Most of you know the rest of the story...We finished sixth out the gate in our first IFA Gulf division event. You should of seen the celebration afterward, you would of thought we had won the world. Probably the most satisfying achievement I think we had, sounds somewhat demeaning to our future, but we were so proud not to look like idiots.
Round two - Resulted in some of the hardest fishing we had ever experienced. Different environment, strange water, big pirate festival - the fishing was impossible. We stuck to the plan and laid down another sixth place finish. The celebration did not include Jimmy Buffet music and flowing drinks - victory was celebrated at Whataburger in Destin. I could of eaten the wax paper that hamburger was on
Round three - the final exam was to be the most pressure ever experienced on the water. We waivered from the plan due to the distance from home. I think we both felt a little uneasy about that decision. We arrived and fished tropical force conditions. Some may feel this was an exaggeration, but there were times when I felt that I would cast out and the lure would not move and I would reel to it. Incredible time to find out who you are as a fisherman in a strange land in an impossible situation. The plan was only modified in time - we found some fish and we fished them fish. The reward was the pinnacle of what we set out to do - a win. A bitter sweet win - only person to celebrate with was ourselves and our cell phones. Though we did manage to find a Whataburger on the trip home.
Round Four - The Championship - We started out with the plan multiplied times three or four. As soon as October rolled around we were on the water. Prior to that we had secured a pony. We knew that in order to compete and place we need to go away from Panama City. A call was made and a pony was provided much thanks to Paul Chavis. The pony had 250 hp and a 60 gallon tank, plenty of pony to take us to the promise land.
As I said we in some shape or fashion prefished every week during the month of October. I even persuaded Tincan into getting close to the bank during a NFGFC tournament a time or two to check out a spot. We found fish - we found real good fish. Here are some of the pics.
We caught 13 pounds one day several times and that spot was ultimately the one we decided on. All this time my partner had been working from sun up to past sun down. All year long we had been worried about his work and the time of year the championship was being held. Ultimately we had to call it and the season was ended. Some said, "Man that sucks" and it did, but thinking back to the goal, it really didn't. We wanted to place in the top twenty, we wanted to catch one fish, then another one, then try to upgrade one or both of those fish - mission accomplished.
I should probably thank all the sponsors, but I'm not. I want to thank all the ones that helped and encouraged us along the way - John Vickers, Steve Taylor, Paul Chavis, Ron Schurr, Jason Melvin, Fred Myers, Dwayne Eschete, Heath Sanders, Ashley Mock, Junior Dice, Mills Brock and all the members of BigBendfishing.net. They helped us out when the fishing sucked, the boat was broke or we just needed to be pushed a little - Steve Taylor is good at that. Most importantly I would like to thank Lyn and Melanie - our wives, they are the ones that took care of the kids and home while we were off acting like kids.
Thanks to everyone and especially my partner - it was a hell of a year.
