PHOTO BY GARRICK DIXON last thing Connell wants is to be on the water and feel out of place .
“ If you try to force it , you ’ ll flop ,” he says of avoiding weaknesses and fishing in his comfort zone .
Connell also shares one additional gem : “ I get away from areas that routinely get pounded ,” he says . “ If it ’ s a known community hole , I ’ m out of there . I just don ’ t see the endgame in that type of fishing .”
With an eye always locked on first , Connell ’ s goal , in his mind , would be unattainable if forced to share fish .
dustin connell has sights set on the top
In 2022 , Connell joined Wheeler as the only pros to win three tournaments in a single season , but it ’ s Connell ’ s overall consistency across all events that places him in our elite group . How does he do it ?
“ It ’ s all mental ,” Connell explains . “ At this point , we ’ ve progressed so much that it ’ s not mechanical . We all have the same baits and the same equipment . The only thing to separate yourself from other competitors is your mental game .”
Connell always expects to do well in tournaments . He never fishes to simply make a cut and always shoots for first
– that way , if he underperforms , Connell finds himself happily in 20th place with a paycheck in his pocket . He readily admits he ’ s his own worst critic , bemoaning any event where he places near the bottom and further forcing high expectations . But his strategy goes deeper than that .
“ When you set really high expectations , everything falls into place ,” he continues . “ It never turns off ; map study , research , working on tackle – those all are done to the best of your ability . Your work ethic follows that mindset .”
Connell goes all-in on everything he does . If he recognizes a weakness , he works immediately to correct it . The bryan thrift … is bryan thrift
“ I don ’ t think I do anything unique .”
Typical Thrift . Known for his “ lucky break ” reasoning , Thrift rarely admits just what makes him so good .
PHOTO BY GARRICK DIXON
46 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | APRIL-MAY 2023