You hear professional anglers talk about their offseason, but this year, mine has been much shorter than normal.
Last year, I had a longer offseason because I stopped fishing major tournaments shortly after the end of the Bassmaster Elite Series season. I fished the Bassmaster Open at the Mississippi River in September, and then I was done.
This year, I fished all the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers, which ended in mid-November. I was on tour January through November, so December is the only month I have off. This is where I have to tighten up everything, get the Phoenix 921 EliteX rigged for the new season, sell my current boat and get ready for the 2026 season.
It’s like jamming three months of stuff into one month. I like it because it’s really cold right now, so it’s tough to go fishing here in Tennessee. All these tasks keep me busy.
I’ll take a break around Christmas to enjoy time with my family. I don’t have any siblings, so my mom, dad and I go over to western North Carolina. My parents have a house near my grandparents and my great aunts, so we’ll stay there for a few days.
Our family tradition is to open gifts on Christmas morning. The night before, we always have a Christmas Eve party where we invite the neighbors and those who aren’t going to visit their families.
We’re a big sports family, so on Christmas Day, we’ll watch one of the bowl games and eat a bunch of food. One of my favorites is my grandmother’s cheesy sausage balls. This is the only time of year she makes them, and they’re definitely worth the wait.
Now, if I’m thinking about what I want for Christmas, I’d put a blue trophy at the top of the list. That’s something I’ve wanted for a long time, but I know that’s not something you can wrap up and place under the Christmas tree. I’ve got to earn it, and that’s my goal for 2026.
Just recently, I received some presents from sponsors, and I’d highly recommend them for anyone shopping for their favorite anglers. One of these is the new SIMMS ExStream Jacket. It’s the warmest thing I’ve ever worn.
Also, Cuda sent me a lithium-powered line striper. I can put the line in a hole on this device, hit the button and it strips all the line in like 10 seconds.
For other gift ideas, I’d suggest a Shimano Curado baitcaster, a Shimano Vanford spinning reel or a G. Loomis rod. If you’re not sure what particular rod or reel to buy, you’re always safe with a gift card.
One thing that’s always a good idea is a quality personal flotation device. There are a lot of styles out there, and you can find something for every budget.
For stocking stuffers, consider a selection of braid and fluorocarbon line, a Bill Lewis Rat-L-Traps, Yamamoto Senkos or Yamamoto Hinge Minnows.
Not everyone will get to enjoy my grandmother’s sausage balls, but everyone can appreciate quality baits and tackle for Christmas.
