Easy? Nothing at Sabine was easy

From the bad weather to the mental pressure, Chris Lane's Sabine win was a tough one.

ORANGE, Texas — There was just nothing easy about Chris Lane’s win at the Sabine River.

If you watched the tournament live on Bassmaster.com, you probably already know that. But Lane assured fans during the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat that this event was definitely #noteasy. (Note his use of hashtags. Lane is trying to get used to using them!)

“There was nothing easy about that win,” said Lane, when a fan asked him what the easiest part was. “That was the most tired I’ve ever been after an event. There was so much pressure in that tournament, the drive there and back, the rain, and the changing conditions.

“I don’t remember anything easy,” said Lane with a laugh.

Read the full transcript of his chat below, and read transcripts from other pros, including reigning Classic champion Casey Ashley, here.

Keep up with all the pros and news on Twitter by following @BASS_Nation. Follow Sabine champ Chris Lane on Twitter at @ChrisLaneFish.

 

Bassmaster ‏@BASS_nation 

Welcome to the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat, @ChrisLaneFish! Congratulations on your win!

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Welcome everyone! I’m excited to be a part of this @bass_nation Twitter chat. I’m ready for your questions!

 

Tony Arno⚾ ‏@Tonester5 

How bad was the water clarity where you were fishing Sabine? How did you overcome the issue?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

It was the clarity after the rain when it got muddy. It was knowing the fish were there and getting 5 bites instead of 25. I had to just stay mentally focused.

Tony Arno⚾ ‏@Tonester5 

I didn’t think about the mental aspect, will keep that in mind. Thanks much & Congrats on the Win.

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Thank you!

 

Adam McCollum ‏@AUadam 

Hey @ChrisLaneFish, you like to punch your classic ticket early. How does not having that stress help you? Gonna slay em on G?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

I have not actually qualified yet because the rule changed. I’d love to see consistency in the win-&-you’re-in or not in. I’m excited for Guntersville! Everyone that comes to the event is going to have a blast. Giant fish are going to be caught.  Some of these guys will catch the biggest fish they’ve ever caught.

Adam McCollum ‏@AUadam 

Didn’t realize there was a rule change. I will have to look that up. Thanks!

 

Zackery Hines ‏@ZackeryHines_15 

You’ve had a lot of previous success on rivers. What is it about rivers that appeal to you?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

I think it’s shallow-water bank fishing and vegetation. That’s what I grew up doing in Florida.

Zackery Hines ‏@ZackeryHines_15 

It’s awesome to see you do so well! I’ve enjoyed watching you grow! Congrats again man!!

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Thank you!

 

Austin Seibert ‏@Abert43 

Although it was a tough event what was the easiest thing you realized during your win?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

There was nothing easy about that win. That was the most tired I’ve ever been after the event. There was so much pressure for the tournament, the drive, the rain, the changing conditions. I don’t remember anything easy. #noteasy

Austin Seibert ‏@Abert43 

I figured there wasn’t anything but was wondering if there was. Glad you got the win after all that!! Congrats again

 

Fishing with Dom! ‏@fishingwithDom 

Congrats on your win! What is the biggest key factor to success on the sabine?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

I think it was staying mentally focused on that final day.

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Knowing that every keeper fish was one step closer to victory.

 

Adam McCollum ‏@AUadam 

How does it feel to be snappin’ necks and cashin’ hundred thousand dollar elite series checks?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

It feels fantastic! The 10 years I’ve put into the sport are really paying off!

 

Fishing with Dom! ‏@fishingwithDom 

What was the toughest obstacle to overcome when fishing the sabine?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

The rising muddy water.

Fishing with Dom! ‏@fishingwithDom 

With muddy conditions, what kind of line did you fish with? I use braid often times in murky water

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

50-pound Stren braid. #stren

Fishing with Dom! ‏@fishingwithDom 

Love Stren!

Fishing with Dom! ‏@fishingwithDom 

I met you back in 2013, it was a pleasure to char with you for a bit! Hope to see you soon #happyHooksets

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Thanks for your questions! #seeyousoon

 

Fishing with Dom! ‏@fishingwithDom 

Being a largemouth type of angler, have you had struggles breaking down a smallmouth bite?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

No, I love catching smallmouth! Smallmouth fisheries are where I’ve won and had some of my best tournaments.

Fishing with Dom! ‏@fishingwithDom 

I was born to smallmouth fish lake st clair! Love me some smallies!

 

Austin Keith ‏@akeith2014 

Congrats on the win @ChrisLaneFish! What was the tide doing doing your best hour each day?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

The hour of incoming and last hour of outgoing were the best. #goodquestion

Austin Keith ‏@akeith2014 

Thanks! I Live on a very similar tidal fishery. Good luck on Guntersville

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Thank you!

 

Austin ‏@TooTallJoiner 

Why do you prefer the 211 over the v20? I’m thinking about a legend.

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

It’s the boat that I’ve run for five years now.

 

Adam McCollum ‏@AUadam 

Do you think the winner of the G’ville tourney will have to join the century club to win?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

YES! I think there will be multiple century clubs!

 

Kenny Baker ‏@kennyb_50 

 who is your hero in the fishing world.

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Plenty. The ones on the top of my head are Denny Brauer, @ShawGrigsby and Rick Clunn. #theguyswhogotuswherewearetoday

 

Fishing with Dom! ‏@fishingwithDom 

What was not successful as far as a bait presentation?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Heavy weight, heavy profile was not successful for me.

 

Bryan Brasher ‏@Bryan_Brasher  Tennessee, USA

Hey, Chris..I know the fishing was good. How were the post-tournament crawfish?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

They were endless. We ate and ate! #yum

 

Tyler Wade ‏@tyleratbass 

Do you like being an underdog? That’s when you tend to do well.

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

I don’t listen to dock talk. I think it’s mental & not listening to what everyone expects will happen.

 

Adam McCollum ‏@AUadam 

How will G’ville be won? Deep cranking? Grass? Combo of all types of patterns?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

I really don’t have a clue. Guntersville is such an awesome lake that it can be won in a bunch of different ways.

 

Morris ‏@VANCfishing 

Who are your top picks for Guntersville ? How do you think it’ll be won?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Top picks would be @AMartFishing, @GeraldSwindle, Bobby Lane and @Kevin_VanDam.

Morris ‏@VANCfishing 

Will it be won primarily on beds?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

No. #stayouttathebeds

 

Helen White ‏@HelenNWhite 

With the first Elite event behind you, what are your feelings toward the rest of the season? Western swing?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

I’m looking forward to California!  Very seldom do you lead the first tournament and AOY, and now I need to keep the pressure on. #hammerdown

 

R4ginY3llowM4n ‏@R4ginY3llowM4n 

Can you elaborate on your approaches to fishing bass in rivers vs. lakes?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Rivers are mainly going to be shallow, like on banks. Lakes I have a tendency to be out in the center. I’d like to add #rollingdowntheriver. I’m experimenting with hashtags.

 

Helen White ‏@HelenNWhite 

What are your thoughts on the new Elite Series rookie class.

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

The field that is put in front of this year is the best of the best. The field just keeps getting tougher.  A lot of the rookies cashed a check on Sabine, and I don’t know if I’ve seen that before. Ready for a brothers brawl. Me and Bobby vs. @mattleefishing and @jleefishing

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing 

I may not beat you in bass fishing but can beat you in poker.

Joe Carpenter ‏@JoeCarpenter17 

Now that would be a great TV show!

 

J.D. Blackburn ‏@profishing 

You started Sunday near the ramp with no fish but then caught ’em there that afternoon. Why would that happen?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Tides.

 

Austin Klotz ‏@FLWKLOTZ 

What would be your best advice for young anglers who are trying to get sponsors and their career started?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Build relationships and use the relationships that you have. #youneverknowswatching

 

Anne Forline ‏@AnneForline 

Saw u in Philly!My friend told me u gave him 1 of your broken rods as a souvenir!That was so nice!Congrats on win!

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Philadelphia was great! Thanks for following the tour!

Anne Forline ‏@AnneForline 

it was so exciting to watch! We hope you can come back to the Philly area soon! It was a blast!

 

Spotmonkey ‏@sptmnky 

@ChrisLaneFish was the 1st Elite Pro I ever met and I remember him welcoming me by giving me a tube that I caught a smallie on  #GB

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Hopefully I’ll give you some more tubes later on!

Spotmonkey ‏@sptmnky 

I’ll be at Sturgeon Bay for the AOY Championship, I’m sure you’ll be there too! Good Luck this season!

 

Jennifer Dome King ‏@StellarJennifer 

Do you have any fun plans to celebrate your win at Sabine with your family? A vacation maybe?

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Not a vacation with four children in cheerleading, gymnastics & basketball, we don’t have time. We will in July!

Anne Forline ‏@AnneForline 

Aww! That’s awesome!

 

Bassmaster ‏@BASS_nation 

Thank you for your time, @ChrisLaneFish! And good luck the rest of this season!

Chris Lane Fishing ‏@ChrisLaneFish 

Thanks @bass_nation and Orange, Texas for putting on a fantastic event at the Sabine River, even with the rain!