Getting Settled Back in the States
I’m finally back home in California and I’ve been busy as ever. Between getting all our stuff shipped back from overseas, meeting with commanders back at my old job, and getting some fishing in I’ve had my hands full. Even though it’s been crazy since getting home, I couldn’t be happier to be back.
I made it back a couple of weeks ago and have been working out of a hotel since. It’s definitely been quite the adjustment getting used to the time change; there is a ten hour difference between here and Korea. That jet lag had me thinking I wouldn’t even be able to get up some mornings because my body was use to the different time zone. Thankfully, I’m starting to get used to California time once again.
My car is still overseas and without it I haven’t been able to move forward with getting my boat fixed up anymore since the flooding incident. It looks like it should be arriving in about a month and I can’t wait. As soon as it does, the first thing I’ll be doing is hooking the boat up and taking it over to Bass Pro Shops and let them do their thing. Of course, I’ve already stopped into Bass Pro since I’ve been home. Being away so long, I make the most out of every time I’m close to one. The new batteries, graphs, and everything are ready to go in and I can’t wait to mess around with all the new toys.
Although I haven’t had much time to fish with everything going on, I have managed to sneak out a couple times. My first trip was to the Delta from shore and it didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t wait for my stuff to come in, so I headed to a local Wal-Mart and picked up a combo. The Delta is my homewater, but for some reason I didn’t even check the tide before going. I was lucky as we had an incoming tide in the morning which was beautiful.
My first fish was a big one. I set the hook and realized I had forgotten to set the drag as it started pulling line. Guys were watching as I fought her and simultaneously tightened the drag with my opposite hand. I wrestled her in along with another decent fish and ended up losing a third one. I pitched around areas where I thought they would be and sure enough was able to get some bites even from shore. I also managed to get out with a buddy of mine on his boat, but didn’t really get to fish because he was having boat problems so I did some more bank fishing. Every opportunity I get, I’m out there casting away from shore.
I’m still digging in to see what tournaments are left in the fall as I should have my boat and gear ready by then. I’d love to get into an Open or Costa, but would be happy to just get in anything at that point with it being so late in the season. I know a win at that higher level would get me right back in the mix and I can’t wait to get back out there! Until then, I’ll be hitting the water by foot or with a buddy from their boat as much as I can.
