I have followed with keen interest the evolution of Chris Zaldain’s career. Yesterday I was impressed with this comment that speaks a lot about how he’s matured as an angler.
“What I’ve observed from the great anglers is how they treat the first day of a tournament like a fourth practice day,” he said. “Leaving open my options instead of locking myself into a lure or pattern is the best approach.”
Zaldain is practicing what he preaches. Yesterday he started the day with a jerkbait. Today it’s a slow-moving finesse lure. And he followed the same plan last week at Lake Tenkiller, finishing second to Carl Jocumsen.
Leaving options open is also a good idea in the fall on Great Lakes smallmouth fisheries.
“They stay on the move, and move horizontally from point to point, and grassline to grassland, munching on food along the way.”
Most of all, Zaldain is calm, cool and collected. That is what it will take to stay in contention for the likes of a career-making Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.