David Dudley Takes Over Angler of the Year Lead on FLW Tour
OutdoorHub 05.22.12
The FLW Tour’s all time leading money winner, David Dudley, wrapped up his second consecutive top three finish on the FLW Tour this past weekend on the Potomac River. His third place finish, coupled with his win just a few weeks ago on Beaver Lake has vaulted the Castrol-Ranger-Mercury Pro into the lead of the 2012 FLW Angler of the Year (AOY) standings.
With over 2.9 million in career earnings on the FLW Tour, Dudley isn’t overly impress with his mid year accomplishment. He does take some minor solace with his lead. “To be number one right now means that I am not losing. It means that temporarily I can say I am on top of the world.”
With two events remaining on Kentucky Lake and Lake Champlain, Dudley knows his job is not done. “It’s not remotely over. Just as easily as I moved into the top spot, someone else can move in there and take it away from me.”
When it comes to the possibility of changing his focus for the final two events, Dudley minced no words when he stated, “I am not going to change the way I fish or approach these tournaments. I don’t look at the standings, I don’t care where the other anglers are, or who they are, none of that matters. I am going to focus on the next two events the same as I do every event. My goal is simple; win, win, win and win. Nothing elsematters, as I always say, ‘Never be satisfied.’ If I am not in first place I am a loser, I don’t like to be a loser. I fish to win, period. I will continue to fish that way and let the cards fall where they may.”
An Angler of the Year title in 2012 would be David Dudley’s third such title. When asked if a third title, equaling Clark Wendlandt’s FLW Tour best three AOY titles, would be special he replied, “Not really, it just means I am tied with Clark. I don’t want to be tied with anyone. I want to be the best. I guess it means that I need to win this one and another one soon, so I can be the best.”
With two events remaining, Kentucky Lake and Lake Champlain Dudley looked ahead. “I am very comfortable fishing deep (Kentucky Lake) and I have several top tens on Champlain during the same time of year. So I feel pretty good. To be honest, I am more interested in winning those events than anything. If I can do that the AOY will take care of itself.”
