Yep, it's been going on for three years - this year was the biggest. I got to go last year and it was a lot of fun! Plapp's was nice enough to let us borrow a boat for the event and we can't thank them enough! We wouldn't have been able to go if it hadn't been for their generosity! Kevin Van Dam and Greg Hackney were at the weigh-in on day two, on stage interviewing us as we weighed fish. It was a great trip and I made some good friends. They even took us on a charter bus to the Bassmasters Legend event weigh in that was going on at the same time in Little Rock. Me and my partner Cody, along with both guys from Louisiana Lafayette didn't really pay any attention to the weigh-in, but rather went interviewing the pros who didn't make the cut, asking them advice about fishing in general and how they made it big - it was great! We talked to Marty Stone for a good half hour, along with Mike Iaconelli (Ike was the our least favorite), Randy Howell, and Kevin Wurth. Marty Stone was the nicest and most willing to talk to us. He told us about the things that goes on behind the scenes, and things that you don't see and how it's a hard sport to make it big in.

We also got to tour the "Fish Factory" after the weigh-in. The Fish Factory is ESPN's studio where they film their tournament analysis shows, BassTech, and several other shows. We got to meet Jerry McKinnis and several of the staff that help do the ESPN Outdoors shows. It was really cool!

It was an experience I won't soon forget!