As a kid, did you ever fill a water glass up past the top just a little bit where it seemed to be bubbled above the rim of the glass? Water reacts funny sometimes to containers and materials. One of those materials is Gore-Tex®. Most of us don’t really know what Gore-Tex is made of but we know what it does to water. It was a pivotal product that changed rainwear forever.

Now it may be doing the same thing to fishing line. Last year Sufix introduced a bunch of new categories of lines to their product mix. This year they’re adding an exciting new braid called Sufix 832 Advanced Superline.

The line gets its name from the eight (8) braided fibers and 32 weaves per inch. The fibers include seven Dyneema® fibers and one GORE® performance fiber. The combination results in a very small diameter braid. The line claims incredible fray and abrasion resistance as a result. So far in our limited use, that seems to be the case.

The line casts very well and the color seems to hold up well thus far thanks to a technology they call Thermal Plastic Gel (TPG).

What we found to be the most interesting was we laid the line on a drop of water and it actually caused a fold in the water. We dunked it under water in a cup and pulled it out and the braid was dry to the touch. This is something that will make this braid last longer than most. While that remains to be seen and we intend to fully product test it in the coming weeks, we’re extremely impressed and anxious to see how it holds up over a season of fishing.

To purchase these other lines, click here.

Denali Rods has signed pro angler Ray Scheide to their national pro staff.

“We are extremely excited to have Ray on our pro staff,” said Denali Rods president Scott Estes. “Ray is a true professional with a tremendous fishing resume. He is a class individual both on and off the water, and we feel he is a perfect fit for the Denali Pro Team.

Scheide has a long history of fishing accomplishments including two FLW Tour wins, and qualifying for five FLW championships including this year’s Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Lanier.

"I have taken my time, looked long and hard for a rod line that fits my needs," Scheide said. "Denali has done it!  Super light weight, great backbone for powerful hookups and sensitivity that is unmatched."

“Ray joins current Denali pro team members Michael Murphy and Mark Tyler, with more imminent signings to come,” Estes said.

For more information visit these links, Denali Rods and Ray Scheide, on the web.

We got our hands on the final version of the new swimbait from Berkley for 2011 called the Split Belly. It's very similar to the popular tournament-proven Hollow Belly swimbaits, but it features a slit down the middle of the belly of the bait, hence the name. More importantly, the bait does not have to be re-dipped in an outer coating, making them less labor-intensive to produce. But we think this new process lends to more action in the bait itself. Also with the split belly and less plastic to manage, rigging the swimbaits is much easier.

The Split Belly swimbaits will be available in both 4-inch and 5-inch sizes and in a bunch of proven colors including trout, Tennessee shad, gizzard shad, blueback herring, white, and more.

The bait collapses well on the hookset. We caught a couple schooling fish easily on the baits yesterday evening with a weighted Mustad EWG hook. The bait has some thickness in the head section which should make rigging it on a jighead easy for those that like to fish them that way. We also have been experimenting more with nose hooking this type of swimbait and the hookups are much better in our opinion.

Not Heidi Roth, Queen Bee of the Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits hive. She’s reminded every day of where her loyalties lie when she pulls up her socks and goes to work. There, in living color on her ankle, is a tattoo sporting the fish that comprises the Yamamoto logo.

“It’s really about job security,” she said. “It was my first tattoo. I have a couple. I told myself that if I got inked it would have to be something that meant something to me. Whether I ever get canned or not, this (working for GYCB) is definitely going to be an experience I’ll remember.”

FLW Outdoors announced the 2011 FLW Tour schedule Tuesday. The 2011 FLW Tour will expand to 10 tournaments, plus the Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.

“We are excited to expand the FLW Tour,” said Charlie Evans, President & CEO of FLW Outdoors. “We have a long history of offering the best paybacks in the sport, and our new expanded schedule, with stops on some of the nation’s top fisheries, will bring even more opportunity and visibility to our anglers, corporate supporters and for our fans.”

The 2011 FLW Tour will consist of six FLW Tour Majors and four FLW Tour Opens. FLW Tour Majors, which will feature a 150-boat field, are open to professional anglers who enter all six tournaments. Pros fishing the FLW Tour Majors will receive priority when entering FLW Tour Opens and pros that enter all four FLW Tour Opens will receive priority over individual entrants. FLW Tour Opens will also feature a 150-boat field. Complete details regarding registration requirements will be available in the near future at FLWOutdoors.com or you can call (270) 252-1000.

The 2011 FLW Tour season is listed below and can be viewed at FLWOutdoors.com.

                                                              2011 FLW Tour Schedule

            Date                   Fishery                   Location                      Tournament

            Feb. 2-5             Lake Okeechobee  Clewiston, Fla.                FLW Tour Open

            March 2-5          Falcon Lake             Zapata, Texas               FLW Tour Major

            March 23-26      Lake Hartwell            Greenville, S.C.            FLW Tour Major

            April 13-16         Lake Chickamauga   Chattanooga, Tenn.     FLW Tour Major

            May 4-7             Table Rock Lake       Branson, Mo.                FLW Tour Major

            May 18-21         Red River                  Shreveport, La.             FLW Tour Major

            June 1-4            Potomac River           National Harbor, Md.     FLW Tour Open

            June 15-18        Kentucky Lake           Murray, Ky.                   FLW Tour Major

            Aug. 11-14        Lake Ouachita          Hot Springs, Ark.        Forrest Wood Cup

            Aug. 24-27        Lake Champlain          Plattsburgh, N.Y.         FLW Tour Open

            Oct. 19-22         Lake Guntersville        Guntersville, Ala.         FLW Tour Open

The prestigious Angler of the Year title for 2011 will be determined over the 10 events. The top 30 pros and co-anglers from the FLW Tour Majors will qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, which will consist of 58 pros and co-anglers. In 2012, the top 35 pros and co-anglers from the FLW Tour Majors, along with the top five from the 2011 FLW Tour Opens, will qualify for the 2012 Forrest Wood Cup.

The full field will compete the first two days of each FLW Tour event. On day three, the top 75 pros and co-anglers will compete with the co-angler winner being crowned based on cumulative weight from all three days. Day four will feature the top five pro anglers with the winner determined by cumulative weight from all four days.

Pro anglers will compete for up to $125,000 and co-anglers will be vying for up to $25,000 in each tournament. With a full field, the paybacks will be $10,000 through 50^th place on the pro side and $1,000 on the co-angler side. Entry fees are unchanged for 2011 at $4,000 per tournament for pros and $700 per tournament for co-anglers. For additional details regarding paybacks, visit FLWOutdoors.com.

By Alan McGuckin

Hebrews 4:9 is a challenge for those of us that follow the pro bass fishing tour for a living.

This past Sunday was Father's Day -- heightening the challenge. 

Gary Klein's wife Jana, and his two daughters, drove five hours to spend time with him in Muskogee – on Sunday – on Father's Day.

I was blessed to snare one of the more special frames my camera has ever captured during their visit with Dad.

It's special because Gary Klein was one of my heroes, during high school, college and … still today.

If I too can be that passionate, for that long and have that much class – I'll feel blessed.

I guess that's why grown men in their 50s and 60s, like my best buddies, call him a hero.

A lot of grown men call him a hero.

I understand.

I stood in line at the 1990 and 1991 Bassmaster Classic to get his autograph.

Now I take his picture and call him a friend.

We work on Sundays together.

And his wife Jana sends me Thank You notes that make my eyes water.

And that's my consolation for shooting on Sundays.

Courtesy of BASS Communications

While the AutoZone Sooner Run was the official name of the Bassmaster Elite Series regular-season finale, it could, and perhaps should, have been titled the Tommy Biffle Invitational.  The Wagoner, Okla., veteran dominated the event -- not to mention the conversations surrounding it – with a four-day total of 73 pounds, 11 ounces.

Fishing Fort Gibson Lake, the waters he has honed his craft on for more than 40 years, Biffle’s fingerprints were all over this week.  His likeness was on a sign welcoming anglers to the city of Wagoner.  To boot, Biffle’s winning lure – on which he caught all of the 20 fish he toted to the scales this week – carried his name.

And that was, without a doubt, the key piece of equipment this week.  Made by Gene Larew lures, Biffle was fishing a modified Biffle Bug, which had been tweaked to feature a football-type head.  He worked the lure, watermelon-colored with red flecks, over rock piles on the bottom of the lake with a steady retrieve.  Biffle said he was fishing it similar to a crankbait and the jointed body provided for loads of action.   

With his fifth BASS victory in wire-to-wire fashion, Biffle earned $100,000 and the maximum number of points towards his Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year ranking.  In 17th in those standings heading into this week, Biffle used the homelake advantage to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason for the second consecutive season, shooting up to seventh in the reconfigured standings.

With a heap of expectations, the 16-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier started to feel a twinge of pressure on Saturday, the penultimate day of competition, as he lost a 6-pounder at the last second.

“There wasn’t anybody expecting me to win this tournament more than myself,” said Biffle, 52.  “I would have been ill if I didn’t make it happen.  It’s just special to be able to do this in front of my family and friends.”

Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Sooner Run on The Bassmasters, which airs Sunday, July 11, at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN3.com.

Biffle played a risky game of chance all week, reserving his best spots for the weekend when he hoped to cash in and create some distance between himself and the rest of the field.  But the barrage never came.  Instead, Biffle’s best spot was his first stop each morning, about 20 yards in total area that was located to the side of a point, filled with rock piles.  He was able to put together a quick limit all four days and then hunt to upgrade his weight.

Sunday, that area produced a 5-pound, 1-ounce, brute in the first 30 minutes of his competition day.  Biffle, who often gets flak from his competitors about his inability to show emotion, let out a loud scream.

Still, he never reached his target of 20 pounds that he thought would bring home the victory.  And he was plagued with the idea all day that he didn’t close the deal.  But in the end, the lure that carried his namesake produced just enough to take the victory.

A shallow-water specialist, Biffle said he caught bass in anywhere from 2 feet to 10 feet of water.  Surprisingly, he said some of his best stuff on Fort Gibson is of the deeper variety but the fish were staged shallow and he fished the conditions.

“I was a little uncomfortable all day,” said Biffle, who labeled this victory as one of the most special in his entire career.  “I probably wanted to win here more than I should have.  I’m just relieved to be able to get it done.”      

While Biffle dominated the headlines and the tournament, Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., quietly finished second with 70 pounds, 15 ounces.  He worked a ½-oz. jig in green pumpkin paired with a Berkley chigger craw in shallow water.  He mixed in a Lucky Craft crankbait in deeper water.

While Reese was happy with the finish – he had zero expectations heading into this week – he lamented over two lost 5-pounders he failed to boat on Sunday.  Still, he will hold a healthy points lead in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings heading into the Postseason and will be a prohibitive favorite.

“No doubt, I’m satisfied with where I’m at but I could have made a difference,” said Reese, the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year.  “My focus, as it always is, will be on the Postseason.  I can’t wait to kick it off.”

Pat Golden of High Point, N.C., slipped from second to third with 70-8.  Golden notched his best finish in Elite competition and like Reese, missed a couple of plus-sized fish that would have significantly aided his total.

Moving up from sixth to fourth was Matt Herren of Trussville, Ala., with 69-1.  Rounding out the top five was Rick Morris of Virginia Beach, Va., with 67-6.  Kevin VanDam, the winner of the past two consecutive Angler of the Year titles, tied with Morris but slipped to sixth due to a tiebreaker.

Russ Lane of Prattville, Ala., finished eighth and secured a spot in the Postseason while two-time Angler of the Year Gary Klein of Weatherford, Texas, sewed up his second Postseason berth with a 10th-place finish.

FINAL STANDINGS- AUTOZONE SOONER RUN

2010 Elite Series - Muskogee, OK 06/17-06/20 Arkansas River, Muskogee  Okla.

(PRO Division) Standings Day 4

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, Okla.         20  73-11  320  $100,000.00

  Day 1: 5   19-11    Day 2: 5   18-09    Day 3: 5   17-04    Day 4: 5   18-03 

2.  Skeet Reese            Auburn, Calif.         20  70-15  295   $26,000.00

  Day 1: 5   15-11    Day 2: 5   17-05    Day 3: 5   19-15    Day 4: 5   18-00 

3.  Pat Golden             High Point, N.C.       20  70-08  290   $20,000.00

  Day 1: 5   18-15    Day 2: 5   17-00    Day 3: 5   18-13    Day 4: 5   15-12 

4.  Matt Herren            Trussville, Ala.       20  69-01  285   $16,000.00

  Day 1: 5   18-03    Day 2: 5   14-13    Day 3: 5   19-09    Day 4: 5   16-08 

5.  Rick Morris            Virginia Beach, Va.    20  67-06  280   $14,000.00

  Day 1: 5   15-00    Day 2: 5   18-06    Day 3: 5   20-00    Day 4: 5   14-00 

6.  Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, Mich.       20  67-06  276   $13,500.00

  Day 1: 5   17-10    Day 2: 5   16-15    Day 3: 5   18-02    Day 4: 5   14-11  

7.  Cliff Pace             Petal, Miss.           20  66-00  272   $13,000.00

  Day 1: 5   14-04    Day 2: 5   19-15    Day 3: 5   16-14    Day 4: 5   14-15 

8.  Russ Lane              Prattville, Ala.       20  65-10  268   $12,500.00

  Day 1: 5   19-10    Day 2: 5   14-06    Day 3: 5   15-11    Day 4: 5   15-15 

9.  Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, Ark.      20  62-08  264   $12,000.00

  Day 1: 5   19-08    Day 2: 5   13-05    Day 3: 5   15-07    Day 4: 5   14-04 

10. Gary Klein             Weatherford, Texas     20  60-10  260   $11,500.00

  Day 1: 5   16-00    Day 2: 5   17-10    Day 3: 5   17-01    Day 4: 5    9-15 

11. Davy Hite              Ninety Six, S.C.       20  59-02  257   $11,000.00

  Day 1: 5   16-05    Day 2: 5   16-07    Day 3: 5   14-04    Day 4: 5   12-02 

12. Boyd Duckett           Demopolis, Ala.        20  58-13  254   $10,500.00

  Day 1: 5   16-09    Day 2: 5   14-04    Day 3: 5   18-05    Day 4: 5    9-11 

BASS COMMUNICATIONS

With the final day of the AutoZone Sooner Run looming, Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., is finally ready to dig deep into his bag of tricks and unlock his much-discussed secret spots on Fort Gibson Lake.  The four-time Bassmaster winner has played the risky game of saving his best for last but it’s paid off thus far as Biffle has been able to maintain the lead – albeit by a precarious 12 ounces – while working his B areas.

But Biffle was oh so close to really opening things up on Saturday.  If not for a 6-pounder that got away at the last second, the 16-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier would be a ton more comfortable.  Instead, Biffle toted 17 pounds, 4 ounces, to the scales to build his three-day total to 55-8.

All week, pundits, fans, fantasy fishing experts and Elite anglers have labeled Biffle as the man to beat.  With an eroding lead, perhaps he’s starting to feel the heat of the weighty expectations or perhaps he really is just saving his best for last.

“I came into this week expecting to win, and I think so did everybody else,” said Biffle, 52.  “I’m actually worried about the alternative.  I don’t want to let anyone down.”

Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Sooner Run on The Bassmasters, which airs Sunday, July 11, at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN3.com.

Bassmaster.com will follow the Sooner Run each day with BASSCast, BASSCam, real-time leaderboards during weigh-ins, photo galleries, daily results, and Hooked Up with ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. Live, streaming video will be carried by ESPN3.com.

The risky part of the equation for Biffle is he is unsure whether other anglers will be parked on his best stuff.  If so, he would be put in the position of having to either scramble or share the water with another competitor.

But Biffle has been fishing in a crowd all week – he was flanked by more than 50 spectator boats Saturday.  It is a precise strategy – though he revealed little – that has kept Biffle at the top and he said nearly his entire rod selection would be deployed with a specific lure heading into the final day.

He is primarily focusing on shallow water, though deeper water, a relative term for Biffle, was playing a bit of a factor.  Sunday, Biffle wouldn’t rule that Gibson could yield a 25-pound bag – Biffle said his best here in 40-plus years was in the 28 to 29 range.

“Anytime I’m in the lead, I’m happy,” said Biffle, who will qualify for his second consecutive Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason at the conclusion of this event.  “But I just can’t help but think what could have been.  I should have had more than 20 pounds yesterday (Friday) and today (Saturday).  I was just sick when I lost that 6-pounder.”

While Biffle is a graying tournament veteran, Pat Golden is a relative neophyte in terms of Elite contention.  In fact, Golden, who is second with 54-12, qualified for the final day in Elite competition for the first time in his three-year Elite career.

Golden has run the same water for all three competition days.  He is rotating between three areas and is dealing with pressure from other competitors but feels that he is doing something a little different that is enticing the right bites.

Like Biffle, he lost a big bite that would have aided his total considerably.  Golden, 41, said he felt during practice that he could make some noise this week.  Gibson, Golden said, fishes similar to High Rock Lake, a body of water that he has logged serious time on near his hometown of High Point, N.C.

“Coming into this week, I didn’t think it was feasible to get a victory here,” said Golden.  “But once I got to practice here, I knew that I had a chance.  I’m having a blast.”

Behind Golden was Rick Morris of Lake Gaston, Va., with 53-6.  Morris continues a late-season run in which he has made up serious ground.

For the top three, there couldn’t be a worse and more threatening combo in the 4th and 5th slots.  Skeet Reese, the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader, has moved up the leaderboard each day, settling in fourth with 52-15.  After a solid performance here, Reese is assured a solid points lead heading into the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason, set for the Montgomery, Ala., River Region in late July.

Kevin VanDam, winner of the Kentucky Lake Elite event last week, was fifth with 52-11.  The five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year has turned on the gas late this season and will enter the Postseason in the top half of the 12-angler field.

Only the top 12 qualified for Sunday will vie for the $100,000 top prize.  Notables outside of the top five include two-time AOY Gary Klein (eighth) and 2007 Bassmaster Classic Boyd Duckett (10th).

1.  Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK             15  55-08  315

  Day 1: 5   19-11     Day 2: 5   18-09     Day 3: 5   17-04  

2.  Pat Golden             High Point, NC          15  54-12  295

  Day 1: 5   18-15     Day 2: 5   17-00     Day 3: 5   18-13  

3.  Rick Morris            Virginia Beach, VA      15  53-06  290

  Day 1: 5   15-00     Day 2: 5   18-06     Day 3: 5   20-00  

4.  Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA              15  52-15  285

  Day 1: 5   15-11     Day 2: 5   17-05     Day 3: 5   19-15  

5.  Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI           15  52-11  280

  Day 1: 5   17-10     Day 2: 5   16-15     Day 3: 5   18-02  

6.  Matt Herren            Trussville, AL          15  52-09  276

  Day 1: 5   18-03     Day 2: 5   14-13     Day 3: 5   19-09   

7.  Cliff Pace             Petal, MS               15  51-01  272

  Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   19-15     Day 3: 5   16-14  

8.  Gary Klein             Weatherford, TX         15  50-11  268

  Day 1: 5   16-00     Day 2: 5   17-10     Day 3: 5   17-01  

9.  Russ Lane              Prattville, AL          15  49-11  264

  Day 1: 5   19-10     Day 2: 5   14-06     Day 3: 5   15-11  

10. Boyd Duckett           Demopolis, AL           15  49-02  260

  Day 1: 5   16-09     Day 2: 5   14-04     Day 3: 5   18-05  

11. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, AR         15  48-04  257

  Day 1: 5   19-08     Day 2: 5   13-05     Day 3: 5   15-07  

12. Davy Hite              Ninety Six, SC          15  47-00  254

  Day 1: 5   16-05     Day 2: 5   16-07     Day 3: 5   14-04 

BASS Communications

If this is how Tommy Biffle performs when the Wagoner, Okla., veteran is just “goofing around”, the other 46 Bassmaster Elite Series anglers that qualified for the weekend at the AutoZone Sooner Run should beware.  Biffle smoked 18 pounds, 9 ounces, on Fort Gibson Lake to build his two-day total to 38 pounds, 4 ounces, enough for a healthy 2-plus pound advantage.

With so much on the line – a Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason berth and a $100,000 top prize here – Biffle is hardly being cavalier about his performance.  Instead, the four-time Bassmaster winner has executed a risky strategy, eschewing some of his best honey holes in hopes of saving them for the weekend when the competition heats up.

It’s risky in the sense that other anglers might have found some of these areas, but Biffle’s expansive knowledge of the lake allows him some leeway – he says he couldn’t touch his spots if he was given a whole week to play with.

Friday, Biffle cashed in on a fast-and-furious early bite, boating 15 pounds by 7:15 a.m., 45 minutes into his competition day.

“When I say I’m messing around I mean that I’m fishing a couple of different spots,” said Biffle.  “When I know I need to go catch one, I know where I can go to quickly get one.  But I don’t want to give too much away.  I just might have to turn it on tomorrow (Saturday).”

Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Sooner Run on The Bassmasters, which airs Sunday, July 11, at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN3.com.

Bassmaster.com will follow the Sooner Run each day with BASSCast, BASSCam, real-time leaderboards during weigh-ins, photo galleries, daily results, and Hooked Up with ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. Live, streaming video will be carried by ESPN3.com.

Regarded as a shallow-water specialist, Biffle said he is mixing up his execution this week and concentrating at times on deeper water.  He didn’t execute flawlessly – he lost two big ones – and missed his target of 20 pounds by a small measure.  But after leading by just 1 ounce Thursday, he was satisfied to put some distance between himself and the field.

With homefield advantage – Biffle mowed his lawn Wednesday and has been crashing in his own bed all week – it would appear that the 52-year-old is impossible to catch.  But Biffle, as straightforward as they come, isn’t convinced.

“It’s still wide open,” said Biffle.  “This lake is awfully good and guys can easily sneak up from behind.  There is just so many ways to catch them.  I won’t let up until the last day.”

With a solid performance thus far and little evidence that things will change, Biffle looks to be a virtual lock for the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason – only the top 12 from the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings qualify.  He was 17th in the AOY standings heading into this week.

Directly behind Biffle was Pat Golden of High Point, N.C., with 35-15.  Golden, who has fished on the Elites since 2008, is in position to upgrade his best career Elite finish of 15th.  The 41-year-old primarily worked a crankbait on Thursday but after an ineffective spell Friday, Golden switched to a spinnerbait and promptly caught a 4-pounder.

He is working two patterns, one shallow and one deep but is sharing his water with other Elite competitors.  His plan for Saturday was to tie on a crankbait and not look back.

“It’s kind of a mixed deal out there,” said Golden.  “One day, they can be biting one thing and then the next day, nothing.”

Riding a wave of momentum, Kevin VanDam moved up to third with 34-9.  VanDam is getting warm at the right time and the surge has him climbing up the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.  Just two weeks ago, pundits were wondering if there was something amiss with VanDam but the Kalamazoo, Mich., pro lurks as an intimidating threat for his third consecutive AOY.

VanDam isn’t sure he can catch Biffle – heck, no one was – but he was satisfied with his tournament thus far.

“I’m not in an area that has a ton of big fish but I know what I can catch there,” said VanDam, a five-time Angler of the Year.  “The key for me is that you want to be fishing your best heading into the Postseason.  And I feel like I am right now.”

Moving up to fourth and thus virtually sealing a Postseason birth was Cliff Pace of Petal, Miss., with 34-3.  Dropping from second to fifth was Russ Lane of Prattville, Ala., with 34-0.

Only the top 47 anglers move on to Saturday, the penultimate day of competition.  Included in the qualifiers were AOY leader Skeet Reese and his closest competition, Edwin Evers.  Reese has reversed a mini-slump this week and sits in ninth here.  That performance and a mediocre 38th-place showing by Evers has Reese ahead in the AOY rankings by a comfortable margin.

Heroes.

That's what Russ Martin, a BASS Marshall in Muskogee this week said when he introduced himself to Gary Klein last night.

The lips beneath Martin's sandy blonde mustache, telling the sandy blonde 29-time Classic qualifier -- "Gary, it's a pleasure to meet you. You've been my hero for a long time."

In his early 50s, about the same age as Klein -- Russ Martin is certanly beyond mature.

A draftsman, map-reading, software-using, petroleum-industry veteran kind of guy.

Smart, wise, polite and of deep perspective.

Father of two high-achieving daughters.

A team tournament angler on the weekends.

And today he's riding with legend Denny Brauer.

Another of Martin's heroes.

No ... this entire BASS Elite Series field of competitors are "not" his heroes.

Just Klein and Brauer.

And this week he shared life with both of them.

Spent an hour talking to Gary Klein last evening.

Martin, Klein, a parking lot and a dream come true.

Today, Martin, Brauer and 13,000 acres of water that might just as well be "cloud 9."

 

BASS unveiled the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series regular-season schedule Wednesday. The most prestigious level of tournament fishing will kick off near BASS headquarters with consecutive events in Florida and will come full circle for the conclusion in Alabama, BASS’ birthplace. In between, the circuit will visit three fisheries – St. Johns River, Toledo Bend and West Point Lake –  that will host their first Elite Series event. 

“It’s exciting to bring the Elite Series to new communities and expose the most prestigious level of tournament bass fishing to new fans and BASS members,” said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager, BASS. “We appreciate the support of the outstanding communities that are involved with BASS events.”

* Wednesday-Saturday event

While Kevin VanDam, Skeet Reese and other top competitors in the BASS Elite Series battle for Angler of the Year points and post-season qualification, another impressive display has been building in the world of professional fishing: Every major BASS event this year – including all BASS Elite tournaments and the 2010 Bassmaster Classic – have been won by anglers powered by Mercury Marine Pro XS engines.

Pro XS has long been the choice of most anglers on the BASS Elite trail, due to the engine’s strong hole shot, great mid-range acceleration, high top-end speed and superb fuel-efficiency, not to mention its proven dependability.

VanDam led from start to finish last week on Kentucky Lake with a winning four-day total of 92 pounds, 5 ounces.

The victory was VanDam's 17th career win on the BASS trail, just two short of the BASS record of 19. VanDam jumped to eighth in the Angler of the Year standings, and is safely within the cutline for the Bassmaster Elite Series postseason competition. Skeet Reese, despite struggling the past two events, has won two 2010 Elite tournaments and still leads the Angler of the Year standings.

VanDam earned $100,000 for the victory. His Kentucky Lake finishes include two firsts, a second and a third-place finish in the previous four times the Elite Series has visited those waters.

By BASS Communications

The victory, VanDam’s 17th – which inches him closer to the BASS all-time mark of 19 – was accomplished in wire-to-wire fashion and the 20-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier was locked in from the first day of practice.  Most importantly, VanDam accumulated a stout number of Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points and bumped his standing there up to eighth, which puts him safely in the cutline for the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason with one qualifying event remaining. 

While his weight steadily decreased each day of competition, VanDam, who earned $100,000 for the victory, brought in four consecutive limits that weighed more than 20 pounds.  His Kentucky Lake ledger includes two firsts, a second and a third-place finish in the previous four times the Bassmaster Elite Series has visited the fishery.

“I kept hearing people say, “Is there something wrong with VanDam,” and it kind of made me laugh,” said VanDam, a five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year.  “I mean, I had a pretty good start to the year winning the Classic.  There have been a few scenarios this year where key bites just didn’t go my way and that happens.  Sometimes you are on a roll and sometimes you aren’t.

“This lake is so special to me and I knew I had a good shot here.  It really suits my style.  It just feels great.”

It was a typical VanDam setup that propelled him to victory.  He primarily worked two Strike King crankbaits, a Series 6 XD and a silent stalker in chartreuse sexy shad, which boated the majority of his weighed bass.  He mixed in other lures but as in years past, the crankbaits were the main weapon of choice.

While he stuck with an old friend in his presentation method, it was a new toy that VanDam labeled as “key”.  VanDam’s side-imaging unit –he recently inked a deal with Humminbird – gave him the ability to expand on his areas and locate the sweet spots where the bass were holding.  In fact, his three best spots were found using the equipment. 

Once he found the schools of bass, it was a matter of long, precise casts that were able to hit bottom.  If his cast was right, VanDam said, that the bass were so wadded up in the defined areas, that he couldn’t work his lure without bumping a bass. 

“The technology that is available to us nowadays, it’s almost like magic,” said VanDam, a three-time Bassmaster Classic champion.  “You can see the schools of bass and I’m not sure why they were relating to the areas they were in, but they were certainly there.”

While VanDam hasn’t struggled by any stretch of the imagination – he will have won more than $600,000 this year with plenty to remain – he has been disappointed.  In particular, the previous Elite event on Clarks Hill Lake was the first time VanDam felt he left something on the table.  Apparently, he does his best when he’s angry.

“I was really disappointed after the last event,” said VanDam, 42.  “So I wanted to come in here and do everything I could to have a shot at the Angler of the Year.  That has been my goal when I started the season and it will still be my goal when it ends.”

In a distant second was Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla.  Evers totaled 85-12, nearly 7 pounds off of VanDam’s torrid pace.  While Evers lamented some of the bites he failed to put in the boat, the five-time Bassmaster winner took solace in his second-place position in the Angler of the Year standings. 

“It’s an eight-event season and you have to perform throughout,” said Evers.  “I like where I am, and I can’t wait to get back to fishing next week.”

Right behind Evers was his brother-in-law Terry Butcher, also of Talala.  Butcher amassed 80-4 and moved up to sixth in the Angler of the Year standings with the stellar performance.  Sticking to fourth was Jason Quinn of York, S.C., with 78-15 while Derek Remitz of Grant, Ala., snagged fifth with 78-9.  Remitz moved up to third in the AOY standings. 

Kentucky Lake guru VanDam – he has posted a second-, third- and first-place finish in the past three BASS events here – amassed a three-day total of 70-13 (Jordon has 67-2) but has seen his weight decline each of three competition days.  Much of that can be attributed to the tremendous boat pressure VanDam is coping with and the bad news for KVD is that the impending weekend should only bring increased traffic. 

It’s nothing new for VanDam, a prohibitive favorite for fans to follow on the water, but Kentucky Lake always poses a unique scenario due to the local anglers and the abundance of tournaments that occur on the weekends. 

“I tried to do anything I could do to get away from the pressure,” said VanDam, a 16-time Bassmaster winner.  “But I knew it was going to be a frustrating day and affect the way I was fishing, so you just have to deal with it and try to piece together the best day you can.”

Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Tennessee Triumph on The Bassmasters, which airs Sunday, July 4, at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN3.com.

Bassmaster.com will follow the Tennessee Triumph each day with BASSCast, BASSCam, real-time leaderboards during weigh-ins, photo galleries, daily results, and Hooked Up with ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. Live, streaming video will be carried by ESPN3.com.

As the conditions change, VanDam said the fish are moving but he has a number of spots that hold quality fish.  It is a matter of timing and changing up the presentations in order to entice the right bites.  He is primarily working a crankbait over shell beds but is mixing in a number of other different lures.

“I’m throwing everything at them that I can,” said VanDam, a three-time Bassmaster Classic winner.  “Today, I threw more variety than I have in the past two days.  It’s definitely not easy out there.”

VanDam predicted that on Saturday he would need to grind out at least 8-10 good-sized bites to secure a win.  The unpredictability of boating a bass – with the boat pressure and changing conditions – is increasing.

Regardless of the result Saturday, VanDam will have picked up valuable points in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.  By leading three days, he accumulates 15 points and if he is able to maintain the pace, VanDam will move into the top-8 in the Angler of the Standings, which will put him in qualifying position for the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason.

In contrast to VanDam, Jordon had a subpar first day but found the grove Thursday and carried the momentum into Friday.  His 10-1 on Thursday remains the biggest bass of the tournament and Friday, he was able to land a 6- and 7-pounder.  Jordon is a big-bass specialist and the Mineola, Texas, pro made the decision early in the week to live or die with the big bite. 

Similar to VanDam, Jordon has had serious success of Kentucky Lake, posting eighth-, 15th- and 11th-place finishes in the past three BASS competitions.  Despite his stellar record, Jordon eschewed his customary Kentucky Lake spots, heading south instead. 

After Jordon’s first day, he almost abandoned the Southern end of the lake.

“I though long and hard about punting,” said Jordon.  “Heck, I almost did today (Friday).  But I know the big ones live there.”

Despite the location change, Jordon is attacking Kentucky in typical fashion with a 10-inch Lake Fork Tackle Worm – which has produced most of the bigger bites – while mixing in a variety of crankbaits.

Behind Jordon in third was Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., with 65-6.  Heading into this event, Evers was a distant second in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year to Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif.  But Evers keeps putting on the pressure and Reese has stumbled lately, which has allowed Evers to close the AOY gap to less than 70 points. 

“It’s just really sad to know where I could have been if I would have caught the big ones,” said Evers, 35.  “I could have had at least 26 pounds each day.  But my focus is on the Angler of the Year now and I just have to keep plugging away.”

Slipping from third to fourth was Jason Quinn of York, S.C., with 62-14.  In fifth was Elite rookie Matt Greenblatt of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., with 57-10.  Greenblatt made his first final-day cut as did fellow rookie Keith Poche of Troy, Ala., who was 11^th.

Only the top 12 qualified for Saturday.  Duel on the Delta winner John Crews was sixth while Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., was the final angler to advance with 54-2.  He bested Todd Faircloth by 1 ounce for the final spot.  Full standings can be found below.

By BASS Comunications

Kevin VanDam’s Kentucky Lake domination is beginning to get a bit ridiculous.  Despite a rough start – VanDam failed to connect on consecutive 5-pounders on his first two bites – the five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year opened up a 6-pound lead at the Tennessee Triumph Friday.

After scoring a first-, second- and third-place finish in the previous three Elite events here, VanDam is closing in on adding another victory to his Kentucky Lake ledger.  He ended up toting 24 pounds, 2 ounces, to the scales Thursday, which upgraded his two-day total to 49 pounds, 2 ounces.  His consistency was rare as he was only angler to remain in the top five from Wednesday.  

VanDam capitalized on a fast-and-furious early-morning bite, which allowed him to vacate his primary areas by 9:30 a.m. and hunt for new water.  The search wasn’t fruitless and VanDam feels that he has a number of areas at his disposal that could produce.  Still, VanDam was worried about boat pressure – from locals and competitors – with the impending weekend.  Last year, perhaps the most lasting image from Bobby Lane’s victory here was the armada of 100-plus spectator boats that crowded his area.

Still, if anyone is used to boat pressure, it’s VanDam.  And he’s certainly in a comfort zone on Kentucky, so all things considered, he likes where he is at.

“You have to catch them all four days here to have a chance,” said VanDam, who is looking for his 18th BASS win.  “Each day, guys are figuring out how to catch them and I just have to keep at it.  With the boat traffic, I have had to be very selective about what areas I can fish.  And that is hurting me a little bit.  But it is what it is.”

Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Tennessee Triumph on The Bassmasters, which airs Sunday, July 4, at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN3.com.

Bassmaster.com will follow the Tennessee Triumph each day with BASSCast, BASSCam, real-time leaderboards during weigh-ins, photo galleries, daily results, and Hooked Up with ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. Live, streaming video will be carried by ESPN3.com.

VanDam played it close to the vest on details of his pattern but given his responses (“I like the way I’m fishing”) and his past choices here, it’s probable VanDam is working a crankbait around the numerous ledges that are so vital to Kentucky Lake tournament fishing.

VanDam said the evolution of side-imaging equipment – VanDam uses a Humminbird – has been key to his success.  It has allowed VanDam to explore expanded areas and though it has evened the playing field in terms of finding the subtle areas on ledges where the bass are schooling, VanDam said anglers still have to find a way to put the fish in the boat.   

With the lead, and perhaps of most importance to VanDam, he collects another five-point bonus in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.  VanDam has moved into Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason position – only the top 12 in the AOY standings qualify – and is closing the tremendous gap that Skeet Reese had opened up heading into this week.  After a white-hot start to the season, Reese is experiencing how the other half lives, as he missed his second consecutive cut with a 48th-place showing.

“My focus is on trying to get in that Postseason,” said VanDam, who scored the AOY last year in come-from-behind fashion.  “Anything can happen there.”

Moving up from 32nd into second was Kelly Jordon of Mineola, Texas. Jordon brought 26-14 to the scales Thursday, which stands as the biggest limit thus far of the tournament.  His banner day was anchored by a 10-1 behemoth, the biggest of the tournament.  His two-day total was 43-2.

A perennial Bassmaster Classic contender, Jordon came into this week out of the Classic qualifying cutline, but a strong performance here would put him right back in the mix.  The 10-1 fell for a Lake Fork Tackle 10-inch worm in red.

“It was a heck of a day,” said Jordon, an eight-time Classic qualifier.  “I was really disappointed after Wednesday.  I had a great practice and found some serious schools but I just couldn’t get the right bites.  Today (Thursday), that all changed.”

Moving up from eighth to third was Jason Quinn of York, S.C., with 41-14.  In fourth was Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., with 41-10.  Evers was Reese’s closest competitor in the AOY standings heading into this week and has steadily closed the gap on Skeet Reese’s once 250-point lead in the standings.  If he can keep the pace, Reese will have to perform well on the season finale on the Arkansas River to maintain a comfortable margin heading into the Postseason.

Rounding out the top five was Elite rookie Keith Poche of Troy, Ala., with 41-8.

Only the top 47 qualified to fish Friday.  Along with Reese, defending Kentucky Lake champion Bobby Lane missed the cut.  Notables in the cutline include 2006 Kentucky Lake winner Morizo Shimizu of Japan (ninth), 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion Boyd Duckett (15th) and 19-year-old Bradley Roy (43rd).  Full standings can be found below.

Standings Day 2

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts  

1.  Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI           10  49-02  310
2.  Kelly Jordon           Mineola, TX             10  43-02  295
3.  Jason Quinn            Lake Wylie, SC          10  41-14  290
4.  Edwin Evers            Talala, OK              10  41-10  285
5.  Keith Poche            Troy, AL                10  41-08  280
6.  Kotaro Kiriyama        Moody, AL               10  41-03  276
7.  Russ Lane              Prattville, AL          10  41-02  272
8.  Timmy Horton           Muscle Shoals, AL       10  41-00  268
9.  Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS        10  40-15  264
10. Rick Morris            Virginia Beach, VA      10  39-15  260
11. Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX               10  39-10  257
12. Morizo Shimizu         Osaka JAPAN             10  38-15  254
13. Matt Greenblatt        Palm Beach Gardens, FL  10  38-09  251
14. Matt Herren            Trussville, AL          10  38-01  248
15. Boyd Duckett           Demopolis, AL           10  37-14  245
16. Terry Butcher          Talala, OK              10  37-09  243
17. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR         10  37-07  241
18. Pete Ponds             Madison, MS             10  37-04  239
19. Britt Myers            Lake Wylie, SC          10  37-04  237
20. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             10  36-14  235
21. Bradley Hallman        Norman, OK              10  36-12  233
22. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL            10  36-08  231
23. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL               10  35-14  229
24. Jason Williamson       Aiken, SC               10  35-06  227
25. Bill Lowen             North Bend, OH          10  35-00  225
26. Derek Remitz           Grant, AL               10  34-12  223
27. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO        10  34-11  221
28. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC             10  34-08  219
29. Shaw E Grigsby         Gainesville, FL         10  34-04  217
30. Jami Fralick           Martin, SD              10  33-14  215
31. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            10  33-13  213
32. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL           10  32-10  211
33. John Crews             Salem, VA               10  32-08  209
34. Jeremy Starks          Charleston, WV          10  32-06  207
35. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX              10  31-13  205
36. Marty Stone            Fayetteville, NC        10  31-09  203
37. Jeff Connella          Bentley, LA             10  31-06  201
38. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS               10  31-05  199
39. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC               10  31-05  197
40. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK             10  31-03  195
41. Gerald Swindle         Warrior, AL             10  30-11  193
42. Chad Griffin           Cresson, TX              9  30-11  191
43. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY           10  30-06  189
44. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, AR          9  30-06  187
45. Mark Tucker            Saint Louis, MO         10  30-04  185
46. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX              10  30-04  183
47. Matt Reed              Madisonville, TX        10  30-01  181
48. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA              10  29-11  179
49. Peter E Thliveros      St Augustine, FL        10  29-07  177
50. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR         10  29-03  175
51. Clark Reehm            Russellville, AR        10  28-10  173
52. Bobby Lane             Lakeland, FL            10  28-05  171
53. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               9  28-01  169
54. Byron Haseotes         Centerville, MA         10  27-15  167
55. Kevin Wirth            Crestwood, KY           10  27-15  165
56. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK             10  27-05  163
57. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA         10  27-01  161
58. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ         10  26-13  159
59. J Todd Tucker          Moultrie, GA            10  26-13  157
60. Byron Velvick          Del Rio, TX             10  26-10  155
61. David Smith            Del City, OK            10  26-10  153
62. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          9  26-10  151
63. Dustin Wilks           Rocky Mount, NC         10  26-07  149
64. Dave Wolak             Wake Forest, NC         10  26-04  147
65. Kenyon Hill            Norman, OK              10  26-04  145
66. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR           10  26-00  143
67. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                 10  25-14  141
68. Kevin Short            Mayflower, AR           10  25-10  139
69. Denny Brauer           Camdenton, MO           10  25-06  137
70. Randy Howell           Springville, AL         10  25-02  135
71. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ    10  24-08  133
72. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA             10  24-06  131
73. Gary Klein             Weatherford, TX         10  23-15  129
74. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         9  23-15  127
75. Mark Tyler             Vian, OK                10  23-14  125
76. Davy Hite              Ninety Six, SC           7  23-13  123
77. Fred Roumbanis         Bixby, OK                9  23-12  121
78. Scott Ashmore          Broken Arrow, OK        10  23-11  119
79. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  7  23-11  117
80. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL              10  23-10  115
81. Billy McCaghren        Mayflower, AR           10  22-11  113
82. John Murray            Phoenix, AZ             10  21-14  111
83. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        7  21-12  109
84. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           9  21-04  107
85. Alton Jones            Waco, TX                10  20-13  105
86. Pat Golden             High Point, NC           8  19-15  103
87. Vince Fulks            Purcell, OK              8  19-14  101
88. Wade Grooms            Bonneau, SC              7  16-11   99
89. Guy Eaker              Cherryville, NC          6  15-08   97
90. Dennis Tietje          Roanoke, LA              7  13-02   95
91. Grant Goldbeck         Gaithersburg, MD         5  12-06   93
92. Mark Burgess           Norton, MA               6  10-06   91
93. Zell Rowland           Austin, TX               4  07-10   89

Rapala sent us their new products for 2011. We're getting them wet, photographing them from all angles so you can see all the quality components and details in each bait long before anyone else. We debuted with the Clackin' Crank and now the next new Rapala lure for 2011 is the Clackin' Minnow.

Like the Clackin' Crank, the Clackin' Minnow features the same unique Clackin' Cadence chamber but in a jerkbait / ripbait form factor. The Clackin' Minnow is sort of a cross between the X-Rap and the Clackin' Rap. It's got great side to side erratic action and a very unique sound among other jerkbaits. The sound is somewhere between the high pitched rattles you get with small beads like a Smithwick Rattlin' Rogue and the duller one-knocker sound you might get with a Lucky Craft Pointer. But the Clackin' Minnow sounds seem to emit further, enabling it to draw fish from further away at times.

It's not the prime time for jerkbaits in our part of the country, but we're really looking forward to reviewing it when the fish are going strong on a jerkbait bite to see how it compares to the other baits in our arsenal.

The bait will be sold in two sizes - 09 and 11 - and will come in 16 colors to start. It features a big VMC SureSet Flash Feather Teaser Tail for a rear hook and a standard Black Nickel VMC round bend hook on the belly. Each bait is hand-tuned and tank-tested prior to packaging.

One other important note is that the baits are slow sinkers. This should make the bait more of a fast moving application jerkbait as opposed to the dead of winter type jerkbait. The CNM09 is 3 1/2 inches and will run 3 to 4 feet deep, while the CNM11 is 4 3/8 inches and will run 4 to 5 feet deep. These new Clackin' Series lures will be available the end of December or early January.

Here are some exclusive photos of the new Clackin' Minnow from Wired2Fish:

Pro Leon Knight of Discovery Bay, Calif., landed five bass weighing 22 pounds Wednesday to lead day one of the FLW Series National Guard Western Division tournament on the California Delta. He holds a one pound, 15-ounce lead in the tournament featuring 117 pros and 117 co-anglers representing 12 states and Japan.
 
“The tide is always in play at the Delta,” said Knight, who is looking for his first FLW Series victory and finished in 18th place last year. “When the tide moves up the fish move up; when the tide moves out the fish move out. You really have to know the water movement to be successful here.”
 
“The cold front that moved in last night really made fishing tough, but today should be the worst day and fishing should improve tomorrow. I had a really good practice and think my pattern can hold up for the rest of the tournament, so it should be an exciting week.”
 
Knight was pretty tight lipped about where and how he was fishing, but did indicate that he was using topwater baits and that he would continue doing whatever it was he was doing until the fish tell him otherwise!
 
Many of the seasoned Delta pros came across stage scratching their heads and indicating that the Delta was not performing to normal Delta standards. Low tides, windy conditions, post spawn fish, and a cold front that crept in overnight really played havoc with today’s anglers. The Delta is a fishery where almost every angler will tell you that each cast can net a 10-pound hawg so nobody is counting themselves out of the tournament yet; 30 pound sacks are not unheard of here.
 
Another Discovery Cove angler, Donald Davis, holds the No. 2 spot with five bass weighing 20-1 going into tomorrow’s competition.
 
Rounding out the remainder of the top-10 pros after day one at the California Delta are:
 
      3rd:   Jon Strelic, El Cajon, Calif., five bass, 19-10
      4th:   Cody Meyer, Grass Valley, Calif., five bass, 19-6
      5th:   Jonathan Koehler, Galt, Calif., five bass, 17-4
      6th:   Phillip Dutra, Antioch, Calif., five bass, 17-2
      7th:   Mark Daniels, Jr., Fairfield, Calif., five bass, 16-15
      8th:   National Guard pro Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., five bass, 16-8
      9th:   Stephen Tosh, Jr., Modesto, Calif., five bass, 15-15
      10th: Mike Cato, Lockford, Calif., five bass, 15-14
 
Overall there were 514 bass weighing 1211 pounds, 12 ounces caught by 117 pros Wednesday. The catch included 85 five-bass limits.
 
In FLW Series competition, pros are competing for a top award of over $52,000 plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
 
Randy Bruno of Huntington Beach, Calif., holds a commanding lead in the Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 21-5 followed by Tom Elliot of Downey, Calif., in second place with five bass weighing 15-13.
 
“I had one of those rare days where everything I did was right” said Bruno, who bagged a personal best with his heaviest sack in FLW tournament fishing history. “I had a good practice and feel pretty fortunate to be in this position.
 
Bruno was also very tight lipped about his style of fishing saying he didn’t want to give anything away to the other pros, but did indicate that he was using plastics in shallow water.
 
Bruno caught his bass while fishing with pro Donald Davis who is currently in 2nd place.
 
The remainder of the top-10 co-anglers are:
 
      3rd:   Sean Kimble, San Ramon, Calif., five bass, 12-14
      4th:   Tai Au, Phoenix, Ariz., five bass, 12-9
      5th:   Dewayne Jackson, Bloomfield, N.M., five bass, 12-4
      6th:   Ryan Mabery, Agoura Hills, Calif., five bass, 12-1
      7th:   National Guard co-angler Johnathan Walker, Tacoma, Wash., five bass, 11-6
      8th:   Robert Jones, Clayton, Calif., five bass, 11-5
      9th:   Jack Kemper, Benicia, Calif., five bass, 10-15
      10th: Jason Chang, Riverside, Calif., five bass, 10-14
      10th: Greig Sniffen, Saratoga, Calif., five bass, 10-14
 

Photo by Seigo Saito / BASS Communications

It was more a question of when, not if, five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam was going to make a late-season charge.  Heading into the Tennessee Triumph this week, the planet’s best angler was in 26^th in the Angler of the Year standings.  Respectable for mere mortals, yes, but for VanDam, it wasn’t good enough.

But this week looked like an obvious springboard.  VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., has posted first-, second- and third-place finishes on Kentucky Lake in the three previous Bassmaster competitions here.  A Wednesday limit of 25 pounds, 0 ounces, on the fish factory has him in the catbird seat to start the week.  Just ounces off the pace, Rick Morris of Lake Gaston, Va., registered 24-15 and sits in second. 

Unlike in years past on Kentucky, things have been a struggle thus far, VanDam said.  The current didn’t run until late in the day and the bass aren’t schooling up and prone to quick flurries, most likely due to the recent flooding.

“It’s not easy out there,” said VanDam, a three-time Bassmaster Classic champion.  “The areas that I typically go to have been beat to pieces.  The biggest thing that has changed is everyone has the equipment to find fish out here.  And it shows.  But you still have to know what to throw and how to throw it to get the big bites.”

VanDam didn’t say much about his pattern – the typical VanDam formula is a crankbait over shell beds – but left little to the imagination when he said, “I’m fishing my style.”

Despite the lead, VanDam was hardly all smiles after weigh-in.  He missed on a handful of opportunities to upgrade his weight and cull out a 3-pounder that dragged down his total.  He is battling local pressure – something that has become constant for VanDam – but said it isn’t hindering his fishing. 

“I wanted to have a better day than I had today,” lamented VanDam, 42.  “But I wanted to be in the lead and at least I accomplished that.  I knew, coming in, I had a great shot at doing well here.”

Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Tennessee Triumph on The Bassmasters, which airs Sunday, July 4, at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN3.com.

Bassmaster.com will follow the Tennessee Triumph each day with BASSCast, BASSCam, real-time leaderboards during weigh-ins, photo galleries, daily results, and Hooked Up with ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. Live, streaming video will be carried by ESPN3.com.

With the lead, VanDam will accumulate a five-point bonus in the AOY standings and while it might seem minimal, the 20-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier is starved for any points he can get.  Facing a virtual unknown next week at the Arkansas River, VanDam said he hopes he can build enough points to put himself in Postseason contention – the top in the AOY standings qualify – heading into the regular-season finale. 

“Next week worries me,” said VanDam of the Arkansas River stretch out of Muskogee, Okla.  “But most importantly, I need to take care of business this week.  I had a good practice and I feel really confident.”

While VanDam wasn’t satisfied, Morris was ecstatic.  His weight of 24-15 included the day’s largest bass, an 8-15.  The brute came on a 14-inch Prowler worm in plum.  If not for an 8-ounce expired fish penalty, VanDam would be trailing Morris heading into the second day of competition.

Like VanDam, Morris has produced on Kentucky.  He scored a fifth-place finish here last year and he is an adept crankbait angler.  Morris spent most of his day running a pattern where he rotated between a slew of areas, then repeated. 

He worked two different crankbaits to areas filled with shellbeds.  The key to enticing the biggest bass was long casts, which allowed the crankbait to get to the bottom. Morris isn’t getting a lot of bites but is making it count when he puts one in the boat.

“It’s scary fishing,” said Morris, a four-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier.  “I’m not on a massive school.  But what a day.  I’m going for the gusto and today it really paid off.”

In third with 23-12 was Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala.  It has been a struggle this season for Horton, the 2000 Angler of the Year, but a trip to Kentucky Lake, where he posted a second in 2008, was just what the Doctor ordered. 

In fourth was Kotaro Kiriyama of Moody, Ala., with 22-10.  Rounding out the top five was Chad Griffin of Cresson, Texas, with 22-0.

With the race for qualifying berths in the Postseason (top 12) and the Bassmaster Classic (top 37) heating on, anglers are beginning to feel the pressure.  Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., stumbled to a 48^th-place finish, opening the door yet again in the Angler of the Year race.  With a stout lead of 170-plus points heading into this week, Reese had a nice cushion but his closest competitor, Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., is in 13^th here and charging fast. 

Kentucky Lake has hosted a dozen BASS events, including the 2009 Tennessee Triumph, at which then-Elite Series sophomore pro Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., won his first BASS tournament with a total of 97 pounds, 9 ounces, after leading through all four days.  Lane was 23^rd Wednesday and 2006 Kentucky Lake champion Morizo Shimizu of Japan was 18^th.

We've spent a fair amount of time cranking on deep ledges and points and also have been interviewing pros recently on the subject and fishing with them on Kentucky Lake and beyond. We've compiled a list of 8 crankbaits we think anglers should have for deep structure to cover the bases. See what you think of the list and talk with us about it on Facebook or at Feedback@wired2fish.com.

Bomber Fat Free Shad – A staple on the Tennessee River ledges, and famous for one of the best colors, Citrus Shad, the Bomber Fat Free Shad features a wide wobble, loud rattles and will get down to 14-16 feet pretty consistently. It’s a go to bait for a lot of well known crankbaiters on tour.

Norman DD 22 – This lure has stood the test of time among deep crankers. It’s a great round-body crankbait that will get down deep quick and stay there. It has a major action and a dull knocker for sound. It comes in maybe the widest variety of colors of any crankbait series out there, so anglers are sure to find a color that works on their fishery. This bait can touch 18 feet on lighter fluoro lines.

Strike King Series 6 – Strike King has another great crankbait with great colors but with a higher pitched rattle and a little tighter wobble than the first two. Their Sexy Shad color started a frenzy of new colored crankbaits with metallic blue backs, white sides and a hint of chartreuse on the side. This bait will get down in that 12-15 foot range consistently as well. And they just realeased an XD version of the bait that pushes the barrier to 20 feet.

Rapala DT 16 – One of the tightest wiggles in a deep diving crankbait. This is the subtle intruder that can really keep a bite going when the bass get conditioned to louder crazier crankbaits. It’s also a tremendous crankbait around deep grass. Some pros claim they can even make this crankbait stop and turn around and dare the bass to bite.

Lucky Craft CB D20 – This is a precision built crankbait that comes with very detailed paint and etchings. It’s one of the most expensive crankbaits in our eight, but it’s worth having a couple because we’ve seen first hand days where the bass flat out preferred it’s wobble. The weight transfer system allows it to be  launched like a rocket. It too has a very good variety of colors.

Bandit 700 – We’ve just recently started playing with this crankbait but like it’s action, wobble, variety of colors and attractive price. This bait already has a cult following in the south and will find its way into a lot more crankbait boxes this year. It has a unique scooped forhead that allows it to push the crankbait down more keeping you in the strike zone longer.

Spro Little John DD – Another new comer this year is the Little John DD. This crankbait features a very narrow profile that gives it a unique wobble. The bait pulls hard, is easy to cast with a good weight transfer system. It’s dull knocker offers a unique sound as well. This is a bait a lot of bass haven’t seen yet and they like it. A lot of pros are throwing it and keeping it under their hats.

Rich Eimer
Philadelphia, PA

We just got the bait wet today and really think this shallow knocker could be a killer. We're going to get it wet some more and later in the summer when the fish are schooling, we think this could be a great schooling bait besides around shallow cover. It has a lot of applications and will be another great Rapala tool in every bass angler's arsenal. We'll hopefully get some video of the bait in action very soon.

Here are some exclusive first photos of the bait, only from Wired2Fish.com.

Photo by Larry Towell - BASS Communications

Chad Brauer’s mastery of the Red River continued Saturday and left even local anglers shaking their heads in disbelief.  Boating the week’s heaviest catch, 21 pounds, 3 ounces, to the scales as the last angler to weigh in, the Osage Beach, Mo., pro totally blew away the competition in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open here.  His three-day total of 56-14 easily bested runner-up Craig Schuff by more than 16 pounds; Schuff weighed in 40-12.

“Tournaments like this don’t happen very often,” said Brauer, whose only other win in BASS competition came in 1996.  “I had a large area completely to myself the entire week, so all I had to do was figure out what the bass were doing.  I never had to fish defensively at all.”

Concentrating in an off-river oxbow he found on Internet maps and visited this past February, Brauer flipped a black/blue flake Strike King Rodent and cranked a Strike King Series 4S crankbait around various types of flooded timber.  With water levels dropping daily, he followed the bass as they moved from the shoreline out to about 10 feet where they suspended in fallen timber.

“I had my limit today by 9 a.m.,” said Brauer.  “But it only weighed about 10 pounds.  Then, between 9:30 and 11 a.m., everything I caught was in the 3- to 4-pound range.  I left the area at 11 a.m to come back to the weigh-in.”

Schuff, winner of the Central Division’s opening event at Lake Amistad, fished within site of the launch ramp, but had to work much harder.  Rather than fish a floating frog over lily pads as most were doing, he swam a 5/16-oz. Eakins Finesse Jig with a NetBait Paca Craw trailer through the pads a foot under the surface.  As unusual as the technique may have been, it kept Schuff in the top five all week.

James Biggs of Bedford, Texas, followed in third with 38-11; he was fishing laydown timber with nearby deep water and catching 15 to 20 bass a day with finesse-type plastic worms and light line.  Keith Combs captured fourth with 32-10, after spending his tournament fishing a shallow backwater area with floating frogs and shallow-running crankbaits.

Dianna Clark, a former Women’s Bassmaster Tour champion and one of several former WBT anglers in the tournament, claimed fifth with 31-5, flipping a Lake Fork Trophy Tackle finesse lure to shallow stumps and laydowns.  Rather than run to different areas, Clark, who’s known for her flipping skills, stayed in one small area and worked it thoroughly all three days.

Thomas Tysdal, an IBM program manager, won the co-angler division with four bass weighing 20 pounds, 14 ounces.  More than half that weight came with one bass, an 11-pound, 3-ounce, giant he caught on a Spro Bronzeye Frog Jr. on Friday.

Saturday’s final weigh-in was conducted at Bass Pro Shops in Bossier City where an overflow crowd watched as each pro and co-angler partner were pulled to the weigh-in stage in Toyota Tundra trucks.

The next Central Open tournament, to be held on Lake Texoma on Oct. 21-23, will close out the series and determine the two 2011 Bassmaster Classic spots and the seven qualifying berths into the Bassmaster Elite Series.

Leading the race is Schuff, who is followed by Texan Keith Combs and Bassmaster Elite Series angler Clark Reehm.  The full standings can be found below.

Standings Day 3

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Chad Brauer            Osage Beach, Mo.       15  56-14  310   $47,571.00

  Day 1: 5   16-15    Day 2: 5   18-12    Day 3: 5   21-03 

2.  Craig Schuff           Watauga, Texas         15  40-12  295   $21,143.00

  Day 1: 5   15-08    Day 2: 5   14-14    Day 3: 5   10-06 

3.  James Biggs            Bedford, Texas         15  38-11  290   $14,800.00

  Day 1: 5   11-07    Day 2: 5   14-10    Day 3: 5   12-10 

4.  Keith Combs            Del Rio, Texas         13  32-10  285   $10,571.00

  Day 1: 3    5-10    Day 2: 5   11-06    Day 3: 5   15-10 

5.  Dianna Clark           Bumpus Mills, Tenn.    14  31-05  280    $9,514.00

  Day 1: 5   11-14    Day 2: 4    6-05    Day 3: 5   13-02 

6.  Frank Scalish          Cleveland Heights, Ohi 15  30-04  276    $8,457.00

  Day 1: 5   13-06    Day 2: 5    8-02    Day 3: 5    8-12 

7.  Russell Parrish        Riesel, Texas          10  30-02  277    $7,400.00

  Day 1: 5   18-10    Day 2: 2    4-09    Day 3: 3    6-15 

8.  Brian Clark            Haltom City, Texas     15  29-09  268    $6,343.00

  Day 1: 5    9-07    Day 2: 5    9-09    Day 3: 5   10-09 

9.  Ryan Piersdorf         Forest Lake, Minn.     13  29-00  264    $5,286.00

  Day 1: 3    7-08    Day 2: 5   11-08    Day 3: 5   10-00 

10. James Stricklin        Jasper, Texas          13  28-07  260    $4,757.00

  Day 1: 5   13-00    Day 2: 3    6-00    Day 3: 5    9-07 

11. Scott Mcgehee          Madison, Miss.         14  28-06  257    $4,229.00

  Day 1: 5   11-05    Day 2: 4    6-06    Day 3: 5   10-11 

12. Scott Dean             Terrell, Texas         15  28-04  254    $3,700.00

  Day 1: 5    6-02    Day 2: 5   11-07    Day 3: 5   10-11 

13. Jim Dillard            Houston, Ark.          14  27-08  251    $3,171.00

  Day 1: 5   12-07    Day 2: 4    5-10    Day 3: 5    9-07 

14. Jared Miller           Cookson, Okla.         11  27-08  248    $2,643.00

  Day 1: 5    8-07    Day 2: 5   18-00    Day 3: 1    1-01 

15. Lee Sisson             Winter Haven, Fla.     14  27-07  245    $2,379.00

  Day 1: 5    9-03    Day 2: 5   10-10    Day 3: 4    7-10 

16. OT Fears               Sallisaw, Okla.        12  27-05  243    $2,114.00

  Day 1: 4   10-02    Day 2: 3    6-14    Day 3: 5   10-05 

17. Derick Kuyrkendall     Bergheim, Texas        13  27-01  241    $2,009.00

  Day 1: 5   13-04    Day 2: 5    7-07    Day 3: 3    6-06 

18. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, Texas         14  26-10  239    $1,903.00

  Day 1: 4    7-08    Day 2: 5   10-04    Day 3: 5    8-14 

19. Tommy Martin           Hemphill, Texas        13  25-06  237    $1,797.00

  Day 1: 5    9-10    Day 2: 4    6-09    Day 3: 4    9-03 

20. Tim Skelton            Sallisaw, Okla.        13  23-06  235    $1,691.00

  Day 1: 5   11-05    Day 2: 5    7-15    Day 3: 3    4-02 

21. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, La.          13  23-04  233    $1,533.00

  Day 1: 5    6-03    Day 2: 5   10-09    Day 3: 3    6-08 

22. Cody Bird              Granbury, Texas        13  23-03  231    $1,480.00

  Day 1: 5   12-04    Day 2: 5    7-09    Day 3: 3    3-06 

23. Mark Pack              Mineola, Texas         14  22-07  229    $1,427.00

  Day 1: 5    8-05    Day 2: 4    7-03    Day 3: 5    6-15 

24. Marvin Ettredge        Shreveport, La.         9  21-08  227    $1,374.00

  Day 1: 5    7-02    Day 2: 3   10-11    Day 3: 1    3-11 

25. Dave Parsons           Yantis, Texas          10  21-07  225    $1,321.00

  Day 1: 3   10-00    Day 2: 5    7-13    Day 3: 2    3-10 

26. Billy Hurt             Spring Creek, Tenn.    11  20-05  223    $1,269.00

  Day 1: 4    9-10    Day 2: 5    7-00    Day 3: 2    3-11 

27. Mark Kirkpatrick       Wichita, Kan.           8  20-05  221    $1,216.00

  Day 1: 5   15-06    Day 2: 1    2-01    Day 3: 2    2-14 

28. Spencer Mcalester      Denison, Texas         10  19-07  219    $1,163.00

  Day 1: 5   13-06    Day 2: 2    2-07    Day 3: 3    3-10 

29. Brian Kanke            Spring, Texas           8  19-00  217    $1,110.00

  Day 1: 5   11-00    Day 2: 1    5-00    Day 3: 2    3-00 

30. Dewayne French         Mammoth Spring, Ark.   10  16-15  215    $1,057.00

The 30-day off-limits period begins today, June 4, for the season-opening event at Cherokee Lake in the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix.

Pros interested in participating in the Cherokee Lake tournament must be registered with entry fee paid in full by the close of business on Tuesday, June 8.

The Cherokee Lake tournament will be held July 8-10 and based at the Cherokee/Hamblen County Park ramp in Morristown, Tenn. The first two days' weigh-in will be held at the ramp, with the top 30 pros on the final day weighing in at the Bass Pro Shops retail store in nearby Sevierville.

During the 30-day no information period, practice and competition days, pros (including those on the waiting list) may not solicit and/or receive fishing information about tournament waters from anyone except confirmed pros and through publicly available sources.

Complete rules along with off-limits and balance due dates for the Tournament Series season may be found at the PAA website.

That gave Parrish a 1-plus pound lead over Fort Worth, Texas, dentist Gil Coats, who weighed in 17-1.  Chad Brauer brought in 16-15 to hold third; Craig Shuff, winner of the Central Division’s opening event at Lake Amistad, was fourth with 15-8; and Mark Kirkpatrick sits just two ounces behind Schuff in fifth with 15-6.

Although weights dropped quickly behind Kirkpatrick, the overall picture was certainly an improvement over the preceding practice days, in which some pros never caught a fish and many reported only one or two.  Water temperatures ranged from the high 80’s to low 90’s, but many areas, particularly the Red River itself, were extremely muddy.  That created crowded conditions in the clearer backwater sloughs and oxbows.

Many anglers locked downstream into Pool 4 in hopes of finding better water conditions, and 13 pros continued to Pool 3, but the overall water conditions were not that much better.  In fact, some places were muddier today than in practice.

Parrish, who declined to divulge any specifics about his technique, did say he was “surrounded” by other anglers, but still managed to have his catch in the livewell by 11 a.m.  He culled once.

Likewise, Coats said he had his fish early, and that he culled three times. 

“I wanted to come in by 10 a.m.,” he joked.  “Yesterday I found an area that held fish that wanted to bite a plastic worm, and today I caught more bass by mid-morning than I’d caught during the entire practice.”

Third place angler Brauer reported catching only six keepers all day, but he wasn’t sure he’d even be able to fish his area on Friday because of falling water.  In his spot, which he has to himself, the water level has dropped about 18 inches since practice began. 

“The fish have pulled out into slightly deeper water,” he said, “So I can actually use a crankbait and spinnerbaits to catch them, but if the water drops much more, I simply won’t be able to get to them.”

The most unusual catch of the day was reported by Florida pro Lee Sisson, who, while fishing a SPRO Popping Frog over heavy vegetation, caught a 1-pound, 1-ounce bullfrog.  Sisson was fishing an area in which he’d caught two bass over five pounds during practice, and when he saw the wake following behind his frog, he thought he was about to hook another one.

Baker Curb Racing announced today that G2 Gemini Custom Apparel will be a primary sponsor on Scott Wimmer’s No. 27 Ford Fusion for Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway. The Minnesota based company provides custom apparel for worldwide customers in several industries, including; fishing, bowling and shooting. 

“We can’t wait to see our logo on the hood of Scott’s car and on the track at Nashville Superspeedway,” said G2 Gemini Custom Apparel Executive Vice President Brad Raymond. “Our customers, primarily made up of outdoorsmen, are NASCAR fans and we’re excited to be represented by a premier Nationwide Series team and driver in Scott Wimmer. We look forward to developing a long-term relationship with Baker Curb Racing and being a part of the NASCAR industry.”

Wimmer, a six-time winner in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, won the 2008 Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway and has nine top-10 finishes in 12 Nationwide Series starts at the concrete track. The Wausau, Wisc., native has registered two top-10 finishes in three NASCAR Nationwide Series starts this season and has led at least one lap in each start.  

About G2 Gemini Custom Apparel:

G2 Gemini Custom Apparel of Minnesota, takes pride in being the source for custom made shirts and apparel. Clients can be found worldwide and some of the industries served including Fishing, Bowling, Baseball, Softball, NASCAR, Shooting, Golfing, Bull Fighting, Paintball, Curling, Motocross and Hunting.  G2 Gemini Custom Apparel is known worldwide for outstanding customer service and they take great care to live up to their reputation. Choose Gemini Custom Apparel for your next apparel order and they guarantee the experience will surpass your expectations.  For more information or to order your custom apparel, visit www.g2gemini.com

About Baker Curb Racing

Combining speed and sound, Baker Curb Racing brings a unique tune to the Nashville and the NASCAR Nationwide Series.  Owners Gary Baker and Mike Curb combine for over 100 years of experience in NASCAR and national marketing and branding.  The team became a vision of Baker and Curb’s passions for racing and a desire to bring a new professional team to the landscape of Nashville and to help satiate the desires of local NASCAR fans. To keep up with all the happenings of the team, visit www.bakercurb.com 

Berkley and The Berkley Conservation Institute continued to award Collegiate anglers with cash and prizes valued at more than $3,000 at the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Championship. Berkley has been a proud sponsor of the collegiate fishing program and rewards numerous anglers throughout the year. 

Berkley had two potential Big Bass awards at the Championship, which was held on Lake Lewisville. The team weighing the largest bass and displaying the Berkley logo on their jersey or hat could win $500.  On day one, Eastern Kentucky won the award and Western Kentucky followed up on day two of the event. 

The Berkley Conservation Institute awards the prestigious Collegiate Angler of the Year. This is the only award that combines angling skill and also requires them to utilize their education experience. Cody Salzmann from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point did an outstanding report on invasive species throughout North America and was awarded the first-place crystal trophy and a check for $1,000. Cody detailed the species, life patterns and negative impact they are having on our waterways.

Shawn Stamps from Northwest Shoals Community College in Alabama was awarded 2nd place for a report on Conservation and Angling – preserving the tradition and received $500. Alex Craw from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga incorporated a conservation element into a future tournament that is being held by recycling used fishing line and promoting Berkley’s line recycling program. As an award recipient, Alex received $500 in tackle.

By Alan McGuckin

It’s not what you’d expect.  The 5-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year dunking black gnats and wax worms.  He ain’t playin.  He’s serious.  It’s been this way since he was a lanky kid pestering Kalamazoo’s panfish population.  Frankly, it’s one of the outdoor experiences that are a part of him.  He loves it.

Optimum Baits released the Double Diamond swimbait a couple years ago and it's become a staple among top anglers. The swimbait is equally effective fished on the bottom with a jighead as it is with a weighted hook swam just under the surface. However a few pro anglers realized early that it made an incredible swimming trailer on chatterbaits, swimming jigs, buzzbaits and more.

So Optimum Baits is now going to offer these swimbaits in sizes and colors that better suit fishing with jigs and chatterbaits. They are offering 10 new trailer colors that include green pumpkin, green pumpkin red flake, watermelon candy, peanut butter & jelly, green pumpkin chartreuse, tomato pepper, junebug, camo, okeechobee craw and tilapia. There are two new sizes -- Micro Diamond and Junior Diamond. We can see these smaller sizes also working on schooling fish in real clear water.

They will also offer four new swimbait colors as well with interesting hues like blueback herring and sweet tooth.

These baits should begin appearing at retailers any day now and the 3 3/4-inch and 5 1/4-inch sizes will still be available as well. They are still looking at packaging options and counts to protect the integrity of the baits in the packages but also offer anglers a few more baits for trailers and smaller sizes.

You can purchase the two current sizes now and the others should be available in June. Here's the sneak peak at the new colors and sizes compared to the current 3 3/4-inch size diamonds.

Just when you thought they could not get much better BioEdge is announcing it is releasing 8 great new BioEdge scents.

Two long anticipated scents for saltwater, Sandeel and Flounder will be very popular on both east and west coasts. Sandeel or lance forms a corner stone of the marine food web and is expected to jump to the top of BioEdge’s saltwater sales charts. Flounder will be hugely popular with Striper anglers and for marinating fluke bellies and imitations.

Six new freshwater scents, including Gobie, Leech, Shad, Sucker, Sunfish and Trout, will almost double the number of freshwater scents produced from the BioEdge labs. Gobies are one of the top forage of bass, walleye, trout and salmon in the Great Lakes and surrounding northern waters. The same is true for leeches and suckers. Nearly every body of water containing bass also supports a population of sunfish and shad species which forms a big part of their diet. Trout are a favorite quarry of big bass, kokanee and salmon as well as pike and muskie.

As with all BioEdge scents each of these is available in both liquid potion and solid wand form, and prices are the same as for all other BioEdge scents. We recommend you try the scents on your swimbaits, soft plastics, topwater frogs, jigs and more. To purchase these unique scent products, click here.