I can’t believe it’s Christmas already.
I’m sitting here on a break from rigging my Skeeter/Yamaha for the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series, and it crossed my mind that I’ve had a lot of stuff going on since the 2023 season ended. We all have busy periods in life, but this offseason seems like it’s been extra busy for me. I can’t wait to get to the fishing.
Let’s start with the fact that Riley and I got married in the offseason. We took the time and did a destination, getaway wedding to Utah. We enjoyed the scenery out there, and it was amazing. The experience was cool and getting to marry Riley is like a dream come true.
She has helped ground me and has really made me a better person. She’s a hard worker and goes after what she sets her mind to. The two of us make a really good team. I don’t know where I’d be without her.
We wanted to have the wedding time to ourselves, but we set up a reception for Nov. 4 so that we could celebrate with our family and friends. It was a great time; we all had fun.
I was really surprised at the number of people who came from so far to be there. Jonathon Kelley and his fiancé, Tia, came from Pennsylvania to be here for it, and Bill and Jennifer Lowen came in from Indiana with Fisher and Nevaeh to.
Right after the reception, Jonathon and I went to southern Alabama and did a media event with Louie and the guys from Ark Fishing. We all had our own projects that needed content. I covered my new signature swim jig and my new series of rods that will be launching soon.
We did content for the retailers and for Ark’s YouTube channel, and I’m sure you’ll be seeing it all soon. Keep an eye out for it.
Along with the work for sponsors, I had a procedure on my left hand. I started having a little bit of pain from the trigger finger on it, and it’s caused some discomfort out there while I’m trying to compete. The rehab is on track, and I’m told that I’ll be good to go once the season starts.
The whole situation made me rethink how I do things. I’ve started practicing with left-handed reels so I can relieve some strain on the left side of my body and become more efficient with certain techniques. It’s taking a little bit to get used to it, but once I do, it will help me on the water.
I did decide to start camping in 2024. I really wanted to find a way to simplify traveling next year. Being able to have all of my stuff in one place, sleep on my own bed and cook my own food is something that appealed to me. I found a Lance cabover camper built for 1/2-ton pickups so I could keep my Toyota Tundra and set the truck up to do it right.
I really want to thank Gerald and LeAnn Swindle and Bill and Jennifer Lowen for all of the help setting up the camper and for the advice too. I’ll camp near them this year, and knowing I’ll have resources there will be comforting.
I’ve gone on a couple of “test camps” to a hunting lease in Tennessee with my dad and killed a nice, mature eight-point buck while I was at it. It was my first bow huntin’ buck and that was an amazing experience in itself.
That’s kind of what’s been going on in the offseason. Like I said, I’m busy rigging the boat with my X2 Power batteries, my Power-Pole Blades and my Power-Pole Charge, and I’m rigging up my Humminbird Apex graphs on Boat Logix mounts. I’m also using the new Minn Kota Ultrex Quest trolling motor this year.
I’ll share a little more of my setup after it’s all done with rigging and wrapping. I’m looking forward to getting everything started.
