Martens looking for third AOY title
Category: Tournament
Aug 28th, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Aug 28th, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Mercury pro Aaron Martens is known as one of the most intellectual anglers on the Bassmaster Elite Series tour. Not due to his prowess in astrophysics or his love of Chaucer. Nope, it’s due to his ability to analyze a fishery through experience and the use of his electronics and then turn the analysis into some serious fish catching.
Martens has been considered one of the best bass anglers on tour for many years. Last year he solidified that assertion by winning his second Bassmaster Angler of the Year (AOY) title at the last tournament of the season. He has a shot to win it again this year when the AOY Championship rolls around in September in Escanaba, MI and the Bays de Noc.
Eyes are definitely on Martens, along with AOY points leader Greg Hackney, and the angler in third heading into the AOY event, Todd Faircloth. If Martens wins it will not surprise anybody.
No pressure for Martens.
“I really feel no pressure going into the Escanaba event,” said Martens. “I’ve won the AOY twice now. I’d like to win it again, but the pressure isn’t on me, it’s all on Greg Hackney.
“I’m feeling very fortunate that I put myself in position this year for a chance to win it again.”
The Bays de Noc set up well for Martens.
“I like going to the smallmouth fisheries like Bay de Noc,” said Martens. “I like going to places I’ve never fished before. I especially like places like the Great Lakes, because on these fisheries you need to use your electronics a lot more.
“I grew up using the paper graphs. I’ve been into fishing electronics since then. You can really analyze what the fish are doing by using your electronics and of course catching a few fish to see their condition and figure out what they are doing.
“Escanaba will be fun. Smallmouth fishing is a blast, but it can get tricky. Especially that time of the year when the weather can change so fast. Still, I feel I have a good chance to win.”
Can Martens take out Hackney?
“The other day Greg Hackney and I had a terrific stare down,” said Martens. “We are fishing an MLF (Major League Fishing) event. We were both in our trucks. I caught myself staring at him. He was doing the same to me. It lasted a few minutes. Then we both started to chuckle.”