La Crosse Set to Host Final MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational of Season Next Week – Mercury Stop 6 on the Mississippi River
Field of 150 Professional Anglers to Compete in Final Event of Season for Top Prize of up to $115,000 and Qualification into REDCREST 2024
LA CROSSE, Wis. (July 17, 2023) – Just a few short weeks after hosting the 2023 MLF High School Fishing National Championship, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the Mississippi River are gearing up for another major bass fishing event.
Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to La Crosse, next week, July 25-27, for the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse. The three-day Invitational tournament will feature a roster of 150 professional anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000, and an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024 – the Bass Pro Tour championship – for the chance to win up to $300,000.
Hosted by Explore La Crosse, the tournament marks the sixth and final MLF Invitational event of 2023, offering competitors a total season purse of more than $3.9 million. In addition to the tournament’s top payout of $115,000, the field is also competing for valuable points to win the coveted Invitational Angler of the Year (AOY) title. The top eight pros in the Tackle Warehouse Invitational AOY standings after this event will receive an invitation to compete at the sport’s top level on the Bass Pro Tour in 2024.
“The Explore La Crosse team and the entire La Crosse region are thrilled to be hosting the Tackle Warehouse Invitational on pools 7, 8, and 9 of the Mississippi River,” said A.J. Frels, Executive Director of Explore La Crosse. “With its wing dams, backwaters, and heavy vegetation, the scenic Upper Mississippi offers some of the best habitat in the country for largemouth and smallmouth bass. It is the ideal setting for incredible fishing and non-stop action. I cannot think of a more outstanding stage for the last stop of the season.”
The Mississippi River is a very familiar destination for MLF as the fishery has played host to countless major bass-fishing tournaments over the years, including six prior MLF professional-level events. The last MLF professional-level event on the river was the Tackle Warehouse TITLE championship in 2021, when pro Jimmy Washam targeted bass set up in shallow water on a rock ridge on the final day with a topwater bait and a Neko rig to earn the victory.
Junction City, Wisconsin pro Matt Stefan will be among the 150 competitors in the event next week. Stefan is an expert at mining the flowages of the upper Midwest and is always a favorite in La Crosse.
“We had extremely low water last year, the whole second half of the year,” Stefan said. “That’s allowed a lot of the grass and rice to grow in new areas. So, I think you’re going to see some differences in vegetation growth. Areas have definitely grown thicker, which could prevent some of us from getting to fish in some areas. And it could help some anglers find things that are overlooked.”
Still, outside of new vegetation, Stefan predicts things won’t be far from the norm.
“This time of year you’re going to have a frog bite,” he said. “You’re gonna have a main-channel wing dam and sand drop bite, cut banks, a topwater bite. Some guys fishing in the Black River more offshore, it’s going to be typical Mississippi River, you’re going to need to find that better pod of fish.”
Stefan said the fish will have moved to their summer haunts pretty solidly and won’t be thinking about a fall migration.
“They’re set up pretty good in their summer patterns,” the Wisconsin pro said. “It’s going to be primarily current-related stuff, the backwaters will not have many fish. The largemouth will move out to the big grass flats and sand flats in the lower ends of the pools, and they’ll start setting up on eddies and wing dams in front of the spawning areas.”
With Stefan figuring on largemouth or a mixed bag to win, he expects some of the locals to have more than a puncher’s chance.
“Mike Brueggen will have 50 pounds,” Stefan said. “Or Tom Monsoor, the last couple years he’s really been on them on the river. I think right around 50 pounds will win for sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s 45.”
In MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition, the full field of 150 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Tuesday and Wednesday in a five-fish, weigh-in format. Only the top 50 pros, based on their two-day cumulative weight, will advance to the final round on Championship Thursday, where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers.
The winner of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight and will receive an invitation to compete at REDCREST 2024. In addition, the season-long Invitational AOY will also earn a berth into REDCREST 2024.
Anglers will launch each day at 6:30 a.m. CT, Tuesday through Thursday, from Veterans Freedom Park, located at 1 Clinton St. in La Crosse. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park daily beginning at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action all three days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational Mercury Stop 6 at the Mississippi River in La Crosse will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the CBS Sports Network on Saturday, November 14.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
2024 BASS PRO SHOPS CABELA'S BIG BASS TOUR SCHEDULE
- Feb 9-11 | Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida
- Feb 29 - March 3 | Lake Conroe, Texas (4 Day Event)
- March 15-17 | Clarks Hill, Georgia
- March 22-24 | Lake Eufaula, Alabama
- April 5-7 | Table Rock Lake, Missouri
- April 12-14 | Lake Norman, North Carolina
- April 26-28 | Lake Murray, South Carolina
- May 2-5 | Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia (4 Day Event)
- May 16-19 | Lake Chickamauga, Tennessee (4 Day Event)
- Jul 26-28 | St Lawrence River, New York
- Aug 2-4 | Upper Mississippi, Wisconsin (La Crosse)
- Oct 4-6 | Douglas Lake, Tennessee
- Oct 10-13 | Guntersville Lake, Alabama (4 Day Event)
American Tackle Company Wins “Best of Show” at ICAST 2023
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Multiple variables at play for Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River
Waddington, N.Y., will host the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River July 20-22.
Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.
July 13, 2023
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — On one hand, Chris Johnston expects the usual routine during the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River. However, forces at play could shuffle the deck and alter outcomes.
Competition days will be July 20-22 with daily takeoffs from Whitaker Park at 6 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day back at the park at 2 p.m.
“It’s the same old St. Lawrence River,” Johnston said. “It’s going to be heavy current, clear water. The only thing that usually varies is the water temperature. We haven’t had a ton of hot weather, so it might not get all the fish out deep like they should be by the end of July.
“That’s going to scatter the fish, but it could change in the next two weeks. If we get a bunch of hot weather, it will group the fish up a little better. But if the water temperature stays cool, you’re going to have a bunch of scattered fish in anywhere from 3 to 40 feet of water.”
Noting that early summer has seen atypically cooler weather overtaking early spring heat, Johnston said he expects clarity — above and below the surface — to play a role in this event.
“Part of the (water temperature scenario) has been sunlight penetration,” he said. “We’ve had smoke (from wildfires in Quebec and northern Ontario) for the last month up here. I feel like the sun isn’t penetrating the water like it normally does and that might be slowing the progress of the (spawning season) and the water temperature a little bit.
“The water’s still crystal clear, but you can’t see that well because of the haze. You’re not getting that visibility you’d normally get. It’s kind of like fishing an overcast day.”
Tournament boundaries include the St. Lawrence and all publicly accessible tributaries from the Moses-Saunders Power Dam at Massena, N.Y., westward to Cape Vincent on the U.S. side and Kingston, Ontario, on the Canadian side. Lake Ontario is off-limits, but Johnston said anglers will have no trouble finding quality and quantity in the river.
Anglers running upriver from Waddington (the St. Lawrence flows northeast from the mouth of Lake Ontario to the Gulf of St. Lawrence/Atlantic Ocean) will encounter a speed zone with a 35 mph limit in the Alexandria Bay area. Johnston does not expect this to greatly impede anyone’s day. However, long runs to the west must be carefully calculated, with options prudently weighed.
“If you gamble and make a run toward the lake, you’re losing about 2 1/2 hours of fishing a day, and that can be tough,” Johnston said. “You’re going to have to be on ’em pretty good to (justify that run) and catch them for three days in a row.
“To be honest, the last couple (of) years, the Wolfe Island-Clayton, N.Y., end has played a lot more, but a lot of fish have been taken and released out of Massena, Waddington and that end. I think you could see someone win it out of that end of the river. I’ve talked to some local friends, and they said they’ve never seen so much boat pressure. Not that there’s going to be less fish (in the Clayton area), but they’re going to be more pressured and a lot harder to catch.”
Taking all of this into consideration, Johnston believes anglers who remain closer to takeoff could fare well. Wherever competitors fish, the large, oceangoing cargo ships traversing the St. Lawrence Seaway commonly factor into a day’s dynamics.
On the navigational side, recreational boats must yield to these commercial vessels, as their turning ability is far less. From a fishing perspective, Johnston said the large ship wakes will often stir up the bottom and stimulate a bite.
“The big thing (on the St. Lawrence) is the wind direction,” Johnston said. “If you get an east wind, it blows against the current and it backs it up. That can make for some of the worst fishing because you can’t drift right and the current gets all messed up. The fish don’t relate to bottom, they’ll get up and suspend, and they don’t bite good.
“If you get a west wind, which is the predominant wind, it makes a little more current, and that makes them bite better. But that east wind can really hurt the fishing — and make it hard to run. It stacks the waves up (and) makes it choppy and hard to navigate.”
Overall, Johnston’s looking for a postspawn tournament. In shallow areas, the fish favor anything different, like a sand flat with isolated rock or a grass patch. In deeper areas of 15-plus feet, humps with rock, sandy areas with pea gravel and chunky boulders attract the big smallmouth.
“I think you’re going to need multiple spots,” Johnston said. “It might be a mix of shallow and deep. I think the fish are too spread out this time of year for you to find the mother lode to win.
“I think you’ll need 10 to 15 spots where you can pull up and catch 4- to 6-pound bass. You’re going to need a rotation. I don’t think you’re going to just run to one spot and load the boat for three days.”
Predicting a three-day winning total of about 69 pounds, Johnston stressed the need for a diverse tactical array. It’s hard to beat a drop shot on the St. Lawrence River, and Johnston has found great success with the Spro CJ Smasher he helped design. Tubes and hair jigs work well in the shallows, while a Carolina-rigged craw bait will deliver deep-water results.
Anglers fishing all nine Opens this season are part of the Elite Qualifiers Division and are eligible to earn one of nine invitations to the Bassmaster Elite Series when the Opens season is done. After five tournaments, the top nine anglers in the EQ standings are Tennessee pro John Garrett (926), Illinois pro Trey McKinney (921), Kenta Kimura of Japan (910), South Carolina’s JT Thompkins (893), Minnesota pro Keith Tuma (878), Georgia’s Matt Henry(869), Tennessee’s Robert Gee (860), Texas pro Ben Milliken (851) and Alabama pro Joey Nania (847).
At the conclusion of the season, the top nine anglers from the EQ field will receive invitations to fish the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series. Full standings for the EQ division can be found at Bassmaster.com.
You can follow all the action from the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River on Bassmaster.com. Live music, farmers markets, craft shows and paddling races are happening in communities across St. Lawrence County throughout the weekend, so check out VisitSTLC.com to plan a weekend of fishing and fun.
The 2023 event is being hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Village of Waddington. It is part of a series of tournaments and is supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
Bassmaster Junior National Championship heads to Hartwell
The best young anglers from around the country will be part of the 2023 Bassmaster Junior National Championship July 21-22 on the storied waters of Lake Hartwell.
Photo by Laura Agee/B.A.S.S.
July 13, 2023
Bassmaster Junior National Championship heads to Hartwell
ANDERSON, S.C. — Talented young anglers from 32 states will converge on Lake Hartwell July 21-22 for the 2023 Bassmaster Junior National Championship for second- through eighth-grade anglers. This will mark the first time the championship has been decided outside of the state of Tennessee.
After qualifying for the tournament through state events and four Opens held on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes, Alabama’s Lay Lake, Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee and Louisiana’s Red River, 127 teams will compete for the junior championship crown.
“I think people will be amazed, not only by the knowledge these young anglers have of the sport, but by the size of the fish they bring to the scales,” said Glenn Cale, B.A.S.S. Nation tournament manager — College, High School and Junior. “What they know and how they perform at such a young age really shows how the sport of competitive bass fishing is evolving — and gives us a good idea of the kind of competition we’ll see at the higher ranks in the future.”
In 2022, Mark Cerja Jr. and Gus Richardson of the Lone Star Junior Bassmasters took home the title with a two-day total of 18 pounds, 5 ounces and were honored during the Night of Champions at the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
Each two-angler team is accompanied by a coach who runs the boat and can give advice on fishing techniques and patterns.
The full field of competitors will depart each day at 6:20 a.m. ET from Green Pond Landing and return at 1:20 p.m. for weigh-in. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.
ICAST Announces 37 New Product Showcase “Best of Category” Winners for 2023
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Berkley Nessie Earns ICAST 2023 New Product Showcase Award for Best Freshwater Soft Bait
ORLANDO, Fla (July 12, 2023) – Entering a challenging market with stiff competition, the Berkley PowerBait Nessie shines brightest to win the Best of Category award for Freshwater Soft Bait at ICAST 2023.
Going where no glide bait has ever gone, the all new scientifically built Berkley PowerBait Nessie allows anglers to fish a big profile glide bait where no big profile bait has ever been able to reach. Allowing anglers to skip, slide, and cast this bait into uncharted water – the PowerBait Nessie is the bait needed to trick the fish of a lifetime that’s lurking in the most challenging of hiding spots.
Available in three different sizes: 5-inch, 7-inch, and up to 9-inches, the PowerBait Nessie presents a big profile bait, with PowerBait infused taste, which is able to be retrieved at various speeds and cadences due to the stabilizing fins that keep the bait running consistent at all times. With a mesh reinforced joint and hook retention clip, the bait’s durability and efficiency are never in question when anglers are looking to catch a fish of a lifetime.
Allowing anglers of all skills to fish it with ease, the Powerbait Nessie unlocks an entirely new and unique use of a glide bait for avid and experienced anglers. In addition, the PowerBait Nessie comes in several custom painted finishes to match any forage profile, showing fish a carbon copy of the real thing. Paired with a sticky sharp Fusion19 treble hook, anglers now have the ultimate bait to catch the fish of a lifetime.
KEY FEATURES
• Soft-bodied glide bait design featuring Berkley’s famous PowerBait flavor
• Mesh reinforced joint provides durability while allowing for free range of motion
• Stabilizing fins for consistent action
• Hook retention clip keeps treble hook secured to the body – suited for keeping the hook in place when skipping under cover
• Premium features and components for ultimate performance and durability
• Sticky sharp Fusion19 treble hook
• Custom painted forage matching finishes
• Slow sinking
• Designed in the Berkley Lab with Berkley pro Mike Iaconelli
"This bait has taken an entire team effort for the past three years, making the action and componentry perfect to bring the Nessie to life.” said Berkley’s Associate Category Manager of Bass Bait, Nathan Ragsdale. “We’ve entered a challenging but thriving big bait market with a bait that provides avid anglers and big bait fishermen with yet another tool to present to fish that never have seen such a presence under docks, overhanging trees, and more. We’ve released an improved fish-catching, PowerBait taste infused design to anglers who desire a big profile bait that is easy to fish and has a friendly price tag. We are extremely proud of this bait and its introduction to the lineup of Berkley’s fish-catching toolbox.”
Sizes: 5-inch • 7-inch • 9-inch
Colors: Golden Shiner • Hitch • Perch • Hickory Shad • Rainbow Trout • Shad • Voltage • Burnt Bone • Raw • Green Pumpkin
MSRP: $7.99 – 5-inch • $9.99 – 7-inch • $12.99 – 9-inch
Available: September 2023
Abu Garcia Zata Casting Combo Claims ICAST 2023 Best in Category for Rod and Reel Combo
ORLANDO, Fla (July 12, 2023) – Taking the crown for 2023 ICAST’s Best of Category for Rod and Reel Combo, the Abu Garcia Zata Casting Combo provides beginner and avid anglers alike a rod-and-reel setup that will perform and that they will thoroughly enjoy. Featuring a 24-ton graphite blank for optimal sensitivity and strength, this new rod-and-reel combo ensures a top-notch performance that enables anglers to detect even the slightest of bites.
With stainless steel guides offering smooth line movement that minimizes friction and maximizes casting distance, the 7-foot medium heavy Zata baitcast combos are available in right-hand and left-hand configurations, and provide versatility for various different fishing styles.
KEY FEATURES:
• 24 ton Graphite Blank
• Stainless steel guides
• 7-foot Medium Heavy Combos available in both right and left-handed retrieves
MSRP: $219.95
Available: October 2023
PDS Equipment Wins Ninth-Annual ICAST Cup Presented by Major League Fishing on Lake Toho
A Total of $9,200 Raised for Keep America Fishing™ Foundation
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 11, 2023) – The PDS Equipment team, represented by Steve Weist, Christian Bellomo and Trevor Bates, brought a three-bass limit totaling 17 pounds, 3 ounces to the stage to win the 2023 ICAST Cup at Lake Toho Presented by Major League Fishing (MLF) Tuesday. The four-hour bass-fishing tournament, hosted by Kissimmee Sports, was the kick-off event to ICAST 2023 and raised a total of $9,200 to benefit the industry’s angler advocacy program, Keep America Fishing™.
The field totaled 46 boats, including a handful of MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals and Toyota Series anglers, as well as outdoor media and industry representatives from popular tackle brands and non-profits. In its nine-year history, the charity tournament has raised more than $81,000 for Keep America Fishing™.
“We said a quick prayer, then went out there and just put the hammer down,” said Bellomo. “It was so much fun. Thank you guys for putting this event together.”
Weist said this was the fifth time the team had fished this event, but the first time they’d really gotten on fish during the tournament.
“We came down to pre-fish yesterday and didn’t do very well, but we started out today offshore on some submerged grass and were able to start putting fish in the boat as soon as we rolled up,” said Bates. “We threw a lot of different baits and were able to catch them on pretty much anything we were throwing at them – they were just ready to eat.
“We had certain bite windows throughout the morning, where we would catch three or four fish at a time, then go 20 minutes or so without a bite, then catch three or four more. All in all, we ended the tournament with 30 to 35 fish and our best five would have been around 25 pounds, so it was an amazing day on the water,” Bates continued.
Although many teams ran across the lake and even locked down to Cypress Lake throughout the morning, the PDS Equipment team stayed in the same general area on the south side of Lake Toho for the entirety of the event.
“This win is just a great feeling,” said Bates. “We come to this event every year and you always hear about guys catching these ‘Florida big bags’ and you just wonder when you’re going to have one of those days – and today it was our turn.
“We come to this trade show every year, selling equipment that prints on some of the top favorite baits within the industry,” said Bates. “We started coming to the show because we love fishing and wanted to work with the companies in this industry, so being able to compete against those guys and represent PDS Equipment, and do it well, is an amazing feeling.”
The top 10 teams finished the tournament in:
1st: PDS Equipment – Steve Weist, Christian Bellomo and Trevor Bates, three bass, 17-3
2nd: Bull Bay Rods – Jake Stines, Corey Ash and Peter Gluszek, three bass, 15-0
3rd: Stinky Balls – Aidan Olf and Scott McDonald, three bass, 13-8
4th: Rusty Hooks Tackle – Jimmy Wilson, Shane Linberger and David Winters, three bass, 12-7
5th: Boat Outfitters – Donnie Ewers, Christian Greico and Anastasia Patterson, three bass, 12-6
6th: Fishing Tournament Report/Catch Commander – Brian Stahl, Terry Segraves and Deb Ferns, three bass, 11-12
7th: Okuma Inspired Fishing and Fishlab Lures – Daniel Ramos, Mark Mitchell and David Sartwell, three bass, 11-10
8th: Buzbe – Trent Manuel and Alex Murray, three bass, 10-14
9th: Rather Outdoors – John Carmen, Shaw Grigsby and Matthew Mattingly, three bass, 10-8
10th: CPF Lures – Scott McIver, Erik Tilson and Jason George, three bass, 10-3
Complete results and photos from the tournament will be posted at ICASTCup.com.
USA Bass partnered with MLF and Keep America Fishing™ to award the top-finishing women’s pair at the ICAST Cup a spot on the 2024 USA Pan American Bass fishing team. The highest-finishing team of female anglers was Rhonda Pitts and Emily Freeman, who brought three bass to the stage totaling 9 pounds, 2 ounces to earn their spot on Team USA Bass at the 2024 Pan American Bass Fishing Championship, alongside Jacob Wheeler, Mark Daniels Jr., Fred Roumbanis and other top pros.
Keep America Fishing™ is leading the fight to preserve our right to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways. As the voice of the American angler, Keep America Fishing works to keep our public resources – our oceans, lakes, rivers and streams – open, clean and abundant with fish. For more information, please visit KeepAmericaFishing.org.
For more ICAST 2023 coverage, details and tournament information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
MDJ the lumberjack
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Like a lot of full-time pro anglers, Team Toyota’s Mark Daniel’s Jr. is in a hurry to get to Orlando this week to lend treasured sponsors a helping hand in revealing new products at the ICAST show, but first he’s taking on the role of lumberjack at his home near Montgomery.
“We moved to this seven-acre property last year in the little town of Shorter, Alabama, and we love it, but it’s got a ton of big mature trees, and we’ve lost four big oaks in the bad storms this area gets. So, I’m headed to the equipment rental place to hitch up a wood splitter, and spend all day cutting up fallen trees before I drive to ICAST,” says the Tuskegee University alum.
A workin’ man can only be as productive as his equipment and energy will allow, so “MDJ” isn’t bashful about bragging on his chainsaw and tow vehicles. He recently posted on social media about turning 100,000 trouble-free miles on his 2020 Toyota Tundra, and he’s currently mind-blown by the tree cutting power of his first ever battery powered chainsaw.
“Toro is a great supporter of Major League Fishing, and they gave us a chainsaw that’s powered by a rechargeable 60-volt battery. I’m gonna be honest, I thought there was no way it could cut wood like a gas saw, but I’m telling you it’s bad to the bone. I can cut down an entire tree and cut up the big branches for firewood without dealing with pull cords or mixing gas and oil. It’s the baddest piece of equipment I own!” exclaims Daniels.
Daniels is also experiencing new power sources in the brand-newTundra he just took delivery on. It features Toyota’s new i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain that relies on a twin-turbo V6 engine that couples with a unique motor generator and 10-speed automatic transmission to provide a monstrous 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft of torque.
“My brand new Tundra is a towing beast with better fuel economy. It’ll be the Tundra I use on tour, but I’m not getting rid of my 2020 Tundra. Nope, I’m turning that one into my round-town grocery getter and wood splitter towing truck,” grins Daniels.
The California native describes himself as a city kid who now loves his family’s country lifestyle near Montgomery, AL. In fact, he often drives home from a tournament with giddy anticipation of simply mowing his lawn. He finds it to be therapeutic. A great way to unwind from the mental stress of competing against the best anglers in the world.
Or as is the case this week, chainsawing fallen trees for some good solid physical labor, not unlike a lumberjack, before slipping into the white collar business mindset he’ll lend his energies to at ICAST.
Bateman Turns Rainy Day into Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on the Ohio River at Rocky Point
Campbell Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
CANNELTON, Ind. (July 10, 2023) – Boater Scott Bateman of Jasper, Indiana, caught a five-bass limit weighing 10 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Ohio River-Rocky Point. The tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Hoosier Division. Bateman earned $3,966 for his victory.
“I thought about staying close to takeoff, but I didn’t want to play bumper boats all day, so I made a long run and caught some short fish right off the bat,” said Bateman. “Then it got really slow.”
Bateman said he decided to roam around and check out new fishing spots and finally came to the conclusion that the bass weren’t in the mood for the fast-moving baits he was throwing in the backs of creeks. He moved closer to the mouths of creeks and slowed down his approach. He said he believes fish from the main river had moved into the mouths of the creeks, and he found three 100-foot stretches that held quality fish.
“I made the switch around 11:30 when it started raining,” Bateman said. “I think the rain really helped. During the rain and after the rain – about an hour and a half window – is when I caught all my fish.”
Bateman said he caught 15 fish during the rainy period, including eight keepers. He targeted wood, including wood that usually wasn’t covered by the higher water level. A black/blue/green-pumpkin jig was his bait of choice for the wood structure.
The Rocky Point win is Bateman’s third career BFL win – second win on the Ohio River. His first win on the river came out of Tanner’s Creek in 2019.
“Winning a BFL is always good,” Bateman said. “It’s freaking awesome. They are extremely hard to win.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Scott Bateman, Jasper, Ind., five bass, 10-2, $3,966
2nd: Chris Wilkinson, Farmersburg, Ind., five bass, 7-15, $1,883
3rd: Todd Hensley, New Albany, Ind., four bass, 7-8, $1,556
4th: Tony Eckler, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 7-1, $879
5th: Braxton Munson, Anderson, Ind., five bass, 6-11, $753
6th: Dave Wood, Charlestown, Ind, three bass, 6-10, $1,690 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
7th: Aaron Sisk, Evansville, Ind., five bass, 5-12, $628
8th: Thomas Foster, Terre Haute, Ind., five bass, 5-9, $785
9th: Chris Myers, Madison, Ind., five bass, 5-4, $470
9th: Mark Dove, North Vernon, Ind., four bass, 5-4, $470
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Dave Wood of Charlestown, Indiana, caught a bass that weighed 3 pounds, 11 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $500.
Rob Campbell of Martinsville, Indiana, won the Strike King co-angler division and a total of $2,133 Saturday, after bringing two bass to the scale that totaled 4 pounds, 11 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Rob Campbell, Martinsville, Ind., two bass, 4-11, $2,133
2nd: Jacob Parks, Noblesville, Ind., four bass, 4-9, $942
3rd: Brian Liming, Dillsboro, Ind., two bass, 4-4, $627
4th: Greg Roberts, Columbus, Ind., three bass, 3-13, $439
5th: Derrik Cornett, Austin, Ind., two bass, 3-7, $377
6th: Greg Marshall, Paris, Ky., three bass, 3-5, $345
7th: Allen Dozier, Aurora, Ill., two bass, 3-3, $314
8th: Aaron Thomas, Plainfield, Ind., two bass, 3-0, $282
9th: Tanner McCartney, Fishers, Ind., two bass, 2-15, $251
10th: Nickolas Myers, Zionsville, Ind., two bass, 2-13, $220
Campbell also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $250, catching a bass that weighed in at 3 pounds, 6 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After four events, Travis Spivey of Union, Kentucky, leads the BFL Hoosier Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 959 points, while Jacob Parks of Noblesville, Indiana, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 959 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 19-21 BFL Regional tournament on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL 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 BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Hellebuyck Targets Topwater Smallmouth, Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at the Detroit River
Beach Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
TRENTON, Mich. (July 10, 2023) – Boater Chris Hellebuyck of White Lake, Michigan, caught a five-bass limit weighing 23 pounds, 3 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Detroit River . The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Michigan Division. Hellebuyck earned $13,795, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
“I made a good, long run across Lake St. Clair today, and ran up into the St. Clair River,” said Hellebuyck, who earned his second career victory. “I got to my first spot where I had caught a couple of fish in practice, and when I got there, they were biting but it wasn’t that great. We caught a fair number of smaller fish, and then I started throwing a popper and caught a real big one right off the bat. I thought, ‘There’s got to be something to that.’ I kept throwing the popper, and it turned into one of those special days.”
Hellebuyck said he decided on a perch-imitating Booyah Boss Pop Popper after he saw alewife busting the surface on shallow river flats in eight feet of water.
“You’d see the alewife come flying out of the water, then you’d see a big brown bass fly after it,” Hellebuyck said. “We knew they were feeding, and you’d throw the popper over there and almost always catch those fish. But a lot of times just a slow retrieve with the popper worked. The bass would just blow up on it on the pause.
“I had a couple of other places in that area, and I ran over and hit those and caught a couple of big ones here and there,” Hellebuyck added. “It was a short fishing day after such a long run – I only had probably 3½ hours total of fishing time. Then I had to make my way back.”
Hellebuyck, who won his first BFL event on the Detroit River in 2021, said managing his weigh fish and managing his time were critical to his tournament win and special day.
“This win feels really good,” Hellebuyck said. “I don’t know why it feels so good to win the second one. The first one was almost just a blur. It was unexpected. It was so cool to win the second one. It was something to really enjoy - just a special day.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Chris Hellebuyck, White Lake, Mich., five bass, 23-3, $13,795 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Aaron Jagdfeld, Rochester, Mich., five bass, 21-15, $2,288
3rd: Brayden Federer, Adrian, Mich., five bass, 21-8, $1,525
4th: Mike Trombly, Belleville, Mich., five bass, 21-7, $1,068
5th: Elijah Meyers, Fort Wayne, Ind., five bass, 21-6, $1,247
6th: Scott Dobson, Clarkston, Mich., five bass, 20-12, $1,171
7th: Noah Stauffer, Gowen, Mich., five bass, 20-10, $763
8th: Matt Vermilyea, Perrysburg, Ohio, five bass, 20-6, $648
8th: Patrick Goodman, Sturgis, Mich., five bass, 20-6, $648
10th: Scott Cooke, Marengo, Ohio, five bass, 20-3, $534
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Scott Dobson of Clarkston, Michigan, and Elijah Meyers of Fort Wayne, Indiana, both caught bass that weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces to split the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $664.
Dan Beach of Clarkston, Michigan, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,288 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 21 pounds, 3 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Dan Beach, Clarkston, Mich., five bass, 21-3, $2,288
2nd: Emmanuel Schwartz, Colon, Mich., five bass, 19-5, $1,476
3rd: Chris Kistler, Logansport, Ind., five bass, 18-12, $648
3rd: Cory Yoder, Goshen, Ind., five bass, 18-12, $648
5th: Billy Crider, Jr., Kettering, Ohio, five bass, 18-6, $458
6th: William Gross, Columbia Station, Ohio, five bass, 18-4, $419
7th: Kaleb Parsell, Caro, Mich., five bass, 17-2, $381
8th: Steve Doak, Sylvania, Ohio, five bass, 16-13, $343
9th: Jay Shaffer, Bath, Mich., five bass, 16-11, $305
10th: Garry Collins, Russell Springs, Ky., five bass, 16-9, $267
Emmanuel Schwartz of Colon, Michigan, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $332, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 14 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 12-14 BFL Regional tournament on Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown, Tennessee. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL 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 BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
LaBelle Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Champlain
Kapp Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division
PLATTBURGH, N.Y. (July 10, 2023) – Boater Bryan LaBelle of Hinesburg, Vermont, caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 15 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Champlain. The tournament, hosted by the City of Plattsburgh, was the second event of the season for the BFL Northeast Division. Labelle earned $5,925 for his victory.
“I started out fishing for smallmouth, and it wasn’t working out so good, so I decided to go after largemouth,” said LaBelle, who said he has been fishing Lake Champlain since he was five years old. “It came together pretty good.”
LaBelle focused on fishing the northern end of Champlain and said he managed to catch a few smallmouth – including one he included in his final weight – but most were smaller fish. He said his best fish came on bruised- and elite-craw colored Beast Coast Tungsten Lil’ Magnum Jigs thrown at grass and rock. His efforts during the day produced 30 fish – 18 of which were keepers.
LaBelle won a Toyota Series event in August of 2022 on Lake Champlain and has posted numerous wins in other tournament circuits on the fishery, but this was his first BFL victory.
“I told all my buddies, ‘I’ve never won a BFL. I’d like to win one of these,’” LaBelle said. “Leading up to it, I didn’t think it would turn out this way, but I’m glad it did.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Bryan LaBelle, Hinesburg, Vt., five bass, 22-15, $5,925
2nd: Alec Morrison, Peru, N.Y., five bass, 21-2, $2,657 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
3rd: Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 19-12, $1,439
4th: Rob Cruvellier, Alburgh, Vt., five bass, 19-7, $1,007
5th: Michael Duarte, Baltimore, Md., five bass, 19-2, $827
5th: Brett Carnright, Plattsburgh, N.Y., five bass, 19-2, $827
7th: Jaden Parrish, Liberty, Texas, five bass, 19-0, $719
8th: Jim Sweeney, West Dover, Vt., five bass, 18-15, $611
8th: Brendan Vinton, Braintree, Vt., five bass, 18-15, $611
10th: Spencer Cookson, Sheffield, Mass., five bass, 18-12, $503
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
LaBelle also caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $610.
Connor Kapp of Benton, Pennsylvania, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,122 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 18 pounds, 7 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Connor Kapp, Benton, Pa., five bass, 18-7, $2,122
2nd: Dan Housel, Carlisle, Pa., five bass, 18-1, $1,061
3rd: Trent Carey, York Springs, Pa., five bass, 15-10, $707
4th: David Hoolahan, West Deptford, N.J., five bass, 15-7, $795
5th: Brent Navari, Colchester, Vt., five bass, 14-12, $406
5th: David Cooper, Rushville, N.Y., five bass, 14-12, $606
7th: Peter Frumkin, Lincoln, Mass., five bass, 14-9, $354
8th: Bradley Sargent, Concord, N.H., five bass, 14-5, $318
9th: Austin Doser, Chazy, N.Y., five bass, 14-2, $283
10th: David Archibald, Somerset, Mass., five bass, 14-0, $398
David Hoolahan of West Deptford, New Jersey, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $300 with a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 10 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Alex Korol of Fairport, New York, leads the BFL Northeast Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 485 points, while David Cooper of Rushville, New York, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 484 points.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional tournament on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL 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 BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Redesigned TATULA 100 at a Great Price
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Angler-appealing TATULA 100 entered into ICAST 2023 New Product Showcase and will be available to test at ICAST On the Water, Tuesday, July 11th |
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (July 10, 2023) – Just when you thought the in-demand TATULA reel family couldn’t get any better, DAIWA unleashes a redesigned, and incredibly affordable TATULA 100 that’s extremely palmable and ultra-ergonomic. Daiwa’s progressive product development team redesigned the new TATULA 100 to bring anglers an option perfect for a variety of bass fishing applications. “We’ve added two significant new features,” says DAIWA marketing manager, Marc Mills. “The first is a new, thinner and lighter 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum spool for greater casting distance and more control. We thinned down the walls of the spool while retaining its rigidity. Ultimately, we created a farther-casting reel with better braking system.” |
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Mills adds: “We also went to HYPERDRIVE gearing. You find that in our higher end models like STEEZ and ZILLION, but now it’s in the TATULA 100, too, allowing better rotation, durability, while keeping a super-fluid feel to allow the angler to focus more on what’s happening in the water than feeling the rotation when you turn the handle. When you do hang a fish or work a lure it’s noticeably smoother. You can’t feel the gears touch. It’s super smooth.” |
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What makes the new DAIWA TATULA 100 HYPERDRIVE DESIGN so special, a feature previously reserved for higher-end DAIWA baitcasting reels? |
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HYPERDRIVE DESIGN provides an ultra-smooth retrieve and powerful winding performance and is comprised of four key technologies: HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR, HYPER DOUBLE SUPPORT, HYPER ARMED HOUSING, and HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH. HYPER DRIVE DIGIGEAR makes the teeth of the gears more efficient at transferring power, therefore making the gear set feel smoother, more powerful, and reduces gear noise. |
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HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH |
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HYPER DOUBLE SUPPORT is a two-bearing support system for the reel's pinion gear, which means no flex and an ultra-smooth retrieve/ gear rotation. HYPER ARMED HOUSING comprises an aluminum frame and side plate for maximum rigidity and precision performance of the internal components. And lastly, HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH is a redesigned and reinforced clutch mechanism that further increases durability and performance. |
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HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR |
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DAIWA TATULA 100 FEATURES
MSRP $179.99 If you’re considering a pro-grade baitcasting reel that won’t break the bank, look no further than DAIWA’s new TATULA 100… a reel intended to bring a whole new level of cutting-edge design, high-end performance, longevity, and stunning good looks to discerning anglers. |
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Elite Input, Technology, and Performance
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New technique-specific DAIWA TATULA Elite AGS Bass Rod Series engineered with significant pro angler input and rigorous testing. |
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (July 10, 2023) – DAIWA continues the 10th year anniversary recognition of its TATULA brand with the introduction of the new premium-level TATULA Elite AGSbass rod series, a new 16 model lineup showcasing the latest advancements in DAIWA rod technology. Lightweight and sensitivity are the key focus points bass anglers will experience with the TATULA Elite AGS rods, where DAIWA relied on noted professional anglers including Brent Ehrler, Seth Feider, Randy Howell, Chris Johnston, Cory Johnston, Cody Meyer, Ish Monroe, Takahiro Omori, and Patrick Walters in developing the actions and powers. |
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TTEL741HFB shown |
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TTEL761MLFS shown |
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At the core of the TATULA Elite AGS rods are lightweight SVF Nano Plus blanks to provide each rod with its crisp action, along with X45 Bias construction to prevent blank twisting for greater strength, excellent sensitivity, and hook-setting power. DAIWA also includes its exclusive Air Guide System (AGS), considered the lightest and most sensitive guides on the market, which dampen vibrations during the cast to provide anglers with a quicker response and feel for increased lure action sensitivity. The carbon frame AGS guides are up to 40% lighter and more rigid than those made from titanium and have proven their effectiveness in reducing overall rod weight and added sensitivity. |
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The Air Sensor reel seats, built with carbon fiber, provide anglers with a further increase in sensitivity throughout the entire rod. Both the AGS guides and Air Sensor reel seats are also found on DAIWA’s flagship Steez AGS bass rod series. All 16 rods in the series – 10 casting and six spinning – are designed for specific bass fishing techniques. Within the series, for those who prefer more power fishing situations will uncover frog, ‘long cast’ frog and punchin’/flippin’ rods that have Ish Monroe fingerprints all over them, and Tak Omori’s expertise in a cranking rod that has added fiberglass incorporated into the blank along with an extra-heavy power 7’3” pitching rod. Patrick Walters is the brain trust behind the 6’10” TATULA Elite AGS jerkbait rod, while Cory Johnston brings his Canadian roots background to the medium-heavy power, 7’5” soft stickbait/football jig rod. |
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For those bass fishing situations where finesse techniques are needed, DAIWA relied on the ‘from above the Mason-Dixon Line’ expertise to design the 7’6” Seth Feider hair jig/Neko rig and Chris Johnston split cork grip hair jig spinning rods, with Chris also contributing to his 7’11” Ned rig spinning rod also featuring a split cork grip. Bass anglers can rely on Cody Meyer’s talents on the TATULA Elite AGS 7’4” Neko/wacky rig/tube spinning rod, and when the situation calls for shakey head/drop shot and even small swimbait techniques, Randy Howell provides his knowledge on a TATULA Elite AGS 7’3” spinning rod. For ‘power finesse’ techniques, Brent Ehrler comes through with a 7’ rod that handles 1/8- to 1-ounce lures, plus Brent completes the TATULA Elite AGS lineup with a versatile 7’3” casting rod. |
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TTEL801 Ish Monroe Swimbait Rod |
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Randy Howell notes that anglers will really notice the extreme lightness and sensitivity from the AGS guides, especially when you’re working baits on the bottom and need to feel the most subtle bites. The AGS guides tell you when to set the hook, instead of allowing the bass to shallow your bait, plus the lessened guide weight in the tip provides improved balance. “With its ‘TATULA – We’ve Got Your Bass Covered’ tagline for all TATULA-branded rods and reels, we’re able to highlight DAIWA’s manufacturing capabilities and technology developed over the years in our TATULA casting and spinning reels, and now our best in brand TATULA Elite AGS bass rods,” said DAIWA’s senior marketing director Marc Mills. “Bass anglers know the dedication DAIWA has for the sport, and the success we’ve have with the TATULA brand over the past 10 years shows it.” |
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TTEL751MHFB Cody Meyer Soft Stickbait/Football Jig Rod |
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TATULA Elite AGS FEATURES and SPECIFICATIONS
MSRP $299.99 to $319.99 |
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TTEL711MHFS Randy Howell Power Spin Rod |
Cole scores come-from-behind win at Bassmaster Kayak Series event on Upper Mississippi River
Tyler Cole of Delaware, Iowa, has won the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series on the Mississippi River powered by TourneyX with a two-day total of 178.5 inches.
Photo by Mark Cisneros /B.A.S.S.
July 9, 2023
LA CROSSE, Wis. — Tyler Cole got married last weekend.
This weekend, after winning the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX on the Upper Mississippi River, he joked he had money to pay for the wedding.
Cole, who lives in Delaware, Iowa, about 2 1/2 hours downriver from La Crosse, caught a five-bass limit Sunday that measured 90.25 inches, the highest total of the two-day derby. When added to the 88.25 limit he caught on Day 1, Cole jumped from fourth place to the top of the leaderboard, his overall catch measuring 178.5 inches.
That was 1 1/2 inches more than anyone else in the field of 129 anglers gathered from throughout the U.S.
Cole earned a $7,846 cash prize for the win, his second on the Bassmaster Kayak Series. He also won a kayak tournament on Tennessee’s Chickamauga Lake in 2020.
“This one is probably more gratifying of a win just because I consider it my home water,” he said. “I come up here a lot to fish. It’s nice to win one in a place I love.”
Cole said it’s a good thing he didn’t need much time to scout the area, what with his wedding only eight days before he collected the winner’s check and trophy.
“I came up on Friday to check a spot,” he said. “It was a community hole then and it was a community hole all weekend. It’s the second tournament I’ve won with a Booyah Pad Crasher. It was the big bullfrog, the 2 1/2-incher. I worked it slow over pads next to eelgrass, right off current on the secondary channel.
“I locked the Pad Crasher in my hand and went to work. I found just the right bites. I figured I had fish to catch, but not win the tournament. But here we are.”
Cole said spring floods have made this area of the Mississippi River watershed especially productive.
“It’s as good as I’ve seen it in at least three or four years,” he said. “We had floods for a couple of weeks. I think the fish grouped up when the water went back down.”
Tennessee’s Rus Snyders finished second overall with 177 total inches and collected $3,542. He focused on largemouth bass in grassy spots, relying on a series of swim jigs and a 10-inch worm for his best catches.
The Top 13 anglers cashed checks at La Crosse, splitting a total cash purse of $25,800.
Behind Cole and Snyders are third, Missouri’s Lance Burris, 175.75; fourth, Illinois’ Todd Martens, 174.25; fifth, Minnesota’s Zach Gibbons, 174.25; sixth, New Jersey’s Greg DiPalma, 174.25; seventh, Ohio’s Drew Gregory, 173; eighth, Kentucky’s Anthony Winkleman, 171.25; ninth, Wisconsin’s Nick Berndt, 168; 10th, Iowa’s Jordan Westerman, 165.75; 11th, Tennessee’s Jim Davis, 164.5; 12th, Texas’ Weslie Gray, 164.5; and 13th, Illinois’ Kyle Brenner, 163.5.
Gregory won the $500 Big Bass Award for the 19.75-inch bass he caught Sunday. Snyders also caught a 19.75 on Sunday, but Gregory won the tiebreaker because his next-best bass was longer than Snyders’ biggest fish.
The derby on the Upper Mississippi River was the fourth of five regular-season kayak tournaments on the tour in 2023. The final event is scheduled for the Susquehanna River in Lewisburg, Penn., in October, with previous tournaments taking place on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville, South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell and Texas’ Possum Kingdom Lake.
Competing anglers vied for points in the 2023 Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race, as well as spots in the 2024 Championship, which will be held at a yet-to-be-disclosed location.
Cartoon Characters Come to Life
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Infused with Flagship Quality and Features
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DAIWA introduces new SOL AGS Inshore Saltwater Spinning Rod Series |
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (July 7, 2023) – Providing its best in sensitivity and durability blank construction and featuring flagship series components, DAIWA offers the right spinning rod for avid inshore saltwater anglers with its new SOL AGSspinning rods. A six-rod lineup to target everything from redfish, sea trout, snook, permit and ever tarpon, the one-piece, fast action rods are offered in three 7’ models in medium-light and medium-heavy powers, and three 7’6” rods in medium-light, medium-heavy and heavy action powers. |
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“Our main goal with the SOL AGS rods is to bring all the advancements Daiwa has made in rod development over the five years to the inshore saltwater market,” said Daiwa’s Marc Mills. “Anglers will quickly notice the advantages of our own AGS guides and micro pitch blank construction for inshore action that provides both sensitivity and the needed durability.” |
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Daiwa uses its HVF NANOPLUS carbon technology to reinforce the blank through a micro-level arrangement of material in the plastic resin, creating a smaller, lighter, and rigid yet powerful blank with impressive fish-stopping power. The Braiding X and X-45 Bias construction processes add better hoop strength for pulling on fish, plus prevents rod twisting and ovalization to contribute to longer, accurate casts. |
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DAIWA also includes its exclusive carbon framed Air Guide System (AGS) guides, considered some of the lightest and most sensitive on the market, on the SOL AGS rods. These lightweight carbon framed guides provide both more rigidity and sensitivity by dampening vibrations during the cast to provide anglers with a quicker response and feel for increased lure action sensitivity. Mills notes the new SOL AGS spinning rods match up well with its 2500, 3000 and 4000 size Saltist MG and BG MQ spinning reels, where the Monocoque (MQ) solid one-piece frame which reduces flex and gear binding is a welcomed bonus when hooked up with big redfish or tarpon. |
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MSRP $349.99 |
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Gamakatsu New Hook Products For 2024
Gamakatsu is the World’s Leading Hook manufacturer is known for being on the cutting edge when it comes to hook development for both the freshwater and saltwater markets. Gamakatsu is proud to introduce several new offerings for its 2024 lineup at ICAST.
Gamakatsu Bead Hook
Bead fishing is one of the most popular techniques for salmon and steelhead. Threading soft beads onto lines to imitate salmon eggs is an extremely effective method to target both species. The Gamakatsu Staff set out to build a better hook that would improve hook up ratios for this specific technique. Salmon and steelhead are strong and acrobatic fish with hard jaw plates and properly hooking these fish can be a challenge for even the most skilled angler.
The Bead Hook is constructed out of Gamakatsu’s TGW (Tournament Grade Wire). The TGW wire is thinner, strong and sharper than the standard wire. The smaller wire penetrates the hard jaw plate more easily, helping keep bigger salmon and steelhead pinned and on the line. The surface of each hook is coated with the Gamakatsu’s Nano Alpha Coating that additionally improves hook penetration. The Nano Alpha Coating offers higher corrosion protection resistance giving anglers longer and better hook longevity. The Bead hook has a longer shank with a wide hook gap. The longer shank results in a higher percentage of landed fish and is better at holding stronger fish that jump a lot. The Bead Hook is equipped with a needlepoint that generates better hook penetration compared to a beak point common on other styles. Now anglers have a hook that can tackle and land the biggest salmon & steelhead that swim in your waters. Available in sizes #6-3/0.
Gamakatsu Grouper Hook
The Gamakatsu Grouper hook was designed to hold large baits or bait chunks when fishing for groupers or other large predators. This hook is built with an oversize eye to accommodate large lb test line choices including heavy mono, tuna cord or wire. The Grouper hook is also excellent for large bait chunks used for tuna fishing. It has the strength to hold and handle the largest saltwater fish.
Available in sizes 10/0, 12/0 and 14/0.
Gamakatsu Catfish Circle Weedless
Bill Dance is a name that is synonymous with bass fishing, but one of his greatest passions is chasing down giant catfish. Bill teamed up with Gamakatsu to develop a weedless catfish hookthat could be fished in the heaviest wood cover without getting snagged. Bill frequently targets trophy catfish in rivers, and he often wants his baits in and around snags, laydowns and trashpiles where big catfish live. This hook allows anglers to deliver their baits into hard-to-reach places, while preventing snags. This hook is designed around Gamakatsu’s 221 SeriesOctopus Circle (Inline Point) Hook and is equipped with a custom weedguard. Gamakatsu tested many different wire weedguards that would allow the angler to be able to fish in the thickest, nastiest cover that big catfish live in, but still being able to hook them effectively. Once hooked the circle design of this hook gives anglers the chance to safely release trophy catfish back into the water unharmed.
“I love fishing for monster catfish in big current in big rivers. I have used Gamakatsu hooks for years to catch these big cats, but I wanted a hook that could get down in those river trash piles without getting snagged. Those monsters love to live in heavy current often around logs and laydowns. We took a great hook and made it better by now being weedless without sacrificing any of the great fish catching features, Bill Dance.” Available in sizes 6/0-8/0.
Gamakatsu 620 HD
The Gamakatsu 620 HD is designed for the DIY (Do It Yourself) anglers that want to make and use their own assist hooks. These hooks offer anglers the ability to customize the length of the dropper lines and their hook configuration. The 620 HD hook is designed to target tuna, giving anglers a heavy-duty hook optionwith a greater capacity to easily handle larger fish. The surface of each 620 HD hook has a Hypershield coating that dramatically increases corrosion resistance allowing anglers to spend more time fishing and less time changing out rusty hooks.
Available in sizes 5/0-7/0.
Gamakatsu J60 Crab Pattern
The Gamakatsu J60 Crab pattern hook was designed with a 60-degree eye, wide gap for better hookups, and straight hook point for quick penetration. Those features makes this the ideal hook for fly patterns that require the hook point to ride in the up position. Essentially making it the best choice for crab or shrimp patterns and perfect for redfish fly patterns.
Available in sizes 6 – 1/0.
From the desk of Ken Duke
Davenport, Fla. – Fish Insider LLC believes fishing makes our world a better place. To that end, Fish Insider offers a print and digital magazine, a website (fishinsider.com), an e-newsletter, consulting services, and more.
Fishing industry veteran Ken Duke will serve as editor in chief of Fish Insider. Duke began writing for national outdoor magazines as a teenager. For the past nine years, he served as managing editor of Fishing Tackle Retailer. For a decade before that, he was senior editor of B.A.S.S. Publications. In addition to hundreds of articles published in virtually every fishing magazine and on dozens of websites, Duke is a featured expert in the upcoming documentary film series “The History of Sportfishing.”
“Fish Insider is focused on helping our industry do better business,” Duke says. “If we do that, we grow the sport and the market. It’s been a privilege to work in this industry for the past several decades and to consult with many of the wonderful people in it. Fish Insider is the platform and the tool set I’ve always wanted to help the companies that make our sport great — large and small. Today’s kitchen table operation can be tomorrow’s multinational manufacturer with the right advice and strategy.”
To that end, Fish Insider will offer a print magazine — Fish Insider — that’s free to dealers, wholesalers, distributors, and industry professionals, as well as an e-newsletter — “Fish Insider News” (FIN) — and a variety of consulting services that run the gamut from design to manufacturing to media and much more, to fit any situation.
Travis Loyd is the founder of Fish Insider. He shares Duke’s passion for fishing and believes that a strong fishing industry makes for a better America.
“To anyone interested in improving their industry position and strengthening our sport,” Loyd says, “Fish Insider is ready to help. Whether you’re a manufacturer, a dealer, a wholesaler, a professional angler, or you’re simply looking to find your own path in the industry, we have answers, solutions, and connections.”
Duke, Loyd, and other representatives of Fish Insider will be attending ICAST, July 11-14, in Orlando. If you’d like to meet, please email Duke at [email protected]
Fenwick Embarks on a New Journey with World Class Rod Series
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Science, Natural Selection and a Bladed Jig for the Ages
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Costa Sunglasses celebrates 40 years on the water with its most advanced frame to date
Built to achieve ultimate potential on the water, King Tide is a 40 year legacy brought to life
JUPITER, Fla. (July 6, 2023) – Costa Sunglasses, manufacturer of the first color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lens, celebrates its 40th anniversary with the introduction of its most advanced frame to date, King Tide. In nature, a king tide requires the perfect alignment of the Earth and moon to create an exceptionally high tide and once-in-a-lifetime views and opportunities on the water. Like its namesake, Costa’s King Tide is designed to give you the ultimate advantage on the water.
Utilizing the research and innovation from every frame that came before it, King Tide is built for those who demand performance on and off the water. Available in two styles, King Tide 6 is a medium wrap six-base frame for those who require performance in all of their watery pursuits. King Tide 8, the full wrap eight-base version, is built for elite anglers that demand the most from every cast. Technical chops on both frames include removable side shields for optimal use on and off the water, shark inspired venting to achieve a near impossible zero-fog effect, top of the line sweat management and the introduction of non-skid hooding to keep your frames exactly where you want them when the water gets rough.
“King Tide is a historical launch moment for Costa, it’s the culmination of every innovation and lesson we’ve learned in our 40 year history,” says John Sanchez, VP of Global Product Strategy. “King Tide started with a mission to deliver a sunglass packed with technology unrivaled on the water. We started five years ago with an internal challenge to study form, fit, aesthetics and so much more. Using our research lab, user insights and our pro community - who challenged us to push our limits - we delivered King Tide, opening the doors for a true appreciation of functional superiority. Our goal is to build the highest quality product, which is why King Tide is hand assembled and crafted in the U.S., just like we've done for the past four decades."
King Tide is equipped with Costa's cutting-edge polarized 580® glass lens technology, providing exceptional clarity and color enhancement. These scratch-resistant lenses effectively reduce haze and blur, while boosting essential colors for superior definition. Built with Costa's proprietary Bio-Resin, King Tide is also lightweight and maintains the durability necessary for any watery adventure.
“King Tide 6 is hands down the BEST pair of shades I’ve ever worn on the water,” says Costa Pro, Duane (Diego) Mellor. “As an offshore guide and angler, I depend on my eyes all day, every day. These (sunglasses) do everything I need them to and at the highest level. Epic work on the design and construction, Costa. They’re gonna be a huge hit!"
“Costa was born on the water in 1983, and today, we’re still doing what we do best - protecting the waters we love, inspiring our community and making the best damn sunglasses out there,” says John Acosta, Costa Sunglasses Vice President of Marketing NA. “We’re celebrating 40 years of bearing witness to life’s best moments on the water, while looking forward to what is coming next. King Tide is the biggest energy point around our anniversary year. It’s the result of 40 years of product innovation and the first time we’ve launched a frame in a six and eight base option. Cheers to another 40 years and to doing what we love most.”
Building launch hype, King Tide hits the market in three waves. In appreciation to the brick and mortar stores where Costa got its start, King Tide 6 and 8 will be available at select VIP specialty retailers beginning July 7, 2023. Following the first wave, Costa is dropping a 40th Anniversary Limited Edition collectors frame in black gold and a never before seen 580G gold lens. With just 40 frames available each, Limited Edition King Tide 6 and Limited Edition King Tide 8, the frames will be available online at CostaSunglasses.com on July 11, 2023. Finally, September 15, 2023, marks the global release when King Tide will be available online and at retail partners worldwide.
MSRP for King Tide 6 and King Tide 8 starts at $329. For more information about Costa’s complete collection of award-winning performance, optical and lifestyle frames, visit Costasunglasses.com.
Stunning New Bass Worm
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EVER GREEN introduces a one-of-a-kind, Japanese-borne worm perfect for pressured bass. |
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Cypress, CA (July 6, 2023) – The word is out. DAIWA EVER GREEN will be showing off a revolutionary, one-of-a-kind bait for tapping pressured bass at ICAST in Orlando, Florida. Called the “Bow Worm Noodle,” it’s the result of DAIWA Marketing Manager, Marc Mills’ consultation with in-the-know EVER GREEN bait designers and Japanese bass pros faced with extremely tough bass bites on pressured and clear waters. Yes, the Bow Worm Noodle is truly unique amidst countless “me too” bass worms… Although a full 8-inches long, it’s not another Floridian “speed worm” design. Quite the opposite. The EVER GREEN Bow Worm Noodle is intended for fishing weightless, wacky, Neko, or via dropshot. For example, when rigged wacky-style or on a dropshot hook, the Bow Worm Noodle undulates and coils with the slightest movement of the rod, the ultra-thin diameter soft plastic pulsing and writhing like a real nightcrawler. Add any amount of current and it’s even more lifelike. |
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SPECIAL MIMIZU |
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NATURAL EEL |
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DARK PLUM |
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GREEN PUMPKIN BLACK FLAKE |
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Besides its slinking movement, the Bow Worm Noodle features an EVER GREEN-formulated “Special Formula” scent comprised of real shrimp, squid, and baitfish impregnated into the salt-heavy plastic, thus encouraging more bites and bass to hang onto the artificial offering longer. “This bait has been huge for us,” says DAIWA Marketing Manager, Marc Mills. “We’ve sold a ton of them already. We expected to sell an initial 2,000 packs and have moved over 6,000 so far. And the interest is gaining serious momentum through word-of-mouth and social media. Bass anglers are catching lots of fish—and some big ones—on these worms.” Mills continues: “Unlike most worm designs that are thick, the Bow Worm is thin, like spaghetti. You can fish them a lot of different ways, but it really comes to life nose-hooked with #4 Mustad light-wire Mosquito hook on a dropshot. Most worms just kind of sit there and maybe move a little bit. The Bow Worm Noodle rolls and flips on top of itself. Bounce your dropshot off a rock and the Bow Worm Noodle will roll up on itself, then extend again,” offers Mills. |
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“All I can say is it’s money. You can catch everything from average-size fish to Southern California 10- to 12-pounders. When a bass eats it, the worm rolls up in its mouth just like a real worm. They’re awesome—and nobody’s making these. I’m super pumped.” Looking for the next hot bait for extremely tough conditions like clear waters and highly-pressured lakes? Look no further than the new EVER GREEN Bow Worm Noodle. Currently available in four colors: #01 Green Pumpkin BK; #11 Dark Plum; #90 Natural Eel; and #135 Special Mimizu. MSRP $10.99 per pack |
Stracner stepping away from Bassmaster Elite Series
July 6, 2023
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Former Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year Josh Stracner of Vandiver, Ala., is leaving Elite Series competition to pursue other career opportunities.
“My number one goal was always to qualify for the Elite Series,” Stracner said. “I got to travel around the country and fish professionally, which I will always cherish. Some of the guys that I got to fish with and travel with will be friends of mine forever.
“It’s weird to consider myself a ‘former’ Elite Series pro, but at the end of the day, that’s still a title that I’ll be able to carry with me for the rest of my life. I never wanted to fish with any other organization because I just wanted to be a Bassmaster, and I got to do that ... getting an opportunity to pursue a really good job opportunity has made this an easier decision.”
Stracner qualified for the Elite Series through the 2020 St. Croix Bassmaster Eastern Opens, where he averaged a 13th-place finish across four events. Stracner’s momentum didn’t stop there, as he went on to win the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year title in 2021. Over the course of his 36-event B.A.S.S. career, Stracner registered 13 Top 30 finishes, 10 Top 20 finishes and qualified for the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
Fin-Nor Lateral-Line Eyewear Helps Anglers Clearly Spot the Bite
Columbia S.C. (July 6, 2023) - Fin-Nor eyewear enhances fishing capabilities by providing optimal performance and eye protection under the harshest conditions, boasting advanced visibility features for sight fishing and superior lens technology. Purpose-built for anglers, Sportfisher, the newest Fin-Nor sunglasses model, will enter into the New Product Showcase eyewear category at ICAST 2023. Sportfisher redefines comfort and functionality, offering an exceptional visual experience on the water.
Fin-Nor is made for the fishing lifestyle empowering anglers to catch more fish with gear they can rely on. The Sportfisher sunglasses exemplify this commitment to helping people see beneath and beyond with all-day comfort in style.
The Fin-Nor Sportfisher features Lateral Line lens technology engineered to enhance sight without distortion. This technology gives anglers a clear advantage by making it easier to identify what's happening on and beneath the water's surface while reducing eye fatigue. The lenses are designed to decrease blue light transmission and glare, enabling anglers to have exceptional vision in foggy, hazy, or sunny conditions. With the right pair of sunglasses, anglers can improve their chances of a successful fishing experience even under challenging circumstances.
"The Fin-Nor Lateral Line Polarized Polycarbonate lens is built to perform on the water and proven to be 2X more scratch-resistant than our closest competitors*," said Steve Woolf, Category Manager for Fin-Nor. "Inspired by the barriers watermen and women face while pursuing their passion, Fin-Nor delivers superior lens technology designed to perform and provide all-day comfort while lending stylish function."
*Based on the Bayer (Alundum 10-SQ) scratch resistance test by Colts Laboratories.
- An oleophobic/hydrophobic coating on both sides of the lens reduces the negative impacts of smudging, dust, and spray to prevent permanent scratching.
- A 7-layer anti-reflective coating on glass lenses and a 5-layer coating on polycarbonate lenses, which blocks 99.7% of reflections and 100% of UVA and UVB rays
- The most accurate, distortion-free view of your surroundings that cuts through mist and haze.
Fin-Nor has designed the Sportfisher frames with adjustable nose pads, rubber temple tips, and integrated spring hinges to ensure all-day comfort. These features provide a snug but comfortable fit, allowing anglers to wear the sunglasses throughout the day without discomfort. The frames are constructed with lightweight, bio-based grilamid and megol materials, ensuring durability and a barely-there feel, so anglers can focus more on the tasks at hand and spend less time worrying about their sunglasses.
For more information about Fin-Nor Eyewear, please click here.
Sportfisher Models and Styles:
- Lens options: gray or copper (glass or polycarbonate)
- Mirror options: blue, green, or silver
- Frames colors: matte black and matte sienna tortoise
Available: Now
MSRP: $189-$259
HARDY REINVENTS A CLASSIC WITH RELEASE OF THE SOVEREIGN FLY REEL
Rediscover timeless excellence with the remake of the bestselling Hardy fly reel of all times
COLUMBIA, S.C. (July 6, 2023) – The return of a legend – a reimagined version of the most popular Hardy freshwater fly reel series ever. This highly-anticipated reintroduction marks the first time this Hardy reel, true to its original design and unchanged since the 1970s, is made available to anglers after decades.
The remastered Hardy reel features all the hallmarks that made it a favorite amongst the fly angling community, including its famed captivated half-cage design. But the remastered reel doesn’t just rest on its laurels. It comes packed with a host of modern innovations, meticulously engineered in England, to elevate the fishing experience to a new level.
One of these cutting-edge advancements is the powerful self-lubricating, sealed disc drag system, exerting over 5lbs of force while remaining super smooth and reliable. This gives the reel an impressive edge, ensuring every catch is managed with confidence, control, and precision. Adding to this is the newly incorporated on/off clicker, allowing for not only ease of adjustment and enhanced precision during casts and retrieves, but the ability to silence the outgoing clicker if preferred. The reel also boasts a fast and tool-free left or right hand selector lever change, as well as dual stainless-steel bearings for an ultra-smooth, ultra-fast retrieve, putting an end to challenging reeling experiences.
The Hardy Sovereign Reel will be available in two classic colors – Spitfire and Black, and in four sizes. This offering nods to the original design, reaffirming Hardy's commitment to preserving the timeless aesthetics that our anglers have come to love.
"With the reintroduction of this best-selling Hardy reel, we're merging the trusted design of the past with the advanced technology of today," said Jim Murphy, Director of Fly Fishing for Hardy. "We believe in celebrating our history, while constantly innovating for the future, and this reel stands testament to that philosophy."
FEATURES:
● Made by Hardy Bros Master Craftsmen in Alnwick, England
● Self-lubricating, sealed disc drag system which is smooth and reliable
● Fast, tool free left or right hand selector lever change
● Outgoing click can be silenced via a “poachers” switch
● Engineered from bar stock aluminum
● Deep anodized finish
● Supplied in a Hardy neoprene reel pouch
MSRP: Starting at $750.00
Available: September 2023
The Virtues of Laziness
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DAIWA’s new LAZY FA SHAD twitchbait reels them in with its signature slow-slalom-swim. |
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Cypress, CA (July 5, 2023) – Full-bodied swimbaits have proven that a carefree, practically lazy motion can trigger massive strikes. Works on freshwater bass. Dittos for inshore. The trouble with saltwater is that a pack of soft plastic swimbaits mightn’t get you through the morning. Let’s just say there are lot of paddletails left out there. So, what if you could replicate the same relaxed motion in a hardbait? Maybe factor in some subtle snaking around, too? Well, DAIWA did just that. The new LAZY FA SHAD puts the personality of a swimbait in a saltwater-grade twitchbait and included a sluggish slalom. |
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On a straight retrieve, DAIWA’s LAZY FA SHAD winds through the water like a relaxed baitfish – one destined to become a meal. The floating lure dives up to three-feet when engaged, precise depth dictated by the speed of retrieve and weight of the line, narrower pulling deeper. And, unlike a swimbait motoring with limited wobble, the LAZY FA SHAD rolls and shows its sides while in motion, broadcasting a subdued flash that says come and get me. The LAZY FA SHAD’s curious slalom action is produced by a conspicuous fin centered on the head of the bait. Sort of looks like a miniature aquatic rhinoceros. Despite the diminutive nature of the fin, though, it really moves the bait around. |
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The LAZY FA SHAD can be fished more aggressively, too. Technically categorized as a twitchbait, snapping the LAZY FA SHAD affects a sudden dive followed by a slow rise on the rest. And, because of the fin, each pull sends it in another direction. Essentially, it’s two lures in one: a slow swimmer and a ripper. Internally, the LAZY FA SHAD features a dual-purpose metal ball chamber. On the cast, it’s a weight-transfer system to impart exceptional launch distances, even bucking the wind. While retrieved, it emits subtle ticks that produce auditory responses – strikes – from inshore predators like redfish, trout, jacks, snook, calico bass, and others. Externally, the durable LAZY FA SHAD sports refined cosmetics, to include realistic eyeballs, gills and mouthparts, and scale patterns that capture light and throw color. Choose from a palette of proven saltwater patterns, including 3D KONOSIRO, SKELETON CHART BACK, SKELETON RED HEAD, SKELETON MULLET, HOLO SARDINE, and PINK CLEAR HOLO. For the first time, laziness is a virtue. |
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SKELETON MULLET |
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PINK CLEAR HOLO |
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SKELETON CHART BACK |
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SKELETON RED HEAD |
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KONOSHIRO |
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HOLO SARDINE |
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FEATURES:
MSRP $16.99 |
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Minn Kota Unveils Next-Level Trolling Motor Technology with Terrova and Ulterra Innovations
Minn Kota revolutionizes freshwater fishing experiences with streamlined Terrova and Ulterra GPS-enabled motors, featuring advanced sonar capabilities and upgraded wireless control.
RACINE, Wis. (JULY 6, 2023) – Minn Kota, the leading innovator in trolling motor technology, proudly introduces two groundbreaking updates to its esteemed product lineup: the Minn Kota Ulterra® and Terrova®. These state-of-the-art trolling motors represent a new era in fishing excellence, combining cutting-edge features, enhanced performance, and seamless integration. With a host of advanced capabilities, both the Ulterra and Terrova redefine the fishing experience, providing anglers with unrivaled precision, convenience, and power.
The restaging of the existing Terrova and Ulterra motors with the addition of QUEST technology gives anglers even more choices for a magnitude of fishing situations. Simplifying its product line and enhancing compatibility, Minn Kota has emphasized seamless connection with Humminbird head units. All Terrova and Ulterra motors are now equipped with GPS technology, fully compatible with Humminbird fish finders out of the box, giving anglers precise navigation and control.
Minn Kota Terrova and Ulterra Trolling Motors
To enhance the consumer experience, all GPS-enabled Terrova and Ulterra models now include adapter cables in the package, streamlining the buying and rigging process for faster setup and more time spent on the water. Additionally, the new models feature built-in 2D Sonar with Dual Spectrum CHIRP, offering exceptional target separation and detailed imaging. This advanced sonar technology provides unparalleled insights into underwater structures and fish behavior, revolutionizing fish-finding capabilities. The upgraded wireless remote, now standard with Terrova and Ulterra motors, ensures ultimate control and convenience, enhancing the user experience and maximizing productivity during fishing expeditions.
New Features for All Terrova and Ulterra Models:
- NEW Enhanced GPS Suite Including Drift Mode to allow anglers to spend more time fishing and less time on boat control
- Drift Mode: combats current and wind by automatically adjusting speed and direction to keep the boat on a true drift. Drift Mode acts as a gps drift sock eliminating the need for cumbersome ropes or shallow water anchor paddles
- Improved Follow-the-Contour functionality: allows for better LakeMaster and CoastMaster integration to stay on the desired course
- Dodge Mode: allows anglers to quickly leave auto navigation mode to manually steer through waves and around structures and then resume navigating without resetting their route.
- Out of the Box connection to Humminbird via the One-Boat Network by including all necessary adapters required for networking without additional need for setup
- One App for Everything – the One-Boat Network App can control everything on the boat from the trolling motor and shallow water anchors to the Humminbird head units
- Enhanced Built-in 2D Sonar with Dual Spectrum CHIRP adds Humminbird’s unrivaled sonar clarity to every Minn Kota motor
- NEW Wireless Remote with a simplified keypad, ergonomic design, and four programmable One-Boat Network Buttons
Terrova QUEST and Ulterra QUEST
The Minn Kota Terrova and Ulterra QUEST feature brushless motor technology for increased power, quieter operation, and extended run-time ideal for long fishing trips. Its dual 24V/36V capability ensures versatility and optimal performance simplifying the rigging process and saving valuable setup time. QUEST models feature Carbon Fiber-infused motor shafts providing added strength without compromising flexibility. Additionally, exclusive Humminbird built-in MEGA Side Imaging offers exceptional clarity and precision, empowering anglers with a comprehensive view of underwater structures and fish for enhanced navigation and successful catches.
Terrova and Ulterra QUEST Key Features:
- Dual 24 or 36 volt Brushless Motor with up to 30% longer runtime and 50% greater torque*
- Up to 30% longer runtime on a single charge provides anglers more time on the water
- Up to 50% greater torque means more precise control in wind and waves and the ability
- Hands-Free Operation: Anglers can wave goodbye to manual control and enjoy a completely immersive fishing experience.
- Auto Stow/Deploy: Effortlessly enter and exit the water with a single button press, eliminating the hassle of manually manipulating the motor.
- Power Trim: Adapt to changing conditions effortlessly with the ability to adjust the motor's angle for optimal performance.
- Redesigned and Upgraded Mount to accommodate the additional thrust and torque of the lower unit
- Carbon Fiber Infused Shaft for enhanced durability while maintaining flexibility to protect the bow of an angler’s boat
- Peak Performance and Efficiency from Updated Propellers which maximize torque throughout the speed range
- Real-Time Battery Monitoring System lets anglers know time until empty at a given speed setting and prompts users to enter a power saving eco mode when batteries reach 20% charge
- No Loss of Power: constant power throughout the day with no drop in motor performance as battery voltage decreases of the length of a fishing day
- One-Boat Network Programmable Button: customized presets to include stow and deploy Minn Kota shallow water anchors, mark a waypoint, or engage autopilot
- NEW Wireless Remote with a simplified keypad, ergonomic design, and four programmable One-Boat Network Buttons
- Available Shaft Lengths: 45”, 60”, and 72”
Terrova QUEST MSRP: $3,199.99 - $3,899.99
Terrova QUEST Available: August 2023
Ulterra QUEST MSRP: $3,799.99 - $4,499.99
Ulterra QUEST Available: November 2023
Unleash the Gremlin
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PLANO ICE HUNTER 3600 TACKLE BAG
The newest addition to Plano’s Ice Hunter line is purpose-built for ice anglers with both new and proven features.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jul 5, 2023) — Ice anglers rejoice! The Plano Ice Hunter 3600 Tackle Bag delivers a unique, water-resistant storage solution for all of the gear you need on hard water. It’s equipped with a water-resistant, rechargeable lithium-ion LED light, quick-access jig compartment, customizable storage, and more.
The Ice Hunter comes with three Plano 3600 StowAway Utility Boxes and features a customizable interior with a removable divider for maximum control over storing your gear. The waterproof molded base with non-slip rubber feet will keep your bag dry while the quick-access EVA foam ice jig compartment provides safe and easy access for bait changes when the bite is hot. In addition, the external tool holder makes accessing your gear quick and convenient.
Key Features
• Removable LED light rotates 180 degrees (charger included)
• IPX4 water-resistant, rechargeable lithium-ion LED light
• LED light features 4 modes – 2 working modes, a solid red light and an SOS blinking red light
• Quick-access EVA foam jig compartment
• Waterproof molded base with non-slip rubber feet
• External tool hanger to store commonly used tools
• Adjustable internal divider to customize storage
• Includes (3) Plano 3600 StowAway Utility Boxes
MSRP: $99.99
Available: September 2023
INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW HARDY MARKSMAN Z FLY ROD
Redefining Performance in Saltwater Fishing
COLUMBIA, S.C. (July 5, 2023) – Just in time for those saltwater flats trips, the Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod is a groundbreaking addition to our premier saltwater rod range. This innovative rod leverages the latest in performance materials to deliver a level of strength, reduced weight, and durability unmatched in the market.
The Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod is designed to be an angler's ally in the unpredictable and varied challenges of the saltwater environment. From calm, early morning runs to windy afternoons, the Hardy Marksman Z ensures an optimal cast, even from an unstable platform.
This rod is designed with a unique blend of feel, power, and recovery, resulting in a product that promises an unrivaled fishing experience. As a hundred pounds of chrome goes airborne, or as six pounds of silver leaves the flat as if fired from a gun, you can be confident that the Marksman Z in your hand can do the job and, of course, the adrenaline rush is guaranteed.
This exceptional blend of characteristics was brought to life through a collaborative design process. In partnership with some of the world's finest saltwater guides, seasoned anglers, and industry legends, we've crafted the Hardy Marksman Z to be the perfect tool for your perfect moment in salt. Built with Sintrix FLT that is applied to an updated mandrel design, the Marksman Z was created with a strong butt section that gives you increased lifting power in the lower section of the rod making it strong enough to pull big fish from cover yet extremely light in the hand.
The Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod stands up to the most demanding saltwater conditions, offering the reliability needed for everything from Gold Cups to Grand Slams and a thousand different challenges in between. Regardless of the changing tides or shifting winds, the Hardy Marksman Z is your steadfast companion in the saltwater world.
"We're delighted to introduce the Hardy Marksman Z, the newest addition to our superior range of fishing rods," said Jim Murphy, Director of Fly Fishing for Hardy. "Our goal is to provide anglers with the best possible equipment that can stand up to any condition, and we believe the Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod exemplifies this commitment."
- Sintrix FLT on an updated mandrel design
- Increased lifting power in the lower section
- Reduced overall in-hand weight
- Easy to load yet fast tip recovery for more accurate casts under pressured situations
- Hybrid ring specification that blends durability and practicality using both Cerecoil and recoil stripper guides
- Aluminum uplocking reel seat with easy to grip locking nuts to ensure a solid reel fit
MSRP: Starting at $995
Available: September 2023
Small Baits, Bite Detection and the Short Rod Crusade
New Z-Man® Drew’s Ultimate Ned Rig Rods blend primo rod-crafting with whispers of retro finesse
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American Hero Camo Family Receives New Look, Features
Columbia, S.C. – June 28, 2023 – Donning a new Hero Cam camo pattern, the new American Hero Camo family of reels and combos have been updated and upgraded with a new look and new features. Crafted with the American warrior in mind, Lew’s American Hero Camo tackle delivers on all fronts – from looks to performance.
“The American Hero program from Lew's not only offers great gear at great prices, but funds also generated from these products have created opportunities to get our veterans on the water as a means to cope and find peace of mind,” shares Jamey Caldwell, Sergeant Major (Retired) and Professional Angler.
The American Hero Camo baitcast combos feature a new, lower profile reel and one-piece graphite frame and sideplate design. Built to last, the reel features high strength solid brass Speed Gears®, a premium 6-bearing system containing stainless steel double shielded ball bearings, and an externally adjustable Magnetic Control System (MCS). The powerful American Hero Camo baitcast combo has an IM7, 1-piece graphite blank to provide the structural strength and lightweight flexibility that anglers demand and a split-grip EVA rod handle with embossed American Hero logo.
Delivering trusted Lew’s performance, the American Hero Camo spinning combos have spinning reels constructed with a solid, one-piece graphite frame, housing a 6-bearing system with stainless steel double shielded ball bearings for seamless casting day in and day out. With overall refreshed rods and actions, the new American Hero spinning combo features an IM7, 2-piece graphite blank with split-grip EVA handles with embossed American Hero logo. “As a retired combat veteran myself, I couldn't be more honored to be a part of a program that has stood behind veterans for so many years now,” says Caldwell.
MSRP:
Baitcast reels: $79.99
Spinning reels: $49.99
Baitcast combos: $119.99
Spinning combos: $84.99
Team Lew’s Releases Redesigned, Lightweight Custom Lite Rods
Columbia, S.C. – June 28, 2023 – The team at Lew’s has worked to fine tune actions, grips, and blank materials to create the new line of Custom Lite Rods, with a specific focus on extremely lightweight components. The lineup includes 20 casting models and eight spinning models, including two BFS style casting actions designed for fishing light line and lightweight baits, such as small swimbaits, jerkbaits, ned rigs, and shakey heads on casting tackle.
“I had a blast testing and tweaking these new rods with the guys at Lew's. We've got a ton of great actions that are perfect for the way I fish,” shares Mark Zona, host of Zona's Awesome Fishing Show and co-host of Bassmaster Live.
All Custom Lite Rods have HM85 graphite blanks for sensitivity and stainless-steel guides with titanium oxide inserts for durability, with spinning rods featuring a new Comfort Plus ergonomic reel seat designed in partnership with Zona and casting rods featuring a Full Contact reel seat for direct blank contact while fishing. The new Custom Lites have split grip handles with Lew's exclusive Winn® Dri-Tac Ultra ProWeave™ Grips for all day comfort and control.
“The new Comfort Plus reel seat on these spinning rods is perfect, it's just the way I want it. It might be the most comfortable handle I've used through the years!" says Zona.
The new Custom Lite Rods pair perfectly with Custom Lite Baitcast Reel, Custom Lite SS Baitcast Reel (best with BFS action rods), and the Custom Lite Spinning Reel.
MSRP: $149.99-$179.99
Team Lew’s Releases Lighter HyperMag Baitcast Reel
Columbia, S.C. – June 28, 2023 – Continuing to push the limits of innovation and performance, Team Lew’s has redesigned the HyperMag baitcast reel to enhance not only function, but experience. The HyperMag has been upgraded to include the P2 Super Pinion® double bearing supported pinion gear, offering a better gear mesh for smoothness and extended gear life. The ergonomic one-piece magnesium frame and C40 carbon sideplates are strong and extremely lightweight, with the reel weighing in at only 5.2 oz. The “barely-there” feel of this reel is ever-present, giving anglers the comfort and control they desire.
The new features don’t stop there – the recessed brake adjustment dial contributes to the low-profile design, the Speed Knot™ quick line attachment spool enables easy and quick line attachment, and the JDM-style Winn® handle knobs provide outstanding grip and comfort. In line with the original, the new HyperMag has a 4-pin SpeedCast® externally Adjustable Centrifugal Brake (ACB) system, 11 bearing system, Speed Keeper® hook keeper, and Speed Dial® line indicator, bringing all of the best features together in one of Lew’s lightest, most efficient baitcast reel to date.
The HyperMag reel is very heavily utilized by tournament pros and avid bass anglers, making this one of the most highly sought after Lew’s reels. “What I love about the HyperMag is you feel like it's not even there – it becomes part of you, if you know what I mean. It's just right,” shares Greg Hackney, Professional Angler in the Bassmaster Elite Series.
MSRP: $349.99
Strike King Releases New Sexy Shad 2.0, Adds More Color Options to Hybrid Hunter Family
Columbia, SC – Strike King launches the new Sexy Shad 2.0 and adds 10 new colors to the Hybrid Hunter family. Sexy Shad, a staple color in many anglers’ arsenal, has been redesigned to enhance the eye-catching, fish-attracting effect of the original Sexy Shad. A new twist on an old favorite, Sexy Shad 2.0 is available in hard baits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and soft plastics.
“I remember working with the team in 2008 to design the original Sexy Shad color. We set the standard for the Sexy Shad color you see across the industry. And now we have set the standard again!” says Kevin VanDam, MLF Bass Pro Tour Angler.
The best grass crankbait in the industry, Hybrid Hunter, now has 10 new color options for anglers to “match the hatch” in any environment. The Hybrid Hunter is known for having a loud internal rattle system and is incredibly buoyant, allowing you to rip through grass and other cover to stay in the strike zone longer. The team at Strike King worked meticulously to hand pick legendary Strike King colors for this expansion as well as design some totally new colors, like Ghost Herring or Ghost Gill, that would excel in the Hybrid Hunter. The 10 new colors are available in all Hybrid Hunter models – junior and standard sizes in both shallow and diving models.
MSRP:
Sexy Shad 2.0: $4.99-$17.99
Hybrid Hunter: $9.99
Strike King Releases New Crankbait Designed by KVD and Todd Castledine
Columbia, S.C. – June 28, 2023 – Delivering a wide wobble action in a bite-sized, 1.5 profile, Strike King's new Gravel
Dawg grinds through rock, wood, and grass better than any medium-diving crank bait in its class. Strike King pros Todd
Castledine and Kevin VanDam worked diligently to design the ideal, “go to” crankbait for anglers across the country.
“I can't wait for the world to get to know this crankbait. I have been fishing prototype versions of the Gravel Dawg for
over a year and I knew right away that it was going to be special!" says Kevin VanDam, MLF Bass ProTour Angler. “It runs
true through all types of cover – rock, brush, grass. Nothing stops the Gravel Dawg!”
The Gravel Dawg comes in two different versions – the Gravel Dawg 8 and Gravel Dawg 10. Both sizes keep the same
body profile and size, but the bill changes between the two to achieve different diving depths. These baits will have you
covered in the 5-10 ft. range throughout all parts of the country. We recommend grabbing your favorite Lew’s medium
diving crankbait rod and going to work with the all-new Gravel Dawg.
“Those new craw patterns are going to excel in the Gravel Dawg. We work with one of the most talented custom lure
painters in the world when we develop new colors, and these are a work of art. We added in a few new shad patterns as
well, to really round out the color assortment for year-round success in every situation!” says VanDam.
MSRP: $9.99
Strike King Expands Legendary Jerkbait Selection with New KVD Elite, Sinking Series
Columbia, S.C. – June 28, 2023 – Adding depth to an already robust jerkbait collection, Strike King introduces the new
KVD J300 Deep Sinking Jerkbait and an even wider color selection to the KVD Elite Jerkbait line up.
The KVD Elite Jerkbait is tournament ready right out of the package with upgraded Mustad Triple Grip hooks and
premium paint finishes. It maintains the action of the legendary Strike King jerkbaits.
“I am really excited to bring my KVD Elite Jerkbait series into the 200 and 300 Deep bodies. We spent a lot of time
tweaking these colors to make them the best they could be. With my signature Mustad Triple Grip Hooks already on the
baits, these are tournament winners right out of the package!” says Kevin VanDam, MLF Bass Pro Tour Angler.
The new KVD J300 Deep Sinking Jerkbait allows you to fish a jerkbait in depths that no other jerkbait can get to. Watch it
sink down on your forward-facing sonar until it gets to the depth you desire, then start ripping it back to the boat and
watch the fish go crazy. The jerkbait is weighted perfectly to sink nearly 0.5-feet per second and maintains the amazing
erratic action of the standard KVD 300 Deep Jerkbait.
“I’ve spent a lot of time playing with the KVD J300 Deep Sinking Jerkbait and utilizing weights to allow me to fish deeper.
We've added some weight to the new KVD J300 Deep Sinking Jerkbait without compromising the action of the lure. I can
watch it sink right down to fish on my Humminbird LIVE that I could never reach with a jerkbait... until now!” says Mark
Zona, host of Zona's Awesome Fishing Show and co-host of Bassmaster Live.
MSRP:
KVD Elite J200 & J300: $14.99
KVD J300 Deep Sinking Jerkbait: $11.99
Lew’s Releases New Tournament Grade MACH Jacked Combos
Columbia, S.C. – June 28, 2023 – Take your passion for the chase one step further with the new MACH Jacked combos. MACH Jacked combos are the most premium, tournament-quality combos ever offered from MACH – available in spinning and baitcast models.
“These combos are truly the best combos the market has ever seen. Extremely lightweight, extremely sensitive. Take them to fish a derby this Saturday from a bass boat or kayak or be locked and loaded to tackle a local pond,” shares Tony
Mehrl, Brand Manager for Lew's.
Delivering heightened precision and control, the baitcast combos feature a premium 10-bearing system with stainless steel double shielded ball bearings, a Multi-Setting Brake system (MSB) with internally adjustable centrifugal braking pins and externally adjustable magnetic braking, and come available in five bass-focused, tournament level lengths and actions for avid anglers.
The spinning combos provide unquestionable performance with a premium 10-bearing system, lightweight C40 carbon rotor with one piece bail, an extremely smooth drag system, and a new Comfort Plus ergonomic spinning reel seat, available in three bass-focused, tournament level lengths and actions for weekend warriors and fierce competitors alike.
Both spinning and baitcast combos are built with extremely lightweight Tanso Tech reel frames and HM50 rod blanks with Winn® Dri-Tac Ultra ProWeave™ split grip rod handles and reel handle knobs, providing the texture and appearance of carbon weave matched with the extreme comfort and feel of Winn Ultra material.
“I promise you, the reels used in these combos will stand up against the best out there on the market. They are extremely lightweight, extremely smooth, and are up to the task in really any scenario. They're ready to roll,” Mehrl says.
MSRP:
Spinning: $249.99
Baitcast: $259.99
New Bitsy Family Adds Additional Size Options to Popular Strike King Baits
Columbia, S.C. – June 28, 2023 – Strike King releases the new Bitsy family, a line up of four popular Strike King baits now
available in a “bitsy” size. Anglers can find some of their favorite Strike King baits – like the Sexy Dawg, KVD Splash, Red
Eyed Shad – in a super small finesse profile that will catch fish from coast-to-coast, anywhere there is water.
“We built these baits with one goal in mind – to offer a lineup of baits that anglers at every level can use to catch a ton
of fish,” says Lucas Murphy, Strike King Brand Manager. The Bitsy family provides a finesse profile that can be more
efficient at triggering finicky bites. The team at Strike King ensured that all Bitsy lures were built to provide all the same
benefits as the originals, just in a smaller package. “Everyone gets excited when they get their hands on the new Bitsy
products. We made sure that they match the quality and action of their full-sized siblings,” Murphy shares.
The full Bitsy family includes the Bitsy Dawg, Bitsy Splash, Bitsy Red Eyed Shad, Bitsy Jerkbait and Bitsy Spinner which is
available in 1/16 oz., 1/8 oz., 1/4 oz., and 3/8 oz. Not only will these help anglers catch a boatload of bass, but countless
other species have been falling victim to these new Bitsy products. Bass, trout, panfish – no fish is safe when Bitsy rolls
into town!
MSRP:
Bitsy Spinner: $3.99
All other Bitsy products: $5.99
Strike King Releases New, More Efficient S11 “Spotlight” Yellow Lenses for Enhanced Visibility
Columbia, S.C. – June 28, 2023 – Strike King releases the S11 “Spotlight” Yellow lens color, agreed upon to be the most effective color for identifying movement and structure under the water, especially in dim conditions. Strike King’s new Spotlight Yellow lenses are the absolute #1 pick among Strike King Pro Staff during the entire year. S11 polarization with the yellow mirror finish work together to function as a “spotlight” for anglers to see further beneath the water than any other lens color. These lenses are extremely impactful when fishing in low light conditions, whether early in the morning, late in the evening, or during cloudy afternoons. The Spotlight Yellow bi-gradient lens is available in two frame colors, matte gray or matte black, and in four different frame styles – Pickwick, Okeechobee, Caddo, and the new Eutaw. The solid, matte-colored frames assist in blocking out outside light and glare, enhancing the effectiveness of the glasses.
“I will use this 'Spotlight' Yellow lens 90% of the time. Whether you are actually looking at the fish, or just looking for cover beneath the surface that the fish may be holding on, looking through these lenses is similar to shining a ‘spotlight’ on them – they can't hide,” says Greg Hackney, Professional Angler in the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Look and fish like a pro without breaking the bank – S11 “Spotlight” Yellow glasses are available in any frame for $39.99.
MSRP: $39.99
Strike King Adds to Their Legendary Rage Tail Plastics Line Up
Columbia, S.C. – June 28, 2023 – The Rage Hawk and the Rage Luau Craw are the newest additions to the long line of Rage Tail Plastics from Strike King. Rage products are commonly identified by the patented Rage appendages found on the arms and claws of the products. Both the Rage Hawk and Rage Luau Craw build upon the traditional Rage style to push the limits of innovation and entice more bites.
Rage Hawk is 3.25” and features a super compact profile, with two Rage arms extending from the side of the bait. It is able to fit up to a 5/0 hook in its smaller body style, increasing hook up ratios and presenting fish with the perfect, snack-sized bite for finicky bass. “The Rage Hawk packs a big punch. It's an awesome option for when you're getting a lot of short strikes or just want to show them something different,” says Andy Montgomery, MLF Bass Pro Professional Angler.
Rage Luau Craw is built from the body of the most famous craw-shaped soft bait in the world – Strike King’s Rage Craw. With the addition of a soft plastic skirt to the tip of the Rage Craw, the team at Strike King successfully designed the first “luau-style” soft bait of its kind, surprising fish with something they’ve never seen before. “[Rage] Luau Craw was built to party, if you know what I mean. You can pitch it, flip it, Texas rig it... it has no limits,” says Greg Hackney, Bassmaster Elite Series Professional Angler.
Along with the introduction of Rage Hawk and Rage Luau Craw, Strike King has also released the popular Rage Scounbug in a bulkier size. “In my opinion, the Scounbug is the perfect soft plastic bait for every application... period. You can pitch it, flip it, cast it, Carolina rig it, and man is it good as a jig/swim jig trailer!” says Mark Rose.
A perfect match for any Rage Tail soft plastic, Strike King also introduces the new Tour Grade Rage Swimmin’ Head is built with an exceptional keeper to hold your soft bait in place. The lower keeper extends the weight of the jighead throughout the belly of the swimbait, allowing the bait to swim perfectly horizontal with the surface of the water. “I spend a lot of time with a swimbait in my hand – specifically a Rage Swimmer. We built this head to be the ultimate Rage Swimmer jighead,” says Tristan McCormick, Professional Angler.
MSRP:
Rage Plastics: $6.99
Tour Grade Rage Swimmin’ Head: $5.99 for pack of 3
Wiesner claims B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Regional win on home waters of Winnebago
Josh Wiesner of Fon du Lac, Wis., has won the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Regional at Lake Winnebago with a three-day total of 44 pounds, 3 ounces.
Photo by Grant Moxley/B.A.S.S.
June 30, 2023
MENASHA, Wis. — The TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Regional at Lake Winnebago was a challenge for every competitor, but hometown angler Josh Wiesner figured out the finicky smallmouth bite the best.
Wiesner, who lives in Oakfield, near the southern shore of Lake Winnebago, caught a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 44 pounds, 3 ounces. It was a hard-earned victory that came with a $6,000 prize, part of a $40,650 total cash purse divvied among the best of the week’s competitors.
Wiesner bagged a limit of 14-2 on Friday, which followed his earlier limits of 15-2 and 14-15. He took the lead on Day 2 and slammed the door with authority on Friday, finishing the derby more than 5 1/2 pounds ahead of his nearest competitor.
Wiesner acknowledged Winnebago can be stingy at times, but the 45-year-old angler said the wind that blew Friday helped his cause.
“When I pre-fished on Sunday, the wind was blowing and the fish were biting,” he said. “I had a limit in less than an hour today. It was 6:54 a.m. It was only 8 pounds, but I lost a couple 3-pounders right next to the boat … and I hadn’t lost any fish like that in the tournament otherwise. Then the wind kicked up and I told my partner we’d start clobbering them, and we did.”
Wiesner estimated he had 40 bites on Friday, though not all of them were keepers. Still, his output was better than some who didn’t have that many bites the entire tournament.
Wiesner said his best bites came around rocks in anywhere from 4 to 9 feet of water. His main lures were a 2 3/4-inch tube bait (green pumpkin/orange flake) and a Bass Assassin Skunk Ape (also green pumpkin).
“They were feeding on crawfish and shiners,” Wiesner said. “I could see them on the Garmin LiveScope and would watch the fish eat the bait. About half the time it happened when the lure was still falling. The other half, I’d shake the line and one would grab it and take off.”
Wiesner’s win earned him a spot in the 2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Hartwell on Oct. 18-20 in South Carolina. It’ll be his first trip to the Nation title event.
He said he’s primarily competed in walleye events in more than 25 years of tournament fishing, so to win a B.A.S.S. Nation tournament against some of the best anglers from 10 different states was a statement victory.
“It’s exciting to take the bass thing to the next level,” he said. “This is something different for me and it could be the next part of my journey.”
The tournament featured 100 competitors in both angler and co-angler fields, with the field trimmed to the Top 26 in each on Friday. The Top 10 in both divisions advanced to October’s championship on Hartwell.
Rounding out the Top 5 in the angler division were second, South Dakota’s Troy Diede, 38-10, $3,000; third, Ohio’s B.J. Baxter, 38-8, $2,000; fourth, Minnesota’s Jay Swanson, 38-2, $1,500; and Wisconsin’s Lonnie Peterson, 37-10, $1,000.
Robert Swem, of Buchanan, Mich., won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award of $500 for the 4-9 he caught Thursday. Wiesner won an additional $500 for being the highest-placing angler using Garmin electronics.
Tyler Guthmiller, a Yankton, S.D., resident who qualified through the South Dakota B.A.S.S. Nation, won the co-angler championship with eight bass totaling 20-14. He collected a $2,750 cash prize for the win.
Top 5 co-anglers at Winnebago were, second, Wisconsin’s Bryan Schumacher, 19-1, $1,500; third, Wisconsin’s Dylan Esselman, 18-12, $1,000; fourth, Minnesota’s Miles Lausch, 15-13, $600; and fifth, Indiana’s Carl Bowser, 15-7, $500.
Nebraska’s Leray Anderson II caught a 3-13 on Day 1 to claim a $250 prize for Phoenix Boats Big Bass among co-anglers.
This week’s tournament was the first B.A.S.S. Nation visit to Lake Winnebago since 2008 and the fourth of five regular-season Nation stops in 2023, following tournaments on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma, Douglas Lake in Tennessee and the Potomoc River in Maryland. The fifth will be held on Arizona’s Lake Powell on Aug. 30-Sept 1., followed by the championship on Hartwell.
The Top 3 anglers from the Nation Championship will win spots in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota when it’s held March 22-24 on Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees in Tulsa, Okla. The winner at Hartwell also will earn a berth into the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series as well as use of a fully-rigged, Nation’s Best Toyota Tundra truck and Nitro boat.
The tournament was hosted by the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau.
2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: TNT Fireworks
2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2023 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
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Media Contact: Emily Harley, B.A.S.S. Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, [email protected]
2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation
2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Regional 6/28-6/30
Lake Winnebago, Menasha WI.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI (WI) 15 44-03 0
2. Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 15 38-10 0
3. BJ Baxter Willshire, OH (OH) 15 38-08 0
4. Jay Swanson Lakeville, MN (MN) 14 38-02 0
5. Lonnie Peterson Chippewa Falls, WI (WI) 15 37-10 0
6. Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI (IN) 14 37-06 0
7. Taylor Umland Carlock, IL (IL) 14 36-09 0
8. Justin Kohl Hastings, NE (SD) 15 36-06 0
9. Bill Baker Winnebago, IL (IL) 15 35-11 0
10. Curtis Samo Rochelle, IL (IL) 15 35-01 0
11. Adam Hamann Prairie Du Chien, IA (I 12 34-02 0
12. Casey Morgan Byron, IL (IL) 15 34-02 0
13. Nic Rand Kalamazoo, MI (MI) 14 33-08 0
14. Casey Hoffman New London, WI (WI) 15 33-07 0
15. Troy Kilgas Combined Locks, WI (WI) 14 32-07 0
16. Brock Gullixon Lola, WI (WI) 14 32-00 0
17. Dan Mohn Lansing, IA (IA) 13 31-05 0
18. Joseph Sanderson Channahon, IL (IL) 14 31-03 0
19. Ryan Koehn-Lofts Ada, MI (MI) 13 31-02 0
20. Dan Welsh Elko New Mrkt, MN (MN) 11 29-05 0
21. Blake Knies Jasper, IN (IN) 12 29-01 0
22. Tyler Darling Rapid City, SD (ND) 12 24-14 0
23. Jerry Pape Bella Vista, AR (NE) 12 23-05 0
24. Joe May Luverne, MN (ND) 11 21-05 0
25. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI (WI) 10 19-15 0
26. Andrew Paulsen Marion, IA (IA) 8 19-08 0
27. Robert Hime Odessa, MO (NE) 10 19-07 0
28. Scott Cremeans Albany, OH (OH) 10 18-13 0
29. Brian Perzentka Oshkosh, WI (WI) 9 18-10 0
30. Shane Peters Shelbyville, IN (IN) 10 18-10 0
31. Denny Cook Auburn, IN (MI) 8 18-08 0
32. Adam Crigger Le Claire, IA (IA) 7 18-03 0
33. Jim Blumenstein Bolingbrook, IL (IL) 8 17-02 0
34. Robert Swem Buchanan, MI (MI) 7 17-01 0
35. Brad Norris Hudson, IL (IL) 7 17-00 0
36. Bob Bayless Indianapolis, IN (IN) 9 16-10 0
37. Michael Rubino Hoffman Est, IL (IL) 8 16-07 0
38. Justin Schneider New London, MN (MN) 6 16-02 0
39. Eric Ritter Albertville, MN (MN) 9 16-01 0
40. Brian Bengtson Bloomington, MN (MN) 9 15-13 0
41. Monty Fralick Martin, SD (SD) 6 15-08 0
42. Kyle Waller Thornville, OH (OH) 6 15-06 0
43. Jeremiah Acton Shelbyville, MI (MI) 9 15-05 0
44. Matt Reagan Allendale, MI (MI) 8 15-02 0
45. Jeremy Tenwalde Fort Jennings, OH (OH) 6 15-00 0
46. Jesse Weener Holland, MI (MI) 8 14-11 0
47. Tom Forrester Solsberry, IN (IN) 7 14-07 0
48. Mike Obal Jr Springfield, NE (NE) 7 14-06 0
49. Rick Sawyer Albion, IN (MI) 6 14-02 0
50. Jason Citta Hershey, NE (NE) 7 13-14 0
51. Mathew Bertram Worthington, OH (OH) 5 13-07 0
52. Donald Roberts Bellville, OH (OH) 6 13-03 0
53. Brock Belik Orchard, NE (SD) 6 12-15 0
54. Kobie Koenig Cohassett, MN (MN) 6 12-13 0
55. Justin Rowe New Auburn, WI (WI) 6 12-11 0
56. Tyler Wolf Creston, IA (NE) 5 12-09 0
57. Kevin Schleeter Fort Jennings, OH (OH) 6 12-07 0
58. Bryan Close Fairbank, IA (IA) 6 12-01 0
59. Peter Tuls Grand Haven, MI (MI) 6 11-15 0
60. Daniel Fabiano Maple Grove, MN (MN) 6 11-14 0
61. Tanner Bock Davenport, IA (IA) 6 11-10 0
62. Allex Conner Delaware, OH (OH) 5 11-03 0
63. Eugene Sherman Hartland, WI (WI) 5 11-02 0
64. Blake Albertson BLOOMINGTON, IN (IN) 5 10-15 0
65. Shane Stiehl Pierre, SD (SD) 5 10-09 0
66. Grant Farmer Aberdeen, SD (ND) 4 10-05 0
67. Mark Nies Cannelton, IN (IN) 5 10-04 0
68. Andy Toft Canton, SD (SD) 5 10-00 0
69. Lance Jensen Saint Francis, MN (MN) 5 10-00 0
70. Ben Stacy Cincinnati, OH (OH) 5 09-14 0
71. John Wadsworth Killdeer, ND (ND) 4 09-02 0
72. Owen Hentschel Traverse City, MI (MI) 5 08-12 0
73. Kyle Pohjola Oshkosh, WI (WI) 5 08-04 0
74. Danny Ryan Jr Louisville, KY (OH) 5 08-03 0
75. Tom Logue Tyndall, SD (SD) 3 08-01 0
76. Ed Bauer Mooresville, IN (IN) 4 08-00 0
77. Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, IA (NE) 4 07-15 0
78. Dave McCoy Plattsmouth, NE (NE) 4 07-14 0
79. Harry Ladner Jr Estelline, SD (ND) 3 07-11 0
80. Jeff Smith Avon, IN (IN) 4 07-07 0
81. Jason Boswell Corning, IA (NE) 3 07-04 0
82. Thomas Reding Papillion, NE (NE) 3 07-03 0
83. Nicholas King Tinley Park, IL (IL) 3 07-02 0
84. Justin Hill Center City, MN (MN) 3 06-15 0
85. Bryce Hauf Winner, SD (SD) 3 06-14 0
86. George Brown Camby, IN (IN) 3 06-10 0
87. Cody Oberfoell Marion, IA (IA) 3 06-05 0
87. Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD (SD) 3 06-05 0
89. Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE (NE) 3 06-01 0
90. Mike Towe Braidwood, IL (IL) 3 05-14 0
91. Ross Olson Brooten, MN (MN) 3 05-00 0
92. Aaron Faulk Long Grove, IA (IA) 2 04-05 0
93. Joe Moyer Dubuque, IA (IA) 2 04-00 0
94. Collin Tweten Decorah, IA (IA) 2 03-15 0
95. Tony Reinbold Timber Lake, SD (ND) 2 03-13 0
96. Michael Messall Bismarck, ND (ND) 2 03-07 0
97. Casey Briggs Highmore, SD (ND) 2 03-04 0
98. Justin Welch Sioux Falls, SD (ND) 1 01-11 0
99. Aaron Coe Lake Benton, MN (ND) 0 -1-00 0
99. Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD (SD) 0 -1-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 36 336 751-08
2 35 286 631-06
3 15 107 255-03
----------------------------------
86 729 1638-01
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 WISCONSIN 318-13
2 ILLINOIS 317-04
3 INDIANA 240-04
4 MINNESOTA 228-15
5 MICHIGAN 223-06
6 OHIO 212-06
7 IOWA 202-14
8 NEBRASKA 200-01
9 SOUTH DAKOTA 182-08
10 NORTH DAKOTA 168-07
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Adam Hamann Prairie Du Chien, IA 12 34-02 0
2 Dan Mohn Lansing, IA 13 31-05 0
3 Andrew Paulsen Marion, IA 8 19-08 0
4 Adam Crigger Le Claire, IA 7 18-03 0
5 Bryan Close Fairbank, IA 6 12-01 0
6 Tanner Bock Davenport, IA 6 11-10 0
7 Cody Oberfoell Marion, IA 3 06-05 0
8 Aaron Faulk Long Grove, IA 2 04-05 0
9 Joe Moyer Dubuque, IA 2 04-00 0
10 Collin Tweten Decorah, IA 2 03-15 0
ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Taylor Umland Carlock, IL 14 36-09 0
2 Bill Baker Winnebago, IL 15 35-11 0
3 Curtis Samo Rochelle, IL 15 35-01 0
4 Casey Morgan Byron, IL 15 34-02 0
5 Joseph Sanderson Channahon, IL 14 31-03 0
6 Jim Blumenstein Bolingbrook, IL 8 17-02 0
7 Brad Norris Hudson, IL 7 17-00 0
8 Michael Rubino Hoffman Est, IL 8 16-07 0
9 Nicholas King Tinley Park, IL 3 07-02 0
10 Mike Towe Braidwood, IL 3 05-14 0
INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brian Hensley Edwardsburg, MI 14 37-06 0
2 Blake Knies Jasper, IN 12 29-01 0
3 Shane Peters Shelbyville, IN 10 18-10 0
4 Bob Bayless Indianapolis, IN 9 16-10 0
5 Tom Forrester Solsberry, IN 7 14-07 0
6 Blake Albertson BLOOMINGTON, IN 5 10-15 0
7 Mark Nies Cannelton, IN 5 10-04 0
8 Ed Bauer Mooresville, IN 4 08-00 0
9 Jeff Smith Avon, IN 4 07-07 0
10 George Brown Camby, IN 3 06-10 0
MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Nic Rand Kalamazoo, MI 14 33-08 0
2 Ryan Koehn-Lofts Ada, MI 13 31-02 0
3 Denny Cook Auburn, IN 8 18-08 0
4 Robert Swem Buchanan, MI 7 17-01 0
5 Jeremiah Acton Shelbyville, MI 9 15-05 0
6 Matt Reagan Allendale, MI 8 15-02 0
7 Jesse Weener Holland, MI 8 14-11 0
8 Rick Sawyer Albion, IN 6 14-02 0
9 Peter Tuls Grand Haven, MI 6 11-15 0
10 Owen Hentschel Traverse City, MI 5 08-12 0
MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jay Swanson Lakeville, MN 14 38-02 0
2 Dan Welsh Elko New Mrkt, MN 11 29-05 0
3 Justin Schneider New London, MN 6 16-02 0
4 Eric Ritter Albertville, MN 9 16-01 0
5 Brian Bengtson Bloomington, MN 9 15-13 0
6 Kobie Koenig Cohassett, MN 6 12-13 0
7 Daniel Fabiano Maple Grove, MN 6 11-14 0
8 Lance Jensen Saint Francis, MN 5 10-00 0
9 Justin Hill Center City, MN 3 06-15 0
10 Ross Olson Brooten, MN 3 05-00 0
OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 BJ Baxter Willshire, OH 15 38-08 0
2 Scott Cremeans Albany, OH 10 18-13 0
3 Kyle Waller Thornville, OH 6 15-06 0
4 Jeremy Tenwalde Fort Jennings, OH 6 15-00 0
5 Mathew Bertram Worthington, OH 5 13-07 0
6 Donald Roberts Bellville, OH 6 13-03 0
7 Kevin Schleeter Fort Jennings, OH 6 12-07 0
8 Allex Conner Delaware, OH 5 11-03 0
9 Ben Stacy Cincinnati, OH 5 09-14 0
10 Danny Ryan Jr Louisville, KY 5 08-03 0
SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Troy Diede Sioux Falls, SD 15 38-10 0
2 Justin Kohl Hastings, NE 15 36-06 0
3 Monty Fralick Martin, SD 6 15-08 0
4 Brock Belik Orchard, NE 6 12-15 0
5 Shane Stiehl Pierre, SD 5 10-09 0
6 Andy Toft Canton, SD 5 10-00 0
7 Tom Logue Tyndall, SD 3 08-01 0
8 Bryce Hauf Winner, SD 3 06-14 0
9 Bob Slama Harrisburg, SD 3 06-05 0
10 Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD 0 -1-00 0
WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI 15 44-03 0
2 Lonnie Peterson Chippewa Falls, WI 15 37-10 0
3 Casey Hoffman New London, WI 15 33-07 0
4 Troy Kilgas Combined Locks, WI 14 32-07 0
5 Brock Gullixon Lola, WI 14 32-00 0
6 Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 10 19-15 0
7 Brian Perzentka Oshkosh, WI 9 18-10 0
8 Justin Rowe New Auburn, WI 6 12-11 0
9 Eugene Sherman Hartland, WI 5 11-02 0
10 Kyle Pohjola Oshkosh, WI 5 08-04 0
NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jerry Pape Bella Vista, AR 12 23-05 0
2 Robert Hime Odessa, MO 10 19-07 0
3 Mike Obal Jr Springfield, NE 7 14-06 0
4 Jason Citta Hershey, NE 7 13-14 0
5 Tyler Wolf Creston, IA 5 12-09 0
6 Chris Brokman Council Bluffs, IA 4 07-15 0
7 Dave McCoy Plattsmouth, NE 4 07-14 0
8 Jason Boswell Corning, IA 3 07-04 0
9 Thomas Reding Papillion, NE 3 07-03 0
10 Jared Knuth Wahoo, NE 3 06-01 0
NORTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tyler Darling Rapid City, SD 12 24-14 0
2 Joe May Luverne, MN 11 21-05 0
3 Grant Farmer Aberdeen, SD 4 10-05 0
4 John Wadsworth Killdeer, ND 4 09-02 0
5 Harry Ladner Jr Estelline, SD 3 07-11 0
6 Tony Reinbold Timber Lake, SD 2 03-13 0
7 Michael Messall Bismarck, ND 2 03-07 0
8 Casey Briggs Highmore, SD 2 03-04 0
9 Justin Welch Sioux Falls, SD 1 01-11 0
10 Aaron Coe Lake Benton, MN 0 -1-00 0
2023 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Northern Regional 6/28-6/30
Lake Winnebago, Menasha WI.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tyler Guthmiller Yankton, SD (ND) 8 20-14 0
2. Bryan Schumacher Sparta, WI (WI) 9 19-01 0
3. Dylan Esselman Appleton, WI (WI) 8 16-12 0
4. Miles Lausch Lakeville, MN (MN) 8 15-13 0
5. Carl Bowser Indianapolis, IN (IN) 7 15-07 0
6. Alex Ellerbrock Sugar Grove, IL (IL) 6 15-04 0
7. Chris Rhodes Eaton, IN (IN) 7 15-03 0
8. Will Presley Jr Grove City, OH (OH) 7 14-12 0
9. Cameron Welch Raymore, MO (ND) 6 14-07 0
10. Hunter Frederickson Redford, MI (MI) 7 14-05 0
11. Perry See Rochester, MN (MN) 7 14-01 0
12. Blake Macumber Elkhorn, NE (NE) 6 13-04 0
13. Shon Smith Dubois, IN (IN) 6 12-14 0
14. Alan Bernicky Joliet, IL (IL) 6 12-04 0
15. Dennis Davis Avon, IN (IN) 6 12-03 0
16. Wes Gehrt Bloomington, IL (IL) 5 12-01 0
17. Leray Anderson II Crofton, NE (SD) 4 11-04 0
18. Alfonso Garcia Jr Mccook, NE (NE) 5 11-04 0
19. Braden Fairbanks Grove City, OH (OH) 5 11-02 0
20. AJ Mende Bellevue, NE (NE) 5 11-00 0
21. Cory Lorts Sharpsville, IN (IN) 5 10-08 0
22. Cordell Wadsworth Killdeer, ND (ND) 5 10-07 0
23. Jerry Duncklee Fayette, IA (IA) 5 10-01 0
24. Shawn Van Gerpen Sioux Falls, SD (SD) 5 09-05 0
25. Bryan Freyermuth Muscatine, IA (IA) 4 09-02 0
26. Larry Sallis Herculaneum, MO (NE) 4 08-06 0
27. John Peterson Norfolk, NE (NE) 4 08-05 0
28. Ryan Etringer Wrightstown, WI (WI) 4 08-00 0
29. Charles Capehart Olathe, KS (NE) 4 07-15 0
30. Ted Prisbe Harsens Island, MI (MI 4 07-12 0
31. Dustin Hartzer Mc Cook, NE (NE) 4 07-11 0
32. Kris Lewis Cicero, IN (IN) 4 07-09 0
33. Eddie Gad Braidwood, IL (IL) 4 07-06 0
34. Colten Didion Mount Vernon, OH (OH) 3 07-04 0
35. Lenny Beatty Sandwich, IL (IL) 3 07-03 0
36. Jacob Lange Marion, IA (IA) 3 07-01 0
37. Paul Reinbold Gladstone, ND (ND) 3 07-01 0
38. Wyatt Stout Winona, MN (WI) 4 06-15 0
39. Bobby May Marshall, MN (ND) 3 06-13 0
40. Dalton Krueger Watertown, SD (ND) 3 06-12 0
41. Austin Moore Washburn, IL (IL) 3 06-06 0
42. David Hentschel Traverse City, MI (MI) 3 06-06 0
43. Kristopher Gaertner Morris, IL (IL) 2 06-03 0
44. Ben Rand Kalamazoo, MI (MI) 3 06-03 0
45. Matt Ploof Coon Rapids, MN (MN) 3 06-02 0
46. Adam Schirmer Lakefield, MN (ND) 3 06-02 0
47. Jimmy Wolverton Fridley, MN (MN) 3 06-00 0
48. Kenny Nachtman Bellevue, IA (IA) 3 06-00 0
49. Tim Garner Carol Stream, IL (IL) 3 05-15 0
50. Jody Adkins Navarre, OH (OH) 4 05-15 0
51. Russell Smith IV Green Bay, WI (WI) 3 05-11 0
52. George Cavers Carlos, MN (MN) 3 05-11 0
53. Mark Borchers Akron, IA (NE) 2 05-11 0
54. Coleton Usher Atkins, IA (IA) 3 05-10 0
55. Tanner Albrecht Lonsdale, MN (MN) 3 05-10 0
56. Zackary Ekberg Rapid City, SD (ND) 2 05-10 0
57. Dave Rahrig Delphos, OH (OH) 3 05-09 0
58. Matteo Turano Puryear, TN (IL) 2 05-08 0
59. Patrick Stradal Minneapolis, MN (MN) 3 05-03 0
60. Mark Folsom Waterville, IA (IA) 2 05-02 0
61. Billy Ray Plattsmouth, NE (NE) 2 05-00 0
62. Ryan Schell Baraboo, WI (WI) 3 04-14 0
63. Justin Shepard Lansing, IA (IA) 2 04-11 0
64. Donald Merryfield Des Moines, IA (IA) 2 04-10 0
65. Ryan Kriegel Delphos, OH (OH) 2 04-06 0
66. Rylen Coe Lake Benton, MN (ND) 2 04-01 0
67. Allen Howard Cincinnati, OH (OH) 2 03-15 0
68. Jason Thomas Farmington, MN (MN) 2 03-15 0
69. Ryan Volquardsen Creighton, NE (SD) 2 03-11 0
70. Tim Flaherty Sarasota, FL (WI) 2 03-07 0
71. Joseph Klym West Bloomfield, MI (MI 2 03-01 0
72. Rodney Pieper Yankton, SD (SD) 3 03-00 0
73. Keith Ringger Hudson, IL (IL) 1 02-15 0
74. Dillon Sears Mason City, IA (IA) 2 02-13 0
75. Jordan Brown Broken Arrow, OK (SD) 1 02-12 0
75. James Maynard Marysville, OH (OH) 1 02-12 0
77. Ty Kenyon Dodgeville, WI (IA) 1 02-06 0
78. Logan Stensrud Rogers, MN (MN) 1 02-04 0
79. Todd Seeger Roseville, MN (MN) 1 02-03 0
80. Michael Cook Auburn, IN (MI) 1 02-00 0
80. Elias Smith Jasper, IN (IN) 1 02-00 0
82. Jeff Korb Omaha, NE (SD) 1 01-15 0
83. Nick Schommer Milwaukee, WI (WI) 1 01-14 0
83. Owen Worthington Kenosha, WI (WI) 1 01-14 0
85. Brett Feenstra Jenison, MI (MI) 1 01-13 0
85. Bradley Hostetler Bargersville, IN (IN) 1 01-13 0
87. Rob Campbell III Martinsville, IN (IN) 1 01-12 0
87. Angela Messall Bismarck, ND (ND) 1 01-12 0
87. Brian Wilson Interlochen, MI (MI) 1 01-12 0
90. Paul Huse Omaha, NE (NE) 1 01-11 0
90. Brandon Logue Greenwood, NE (SD) 1 01-11 0
92. Scott Pitlick Pierre, SD (SD) 1 01-10 0
93. Travis Scholz Lizton, IN (IN) 1 01-09 0
94. Craig Cottam Hastings, NE (SD) 1 01-08 0
94. Loran Moore Yankton, SD (SD) 1 01-08 0
96. Al Evans Jr Urbana, OH (OH) 1 00-11 0
97. Paul Andorfer Albion , IN (MI) 0 00-00 0
97. Kaleb Parsell Caro, MI (MI) 0 00-00 0
97. Phillip Rummel Jr Mount Vernon, OH (OH) 0 00-00 0
97. Colin Yohe Chippewa Falls, WI (WI) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 21 128 268-12
2 24 149 316-11
3 5 36 71-06
----------------------------------
50 313 656-13
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 WISCONSIN 318-13
2 ILLINOIS 317-04
3 INDIANA 240-04
4 MINNESOTA 228-15
5 MICHIGAN 223-06
6 OHIO 212-06
7 IOWA 202-14
8 NEBRASKA 200-01
9 SOUTH DAKOTA 182-08
10 NORTH DAKOTA 168-07
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jerry Duncklee Fayette, IA 5 10-01 0
2 Bryan Freyermuth Muscatine, IA 4 09-02 0
3 Jacob Lange Marion, IA 3 07-01 0
4 Kenny Nachtman Bellevue, IA 3 06-00 0
5 Coleton Usher Atkins, IA 3 05-10 0
6 Mark Folsom Waterville, IA 2 05-02 0
7 Justin Shepard Lansing, IA 2 04-11 0
8 Donald Merryfield Des Moines, IA 2 04-10 0
9 Dillon Sears Mason City, IA 2 02-13 0
10 Ty Kenyon Dodgeville, WI 1 02-06 0
ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Alex Ellerbrock Sugar Grove, IL 6 15-04 0
2 Alan Bernicky Joliet, IL 6 12-04 0
3 Wes Gehrt Bloomington, IL 5 12-01 0
4 Eddie Gad Braidwood, IL 4 07-06 0
5 Lenny Beatty Sandwich, IL 3 07-03 0
6 Austin Moore Washburn, IL 3 06-06 0
7 Kristopher Gaertner Morris, IL 2 06-03 0
8 Tim Garner Carol Stream, IL 3 05-15 0
9 Matteo Turano Puryear, TN 2 05-08 0
10 Keith Ringger Hudson, IL 1 02-15 0
INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Carl Bowser Indianapolis, IN 7 15-07 0
2 Chris Rhodes Eaton, IN 7 15-03 0
3 Shon Smith Dubois, IN 6 12-14 0
4 Dennis Davis Avon, IN 6 12-03 0
5 Cory Lorts Sharpsville, IN 5 10-08 0
6 Kris Lewis Cicero, IN 4 07-09 0
7 Elias Smith Jasper, IN 1 02-00 0
8 Bradley Hostetler Bargersville, IN 1 01-13 0
9 Rob Campbell III Martinsville, IN 1 01-12 0
10 Travis Scholz Lizton, IN 1 01-09 0
MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Hunter Frederickson Redford, MI 7 14-05 0
2 Ted Prisbe Harsens Island, MI 4 07-12 0
3 David Hentschel Traverse City, MI 3 06-06 0
4 Ben Rand Kalamazoo, MI 3 06-03 0
5 Joseph Klym West Bloomfield, MI 2 03-01 0
6 Michael Cook Auburn, IN 1 02-00 0
7 Brett Feenstra Jenison, MI 1 01-13 0
8 Brian Wilson Interlochen, MI 1 01-12 0
9 Paul Andorfer Albion , IN 0 00-00 0
9 Kaleb Parsell Caro, MI 0 00-00 0
MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Miles Lausch Lakeville, MN 8 15-13 0
2 Perry See Rochester, MN 7 14-01 0
3 Matt Ploof Coon Rapids, MN 3 06-02 0
4 Jimmy Wolverton Fridley, MN 3 06-00 0
5 George Cavers Carlos, MN 3 05-11 0
6 Tanner Albrecht Lonsdale, MN 3 05-10 0
7 Patrick Stradal Minneapolis, MN 3 05-03 0
8 Jason Thomas Farmington, MN 2 03-15 0
9 Logan Stensrud Rogers, MN 1 02-04 0
10 Todd Seeger Roseville, MN 1 02-03 0
OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Will Presley Jr Grove City, OH 7 14-12 0
2 Braden Fairbanks Grove City, OH 5 11-02 0
3 Colten Didion Mount Vernon, OH 3 07-04 0
4 Jody Adkins Navarre, OH 4 05-15 0
5 Dave Rahrig Delphos, OH 3 05-09 0
6 Ryan Kriegel Delphos, OH 2 04-06 0
7 Allen Howard Cincinnati, OH 2 03-15 0
8 James Maynard Marysville, OH 1 02-12 0
9 Al Evans Jr Urbana, OH 1 00-11 0
10 Phillip Rummel Jr Mount Vernon, OH 0 00-00 0
SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Leray Anderson II Crofton, NE 4 11-04 0
2 Shawn Van Gerpen Sioux Falls, SD 5 09-05 0
3 Ryan Volquardsen Creighton, NE 2 03-11 0
4 Rodney Pieper Yankton, SD 3 03-00 0
5 Jordan Brown Broken Arrow, OK 1 02-12 0
6 Jeff Korb Omaha, NE 1 01-15 0
7 Brandon Logue Greenwood, NE 1 01-11 0
8 Scott Pitlick Pierre, SD 1 01-10 0
9 Craig Cottam Hastings, NE 1 01-08 0
9 Loran Moore Yankton, SD 1 01-08 0
WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bryan Schumacher Sparta, WI 9 19-01 0
2 Dylan Esselman Appleton, WI 8 16-12 0
3 Ryan Etringer Wrightstown, WI 4 08-00 0
4 Wyatt Stout Winona, MN 4 06-15 0
5 Russell Smith IV Green Bay, WI 3 05-11 0
6 Ryan Schell Baraboo, WI 3 04-14 0
7 Tim Flaherty Sarasota, FL 2 03-07 0
8 Nick Schommer Milwaukee, WI 1 01-14 0
8 Owen Worthington Kenosha, WI 1 01-14 0
10 Colin Yohe Chippewa Falls, WI 0 00-00 0
NEBRASKA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Blake Macumber Elkhorn, NE 6 13-04 0
2 Alfonso Garcia Jr Mccook, NE 5 11-04 0
3 AJ Mende Bellevue, NE 5 11-00 0
4 Larry Sallis Herculaneum, MO 4 08-06 0
5 John Peterson Norfolk, NE 4 08-05 0
6 Charles Capehart Olathe, KS 4 07-15 0
7 Dustin Hartzer Mc Cook, NE 4 07-11 0
8 Mark Borchers Akron, IA 2 05-11 0
9 Billy Ray Plattsmouth, NE 2 05-00 0
10 Paul Huse Omaha, NE 1 01-11 0
NORTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tyler Guthmiller Yankton, SD 8 20-14 0
2 Cameron Welch Raymore, MO 6 14-07 0
3 Cordell Wadsworth Killdeer, ND 5 10-07 0
4 Paul Reinbold Gladstone, ND 3 07-01 0
5 Bobby May Marshall, MN 3 06-13 0
6 Dalton Krueger Watertown, SD 3 06-12 0
7 Adam Schirmer Lakefield, MN 3 06-02 0
8 Zackary Ekberg Rapid City, SD 2 05-10 0
9 Rylen Coe Lake Benton, MN 2 04-01 0
10 Angela Messall Bismarck, ND 1 01-12 0
Season Five of Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour to Premiere Saturday on Discovery Channel
Fifth Season of Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour Set to Premiere on Discovery Channel with REDCREST 2023 at Lake Norman Presented by Shore Lunch, New Episodes Premiere Every Saturday from 7-9 a.m. ET
BENTON, Ky. (June 30, 2023) – The fifth season of Major League Fishing’s (MLF) Bass Pro Tour is set to premiere tomorrow, July 1, at 7 a.m. ET with a two-hour episode on the Discovery Channel.
The MLF Bass Pro Tour features a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, fishing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual General Tire Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship, March 13-17, 2024, on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama.
The first two-hour episode of Major League Fishing premiering Saturday will feature the Knockout Round from REDCREST 2023 Presented by Shore Lunch at North Carolina’s Lake Norman, the Bass Pro Tour Championship. Each week a new episode will premiere on Discovery Channel, through mid-November.
The complete air schedule for the 2023 Bass Pro Tour on the Discovery Channel is:
- July 1 REDCREST 2023 Presented by Shore Lunch on Lake Norman Knockout Round
- July 8 REDCREST 2023 Presented by Shore Lunch on Lake Norman Championship Round
- July 15 B&W Trailer Hitches Stage One at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Presented by Grundéns Knockout Round
- July 22 B&W Trailer Hitches Stage One at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Presented by Grundéns Championship Round
- July 29 NO EPISODE – DISCOVERY CHANNEL SHARK WEEK
- Aug. 5 General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops in Monroe, Louisiana, Qualifying Round Group A – Day 1
- Aug. 12 General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops in Monroe, Louisiana, Qualifying Round Group B – Day 1
- Aug. 19 General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops in Monroe, Louisiana, Qualifying Round Group A – Day 2
- Aug. 26 General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops in Monroe, Louisiana, Qualifying Round Group B – Day 2
- Sept. 2 General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops in Monroe, Louisiana, Knockout Round
- Sept. 9 General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops in Monroe, Louisiana, Championship Round
- Sept. 16 U.S. Air Force Stage Two at Cherokee & Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole Knockout Round
- Sept. 23 U.S. Air Force Stage Two at Cherokee & Douglas Lakes Presented by Power-Pole Championship Round
- Sept. 30 Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury Knockout Round
- Oct. 1 Fox Rent A Car Stage Three at Lake Murray Presented by Mercury Championship Round
- Oct. 7 Toro Stage Four at Lake Guntersville Presented by Bass Cat Boats Knockout Round
- Oct. 14 Toro Stage Four at Lake Guntersville Presented by Bass Cat Boats Championship Round
- Oct. 21 Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler Knockout Round
- Oct. 28 Bass Boat Technologies Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler Championship Round
- Nov. 4 General Tire Stage Six at Lake St. Clair Presented by John Deere Utility Vehicles Championship Round
- Nov. 11 Minn Kota Stage Seven at Saginaw Bay Presented by Suzuki Championship Round
The full television schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG by Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Kayak Bass Fishing - Honing In on the Right Kayak
By Danny Blandford
In my research on kayak selection, I had the opportunity to catch up with another Old Town kayak pro, Casey Reed, of Virginia. Casey, like me, had started kayak bass fishing in a sit-in fishing “style” kayak he picked up at big box store. Also like in my experience, it left a lot to be desired. The difference was Casey went to work on improving his setup with a DIY approach and got hooked on kayaks and the sport of kayak bass fishing. With close to a decade of experience under his belt, some of which included tournament directing, I’d landed on a wealth of knowledge for the project.
Personally, I’m not ready to go “all in”…so I got the details on basics, but I took the opportunity to learn about a “professional” rig as well.
I started my questioning with my first hang-up…electric or pedal? I know I don’t want to deal with the paddles all the time, so it has to be one or the other; that much I’m sure of. Casey has the Old Town Autopilot 136, just like the one in my previous interview with Anthony Garcia. Both anglers swear by the benefits of Autopilot, but Casey offered up a great tip.
“You can always start with a pedal drive and then add a bow mount trolling motor in the future…lots of guys go that route and they end up with the best of both worlds.” Now that was something that made sense to me - start out as a peddler and “if” I need to do something different in the future, I’ve got options. Casey went on to add, “Today’s kayaks are strong and durable and there are lots of options for mounting with backing plates, and nut and washer set-ups that make for solid connections should you want to add an electric motor later.”
Apparently adding a bow-mount trolling motor "later" is a thing and a quick internet search and I find all kinds of examples, so that is a win for me. I love to have options and I hadn't given any consideration to that kind of setup. I'm a Minn Kota guy and they have several options that would work well with a little rigging.
We got into electronics and the story was the same. You don’t “need” any, but you can have about anything you want. To make that point, I introduce Casey’s rig.
- Minn Kota Autopilot trolling motor
- 2 Humminbird Helix 10’s
- Humminbird Mega Live & Humminbird Mega 360
- 2 Power Pole Micros
- 135 amp/hr lithium trolling motor battery
- (4) 23 amp/hr lithium for electronics
- Minn Kota 2 bank charger
- Oh…and a backup paddle!
Talk about loaded up…wow. Casey and I crunched some quick numbers and we came up with a tournament load of about 300 “ish” pounds including him and his gear. The boat is rated for up to a “usable weight” of 502 lbs, so he could still carry more. He pointed out that with scupper plugs and one-way valves, he stays dry and comfortable all day, and has no problem fishing sitting or standing, which is a huge must for me. Being able to stand up and pitch and flip to shoreline cover has been one of the biggest motivators in this search and the
With a rig like that, a trailer is a must for Casey, he was quick to add, “After a 12-hour day on the water, the last thing I want to do is wrestle my kayak. I load it onto my trailer and pull it with a Honda Passport. Fishing three national trails, I cover some miles at this point in my career, but it didn’t start that way. As a matter of fact, when I first got into kayak fishing, a Toyota Camry was my official tow vehicle.”
Personally, for me, I’m thinking most of my fishing will be done within miles of the house and probably won’t be twelve-hour trips, so I’m most likely to wrestle, not trailer. I think the truck bed will be a fine first hauler for the time being.
As far as the kayak, I’m definitely honing in on the right choice. I think a 12-footer would fit my needs and I want to peddle, not paddle, and I want to be able to go electric at some point. The Old Town 120 series is where I need to be and there are a few models to think through, but a couple of interviews have led me to a can’t lose decision. I have to give a big shout-out to the Old Town Team for helping me navigate the process!
With a little luck, I’ll have some kayak fish pics as a follow-up soon!
Kokopelli To Launch New Fishing-Specific Inflatable Kayak At ICAST
Packraft innovator to unveil multiple new boats for 2024.
June 30, 2023 (Denver, Colo.) — Kokopelli has been creating the most lightweight and packable packrafts, inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddleboards since 2012. This season, the brand is unveiling an entirely new boat for 2024 designed with the angler in mind, the Kaster. Be the first to see this innovative, inflatable kayak in person at ICAST along with an array of new boats and products.
“We are excited to unveil the Kokopelli Kaster at ICAST next month,” said Jeff Popp, GM and Director of Product at Kokopelli. “Our customers have been using our packrafts for fishing since our inception. With that said, we wanted to bring the brand’s unique and trusted approach to lightweight, packable and portable characteristics to the angling world with a fishing-specific platform. The result is the ultimate inflatable boat for your next fishing adventure.”
New For 2024:
• The Kokopelli Kaster is the newest product for 2024. The Kaster is designed utilizing the brands Platte-Plus inflatable kayak platform but enhanced to make it fishing-specific. It’s built like a tank with tons of features yet still weighs less than 30lbs. The Kaster features 5 Universal Scotty Mounts for rod holders and other accessories, 2000 denier PVC reinforced nylon in high abrasion areas and a high-pressure drops-stitch floor for rigidity and enhanced tracking . The boat has been widened to increase stability and will come standard with a 6-inch seat riser for improved sight lines and comfort while paddling. Like all of Kokopelli’s inflatable kayaks, the Kaster will come with everything needed to get on the water from boat, to pump, to paddles and carry bag.
• The XPD, one of Kokopelli’s best-selling boats, gets a significant upgrade for the 2024 season. The new XPD will drop nearly 4lbs of weight while maintaining the same trusted durability and maneuverability customers have come to expect from the boat. With this weight reduction comes an even smaller pack size yet a roomier cockpit. The 2024 XPD will be available in two colors, Sage Green and Granite Sand, and come standard with everything you need to get on the water, including a drybag backpack for storage and carrying, 4-piece breakdown paddle, pump, removable tracking fin and inflatable seat.
• The Utility Deck is a new product that will be launching in 2024 and intended to help the paddling world make better use of time on the water. It’s a multi-use, drop-stitch construction pad that can easily attach to the bow of boats via four attachment straps. The Utility Deck features one side of molded EVA foam for traction for a fur friend, and the other side features multi-use FidLock® and Scotty Mounts for a variety of uses.
Additionally, Kokopelli will also be exhibiting an array of other crafts for getting on the water. They include:
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Chasm-Lite: The lightest and most packable full-size paddleboard on the market at just 12.9 lbs. Launched with the brands most successful Kickstarter to date and is now a mainstay in the brands lineup. The Chasm-Lite easily fits beneath a standard aircraft seat and comes with everything needed to get you on the water, including a carbon fiber shaft paddle.
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Twain-Lite: New for 2023 and recently launched, the Twain-Lite is a “1.5 person” packraft aimed at packrafters who need a bit more room for gear, kids or fur friends. An extended water line and optional tracking fin enhance the Twain-Lite’s capabilities for long days on the lake, and it’s only 8.7lb. weight means it packs down to a surprisingly small size.
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Rogue-Lite: The quintessential packraft and what essentially “started it all.” The Rogue-Lite comes in a variety of iterations and serves beginner to advanced paddlers alike. All Rogue models are built with a TPU construction. Optional variations of the models include one with a removable spray deck, and the Rogue-Lite X made of Kevlar reinforced TPU. The base Rogue-Lite weighs just 6 lbs.
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Nirvana and Recon — The current whitewater options from Kokopelli are based on the same engineering architecture, yet constructed with two different materials that serve whitewater enthusiasts. The Recon, the burlier of the two, is made from 1000d PVC construction. The Nirvana is constructed from a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) material and is a lighter and more packable whitewater option. Both boats are available in spray deck and self-bailing models.
Kokopelli will be at the On The Water Product Demo Day event (Tuesday, July 11 from 10 am to 2 pm), where you can take one of the above craft out on the pond. In the convention center, you can find the Kokopelli at Booth 4360.
For more information on Kokopelli, visit https://kokopelli.com/
Smallmouth 'Snackables'
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Berkley “Culls” PowerBait CullShad Swimbait, Offering Consumers Free Replacement Bait
To ensure quality and customer satisfaction, Berkley rewards anglers with replacement baits at no cost
COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 30, 2023) – In Spring 2023, Berkley Fishing introduced the CullShad to a great deal of fanfare and success among top-tier tournament anglers. After releasing the first batch of product to retailers, the quality assurance team at the company identified that this run of product did not live up to the company’s high standards and the Berkley promise to help anglers catch more fish. The issues include inconsistencies in the bait’s hardness and some deformities, both of which have negatively compromised the bait’s action which does not allow it to work as designed.
Berkley’s commitment remains to provide anglers with scientifically-backed baits that surpass expectations, so the company is enacting a plan to get a new batch of properly manufactured baits in the hands of anglers as quickly as possible.
To accomplish this, anyone who has purchased a CullShad is being asked to help the company “cull” them. Berkley will replace any purchased CullShad at no cost with one that performs as it should. There is no need to return anything but rather follow these simple and straightforward instructions to receive a replacement CullShad in the same color and size that meets the high standards established in the design process:
1) Take a picture of your CullShad(s) on or next to a piece of paper detailing your name and the date you’re submitting the photo.
2) Visit www.berkley-fishing.com/cullshad-replacement or use the QR code below to initiate the replacement process and upload your photo.
3) Fill in the required information and click submit. You should receive a confirmation email from Berkley.
4) All replacement requests must be received by July 31, 2023.
5) Replacement CullShad(s) will be shipped by the end of August.
The team at Berkley has identified the cause of the issues and are already in production of the next round of baits that meet our stringent standards. By the end of August, the new round of baits will be sent to consumers to replace the previously released baits and we will resume shipping to retailers.
"We take great pride in the Berkley CullShad and firmly support its innovative design, which provides consumers with a fresh perspective on swimbaits," said Berkley’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Jon Schlosser. "We have a responsibility to anglers nationwide to guarantee that each product performs according to its intended design. Therefore, we are proactively taking steps to address the concerns related to the CullShad by implementing a replacement program for affected customers, aiming to ensure their utmost satisfaction in light of the inconsistencies found within the first batch of baits."
Our commitment to our customers and anglers is to continue to develop and introduce the world’s best baits. We appreciate your help ensuring that only the best CullShads survive.
McKinney Maximizes Dollar with Contingencies
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Opens EQ pro Trevor McKinney added an extra $1,500 to his pockets from Toyota Bonus Bucks thanks to his 5th place finish in the St. Croix Bassmaster Open on Lake Eufaula. This marks the third time McKinney has earned added money in 2023 Opens competition from Toyota’s popular contingency program.
“I’m trying to pay for my truck with Bonus Bucks,” McKinney said with a smile. “In the last two years alone, I’ve made $8,500 from the program. You really can’t beat that. Toyota supports the industry, supports the anglers, and they make a heck of a tow vehicle… if you fish competitively, why wouldn’t you drive one and try to win free money?”
His rewards from Eufaula where he finished 5th, and Wheeler Lake where he ended up in 13th, highlight the fact that you don’t have to win a tournament to earn Bonus Bucks, you just have the be the highest finishing angler driving a 2019 or newer Toyota tow vehicle.
McKinney’s currently driving a 2020 Tundra, a truck he bought after spending a year as the Bassmaster College Series Bracket Champion in 2021. For winning the College Classic Bracket, the McKendree University graduate won a spot in the 2021 Bassmaster Classic on Ray Roberts as well as full use of a Toyota Tundra, Nitro Boat, and paid entry fees to all nine Bassmaster Opens.
After putting 30,000+ miles on the truck in 2021, the always respectful McKinney started toying with the idea of buying his program vehicle. It was the biggest purchase of his young life at that time, but McKinney was able to make it work and never looked back.
“Buying that truck was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career,” McKinney said. “I never could afford a newer truck in high school or college, even though I traveled to fish a lot, but after driving this Tundra during my year as the College Champion I felt spoiled. I loved it and knew I couldn’t go back to a beater tow-vehicle. I needed a reliable truck if I was going to fish the Opens, and I wanted to keep driving a Toyota. It’s been a blessing.”
The former college fishing standout hails from Illinois but has an impressive track record in Oklahoma. He’s won a pair of college tournaments in the Sooner state, one on Grand Lake and another on Lake Hudson, and while he had never fished Lake Eufaula before, McKinney was excited when he saw this event on the schedule.
McKinney employed a dropshot and forward-facing-sonar to catch his fish in six to fifteen feet of water on Lake Eufaula to notch his first top ten of the 2023 season. Along with Bonus Bucks, McKinney cashed in on an additional $1,000 from Costa’s Compete + Conserve program for being the highest finishing angler wearing Costa Sunglasses.
McKinney may only be twenty-five years young, but he’s learned that supporting companies with impactful contingency programs helps his dollar go a little farther while competing on the Bassmaster Opens Trail. To get registered (for free!) or for more information regarding Toyota’s or Costa’s contingency programs, follow these links:
Toyota Bonus Bucks - https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/overview
Costa Compete + Conserve - https://www.costacompeteandconserve.com/
Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up Show, Brought to you by Sportsman’s Warehouse, adds the Pursuit Channel
Columbia, SC (June 30, 2023) - The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up show, brought to you by Sportsman's Warehouse, continues to grow its distribution with the addition of the Pursuit Channel, starting January 2024. The 14th season of the show will still debut on Discovery with Saturday airings in the fall of 2023 for the fifth consecutive year. The program will then move to Pursuit for multiple airings per week, throughout the first quarter and beyond. The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up show is an informative recap of professional, amateur, and grassroots-level bass fishing tournaments across the country. Bringing tournament trails of all sizes to the spotlight, by capturing the anglers who fish and finish well in these events. The program also mixes in informative segments on new techniques, new products, and share useful information to help the weekend angler learn about all things fishing.
Since 2008 Pursuit has been delivering extensive high-quality outdoor content to millions of viewers unserved by any other full-time outdoor network. The unique basic tier package delivery with the major satellite distributors, plus major recent additions in the cable sector, provides access to an audience that is ripe with outdoorsmen and women for its content partners. In addition to joining the network, The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up show will also be featured on Pursuit’s digital platforms. Look for The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up program beginning in 2nd quarter 2024 on the Pursuit UP streaming channel available to over 90 million users, or available 24/7 on Pursuit UP’s VOD/App platforms.
According to Danny Blandford, AC Director of Business Development, “Moving our program to Pursuit in the first quarter of 2024 will be another milestone in the growth of our Anglers Channel platform. The weekend premiers with Discovery deliver a vast reach and the additional airings with Pursuit will help us reach up to 30 million additional households. It will be great to see our program and partners featured alongside so many popular outdoor television programs during the peak fishing television season on Pursuit. We look forward to showing our program to viewers who may not have seen us on the Discovery Network in years past.”
The 2023/24 season of the AnglersChannel Bass Wrap Up Show, Presented by Sportsman’s Warehouse, will kick off again this fall with highlights from the Bassmaster Classic, the Inaugural Minn Kota/Humminbird Owners Tournament, as well regional events, fishing tips, and much more. If you want to catch the action as it unfolds this summer, visit www.AnglersChannel.com, and be sure to follow along on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
About AnglersChannel.com
AnglersChannel.com multimedia platform combines the web, social media platforms, podcasts, on-site event coverage and The Anglers Channel Bass Wrap Up Show on Discovery and Pursuit to bring you the No. 1 resource in tournament bass fishing. Anglers Channel features the web’s most robust tournament database, used by thousands of anglers daily, including schedules, results and searchable details by body of water. Anglers Channel also delivers industry news as it happens, along with coverage of all tournament bass fishing, from BASS and Major League Fishing to the weekend warriors. Visit Anglers Channel via the web, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
About Pursuit
Pursuit Media, LLC, the industry leader in total home and user delivery, has its linear feed Pursuit Channel, active nationally to 30+ million homes via DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse HD, DISH Network, Sling TV HD, Comcast Xfinity, Fios by Verizon HD, Centurylink Prism HD, Cox Communication HD and the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC). PursuitUP, is active to 90+ million users through Samsung’s TV Plus, Sinclair’s STIRR, Xumo, Glewed TV, Vidgo, Kloud TV, Select TV, TCL Smart TVs, Plex, and many more. Additionally, PursuitUP’s VOD library is readily available online to anyone at pursuituptv.com, or by downloading the PursuitUP app available on most devices.
For more information contact Danny Blandford at [email protected]
