Chapman Looking to Maintain AOY Momentum in ‘Finicky’ Florida

Despite its (deserved) reputation as a producer of giant largemouth bass, Florida is also known for being brutally finicky about surrendering quality fish on any given day.

Mercury pro Brent Chapman confesses that he loves fishing in the Sunshine State, but as the Bass Pro Tour heads to the Harris Chain for the third regular-season event of the season (May 21-26) – with Chapman sitting in third in Angler of the Year standings – he’s faced with the Florida fickleness that can put a kink in an otherwise-consistent season.

“Florida is Florida: It’s simple fishing as far as the techniques go, but the hard part about catching bass here is the ‘hunting’ for them part,” Chapman says. “The fish move a lot, and it can get frustrating when they’re not where you think they’re supposed to be located.”

Learning to Love Florida Bass

Chapman believes that many anglers’ love/hate relationship with Florida bass comes from not getting in a rhythm with the fishing here. He believes that getting in sync with the bass and keeping his approach simple will keep him in the mix at the upcoming tournament on the Harris Chain.

“I’m likely to have five to 10 baits that I like to fish in Florida,” he says. “I’ll try to figure out if bass are in 2, 4, 6 feet of water, try to figure out what weeds they’re relating to, or whether they’re on outside or inside edges. It’s a pretty basic approach, really, you just need to get in a rhythm.”

Chapman’s first step in preparing for the Harris Chain was to ferret out any current, accurate tournament fishing information.

“A big factor on the Harris Chain is how hard it is to get any up-to-date info,” Chapman confesses. “I heard the hydrilla is back – I’d suspect that would be a big factor, but I won’t know until I’ve seen it in practice.

“I wish I came down and did a ride-around before the (30-day) cut off. The last MLF Cup event at the Harris Chain was a few years ago, and the last B.A.S.S. event I fished here was in 2011. It’s been so long since I’ve fished it, so I have no waypoints on cards. I’m starting from scratch. But, I like fishing on instinct.”

Chapman has experienced both sides of Florida bass: He’s had some Top 10 finishes in the Sunshine State, but also has his fair share of frustration.

“You hear a lot of guys who don’t like going to Florida for tournaments,” Chapman says. “The first few years I was a pro, I was in that same boat, especially fishing early in the year, like January and February. I did plenty of homework, and finally, after years of work, learned it, and now I love fishing Florida.

“It really suits my style. You just find an area with a lot of fish, put the trolling motor down and never pick it up. I’m perfectly content doing that. You can speed up or go at a snail’s pace, and both work.”

Big-Fish Mentality

Big fish are a potential in any tournament on the Harris Chain, but Chapman observes that anglers can get spun out attempting to fish for big bass, or if they hook a giant and lost it. Chapman uses the awareness of big bass to his advantage.

“Big fish do something to your head,” Chapman admits. “When you see them, or if you lose one or catch one, they can really work against your mindset. But, knowing that they are potentially swimming anywhere you’re casting builds confidence for me, too. Any cast I make can produce a 12-pounder. It keeps me focused.”

While it’s been nearly a decade since Chapman won his AOY title, the thought of being in position to do so again isn’t lost on the 26-year veteran. But worrying about winning the title or an event isn’t his sole focus at the start of any tournament.

“I never go into an event focused just on a win,” said Chapman. “I always try to do the best I can possibly do. I can’t worry about winning until the final day on the Bass Pro Tour. Ultimately, the best way to win is to find enough areas and techniques that I have confidence in and execute my game plan. Hopefully at the Harris Chain, I’ll find a pattern casting a squarebill, or a vibrating jig on a weed edge, or flipping or frog fishing. Florida fishing is awesome, once you find the fish.”