Angler Goals for the 2017 Season

What FLW Tour pros hope to accomplish this year

A new season brings renewed hope for big accomplishments, as well as goals and resolutions. We asked 15 FLW Tour pros to share their goals for the 2017 season. In addition to the standard goals of winning Angler of the Year, qualifying for the Forrest Wood Cup and winning an event, several shared more personal goals that they hope to accomplish to become better professional anglers.

Braxton Setzer, Montgomery, Ala.

“Of course everyone wants to make the Cup, but my biggest goal is to build on what I learned last year during my rookie year. I want to get better at on-the-water decisions because that is what separates the good from the great.”

Jimmy Houston, Cookson, Okla.

“I’m so busy with different things that my biggest goal is just to fish all the tournaments. I believe I am already the oldest guy to ever qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup, so I also want to push that record up a few years.”

Bill McDonald, Greenwood, Ind.

“I want to get back to the Forrest Wood Cup. To get there I am going to work on being more consistent throughout the season.”

Jason Johnson, Gainesville, Ga.

“I want to get better at fishing shallow grass, and with this year’s schedule I am going to have to. I am going to force myself in practice to fish that way because I know that’s where they live.”

Luke Dunkin, Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

“This is a great schedule in terms of diversity, and it really fits my style as a shallow-water angler. I want to work on simplifying things and focus on my strengths instead of trying to fish other people’s game.”

Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.

“It is the same goal every year, and that is to make as many checks as possible. I’d love to win one, but this is how I make a living, and the bottom line is you need to get paid at the tournaments.”

Jeff Sprague, Point, Texas

“That is a tricky question because obviously all of us want to win an event, win Angler of the Year and qualify for the Cup. Every man on Tour wants to do that, so for me it is to continue to build on the success that I have had the past few years. My goal is to take it one day at a time and just do my best.”

Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C.

“To make a run at AOY. I have come close several times, but I always hurt myself with one bomb. With seven events this year it should be easier to make up more ground if we have a bad event.”

Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C.

“That is an easy one, and that is to make the Cup on my home lake again. I am not going to do anything different than I always do – catch what I can and not take too many chances.”

Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla.

“I have already qualified for the Cup through the Costa FLW Series Championship, so that will let me fish more relaxed. I want to be more consistent and have a solid finish at each event and contend for AOY.”

Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark.

“It sounds cliché, but my goal is the same every year: I want to fish as hard as I can, honor God and leave the rest up to Him. I have a day-by-day goal of doing the best I can, and I am content with the outcome each day.”

John Cox, DeBary, Fla.

“My main goal is to get paid at each event, getting a top-50 check at all the tournaments. It would also be cool to be the first to win two Forrest Wood Cups.”

Joe Holland, Jefferson, Maine

“My goal is to work hard to promote my sponsors and represent the state of Maine. I am the only tour-level pro from Maine, I think, ever, and I want to do what I can to do well for my friends up there. On the fishing side, I want to trust my gut and avoid information and dock talk.”

Josh Douglas, Mound, Minn.

“Being a rookie, my goal is to contend for the Rookie of the Year title, and if I do that I should be right there in contention for the Forrest Wood Cup. I’m also excited to fish several bodies of water that I have never been to.”

Cody Meyer, Auburn, Calif.

“My goal each year is to make the Forrest Wood Cup. The other one is to win the Angler of the Year title. I have been close several times and really want to win it. I take pride in being consistent, and that is the award that shows you did it.”