Chapman Seeks Sharp Focus For Finale At Oneida
By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor
Brent Chapman’s 13-point lead in the Toyota Tundra B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year (AOY) race heading into the final Elite Series event at Oneida next month means the Kansan can nail down the points title with a finish of 13th or better. That’s something he’s achieved four times this season.
He’s never logged such a high placement in four visits to the New York venue named after the Native American tribe that once occupied the region, though – not even close. His best was a 38th in 2007.
The lake might be the same fishery it was the last time the Elites went there 3 years ago, but the 40-year-old is not the same fisherman. He’s about to wrap up his best pro campaign and he’ll go north with the confidence that he can do what’s necessary to lock up the title on his own.
“I’ve definitely started thinking about Oneida and strategizing for it,” he said. “The few times I’ve been there I’ve had kind of mixed results, and I think to do better I need to have a more focused strategy. In the past I think I’ve tried to do too much.
“That can be a problem, because that’s a place where you can catch fish a lot of different ways.”
