Sorry for the double post.
I've had a ROUGH couple of past years. I'm still fighting to get into corrections as I believe it is the only "job" that will allow me a steady income and enough time off to fish tourneys the way I want. We'll see what happens there. I blew 2 motors in 2 different trucks in as many months. One was the 350 in my old GMC on I95 loaded with tools on the NJ/DE border on my way to SC. Then I finally got my F250 I've always wanted, but it had 250k+ on it. Not bad for a diesel IF it's been taken care of. Well, I drove it for about 3,000 miles and home from SC. Then my boy had a seizure at school and I redlined it to get there blowing my head gasket and didn't know it. Then I proceeded to drive it for 3 more days (can't hear crap over that chatter of that diesel) and fried 3 pistons. Did you know you can buy factory rebuilt 350 long block at Autozone for $1000 but the same thing in a 7.3 intl diesel is $6000! :blink:
There ya go Mackrelroy, that one was for you.
Anywho, I came home for a few weeks to see my family and the local Toyota dealer needed a service tech and wanted me for more than anyone in SC was paying, so I took it so I could stay north with my love.....Champlain! :wub:
I still have a blown lower unit on the merc and needed a check in one of my 1st 3 tourneys this year to pay for it, but needless to say, I've fished (prefished) less all of this year than I usually do in just April of most years and have had to borrow boats to do it. So I didn't cash any checks. Came close once, but this ain't horseshoes.
So my season is over until we sell the house, which looks like will be soon. I don't want to, but my wife and I agree, it's the only way for me to chase my dream....have to lower the bills.
I have thought about hangin it up several times and then I keep hearing stories like ragin Mike's when he was ready to quit fishing and just fish that last Champlain tourney. The comes up here, fishes those STUPID tires and wins! That propelled his career and now everyone knows who he is.
5 years ago, nobody knew Luke Clausen either. If they can do it, so can I. I just have to keep paying my dues. Stay tuned sports fans.