Story by Hunter Baughman | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
I don’t know about you, but over the weekend Arkansas had the biggest snow in the last few years. We don’t see much snow here, so it’s always fun to play in it for the short amount of time it sticks around. That’s exactly what we did. It was the first time either of our girls were old enough to actually play in it. Let me tell you, they had a blast!
That wasn’t the only excitement that has gone on since my last column. The NPFL released the 118-angler field for 2025 and all I can say is “Wow!” I believe the competition level has grown increasingly stronger each year, and this year will be no different.
Names like Hackney, Christie and Swindle along with many others come to mind. These aren’t guys that are getting their feet wet. These are legends that have made a living for a long period of time as professional anglers. They have accolades most will only dream of achieving and, most importantly, they rarely miss.
What I mean by that is consistency. They may not always win but they rarely bomb. This will raise the competition level up another notch. But they aren’t the only ones to watch out for either! There are a few young guys on the list—new and returning—that are flat-out fish catchers, too. And as we see every year there will be some guys we’ve never heard of that show up and teach us very quickly that they belong at this level.
That’s what I think is most special about this league—the opportunity for the unknown angler to show up and show out. I use the word “unknown” loosely. I’d be willing to bet those anglers that show out may not be a household name yet, but if you go to their local lakes, you’ll find plenty of folks who will tell you they win their share of events.
I’ll be honest. When I read down that list my first thought was “I am in over my head!” And that very well might be the case. But you know what that makes me do? It makes me dig that much deeper and work that much harder to prove I belong.
As I’ve said in past columns its harder to prove myself to me than anyone else. This year, on Day 1 at our first event at Santee Cooper, when my boat floats off the trailer, I’ll be surrounded by winners of Classics and Forrest Wood Cups and Anglers of the Years. And that’s when it’ll be time to put my head down and grind.
The fish don’t care who is on the other end of the line. Accolades don’t win tournaments; good decisions do. So, when my number is called on Day 1 of Santee my only goal is to make good decisions and give everything I’ve got and until I check in at the end of Day 3 at our last event at Logan Martin.
John Wayne said “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyways.” That’s exactly my plan.
Catch you next week!
Hunter Baughman – Angler Profile
