Entry 111-4
Chad Brauer On Getting A Berth In The Classic
What Competing in the Classic Means to Chad Brauer
Editor's Note: Every tournament fisherman wants to compete in the Bassmaster Classic and test his skills against the best bass fishermen of that tournament season. But, for some bass fishermen, the Classic has an even greater and deeper meaning.
Question: Chad, what does this year's Bassmaster Classic mean to you?
Brauer: The last two years, I wasn't even close to qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic. I had two of my worst years as a tournament fisherman, but this year was great for me. I was even in the race for Angler of the Year. This year helped me get my confidence back, and it also helped me realize what I need to be doing to stay competitive and continue earning a living as a tournament pro.
This year's Classic will be held on Lake Wylie where fishing deep-structure patterns and techniques should rule the day. This type of fishing is not one of my strengths, so I know I am going to have to get my mind right and practice fishing deep structure to do well in this tournament. The one element that may work in my favor is if we get some rain just before or during the Classic, because it dirties the lake up. Then the fish will move up closer to more-visible cover. If just one major storm front moves onto the lake just before or while we are competing, I may have a really good chance at this year's Classic.
I prefer to fish shallow-water structure. But, if I don't get that big rain, and I have to fish in deep water, I will probably struggle in this year's Classic. Although you may not view the Classic this way, the Classic is the easiest tournament to win because you are only fishing against 40-other anglers instead of 150-other anglers as we do in our regular tournaments. So, your odds are much better in the Classic than they are on the tour event.
