In the first part of this series, I graded myself on preseason preparation, practice and execution. In the second part, I covered on-the-water adjustments and equipment. Here, I finish it off with my overall grade and some areas where I really want to improve in 2015.
Overall Grade (B-)
I had some tough breaks in the first half that kept me mired in the middle of the standings. Better decisions and better breaks helped me out in the second half and moved me up. I can’t say I’m satisfied with my year, but I met an important goal of qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic.
To make it a truly successful year, I feel like I need to contend for AOY or win an Elite event. That didn’t happen in 2014, and it’s the difference between an A and a B.
I try to be my toughest critic. I’ve been like that since I was a kid —in school, in sports and in my fishing. Sometimes I’m pretty hard on myself, but I think that’s what it takes to get better and to be successful.
Areas for Improvement
Report cards usually have a place where the teacher lists some areas for improvement, and this is no exception even though I’m grading myself. On some level, the year would be a waste if I didn’t learn along the way.
My first thought is that I lost some key fish —especially early in the season. If I had put them in the boat, things might have been very different. I need to work on that.
I also need to recognize changing conditions faster. I did a pretty good job of adjusting to on-the-water factors, but the faster an angler does this, the more he can stay ahead of the competition. In particular, I want to hone my skills and awareness when it comes to changes in fishing pressure. Quite often, the bass in a pressured area are still there, but they can’t be caught by the same methods. If you’re the first angler to put that together, you’re going to win a lot of money and a lot of trophies.
My biggest off-season goal will improve not only my fishing, but also my life.
I want to be more organized.
The biggest part of that will be organizing my shop at home and keeping it in order. If I can do that, it’s going to save me time in getting ready for trips, and it’s going to give me peace of mind. The fact that stuff isn’t where it’s supposed to be or that I can’t find something quickly and easily really bugs me. It bothers me when I’m looking for it. It bothers me when I’m eating breakfast. It bothers me when I’m driving to an event.
If I can get that straightened out, it’s going to give me more peace of mind, more time with my family and a better overall quality of life.
Hopefully next year at this time I’ll be able to give myself straight As!
Note: Edwin Evers is in the pecan business! Check it out. They make great holiday gifts and his harvest methods are unconventional to say the least.
