November 29, 2017 by George Robey
(Editor’s note: This story was originally published after Michael Matthee qualified for the FLW Cup at the Costa FLW Series Championship in 2017. Now in his rookie season on the FLW Tour, Matthee just finished second to Jeremy Lawyer at Grand Lake.)
“I live and breathe just to catch fish,” says Michael Matthee.
The 31-year-old is a longtime winner in the South African tournament circuits who has earned alpha status in his home country with a blend of undying determination, skill and versatility. Look no further than his meteoric rise in the first ever sanctioned FLW South Africa fish-off.
2. Matthee slings a blade but makes key adjustments every day
South Africa’s Michael Matthee may still be learning how to fish American lakes, but he certainly knows how to throw a spinnerbait.
“That’s something I grew up doing,” Matthee admits. “So, when I figured out they were biting that the first day of the tournament, it fit me just dandy.”
2. South Africa's Michael Matthee grew up fishing blades, and he showcased his prowess with a white-and-chartreuse spinnerbait with a Keitech Swing Impact FAT 3.8-inch trailer.
Day 3 Position: 4th
Day 3 Weight: 15lbs, 15 oz
Cumulative Weights: 44lbs, 15 oz
On a day when bites were at a premium, Matthee seemingly made it look easy.
The rookie from South Africa had a limit by 9 a.m. and says he caught a number of short fish throughout the day.
“I just never got a kicker,” says Matthee, who weighed in 14-10. “I caught a lot of fish, especially early. Then it died down.”
Courtesy FLW | Curtis Niedermier
Nine months ago, Michael Matthee stepped foot on U.S. soil for the first time in his life. The South African angler crossed the globe to compete in the 2017 Costa FLW Series Championship at Kentucky Lake and take a shot at qualifying for the Forrest Wood Cup.
For Matthee, the trip was the first step in achieving his goal of becoming a professional bass angler on the FLW Tour. It’s where he earned his first bit of notoriety in this country by finishing in ninth place and earning a spot at the 2018 Cup, which kicks off on Friday.
Now, it’s final prep time for the 32-year-old cabinetmaker, who’s trying his best to understand the nuances of Lake Ouachita, a fishery that resembles more or less nothing in his home country.