Maturity matters for Palaniuk
Category: Tournament
Sep 11th, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Sep 11th, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Rigid Industries pro Brandon Palaniuk is one of the rising stars of pro bass fishing. In 2012 and again in 2013, Palaniuk needed victories at a Bassmaster event to secure a berth in the Bassmaster Classic. Last season his victory was particularly dramatic. He was clearly on his way to victory at the Elite event in LaCrosse, WI only to be disqualified. He then goes on to destroy his competition at the next event in Waddington, NY.
Without the wins in 2012 and 2013, Palaniuk doesn’t make the Classic. His overall placement in the Angler of the Year (AOY) point standing was too low each year. This season is different, no drama is necessary. Palaniuk is poised to make his third consecutive Classic, the old fashioned way, by finishing high enough in the AOY standings at season’s end.
Winning mentality is part of Palaniuk.
“I still have the ‘I need to win’ mentality,” said Palaniuk. “The difference for me this year, is that I am fishing much smarter. I’ve definitely become more mature as a professional angler. I’ve come to realize I can’t win every tournament.
“When you come to a body of water for a tournament, especially a new body to you, sometimes you don’t find the right things during practice. Sometimes things don’t line up where you win. I’ve learned to fish to finish as high in the standings as I can under those circumstances. You can’t win the Classic if you are not fishing it.”
Victories are still on Palaniuk’s mind.
“I’ve had my chances to win this year,” said Palaniuk. “I had a couple of Top 10 finishes. I probably could not win Cayuga, but maybe I could’ve.
“Now the Table Rock event was different. I for sure could’ve won that one. I know it doesn’t matter now, but if I had one more hour, I believe things would’ve been different.
“Now the last event coming up, Escanaba, my goal is no different than any other event I fish. I want to win. The difference there is, I have slightly different goals. I know that I am in the Classic unless I have the most epic meltdown and other anglers flip flop, too.
“My goal in Escanaba is to weigh a 30-pound bag of smallies. A 30-pound bag at least one of the days. If I’m catching 4-pound after 4-pounder in practice, I’m leaving that area in search of big smallies. I’ve weighed bags over 20 pounds. I want a 30-pound bag.”