, it’s easy to get in a rut. You have to compete against what Mother Nature’s throwing at you, all the elements. Every time you go out there, it’s different than the last time. You really have to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

Never giving up:

It’s something that’s just in my make up. People like to be around me because I’m a positive person, no matter the circumstances. The engine could blow up and I’m still moving forward. Because I know tomorrow, I’m going to go get ’em, no matter what happened today. It’s all about the attitude — you know if you’re giving it everything you got. Or if you’re leaving something on the table. It’s tough to go out there and compete every day. But if I don’t, I’m cheating myself. Because great comebacks are what I’m known for.

And never looking back:

Mechanically, it’s easy to stay in tune with casting accuracy. Having top shelf equipment, practicing your technique. But the mental side can be tough. It’ll wear you down on long trips or during tournaments when you don’t catch a lot of fish. The best thing I do: forget about the past and look to the future. I’m not worried about what happened — whether I won or came in last. That’s old news. And people forget real fast because there’s another event coming. There’s no time to gloat or bask in your glory. And even less time to feel sorry for yourself.