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Week 35 – Joe Thomas
Northern Exposure 8/29/2005
Sure, Joe Thomas had a rough ride through the 2005 Bassmaster Tour season. With a final points standing in the 100s, it wasn't very impressive for such a veteran performer. He'll be the first to tell you it was a test of his mental toughness. So what does he do in the off-season to recuperate? He fishes the Bassmaster Northern Opens, where he's currently 23rd in the points. The Top 25 go to the BASS Open Championship, so he has plenty left on the line in 2005. Yankee Love Thomas relishes the opportunity to fish above the Mason-Dixon Line. With only one event left in the Northern Open series (Oneida Lake, N.Y.), his eyes are still fixed on the 2006 Bassmaster Classic. "I'm currently in 23rd for the 2005 Northern Opens," he said. "I'm in the Top 25 in points as we head (toward) the Open Championship. If I make it there, I can still have a shot, although very small, to make the Classic. "It's nice to fish up North," he said. "I've had a couple of money finishes in the Opens and I'm in good shape mentally for the last tournament." Ch-Ch-Changes With all of the hoopla the past few weeks over the changes to the BASS tours for 2006 and beyond, Thomas takes a calm, veteran's approach to what lies ahead. "It's always bothersome when there are changes to your work," he said. "I'll be honest here. I'm married with three children and a big mortgage. I've got a fair amount of money that comes in, but there's a lot that goes out, too. The cost of doing business just went way up." (He referred to the entry-fee increase to $5,000 for the new Bassmaster Elite Series.–Ed.)
Even with increased financial burdens, he feels most anglers will participate at the start of the 2006 campaign. "I see this as a glass-half-full situation," he said. "There's a lot of risk as far as money, but there are also some positives. For example, the fact that the tournaments are now spread throughout the season will benefit many anglers like me. "I'm not a great sight-angler or bed-fisherman," he said. "With more summer and fall events, you might see different anglers show up with higher finishes." More Topwater Ops Thanks to the more diverse BASS schedule in 2006, Thomas predicts the rise of a couple more Lucky Craft lures as tournament winners.
"There will be so many more chances to throw a Lucky Craft topwater next season," he said. "It was really tiresome to fish in the restraints of the late winter and early spring. Now, we get to fish warm-water bites. Look for the Sammy and G-Splash to become big winners. "Don't forget about the Pointer series of jerkbaits, either," he added. "My guess is that they'll have a big impact both early in the season and later at places like Champlain and other northern waters." Notable > "The show I've put together for The Outdoor Channel, Match Fishing, is doing great," Thomas said. "It's the top-rated outdoor show on The Outdoor Channel. I've wanted to do it for 10 years and now it's an initial hit. The Outdoor Channel picked it up for next season. Look for more improvements." |
