Check-in Time: Buddy Gross
What FLW anglers are up to right now
From time to time, FLW checks in with its anglers to find out what they’ve been up to, what they’re listening to, who they’re following and where they’re heading while out on the tournament trail. This week, we caught up with Buddy Gross.
What are you up to lately?
I’m still building my boat garage/apartment. The weather hasn’t been in my favor, but I’m getting closer. That’s been taking up all my spare time when I’m not getting ready to go to Champlain. I’ve only been fishing twice since the Bassmaster Open on Chick (May 23-25).
I got to go to the Mercury summit the other day, too. It was pretty cool. It was a bridge to a lot of people that didn’t know each other. We got to see a lot of new things, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I got educated on product and some things I need to be doing better. I got to see how they make a prop and go through the plants and everything.
The cool thing is how big the plants are. My background is in heavy trucks, and I’ve been to those plants. These are bigger than them.
Where are you headed next?
Champlain is next, so I’m re-rigging about 50 percent of my arsenal. I’m getting ready to fish out of my box a little bit. I’ve caught plenty of fish every time I’ve gone up north, but never caught the big ones to make a difference before. This time I’m a lot more prepared and a lot more rounded. I’m fixing to give them a run for their money at this one. I really want to perform at this one. I want to do good at this one as bad as I’ve wanted it in any tournament I’ve ever fished.
What are you listening to or watching these days?
I had never watched Game of Thrones in my life until about two weeks ago, and I just finished it. Once I started it I didn’t want to stop. I was expecting it to end a little different though.
Other than playing some Justin Moore on the radio that’s about it.
Who are you following on social media right now?
I stay pretty focused. I don’t scroll around much. But, I’m a bait guy. I like lots of baits, but I watch for new swimbaits and crankbaits a lot.
What bait or technique are you trying to master right now?
I’m trying to do more with spinning rods. I’m OK with them, but I’m getting a little wider in my applications. I used to do everything with a baitcaster, but can’t do some things as well with a baitcaster, so I’m making myself learn that. I’m doing more with a Trick Worm and that type of bait with a spinning rod. The last two years up north I’ve used a baitcaster. I’m trying to switch from a tube on a baitcaster to a spinning rod. I’m just trying to land a few more.