Denny Brauer's had a pretty stout year. He won the Champlain Bassmaster Elite Series and he's 14th in the Elite Series points race. That means the pressure's off at tomorrow's Table Rock event, and the lack of pressure might change the way he fishes – at least a little bit.
For a few seasons, his philosophy had been "fish to win." But he toned down the gambling a little this year, which improved his consistency. With no pressure at Table Rock, he said he'll gamble a little more. But there is one prize he's eyeing – BASS's Horizon award for most improved – that should temper any ultra-gamble temptation.
"Basically, the last several years, I've fished strictly to win," he said. "That's really gotten me into some bad situations at times – when you take too much of a gamble. I fished a little smarter this year. I went and caught a few fish when I had to. That said, going into Table Rock, I could not catch a fish and probably still qualify for the (Bassmaster) Classic.
"That has my mind set to go for the win. But I also want to get the Horizon award. It's $25,000. So I don't want to get stupid and miss the possibility of winning that. But if it's the last day, and I have a chance to win, I will certainly gamble everything for the win."
