Yesterday I interviewed Brad Whatley for one of my “Bro Series” articles about him and Frank Talley. You can read it in November at Bassmaster.com.
After Talley landed in fourth place after winning last weekend on Lake Guntersville, what Whatley told me is worth sharing now.
“Frank is a shallow water guy, and last year he tried to force himself into fishing the way the fishery was set up, the way fishing history won tournaments,” said Whatley. “More often than not, that was finesse fishing or winning in deep water.”
Talley finished 69th in points for Bassmaster Angler of the Year. He had nowhere to go but up. He made a change for this season.
“He decided to fish his strengths, and it’s shown,” Whatley said. “He’s staying shallow, and he’s catching them.”
Indeed he is. Today, Talley is 13th in AOY points after the win and 5 Top 40s so far this season. That puts him well on track to qualify for the sport’s world championship in his home state.