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Bloomfield, N.Y. – The history of the Federation Nation competing at the Bassmaster Classic is a rich record. Names like Danny Correa in 1986, Dalton Bobo in 1997, and Terry McWilliams in 2007 are set in the minds of Bassmaster fans for their stellar performances in the Classic. Of course the late Bryan Kerchal will always be remembered for setting the bass fishing world on its ear by winning the tournament as a Federation Nation angler in 1994.
Following in the tradition of those Federation Nation Anglers and so many more in 2008 will be Chris Loftus of Bloomfield, N.Y. Loftus is a 36-year-old Chemical Engineer from a Biotech company named Genecor. However, on most weekends he saddles up his State Team Skeeter Boat and competes in Federation Nation tournaments.
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Those
weekend forays have earned Loftus
nine trips to Federation Nation
Divisional Qualifier Tournaments and
two trips to federation Nation
National Championships, and in 2008,
his first trip to the Bassmaster
Classic. Loftus, who has served time
as a BASS ZONE .com camera boat as
the Elite Series made its New York
swings, is looking forward to Lake
Hartwell in February. |
“I
know I am going in as an amateur against the
biggest names in the sport,” said Loftus.
“I think that embracing that, as opposed
to fearing it is key to performing well at
The Classic.” Loftus said that he has
spent some time talking to 2006 Federation
Nation National Champion Royce Dennington,
who has given him some sage advice.
Royce told me to not let the surroundings get to me, the media and all the hype are for the pros,” he told The BASS ZONE. “Understanding that can help me fly somewhat under the radar and do my thing.” Loftus also said that Dennington told him to stick to his strengths. “My biggest strength as a fisherman is being versatile and remaining open minded enough to use that flexibility.”
Loftus has already spent a week at Lake Hartwell scouting, but he did not fish much, “I took a notebook full of notes and marked a lot of GPS waypoints over Thanksgiving week,” he said. “I’ll just wait to see how it pans out when practice starts.”
The hardest part of Loftus’ preparation is working around his schedule at work, and as a Ski racing Coach for the Brantley Club program. “Work has always been very supportive of my passion for fishing, they celebrated with me when I came back from Florida by throwing a pizza party,” he said that a co-worker paid the party out of the winnings he earned by selecting his finishing position in an office pool. “As for balancing preparation with ski racing, I will figure it out so that I am ready.”
| Loftus earned his trip to the Classic on the strength of his 3rd place finish at the Federation National Championship at Lake Toho, and ironically, it was preparation in Florida that made a difference for him there as well. “I figured out that I had one hour in the morning when the fish were chasing bait.” said Loftus. “I found an area that had a flat away from the hydrilla edges, and when the fish were active, I used lipless crankbaits to catch them.”
His three day of 23 pounds, 8 ounces allowed him to realize a dream. “I’ve always wanted to qualify for a Classic,” he said. “And now that I’ve done it, I know that this is it for me; it is the ultimate goal, I am not, nor do I have any desire to be a touring pro; but I am going to have fun doing it.” |
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He said that he wants his trip to the Classic to serve as a reminder of what the Federation Nation has to offer. “I’ve had tons of tremendous experiences in the Federation Nation,” he concluded. “I hope that I can be a part of reminding everyone that they can achieve goals, and accomplish great things by being in the Federation Nation program; it has a lot to offer to people who love to fish, but don’t have the desire or means to follow the Elite Series; I’m living proof.”
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