Ready to go!

It has been a long week at work. Trying to get ready for this weekends event has been busy! I have been learning to balance fishing and a young family and it takes a skill I have not mastered yet. Regardless, I am nearly packed.

Heading to a new place like Chesapeake Bay is challenging. For us Canadians we are not used to targetting pre-spawn bass. Further more, add a tidal fishery into the mix and you have quite a diverse set of conditions. I am doing my best to prepare for everything. The last thing I want to do is be sitting in my motel room saying to myself "why didn't I bring that last box?". An old travel mate of mine, Dave Davies (2007 BASS Eastern Divisional, Hartford, CT) will tell you, I am meticulous when it comes to my preparation. Lists are made, double checked and triple checked. This week has been no exception. I will spend hours each night of an event organizing, reorganizing and preparing for the next day.

I also received a package today from my sponsors, Bass Magnet Lures. I requested an order of their new hook up jigs, swimbaits, flappin craw and dropshot baits. They arrived this afternoon and I quickly added them to my collection of tackle for this trip. I think these baits will come in handy.

Tommorrow is Good Friday. I plan on taking the day to spend with Heather and Trevor. I am going to make sure to visit the Great Grandparents with my little man. Especially as I am traveling during Easter this year. I am so lucky to have a supportive family when it comes to my fishing!

Well, off to spend some time with Trevor before he heads off to bed. Then it is spooling line before bed tonight.

Only a few days left!

Prepartions this week are frantic for the Northern Open Tournament. I have been busy reviewing scientific publications, angling articles and surfing the web reading about the Upper Cheaspeake Bay. What a great fishery this place is! It has lots and lots of diversity. In Ontario we do not have very many fisheries like the Chesapeake Bay.

I did manage to find a highlight video of the 1991 Bassmaster Classic. This event was a shoot out between Ken Cook and Zell Rowland. I have watched the video below several times! In Canada very few Bass Anglers get the opportunity to watch Bassmasters Television. Growing up I used to watch Bassmasters every Saturday on TNN outdoors. That was 20 years ago now. Watching this video added to my tournament research but allowed me to reminise my child hood.

My tackle list is nearly set. I have a few more pieces of equipment to pull together. The excitement is building. I leave in 5 days!!! It is going to be a quick week!