Chapman in a Whirlwind
Category: article
Jan 15th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jan 15th, 2013 at 12:00 AM
Confidence is not a problem when it comes to fishing bass tournaments for 2012 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year (AoY) Brent Chapman. His years of being on tour and countless hours preparing for events him given him copious amounts of confidence. However, the last six months of 2012 have been a hectic hurry-up for him. Since winning his first AoY title, his time has been in demand from sponsors and media like never before.
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| 2012 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Brent Chapman (Photo BassFIRST) |
Fortunately for Chapman, his experience and years of competing at the highest levels of pro fishing have taught him to unwind and focus. Also, spending a lot of your off-season in a tree-stand with a bow chasing whitetails may have something to do with his calm demeanor as well.
“It has been a whirlwind the last six months for me,” said Chapman. “I had very little time to regroup this fall like I normally would after the season is over. Last year I started the season relaxed and confident and very well organized. This year everything has been so hectic.
“Last year I learned a lot. Plus, I am older and wiser and know how to prepare, even if my schedule has been hectic.”
Bow hunting has prepped Chapman for the upcoming Classic and Elite Series.
“When December 31st hit it was the end of my unwinding prior to the start of the season,” said Chapman. “I haven’t fished a lot since the end of the regular season. I need to step away from it or I can get burned out. I don’t know how some of the guys keep fishing and never take a break.
“For me, I spend as much time as possible bow hunting for deer. I look at it as another form of a tournament when I am out there. It keeps my critical thinking sharp and that is so important for tournament success. The deer season closed on December 31st, so now my focus is back to fishing. I am energized and excited to get back at it.”
Chapman is no newcomer to the Bassmaster Classic location this year, Grand Lake in Oklahoma.
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| Brent Chapman (Photo BassFIRST) |
“I actually have a lot of experience on Grand Lake,” said Chapman. “I don’t live in Oklahoma, but back in the day during the Red Man events, Grand Lake was a regular stop. I have a good understanding of the lake.
“Plus, I’ve spent a lot of time on Lake of the Ozarks, which is a very similar lake. Also, the lake I live on is a smaller version of both Grand and Lake of the Ozarks. It is a very similar-type reservoir. I will be able to get plenty of pre-practice on my home lake honing certain techniques I feel may be a factor at Grand. I can get my confidence up with the techniques and then just focus on finding fish when I am practicing at Grand.”
Chapman believes Grand could be a slugfest, but may also yield smaller limits.
“My experience on the lake tells me 12 pounds per day is about what it takes to win events there that time of the year,” said Chapman. “But last year at an event the weights were much bigger, but they also used Alabama rigs. We are not allowed to use them, so we will see how it plays out.”
Brent has no issue having a target squarely on his back in the 2013 season.
“Everyone wants to beat the guys on top,” said Chapman. “For me, I never worry about the other guys. I can’t worry about what the other guy has going on in his boat. If I do that, I will lose. It’s not about you and the other anglers; it’s about you and the fish.”