“ some guys just have a nose for it and can smell the fish .”
a winning mindset
Ask Richard Lowitzki or John Voyles , Nelson ’ s roommates on the road during the 2023 season , what makes him so consistently successful , and neither can quite put his finger on it . Sure , he ’ s an exceptional sight fisherman . If there ’ s one technique Nelson is known for , that would be it . All three of his Toyota Series wins came primarily by looking at bedding fish , and he sight-fished his way to a fifth-place finish at Lake of the Ozarks this year .
But nine Top 10s and two AOY titles in five years on the national tour prove that Nelson ’ s arsenal is well-rounded . No matter the time of year , fishery or species , he flat catches bass .
“ If I knew what it was , I would try to duplicate it ,” said Voyles . “ Some guys just have a nose for it and can smell the fish .”
The one trait of Nelson ’ s that stands out most to Lowitzki is his confidence . He likened Nelson to another repeat AOY winner , Dudley , in that regard .
“ I remember early on , David Dudley would say to me , ‘ Rich , why do you think David Dudley can go into a creek behind four or five other anglers and catch fish ?’” Lowitzki said . “ I said , ‘ Well I don ’ t know , David Dudley , you tell me .’ And he said , ‘ Because I ’ m David Dudley , and I believe I can .’
“ I believe there ’ s something to that , because that is how Ron thinks . Believe me , when Ron goes out , he knows he ’ s going to catch ‘ em . He just knows .”
That confidence shouldn ’ t be conflated with cockiness . Even after his most recent AOY triumph , Nelson said , “ I don ’ t
think I ’ m a good fisherman .” But he attributes the upbeat attitude that he so prides himself on for his conviction on the water . During his 18 years on tour , Lowitzki said he ’ s never roomed with someone quite as earnestly positive as Nelson . At times , it can almost seem phony – but only if you don ’ t know him .
“ I would come in and I ’ d say , ‘ Man , I hope I can catch 10 , 11 pounds ,’” Lowitzki said . “ And he would look at me , and he goes , ‘ You ’ re going to win the tournament , Rich .’ That ’ s what he would say to me . And I would look at him , and I ’ d think , you know what ? He really means that . Because in his mind , that ’ s what you have to think . … He would just be that guy that , if there was rain outside , he would find sunshine . He would make you think that it ’ s not raining out there .”
living up to a lofty goal
Nelson ’ s optimistic disposition has long helped him on the water , especially when the fishing gets tough . But he clarified that staying positive in the face of adversity takes conscious effort .
After winning the AOY title in 2020 , a hint of complacency creeped into Nelson ’ s mindset . In his words , “ my heart wasn ’ t in the sport .” Sure , he wanted to do well at each event and earn paychecks , but he wasn ’ t fighting for every ounce with quite the same tenacity he had during his first two years on tour . So , entering the 2023 season , he identified a single goal : win Angler of the Year . Knowing that every point mattered toward achieving that objective gave him extra fuel to push past whatever obstacle he encountered .
“ some guys just have a nose for it and can smell the fish .”
— John Voyles
PHOTO BY ROB MATSUURA
46 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023