CODY MEYER: Ready to Roll in Raleigh
We’re two stages
I’ll admit that it’s been a little tough for me so far this season (not because of the format, but the fishing in general). I love the style and the format, but catching fish was really a challenge for me in the first two stages on the Kissimmee Chain and Lake Conroe (I finished 24th and 31st in my Elimination Rounds).
I’m hoping that can change when we get to Raleigh, North Carolina for Stage Three.
New Water, No Problem
I’ve never even been to Raleigh – much less fished there – and honestly that’s got me really excited. That’s what’s really awesome about Major League Fishing: going to places we’ve never been to or seen before.
Being from California, it’s always been pretty tough for me to practice on some of these lakes that we’ve traditionally competed on, just because of the sheer distance from my driveway to the ramp. But going to a place like Raleigh, where not many people have been?
That’s an exciting experience for everyone! All 80 anglers will be on a more on a level playing field and everyone has the same opportunity to be successful, which is really cool to me.
The way Stage Three is set up, we’ll fish three different lakes over the course of the tournament. Unlike the first two stages, where we’ve stayed on the same body of water through the Knockout Rounds, you’re not going to be able to just find one spot and ride it out until the end. It’ll be three completely different lakes, and whoever can adapt and figure all three of them out will be the one who takes home the check on Championship Sunday.
Finding a Winning Pattern
Every lake is pretty much a new lake for me. However, the thing that’s the most exciting for me is the challenge of finding fish. This format is a pattern format: it really forces you to find a pattern that works for you, and to stick to it. If you figure something out, your pattern can get you all the way to the end.
Some guys figured out patterns at Kissimmee and Conroe, and that’s why you’ve seen them have some good finishes to start the year.
Nothing has really surprised me so far this season. There are some new guys who have had some early success, which is cool to see, but we’re all great fishermen so that’s going to happen.
I’m sure that all of those guys who had their first experience with the MLF format are over the shock now, and just know, “Hey I need to get my butt in gear if I want to win these things!” I’m lucky enough to have some MLF experience under my belt, thanks to the few Select events I’ve fished in the past.
I’m glad we have these couple of weeks to be home and relax, then we can get back to it and refocus for Stage Three.