Oh Kevin and I always have a good time. The 4am wake up calls in the camper. The music being played in the boat at 5am while we wait, the fish dances, the colorful array of curse words put together to form a completely new set of words! Fun is really what it is all about.

My mom and dad are great. We all have a good time when we go to one of these events.

One thing I have to mention... The weather was rough, very rough. If for any reason Kevin and I didn't feel safe or in control we would have made the smart decision to be safe and head in. No fish is worth it. Life jackets are worn, we monitor the waves, the weather, and the storm on radar. We work as a team. In that kind of water, someone has to be at the helm while the other guy deploys the trolling motor. You then have to ensure navigation is running right, the speed is right, and everything is safe before you cut the main engine. You do NOT want to go side ways to a wave.

I've fished most of my life out of Lake Michigan and the Ludington/Manistee harbor. I have been subject to some pretty crappy weather and am used to it. I know what my equipment can handle and what I can safely handle. Tournament rules say that if the boat is moving above trolling speed, you MUST have your PFD on. This was the only tournament we have fished were we took it off while we were trolling (in calm seas). When it got rough, we left it on. Both of us wear professional grade auto inflatable PFD devices and we carry extras just in case. I also choose to wear High visibility bright orange Gore Tex clothing. As an FYI: I always have a signal device attached to my jacket. I have a whistle attached to a lanyard that zips inside a pocket. In rough seas, you may not have time to use the radio to call for help. If you go overboard, you want to ensure people can hear you (if they cannot see you).