So here we are, about to start the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season, and I am grateful to be in the field
There was a time from August until November last year that I wasn’t sure I was going to be in it. After struggling a bit at a few events last year, I found myself the first man out of the field. I had to wait to see if a spot was available after all the invitations – and I’m in.
I’m not one to sit by and wish for things to turn out; I decided to try to take matters into my own hands. I signed up for and fished the three Bassmaster Elite Qualifier events for a shot at requalifying. I didn’t fish consistently and found myself sitting well outside of the Top 10 in points and wasn’t in a position to requalify. I went to the final event at Lake Okeechobee looking to win it to try and qualify for the 2026 Bassmaster Classic, but I never found the quality fish I needed to make that happen.
It was a really fun event, though, because I took my 2000-year model boat with a Yamaha Outboard to the event and had some nostalgia about how things began for me. I did make some upgrades to the boat with the help of the folks at Hitec Marine and Precision Sonar in Gilbertsville, Ky. We upgraded the electronics and the trolling motor on the boat to be more competitive. We installed my Power-Pole Move trolling motor on there and some new Lowrance units as well. I upgraded the batteries with Precision Power Lithium batteries and changed out some of the switches and wiring so there were fewer chances for breakdowns.
While the event was fun, I didn’t catch enough and was on my way home after Day 2.
It was not an easy time for me following that event. There was a lot of wondering if I was going to be able to compete in the league that has been my career for 35 years. After 294 events, was my career over? But after all of that, I’m set to start my 21st season on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
There will be some changes for me this year.
I have partnered with Falcon boats and will be running the F21 Predator with my Yamaha SHO250 on the back. I spent a great deal of my career in a Hydra Sports Boat, and it was there that I met Tim DePriest and Stephen Waller. So, partnering up with Falcon Boats kind of feels like coming home in a way. I’m excited to be fishing from those big decks that have become the company motto.
The Predator will still be rigged out with all the Power-Pole stuff: the 8-foot Blade Shallow Water Anchors; the Move trolling motor; and the Power-Pole Charge. Of course, I’m installing the T-H Marine Atlas jackplate and the VT-2 Livewell vents to keep my fish comfy in the livewells. I’ll be wearing my AFTCO clothing and using my Lew’s rods and reels. The rest of the family is intact too: Strike King Lures, Seaguar Fluorocarbon, Precision Sonar and Precision Power, Hitec Marine, Dyesafe, Pack’s Custom and Tackle Warehouse.
I’m really looking forward to getting started in a few weeks at Lake Guntersville, and then we head to Lake Martin in Alabama. My intent is going to be getting started better this year and giving myself a chance to requalify without having to second-guess and wait for other people to make decisions.
I am very excited to get started, and I’m fortunate to be in the position I’m in. I’m looking forward to 2026 on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
