Story by Hunter Baughman | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
How many crazy things can the NPFL go through? In the past we’ve had a tie for first place, a winning angler disqualified for forgetting to buy his fishing license, and even a couple of anglers who passed away during the first season. Now we can add a hurricane causing an event to be canceled while we were already at the venue.
On the third day of practice we received confirmation from Brad Fuller that — after a meeting with local and state officials — the tournament would be canceled. In hindsight this was the best thing for everyone involved. The weather never was too terrible around the host city (DeLand) but the amount of devastation that the entire southeast portion of the United States endured was ultimately terrible.
Canceling the event allowed everyone to get out of Florida before it hit. Also, that region is home to so many of our anglers. They needed to be at their homes doing what they could to prepare.
Today, houses are gone. Towns have been washed away. Lots of us wanted to fish, but none of us are selfish enough to be upset with the decision. A bass tournament is simply not worth risking life, limb, family and home.
Unfortunately for me and the girls, we weren’t able to leave town before the storm hit. I was still dealing with the new truck and trying to get hand controls installed so I could drive. Andrea made it clear she wasn’t pulling the boat the 13 1/2 hours home! Happy wife, happy life, right?
To pass the time until my truck was ready, we had a mini family vacation. One day the girls got to see the beach for the first time. The next day they made their first trip to Disney. To say they loved it would be an understatement. Then we let the storm roll by and had an uneventful trip home. It was actually a welcome change of pace compared to the last few trips.
Let’s keep praying for those affected by Hurricane Helene and help in whatever way we can. The towns will eventually rebuild. It will never be the same, but hopefully things will be good again … and soon. And the tournament season will be back on track in October. Stop #6 at Lake of the Ozarks is coming up and we hope you will join us to watch it unfold!
