I’ve had a good offseason, one with some peace, some fun and some trying times.
I’ll start with the fact that I spent some time trying to do nothing but slow down and refresh – to get away from it for a little while. Last offseason was hectic with a neck surgery and recovering from the Champlain incident, but this year gave me a chance to take advantage of the slower period around the holidays.
I also got to go hunting with my wife, Riley. We prefer to bow hunt, and she really has gotten into it. She was rewarded with a nice 10-point, 130-inch buck that she shot with her bow. I love to hunt, but I’ve enjoyed being a part of her hunting this year.
When she got hers, I had already gone to the truck and she wanted to stay a little longer. So 30 minutes later, I get a text saying “I shot one.” I went out to meet her, and we waited a while to make sure it had expired before we searched for him. We found him, and she just said, “Yep … that’s him.” She is so calm and focused; it was the first one she’s called in herself. She was so excited to have taken that buck, and I’m really proud of her. I’m also really blessed to be able to hunt with my wife; it’s just amazing.
I spent some time rigging my 2026 Falcon F20 Predator with my electronics mounted on my Precision Sonar mounts, my shallow-water anchors and my Yamaha SHO 250 on my Bob’s jackplate. My Impulse Lithium Batteries are all wired up, and I’ve got her all broken in and ready to go.
One new thing I added midseason – actually right after Lake Tenkiller – was the Pirahn02 oxygen system for my livewells. They are a self-contained unit that mounts in the rigging area of the boat and really keeps fish healthy in the livewell. It’s the boat-sized version of the same system that B.A.S.S. uses in the bag lines backstage at events, and they are really effective.
Our family had a tough thing happen this winter. My grandpa passed away — my mom’s dad. He had been sick for a while, so while it wasn’t a big shock, it certainly left a hole in all of our lives. He was the one responsible for teaching me the ways of the outdoors and just how to be a man. Well, he and my dad, but he was also the one who taught my dad so much about how to do so many things we need to do. He showed me how to work on cars, fix things around the house and how to hunt and fish. He is going to be missed.
I’m looking forward to the 2026 season. I’m fishing two tours again, and it’s going to be a full schedule. I’m also fishing my third Bassmaster Classic in March. I’m looking forward to this year.
