Hello, family, friends, and sponsors.
As we stand on the brink of 2026, I find myself doing what many of us do—looking back at the year that’s closing, not with a scorecard, but with a heart that’s felt a lot.
2025 started with a weight that reshaped my vision. I lost three good friends: Gib Martin, my brother from 12 years at the firehouse; Al Davis, a dear fishing partner; and Dennis Miller, a best friend of over 30 years. It does something to you. It’s that reality check they don’t sell in stores, the one that reminds you how precious and fragile this whole ride is. You know that old saying about counting true friends on one hand? It’s true. The lesson wasn’t just about loss; it was a flashing neon sign reminding me: If someone makes you a better person, tell them. Thank them. Hug them. Do it now.
I am profoundly blessed. To still see and care for my mom. To try, every single day, to be a better father, a better husband, a better role model. It got me thinking: What do we actually do? Not just for ourselves, but for others? When was the last time you went out of your way for someone, expecting absolutely nothing in return?
And here’s a crucial piece of the puzzle: none of this happens in a vacuum. For every angler out there grinding on the water, you know this truth. It’s about the support. It’s about the sponsors who believe in you. I need to take a moment for an incredible, heartfelt thank you to all my sponsors who have backed me over the years. This isn’t just about “free stuff.” Let’s be real—nothing in life is truly free. Everything costs effort, energy, and time. A bait, a rod, a reel, line, batteries… every piece of gear represents someone’s faith. It’s fuel for the dream. It’s what allows guys like me to go out and do what we love, to compete, to explore, to teach. My sponsors have given me more than product; they’ve given me opportunity. And in my book, the most powerful way to pay that back is with a sincere and loud “THANK YOU,” and by representing them with everything I’ve got—integrity, hustle, and gratitude. They’re doing exactly what we’re talking about: giving back, investing in the passion of others.
This leads me to one of the coolest adventures of all—creation. A huge part of my heart belongs to the process at FishLab Tackle. I’ve been fortunate beyond words to not just fish, but to sit down and work with some of the greatest, most brilliant minds in the industry. People like Hide Iwasaki from Japan, a world-renowned lure designer, and Mike Bennett. We take a thought, a spark of an idea, and turn it into a drawing on a paper, then a prototype, and finally a lure that goes into someone else’s hands. Winning “ICAST” awards is amazing, but it pales next to the real win: putting a tool of joy and legacy into an angler’s hands. That’s the circle—it’s not just about me catching fish; it’s about enabling someone else’s story, their big moment. It keeps your mind active, it keeps you thinking, creating, and pouring positivity into something you love. That spark of collaboration, of building something from nothing, is a fire that lights up the soul. For 2026, what we have brewing… it excites me to no end. This is the beauty of passing it on.
There was so much light, too. My daughter Kailyn got a surprise. My wife Lisa and I took trips in the RV and to Hawaii. A magical time at Plummer’s Lodges with best friends like Tim Tuttle, Ron Licari, and the gang… the kind of laughter that feeds your soul.
Now, 2026.
I’ll be honest. The struggles took a bit of a toll. My focus on health and weight slipped, go figure. So, my first goal is to get back on a mental and physical plan for longevity. I’m retiring to a life, not from one.
And I want to look at the world not just through a fish’s eyes, but through other people’s eyes. To better understand the silent struggles behind the smiles. To be kinder. And with the little I have—time, knowledge, an extra fishing rod, a handshake, a smile—I want to share it. To maybe brighten one moment for someone.
And speaking of the next crew… the biggest, most wonderful surprise: My daughter Kailyn and her husband Adam are expecting a baby boy in July 2026. Yep, Lisa and I are gonna be grandparents, SAY WHAT?
And you know, a guy’s gotta have a dream to chase on the water, too. I’ve been lucky to win some major events, to accomplish goals I once only dreamed of. For 2026, I’m putting it out there to the universe: I’m going to work, scrape, and fish hard enough to try and earn my dream rig—a new 2026 BassCat Caracal, a Mercury 250, topped with Lowrance and all the support from my family of sponsors. It’s a target to aim for, a reason to grind with a smile. It’s not just a boat; it’s a vessel for the next chapter of adventure, learning, and sharing the journey.
So here’s to 2026.
To the sponsors who are the wind in our sails.
To looking through each other’s eyes more often.
From all of us at the BBZ and the Siemantel family, we wish you a wonderful, blessed, and incredible New Year. May it be filled with more laughter than worry, more peace than chaos, and moments that take your breath away.
