Much hype is building before the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The excitement is right on, but before March 24-26 much is on the line for the Classic qualifiers.
What could be more important than the Classic? The answer is two Bassmaster Elite Series events. The first is this week at Cherokee Lake and the other is Feb. 23-26 at Lake Okeechobee.
Both fisheries are polar opposites of the bass fishing spectrum. Cherokee, nestled in the Smoky Mountain foothills, is a deep, highland lake. Down south in the Everglades is Okeechobee. The post-spawn will be underway come tournament time.
Never before have two Elite Series events happened prior to a Classic. Thrown into the mix is the busiest time of the year for the qualifiers. Outdoor show appearances mean a grueling hopscotch travel calendar. Prep work eats up the rest of the time. Most pros just now received new boats, tackle, gear and everything else involved in the season.
All of the above begs this question.
What’s it going to be like to mentally deal with two Elites before the Classic?
Gerald Swindle
In true form here’s what the reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year had to say about the mix up.
“It’s like if Alabama skipped the importance of winning every game leading to the national championship, knowing they’ll get there anyway.”
This is the translated version. Swindle has put on the blinders and shut out what happens in March. The wise man realizes he can only control what’s coming into view at the time.
“On the positive side it put us in the boat and we’ll be mentally and physically sharper going into the Classic,” he added. “Normally, we have January and February to work out all the kinks.”
Not this time. It’s game on from the start and that is how Swindle is preparing for this week and later in the month.
There will be no room for equipment failure. No time for a bad day. No room for failure. By Classic time there already will be an AOY leader and established pecking order in the 2018 Classic qualifying.
Swindle had more to do in getting ready beyond putting hours on the boat. He needed to put hours on his body. He’s on the mend after complications last fall from surgery to repair a torn ligament.
“Lots of physical therapy, training and getting in shape,” he said. “I spent a lot of time practicing on Guntersville to build up my stamina and immunity for the season.”
Bobby Lane
“I like what B.A.S.S. is doing with the schedule,” said Lane, fishing his tenth Classic. “I’d rather have two or three Elites leading up to the Classic.”
“If it’s intentional to give us a different set of challenges then I’m all for it.”
What Lane also likes about the schedule is the diversity between Cherokee and Okeechobee.
“It will level the playing field so nobody can really carry momentum from Cherokee to Okeechobee with their best fishing strengths,” he explained. “A crankbait wizard won’t be taking his ‘A’ game south and win it punching mats.”
“Competitively, I’ll be in better sync,” he continued. “Before you had a couple of months to get there by practicing without the pressure, but not anymore.”
In other words, Lane plans to bring his “A” game to all three events and keep the pedal mashed until September.
Randy Howell
“Usually we have all this time to prepare for the Classic and nothing else gets mentally in the way,” said the 2014 world champion. “I’d rather it be that way, personally.”
The week prior to leaving for Cherokee he worked past midnight to load new gear into his boat, prep tackle and fine-tune gear. In between were personal appearances at outdoor shows. Elsewhere in the house, wife Robin was loading the family RV for the long road trip ahead.
Howell also respects the strategic decision by B.A.S.S. to schedule the high level events prior to the biggest of the season.
“Mentally, there’s a lot of opportunity to come into the Classic on a momentum high,” he explained. “So if you do well in these Elite tournaments coming up then you’ve got a chance, for the first time, to come into the Classic already on a mental high.”
As well, Howell echoed the thoughts made by Lane about leveling the playing field.
“Cherokee and Okeechobee are so different that it’s going to be very difficult for one angler to carry the same techniques from one to the other,” he added. “So the playing field should be level for us all.”