I love celebrating Christmas, and this time, Robin and I got to stay home. My mom and Robin’s parents all live about 650 miles away in Eastern North Carolina, so a lot of times, we go visit them.
This year, with our boys Laker and Oakley home along with their wife and girlfriend, we were able to gather everyone at our house and had a wonderful time.
Before that, I was ready to get rolling for the new Elite season, but it seemed like the holiday week seemed to drag on forever. Nobody was back to work because it was such a broken up week, and I couldn’t get anything done.
I was trying to get my boat, and I almost didn’t get it by the end of December like I planned. They missed the deadline for getting it rigged and getting it on the truck, so I thought I was going to have to wait until after January 5 before they loaded it up to send it.
But I stayed after it, and we got it done right before Christmas, so I was able to get the boat to the folks at Elite Sonar down in Eufaula, Ala. They rigged it and brought it up here to me on January 2nd, so I was able to get on Lake Guntersville and scout a little bit and break it in.
I was glad to get my boat in this time frame because I never get my boat early enough. Last year, I got my boat the day before I had to leave for the first Elite tournament in Florida.
I had to break in my boat in Florida and get all the bugs worked out, so it was nice to have it a little ahead of time this year. I don’t have my boat wrapped yet, but the wrap company saved me a spot in late January.
Last year, I was in a Ranger Z521R, but this year I’ll be running a Ranger Z520R with a 250 Yamaha SHO this season. I like this new boat. It runs a little faster, it’s laid out well, it’s spacious and it’ll be good for all the waters we’re fishing this year. We’re fishing a lot of rivers, so I’m glad I got a slightly smaller boat.
I’m looking forward to several of our fisheries, but I love that we’re starting the season on Guntersville. Even if I didn’t live here, I’d be excited about it.
This lake is such an historical place, everyone wants to fish here. Even this past holiday week, the boat ramps were packed.
The lake is really healthy right now, the grass is in great shape and I think it’s at its peak in terms of fish populations. Guntersville is just loaded with 3- to 6-pounders, and this first Elite event is gonna be great for everyone who’s had cabin fever all winter.
This event will have no forward-facing sonar so that will open up the gamut with different techniques. I think that’s a good thing because Guntersville has a lot to offer, and it will be a great way to kick off the season.
