Prepare Mind, Body And Gear For Season

We are 67 days from the beginning of the Elite Series. The last fishing event I participated in was in August of 2011. An eleventh place on Lake Neely Henry in Alabama. So my mind is now starting to think more about what my passion in life is all about. It is called getting the next bite! The clock is running towards the opening blast off on the St. John’s River in Florida. There is so much to do in preparation for the first event.

 

I started in November sorting tackle and organizing. Spending an hour or two per day was the trend. My tackle is finally headed to the final stages due to the Line Rite Tackle Tabs and Rod Tabs system. These brightly colored tabs have corralled the huge mass in my garage. Now I will spend less time looking for the perfect bait in the bottom of my boat next season. It will be in its place labeled ready for action.

My 2011 Skeeter sold so I had extra room in the garage to work. Standing on the concrete floor was really giving my knees and back more pain than usual. Upstairs I would go to my office to write stories. I spent so much time writing I developed tendonitis in my elbows and wrists! One morning as I jumped out of the shower, there it was in front of me. The scales were out in plain view! A quick step on them and I realized why everything hurt. I had gained some weight!  My poundage had increased just shy of my all-time high! I got dressed and walked down the hall to my office with my feelings hurt.
 

Studies have shown that competitive fishermen will burn 4000-5000 calories per day on the water! My lack of competitive angling had caught up when me to say the least. Christmas had come and gone and New Year’s was on the way. I started feeling the new season. I decided to get off my behind and rock and roll! I had the brainiest idea ever. A New Year’s Resolution was a must!

 

Here I sit ten days after the turn of the calendar, ten pounds lighter! It hasn't been easy. I have been watching my carbs and adding some exercise in the mix! This induction phase has been terrible. No energy is the highlight of my day! I still must move forward. My wonderful wife reminded me that I wasn’t a twenty something anymore. That gave me lots of motivation ...

 

My 2012 Skeeter FX20 with a Yamaha 250 SHO landed at The Old Baithouse, my local dealership. I have been gathering all the additional equipment for my "office": Twin Power Poles, Lowrance HDS 10’s, Northstar AGM Batteries, a Hydrowave, and a Stay-N-Charge have all been delivered. Now, I will become the “Greenhorn go fetch it boy” at the dealership. I have zero mechanical skill. This means I am at the mercy of the boys at The Old Baithouse to help me rig my boat. Thankfully my skin has toughened up from 20 years on the Bassmaster Tour! I’m sure the boys will really give me a hard time!

 

This weekend will commence my traveling to promotional appearances. I have many days on the road ahead of me before the Bassmaster Elite Series. It's so hard to eat healthy on the road. Getting exercise can be just as big of a problem! I have done this routine before. The net loss was 63 lbs.! It became a big obsession. I fell to a weight of 165lbs. My goal is to maintain a weight of 185lbs this season. I feel good at this weight. My last resolution was a fantastic year (2003). It was all due to my fitness and weight.  I will maintain my New Year’s Resolution for the 2012 season even though it will be a struggle.

 

There will be lots to do to keep the resolution going. I sure hope that I fall off the wagon occasionally. That means the trips to the scales (Bassmaster) will find me overweight! My weigh-in bags will have five big bass in it each day! I promise not to fall off the wagon until I get to the St. John’s River in March! -- Mark