PHOTO BY JODY WHITE
But we can ’ t ignore the numbers . For 16 years , Thrift has terrorized organized bass fishing . He ’ s done so through intense refinement of technique , often cycling through 20 rods in order to catch a few more bass .
Thrift ’ s strength lies in his relentless on-the-water assessment of the moods of the fish .
“ I want to find out what they ’ ll bite and what they won ’ t ,” he says .
Thrift carries “ a ton of tackle ,” and often experiments with dozens of lures at each practice spot . He does so in order to save time during competition . In addition , Thrift finds himself continuing to refine his approach as competition goes on .
“ I laid up a bunch ( in the previous BPT format , once he was well above the Toro Cut Line ),” he explains . “ During qualifying rounds , I practiced quite a bit .”
Again , spending time experimenting with lure options , Thrift can often keep up with a changing bite as tournaments progress .
Recently , Thrift has found himself looking for water to support his strengths , just as Neal does .
“ I kind of turned into a clear-water guy ,” Thrift says , noting that a 4-inch Damiki Stinger routinely finds it ’ s way into his hand and into the mouths of bass .
Versatility combined with finesse continues to pay the bills for one of the sport ’ s best .
jacob wheeler ’ s pursuit of multi-technique mastery
Saving the highest finisher for last , Wheeler continues to astonish us all . He ’ s currently the undisputed best in the world , on track to break many of the sport ’ s records , and has won more money than anyone in the last decade . All this by the age of 30 . Wheeler reflects on his past to explain his present – particularly the way he fishes now .
“ I grew up a generalist , and there weren ’ t many generalists in bass fishing at the time ,” he says , referring to the popularity of technique specialists in the early 2000s .
Few pros at that time carried a flipping stick and a spinning rod on the same deck .
“ To get confidence in all the baits and all the techniques , time on the water is essential . It ’ s THE ONLY REAL WAY TO DO IT .”
“ I ’ ve worked to perfect the ( generalist ) approach ,” Wheeler continues . “ The year that I won three tournaments , I won all of them doing something different .”
Wheeler admits that while the core techniques continue to dominate bass fishing competitions , newer approaches often add a few more fish to the scale . But in order to be capable with all techniques and baits , practice is crucial .
“ To get confidence in all the baits and all the techniques , time on the water is essential ,” he says . “ It ’ s the only real way to do it .”
All year long , including in the offseason , Wheeler is on the water perfecting his trade . Few anglers continue to put in as much time learning new waters or new fishing systems as him – an approach that doesn ’ t seem to be fading . For Wheeler , the secret lies in being incredibly capable at everything , and willing to try anything .
“ That ’ s the toughest thing , letting go of preconceived notions ,” he says . “ But it ’ s the most important .”
With supreme confidence in every lure he ’ s got rigged up , Wheeler gladly lets the fish dictate his approach .
So what have we learned ? Is there a secret recipe to the methods employed by the sport ’ s best ? Maybe it ’ s the culmination of a well-scripted plan ; defining what makes you successful and never wavering . Or maybe it ’ s all in their heads ; the mental game pushing good anglers to greatness .
Maybe it ’ s both , or maybe they ’ re all just built different . Find out for sure and you ’ re well on your way to becoming the best angler you can be .
APRIL-MAY 2023 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM 47