Things are starting to get serious around the Iaconelli household. There’s only three days left for me to get everything together for the Classic. I know you’re thinking that February 22 is farther away than that. It is for some, but not for me. My plate is full.
On Thursday I have to fly into Dallas for a Bass University class on Saturday. I’ll spend most of Friday getting ready for that. Then, I’ll fly home on Sunday. Monday is dedicated to helping the family get ready to travel to Tulsa. We’re going to take our time so that’ll be two days of driving — Tuesday and Wednesday.
That’s really the only way you can make a drive like that with two small children. Back in the day, before we had the kids, Becky and I could drive forever with only the occasional stop for gas, a restroom break and something quick to eat. But, those days are history. We have other responsibilities now, ones that are a pleasure to meet but that also change your lifestyle.
I’ll need Thursday to get my boat ready to prefish Grand Lake on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In between all that I need to find time to run the Sabine River a time or two. I don’t know anything about it. I don’t like to fish an Elite Series event blind so…
In truth, as soon as we get on the road I’ll be more comfortable with everything. That’ll be nothing more than controlled chaos. I know how to handle that. The big thing is to get everything together between today and Wednesday. I have most of my tackle sorted so all I need to do is put it into the boat.
That’s one of those things that’s easier said than done, however. I think I told you before that I’m making a serious effort to cut down on the amount of tackle I carry with me. I’m doing that, sort of. But no matter how hard I try to leave something out there’s always this thought in the back of my mind that I might need it. It’s a constant struggle.
My new boat will be wrapped tomorrow. Once that’s finished I can put Hullspeed on the hull and I should be good to go. I’m sure everything will work out but it still makes you nervous. That’s a lot of stuff that has to fall into place quickly. Everybody that’s doing the work is a top professional but there always the possibility that something no one can control will get in the way of things.
I’m not complaining, though. It might be a busy, and sometimes hectic, life but it’s the one I choose. I love it and wouldn’t live any other way.
Next Monday we’ll talk some more about getting ready as well as trying to find an edge in this competitive business. Then, on the Monday of Classic week, I’ll give you a straight up preview of what I found out about Grand Lake during practice.
Mike Iaconelli’s column appears weekly on Bassmaster.com. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter.
