Dudley Comes From Behind To Win First Career AOY

In an unexpected turn of events, Virginia pro David Dudley clinched his first FLW Tour Angler of the Year (AOY) title a little over an hour ago at the Detroit River.

Dudley wasn't even considered to be on the radar to claim the title coming into this event. He climbed up to 3rd place in the AOY standings after finishing in 66th place on day 1, but even then it looked like a long shot that he'd make up the 60-plus points needed to overtake new leader Bryan Thrift.

But Thrift lost traction today and plummeted to 105th, which left the door wide open for the opportunistic Dudley, who's 17-00 day 2 limit hoisted him up to 38th place and into the top spot in the 2008 AOY points race.

Remarkably, this is Dudley's first AOY crown in his ultra-consistent 15-year career in professional bass fishing. For reference, here's a look at his finishes this year.

> Detroit River -- 38th
> Ft. Loudoun-Tellico -- 1st
> Beaver Lake -- 26th
> Norman -- 28th
> Lewis Smith -- 43rd
> Toho -- 67th

In the Q&A that follows, Dudley talks about the title, his performance at the Detroit River, and "following your dreams."

BassFan: This is your first AOY title. How do you feel?

It feels good. It feels really good. I've been waiting on this for 14 years. I've been in the Top 10 in AOY points most of those years, but I've just never managed to end up on top.

To win one - it's good. That's all I can say. It just feels good.

You started this tournament pretty far back in the points race, and nobody expected you to really factor in much at this event. Was the AOY race on your mind at all coming into this tournament?

Never once did it cross my mind. I never even thought about preparing to take the AOY at this event. Nobody expected me to win it, and I didn't expect it either.

Andy Morgan is my hero and never in a million years did I expect him to choke, but it looks like that's what happened. I hate to see that happen to him. He's such a good guy, but I'm glad it fell into my hands the way it did.

Do you think not having the added pressure of being a major contender in the points race helped you to stay more relaxed?

I can't say that really helped me. When you've been doing this for as long as I have - those pressure situations don't get to me much anymore. I'm used to that by now. I can honestly say that even if I came into this event as the AOY leader I would've fished the exact same way.

But, on the other hand, it was nice not having to really plan for anything. That would've just been another factor I would've had to worry about in my head. So, I don't know. It might have made it better for me that I wasn't thinking about it much.

This fishery seems to have had your number in years past. Does it surprise you that you were able to steal the AOY title on this body of water?

I've always had tremendous practices on this lake. This is probably one of my favorite places to fish, but I've never been able to carry my practice over into the tournament.

I learned something big this year about my fish, though. I didn't figure it out during practice, but it clicked to me during this tournament. If we come back here during this time of year, I'm gonna' catch 'em.

What was it that you figured out?

I can't tell you that. But I feel very confident on this lake now. Like I said, if we come back here next year, I'll catch 'em.

Beside what you figured out during the tournament, did you change your approach at all for this event this year compared to previous events you've fished here?

I didn't change a thing. I never change anything. You always hear guys talk about swinging for the fences - that's a stupid statement. I hate that statement with a passion. I approach every tournament the same way. I want to win.

I just won AOY, and that's the most prized title amongst fishermen, but I definitely didn't gear my season around that. If you take one tournament at a time and try to win that one tournament, the AOY will fall into place just like it did for me today.

You're arguably one of the most consistent and successful tournament anglers to ever make a cast, but the AOY title is one of the few accolades that's eluded you prior to today. Did the thought ever cross your mind that you might retire without winning this title?

This has been a long time coming, but it never once crossed my mind that I couldn't do it or wouldn't get it. I know that God has given me a talent for bass fishing. That doesn't mean I'm the best fisherman in the world, but I know I have a talent for this.

I've been knocking on the door for a long time, and for me, I felt like I'd get (an AOY) eventually. I just had to keep doing what I've been doing since I started fishing tournaments.

Among your many career achievements, where does this one rank?

This is probably the top. Out of all the wins and everything - this is the best.

Would you like to wrap it up with a statement?

I heard Rick Clunn say this at a Bassmaster Classic years ago - I think it was when he won at the James River (1990). He said, 'Follow your dreams.' And when he said that, he was speaking to kids.

I want to reinforce that statement. I want to encourage kids to follow their dreams and pursue what they love. If you've got a heart to fish and you see us - the pros - out there doing what we're doing - you can do that, too. I encourage everybody to chase their dreams and make them come true.