By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor
Between the MLF Bass Pro Tour and Pro Circuit, Bobby Lane has competed in eight events this year. He's finished among the Top 12 on five occasions and has a 4th and two 2nds in his last three.
He's on one of the best rolls of his lengthy tour-level career, which started with a sparking rookie campaign on the 2005 FLW Tour, when he notched Top-10 showings in each of his first three tournaments. Such runs of success have tangible benefits, of course, but the 47-year-old Floridian is eager to collect a trophy.
"I'm ready to win one," he said this week as he prepared for the BPT derby at Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee. "With the 2nds, the money and the points are good, but I'm hungry for a victory.
"At this point, I don't have any nerves when I get into the Top 10. When I get in that position, I'm ready to go, whatever body of water I'm on and whatever (bait) I'm using."
Confidence Flowing
Lane, whose list of career victories includes the 2009 Kentucky Lake Bassmaster Elite Series and the 2017 MLF World Championship, goes into the Chickamauga event on top of the BPT Angler of the Year (AOY) standings with a 9-point edge over Brent Chapman. He's 4th on the Pro Circuit list, one spot ahead of brother Chris and 25 points behind leader Cole Floyd.
"I feel good out there winging it," he said. "I feel confident in everything I'm doing."
He's had some unanticipated good fortune along the way, such as catching a 6-pounder with three minutes left on day 1 at Lake Murray and buying a spinnerbait from a shop at Lake Eufaula and using it to catch another 6 on day 2 of that tournament.
"I can't truly explain it. Probably more than anything, I'm staying mentally and physically focused out there every minute I'm on the water. I've got a positive attitude and I'm enjoying fishing again.
I've never been a 'Debbie Downer' by any means, but it's been nice to have a little more stability this year (following all of the COVID-related complications of 2020). Last year it seemed like we never knew where we were going or when."
He mentioned that he and wife Madeline began tithing to their church in Lakeland this year – 10 percent of whatever he earns from his various sources (tournament winnings, appearance fees, sponsor stipends, etc.) is deducted from his bank account. He believes it's no coincidence that he's made a bevy of Top-10s this year after going without one in 2020.
"I'm living proof of how that works," he said. "Truly giving back to God is a wonderful thing. I'm sure (the church) is pulling for me now too."
Not Thinking AOYs
Being in contention for not one, but two AOY titles is certainly an indicator that a competitor is on top of his game, but unlike some of his peers, Lane doesn't obsess over points championships.
"The way I look at the AOY is you have to take it one day at a time," he said. "I love being on the top and of course I'd like to win it, but the important thing is to face what's in front of me every day whether I'm fishing for the five biggest fish or as many as I can catch. (The titles) aren't a consideration right now; I've got a lot of tournaments ahead and i just need to continue down the road that I'm on."
The two-tour schedule has been extremely hectic – he's spent only a handful of days at home since February. Now that school is out, his wife and three children (ages 11, 13 and 17) will be able to join him at some of the events starting this week.
"It's going to be nice to have my family with me all week long. When I think back to where we were at this time last year to where we are now, it's a lot better. We're back to fishing good venues and doing what we love to do."
