Well, we’re a month into the New Year already and the FLW season is getting ready to kick off in the morning. I just got back from the pre-tournament meeting for the FLW Series event on Lake Okeechobee. I drew boat number 27, which I think is the best boat draw I’ve ever got in 7 years. I’m pretty fired up about it too, because I found a big one on a bed yesterday that I might be able to get to first. You never know what can happen in this game, but I’m looking forward to the new season and starting fresh. If I can just start the season off with that big fish, my nerves are shot.

This is actually my second tournament of 2009, the first was on lake Toho, FL, and was the first of a brand new tour called the PAA Tournament Series. The Professional Anglers Association is having a three tournament series this year and a championship. The first event was a huge success and I’m sure they will continue to get even better. Basically, the PAA events are a mixture of the best anglers from both the Bassmaster and FLW Tours. I finished 11th in the event and as always, I was happy to score a decent finish anywhere in Florida. I lost one on day two that cost me a top 5, but that’s the way it goes. These fish down here do not read the same magazine articles we all do…trust me. I can’t wait to get out of here!

After the tournament we went out and had some real fun. Mitchell, Ott Defoe, and I went out and found some big crappies. We caught 30 in about an hour and a half and ate them for dinner that night. You can’t beat that. Here’s a photo of Smiley holding a pair of them.

We had a bunch of sign ups for the jersey give a way, and I’m hoping to give that thing away at the end of this tournament. Not too many of you picked me to surpass the $1 million in the first tournament, but for those of you who have the faith, I hope to make it happen here at Okeechobee. Like I said, you never know what will happen in a big tournament, especially when it involves crazy Florida bass, but it has been really tough for a lot of people in practice and I have a good feeling about this one. We will be blasting off at 7:00 am, I’m in the 2nd flight, and my check in time is 3:10 pm. Don’t forget to watch the live weigh-in on FLW On Demand.

I’m happy to add Berkley to my sponsor list for 2009. I started with the company last season with Spider Wire braided line and ABU Garcia reels, so I’m excited to be able to give them 100% and not have that line conflict anymore. I’ve used Berkley products since I was a little kid and to be honest, I think there has been a Berkley product of somekind in my boat since I fished my first club tournament way back in 1991. They also put a lot of money into growing our sport and conservation which makes me especially proud to be a part of their team. We should all go out of our way to support the companies that give back to the sport we love so much, especially in these tough economic times. We all benefit from it in some way at some point.

Lastly….GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been a huge, huge fan since my Dad bought me a Steeler helmet and shoulder pads when I was 7 years old. I grew up in serious Pittsburgh atmosphere. My Grandma, Ethel, lives in Pittsburgh and could be their biggest fan ever. I have several other relatives that still live in the Pittsburgh area too. Before I got into fishing all these tournaments, I used to take photos from the sidelines at the home games. One time when the Steelers beat the Cowboys in a Monday night game, Jason Guildon ran off the field after a big play and I beat him on the shoulder pads while we both screamed at the top of our lungs. He had no idea who I was, but that was something I’ll never forget. I also almost had my knees taken out by Michael Irvin in that same game. I was the guy with the purple Stren hat on. Anyway, I can’t wait to see the Cardinals go down on Sunday. That brings me to my main goal for 2009…to win the Forrest Wood Cup in Pittsbugh this August and take Super Bowl champs, Big Ben, Hines Ward, James Harrison, and Troy Polamalu fishing! I hear Troy loves to fish. How cool would it be to see his hair in the bag line at an FLW Tour event someday?

Well, it’s almost 8:00 pm and Anne wants me to watch American Idol with her, ha ha…So I have to go now. After this tournament, we are heading up to Lake Guntersville, AL for the first FLW Tour event.

God Bless and I’ll talk to you later,

Dave