Gamakatsu B10S Hooks ICAST2020

Tacoma, Washington (July 14, 2020) "The B10S is one of our most popular fly hooks," said Gamakatsu's Joe Quiocho. "The B10S is unique. Although heralded as a hair bug and streamer hook, you can use it for just about any application. It has a wide gap; it is 1X-strong and available in a wide range of sizes."

"We realized how effective fluorescent colors are in our Octopus hooks. They're great attractors, so we decided to offer fluorescent colors in the B10S series of fly hooks," said Quiocho.

Visit the Gamakatsu New Product Site Here!

It's no secret that fish are most active in low-light situations at dusk and dawn. That's when predators have the advantage. The human eye sees the color of the hook differently than a fish does. Our new fluorescent-UV coating provides a subtle glow, which has been scientifically proven to attract fish and provide a focal point when they decide to eat. The only limit to the application of the new fluorescent B10S fly hooks is your imagination!

B10S Features:

Stinger, 1x Strong Forged
Hair Bugs, Streamers
20 pk
Sizes: 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0
Colors: Pink, Red, Chartreuse, Ultraviolet

by AnglersChannel

Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon Leader ICAST 2020

Meet The New Gold Standard In Freshwater Fluorocarbon Leaders

“Simply amazing,” is what Mark Daniels Jr. has to say about the ‘secret’ leader that he’s been quietly testing on the Major League Fishing - Bass Pro Tour this season. “When you can pack that much strength — that much performance — into a leader so incredibly thin, you’ve engineered something really special.”
Seaguar Gold Label - Mark Daniels Jr.

“This is the real deal,” confirms Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Brandon Palaniuk, who, like Daniels Jr., has been using a leader that only a chosen few have been able to access – until now.
These tournament-tested pros have been fishing a new leader from Seaguar®, one that establishes the new gold standard for freshwater fluorocarbon. This leader is thinner and stronger, with less memory and stretch, plus excellent abrasion resistance and near invisibility beneath the surface – this is Seaguar Gold Label.
Seaguar Gold Label - Brandon Palaniuk
Gold Label is a 100% fluorocarbon leader manufactured using a dual extrusion process which unites a strong, sensitive core with a soft, supple exterior – a groundbreaking, proprietary line manufacturing technique that is exclusive to Seaguar. The result is a double-structure fluorocarbon leader that exhibits the beneficial attributes of each of

its two resins. With line diameters as much as 18% smaller than other Seaguar fluorocarbon leaders, Gold Label is the thinnest fluorocarbon leader available and is perfect for stealthy bass, walleye, and even panfish presentations. “Thinner leaders are always better,” asserts Captain Mark Davis, host of BigWater Adventures, who has been leveraging the benefits of Gold Label for tackling saltwater brutes ever since its introduction. “When I fish with Gold Label, baits swim more naturally, triggering more bites and helping me to catch more fish.” Now, those same benefits are also available to freshwater anglers.

Seaguar Gold Label
Thinner is better — but that’s not the end of the Gold Label story; rather, it’s just the beginning. The properties of Gold Label ensure that knots snug down tight and strong, whether you’re linking Gold Label to Seaguar Smackdown™ braided main line, or tying a lure to the business end of your leader.

The exceptional tensile and knot strength you’ll experience with Gold Label — as much as 17% stronger than other Seaguar fluorocarbon leaders — means fewer heartbreaks after the strike. Also, with a refractive index that closely matches that of water, Seaguar 100% fluorocarbon leaders
virtually disappear beneath the surface, ensuring that fish see your bait without detecting your line. In addition, because Seaguar fluorocarbon leaders offer enhanced abrasion resistance compared to monofilament, you’ll experience fewer line failures from sharp walleye teeth, or from battling giant bass around rocks, docks, and timber.

“Anglers can leverage Gold Label, with its best available strength-to-diameter ratio,” notes Daniels Jr., “in several different ways to put more fish in the boat. For example, finesse presentations can use a thinner leader than ever before, without sacrificing strength – and that’s a huge advantage in clear water or when dealing with heavily pressured fish. On the other end of the spectrum, power anglers can tie up with a stronger leader than they might normally use, without having it be thicker than they want. Gold Label is truly a win-win proposition!”

“Everyone who ties up with Gold Label will immediately notice some of its other benefits,” continues Daniels Jr., “especially its suppleness and very low memory. I’ve used a lot of different fluorocarbons over the years, and Gold Label has the least memory that I’ve ever encountered. Low memory makes the line easier to manage, especially in cold weather, and makes knot tying much easier — a big advantage whether I’m 'on the clock' at a Major League Fishing - Bass Pro Tour event, or just fishing for fun on one of my days off. Soon, everyone will have the chance to experience all of the benefits of Seaguar Gold Label for themselves.” Brandon Palaniuk agrees, stating that Gold Label, “has the lowest memory I’ve seen, and its strength-to-diameter ratio is on another level. Gold Label is truly the ultimate fluorocarbon."

Seaguar is the originator of fluorocarbon fishing lines and leaders, and leverages nearly 50 years of experience in the design and manufacturing of 100% fluorocarbons to produce Gold Label, the new gold standard of performance for freshwater fluorocarbon leaders. Twenty five-yard spools of Seaguar Gold Label — with MSRP $16.99 to $18.99 — will be available in 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 lb test, complementing the 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 lb test leaders currently available for saltwater use. Tie on a Gold Label leader for your next bass, walleye, or panfish trip, and you’ll soon appreciate why Seaguar lines and leaders are Always the Best!

by AnglersChannel

Pace Passes Poche to Win Auto-Berth to Friday's Championship:

Bass Pro Tour Season Points Race Heats Up
in Tuesday's Knockout Round

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2020 (Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.) Major League Fishing (MLF) Pro Cliff Pace won Covercraft Stage Five presented by Abu Garcia Group B Qualifying Round to advance directly to the Championship, joining Group A winner Justin Lucas in one of ten spots. With half the field eliminated, 38 anglers begin Tuesday’s Knockout Round at zero weight to compete over the remaining eight spots in Wednesday’s Championship Round. The 2020 Bass Pro Tour Seasons Points Championship may come down to Tuesday’s Knockout Round with Jordan Lee, Jacob Wheeler, and Ott DeFoe all battling to advance. Competition resumes Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. CT on MLFNOW!

MLF Pro Stephen Browning caught the Berkley Big Bass of the Day and hung on to 20th place to advance to Tuesday's Knockout Round. Photo credit: Phoenix Moore/Major League Fishing
40-year-old Pace caught 107 pounds, nine ounces to climb from seventh place after Day One (Saturday) and win with a two-day total of 174 pounds on 58 bass. Pace advances directly into Wednesday’s Championship Round joining Justin Lucas who won Group A Qualifying Round on Sunday. The HIGH-SEAS Pro said it wasn’t easy this week and he’s grateful for a day off (Tuesday).

“I’m one happy man!” said Pace shortly after MLF Official Mike David confirmed his victory on SCORETRACKER®. “I’m tickled to death to have won today because everything here is such a variable. You don’t know what Mother Nature is going to do and everything can fall out of place. A win today means that I don’t have to compete tomorrow and maybe capitalize on a great event in Wisconsin on Wednesday.”

Pace caught nearly all 58 bass over two days with a wacky worm in clear water – both 20, 25-feet deep and shallow. His told fans that a consistent, long cast was a key to his victory. A Mississippi-resident, Pace won the final Stage of the 2019 Bass Pro Tour in Neenah, Wisconsin last July

Keith Poche started out slow with zero scorable catches in the first three hours of competition and ultimately ended the day with 53 pounds and a two-day total of 165 pounds, 11 ounces. Jordan Lee and Mike Iaconelli led the field at different points in the day before ultimately being out paced by Pace as well.

Stephen Browning caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day weighing in at five pounds, one ounce. His two-day total of 82 pounds, 10 ounces was enough to maintain a 20th place finish and secure a spot in Tuesday’s Knockout Round. After finishing Day One in the top 20, Britt Myers and Adrian Avena fell below the Elimination Line in 21st and 26th places respectively making room for Matt Lee and Ish Monroe to advance. After only scoring 12 pounds, 13 ounces on Day One (Saturday), Jared Lintner made the biggest gain of the day by scoring an additional 119 pounds, five ounces to finish in sixth with a two-day total of 132 pounds, two ounces.

The Top Ten of Qualifying Group B finished as follows:

Place Angler Two-Day Total Two-Day Total Largest Fish over Two-Day Round
1 Cliff Pace 174-00 58 4-14
2 Keith Poche 165-11 62 4-03
3 Jordan Lee 155-04 55 4-10
4 Mike Iaconelli 144-05 49 4-08
5 Bobby Lane 132-09 43 4-09
5 Jared Lintner 132-02 44 4-04
7 Cody Meyer 122-11 41 4-07
8 Jason Christie 116-01 42 4-01
9 Alton Jones 112-05 42 4-03
10 Bradley Roy 109-06 39 4-09

20 anglers fell below the Elimination Line ending their respective 2020 Bass Pro Tour seasons, including Chris Lane, Zack Birge, and Brent Ehrler who had all won Qualifying Rounds in previous 2020 Bass Pro Tour stops. For complete results, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com, Bass Pro Tour, Results.

The competition continues Tuesday when the 38 qualifiers take to the water for the Covercraft Stage Five presented by Abu Garcia Knockout Round, including current Season Points contenders Jordan Lee (276), Jacob Wheeler (267), Ott DeFoe (264), and Jeff Sprague (249). Each angler earns Points (80-1) awarded by finishing place (1-80) at each Stage of the Bass Pro Tour. The Pro with the most points at the end of the season earns the title of “Bass Pro Tour Points Champion.” With Fletcher Shryock and Michael Neal eliminated and the remaining four battling out for one of eight spots remaining in Wednesday’s Championship Round, Tuesday’s competition may be the most consequential of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour season.

Pending no weather delays, the Knockout Round begins at Sawyer Park Boat Launch, Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., 6:15 a.m. CT when the field reports to pick-up their MLF Official and camera operators before trailering to the ramp of his choice. With lines in at 8:00 a.m. CT, the competition consists of three, 150-minute periods.

Fans can catch all the action every day of competition (July 10-15) on MLFNOW! livestream on MajorLeagueFishing.com or download the MLF App for your Apple or GooglePlay device or on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).

by AnglersChannel

West Frankfort’s Shoraga and Wisconsin’s Brueggen Tie for Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Rend Lake

WHITTINGTON, Ill. (July 13, 2020) – Boaters Dan Shoraga of West Frankfort, Illinois, and Mike Brueggen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, each brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 11 pounds, 3 ounces, to tie for the win at the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event at Rend Lake. For their wins Shoraga earned a total of $4,321, including the $1,000 Mercury Marine contingency bonus, while Brueggen brought home $3,321.

“I had seven bites all day, and managed to put them all in the boat,” said Shoraga, who earned his fourth career BFL win. “I knew it was going to fish tough, but I put my head down and just flipped the creeks all day.”

Shoraga said that he flipped black neon- and hematoma-colored beaver-style baits on the north end of the lake.

Brueggen, meanwhile, started in the mid-lake area and worked his way north, catching five fish throughout the day.

“I started early with a buzzbait, mid-lake, then worked my way north as the day progressed,” Brueggen said. “I caught two on the buzzbait and one out deep on a worm. As I worked up north, I caught one flipping and got my fifth keeper on a crankbait in the afternoon.”

Brueggen is now the early favorite for the October Regional Championship tournament, scheduled for his home waters of the Mississippi River in La Crosse.

“I don’t think there has ever been a regional championship in La Crosse before, so I’m really looking forward to that one,” Brueggen went on to say. “The river in October should be really good.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:

1^st: Dan Shoraga of West Frankfort, Ill., five bass, 11-3, $4,321

1^st: Mike Brueggen of La Crosse, Wis., five bass, 11-3, $3,321

3^rd: Addison Eggertsen of West Frankfort, Ill., five bass, 10-5, $1,478

4^th: Toby Corn of Paducah, Ky., five bass, 10-2, $1,033

5^th: Terry Holsapple of Greenup, Ill., five bass, 9-7, $886

6^th: Darren Frazier of Anna, Ill., three bass, 9-6, $812

7^th: Colby Schrumpf of Highland, Ill., five bass, 9-3, $738

8^th: Mark O’Brien of Carterville, Ill., five bass, 8-14, $664

9^th: Brad Porter of Bluford, Ill., four bass, 8-10, $553

9^th: Martin Conaughty of Fairview Heights, Ill., four bass, 8-10, $553

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Terry Fitzpatrick of Waukon, Iowa, claimed the day’s Boater Big Bass Award of $635 after bringing a 5-pound, 3-ounce bass to the scale.

Jodie Lanter of Carlyle, Illinois, took home an extra $500 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Ryan Fancher of Olney, Illinois, won the Co-angler Division and $2,214 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 11 pounds, 5 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:

1^st: Ryan Fancher of Olney, Ill., five bass, 11-5, $2,214

2^nd: Ryan Murphy of Paris, Ill., three bass, 6-15, $1,107

3^rd: James Jarvis of West Frankfort, Ill., three bass, 6-8, $738

4^th: Mike Swetland of Tamaroa, Ill., two bass, 6-5, $717

5^th: Charles Dammerman of Owaneco, Ill., two bass, 5-12, $443

6^th: Anthony Balding of Lebanon, Ill., two bass, 5-6, $406

7^th: Yong Yeun of Elgin, Ill., two bass, 5-2, $369

8^th: Ashton Nielsen of Mount Zion, Ill., one bass, 5-0, $471

8^th: Rod Mandrell of Benton, Ill., one bass, 5-0, $471

10^th: Alan Bernicky of Joliet, Ill., three bass, 4-13, $258

Mandrell caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, weighing in at 5 pounds even. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $158.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on Rend Lake was the second of five qualifying tournaments in the Illini division.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Illini Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 15-17 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin, hosted by Explore La Crosse. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be held Nov. 11-13 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina and is hosted by Visit Anderson. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division earn priority entry into the FLW Series, the pathway to the FLW Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour, where top pros compete with no entry fees.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Lebanon’s Johnson and Hendersonville’s Hopkins Earn Wins at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Double-Header on Old Hickory Lake

GALLATIN, Tenn. (July 13, 2020) – It was a double-header for bass anglers this past weekend in Gallatin with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on Old Hickory Lake events.

Boater Daniel Johnson of Lebanon, Tennessee, brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 16 pounds, 6 ounces to win Saturday’s event and earn $4,418, while John Hopkins of Hendersonville, Tennessee, brought in a limit weighing 20 pounds, 11 ounces on Sunday to earn the win and $3,164.

The tournaments were the second and third of five events in the Music City Division presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.

“It was pretty much the same old, same old for me,” said Johnson, who earned his fourth career victory in BFL competition. “I live about ¼ mile from the lake, and fish it all the time – primarily shallow. I caught everything that I had flipping soft plastics in 1- to 6-feet-of-water.

“The hot and sunny weather really helped me,” Johnson continued. “It positioned the fish right where they needed to be for flipping.”

Johnson said that his key bait was a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver, which he estimated he threw 70% of the day.

The top five boaters on Saturday were:

1^st: Daniel Johnson of Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 16-6, $4,418

2^nd: Tim Messer of Hendersonville, Tenn., four bass, 16-0, $1,709

3^rd: Lance Oligschlaeger of Gallatin, Tenn., five bass, 15-6, $1,138

4^th: Dustin Hinkle of Mount Juliet, Tenn., five bass, 14-8, $1,218

5^th: Adam Wagner of Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 14-2, $1,184

Complete results for Saturday can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Hinkle brought a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass to the scale to add Saturday’s Boater Big Bass award of $420 to his winnings.

Wagner was the highest-finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member and took home an extra $500 Saturday. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Beaufort, South Carolina’s Jared Kutil won the Co-angler Division and $1,868 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 11 pounds, 10 ounces.

The top five co-anglers Saturday finished as follows:

1^st: Jared Kutil of Beaufort, S.C., five bass, 11-10, $1,868

2^nd: Benjamin Fouts of Morehead, Ky., five bass, 11-8, $834

3^rd: Ricky England of Sparta, Tenn., five bass, 10-15, $558

4^th: Curtis Cline of Lafayette, Tenn., five bass, 10-6, $389

5^th: Jimmy Cartwright of Smithville, Tenn., four bass, 9-5, $539

Cartwright caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division Saturday, weighing in at 4 pounds, 1 ounce. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $205.

Sunday’s tournament was a completely different story as winner John Hopkins spent his day catching huge numbers of fish out deep on the ledges.

“I caught probably 60 fish throughout the day,” said Hopkins, who picked up his fifth career BFL win. “Old Hickory is fishing better than it ever has.”

Hopkins said that he caught two good fish on a jig, but most of his damage was done with an unnamed crankbait.

The top five boaters on Sunday were:

1^st: John Hopkins of Hendersonville, Tenn., five bass, 20-11, $3,164

2^nd: Mickey Beck of Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 18-2, $1,582

3^rd: Dylan Wright of Murfreesboro, Tenn., five bass, 17-14, $1,054

4^th: Clabion Johns of Social Circle, Ga., five bass, 16-7, $738

5^th: Hunter Bouldin of McMinnville, Tenn., five bass, 16-5, $633

Complete results for Sunday’s event on Old Hickory Lake can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Scott Ellis of Madison, Tennessee, brought a 6-pound, 3-ounce bass to the scale to win Sunday’s Boater Big Bass award of $380.

William Merrick of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, was Sunday’s highest-finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member and took home an extra $500.

Doug Thompson of Mabelvale, Arkansas, won the Co-angler Division and $1,582 Sunday after catching five bass weighing 14 pounds, 15 ounces.

The top five co-anglers Sunday finished as follows:

1^st: Doug Thompson of Mabelvale, Ark., five bass, 14-15, $1,582

2^nd: Ryan Mealer of Spring Hill, Tenn., five bass, 13-12, $981

3^rd: Chris Hughes of Centerville, Tenn., five bass, 12-12, $526

4^th: Taylor Wisniewski of Lexington, Ky., five bass, 11-5, $369

5^th: Benjamin Fouts of Morehead, Ky., five bass, 10-15, $316

Mealer caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, weighing in at 5 pounds even. The catch earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $190.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Double-Header on Old Hickory Lake was hosted by Sumner County Tourism.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Music City Division presented by A.R.E. based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 22-24 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia, hosted by the Gainesville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

by AnglersChannel

Celina’s Ellis Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Ohio River at Tanners Creek

LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. (July 13, 2020) – Boater Jay Ellis of Celina, Ohio, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 11 pounds, 13 ounces to win the 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event on the Ohio River in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For his victory, Ellis earned a total of $6,972.

The tournament was the second of five events in the Buckeye Division presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.

“I went up river, about 15 miles, and fished in Muddy Creek,” said Ellis, who earned the first BFL victory of his career. “I caught them all on single tree laydowns. The water levels dropped a little bit over night, and I think it pushed those fish a little farther out, off the bank.”

Ellis said he caught his fish on a black buzzbait and a Texas-rigged black-and-blue beaver-style bait.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:

1^st: Jay Ellis of Celina, Ohio, five bass, 11-13, $6,972

2^nd: Dick Shaffer of Rockford, Ohio, five bass, 8-2, $2,236

3^rd: Kenneth Pincombe of Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 7-8, $1,492

4^th: Seth Fricke of Hamilton, Ohio, three bass, 7-1, $1,693

5^th: Brian Campbell of Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 6-11, $894

6^th: Chris Martinkovic of Hamilton, Ohio, four bass, 6-9, $982

6^th: Chad McCarty of Tipp City, Ohio, five bass, 6-9, $782

8^th: Pete Justice of Sharonville, Ohio, four bass, 6-6, $671

9^th: Donald Sibley of Strasburg, Ohio, five bass, 6-5, $596

10^th: Joe Farkas of Grove City, Ohio, four bass, 6-2, $522

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Fricke claimed the day’s Boater Big Bass Award of $650 after bringing a 3-pound, 15-ounce bass to the scale.

Ellis also was the highest-finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member and took home an extra $2,500. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Carter Mox of Minster, Ohio, won the Co-angler Division and $2,236 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:

1^st: Carter Mox of Minster, Ohio, five bass, 6-11, $2,236

2^nd: Trapper Owens of Carlisle, Ohio, three bass, 6-4, $1,118

2^nd: Cruze Eskins of Hamilton, Ohio, three bass, 5-13, $745

4^th: Larry Gunville of Gahanna, Ohio, two bass, 4-13, $847

5^th: Ron Weisenburger of Continental, Ohio, three bass, 4-11, $447

6^th: Virgil Grant of Findlay, Ohio, three bass, 4-5, $391

6^th: Kenny Smith of Austin, Ind., three bass, 4-5, $391

8^th: Hunter Smith of Hamilton, Ohio, three bass, 3-15, $316

8^th: Kenny Mitchell of Franklin, Ohio, two bass, 3-15, $316

10^th: Brent Jones of Okeana, Ohio, two bass, 3-14, $261

Gunville caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, weighing in at 4 pounds even. The catch added to his winnings as he earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $325.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Buckeye Division presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 16-18 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Cherokee Lake in Jefferson City, Tennessee, hosted by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

by AnglersChannel

Virginia’s Reynolds Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Kerr Lake

HENDERSON, N.C. (July 13, 2020) – Boater Ben Reynolds of Callands, Virginia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Sunday weighing 16 pounds, 9 ounces to win the 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event at Kerr Lake in Henderson, North Carolina. For his victory, Reynolds earned a total of $4,350.

The tournament was the third of five events in the Shenandoah Division presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.

“It feels awesome to get this win,” said Reynolds, who earned his third career win in BFL competition. “I fished mostly up towards Clarksville. I didn’t go all the way into the rivers, but I did get pretty close to that end of the lake.

“I started off the morning shallow, but I didn’t do much,” Reynolds continued. “Then I went to a deep spot and caught them pretty good there. In the afternoon I made a little move to go back shallow and I caught another big one. That was the key to my victory – making the move back shallow.”

Reynolds said this his baits of choice were a worm and a Dirty Jigs flipping jig.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:

1^st: Ben Reynolds of Callands, Va., five bass, 16-9, $4,350

2^nd: Martin Villa of Charlottesville, Va., five bass, 16-6, $2,175

3^rd: Jason Tibbetts of Centreville, Va., five bass, 14-5, $1,451

4^th: Bryan Elrod of Mechanicsville, Va., five bass, 13-13, $1,015

5^th: Tom Wilkinson of Oxford, N.C., five bass, 13-12, $870

6^th: Derik Hudson of Concord, Va., five bass, 13-7, $798

7^th: Chris Brummett of Lynch Station, Va., five bass, 12-11, $725

8^th: Robert Grike of Dumfries, Va., five bass, 12-8, $616

8^th: Ben Jacobi of Richmond, Va., five bass, 12-8, $616

10^th: Otis Darnell of Linden, Va., five bass, 12-7, $508

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Bennett Owen of Capron, Virginia, earned the day’s $615 Boater Big Bass award with a 4-pound, 15-ounce bass.

Mark Inman of Greensboro, North Carolina, took home an extra $500 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Mark Blankenship of Christianburg, Virginia, earned the win in the Co-angler Division Sunday after catching a five-bass limit weighing 13 pounds, 8 ounces. Robertson earned $2,175 for his victory.

The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:

1^st: Mark Blankenship of Christianburg, Va., five bass, 13-8, $2,175

2^nd: Lenny Baird of Stafford, Va., five bass, 11-10, $1,088

3^rd: Colin Bennett of Axton, Va., five bass, 11-5, $726

4^th: Ben Dacey of Chesterfield, Va., four bass, 11-0, $707

5^th: Carl Whipple of Manassas, Va., five bass, 10-6, $435

6^th: Brandon Cox of Ruther Glen, Va., four bass, 10-0, $399

7^th: B.K. Kelley of Colonial Heights, Va., five bass, 9-1, $363

8^th: Johnnie Hopkins of Durham, N.C., five bass, 8-13, $326

9^th: Steven Jacobs of Sandford, N.C., five bass, 8-12, $290

10^th: Jeff Mellott of Warfordsburg, Pa., four bass, 8-4, $254

Costas Melendez of Grottoes, Virginia, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 5 pounds even. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $307.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Shenandoah Division presented by A.R.E. based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 8-10 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on the James River in Richmond, Virginia, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

by AnglersChannel

Macclenny’s Mobley Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Harris Chain of Lakes

LEESBURG, Fla. (July 13, 2020) – Boater John Mobley of Macclenny, Florida, brought a three-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 20 pounds, 6 ounces to win the 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event at the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Florida. For his victory, Mobley earned $3,926.

The tournament was the fourth of five events in the Gator Division presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.

“This is my first year fishing BFLs, and I’m super pumped to get a win,” said Mobley, who currently sits in third place in the Gator Division Angler of the Year race.

“I locked down to Lake Griffin and was catching them in hydrilla mats and lily pads,” Mobley said. “I was flipping all day. I stumbled upon the bluegill bedding in the pads and that was the key – matching what the fish were eating.”

Mobley said that he flipped hydrilla mats with a Texas-rigged Missile Baits D Bomb (black and blue) with a 1-ounce tungsten weight ,and caught his fish out of the pads with a 1-ounce Medlock jig with the D-Bomb as a trailer.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:

1^st: John Mobley of Macclenny, Fla., three bass, 20-6, $3,926

2^nd: Trevor Fitzgerald of Belleview, Fla., three bass, 19-10, $1,963

3^rd: Christian Greico of Tampa, Fla., three bass, 19-7, $1,839

4^th: Matt Gee of Grand Island, Fla., three bass, 19-5, $1,416

5^th: Levi Crossway of Jacksonville, Fla., three bass, 18-9, $785

6^th: Kurt Diesing of Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., three bass, 17-2, $720

7^th: Ricky Congero of Windermere, Fla., three bass, 15-6, $654

8^th: Robert Crosnoe of Inverness, Fla., three bass, 14-12, $589

9^th: Scott Kirsch of Edgewater, Fla., three bass, 13-13, $523

10^th: Kennie Steverson of Umatilla, Fla., three bass, 13-3, $458

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Greico caught a 9-pound, 4-ounce largemouth to win the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $530.

Gee took home an extra $500 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Mike Bruton of Oakland, Florida, won the Co-angler Division and $1,963 Saturday after catching a three-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 15 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:

1^st: Mike Bruton of Oakland, Fla., three bass, 15-15, $1,963

2^nd: Doug Staetter of Sanford, Fla., three bass, 15-12, $981

3^rd: Reyes Reyes Jr. of Belle Glade, Fla., three bass, 15-1, $655

4^th: Chuck Crow of Windermere, Fla., three bass, 13-12, $458

5^th: Chris Nickle of Sanford, Fla., three bass, 12-5, $393

6^th: Carl Scott of Coral Springs, Fla., three bass, 10-5, $343

6^th: Dana Bass of Miami, Fla., three bass, 10-5, $343

8^th: Jackie Barber of Cocoa, Fla., two bass, 9-12, $294

9^th: Chris Westhelle of Sanford, Fla., three bass, 9-6, $262

10^th: Rusty Fox of Palatka, Fla., one bass, 9-2, $494

Fox caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces. The catch alone earned him 10^th place and the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $265.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on the Harris Chain of Lakes was hosted by Lake County, Florida.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Gator Division presented by A.R.E. based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 22-24 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia, hosted by the Gainesville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

by AnglersChannel

Spiro High School Wins FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Fort Gibson Lake Open

WAGONER, Okla. (July 13, 2020) – Oklahoma’s Spiro High School duo of Gunner West and Trey McKinney brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 18 pounds, 4 ounces to win the FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Fort Gibson Lake Open.

For their win on Fort Gibson Lake, the team now advances to the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship.

The top four teams that qualified for the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship are:

1st: Spiro High School, Spiro, Okla. – Gunner West and Trey McKinney, five bass, 18-4

2nd: East Beauregard High School, DeRidder, La. – Hayden Farmer and Jayden Meadows, five bass, 18-2

3rd: Wagoner High School, Wagoner, Okla. – Garrett Barton and Braden Lankford, five bass, 17-7

4th: Flower Mound High School, Flower Mound, Texas – Ethan Boisvert and Caleb Boisvert, five bass, 17-5

Rounding out the top 10 were:

5th: Noble High School, Noble, Okla. – Brycen Soliday and Jaxon Windsor, four bass, 17-2

6th: Wagoner High School, Wagoner, Okla. – Aidan Murray and Gauge Merz, five bass, 14-2

7th: Charles Page High School, Sand Springs, Okla. – Reese David and Mack Taylor, five bass, 13-13

8th: Wagoner High School, Wagoner, Okla. – Hunter Alsip and Bryce Kyndell, five bass, 12-8

9th: Mannford High School, Mannford, Okla. – Sydney Meier and Joseph Case, four bass, 10-14

10th: Bryant High School, Little Rock, Ark. – Tucker Dottley and Brandon Gabe, five bass, 10-12

Complete results from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.

The event launched from the Whitehorn Cove Marina in Wagoner, Oklahoma, and was hosted by the Wagoner Area Chamber of Commerce.

The FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Fort Gibson Lake Open was a free, two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12 and open to any FLW and Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10 percent of teams at each Open event along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships will advance to the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.

In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2021 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. More than $2.8 million in scholarships and prizes were offered at the 2020 World Finals.

Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and FLWFishing.com.

by AnglersChannel

Salisbury’s Bell Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Kerr Lake

HENDERSON, N.C. (July 13, 2020) – Boater Rodney Bell of Salisbury, North Carolina, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 18 pounds, 5 ounces to win the 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event at Kerr Lake in Henderson, North Carolina. For his victory, Bell earned $5,024.

Bell said he caught his fish throwing a True South Lures V-Twin Buzz buzzbait and an E&L Lures jig.

“I was mainly fishing from the mouth of Nutbush Creek up towards Grassy Creek – about halfway between the two,” said Bell, who picked up the fifth BFL victory of his career. “Fishing in and around the bream beds seemed to be the key.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:

1^st: Rodney Bell of Salisbury, N.C., five bass, 18-5, $5,024

2^nd: Marty Warren of Elon, N.C., five bass, 17-6, $2,697

3^rd: Tom Wilkinson of Oxford, N.C., five bass, 15-2, $1,464

4^th: Austin Farrell of Tega Cay, S.C., five bass, 14-11, $1,025

5^th: John Wiese of Charlotte, N.C., five bass, 14-2, $879

6^th: Ron Wolfarth of Oakboro, N.C., five bass, 13-14, $805

7^th: Cavin Young of Prince George, Va., five bass, 13-12, $732

8^th: Raymond Jones III of Statesville, N.C., five bass, 13-11, $659

9^th: Jason Tibbetts of Centreville, Va., five bass, 13-4, $586

10^th: Buddy Black of Lawndale, N.C., five bass, 12-15, $513

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Bell also caught a 5-pound, 7-ounce bass to add the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $630 to his winnings.

Warren took home an extra $500 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Dale Surrett of Midland, North Carolina, won the Co-angler Division and $2,197 Saturday after catching a five-bass limit weighing 13 pounds, 15 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:

1^st: Dale Surrett of Midland, N.C., five bass, 13-15, $2,197

2^nd: Tyler Dover of Blacksburg, S.C., five bass, 10-4, $915

2^nd: Stephen Kocell of Waxhaw, N.C., five bass, 10-4, $915

4^th: Jason Hinger of Timberlake, N.C., five bass, 9-12, $713

5^th: Kiel Guin of Durham, N.C., four bass, 9-10, $439

6^th: Clay Jackson of Daniels, W. Va., four bass, 9-9, $403

7^th: Nathan Grose of Summersville, W. Va., five bass, 9-5, $348

7^th: Robert Wedding of Welcome, Md., five bass, 9-5, $348

9^th: Brian Bird of Huntersville, N.C., five bass, 9-2, $293

10^th: William Lisenby of Centreville, Va., five bass, 8-13, $256

Eric Richards of Kannapolis, North Carolina, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 4 pounds, 9 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $315.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on Kerr Lake was hosted by the Vance County Tourism Development Authority. The event was the fourth of five qualifying events in the North Carolina Division.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the North Carolina Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 8-10 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on the James River in Richmond, Virginia, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

by AnglersChannel

Oklahoma State University Wins Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI Tournament on Fort Gibson Lake

WAGONER, Okla. (July 13, 2020) – The Oklahoma State University team of Rhett Meyer of Stilwell, Oklahoma and Jake Biram of Tulsa, Oklahoma, won the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI at Fort Gibson Lake event Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 14 ounces. The victory earned the Oklahoma State bass club $2,000 and qualified them to compete in the 2021 College Fishing National Championship.

The Cowboys duo won by a comfortable 2-pound, 9-ounce margin over the second-place team of Derek Pietsch and Trey Dawson from Texas A&M-Galveston, who weighed in five bass totaling 17 pounds, 5 ounces. The tournament launched from Whitehorn Cove Marina in Wagoner, Oklahoma.

The top 10 teams that advanced to the 2021 College Fishing National Championship are:

1^st: Oklahoma State University – Rhett Meyer, Stilwell, Okla., and Jake Biram, Tulsa, Okla., five bass, 19-14, $2,000

2^nd: Texas A&M at Galveston – Derek Pietsch, Montgomery, Texas, and Trey Dawson, Montgomery, Texas, five bass, 17-5, $1,000

3^rd: Lamar State College – Grady Doucet and Trent Buchholz, both of Beaumont, Texas., five bass, 17-1, $500

4^th: Rogers State University – Ty Crutchfield, Inola, Okla., and Alec Murphy, Claremore, Okla., five bass, 16-11, $500

5^th: Oklahoma State University – Dexter Flick, Stillwater, Okla., and Cameron Simmons, Owasso, Okla., five bass, 15-14, $500

6^th: Angelo State University – Lance Culak, San Angelo, Texas, and Steven Armstrong, Brownwood, Texas, five bass, 15-13

7^th: Texas A&M-Commerce – Augustus McLarry, Quinlin, Texas, and Dawson Cassidy, Gainesville, Texas, five bass, 15-13

8^th: East Texas Baptist University – Grant Hendrix, Livingston, Texas, and Josh Manuel, Burleson, Texas, five bass, 15-12

9^th: Northeastern State University – Bo Adams, Henryetta, Okla., and Jeremy Tolle, Bixby, Okla., five bass, 15-6

10^th: University of Nebraska – Charlie DeShazer, Lincoln, Neb., and Hunter Suchsland, Kearney, Neb., five bass, 15-4

Complete results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.

The Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI event on Fort Gibson Lake was hosted by the Wagoner Area Chamber of Commerce. It was the first of three regular-season qualifying tournaments for Southern Conference anglers. The next event for College Fishing anglers will be July 31 at the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI at Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio.

Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI teams compete in regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual Abu Garcia College Fishing Open advance to the following year’s Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI National Championship.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Two Bassmaster Elite Series Tournaments Moving Forward In New York

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Working alongside local hosts and officials to develop new competition plans that adhere to strict health and safety guidelines, B.A.S.S. announced that two Bassmaster Elite Series events planned for the State of New York would continue.
Competition for the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River will be held July 23-26 with daily takeoffs and weigh-ins moved to a new location in Jefferson County, which is hosting the event in cooperation with the Village of Clayton and the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. The St. Lawrence River event was originally scheduled to be held in Waddington, home to the event since 2017.
The Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain, hosted by the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau and City of Plattsburgh, will continue as scheduled July 31-Aug. 2 in Plattsburgh.
The State of New York recently released guidelines for professional sports competitions which include diagnostic testing and protocols for daily health screenings for all athletes and staff, along with a host of other safety and social distancing measures. Under these guidelines, no fans or spectators are allowed to attend events, even those held at outdoor venues.
“We have enjoyed record-breaking fan support in New York for years,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “While fans won’t be able to attend the events on-site this year, we are thankful to everyone who is helping B.A.S.S. to safely bring the fun of competition and beauty of these fisheries into the homes of millions of fans via our live, on-the-water coverage.”
Complementing the award-winning Bassmaster LIVE coverage on Bassmaster.com and ESPN3 that fans are familiar with during an Elite Series event, both the St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain tournaments will also be televised live on ESPN2. Almost 2.8 million viewers got hooked on fishing during the four days of live coverage of June’s DEWALT Bassmaster Elite at Lake Eufaula, Ala.
“I’m pleased the North Country will once again play host to the Bassmaster Elite Series,” said Senator Patty Ritchie. “Given current public health concerns, it’s critical this event is executed safely. To that end, state and local officials are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the community, as well as tournament participants.

“I would like to thank Bassmaster and Jefferson County officials for making this event a reality. There’s no place in the world like the Thousand Islands, and I’m excited for the opportunity to again showcase the St. Lawrence River and this beautiful part of Northern New York."
Echoing that sentiment is Scott Gray, Chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators. “Jefferson County is delighted to host and welcome the professional sport Bassmaster Elite Series tournament and ESPN to the Thousand Islands region. Our world-renowned waterfront is ideal for sportfishing.
“It has been a pleasure working with B.A.S.S. to ensure the nonspectator event features our beautiful region while considering the safety of everyone involved by adhering to the New York State guidance for traveling anglers and our community.”
The second stop in New York takes anglers to Lake Champlain, on the Vermont border, which last hosted the Elite Series three years ago.
"With approval from New York State and the Clinton County Health Department, the City of Plattsburgh and Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau are happy to welcome the Bassmaster Elite Series back to Lake Champlain,” said Alyssa Senecal, Assistant Director of Tourism & Marketing for the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau. “Although this year will look a lot different with no spectators, quarantining while off the water, masks and a whole lot of hand sanitizer, all partners involved in this planning process have gone above and beyond in making sure all guidelines have been followed and the health and safety of our community stays top priority. We’re looking forward to seeing what the Elites reel in!"
A previously scheduled tournament in New York — the Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake, originally set for July 14-17 in the Village of Union Springs, N.Y. — is being rescheduled for another fishery later this season.

by AnglersChannel

STH Bait Co. Drifter Minnow ICAST 2020

All New STH Bait Co. Drifter Minnow Designed to Get Bites When the Pressure is on

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (July 14, 2020) Smallmouth fishing is a delicate blend of art and science. Smallmouth anglers know that notoriously finicky smallmouth are most often enticed by finesse style baits that closely match the color and action of resident forage fish to generate bites.

In 2018, STH unveiled the Drifter – a small, finesse style drop shot and jigging bait that netted huge tournament results on smallmouth fisheries across the nation. Today, STH Bait Co. is creating new excitement with the addition of the Drifter Minnow to the Drifter Series of baits sold under the NetBait/ STH Finesse Series in the USA.

The Drifter Minnow is designed for serious smallmouth anglers with subtle features that bring the perfect blend of art and science to smallmouth fishing. The secret of the Drifter Minnow is centered around the hand-finished 3D eyes that truly mimic a baitfish coupled with a unique, pintail design that delivers unreal action when the bait presented as either a dropshot, vertical jig or with STH Flatty Rig.

The Drifter Minnow also boasts the same key features that make all Drifter Series baits so good; Premium high float plastic blends give the bait incredible action accentuated through a ribbed body design and finished with high quality scent that smallmouth can’t resist.

“The Drifter Minnow is an innovative addition to the Drifter Series, and we’re excited to bring these baits to smallmouth anglers across the country. The Drifter Minnow is adding even more versatility to our products and giving anglers more choice and more bites.” said STH Bait Co. President and Lure Designer Peter Savoia.

Launching through Virtual ICAST 2020, the STH Finesse Series products will be available in August 2020 through NetBait Tackle throughout the United States and will be offered in updated dimensional clamshell packaging designed to give anglers full visibility of each bait profile and color.

For more information about any of our new products for 2020/21, visit www.americanbaitworks.com

by AnglersChannel

St. Croix New Rod Introductions for ICAST 2021

ICAST Online: St. Croix Announces All New Rod Introductions for 2021

New Legend Xtreme, Mojo Inshore and Croix Custom Ice headline a parade of all-new St. Croix series and models for 2021
Park Falls, WI (July13, 2020) – There’s a lot to see at St. Croix’s booth during this week’s ICAST Online, including the company’s headlining New Product Showcase entries… NEW Legend Xtreme in the Freshwater Rod category, NEW Mojo Inshore in the Saltwater Rod category, and the NEW CCI EYE RAISER in the Ice category. But there’s so much more coming from St. Croix for 2021. Here’s the full rundown you’ve been waiting for.
NEW St. Croix Legend Xtreme Freshwater Series
Building on the historic and wildly successful March, 2020 Bassmaster Classic launch of St. Croix’s most-sensitive rods ever, four new, made-in-the-USA Legend Xtreme freshwater rod models are being unveiled at ICAST Online.
Insanely sensitive and awash with St. Croix’s proprietary technologies, these rods are extreme in both design and on-the-water performance. New models include 6’3”, medium power, extra-fast action (XFS63MXF) and 7’6”, medium power, fast action (XFS76MF) spinning rods; and 6’8”, medium power, fast action (XFC68MF) and 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action (XFC68MXF) casting rods. The expanded Legend Xtreme freshwater series now includes 11 rods – five spinning models and six casting models –supporting anglers in an even wider range of freshwater presentations and techniques with pinnacle St. Croix performance.
The reengineered SCV and SCVI carbon blank of the new Legend Xtreme is an example of St. Croix’s constant drive to obtain the unimaginable – proven Xtreme durability with proven, unprecedented sensitivity – so anglers can fish without compromise. Engineered as a result of a new proprietary manufacturing processes, the new Legend Xtreme employs a resin that significantly increases strength in compression during the hookset, as well as flexural strength when the rod is under load. The new SCV carbon construction also incorporates an improved, overlaid ART (Advanced Reinforcing Technology) to yield the highest levels of carbon fiber density found on any fishing rod on earth. Simply put, the new Legend Xtreme offers an unquestionably pure and dense carbon, to transmit the slightest vibration through a carbon fiber guide train and proprietary new handle, all while achieving a tensile strength never attained in any previous St. Croix fishing rod. Retail prices range from $630 to $650.

Rated for use with 6-12-lb. line and lures from 3/16 to 5/8 oz., the NEW 7’6” medium power, fast action Legend Xtreme spinning (XFS76MF) model is designed and handcrafted as the ultimate utility rod. Serving discriminating freshwater anglers with the utmost in sensitivity to support wide-ranging techniques with plastics, topwaters, jerkbaits, jigging presentations and more, the versatile new XFS76MF’s generous 7’6” length affords long, accurate casts, fast line pickup, and is also ideal for kayak use. The ultra-sensitive XFS76MF is so versatile, in fact, it has been selected by St. Croix for entry into the prestigious 2020 ICAST New Product Showcase Awards in the Freshwater Rod category.
NEW St. Croix Legend Xtreme Freshwater Models
XFS63MXF - 6’3”, medium power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $630
XFS68MXF - 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action, casting / Retail $630
XFS76MF - 7’6”, medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $650
XFC68MF - 6’8”, medium power, fast action, casting / Retail $630
New St. Croix Legend Xtreme Features
Blending St. Croix’s highest-grade materials and proprietary technologies with Daiwa AGSTM guides, the Legend Xtreme has extreme sensitivity that begs to be fished
Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC™) mandrel technology
Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™)
Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design provides curved patterns for improved action with increased sensitivity
Super high-modulus SCVI carbon with FRS in lower section for maximum power and strength with reduced weight
New proprietary manufacturing processes uses a resin that significantly increases strength in compression during the hookset and flexural strength as the rod is under load
SCV incorporates externally overlaid ART™Technology to construct the highest level of carbon fiber density ever used by St. Croix
Daiwa AGSTM Carbon Fiber Guides with Fuji KG Tip Top with Torzite ring
Fuji® SK2™ split reel seat for the ultimate in light weight and sensitivity
2nd Generation Xtreme-Skin™ handle provides unparalleled control
Kigan titanium hook-keeper.
Machined wind check, handle trim pieces and butt cap.
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow sure finish.
15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.
Retail price $630 to $650

NEW St. Croix Mojo Inshore Series
St. Croix’s popular Mojo Inshore Series is all-new for 2021 with a host of comprehensive upgrades, improvements and eight all-new models. Mojo Inshore’s transformation begins with lighter, upgraded one-piece SCIII carbon blanks, further enhanced via Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrel technology. Split handles have been replaced by full cork on light, medium-light, and medium power models. Medium-heavy, heavy and extra-heavy power rods have been upgraded with full-length cork and EVA combination handles that afford additional protection to rods stowed in rod holders. The hybrid handle design also allows anglers to enjoy the soft touch of the EVA in the upper part of the grip while retaining the familiar cork grip feel toward the bottom. Hybrid-handled Mojo Inshore rod models also feature an Alps non-marring rubber gimble which keeps rods – especially those carrying large reels – from banging around in rocket launchers and other rod holders during rough rides to and from the fishing grounds. Including 19 spinning and 8 casting rods, the new and expanded Mojo Inshore Series provides the flexibility to target virtually any species along every saltwater coast, while offering a staggering combination of technology, durability, performance and value. Retail prices range from $160 to $230.

A new 7’9” extra-heavy, moderate-fast conventional (JIC79XHMF) Mojo Inshore model is St. Croix’s entry into the highly competitive Saltwater Rod category in the 2020 ICAST Online New Product Showcase. This unique rod (also available in a spinning configuration) has been specifically designed to handle 2- to 6-oz. lures, including large metal-lip swimmers and 9” swimbaits, and to put maximum pressure on large inshore and nearshore fish. Thanks to SCIII carbon composition and IPC technology, this extra-heavy power rod remains exceptionally light in the hand for such a powerful stick. Anglers will admire its strength and backbone for everything from dragging giant snook out from under rickety docks up to popping medium, school-sized bluefin tuna.
NEW St. Croix Mojo Inshore Models
JIS66MF - 6’6”, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $160.00
JIS66MHF - 6’6”, medium-heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $170.00
JIS66HF - 6’6”, heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $180.00
JIS70LF - 7’, light power, fast action spinning / Retail $160.00
JIS70MLF - 7’, medium-light power, fast action spinning / Retail $160.00
JIS70MF - 7’, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $170.00
JIS70MM – 7’, medium power, moderate action spinning / $160.00
JIS70MHF - 7’, medium-heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $170.00
JIS70MHM - 7’, medium-heavy power, moderate action spinning / Retail $170.00
JIS70HF - 7’, heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $190.00
JIS76MLF - 7’6”, medium-light power, fast action spinning / Retail $180.00
JIS76MF - 7’6”, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $180.00
JIS76MHF - 7’6”, medium-heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $200.00
JIS76HF - 7’6”, heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $210.00
JIS79XHMF - 7’9”, extra-heavy power, moderate-fast action spinning / Retail $230.00
JIS711MF - 7’11”, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $180.00
JIS711MHF - 7’11”, medium-heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $210.00
JIS711HMF - 7’11”, heavy power, moderate-fast action spinning / Retail $220.00
JIS711HF - 7’11”, heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $210.00
JIC70MLM - 7’, medium-light power, moderate action casting / Retail $160.00
JIC70MHF - 7’, medium-heavy power, fast action casting / Retail $170.00
JIC70HF - 7’, heavy power, fast action casting / Retail $180.00
JIC76MLM - 7’6”, medium-light power, moderate action casting / Retail $170.00
JIC76MHF - 7’6”, medium-heavy power, fast action casting / Retail $190.00
JIC76HF - 7’6”, heavy power, fast action casting / Retail $200.00
JIC79XHMF - 7’9”, extra-heavy power, moderate-fast action casting / Retail $210.00
JIC711HMF - 7’11”, heavy power, moderate-fast action casting / Retail $210.00
NEW St. Croix Mojo Inshore Features
Designed for inshore specific techniques, the Mojo Inshore series puts exceptional performance rods in angler’s hands at an affordable price
Premium quality SCIII carbon
Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
Sea Guide Hero Hi-Grade guides with slim aluminum oxide rings and SS316 stainless gun smoke frames
Fuji® DPS Deluxe reel seat with gun metal hoods on spinning models
Fuji® ECS and TCS Deluxe reel seat with gun metal hoods on casting models
Fuji® Back Stop lock nut on select models
Contoured handle with EVA and Cork combination on select models
Alps rubber gimbal on select models
Kigan hook-keeper
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
Specialized inshore saltwater rods designed and built for superior performance
Designed in Park Falls, USA and handcrafted in North America (Fresnillo, Mexico)
Retail price $160 to $230

NEW Croix Custom Ice (CCI) Models
Continuing its promise to deliver technique-specific rods to ice anglers, St. Croix’s pinnacle CCI series of ice rods grows for 2020 with three exciting new extra-fast models. Requested by anglers, the new 38” medium, extra-fast EYE RAISER (CI38MXF), 32” light, extra-fast PAN DANCER (CI32LXF) and 30” medium, extra-fast HOUSE (CI30MXF) expand the 2021 made-in-the-USA CCI series to 16 models, and feature proprietary blank technologies for extreme performance unavailable in any other production ice rod.

The all-new, extra-fast, tubular carbon and glass (TCG) CCI EYE RAISER (CI38MXF), is St. Croix’s entry to the Ice category of the 2020 ICAST Online New Product Showcase. Designed to present large baits to trophy walleye, the standout CCI CI38MXF EYE RAISER features an angler-requested full cork grip and reel seat, and is the complete power-jigging package. The new EYE RAISER and HOUSE ROD models are crafted from a dynamic blend of carbon and glass patterns in a tubular construction (TCG), resulting in blanks that are extremely light and exceptionally sensitive, with tip flex for superior bite detection and the power necessary to control large predators. Optimal for panfish presentations – especially with jigs and spoons – the new PAN DANCER model is crafted from St. Croix’s advanced solid glass (SG), delivering the ideal taper for bite detection without compromise to control or hook-setting ability.
The House Rod features a full cork handle, while the Pan Dancer features a cork split-grip handle, both without reel seats for optimized reel placement depending on size and weight. Each Croix Custom Ice rod is uniquely designed and engineered to exceed the expectations of the most demanding ice anglers.

NEW St. Croix CCI Models
CI30MXF HOUSE ROD, 30”, medium power, extra-fast action spinning, Tubular Carbon Glass (TCG) construction / Retail $140
CI32LXF PAN DANCER, 32”, light power, extra-fast action spinning, Solid Glass (SG) construction / Retail $140
CI38MXF EYE RAISER, 38”, medium power, extra-fast action spinning, Tubular Carbon Glass (TCG) construction / Retail $150
St. Croix CCI Features
Proprietary blank technology built into each model for extreme performance, including Solid Carbon (SC material), Solid Glass (SG material), Tubular Carbon (TC material), Tubular Carbon / Tubular linear S Glass (TCG material), and Tubular Carbon Fused to Tubular linear S Glass (TCFG material)
16 technique-specific models feature unrivaled technology and performance
REC Recoil guides with black pearl finish
Split-grip or full grip / super-grade cork handle
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.
Retail price $130 to $160

NEW St. Croix Triumph Freshwater Collection
The best-selling North American-made rod series in the world, St. Croix’s durable, sensitive and powerful Triumph rods are made for savvy anglers seeking the best in performance and value. For 2021, the entire Triumph collection has been fully reimagined with all-new, upgraded cosmetics and new Sea Guide components. Featuring 41 distinct freshwater spinning, casting, travel, musky, and salmon & steelhead models, the expansive Triumph family of rods blends technology with value to give anglers the precise tools they need to maintain the upper hand at an exceptional price. Retail prices range from $90 to $140.

NEW St. Croix Triumph Freshwater Features
Premium quality SCII carbon
Sea Guide Atlas Performance slim aluminum-oxide guides with black frames
Sea Guide XDPS reel seat with eco-friendly sandblasted hoods on spinning models
Sea Guide ECS or TCS reel seat with eco-friendly sandblasted hood on casting models
Premium-grade cork handle
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
Outstanding strength, sensitivity and hook-setting power
New triumph logo and Deep-Run Blue color
41 distinct freshwater spinning, casting, travel, musky, and salmon & steelhead models
Designed in Park Falls, U.S.A. and handcrafted in North America (Fresnillo, Mexico)
Retail price: $90-$140

NEW St. Croix Mojo Bass Carbon Crankers
Featuring the dynamic combination of premium, high-modulus SCIII carbon and IPC® mandrel technology lauded by anglers for smooth, sensitive and lightweight performance, St. Croix’s new Mojo Bass Carbon Cranker casting rods hit the sweet spot for anglers who value the characteristics of carbon – including lightness, durability and sensitivity – in a moderate-action cranking rod with an equally moderate price. The new 7’1”, medium power (MJC71MM) Carbon Cranker and 7’1” medium-heavy power (MJC71MHM) Mid-Carbon Cranker casting rods bring sweet, moderate-action options to the angler-favorite Mojo Bass lineup for the first time ever… and at an equally sweet Mojo Bass retail price of just $150.

NEW St. Croix Mojo Bass Carbon Cranker Casting Models
MJC71MM – 7’1”, medium power, moderate action, casting / Retail $150
MJC71MHM - 7’1”, medium-heavy power, moderate action, casting / Retail $150
NEW St. Croix Mojo Bass Carbon Cranker Features
Designed for crankbaits and other lures ideally matched to a moderate action rod
Two models: MJC71MM and MJC71MHM
Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
Premium, high-modulus SCIII carbon
Slim-profile ferrules
Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with slim, strong aluminum-oxide rings and black frames
Fuji® ECS reel seat with black hood
Split-grip/premium-grade cork handle
Kigan hook-keeper
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
Designed in Park Falls, U.S.A. and handcrafted in North America (Fresnillo, Mexico)
Retail price: $150

NEW St. Croix 9’6” Mojo Musky Telescopic Casting Models
Musky anglers want longer rods for longer casts and deeper figure 8s farther from the boat, but length alone does not a happy musky angler make. St. Croix’s two new 9’6” telescopic Mojo Musky models afford all the advantages a 9’6” musky rod can deliver, with the added convenience of precision-engineered telescopic construction that allows them to collapse to under 8’ for more convenient transportation and storage. Specifically, a 9’6”, medium-heavy power, fast action telescopic model (MJM96MHFT) and a 9’6”, heavy power, fast action telescopic model (MJM96HFT) have been added to St. Croix’s expanded Mojo Musky series lineup for 2021. Like the rest of the recently upgraded Mojo Musky Series, these new 9’6” rods feature premium SCIII carbon, IPC® mandrel technology and custom Winn split-grip handles. Retail price is $330.

NEW St. Croix Mojo Musky Telescopic Casting Models
MJM96MHFT - 9’6”, medium-heavy power, fast action, telescopic casting / Retail $330
MJM96HFT - 9’6”, heavy power, fast action, telescopic casting / Retail $330
NEW St. Croix Mojo Musky Telescopic Casting Rod Features
Specialized musky series designed for superior performance
Two new 9’6” telescopic models: MJM96MHFT and MJM96HFT
Collapse down to under 8’ for easy transport and storage in most boat rod lockers
Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
Premium, high-modulus SCIII carbon
Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with slim, strong aluminum-oxide rings and black frames
Kigan Master Hand 3D top with SiC ring
Fuji® TCS or PSSSD Deluxe reel seat with black hood
Custom Winn split-grip handle
Kigan hook-keeper
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
Designed in Park Falls, U.S.A. and handcrafted in North America (Fresnillo, Mexico)
Retail price $330

NEW St. Croix Triumph Inshore Series
The all-new Triumph Inshore Series includes six versatile spinning rods with full, premium cork handles, plus seven unique casting models with a mix of full cork and split-grip handles. Ranging from 6’8” to 7’6” in length and medium-light to heavy power, all are one piece, crafted from trusted SCII carbon and feature the new Triumph-family cosmetics, premium Sea Guide components, and a special SeaSmoke color unique to Triumph Inshore. Designed with key input from regional coastal anglers, all models have fast or moderate-fast actions, with the exception of the 7’ medium-light casting model, which features a moderate, parabolic action. These exceptional handcrafted rods break new ground in St. Croix’s inshore rod retail pricing structure, with all models selling between $130 and $150.

NEW St. Croix Triumph Inshore Models
TRIS70MLF - 7’ spinning, medium-light power, fast action / Retail $130
TRIS70MF - 7’ spinning, medium power, fast action / Retail $130
TRIS70MHF - 7’ spinning, medium-heavy power, fast action / Retail $140
TRIS70HF - 7’ spinning, heavy power, fast action / Retail $140
TRIS76MF - 7’6” spinning, medium power, fast action / Retail $140
TRIS76MHF - 7’6” spinning, medium-heavy power, fast action / Retail $150
TRIC68MLMFSG - 6’8” casting, medium-light power, moderate-fast action, split-grip / Retail $130
TRIC68MMFSG - 6’8” casting, medium power, moderate-fast action, split-grip / Retail $130
TRIC68MHMFSG - 6’8” casting, medium-heavy power, moderate-fast action, split grip / Retail $140
TRIC70MLM - 7’ casting, medium-light power, moderate action / Retail $130
TRIC70MMFSG - 7’ casting, medium power, moderate-fast action, split-grip / Retail $130
TRIC70MF - 7’ casting, medium power, fast action / Retail $130
TRIC70MHF - 7’ casting, medium-heavy power, fast action / Retail $140
NEW St. Croix Triumph Inshore Features
Premium-quality SCII carbon
Sea Guide Atlas Performance slim aluminum-oxide guides with sandblasted frames
Sea Guide XDPS reel seat with eco-friendly sandblasted hoods on spinning models
Sea Guide ECS or TCS reel seat with eco-friendly sandblasted hood on casting models
Premium-grade cork handle
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
Outstanding strength, sensitivity and hook-setting power
Designed in Park Falls, U.S.A. and handcrafted in North America (Fresnillo, Mexico)
Retail price $130 to $150

NEW St. Croix Legend Xtreme Inshore Series
It’s hard to imagine St. Croix’s renown Legend® Xtreme Inshore Rod Series could get any better, but it has, with an all-new refresh for 2021. Designed for the rigors of inshore fishing and awash with St. Croix proprietary technologies, these rods are extreme in design and on-water capability. Yet advancements in technology and materials continue to offer new horizons, allowing St. Croix to bring their performance to even greater heights with amazing strength, unprecedented sensitivity and increased durability. Indeed, the new made-in-the-USA Legend® Xtreme Inshore lineup is so solid, it can improve success for any angler – especially an expert.
The all-new Legend® Xtreme Inshore lineup for 2021 includes three spinning models and one casting model. All one-piece blanks feature super high-modulus SCVI carbon with St. Croix’s Fortified Resin System (FRS) in the lower section for maximum power and strength with reduced weight. Blanks also feature SCV carbon with externally overlaid Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ARTTM) to construct the highest level of carbon fiber density ever used by St. Croix. New manufacturing processes employ a resin that significantly increases strength in compression during the hookset and flexural strength as the rod is under load. A beautiful new Sandbar finish completes the upgrade to the new Legend Xtreme Inshore’s incredibly sensitive, high-performance blank. Sensitivity enhancing features continue with Lightweight Daiwa AGSTM carbon fiber guides, which help channel vibrations down the rod and into the angler’s hand for extreme sensitivity. A raindrop-textured 2nd Generation Xtreme-Skin™ high-density handle affords improved grip in all conditions and further promotes overall feel and vibration transmission. Retail prices range from $660 to $670.

NEW St. Croix Legend Xtreme Inshore Models
XSS70MF - 7’, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $660.00
XSS70MHF - 7’, medium-heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $670.00
XSS76MF - 7’6”, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $670.00
XSC70MHF - 7’, medium-heavy power, fast action casting / Retail $670.00
NEW St. Croix Legend Xtreme Inshore Features
Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
Incorporates externally overlaid ART™ Technology to construct the highest level of carbon fiber-density ever used by St. Croix
Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design provides curved patterns for improved action with increased sensitivity
Super high-modulus SCVI carbon with FRS in lower section for maximum power and strength with reduced weight
Features resin that significantly increases strength in compression during the hookset and flexural strength as the rod is under load
Daiwa AGS Carbon Fiber Guides with Fuji KG Tip Top with SiC ring
Fuji® SK2™ split reel seat for the ultimate in light weight and sensitivity
2nd Generation Xtreme-Skin™ handle provides unparalleled control
Kigan titanium hook-keeper
Impact-dampening butt cap
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.
Retail price $660 to $670

NEW St. Croix Avid Trek Series
St. Croix Rod sets a new standard in the travel rod category with the introduction of its new Avid® Trek Series for 2021. Packed with power, exceptional sensitivity and a selection of models to cover virtually any fishing scenario, three-piece Avid Trek Travel rods give anglers the upper hand wherever they venture. Avid Trek travel rods combine St. Croix’s Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology with premium, high-modulus SCIII carbon fiber for smooth power, improved casting accuracy and increased sensitivity. Featuring slim-profile ferrules, they sport Sea Guide Hero Hi-Grade guides with slim zirconia rings and SS316 stainless gun smoke frames. The series’ six spinning models have Fuji® DPS reel seats with gun smoke hoods, while the casting model has a Fuji® ECS reel seat with gun smoke hood. All Avid Trek rods are designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, USA, and come with a Sea Guide hook-keeper, select-grade cork handle, and two coats of Flex Coat slow cure finish for a sharp, clean and polished appearance. Retail prices range from $260 to $290.

NEW St. Croix Avid Trek Rod Models
ATS66MF3 - 6’6” three-piece, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $260.00
ATS70MLF3 - 7’ three-piece, medium-light power, fast action spinning / Retail $260.00
ATS70MF3 - 7’ three-piece, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $260.00
ATS70MHF3 - 7’ three-piece, medium-heavy power, fast action spinning / Retail $280.00
ATS76MF3 - 7’6” three-piece, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $280.00
ATS76MHF3 - 7’6” three-piece, medium-heavy power, fast action spinning / $290.00
ATC66MHF3 - 6’6” three-piece, medium-heavy power, fast action casting / Retail $260.00
NEW St. Croix Avid Trek Features
Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
Premium, high-modulus SCIII carbon
Slim-profile ferrules
Sea Guide Hero Hi-Grade guides with slim zirconia rings and SS316 stainless gun smoke frames
Fuji® DPS reel seat with gun smoke hoods on spinning models
Fuji® ECS reel seat with gun smoke hoods on casting models
Sea Guide hook keeper
Select-grade cork handle
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
Incredibly light, super sensitive and durable
Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.
Retail price $260 to $290

NEW Reimagined St. Croix Mojo Ice Series
St. Croix’s angler-favorite line of technique-specific ice rods, the Mojo Ice Series has been refreshed and improved for 2021 with updated cosmetics and new EVA handles. Precision-taper solid carbon (SC) blanks now wear a stealthy new Carbon Dust color with Black Cherry Metallic accents. Mojo Ice’s angler-acclaimed proprietary custom reel seat has also been upgraded with a new, flat finish. Mojo Ice’s ten spinning models feature new split-grip EVA handles, while the series’ two casting models feature full EVA handles. Mojo Ice models retail between $50 and $60.

Reimagined St. Croix Mojo Ice Models
MJI24UL – 24” ultra-light power spinning / MSRP $50
MJI24ML – 24” medium-light power spinning / MSRP $50
MJI24M – 24” medium power spinning / MSRP $50
MJI28UL – 28” ultra-light power spinning / MSRP $50
MJI28ML – 28” medium-light power spinning / MSRP $50
MJI28M – 28” medium power spinning / MSRP $50
MJI32M – 32” medium power spinning / Retail $55
MJI36L – 36” light power spinning / Retail $55
MJI36M – 36” medium power spinning / Retail $55
MJI36MH – 36” medium-heavy power spinning / Retail $60
MJIC34MH – 34” medium-heavy power casting / Retail $60
MJIC34H – 34” heavy power casting / Retail $60
Reimagined St. Croix Mojo Ice Features
Precision-taper solid carbon (SC material) blank provides superior performance
Premium split-grip cork/EVA handle
Custom reel seat ideal for all techniques
Sea Guide lightweight stainless-steel guides
1-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
Designed in Park Falls, U.S.A. and handcrafted in North America (Fresnillo, Mexico)
Retail price $50 to $60
All new St. Croix series and models being announced at ICAST 2020 Online will be available at St. Croix dealers worldwide in Fall of 2020.

by AnglersChannel

New Berkley Hit Stick ICAST 2020

New Berkley® Hit Stick: Better Than Balsa in Every Category

COLUMBIA, S.C. (July 13, 2020) — While it’s true that balsa baits have long been favored by lure makers and anglers for their ability to deliver a desirable action, they lack in durability and consistency due to the imperfections that are inherent in natural materials. Berkley scientists knew there had to be a better way, and after extensive research, their bait development team developed the new Hit Stick, a durable, polycarbonate, floating minnow-style bait that delivers the large, rolling action of a balsa bait. This versatile bait epitomizes Berkley’s dedication to science-driven innovations that put more — and bigger — fish in the boat.

The new Hit Stick achieves the unique, high-speed rolling action of balsa baits by using FlashDisc™ technology developed by the Berkley bait development team. The integrated FlashDisc weighting in the Hit Stick also means every bait produced has consistent action and tracking unlike many balsa baits. Combined with the construction of Polycarbonate and ABS materials, the Hit Stick delivers exceptional durability to withstand toothy bites and keep the bait swimming consistently.

The added mass of the polycarbonate construction also makes the Hit Stick easier to cast, both for accuracy and significantly longer casting distance. This means anglers can set up on fishing locations from increased distances, lessening the likelihood of spooking fish all while covering more water on the retrieve.

The Hit Stick offers ultimate species versatility in a minnow-style bait that floats. Trollers will appreciate the consistency with which the Hit Stick runs. The bait delivers a high-speed rolling action long associated with balsa baits with maximum side flashes at even the slowest trolling speeds. The tail of the Hit Stick exhibits a tight, finesse action that entices trailing predatory fish, while the versatility of the Hit Stick makes it ideal for use as a finesse jerk bait, a trolling bait for everything from walleye to trout or a casting bait for all predator fish. The new Hit Stick is equipped with ultra-sharp Fusion19™ hooks, comes in seven sizes from 3.5cm to 15cm and 21 of the hottest colors for walleye, bass, trout and other predator fish. The Hit Stick has an MSRP of $5.99 for Sizes 3.5 through 9; $6.99 for sizes 11 and 13 and $7.99 for the Size 15.

For more information on the Berkley Hit Stick visit https://bit.ly/HitStick.

Berkley Hit Stick: Specifications

Sizes:
3.5 (Sinking) • 5 • 7 • 9 • 11 • 13 • 15

Colors:
Black Silver • Firetiger • Black Gold • Blue Bullet • Yellow Perch • Clown • Crazy Steel • Rainbow Trout • FX Shad • Sunset 84 • Stealth Minnow • Purple Glimmer • Blue Smelt • Ghost White • Sand Shiner (Ayu) • Tennessee Shad • Danald • Hot Pink Silver • Fluorescent Orange/Gold • Green Shad • Brown Trout

MSRP:
$5.99 — Sizes 3.5 through 9
$6.99 — Sizes 11 and 13
$7.99 — Size 15

Key Features:
• Equipped with ultra-sharp Fusion19™ hooks
• Integrated FlashDisc™ improves tracking stability and accuracy to give the bait true balsa-like action
• High-pitch rattle to attract predator fish

by AnglersChannel

Abu Garcia Spinning Reel Zenon ICAST 2020

COMING MARCH 2021: Abu Garcia® Introduces the World’s Lightest Spinning Reel, the Sub-5 Ounce Zenon

COLUMBIA, S.C. (July 13, 2020) — Abu Garcia’s new Zenon spinning reel is poised to reset the standards by which all ultra-premium fishing reels are judged. Designed to give serious bass and walleye anglers the advantages they need to propel them to fish to win, the Zenon is the lightest spinning reel ever produced, tipping the scales at an unbelievably light 4.9 ounces for the Size 20 and 5.4 ounces for the Size 30. Paired with a light spinning rod, the result is a configuration that brings unparalleled sensitivity and all-day comfort to serious anglers.

Zenon was developed for those who desire the very best to complement their skills, regardless of whether anglers are fishing for fun or for a paycheck. Abu Garcia engineers worked with their Japanese design team to build the ultimate finesse-style spinning reel that would succeed in the sophisticated finesse-specific Japanese market and find a strong foothold in the competitive U.S. bass and walleye tournament scene.

“The Zenon sets the bar for future spinning reels in terms of weight, comfort and overall performance in finesse fishing applications,” said Abu Garcia Vice President of Marketing Jon Schlosser. “With the smoothness of the drag, you can fish light line with confidence and do so comfortably because the reel is so light and easy to hold. Our reel designers minimized the weight of the reel to a point few thought possible while making sure the reel retains its Abu Garcia durability. I believe we will see a lot of these reels on the front decks of tournament boats next year.”

At the heart of the Zenon’s weight-saving design and striking looks is the elimination of empty spaces commonly found in spinning reels. The Zenon body design is noticeably smaller than the spool and rotor; it features a one-piece gear box with no sideplate while the frame is integrated with the stem. Combined, these design features shrink the overall footprint and weight of the reel while providing a rigid system for the gears. The magnesium body is contoured to fit comfortably in hands and provides greater weight savings and durability than the advanced plastics commonly used in other spinning reels touted as “lightweight.”

Featuring a silky-smooth drag across all settings to make the most of light-line finesse presentations, the Zenon is equipped with low-inertia, silent-rotation rotors and an ultralight hybrid spool. Additional weight savings are found in the hollow, soft-touch handle knob. Both sizes of the Zenon feature a 6.2:1 gear ratio.

The new Abu Garcia Zenon will be available in March 2021 and will have an MSRP of $499.95 for both the Size 20 and Size 30 versions. For more information about the reel or the entire lineup of Abu Garcia products, visit AbuGarcia.com.

Abu Garcia Zenon: Specifications

Size 20
Weight: 4.9 ounces
Bearings: 11
Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
Max Drag: 11 pounds
Line Capacity: Mono (Std spool) 6 pounds/185 yards
MSRP: $499.95

Size 30
Weight: 5.4 ounces
Bearings: 11
Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
Max Drag: 11 pounds
Line Capacity: Mono (Std spool) 6 pounds/225 yards
MSRP: $499.95

Key Features:
• Lightest spinning reel ever produced
• Contour-formed magnesium body
• Ultra lightweight Hybrid Rocket Turbine Spool
• Hollow, soft-touch handle knob
• Friction-free main shaft support
• Spare shallow spool included

by AnglersChannel

Gamakatsu Superline Offset Round Bend Hook ICAST 2020

Tacoma, Washington (July 13, 2020) Offset worm hooks have been around for years and have proven to be extremely effective when fishing Carolina or Texas rigs into thick cover. The offset keeps the worm running true through the water column, presenting the bait naturally while protecting the point from debris when rigged properly.

Gamakastu's Pro and Professional Bass Angler Stetson Blaylock is no stranger to working a worm rig through heavy cover. And to make Stetson even more successful on the water, Gamakatsu has introduced its new Superline Offset Round Bend Hook. This hook is designed with a heavier Superline wire best suited for braided and fluorocarbon lines, enabling anglers to fish a finesse worm rig in the heaviest of covers with no worries, just as Stetson likes it.

The Round Bend offers a larger bite area perfect for any worm presentation while increasing your hook-up ratios. The newly enhanced Z-Bend holds your plastics on the hook longer, reducing the number of pull-offs and saving you a few bucks on plastics.

Visit the Gamkatsu New Product Site Here!

A more durable worm hook designed for heavier lines that hold your bait on longer sounds like a match made in fishing heaven. Gamakatsu has provided us with just that and made the Superline Offset Round Bend hook in sizes 2/0 - 5/0 for all your fishing situations.

Superline Offset Round Bend Hook Features:

● Popular Offset Round Bend in Superline wire
● Ideal for heavy line and heavy cover
● New modified Z bend offset holds plastics more efficiently
● Size: 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0
● Color: NS Black
● Qty/Pack: 5 (Sizes 2/0, 3/0)
● Qty/Pack: 4 (Sizes 4/0, 5/0)

by AnglersChannel

Gamakatsu New Treble SP Medium Heavy Hypershield Hook ICAST 2020

Tacoma, Washington (July 13, 2020) Gamakatsu has anglers covered from inshore saltwater fishing to light offshore fishing. Gamakatsu's new Treble SP Medium Heavy hook utilizes their Hypershield technology making it more corrosion resistant than standard hooks. The new Treble SP MH is long-lasting and dangerously sharp, allowing anglers to spend more time fishing and less time changing out old rusty hooks.

Using Gamakatsu's innovation of the G Finesse Treble Hook platform, the new Treble SP MH features TGW (Tournament Grade Wire). TGW is thinner, stronger, and sharper than the standard wire and ensures the hook point stays sharper, longer. Hypershield coating dramatically increases corrosion resistance and keeps hooks sharper longer, making it the perfect treble hook for big, toothy fish.
The Treble SP MH is paired with the iconic ME (Magic Eye), making it extremely simple to replace existing hooks on to any split ring of a crankbait or plug. The Treble SP MH comes in several popular sizes to choose from, ensuring you're geared with the best in all situations.

Visit the Gamakatsu New Product Site Here

Treble SP Medium Heavy Hypershield Hook Features:

Utilizes Hypershield technology making it more corrosion resistant than standard hooks
TGW (Tournament Grade Wire) is thinner, stronger and sharper than the standard wire
Magic Eye makes it easy to replace existing hooks on lures
Size: 6, 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0
Color: Hypershield
Qty/Pack: 6- size 6, 4
Qty/Pack: 5- size 2, 1
Qty/Pack: 4- size 1/0, 2/0

by AnglersChannel

SPRO Rattle Little John 50 and Rattle Little John MD50 ICAST 2020

Kennesaw, GA (July 13, 2020) In murky water and low-light conditions, a rattling lure creates sounds for bass to zero in on. The SPRO Little John 50, one of the finest crankbaits on the market, is now even better thanks to a hard steel ball that generates a loud bass-attracting rattle. The SPRO Little John 50, designed by B.A.S.S Elite Series Angler John Crews, is a shallow-running crankbait, deadly when teased across the tops of shallow underwater vegetation. It also excels at targeting suspended bass.

The Rattle Little John 50 and MD50 Crankbait inherit the best tournament-proven features of the original lure, including a unique lip made from a computer-chip board. An internal steel ball creates a loud hard-rattling sound bass find irresistible. You can cover more water thanks to the lure's silent weight transfer system. The design translates into unbelievably long casts for this small crankbait.

These compact crankbaits pack a big, bold sound. Rigged with the world's sharpest trebles made by Gamakatsu, the Rattle Little John 50s are ready to catch fish right out of the package. Both lures weigh ½-ounces and are 50 mm long. The Rattle Little John 50 is tuned to run at 3 -5 feet of water, while the Rattle Little John MD50 runs deeper at 7-9 ft.

SPRO Rattle Little John 50 Features:

Weight: 1/2 oz.
Size: 50 mm
Hook: Gamakatsu # 5 Round Bend treble hooks
Depth: 3-5 ft.
MSRP: $11.99

SPRO Rattle Little John MD50 Features:

Weight: 1/2 oz.
Size: 50 mm
Hook: Gamakatsu # 5 Round Bend treble hooks
Depth: 7-9 ft.
MSRP: $11.99

by AnglersChannel

Gill’s new Langland Technical Hoodie ICAST 2020

Not Just Another Fishing Hoodie

Gill’s new Langland Technical Hoodie features exclusive, durable, plant-based Xpel®

Buford, GA (July 13, 2020) – A hoodie. They range from a glorified sweatshirt with screened logo to something an angler can’t live without, wearing it until it’s so ratty your friends call it out. So, what if there was a technically advanced fishing hoodie that felt like your new favorite, wore like a champ, and had all the features and technologies that a serious angler demands? Welcome Gill’s new Langland Technical Hoodie.
From its miraculous Xpel® repellant to details like heat applied eyelets for the drawcord, the Langland Technical Hoodie considers everything.
Standing head and shoulders above the competition is Gill’s exclusive Xpel outer fabric application. The plant-based treatment elevates an otherwise common lifestyle product into a serious technical fishing hoodie. Xpel adds durability and water-resistance, fully effective to 30 cycles through the washer, and continuing to be effective even at 50 washes. Can your hoodie do that?

Xpel provides a robust stain resistant protection, too, rigorously tested in Gill’s laboratory. A wide range of highly staining products were used during testing, ranging from food dye to heavy grease. Stains wash straight off the face of the fabric by simply pouring water over the area. Fish slime, blood and guts are no match for this technology.
Why a plant-based technology? Harmful chemicals that are detrimental to our environment and health are eliminated.
The fabric itself is 95% polyester and 5% elastane. The brushed back fleece not only provides a soft touch, but also a little stretch for comfort and the ability to maintain the original shape.
The first feature that stands out on the Langland Technical Hoodie is the hood itself. The adjustable hood’s drawcords are positioned inside to be easily tucked away, not catching fishing line and everything else around the boat. And the drawcord’s heat applied eyelets are durable and resist fraying.

You’ll also notice the offset seams over the shoulders. This allows for greater freedom of movement and overall fit and comfort.
The front features a generously sized kangaroo pocket with a secured internal zipped pocket. Plenty of room to warm yourhands between bites, and a place to safely store essentials like keys and cash.

Rounding out the Langland Technical
Hoodie’s brilliance are integrated thumb-loops in the cuffs. They help keep the sleeves in place while active. As well, the thumb-loops anchor the sleeves when you put on an extra outer layer.

The match-all Graphite colored Langland Technical Hoodie comes in sizes XS to 4XL. MSRP is $70 USD.

The era of the simple hoodie is over. Gill’s stylish Langland Technical Hoodie will soon be your favorite, and for a very, very long time.

by AnglersChannel

Gamakatsu's New Under Spin Head ICAST 2020

Tacoma, Washington (July 13, 2020)Gamakatsu has put a different spin on the new Under Spin Head which is similar to their extremely popular Swim Bait Head. The Under Spin Head has what serious anglers look for in a hook. The hook is ideal for winching magnum-sized bucketmouths out of heavy cover and is ideal when you want to apply maximum pressure without fear of a bending out the hook. The premium Gamakatsu Heavy Cover, 60-degree hook on the Under Spin Head is just what the doctor ordered for heavy braid or fluorocarbon line and can stand up to anything you can dish out. The head profile is streamlined to glide through heavy cover. A Spring Lock holds swim baits and other plastics gently but firmly, and keeps them straight on the hook.

Visit the Gamakatsu New Product Site Here

Attention-getting, recessed eyes on the Under Spin Eye provide a focal point for predators and the small, chrome Willow Leaf blade is a subtle trigger. Hung from a quality ball-bearing swivel, the blade spins freely at even the slowest retrieves to simulate baitfish.

Under Spin Head Features:

60-degree Heavy Cover hook
Chrome willow leaf blade
Ball bearing swivel
Spring Lock holds plastic secure
Size: 4/0 hook in sizes 3/16, ¼, 3/8, and ½ ounce
Color: Plain Lead
Qty/Pack: 1

by AnglersChannel

Gamakatsu® Gika Rig for Bass ICAST 2020

Tacoma, Washington (July 13, 2020) It's a fishing rig perfected in Japan, and now the Gamakatsu Gika Rig proves a remarkable technique for catching largemouth and smallmouth bass across North America. "The Gika Rig combines the natural presentation of finesse fishing with the speed of power fishing," said Gamakatsu Sales Manager, Jeff Roberts. "It's a deadly blend of tactics that bass find irresistible!"

Gika Rigs use an off-set shank worm hook with an elongated drop shot weight attached directly to the eye via a solid ring. The drop shot weight features a snap that allows anglers to quickly change the size of the weight when the situation calls for it and is painted black for stealthy presentations. The weight size is permanently stamped into the side of each weight making it easy to identify when it's time to make a change.

Visit the Gamakatsu New Product Site Here!

Changing weights controls the depth and drop speed of the bait adding to the rig's versatility. The position of the weight allows anglers to 'feel' the bottom, detecting transitions in composition and helping find fish-holding structures. Another advantage is its natural swimming and dropping motion. The solid ring allows the plastic bait to float freely and rotate from side to side as it descends. It slips through vegetation with ease and grabs the attention of bass. The Gika Rig offers a different presentation than most other anglers' baits, and it may be the edge you need to put more fish in the boat especially in lakes with extra angling pressure.

Many different soft plastic baits like worms, craw imitating, or creature baits, perform superbly on Gika Rigs. Plus, they each produce a different action. The Gamakatsu Gika Rig includes weights paired to the hook for best performance, sold two per package.

Gika Rig Features:

New technique developed in Japan
Combines the natural presentation of finesse fishing with the speed of power fishing for any number of plastics
Offset worm hook, elongated weight attached to the eye via solid ring
Weight size can be changed to adapt to any situation
Size: 2/0 (1/8, 3/16); 3/0 (3/16, 1/4); 4/0 (1/4, 3/8)
Color: NS Black
Qty/Pack: 2 (including weights)

Gika Rig Weights Features:

Quick attach clip
Stealthy black finish
Weight size stamped on the side
Size: 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8
Color: NS Black
Qty/Pack: 4

by AnglersChannel

SPRO Essential Series Lineup ICAST 2020

Kennesaw, Georgia (July 13, 2020) SPRO is bringing value to its "Essential" line up of baits that every angler should have in their arsenal when hitting the water. If you're a new angler or seasoned veteran, you know that there are three styles of baits bass anglers must have at the ready. Popper, square bill and minnow style baits remain staples in the bass fishing arena, and now SPRO is offering three new baits at a value price to arm anglers with the tools they need to compete at the top level.

The E Pop 80 serves as the popper bait providing anglers a perfect bait for the aggressive topwater bite. The E Pop 80 has an extremely loud popping action with a loud knocking sound- calling in fish from a distance. The bait is designed to cast easily and can be walked back to the boat, creating life-like action that bass can't resist. Paired with Gamakatsu's #4 treble hook on the front and a #4 Gamakatsu feather treble hook on the back, you are sure to hook up when an aggressive bass blows up your bait.

E Pop 80 Features:

Super-loud popping action
Loud knocking sound
Top Water
Gamakatsu #4 treble hooks
Available in Black Silver, Bone, Black Skeleton, Clear Gill, Chartreuse Silver, Chrome, Homemade Shad, Nasty Shad, Pumpkinseed
MSRP: $8.20

Hunter 65 SB brings the versatile square bill bait into play. Square bill baits are notorious for getting the biggest of bass to strike as they deflect off the thick cover. Its erratic hunting action and loud knocking sound gets the bass's attention, making this bait a must-have for any bass angler. Armed with the world's sharpest #4 Gamakatsu treble hooks, you will be able to count on solid hook-sets to wench bass out of the heavy cover. With a dive curve of 3'-5' ft, this is the perfect bait to fish over rocks and timber.

Hunter 65 SB Features:

Loud knocking sound
Heavy enough to cast accurately
Deflects off cover extremely well
Diving depth of 3 to 5 ft.
Gamakatsu #4 treble hooks
Available in Black Silver, Chartreuse Black Back, Chartreuse Blue, Citrus Shad, Nasty Shad, Old Fire Tiger, Pumpkinseed, Rayburn Red, Spring Craw, Taco Salad
MSRP: $8.20

Zero Minnow 130 is one of those baits that work anywhere you fish. The versatility of a minnow style wake bait makes it one of the most deadly types of baits on the market. Fished in early spring, or the dog days of summer, wake baits are hard to beat. The minnow style baits have great castability, making it easy to cover water. With a diving depth of 0-1' ft, these baits can be used in several different ways to entice bass to attack. With its loud knocking sound and #4 Gamakatsu treble hooks, the Zero Minnow 130 is a game-changer in wake baits.

Zero Minnow 130 Features:

Loud knocking sound
High floater
Tuned bill
Gamakatsu #4 treble hooks
Available in Bone Olive Black, Bone, Chrome, Chrome Olive, Cotton Candy, Gold Black, Nasty Shad, Silver Black
MSRP: $8.80

by AnglersChannel

AFTCO YUREI ICAST 2020

by AnglersChannel

Gill Fishing FG350 Winter Angler Jacket and Bibs. ICAST 2020

Inspired by Extreme Offshore Conditions

New fishing-focused, cold-weather FG350 Winter Angler Jacket and Bibs influenced by Gill’s expertise in severe marine conditions

Buford, GA (July 10, 2020) – Every new product has an inspiration. Some are introduced to hit a popular retail price. Others are merely degraded imitations of the real thing to undercut the market. Some bring improvements to their category. A rare few draw from years of knowhow to truly advance performance while improving the sport. Gill is the latter.
Since 1975, Gill has provided the gear boaters, sailors and anglers require to defy the weather, while maximizing the entire experience. Most recently, Gill leaned on the company’s celebrated history in offshore sailing and combined it with their authority in technical fishing gear to create the new FG350 Winter Angler Jacket and Bibs.

This is the most functional and versatile fishing suit ever introduced. An industry first, Gill fused the best features and performance of the top ice fishing suits with extreme raingear. You don’t wear your ice fishing suit on open water because it’s cumbersome and leaks. You don’t don your raingear on the ice for fear of freezing. Worry no more. Gill packs it all in the FG350.
Both the top and bottom are waterproof. Not water resistant. Not hopefully waterproof. But decidedly waterproof. Gill achieves this by incorporating an advanced and breathable 2-layer fabric waterproof system into both the jacket and bibs.
Bolstering the FG350’s waterproofness, Gill applies a durable water-repellent finish, which provides longevity.
It’s said that any system is only as good as its weakest link. In this application, that means no matter the waterproof rating of the fabric, if water makes it through the seams, the system fails. Gill understands this and eliminates weaknesses by fully taping and pressure testing every seam, head to toe.

Enhancing the suit’s strength, Gill employs reinforcement fabric on both the seat and knees to provide coverage and protection against severe surfaces. Tried and trusted for years within the marine industry, the fabric withstands the harshest of deck surfaces, giving the wearer ultimate peace of mind. The fabric is tested in the lab using 320 grit sandpaper for over 80,000 revolutions, ensuring it will perform above and beyond industry standards.
The FG350’s insulation isn’t run-of-the-mill, either. A specialty synthetic insulation is formed into measured sheets, versus loose insulation material sewn in that invariably migrates and bunches, creating cold spots. The insulated sheets are spread evenly across the bibs and jacket and sewn into the seams as anchors. Gill’s lightweight insulation also retains large volumes of body heat.
The FG350 Jacket anchors the two-piece ensemble. Rife with features and intelligent design elements, it has no rivals. Beginning at the top, Gill integrates its legendary Vortex hood. Known by mariners and anglers worldwide, the Vortex hood’s ingenious construction serves multiple purposes.

Gill’s imaginative Vortex Hood solves several issues faced by anglers and boaters. “Originally, we engaged with our team of pros who shared their issues. Many of them wear a baseball or trucker-style cap, hoodie, and then the waterproof shell with the hood up. Hoods inflate, caps fly off, so, we got to work on developing a solution,” says Matt Clark, Product Development Director, Gill.
“The Vortex Hood has a three-channeled construction with air chutes built into the hood itself. One goes over the top of the head and exits at the rear of the collar, and two vents down the side of the hood and out through the collar. You get a slipstream effect, allowing air to enter the front and exit out the back.
“Look at it in aerospace terms. With an airplane wing you get the vortex effect when wind travels faster over the top of the curved surface. So, over the top of the Vortex Hood wind speed accelerates and the air is sucked out the back of the hood.”
But when it’s exceptionally cold, like out on the ice, the last thing you want is wind passing through. To that, the Vortex hood features a high facemask with easily accessed double drawcords to secure the hood tightly around your face. Icy winds are kept at bay.

The jacket’s main zipper is carefully considered, too. A robust 2-way zipper is protected by a storm flap constructed of the same waterproof 2-layer material. The storm flap completely negates heavy winds from piercing through the zipper. Moreover, icy rain can’t freeze your zipper shut. The zipper is finished with a snap, too, holding the storm flap in place.
The FG350 Jacket sports a pair of roomy utilitarian chest pockets as well. With zipper closures and storm flap covers, the pockets yield ample space for essentials like a smartphone and fishing tools.
A major predicament with most cold weather jackets are cumbersome or ineffective cuffs. Angler arm lengths vary significantly, even for wearers of the same size jacket. Because of this, Gill builds in a secure, and highly adjustable cuff. It can be adjusted to accommodate everything from substantial cold weather gloves to merely the naked hand.
And, again, addressing waterproofness, the FG350 jacket includes a water-tight, PU inner cuff, which adds to the overall comfort proposition. Gone is the plight of water sliding up the cuff and wicking into your midlayers. Say goodbye to that familiar clammy feel.
Finally, Gill’s FG350 Jacket integrates an internal drawcord at the waist, letting you personalize fit, and at the same time keeping frigid air from funneling up and in.

The FG350 Bibs are as thoughtfully constructed as the Jacket, including the breathable, waterproof 2-layer fabric, fully taped seams, and insulating properties.
Functional features begin with full-length zippered legs, which are logically covered with double storm flaps. Sporting full-length zippers merits easy on and off. Get out of the truck and instantly and effortlessly slip into the bibs without removing your boots.
The Bibs sport extra-wide, adjustable suspender straps, too, easing the pains caused by typical skinny straps digging in. As well, the broad shoulder straps reduce the back and shoulder strain common from a long day on the ice or in the boat, as bib weight is more evenly distributed across your shoulders. The FG350 Bibs feature an elasticated strip on the backside above the hips, holding the bibs in perfect posture, while further lightening the load and reducing fatigue on the shoulders.

Just below Gill’s signature high-rise chest is an extra-wide, zippered cargo pocket with storm flap. Store, protect and easily access items like mini tackle boxes, leader line spool and fishing tools.
Realizing the rigors of bending and kneeling, and how lesser bibs can hike and pull, Gill incorporated performance-cut articulated knees. Meaning the bibs work with your body, not against it. The knees also feature abrasion resistant padding.
Lastly, you’ll appreciate the external D-ring attachment points for carrying critical gear like lanyards and fishing tools.
Both FG350 Jacket and Bibs come in Graphite and are available in sizes XS to 4XL. MSRP for the Jacket is $325 USD, Bibs $250 USD.
Gill’s new fishing-focused cold-weather FG350 Jacket and Bibs don’t imitate any other product on the market… except, perhaps the best features of some of their own, proven offshore and cold-weather designs. Their only inspiration is true angler comfort and longevity, drawing on technical innovation and proven expertise in materials and design to elevate the fishing experience in the nastiest conditions.

by AnglersChannel

New Gill FG100 Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bibs ICAST 2020

Buford, GA (July 1, 2020) – If clothes make the man, bibs make the angler. Yet, often lost in the development and hype of new raingear is a focus on the bibs; it’s an afterthought. The jackets might be rife with features and flair while the bibs, are just bibs. Nothing extraordinary. No wonder they don’t talk about them.
This is not the case with Gill’s new FG100 Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bib, created not only as the perfect complement to a Gill jacket, but a brilliant, fishing-specific standalone to wear with about anything.
Standalone? Indeed. Believe it or not, fishing bibs can be more instrumental and functional than even your rain jacket. You don the jacket in rain and when cold winds howl, but store it otherwise. Bibs, on the other hand, deliver not only waterproofness and warmth, but provide a level of defense against lapping waves, livewell splashing, fish slime and the mustard oozing out of your sandwich. Take them off at the end of the day and your shirt, pants or shorts underneath are fully intact. But for a bib to serve this tall order, it must be designed as such.

It’s prudent to recognize, too, that the Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bib is a match made in heaven for Gill’s FG100 Pro Tournament Jacket, which was introduced earlier this year. Prominent Gill pros are heralding its performance.
“I’ve worn everything out there and one rain suit that does it all and keeps me completely dry and comfy all season long is the FG100 Pro Tournament Jacket,” said Major League Fishing’s Fred Roumbanis.
Skylar Hamilton, a fixture in the B.A.S.S. Elite series, says, “The FG100 Pro Tournament Jacket is one of my all-season favorites, due to how lightweight the material is without sacrificing any durability or waterproof qualities. Equipped with the Vortex hood and the 3-layer system, this jacket meets and exceeds all my needs as a professional angler.”
Now back to the bottoms… The first thing you’ll notice about Gill’s Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bib is the height. Too often fishing bibs barely reach the chest, and even then, straps slide uncomfortably off your shoulders and the bibs end up on your midriff by midday. Intelligently, Gill’s

Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bibs rise above the chest, with a still spacious neck area, and are fortified on the shoulders with extra-wide, easily adjustable, buckle-free Velcro secures. No more flimsy straps slipping and sliding, or hard plastic buckles digging in.

Furthering the contoured fit is a sewn-in super-stretch waistband on the backside. Conforming to the hips, the band takes weight and pressure off the shoulders, eliminating the end-of-day fatigue common with other brands.
Moving down the legs, Gill specially cuts the fabric around the knees to fully articulate. In use, that means when sitting and kneeling, the greater material isn’t stretched, not tugging on the chest and back or hiking the bottom cuffs. To that, the abrasion resistant knee panels guard against wear and tear.
Smartly, Gill’s FG100 Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bibs feature full-length zippered legs for easy on and off. The zippers are covered with double storm flaps to keep the weather out, too.
Finishing at the bottom cuff, Gill includes wide and extremely secure adjustable ankle closures, accommodating everything from flip-flops to deck boots.
Exterior, fishing-specific amenities include a perfectly sized front pouch with storm closure, yielding plenty of space for essentials like line clippers and spool of leader line. Moreover, the storage pouch doubles as a hand warming muff; slide off-duty hands in for a quick warm-up between fish. Properly placed D-ring closures let you hang gear like troller remotes and fishing pliers for handy access. Finally, Gill’s FG100 Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bib features a front fly with YKK Aquaguard zipper. Sweet relief…

With so many features and attributes, it’d be easy to look past Gill’s 3 Layer technology – the true nexus of the bibs – but that would be an injustice.
“We’ve introduced a new three-layer all-in-one fabric system to sportfishing,” says Matt Clark, Product Development Director, GILL. “The system features a durable outer face that can put up with abrasions, scuffs and being worn in some tough conditions. And water just beads and rolls off it.
“The inner layer features the waterproof, breathable technology – the barrier that stops water coming in from the outside, which is very important as it allows the fabric to breathe and transport moisture away from the skin. Breathability makes all the difference,” Clark adds.

“Lastly, you have the all-important next-to-skin layer, a material that picks up moisture from the skin and starts the moisture transport process. It spreads moisture evenly across the fabric to dry much quicker.”
Furthermore, the finish delivers extraordinary moisture repellency, stain resistance, stain release, oil resistance, odor resistance, wicking, faster drying time, colorfastness to crocking and abrasion resistance without changing the inherent comfort, hand feel, or breathability of the fabric.

The FG100 Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bib comes in a match-everything graphite color. Sizes range from XS to 4XL. MSRP is $349 USD. Available February 2021.
In an era when jackets and parkas seem to get all the glory, consider everything that makes Gill’s new FG100 Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bib so special… then try a pair. You’ll quickly realize it’s a standout performer, worthy of its own narrative. In other words, we bet you’ll tell your friends.

GILL FG100 Pro Tournament 3 Layer Bib
Technology:

Waterproof
Fully taped seams
Durable water repellent finish
3-layer fabric construction

Features/Benefits:

Unique side entry design
High-fit with super stretch comfort back panel and adjustable shoulders • Full length zippered legs protected by a double storm guard
External D-ring attachment point
Multiple pockets including zippered chest pocket with side entry, hand warmers and thigh pockets
Front fly with YKK Aquaguard zip
Performance cut with articulated knees
Abrasion resistant knee panels guard against wear and tear
Adjustable ankle closures

Fabric Composition:

Outer: 100% Nylon
Reinforcement: 100% Polyester

by AnglersChannel

Lucas Tackles Bass Pro Tour Trifecta with 205-Pound, Two-Day Total: Berkley Pro Wins Group A to Advance Directly to Championship Round

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2020 (Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.) Major League Fishing (MLF) Pro Justin Lucas crushed a third MLF record to win the day and secure an automatic berth into Wednesday’s Championship Round. Eight anglers in Group A scored over 100 pounds in the two-day Qualifying Round, including David Dudley who leapt from 37th place after Friday to finish in 4thplace with a 100-pound day. Bass Pro Tour 2020 Season Points contender Jacob Wheeler moved 15 places up SCORETRACKER® to finish in 12th place and Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Gary Klein landed nearly 70 pounds for the day to move from 39th place to 18th place and secure a spot in the Knockout Round.

MLF Pro Justin Lucas, the winner of Qualifying Round Group A, shows off a catch to MLFNOW! viewers. Lucas earned an automatic berth into Wednesday's Championship Round. Photo credit: Garrett Dixon/Major League Fishing
20 anglers fell below the Elimination Line concluding their 2020 Bass Pro Tour seasons. Fletcher Shryock fell short, which ended his run for the Bass Pro Tour 2020 Season Points Champion. Aaron Martens, who returned to the Tour after undergoing treatment for brain cancer, fell from 12th place to 24th place missing the chance to advance to the Knockout Round by nine pounds.

Covercraft Stage Five presented by Abu Garcia continues Monday when Group B returns for their final day of Qualifying Round. Keith Poche will start the day 23 pounds over second place.

Berkley Pro Justin Lucas set his third record in two days of competition with a two-day weight record of 205 pounds, six ounces. The 34-year-old set the record for most weight in a single day on Friday with 141 pounds, nine ounces as well as the most weight in a Period with 78 pounds, 12 ounces. With a 45-pound lead over second place finisher Scott Suggs, Lucas won the Group A Qualifying Round, earning him the first of 10 spots in Wednesday’s Championship Round. With his lead locked, Lucas stopped fishing 30 minutes before lines out to search for waypoints he can use Wednesday.

“What an incredible couple of days,” Lucas said. “The Berkley MaxScent Flat worm caught Every … Single … Fish. I can’t wait for Wednesday; I get a couple days off and look forward to getting back out here to fish for the Championship.”

Arkansas-resident Scott Suggs leveraged his 119-pound Day-One weight to maintain his second-place finish with an additional 12 scorable bass for 41 pounds, three ounces. Today’s catch brought Suggs to a two-day total of 160 pounds, seven ounces. Suggs was one of eight anglers who exceeded 100 pounds in their two-day total: Lucas, Suggs, Josh Bertrand (132-03), David Dudley (111-15), Mark Rose (102-03), Randall Tharp (102-03), Fred Roumbanis (102-00), and James Elam (101-05).

Virginia-resident David Dudley, who caught 102 pounds, four ounces today– the only Pro to exceed the century mark in Sunday’s competition –finished in 4th place. Dudley fought back from 37th place after only catching nine pounds on Friday. The 2019 FLW Angler of the Year reflected on the significance of today’s competition for him as a professional angler.

“Today was a really big day for me,” said Dudley. “I made REDCREST; I caught a 4-10 to secure my spot in Heavy Hitters 2021; I passed the two-day ‘Century’ mark and then finally caught 100 pounds in a single day. Today secured a lot of payouts for me in the future and did a lot for my professional career.”

After Dudley, Jacob Wheeler caught the second-highest single-day total at 71 pounds, five ounces, which allowed him to climb from below the Elimination Line at 27th place to finish in 12th place. Wheeler, who came into Stage Five in third place for 2020 Bass Pro Tour Season Points Champion, will advance to Tuesday’s Knockout Round furthering his effort toward 2020 Points Champ.

Bass Pro Hall of Famer Gary Klein climbed above the Elimination Line today with 69 pounds, 12 ounces, the third highest in single-day weight of the day. Klein finished Day One in 39th place – next to last – after catching only three fish for eight pounds, four ounces.

The field of 40 Pros caught 453 scorable (2 pounds or greater) bass for a single day total weight of 1,401 pounds, seven ounces in this event hosted by Destination Sturgeon Bay. Randall Tharp caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day weighing in five pounds, two ounces.

The Top Ten of Day One, Qualifying Group A finished as follows:

Place Angler Two-Day Total Two-Day Total Largest Fish over Two-Day Round
1 Justin Lucas 205-06 71 4-06
2 Scott Suggs 160-07 45 5-06
3 Josh Bertrand 132-03 43 4-07
4 David Dudley 111-15 41 4-10
5 Mark Rose 102-03 33 4-11
5 Randall Tharp 102-03 31 5-02
7 Fred Roumbanis 102-00 31 4-15
8 James Elam 101-05 33 4-10
9 Jonathon VanDam 98-12 32 4-10
10 Brent Chapman 97-00 32 4-06

For complete results, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com, Bass Pro Tour, Results.

The competition continues Saturday when Group B takes to the water for the second day of their Qualifying Round, including current Season Points leader Jordan Lee and current Group B leader Keith Poche who enters Day Two with a 23-pound lead over Alton Jones Jr.

Pending no weather delays, the day begins at Sawyer Park Boat Launch, Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., 6:15 a.m. CT when the field reports to pick-up their MLF Official and camera operators before trailering to the ramp of his choice. With lines in at 8:00 a.m. CT, the competition consists of three, 150-minute periods.

by AnglersChannel

Strike King Introduces the Rage Ned Craw for ICAST 2020

Lexington, S.C. – July 10, 2020 – Building on the success created with their entry into the Ned Rigging game in 2019, Strike King introduces the new Rage Ned Craw for the 2021 tackle season. The scaled down 2.75-inch bait will give Ned Rig fans the legendary action of a Rage Craw, but in a package specifically tailored to the popular finesse application.

Built on the foundation of patented Rage Tail flange at the claws, the Rage Ned Craw features a sharply ribbed body that is proportioned to perfectly match the circumference of the Tour Grade Ned Head, and finished with a flat tail piece to present a streamlined, flush pairing when rigged. The Rage Tail claws are scaled to match the body, yet an exact duplication of the Rage Craw family.

Crispin Powley, Strike King’s Director of Product Development said that the Rage Ned Craw presented itself as the obvious direction to take the product line. “We saw tremendous acceptance of the launch of our Ned Rig lineup by dealers and anglers last season, so adding to the lineup made sense,” said Powley. “When we were looking for the next product, we landed on a version of the Rage Craw because it is the number one selling soft plastic in our product line, and anglers have begun stepping outside the straight bodied baits that Ned Rigging started with.”

Powley added that while designed for Ned Rigging, it is a multi-faceted lure. “The Rage Ned Craw is also great for using as a trailer on finesse jigs like our Bitsy Bug and Bitsy Flip Jigs,” he said. “It will also be effective on a drop shot rig, and a number of other finesse applications; it’s a great bait that anglers will find more uses for than we envisioned for it.”

The Rage Ned Craw will be available in a variety of Strike King’s popular colors and will be available in the fall of 2020.

by AnglersChannel

Strike King Introduces Weedless Ned Head for ICAST 2020

Lexington, S.C. – July 10, 2020 – As the Ned Rigging technique has developed, so has the creativity of anglers in applying it. In the 2020 tackle season, Strike King entered the Ned Rigging game with several offerings, and for 2021, they have expanded those offerings to include the Tour Grade Weedless Ned Head.

Last year, Strike King presented the Tour Grade Ned Head to the industry. It featured a flat, mushroom shaped head for clean rigging, a 2/0 black nickel sickle hook for precise rigging and solid hook up ratios, and a wire hook keeper along the hook shank to hold baits firm.

For 2021, Strike King adds a version that includes a wire weed guard that will allow anglers to take the Ned Rig off roading.

Crispin Powley, Director of Product Development for Strike King, said that the way anglers use lures are what drives product development, and the result is this new head. “We frequently hear from anglers who try new ways of using our lures in ways we didn’t design them for,” said Powley. “We heard from anglers fishing cover, that they wanted to be able to fish the Ned Rig and the result was the Weedless Ned Head.

The new Strike King Tour Grade Weedless Ned Head will be available in 1/16, 1/8, and 3/16-ounce, and in two colors, black and green pumpkin. They will be available in the fall of 2020.

by AnglersChannel

Strike King Introduces Hybrid Hunter and Hybrid Hunter Jr. for ICAST 2020

Lexington, S.C. – July 10, 2020 – Finding a lure that can provide solutions to several fishing equations is not easy. However, with the launch of the new Hybrid Hunter and Hybrid Hunter Jr. hardbaits, Strike King has done exactly that.

The Hybrid Hunter and Hybrid Hunter Jr feature a fat bodied, flat sided shape with a unique, “L-Shaped” 90-degree bill that combine to create a hard thumping, exaggerated hunting action with an extremely loud rattle that causes fish to strike with a vengeance.

Thanks to the shape of the body, the unique lip design and the buoyancy of the bait, Strike King pro staffer Todd Castledine said that it is more than a crankbait. “There’s no other bait like it on the market,” said Castledine. “It can work effectively in situations many anglers throw a lipless crankbait, a jerkbait, a crankbait or a swimbait.”

Castledine reports that it is one of his most versatile lures. “I throw it anywhere and around any kind of cover,” he said. “Because of its design properties, it doesn’t dive at a steep angle, and quickly rises when paused; it’s the best hardbait I’ve ever thrown around cover – especially grass.”

The Hybrid Hunter and Hybrid Hunter Jr. are designed to be fished on heavy line and perform best in the 1 to 5-foot of water range. Available in two sizes, the Hybrid Hunter and Hybrid Hunter Jr. are sure to revolutionize your shallow water fishing game. They will be available in the fall of 2020.

Product Name	Size	Hook Size	Diving Depth
Hybrid Hunter	3.5-inch	2 (belly), 4 (tail)	3 to 5
Hybrid Hunter Jr.	3-inch	4	2 to 4

About Strike King
Strike King is a Lexington, SC based supplier of fishing tackle and sunglasses. The Company supplies hard baits, wire baits, soft plastics and related accessories through the mass market, sporting goods, and specialty outdoor channels. For further information about Strike King, please visit www.strikeking.com.

About Lew’s

Lew's Fishing is a Lexington, SC based supplier of fishing equipment and tackle. The Company supplies branded fishing reels, rods, and related accessories through the mass market, sporting goods, and specialty outdoor channels. For further information about Lew’s, please visit www.lews.com.

by AnglersChannel

New Jersey’s Rogers Wins Toyota Series Tournament at Lake Erie

SANDUSKY, Ohio (July 12, 2020) – New Jersey angler Lee Rogers of Newton, New Jersey, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 15 pounds, 10 ounces to win the three-day Toyota Series at Lake Erie tournament in Sandusky, Ohio. Rogers’ three-day total of 15 bass weighing 48-12 earned him the win by a slim 9-ounce margin over second-place anglerDrew Sanford of Springfield, Missouri, and earned Rogers the top payout of $32,439 in the first tournament of the 2020 Toyota Series Northern Division.

On days one and two, Rogers fished around the islands near Sandusky for smallmouth. Concentrating on a handful of rocky spots on Kelleys Island and the Bass Islands, Rogers caught his smallmouth on a drop-shot rig between 12 and 18 feet deep.

“They were small spots, so it didn’t take long to find the fish on them,” said Rogers. “But there were no numbers; you would just catch one or two.”

For his smallmouth, a drop-shot rig with a Strike King Half Shell did best, and though his primary color was green pumpkin and purple, he alternated between a few depending on the conditions. He posted weights of 17-3 and 15-15, to put himself in the top 10 heading into the final day of competition.

On the final day, the field was confined to the area around Sandusky Bay due to strong winds. Starting the day in eighth place, Rogers fished rock piles near and off the bank to catch a 15-10 limit of largemouth bass and rocket up the leaderboard with the biggest limit of the day to earn the win.

“There wasn’t a lot of grass, so I was targeting rock piles,” said Rogers. “I caught some on tubes, and then I switched up to a Texas rig with an Eco Pro Swing Shad. It came through the rocks a little easier, and they started eating that pretty good.”

Rogers used the 3.8-inch size Swing Shad swimbait in a green pumpkin color and a 5/16-ounce weight to do his damage. His tube of choice was a Strike King model with a 3/8-ounce weight, also in green pumpkin. He also added one fish on a spinnerbait fished over some grass on the final day.

“I really didn’t think I would be in contention to win. I just wanted to duplicate day one and get a check. To make the top 10 was a shock. I just can’t believe I won; it’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” Rogers went on to say.

The top 10 pros on Lake Erie finished:

1^st: Lee Rogers of Newton, N.J., 15 bass, 48-12, $32,439

2^nd: Drew Sanford of Springfield, Mo., 15 bass, 48-3, $12,493

3^rd: John Dawson of Mount Vernon, Ohio, 15 bass, 47-11, $9,672

4^th: Jonathan Kelley of Old Forge, Pa., 15 bass, 46-4, $8,167

5^th: Jonathan Dietz of Corry, Pa., 15 bass, 45-9, $7,254

6^th: Dick Parker of Lorain, Ohio, 15 bass, 44-12, $6,448

7^th: Tony Mitchell of Plainwell, Mich., 14 bass, 44-10, $5,642

8^th: Chase Serafin of White Lake, Mich., 15 bass, 44-1, $4,836

9^th: Troy Stokes of Brownstown, Mich., 11 bass, 39-15, $4,030

10^th: Drew Six of Clinton, Ohio, 13 bass, 39-14, $3,224

A complete list of results can be found atFLWFishing.com.

Matt Becker of Finleyville, Pennsylvania, took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found atPhoenixBassBoats.com.

P/aul Kimball of Glastonbury, Connecticut, brought a 5-pound, 3-ounce smallmouth bass to the scale Thursday – the largest fish weighed by a boater in the event – to earn the day’s Big Bass award of $107.

Dan Mundy of Swartz Creek, Michigan, won the Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 38 pounds, 12 ounces. Mundy took home the top prize package of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.

The top 10 co-anglers on Lake Erie finished:

1^st: Dan Mundy of Swartz Creek, Mich., 15 bass, 38-12, Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat w/115-hp outboard

2^nd: Stephen Draghi of Sparrowbush, N.Y., 14 bass, 35-9, $4,114

3^rd: Jared Rudd of Salyersville, Ky., 14 bass, 35-0, $3,291

4^th: Henry McKee of Haddon Heights, N.J., 13 bass, 34-9, $2,880

5^th: Harlan Drephal of New London, Wis., 12 bass, 34-2, $2,468

6^th: Ron Hiles of Piketon, Ohio, 13 bass, 32-6, $2,057

7^th: Eric Wild of Brooklyn, Mich., 13 bass, 32-2, $1,646

8^th: Darwin Griva of Hamilton, Ind., 11 bass, 31-8, $1,440

9^th: John Terry of Lexington, Ohio, 11 bass, 31-3, $1,234

10^th: Cliff Humphreys of Philadelphia, Pa., nine bass, 27-9, $1,064

The Toyota Series at Lake Erie was hosted by the City of Sandusky. It was the first of three regular-season tournaments in 2020 for Northern Division anglers. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will be the Toyota Series at Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.

The Toyota Series consists of eight divisions – Central, Eastern, Northern, Plains, Southeastern, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 FLW PHOENIX Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2020 Toyota Series Championship will be held Dec. 3-5 on Lake Cumberland in Burnside, Kentucky, and is hosted by the Somerset Tourist & Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission.

For complete details and updated information visitFLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

MLF Pros Field 1765 Pounds, a Bass Pro Tour Record, from Sturgeon Bay

Berkley Pro Keith Poche Caught 112 Pounds to Lead Group B

Photo Courtesy of Major League fishing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2020 (Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.) The Bass Pro Tour returned to Sturgeon Bay today for Day One of the Covercraft Stage Five presented by Abu Garcia Group B Qualifying Round bringing in a collective 1,765 pounds on 593 bass. Berkley Pro Keith Poche dominated the second and third Periods to finish the day in first place with 112 pounds, nine ounces. Alton Jones Jr. marched up the score tracker into second place after catching only one fish in the first four hours of competition. Season Points leader Jordan Lee pivoted early to end up in third place. Mike Iaconelli led early in the day’s competition and returned to finish fourth. Group B is off tomorrow, Sunday; Group A returns for the second day of their Qualifying Round where one will win an automatic berth to Wednesday’s Championship Round and 20 anglers will be sent home.

In this event hosted by Destination Sturgeon Bay, the field of 40 Pros secured two Bass Pro Tour records: the most scorable bass in one day and the most weight in one day. Collectively Group B caught 593 scorable (2 pounds or greater) bass, 40 more over Group A’s first-day count, for 1,765 pounds.

Louisiana-resident Keith Poche caught 51 pounds in the third Period alone to secure his 23-pound lead over second place and the fourth Pro of this tournament to cross the century mark (100+ pounds) in one day. After catching a modest six fish in Period one, Poche pivoted in Period two and never looked back, catching the most scorable bass for the day at 44 on a Berkley MaxScent flat worm.

“Today was one of those day’s you’re thankful to have had and thankful that it all worked out,” said Poche as the clock wound down to zero. “I ended up with over 100 pounds and the Berkley MaxScent flat worm has been the absolute deal for me. I found a group and it worked out today; what a day!”

A Louisiana-native and former college football player, Poche’s largest catch came in Period 2 with a four-pound, three-ounce smallmouth. Despite starting this event in 61^st place in Season Points, today’s run could position Poche as a REDCREST qualifier (top 40) if he’s able to maintain his lead.

“I have a day off and hopefully will get back Monday and win the round,” Poche told fans during the General Tire Takeout show. “With a win (Monday) I’ll get into the top 10 Championship Round and a get chance to qualify for REDCREST 2021.”

Alton Jones Jr. ended the day in second place with 89 pounds, seven ounces despite a disappointing first Period. Jones Jr. worked through his waypoints on his Garmin to ultimately find a spot that had not been very productive in practice but a change in wind direction had pushed the fish in his direction. The Texas-native capitalized on it, catching an average of one fish every eight minutes to finish the day with 31 scorable bass.

“I don’t have a whole lot of history up here, but from the history I do have, the fish here move a lot. The wind currents make the fish up and vanish,” said Jones Jr. “I practiced with a south wind and had some good success; but the north wind made my spot a ghost town. I ended up in a place that I had caught a bass or two in practice but with the wind, the fish showed up by the hundreds. There’s a good chance I could go out on Monday and they will all be gone.”

Bass Pro Seasons Points leader Jordan Lee wasted no time in an unproductive spot at the start of the day and his move paid off as he climbed his way into third place with 71 pounds, 12 ounces. Currently 40 pounds, 13 ounces off Poche’s lead, Lee told fans that he is pleased with where he sits going into Monday’s final day of this round.

“I had a great day on the water today, drop-shotting this Berkley flat worm in green pumpkin,” said Lee. “The key for me was finding the bigger rock and milking a spot when I caught a fish. I’m looking forward to Monday; hoping for a good spot but I know (the fish) will move around.”

After an early lead, Mike Iaconelli finished in fourth with 67 pounds, nine ounces just ahead of Skeet Reese (67-03) and Bobby Lane (67-00). Adrian Avena, who finished in 12^th place, landed the Berkley Big Bas of the Day with a five-pound, nine-ounce smallmouth as his first scorable bass of the day. Stephen Browning and Zack Birge straddle the elimination line in 20^th and 21^stplaces respectively. 64 pounds, seven ounces spreads the field from first to 20^th place.

Group B will return to the water on Monday for the final day of their Qualifying Round. The winner of Group B will receive an automatic berth into Wednesday’s Championship Round and the bottom 20 will be eliminated based on their two-day total weight.

The Top Ten of Day One, Qualifying Group B finished as follows:

Place	Angler	Total Weight	Total Fish	Largest Fish
1	Keith Poche	112-09	44	4-03
2	Alton Jones Jr.	89-07	31	4-14
3	Jordan Lee	71-12	24	4-10
4	Mike Iaconelli	67-09	23	4-10
5	Skeet Reese	67-03	22	4-08
6	Bobby Lane	67-00	21	4-09
7	Cliff Pace	66-07	23	4-03
8	Todd Faircloth	64-05	23	3-12
9	Edwin Evers	62-00	24	3-10
10	Cody Meyer	60-11	10	4-07

For complete results, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com, Bass Pro Tour, Results.

The competition continues Sunday when Group A returns to the water for the second day of their Qualifying Round, including Josh Bertrand, Fletcher Shryock, Aaron Martens, and current leader Justin Lucas. The winner of Group A will earn an automatic berth into Wednesday’s Championship Round and places 2-20 will advance into Tuesday’s Knockout Round.

Fans can catch all the action every day of competition (July 10-15) on MLFNOW! livestream on MajorLeagueFishing.com or download the MLF App for your Apple or GooglePlay device or on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).

by AnglersChannel

Jacob Wheeler on Trailering – Safety and Strategy

Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships

Wind and waves have been a big part of the conversation for the Covercraft Stage 5 Presented by Abu Garcia, as they are anytime professional bass fishing meets The Great Lakes. Fortunately for the Bass Pro Tour competitors, officials, and media members MLF has implemented a special trailering policy for this week’s competition.

Anglers can launch at any public boat launch within the massive tournament boundaries on Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay and Lake Michigan, and can also put their boat back on the trailer and drive to a different boat ramp during competition hours if they so choose. BPT pros were informed of this policy before practice began and formed their game plans accordingly.

Team Toyota pro Jacob Wheeler is one of many anglers who appreciates the policy for several reasons, namely for saving his equipment and body from the waves abusive toll. The wind has been steady and at times howling from the North throughout practice and the start of Stage 5 competition.

“The reality is bass boats aren’t made for the Great Lakes,” Wheeler laughed. “I love my Triton and I’m thankful to have it out there; it handles big water as good as any bass boat. But make no mistake, I’d much rather drive 30 miles in my Tundra than in my boat when we’re talking big water. It’s easier on my equipment and so much more comfortable for me.”

Safety is paramount but it isn’t the only thing Wheeler likes about the trailering policy; he also appreciates the extra wrinkle in strategy it creates. The Indiana pro is currently in the middle of an incredible hot streak that includes dominating wins at both the Bass Pro Tour and FLW Super Tournament level in 2020.

Wheeler has experienced mind-boggling success throughout his young career and many would attribute that to his detailed understanding of strategy within tournament fishing, along with his tireless work ethic.

“Having the ability to trailer to different ramps throughout the day absolutely adds to my strategy,” Wheeler explained. “Usually when we are fishing big water we have to pick an area and we’re pretty much limited to that decision. The Great Lakes are just too big and too rough to be running around on all day. But trailering gives us the ability to sample different sections of the fishery throughout the day.”

Wheeler is one of many anglers who took advantage of this policy during the Qualifying Round, trailering to a second ramp in the middle of Day 1 of competition in hopes of colliding with a school of ever-elusive smallmouth he found during practice.

The tournament boundaries are so extensive for this event that anglers like Wheeler are still somewhat married to a region of the fishery based upon which boat ramp they initially launch from. But instead of a potential two+ hour brutal boat ride to check another area, Wheeler can make a comfortable twenty-minute drive in his Tundra.

“Just having the option to trailer does good things for our mindset out here,” Wheeler said. “You see us on camera fishing in big waves, but I don’t think most people realize how damaging running big water can be. It pounds our bodies, our equipment, and absolutely affects our decision making on the water. The trailering policy allows us to fish with a clear-mind... it’s the deal.”

by AnglersChannel

Final Stage of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour Brings Recording Breaking Day-One:

Berkley Pro Team SweepsTop 3 with 384-pound, single-day total

Photo Credit Garrick Dixon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2020 (Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.) Major League Fishing (MLF) kicked off the Covercraft Stage Five presented by Abu Garcia, the final stage of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour, today on the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan with high-paced action. At the end of Period 3, the Berkley Pro Team sat in the top three places after catching a combined total of 384 pounds of scorable smallmouth. First-place finisher, Justin Lucas tallied 141 pounds, nine ounces on 50 fish collecting two MLF records in the process for most weight in a single-day of competition and most weight in one Period. At day’s end, first and 20^th places were separated by 112 pounds. 89 days after undergoing brain surgery, Aaron Martens returned to competition today finishing in 12^thplace. Group B takes to the water tomorrow for their first day of Qualifying Round.

Berkley Pro Justin Lucas opened strong with 78 pounds, 12 ounces at the end of Period 1, an MLF Bass Pro Tour record for most weight caught in a single period. Jacob Wheeler held the previous record with 55 pounds, nine ounces set on the 2019 Bass Pro Tour. Period one started strong for Lucas, who caught 29 fish in 150 minutes, averaging one scorable bass every five minutes before 10:30 a.m. His pace only slowed slightly as he recorded another 70 pounds, 13 ounces to the day with a second MLF record: most single-day weight in Bass Pro Tour competition.

“Two records in the books; we’ll see how long that lasts, there are a lot of fish out here off Sturgeon Bay,” said Lucas. “I’m fired up to come back out here but I’m not expecting that spot to pay off again, which is why I pounded it hard today - all on a Berkley.”

Lucas caught the day’s load on a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm. The second- and third-place finishers also relied on a drop-shot rig with Berkley soft plastics.

Arizona-resident Josh Bertrand overtook Scott Suggs late in Period 3 to finish in second place with 123 pounds, three ounces on 40 fish. Bertrand caught the bulk of his weight midday with 17 fish for 50 pounds, five ounces in Period 2.

“I started out slow,” said Bertrand. “But it was a really good day. I caught each one on a drop shot. Anytime you come up North you want to bring a flat worm.”

Suggs spent most of the day on the heels of Lucas, including closing Lucas’s lead to only four pounds at one point. He caught only three fish in the final period after landing the day’s Berkley Big Bass (a five-pound, six-ounce smallmouth) at the end of the second Period. With a one-day scorable total of 119 pounds, four ounces on 33 bass, Suggs sits only 22 pounds out of the lead behind Bertrand and Lucas. Three anglers over 100 pounds after the first day of competition left Suggs chuckling to MLFNOW!viewersat lines-out.

“To catch over 100 pounds of (scorable) bass and be in third place – that’s crazy! But that’s what kind of fishery we’re on,” exclaimed Suggs. “I go to a lot of tournaments thinking that I’ve got the fish found and today they were there; it was a fun day.”

Using the same Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm as fellow Berkley Pro Justin Lucas, Suggs shared some insight on a weight strategy that paid off in the Great Lakes, post-spawn today.

“I was fishing a quarter-ounce lighter than what you would think,” Suggs told fans during the General Tire Takeout post-game show. “The fish seem to be suspended offshore so, as the bait falls in slower, they can get up and bite it in the fall.”

The field of 40 Pros caught 553 scorable (2 pounds or greater) bass for a single day total weight of 1,649 pounds, 2 ounces in this event hosted by Destination Sturgeon Bay. Kelly Jordon finished the day in 20^th place 112 pounds behind the leader with 29 pounds, seven ounces. Fletcher Shryock, who entered the Stage in second place for Season Points Championship behind Jordan Lee, ended the day in 18^th place with 39 pounds, six ounces. Aaron Martens returned to competition today after missing Stage Four – Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo – due to treatment for brain cancer. Less than 90 days after undergoing brain surgery, Martens finished the day in 12^th place with 52 pounds, two ounces.

Group A will return to the water on Sunday for the final day of their Qualifying Round. The winner of Group A will receive an automatic berth into Wednesday’s Championship Round and the bottom 20 will be eliminated based on their two-day total weight.

The Top Ten of Day One, Qualifying Group A finished as follows:

Place	Angler	Total Weight	Total Fish	Largest Fish
1	Justin Lucas	141-09	50	4-03
2	Josh Bertrand	123-03	40	4-07
3	Scott Suggs	119-04	33	5-06
4	Brett Hite	88-14	35	4-05
5	James Elam	76-15	25	4-10
6	Randall Tharp	65-06	21	5-01
7	Jonathon VanDam	64-08	22	3-13
8	Justin Atkins	64-08	26	3-11
9	Dustin Connell	58-06	20	4-02
10	Takahiro Omori	57-09	17	4-14

For complete results, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com, Bass Pro Tour, Results.

The competition continues Saturday when Group B takes to the water for the first day of their Qualifying Round, including current Season Points leader Jordan Lee and Stage One winner Jacob Wheeler.

by AnglersChannel

CBD Brand Medterra Sponsors Major League Fishing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2020 (Tulsa, Okla.) Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that Medterra CBD joined their growing list of sponsors for the 2020 Bass Pro Tour. Based in Irvine, California, Medterra is dedicated to providing fully compliant, high quality CBD products to support everyday wellness through research and innovation. Medterra will sponsor the Stage Five livestream with a “Get Well Moment” feature each day of competition. Specifics of the deal were not disclosed.

“Partnering with Major League Fishing was an easy choice for us,” said Jay Hartenbach, Medterra Founder and CEO. “The market and demographic surrounding the league are in complete alignment with our brand. There is a lot of benefit to be had for professional and amateur anglers alike before, during, and after a day on the water. From a recovery standpoint, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce muscle and joint soreness associated with the repetitive motions in fishing. We couldn’t be prouder to be the company that provides the angling community the relief they need.”

“We’re pleased to welcome Medterra to our community of sponsors and advertisers,” said Jim Wilburn Major League Fishing President and CEO. “MLF reaches a broad audience of hard-working Americans, who may benefit from CBD solutions through Medterra’s commitment to innovation and care. We’re confident they will expand their customer base through this relationship.”

by AnglersChannel

HOBIE B.O.S. TACKLES THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI

Several areas boast great cut banks and overhanging trees, catering to anglers who enjoy flipping and pitching. Several areas boast great cut banks and overhanging trees, catering to anglers who enjoy flipping and pitching.

Elite Field of Kayak Fishing Competitors Gear Up to Battle Bigmouths and Bronzebacks in the Fabled Waters of La Crosse, WI

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (July 1, 2020) - The Hobie B.O.S. (Bass Open Series) has sights set on some mighty big waters for its next event. The premiere kayak bass tournament is sliding into La Crosse, WI, July 11 and 12, to take on the mighty Mississippi River and its burgeoning population of smallmouths and Northern-strain largemouth bass.

“We’ll be fishing pools 7, 8 and 9 for this event, a stretch of the river rich in bass fishing history and incredible opportunities for our anglers,” says Hobie B.O.S. Tournament Director, A.J. McWhorter. “MLF, BASS and FLW have all held major competitions here, and this June saw the 2020 High School Fishing World Finals & National Championships converge on the area. Competitors can expect to test themselves on a true river system that is level, flow-dependent, and full of feisty Northern-strain largemouth bass, bronzebacks and other species. Naturally, we’ll be following COVID-19 requirements for this event. We’ll notify all participants the week of the tournament as to which headquarters and check-in system will be used.”

An exceptionally diverse expanse, this part of the Mississippi River has bass habitat to compliment the strengths of any angler. Covering over 75,000 acres in total, pools 7, 8, and 9 each feature a main river channel, plenty of deep water, ledges, sand bars, islands, rip rap, wing dams, break walls, and seemingly endless backwater areas filled with inviting brush-lined banks, laydowns and shallow, lush, vegetation ranging from weed mats to lily pads. With some serious pre-event scouting, participants should have little problem finding a bit of rested water and a few spots to themselves.

Several areas boast great cut banks and overhanging trees, catering to anglers who enjoy flipping and pitching.

Jeremiah Burish, 31 and Director of Sports Sales & Events for Explore La Crosse, will be a first-time B.O.S. participant in the Mississippi event, and can’t wait to get started. It’s his job to promote these waters, and the experienced tournament kayak angler knows them as well or better than anyone else. “This is one of the best fisheries in the country in terms of combining quantity and quality catches,” he says. “We don’t have the giant fish you might see at Chickamauga or Kissimmee Lake, but we have an outlandish number of fish in the 15- to 19-inch class, and plenty of ways to connect with them. This should be an extremely exciting tournament. I plan to throw a lot of topwater frogs and swim jigs to start, but I’ll certainly switch things up if needed.”

Changing water levels can also make things interesting on the mighty Mississippi, notes Burish. Currently, the river is running at its lowest point since 2017. That, he explains, can make it easier to find the fish since some bass in the shallows will gravitate to deeper pockets. “Being a river system, however, water flow and depth can change overnight – or even hourly – so nobody knows who’s strengths will be favored at any point in the contest,” he cautions. “Of the three pools, number 7 is the most lake-like, so that might be a good place to start your exploration.”

Kevin Workman, 37, a Hobie team member from Arlington, Nebraska, is also looking forward to the Mississippi event. He’s had two top-ten Hobie Bass Open finishes on Kentucky Lake, and fished the Lake Fork, Tennessee B.O.S. event earlier this year. Residing only six hours from La Crosse, he’s looking forward to fishing closer to home and hoping familiarity with these waters will bring him an edge.

“The most important thing you can do here is use your Navionics package and Google Earth to find funnel areas and places that should naturally hold fish,” he advises. “Make those your starting points and then break down the more intimate patterns of structure and depth. Look for the kind of vegetation you enjoy working or, if you prefer to fish deep, a pronounced bend in the channel with a little hump next to it. The waters around La Crosse are famous for frogging largemouths, but bring drop-shot rigs, too, as deeper areas can be loaded with smallmouths.”

Anglers should be wary when throwing moving baits, as they appeal to the toothy predators that claim the Mississippi River as their home. Kristine Fischer with a massive La Crosse northern pike.

Workman fishes out of a Hobie 360 PA14, which he says might be a game-changer for this event because it’s so stable, comfortable and versatile. “This ‘yak excels at positioning in the wind, navigating through trees, and slipping through tight passages. There’s big open water on these pools, and a lot of areas that are squeaky tight in the backwaters. My 360 should help me present baits the best way possible in every situation.”

Tyler Cole, 41, of Hopkinton, Iowa, is another kayak angler making his Hobie B.O.S. debut. He finished 26th in the 2018 Hobie Worlds on Lake Vanern, Sweden. Now he’s hoping to leave his mark on local waters.

“I love this stretch,” states Cole, who lives an hour-and-a-half away. You can fish weeds, rocks, channels, backwaters – it’s just so diverse. You can frog, pitch or flip the shallows for largemouth, and there’s usually a good crankbait bite along the main channels for smallmouth. Being a river also levels the competition somewhat because you can be locked on the fish one day and find them gone the next. Due to the flows, these fish are unpredictable. Plan to have a backup plan for your backup plan should the current strength or water level change.”

Both Burish and Cole say they were drawn to the Mississippi River event after hearing and reading positive reviews from participants in earlier B.O.S. competitions. “I’ve heard reports that these tournaments are well organized, with a lot of camaraderie and positive interaction between the competitors. I also like that each event seems to be focused on promoting and showcasing the anglers and fisheries,” explains Burish.

July is an excellent month to explore the pads and experience a world class froggin' fishery!

Workman says that Burish and Cole are “spot on” with those assessments, and added that significant prize money, and the chance to fish against top-level competition, sweetens the pot.

“I’ve always enjoyed the B.O.S. atmosphere more than any other series,” reveals Workman. “It’s family friendly, well run, and the competition is amazing. It pushes you to be a better angler, which is something I like. For the Mississippi event, the field is already looking sharp. I’d keep my eyes on Kristine Fischer. She’s got experience here and she’s due for another great performance. Jordan Westerman is another strong contender who has done well on these waters. Then there’s Rus Snyder – he won the KBS Trail Series Championship here last year.”

Indeed, the Mississippi event is shaping up to be a nail biter. “I’m expecting a race to the wire for the title,” concludes McWhorter. “There’s a lot on the line. In addition to determining the event champion, there will be significant payouts to the top 10% of the field, and three anglers will qualify for the Hobie Tournament of Champions (TOC). Anglers are also competing for important Angler of the Year points. It’s going to be a tough battle for the top spots, but that brings out the best in our anglers. They wouldn’t have it any other way.”

According to Burish, Hobie B.O.S. participants can expect a warm welcome in La Crosse. “We’ve wanted to host a Hobie event since the first Hobie Bass Open on Kentucky Lake several years ago. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to show off the great fishery here. It’s going to be a ton of fun and the anglers are going to catch a lot of fish.”

Although the La Crosse area still has some COVID-19 restrictions in place, most restaurants currently have take-out and curb-side pick-up available, and some have limited outside seating. Many attractions are open, too, operating with physical distancing guidelines in place. Bring the family if you’d like, for this city is a wonderful place to visit with plenty of open-air outdoor recreation opportunities available, including majestic bluffs and scenic river lookouts. Just be sure to call ahead to any establishment you hope to patronize so you’ll have the latest information on COVID-19 guidelines.

La Crosse has miles and miles of backwaters, making it an appealing fishery for kayak anglers wanting to get away from the crowds.

by AnglersChannel

St. Croix Showcases NEW Xtreme Freshwater Choices at ICAST Online

St. Croix’s most sensitive rods ever, NEW Legend^®Xtreme Freshwater Series expands by angler demand with four new models

Park Falls, WI (July 1, 2020) – Building on the historic and wildly successful March, 2020 Bassmaster Classic launch of St. Croix’s most-sensitive rods ever, four new, made-in-the-USA Legend Xtreme freshwater rod models are being unveiled at ICAST 2020 Online.

Insanely sensitive and awash with St. Croix’s proprietary technologies, these rods are extreme in both design and on-the-water performance. New models include 6’3”, medium power, extra-fast action (XFS63MXF) and 7’6”, medium power, fast action (XFS76MF) spinning rods; and 6’8”, medium power, fast action (XFC68MF) and 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action (XFC68MXF) casting rods. The expanded Legend Xtreme freshwater series now includes 11 rods – five spinning models and six casting models – supporting anglers in an even wider range of freshwater presentations and techniques with pinnacle St. Croix performance.

The reengineered SCV carbon found in the new Legend Xtreme is an example of St. Croix’s constant drive to obtain the unimaginable – proven Xtreme durability with proven, unprecedented sensitivity – so anglers can fish without compromise. Engineered as a result of a new proprietary manufacturing processes, the new Legend Xtreme employs a resin that significantly increases strength in compression during the hookset, as well as flexural strength when the rod is under load. The new SCV carbon construction also incorporates an improved, overlaid ART (Advanced Reinforcing Technology) to yield the highest levels of carbon fiber density found on any fishing rod on earth. Simply put, the new Legend Xtreme offers an unquestionably pure and dense carbon, to transmit the slightest vibration through a carbon fiber guide train and proprietary new handle, all while achieving a tensile strength never attained in any previous St. Croix fishing rod.

A Blank Slate

The story of the NEW Legend Xtreme begins with the series’ incredibly sensitive blanks, which feature Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC™) mandrel technology and design for more refined powers and actions. IPC adds continuous tapers to eliminate “stepped” transition points to create blanks that are smoother, stronger and more sensitive than traditional designs. They also feature a new and improved version of St. Croix’s Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™), a high-tensile high-modulus cross-grain material that reinforces the blank and allows for the use of less material while maintaining strength and decreasing weight.

Additionally, Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design provides curved patterns for improved action with increased sensitivity. “We add a little bit of curvature to the patterns to refine the actions of the blanks even more… which is especially noticeable in the extra-fast models,” says St. Croix Engineering Supervisor, Gavin Falk. “Taper Enhancement Technology makes these new rods even smoother.”

New Legend Xtreme rod blanks also feature St. Croix’s most exotic blend of carbon materials. A super high-modulus SCVI carbon in the lower section joins high-modulus/high-strain SCV carbon in the upper section to yield maximum power, unparalleled strength, durability, sensitivity and reduced overall weight. St. Croix’s Fortified Resin System (FRS) is also employed throughout the entire blank. FRS combines a fortified super resin with computer-operated curing ovens that provide improved temperature and time management through all stages of the curing cycle. Ultimately, FRS prevents microbuckling by keeping the carbon fibers in proper alignment throughout the critical curing process. Blanks manufactured with this advanced manufacturing protocol consistently test out at 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods.

Finally, a new, stealthy, Black Coral finish completes the upgrade to the new Legend Xtreme’s incredibly sensitive, high-performance blank – the ultimate canvas for additional sensitivity-enhancing features and components.

Guiding Principles

Moving beyond their remarkable blanks, new St. Croix Legend Xtreme rods take sensitivity to insane levels via the all-new, exotic Daiwa AGS carbon fiber guide train.

“The Daiwa AGS carbon fiber guides with Fuji KG tip top and torzite ring are brand new to us, and we have the both the knowledge and the exclusive rights to use them,” says Falk. “Their rigid frames are what really set these guides apart and make them so unique. They transfer energy much more efficiently than other traditional guide platforms. Their rigidity increases responsiveness, which is beneficial in every fishing situation… not just the obvious ones; they reduce recovery time when making a cast, for example. The bottom line is that the angler is always feeling what’s happening with their line and lure.”

Think these new carbon guides are weak? Think again.

“Of course, we did strength and durability testing,” says Falk. “They tested much more rigid than a stainless steel guide and frame. And while they don’t bend or deflect like traditional guides, it actually took twice as much force to break them in our testing.”

The end result of pairing the new Legend Xtreme blanks with the Daiwa AGS carbon fiber guides is a rod that goes far beyond what anglers previously considered sensitive. In a way, it feels like there are no guides at all. “When a fish bites, the sensation is intense and immediate,” summarizes Falk, “but the technology doesn’t end there.”

Getting a Handle on Sensitivity

The process of making a rod this sensitive shouldn’t ignore the critical connection point between rod and angler. That’s why St. Croix developed an all-new handle worthy and on par with the rest of the astounding, new Legend Xtreme.

“Our first generation Xtreme-Skin™ handle is an incredible performer, but we wanted to take the opportunity afforded by the new Legend Xtreme launch to improve upon it by creating an even better handle with both improved grip and heightened energy transfer,” says Falk. “We came up with a rain drop coating that offers more friction points, a grippier coating, and not just a smooth surface like the generation before.”

The result is the Gen2 Xtreme-Skin handle, which improves handling in both wet and dry conditions and transmits feedback from the rod better than ever before. It’s also extremely resilient. “Through our salt spray tests we discovered it’s also very easy to clean and very durable,” says Falk, who opted to pair the new handle with the Fuji® SK2™ split reel seat. “The entire handle assembly is lightweight and extremely durable, while complementing the sensitivity of the overall package.”

New* St. Croix Legend Xtreme Models

XFS63MXF* – 6’3”, medium power, extra-fast action spinning / Retail $630
XFS68MXF – 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action spinning / Retail $630
XFS610MLXF – 6’10”, medium-light power, extra-fast action spinning / Retail $630
XFS70MF – 7’, medium power, fast action spinning / Retail $630
XFS76MF* - 7’6”, medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $650
XFC68MF* - 6’8”, medium power, fast action, casting / Retail $630
XFS68MXF* - 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action, casting / Retail $630
XFC70MF – 7’, medium power, fast action casting / Retail $630
XFC70MHF – 7’, medium-heavy power, fast action casting / Retail $640
XFC71MHXF – 7’1”, medium-heavy power, extra-fast action casting / Retail $640
XFC74HF – 7’4”, heavy power, fast action casting / Retail $650

* ICAST 2020 Introduction, Freshwater Rod New Product Showcase entry in bold

New St. Croix Legend Xtreme Features

Blending St. Croix’s highest-grade materials and proprietary technologies with Daiwa AGS^TM guides, the Legend Xtreme has extreme sensitivity that begs to be fished
Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC™) mandrel technology
Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™)
Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design provides curved patterns for improved action with increased sensitivity
Super high-modulus SCVI carbon with FRS in lower section for maximum power and strength with reduced weight
New proprietary manufacturing processes uses a resin that significantly increases strength in compression during the hookset and flexural strength as the rod is under load
SCV incorporates externally overlaid ART™Technology to construct the highest level of carbon fiber density ever used by St. Croix
Daiwa AGS^TM Carbon Fiber Guides with Fuji KG Tip Top with Torzite ring
Fuji® SK2™ split reel seat for the ultimate in light weight and sensitivity
2^nd Generation Xtreme-Skin™ handle provides unparalleled control
Kigan titanium hook-keeper.
Machined wind check, handle trim pieces and butt cap.
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow sure finish.
15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.
Retail price $630 to $650

#STCROIXRODS

by AnglersChannel

You’ve Never Worn a Fishing Shirt Like This

Gill’s new Overton Shirt fuses comfort and technology like no other

Buford, GA (July 3, 2020) – Today, fishing shirts are a dime a dozen. Originally conceived and constructed for actual fishing situations, much of what you see on the market are mere facsimiles, not offering features and solutions to improve your time on the water.

Gill, as they have since 1975, creates original marine garments that improve the fishing and boating experience. The new Overton Shirt is a prime example.

Beyond its classic looks, the Overton Shirt is beset with technology and genuine features, and designed to fit loosely and comfortably. Beginning with advanced applications, the Overton Shirt utilizes Xpel® technology, a Gill exclusive. The safe, plant-based coating repels water and stains like blood, guts, slime and oil. Make a mess on your Overton Shirt, and simply rinse it off with water. Like new again.

Gill Technical Manager Lowri Jones speaks to the Overton Shirt’s material and proprietary treatment: “We settled on a premium, comfortable nylon fabric due to its compatibility with the Xpel treatment. Not only does the fabric remain breathable, but its performance level is enhanced with Xpel. Now, the fabric not only repels water, but also sheds some of the toughest stains we have ever tested in our lab.”

Top to bottom, the Overton Shirt defines quality and is loaded with practical elements. Its stylish button-down collar is designed to conceal the actual buttons, giving the shirt a refined look. Adding form and function, the exceptional fishing shirt features press stud fasteners down the chest for easy on and off. Uniquely, the press stud fasteners are attached to the inner placket (fabric strip down the chest), while the outer placket has buttonholes for the buttons to pass through. Clever and purposeful.

The same principal and application is found above the cuff, too. A placket inside the arms near the elbow lets you roll up and button the sleeve for fishing in warmer weather, and to create a stylish look. Each cuff also has double press stud fasteners to securely hold the sleeves in place when fully extended.

Universally, the press stud fasteners are hidden, too. This not only yields exceptionally clean aesthetics, but serves function as well. With no exposed buttons, you reduce the hazard of snagging any catchpoints while casting, setting the hook or reeling up a fish. But if you happen to snag the material, the stud pops open to thwart tearing fabric or losing buttons.

Gill’s Overton Shirt sports a pair of roomy, practical chest pockets with press stud fasteners and embroidered eyelets. Adjacent to the left chest pocket is a self-fabric strip to hang sunglasses or small fishing tools, like hemostats and forceps.

Speaking of sunglasses, the fishing shirt includes a micro-fiber patch on the inside of the front bottom hem for quick wipe downs of your lenses.

Lastly, and critically important to performance, the Overton Shirt has a double vented mesh line in back, between the shoulders, letting the shirt breath and wind to pass through while cutting across the water.

Gill’s Overton Shirt is available in Blue Check and White, sizes ranging from XS to 4XL. MSRP is $70 USD.

ICAST NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE: Lifestyle Apparel for Men

by AnglersChannel

Strike King Lure Company 2021 New Product Showcase

by AnglersChannel

NetBait Strengthens Bait Line up with the all new Flex Worm!

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (July 10, 2020) When fishing pressure is high, anglers need to be flexible on the baits they throw to generate bites. Finicky fish require finesse presentations that look ultra-realistic, and the all new Flex Worm delivers, with lifelike movement that they cannot resist. Relying on an innovative manufacturing process that allows for perfection in bait lamination, the Flex Worm brings premium color features to a finesse style bait.

The Flex Worm is designed with a solid front end profile in the first 1.5” of the bait to ensure a stable hook insertion for Texas rig or shaky head presentations, The solid front end immediately transitions into a tapering ball & joint body design which gives the bait its Flex.

The innovative ball & joint design creates an extremely flexible mid-body action that alternates with the tail of the bait to create a constant undulating, swimming movement making the bait appear alive. Designed for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass fishing, the ultra-realistic Flex Worm is Available in 5” and 7” sizes and 10 colors.

“There is nothing that works and moves like the Flex Worm available on the market today.” said NetBait Tackle President Justin Sward. “With the action that comes along with the unique ball & joint design, we’ve made the Flex Worm unbeatable in a variety of fishing presentations!”

Launching through Virtual ICAST 2020, NetBait Tackle Flex Worm is available now and will be offered in updated clamshell packages designed to give anglers full visibility of each bait profile and color.

For more information about any of our new products for 2020/21, visit www.netbait.com

by AnglersChannel

Daiwa Expands Tatula Baitcasting Line

New TATULA 300 offers discerning anglers premium performance for fishing big baits

Cypress, CA (July 9, 2020) – Just when you thought the in-demand Tatula reel family couldn’t get any better, Daiwa unleashes the new Tatula 300, a true 300-size reel for throwing big bass baits. Daiwa’s progressive product development team redesigned the new Tatula to bring anglers a slightly larger option perfect for a variety of applications including outsized, deep-diving crankbaits, swimbaits, A rigs, and more. In short, it’s the perfect option for anglers fishing large presentations for even larger fish…

What really makes The Daiwa Tatula 300 so special is the inclusion of the T-Wing System level-wind. When you take the reel out of gear it allows for less resistance on the line, allowing the line to cast further. Daiwa’s spool lets anglers finely tune the spool tension while the T-Wing System level-wind opens up line feed, working together to cast longer, more accurately, and provide stress-free control when chunking into the wind, skipping baits or casting large lures. The T-Wing System is also very efficient at reducing backlashes on the 300-size reel with large spool. It does this by reducing the angle of the line coming off the spool and spool speed, providing efficient operation unlike anything on the market in this reel class.

The new Tatula 300 also features Daiwa’s patented Magforce Z magnetic casting system which is located on the exterior of the reel making adjustments easy depending on wind conditions, the rods you’re fishing, and overall aerodynamics of the baits you’re throwing.

Internally, the reel has much bigger gears for handing big baits and fish, necessitated by the aluminum frame which allows space for the larger gears in precise alignment, and subsequently, much more power and torque. Besides the aluminum frame, the Tatula 300 also features an aluminum side plate. The non-handle side is graphite to reduce the overall weight of the reel.

On the drag side of things, anglers will be impressed with the Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD™), which offers a truly exceptional amount of maximum drag at 28.7 lbs. Most competitive 300-size low profile reels max out at about 22 lbs.

Comfort is enhanced with Soft Touch handle knobs and a large 110mm heavy cranking power handle which provides a steady grip for all fishing scenarios.

The reel also features a 43mm aluminum deep spool that easily accommodates a full spool of heavy monofilament or braid.

Anglers will also notice how smooth the reel operates, thanks to two corrosion-resistant ball bearings, five regular shielded ball bearings, and one anti-reverse bearing.

The 300 size Tatula is available in Standard (6.3:1), High Speed (7.1:1) and Hyper Speed (8.1:1). And all gear ratios come in both left- and right-hand models.

When you’re considering a slightly larger palmable baitcaster, look no further than Daiwa’s new TATULA 300…a reel that is set to bring a whole new level of efficiency to fishing large baits for big fish.

TATULA 300 Features:

Aluminum Frame for strength, rigidity and smooth performance
T-Wing System (TWS)
43mm Aluminum Deep Spool
Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD)
110mm Heavy Cranking Power Handle
Jet Black Finish with Daiwa logo
Available Gear Ratios (6.3:1) (7.1:1) (8.1:1)

MSRP $269.99

by AnglersChannel

Dobson Leads Toyota Series on Erie with 20 pound limit!

Courtesy of FLWFishing.com

July 9, 2020 by Jody White

The weights on day one of the Toyota Series Northern Division event on Lake Erie were about what folks expected: plenty of quality fish, but a lack of the plump 4- and 5-pounders that Erie is so known for. Weighing one of only two bags over 20 pounds, Scott Dobson put 20-12 on the scale after a day of fishing that took him as far from Sandusky as the mouth of the St. Clair River.

Using all his significant wiles, Dobson took advantage of very smooth conditions to catch fish in St. Clair, at the mouth of the St. Clair River, in the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Though his best work happened in St. Clair, he wouldn’t have had 20 pounds without a 4-pounder from Erie at the end of the day.

“I started on a relatively shallow spot and I caught a good one and a decent one on a swimbait,” says Dobson. “Then they kinda stopped biting. There was a massive mayfly hatch; it was like the locust invasion. They were everywhere. We were covered in bugs and fish were coming up slurping, but they’re super hard to catch when they’re slurping in deeper water.

“So, I ran to a mayfly break and I caught another one and had one follow my jerkbait. Then I went to a current spot and I caught two good ones and a couple more mediocre ones. Then I went to the big ones, off the Mile Roads, and they weren’t biting. We fished around, and Gary finally caught a limit, but I didn’t know how rough it was going to be, so we ran and got gas at about 11:45.”

After getting gas, Dobson stopped and fished in the Detroit River some and then ran to the islands in Erie for his final quality fish to end a somewhat lackluster day.

“It was very uneventful,” says Dobson. “I hadn’t been up to St. Clair since Friday, but my team partner had been out and said they were snapping. Well, they weren’t snapping today.”

Still, a swimbait, jerkbait and drop-shot put 20 pounds in the boat, and Dobson plans on making the big run again if he can.

“If it’s calm, I’m going to go. If I make it back, I make it back,” he says. “I don’t think I can catch more than 15 pounds out here. It’s tough, and it’s painful. You have to throw a Ned rig next to a boulder and just park it there.”

Top 10 pros

1. Scott Dobson – Clarkston, Mich. – 20-12 (5)

2. Buck Mallory – Lawton, Mich. – 20-6 (5)

3. Josh Kolodzaike – Toledo, Ohio – 19-13 (5)

4. Dick Parker – Lorain, Ohio – 19-5 (5)

5. Drew Sanford – Springfield, Mo. – 19-2 (5)

6. Neal Ramsey – Harrison, Ohio – 18-15 (5)

7. AJ Slegona – Pine Bush, N.Y. – 18-6 (5)

8. Chad Brousseau – Colchester, Vt. – 18-5 (5)

9. Troy Stokes – Brownstown, Mich. – 18-4 (5)

10. Matt Becker – Finleyville, Penn. – 18-2 (5)

Complete results

1	SCOTT DOBSON	CLARKSTON, MI	20 - 12 (5)	20 - 12 (5)	20 - 12 (5)	20 - 12 (5)
2	BUCK MALLORY	LAWTON, MI	20 - 6 (5)	20 - 6 (5)	20 - 6 (5)	20 - 6 (5)
3	JOSH KOLODZAIKE	TOLEDO, OH	19 - 13 (5)	19 - 13 (5)	19 - 13 (5)	19 - 13 (5)
4	DICK PARKER	LORAIN, OH	19 - 5 (5)	19 - 5 (5)	19 - 5 (5)	19 - 5 (5)
5	DREW SANFORD	SPRINGFIELD, MO	19 - 2 (5)	19 - 2 (5)	19 - 2 (5)	19 - 2 (5)
6	NEAL RAMSEY	HARRISON, OH	18 - 15 (5)	18 - 15 (5)	18 - 15 (5)	18 - 15 (5)
7	AJ SLEGONA	PINE BUSH, NY	18 - 6 (5)	18 - 6 (5)	18 - 6 (5)	18 - 6 (5)
8	CHAD BROUSSEAU	COLCHESTER, VT	18 - 5 (5)	18 - 5 (5)	18 - 5 (5)	18 - 5 (5)
9	TROY STOKES	BROWNSTOWN, MI	18 - 4 (5)	18 - 4 (5)	18 - 4 (5)	18 - 4 (5)
10	MATT BECKER	FINLEYVILLE, PA	18 - 2 (5)	18 - 2 (5)	18 - 2 (5)	18 - 2 (5)
11	RYAN DAVIDSON	BRANCHLAND, WV	17 - 14 (5)	17 - 14 (5)	17 - 14 (5)	17 - 14 (5)
12	MATTHEW KIEFER	FORT WAYNE, IN	17 - 12 (5)	17 - 12 (5)	17 - 12 (5)	17 - 12 (5)
13	JONATHAN KELLEY	OLD FORGE, PA	17 - 7 (5)	17 - 7 (5)	17 - 7 (5)	17 - 7 (5)
13	STEVE YORK	BRONSON, MI	17 - 7 (5)	17 - 7 (5)	17 - 7 (5)	17 - 7 (5)
15	MARK PEISER	PITTSBORO, IN	17 - 6 (5)	17 - 6 (5)	17 - 6 (5)	17 - 6 (5)
16	LEE ROGERS	NEWTON, NJ	17 - 3 (5)	17 - 3 (5)	17 - 3 (5)	17 - 3 (5)
17	JOE LUCARELLI	CENTER HARBOR, NH	17 - 1 (5)	17 - 1 (5)	17 - 1 (5)	17 - 1 (5)
18	JONATHAN DIETZ	CORRY, PA	17 - 0 (5)	17 - 0 (5)	17 - 0 (5)	17 - 0 (5)
19	CHASE SERAFIN	WHITE LAKE, MI	16 - 14 (5)	16 - 14 (5)	16 - 14 (5)	16 - 14 (5)
20	CODY PIKE	POWHATAN, VA	16 - 12 (5)	16 - 12 (5)	16 - 12 (5)	16 - 12 (5)
21	JACOB BIGELOW	CECIL, WI	16 - 11 (5)	16 - 11 (5)	16 - 11 (5)	16 - 11 (5)
21	JUSTIN HICKS	ROANOKE, VA	16 - 11 (5)	16 - 11 (5)	16 - 11 (5)	16 - 11 (5)
23	JASON KERVIN	RAYMOND, ME	16 - 10 (5)	16 - 10 (5)	16 - 10 (5)	16 - 10 (5)
23	WAYNE VAUGHAN	CHESTER, VA	16 - 10 (5)	16 - 10 (5)	16 - 10 (5)	16 - 10 (5)
25	DREW SIX	CLINTON, OH	16 - 9 (5)	16 - 9 (5)	16 - 9 (5)	16 - 9 (5)
26	PAUL KIMBALL	GLASTONBURY, CT	16 - 7 (5)	16 - 7 (5)	16 - 7 (5)	16 - 7 (5)	$107
27	STEVE CLAPPER	GYPSUM, OH	16 - 6 (5)	16 - 6 (5)	16 - 6 (5)	16 - 6 (5)
28	JOHN DAWSON	MOUNT VERNON, OH	16 - 4 (5)	16 - 4 (5)	16 - 4 (5)	16 - 4 (5)
29	KERRY FREY	MIDDLEBURY, IN	16 - 3 (5)	16 - 3 (5)	16 - 3 (5)	16 - 3 (5)
29	DONALD TRIPOLI	WEBSTER, NY	16 - 3 (5)	16 - 3 (5)	16 - 3 (5)	16 - 3 (5)
31	GARY GINTER	BELLEFONTAINE, OH	16 - 2 (5)	16 - 2 (5)	16 - 2 (5)	16 - 2 (5)
32	EDWARD LEVIN	WESTERVILLE, OH	16 - 1 (5)	16 - 1 (5)	16 - 1 (5)	16 - 1 (5)
33	TONY MITCHELL	PLAINWELL, MI	15 - 13 (5)	15 - 13 (5)	15 - 13 (5)	15 - 13 (5)
34	JIM VITARO	WOOSTER, OH	15 - 10 (5)	15 - 10 (5)	15 - 10 (5)	15 - 10 (5)
34	CLIFF BLACKFORD	ADDISON, MI	15 - 10 (5)	15 - 10 (5)	15 - 10 (5)	15 - 10 (5)
36	JOHN HAUSERMAN	TOWSON, MD	15 - 9 (5)	15 - 9 (5)	15 - 9 (5)	15 - 9 (5)
37	KURT MITCHELL	MILFORD, DE	15 - 7 (5)	15 - 7 (5)	15 - 7 (5)	15 - 7 (5)
37	ALLEX CONNER	DELAWARE, OH	15 - 7 (5)	15 - 7 (5)	15 - 7 (5)	15 - 7 (5)
39	RANDY RAMSEY	BURLINGTON, MI	15 - 5 (5)	15 - 5 (5)	15 - 5 (5)	15 - 5 (5)
40	DON ROBERTS	BELLVILLE, OH	15 - 4 (5)	15 - 4 (5)	15 - 4 (5)	15 - 4 (5)
40	FRANK POIRIER	NORTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA	15 - 4 (5)	15 - 4 (5)	15 - 4 (5)	15 - 4 (5)
42	NICK RADTKE	GREENWOOD LAKE, NY	15 - 0 (5)	15 - 0 (5)	15 - 0 (5)	15 - 0 (5)
43	JACOB JARRELL	CROWN CITY, OH	14 - 13 (5)	14 - 13 (5)	14 - 13 (5)	14 - 13 (5)
44	JADE KEETON	FLORENCE, AL	14 - 12 (5)	14 - 12 (5)	14 - 12 (5)	14 - 12 (5)
45	NEIL DELEEUW	FENWICK, ON	14 - 9 (5)	14 - 9 (5)	14 - 9 (5)	14 - 9 (5)
46	CRAIG SAYLOR	OAK HILL, OH	14 - 7 (5)	14 - 7 (5)	14 - 7 (5)	14 - 7 (5)
46	CHARLIE HARTLEY	GROVE CITY, OH	14 - 7 (5)	14 - 7 (5)	14 - 7 (5)	14 - 7 (5)
48	JASON BURGER	BRIDGETON, NJ	14 - 6 (5)	14 - 6 (5)	14 - 6 (5)	14 - 6 (5)
49	DYLAN DREPHAL	BLACK CREEK, WI	14 - 4 (5)	14 - 4 (5)	14 - 4 (5)	14 - 4 (5)
50	LEO REITER	GREENUP, IL	14 - 2 (4)	14 - 2 (4)	14 - 2 (4)	14 - 2 (4)
51	JASON KINNER	EAST POINT, KY	14 - 1 (5)	14 - 1 (5)	14 - 1 (5)	14 - 1 (5)
52	SCOTT COOKE	MARENGO, OH	13 - 15 (5)	13 - 15 (5)	13 - 15 (5)	13 - 15 (5)
53	DAN GROVE, JR	HARRISVILLE, PA	13 - 14 (5)	13 - 14 (5)	13 - 14 (5)	13 - 14 (5)
54	SHANE HATCH	OWLSHEAD, ME	13 - 12 (5)	13 - 12 (5)	13 - 12 (5)	13 - 12 (5)
54	FORREST SMITH	BALTIMORE, OH	13 - 12 (5)	13 - 12 (5)	13 - 12 (5)	13 - 12 (5)
56	ANDREW BUSS	NORTH LIBERTY, IN	13 - 9 (5)	13 - 9 (5)	13 - 9 (5)	13 - 9 (5)
57	TIM WILSON	MARION, IN	13 - 8 (5)	13 - 8 (5)	13 - 8 (5)	13 - 8 (5)
58	CHARLES SIM	NEPEAN, ON	13 - 7 (5)	13 - 7 (5)	13 - 7 (5)	13 - 7 (5)
58	MANDEL PETTUS	ROCKY POINT, NY	13 - 7 (5)	13 - 7 (5)	13 - 7 (5)	13 - 7 (5)
60	JONATHAN FULTON	RAY, OH	13 - 5 (5)	13 - 5 (5)	13 - 5 (5)	13 - 5 (5)
61	HEATH TOLER	WALNUT COVE, NC	13 - 3 (5)	13 - 3 (5)	13 - 3 (5)	13 - 3 (5)
62	DAVID KRANZ	WOODSTOCK, IL	13 - 2 (5)	13 - 2 (5)	13 - 2 (5)	13 - 2 (5)
62	RICHARD GROSSE	THORNVILLE, OH	13 - 2 (5)	13 - 2 (5)	13 - 2 (5)	13 - 2 (5)
64	JAMES WHEELER	VALPARAISO, IN	13 - 0 (4)	13 - 0 (4)	13 - 0 (4)	13 - 0 (4)
65	KIRK MCMULLEN	GREENSBURG, PA	12 - 14 (5)	12 - 14 (5)	12 - 14 (5)	12 - 14 (5)
66	ROBERT GROSSE	THORNVILLE, OH	12 - 10 (5)	12 - 10 (5)	12 - 10 (5)	12 - 10 (5)
67	DAN CORNELIUS	GLENMOORE, PA	12 - 9 (5)	12 - 9 (5)	12 - 9 (5)	12 - 9 (5)
68	CODY SEEGER	LEWISTOWN, OH	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)
68	BRIAN TYLER	JOHNSONVILLE, SC	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)
70	RON JOHNSON	CHANDLER, AZ	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)
70	ZACH GOUTREMOUT	CHAUMONT, NY	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)
70	MATT HICKS	EVINGTON, VA	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)
73	PAT UPTHAGROVE	MONROE, MI	12 - 3 (5)	12 - 3 (5)	12 - 3 (5)	12 - 3 (5)
74	BRET LOOMIS	GROVELAND, NY	12 - 2 (5)	12 - 2 (5)	12 - 2 (5)	12 - 2 (5)
75	DAKOTA EBARE	DENHAM SPRINGS, LA	12 - 0 (5)	12 - 0 (5)	12 - 0 (5)	12 - 0 (5)
76	LUCAS BOGOSIAN	HARRINGTON PARK, NJ	11 - 15 (4)	11 - 15 (4)	11 - 15 (4)	11 - 15 (4)
76	RONALD MARTINEZ JR.	WALTON HILLS, OH	11 - 15 (5)	11 - 15 (5)	11 - 15 (5)	11 - 15 (5)
78	HUGH COSCULLUELA	THE WOODLANDS, TX	11 - 13 (5)	11 - 13 (5)	11 - 13 (5)	11 - 13 (5)
78	RUSS SIMPSON	GIVEN, WV	11 - 13 (5)	11 - 13 (5)	11 - 13 (5)	11 - 13 (5)
78	CHRISTIAN MAZZOLA	WALNUTPORT, PA	11 - 13 (5)	11 - 13 (5)	11 - 13 (5)	11 - 13 (5)
81	DANGER KELLY	SOMERSET, KY	11 - 12 (5)	11 - 12 (5)	11 - 12 (5)	11 - 12 (5)
82	COLE HARRIS	ESSEX JUNCTION, VT	11 - 11 (5)	11 - 11 (5)	11 - 11 (5)	11 - 11 (5)
82	MICHAEL MILLER	CANAL WINCHESTER, OH	11 - 11 (5)	11 - 11 (5)	11 - 11 (5)	11 - 11 (5)
82	JOSHUA BARR	LOUISVILLE, OH	11 - 11 (4)	11 - 11 (4)	11 - 11 (4)	11 - 11 (4)
85	CHRIS KING	SOUTH AMHERST, OH	11 - 10 (4)	11 - 10 (4)	11 - 10 (4)	11 - 10 (4)
86	TOMMY ROBINSON	WESTLAND, MI	11 - 8 (5)	11 - 8 (5)	11 - 8 (5)	11 - 8 (5)
87	BRANDON JOHNSON	MOUNT STERLING, KY	11 - 4 (5)	11 - 4 (5)	11 - 4 (5)	11 - 4 (5)
87	ALEX REDWINE	CINCINNATI, OH	11 - 4 (5)	11 - 4 (5)	11 - 4 (5)	11 - 4 (5)
89	SHAYNE MCFARLIN	MARTIN, GA	10 - 14 (4)	10 - 14 (4)	10 - 14 (4)	10 - 14 (4)
90	LOUIS MARTINEZ	ANNAPOLIS, MD	10 - 12 (5)	10 - 12 (5)	10 - 12 (5)	10 - 12 (5)
91	ED CASEY	WHITEFORD, MD	10 - 1 (4)	10 - 1 (4)	10 - 1 (4)	10 - 1 (4)
92	RYAN INGALLS	MANASSAS, VA	9 - 15 (5)	9 - 15 (5)	9 - 15 (5)	9 - 15 (5)
93	JOE KINCHEN	CHARLOTTE, NC	8 - 14 (4)	8 - 14 (4)	8 - 14 (4)	8 - 14 (4)
94	RANDY KUKRAL	CHAGRIN FALLS, OH	8 - 7 (3)	8 - 7 (3)	8 - 7 (3)	8 - 7 (3)
95	ANGEL ROSARIO	KALAMAZOO, MI	8 - 5 (4)	8 - 5 (4)	8 - 5 (4)	8 - 5 (4)
96	MATT GREENBLATT	PORT ST LUCIE, FL	8 - 4 (3)	8 - 4 (3)	8 - 4 (3)	8 - 4 (3)
97	DARRYL ESTERLY	FLEETWOOD, PA	8 - 1 (3)	8 - 1 (3)	8 - 1 (3)	8 - 1 (3)
98	HAROLD MARIETTA	HUNKER, PA	7 - 12 (3)	7 - 12 (3)	7 - 12 (3)	7 - 12 (3)
99	WILLIAM DENNISON III	WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH	7 - 7 (3)	7 - 7 (3)	7 - 7 (3)	7 - 7 (3)
100	JARRETT MARTIN	WESTERVILLE, OH	6 - 15 (3)	6 - 15 (3)	6 - 15 (3)	6 - 15 (3)
101	TOM BELINDA	HOLIDAYSBURG, PA	6 - 14 (3)	6 - 14 (3)	6 - 14 (3)	6 - 14 (3)
101	DANIEL URBINO	BLISS, NY	6 - 14 (3)	6 - 14 (3)	6 - 14 (3)	6 - 14 (3)
103	RICK CHENOWETH	FREDERICKSBURG, VA	6 - 9 (3)	6 - 9 (3)	6 - 9 (3)	6 - 9 (3)
104	JOSEPH STOIS SR.	FAIRVIEW PARK, OH	6 - 1 (3)	6 - 1 (3)	6 - 1 (3)	6 - 1 (3)
105	TODD HAHN	HEATH, OH	5 - 13 (2)	5 - 13 (2)	5 - 13 (2)	5 - 13 (2)
106	REMINGTON BARKLEY	HARTLAND, MI	5 - 8 (2)	5 - 8 (2)	5 - 8 (2)	5 - 8 (2)
107	BURLEY WARF	MONETA, VA	4 - 15 (2)	4 - 15 (2)	4 - 15 (2)	4 - 15 (2)
108	JASON ROOT	FOSTORIA, OH	4 - 13 (2)	4 - 13 (2)	4 - 13 (2)	4 - 13 (2)
109	STEVE CROWLEY	INVERNESS, FL	4 - 8 (2)	4 - 8 (2)	4 - 8 (2)	4 - 8 (2)
110	KIRK SULLIVAN	MINDEN, ON	4 - 2 (1)	4 - 2 (1)	4 - 2 (1)	4 - 2 (1)
111	SHAWN O'MALLEY	FOGELSVILLE, PA	4 - 0 (2)	4 - 0 (2)	4 - 0 (2)	4 - 0 (2)
111	JOHN TRASK	RUTHERFORDTON, NC	4 - 0 (2)	4 - 0 (2)	4 - 0 (2)	4 - 0 (2)
113	JOHN WATTS	FLUSHING, MI	3 - 0 (1)	3 - 0 (1)	3 - 0 (1)	3 - 0 (1)
114	ROBERT GRABOW	MORGANTOWN, WV	2 - 7 (1)	2 - 7 (1)	2 - 7 (1)	2 - 7 (1)

by AnglersChannel

Final Stage of 2020 Bass Pro Tour Starts Friday: Major League Fishing Pros Battle on Lake Michigan for Stage Title and Season Champ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2020 (Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.) The Bass Pro Tour Covercraft Stage Five presented by Abu Garcia hosted by Destination Sturgeon Bay will stream live on MLFNOW! July 10-15, 2020, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT daily. The 80 best professional anglers in the world will compete for the Stage Title as well as the Season Points Champion. Stage Five will also determine who qualifies for the 2021 REDCREST and Heavy Hitters events. 29-year-old Jordan Lee leads the race for Points Champion with Fletcher Shryock, Jacob Wheeler and Ott DeFoe rounding out the top four.

Major League Fishing (MLF) returned to competition in June following a mid-season pause to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. An inherently socially distant sport, MLF’s catch-weigh-immediately release format eliminates the need for a weigh-in/central gathering in competition. The League also implemented guidelines to protect and respect competitors, essential staff, and the host community including social distancing, face coverings, and the cancelation of fan events. For Sturgeon Bay, the League has also implemented their trailering policy, usually reserved for instances of weather, to decentralize anglers as they launch and return their boats from the competition field.

MLF worked with Destination Sturgeon Bay to host this final Stage after travel restrictions in Vermont forced a change from the previously announced location.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Major League Fishing to Sturgeon Bay, Door County for their final tournament of the season,” said Pam Seiler, Destination Sturgeon Bay Executive Director. “Being able to jump in to assist with the last-minute location change, we know that anglers and fans alike will love what Sturgeon Bay, Door County has to offer. We’re looking forward to seeing the pros catch record-setting bass as many anglers return for a second visit to our area and appreciate the opportunity to host as we know that this tournament will be of great economic value to our local businesses and community.”

Covercraft Stage Five presented by Abu Garcia will determine the 2020 Bass Pro Tour Points Champion. Berkley Pro Jordan Lee leads the field with 276 points. Fletcher Shryock sits in second place with 269 points and Jordan Wheeler is closely behind at 267 points. Points are awarded at each stage of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour by place through the field of 80 (80 points for finishing first, 79 points for second place, and so on). To view the complete standings, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/standing.

Veteran angler Kevin VanDam enters Stage Five in 15^th place and recently told reporters of the importance of this week’s event.

“This really is the most important event of our season,” said VanDam, a four-time Bassmaster Classic winner. “Stage Five determines our Season Points Champion, REDCREST qualifiers, and now the 2021 Heavy Hitters qualifiers. A lot is on the line this week for each Pro. It’s going to be a great event to watch!”

The top 40 anglers in season-long points qualify for REDCREST, the Bass Pro Tour Championship, scheduled for February 21-29, 2020 on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, hosted by Tulsa Regional Tourism. Mike McClelland (41^st), Fred “Boom Boom” Roumbanis (42^nd), and Lake Erie’s Dave Lefebre (43^rd) sit within striking distance of James Elam (38^th), Justin Atkins (39^th), and James “Worldwide” Watson (40^th). Aaron Martens currently sits in 46^th place despite missing Stage Four while undergoing treatment for brain cancer. Only 92 days after undergoing life-saving brain surgery, Martens returns to fish this, the final stage. Before his diagnosis, Martens finished in the top 20 at Stages One and Three earlier this year. For the complete standings, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/standing.

MLF recently announced that Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo will return in 2021. To qualify, each Pro’s largest catch of each Stage of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour (five Stages) is tallied. The 40 anglers with the heaviest “bag” qualify for the 2021 special event, featuring over $750,000 in payouts. The payout schedule includes big-fish bonuses per round, which can make one fish worth $100,000. Jordan Lee, winner of the inaugural Heavy Hitters event on the Kissimmee Chain June 7-12, leads the field with 30 pounds, four ounces on four bass. Andy Morgan (26-14), Takahiro Omori (26-12), and Michael Neal (26-9) sit nearby in second through fourth place.

Covercraft Stage Five presented by Abu Garcia hosted by Destination Sturgeon Bay will air on Discovery Channel as two, two-hour original episodes September 26 and October 3, 2020. For additional details, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/tv-schedule.

by AnglersChannel

Holiday Hangover

This week Chris and the boys are still trying to recover from the holiday weekend. Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Matt Arey joins the show to talk about life on the Elite Series side of life and more. David talks Sportsmans Bass Wrap up, Jason previews upcoming events and Kenneth, well he's just Kenneth. Ya'll hit play!

by AnglersChannel

American Baitworks Pros Take 3 of Top 10 in Renegade Bass Tour on Dog Lake

American Baitworks’ Team of Kyle Healy and Adam Howell Take the win with 21.75lbs

July 8, 2020, Ocean Springs, Mississippi – Hot weather made for even hotter fishing at Stop 1 of the 2020 Canadian Elite Series - Renegade Bass Tour on Whitefish, Cranberry and Dog Lakes this past Saturday. Taking 18+ pounds to make the Top 10, shows that the fishing is good and the competition is tough.

American Baitworks Pros Kyle Healy and Adam Howell represented NetBait, Scum Frog, Freedom Tackle, Halo Rods and STH Bait Co. well, taking top spot with 21.75lbs in the 85 boat elite field. Healy and Howell barely edged out American Baitworks Pro Lenny Devos and his partner Jeff Desloges who finished 2^nd with 21.23lbs. American Baitworks Pros Matt Massey and Travis Raison took 9^th place weighing in 18.25lbs.

“All the long days on the water paid off with our first qualifier win! 2 years ago AJ Howell and I had our worst Renegade Bass Tour finish on Dog and Cranberry.... and that was not how we wanted it to go this time.” said American Baitworks Pro Kyle Healy“We were ecstatic when the lake was announced for the 2020 season to get our shot at redemption and to put some largie's in the boat. We want to say a big thanks you our sponsors #americanbaitworks #netbait #scumfrog #sth #freedomtackle #smoothsidedocks and #parkit360”

Healy and Howell focused on deep isolated rock and spent the bulk of their practice using their electronics and scanning for rock and boulders.

“Well I still can't believe it happened. 2 years ago Kyle Healey and I had our worst RBT finish on Dog and Cranberry and all we wanted was redemption for it.” said American Baitworks Pro Adam (AJ) Howell “Throughout the whole 2019 season we never put a single green fish in our well and it felt great to go back to our roots an put a largie win under our belts.”

Howell and Healy will carry the lead for Team of the Year heading in the the 2^nd and 3^rd stops of the 2020 Renegade Bass Tour on the historic Big Rideau Lake, in Portland, Ontario July 18^th and 19^th, 2020

by AnglersChannel

You’ll Feel More Bites with Halo’s New Super-Sensitive, Upscaled KS II Elite Series Fishing Rods

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (July 9, 2020) Halo Fishing has stepped up its efforts to provide tour grade fishing rods at an affordable price with the new KS II Elite Series.

Halo’s new leadership is strongly committed to integrity to their customers and products and driven by a passion for building high quality rods at affordable prices. The KS II Elite exemplifies the attention to detail and quality Halo demands from every product they manufacture. Demonstrated in the KS II Elite rods build quality which is manufactured with premium components on a super light, ultra-sensitive Nano-fiber carbon blank.

The KS II Elite Series consists of six casting and one spinning model all of which were designed with input from Halo’s pro fishing team. Retailing at $169.99, the series is built with premium Fuji guides featuring zirconia inserts that heighten rod sensitivity even more. The KS II Elite’s rock solid, proprietary reel handle is made of AAA cork with green Eva Foam highlights for comfort and sensitivity. An exposed, “two-finger” section in the reel seat provides anglers a direct feel to the blank for those delicate bites.

“Nano-fiber carbon not only is stronger and more sensitive than graphite but it’s more durable as well,” says Halo Brand Manager Walt Roberts.

The spinning reel seat also features a double-nut attachment to keep the reel secured to the rod. Both casting and spinning rods have a hook hanger integrated into the blank.

“Halo is working closely with our pro staff team to get our input on rod lengths, features and actions,” says Scott Canterbury, the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year. “We’ve made huge strides in improving the overall quality of the rods and dialed in the actions to meet the needs of serious anglers.”

In addition to focusing on quality products, the new Halo leadership has doubled down on its commitment to anglers and customer service. The KS II Elite rods are backed by a five-year warranty.

“We know our customers work hard all week so they can fish harder on weekends,” says Roberts. “The new management team is not only passionate about providing customers a quality product for their hard-earned dollars, but we’re equally committed to a vastly improved customer service program for anglers and our dealer network.”

Halo is a subsidiary of the American Baitworks Co. American Baitworks has made significant strides to overhaul the rod company since moving the business from Florida to Mississippi in 2019.

For more product information, visit www.americanbaitworks.com.

American Baitworks Co. Contacts

by AnglersChannel

Suntex and Bradley Roy Announce Partnership

Jamestown, KY – Today, State Dock, a Suntex Marina, announced a partnership with Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour angler Bradley Roy. The ten-year pro from Lancaster, KY, will actively promote the Lake Cumberland State Dock facility located in Jamestown, KY.

Roy grew up fishing Lake Cumberland. His annual Bradley Roy High School Open fishing tournament is held there and had a field of 200 boats in October of 2019. The eighth annual tournament will on Cumberland the weekend of October 17th.

As part of the partnership, the State Dock is providing lodging for the winner of the Fish with Bradley Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will spend two nights at the State Dock on Lake Cumberland and a day on the water with Bradley. Entry into the sweepstakes is free at www.bradleyroy.com.

In addition to competing at the highest level of bass fishing, Roy is well-known for giving back. Aspiring anglers from his home state compete in his High School Open each year for two spots in the Bassmaster National Championship and compete for college scholarships and prizes in a unique catch, weigh, and release format on day two of that event.

Through a partnership with Louisville-based USA Cares (www.usacares.org), since 2016, Roy has hosted annual benefit tournaments to assist the organization with its efforts to provide financial and advocacy assistance to post-9/11 active duty US military service personnel, veterans and their families.

“We are thrilled to partner with a true professional like Bradley Roy,” said Suntex’s Southeastern Marketing Specialist Shanalda Burden. “Bradley does so much to give back to his community and makes the angling community in Kentucky very proud. We love that his roots are deep at Lake Cumberland and that his annual high school tournament brings so many people to the lake.”

State Dock, a Suntex Marina, will immediately become involved with both of those initiatives and join Roy’s current sponsors helping him give back to his community.

About State Dock, a Suntex Marina

For more information regarding State Dock, please visit www.statedock.com.

The Suntex portfolio spans across the United States, including locations in California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia. For more information on Suntex Marinas or the complete portfolio of Suntex marinas, please visit www.suntex.com.

by AnglersChannel

Cayuga Lake Bassmaster Elite Series Event Canceled; Two NY Tournaments Still Scheduled

July 8, 2020

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials announced they will cancel the Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake, scheduled for July 14-17 in the Village of Union Springs, N.Y., and plan to reschedule the tournament for another fishery later this season.

Last week, the State of New York released guidelines for professional sports competitions which include diagnostic testing and protocols for daily health screenings for all athletes and staff, along with a host of other safety and social distancing measures. Under these guidelines, no fans or spectators are allowed to attend events, even those held at outdoor venues.

“New York does allow for professional athletes to have a fast track to compete here, but the regulations and protocols were way beyond what we could produce,” said Mayor Bud Shattuck from the Village of Union Springs, the tournament’s local host. “While we tried valiantly to get this done, it was beyond our control given the tight time frame between when guidelines were announced and competition.”

At this time, both B.A.S.S. and local hosts believe the required testing can be arranged so that the remaining two Elite Series tournaments in New York — the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River July 23-26 and Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain July 30 – Aug. 2 — can continue as scheduled.

“B.A.S.S. is doing everything possible within the guidelines to make sure everyone is safely on the water and fishing our events,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “Every major professional sports league is instituting testing protocols and working to develop new competition plans that adhere to strict health and safety guidelines, and we’ll evolve and enhance our plans as needed to work toward our goal of completing the 2020 Bassmaster Elite Season.”

by AnglersChannel

Back by Popular Demand

Daiwa hears the call from anglers and reintroduces the Double Clutch 95SP jerkbait

Cypress, CA (July 6, 2020) – Automotive enthusiasts understand what it means to double-clutch with a manual transmission. In simple terms, through ace footwork, you downshift to build RPMs and provide the engine power for an instant burst of speed. You could say Daiwa’s revived Double Clutch 95SP will be doing the same for hardcore fishing enthusiasts.

The 3 ¾ inch (95mm) freshwater threat is a proven producer for bass, walleyes, trout and monster panfish. Engineered and manufactured in Japan, the Daiwa Double Clutch 96SPsupplies intense action when cast or trolled. And when you put on the brakes, the lure instantly suspends, giving curious fish a chance to study its indisputably realistic baitfish profile.

Regarding the lure’s seductive shape, its thin hydrodynamic design with sliding weight transfer system yields exceptionally long and straight casts, diving from 4- to 6-feet, deeper yet when trolled. Daiwa recommends 10- or 15-lb. test J-Braid x8 braided line to maximize running depth and sensitivity, along with an 18- to 24-inch J-Fluoro fluorocarbon leader.

The Double Clutch 95SP’s hooks are equally as remarkable. Daiwa affixes a pair of #8 SaqSas treble hooks, which are heralded for their exceedingly smooth and sharp points.

The Daiwa Double Clutch 95SP is available in well-established colors, including Bone, Delta Smelt, Laser Wakasagi. And as the result of Daiwa’s imaginative Inner Paint Process (IP), the IP Pink, IP Ayu and IP Wakasagi patterns offer greater resistance to scratching, and an even more dynamic 3D appearance.

“Daiwa lure product manager, Satoshi Ito, brought the lure back due to popular demand,” said Marc Mills, Daiwa field test manager. “The Double Clutch 95P has consistently proven to catch more fish and get more strikes than almost any other jerkbait. We’re glad to see its return.”

MSRP $18.99. Now available.

For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: info@daiwa.com. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is http://www.daiwa.com/us/

by AnglersChannel

Topwater Chaos will Erupt with the Innovative Mischief Minnow

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (July 7, 2020) There is nothing more exciting than a fish erupting on a topwater bait and the chaos that ensues. Topwater chaos is what makes the all new Mischief Minnow from Freedom Tackle one of the hottest and most innovative baits to land in 2020 – and puts it in a class all its own.

The secret to the Mischief Minnow’s performance is the unique Kilter Blade – this custom blade design is center-mounted on the bait body by an angled blade pin. The patent-pending Kilter Blade creates a highly erratic action – there is simply nothing like it in the market today!

Working the bait is simple, relying on the Kilter Blade to create side-to-side body rolling action which mimics a wounded baitfish on the water’s surface. The Mischief Minnow’s unique thrashing action combines clacking sound, wake vibration and blade flash – a true triple threat in topwater fishing that makes fish want to smash.”

At rest, the high-float body relies on a nose-up presentation that thrashes into action with the slightest twitch. Use a straight retrieve or mix it up with a pause-and-rip rod technique to entice bone jarring strikes!

The Mischief Minnow is designed to put fish in the boat with premium paint finishes, super-sharp Gamakatsu Short Shank treble hooks and the exclusive Freedom Color-Matched Custom Kilter Blade.

“The Mischief Minnow brings innovation to topwater fishing by combining all the advantages of sound, wake and blade flash in a pencil style bait design.” said Michael Tamburro, President of Freedom Tackle. “Two years of design and product testing has given us feedback from the biggest critics we have – the fish! They don’t just eat it, they want to destroy it and that’s the kind of mischief we want to create when topwater fishing!”

For more information about any of our new products for 2020/21, visit www.americanbaitworks.com

by AnglersChannel

Keep Small Tackle Organized with the New EDGE™ 3500

Grand Prairie, TX (July 7, 2020) Launched at ICast 2019, the Plano EDGE™ was built on the familiar Plano 3600 and 3700 Stowaway footprints. The EDGE™ tackle systems were created to answer anglers' questions before they even ask. Adaptable, durable and intuitively designed means the lure you just thought of using is available in seconds. The Plano EDGE™ family offers an entire line of storage solutions for any angler in the industry standards 3600 and 3700 Stowaway footprints.

New for ICast 2020, Plano unveils the newest addition to the EDGE™ family - the Plano EDGE™ 3500. Like its bigger brethren, the EDGE™ 3500 has all of the standard features of the line but in a smaller and more agile frame. The new EDGE™ 3500 is sure to strike a chord among anglers who are on the go and can't carry larger boxes and gear. Kayak anglers, bank and wading fisherman or anyone familiar with the benefits of the EDGE™ 3600 or 3700 Standard box should quickly embrace the smaller 3500.

Starting with its Duraview™ crystal-clear lid, the EDGE™ 3500 makes identifying baits and terminal tackle a fast affair. No more opening and closing multiple boxes to find a specific lure or bait. When closed, the Dri-Loc™ watertight seal makes a barrier that moisture cannot penetrate. Another unique feature of the Plano EDGE™ 3500 is the new patent-pending, one-handed latch. Durable, steel-pin hinges finish off the rugged lid and marry it to the EDGE's base for years of use.

Plano's new exclusive Rustrictor™ anti-corrosion compound is infused into the base of all EDGE™ boxes. Rustrictor™ prevents terminal tackle and expensive baits from corroding. Water Wick™ provides further corrosion defense from a water-absorbing desiccant divider, giving EDGE™ a one-two punch against rust and corrosion. Patent-pending, pre-separated, vented dividers allow for air circulation. They are also recessed into the base of the box so that terminal tackle and smaller items don't migrate throughout the box. The EDGE™ 3500 also features an innovative labeling system on the latch of every box.

EDGE 3500 Features:

Water Wick™ divider with reusable moisture-wicking packet
Dri-Loc® O-ring seal maintains waterproofing when closed
Rustrictor™ technology delivers 360 degrees of rust-prevention
EZ Label™ system for quick identification of contents
DuraView™ crystal-clear polycarbonate lid
Dimensions: 9.13" x 5.47" x 1.38"

by AnglersChannel

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