I recently wrapped up my 2025 tournament season, and it feels good to be done with that part of my year. I fished a little longer than normal this year because I competed in a few extra events after the Bassmaster Elite Series season.
It’s definitely a good feeling to put that boat on the trailer for the last time for the year and take a mental reset. But it doesn’t take long before you’re back to thinking about what you’re gonna fish next year, getting your boat and electronics set up for next year.
I’m already in the process of renegotiating contracts and signing contracts, so it never really ends. As soon as you put that boat on the trailer, you’re going to work business-wise somewhere in the industry.
It is a bittersweet feeling when that last tournament ends, but at the same time, you just kick it into gear for the next step with sponsors, boat rigging and preparing for the next season.
Monday morning after my last event, I was on the phone by 8:30 talking with sponsors. I work for about 20 different companies, besides B.A.S.S., so it never ends. There’s always something to solve or improve.
I will say I’m heading into this next phase with a lot of enthusiasm. This year was a great year. I’ve had a lot of great years in a row, and I just feel like this year, I fished very well.
I didn’t win an event, but I got close in multiple events in multiple tours, and I just felt great this year. My whole sponsor team was super supportive, and I was really comfortable with my boat and electronics setup. So it was just a really comfortable year.
The way I ended the Elite season on the Mississippi River was with a 22-pound bag on Day 2 that saved my Bassmaster Classic spot. After that, I had a top five finish at the Ultimate Angler Championship and a top 10 finish at another major event.
Now that the 2025 season is behind me, I will say the thing I’ll miss the most is just the camaraderie. Mainly it’s traveling with Caleb Sumrall and Logan Latuso, and just seeing all the boys. Talking noise to one another, competing against one another, it’s just a fraternity of bass fishermen. And not just in my house, but it’s the whole Elite roster.
What I won’t miss is being gone. After so many weeks on the road, it’s nice to be home with my wife and kids. I get to take them to school, get ice cream and just enjoy family time together.
I’ll take time to enjoy some hunting and fishing with my family, and once it gets cold, I’ll start doing more guiding. I’ll devote some time to improving different elements of my fishing ability, like understanding my electronics better.
I’ll also spend a little more time pre-practicing for Elites. I did that with my fall tournaments, and I believe it helped me, in terms of being more prepared. I want to apply more of that effort to next year’s Elite tournaments.
I’m just as eager and hungry now as I ever have been. All I think about when I’m not doing everyday life stuff is bass fishing and wanting to win more.
