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Thanks to all who entered the Lazer Tro-Kar hook contest. We learned about your preferences and the folks at Tro-Kar learned about them as well. Wired readers know how to fish and they know about what hooks they prefer. That was obvious from the results.
Surgically sharpened, tough hook points is Lazer Tro-Kar's claim to fame and precision characteristics of the cutting edge, unique keeper systems and the endorsement of the best pro's makes Tro-Kar a great choice for hooks.
The winner of the Lazer Tro-Kar Contest is:
Randy Johns, Jr.
Hadley, PA
Your assortment of hooks are on the way Randy. Test them out and give us some feedback.
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Early spring fishing can be some of the best times and our readers had it dialed in. Shad Raps, Redeye Shads, Brush Hogs, and Football Head jigs were at the top of the list. We received several unique ones too with anglers downsizing their offerings and numerous multi-species anglers got in the mix as well. Thanks to everyone who participated.
The winners of the early spring bait contest from Wired2Fish.com and our great advertisers are:
David Helms
Cochran, GA
Gregory DeClue
Barnhart MO
Ronnie Anderson
Smith Mountain Lake, VA(Ronnie, we still need your mailing address) You can send it to contest@wired2fish.com)
Your packages are on the way.
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Gemini Sport Marketing, the Image Experts, and builders of the best in angler and performance tournament wear is going through a facelift. New branding, new products and new way to get in touch with them. You can now reach Gemini Sport Marketing (G2) by going to G2Gemini.com or by calling 888-604-6644. |
Wired2Fish, Inc. (formerly Get Outside Media, L.L.C.) is proud to announce its newest addition aimed at keeping fisherman “wired to fish” with the release of its new 12-week mini-show series, Wired2Fish TV that will air on ESPN2 beginning this weekend.
The show will debut this Saturday, April 3rd at 7:26 a.m. (EST) on ESPN2 between World’s Greatest Fishing Show and Barclays Soccer. The second mini-show will air on ESPN2 Sunday, April 4th at 6:26 a.m. (EST) between Pirates of the Flats and World’s Greatest Fishing Show.
Wired2Fish TV will follow the model built by Wired2Fish.com of utilizing extensive research and the biggest names in fishing to bring the audience detailed information on techniques, equipment and latest trends. The unique aspect of this 2 1/2-minute show is a blending of the latest bass fishing techniques with small adaptations to also catch other favorite fish species.
“We’re very excited to expand our Wired2Fish brand to ESPN2,” said Todd Hammill, COO and General Manager of Wired2Fish, Inc. “By combining Wired2Fish.com and our social media (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) with TV, we continue to strive to create a better overall experience for our audience.”
The hosts include some of the biggest names in bass fishing: Shaw Grigsby, Denny Brauer, Mike McClelland and our own Terry Brown as well as two-tour walleye champion Scott Glorvigen.
Once a Wired2Fish TV mini-show airs on ESPN2, you’ll be able watch them again on espnoutdoors.com, bassmaster.com, and Wired2fish.com.
You now have even more ways to be Wired2Fish! Stay tuned for more! |
The Berkley Experience Trailer will be at the Gander Mountain in Washington, Pa., for the next stop in 2010. The 60-foot trailer of fun and activities brings fishing education to all skill levels of anglers. The scheduled stop for the Berkley Experience Trailer is April 1st and is set to end April 3rd.
The trailer has new videos and interactive demonstrations on line and bait. The Berkley Experience Team will have seminars scheduled throughout the day to cover the four main components of fishing:
- Line Selection
- Rigging Techniques for Bait
- Reel Maintenance
- Rod Selection
Each stop has special retail promotions only available while the trailer is at the location. These include line, bait, rods, reels and combos.
“We have shared the Berkley Experience with 1000’s of anglers this year and look forward to interacting with many more at all of our stops during the remainder of the year.” said Andrew Marks, Sr. Marketing Manager. "Our Experience Trailer staff is ready to help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about fishing, our products and how best to use them to catch more fish.”
Other exciting elements include a knot tying contest and demonstration, where you can learn new knots and even win a prize. Under the tent, we will have racks filled with the latest products and big screen videos that help you experience the adventure with Berkley. The Berkley Experience staff is always on hand to help answer any questions that you have about our innovative products.
UPCOMING BERKLEY EXPERIENCE STOPS
April 1st – 3rd
Gander Mountain
1500 West Chestnut St.
Washington, PA 15301
April 9th – 11th
Scheels
17202 Davenport St.
Omaha, NE 68118
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Bandit Lures have been around bass fishing for years. They have also been some of the best kept secrets in crappie fishing as well. Because of their success Bandit just recently introduced 8 new crappie centric colors that bass fishing enthusiasts love as well. They come in both 200 and 300 Series models.
Below are the new colors:
To learn more about these lures and other Bandit products click here.
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HI-SEAS is proud to announce the addition of seven time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Terry Scroggins to it’s growing Pro-Staff of world class anglers. Hailing from Palatka, FL, Scroggins has earned over $1.2 million in his career earnings during his impressive career. He has finished in the money in 82 out of 111 total events fished, earning five 1st place finishes, five 2nd place finishes, twenty-seven top tens, and eighty-two top 50 finishes.
Scroggins was introduced to the HI-SEAS lines before the first BASS Southern Open of 2010 on Lake Okeechobee by fellow HI-SEAS Pro-Staff members and Elite series anglers Jeff Kriet and Cliff Pace. Scroggins earned a 3rd place finish fishing the HI-SEAS 100% Fluorocarbon and the new HI-SEAS Quattro 100% Fluorocarbon lines, as well as the HI-SEAS Grand Slam Braid. “Terry is a world class angler with a great reputation and friendly personality. Terry’s enthusiasm and proven success with HI-SEAS is wonderful to see. “We are extremely happy about Terry becoming member of the HI-SEAS team,” says Steven Miller, HI-SEAS Sales Manager.
“HI-SEAS Fluorocarbon lines are the most user friendly lines and also have the most superior knot strength out of any fluorocarbon I have ever used”, said Scroggins. “The entire team at HI-SEAS is a great staff and great company to be representing. I am happy to be a part of HI-SEAS and glad to be using their lines.”
Most recently, Scroggins fished the 2010 Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake, earning a 26th place finish during an extremely tough tournament. “On Lay Lake, I used the 65lb Grand Slam Braid while flipping heavy grass and cover and used the 8lb HI-SEAS Quattro 100% Fluorocarbon Line on my shaky head set up with a Yum Hoodini worm.”, Scroggins said. “The braid is a lot limper than other braids, with superior strength; this helped me pitch to my targets a lot easier and allowed my baits to be freer. Due to the increased softness and extreme toughness of the Quattro 100% Fluorocarbon line, I was able to make super long casts in deep water and have the confidence of a solid hook up.”
For over 30 years AFW & HI-SEAS has been providing serious freshwater and saltwater anglers with the finest quality line, leader, and rigging products. AFW has the largest selection of wire line and leader products in the industry. All wire, strand, and cable are manufactured in the United States. HI-SEAS offers a variety of lines specifically designed and formulated to meet any fishing challenge.
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The old Tiny Tim and his ukulele couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. He could now "tip toe through the tulips" with the latest TABU creation.
Dave Lefebre, Anthony Gagliardi, Michael Murphy and Kelly Jordon have staked their reputations on their new bait.
"If there is a better minnow imitator out there, I haven't seen it," Lefebre said.
The TABU Tiny Tim is available at Cabelas. It is also available online at Tackle Warehouse.
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While we were at Guntersville bass fishing we saw several boats putting a waxing on slab sized crappie around shallow brush piles. Cast after cast the early spring panfish were easy pickens for those that knew what they wanted and where they were positioned.
Spring time is one of the best times to catch some of the best tasting fish on the planet and when they come up shallow the action is fast and furious.
Northland Tackle has you covered with a great line-up of lures perfect for "Specks".
Some of their best products include:
Mimic Minnow Fry – hand sculptured and mimics a “young-of-the-year” minnow fry to near perfection! Featuring a lifelike Baitfish-Image minnow fry body and a flat dolphin shaped GlideTail that darts, glides, and swims like a fleeing minnow. Deadly for spring panfish use below a slip bobber or jigging in the open water. Available in 5 sizes ranging from 1 1/2in. to 3 in.
Thumper Crappie King – Designed with a lifelike sculptured minnow head and features a thumping belly blade and a DoubleCurl teaser tail that vibrate, flash and swim to mimic an injured minnow. Available in 3 sizes 1/32 oz to 1/8 oz.
Slurpies Small-Fry – Lifelike Baitfish-Image hollow tube body and tantalizing teaser tail Panfish can’t resist! Available in two sizes 1 ½”, 2” and 10 fish imitating color patterns.
· You can learn more about these products by clicking here.
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Check out Jason's take on five books he likes a lot for bass angling. Click here for his selection.
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We’d all rather be fishing, than reading or watching television about fishing. But frankly there is a lot more off-the-water time than on it. So I’m glad to have ways to keep me thinking and daydreaming about fishing when I can’t ...
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The local favorite Arkansas Tech University team of Dustin Huggins and Evan Barnes won the Collegiate Bass ATU Invitational even on Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Ark., this past weekend. They won by more than 5 pounds with a two-day weight of 29.98 pounds. Rounding out the top-five teams were Brett Preuett and Jordan Alexander of University of Louisiana at Monroe with 24.78 pounds in second place, Kyle Curry and Benny Williams of the University of Arkansas with 23.92 pounds in third place, Chip Porche and Mark Johnson of Univserity of Oklahoma with 22.86 pounds in fourth place and Tyler Mehrl and Bob Downey of the University of Iowa with 20 pounds even in fifth place.
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 Wired photo
By Terry Brown
Greeted with snow on day one, sunny bluebird skies on day two and three, downpour cold rain on day four and a severe cold front on day five would make even the most die-hard anglers shutter and think they were in for tough duty. Confidence in water temps, wind direction, bass staging position and bait selection proved effective last week at Guntersville, and we caught them even with changing conditions. Sometimes it’s not so much what happens above the water but more importantly what's going on below the water that can make all the difference in the world. It’s all about putting the puzzle together, and this week, I feel like we did.
This was the first time Jason Sealock and I had shared a boat. Catching more than 25 pounds on that first day sure gives you a shot in the arm. That is for sure. Jason handles the stick like a pro, and we talked throughout the day playing this like it was a team event. “Let’s move up.” ”We need to back off.” “You keep throwing the jig, and I'll switch up.” Fishing with a buddy can be a bit competitive, but at the end of the day, it’s about figuring the fish out and learning. Jason and I did that.
We started day one on a road bed, (see our day one recap here), and moved because of the wind, depth and water temps. We moved to an outside channel swing on a major creek, and even though it was sleeting and snowed a bit, we sacked them up. A 7.1, 7.0, 6.1, and several in the 4 to 5 pound range were all caught on a 50-yard stretch. Knowing we had the right bait and the right depth plus a little bit of SLOWING down and working every rock was critical. This bank was a prime spot for crappie as well as we saw several boats catch some nice slabs fishing parallel to the drop.
We started with a Spro McStick on a shallow flat close to the channel swing. We caught three or four smallish bass (1-3 pounds) but used that information to put more of the puzzle together. If the small fish were up, would larger fish be down a bit? We agreed that we needed to follow a contour that ran from 6-8 foot on top to 16-23 feet where the boat was positioned. By fishing a 1/2- and 3/4-ounce Jewel or Heavy Gator football-head jig on every rock, we were able to pick that area apart. We went back and forth on that one stretch multiple times as we felt these bass would replenish.
Near the end of that crucial bank, I made a comment to Jason: “We will catch a big one in this next stretch.” He agreed, as the depth dropped from 6-8 feet on top to 14-15 feet and brush there was plenty of brush. We caught a 6 and a 7 out of one brush top within 10 yards of each other. Now that gets the juices flowing!
The second productive bank, where we fished the final day, and caught 50 plus bass had the same characteristics -- channel swing, 11 to 20 foot deep, with plenty of rocks, and it was protected from a cold north wind, facing south. Water temps were a bit warmer, and the fish had moved in deeper into the creek, We worked this as a team too.
I continued to throw the jig with a large Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog trailer, and Jason switched to a Texas-rigged Zoom Brush Hog he had rigged up the night before.
"I fish the Texas Rig a lot on Kentucky Lake in these conditions and the bass seem to like it," said Sealock that morning. Like it they did. We started on this bank at 8 a.m., and by 8:45 we had a limit of bass and two over 4 pounds. I didn't get bit as often as Jason with my jig but felt we needed to have a big bait going to compliment the "smackdown" Jason was providing on that plastic. I also caught several bass on the Strike King Rage Craw and Rage Lobster but the Brush Hog was the deal. The bottom of the boat had many "used Zoom Hogs" piled up, ready for the trash.
In retrospect, we had an outstanding week. Great photos, great friends, ate too much and a pile of bass … it doesn't get any better than that.
On a negative note:
We caught more line, sinkers, baits and trash while fishing Guntersville than any lake I have ever been. We caught 50-pound braid, weight filled mono, three-way rigs and much more. Jason even caught three good baits, and I was the lead and line retriever. For the future of the sport, don't throw old line, discarded plastic or trash into the water ... what a mess.
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Pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., caught a five-bass limit
weighing 12 pounds, 11 ounces Saturday to win $127,500 at the FLW Tour
event presented by National Guard on Lake Norman with a four-day catch
of 20-bass weighing 58-5.
The catch gave him his first FLW Tour win by a huge 8-pound, 14-ounce
margin over Rusty Salewske of Alpine, Calif., who caught a total of 20
bass weighing 49-7 and earned $38,879.
“This feels really good,” Thrift said. “It’s like I’ve got a big weight
lifted off my shoulders. I’ve not been doing this a real long time, but
I’ve had several opportunities at a win but I myself have done something
wrong to beat myself. To finally pull it off is really nice.”
Thrift said he fished all over Lake Norman and burned almost two tanks
of gas each day. He started the final day of competition on the south
end of the lake and caught a quick fish on a crankbait and then two
keepers on back-to-back casts off a jig on a brushpile.
“I knew then I had three pound-and-a-half fish, and if I could go up the
river and get two big bites it would be game over,” Thrift said. “We
ran up to a little place and pulled in there and the first one I caught
was a big one. I put in the livewell and the very next cast I caught my
fifth keeper. This was all before nine o’clock. I was thinking, ‘Hey,
this is going to be a good day. We’re going to bust 16 pounds again.’
But after that, I think I had three bites all day long and they were
short fish.”
Thrift said the bite was slower Saturday than the first three days of
competition, but he stuck with what had gotten him to the final round.
“A big thing here for a pre-spawn deal is, of course, a crankbait and a
jig,” Thrift said. “I caught a lot of my bigger fish on a crankbait.
“When I caught that big fish … I was still kind of hesitant because I
thought I only had 10 1/2 pounds,” said Thrift. “I didn’t think it was
that big, because I just threw it in the livewell. I knew the
second-place guy’s going to need 15 (pounds), and the way they were
biting today, that’s going to be hard to do.”
Thrift opened the tournament in ninth place Wednesday with five bass
weighing 13-1. On Thursday he added another five bass weighing 16-9 to
capture the lead. He then caught five bass weighing 16 pounds even
Friday to make the crucial top-5 cut in first place.
“I was really only catching big ones in two areas,” Selewske said. “I
struggled with which one to go to, but I must have made a decent choice,
because on my fifth or sixth cast I caught what I thought was about a
3-pounder. That’s a good start, obviously, and the best part was that he
had it choked. You couldn’t even see the crankbait. That’s when you
know you’re doing the right thing.”
Salewske said he caught “15 or so” keepers Saturday but had fewer big
bites than days two and three. Salewske said he caught the majority of
his fish in two creeks in the dirtiest water he could find. Salewske’s
go-to bait was a shallow-running shad-colored Lucky Craft crankbait.
“I didn’t catch too many after I reeled it too far,” Salewske said.
“Most of them, it was two or three cranks and they ate it.”
The remaining top-5 pros finished the tournament in:
3rd: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 20 bass, 49-3, $29,146
4th: Brian Travis, Conover, N.C., 20 bass, 44-5, $19,413
5th: Rusty Trancygier, Hahira, Ga., 17 bass, 43-0, $17,466
A complete list of results can be found at FLWOutdoors.com.
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The N.C. State University team of Jeff Bumgardner of Wade, N.C., and Will White of Raleigh, N.C., won the National Guard FLW College Fishing Northern Division on Mt. Island Lake Saturday with six bass weighing 21 pounds, 3 ounces. The victory earned the team $10,000 to be split evenly between the university and the university’s bass-fishing club. The win also helped them advance to the Northern Division Regional Championship where they could ultimately win a Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower engine wrapped in school colors for their school’s bass club and $25,000 for the school they represent.
“We knew what we were going to do and we pulled up to our first spot, and that’s where we caught all of our fish,” said White, who is a senior Wood Products major. “We caught our limit by 10 o’clock. We actually caught five of our six by 9 o’clock and then it took just a little grinding to get that sixth fish off the rock pile.”
White said the team caught all of their fish on a crawdad-patterned crankbait. White said they caught seven keepers and lost one fish during the course of the day.
“We decided to come in to the weigh-in about 30 to 45 minutes early just to make sure we wouldn’t have to worry about boat trouble or anything of that nature,” said Bumgardner, who is a sophomore General Studies major.
Rounding out the top five teams were Vermont Technical College – Justin Brouillard of Rochester, Vt., and Ben Cayer of Bethel, Vt., (three bass, 8-10, $5,000); Christopher Newport – Ryan Ingalls of Fairfax, Va., and Joe Wilkerson of Falls Church, Va., (two bass, 6-7, $4,000); Rennselaer – Mike Ahrens of Toledo, Ohio and Tom Cooley of Poestenkill, N.Y., (two bass, 5-9, $3,000); Fairmont State University – Wil Dieffenbauch of Hundred, W.V., and Brent Dodrill of Fairmont, W.V., (three bass, 5-8, $2,000).
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Final Report
Today we hit a spot we found earlier in the week for most of the day. When we got there this morning, the wind was blowing pretty steady out of the Northwest. It shifted to the North later in the morning and then continued shifting around to the East. The wind was cold and the skies were dark and overcast until around 3:30 p.m. The water clarity was stirred but still fairly clear -- maybe a couple feet at worst.
We hit a point where a creek channel swung in and touched an underwater point with a lot of big rocks and brush. The fish were schooling. We caught them early and often on jigs and Zoom Brush Hogs on Texas rigs. I decided last night, I wanted to fish a Texas rig. Call it a gut-instinct, but the way the fish had been hitting Carolina rigs and jigs this week, I felt like I'd have a more direct connection to my lure crawling it around the brush and big rocks.
The hunch paid off. In about 20 minutes, we had five keepers for around 14 pounds. We continued to upgrade. We boated a 4 1/2 -pounder on a jig, then a 4-pounder on the brush hog. We boated several fish between 2 1/4 pounds to 3 3/4 pounds as well as quite a few short fish. We stayed on the spot most of the day because we wanted to see how many bass we could boat on this pattern. We boated 55 bass before leaving the area. We had more than 30 keepers. Our best numbers day by far.
We left and hit our best size area but it was covered up with other boats fishing the same stretch. We fished off of it a bit and managed another 4-pound bass. We stayed until we caught four more bass to get to 60 bass. The weather was less than favorable and we didn't break 20 pounds, but we did come close with 19 pounds.
This week we had hoped to be sight fishing and fishing shallow around the grass. Unfortunately the lake is way behind on the spawn cycle because of the long harsh winter Alabama has experienced. It maybe helped that we weren't local to the lake and had to figure it out on the fly, rather than going with what we thought should be happening on the lake. I had heard a lot of folks did find fish shallow. We never really got on anything consistent shallow unless it had deep water close by.
The top baits for us this week were football jigs, Arkie jigs, Zoom Brush Hogs, shaky heads with Zoom Mag Finesse Worms. Our road-warrior friends from Illinois caught a bunch of fish on Carolina rigged Zoom Lizards and Strike King lipless crankbaits.
Terry and I boated a 26-pound limit on Monday, a 24-pound limit on Wednesday and 19 pounds today for the best five. We struggled on Tuesday and ran short yesterday because of colds and bad conditions on the lake. Fishing is about what the fish are doing and not what we want to do to catch them.
I love to throw a jig and was glad when I boated the first 5-pound plus fish on it. That sort of clued us in for the right pattern the rest of the week. Terry and I knew there was something special about our most successful bank the very first pass we made on it. It had all the text book attributes to make it a special spot. A creek channel turn, a long flat point, an abundance of shad and eventually we found that it had the big bass we had hoped for.
Terry and I both caught 7-pound bass. Terry caught a 6 pounder and we both caught several 5 pounders. It was a great week at Guntersville. We were able to get a lot of photography done for future stories. We shot some video and we came up with several ideas for new features for Wired2Fish fans. We hope you enjoyed the series. Let us know if you'd be interested in something like this in the future.
Goodbye Guntersville for now!
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By Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Tennis-shoe-sized swimbaits remained the fashionable bait of choice for winner Byron Velvick and a huge portion of the tournament competitors at Clear Lake, California. But Tommy Biffle gave the huge rubber baitfish imitators little attention and resorted to the roots of his successful 25 years as a legendary pro for a 6th place finish at the Bassmaster Elite Golden State Shootout.
Biffle anchored his four-day weight of 81 pounds with a Texas-rigged black neon Gene Larew Biffle Bug that he flipped and pitched to tulles in shallow, warmer, dingier water with his signature blue-colored 7-foot, 6-inch Tour Elite Quantum rod. The reel he used is a Quantum prototype that performed flawlessly, but will be kept secretive until its unveiling at the fishing industry’s ICAST trade show this summer.
Biffle says he designed the big stick (model TTBC767F) to be beefy but balanced. “It’s the rod I use every time I’m flipping and pitching heavy cover. It’s a stout blank because you gotta be able to move big fish out of heavy cover, but it’s not tip heavy, it’s balanced,” explained the 52 year-old who owns an ATV dealership in his hometown of Wagoner, Oklahoma, in addition to being one of bass fishing’s top touring pros.
“The first day was tough," Biffle said. "I had 16 bites, all flippin, and lost 10 of them. On day two, I went right back to flippin the same water, I made no adjustments, and I caught every fish that bit.
“Byron won, but he knows swimbaits better than anybody. It’s hard to just walk into a tackle store here at Clear Lake, buy a few swimbaits, and be competitive against a guy like Byron -- not unless they are just gobbling them up like they were when we were here in 2007 -- but that wasn’t the case this week. So I stuck with what I know best."
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Idaho’s Palaniuk wins co-angler title, $20,000
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 26, 2010) – Pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., crossed the stage Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds even to boost his 15-bass three-day weight total to 45 pounds, 10 ounces and to extend his lead in the FLW Tour event presented by the National Guard on Lake Norman. Thrift now holds a 5-pound, 2-ounce lead over second-place pro Rusty Trancygier of Hahira, Ga., who has a three-day total of 15 bass for 40-8.
“I’m very happy to have a lead like that out here, because this is a lake where you’re going to struggle to find that one fish to make up that 5-pound lead,” said Thrift, who has won more than $467,000 in FLW Outdoors competition. “I’m feeling really good about it. If I can catch 10 pounds tomorrow, somebody’s got to catch a 15-pound bag to beat me. And that’s definitely doable, it’s just a little bit hard sometimes.”
Thrift said after he catches his limit, he concentrates on areas and tries to “pick it apart” in an effort to catch a bigger largemouth. Thrift said every day he’s been able to catch a kicker fish. He said his limit he weighed on the third day of competition came on a combination of baits — two fish fell for a crankbait and three ate a jig. Thrift said if the sun shines on Saturday’s final day of competition he might have difficulty catching fish on a crankbait.
“I’m as nervous as I’ve ever been,” Thrift said. “I would really love to win this tournament. I think if I had a 15-pound lead I’d still be nervous.”
Trancygier admitted he faced a tough final day of competition but planned to stick to what had been successful for him the first three days.
“I don’t really think I can change anything I’ve been doing,” Trancygier said. “I caught 20 to 25 keepers today. I just never got a big bite. My co-angler had a 6 1/2-pounder in the first 30 minutes. If I could have gotten a big bite like that, I could have made it really interesting.”
Trancygier said he slowed his presentation down and caught fish on a Senko Wednesday when it was sunny, but as the clouds and rains moved in on following days, he found success on a shallow-running crankbait and a spinnerbait.
“I’ve been in 2 feet of water or less the whole time,” Trancygier said.
Rounding out the top five pros and advancing to the final day of competition are:
3rd: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 15 bass, 38-15
4th: Rusty Salewske, Alpine, Calif., 15 bass, 36-3
5th: Brian Travis, Conover, N.C., 15 bass, 35-6
Rounding out the top 10 pros are:
6th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 14 bass, 35-3, $16,493
7th: Ishama Monroe, Hughson, Calif., 15 bass, 34-4, $15,519
8th: Vic Vatalaro, Kent, Ohio, 15 bass, 33-15, $14,546
9th: National Guard pro Clifford Pirch, Payson, Ariz., 15 bass, 33-6, $13,573
10th: Keith Combs, Del Rio, Texas, 15 bass, 33-3, $12,599
Overall there were 608 bass weighing 1,173 pounds, 15 ounces caught by 141 pros Thursday. The catch included 94 five-bass limits.
Pros are competing for a top award of up to $125,000 this week plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for the Forrest Wood Cup which will be held Aug. 5-Aug. 8 at Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Ga., where they could win as much as $600,000 – the sport’s biggest award.
Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, won the Co-angler Division and $20,000 with 14 bass weighing 27-15 followed by Jeff Freeman of Max Meadows, Va., in second place with 14 bass weighing 27-12. Meadows took home $9,722 for his effort.
“I had the best draws I could ever have,” said the 22-year-old Palaniuk, who is fishing in his rookie season of FLW Tour competition. Previous to this victory, Palaniuk’s career winnings totaled $500. “I fished with Bud Pruitt today and he would actually turn the back of the boat and let me fish the docks before he ever made a cast. I can’t say how much I appreciate that to him.”
Palaniuk said his key bait for the tournament was a Yamamoto Senko and he caught fish on it all three days of competition.
Palaniuk opened the tournament in 35th place with four bass Wednesday that weighed 7-10 while fishing with pro Tom Mann Jr. of Buford, Ga. On Thursday, he climbed to 11th place on the strength of five bass weighing 8-12 while fishing with pro Brad Knight of Wartburg, Tenn. He sealed the win Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 11-9 while fishing with pro Bud Pruitt of Houston, Texas.
Rounding out the top five Co-anglers are:
3rd: Mitchell Cook, Drexel, N.C., 15 bass, 27-8, $7,289
4th: Lynn Baciuska Jr., Afton, N.Y., 14 bass, 26-8, $4,856
5th: Naohiro Maruo, Takamatsu Kaga, Japan, 15 bass, 26-6, $3,882
Freeman also won a $2,500 gift card as part of the new Cabela’s Angler Cash program. Beginning in 2010, Cabela’s is offering pro and co-anglers the opportunity to register and win a $2,500 gift card for being the highest qualified finisher in each division at all FLW Tour events, making the stakes even higher in an already rich award package. Anglers can visit FLWOutdoors.com for a complete list of rules and to register.
Overall there were 354 bass weighing 633 pounds, 13 ounces caught by 125 co-anglers Wednesday. The catch included 31 five-bass limits.
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Day Four Was Brutal on the Big G
We don't have a big update today as big storms on the lake pushed us to the breaking point and we got off the water early. We did catch a fish just shy of five pounds on a finesse carolina rig. Basically it's a rig Chris Jackson of Fins and Grins Freshwater Adventures Guide Service showed us on Wednesday. I basically slid a bobber stop up the line, then a 1/4 ounce Tru-Tungsten weight. Then a bead and another bobber stop. Then about 30 inches down the line I tied on a straight shank hook and a Zoom Baby Brush Hog. On the second or third cast a fish loaded up as I cleared a brush pile.
The fish rocketed out of the water and jumped at least 3 feet. I've never seen bass this mean when the water is under 60 degrees. The fish was green when it neared the boat so we netted it quickly. After that we managed a few small fish and another keeper on jigs and the finesse Carolina rigged Brush Hog.
The water temperature was back down to 55 degrees. It was nearly 59 degrees the afternoon before. The wind picked up to 10-15 mph out of the southeast. The deep fish we had been catching didn't bite on channel swing banks and points. We fished shallow around some boat docks also without much luck. About 11:30 a.m., the wind picked up, and our hands, feet and faces were freezing. So we called it a day and got off the water.
Heath Smith, a touring Bassmaster Open angler met us for breakfast and went out the same time we did. He managed four keepers to 4 pounds fishing a Sexy Shad Strike King Bottom Dweller spinnerbait in water 4 feet or less. We released all the fish and got off the water because it was pouring down and we weren't able to get our video or camera gear out.
Our travelling buddies caught a lot of short fish and one 5-pound fish on a lipless crankbait fished shallow around grass in the back of one pocket early. But they struggled later in the day.
Our plan is to hit the water in the morning and hit it hard for our last day on Guntersville for a while. It's been fun figuring the fish out on a foreign body of water. We hope our reports have helped you do some pre-planning for your fishing trips. Will have a final update this weekend and hopefully more photos.
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Pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., crossed the stage Thursday with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 9 ounces to lead day two of the FLW Tour event presented by the National Guard on Lake Norman. Thrift has a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 29-10 and now holds a 2-pound, 1-ounce lead in the tournament featuring anglers from all across the country.
“Home-lake advantage definitely came into play today,” said Thrift, who has won more than $467,000 in FLW Outdoors competition. “Just knowing what to look for and what kind of structure the fish were on once I got a couple of bites, I could keep running to places like that. I didn’t have to waste time running around trying to find where stuff was.
“I’m catching fish on a lot of different things,” Thrift added. “I’m catching them on a worm, jig and crankbait, and caught some on a Chatterbait yesterday. There’s really no certain bait that I’m keying in on. Probably the two I’m spending the most time with are the jig and the crankbait.”
Thrift said he is fishing water all over the lake, almost from dam to dam and keying in on brushpiles and docks he has had success with in the past.
“I’m running way up the river and running up almost every creek in the lake,” Thrift said. “I’m burning two tanks of gas every day.”
Rounding out the top-10 pros after day one on Lake Norman are:
2nd: Rusty Trancygier, Hahira, Ga., 10 bass, 27-9
3rd: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 10 bass, 26-6
4th: Jason Christie, Park Hill, Okla., 10 bass, 26-0
5th: Greg Pugh, Cullman, Ala., 10 bass, 25-5
6th: Todd Auten, Lake Wylie, S.C., 10 bass, 24-5
7th: National Guard pro Jonathan Newton, Rogersville, Ala., 10 bass, 23-15
8th: Chip Harrison, Bremen, Ind., 10 bass, 23-15
9th: Vic Vatalaro, Kent, Ohio, 10 bass, 23-9
10th: Chevy pro Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 10 bass, 23-2
Overall there were 644 bass weighing 1,246 pounds, 1 ounce caught by 146 pros Thursday. The catch included 105 five-bass limits.
Pros are competing for a top award of up to $125,000 this week plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for the Forrest Wood Cup which will be held Aug. 5-8 at Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Ga., where they could win as much as $600,000 – the sport’s biggest award.
Mitchell Cook of Drexel, N.C., leads the Co-angler Division with 10 bass weighing 19-4 followed by Naohiro Maruo of Takamatsu Kaga, Japan, in second place with 10 bass weighing 19 pounds even.
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers are:
3rd: Mark Denney, Cottontown, Tenn., nine bass, 18-10
4th: Lynn Baciuska Jr., Afton, N.Y., nine bass, 17-14
5th: Brent Evans, Calvert City, Ky., 10 bass, 17-10
6th: Mark White, Tucson, Ariz., 10 bass, 17-8
7th: Mark Heatwole, Harrisonburg, Va., nine bass, 17-4
8th: Hector Delagarza, Sunnyvale, Texas, eight bass, 17-0
9th: Al Gagliarducci, Enfield, Conn., 10 bass, 16-12
10th: Johnny Manning, Arkadelphia, Ark., eight bass, 16-11
Overall there were 456 bass weighing 778 pounds, 6 ounces caught by 138 co-anglers Wednesday. The catch included 41 five-bass limits.
Co-anglers are fishing for a top award of $25,000 this week plus valuable points that could help them qualify for the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.
Anglers will take off from Blythe Landing located at 15901 N.C. Highway 73 in Cornelius, N.C., at 7:15 each morning. Friday’s weigh-in will also be held at Blythe Landing beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center located at 4751 Highway 49 North in Concord, N.C., beginning at 4 p.m.
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The 2010 Collegiate Bass Fishing Open presented by Pepsi!
San Antonio, Texas - Collegiate anglers throughout the country may begin registering online for the 2010 Collegiate Bass Fishing Open presented by Pepsi on Thursday, April 1. This unique, new event, scheduled for June 21-25 at Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tennessee is part of the BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series and is open to all eligible collegiate anglers nationwide.
A team may consist of up to 6 anglers and 3 boats and there's no limit to the number of teams that can participate. The full field will compete both days. Winners will be determined by the combined weight of each team's two heaviest boat weights each day. For clubs that are only able to send 1 boat, the single boat weight will be doubled each day. Numerous prizes and awards will be made to the top finishers.
"We are excited to be the host of the inaugural Collegiate Bass Fishing Open presented by Pepsi on Kentucky Lake," said Carl Holder of the Henry County Alliance Tourism Initiative. "It is our hope to establish Paris Landing State Park as the permanent venue for this tournament, making it an annual event. We feel this is a great partnership that combines the Association of Collegiate Anglers' extensive experience organizing collegiate bass tournaments with our expertise serving as the host of major, highly successful events."
"Pepsi has been a longstanding supporter of bass fishing and we're pleased to extend that support to the collegiate level through this event," said Adrian Blanco, senior sales manager, Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages. "We hope this championship will introduce more people to this exciting form of competition and the beauty of Paris Landing Park."
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This week Dave brings us info on Byron Velvick, Skeet Reese, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and One Freaky Fish! Click the image above to check it out. |
Three PAA members were awarded the BoatU.S. Foundation Environmental Leadership Award for their efforts to spearhead a cleanup project at Pickwick Lake in Florence, Ala., prior to the 2008 PAA Corporate Cup.
Wired2Fish angler Gary Klein of Texas, Wired2fish angler Shaw Grigsby of Florida and Tim Horton of Alabama received the award in February. They were nominated by Kay Smallwood of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Association, a tourism agency for 16 North Alabama counties including much of the Tennessee River.
The award is given to people who make a significant impact to help educate the public and boaters about clean boating and minimizing environmental impacts.
The anglers organized 13 boats of tournament anglers to help clean shorelines and Pickwick Lake the day before the 2008 PAA Corporate Cup. They easily brought in hundreds of pounds of tires, trash and other debris from cups and wrappers to children’s toys and household items.
“We wanted to use the PAA Corporate Cup as a way to give a little something back,” Klein said. “We felt like if anglers from all around the country took some initiative while passing through, it would help to inspire the local community to continue the effort and help take care of their waterways long after we were gone.”
Horton lives in nearby Muscle Shoals. He guided and began his tournament career on Pickwick Lake, one of the most famous in the country for smallmouth bass and other species.
“The project meant a lot to me, with such strong ties to Pickwick Lake,” he said. “It was great to see guys with such hectic schedules stop and give a little something back to the community. Seeing my friends and competitors take enough time to fill a city trash truck with garbage was something special.
Smallwood nominated the anglers through the Life On The Water magazine, which chronicles news from the Tennessee River and tributaries. Horton has worked with Smallwood’s agency, AMLA, for years to help promote North Alabama and its abundant outdoors resources.
"It is great to see professional anglers involved in engaging others in conservation activities," Smallwood said.
Grigsby, like Klein, has competed for more than 25 years on the professional circuits and has traveled across the country. Projects like this often prompt others to begin efforts to clean up waterways.
“Gary was the spark that started this project and I was glad to get involved and be a part of it,” Grigsby said. “Anytime we can come to a venue and leave it better than we found it, we’ve done the right thing. It was our goal to start doing projects like this in more of the places we visit.”
"Professional anglers are at the top of the list of true conservationists,” Horton added. “We teach it to youth and we want to show it by our actions.”
The PAA will be returning to Pickwick Lake the first week of June for the 2010 Corporate Cup and another cleanup project could be conducted.
“Efforts like these show that it is about more than the competition for our PAA members,” said Danny Blandford, PAA Program Director. “Not only did the guys pitch in for the cleanup project, now that they have been honored for it, they immediately put their award towards future conservation efforts for the PAA. It says a lot about their commitment to the sport and our organization, it means a lot to the PAA.”
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Jason Christie targeted pockets and got two big bites to anchor his 16 pound limit on day one of the Lake Norman FLW Tour event. Christie thought he could realistically back it up with 12 pounds tomorrow. Andy Morgan did well again on Norman, catching a limit for 15 pounds. Andy Morgan is thrid with 14-5. Two tour pro, Ish Monroe tied Greg Pugh and Nate Wellman for fourth with 13-14. The weights are tight like always on Norman. The fish are moving rapidly to the shallows thanks to seasonably warm temperatures.
Christie felt the fish are moving shallow so rapidly that most of what guys found in practice changed in a day. And will continue to change tomorrow and throughout the tournament.
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Day Three Fishing Gets Good Again
We learned from day two that the bigger fish weren't roaming around the shallows just yet. We decided to go back to what we did on Monday, targetting channel swing banks in the big bays. When we launched this morning the fog was so thick you couldn't see 10 feet. So we decided to hit the first deep channel swing near the ramp. We idled over and pulled the football jigs from the locker again.
After about 10 casts we had our first keeper of the morning, a chunky 3-pounder. A few casts later and Terry hooked a good fish. It barrelled to the surface, rolled and jumped and the jig came loose. It was a 5- or 6-pounder judging by the fish we've caught so far this week. We worked the point swing hard for another 2 hours and managed one more keeper around 3 pounds.
On our next move, we decided to hit a roadbed and some staging flats. We hit another 3-pounder out of a brush pile near the roadbed on a Carolina-rigged Hag's Tornado. We ran the flat zig-zagging over the roadbed for a couple hours. After a while we decided the fish weren't out deep on that flat or roadbed. We didn't want to go shallow, so we headed back to some deeper points.
Within minutes, we hit a 5-pounder. Then I hit a 7-pounder, and Terry hit a 5-pounder. Then Terry hit a 4-pounder. All the fish came on jigs in shallow water near a deep water edge. The fish were pretty aggressive for about 45 minutes and then the action slowed dramatically. Working the jig is nothing but a slow drag, making a point to feel every rock. If we get snagged on a bigger rock, we try to just pop it over and keep it close. A lot of the bites came as we pulled the jig over a big object and it fell for just a second.
It's a painfully slow process fishing like this. We had thoughts driving down that we'd be ripping traps in the grass and snatching jerkbaits over clear water. But the fish showed they didn't want to chase in the areas we found them. So we've been grinding it out.
Today we joked that we might not have even found the pattern that's working had the weather not been so brutal on Monday that we actually went looking for some wind protected areas to get out of the sleet in the face. We went looking for the deeper water and knew we were going to catch them when we got to the first channel. Since then that's been the most productive pattern for us.
Our Wired2Fish buddies Mike Blake and Doug Francis from Illinois travelled down with us and caught a lot of short fish shallow on Carolina rigs and jigs. Then late in the day they went shallow in the back of a pocket and caught a 4 1/2 pounder and a 7-pounder on a Carolina rig.
The water temp got near 60 degrees today. Tomorrow it might hit 60 degrees in the shallow. I think by next week these fish are going to be headed to the beds. Basically we're looking for where they will spawn and then going to the deepest water near that.
We ran into Guntersville Guide and great angler Chris Jackson of Fins and Grins Fishing Adventures. He said he caught a 5-pounder shallow and some fish to 3 pounds after that. According to Chris, the lake is four weeks behind. Judging by his fishing logs, he should be sight fishing this week in the grass but the bass are just starting to move shallow. He felt, however, the bass are going to the beds quickly.
We were happy with another limit weighing more than 24 pounds (7,5,5,4,3). Tomorrow the forecast calls for rain and severe thunderstorms with wind gusts to 30 mph. Stay tuned to see how the fish react and how we react to the changing conditions and mood of the fish.
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Day Two Report: Learning that the fish are staging and not moving shallow yet
Today we decided to venture out from our beaten path. The first day we battled a crazy cold front with blowing sleet, snow and rain. We struggled to keep warm and dry but the fishing was unbelievable. While the fishing could not be classified as fast and furious, the quality was good. We had several 3- to 7-pound bass. Our best five weighed 26 pounds. The fish were relating to channel banks and most of our quality came on football jigs.
The weather changed drastically today. Mid-morning the clouds finally started to melt away, and the sun broke through. The wind started fairly strong, died for a few hours and then picked back up late in the afternoon. We spent a good portion of our day running different parts of the lake to see if the fish were moving shallow yet or if they were out deep still.
We moved around a lot more today. We found the fish willing on one channel swing bank on the main lake. There was some grass mixed in with some rocks and stumps. The ledge bank went from 5 feet to 15 feet quickly. The fish were biting funny. We missed more than we caught on jigs. They just wouldn't pick up on the jig. But we did manage a couple keepers including a 4-pounder.
From there we moved into a shallow spawning bay. We fished rip rap, docks, big grass flats, laydowns, steeper banks, flatter banks and everything in between. We didn't get a single bite. From there we moved to another similar cove on the opposite side of the river. Same result. As we worked out of the bay we hit two small non-keepers heading out of the bay on the outside points.
We left that area and fished a big shallow flat full of stumps. Again not a single bite.
At this point we've thrown jerkbaits, jigs, lipless crankbaits, swimbaits and spinnerbaits without much luck.
We worked back to the area where we caught fish the previous day. The area had a lot more boat pressure today, and we couldn't get back on the small area where we hit a 5-, a 6- and a 7-pounder. But the fish were still biting. We managed another keeper and a couple short fish. We shared the area with some friends that traveled with us. One of the reasons we ventured out more today. They fished the area and managed three keepers. So we're piecing together where the bass are.
Today was a high pressure system after the cold front. The bass bit very funny. Some would pick up on a jig, swim 10 feet with it and never have it when you set the hook. It's like they had it by the trailer. The bites were few but the fishing should improve on Wednesday with the high pressure subsiding and the sunny warming temps making the shallows more attractive.
The main lake had 57-degree water while most of the pockets had 54-degree water. So our search continues tomorrow. We feel like we can yank on the fish again on our first-day stretch, but we're trying to piece together more of the puzzle. There are obviously fish biting in more areas, so we'll report back tomorrow with more updates.
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Mike Allen, a fisheries professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has released a study that sheds some new light on the effects of fishing for bass during the spawn. For a brief synopsis of the study, click here.
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The FLW Tour stops on Lake Norman this Wednesday for their second event of the season. Popular picks will no doubt be Brent Ehrler, Stetson Blaylock, Sean Hornke and others who have done well at the repeat venue. However conditions will be different because the Tour is visiting earlier than usual. It will be more of a prespawn bite than a sight fishing bite.
Get your picks in by midnight Tuesday. If you don't have a league to play in this year, feel free to join the Wired2Fish league. The league ID is 16894. Here is a referral link to our league. http://www.fantasyfishing.com/?ref=705308. Password is: Wired2Fish!
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Registration began March 22 for anyone wishing to participate as an official Observer in the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix.
The Series consists of four tournaments comprised of the best touring professional bass fishermen from the PAA, Bassmaster Elite Series and FLW Tour. A non-fishing observer will accompany each angler to assure the ethics of the PAA are followed and the integrity and validity of the rules are adhered to by all contestants.
As an official member Observer, you can spend up to three days learning from the nation’s top pros while they compete with one another. There is no better way to learn tournament tactics, decision-making or how to win than to watch an event from the boat.
Observers must be at least a General Member of the PAA. There is a $50 entry fee, paid one time per tournament, which entitles the observer to participate up to all three days in each event.
In addition, Observers who participate in Days 1 and 2 will be eligible to participate in a shared-weight competition for Bass Pro Shops gift cards and prizes. The weight of the Observer’s Pro from the first two days will be combined, with gift cards and prizes for the top 20 Observers.
Although official Observers cannot fish in the Tournament Series, there will be unique opportunities to fish with the pros.
The PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series Pro-Am will be a small event open to amateur anglers who will be paired with a pro for an event on a nearby lake on Saturday. Pro-Am participants will not be able to observe on Saturday, should they decide to compete in the Pro-Am.
The Pro-Am will use the Catch, Weigh, Release format and be regulated as a paper tournament. Anglers will police themselves and keep track of the weight in their respective boats. Tournament finishes will be based on the total weight in pounds and ounces, up to the tournament limit.
Amateurs must enter the event in pairs, making for a total of three team members per boat. Each team will consist of two amateurs and one pro, and the catches of all three anglers will be recorded on the score card and counted towards the tournament limit.
All amateur contestants must be at least a General Member of the PAA.
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We're (Terry and Jason) down on Lake Guntersville working on product reviews, on-the-water videos, photography for the photo library. The long-range forecast looks great with temperatures in the 70s. This morning, however we were greeted with brutal below freezing wind chills, sleet, ice and snow on the lake. On top of that we faced 15-20 mph winds.
It rained all day yesterday, and water temps have peaked today at 53 degrees. It's cold and nasty and this is the blowing cold day in a frontal system. Tomorrow will be much warmer and sunnier. But today we had the idea that the fish would pull back off to deeper water with the brutal conditions. The water is churned and muddy up shallow, the rain is freezing and the fish we thought would be in a foul mood.
We decided to start on a road bed in about 10 feet of water offshore targeting it with lipless crankbaits. We fished the road bed and point from 10 feet to 4 feet of water for about 30 to 45 minutes. The wind and waves were brutal and holding the boat in position was hard. We felt like it would take a lot of time and effort to find groups of fish along that roadbed. So we made a change.
We moved to a series of points where the creek channel swung close. This gave the fish deep water access close by and some points to move up and feed on when the mood struck. They proved us right. We caught a bunch of smaller bass on Spro McStick and Lucky Craft Pointer DD jerkbaits. We missed a few fish early but we caught them fairly steady given the amazingly cold conditions.
About mid-day, I picked up the jig and started fishing it down the points. I hooked up with a 3 1/2-pounder pretty quick. About 15 minutes later I hooked into a big one. Terry netted the bass and we put her in the livewell to recuperate before a couple quick photos. The beautiful bass went 5 pounds, 8 ounces. About 5 minutes later, Terry was asking for the net. He had picked up an Omega Football jig with a Strike King Ragetail chunk. He pulled the bass boatside, and I netted her. This fish pulled the scale down to 7.1 pounds. So now we had about 16 pounds in 3 fish. We hit another three pounder and a four pounder in short order and lost another big fish.
So on a day when we probably should have just stayed in and worked on the website, we hit a five bass limit that weighed 23 1/2 pounds. This is just day one of our trek to Guntersville. We'll update more this evening and each day as well as share a few photos and tips we learn along the way.
Today's lesson for us was looking for where we thought the bass would move to when it warms up. We backed out from there and just fished slow with a jerkbait and jig. Pretty simple idea but it's great when a plan comes together.
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BASS Communications - Seigo Saito
 Considered a pioneer of the swimbait craze, Byron Velvick, a West Coast transplant, furthered his legacy with the bait Sunday at Clear Lake, taking the Golden State Shootout, the second event of the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series, on the shoulders of the revolutionary lure.
It was nearly ten years ago when Velvick, who now resides in Del Rio, Texas, ushered the swimbait to the front and center of the fishing world. Then, he established the BASS’ three-day tournament record with 83 pounds, 5 ounces. This week, he toted 98 pounds, 6 ounces to the scales over four days earning $100,000, his first career Elite Series win and a whole bunch of momentum heading into the meat of the Elite season.
“I love Clear Lake,” said Velvick, 45. “Ten years ago, I knew this place was special. This lake is just phenomenal and it feels great to get this in front of family and friends.”
Bassmaster.com will cover the 2010 Elites throughout the season with daily analysis, photo galleries, standings and a real-time leaderboard. ESPN360.com will offer live, streaming video. ESPN2 will recap this competition on The Bassmasters at 9 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 4, and again at 11 a.m. ET, Saturday, April 17.
Velvick attributed the victory to both his primary area – a shallow, warm bay that contained grass, rock and hitch, a rare bait fish found in California – and his bait choice – a Rago BV 3D swimbait. Earlier in the week, Velvick had noted that versatility was key, a ploy to throw his competitors off of his real strategy. Instead, he decided early in the competition he would either sink or swim with the 7-inch lure.
The key to success, he said, was to work it slowly and deliberately. The bait was created in such a fashion where it is essentially weedless but the hooks are exposed and Velvick said that allowed him to easily crawl through it grass. He knew he was successfully casting when the belly of the swimbait would turn green from its exposure to the grass.
And to entice the bigger bites, he would position himself in the grass, casting out to the deeper water and entice the hitch back towards the boat. The bass would then strike on the retrieve. His method – he labeled it pulse and hover – had to be precise. The two-time Classic qualifier said if he fished just a hair fast, he wouldn’t get a bite.
“A lot of guys came in that area and they just didn’t know how to fish it correctly,” said Velvick. “The bait allowed me to work the structure the correct way. Things had to line up perfect but I had a great combination of spot and bait this week.”
The win brings Velvick to a high point in his career. He has qualified for the past two Bassmaster Classics but he started this year with a debacle at the California Delta (83rd). Things can change quickly on the Elite Series, however, and Velvick made his California trip count with the win. He moved up to 23rd in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
With Velvick not letting up Sunday, the most intriguing battle was for second place. Bill Lowen of North Bend, Ohio, took those honors over Guy Eaker of Cherryville, N.C. The two were fishing with casting distance of each other and the area yielded a bevy of bass over the course of the tournament. Lowen finished while 92 pounds, 9 ounces, while Eaker, the 70-year-old sentimental favorite, took third with 90 pounds, 11 ounces.
Lowen decided during practice to fish to his strengths and that didn’t include anything to do with a swimbait. An Ohio River rat, Lowen felt more comfortable working a black-and-blue chatterbait and a black-and-blue swimjig in the staging area shared with Eaker. The finish was Lowen’s best in his five-year Elite Series career.
“Most of the guys in the field were thinking that you had to throw a swimbait to win and they were right,” said Lowen, 35. “But I had to fish to my strengths and I’m pleased with the outcome.”
Like Lowen, Eaker earned his career-best Elite finish this week. In the end, the shared spot – while productive – didn’t hold the bigger fish that were needed for the victory.
In fourth was Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., with 86 pounds, 2 ounces. In fifth was Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., with 85-3. Reese took back-to-back top five finishes on the California swing to open the season. And that puts him at the top of the 2010 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, the main qualifying route into the Bassmaster Classic. The full standings can be found below.
Reese, the 2007 AOY, missed out by one ounce at the Delta tournament last week and while he didn’t get total redemption, he has his eyes on a larger prize.
“I’ll take second place finishes all year as long as I come out first in the Angler of the Year race,” said Reese, also the 2009 Classic champion. “That’s what I’m really focused on.”
Only the top 12 fished Sunday and that included 19-year-old Elite Series rookie Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Ky. Roy, the youngest competitor to fish an Elite event, finished eighth.
Clear Lake is the largest natural lake to lie entirely within California. In sharp contrast to the sprawling, shallow Delta system – where last week’s Elite event was held -- Clear Lake is 19 miles long, measures eight miles wide at its widest point, and has an average depth of 27 feet.
DAY 3 GOLDEN STATE SHOOTOUT FINAL STANDINGS
2010 Golden State Shootout 03/18-03/21
Clear Lake, Lakeport Calif.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas 20 98-06 320 $100,500.00
Day 1: 5 29-00 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 5 24-08 Day 4: 5 22-14
2. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 20 92-09 295 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 5 22-09 Day 3: 5 24-02 Day 4: 5 23-00
3. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 20 90-11 290 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 5 22-06 Day 3: 5 24-00 Day 4: 5 22-07
4. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 20 86-02 285 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-03 Day 2: 5 23-07 Day 3: 5 20-10 Day 4: 5 18-14
5. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 20 85-03 280 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 18-12 Day 3: 5 21-02 Day 4: 5 25-01
6. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 20 81-14 276 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 21-13 Day 3: 5 20-10 Day 4: 5 22-15
7. Terry Butcher Talala, Okla. 20 80-08 272 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 21-13 Day 3: 5 22-12 Day 4: 5 17-12
8. Bradley Roy Lancaster, Ky. 20 79-11 268 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 22-01 Day 3: 5 22-09 Day 4: 5 15-09
9. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, Ala. 20 79-08 264 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 20-14 Day 3: 5 22-15 Day 4: 5 17-13
10. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 20 78-09 260 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 23-04 Day 2: 5 17-14 Day 3: 5 21-06 Day 4: 5 16-01
11. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 19 76-00 257 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 21-03 Day 3: 5 22-12 Day 4: 4 14-11
12. Matt Herren Trussville, Ala. 20 75-13 254 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 21-13 Day 2: 5 18-06 Day 3: 5 21-12 Day 4: 5 13-14
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Big Bass of Tournament
Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla. 11-01 $1,000.00
Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year Leader
Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. $1,000.00
Berkley Big Bag of Tournament
Byron Velvick Del Rio, Texas 29-00 $500.00
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Byron Velvick brought his fourth straight 20-plus-pound bag to the scale today to win the Bassmaster Elite Series Golden State Shootout on Clear Lake. Today he weighed 22-14 for a four-day total of 98-6. He beat runner-up Bill Lowen by 5-13. Lowen had a great tournament with a four-day catch of 92-9.
Rounding out the top five was Guy Eaker with 90-11, Randy Howell with 86-2 and Skeet Reese with 85-3. Reese had the big bag of the day with 25 pounds, 1 ounce. Velvick had big fish of the day with a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass. More details later.
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 BASS photo
Byron Velvick remained hot today and extended his lead at Clear Lake going into the final day tomorrow. He had a 5 bass limit that weighed 24-8 today for a total of 75-8 for the tournament. Velvick has led all three days.
In second is Ohio angler Bill Lowen. He brought in 5 bass weighing 24-2 today. His total weight is 69-9.
In third is Guy Eaker with 68-4, Randy Howell is fourth with 67-4, Elite Rookie Bradley Roy is fifth with 64-2 and Terry Butcher is sixth with 62-12.
Rounding out the Top 12 are Wired anglers Jared Lintner and Matt Herren with 62-8 and 61-15 respectively, Boyd Duckett with 61-11, Brian Snowden with 61-5, Skeet Reese with 60-2 and Tommy Biffle with 58-15.
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Just as Clear Lake is starting to warm up, so is Byron Velvick. Velvick, a West Coast transplant who now resides in Del Rio, Texas, wasn’t able to land a monster bass, like Thursday, but the two-time BASS winner managed 22 pounds Friday, building his two-day total to 51 pounds. Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., upgraded his total to 46-10, enough to keep Velvick honest heading into the weekend.
Velvick has considerable big-fish chops – he established the BASS three-day tournament record here with 83 pounds, 5 ounces, -- and is tapping into his extensive knowledge of Clear Lake. Still, Elite events are all about learning and adapting and Velvick says he has been able to accrue new knowledge of the fishery each day. And things are setting up to be a slugfest.
“It’s going to be like an Easter egg hunt on Sunday,” said Velvick of the fish being susceptible to sight fishing. “It is just going to be sick.”
Bassmaster.com will cover the 2010 Golden State Shootout with daily analysis, photo galleries, standings and a real-time leaderboard. ESPN360.com will offer live, streaming video. ESPN2 will recap the competition on The Bassmasters at 9 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 4, and again at 11 a.m. ET, Saturday, April 17.
Velvick has been mining areas that have produced for him in the past. In fact, one – his primary – was the area that yielded the three-day record. This week, he hasn’t pigeonholed himself into one technique. Instead, he is changing up his lure presentation between three choices.
Some of his strategy has involved protecting his areas from other anglers – both locals and pros. And with the lake turning on and pleasant conditions in store, the lake could be a madhouse over the weekend.
But Velvick has a sound contingency plan. He has formulated something that he can go to and feel confident in scrounging a solid limit if necessary.
“I’ve learned a lot over the past two days,” said Velvick, 45. “I have a little something figured out where I know what I can do no matter what happens.”
The two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier said he missed a couple of key bites Friday but Velvick was able to consistently land bites – he totaled 15 to 18 -- throughout the day.
While Velvick has been running and gunning, Howell has sat on one spot the entire tournament. The area is comprised of spawning flats and the fish are coming in waves. The early bite has proved stout – Howell landed a limit in 15 minutes – but it gives way to a sporadic bite later in the day.
Howell has been fearful of vacating his area, allowing other competitors to work it and like Velvick, has been playing defense. He has been switching up between two baits, a 10-inch cut tail worm and a football jig. Those produced 14 bites, which included an 8-pounder that ended up coming off at the boat.
“This is the first time in a long time that I feel like I have an area with the potential to win,” said Howell, 36. “I have a lot of confidence and I plan to either win it or lose it on that area.”
The nine-time Classic qualifier is no stranger to fast starts. Countless times in 2009 Elite competitions, Howell started off strong but faltered a bit in the end. Still, he was able to compile a bundle of top-20 finishes and qualified for the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason.
Strangely enough, Howell and Velvick were neck-and-neck last week at the Elite season-opener on the California Delta. But they were fighting it out for 82nd with Velvick edging out Howell, who finished 83rd. Both are looking for redemption here and to put themselves back in the top half of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
In third was Bill Lowen of North Bend, Ohio with 45 pounds, 7 ounces. In fourth was Guy Eaker of Cherryville, N.C., with 44-4. Eaker and Lowen are sharing an area that continues to produce but the question remains if the area can withstand the heavy assault both anglers are applying to it.
On the opposite end of the experience spectrum from the 70-year-old Eaker is 19-year-old Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Ky. Roy is right behind Eaker in the standings though with 41-9, enough to settle into fifth place.
Local favorite Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande slipped from second to sixth. He still remains within striking distance at 41-2. Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., made the move of the tournament up 37 places from Thursday to seventh.
He was buoyed by the second double-digit bass Clear Lake has yielded this week. Lane boated an 11-pound, 1-ounce, behemoth Friday – tops for the tournament thus far – on his 10th cast of the morning. The brute fell for a 9-inch Osprey swimbait.
Prhibitive favorite Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., was 11th with 39-0. Five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam fell to 59th and missed the Saturday cut. VanDam’s struggles are surprising but with the schedule setting up well for himself, the 2010 Classic champion is still certain to be a factor in the AOY race this year.
Other notables in the cutline were 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion Boyd Duckett (13th), 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Michael Iaconelli (20th) and Elite rookie Matt Greenblatt of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (22nd). Only the top 47 advanced to Saturday’s competition. The top 12 will move on to Sunday and fish for the $100,000 top prize.
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 Barone photo
California and Wired2Fish pro Jared Lintner was involved in a serious accident on his way to Clear Lake. His truck and boat were totaled and his gear was thrown across I-5. The good news is he and his son escaped with only bumps and bruises.
Some anglers would have backed out. Not the "Milkman", Jared Lintner. Although it wasn't easy he and his family circled the wagons and got a hodge-podge of salvagible tackle, borrowed a good friends boat and then went out and had a super day one on Clear. He currently sits in second place as they fish day two.
There is an understory here. One about family and extended family and the value good friends provide it tough situations. There is a great read on Bassmaster.com about how this all came together in a tough situation for Jared. To read it click here.
There is also a great story by Don Barone that touches on the reasons we love fishing and what friends do. You can read it by clicking here.
Go get them Jared. |
Bill McElroy just sent us a new toon for Scales and Tales....check it out by clicking here. |
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Tough economic times means resourceful anglers. They won't quit fishing, that is for sure. In the last few years a trend has developed where anglers are "retrofitting" their old boats or taking a jon boat and turning it into a fishing machine. Decking, upgrading pumps and electronics, or even repowering are all options for the savvy and thrifty angler.
Today, more than ever, companies have seen that trend and are developing new products for what we see a a new cottage industry that is getting legs. Kits are now available to install aeration and bilge systems, better hardware can be found at boat dealerships and fishing equipment stores, and sturdy materials to take weight out of the equation are also available now. Small horsepower boats doesn't necessarily mean bad performance or an uncomfortable outing. There are tricks that can make a whole new group of boats available to the masses.
A quick look at any of the Marine catalogs clearly show that options are available for anglers on a budget.
One of the cool product we like for this application is the Fish Mate Pro livewell system. The complete system keeps fish alive, are dependable and sturdy and look great too. Made in the USA, the Fish Mate Pro brings customization to storage and livewells to a whole new level. You can check them out by clicking here.
Another cool product we have talked about a lot here at Wired2Fish is Bluewater LED lighting systems. Not only does it put bling into your boat but adds a level of safety on low light conditions. Not only can you see better but you can be seen better as well. Click here for more info on Bluewater LED.
Pumps and aeration systems can be upgraded as well. Attwood Marine is a leader in this area. Bilge pumps, hardware, aeration systems and hardware are all avaiable here. To learn more about Attwood click here.
If your boat seats need repair or need to be replaced check out the Boat Seat Store. They can provide economically priced seats for any boat and any color. Check them out by clicking here.
You may not have the funds to buy a new boat so do the next best thing....Retrofit the old washtub.
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Photo courtesy of B.A.S.S.
Del Rio, Texas angler Byron Velvick took the day-one lead at Clear Lake today with a five-bass limit weighing 29-0. Velvick has been here before with a win and an 83-pound-plus three-day record to his credit on Clear Lake. In second place is California Wired2Fish angler Jared Lintner with 23-4. In third is Randy Howell with 23-3. Bill Lowen (22-14), Guy Eaker (21-14), Wired angler Matt Herren (21-13), Wired angler Denny Brauer (21-9), Kelly Jordon (21-8), Wired angler Jeff Kriet, and Skeet Reese (20-4) round out the top 10.
This could shape up to be a blow-out event as warming temps are forecast through the weekend.
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FLW Outdoors announced Thursday that it has been
inducted
into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in the category of
Organization/Corporate
or Government Entity.
According to Bill Gautsche Jr., the Awards
Committee
Chairman for the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, the honor “recognizes
the
organization for its contribution, dedication and service to the fresh
water
sportfishing industry.”
“FLW Outdoors is honored to have been
inducted into
the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame,” said FLW Outdoors President and
CEO
Charlie Evans.
“To be associated with a membership that consists of the
absolute legends and leaders in the sport is yet another feather in the
cap of
our great organization.”
Other members of the Fresh Water Fishing
Hall of Fame
include Chevy pros Jimmy Houston and Larry Nixon, FLW Outdoors namesake
Forrest
L. Wood, legendary angler and FLW Walleye Tour pro Ted Takasaki and
numerous
conservation and state wildlife organizations.
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Terry Bolton, of Jonesboro, Ark. just picked up his boat from LSI in Bartlett, Tenn. It's wrapped with the Yamaha blue and white colors again and sporting a new Yamaha SHO 4-stroke on the back.
"I'm super excited about being with Yamaha again, and the new SHO 4-stroke engine lives up to everything that has been said about it," Bolton said. "I know when I got it on Wednesday and ran it, I couldn't hardly sleep that night because I was so anxious to go out again on Thursday."
Bolton also became part of the National Pro Staff for Rapala, Trigger X, Terminator, and Sufix this off-season and is happy to again be sponsored by Ranger Boats.
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We have seen a technology boon in the last few years that is unequal. Better boats, better outboards and better electronics that include Side Imaging, GPS, Down Imaging, weather and new trolling motors that will set the mark for years to come. The new i-Pilot from Minn Kota incorporates all of the bells and whistles an angler will ever need. Power, ease of use, GPS, speed, steering and cruise control all on a wireless platform.
You can follow a successful pass again and again, determine speed with a touch of a button, and set cruise control to follow specific coordinates to better help you stay on the fish.
The i-Pilot is available now and you can learn more about it by clicking here.
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Mercury Marine of Fondulac, Wis. has joined Wired2Fish as an advertiser for 2010. BASS Elite pro's like Kevin VanDam, Skeet Reese, Gary Klein, Shaw Grigsby, Greg Hackney, John Crews, Jeff Kriet, Mike McClelland and more all count on Mercury to get them to the bass and back. Whether you have a 2.5-hp kicker motor or a 250 Opti XS or a 300-hp Verado, Mercury is driven to deliver the best in quality and warranty.
"We are truly excited to have a company with a reputation of quality like Mercury here at Wired2Fish," said Terry Brown, president of Wired2Fish. "One of our goals is to give anglers the timely and pertinent information about products so they can make the best purchase decisions, and being partnered with the top companies in the industry like Mercury Marine help us do that more efficiently."
We will provide the inside scoop on new products and technologies, contests, multimedia and valuable information all aimed at getting Wired readers more information about Mercury and its great products.
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FLW pro and Lake Fork guide John Tanner knows Lake Fork like the back of his hand. Check out this video on lipless crankbait fishing by clicking here.
Tackle Warehouse has a great selection of lipless rattling baits and you can check them out by clicking here. |
Check out this great video from Falcon Rods with Mike McClelland and how he attacked the California Delta. To watch click here. |
Brent Ehrler has been on a hot streak and much has been written about his recent success. But we got an exclusive on his tournament winning strategies for finding fish and capitalizing when it counts. To read the lengthy article with Brent, click here.
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Are folks born with problem solving skills? Or do they acquire the skills because they had no choice? They either had to figure out how to swim or drown, metaphorically speaking. Yet some folks are so good at dissecting problems into manageable pieces and overcoming the obstacles inherent that it appears to be part of their DNA. Their efforts appear as luck to some. Others see it as an uncanny ability to read things as they are, realize when the opportunity or solution presents itself and manage a strategy into successful completion.
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HI-SEAS has announced a team of two boats on the 2010 BASS Elite series that will feature the HI-SEAS logo, colors, and products. BASS Elite Series Anglers Cliff Pace and Jeff Connella, two long time members of the HI-SEAS Pro-Staff, will have the HI-SEAS brand featured on their rigs for the 2010 season. “We are extremely excited to have both Cliff and Jeff running HI-SEAS wrapped boats this year. Both Cliff and Jeff have been great supporters of our HI-SEAS products and represent HI-SEAS in a first class fashion.” said Steven Miller, HI-SEAS Sales Manager.
Cliff Pace and his new 2010 Skeeter FX Series will feature a HI-SEAS wrap which first hit the water in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake. The wrap features Pace’s signature $100 bill backdrop blending in an array of flames, and a tribal design.
Pace says of his new wrap, “I’m excited to run the HI-SEAS wrap for the 2010 season and in the recent Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake. It allows me to showcase the products that have greatly improved my confidence on the water over the past three seasons.” Pace continues, “HI-SEAS produce’s the highest quality lines on the market, period! All of the problems I have had in the past with fluorocarbon lines have been put to rest when I found the HI-SEAS lines. Their 100% Fluorocarbon Line and new Quattro 100% Fluorocarbon line are by far the best lines that have touched my reels. I’m looking forward to spreading the word about HI-SEAS through this wrap on the 2010 Elite Series trail.”
Jeff Connella, another three year member of the HI-SEAS Pro team, will feature a HI-SEAS theme. Connella’s new 2010 Triton 20XS HP will feature the urban camouflage pattern featured on the packaging of the new HI-SEAS Quattro 100% Fluorocarbon Line. This Fluorocarbon is a revolutionary 4 color camouflage patterned 100% fluorocarbon line, which has been taking the freshwater market by storm.
“After using Hi-Seas lines for the past two seasons on the BASS Elite series, it’s great to also be able to represent HI-SEAS through my boat wrap. The camouflage pattern of the new wrap is based on the box design for the Quattro 100% Fluorocarbon line, which is the best innovation to fluorocarbon lines since their inception. The improved invisibility, increased limpness, superior abrasion resistance and break strength of this line will give any angler the performance edge they need.” Connella continues, “I am proud and excited to be representing the HI-SEAS brand and their great products on my new wrap for the 2010 season!” For over 30 years AFW & HI-SEAS has been providing serious freshwater and saltwater anglers with the finest quality line, leader, and rigging products. AFW has the largest selection of wire line and leader products in the industry. All wire, strand, and cable are manufactured in the United States. HI-SEAS offers a variety of lines specifically designed and formulated to meet any fishing challenge. Visit online at www.americanfishingwire.com or www.hiseas.net.
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Sight fishing is a technique that some anglers live for. Others have a tough time dialing it in. Because it combines both power and finesse it can be tricky. Light line, small baits, and a stealthy approach have been the norm for bed busters. Some anglers go against the grain to use only power techniques and a long rod. Texas pro Kelly Jordon is one of the best at this technique and the attached video shows you an approach you may not have thought about.
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Dave Mercer is at it again, and again and again!!! Facts of Fishing FYI this week includes a little Crews, a little TTBC, a little ORR Fish and a big bass..or something like that. To watch click here.
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Flipping and punching grass is a technique that has been around for years. Professional anglers have refined it in recent years, and hook companies have jumped on board in a big way. Special wire, better points, keepers that actually keep the bait from bunching up and hook sizes that meet the demands of smallish plastics without impacting the integrity of the action of the bait. No more bent hooks and lost fish with this new genre of hooks.
Offset bend hooks were the mainstay for anglers until recently and the new specially designed straight shank hooks have now taken the flipping and pitching market by storm. Hook companies have seen this as a mechanism to build specialty products that meet the tough demands of flipping heavy vegetation and wood and have created new hooks that are not only sharper but also meet the demands of the angler.
Here at Wired2Fish we have looked at them all and now have a suggested "Top 5" that anglers can be assured will do the job. Below is the list in no particular order of the ones that we feel will be successful for you.
1. Gambler K.O. Hooks - welded eye, super tough, excellent point and built with a special KO Barb. Comes in the best sizes 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0. A super hook for the BB Cricket.
2. Reaction Innovations BMF - one of the toughest hooks on the planet. True punchers have used this hook since the beginning and it works perfect with the Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver and other compact baits. The BMF says it all.
3. Mihatchii Pro Flip - metal keeper puts this hook in a special class. Baits last longer and this hook is one bad mama for strength. Biggest size to date is the 4/0.
4. Trokar 5/0 Flippin Hook - it's the deal. A unique built-in barb, surgically sharpened point and durability all in one. This may be the sharpest hook on the planet.
5. Mustad Ultra Point Brauer Flippin' Hook - This straight shank mutha is also one tough hombre. We like them for several reasons but smaller baits work well on them and the shank of the hook is not too large for most punching lures. The Ultra Point technology says SHARP and they are super quick penetrators. A shrink tube barb has to be added but that is no hill for a climber.
On the radar screen:
Gamakatsu has several hooks that stand the test and a new flipping power hook is on the horizon there as well. We can't wait to get our hands on some of the new ones sometime in late summer just perfect for punching hot summer bass in the kisser.
Paycheck Baits Punch Hooks are also sweet and are relatively new to the market. They too are tough as nails and are a great purchase teamed with a Paycheck Punch Skirt for super mat punching. This hook is the cat's meow and works well on all punch baits. They are now generally available in the best sizes and can be found at Tackle Warehouse.
We also like several of the TTI Blakemore hooks including those from Daiichi. They have great points and are super sharp but the ones we have used were not specifically designed for punching. Great hook at a very affordable price.
Again, these are the hooks we feel meet the "W2F approved" rating class and we would recommend purchase of any of them.
To shop Tackle Warehouse for a great selection click here. |
By Jason Sealock
Mann’s Bait Company created a fish catcher that stood the test of time. Anglers still catch ledge fish on them deep in the summer months all over the country. The Mann’s Little George was nothing more than a tear-drop spinner made of lead and painted chrome. The bait could cast a mile. Be straight retrieved or short hopped down break lines and steep drops.
That bait is still a hot seller. However its cousin came and went in the night without much fanfare. The Mann’s Super George was a much larger profile bait. It was plastic on the outside with a one knocker in the middle and the same famous tail spinner. The bait had a profile similar to a Rat-L-Trap except with a one knocker sound and tail spinner.
The effectiveness of this gem is surprising. My re-introduction to the bait came a couple years ago. I was fishing a buddy bass tournament in Arkansas. Several friends were gathered at a buddy’s house for a barbeque and a little trash talking before the tournament.
In walks my buddy Charlie bragging franticly about this throwback bait he’s going to throw in the tournament. Lake Dardanelle was a muddy mess. The only bite we’d found was shallow. So we scoffed and ridiculed his Super George selection relentlessly. I even joked with his partner, another close friend, he was going to have a long day fishing by himself the next morning with his partner throwing gimmick baits.
So Charlie was quiet the next morning. He went out with his Super George tied. Vandy starts off on a point throwing a Carolina Rig. Charlie made a cast away from the point and started hopping the Super George. Wham! He set the hook and immediately hollered that he’d caught a catfish. Vandy looked back, half interested to see Charlie’s line surging toward the surface – not how one would expect a catfish to behave. Vandy was on the net, and after a short fight, a nearly 8-pound bass was in the net -- a giant for Lake Dardanelle and the big fish of the tournament.
 Charlie’s throwback lure and subsequent ridicule was good for $1,000 and a handshake from Forrest Wood himself. Talk about egg on our faces. Since that time, I’ve acquired a handful of Super Georges and caught a few fish on it. While I won’t say it’s a miracle cure to ledge fishing, I like having the old bait in my arsenal for no other reason than the fish haven’t seen one very much. When the conditions are right, they really chomp on it.
The bait isn’t sold anymore, and Mann’s doesn’t have any in their inventory. Occassionally I find one on eBay. But those of us that have them and still fish them know what they can do. Some of us learned the hard way.
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 BASS photo
In 2007 Steve Kennedy eclipsed the BASS record then held by Preston Clark for total weight with a total of 122-14 on Clear Lake in California. That record was later broken at Falcon by Paul Elias with 132-8. The BASS Elite Series is again on Clear Lake and prognosticators are saying the weather is shaping up for another slugfest. Will 122-14 be broken? How about 132-8? What do you think?
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 Sealock photo
Outdoor enthusiasts will be pleased to know that an agreement has been inked to put Versus back on Direct TV. If you love fishing and have Direct TV you can again now watch programs like the FLW Outdoors Show, the Scott Martin Challenge, Babe Winkleman, Bill Dance, Hank Parker and a host of other great shows. Bring on the fishing!
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One of the worlds premier providers of fishing equipment is Frabill. Nets, Ice Shelters, Protective Clothing, you name it... Frabill makes it and knows what anglers are looking for. Frabill has joined Wired2Fish as an advertiser for 2010. "We are very excited to have Frabill with us at Wired. They do not sit around very long without coming forward with innovative products designed to help make anglers better and more comfortable" said Terry Brown, President Wired2Fish.
Welcome aboard Frabill and Wired Readers....get ready for new products and more contests coming from the great Frabill line-up.
To read our review of the new Frabill Hybernet click here. |
Crazy Canadian angler Dave Mercer catches a 125 pound shark on bass tackle. Great video. To watch click here. |
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Wired2Fish and Elite Series angler Mike McClelland has joined Japanese line giant Sunline for 2010.
Mike joins Tommy Biffle, Aaron Martens, Brent Ehrler and Takahiro Omori on the Sunline pro staff.
"Mike's a good hook and will be a great addition to the great pros that we already have on the Sunline staff. Anytime you can add a top Elite pro like Mike to your pro staff, you can't pass up that opportunity" said Mike Valster of Sunline.
McClelland noted: "It's an honor to join the Sunline pro staff. Sunline makes one of the best lines on the market, and in the time I've been fishing with Sunline, I can see and feel the difference in my fishing line."
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Vicious Fishing pro staffer John Crews of Salem, Va., won his first Bassmaster Elite Series tournament Sunday by one ounce on the California Delta in a nail-biting finish to open the season.
Crews caught 20 bass weighing 72 pounds, 6 ounces, for the win by one ounce over Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif. It was the first Elite Series tournament of the season.
A 5-pounder caught on his last flip of the day secured the win for Crews. He specifically pitched soft plastic baits all week, targeting an area of thick hydrilla about 4-8 feet deep in a dead-end canal. The fish there were not as affected by the Delta’s legendary tidal movements and Crews patiently picked it apart for four days.
Crews used 65-pound test Vicious Braid the first two days and then downsized the final two days after weather conditions dictated the change. The switch to 25-pound Vicious Fluorocarbon, a prototype currently in testing, helped make the difference. Crews used a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver the first three days before downsizing to a Gambler BB Cricket on the final day.
“This is just unbelievable,” Crews said. “When it’s your time, it’s just your time. I knew I was on the fish to win and I never have had that feeling before.”
Crews joined Vicious Fishing earlier this year. He is a four-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, has won almost $542,000 in 93 tournaments and has 47 finishes in the top 50.
To buy Vicious Fluorocarbon click here.
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The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) will return to Lake Conroe in 2010. The tournament received tremendous support in its first year on the Houston-area lake and will be held for the second time October 1 – 3. Ticketed activities for fans, including concerts, weigh-ins and expo areas, will take place October 2 and 3 at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center. The event benefits the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its outdoor recreation programs.
“We are pleased to bring the TTBC back to Lake Conroe after a thrilling finish last year,” said TTBC Co-Founders Dan Friedkin and Donato Ramos. “This tournament creates a national buzz through the television broadcast and exciting format. We couldn’t be happier about the positive impact it has on the community and TPWD.”
The 2010 TTBC will continue its partnership with the Professional Anglers Association (PAA), while adding to the star-studded field by incorporating anglers from the other professional leagues. The new format will create a true world championship of bass fishing, featuring head to head competition of the best from the PAA Bass Pros Shops Tournament Series, Bassmaster Elite Series and the FLW Tour.
The field will be comprised of 50 of the greatest anglers in the world, including 2009 TTBC champion Dave Lefebre, the top-15 from the 2010 FLW Tour Angler of the Year Points, the top-15 from the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year Points and the top-15 from the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix. The final four anglers will be selected for exemptions by the TTBC. All professional anglers must be members of the PAA to compete.
Lefebre won the 2009 TTBC in dramatic fashion by catching his last bass with only 15 minutes left in the final round to win by four ounces over Andy Montgomery. Todd Auten and Aaron Martens also finished within one pound of Lefebre’s three-day total. The tournament was featured on a tape-delayed television broadcast and details for the 2010 television show will be announced soon.
Anglers will compete on Lake Conroe over three days with the field being reduced to the top-10 for the final round on Sunday, October 3. The tournament remains a non-entry fee event, with all 50 competing anglers taking home guaranteed prize money. The 2010 champion will earn $210,000. In addition, the TTBC will continue its focus on conservation and adhere to strict slot limits that have earned the event national praise the past three years.
“Toyota is thrilled to be on board again with this tremendous event and to be able to support TPWD and its efforts to educate Texans on the great fishing in this state,” announced Toby Hynes, President, Gulf States Toyota.
In 2010, the TPWD will reach $1 million in donations through the TTBC. Over the past three years, the TTBC has given $750,000 to benefit the TPWD’s first-class youth fishing and outreach programs. The 2010 donation will be a minimum of $250,000. “The focus of these programs is to expose kids and non-traditional users to the sport of fishing and the conservation efforts upon which all good fishing depends,” said JC Fassino, President, Texas Bass Classic Foundation.
The Tournament's format is designed to appeal to spectators, and includes a kids’ area with outdoor activities, live music and giant video screens showing continuous action to the audience. A fishing industry expo will feature instructional clinics and the latest in fishing equipment, gear and accessories.
Spectator activities will be held at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center in Conroe. The Convention & Expo Center is a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located minutes from Lake Conroe and The Woodlands and only 40 minutes north of Houston. The location offers easy access to event activities, local shops and restaurants. For more information visit www.thelonestar.org.
The Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament functions are operated by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. Corporate partnership opportunities are available for 2010. For additional information, visit www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.
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If you’re a fan of professional golf it would be cool to walk the course with Phil Mickelson and his caddy to listen to their comments about club selection and shot distances during a tournament round.
If you’re a baseball fan, how interesting would it be to sit beside the manager in the dugout during a game and hear the strategy being discussed during a game? NASCAR fans can get a taste of the chatter between drivers and crew chiefs during races by listening in through radio frequencies, lending more insight during a race.
Bass fishing fans can actually do these things by serving as official Observers during the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix. Observers will have up to 12 tournament days during the four Series events to join the anglers in their boats.
As an Observer, you can see first-hand how some of the best bass fishermen in the world plot their strategy, select specific lures and make decisions throughout the day. There is no better way to learn than to be right there in the boat from blast-off to the final cast. Tournament Series events will be televised and promoted throughout the fishing industry, so the competition will be intense.
Observer entry fees are $50 per tournament, which allows the Observer to participate up to all three days of the event. Observers must be at least a General Member of the PAA. In addition to the experience, observers also are registered in a shared-weight competition for Bass Pro Shops gift cards worth $100. To be eligible for the shared-weight competition, observers must participate both Days 1 and 2.
Observers will be paired with their partners for both days at the Wednesday night registration meeting at Bass Pro Shops. On Day 1, the observer will earn the same weight as their Day 2 Pro. On Day 2, the observer will earn the same weight as their Day 1 Pro. At the conclusion of Friday’s weigh-in, the Top 20 observers, based on their Pros’ combined weight, will win $100 Bass Pro Shops gift cards and other special merchandise prizes.
Although official Observers cannot fish in the Tournament Series, a special PAA Pro-Am tournament will be a small event open to amateur anglers who will be paired with a pro on a nearby lake on Saturday. Those wishing to participate in the Pro-Am will not be able to observe on Saturday. Observers who participate on Days 1 and 2 will receive priority entry into the Pro-Am.
Single-day opportunities also will be available but Observers won’t be eligible for the competition and prizes if they sign up for a single day. The $50 entry fee and membership requirements are the same, regardless of the number of days selected.
The final day of Tournament Series competition, Saturday, will consist of 30 Pros and 30 Observers. Any observers who participate in Days 1 and 2 will receive priority placement on Day 3. In addition to two days of participation, priority consideration will be given to the order of Observer registration for the event. Those who sign up earliest and for Days 1 and 2 will have the highest priority for entry into Day 3.
All Observers are required to check-in at registration on Wednesday of competition week at tournament headquarters, which will be the local Bass Pro Shops store, between the hours of 3-5 p.m. All paperwork must be received and completed no later than 5 p.m. to participate.
Observers should bring their own life jackets each day of the event that they are participating. Observers should also be prepared for any type of weather and wear appropriate clothing for a full eight hours on the water. Observers may not bring any tackle or fishing equipment, nor may they fish with the Pro’s equipment during the tournament hours. Observers need to be sure to bring an appropriate amount of food and water, while being conscious of storage space.
Observer registration will begin March 22 via telephone call-in to the PAA headquarters. Credit cards will be accepted for PAA membership and entry fees for all tournament days or single days for as many tournaments as Observers wish to participate in during the season.
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The fast-growing pro staff of RaZr Rods recently added one of fishing’s biggest names in the three-time world champion George Cochran. The veteran professional angler from Hot Springs, Ark., has garnered $2,087,292 in career winnings, including two Bassmaster Classic championships and a Forrest Wood Cup title.
“We feel really blessed to have George come onboard our pro staff,” said Rick LaPoint, president of RaZr Rods. “To have a three-time world champion choose to fish with RaZr Rods says a lot about our products.”
Cochran cited quality and technique-specific design among his reasons for choosing RaZr Rods.
“Fishing rods are like golf clubs — you need to have one for each job you’re going to do,” he said. “RaZr Rods come in a wide variety of actions, power and applications so I can have one that’s perfect for crank baits, another that’s just right for worm fishing, another for topwaters and so on.” After a storied career on the Bassmaster circuit, Cochran joined the FLW Tour in 1996. To date, he has pocketed $977,296 in FLW prize money. The Forrest Wood Cup title, worth $500,000, came in 2005 on Lake Hamilton in his hometown.
“That one was special,” he said. “To win a world championship at home with all of your friends and family there to share it — that’s something you never forget.”
Cochran is one of the sport’s best shallow-water anglers. He won his first Bassmaster Classic title in 1987 on the Ohio River at Louisville, Ky. His second came in 1996 on Lay Lake near Birmingham, Ala., where despite the August heat, he located quality bass in an area so shallow and stumpy that camera crews couldn’t follow him.
Cochran began fishing the Bassmaster circuit full time in 1980. Over the next 27 years, he competed in 244 events, qualifying for 21 Bassmaster Classic championships and placing among the top 10 in a dozen Classics.
Since joining the FLW Tour, he has qualified for eight Forrest Wood Cup championships and placed in the top 10 twice, included the victory in 2005. Most recently, Cochran has launched a guide service on the waters of the Arkansas River and its backwaters in south Arkansas, where he developed his shallow-water skills and has continued to hone them throughout his career.
“Two things I have always loved to do is fish the Arkansas River and teach other people how to fish,” he said. “Guiding allows me to do both. I’m really enjoying it.”
RaZr Rods are extremely high modulus, American-made rods backed by a lifetime unconditional warranty.
Complete information is available online at razrrods.com.
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Park Falls, Wisconsin based St.Croix Rods has joined Wired2Fish as an advertiser for 2010. St.Croix builds premium grade, affordable rods that fit specific species and techniques. They even have the new Avid Pearl for the ladies. Look for some great information and contests from our friends at St.Croix. St.Croix just won an "Editor's Choice" award on Outdoor Life (March Edition) for the Avid Pearl and you can read more about it by clicking here.
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 Hey Wired2Fish fans. We have a great offer for those of you looking for a great bass magazine or great walleye magazine. FLW Outdoors magazine has become one of the top fishing magazines available to avid anglers. The articles are packed with good tips, the photos are second to none and the writers and editors are engrossed in the sport and the latest trends in angling.
Now for being a Wired2Fish fan, you can get FLW Outdoors magazine for just $8. That's 8 issues for $8. Click the banner ad on various pages or the cover page or ad below and enter the promo code WIRED2FISH to get the $8 deal.
We know the magazine is great and we know the folks that make it have a genuine love for fishing. But at $8, there's virtually no risk in picking up a subscription.The March issue was outstanding, so don't delay in getting your subscription started today. Offer valid for new subscriptions only.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 15, 2010) - The Berkley Experience Trailer will be at Effinger’s Sporting Goods in Bound Brook, N.J., for the next stop in 2010. The 60-foot trailer of fun and activities brings fishing education to all skill levels of anglers. The scheduled stop for the Berkley Experience Trailer is March 19th and is set to end March 21st.
The trailer has new videos and interactive demonstrations on line and bait. The Berkley Experience Team will have seminars scheduled throughout the day to cover the four main components of fishing:
Line Selection
Rigging Techniques for Bait
Reel Maintenance
Rod Selection
Each stop has special retail promotions only available while the trailer is at the location. These include line, bait, rods, reels and combos.
“We are excited about having the Experience Trailer on the road in 2010 and stopping at many new locations across the country,” said Andrew Marks, Sr. Marketing Manager. "Our Experience Trailer staff is ready to help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about fishing, our products and how best to use them to catch more fish.”
Other exciting elements include a knot tying contest and demonstration, where you can learn new knots and even win a prize. Under the tent, we will have racks filled with the latest products and big screen videos that help you experience the adventure with Berkley. The Berkley Experience staff is always on hand to help answer any questions that you have about our innovative products.
UPCOMING BERKLEY EXPERIENCE STOPS
March 19th – 21st
Effinger’s Sporting Goods
513 West Union Ave.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
March 26th – 28th
Cabela’s
100 Cabela Dr.
Hamburg, PA 19526
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As some Wired2Fish fans may have already heard, Skeet Reese was on the cover of the national newspaper insert, Parade Magazine on Sunday. If you didn't get to see the piece, Click Here for the full article.
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Today on Unplugged Chad Brauer takes the guesswork out of choosing the right colors of baits. To read click here. |
Bass are sight feeding fish, so appearance of baits is definitely an important factor in fishing success. This does not necessarily mean that a bait has to look exactly like the prey a bass is seeking, but knowing that a bass needs to see the bait before eating it can help make the color selection process a bit easier. There are a bunch of factors to be considered when choosing what different colored baits to rig and even which ones to buy in the first place.
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 BASS photo
From BASS:
The equivalent, for an angler, to Lebron James swishing a last-second three-pointer is to land a 5-pounder on the last cast. John Crews of Salem, Va., executed that feat on the California Delta in the grandest of fashions Sunday to score victory at the Duel in the Delta, the Bassmaster Elite Series season-opener.
That fish added just enough weight to Crews’ four-day total of 72 pounds, 6 ounces, to best Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., by the slimmest of margins. Reese (72-5) was visibly shaken. Crews wasn’t.
“This is just unbelievable,” said Crews, 31. “When it’s your time, it’s just your time. I knew I was on the fish to win and I never have had that feeling before. I’m almost speechless.”
Fans can catch extended analysis on Bassmaster.com and ESPN2 will recap the entire competition on the Sunday, March 28, edition of The Bassmasters at 10:30 a.m. ET. The episode will air again Saturday, April 17, at 10 a.m. ET.
Crews certainly seemed to have a horseshoe in his back pocket this weekend. But ultimately, Crews identified an area that many of his Elite brethren overlooked. His success can be directly tied to locating an area that was immune to the changing conditions that plagued many on the Delta this week.
Case in point: Crews weighed his heaviest limits on Friday and Sunday. The conditions on those days were on total opposite ends of the spectrum with Sunday producing blue-bird skies while Friday rain, wind and frigid conditions prevailed.
The four-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier concentrated on a dead-end slough that held deep, thick hydrilla in 4 to 8 feet of water depth. He worked the flipping stick slowly and methodically. As with most of the competitors this week, patience was a virtue for Crews as keeper bites were few and far between.
But when he got one, he made it count. He primarily used a sweet beaver through the first three rounds of competition but switched to a Gambler BB Cricket on the final day. The move paid off as Crews brought the only 20-plus pound limit – actually 20-8 – to the scales on Sunday.
 Gambler BB Cricket
“I found that area the first day of practice and actually only got one bite in there,” said Crews, who took his first BASS victory Sunday. “But there was something that looked right there. The water was deeper and the fish weren’t moving. And they were kept off the bank because of the boat traffic. The bite wasn’t tide-dependent and I knew it could be a winning area if I executed.” The victory is sweet redemption after an “atrocious” beginning to the 2009 Elite season. Though he missed out on qualifying for the 2010 Classic, Crews finally felt he was starting to put something together late last year. Mentally, he said, he was in a good place and he was able to extend the good vibes into this week. Now, his confidence is soaring.
“Right now, I’m in such a good place with my fishing,” said Crews. “I don’t know how I will do at Clear Lake (the next Elite event) but I know I have a chance of winning. And that feels good.”
Reese is no stranger to just missing out on victory – he lost the 2007 Classic by mere ounces -- but even with his unfavorable luck, the sting of losing by one ounce was evident. Like Crews, Reese was able to piece together solid days throughout the event while other anglers were all over the map.
Reese fished two areas Sunday and worked a few baits – a chigger craw, creature bait and chatterbait. He explored new water in the morning that led to little success. But then he moved to his primary area – a long run from the launch location – and was able to put together 18 pounds, 12 ounces, a weight he thought was good enough to claim his fourth BASS victory.
Reese wanted nothing more than to claim victory in front of the vibrant homestate final-day crowd of 5,900, but it wasn’t in the cards.
“I’m speechless right now,” said Reese, the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “I had a great week overall but I hate finishing second. I really hate it. All you can hope for is to keep positioning yourself to get the victory and they will come.”
Still, Reese, who is at the top of his game, has his eyes on a larger prize. Reese earned valuable Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points and his top nemesis, Kevin VanDam – who has scored the last two AOYs – stumbled a bit at the Delta. The season promises to be a back-and-forth battle between the two titans.
It was Saturday leader Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., who opened the door for Crews and Reese. After a tremendous 25-plus pound limit Saturday, Hackney faltered Sunday, failing to catch a limit.
“I had two on that could have made the difference,” said Hackney, the 2004 Rookie of the Year. “But that’s on me.”
In fourth was Mike Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J., with 70-4. Rounding out the top five was Shaw Grigsby of Gainesville, Fla., with 63-11.
The next event for Elite Series anglers is the Golden State Shootout on fish-factory Clear Lake March 18-21. The Lakeport, Calif.-based event set then-BASS records in 2007 and with warming conditions in store, it promises to be another shootout. The Elite Series is comprised of eight regular-season events and the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason.
Elite anglers were competing on the California Delta for a $100,000 first-place prize, points toward qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite Series postseason and 2011 Bassmaster Classic.
TROKAR DUEL IN THE DELTA- FINAL STANDINGS
2010 Stockton, CA 3/11-3/14
California Delta, Stockton CA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. John Crews Salem, VA 18 72-06 305 $101,000.00
Day 1: 4 15-02 Day 2: 5 21-13 Day 3: 4 14-15 Day 4: 5 20-08
2. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 20 72-05 295 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 18-12 Day 4: 5 19-11
3. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 19 70-04 295 $20,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 25-07 Day 4: 4 12-15
4. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 20 67-12 285 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 25-12 Day 3: 5 14-14 Day 4: 5 13-02
5. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 17 63-11 280 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 18-14 Day 3: 3 12-06 Day 4: 4 17-15
6. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 16 62-15 286 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 23-09 Day 3: 1 00-13 Day 4: 5 16-14
7. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 16 58-13 272 $13,000.00
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 21-06 Day 4: 5 16-06
8. Dustin Wilks Rocky Mount, NC 19 56-00 268 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 16-11 Day 4: 4 10-04
9. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 18 55-10 264 $12,000.00
Day 1: 4 09-13 Day 2: 5 18-15 Day 3: 4 15-00 Day 4: 5 11-14
10. Denny Brauer Camdenton, MO 17 47-14 260 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 11-10 Day 4: 2 06-14
11. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 14 47-03 257 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 21-10 Day 3: 3 09-00 Day 4: 1 03-00
12. Zell Rowland Austin, TX 11 41-08 254 $10,500.00
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 5 23-04 Day 3: 4 12-13 Day 4: 0 00-00
BIG BASS OF TOURNAMENT
Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 08-10 $500.00
Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 08-10 $500.00
BERKLEY HEAVYWEIGHT OF TOURN
Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 25-12 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 30 289 738-08
2 55 375 1079-04
3 17 163 461-11
4 6 45 149-07
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108 872 2428-14
TOYOTA TUNDRA BASSMASTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
2010 Duel in the Delta - Stockton, CA Pro Points After California Delta, Stockton, Calif. Ending 03-14-2010, Day 4
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Place Name St Pts
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1 John Crews Va. 305
2 Skeet Reese Calif. 295
2 Greg Hackney La. 295
4 Stephen Browning Ark. 286
5 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 285
6 Shaw Grigsby Fla. 280
7 James Niggemeyer Texas 272
8 Dustin Wilks N.C. 268
9 Rick Clunn Mo. 264
10 Denny Brauer Mo. 260
11 Gary Klein Texas 257
12 Zell Rowland Texas 254
13 Greg Vinson Ala. 251
14 Derek Remitz Ala. 248
15 Kevin Short Ark. 245
16 Jeff Kriet Okla. 243
17 J Todd Tucker Ga. 241
18 Mark Davis Ark. 239
19 Peter Thliveros Fla. 237
20 Dave Wolak N.C. 235
21 Scott Rook Ark. 233
22 Bradley Hallman Okla. 231
23 Dean Rojas Ariz. 229
24 Guy Eaker N.C. 227
25 Edwin Evers Okla. 225
26 Alton Jones Texas 223
27 Bill Lowen Ohio 221
28 Paul Elias Miss. 219
29 Kevin VanDam Mich. 217
30 Mark Tucker Mo. 215
31 Todd Faircloth Texas 213
32 Steve Kennedy Ala. 211
33 Clark Reehm Ark. 209
34 Jeff Connella La. 207
35 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 205
36 Jason Quinn S.C. 203
37 Russ Lane Ala. 201
38 Kevin Wirth Ky. 199
39 Pat Golden N.C. 197
40 Brian Snowden Mo. 195
41 Pete Ponds Miss. 193
42 Matt Herren Ala. 191
43 Vince Fulks Okla. 189
44 John Murray Ariz. 187
45 Jami Fralick S.D. 185
46 Chad Griffin Texas 183
47 Mike McClelland Ark. 181
48 Dennis Tietje La. 179
49 Ish Monroe Calif. 177
50 Bradley Roy Ky. 175
51 Cliff Pace Miss. 173
52 Kelly Jordon Texas 171
53 Wade Grooms S.C. 169
54 Aaron Martens Ala. 167
55 Gerald Swindle Ala. 165
56 Grant Goldbeck Md. 163
57 Matt Greenblatt Fla. 161
58 Bobby Lane Fla. 159
59 Casey Ashley S.C. 157
60 Jared Lintner Calif. 155
61 Rick Morris Va. 153
62 Marty Robinson S.C. 151
63 Brent Chapman Kan. 149
64 Billy McCaghren Ark. 147
65 Timmy Horton Ala. 145
66 Kenyon Hill Okla. 143
67 Britt Myers S.C. 141
68 Morizo Shimizu Japan 139
69 Mark Burgess Mass. 137
70 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 135
71 Takahiro Omori Texas 133
72 Terry Scroggins Fla. 131
73 Terry Butcher Okla. 129
74 David Smith Okla. 127
75 Charlie Hartley Ohio 125
76 Marty Stone N.C. 123
77 Matt Reed Texas 121
78 Cliff Crochet La. 119
79 Chris Lane Ala. 117
80 Scott Ashmore Okla. 115
81 Byron Haseotes Mass. 113
82 Byron Velvick Texas 111
83 Randy Howell Ala. 109
84 Tommy Biffle Okla. 107
85 Fred Roumbanis Okla. 105
86 Mark Tyler Okla. 103
87 Jason Williamson S.C. 101
88 Boyd Duckett Ala. 99
89 Davy Hite S.C. 97
90 Mark Menendez Ky. 95
91 Bernie Schultz Fla. 93
92 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 91
93 Keith Poche Ala. 0
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 BASS photo
Virginia angler John Crews won the Elite Series event today on the California Delta. "You know a tournament is meant to be when you catch a 5 pounder on the last cast" said Crews. He finished with 72-6 and had a big bag today of 20-8. Closely following Crews was Skeet Reese with 72-5. A 1 ounce difference. He weighed 19-11 today. Greg Hackney finished 3rd and Mike Iaconelli 4th. Gainesville Florida and Wired2Fish angler Shaw Grigsby finished 5th.
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 BASS photo
BASS is reporting that Elite Series and Wired2Fish angler Jared Lintner and his young son J.C. were involved in a automobile accident yesterday. Although his truck and boat were destroyed he and is son are fine. To read the story from BASS click here. |
Alan Hults Wins FLW Series Eastern Division on Lake Eufaula - Photo by Rob Newell FLWOutdoors.com
Rookie pro Alan Hults of Gautier, Miss., caught a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 14 ounces Saturday to win $50,000 in the FLW Series Eastern Division tournament on Lake Eufaula with a four-day catch of 20 bass weighing 80 pounds, 2 ounces. Hults also received $6,000 for being the Ranger Cup program winner.
The catch gave him the win by a solid 5-pound, 1-ounce margin over Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., who caught a total of 20 bass weighing 75-1 and earned $20,000.
The Hults family was well represented at the Lake Eufaula event. Hults’ three brothers fished the co-angler side and posted a victory, a 2nd-place and a 13th-place finish.
“We love coming to Lake Eufaula in the spring of the year,” said Hults, whose Eufaula victory came at the first tournament he entered as a pro. Hults also has posted one FLW Series and two American Fishing Series Eufaula victories as a co-angler.
Hults began his FLW Outdoors fishing career in 2002 at the Bass Fishing League (BFL) level. He has worked his way up the series ladder by advancing to the American Fishing Series, the FLW Series and the FLW Tour. The Lake Eufaula tournament is the only tournament he’s fished out of the front of the boat.
“This isn’t something I’m going to do all the time,” Hults said. “This was a one-time deal. I enjoy fishing out of the back of the boat. You learn so much. And that’s why I’m here today. When you get to fish with that many people and see that many different techniques, you’re going to pick up a lot of good stuff.”
 Hults said he caught the majority of his fish on a bull bream-colored Lucky Craft RC2.5 crankbait. Hults said the crankbait was the same one he has had so much success with in the past on Lake Eufaula.
Hults said he began the final day of competition by flipping and quickly caught a three-pounder, his smallest weighed fish. He said the fish came from a “really ugly bank.”
“I said, ‘Well, that’s a pretty good start,’ because I hadn’t even got to what I thought was the best part,” Hults said. “I just fished super, super slow and got all the way up there and never had another hit. So I was a little concerned because by that time in the day yesterday, I already had my limit.”
Hults said the water had gotten progressively dirtier throughout the week and was “suspended mud” Saturday. Hults switched to a chatter-style bait but said he wasn’t comfortable with it and changed to the crankbait.
Hults opened the tournament in third place Wednesday with five bass weighing 24-1. On Thursday he added another five bass weighing 19-14 to capture the lead. He then caught five bass weighing 19-5 Friday to make the crucial top-5 cut in first place.
Rounding out the top-5 pros are:
3rd: Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., 20 bass, 73-5, $15,000
4th: Lloyd Pickett Jr., Bartlett, Tenn., 20 bass, 72-1, $10,000
5th: J.T. Kenney, Palm Bay, Fla., 18 bass, 63-15, $9,000
A complete list of results can be found at FLWOutdoors.com.
Overall there were 23 bass weighing 68 pounds, 15 ounces caught by five pros Saturday. The catch included four five-bass limits.
Matt Hults of Gautier, Miss., won the Co-angler Division and a Ranger 177TR with a 90 horsepower Evinrude outboard motor Friday with a three-day total of 14 bass weighing 47 pounds, 12 ounces followed by his brother Chris Hults of Vancleave, Miss., in second place with 12 bass weighing 35-13 worth $6,386. Matt also received $1,500 for being the Ranger Cup program winner.
Alan Hults and co-angler Matt Hults each won a $1000 gift card as part of the new Cabela’s Angler Cash program. Beginning in 2010, Cabela’s is offering pro and co-anglers the opportunity to register and win a $1000 gift card for being the highest qualified finisher in each division at all FLW Series events, making the stakes even higher in an already rich award package. Anglers can visit FLWOutdoors.com for a complete list of rules and to register.
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 BASS photo
Greg Hackney figured them out today to the tune of 25-7 for five fish and has taken the lead in the Trokar Duel at the Delta on the BASS Elites. His total weight is 57-5. He had big bass of the day with an 8-10 monster. He has over a 3 pound lead over venerable Mike Iaconelli who has 54-10. Skeet Reese checks in in third with 52-10 and John Crews has 51-14. Stephen Browning (46-1) who stumbled today with a single bass of 13 ounces. Dustin Wilks, Shaw Grigsby, Gary Klein, Rick Clunn and James Niggemeyer, Zell Rowland and Denny Brauer round out the top 12.
This is anyone's ballgame and should be an exciting final day.
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 BASS photo-Stephen Browning
Stephen Browning extended his lead today at the Trokar Duel at the Delta in California and had another limit pushing his total to 45-4 for two days. Mike Iaconelli jumped into second anchored with a 5 fish limit of 25-12 pushing him to 39-12 for the tournament. Virginia's John Crews stayed consistent and is now in third with 36-15.
Wired2Fish angler and perennial Classic Qualifier Gary Klein had another great day and is in fourth with 35-3. He is followed by Skeet Reese at 33-14 and another Wired2Fish angler Shaw Grigsby with 33-6.
Other notable top 15 Wired anglers are Jeff Kriet with 31-4, in 10th and Denny Brauer, 13th, with 29-6.
Alabama's Greg Vinson had today's big bass of 8-10.
More information will follow.
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Alan Hults of Gautier, Miss., leads a top-five cast of heavy hitters into the final day of the FLW Series Eastern Division event on Lake Eufaula. The lake has been churning out quality fish all week as evidenced by the 19-pounds-per-day average of the top five anglers. Hults added 19 pounds, 5 ounces to his three day total and now has 63 pounds, 4 ounces heading into the final day. Rounding out the top five anglers are Lloyd Pickett Jr. with 60 pounds, 2 ounces, Bryan Thrift with 58 pounds, 13 ounces, Tom Monsoor with 56 pounds, 13 ounces and JT Kenney with 56 pounds, 9 ounces. Judging by the hammers in this top 10, jigs and flipping bites are all undoubtedly factors in the catches.
Check back for updates to this event later and check out FLWOUTDOORS.COM for coverage of the event.
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We reviewed one of Lucky Craft's jerkbaits -- the Pointer 78DD SP. This bait is in its prime this time of year and anglers owe to themselves to read this review. For the complete review and photos, click here.
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New logo policy to affect FLW Tour, Forrest Wood Cup, FLW Series Eastern and Western divisions beginning March 15, 2010
FLW Outdoors announced Friday that it has modified its current logo policy, allowing anglers to wear logos on the final day of competition to promote themselves and their supporters. The updated policy will take effect March 15, 2010, and is currently pertinent to anglers in our competitions surrounding the FLW Tour, FLW Series and the Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
The modification of the logo policy will offer numerous anglers the opportunity to promote themselves further, promote the sport and provide additional exposure for organizations that support professional fishing. FLW Outdoors will continue to hold certain categories exclusive, and alcohol and tobacco products will continue to be prohibited during all days of competition.
New logo policy guidelines for FLW Outdoors anglers
During all days of competition, alcohol and/or tobacco logos are prohibited and may not be worn or displayed.
On Day 4 for the FLW Tour, Eastern Series and Western Series and on Days 3 and 4 for the Cup, anglers who make the cut must use boats, wear shirts, rain suits and PFDs, and use camera equipment and dip nets if supplied by FLW Outdoors. All shirts will include the following logos in addition to the FLW Tour sponsor logo: FLW Outdoors, Fantasy Fishing, The Winning Team and any other that FLW Outdoors deems appropriate to promote the anglers, its sponsors, FLW Outdoors and its events.
Anglers may, at their own cost, add 3 inch x 3 inch Additional Logos (“ALs”) to shirts provided by FLW Outdoors; however, the ALs may not conflict or compete in any way with the categories/companies below and cannot be another fishing tournament organization (e.g. BASS or PAA).
Automotive: Only logo allowed in this category is Chevy
Automotive oil: Only logo allowed in this category is Castrol
Boats: Only logo allowed in this category is Ranger
Marine Electronics: Only logo allowed in this category is Lowrance
Outboard Engines: Only logos allowed in this category are Evinrude and Yamaha
Trolling Motors: Only logo allowed in this category is MinnKota
Outdoor Retailer: Only logo allowed in this category is Cabela’s
Armed Services/Military: Only logo allowed in this category is National Guard
Coffee: Only logo allowed in this category is Folgers
Donation Centers: Only logo allowed in this category is Goodwill
FLW Outdoors reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to prohibit any ALs, patches or decals that it finds to be offensive or in any way competes with any of the above-referenced categories/companies. ALs can in no way interfere with any of the existing logos or design on the shirt provided by FLW Outdoors.
On Day 4 for the Tour, Eastern Series and Western Series and Days 3 and 4 for the Cup, ALs may only be displayed on shirts and are prohibited from being displayed on hats, rain suits or PFDs.
Anglers that would like to include ALs to the shirt supplied by FLW Outdoors must get all ALs approved by FLW Outdoors the night before Day 4 competition for the Tour, Eastern Series and Western Series and the night before Day 3 for the Cup. Only approved ALs may be worn or displayed during tournament hours extending through the weigh-in. Any angler displaying a non-approved AL may be disqualified.
On Day 4 for the Tour, Eastern Series and Western Series and Days 3 and 4 for the Cup, competitors may not fish while using tobacco products. Smoking is not allowed in the weigh-in line during all days of competition.
On Day 4 for the Tour, Eastern Series and Western Series and Days 3 and 4 for the Cup, FLW Outdoors may, at its sole discretion, place a camera operator in a tournament boat.
During the 2010 season, FLW Outdoors reserves the right to add sponsors and categories/companies to the above list; however, if an angler has made FLW Outdoors aware of all angler’s ALs prior to FLW Outdoors adding the category/company to the list, then the angler may be allowed to display the competing AL for the remainder of the year. Decision is in FLW Outdoors’ sole discretion.
Additional contact information
To order patches that can easily be applied to FLW Outdoors’ shirts, visit The Winning Team online or by calling (800) 310-8326.
For any other questions regarding the new FLW Outdoors logo policy, please contact Aaron Hall at (870) 704-2276.
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We received a note this am from our good buddy Brent "Brody" Broderick about why he wasn't in California. He wanted you all to know that he had a mishap around Christmas that injured his hand.
Below is his note.
Well as you can see I’m not in Cali…..It sucks! I sure wish I was…if you didn’t here Bass granted me a medical hardship for the season. I injured my hand back at xmas. I’m currently undergoing treatment for torn collateral ligaments, a blown synovial (knuckle joint) and lumbrical muscle rupture in my left hand. The treatment is surgery, followed by physical therapy and rehabilitation. If all goes well, I hope to begin reconditioning and fishing in July 2010. I have limited mobility and strength in my left hand. If left untreated, it will likely cause further or permanent damage. I requested application for the BASS Hardship Policy be applied : It was granted and I will be back next season. I’m just gratefully there is such a policy and that my sponsors would rather have me healed and playing at 100%. I’m still in a lot of pain and in a brace. It’s just very depressing not being able to fish and I can’t stop thinking about it. So it’s all about healing and working my Ebay business.
I’d like the media and my fans to know why I’m not in Cali.
Get well soon Brent!! We are sending all the good Wired2Fish vibes to you and hope your surgery and healing goes very well.
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Today on the Fishing Wire, Wired contributor Alan Clemons offers some sage advice about getting kids in the outdoors. Here is his article.
Reprinted with permission.
FLORENCE, Ala. - Thursday night I sat in a hotel ballroom filled with college fishermen, almost all of them gussied up in their tournament jerseys and caps.
Auburn University's bass club is hosting the Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series tournament on Pickwick Lake this weekend. Teams of anglers ranging from 18- to 23- or 24 years old made their way to this Tennessee River town that realizes fishing tournaments help drive the economic bus.
I talked with two anglers - one was 18, one was 19 - from Gadsden State Community College. The school is about as big as a washtub, with none of the glitz and glamour of big universities. Yet these two guys watched a college fishing tournament show on the Versus network and had the gumption to ask the college administrators to let them start a club team. The college administrators had the gumption to agree and give their blessing.
I talked with Auburn's club advisor about why these strapping college lads would want to do this. They could be hanging out with chicks or listening to music this weekend. They could be getting ready for turkey season or watching their university's basketball team in the conference championships.
Instead, they made their way to a riverside town for a two-day fishing tournament on a huge, famous lake. They piled into rooms at local hotels, one of which gave a great discount rate. They were flabbergasted with the Thursday night barbecue dinner and white tablecloths in the ballroom for the registration and rules meeting. Instead of boxes of pizza and cans of soda, arguably the favored breakfast-lunch-dinner of college males everywhere, they were received like the big-time pros for their meeting.
The competition is what drives them, said Auburn's advisor, Jann Swaim. It's not money, because in this series the winners get tackle or gift cards instead of cash. It's about competition, about bragging rights until the next tournament and the next time the guys from Big School U. see the guys from Little School C.C. who whipped their butts a month earlier.
It's about a spark that began when they were younger, when their fathers or grandfathers or a neighborhood friend took them fishing. It's from a spark that started when their mothers or grandmothers said they could slip away to the pond or creek, knowing they might find crawdads and frogs in their jeans pockets two days later doing the laundry.
Thirty years ago my father took me fishing on the Tennessee River below Wheeler Dam. It scared the hell out of me to be in the flatbottom boat holding a crack in the wall of the dam near the turbine while he dipped shad minnows so we could drift for smallmouth. It thrilled me that he would have confidence in me to hold the boat and take me fishing with him, even if I gave up after three drifts and wanted to play with the minnows.
Thirty years ago I was old enough to hang around the docks at Fisherman's Resort, probably pestering the older black guys who cleaned fish there for a few bucks. They watched out for me while I threw rocks at the mud and tried to catch turtles. They skillfully handled a fillet knife as I watched the turtles and crawdads eat the guts they flipped into the water.
I could take you to Mr. Jones' pond, where a sagging dock on the south end now would be the first place I'd pitch a jig. I could take you to the flat rock on the corner of Mr. Pierson's pond where I could stand and cast down either bank and a snake stuck its head out once, scaring the bejeebers out of me. Or to his other pond where I caught the first gigantic bass of my life with my friend Trevor and then released it, only afterward remembering that Mr. Pierson said to take out the fish we caught. That big beautiful Mama Bass deserved to stick around, though.
I could take you to Mr. Quinn's pond, which was clean and tidy and protected by an equally-tidy fence. Or to what I call Lake X, my getaway lake, small but with big fish and enough space to allow me to hear the wind instead of tires on asphalt. It's in a pasture where I can chase grasshoppers, shoot my guns, listen to geese, walk into the woods and flip rocks in the creek for crawdads I put back instead of putting in my pocket. Where I can be a boy again.
The common thread is I had access.
We knew these people from church, from our daily lives, and they knew me. I knew one screw-up and a phone call to my father would end, or curtail, my privileges. They allowed a kid to enjoy the outdoors and assume some responsibility, which was appreciated then and is much, much more greatly appreciated now with the gray on my head and a tear in my eye.
Access can be hard to attain. Too many people are afraid of liability, of some mollycoddler suing because Little Johnny got hurt. Too many parents are afraid to let their kids be kids, and buy them video games instead of shoving them out the door for the day. Too many adults simply refuse access instead of welcoming them with a few conditions and trust.
I thought about all that while surveying a room of college-age men with fire in their bellies. Somewhere along the way, someone said, "Sure, come fishing anytime. Just let me know and close the gate behind you."
If you have the chance, tell a kid or his dad "Yes" this year. Don't snuff the spark.
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 BASS photo
Elite pro Russ Lane of Big Bite Baits caught the big bass of day one at the Trokar Duel at the Delta on a Big Bite Baits Yomama. It weighed 8-8. Great job Russ. To learn more about Big Bite Baits click here. |
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ESPN writer Don Barone can paint a picture with a pen that not only stimulates the senses but makes you feel like you are sitting there. Check out his latest by clicking here.
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 BASS photoApplying thirty-plus years of Arkansas River pedigree, Stephen Browning of Hot Springs, Ark., mastered the tougher-than-typical California Delta Thursday at the Trokar Duel in the Delta, the Bassmaster Elite Series season-opener.
Browning worked a large area containing six to eight dead-end slews for the entirety of the day, boating 21 pounds, 11 ounces, which was enough to hold off another accomplished river rat, Dave Wolak of Wake Forest, N.C., by more than 2 pounds.
A pre-tournament favorite due to his shallow water chops -- perfected on the Arkansas River – Browning also scored a third-place finish on the Delta the last time the Elite Series stopped here in 2007. That finish, said the 43-year-old, played into his strategy Thursday and helped Browning remain patient.
And patience was a virtue. Browning went without a bite nearly three hours into his competition day.
“I’m really not sure what happened to turn them on,” said Browning. “They certainly live in my area. I’m just not sure if it was the tide that helped them or what. I don’t want to give up too much as far as what I’m doing but I will tell you that it’s a deal I learned when we were here in 2007.”
Throughout the week, fans can catch all up-to-the-minute action from the event on Bassmaster.com, which will feature daily analysis, photo galleries, standings and a real-time leaderboard. ESPN360.com will offer live, streaming video, and ESPN2 will recap the entire competition on the Sunday, March 28, edition of The Bassmasters at 10:30 a.m. ET. The episode will air again Saturday, April 17, at 10 a.m. ET. Click here to see all of BASS’ technology offerings.
Not surprisingly, Browning, a six-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, felt technique played a large role in enticing the bites. He withheld specifics but did say things turned on when he finally found the right combination. That first bite, a 6-pound, 1-ounce, lunker set up the day.
In contrast with Thursday’s chamber of commerce-type weather, Friday comes with the prospect of ugly weather – forecasts call for an 80% chance of rain – but Browning found that encouraging.
“I’m thinking the bite could really turn on,” said Browning, a one-time BASS winner. “I know I’m in the right area for things to really get crazy.”
Fellow river rat Wolak grew up scouring tidal fisheries like the Potomac and the Hudson Rivers. And despite being a self-proclaimed “spastic” angler, the 33-year-old learned patience from his roots, like Browning, and applied them Thursday.
Despite boating 18 pounds, 9 ounces, the one-time BASS winner’s day started slow, a common theme for many in the field. He couldn’t entice a bite for the first two hours of competition. But his patience kicked into high gear and when the tide changed on him a bit, his area turned on.
“It was just a grind-it-out type of day,” said Wolak, who is looking to redeem himself after a subpar 2009 season. “I know that sounds cliché but it’s hard to describe it any other way. Things are just really tough right now.”
Buoyed by the biggest bass of the day, an 8-8 brute, Russ Lane of Prattville, Ala., was third with 18-10. Also looking to rebound from a disappointing 2009 campaign, Derek Remitz of Hemphill, Texas, was fourth with 15-13.
Elite Series rookie Dennis Tietje of Roanoke, La., was fifth with 15-4. While Tietje made it count in his first Elite Series event, many favorites struggled. Ish Monroe of Hughson, Calif., slumped to 54th place while Kevin VanDam turned in a pedestrian 37th-place showing. 2009 Bassmaster Classic champion Skeet Reese of nearby Auburn, Calif., was 11th and within striking distance.
Elite anglers are competing for a $100,000 first-place prize and points toward qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite Series postseason and 2011 Bassmaster Classic, and the title to the first of eight tournaments of the Elite Series’ fifth regular season.
Stockton, the state’s 13th largest city and seat of San Joaquin County, is situated on the San Joaquin Delta Waterway — also known as the California Delta because the area forms a triangle with the three points being Sacramento, Stockton and Pittsburg, Calif. The Delta encompasses 1,000 miles of navigable, fishable water in a labyrinth of sloughs, canals, channels and islands, one factor that makes tournament fishing there so tough — and so good.
In March 2007, a haul of 85 pounds, 12 ounces, was the total weight Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., brought to the scales to win when the Elite Series last stopped in Stockton. In April 1999, before Mark Tyler of Vian, Okla., became an Elite pro, he set a record that still stands today: the largest bass caught in a BASS competition, a 14-pound, 9-ounce Delta lunker.
The full Elite field will compete Thursday and Friday, with the top 47 advancing to Saturday’s competition. Only the top 12 will still be in the game the final day, Sunday, for the $100,000 top prize.
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Brothers top both pro, co-angler leaderboards
Lake Eufaula’s bite was reportedly tougher for anglers Thursday, but don’t tell the Hults family. A quick check of the field shows a total of four Hults names on the list. After the Day 2 weigh-in, two of those Hults were leading both the pro and co-angler divisions in the FLW Series Eastern Division event. In fact, all four names made the top-10 lists after the second day of fishing. Pro Alan Hults of Gautier, Miss., caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 14 ounces Thursday to capture the lead in his pro debut with a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 43-15.
“I was fishing shallow, probably just like everybody else,” said Hults, who has fished as a co-angler in different FLW Outdoors events since 2000. “It seemed like the water coming up hurt me. I thought it would help me, but it got a lot muddier and I didn’t get as many hits. I felt real fortunate to get what I got.”
He’s concentrating on shallow grass in a number of spots. He caught 10 keepers on the second day of competition and plans to stick with his game plan for the third day. Whatever the outcome of the event, Hults is already satisfied with his first pro performance.
“My goal was to get my (entry fees) back,” Hults said. “I like fishing up here. I’ve had pretty good luck up here. If I catch them tomorrow I do, and if I don’t, I don’t.”
Hults now holds a slim 7-ounce lead over second place pro and Day 1 leader John Cox of Debary, Fla., who managed to haul in a total of 10 bass weighing 43-8 during the first two days of competition.
“I ran to one of my old spots I caught them in first thing in the morning, and the water was up about a foot,” said Cox. “That had them scattered out bigtime so they weren’t as easy to catch.”
Cox said he was burning a spinnerbait and the majority of his fish were hitting his bait with their mouths closed, preventing him from a solid hookup.
“Hopefully tomorrow I can get five of those 20 that hit me,” Cox said. “Five or six of them were 4 pounders. It’s so tight where I’m fishing. If you could throw a topwater (bait) with a treble hook on it, you’d catch every one of them. But there’s so much stuff.
“If I make the top five, I’m bed fishing,” Cox added.
Rounding out the top-10 pros at Lake Eufaula are:
3rd: Lloyd Pickett Jr., Bartlett, Tenn., 10 bass, 43-3
4th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 39-10
5th: Koby Kreiger, Okeechobee, Fla., nine bass, 39-6
6th: Derek Hicks, Rocky Face, Ga., 10 bass, 39-2
7th: J.T. Kenney, Palm Bay, Fla., 10 bass, 38-1
8th: Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 10 bass, 37-13
9th: Chuck Howard, Elloree, S.C., 10 bass, 37-13
10th: Rodger Beaver, Dawson, Ga., 10 bass, 36-15
Overall there were 500 bass weighing 1,410 pounds, 5 ounces caught by 139 pros Thursday. The catch included 58 five-bass limits.
In FLW Series competition, pros are competing for a top award of $50,000 plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
Alan Hults’ younger brother, Matt Hults of Gautier, Miss., leads the Co-angler Division with a two-day total of nine bass weighing 36-1 followed by William Ranquist Jr. of Park Ridge, Ill., in second place with seven bass weighing 26-3.
“This is unique,” said Hults. “But, you know, we’ve still got one day to go, so you can’t count your chickens, so to speak.”
Hults caught five bass weighing 20-2 while fishing with pro Scott Montgomery of Eufaula Wednesday and four bass weighing 15-15 while fishing with pro David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., Thursday. Hults said he caught one keeper Thursday on a crankbait and the other three on a Carolina rig.
“I lost one other one that would have helped me out a good bit, but that’s just the way the ball rolls,” said Hults.
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers are:
3rd: Chris Hults, Vancleave, Miss., eight bass, 25-9
4th: Kurtis Michaux, Clermont, Fla., seven bass, 25-6
5th: George Kapiton, Inverness, Fla., 10 bass, 25-3
6th: T.R. Fuller, Auburn, Ala., eight bass, 24-5
7th: Gene Bishop, Madison, Miss., eight bass, 23-7
8th: Wayne Hauser, Mooresville, N.C., seven bass, 23-1
9th: Dean Tucker, Hiawassee, Ga., eight bass, 23-1
10th: Paul Hults, Gautier, Miss., five bass, 21-4
Overall there were 242 bass weighing 619 pounds, 12 ounces caught by 116 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included six five-bass limits.
Co-anglers are competing this week for a Ranger 177TR with 90 horsepower engine as well as valuable points that could help them qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.
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Arkansas angler Stephen Browning saw the California Delta to his liking on Day One of the BASS Elite Series event today. He had a 5 bass limit that weighed 21-11. Second place is being held down by North Carolina's Dave Wolak with 19-8. Russ Lane of Alabama is currently in third place with 18-10 anchored by a 8-8 monster.
Derek Remitz is in fourth with 15-13 followed by Elite Rookie Dennis Tietje with 15-4 and Mark Davis with 15-3.
There were only 29 limits weighed in.
More information will be available soon.
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From BASS today:
The first significant non-fishing news out of Morelli Point in Stockton, Calif., this morning is the injury report: 2007 Duel in the Delta winner Aaron Martens is, in his own words "fishing on one leg."
Martens, who barely made it off the dock and through the holding traffic for his morning flight, has an unidentified injury in his lower right leg, a condition that started at the Bassmaster Classic but was aggravated when the 37-year-old California native was, of all things, walking across the room at the angler meeting at the hotel last night.
"This is the worst injury I've ever had in my life," Martens said. "I can't believe how much it hurts. I can't even walk -- I have to hop on one leg.
"Right after we were getting our picture taken, I was just walking across the room and it felt like I pulled something. It took me 5 minutes to get up the stairs. I can't even lift my right leg at all."
Martens' injury, which he thinks originally occurred while he was leaning into the trolling motor, bucking heavy current in the frigid temperatures of last month's Classic at Lay Lake, affects his lower leg, from behind his knee around to his shin.
He's been able to stand on the trolling motor all week in practice, but, thinks he'll definitely be limited to the butt seat for most of the day.
"My other leg is starting to get tired because I've been compensating for it," Martens said. "I have about a 30-mile run to make I should be okay getting there, because I'm able to push with the leg, but I can't bend my knee to pick up fish.
"I guess I'll just see if I can fall down on the deck and grab 'em. Even that is going to be painful, though."
Martens, who many have pegged as a favorite in this event, is worried that the limited mobility will hamper his fishing style as much as his ability to stand and walk.
"Part of what I do best is move quickly and efficiently, but I'm not going to be able to torque it at all," he said. "I guess I'm going to have to try to take it as a positive and maybe fish more methodical. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway."
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As usual, the Wired2Fish readers stepped up in a big way on the Ardent F700 Denny Brauer Signature Series reel contest. Based on our feedback buying a technique specific reel is indeed on your radar screen. Because of the great drag system, high quality handle and aluminum frame and side panels, 8 ball bearings, 6 pin centrifugal brake system and a 3 year warranty the Ardent F700 is the choice. Its also Made in the USA.
We provided your feedback to Ardent and they stepped up in a big way with a special offer to all of those that participated.
We dug hard in the old fishing hat and the winner of the F700 is.......
Cameron Denison
Saint Charles, MO
Cameron, you don't have to beg your wife any longer. Yours is on the way.
To buy an Ardent F700 or other great Ardent Reel or Ardent product click here.
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We have had the pleasure of spending time with Elite Series veteran Peter Thilveros on the water and without hesitation he is an expert on plastics and Carolina rigging. He also knows a thing or two about rattling lipless baits. There is a great article on BassTackleDepot that goes in depth with Peter T on how and when to throw them. To read this article by Andy Parsons click here. |
 It’s unlikely that Mike Iaconelli will find himself struggling for a bite while on the supremely healthy California fisheries that the Bassmaster Elite Series will call home for most of March.
But it happens. In fact, it happens to the world’s best more than you probably realize. Don’t forget, things weren’t quite as rosy in Birmingham at the 2010 Bassmaster Classic. For starters, 3 inches of snow greeted Iaconelli and 50 other Bassmaster Classic competitors when they arrived in town. Overnight lows were in the 20s in the heart of Dixie, and the bass appeared to have their appetites on ice.
Iaconelli didn’t get to be one of the top 10 anglers in the world by freezing up. Instead he reaches for what he calls the panic box. It’s a plastic tackle storage tray that offers a sense of calm based on contents inside that take him back to his bass club days.
“The box is filled with a lot of the smaller, finesse baits and the sort of stuff we fished for trout with as a kid, and one of the baits in there is a homemade hair jig my long-time buddy Chris Dalfonso ties for me,” Iaconelli said.
Dalfonso runs a driveway sealant company back home, and at times his handy work on the fly tying bench goes far in saving Ike’s bacon. “Chris and I grew up bass fishing in the Top Rod Bassmasters club, and his hair jig is not only great in really cold water, but in ‘tough water’ of any kind,” Iaconelli said.
“I think Chris uses deer hair and some synthetics to tie it. What I know for sure is it gets bites when all the standard bigger stuff fails. It’s really, really light so you have to throw it on 6-pound line and use a long 7-foot, 4-inch rod to launch it. I pump it and swim it like a dying shad. As I’m lifting the rod tip, I’m pumping the rod as I lift,” explained the 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year winner.
“It works in cold water, it works in current, and it works on schooling fish in the middle of summer. Most of all, it works during those times when all else fails.”
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Pro John Cox of Debary, Fla., landed five bass weighing 26 pounds, 13 ounces Wednesday to lead day one of the FLW Series Eastern Division tournament on Lake Eufaula. He holds a slim 12-ounce lead in the tournament featuring 152 pros and 152 co-anglers.
“I took off this morning and started running up the river and ripped my skeg off,” said Cox, who led the first three days of competition during January’s FLW Series Lake Okeechobee event. “But I kept going and got to my spot and sat down and caught a 5-pounder and another one and then missed a couple. Then I ran to about 10 more spots and caught the five I weighed.
“I was done by 10,” Cox added. “After that, I just completely changed it up and tried to find new areas. I caught a few other ones but nothing like I caught earlier.”
Cox said he began the day by running “a pretty good ways” from the Lakepoint Resort State Park launch and caught his fish on a spinnerbait and worm. Cox said he caught 10 to 12 keepers during the course of the day.
“I’ve never seen this place like this,” said Cox, who said he hadn’t fished Eufaula the past three years. “Not this size and quality of fish.”
Sean Wieda of Florence, Ky., trails Cox in the No. 2 spot with five bass weighing 26-1.
Rounding out the remainder of the top-10 pros after day one at Lake Eufaula are:
3rd: Alan Hults, Gautier, Miss., five bass, 24-1
4th: Mike Millsaps, Cartersville, Ga., five bass, 23-12
5th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 22-13
6th: Randall Tharp, Gardendale, Ala., five bass, 22-10
7th: Koby Kreiger, Okeechobee, Fla., five bass, 22-8
8th: David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn., five bass, 21-13
9th: Dwayne Horton, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 21-10
10th: Tracy Adams, Wilkesboro, N.C., five bass, 21-4
10th: Kevin Brumfield, Cumming, Ga., five bass, 21-4
Overall there were 640 bass weighing 1,931 pounds, 5 ounces caught by 148 pros Wednesday. The catch included 102 five-bass limits.
In FLW Series competition, pros are competing for a top award of $50,000 plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
Matt Hults of Gautier, Miss., leads the Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 20-2 followed by William Ranquist Jr. of Park Ridge, Ill., in second place with five bass weighing 19-11.
Hults caught his bass while fishing with pro Scott Montgomery of Eufaula, who is currently in 42nd place with five bass weighing 16-6.
The remainder of the top-10 co-anglers are:
3rd: Wayne Hauser, Mooresville, N.C., five bass, 17-12
4th: Kurtis Michaux, Clermont, Fla., five bass, 17-12
5th: Jeff Cummins, Marion, Ohio, five bass, 15-1
6th: Dean Tucker, Hiawassee, Ga., five bass, 15-1
7th: Robert Kimbrough, Vero Beach, Fla., five bass, 14-4
8th: Chris Hults, Vancleave, Miss., four bass, 14-1
9th: Dylan Hays, Greenbrier, Ark., five bass, 13-13
10th: Steve Phillips, Douglas, Ga., five bass, 13-8
Overall there were 351 bass weighing 888 pounds, 14 ounces caught by 128 co-anglers Wednesday. The catch included 25 five-bass limits.
Co-anglers are competing this week for a Ranger 177TR with a 90 horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha outboard motor as well as valuable points that could help them qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.
Anglers will take off from Lakepoint Resort State Park located at 104 Lakepoint Drive in Eufaula at 7 each morning. Thursday’s and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at Lakepoint Resort State Park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at Billy Lawrence Chevrolet located at 3220 S. Eufaula Ave. in Eufaula beginning at 4 p.m.
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Lazer TroKar has joined the Professional Anglers Association as an associate sponsor of the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix.
With input from its pro staff of Shaw Grigsby, Brent Chapman, Skeet Reese, Gerald Swindle and Jason Williamson, Lazer TroKar’s designers combined surgical precision with high-carbon cold-forged steel to create its line of hooks. The lineup includes the HD Worm, Extra Wide Gap Worm, Magworm, Flippin’, Swimbait and Drop Shot.
"We are excited to be a part of the PAA program and tournaments,” said Chris Russell, Lazer TroKar’s Director of Product & Marketing. “I feel the PAA is a perfect fit for Lazer Trokar hooks because they are specifically designed to be the weapon of choice for the pro anglers.
“The Professional Anglers Association gives us the chance to share this advanced hook technology and work closely with the best anglers in the world of bass fishing," Russell added.
Lazer TroKar hooks will be available through special membership promotions this year including retail promotions, tournaments and other events.
For more information about Lazer TroKar, visit www.lazertrokar.com
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FLW Outdoors, the world’s leading tournament fishing organization, announced Wednesday that Wolverine has signed a sponsorship deal. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Wolverine is proud to enter this relationship with FLW Outdoors,” said Todd Yates, VP Marketing & GM Apparel for Wolverine. “Wolverine’s extensive range of premium products including boots, shoes, apparel and gear aligns perfectly with FLW Outdoors and the outdoors men and women who participate in outdoors-related activities.”
As part of the sponsorship, Wolverine will receive exposure across all platforms of FLW Outdoors, including tournaments and other outlets.
“We are proud to announce our new partnership with Wolverine and look forward to supporting and promoting their portfolio of products through the FLW platform,” said FLW Outdoors Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Trisha Blake.
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Bass Pro Shops and Nitro boats have announced the signing of Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Jason Williamson from Aiken, S.C.
Williamson will be running a Nitro Z-9 high performance bass boat and fishing with the new Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Gold Series and Johnny Morris Signature Series reels in B.A.S.S. events in 2010.
“We are very excited to form this partnership with Jason,” stated Rick Emmitt, Marketing Manager of Angler Programs/Pro Staff for Bass Pro Shops/Nitro Boats. “Jason is an up and coming angler who has had great success in a relatively short professional career. This South Carolina native is a proven winner and a great fit for the Bass Pro Shops and Nitro family.”
Williamson took first place at the 2009 Elite Series opener on Lake Amistead in Del Rio, Texas. He has been runner-up twice and finished in the Top 10 seven times.
“I am thrilled to enter into this great partnership with Bass Pro Shops and Nitro boats,” stated Williamson. “It is a privilege to be associated with these two solid companies that are run by fishermen who have a passion for the sport like I do and understand what it takes to make tournament fishermen successful.”
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Nothing better than a smelt sandwich? How about Facts of Fishing FYI?
Brent Ehrler, Bradley Roy, Pond Smelt & Godzilla! All on Facts of Fishing FYI. To watch click here. |
We recently tested the new Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Signature Series Tri-Gressive S-Glass Crankbait rod on Kentucky Lake and prespawn bass. To read the review, click here.
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By Alan McGuckin
 
If you were there in person, or you saw Russ Lane in the Bassmaster Classic Day 3 episode on ESPN 2, you surely felt the emotional dejection he felt on the final day’s weigh-in stage. Well, life just got a little brighter for the Lane family. Toyota Trucks Bonus Bucks officials just took a little of the sting away for Lane by informing him that he won a $7,500 bonus for being the highest finishing eligible Toyota Truck owner among the Classic participants.
Lane, a three-time Classic qualifier was seen as one of the ‘home field favorites’ at this year’s event as well as at the 2007 Classic on Lay Lake, based on the hundreds of amateur events he competed in at Lay when honing his skills for the Bassmaster Elite Series. Lane’s beefy Day 3 catch was impressive, but left him in a heart-wrenching 4th place finishing position. Russ earned $30,000 in prize money versus VanDam’s winning $500,000 pot.
Still, Lane who became eligible for the Toyota Trucks Bonus Bucks program last year when he purchased a Tundra as his tow vehicle can use the $7,500 in Bonus Bucks to buy roughly 2,630 gallons of boat and truck gas with, a hundred or so nights worth of hotel room rental fees, or a portion of his 2010 Elite Series entry fees.
Cliff Pace who purchased and tows with a Tundra along the Bassmaster Elite Series trail also cashed-in at the 2010 Bassmaster Classic as an eligible member of the Toyota Trucks Bonus Bucks program. He earned $2,500 for his 14th place finish in Birmingham as the second-highest eligible Bonus Bucks participant. Ironically, Pace was the second highest Bonus Bucks participant behind Toyota Sequoia owner Alton Jones at the 2008 Bassmaster Classic.
Bonus Bucks is simple. Drive a 2007 or newer Tundra, Sequoia, 4Runner or Tacoma, send in your registration form like Russ and Cliff did, become the highest finishing eligible participant in your BASS or FLW affiliated tournament – and you win the Bonus Bucks. To find out more, and to make sure you’re signed-up visit toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com or call Kendell at (918) 742-6424.
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An Open Letter Regarding FLW Outdoors
There has been a great deal of discussion regarding FLW Outdoors and the sport of professional angling and I feel it is important to address the industry and hopefully put to rest any questions, concerns and rumors.
First and foremost, FLW Outdoors has and will continue to do everything possible to grow our organization and the sport. While our decisions may not always be accepted and understood, I can promise you there are many things that are taken into account prior to making them. FLW Outdoors, like most other businesses, has been affected by the downturn in the economy and again, we are doing the best we can to overcome these challenging times and stay healthy for the future. Yes, this has meant cutbacks in areas of our business as well.
We realize that this has had a significant impact on anglers and have done our best to listen and react as best we can. I want to encourage anglers to be aggressive and creative in finding ways to self-promote, whether through websites, social networks or within our television show and magazine whenever possible. Fans need and want individuals to support and follow.
We recognize the importance of this for both the fans as well as the anglers and realize this has been difficult in the past for anglers who are not sponsor-compliant with our current logo rules. Our logo rules have played a very important and valuable role in FLW Outdoors’ history. However, the landscape of our sport has changed quite dramatically and we are in the final stages of reviewing our current logo requirements in order to help the anglers promote themselves more effectively under the FLW Outdoors umbrella.
One thing that I need to set straight once and for all is this idea that “Irwin Jacobs is filling his pockets.” This simply is not true and quite the contrary. In fact, I don’t think it is a secret that I got into the fishing tournament business for the purpose of marketing and promoting the Ranger Boat Company. While this original purpose has changed since the recent purchase of Ranger, Stratos and Champion boats by Platinum Equity, I can promise you that I am as committed to growing FLW Outdoors as I was the day I bought Operation Bass 15 years ago, which ultimately was renamed FLW Outdoors.
The reason for changing our name was to allow FLW Outdoors the freedom to expand into other areas besides bass fishing which is what we have done. We’ve made some significant enhancements to this year’s events as we’ve expanded our reach into the outdoors beyond just fishing.
Our FLW Tour events now include Outdoor Expos offering a wide variety of booths and interactive games for our fans to visit and shop. This also offers anglers a prime opportunity to promote themselves. While fishing is at FLW Outdoors’ core, the outdoors in general brings a whole new level of opportunity and quite frankly, I am more optimistic about our future with this new focus than ever before.
While it is our goal to have all aspects of our business finalized and completed prior to the start of each season, it is not always possible. We are still talking to prospective sponsors and hope to continue announcing new partners as the season continues.
As always, we continue to listen to feedback from anglers, fans and sponsors, and when it makes good business sense, we’re open to making modifications. Having said this, we will be announcing some changes in the near future to better serve the anglers, fans and our sponsors, all of whom make FLW Outdoors possible.
Sincerely,
Irwin L. Jacobs
Chairman
FLW Outdoors
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The Berkley Experience Trailer will be at the Bass Pro Shops in Hanover, M.D., for the next stop in 2010. The 60-foot trailer of fun and activities brings fishing education to all skill levels of anglers. The scheduled stop for the Berkley Experience Trailer is March 12th and is set to end March 14th.
The trailer has new videos and interactive demonstrations on line and bait. The Berkley Experience Team will have seminars scheduled throughout the day to cover the four main components of fishing:
Line Selection
Rigging Techniques for Bait
Reel Maintenance
Rod Selection
Each stop has special retail promotions only available while the trailer is at the location. These include line, bait, rods, reels and combos.
“We are excited about having the Experience Trailer on the road in 2010 and stopping at many new locations across the country,” said Andrew Marks, Sr. Marketing Manager. "Our Experience Trailer staff is ready to help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about fishing, our products and how best to use them to catch more fish.”
Other exciting elements include a knot tying contest and demonstration, where you can learn new knots and even win a prize. Under the tent, we will have racks filled with the latest products and big screen videos that help you experience the adventure with Berkley. The Berkley Experience staff is always on hand to help answer any questions that you have about our innovative products.
UPCOMING BERKLEY EXPERIENCE STOPS
March 12th – 14th
Bass Pro Shops
7000 Arundel Mills Circle
Hanover, MD 21076
March 19th – 21st
Effinger’s Sporting Goods
513 West Union Ave.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
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The BASS Elites starts this week in the Delta and we are going out on to a limb and bet that swimbaits will play a role. Remember last year Jason Williamson parlayed a swimbait into a heavyweight win at Amistad and the season got off and running. Optimum Baits has a new swimbait that Bill Lowen, Mark Tyler and Fred Roumbanis may have in their arsenal called a Optimum BLT(Baby Line Through) that takes hooking big agressive swimmers to a new level. It always swims true and many times the bait will slide up the line keeping it from bunching up on the hook on big fish.
The Baby Line Thru is designed to fish with a moderate to fast retrieve and the tail kick imitates fleeing bait. The BLT features an irresistible tight wobble and roll and is perfect for locating fish quickly by fan casting in the shallows or slowly dragging in deeper areas. The Delta and Clear Lake should be prime for this type of technique as bass should be in pre-spawn, spawn and post spawn.
The 3” BLT is worked best with a medium action rod about 6’6” -7’ on 8-14lb line while the 5” should be fished with a 7’ medium heavy rod and 14-20lb line.
The BLT will catch bass from coast to coast and because of its two sizes can be fished for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
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Bassmaster photo
Off of back-to-back second-place finishes on the Bassmaster Elite Series, Jeff Kriet, attributed much of his success to having good quality line in his arsenal. Kriet fished an extremely solid tournament over the three days in some of the toughest conditions ever in Bassmaster Classic history. With a slim lead after the second day of competition, Kriet finished the event in second place with 46 pounds, 6 ounces. A big part of Kriet’s success on Lay Lake was his line choice. Kriet was using HI-SEAS brand new four-color camouflage Quattro 100% Fluorocarbon line and HI-SEAS original 100% Fluorocarbon line.
“At Lay Lake, a big part of my deal was being able to make really long throws on pressured fish,” said Kriet. “When I hooked a fish, the thought of breaking off never crossed my mind. When I hooked up, I knew that fish was mine. Both 15-pound HI-SEAS 100% Fluorocarbon line and the new Quattro 100% Fluorocarbon line paved my way to a second place finish on lay lake.”
“Jeff is a first rate angler," said Mike Shields, HI-SEAS Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "His professionalism and experience as an angler are commendable. We are excited for Jeff and his accomplishment at the 2010 Bassmaster Classic and are proud to have Jeff as a member of the HI-SEAS team.”
HI-SEAS released the new, four- color camouflage Quattro 100% Fluorocarbon line as an addition to their extremely high quality family of lines in September of 2009.
“The biggest part of competing against the highest caliber anglers is having confidence in your tools. One of my key tools is HI-SEAS line. With it, I know I have the best line available. My line is probably the most critical tool I have, since it’s the direct connection with the fish. I can tell it’s the best line available.”
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Open registration begins today (Monday, Mar. 8th) for any angler wishing to participate in the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series that begins in July.
Open call-in dates are March 8-12 for all anglers who plan to sign up for all four PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series events this season.
This is the third of four registration periods. Tournament entry fees are $2,500 per event with a $750 deposit per event.
Tournaments this season will include PAA member observers who will have chances to win prizes based on their pro’s performance, as well as a chance to compete in an all new Pro-Am format on Saturday. Details of both programs will be announced soon.
2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series Schedule:
July 8-10: Lake Cherokee, Morristown, Tenn.
Aug. 12-14:* Lake Norman, Charlotte, N.C.
Sept. 9-11: Lake Tawakoni, Garland, Texas
Oct. 14-16: Table Rock Lake, Branson, Mo.
Tournament format:
• 30 day off-limits before first practice day (no info and not on water)
• 3-day official practice (Sunday- Tuesday)*
• 1 off day (Wednesday) for registration and other activities*
• 3-day tournament (Thursday- Saturday)
• Full field the first two days
• Top 30 will fish the final day and weigh in at Bass Pro Shops store
• Pro only – must be a TOUR level member of PAA to fish any tournament in 2010 – anglers can become a TOUR level member of PAA upon registering for the Series events
• Member Observers all three days
*To accommodate anglers competing in the Forrest Wood Cup, the official practice period for Lake Norman will begin Monday (8/9/10) instead of Sunday, with no off day prior to competition.
To register, contact the PAA office at (270) 527-2030.
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Dress like a Spro Pro with Spro Clothing...
Spro is pleased to announce they have partnered with ProStaff Gear and a new website to offer some exciting new Spro branded clothing. Check out new t-shirts and hoodies featuring Little Johns, Bronzeye Frogs and Spro logo gear. Big Bite Baits, Jewel and Sunline apparel is also available. Check out all the new clothing by clicking here. |
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Check out this video with Denny Brauer and the Strike King Smokin' Rooster. You need to check out the sleeves on his shirt too. Trash talking Brauer style on the Strike King Pro Team Journal. Click here to view. |
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One of the cool new features of the 2.0 Wired2Fish website is rich media. Minn Kota was the first to take advantage of this technology on Wired. All you have to do is roll your mouse over the Minn Kota ad, click on the video link and it will open up to videos, information and much more. Be on the lookout for more great features on Wired2Fish.com.
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The Oakley Big Bass Tour, sponsored by Oakley Sunglasses, has joined Wired2Fish as an advertiser for 2010. The Oakley Big Bass Tour is a premier big bass tournament series open to all amateur anglers. The Oakley Big Bass Tour will provide anglers of all skill levels with an exciting tournament format on some of the nations best bass fisheries. Established in 2007 the Oakley Big Bass Tour is focused on the promotion of bass fishing and bass conservation at the grass roots level through our tournament events. The Oakley O-Lab, a state of the art mobile eyewear lab, will be on site at the events to show what makes Oakley Sunglasses the leader in premium quality sunglasses. Just ask KVD and Dean Rojas.
March 13-14, 2010 the first event will be held on Lake Conroe in Texas.
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Lake Fork Tackle owner Ronnie Parker sent us this picture of Larry Barnes and his 10.5 pound largie from Lake Fork on March 5. He caught it on a Chatterbait with a Lake Fork Live Magic Shad trailer. This is Texas? Looks cold but what a fish.
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Elite Series pro Russ Lane has a new blog on the Big Bite Baits website that will chronicle his days on the Tour. To read click here. |
Photo by Rob Newell for FLWOutdoors.com (see their great coverage of the event here).
Brent Ehrler put up one of the most impressive wins in FLW Tour history today on Table Rock Lake. Not only was his 69-11 amazing for four days on a very tough fishery in very tough conditions, but the ease in which he did it was remarkable. Not to mention he just drove back from the west coast where he notched a win out there. So it's the first week of March and Mr. Ehrler has already made nearly $175,000 for the year. Look for an in-depth interview with Brent later this week on what makes him tick and why his game has elevated so much in recent years.
Think about this for a second. Ehrler beat second place by 13 pounds, 2 ounces. Which Ron Shuffield had an amazing tournament in his own right. Yet, Ehrler beat fifth place finisher Greg Pugh, by 31 pounds. Simply amazing.
Ehrler of Redlands, Calif., caught a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds,
13
ounces Saturday to win $127,500 at the FLW Tour event presented by
Cabela’s on Table
Rock Lake with a four-day catch of 20-bass weighing 69-1
The
catch gave him the win by a solid 13-pound,
2-ounce margin over Ron Shuffield of Bismarck, Ark., who caught a total
of five
bass weighing 17-10 and earned $40,000. For the tournament, Shuffield
caught 18
bass for a total weight of 56-9.
“I found a
magical spot,” said Ehrler, who is on fire with back-to-back wins having
won at
Lake Shasta in January. “I was in a creek on the White River and it was a
perfect pre-spawn area. It was the first creek bend the fish came to and
the
fish seemed to be suspended there just above the trees. I was keeping my
boat
in 30-35 feet of water and then casting to about 12-15 feet.
“I
caught the majority of
my fish using a Yamamoto Curly Tail Grub. I was experimenting a little
bit with
Lucky Craft DD jerkbaits, which is what I caught my 6-pounder on
Thursday
with, but the majority came using the grub.”
Colder
than normal water
temperatures made the fish do strange things and hide in strange
locations
making one of the best fishing lakes in the country an even bigger
challenge
for some of the best anglers. Ehrler was the only angler at Table Rock
to catch
a limit each day.
Ehrler
opened the tournament
in third place Wednesday with five bass weighing 16-6 while fishing in
the
White River. On Thursday, he added another five bass weighing 22-2 using a
Lucky
Craft DD 100 jerkbait to catch his 6-pounder to capture the lead. He
then
caught five bass weighing 14-6 on Friday to make the crucial top-5 cut
in first
place. On Saturday he sealed his victory using the same 5-inch Yamamoto
grubs he used
throughout the tournament.
The
remaining top-five pros finished the
tournament in:
3 rd:
Mike Wurm, Hot Springs,
Ark., 16 bass, 46-6, $30,000
4 th:
Bryan Thrift,
Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 44-1, $20,000
5th:
Greg Pugh,
Cullman, Ala., 13 bass, 38-8, $18,000
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The Purdue University team of Chad Dunham and Alex Lowe won the National Guard FLW College Fishing Central Division event on Bull Shoals Lake Saturday with three bass weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. The victory earned the team $10,000 to be split evenly between the university and the university’s bass-fishing club. The win also helped them advance to the Central Division Regional Championship where they could ultimately win a Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower engine wrapped in school colors for their school’s club and $25,000 for the school they represent.
“It was tough, but we just kept chuggin’,” Dunham said. “We started out deep, moved around a little, had some boat trouble, got through that and just kept going.
“I started the day using jerkbaits and YUM Money Minnows in deep water and nothing was happening so we moved to the mouth of the cove to try up there, still nothing. Then my partner put on a Storm Wiggle Wart and got a fish, so I decided to try it too and was able to get two more with the Wiggle Wart and luckily that’s all we needed.”
Only 21 teams weighed in today, however many were just happy to be fishing on an ice free lake including the team from Purdue University.
“This was my first time on Bull Shoals and my first FLW Outdoors tournament,” Lowe said. “We are so surprised to be in first spot-with only three bass. We came to the scales just hoping to make the top-5, but to actually win, what a thrill.”
Rounding out the top five teams today were Winona State University – Jerry Jonsgaard and Zac Cassill (one bass 4-13, $5,000); Henderson State – Justin Westfall and Michael Jennings (one bass, 4-8, $4,000); Southeast Missouri State – Andrew Pinkley and Jim McDevitt (two bass, 4-7, $3,000); Truman State University – Mike McCarthy, Jr., and Spencer Clark (two bass, 4-6, $2,000).
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 For the second consecutive year, Massachusetts pro Mark Burgess will follow his dreams on the Bassmaster Elite Series, and for the second time, he will also chronicle his season through a journal on ESPNOutdoors.com.
The journal will feature the ups and downs of life on the road for a sophomore pro trying to gain a foothold in the ultra competitive world of professional bass fishing.
“I just want to be able to share my experiences of what it is like to fish at this level and what life is like on the road for a professional bass angler,” Burgess said. “I think the journal is a great way to provide inspiration to those who have aspirations of becoming a professional angler.”
After a rookie campaign that was occasionally thrilling but often frustrating, Burgess spent the winter evaluating where he needed to improve his game. In addition to assessing necessary on-the-water improvements, he worked hard to gain new sponsors. Those include Storage Max, a climate-controlled self-storage chain in New England and Purple Turtle Productions, a regional film production company. Mark is also beginning a new relationship with a company called BioEdge, a company which specializes in scents. He’ll be using their products for the first time in California.
He added those two new partners to his existing group of corporate sponsors – companies including Skeeter, Yamaha, Reaction Strike, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Bass Boat Saver, Power Pole, and Costa. After years in the business as a company rep, he understands how the industry works.
Follow Mark’s no-holds-barred account of his season online, with new entries posted after each Elite Series tournament along with selected Open-level events.
For more information about Mark Burgess, go to markburgessfishing.com.
For more information about B.A.S.S., go to bassmaster.com.
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Melton Wins Co-Angler Title, $25,000
National Guard pro Brent Ehrler of Redlands, Calif., caught a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 6 ounces Friday to maintain the lead at the FLW Tour event presented by Cabela’s on Table Rock Lake, advancing to the top five as the crucial No. 1 seed. With a three-day catch of 15 bass weighing 52-14 he now holds a 13-pound, 15-ounce lead in the tournament going in to the final day of competition.
“I feel very fortunate,” said Ehrler, who will be making his 21st top-10 appearance which includes six tour wins in just five years. “I have never been in this position before (leading by nearly 14 pounds). I saw FLW Tour pro David Fritts go into the final day of competition with an 18-20 pound lead, and I thought, 'wow, that would be real nice.' Now, I’m just real nervous.”
Ehrler fished the same underwater point all week long and hoped it would hold out one more day. It’s a staging area right now, and the fish are just waiting there for the water to warm up. It’s an area that goes from deep to shallow with a lot of timber and rocks. He has been enjoying an incredible early bite and really hasn’t caught any keepers past noon. All but about 5 pounds of his total weight have come from this magical area.
Rounding out the top-5 pros and advancing to the final day’s competition are:
2nd: Ron Shuffield, Bismarck, Ark., five bass, 14-4 for a three-day total of 13 bass, 38-15
3rd: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., four bass, 9-14 for a three-day total of 14 bass, 38-14
4th: Greg Pugh, Cullman, Ala., four bass, 9-5 for a three-day total of 13 bass, 38-8
5th: Mike Wurm, Hot Springs, Ark., three bass, 7-9 for a three-day total of 13 bass, 37-12
The rest of the top-10 pros include some of the greatest anglers in the world and they are:
6th: National Guard pro Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., 10 bass, 35-14, $17,000
7th: Mark Rose, Marion, Ark., 14 bass, 34-9, $16,000
8th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 13 bass, 33-6, $15,000
9th: Adam Wagner, Cookeville, Tenn., 13 bass, 32-4, $14,000
10th: Folgers pro Scott Suggs, Bryant, Ark., 12 bass, 31-11, $13,000
Overall there were 238 bass weighing 600 pounds, 1 ounce caught by 148 pros Friday. The catch included only 11 five-bass limits.
Pros are competing for a top award of up to $125,000 this week plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for the Forrest Wood Cup which will be held Aug. 5- 8 at Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Ga., where they could win as much as $600,000 – the sport’s biggest award.
Shane Melton of Greentown, Ind., won the Co-angler Division and $25,000 Friday with a three-day total of 9 bass weighing 26 pounds, 10 ounces followed by Brad Roberts of Nancy, Ky., in second place with 8 bass weighing 26-1 worth $9,862.
Melton opened the tournament in first place and never looked back. On Wednesday he had the only five-bass limit weighing 13-9 while fishing with pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C. On Thursday, he maintained the lead on the strength of three bass weighing 6-15 while fishing with pro Mark Rose of Marion, Ark. He sealed the win Friday with only one-bass weighing 6-2 while fishing with pro Chad Morgenthaler of Coulterville, Ill.
“I have been nervous all day,” said Melton, who earned his first FLW Tour co-angler victory. “I just had a great week, I got to fish with my heroes, some of the best anglers in the world, and I am just thrilled. I was so nervous up on stage I forgot my wife’s name! I still can’t believe it! Fishing is my peace. Phenomenal is the only way to describe this week.”
While fishing with three different pros one of the only things that remained consistent for Melton was his bait. He caught all his fish using Mann’s Sting Ray Grub in deep water.
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers are:
3rd: Mark Myers, Cedar Falls, Iowa, seven bass, 18-13, $7,395
4th: Van Roy Foster, Jr., Dalton, Ga., five bass, 16-5, $4,928
5th: Sean Stepp, Stafford, Va., five bass, 16-4, $3,942
6th: Todd Lee, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 15-9, $2,955
7th: Teddy Bradley, Mishawaka, Ind., seven bass, 15-6, $2,462
8th: Mike Foree, Osage Beach, Mo., six bass, 13-12, 1,968
9th: Jerry Willis, Atlanta, Ga., five bass, 13-4, $1,722
10th: Chad Parks, Olive Branch, Miss., six bass, 13-2, $1,475
Co-anglers are also fishing for valuable points that could help them qualify for the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.
Overall there were 83 bass weighing 227 pounds, 10 ounces caught by 148 co-anglers Friday. The catch included only one five-bass limit.
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Today on Wired Radio with Terry Brown Quantum's Chris Strickland talks about reel specifics and choosing the right reel for the job. To listen click here. |
Three-time FLW Angler of the Year joins Cabela’s winning team
Professional angler Clark Wendlandt has signed on to become part of Cabela’s Pro Staff team. In 2009, Wendlandt was named FLW Angler of the Year for the third time, more than any other angler on the FLW Tour, ranking him among the most successful tournament bass anglers in history.
As a member of Cabela’s Pro Staff, Wendlandt will serve as an ambassador of the company and the sport of professional angling, appearing at Cabela’s retail stores and other events. He will also guest host episodes of Cabela’s Ultimate Adventures television show and promote Cabela’s throughout his travels.
While on the water, Wendlandt will use Cabela’s-brand products and run a Ranger boat wrapped with Cabela’s graphics. His knowledge and on-the-water experience are incredible assets to Cabela’s field-tested, field-proven product development process.
Wendlandt holds the record for the most semifinal appearances in FLW history – 34, and is a three-time FLW tournament champion. In addition to being the only three-time Angler of the Year, he has finished in the top 10 in the overall yearly standings eight times. He has qualified for the FLW Championship 12 times and finished in the top 10 six times.
Clark Wendlandt lives in Leander, Texas, with his wife and two children.
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Yesterday, March 4, Brent Homan of the Army Bass Anglers caught this 10.2-pound hog on Lake Fork, Texas while fishing with Pro angler Mark Pack. Brent caught her on a 3/8-ounce Phenix Vibrator jig with a 3 1/2-inch Lake Fork Trophy Lures Live Magic Shad trailer, both jig and shad were in the new sun perch color. It is Brent's personal best fish. Nice fish Brent.
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Careco Multimedia announced today that Gemini Sport Marketing is returning as a sponsor of the 2010 BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series.
"As a long time supporter of tournament anglers, Gemini is making a major contribution to the future of tournament bass fishing as a result of supporting collegiate fishing", said Wade Middleton, tournament director. "Gemini's discount pricing and incentive programs allow collegiate anglers to show off their school pride, promote sponsors and be rewarded at the same time. We're proud to continue our partnership with such an outstanding company."
Every sport has a uniform and bass fishing is no different. Customized, high performance jerseys allow bass anglers to look sharp, effectively promote sponsors and remain comfortable while enduring the rigors of tournament fishing.
With help from Gemini Sport Marketing, collegiate anglers are able to showcase their school logo and colors, along with sponsor logos on their jerseys. "These anglers are able to get the jerseys the pros wear on a college budget," said Brad Raymond, Gemini Sport Marketing vice president. Gemini makes this possible through a discount purchasing program that allows the student anglers to order all apparel at a 20% discount with all artwork and setup fees waived. For example, Extreme Dye Sublimation (XDS) G2 Gemini jerseys are available to collegiate anglers at a cost of only $76.
Raymond also explained that Gemini has created a new incentive program for the 2010 BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series: "The highest placing team in each qualifying event that wears G2 Gemini jerseys with our logo displayed will receive (1) each, custom sublimated performance hooded sweatshirt to match their tournament jerseys. These have a retail value of $120 each. The top 3 placing teams at the 2010 BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship will receive custom hoodies as well. These student anglers are great ambassadors to the sport and we are proud to have them wear G2 Gemini jerseys."
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Trees Have Been Key for Both Day One and Day Two Leaders
National Guard pro Brent Ehrler of Redlands, Calif., caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 2 ounces Thursday to capture the lead on day two of the FLW Tour event presented by Cabela’s on Table Rock Lake. His two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 38-pounds, 8-ounces gives him a commanding lead in the tournament which features 148 pros and 148 co-anglers from across the United States.
“I can’t wait to go fishing tomorrow, I am just so excited,” said Ehrler, who is coming off an FLW Series National Guard Western Division win at Lake Shasta in January. “I had a great day today. I found two great areas and wanted to quit at noon. I also had a couple of random lucky bites that really helped me tip the scales this afternoon.”
Ehrler fished an underwater point and said he fished hundreds of spots like it, but none with the amount of fish he saw here. The area is a ledge with plenty of brush and trees. He is using reaction baits to haul in his limit.
“I haven’t had a chance to pick the area apart yet, so I haven’t figured out what makes it so special," he said. "The area is full of fish, and I am getting a lot of bites with some big ones mixed in. Although I did not get my big one in that area today, I know they are there. I am looking forward to fishing it tomorrow and hopefully wearing it out on Saturday."
“I have never had more fun netting fish than today,” said Ehrler’s co-angler, Ken Keirsey of Owasso, Okla. who currently sits tied for 67th place. “And truth be told, he wanted to quit at eight! He is just an awesome angler and so much fun to fish with. I had a great time.”
Mike Wurm of Hot Springs, Ark., is in second on the pro side with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 30-3.
“I’m just doing what I love to do,” Wurm said. “I’m using a finesse jig with a spinner rod and 10-pound braid line.
“I am being very slow and deliberate with my presentation. If you’re barely moving, you’re moving too much. I am running about 45 miles to an area with a stretch of three to four banks that have worked well for me so far this week. I am just hoping it holds up. As we all know anything can happen at Table Rock Lake. Someone could bring in a 22- to 25-pound catch and blow us all out of the water.”
Rounding out the top-10 pros after day two on Table Rock Lake are:
3rd: Greg Pugh, Cullman, Ala., four bass, 10-8 for a two day total of nine bass, 29-3
4th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 14-3 for a two day total of 10 bass, 29-0
5th: Chevy pro Dion Hibdon, Stover, Mo., five bass, 21-2 for a two day total of seven bass, 25-10
6th: National Guard pro Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., two bass 11-1 for a two day total of seven bass, 25-8
7th: Robert Harkness, Elizabeth, W.Va., five bass, 13-5 for a two day total of 10 bass, 25-7
8th: Mark Rose, Marion, Ark., five bass, 12-13 for a two day total of 10 bass, 25-0
9th: Joe Thomas, Milford, Ohio, three bass, 9-8 for a two day total of eight bass, 24-15
10th: Ron Shuffield, Bismarck, Ark., five bass, 15-6 for a two day total of eight bass, 24-11
Overall there were 232 bass weighing 648 pounds, caught on the pro side Thursday. The catch included 12 five-bass limits.
FLW Outdoors sports a full field consisting of 150 of the nation’s top pro anglers who will compete in the entire 2010 FLW Tour season. Due to family emergencies two pros had to drop out of the Table Rock event where anglers are competing for a top award of up to $125,000, which will still be based on the full 150 boat field and will feature a full payback through 50th place. Anglers are also vying for valuable points in the hope of qualifying for the Forrest Wood Cup. This year’s Cup will be held Aug. 5- 8 at Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Ga., where pros could win as much as $600,000 – the sport’s biggest award.
Shane Melton of Greentown, Ind., has a narrow lead in the Co-angler Division with two-day total of eight bass weighing 20 pounds, 8 ounces, followed by Brad Roberts of Nancy, Ky., in second place with six bass weighing 19-9.
“I have been very fortunate to have drawn two anglers that are the best in the business,” Melton said. “Yesterday was amazing and I am just excited to go back out there tomorrow.”
Melton caught five bass weighing 13-9 while fishing with pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., Wednesday and three bass weighing 6-15 while fishing with pro Mark Rose of Marion, Ark., Thursday.
Second place Roberts weighed in a monster bag at 16 pounds and 9 ounces.
“We started in dirty water about eight to 10-feet deep,” said Roberts, who was fishing with pro Jason Cordiale of Orinda, Calif. “I caught a big fish early so my pro and I knew we were in an area that had fish and we just tried to key in on them. I was using a Cumberland Pro 3/8” casting jig in an oops color. I actually culled twice.”
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers are:
3rd: Todd Lee, Jasper, Ala., one bass, 4-2 for a two day total of four bass, 13-0
4th: Darrell Mitchell, Taneyville, Mo., zero bass for a two day total of four bass, 12-10
5th: Mike Foree, Osage Beach, Mo., three bass, 6-13 for a two day total of five bass, 11-10
6th: Chad Parks, Olive Branch, Miss., one bass, 2-7 for a two day total of five bass, 11-3
7th: Teddy Bradley, Mishawaka, Ind., one bass, 2-0 for a two day total of five bass, 10-13
8th: Jason Law, Waycross, Ga., one bass, 3-0 for a two day total of two bass, 9-10
9th: Steve Meador, Bella Vista, Ark., two bass, 3-11 for a two day total of five bass, 9-5
10th: Sean Stepp, Stafford, Va., zero bass for a two day total of two bass, 8-13
Overall there were 76 bass weighing 199 pounds, 2 ounces caught by the co-anglers Thursday. The catch included one five-bass limit.
See flwoutdoors.com for more details.
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T-H Marine Supplies, one of the most recognized companies in fishing and the marine industry, has joined the Professional Anglers Association as an associate sponsor of the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series.
The popular T-H Marine Supplies “Atlas Jackplate” will be the Official Jackplate of the PAA and will be featured on prize boat packages. Special pricing through the PAA Affinity Partner Program also will be available to members.
“I know just about all of the pro anglers and a lot of the tournament anglers who aspire to greater things,” said Bill Huntley with T-H Marine Supplies. “We believe the PAA is striving to meet its stated goals for the anglers. We’ve been pleased with our association with the PAA for the last couple of years.”
T-H Marine Supplies has “thousands of items,” Huntley said, from the small but necessary drain plugs and aerator heads to the larger and more visible Atlas Jackplate and Hot-Foot throttle system. Along with its OEM work that comprises the majority of its business, T-H Marine Supplies also has a successful after-market business.
“The things people think are just ‘parts’ are important and there are a lot of them in a boat,” Huntley said. “They’re all important in one way or another. We’re glad to be part of the marine industry and look forward to continuing our association with the PAA and its members.”
The PAA and T-H Marine Supplies will have special membership promotions throughout the season. T-H Marine Supplies also will showcase its products and pro staff anglers at retail promotions, tournament weigh-ins and other events. |
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FLW pro and Wired2Fish angler Brent Ehrler took a commanding lead at the FLW Tour Event on Table Rock Lake with 38-08 pounds. His weight today was 22-02 pounds. In second place is Arkansas angler Mike Wurm with 30-03 pounds. In third is 1st day leader Greg Pugh with 29-03. A full story will follow.
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Today on Wired Radio with Terry Brown 2010 Bassmaster Classic Champion Kevin VanDam talks about the competition on the Elite Series, what it means to him to get his third win and how he approached the tournament from a strategy standpoint. To listen click here. |
Checkout our latest review of a slick new net -- the Frabill Hibernet. Click here to read more.
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Elite Series pro and "Frog King" Dean Rojas has landed Oakley Eyewear as a new sponsor for 2010. He solidified the deal at the Bassmaster Classic. "I am super pumped to be working with the makers of the best eyewear in the world and excited about what 2010 will bring as a result" said Rojas. Rojas is one of the best bed fishing anglers on tour and his teaming with Oakley could even make him tougher.
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 FLW photo
FLW Outdoors pro Greg Pugh of Cullman, Ala., crossed the stage Wednesday with a 5-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 11 ounces to lead day one of the FLW Tour event on Table Rock Lake presented by Cabela’s. Pugh holds a 1-pound, 13-ounce lead in the tournament featuring 296 anglers from all across the country.
“The bite’s not easy, but it is good when you finally get one, you know it!” said Pugh, who is out for revenge after last year’s dismal 140th place finish. “I was fortunate enough to find one spot where I got four big bites, including my 6 1/2 – pounder.
“I ran quite a ways today, about an hour ride; I found an area that was thick with trees and big fish. I just hope it holds out for the next couple of days. As a matter of fact the vegetation was so thick I actually had four bites that broke off and I was using 20 pound fluorocarbon line. I caught 11 keepers, culled a couple of times and missed several.”
Many of today’s top anglers were scratching their heads as they crossed the stage. The cold water temperatures have made for a very slow bite and they are hoping they will be able to make the necessary adjustments to help improve their showing tomorrow.
Rounding out the top-10 pros after day one on Table Rock Lake are:
2nd: Mike Wurm, Hot Springs, Ark., 5 bass, 16-14
3rd: National Guard pro Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 5 bass, 16-6
4th: Brian Travis, Conover, N.C., 4 bass, 16-4
5th: Joe Thomas, Milford, Ohio, 5 bass, 15-7
6th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 5 bass, 14-13
7th: David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn., 5 bass, 14-12
8th: Goodwill pro Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 4 bass, 14-10
9th: National Guard pro Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., 5 bass, 14-7
10th: Adam Wagner, Cookeville, Tenn., 5-bass, 12-10
Overall there were 274 bass weighing 753 pounds, 7 ounces caught by 148 pros Thursday. The catch included only 14 five-bass limits.
FLW Outdoors sports a full field consisting of 150 pro anglers for the 2010 FLW Tour season. Due to family emergencies two pros had to drop out of the Table Rock event where anglers are competing for a top award of up to $125,000, which is based on the full 150 boat field, which will feature a full payback through 50th place. Anglers are also vying for valuable points in the hope of qualifying for the Forrest Wood Cup. This year’s Cup will be held Aug. 5- 8 at Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Ga., where pros could win as much as $600,000 – the sport’s biggest award.
Shane Melton of Greentown, Ind., leads the Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 13-9 followed by Darrell Mitchell of Taneyville, Mo., in second place with five bass weighing 12-10.
Melton took the early lead in the tournament while fishing with Chad Morgenthaler of Coulterville, Ill., who is currently in 70th place with one bass weighing 4-14.
“I was using the right bait and got lucky,” said second place Mitchell, who was fishing with pro Jason Cordiale of Orinda, Calif. “We were each doing our own thing and I happened to get lucky.
“I caught my fish using a PJ jig with a grub; grubs seem to be the cold water bait. I was really surprised at my weight. We were out here this weekend for practice and I didn’t get one bite; I am feeling very fortunate today.”
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers are:
3rd: Todd Lee, Jasper, Ala., 3 bass, 8-14
4th: Teddy Bradley, Mishawaka, Ind., 4 bass, 8-13
4th: Sean Stepp, Stafford, Va., 2 bass, 8-13
6th: Chad Parks, Olive Branch, Miss., 4 bass, 8-12
7th: Eugene Robinett, Springfield, Mo., 3 bass, 8-2
8th: Mike Jones, Lebanon, Mo., 3 bass, 7-7
8th: Mike Simonds, Watertown, Wis., 2 bass, 7-7
10th: Jerry Thompson, Peoria, Ariz., 4 bass, 7-5
Overall there were 94 bass weighing 246 pounds, 4 ounces caught by 148 co-anglers Wednesday. The catch included only one five-bass limit.
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 By Jason Sealock
Trends present themselves in every part of our life. Trends in fashion, in health and in music seem to dictate some folks lives. Wired2Fish anglers are guilty of the same with tackle. We follow fishing trends, one because it leads to good story material, but also because we're avid "fish heads." To be a versatile and effective angler, always look for what is working in different parts of the country to see how it can apply to fishing near home.
New trends in fishing are generally the results of anglers saying the same things to a lot of different parties. Swimbaits were the hot trend several years ago. A couple years ago Jackall and Seiji Kato introduced us to flick shaking with Kato winning the co-angler division of a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on Lake Amistad and later creating the Jackall Flick Shake worm. Of course most know what Kelly Jordon did to put big spoons on the map with his exploits on Ultimate Match Fishing, something over which Kentucky Lake guides are still angry with him.
 Occasionally colors trend. A couple years ago Strike King and Kevin VanDam introduced the world to Sexy Shad. It was simply a shad pattern with a sky blue back and a chartreuse strip down the side. From that moment and the amazing demand that followed, every manufacturer in the world started making baits in similar shad, blue and chartreuse schemes. Custom painters still do a ton of business with their versions of Sexy Shad.
The key isn't in seeing these things a year after they happen. Rather the ability to forecast that they're coming and know that there's something to all the hype will put a savvy angler ahead of the game on his local waters.
This year I've noticed at least three manufacturers added chrome varieties to their lineups. I'm not saying all the sudden chrome is going to be cool again. But I think while it lingered in obscurity for several years, there has been enough demand by anglers at some level to prompt manufacturers to get on the "chrome" band wagon again.
Lucky Craft introduced a chrome version of their popular Gunfish topwater bait. The bait looks sleek and effective. This bait in this color will be a killer in the southeast on lakes like Murray, Russell, Clarks Hill, and Lanier.
Tru-Tungsten added chrome to their line-up of Tru Life swimbaits. The offer them in blue back and black back options, and I see them being viable in the same situations. I'm curious if they will make swimbaits a little more effective in dingy water.
Strike King made sexy even sexier. They threw a chrome background behind their Sexy Shad pattern in both gold and silver hues. And it's well documented what Mr. VanDam did with the gold version a couple weeks ago on Lay Lake.
 In my fishing I really only use chrome in two places, jerkbaits and lipless baits. But I can definitely see where it has applications in swimbaits, topwaters and even crankbaits. The popularity of the big chrome spoons might have helped put chrome back on the map. Who knows, but I look for a lot more chrome to come into several line-ups this season.
I'm anxious to know where chrome plays a vital role in your fishing. Sound off on our Facebook fan page and let us and the manufacturers know where chrome is hot and where you desperately need it in your fishing arsenal. A few custom painters make some sick chrome paint schemes, check out FLW Outdoors Magazine's blog about one such painter here.
I can already sense some chrome fishing clothing about to hit the scene. Soon we'll need our own fashion runway to keep up with fishing clothing trends.
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Seaguar Line has joined Wired2Fish as an advertiser for 2010. Known for having some of the best fluorocarbon line in fishing Seaguar will be introducing TATSU line in promotions, contests and advertising with Wired2Fish.
"Wired readers will be the beneficiaries of Seaguars industry wherewithal, products and information for months ahead and we are proud to have them join us here at Wired2Fish.com," said Terry Brown, President, Wired2Fish.
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By John Neporadny
Ten Questions with Elite Series Rookie Bradley Roy
Bradley Roy won the Junior Bassmaster World Championship in 2004 and this year he will be the first junior world champion to fish in the Bassmaster Elite Series. The following questions address his thoughts on his accomplishments, the Junior Bassmaster program and the high school bass fishing movement.
1. How does it feel to be the first Junior Bassmaster World Champion to compete in the Bassmaster Elite Series?
Roy: It is exciting. I am a product of the whole program and to be the first one to do it—and I know I won’t be the last-- is an exciting thing.
2. What have you learned from the junior program that helped you reach the Elite Series?
Roy: Learning the basics of being a tournament fisherman, the A to Z basic tournament stuff such as preparation and early morning launches. I also learned how to fish multiple-day tournaments and find fish that will last more than one day.
3. Who do you think influenced you the most during your time in the junior program?
Roy: Probably my father (Anthony) because he took me to tournaments and we always prefished together. I learned as much as I could from him. He was with me all the way through the juniors and he also fished the Federation Nation tournaments.
4. What advice do you have for other juniors striving to reach the level of success you have achieved?
Roy: Get on the water -- no matter where it is at -- as often as you can. The more you do it the better you get at it, which goes for any sport. Study what other guys do and learn what they do well. Build your weaknesses up by using someone else’s strengths.
5. What do you think about Illinois sanctioning fishing as a high school activity and the movement of other states to do the same?
Roy: I think it is a great opportunity for kids. I got an early start in fishing because I was blessed to have a father that fished. For some kids who do not have that, it is a great way to get them started when they are in high school and then they can develop into better fishermen. It gives them another option besides the standard basketball, football and baseball.
6. Eddie Goode has been working on getting a high school program started in your home state of Kentucky. Are you interested in helping in this effort if your schedule allows?
Roy: Yes. Any way I can because I realize I am a product from a similar type of program. That is what helped me develop so I would be more than happy to give back and do stuff like that.
7. Kalem Tippett and you are two world champions that have graduated from the Kentucky Junior Bassmaster program, why do you think your state’s junior program has been so successful?
Roy: There are a lot of good fathers in the program who are willing to put us out there, teach us how to fish and trust us with their equipment. Credit should also go to our presidents and youth director of the Kentucky Federation Nation. They have been geared and dedicated toward the juniors. It is a strong Federation all the way through the adult and junior programs. They always make sure we have plenty of tournaments to fish.
8. Who do you predict will be the next Junior Bassmaster World Champion to qualify for the Elite Series?
Roy: It is hard to say. You mentioned Kalem who is an unbelievable fisherman. I see in him the natural raw instincts that certain fisherman have. He certainly could be there in a heartbeat if he chooses to take that path.
9. Some of the pros who came up through the Federation Nation ranks are still involved in various Federation Nation functions such as speaking at banquets or helping out at club events, would you like to give back to the junior program in some way if you find time in your schedule?
Roy: Yeah. I realize where I came from and what developed me. so I would be more than happy to do that. In past years, I have been a boat captain whenever juniors needed one for their tournaments, and I plan on doing that this year with my wrapped Elite Series boat if I can work it out with my schedule.
10. What are your goals for your rookie season on the Elite Series trail?
Roy: My first and foremost goal is to win Rookie of the Year and re-qualify for the Elites. The biggest goal will be to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.
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Pete Robbins just wrote a great piece about rookie Elite Series angler Dennis Tietje and his intimate knowledge of crawfish. For an interesting read, click here.
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This year, renowned French hook giant, VMC®, celebrates its 100th anniversary of creating the world's finest fish hooks. VMC is proud to have sustained hook production at its factory in France for 100 years, but interestingly enough, the VMC family did not set out to make fish hooks. They were reeled into the fishing industry by a rival brand.
Dating back to 1796, the family of Viellard-Migeon created a company and a tradition of manufacturing the highest quality steel products such as wires, screws and bolts. That same year, the Viellard family appointed Jean-Baptiste Migeon as manager of its steel forge. In 1835, Jean Baptiste's daughter married Juvenal Viellard. With this marriage, their initials were combined (V. - Viellard, M. - Migeon, and C. for company) to form VMC.
At the beginning of the 1900s in Europe, the two families shared a common industrial thread and close relations. VMC® produced wires, screws, nuts and bolts, while the other family, among other goods, produced high-quality fishing hooks. By mutual agreement, neither would sell in the other's markets.
But 1910 marked the dawn of a new era of competition. VMC's counterpart expanded their business and began to sell nuts and bolts on VMC's home soil in France. This decision fueled Charles Viellard to step-up the competition in turn and to diversify VMC's metalworking experience into fish hook manufacturing, the other family's specialty.
Ten British families from the hub of the UK's needle-making and fishing tackle industries were moved to France to help set up VMC's new fish hook department. Thus the VMC family began to produce fish hooks, setting the stage to see which family could produce the highest quality of fish hook.
The first VMC hooks were 100 percent handcrafted, utilizing one specific machine or tool for each stage of manufacturing, which produced a quality of hook that was unmatched.
VMC today: capturing business hook, line and sinker
Today, VMC produces 4 million hooks per day, with machines running around the clock to fill the demand. The company exports 70 percent of its hooks around the world.
"VMC's success has been made possible by years of experience and our ability to continue to develop and innovate in the market," said Stanislas de Castelnau, president and managing director of VMC. "But even more important is the savoir-faire of the people making our hooks."
VMC has consistently led the industry in treble hook design. The Needle Cone Point and the Cone Cut Point are just two of its world-famous designs. The Fastgrip triple mini-barb pattern was a world first. The company was also among the first to use Vanadium, a steel alloy for hook production.
VMC's success story doesn't stop there. In November 2000, Rapala - the world's leading brand of fishing lures - joined forces with VMC. Today, the vast majority of Rapala and Respected Rapala Brands lures are equipped with VMC treble hooks, delighting anglers and helping them reel in the big ones wherever water exists on the globe.
"VMC's 100th anniversary is an exciting milestone," said Tom Mackin, president of Rapala U.S.A. "Their superior-quality product and innovation will continue to set the benchmark in fish hook design and production."
For more information, please visit www.vmchooks.com.
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Elite Series rookie Dennis Tietje is taking this hero emulation thing a bit too far.
Those readers who are students of the sport may remember four-time
Bassmaster Classic winner Rick Clunn’s pithy quote, “To understand the
owl, you must study the mouse.”
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Kevin VanDam won the recent Bassmaster Classic and he spoke of two things. A new color Strike King Redeye Shad and a treble hook he designed for Mustad. Both worked in concert for a 5 pound win, a catfish, several shad, a few crappie, two back-hooked 4-pound bass and $500,000 dollars. When KVD speaks anglers notice and this past fall we got our first look at the new KVD Elite Mustad Triple Grips and we were impressed. Strong, super sharp, short shank for better holding power and 2X strength all combined into a hook that can be upsized so more fish get a boat ride. Where anglers used No. 4s they can now use bigger No. 2s without tangling because of the specially designed short shanks. Upsizing his hooks enabled VanDam to catch every fish that even breathed on his bait regardless of species.
The KVD Elites have been hotter than a two dollar pistol and are selling fast but the folks at Mustad tell us that they are up to the challenge and shipments are going out daily.
The Strike King Redeye Shad in the new Gold Sexy are almost on the shelves as well and for early spring fishing there is nothing better. With a great rattle, vertical fall and a body shape that imitates forage to the "T", the Redeye has been a hit for a couple of years but now combined with the Mustad KVD Elites, fishing and catching just became one in the same.
To buy both of these products click here. Don't forget that Tackle Warehouse has a great back order system so order them even if they are currently out of stock. They will make sure you get them when they arrive. |
 Swimmin' Super FlukeZoom Bait Company never rests and their plastics are some of the best fish catching baits on the planet. They never rest on their laurels and their new products look to be better than ever.
Zoom has just released a new color called Houdini. This is a combination of two popular Zoom colors. The top half of the baits are Watermelon Red with the bottom half being Sand, creating Houdini. This color is available in the Lizard, Finesse Worm, Salty Super Fluke, Shakey Head Worm, Baby Brush Hog, Magnum Shakey Head, Magnum Finesse and the new Swimmin’ Super Fluke.
The great new Swimmin Super Fluke is available now and is a perfect springtime bait for pre-spawn and spawning bass. Check out this new article on the Zoom website with Marty Stone talking about the new Swimmin Super Fluke. Click here to read.
Look for a Wired2Fish Contest soon with the Zoom Swimmin Fluke.
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The second stop (first was canceled) on the FLW Tour starts tomorrow on Table Rock Lake. It's supposed to be 23 degrees at takeoff. Several anglers reported seeing ice on certain coves and creeks and water temps ranging from high 30s to low 40s. But we also heard reports of some big bass being caught. They aren't catching a lot but the ones they do catch are generally very good quality fish.
If we had to pick one guy to do well here, it would be Arkansas angler Scott Suggs. That's our expert pick for you.
If you're playing FLW Fantasy Fishing and don't have a league, feel free to join ours. The league ID is 16894 and the password is Wired2Fish, so join us and get your team picked before the cutoff tonight at 11:59 EST. Good Luck and Good Fantasy Fishing to all!
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Bassmaster Elite Series pro J. Todd Tucker of Atlanta, Ga., signed again with his primary sponsor Big Green Egg. He'll continue to promote their famous cooker as he tours the country with their wrap on his truck and boat. Additionally BGE signed fellow Elite anglers Bobby Lane, Chris Lane and Bradley Hallman to the Tucker Team EGGlites. They will travel the country and talk fishing and grilling with fans at the events.
Tucker also continued long-time relationships with Yamaha, Lowrance, Optima, Berkley, Trilene, Fenwick, Abu Garcia, Columbia, Costa Del Mar and Southern Woods, a quail hunting preserve in Georgia. Additionally he signed Skeeter Boats and Tru-Tungsten as new sponsors for 2010.
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In the March 2010 issue of Boating magazine, the publication’s editorial staff unveils their much-anticipated list of the Top-10 best boats of the year, judging hundreds of models with stringent selection criteria and a grueling elimination process. After putting so many designs through the paces, editors arrived at their final list of 10 with Ranger’s all-new Z521 Comanche highlighting the pack.
Boating extolled the speed and stability of the Z521 – a feature-laden vessel that’s designed to exceed the needs of both competitive anglers and performance enthusiasts. The editors praised the boat’s running surface and Ranger’s trademark smooth, dry ride saying, “…it was like floating on air…there was no chine walking. The hull and power combination was ideal.”
“At wide-open throttle, we crossed wakes at 45 degrees without fear – the Comanche remained on course and on its lines,” wrote Boating’s editorial staff in their glowing review of the 2010 model. “But also kind was the way the Comanche pampered anglers, keeping their focus on the tournament winnings, not on the details of running a boat or managing gear.”
“From the moment we introduced the Z500 series, this is the boat that so many anglers have been asking about,” said Ranger Boats President Randy Hopper. “We’re excited to share the results of so much angler input. On top of so many new interior features, it’s an exceptionally responsive design with a great ride and ultra solid feel on and off plane.”
The interior is highlighted by a completely redesigned console that’s not only taller for more protection, but offers built-in mounting options for today’s popular, large-screened electronics directly above the steering wheel – eliminating the need for gimbal and swivel mounts in most cases. The redesigned consoles also integrate a stylish-yet-functional concave beveling on the outside, allowing the tips of rods stored on the front deck to stay more secure while in use.
The Z521 Comanche measures an efficient-yet-spacious 21 feet, 3 inches in length with a 95-inch beam for the sturdiest fishing platform of any high-performance model in production. Rated for 250 horsepower, the Z521 is available with a wide range of precision-matched outboards to meet the preferences of anglers across the country, while a 52 gallon fuel capacity ensures plenty of range for long runs in search of fish. More details – including videos, reviews and other industry accolades – touting the total performance design of the all-new Z521 can be found by logging on to www.mydreamrig.com or www.rangerboats.com.
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Thanks to all of the Wired2Fish readers who participated in the Sufix Line Contest. The information that each of you provided was invaluable.
The winners of the Sufix Line Contest are:
John Thomas
Bentonville, AR
Jody White
Blacksburg , VA
Neal Wetmore
Tinley Park, IL
Chad Booker
Princeton, IN
E. Byron Oost
Owensboro, KY
Don Fisher
Lititz, PA
Capt Bob Morrissey
Savannah, GA
Your line is on the way. Let us know how you like it.
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Jacksonville, Florida angler Peter Thliveros has his new wrap with Tru-tungsten. Check it out.
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A partnership between Vicious Fishing and the Paralyzed Veterans of America at the 40th Bassmaster Classic resulted in more than $1,100 donated to the PVA off shirt sales that will assist the PVA’s sports and recreation programs.
Limited edition apparel featuring a stars-and-stripes motif and "Vic," the Vicious Fishing mascot, were snapped up during the Classic’s three-day outdoors expo. More than 58,000 people attended the outdoors expo and the Vicious Fishing booth was packed. Sales were so brisk and interest so high, Vicious officials have extended the chance to purchase the exclusive apparel.
"We sold close to 300 units and raised $1,139 at the expo for the PVA," said Chris Dutton, marketing manager for Vicious Fishing. "The USA apparel was very well received and we have extended the sale of the USA apparel to our online store." Short sleeve t-shirts in three colors are available along with long sleeve shirts and hooded sweatshirts in two colors at www.vicious-fishing.com in its online store.
A special purchase program is available for retailers interested in carrying the exclusive series to further help PVA. The PVA’s sports and recreation programs include fishing tournaments and shooting sports events. PVA has more than 20,000 members and assists veterans with spinal cord injuries or disease with a variety of programs, research and legislative assistance.
"We are very proud to be associated with the PVA and we will continue to work and raise more money for the organization," Dutton said.
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We recently reviewed new swivels made out of a fluorocarbon-like material. The Aquateko Invisa Swivels are pretty cool. Check out our review of them here.
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 The Southern Illinois University team of Ben DeBlois and Christopher Piha cranked their way to the top spot and $2,000 at the first Murray State Kentucky Lake Invitational. The team weighed 10 bass during the two-day event for a total weight of 31.89 pounds.
Pro Ray Barga told the collegiate anglers fishing the invitational at the pre-tournament banquet that fortunes can change in hurry on Kentucky Lake under prespawn conditions, and it is possible to catch 20-pound limits from any small stretch of bank this time of year. Such was the case for SIU’s DeBlois and Piha.
“We had only one fish at 11:30 a.m. on day one,” Deblois said. “Then, we found one 200-yard stretch of bank that was absolutely loaded.”
The team quickly filled out their day one limit of 16.36 pounds and knew where they would start day two.The fish had not moved when the team arrived at the spot on the second day.
“We had 10 fish in the first 40 minutes this morning,” Piha said after the final day’s weigh-in.
The team milked the bank for all it was worth and culled a 15-incher with a five-pound kicker fish later in the day to round out their final day’s bag that weighed 15.53 pounds. The winning bank was located inside a creek north of the takeoff at KenLake Marina. It had pea gravel mixed with chunk rock and featured four or five small secondary points. DeBlois and Piha used a crawfish colored Strike King Red-Eye Shad and a Srike King Strike Shad in a rootbeer color to catch their fish. The SIU team is sponsored by Dobyns rods, Strike King Lures, Vicious Fishing and Tackle Warehouse.
Warmer temps during an unusually cold February moved the fish shallow to prepare for the spawn a few weeks away. Air temps in the high 40’s and plenty of sunshine helped the shallow water bite. Most anglers reported catching their fish on crankbaits and jerkbaits.
Another team from SIU, Mark O’Brien and Ryan Wachter took second-place honors with a two day total of 30.83 pounds. Anglers from Tennessee Tech University, Seth Davis and Ryan Maddux claimed third with 26.15 pounds. Rounding out the top five teams were Therron Shaw and Austin Brown from Murray State University. Shaw and Brown weighed the biggest bag of tournament, 20.09 pounds, on day two and finished with a total of 25.71 pounds. The Murray State teams of Steve Miller and Ben Helmerich and Dan Langton and Chad Branham tied for fifth place with 22.74 pounds.
Murray State Bass Anglers wishes to thank all that helped out with making the first Murray State Kentucky Lake Invitational a success. Especially John Parks of Jet-A-Marine, John Newton, his wife and crew of U.S.A Bassin, Terry Little and Ray Barga. We also thank Jim Carter, Murray State University’s vice president of institutional advancement and Murray State University for their support of Murray State Bass Anglers. We look forward hosting the event next year.
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On Dave Mercer's Facts of Fishing this week ... Kevin VanDam, A New World Record Bass, Des Moines, Iowa & The Olympics. To watch click here. |
Registration opened Monday for the “Priority Entry II” anglers on last season’s Professional Anglers Association Tour Points list for the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series that begins in July.
“Priority Entry II” is March 1-5 for all anglers on the 2009 Carrot Stix PAA Tournament Series Point Standings who plan to sign up for all four PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series events this season.
This is the second of four registration periods. Tournament entry fees are $2,500 per event with a $750 deposit per event.
Tournaments this season will include PAA Member Observers who will have chances to win prizes based on their pro’s performance, as well as a chance to compete in an all new Pro-Am format on Saturday. Details of both programs will be announced soon.
2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series Schedule:
July 8-10: Lake Cherokee, Morristown, Tenn.
Aug. 12-14:* Lake Norman, Charlotte, N.C.
Sept. 9-11: Lake Tawakoni, Garland, Texas
Oct. 14-16: Table Rock Lake, Branson, Mo.
Tournament format:
• 30 day off-limits before first practice day (no info and not on water)
• 3-day official practice (Sunday- Tuesday)*
• 1 off day (Wednesday) for registration and other activities*
• 3-day tournament (Thursday- Saturday)
• Full field the first two days
• Top 30 will fish the final day and weigh in at Bass Pro Shops store
• Pro only – must be a TOUR level member of PAA to fish any tournament in 2010 – anglers can become a TOUR level member of PAA upon registering for the Series events
• Member Observers all three days
*To accommodate anglers competing in the Forrest Wood Cup, the official practice period for Lake Norman will begin Monday (8/9/10) instead of Sunday, with no off day prior to competition.
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CHILL Media Inc. has landed a big one! The Oakville-based publisher is pleased to announce a new partnership with Canada’s favorite fishing funny man, Dave Mercer.
The popular TV host brings his legendary expertise and signature humor to the Chill magazine lineup with his Facts of Fishing column now featured regularly and a new blog at Chillonline.ca. In addition, CHILL and Mercer will co-sponsor a variety of contests and cross-promotions encompassing print, web and television.
“This partnership is a natural fit,” said Scott Stevenson, CHILL’s publisher and editorial director. “Mercer’s brand personality matches the CHILL mentality perfectly; we go together like a cold beer after a great day on the lake. Dave combines expert knowledge about one of Canada’s favorite pastimes with a John Candy-like sense of humor, and we’re delighted to welcome him to the CHILL family.”
“I’m honored and excited to partner with such a strong and ground-breaking brand as CHILL, not only as a business, but as a person," Mercer said. "I have been a loyal reader of CHILL for years. Let’s face it – CHILL is all about Canadians and our passions. My passion is fishing, and I can’t wait to share it on the pages of Chill. And in the great words of the CHILLosopher, what better way for a Canadian to chill than fishing."
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North Carolina Elite Series pro Marty Stone has had a busy off season and just announced he has signed two more sponorship agreements. One with Ardent Reels, where he will be using the Ardent XS 1000 flagship baitcast reel and CTC Supply, a local heating and cooling company to Stone in North Carolina.
CTC Supply (Cumberland Trading Company) has been proudly serving the residential and commercial heating and air conditioning needs of southern North Carolina for 10 years. “Hunting and fishing are a way of life here in North Carolina,” said Jimmy Cass, the General Manager of CTC Supply. “A majority of our customers are outdoors people so it’s a perfect fit to have Fayetteville’s own Marty Stone, a well-known name on the national fishing tours, to represent us. Having him promote CTC Supply will provide some great regional recognition and we look forward to some of the activities we have planned with Marty this year.”
Stone, a life-long resident of North Carolina, is a 15-year BASS pro and two-time winner on the BASS Elite Series.
As part of the sponsorship, Stone will do two personal appearance days at the CTC Supply headquarters in Fayetteville and will also host the winner of CTC’s “Day on the lake with Marty Stone” contest.
Ardent Reels, headquartered in Macon, Missouri is the manufacturer of premier quality reels, both baitcasting and spinning, that are all made in the US.
“We are happy to have Marty using our products on tour,” said Ryan Hohl, Marketing Coordinator for Ardent. “Marty is a great fit for our brand and is one of the hardest working promoters in the business.”
Stone is a 15-year BASS pro and two-time winner on the BASS Elite Series.
“I’m privileged to be with a reel company that does all of its manufacturing right here in America,” Stone said. “Ardent is a young company with a bright future in the fishing business and I’m glad I’m getting in on the ground floor to be a part of its growth.”
Stone is one of the hardest promoters on tour and has recently signed Bandit Lures, TTI Blakemore and Buckeye Lures, as well.
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The psychology surrounding professional anglers would provide great doctoral research material at institutions like Stanford or Yale known for diving deep into the human mind.
They could start with 7-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Terry “Big Show” Scroggins. But they might be disappointed. Scroggins is anything but a head case. He’s much the opposite. Scroggins looks for life’s simpler, brighter side and is famous among friends for his favorite verbal expression – “It’s All Good.”
“This life we live is tough. It’s full of mental, physical and financial challenges – so saying ‘It’s All Good’ is my way of always lookin’ up,” said the 41-year-old Floridian.
For example, when Scroggins showed up in Birmingham to practice for the Bassmaster Classic, three inches of snow and record low lake temperatures greeted his sun tanned hands. “Oh yea, that would have been easy to get down about, but I saw it as a positive. To me, that took the home field advantage away from the eight or so guys that lived near Lay Lake,” Scroggins said.
“Plus, if you’re gonna be dumb, and make a living fishing in snow, you gotta be tough -- and part of being tough means having the right clothing. I came prepared with everything from Polartec clothing to a motorcycle helmet, so I knew I was as ready as the rest of them,” Scroggins said.
Next up in this crazy life, Scroggins will spend four full days planted alone in the front seat of his Toyota Tundra driving 2,800 miles from Florida to doubleheader Elite Series tournaments in California. “What’s good about that is I’ll cruise hands free from the cell phone using my Tundra’s Bluetooth. It’s a long, lonely trip across the Mojave Desert, but if you’re getting business done while you drive, 'It’s All Good.'”
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The Professional Anglers Association has filled two key positions with the hiring of Alan Clemons of Alabama as Communications Director and Randy Knight of Texas as Tournament Director.
PAA President John Crews said the additions will more easily enable the PAA to continue moving forward toward the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series that begins in July.
“We are very happy to bring on two individuals with such great experience,” said PAA President John Crews. “Alan is the perfect person to help the PAA in an area where we need to improve. Randy brings experience and a proven reputation to the rules and enforcement side of our events. I know Alan and Randy are going to mesh well in our organization and help the PAA be more effective in promoting our anglers, tournaments and the fishing industry."
Clemons is a lifelong resident of Alabama with 25 years in the newspaper and freelance writing industry. His experience includes serving as the outdoors editor with The Huntsville Times for almost 15 years and a sports writer with the Huntsville News. His work has been honored numerous times and published in Outdoor Life, Bassmaster, Bass Times, Cabela’s Outfitter Journal, ESPN Outdoors, Wired2Fish.com, Lone Star Outdoor News, Thicket and Birmingham Magazine.
“I’m excited to be joining the PAA as it builds on last year’s success,” Clemons said. “Professional anglers have many compelling stories on and off the water, and communication is vital to let our members, sponsor partners, industry representatives and fans know about them and the PAA.
“We are evaluating our communications platforms to assist PAA members and sponsor partners in getting their messages to the public. I know a lot of PAA members from working with them at tournaments or other events, and look forward to continuing those relationships while building new ones.”
Knight is a native Texan and has directed or co-produced more than 300 bass tournaments, primarily in Texas, in the last two decades. Among those were the Skeeter Boats Owner’s Tournaments, Skeeter Pro-Bass Challenge, Country Bass Association, Angler’s Choice couples and team divisions and the Somerville Lions Club event, now in its 33rd year.
Knight has worked with major sponsors for tournaments including Skeeter Boats, Mercury Outboards, Stanley Jigs, Pure Fishing-Berkley and All-Star Rods. He has fished numerous individual and team tournaments since the mid-1980s, and qualified for the Red Man Regional and Angler’s Choice Pro-Am championships.
“It’s been a great experience over the years,” Knight said of directing tournaments. “What I like most about it is you get to meet so many people from different walks of life and they’re all coming together for a common passion. Some guys have taken off their white shirts and ties or put down their hammers for the day to get together for a few hours.
“This is such a great opportunity with the PAA and I’m looking forward to it. My passion for bass fishing is as great as these pros. I just can’t sometimes find the fish or catch them as well as they can, but that’s why we all keep trying.”
About the PAA: The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. For more information, visit FishPAA.com.
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The Berkley Experience Trailer will be at the Bass Pro Shops in Concord, N.C., for the next stop in 2010. The 60-foot trailer of fun and activities brings fishing education to all skill levels of anglers. The scheduled stop for the Berkley Experience Trailer is March 5th and is set to end March 7th.
The trailer has new videos and interactive demonstrations on line and bait. The Berkley Experience Team will have seminars scheduled throughout the day to cover the four main components of fishing:
Line Selection
Rigging Techniques for Bait
Reel Maintenance
Rod Selection
Each stop has special retail promotions only available while the trailer is at the location. These include line, bait, rods, reels and combos.
“We are excited about having the Experience Trailer on the road in 2010 and stopping at many new locations across the country,” said Andrew Marks, Sr. Marketing Manager. "Our Experience Trailer staff is ready to help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about fishing, our products and how best to use them to catch more fish.”
Other exciting elements include a knot tying contest and demonstration, where you can learn new knots and even win a prize. Under the tent, we will have racks filled with the latest products and big screen videos that help you experience the adventure with Berkley. The Berkley Experience staff is always on hand to help answer any questions that you have about our innovative products.
UPCOMING BERKLEY EXPERIENCE STOPS
March 5th – 7th
Bass Pro Shops
8181 Concord Mills Blvd.
Concord, NC 28027
March 12th – 14th
Bass Pro Shops
7000 Arundel Mills Circle
Hanover, MD 21076
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The Auburn University team of Shaye Baker and Kenneth (Jordan) Lee won the National Guard FLW College Fishing Southeast Division event on Lake Okeechobee Saturday with six bass weighing 11 pounds, 7 ounces. The victory earned the team $10,000 to be split evenly between the university and the university’s bass-fishing club. The win also helped them advance to the Southeast Division Regional Championship where they could ultimately win a Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower engine wrapped in school colors for their school’s club and $25,000 for the school they represent.
“I am glad we got them today,” Baker said. “I like Florida, but the fishing was though today. I like fishing a little closer to home.
“Jordan and I weren’t able to do any pre-fishing for this tournament, so we relied heavily on what me and my partner learned at last year’s tournament. We fished the same area on the southwest corner of the lake, near Turner’s Cove, where we pulled up on some grass and found fish biting.
“We actually caught our limit by 9:30 a.m. which really helped us a lot. We then concentrated on finding some bigger fish that we knew were out there. Unfortunately this cold front shut the fish down, and we couldn’t really find that big one. We caught most of our fish with Reaction Innovation Skinny Dippers, the ones we missed using Skinny Dippers we got on Yamamoto Senkos.”
“I was really surprised we won,” Lee said. “With our low weight, I didn’t think we would even make the top five. The cold front that came through really made the bite tough. I knew my partner was a good fisherman, so we just hoped for the best.”
Payback is sweet for Baker as last November he and his 2009 partner finished second behind the University of Florida team of Jake Gipson and Matthew Wercinski at the Southeast Division Regional Championship. Baker and last year’s partner, Dennis Parker, along with the University of Florida and 23 other team’s from across the country will participate in the 2009 National Championship event which is being held April 10-12 at Ft. Loudoun and hosted by the University of Tennessee.
Rounding out the top five teams today were Southern Polytechnic State University – Dustin Holland and Zachary Dixon (three bass 10-10, $5,000); University of Central Florida – Leonard Gordon and Miles Burghoff (six bass, 9-14, $4,000); Tennessee Tech – Cody Gass and Adam Goodwin (six bass, 8-15, $3,000); University of South Carolina, Upstate – David Scruggs and Michael Smith (six bass, 8-12, $2,000).
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Marty Brown of Dalton, Ga., caught a five-bass limit weighing 10 pounds, 14 ounces Saturday to win the FLW American Fishing Series Southeast tournament on Lake Okeechobee with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 52 pounds, 1 ounce. For his victory, Brown earned $24,680.
“I was lucky enough to find a transition area where the fish were moving in and out,” Brown said. “I was here during the FLW Eastern Series event a few weeks ago, and I knew there was a spawn then. With the full moon coming again, I knew another spawn was coming. I just basically fished the same location all week long, which was the east wall area, knowing that I would have to work it [repeatedly] until I caught my fish. It was loaded. The only challenge was being able to come up with the kickers which were few and far between due to the cold front.
“I had my limit today by about 10 a.m. and was able to cull a few times, but I never really did find that one big kicker. I caught all my fish flipping a Black Zoom 6-inch Lizard on a Castaway flipping stick.
Rounding out the top-10 pros were:
2nd: Jeff McMillan, Belle Glade, Fla., 15 bass, 46-6, $8,391
3rd: Don Demott, Boca Raton, Fla., 15 bass, 46-5, $5,923
4th: Jeff Fitts, Keystone Heights, Fla., 15 bass, 45-14, $4,936
5th: Dwayne Horton, Knoxville, Tenn., 15 bass, 45-8, $4,442
6th: Koby Kreiger, Okeechobee, Fla., 15 bass, 44-11, $3,949
7th: Kevin Long, Clewiston, Fla., 15 bass, 42-15, $3,455
8th: Roger Gonzalez, Hialeah Gardens, Fla., 11 bass, 40-7, $2,962
9th: Aymon Wilcox, Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., 15 bass, 38-13, $2,468
10th: Ronnie Watts, Florence, S.C., 13 bass, 36-15, $1,974
Jesse Steadham of Florence, Miss., won the Co-angler Division and $9,882 cash, with a three-day total of 15-bass weighing 33 pounds, 4 ounces.
“I am still shaking all over,” said Steadham who is fishing with FLW for his second year. “I caught all my fish using Reaction Innovation Skinny Dippers in grass fields about 4 to 5 feet deep. The bite was not as good today, and the fish were definitely smaller. I thought I was going to finish in third place.
“Fishing was definitely a lot more difficult today. I had a 5-pounder break my line early in the day, and I didn’t get my kicker until the last 20 minutes of the tournament. That 4 1/2-pound fish was the one that definitely won it for me.”
Steadham caught five bass weighing 14-12 Thursday while fishing with pro Dale Walker of Miami, Fla., to open the tournament in sixth place. On Friday he added five more bass weighing 9 pounds to make the top-10 cut in fifth place while fishing with pro Rick Marsh of High Point, N.C. Finally, on Saturday, he sealed the win with five bass weighing 9-8 while fishing with Aymon Wilcox of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers were:
2nd: Kevin Thomas, Miramar, Fla., 15 bass, 32-15, $3,953
3rd: Bucky Helms, Dallas, N.C., 11 bass, 30-11, $1,976
4th: Brent Houlihan, Naples, Fla., 15 bass, 30-11, $1,729
5th: Robert Wood, Jupiter, Fla., 11 bass, 30-4, $1,482
6th: Danny Shelton, Davie, Fla., 13 bass, 30-2, $1,235
7th: Mitch Reynolds, Petal, Miss., 9 bass, 27-14, $988
8th: Darren Jeter, Marshall, N.C., 12 bass, 27-3, $889
9th: Ron Buck, Port St. Lucie, Fla., 14 bass, 25-14, $791
10th: George Kapiton, Inverness, Fla., 15 bass, 25-12, $692
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Baitsmith, LLC announced today that it has signed Bassmaster Elite Series angler Chris Lane of Guntersville, AL to a long-term endorsement contract to promote its full line of swim baits.
“Swim baits will play a role in every Elite Series event in 2010. Every single one! Now that I’m with Baitsmith I feel prepared to win when the swim bait bite is on. Since moving to Lake Guntersville swim baits have become a passion of mine. I will tell you right now these baits are going to be on fire this spring,” said Chris Lane. “The boys in Idaho had better be prepared to work some long hours because I have not showed these lures to anyone that did not get absolutely fired up!”
“Our baits are 100% hand made in the U.S.A. and have a loyal following out here in the West because they catch quality fish. We wanted anglers in the rest of the world to know about us so we sat down and performed in-depth market research. We were drawn to Chris Lane because he fishes to win, has a reputation of working hard and he absolutely fell in love with the baits,” said Eric Smith of Baitsmith, LLC.
Based in Hayden, ID, Baitsmith LLC hand makes swim baits ranging from 5” shad and bluegill to a 6” hitch and 9.5” magnum trout in amazingly life-like colors. Baits are available at selected retail outlets or online at www.baitsmith.com. Dealer and distributor inquiries are welcome and may be directed to info@baitsmith.com.
Fishing in his 8th year as a full-time professional angler, Chris Lane recently relocated to Guntersville, AL from Winter Haven, FL. Chris finished the 2009 season with an FLW American Fishing Series win on Lake Guntersville and opened the 2010 season with a victory in the Bassmaster Southern Open on Lake Okeechobee. More information about Chris Lane is available at www.ChrisLaneFishing.com.
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