(Editor's note: This is part 2 of a 2-part story with 2006 FLW Tour Angler of the Year Anthony Gagliardi.)
BassFan: Talk for a moment about the upcoming FLW Tour Championship
(FLWTC) at Logan Martin in Alabama. Do you feel some momentum heading in?
Gagliardi: I'm really looking forward to it. The last time we were there (2004 FLWTC), that was the only time I'd fished it, but I had a chance to win it – I was a pound or so out of the win and finished 3rd.
I love the lake and it fishes toward my style. I can't wait to get back. I learned a lot about it the last time we were there.
And I have a lot of confidence going in, especially after having won this (AOY). I don't have any pressure financially anymore – I had a great year financially – so I want to keep riding this wave I've been riding throughout the season.
I feel good about this championship. I look to do well.
Have you thought about how you're going to approach your practice at Logan Martin?
I have some areas and a couple of places I found last time that I feel are going to be good again. I think that'll free up some practice time to explore some other parts of the lake.
I caught the bulk of my fish deep last time, but I'm not going to rule out fishing shallow. So I may spend some practice time shallow to try to find something to complement my deep bite.
How long do you plan to practice?
I'll probably be able to get 7 or 8 days before this tournament. I don't think I can get there between now and then, so I'll probably get my 8 days before the tournament. If I can find a weekend to shoot out between now and ICAST (the industry tradeshow in July), I may go for a weekend just to ride around.
Who will you be representing at ICAST?
I'm going to work one day with Kistler and one day with Gamma.
Regarding your practice, is that "7 or 8 days" a typical practice for you?
No. Most of the time I've been around 6 days – I try to get at least 5, but not more than 7.
Your performances this year and last are also reflected in your BassFan World Rank. So far this year you've moved up from No. 11 to No. 6. Is that something that's important to you?
I do keep up with it a little – it's important to me – but I haven't moved up in the past couple of weeks. At times I kind of question the World Rankings, but I do pay attention. And I'm looking forward to going back to Top Gun.
Anthony Gagliardi said he'll probably practice shallow at Logan Martin too, to complement his deep bite.
What is it about the Rankings that you question?
The movement sometimes – one time this year, when I dropped after a pretty good finish. I dropped four or five places while guys who moved ahead had a lot lower finishes. I don't understand the whole system.
You're currently 25th in the FLW Series points with two events to go, so you have an opportunity to qualify for the 2007 Jacobs Cup. Is that on your radar?
Yes, that would be amazing. It would take the pressure off. If I could pre-qualify for the 2007 Jacobs Cup, I wouldn't have any of that pressure on me during the (2007 FLW Tour) season.
You could really go out there, and I'd hate to say I'd go for broke, but you could fish differently if you wanted to. You could fish more to win and not worry about points.
But I don't think I'd do that. I still like making that $10,000 check whenever I can. I'm not going to change my style.
Given your accomplishments this year – a tour/series-level win on your home water, and the AOY crown – what's your primary goal going forward now?
I don't know. I feel this year that I exceeded my goals. I didn't dream that I would have accomplished what I accomplished at the age of 28.
All I can say is I'd like to do it again. AOY is something I'll strive for year after year. I hope I'm in the race for it next year as well.
As far as other goals, I want to continue making a living and do my part to help grow the sport as best I can. I feel like I've reached a pinnacle – a level where a lot of people don't make it any higher, and I'm fine with that.
So I'd like to keep making a living, performing well, doing my sponsors well – that's about it.
Notable
> Gagliardi began his career as an FLW Tour co-angler in 1999. He fished all six regular-season events and finished 28th at the points, and 18th as a co-angler at the 1999 FLWTC. He joined the Tour as a full-time pro in 2002, although he did fish five events as a pro in 2001.
> He finished 3rd in the 2005 FLW Tour AOY race.
> He faces two-tour angler Ish Monroe in the first bracket of the FLWTC.
– End of part 2 (of 2) –
