Now that we’re well into the new year, I’m glad I got to enjoy some low-key family time in late December. Christmas was a little less involved than it has been in the past because our kids were sick and we couldn’t travel.
We still had a good time hanging out with my wife’s family and mine. My mom’s a great cook, so there was a lot of good food.
We also had a nice meal on the Dec. 31 because that’s my dad’s birthday. We don’t stay up until midnight, so we just celebrated dad’s birthday and everyone was in bed by 9 p.m.
Wrapping up the year with a restful, relaxing time is an important part of my preparation for the next fishing season. I know some guys fish a lot during the offseason, but I take a complete break from fishing.
I’ll do some hunting and spend time doing fun stuff with my family, but once January arrives, I start getting back into fishing mode. I’ll start working on tackle prep, getting my boat rigged and getting ready for my second Bassmaster Elite Series season.
My rookie season was truly amazing. Winning two events and Bassmaster Rookie of the Year was incredible, but I’m starting this year with the right perspective.
Sure, those accomplishments give you a lot of confidence, but to be honest, I want to forget about it. I don’t want to get that mentality that I’ve already been successful. I don’t want to get complacent.
Just like you have to forget about losing and not doing well, you have to forget about doing well — at least in the sense of not letting it prevent you from putting in the work necessary for winning.
I want to stay focused on the goals for the new year. For me, I want to keep that desire to get another win. I don’t want to think, “I’ve made it.”
But at the same time, having had a great start to my Elite career gives me the confidence that I can do well, so I don’t have any added pressure on me. My mentality is to try to focus on what’s at hand and not what’s in the past.
A big part of that is knowing that you have to expect failure. It’s fishing, and you’re not always gonna do well. But you don’t think about that; you stay positive and do the best you can.
As far as motivation, I don’t have a specific saying or anything, but I have my close family members, who believe in me and tell me I’m going to do well. They’re keeping a positive attitude and that keeps me positive.
Looking ahead to the new Elite season, I’m really looking forward to the first two events, particularly Lake Fork. I’ve fished there many times in my life, but I’ve never fished a tournament there, so I’m super excited to get there and compete.
On the flip side, the one lake that I’m least comfortable with is Lake Murray. That was my worst finish in 2023, but I have a very different outlook for this season.
Last year, I went into the Lake Murray tournament thinking, “This is the only lake that’s going to be difficult for me.” And it was.
I won’t carry that thought into this year’s tournament. I won’t look at Lake Murray as the toughest one for me — I’m going to try and make it my best tournament of the new season.
