This past weekend was pretty special to me. While I was visiting a show I've been to every year since I was a kid, it was different this time. This time I got to share the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year trophy with the local bass fans, friends and anglers I've known for a long time.
I've been going to this show (the Kansas City Sport Show) since the late 1980s. I remember being just a kid, hungry for information, sitting in the audience and listening to the legends of our sport for hours on end. That helped me become the angler I am.
This time, as I stood in front of the crowd talking about how to catch fish, I couldn't help but wonder if there's a future Angler of the Year or Bassmaster Classic champion sitting in the crowd.
One thing I learned at this show is that there are a lot of people going to the Bassmaster Classic from the Kansas City area. If I wasn't feeling pressure before, I am now. But, it's the Classic, and there's always at least a small feeling of pressure for everyone fishing it. One thing is for sure, with all the people headed down there this would be a nice one for me to win.
Another pretty exciting thing happened, I actually got to see the first few products with my name on them cross the retail counter. Mesu Bait Company's Chapman Flutter Spoon and Tight Lines UV's Chap Attack pack were selling very well, and that was neat to see.
The Chapman Flutter Spoon is the bait I used to win the Toledo Bend Elite Series event. The bait has dual split rings and a 1/0 Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp treble on it. All the things I used to do modify other flutter spoons and increase my hook-to-land ratio are standard on this bait. I think you'll like it.
One thing I haven't had a chance to do is fish a flutter spoon in the winter. I think it could be a great technique. In the comments section below, let me know if you've tried it and how you did.
Finally, I want to congratulate Ben Todd on his recent tournament on Florida's Lake Okeechobee. A lot of his bass came on a Tight Lines UVEnko. It's nice to see others having success with this bait.
I know there are a lot of people out there thinking that I fish the UV products because they're my sponsor. Truth be told, I'd fish them even if they weren't my sponsor. They really do catch more fish in a lot of situations, and I truly believe in the technology.