“We’ve had a mild winter and it’s the time of year for the fish to be shallow and some spawning to be going on – and that is right in my wheelhouse,” said Williamson who finished second in the points in the 2012 Southern Open schedule.

“Sight fishing will play a big part and flipping will also be a factor. As warm as the winter we’ve had one thing is going to be different from last time we were here in that the open water hydrilla bite out in the middle may not be as good,” he said. But if the fish have moved shallow, especially on the January full moon, that open water bite might not matter much anyway.

“Florida is always a place where there are going to be some big bass, some big sacks caught. If you go to Toho, the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, just about any place in Florida this time of year somebody is going to bust a big bag of bass.”

And Williamson believes he is due to do just that.

“My goal is to get back in the winners circle. It’s been a couple of years since I won. I won in back to back years and got a little spoiled. But then I’ve had back to back years when I have not won, so it is time for me.”

Winning would accomplish his other main goal, he said – to get back to the Bassmaster Classic.

“I definitely want to be a part of the Classic again. That is what every angler is hoping going into the season.”

And making the 2014 Classic would be especially sweet, said Williamson whose previous Classic appearance was in 2011 on the Louisiana Delta.

“It’s going to be on Lake Guntersville. It could be a cold Classic, but it also could be a record-breaking Classic weight-wise. I think the fishing will be absolutely phenomenal on Guntersville and it’s nice that it is not so far from home, only five or six hours.”

Williamson noted that he has a full tournament schedule this year, fishing the Southern Opens and all the BASS Elite tournaments.

“I’d also like to fish a couple of the PAA events, if not the whole schedule, depending on schedule conflicts, and maybe an EverStart here and there.

Finishing a close second in the points last year was a disappointment, he said, but not one he is dwelling on.

“With BASS changing some of the rules, a second place finish in the Opens did not do me any good, except mentally. Anytime you finish in the top three in the Opens is a pretty good accomplishment,” he said.

“A lot of the Elite guys and a lot of FLW guys fish the Opens now. Competition in the Opens in 2012 was as stiff as it has ever been. So, finishing second was a good accomplishment, one that would have got me to the Classic a couple of years ago. But that is the way the world turns. Now it’s all about if you win you are in.”

Williamson said he feels really good about the Open schedule and he is expecting 2013 to be a breakout year.

“I don’t know if I have ever been as excited as I am this year. Finishing that high in the points gives me a lot of confidence mentally. I think this is going to be a really good year.”

Bassmaster Southern Open

Jan 31-Feb 2, 2013

Lake Tohopekaliga

www.bassmaster.com