Thursday 19 December 2013

Team TFB's 2013 Season

 Well here we are at the end of another great year. Every year seems to get better and better. It didn't start off that way though. A bad showing at the Everstart on Okeechobee then a zero at Guntersville, it was not looking good. I knew I had to make some changes after Gunters. I was sick all the time and gaining weight and it was seriously effecting my game. So I decided to start off by looking after my health and getting into some kind of shape besides round. The next thing on my agenda was my tournament strategies. In the last 4 years I had gotten better but I kept feeling like I was doing something wrong or I was missing a piece of the puzzle. And as you all know that missing piece is different for all of us. So I decided that I was going to switch things around. Instead of getting a limit then going to look for a kicker I was going hog hunting all day long. No more dinks, if I got disparate  I could always find dinks. I would rather weigh in 2 fish for 10 lbs. than 5 for 12 lbs. That way at least I knew I was on a pattern and I had a shot at big fish. The second thing was the bait size. I have gone crazy big on everything, yes you catch less fish but what you do catch is great. This can be frustrating at times because you can go hours without a bite, but once you come to grips with the facts you settle down. What are the facts?, well fact 1 is you are only looking for 5 bites that's it just 5 fish. The second is yes my bait works, I believe in my baits so much that if I didn't get bite then there's no fish here. No questions, just move, that simple. This has been my strategy this year and it will be for now on. Go big or go home and brutally slow.

 This has gotten us numerous top tens, including second place and a The CSFL Regional Cup win. We have also won big fish several times this year. I say we because TFB is a team which includes anglers and our sponsors. Each member held their own and produced this year. Marc Mauricio and I had a 9th place finish on Gloucester Pool, Nelson Oliveira and I had a 2nd place on Scugog and Casey Ruttan and I won the Regional Cup just to name a few.

 Our sponsors have really pulled their weight as well. My St. Croix rods have been phenomenal. I never would have been able to pull my fish out of the slop with any other rod. My Evinrude has run like a bullet all season long without missing a beat. When I was flipping slop on those windy days my PowerPole kept me pinned in place and allowed me to work those big largemouth. Freedom Tackle has completely changed my game. There are so many possible ways to rig your bait with their products. And their new spinnerbaits are incredible. JB's Fishing Depot has kept me in stock with everything I have needed to stay on the water and keep fishing. You will not find a bigger and better selection of St. Croix Rods or Gary Yamamoto anywhere. I have also started using VIGOR Eyewear this year and I have to tell you I love them. So lite and they cut the glare right down so that you get great penetration. Via Rail and Sirius Satellite Radio have been fantastic and very supportive. CPI Pictures and Management has work hard all year long keeping me on track and working for my future  and the future of Team TFB. I can not say enough about Russell Peters. He has been so supportive and has followed us very closely to be as informed as possible to make constructive suggestions and input.

 I would like to thank all of my sponsors and my team mates for their help this year. You guys have been superb. I would also like to thank other people in my life that have helped me reach this point. People like Bob Izumi, Danny Dunn, Dave Mercer, Jack Summers and Steve Crowley, I would also like to thank the CSFL for all their hard work. They sacrifice their summer so I can play and for that I thank you.

 I have some big plans for 2014 and its all starting with the FLW on Okeechobee in 2 weeks so I better sign off for now.

 Take Care and Tight Lines everyone.