Bass Fishing Feb - Mar 2020 | Page 50

EVERS’ GREATEST ACT CONTINUING THE STRING OF SUCCESS As Grigsby alludes, Evers’ tran- scendent success in 2019 shouldn’t have come as a shock to anyone. The Mercury pro has fished almost exclusively at the highest tour levels in the sport since 2013 (he fished two B.A.S.S. Opens in 2014), dedicating himself instead to his organizations’ highest-level tourna- ments. In that seven-season span from 2013 through 2019, Evers has collected the most wins (six) in com- petitions contested at those levels, has taken home two of the three major championships (REDCREST and the Bassmaster Classic) and has banked just shy of $1.8 million in win- nings (also the most of any tour-level pro in that time). “I think you’d have to say that Edwin has been ‘The Man’ for the past several years,” observes MLF pro Boyd Duckett. “One thing I can say for sure: If you let Edwin hang around and hang around in any event on any fishery, he’s going to figure it out. That’s one thing he does as good as anybody: He will find a way to win.” Per usual, the difference in good and great lies in the mental side of competitive bass fishing – confi- dence, decision making, the ability to deal with pressure. And all the pundits agree: As physically gifted as Evers is as a bass angler, it’s his psychological approach to the game that sets him apart. “He’s driven to perform in a differ- ent way than most people,” adds Gary Klein, a 40-year veteran of pro bass fishing who’s witnessed the best to ever compete. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Edwin over the years – he’s been to my ranch, we’ve hunted together – and I’ve seen in him that he’s always searching. He’s never satisfied with less than his best. “I’m sure you’ve heard this time and again, but Edwin has something in him that doesn’t allow him to settle for less than his best. I know a lot of really good fishermen who will never be great – not because they don’t have the ability, but because they lack the understanding of the effort and focus it takes to perform so well one season after another. Edwin is just never, ever happy with second place. If he’s not at the top of the heap, he leaves the event thinking of ways to be better the next time.” PICKING BACK UP IN 2020 Thanks to Mother Nature, this season’s prep has looked a little dif- ferent than in years past. “My boat shop has been taken over by clothes and furniture,” Evers says about his preparation for the 2020 season. “I’m a little in disarray. I mean, we’re trying to build a house here, and it’s a long ways from being done.” The months leading up to the 2020 season encompassed far and away Evers’ busiest offseason ever. In addition to construction of the new house, the longtime pecan farmer also had a longer-than-usual pecan harvest due to residual water from the year’s flooding. And the speaking, appearance and media requests, which Evers accommodated at a yeoman’s pace, were higher than he’d ever experienced in his two- decade career. Whether he’s able to match his scorching early season pace from 2019 is yet to be seen, but the eight- event 2020 Bass Pro Tour regular season includes three fisheries (Lake Eufaula, Grand Lake and the St. Lawrence River) where Evers has won before, and one fishery (Lake Winnebago) where he enjoyed “the best day of smallmouth fishing of my entire life.” “I have a lot to be thankful for after last season, but my mind is on 2020,” Evers says. “I’m excited about it. It’s a great schedule, and the way we fish [in the MLF format] is as tough as anybody could ever imagine.” 48 FLWFISHING.COM | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING.COM | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2020