To say that the first two events of the FLW Tour were tough on me would be an understatement. I somewhat expected the first event to be hard to compete, given the fact that I had only fished in Florida a handful of times. For those who haven’t had the opportunity to fish in Florida, imagine taking a 25,000 acres hay field, flooding it, and someone yelling “GO!” Florida fishing is just flat out different. There isn’t really rocks, timber, docks, or any of that stuff. However there is a little bit of grass you can fish, and if you can’t find them in the grass you can always go look in the grass. Of course there is always the back-up pattern you can run …you guessed it…grass.

The second event at Lewis Smith Lake really should have played into my type of fishing. I truly expected myself to have a great showing at Smith, but I really burned myself fooling around with largemouths. Looking back at the two events I feel like I was getting somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer size of these bodies of water and simply fishing too fast. Fishing fast and not confident is about the worst way for a person to be. I would see a spot, pull in to fish, and within two casts I would already be doubting my decisions on location, lure selection, speed, everything. It is absolutely impossible to compete with that strangle hold of doubt tightening with every cast.

Knowing that I pretty much have no chance to make the Forrest Wood Cup after Smith, and being pretty bummed out to say the least, I was really starting to question everything. The following week things started to happen that I hope is the start to a turnaround season. My step-father, whom I work for, called me and told me not to worry about work and go pre-practice at Beaver and Eufaula to get my head right again. I can’t say how much it helped. I spent 3 days on Beaver Lake before it went off limits and absolutely smoked them! Man it felt good to catch them again and actually having fun doing it (that’s what it’s supposed to all be about anyways right?)! The following week I went to Lake Eufuala in Alabama and had yet another great trip. Those two weeks were exactly what I think I needed.

There is nothing better than having that confidence in every decision you make out on the water. I’m pumped to get to Beaver Lake and get at them. I have my mind right, my confidence up, and ready to make a statement in the last four events of the year!

Visit Cody Kelley on Twitter at twitter.com/ckelleyfishing or on the web at codykelleyfishing.com/