John Garrett
In the month of November, we often share our thoughts on what we’re thankful for. Looking back over the 2026 fishing season, I can definitely list several moments and achievements I’ll be remembering on Thanksgiving Day. While those things are important, I’m gonna take a different approach and tell you about the two areas of my life that make everything else possible — my family and my faith.
Starting with my family, my wife, Morgan, is really supportive and we’re always there for one another. This is the first year our 3-year-old daughter, Blaire, was old enough to really understand things, and it’s been nice having the ability to have full conversations with her.
One thing I’ve discovered is my daughter will say whatever’s on her mind. I don’t ever have to guess what’s going on … what’s wrong. She definitely lets you know when something is wrong.
She travels very well, and she’s had a good time at the tournaments. It’s always nice to see my wife and daughter when I come to the weigh-ins, but I have to say my daughter has a way of keeping me humble.
She likes looking at my fish, and she’s seen enough bass now to know what a nice bag of fish looks like. A few times she’s looked in my bag and said, “Dad, why are your fish so small?”
That always makes me laugh, but it also makes me realize that, no matter how the day went, my family is gonna be there at the end of the day. In fact, the last couple of years has really changed my perspective on life.
Before we had kids, I spent a lot of time on the water fishing and duck hunting. Those things are still important to me, but now when I’m on the water, I’m thinking about getting home to my family. I guess it’s all about realizing what really matters most.
As happy as I am with my family life, we’re all gonna be even happier soon when my wife gives birth to our son in December. That’s gonna be an amazing time with a newborn baby just in time for Christmas.
In fact, that thought leads me to the importance of my faith. My salvation has become even more important to me the older I get. Recognizing that Jesus Christ is the key to my eternal security helps me deal with the pressures and challenges of this life.
I know that no matter what the day brings, I’m saved and everything in life has a deeper meaning than me catching a fish. I’m less worried about things I used to think were a big deal because I realize that, in the bigger picture, those things really aren’t a big deal.
I think it’s important to share my faith, so I wear Romans 1:16 on my jersey: “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.”
I’ll carry this message with me into the 2027 fishing season, along with my love for my family. I take my career as a professional fisherman very seriously, but I know that without these important foundational truths, I wouldn’t be the man that I am.
I am blessed to be doing what I love to do, and I’m thankful for my family and faith, because that’s what keeps me going.