Like everybody, we’re getting ready for our family Christmas celebration. We’ll stay local this year and visit with my wife’s side of the family on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas morning, my parents will come over for the day.
I’ll cook a big Christmas lunch with stuffed back strap, ham and stuffed pork loin. After that, my dad and I will head out to Lake of the Pines to do some crappie fishing.
We’ve enjoyed our Christmas Day fishing trips since I was a kid. That’s one of my favorite Christmas traditions. While I’m on that thought, here are a few more of my Christmas favorites.
Favorite Christmas memory: That’s easy. Last year was my daughter Lane’s first Christmas. It was great just having her around last Christmas — looking up with those eyes, looking at her presents and the tree.
That was my best Christmas memory by far last year, and it will be even better this year.
Favorite Christmas gift: When I was 6 or 7, I got my first serious fishing reel. It was a Quantum 1310, and I thought I was the king of the world.
More recently, one of my longtime guiding clients gave me a glass display box. It held pictures of us with fish we caught during guide trips and a bunch of old lures like Lucky 13 poppers and Water Dogs. That was really something special.
Favorite Christmas treats: We’ve been making sugar cookies with my mom for years now. We’ll dye them different colors, cover them with icing and add little Christmas decorations.
Also, my mom makes sausage balls every year, and I’d eat every one of them if they’d let me.
Favorite Christmas movie: Home Alone. I always enjoy watching that story about a kid that’s left alone in his house at Christmas. In some ways, that Kevin character reminds me of myself at that age.
And while we’re on that point, Die Hard may have been set during a Christmas party, but it is not a Christmas movie in my book.
Favorite Christmas ornament: My mom has all the homemade ornaments that we made at school, so it’s nice seeing those on the tree every Christmas. We just made Lane’s first Christmas ornaments this year, so we’ll keep that family tradition going.
Also, we’re Choctaw Indian bloodline, so every year, the Choctaw Nation sends us a new Christmas ornament.
My best suggestion for Christmas gifts: If you’re looking for gift ideas for your favorite bass angler, I can offer a few ideas that’ll help you stuff those stockings or fill the gift bags.
First, jigs, jerkbaits, crankbaits or topwaters from 6th Sense will put fish in the boat. I’ve caught a lot of tournament fish with these baits, so I can attest to their effectiveness.
Same goes for NetBait plastics like the Paca Craws or Flex Worms. Pick up a couple of packs of these plastics and you’ll have an inexpensive gift that’ll make your angler happy on Christmas morning.
Lastly, you gotta be comfortable when you fish, so I’d recommend HUK clothing. From shirts, to pants, to jackets, well-made fishing clothing is always a welcomed gift.