Well, I just wrapped up my 20th Bassmaster season. I have to admit, it wasn’t my worst season but it was my hardest, mentally.
The good news is I made the 2025 Bassmaster Classic, which is always my primary goal. I mean, don’t get me wrong, winning the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of Year or Classic title are my ultimate goals, but you’ve got to have a season that gets you inside the Classic cut to make either of those happen.
I started with B.A.S.S. in 2004 and was Rookie of the Year that season. It’s hard to believe 20 years have passed since then and how much the game has changed.
The biggest change — and one I fought — was the new forward-facing sonar (FFS) technology that has become such a powerful tool in competitive fishing.
It’s been tough; part of me wanted to use it this past season and another part wanted to fish the old-school way that made me what I am today. I was constantly fighting the demons. That wore on me mentally.
However, I know you have to adapt with the times, and these days, if you’re not using it, it’s not easy to crack that Classic qualifier cuyline.
I have the Lowrance ActiveTarget, which I believe is as good of a FFS unit as you can own, but I hardly used it early in the season.
But when we got to Smith Lake, I made myself use it throughout the event as a practice for the final two tournaments of the season. I knew at least the St. Lawrence River event would be all FFS, and I had to prepare myself for it. I stuck to my strategy and finished 77th at Smith.
When we got to Lake Champlain, our next-to-last tournement, I felt I had a chance to compete without it, so I flipped grass with my Strike King Hack Attack Jig in 8 to 12 feet and never turned on the FFS. I tied for the biggest bass the second day and finished in the money at 33rd. The largemouth were in the grass, and so I didn’t need FFS.
I had 17 pounds the first day and was in 82nd place, caught over 20 pounds and moved into 40th after two days and caught nearly 19 pounds to lock up 33rd and move inside the Classic cutline.
When I got to St. Lawrence, I felt my best chances of holding that spot was with my ActiveTarget. I caught nearly 60 pounds of smallmouth, finished 46th and every fish came while using FFS.
The weights seem to go up on the St. Lawrence River every year, and I think it’s because of the technology. It has made everyone better. There were nine guys who caught 40 pounds or better over two days and didn’t make the cut to fish the third day. It wasn’t long ago when you could catch 17 pounds a day and have a good event. Now, that gets you sent home.
I was highly driven the last two tournaments because I was on edge. And honestly, it helped. I’ve always been motivated by high-stress situations. It goes without saying that making next spring’s Classic means more to me than any other time in my career.
It was a season with a lot of drama — some created by technology and some by the influx of new anglers who came to the Elites. It created a learning curve for a lot of us.
And finally there is the fact that two of the greatest names in pro bass fishing are stepping away from the Elites. Rick Clunn retired, and he has been a big part of my life well before I fished professionally. He’s been my hero, and it will be strange not seeing him out there with us.
And then there’s Mark Zona. He’s a dear friend who’s stepping aside from Bassmaster LIVE to do other things.
I’m losing my hero and my best friend. It’s been a weird season. I’m glad it’s over.
