DeFoe ‘Feels at Home’ in Wisconsin
TULSA, Okla. – For the first time this season on the Bass Pro Tour, the 80 pros are hauling their boats north to America’s Dairyland. MLF converges on Neenah, Wisconsin on June 25 for the Evinrude Stage Eight Presented by Tracker Off Road.
And while most of the field of 80 is looking forward to fishing some new lakes in the Badger State, one angler in particular may be anticipating it more than anyone: Ott DeFoe.
Dairyland Domination
Since 2012, DeFoe has amassed two Top-20, two Top-10, and one first-place finish in Wisconsin. The Tennessee pro says that Wisconsin is one of his favorite states to fish, and for good reason.
“I feel like the quality of fishing in the northern part of the country is really good,” DeFoe explained. “The state of Wisconsin has a lot of outstanding fisheries, whether they be for largemouth, smallmouth or a combination of both. When I was growing up in east Tennessee, a lot of the lakes I fished had a combination of both largemouth and smallmouth, so I kind of feel at home in Wisconsin.”
Plenty of Mouths to Feed
The Bass Pro Shops pro has collected nearly $150,000 in winnings in Wisconsin over his professional career and he’s hoping to add $100,000 more to that total during Stage Eight at Lake Winnebago, Lake Butte des Mortes, and Green Lake. The MLF pros are preparing for high percentage of smallmouth in those three fisheries, but DeFoe knows that Wisconsin can offer much more than smallies.
“A lot of people think because of the colder air and water temperatures throughout the year that it automatically means smallmouth,” DeFoe stated. “While the smallmouth are known to live in the cooler climates, there are plenty of largemouth up north as well. You may not be able to catch a 10-pounder, but 4- and 5-pound largemouths are certainly attainable.”
Ott Digs the Jig
With two different species of bass in play, the Mercury pro is already starting to piece together a gameplan for Stage Eight. There are many variables that DeFoe must consider—the stage of the spawn, temperature, and water clarity just to name a few—but no matter where he goes in Wisconsin, he’s always sure to grab one go-to bait.
“If I’m going to Wisconsin then I’m bringing a jig with me,” DeFoe revealed. “Whether I’m looking for smallmouth or largemouth, it seems like a jig is a great bait to use. There’s a lot of crawfish up there and a jig can certainly imitate bluegill as well. It seems like a Green Pumpkin Alabama Craw or whatever natural color works best always works best up there.”
It’s been a great year for DeFoe after notching three Top-10 finishes on the Bass Pro Tour and taking home the 2019 Bassmaster Classic Championship in March. He currently sits in seventh place in the Race for the Points Championship and is a lock to make the REDCREST Championship on August 21 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. DeFoe is happy with where he sits and has earned plenty of money this season, but a Stage Eight Championship would be the icing on the cake that is his 2019 season.
“I’m in a great position because I don’t have a lot of pressure on me,” DeFoe expressed. “I’m locked into the REDCREST and I’m in a pretty comfortable spot. It allows me to just try and win this event without having to worry about fighting for qualification. I’ve made three Championship Rounds and I haven’t won one yet, so I’m ready to get me one. Hopefully, my fourth time can be the charm.”
DeFoe and the rest of the anglers on the Bass Pro Tour finish out the regular season on June 25 for the Evinrude Stage Eight Presented by Tracker Off Road.