The conclusion of the 2024 Champions Tour Season, Presented by Skeeter Boats, ended with a clean sweep as Kyle Schutta was able to not only bring home the coveted Skeeter ZX200 at the Championship on Minnewaska, but also the Angler of the Year title. This was a conclusion that wasn’t necessarily a surprise to those that have followed the Champions Tour. It had felt as if this day had been brewing for years, as the steady consistency of Kyle Schutta broke through in a slugfest of fish catches in Starbuck. This win however, would also be monumental in the career of Schutta, as this would be the first time he’d ever won a boat, and also the first major Angler of the Year title of his career.
And this win only added gas to a raging competitive fire.
“It was actually bizarre,” Schutta commented, reflecting back on the emotions and aftermath of his win. “Because people always dream about winning a boat (or a big event), and I didn’t realize how much it would drive me to want to do it again. I’ve always heard about it, but it’s come out of left field.”
He’s been looking forward to his Boat Official saying, “Lines in” since December of this offseason.
After 4 Years of being on the Champions Tour, and even with a brief gap where he fished the MLF Invitationals, Schutta has been a model of consistency. At this point in time, it’s more rare to see him outside of the Top-10 than in it. Schutta attributes his success to being versatile. Which may come as a bit of a surprise to those who’ve followed the Tour, as he’s developed a reputation for his “Turn and Burn” style of fishing. Schutta moves fast, by far faster than any other angler on the Tour.
“It makes me laugh,” Schutta chuckled. “Because people are always like “you’re flying and you’re missing fish” and I always laugh at it because I’m looking for something specific. Like on Minnewaska, I was flying but then I found a spot where I hit spot-lock and didn’t move for 3 hours. I can do that too.”
It’s been hard to find another angler on Tour that can go from burning down a dock row, and slinging 20lb test on a baitcaster, to finessing a weedline or rock pile with 6lb test, but that’s what Schutta has been able to prove. Although he’s always moving fast, it’s the constant pursuit of finding what he is looking for. This has proven to be a very successful way of life on the Champions Tour, as Noah Schultz has shown similar characteristics over the years. However, Schultz is known much more for his “bang or bust” tournament results, while Schutta steadily remains in that check line.
Schutta commented on the similarity in styles to Schultz, but the differences in finishes, “I always look at, like Noah for example, and I’d love to be like that, win a bunch but also not be scared to do poorly. But that’s not who I am, I only have 2 wins but a bunch of Top-10’s.”
As the old saying goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and those who consistently finish at the top of the Champions Tour field do it in different ways, but it seems like they have the same thought process. Relentlessly chase what you’re looking for, and when you find it, capitalize on it.
Schutta comments frequently on staying true to himself. In a day and age where there’s overflowing amounts of information for anglers to digest, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to chase the next best thing. It’s important to keep learning, both new techniques, and new baits. But when push comes to shove, what makes Schutta so successful on the Champions Tour, is being able to stay comfortable.
“Do what’s comfortable to you, and stay true to yourself, but you need to keep learning,” Schutta commented. “The different (fishing) styles (of anglers) is super cool to look at with some of the guys who are in the top consistently.”
Looking ahead at the 2025 Champions Tour, Presented by Skeeter Boats, the goals remain consistent with Schutta.
“The goal for 2025 would be to win another boat and blow all the tournaments away by 50 lbs,” Schutta laughed as he stated it. “I know that sounds ridiculous, and I’m definitely going to fall short, but I’m going to try to do the best I can to win every tournament.” A lesson to be learned from the Champ, set the goals high.
Looking at the schedule for the season, it looks as if a storm could be brewing for a repeat Angler of the Year title for Schutta. Commenting on the upcoming schedule, Schutta said, “I’ve fished Vermilion twice for the Champions Tour and I’ve taken 1st and 3rd, so I’m really pumped to fish Vermilion. Especially in the Spring.”
Looking at the next to stops, it’s (mostly) new water for Schutta. Having fished the La Crosse Pools of the Mississippi River once when touring with MLF. The cast and expansive playground is stuffed full of bass, but it’s new to the whole field, and new tends to be fun and exciting for everyone. Ending the season up on the Le Homme Dieu Chain in Alexandria, a popular stop for the Champions Tour over the years, Schutta has somehow avoided all of the events that have been on the chain over the years. “I haven’t launched a boat on Le Homme Dieu since I was 16 years old,” Schutta commented.
But having won a boat less than a year ago in the Alexandria Area, and proving how proficient he is both shallow and deep, August on the chain should be right in his wheelhouse.
How this season will play out, none of us know at this point. But if you’d have to make any bets, it would be good to bet on the consistency and competitiveness of Kyle Schutta.
