Skeet Reese finished the regular season in the number one spot on the BASS Elite Series passing Kevin VanDam at Oneida. We had a chance to sit down with him to talk about what makes him tick and what he has been doing to reach this place in his career. Always candid and not one to beat around the bush...here is his thoughts.
1. You have now won the Bassmaster Classic and the AOY. What would it be like to be one of two guys to do it in the same year? (Mark Davis was the other one who did it)
"It would be huge. From a history standpoint only one other guy,Mark Davis, has done it and it would be a moment I would be very proud of. No question it would be a great part of my career."
2. In the last few years you have increased your effectiveness and have become one of the best anglers to have ever fished. What do you attribute this success to?
"I am much better at connecting the dots. All of the guys are great technically and I think the difference at times is the adjustments you make. I am older and wiser now and make better decisions now."
"I am also in the best shape physically of my life. One event you may or may not feel it but back to back events you better had be in good shape. Conditioning is critical. Most people don't realize how tough it can be on your body. From your legs to your back to the cardio aspects its pretty demanding and I work hard to stay in shape and at the top of my game physically. The pressure on your legs and back take a toll on you if you are carrying too much weight. Your shoulders, for casting, are important as well. I trained with the P90X and its a great program. Look at Dave Wolak, he stayed with it and is in excellent shape."
3. If you could do something better what would it be?
After a long pause..."I would like to know how to win more. Top 10s are great but winning is what it is all about and I would most definitely like to do that more."
I am a versatile angler and living in Northern California where we have a very diverse fishery has helped. One day I would be fishing a flipping stick and the next I might be drop shotting with 6 pound test. Coming from here has without a doubt helped me on the Tour."
4. You finished the regular season in the number one position in the AOY standings. What do you think about BASS's new format for the "Chase"?
Of course I don't like it but I most defintely understand why they are doing it. I understand the concept. I will go along with it but I don't think it will bring more people into fishing or make more fans. I also think it takes away from the title of AOY a bit too. It is what it is and I have to fish well in Alabama. I have to go with the mindset of winning both."
Note: Reese has been to the Alabama River once and has not been to Jordan.
5. You are know as a guy who does it his way. Is that an accurate assessment?
"I do this deal the best I can and I have to fish the way I fish. The first few years out here I tried to fish like others did and I got my butt handed to me. I need to fish my style and do it my way to have success. I found out very quickly that I cannot fish like others do. From baits to technique I have to fish to my strengths. Everyone needs to do it their way."
6. You live where big fish live. Has that played a role in how you fish?
"No doubt we live in the land of the giants but we have some finicky fisheries too. I have to be able to fish both types. You had better go to Amistad with your guns loaded and with the heavy stuff. You can't go to the Mississippi River thinking you can catch a twenty pound bag either. I consider myself a grinder. Many of my top finishes were on tough places. I have a "bust your butt" style of fishing."
7. What else?
"My family is very, very important to me. My wife and girls are everything to me. I couldn't do this without them."
"I came from the school of hard knocks and have been very fortunate. I am a businessman and I work very hard for my sponsors to make each of them long term relationships. I want them to do well and I want them to sell product."
"I want to provide a good quality of life for my family and that means I had better love the business end of it too. I work very hard to make all of the companies I work with profitable and glad they are in fishing."
8. We always want to give you a chance to promote good products at Wired2Fish. Tell us about yours.
"I work with the best hard bait company in the world with Lucky Craft. No question and my sponsors are at the top of their games. I recently got the opportunity to build a series of rods called Tessara and I am very proud of them. I always tell people you can spend all the money in the world and not get a better rod. They cost 89 bucks and we have nine models. They are the best rods out there."
