Three bites usually means a tough, frustrating day… but when they’re the right ones, it hits different. Landed a 5.7 and a 3.2, and lost another at the boat that was about the same size as that 3 (pretty sure her mama ended up fried and on a plate 😅).

Knew something special was coming when mine and Tron song—Fisherman by Casey Ashley—came on. Preciate you watching out from up there, bro.

Been a few months since I’ve posted—life’s been busy. Got out to practice for the derby I run on my home pond at Lake Bowen and managed to stick a couple solid 3-pounders.

Tournament day rolls around and wouldn’t you know it… I got humbled and took home smallest fish of the derby with an 11-ouncer.

Funny how this sport we love can make you feel like a hero one day and keep you humble the next. That’s fishing. 🎣

2026 to do list:

Catch first fish of the year ✅

2025-the love/hate relationship year. I loved how you treated me on the water. I hated how you treated me off the water. I'll always love that you're the year my babies (yes, you'll always be my babies) caught their first fish. I'll love that I caught both quality and quantity. You were better than years prior by far. 2026- let's work on that off-the-water stuff, but please keep being just as good to me on the water. Happy New Year, everybody 🎣🎉

What’s up Straight Up Fishing fam. Fishing has been few and far between since Thanksgiving with everything going on — the passing of Tron, Christmas, work, and just learning how to manage all of it. It’s been a mix of grief, responsibility, and the chaos that comes with the holidays.

Over the past couple of days, with some unexpected downtime and the Christmas rush finally slowing down, I took the time to turn a shadow box with some candy and a gift card into a small memorial for my brother. I truly felt his presence while putting it together.

I know without a shadow of a doubt he’s still in my ear telling me to try my hand as a co-angler in the BFLs. I hate to admit it, but this is what it finally took for me to pull the trigger and commit to it.

So BLat and anyone else in the SUF community — if you’ve got any tips, advice, or words of encouragement for a first-time BFL co, I’m all ears. Appreciate y’all more than you know. 🎣

I got the coolest and most heartfelt gift today at a local derb I run here in Spartanburg! I could still feel my little bro out there with me and if I needed a reminder today when it got rough I just pulled this out of my pocket. Tron will always be with me on the water forever!

Reservations to a PIG PICKIN'