It feels strange to say that I’ll be retiring after the Bass Pro Tour visits Lake Erie for Stage 7. To be clear, it’s not weird that this is my final tour-level event. I made the decision before the 2026 season that this year would be my last as a touring pro, and with just one event left, I feel confident that’s the right decision.
But it doesn’t quite feel right to say I’m retiring when I’ve never worked a real job.
Don’t get me wrong – a lot of hard work has gone into my 36 years as a pro angler. But I’m so passionate about fishing that it’s never felt laborious. I still pinch myself probably twice a week – like, did I really do this? Did I really never have a real job for my whole life and make it work?
I have so much to be thankful for as my competitive career draws to a close. While I am still approaching Stage 7 like every other tournament (you bet I still want to win), I’ll be doing a lot of reflecting about those blessings.
One last rodeo in rough water
I made the decision to retire for several reasons – namely, after 36 years of traveling, I’m ready to spend more time at home with my wife and my grandkids. But this season has also underscored that it’s time for me to step away from the top level.
At age 63, I can’t quite match the efficiency of my younger days. Most days, I still feel good physically, and after practice of just about every event this year, I’ve felt like I was on ‘em. But in the Bass Pro Tour’s every-fish-counts format (which is still my favorite competition format I’ve ever experienced), the line between success and failure is so slim. You have to start fast and keep your foot on the gas at all times, or these guys will leave you in the dust. It’s gotten harder both physically and mentally for me to sustain that pace.
The physical aspect is going to be the challenge at Stage 7. I have a good amount of experience on Erie and several nearby fisheries, and I love chasing Northern smallmouth. But the thing about Erie is, in order to get to those smallmouth, you’re going to have to run a long way, and there’s an excellent chance you’re going to encounter some big waves along the way.
I wholeheartedly believe this tournament is going to be won by someone who finds a big school of smallmouth. The problem is, those big schools have all but vanished on the U.S. side of the lake, and even if we’re allowed to trailer to a ramp of our choosing, getting to the Canadian shoreline is going to take a huge run.
In my younger days, I wouldn’t have thought twice about beating myself up for an hour and a half if it meant I had a chance to catch a few more fish. Now, I’m going to have to figure out largemouth and smallmouth game plans during practice and let Mother Nature dictate where I end up. If the weather cooperates, I’m making the trek. If it’s windy, I’ll take my chances fishing for largemouth closer to Sandusky.
That said, I’m still taking this tournament as seriously as I always have. I’m studying maps and weather patterns and making sure all my tackle is in tip-top condition. I’d love nothing more than to make the Championship Round, extend my last event all the way to the final day and give myself a shot at one last win.
The people made my career special
So far, I haven’t been very emotional about retirement. But whenever my boat official starts counting down the last few minutes of my last day on Erie and I think back through all the memories I’ve made and friendships I’ve formed over 36 years, I’m sure there will be some tears.
It’s the people I’ll think about most. Of course, I’m grateful for the wins. I probably wouldn’t have been able to do this for so long if it wasn’t for winning the Bassmaster Classic and some of my other tournament successes. But those trophies don’t mean nearly as much to me now as the relationships I’ve made through the years, be they with other anglers or tournament staff or sponsors.
I’d like to give a huge thank you to all the companies that have backed me through the years, especially Mercury, Ranger, Garmin, Kistler Rods, Pro Guide Batteries and Willmeng Construction. I’d also like to thank all the fans who have followed my career. Whether we met in person or just interacted online, your encouragement after bad tournaments and congratulations after good ones meant the world to me. I’ve formed many lifetime friendships on tour, and getting to travel with and compete alongside my son these past few years has been a dream come true.
There’s a lot I’ll miss about being a pro. But the best news is I don’t have to give up all of it.
I can promise you I’ll still be fishing. That passion is still burning bright. Even now, I probably spend as much time on the water outside of tournament competition as anyone on tour. I’ll just get to do it without the pressure of SCORETRACKER®. I also plan to maintain my social media presence – my tips just might be geared a little more toward fun fishing than tournament competition. Throw in my newest passion, pickleball, and volunteer opportunities with my church, and I’ll be as busy as ever, just not on the road as much.
I know friends who have retired from 9-to-5 careers, and they’re often kind of lost. But one of the many things I’m grateful for about being a professional fisherman is I’ve had six months off every year, and I’ve learned to love the offseason. As I prepare to enter my perpetual offseason, I’m so thankful that I never had to work a real job.