For whatever it's worth as an up-close observer of the pros for a while now, Matt really took a step forward this year β in fishing confidence, and in what I guess I'd call "presence." Like he knows who he is now, if that makes sense. Anyhow, he started the season strong and ended it with a 10th and 12th so I wanted to get with him:
1. You started out strong fishing big swimbaits and you finished strong with forward-facing sonar tourneys. Is it fair to say that you really upped your game and your craft this season?
> "Absolutely. I really upped my game, my craft, the diversity β I always knew I was a more well-rounded fisherman than I'd been given credit for.
> "It's just people getting a little taste of the real Matt Robertson...more diverse. They're just seeing a different side of me they haven't had the opportunity to see."
Foller-up: Seems like you have more confidence too β how did that happen?
> "You don't get where we're at in this sport without believing in yourself. I believe there's a lot of different attributes that go into my confidence.
> "Honestly, being in shape I believe is a big confidence-booster. You just feel better about yourself, and it just carries on into believing in yourself. On the water, off the water β whenever I go out there, I feel like I can win every tournament.
> "...working out, lifting weights, running β you feel different about yourself. You have a confidence that carries over into other places in your life. That's fishing for me. I just feel like I'm unstoppable all the way around."
[He also mentioned Proverbs 3:5-6 πͺ β love those verses myself.]
2. That Berkley PowerBait Switch you fished to get 10th at Champlain β how is it different than a regular Damiki-type rig?
> "Whenever you cast it out and it sinks down, you want to give it a real subtle twitch β it darts side to side kinda like a jerkbait. A regular Damiki ring is not going to dart like that. I think it's the small things [like that darting action] that matter now.
> "It's realistic, the colors...mimic that alewife real well β white with like a silver glimmer in it.
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