Man, has this summer gone by in a flash.

One day I`m preparing my boat and gear for Bass season opener, the next thing I know, I`m loading up my long johns and cold weather gear for autumn road trips.

Just returned from my most recent road trip to sunny, warm Tennessee for my annual Strike King Lure Co. pro team writers conference where many of the media including (tv, publications, website and radio personalities) show up to this event and do interviews, take photos and get an opportunity to fish with all of us Strike King pro team members.



I arrived a few days earlier so I could hook up with my good friends at Blue Bank Resort on Reelfoot lake in Hornbeak TN and fish/film a show with Billy Blakley.

We had a blast fishing on the lake and jumpin` stumps all day long in his customized War Eagle flat bottomed boat which can handle the stumps and not tip over when we rode over them...quite an experience let me tell you.

Headed to Paris Landing TN to fish/film another crappie adventure with fellow strike king pro team members Tim Blackley and Jackie VanCleave on Kentucky lake. Never had an idea of how large this lake/system really was until now...that is some huge water. stretching some 90+ miles in one directlon south back towards pickwick lake!



We fished and filmed while they pre-fished for this weekends Crappie USA Classic and got a eye opener on how these pro anglers not only locate, but fish for crappie in many different situations, very informative stuff.

Had a day to chill and prepare for the conference, striggin` rods, hanging out and having meals with my fellow strike king pros like Mark Menendez, Shaw Grigsby, Mark Rose, Jonathan Vandam, Mark Davis, James Niggemeyer, Luke Estel, Roger Stegall, Greg Hackney, Denny Brauer and 4 time classic champ and angler of the year Kevin vandam while we waited the rest of the team to arrive at Fish Tale lodge at Paris Landing TN.

Over the next 4 days we shared a lot of fishing, filming, eating and laughs with many of the big name media folks from all the US magazines, websites and radio media in the boats and at the dock featuring strike king products and new gear for 2012.



No disrespect to any wannabe pro anglers out there, but let me tell you from a personal standpoint, I have fished my entire life and built a pretty popular business brand and lifestyle fishing for a fulltime career and are still humbled in the presence of these ELITE pros.

Trying to compete with the likes of these elite of the elite is mind boggling.

I have fished with many people and have shared many new techniques and presentations, but nobody or anything compares with the manner or level in which these guys compete and fish at fulltime.



The manner in which they conduct themselves, casting ability, fishing prowess, knowledge, versatility and experience is unmatched, anyplace, anywhere, its that simple.

The only way to explain this comparison is by playing beer league hockey and thinking you can compete in the NHL only to find out the simple truth of the matter is, both are worlds apart!

These anglers are that good, period!

After a 16+ hour drive home, I have a few days to re-group, answer emails, update my team with social media, spend some quality time with my family and then get back on the horse and rig sticks and prepare for another road trip back north to film some shows in the cool autumn air and hopefully find some oversized water dwelling critters who want to eat my baits on camera.

Livin` the life dudes...livin` the life!