SPRO Introduces Larger Bronzeye Pop 70 for Topwater Trophies
Kennesaw, GA Bass Pro Tour champion Dean Rojas taught the world that while a hollow-bellied frog excels atop thick grass beds, it also tempts big bass in open water and is effective throughout much of the year. When he designed the Bronzeye Pop to add to SPRO’s existing lineup of walking frogs, he had a clear winner. Now he’s done it again, with the addition of the Bronzeye Pop 70. It’s a larger version of the original, with the same great features but in a bigger profile and a heftier pop.
“There was a huge consumer demand for a bigger popping frog,” said SPRO® Marketing Director Syd Rives. “We didn’t see any need to change any of the industry-leading features or components that made the Bronzeye Pop 50 and Bronzeye Pop 60 so universally effective, but we had to beef it up to corral the biggest, meanest bass on any fishery.”
That started by building the lure around a stout and super-sharp Gamakatsu 5/0 EWG Double Hook, perfectly angled and designed to hook even tentative strikers. Fortunately, this lure’s booming action, created by its cupped mouth, tends to attract primarily violent explosions. When popped aggressively, it can call even neutral bass from a distance, but it’s at its best when popped in a small space, aggravating wary giants until they can’t stand it.
Like its little brothers, the biggest Bronzeye Pop is ready to catch fish right out of the package, with none of the modifications typically required of other hollow-bodied frogs. It weighs ¾ ounce and is 70 mm long. The super-soft plastic is highly buoyant, and the color-matched skirted legs provide excellent action and appeal at rest.
SPRO Bronzeye Pop 70 Features
- Weight: ¾ oz.
- Size: 70 mm
- Hook: Gamakatsu 5/0 EWG Double Hook Round Bend treble hooks
- Depth: Topwater
- MSRP:???
SPRO’s New Bronzeye Pop 40 Offers a Snack-Sized Meal to Giant Bass
Kennesaw, GA SPRO’s Bronzeye Pop lineup has proven so incredibly effective for big bass anglers. Earlier this year, SPRO introduced the larger Pop 70 for bass with a bigger appetite. New for 2021, SPRO introduces a diminutive size 40 model so anglers can continue to throw frogs to pressured fish.
While the Bronzeye Pop 40 is more compact than its brethren, it still has the same big-fish attracting qualities. The new Pop 40 features a Gamakatsu Nano Smooth Coated Superline Double Frog Hook, which gives a weedless presentation, increases hookup percentage, and doesn’t risk bending out.
The beauty of the Bronzeye Pop 40 is that it can be fished with a variety of techniques. It can be subtly twitched, stop and go retrieve, or can be popped aggressively. When worked properly, it will make just as much noise as any frog on the market. That means it will call fish from a distance or surprise them into striking reflexively. The only limitation is the angler’s imagination. The aerodynamic profile allows the lure to be fished on heavy tackle needed to winch giants out of thick greenery. This also allows the lure to be skipped easily under overhanging cover.
This new smallest version of the Bronzeye Pop lineup will initially be offered in 13 of SPRO’s proven frogging colors, so that anglers can imitate any forage. When fish are still looking up but don’t want a full-sized entrée, this should be the go-to topwater solution.
SPRO Bronzeye Pop 40 Features
- Weight: ⅕ oz.
- Size: 40mm
- Hook: Gamakatsu Nano-Coated Superline Double Frog Hook
- Depth: Topwater
- MSPR: $10.99
SPRO® Introduces New Colors of Aruku Shad
Kennesaw, GA (XXXX) The SPRO® Aruku Shad has proven itself from coast to coast as the lipless crankbait anglers rely upon whether they’re chasing the limit of a lifetime or trying to figure out a tough bite. While the lure has been offered in a wide variety of productive patterns since its introduction, the company is widely expanding its offerings with 23 new distinctive colors for 2021-2022.
These 23 colors range from the hyper-realistic to the outrageously gaudy, allowing anglers to target a wide range of predator fish throughout the year, regardless of water clarity or forage base.
The Aruku Shad distinguishes itself from the competition, both in the package and – more importantly – in the water, with its exceptionally loud rattles and nose-down attitude. The latter enables it to come through cover cleanly and efficiently while also allowing it to stand on its nose at rest. So whether you’re burning it, yo-yoing it or using a stop-and-go retrieve, the Aruku Shad maintains its posture and tempts fish to bite.
Like all SPRO crankbaits, the Aruku Shad comes with properly sized, razor-sharp
Gamakatsu trebles. Find a color that fits your needs and prepare to be amazed.
The new colors are:
- Bumble Bee
- Blue Gill
- Bonsai
- Blue Perch
- Barbie
- Crawfish Gold
- Clear
- Chrome Purple
- Craw Chartreuse
- Frozen Perch
- Golden Dragon
- G Nugget
- Golden Perch
- Icy Barbie
- Killer Gill
- Marble Brown
- Purple Perch
- Pink Perch
- Purple Neon
- Pearl Shad
- Real Perch
- Rosey Perch
- Red Tiger
SPRO® Introduces New Flappin’ Frog to Continue Amphibious Domination
Kennesaw, GA (XXXX) Part of the Essential series, the SPRO® engineers worked diligently to create the new Flappin Frog, extending the company’s footprint in the world of topwaters with a frog meant to be buzzed. The skirted legs have been replaced by paddle tailed appendages that can be buzzed across the surface or retrieved in a stop and go pattern. They’re deadly over thick cover and in open water alike. The frog is made of elastomer material, which makes it float and stretch. They’re deadly over thick cover and in open water alike.
As with the other SPRO frogs, a key part of the Flappin’ Frog’s effectiveness is that it’s built around a Gamakatsu Nano-Coated Superline Double Frog Hook gives a weedless presentation as well as increases hookup percentage without risk of bending out. The frog’s body is built of a floating elastomer material, so when a fish strikes half-heartedly or misses the lure, you can stop it in its tracks and tempt it to come back.
The Flappin’ Frog makes a ruckus, whether retrieved at rocket speed, or slowly walked back. The legs kick and buzz with only the slightest forward movement, and savvy anglers can mix up their retrieves until they find out what bass want on a particular day.
The Flappin’ Frog will initially be offered in 11 of SPRO’s proven frogging colors so any angler can imitate any forage.
SPRO Flappin’ Frog Features:
- Weight: ⅝ oz.
- Size: 65 mm
- Hook: 4/0 Gamakatsu Nano-Coated Superline Double Frog Hook
- Depth: Topwater
- Price: $10.99
St. Lawrence River and Massena Set for Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Savage Arms Stop 6
163 Professional Anglers Head to Massena to Compete for up to $135,000 and Valuable Points in Angler of the Year Race
MASSENA, N.Y. (July 21, 2021) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to Massena, New York, next week, July 29 – Aug. 1, for the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Savage Arms Stop 6 Presented by Abu Garcia at the St. Lawrence River. In its 26thseason, the circuit (formerly known as the FLW Tour) features a roster of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals competing across six regular-season events, each with a top award of up to $135,000. The field also competes for valuable points to qualify for the 2021 Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury – the Pro Circuit Championship – and the coveted Angler of the Year title.
Hosted by the Town of Massena, this is the sixth and final Pro Circuit event of the 2021 season and offers competitors a total purse of more than $900,000.
Pros will have the run of the river but will not be allowed to lock downstream into Lake St. Francis or run out into Lake Ontario proper. While this may be a hindrance to some anglers, those who thrive fishing river systems will have everything you could ask for in a northern fishery – deep and shallow grass, docks, rock piles, current seams, sand flats, boulders and more.
Pro Scott Dobson of Clarkston, Michigan, who will be competing in this event, finished in second place in a 2019 Toyota Series event on the St. Lawrence River, picking apart shallow-water smallmouths to win nearly $20,000. With a top prize of $135,000 on the line, Dobson is excited to return to Massena for another shot.
“I won a Toyota Series event on 1000 Islands in 2016 during this time of year and came in second on the St. Lawrence River in 2019, so I’m excited for another chance on this fishery,” said Dobson. “I love fishing current and Great Lake-systems and have had a lot of success in that realm, so I’m excited to get there and get started.
Dobson said everything will be in play at this event – from fishing shallow on 6- to 8-foot flats to deep dragging drop-shot and Carolina rigs in the heavy current of the main river.
“Baits that will dominate in this tournament are moving baits like jerkbaits and spybaits, along with Ned rigs and drop-shots on the bottom,” said Dobson. “I also expect to see a lot of fish caught on the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flatnose Minnow, and if guys are lucky enough to have it, on the new MaxScent Little General. That bait is a Ned rig type bait, with MaxScent, and is being released at ICAST this week. But I know a lot of guys already have those in their arsenal.”
Dobson said he believes it will take 20 pounds per day to get into the Top 10, but to win the event will take a solid 23 pounds per day. While it is a big commitment to make long runs on the river, he anticipates a lot of guys are going to be running 50 to 70 miles to their fishing locations, which creates a risk factor due to the time it takes to make those long runs.
“It really depends on whether guys are looking to just go for the win or planning to play it conservative and stay closer to the ramp where they don’t have as much of a risk of not getting back in time,” said Dobson. “This being the final event, that affects the points race to get into the TITLE championship and Angler of the Year standings. Some anglers may not be swinging for the fence.
“I don’t have a shot at the TITLE after a couple bad events, so I’m not worried about the points,” continued Dobson. “I’m all in and I’ve got to go for the win. I plan to make big runs and try to go places where I can catch bigger fish. I may not catch as many fish, but I expect them to be bigger and better-quality fish where I’m going.”
Anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. ET, Thursday through Sunday, from the Massena Intake Boat Launch located at 1415 State Highway 131 in Massena. Weigh-ins will also be held at the boat launch daily at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In addition to the launch and weigh-in, fans and community members are invited to community events being held on Saturday, July 31. The Town of Louisville will host a Kids’ Fishing Derby on the Wilson Hill Causeway from noon to 2 p.m. ET, open to children 6 to 12 years of age. The derby is free to the public and prizes will be awarded for tagged fish caught by derby participants during the event. Only 250 spots are available upon registration. To register for this event, visit https://www.exploremassena.
The Town of Massena will also host a Party at the Beach on Saturday, July 31 from 6-9 p.m. ET. Anglers and the general public will enjoy live music, fireworks and a variety of food and beverages. There is no admission charge to enjoy the band and fireworks. Food trucks and beverage vendors will be onsite selling refreshments to park visitors. For more information regarding the event, visit https://www.exploremassena.
In Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition, the full field of 163 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition on Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Savage Arms Stop 6 Presented by Abu Garcia at the St. Lawrence River will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the Outdoor Channel on Sunday, Sept. 1 from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and re-air on the Sportsman Channel this fall. Weigh-ins will be streamed daily and fans can catch live on-the-water action all day Saturday and Sunday, July 31 – Aug. 1 on MLF NOW! beginning at 7 a.m. ET at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2021 season culminates with the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship, where the top 48 pros in the points standings plus 2020 TITLE Champion Rusty Salewske of Alpine, California, and 2020 AOY Ron Nelson of Berrien Springs, Michigan, will compete for at top prize of $235,000. The 2021 TITLE will be on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin on Aug. 17-22, and is hosted by Explore La Crosse.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers on the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
2021-22 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia Pre Season Poll: Rankings 16th – 20th
Teams Ranked 16TH – 20TH are revealed as the Association of Collegiate Anglers provides the results from its first-ever pre-season poll
Published by: Kyle Curry
8:00 AM July 20, 2021
Association of Collegiate Anglers
San Antonio, TX (7/20/2021) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers, which operates the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year program presented by Abu Garcia, is excited to showcase the pre-season rankings for college bass fishing according to a voting poll of top coaches, schools, media personnel, and fishing industry personalities with experience in college fishing.
This poll is a one-of-a-kind poll, similar to rankings in other college sports, that will help kick off the season-long race for the prestigious School of the Year title. Every day this week the ACA will count down and showcase teams that made it into the Top 25, and then in the near future, the first rankings for the 2021-22 season will be announced based on finishes during events this summer. Today’s article will show teams that were selected 16th to 20th in the pre-season rankings.
- Wabash Valley College
Mt. Carmel, IL
2021 Final Ranking: 20th
One of the newest teams on the collegiate fishing tournament trail last year was Wabash Valley College. The team from Mt. Carmel, IL made its debut with the Association of Collegiate Anglers at the 2020 Bass Pro Shops Big
Bass Bash presented by Berkley, and was without question one of the biggest surprises of the college fishing season. Wabash Valley College competed in all five ACA events last season and finished the year ranked the 20th best team in the nation thanks to several top finishes.
Following that phenomenal first season last year, Wabash Valley College has established itself as a team to be reckoned with on the college circuits, and will have to deal with the pressure now of being recognized as a Top 20 team in the nation.
“First we are honored to have obtained the respect of our peers so quickly,” noted Todd Gill, Head Coach at Wabash Valley College. “I think it says we have done well in recruiting anglers who are willing to work hard in preparation, who are willing to grind the entire 8 hours knowing that each catch and each cull over the course of a season will pay big dividends. We are going to have to stay humble and keep at it though as the competition is stiff and the learning curve is steep.”
Wabash Valley College was recently featured on the Rapala #WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast to talk about its first season as a collegiate bass fishing team. The school is continuing to recruit at a high level as it builds towards the future, and what they hope will be a Top 10 season very soon.
Listen to the podcast episode.
“Our goal for this season is to finish Top 10 in the nation. This is going to require greater cooperation between our anglers to help with breaking down new water more quickly. Having our first sophomore class with some experience and knowledge of bodies of water and what it takes to compete at a high level should help as well. We are excited about the coming season,” added Gill.
- Brewton-Parker College
Mt. Vernon, GA
2021 Final Ranking: 12th
Brewton-Parker College lands in 17th following the ACA Top 25 Pre-Season Poll according to the voters in the poll. This 17th place pre-season ranking is five spots lower than where Brewton-Parker finished the 2020-21 season. The team finished last year as the 12th ranked team in the nation based on their finishes on the water in numerous collegiate events.
Brewton-Parker has a strong core of anglers that can catch fish on any body of water nationwide. The team earned points at all five ACA events during the 2020-21 season. In three of those five events, Brewton-Parker had at least one angler finish in the Top 25 of the overall standings. Cory Yaden and Blake Stephenson put together the team’s highest finish at an ACA event by claiming 5th place at the 2021 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.
As a team, Brewton-Parker has continued to get better year after year. Here is where the team has finished in the rankings each of the past four seasons:
2021: 12th Place
2020: 26th Place
2019: 73rd Place
2018: 201st Place
It is pretty easy to observe the growth that has occurred within the Brewton-Parker College Fishing Team. If history is any indication, it should not come as a surprise if Brewton-Parker finishes the 2021-22 season in the Top 10 at the end of this race.
- Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, NC
2021 Final Ranking: 17th
To this point in the reveal process, Catawba Valley Community College is the first team whose 2021-22 Top 25 Pre-Season Poll ranking is almost identical to its 2021 final ranking. Just last season, Catawba Valley Community College finished the season ranked 17th. As we prepare to reveal the first national rankings of the 2021-22 season, Catawba Valley Community College is ranked 18th in the pre-season poll.
College fishing is one of the most unique college sports as college teams and clubs from all levels and divisions compete against each other at events. Major state schools, private institutions, and smaller schools like community colleges are all able to fish the same events and compete for national titles.
Catawba Valley Community College, along with the aforementioned Wabash Valley College, has proven that it can compete with the bigger schools and programs out there. It is very likely that a community college or junior college will finish the 2021-22 season ranked inside of the Top 15. It remains to be seen if they can crack the Top 10 this season.
- Missouri State University
Springfield, MO
2021 Final Ranking: 19th
Having just pointed out the parody between Catawba Valley Community College’s 2021 end-of-season ranking and its standings in the pre-season poll, we now have Missouri State University. The team from Springfield, MO finds itself ranked 19th in the ACA Top 25 Pre-Season Poll. That ranking matches the team’s final ranking in the 2021 race that landed them just inside the Top 20 teams in the nation.
That is pretty good consistency, and consistency is a word that well defines the Missouri State University Fishing Team. Since 2016, the team has an average ranking of 24th. The highest finish during that stretch came in 2018 when the team finished the year ranked 12th in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
With their school located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University anglers are exposed to a wide variety of fisheries. From shallow, muddy rivers to deep, clear highland reservoirs, these anglers face an array of conditions that benefit them out on the national trails. The additional impact this has on the success of the program is evident in their results from the past five seasons, and expectations are high that Missouri State could be a team that might climb higher in the rankings, should they have a few Top 10 finishes on the national scene this year.
- University of North Alabama
Florence, AL
2021 Final Ranking: 16th
School of the Year Titles: 2 (2014, 2015)
ACA National Championship Titles: 1 (2017 – Sloan Pennington & Hunter McCarty)
The final team in this installment of the Top 25 Pre-Season Poll reveal is the University of North Alabama. Located in Florence, AL, UNA is one of the most decorated teams in the history of collegiate bass fishing.
UNA won the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia in 2014 and 2015, at the time becoming the first school to ever win this title in back-to-back seasons. Along with two School of the Year titles in the trophy case, UNA also has an ACA National Championship title to its name. Sloan Pennington and Hunter McCarty won the 2017 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship on Pickwick Lake.
Pickwick is the home body of water for UNA. One of the premier ledge fishing lakes
In the country, the Tennessee River impoundment will be the playing field for the 2022 ACA Championship once again. UNA has its sights set on climbing up the School of the Year rankings, as well as claiming another Championship title at Pickwick Lake.
“We plan on moving into the top five and also keeping the National Championship trophy right here in Florence, AL,” said Benson Dowler, UNA Team President. UNA could easily be a Top 10 team this year, and it’s surprising to many that they are starting the season ranked 20th in the pre-season poll. Should UNA get back to form at events outside their local area by capturing a few Top 20 finishes, they may once again be in position to win the School of the Year title, thanks to a talented roster of returning anglers.
Ugly Stik Combos and Catfish Rods
Ugly that won’t quit, no matter what’s biting.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ugly Stik adds to its legacy of producing tough-as-nails fishing gear specifically for anglers who just want to have a good time with the addition of an Ugly Tuff combo series, new Catfish Special rods and Catch Ugly Fish spinning combos.
The new Ugly Tuff combos pair both the Ugly Tuff spinning and casting reels with an Ugly Stik rod with a Clear Tip design. Representing the apex of durability, the reels feature aluminum construction and stainless-steel ball bearings to stand up to the toughest fights. The rods and reels featured in the Ugly Tuff combos also come with a 7-year warranty.
Specially designed for casting to catfish from boats or banks, the new Ugly Stik Catfish Special rods feature legendary Ugly Tech construction for guaranteed strength and sensitivity. The one-piece Ugly Tuff guides and Clear Tip design ensure maximum durability and performance, while the full EVA shrink-tube handles provide the surest grip when fighting big cats.
Ugly Stik anglers are no strangers to camo, whether it’s worn for fashion or concealment. The new Ugly Stik Camo combos combine the legendary strength and durability of Ugly Stik and features Mossy Oak’s top-selling camo pattern, Bottomland. Available in spinning, conventional and spincast combos, all models feature Ugly Tech construction, Ugly Tuff guides and the Ugly Stik Clear Tip design making them ideal for most freshwater species.
Ugly Stik’s new Catch Ugly Fish spinning combos deliver anglers everything they need to start fishing right away. Three different models are designed to match an angler’s desired fishing location or species (lake/pond, catfish or surf/pier) and include the rod, reel, tackle storage and a selection of Berkley soft and hard baits as well as terminal tackle to suit the area or species for which it will be used.
Ugly Tuff Combos
Key Rod Features:
• Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for strength and sensitivity
• Ugly Tech construction
• Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless steel guides
• Rubber shrink-tube handles for better gripping
• 7-year warranty
Key Spinning Reel Features:
• Ugly Tuff aluminum body
• Machined-aluminum spool
• 5 shielded, stainless-steel bearings
Key Spincast Reel Features:
• Ugly Tuff aluminum frame and front cone
• 3 stainless-steel ball bearings
• Pre-spooled with monofilament line
Spincast Combo Models: 5-6 M (2-piece) / Size 6 reel • 6-6 M (2-piece) / Size 10 reel • 7-0 MH (2-piece) / Size 20 reel
MSRP: $64.95-69.95
Spinning Combo Models: 6-0 M (2-piece) / Size 30 reel • 6-6 M (2-piece) / Size 35 reel • 7-0 M (2-piece) / Size 30 reel • 6-6 MH / Size 40 reel • 7-0 MH / Size 60 reel
MSRP: $84.95-94.95
UGLY STIK CATFISH SPECIAL RODS
Key Features:
• Ugly Tech construction with a combination of graphite and fiberglass to create a strong-yet-sensitive rod
• Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless-steel guides provide maximum durability and eliminate insert pop outs
• Ugly Stik Clear Tip delivers extra strength right where you need it and is sensitive to the lightest strike
• Full EVA shrink-tube handles
• 7-year warranty
Casting Models: 7-0 MH • 8-0 MH (2-piece) • 9-0 MH (2-piece) • 10-0 MH (2-piece) • 12-0 (2-piece)
Spinning Models: 7-0 MH • 8-0 MH (2-piece) • 9-0 MH (2-piece) • 10-0 MH (2-piece) • 12-0 MH (2-piece)
MSRPs: $59.95-74.95
UGLY STIK CAMO COMBOS
Key Features:
• Features Mossy Oak Bottomland camo pattern
• Ugly Tech construction with a combination of graphite and fiberglass to create a strong-yet-sensitive rod
• Ugly Tuff one-piece, stainless-steel guides provide excellent durability and eliminate insert pop outs.
• Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for strength and sensitivity
• Durable and lightweight EVA grip
• 7-year rod warranty
Spinning Models (reel/rod): Size 25/5-0 L (2-piece) • Size 30/6-6 M (2-piece) • Size 30/6-0 M (2-piece)
Conventional Model: 7-0 MH
Spincast Model (reel/rod): Size 10/6-0 M (2-piece)
MSRPs: $74.95-84.95
Available: July 2021
UGLY STIK CATCH UGLY FISH SPINNING COMBOS
Key Features:
• Ugly Tech construction with a combination of graphite and fiberglass to create a strong-yet-sensitive rod
• Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless-steel guides provide excellent durability and eliminate insert pop outs
• Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for strength and sensitivity
• Durable and lightweight EVA grips
• Includes an assortment of proven and popular Berkley tackle based on species/location
Models: Lake/Pond • Catfish • Surf/Pier
MSRPs: $64.95 (Lake/Pond)/ $74.95 (Catfish & Surf/Pier)
Abu Garcia Fantasista X and Veritas PLX Tournament Rods
Lightweight and loaded with features allow anglers to fish to win.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Abu Garcia continues to innovate in the rod category, expanding two acclaimed rod families to make them even better suited for ultra-competitive anglers who look for an advantage whether they are fishing for fun or for a trophy. The Fantasista X and the new Veritas PLX Tournament rods deliver performance, strength and sensitivity with configurations to match the most common bass-fishing techniques.
Featuring a sleek design and high-performance features, the new Fantasista X rods are constructed with 36-ton graphite and Abu Garcia’s proprietary Powerlux 500 resin system. The Abu Garcia custom Fuji soft-touch reel seats coupled with a split-grip design help further reduce weight and increase sensitivity in the nine casting and four spinning rods included in the Fantasista X family.
The new Abu Garcia Veritas PLX Tournament rods offer serious anglers increased strength and sensitivity with reduced weight. Featuring an all-black rod blank constructed of 36-ton graphite with Powerlux 200 resin, the Veritas PLX Tournament rods stand out from other all-white rods bearing the Veritas name. The distinction in aesthetics underscores the additional performance-based features of these new rods, which includes titanium-alloy guides with zirconium inserts, Carbon handle split-grip design and the Robotically Optimized Casting System guide train that maximizes casting distance. Combined, these enhancements result in a rod that’s 6 percent lighter and 7 percent more sensitive than other Veritas PLX rods.
ABU GARCIA FANTASISTA X RODS
Key Features:
• 36-ton graphite with Powerlux 500
• Ergonomic Fuji soft-touch reel seats
• ROCS (Robotically Optimized Casting System) Guide train for maximized casting distance with lighter lures
• Titanium-alloy guides with ultra-light zirconium inserts allow for a lightweight, balanced rod
• EVA and Carbon split-grip handle design for reduced weight and increased sensitivity
• Limited 5-year warranty
Casting Models: 6-10 ML • 6-10 MH • 7-0 M • 7-0 MH • 7-3 MH • 7-3 H • 7-6 MH • 7-6 H • 7-11 XH
MSRPs: $299.95-319.95
Spinning Models: 6-10 ML • 7-0 M • 7-0 MH • 7-6 M
MSRP: $299.95
ABU GARCIA VERITAS PLX TOURNAMENT RODS
Key Features:
• 36-ton graphite with Powerlux 200
• Ergonomic Abu Garcia-designed reel seat
• ROCS (Robotically Optimized Casting System) Guide train for maximized casting distance with lighter lures
• Titanium-allow guides with ultra-light zirconium inserts allow for a lightweight, balanced rod
• Carbon split-grip design for reduced weight and increased sensitivity
• Limited 3-year warranty
Casting Models: 6-10 ML • 6-10 MH • 7-0 M • 7-0 MH • 7-2 M • 7-3 MH • 7-3 H • 7-6 MH • 7-6 H • 7-11 XH
MSRPs: $169.95-184.95
Spinning Models: 6-10 ML • 7-0 M • 7-0 MH • 7-6 M
MSRP: $169.95
SEAGUAR ADDS TWO NEW SIZES FOR TATSU FLUOROCARBON
|
Since its introduction in 2010, Seaguar® TATSU® Fluorocarbon has become a favorite among anglers who want the best fluorocarbon line on the market. Tatsu is the world’s only double-structure fluorocarbon mainline. The double-structure process fuses two custom, 100% fluorocarbon resins, creating the best combination of strength and castability. |
|
|
New for Size Offerings for 2022 New for 2022 are two additional sizes of TATSU fluorocarbon — 17 and 22 lb test are being added to round out the offerings. Seaguar pro Luke Clausen is one of the select few anglers with both a Bassmaster Classic and Forrest Wood Cup win to his credit. Through his years of fishing professionally, he has learned that details matter. “There is always a big separation between what anglers have and what we want,” begins Clausen. “That’s why I’m so excited about the two new sizes of Tatsu as they are perfect ‘in-between’ sizes to give me more options as an angler.” While one slight size difference may not appear to matter, Clausen begs to differ. “The diameter difference between 20 and 22 lb test may not seem like much, but it makes a big difference when you have a big fish wrapped in heavy cover,” he says. “There are also countless times when I need to make those slight adjustments to match the cover and to adjust how my lure falls. Going up or down one size can make my lures perform better.” |
New for 2021! - Costa Sunglasses casts the next generation of its Untangled Collection
Costa and Bureo partner on material innovation and strive toward product circularity with new Untangled Collection--frames built from recycled fishing nets.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (EMBARGO: JULY 21, 2021) – For more than 38 years, Costa Sunglasses has been driven to protect the watery world it calls home. Continuing to put its mission into action by building products with purpose, Costa is announcing the next generation of The Untangled Collection, sunglasses built from recycled fishing nets. The four new performance frames are built with a more functional and durable NetPlus™ material that is 97% recycled fishing nets and 3% performance additive - allowing Costa to now build sunglasses with maximum coverage and protection for long days on the water.
Discarded fishing nets and gear are the most harmful form of plastic pollution in our oceans. Working hand in hand with its partner Bureo, Costa is taking discarded fishing nets and giving them a new life. Ever since the original Untangled Collection of lifestyle frames debuted in 2018, Costa has been working to further advance the recycling and molding techniques to sustainably build frames that are better-suited for its core community of watermen and women. In addition to the upgraded NetPlus material, which has a 100% traceable supply chain, the new frames [Santiago, Antille, Pargo and Caleta] feature recycled aluminum logos and recyclable, polarized and color-enhancing 580® mineral glass lenses.
“This collection represents a multi-year collaboration with Costa," says Kevin Ahearn, Bureo Co-Founder. "We've been working since the original Untangled launch in 2018 to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of our material by making improvements throughout our supply chain, allowing Costa to expand the collection across new performance applications. The new NetPlus material represents a huge step forward in material technology while continuing to support our mission to expand net collection efforts."
Santiago [named after Chile’s capital], offers a protective, maximum coverage frame specifically designed for anglers. Hooding and side shields prevent light from leaking in so you can stay focused on the fish. Keeper-ready temples and Hydrolite rubber grips keep your frames locked in place and the vented nose pads help reduce fogging.
A little brother to Santiago, Pargo has a more modern style, but with all of the same technical features as its brother. Like the fish bearing its namesake - often referred to as a Dog Snapper - Pargo shows it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the angler.
Named after the 1,500 mile chain of Caribbean islands, Antille is a hybrid frame combining a youthful style and performance features. Mirco top shields and hooding help minimize light leak so you can spot the next island, reef or siesta spot. Temple grips and a vented rubber nose pad keep your frames locked in place and help to reduce fogging.
Caleta is named after the small coastal coves of Chile. Its fluid lines and feminine shape make it the perfect frame for the waterwoman in all of us. The Caleta performs as well as you.
“Costa has always been deeply rooted in conservation. We strive to source traceable, sustainable materials and incorporate water-friendly principles into our products, our brand—and our daily lives,” says Jessica Bryant, Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Costa Sunglasses. “We first launched the Untangled Collection with beach lifestyle frames made from 100% recycled nets. These frames grew our tribe — but our core team pushed for even more. With this new collection, sustainability truly meets performance. When you look through a pair of Untangled sunglasses, you share our vision for healthier oceans.”
Starting at $199, everyone can be an agent for change. The Untangled Collection is now available at Costa Sunglasses, where you can also find additional information on Costa and its full collection of best-selling sunglasses.
Lucky Go Fishing/Fish Bites Win Seventh-Annual ICAST Cup Presented by Major League Fishing on Lake Toho
A Total of $11,000 Raised for Keep America Fishing™ Foundation
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 20, 2021) – Representing Lucky Go Fishing and Fish Bites, the team of Terrie Huffmaster, Tonya Michelle and Jackson Williams weighed in a five-bass limit totaling 25 pounds, 10 ounces, to win the 2021 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 2021 and raised a total of $11,000 to benefit the industry’s angler advocacy program, Keep America Fishing™.
The field totaled 55 boats, including about a handful of MLF Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and Toyota Series anglers, as well as outdoor media and industry representatives from popular tackle brand and non-profits. In its five-year history, the charity tournament has raised more than $61,000 for Keep America Fishing.
The Lucky Go Fishing/Fish Bites team won by a margin of 10 ounces over Team USA Bassin’, which was comprised of Richard Patterson, Dave Smith and Glen Cabezas. Their limit weighing 25-10 was a new ICAST Cup record for the heaviest limit ever weighed in the event.
“What a day. This has been so awesome. This is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life,” an emotional Huffmaster said on stage. “To everyone that put this event on and made it happen – MLF, ICAST, everybody here – thank you for putting this on and making this happen. I cannot tell you how humbled I am and how blessed I feel right now. I’m way past Cloud 9 – I’m on Cloud 14 or 15 right now.”
The duo estimated they caught around 35 to 40 bass throughout the morning, but said that they caught the majority of their weight in the first 30 minutes. They credited just one bait as being the key.
“We tried a few different baits early, but they weren’t biting. Then we picked up a Zoom Magnum Ultra Vibe Speed Worm (black and blue) and caught five of our big fish within the first 30 minutes,” Michelle said. “We ended up sticking with it for the rest of the day.”
“We also did not have a net in the boat,” Huffmaster added. “When we’d set the hook and see the big ones flopping on the water, it was chaos. We were just telling each other to stay calm, keep it down, and get it to the boat.
“We really had no thoughts at all about winning or losing today coming into this,” Huffmaster went on to say. “We literally just prayed about it this morning and wanted to get out there and have fun.”
Mission accomplished!
The top 10 teams finished the tournament in:
1st: Lucky Go Fishing/Fish Bites – Terrie Huffmaster, Tonya Michelle and Jackson Williams, five bass, 25-10
2nd: USA Bassin’ – Richard Patterson, Dave Smith and Glen Cabezas, five bass, 25-0
3rd: American Baitworks – Robert Greenburg and J.T. Kenney, five bass, 21-5
4th: Chasin’ Fin – Nathan Bloom and Joey Bloom, five bass, 19-14
5th: JL Marine/Power-Pole – Greg Wats, Ray Trudeau and James Everhart, five bass, 18-14
6th: BNB Jigs – Bob Bakewell and Bobby Bakewell, five bass, 17-9
7th: American Tackle Co. – Jeff Mathews, Jimmy Drury and Joe Opager, five bass, 17-1
8th: Green Outdoors – Ronnie Green, Christian Greico and Samantha Gay, five bass, 16-7
9th: Lithium Pros – Steve Bishop, Ken Lucas and Charity Muehlenweg, five bass, 15-4
10th: Lew’s – John Carman, Peter Thliveros and Matthew Mattingly, five bass, 15-0
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 2022 USA Pan American Bass fishing team. The highest-finishing team of female anglers was Michelle Jalaba and Melissa Young, who weighed in five bass totaling 12 pounds, 7 ounces, to earn their spot on Team USA Bass at the 2022 Pan American Bass Fishing Championship, alongside Jacob Wheeler, John Cox, Mark Daniels Jr., Dustin Connell, Brian Latimer, Scott Martin 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 2021 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.
Big Bass Tour Announces 2022 Tour Schedule
Woodlands, Texas – Tour officials announced the 2022 Big Bass Tour schedule today, ahead of ICAST in Orlando, Florida.
“Our 2022 schedule is packed with world class fisheries and should provide an incredible experience for all of our anglers.” said Tournament Director Scott Gordon. “We would like to thank all of our host partners, communities and sponsors for their efforts in putting this schedule together and we are looking forward to another great season.” added Gordon.
- Feb 4-6 | Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida
- Feb 25-27 | Lake Conroe, Texas
- March 11-13 | Clarks Hill, Georgia
- March 18-20 | Lake Norman, North Carolina
- April 1-3 | Lake Eufaula, Alabama
- April 8-10 | Table Rock Lake, Missouri
- April 22-24 | Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia (Spring)
- April 29-May 1 | Lake Murray, South Carolina
- May 13-15 | Lake Chickamauga, Tennessee
- Oct 7-9 | Douglas Lake, Tennessee
- Oct 14-16 | Guntersville Lake, Alabama
- Oct 21-23 | Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia (Fall)
Registration for the 2022 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Big Bass Tour will open on Wednesday, December 1st. Visit www.bigbasstour.com for all details.
B.A.S.S. Officials Announce 2022 Schedule For Bassmaster Elite Series
The 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule features nine events across seven states.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
July 20, 2021
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — With this year’s Bassmaster Elite Series schedule barely written into the history books, B.A.S.S. officials are already looking toward a bright future with Tuesday’s announcement of the Elite Series slate for 2022.
The top professional bass fishing circuit in the world will once again kick off its season in warm, sunny Florida, with events on the St. Johns River in Palatka, Feb. 10-13, and the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Feb. 17-20.
From there, the trail will visit six more states in seven months while working its way to a season-ending event on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis., Aug. 26-29.
“We’re proud to have the kind of schedule that allows fans from so many areas to enjoy and celebrate the great sport of professional bass fishing,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “With events in seven states from Florida, north to New York, and west to South Dakota, it will be a true test of our anglers’ ability to compete on all types of fisheries.
“It’ll also provide an incredible variety of entertaining scenarios for our fans, both in attendance and watching live on the multiple platforms that are now available to them.”
This will mark the fourth-straight year the Elite Series has held its season-opener on the St. Johns River — a quintessential Florida fishery that features vast shoreline cover, big Florida-strain largemouth and breathtaking scenery with Spanish moss-covered trees, alligators and manatees. The 2021 event on the St. Johns was won by North Carolina rookie pro Bryan Newwith a four-day total of 79 pounds, 7 ounces.
The trip to the Harris Chain — a collection of eight lakes connected by rivers and canals — will be the first for the Elite Series since 2011. The fishery, which ranked 10th in the Southeastern Division of Bassmaster Magazine’s list of 100 Best Bass Lakes released earlier this summer, has been a common destination for other B.A.S.S. events in the past, however, with the most recent being a Basspro.com Bassmaster Southern Open won by Keith Tuma this past spring.
“We’re thrilled to host the Bassmaster Elite Series on the Harris Chain of Lakes right here in Lake County,” said Steven Clenney, interim director of Visit Lake. “Our lakes have some of the best bass fishing in the country, and as Bassmaster tournaments return year after year to our area, it reminds us how thankful we are to have this resource in our backyards.”
After a pause for the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell, March 4-6, the Elite Series schedule will resume right there inside the Palmetto State with the third regular-season event on the Santee Cooper Lakes in Clarendon County, S.C., March 17-20.
B.A.S.S. held 13 major events on the gigantic Santee system, which is comprised of Lakes Marion and Moultrie, from 1975-2009. Then after an 11-year hiatus from the fishery, the Elite Series held a tournament there in October of 2020 that was won by Idaho pro Brandon Palaniuk with 72-2.
“We are so excited to be able to bring the Bassmaster Elites back in 2022,” said Tiffany B. Myers, director of tourism, Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce. “It had been over 10 years since they came to Clarendon County prior to the 2020 tournament. It was a great event, but the pandemic drastically changed plans and logistics. So, we are thrilled to have another opportunity to bring them back during the ideal time of year and with a lot more spectators.”
After Santee, the trail will shift to Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, Tenn., April 7-10. “The Chick,” as it’s known by avid bass anglers from around the country, is a 36,240-acre Tennessee River fishery known for producing giant largemouth.
The next lake on the schedule — Lake Fork in Quitman, Texas — is perhaps known as the country’s largemouth mecca. The Elite Series will drop in on Fork May 19-22 for only the fourth major event B.A.S.S. has ever held on the giant-bass paradise. The lake was ranked No. 1 overall in the country for 2021 in Bassmaster’s list of Top 100 Best Bass Lakes.
That stretch of the schedule should be especially attractive to Lee Livesay — the Texas pro who won the Elite Series’ most recent trip to Chickamauga in October 2020 and the trail’s most recent trip to Fork in April 2021. He won the latter event with a whopping total of 112 pounds, 5 ounces that was capped by a final-day catch of five bass that weighed 42-3.
Details on an event June 2-5 will be announced in the coming weeks.
Another destination that has become a staple for the Elite Series, the St. Lawrence River (fourth overall, 100 Best Bass Lakes), will be the next stop. The event, which is likely to be dominated by big smallmouth, is scheduled for July 14-17 out of Clayton, N.Y. This will be the sixth-straight year the Elite Series has visited the St. Lawrence and the 21st time B.A.S.S. has called on the fishery to host a major event.
Unlike the 2021 season that ended in mid-July, the 2022 slate will push into August with events at two fisheries where fans have been clamoring for the trail’s return.
On Aug. 18-21, massive 370,000-acre Lake Oahe will host the next-to-last event of the season out of Mobridge, S.D. B.A.S.S. has visited Oahe only once, for an Elite Series event in 2018 won by Alabama pro Mark Daniels Jr. B.A.S.S. Nation angler and 2015 Classic qualifier Troy Diede recently caught a 7-4 smallmouth from Oahe that was certified as the South Dakota state record.
The season will conclude on Aug. 26-29 on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis. (16th Central Division, 100 Best Bass Lakes). The Elite Series last visited La Crosse in 2018 during a Midwestern stretch that was paired similarly with Oahe.
“We are thrilled to welcome back the Bassmaster Elite Series to the La Crosse region on the famed Upper Mississippi River,” said A.J. Frels, executive director of Explore La Crosse. “We expect phenomenal fishing for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, and the anglers will showcase the region at unprecedented levels thanks to the partnership between B.A.S.S. and FOX Sports. The Bassmaster LIVE coverage will promote and attract new audiences to our incredible fishery while on-site engagement, launches and weigh-ins are sure to draw big crowds. The greater La Crosse region looks forward to hosting the anglers, their families, fans and spectators in the area!”
After an exciting debut season in 2021, once more, all nine Bassmaster Elite Series events as well as the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk will feature live television coverage on the FOX Sports platforms. Visit Bassmaster.com for more details.
2022 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule
Feb. 10-13, St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.
Feb. 17-20, Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
March 4-6, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, Lake Hartwell, Greenville, S.C.
March 17-20, Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County, S.C.
April 7-10, Chickamauga Lake, Dayton, Tenn.
May 19-22, Lake Fork, Quitman, Texas
June 2-5, TBA
July 14-17, St. Lawrence River/1000 Islands, Clayton, N.Y.
Aug. 4-7, Make-up date
Aug. 18-21, Lake Oahe, Mobridge, S.D.
Aug. 26-29, Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.
Humminbird® Introduces New HELIX® 5 and 7 Series with new Technology and Performance Upgrades
RACINE, Wis. (July 20, 2021) –– Humminbird® is equipping anglers with new generations of the acclaimed HELIX® 5 and HELIX 7 Series with the introductions of HELIX 5 G3, HELIX 7 G4 and HELIX 7 G4N models. The upgrades to the new HELIX models will provide anglers access to the latest sonar and navigation technologies at the heart of Humminbird’s intuitive, easy-to-use fish finders.
HELIX 7 G4 Models (Non-Networking)
The new Humminbird HELIX 7 G4 models are designed to find fish faster with a crystal-clear view of unmatched sonar and chart technologies. Starting with an upgraded 7” HD display (1024H x 600V), new and experienced anglers alike will appreciate the increased resolution that provides easy to read sonar views of fish and structure.
The soft-key operation of the HELIX 7 G4 Series makes it simple to use and easy to access desired chart and sonar views. The HELIX 7 G4 line offer best-in-class sonar, with options featuring MEGA Side Imaging® and MEGA Down Imaging®models, both of which also include Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D sonar. A new addition to the lineup is the HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4 model (non-MEGA) that provides standard definition Side Imaging, Down Imaging and Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar views. This new model provides a ton of features and provides anglers the chance to trade up and experience the benefit of Side Imaging sonar.
Included on the HELIX 7 G4 units are built-in GPS and Humminbird Basemap which provides basic depth contours and navigational aids for all continental U.S. coastal waters and over 10,000+ U.S. lakes and rivers. Additionally, all models include AutoChart Live®, a real-time mapping technology that gives anglers the ability to make their own 1-foot contour maps in real time. For even more detailed mapping coverage, all models include a single microSD card slot, allowing compatibility with premium chart options from Humminbird LakeMaster® and CoastMaster®, as well as Navionics®.
HELIX 7 G4N Models (Networking)
Anglers looking for more fishing features, the new HELIX 7 G4N Series is ready to meet their needs. Similar to the G4 models, these models boast a new, higher resolution 7” HD display, with all of the sonar and navigation features found on G4 model, with the addition of upgraded dual microSD card slots that support all Humminbird compatible chart options.
Looking at the new G4N models, anglers will notice a redesigned front housing that features three preset view keys to allow quick access to favorite sonar and chart screens, a familiar experience to that found on the larger HELIX G4N models. An additional upgrade to the new HELIX 7 G4N models is compatibility with MEGA Live Imaging™ for models with MEGA Side Imaging or MEGA Down Imaging. When paired with the advanced sonar accessory, users will see fish with the detail and clarity of MEGA Imaging in real time.
The move up to the HELIX 7 G4N Series also delivers several networking and compatibility features that are sure to catch attention. All of these models are networking compatible, providing Ethernet networking and Bluetooth® support, which allow connection to the One-Boat Network™ family of products from Humminbird and Minn Kota.
New networking features also include built-in NMEA 2000® and Wi-Fi® connectivity to enable optional display of outboard engine data and information from many NMEA 2000-compatible accessories.
The HELIX 7 G4 and G4N Series will begin shipping to dealers beginning September 1, 2021. HELIX 7 G4 Series models will be available from $499.99 to $699.99 MSRP and the HELIX 7 G4N Series will offer models from $649.99 to $899.99 MSRP.
New HELIX 7 G4 models:
- HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4
- HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G4
- HELIX 7 CHIRP MSI GPS G4
New HELIX G4N models:
- HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G4N
- HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G4N CHO (Control Head Only)
- HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G4N
- HELIX 7 CHIRP MSI GPS G4N
HELIX 5 G3 Models
The new HELIX 5 G3 offers upgraded features for anglers who are looking for a feature-packed fish finder for their boat or watercraft that requires a smaller package, without sacrificing performance or ease of use. The HELIX 5 lineup offers a 5-inch display with soft-key operation and an intuitive menu system for quick and simple operation.
Upgraded features on the HELIX 5 G3 models include Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D sonar, which provides clear sonar returns of fish, bait and structure. Additionally, these models include built-in GPS and Humminbird Basemap, providing navigational aids and depth contours to help you confidently find fish. A standard single microSD card slot also offers compatibility with premium chart options from Humminbird LakeMaster and CoastMaster, as well as Navionics charts.
Offering models with either CHIRP Down Imaging or Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D sonar, as well as a portable Dual Spectrum CHIRP GPS model, the HELIX 5 G3 Series delivers what is needed to head out onto the water with confidence.
The HELIX 5 G3 Series will begin shipping to dealers beginning September 1, 2021 and will sell from $299.99 to $449.99 MSRP.
HELIX 5 G3 Models:
- HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3
- HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3 Portable
- HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
For more information on the Humminbird HELIX lineup, go to https://www.humminbird.com.
SEAGUAR UNVEILS NEW TACTX™ CAMO BRAIDED LINE
|
Introducing Seaguar® TactX™, a new four-strand braided line with a natural camouflage color that reduces line visibility. Seaguar, the inventor of fluorocarbon fishing lines, will include a 5-yard Seaguar fluorocarbon leader inside each box of TactX™, a fishing industry first. |
|
|
“TactX Braid is complement to our new BasiX fluorocarbon mainline, where we’re supporting the millions of anglers who are either fishing for the first time, getting reacquainted with the sport or managing a tight budget,” said Gerry Benedicto, Seaguar General Manager. TactX™ is a precision casting braided line with features that make it a perfect choice for everyday anglers. It is engineered to maintain its perfectly round shape and stay firm to minimize rod tip wrapping and wind knots. When spooled onto a reel, it packs tightly without cutting into itself, which also helps reduce dreaded backlashes. It’s woven from multi-color earth-tone strands that are heat-set for better color retention and creates a natural camouflage color that reduces line visibility. The round nature of the braid gives it excellent castability, abrasion resistance and overall strength with a “pebble” texture to add durability and help it cut through vegetation. Inside each box of TactX™ is a 5-yard Seaguar fluorocarbon leader material to allow anglers to experience a braid to fluorocarbon connection with a quality leader material. The pound test of each fluorocarbon leader will be matched to the corresponding size of TactX™. The spool box includes a QR code, which when scanned, sends anglers to a website featuring braid-to-leader knot video tutorials from Seaguar pros. Seaguar’s Benedicto noted, “We tried to make it easier for anglers by engineering this braid to minimize wind knots and backlashes and include a fluorocarbon leader in the box to make it a very user and budget friendly option”. Available in retail stores in mid-January, 2022, new Seaguar TactX™ camo braided line will be available in 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, and 80 lb tests in both 150 and 300-yard spools with a MSRP of $16.99-$31.99. |
Classic Equations with Ronnie Moore
This week Chris & the boys went right to the source to make sure they fully understand all the math behind the Bassmaster Classic Qualifications for 2022 on Lake Hartwell as well as quiz BASS Guru Ronnie Moore on the 2022 Elite field. Very informative show you need to check out!
Gamakatsu® G-Finesse Trebles Now Offered with Feathers
Tacoma, Washington (XXXX) – Gamakatsu®, the world’s leading manufacturer and innovator of fishing hooks and terminal tackle, is introducing the G-Finesse Feathered Treble MH. Based largely on the input of Major League Fishing pro Aaron Martens, a two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year, the existing medium-heavy G-Finesse Trebles took the bass world by storm six years ago, and the addition of lifelike and vibrant feathers fills out the lineup.
Like their predecessors, the G-Finesse feathered trebles utilize Tournament-Grade Wire construction which allows the points to remain sharper longer. That means anglers will use fewer of them while ensuring better hook up percentages as the fishing day goes. Furthermore, they are stronger than hooks of the same diameter wire. To complete the job, they come with a Nano-Coat finish that makes penetration even easier. Any fish that strikes gets stuck, and those that get stuck stay pinned until anglers unhook them.
These new trebles come two to a pack, adorned with either white or chartreuse premium feathers and complementary tinsel, hand-selected by Martens to tempt even the most finicky fish. Add them to any fast-moving lure to create a fluid appearance, or to lures that demand pauses so the motion will continue in place. They’ll excel with topwaters, crankbaits, jerkbaits and spoons.
G-Finesse Feathered Treble MH Features:
- Sizes: 6, 4, 2, 1, 1/0
- Colors: White/Tinsel, Chartreuse/Tinsel
- Qty/Pkg: 2
Minnesota’s Krienke Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Mississippi River at La Crosse
| RANK | BOATER NAME/HOMETOWN | BASS | WEIGHT | AWARD |
| 1st | Kory Krienke of Annandale, Minn. | 3 | 10-14 | $4,575 |
| 2nd | Kyle von Ruden of Stoddard, Wis. | 3 | 10-6 | $2,538 |
| 3rd | Randy Ramsey Jr. of Chicago, Ill. | 3 | 10-2 | $2,190 |
| 4th | Tyler Fitch of Windsor, Wis. | 3 | 9-12 | $1,068 |
| 5th | Jeff Ritter of Prairie du Chien, Wis. | 3 | 9-11 | $915 |
| 6th | Bob Matthies of Cicero, Ill. | 3 | 9-4 | $801 |
| 6th | Kevin Ruh of Onalaska, Wis. | 3 | 9-4 | $1,301 |
| 8th | Brent Schroeder of Caledonia, Minn. | 3 | 9-2 | $686 |
| 9th | Kevin Twardowski of Columbus, Wis. | 3 | 8-15 | $610 |
| 10th | Troy Sippl of Sussex, Wis. | 3 | 8-13 | $534 |
| RANK | STRIKE KING CO-ANGLER NAME/HOMETOWN | BASS | WEIGHT | AWARD |
| 1st | Jason Swanson of Waterloo, Iowa | 3 | 9-6 | $2,620 |
| 2nd | Richard Conrad of Arcadia, Wis. | 3 | 8-4 | $1,144 |
| 3rd | Troy Rebeck of Sparta, Wis. | 3 | 7-8 | $762 |
| 4th | Kalvin Korotka of Manawa, Wis. | 3 | 7-4 | $534 |
| 5th | Dan Goeke of West Point, Iowa | 3 | 7-1 | $458 |
| 6th | Justin Oppegard of Eagan, Minn. | 3 | 6-15 | $419 |
| 7th | Chad Schultz of Rockton, Ill. | 3 | 6-14 | $362 |
| 7th | Joe Rockey of Schaumburg, Ill. | 3 | 6-14 | $362 |
| 9th | Max Ford of Westby, Ill. | 3 | 6-12 | $305 |
| 10th | Brett Anderson of Grantsburg, Wis. | 3 | 6-11 | $392 |
| AWARD | NAME | CONTINGENCY | PAYOUT |
| Boater Big Bass | Randy Ramsey Jr. of Chicago, Ill. | 4-pound bass | $665 |
| Strike King Co-Angler Berkley Big Bass | Jason Swanson Waterloo, Iowa | 3-pound, 4-ounce bass | $332 |
| Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus | Kevin Ruh of Onalaska, Wis. | Eligible Phoenix Boat* | $500 |
| ANGLER | BAIT | COLOR |
| Boater | Frog | N/A |
| Strike King Co-Angler | Frog and Topwater Baits | N/A |
| EVENT | DATE | LOCATION | HOST |
| Great Lakes Division – Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship | Oct. 21-23 | Lake Ouachita, Mount Ida, Ark. | Visit Hot Springs |
| 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American | June 2-4, 2022 | Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs, Ark. | Arkansas Dept. of Parks and Tourism & Visit Hot Springs |
The top six finishers in each regional will then qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.
The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube .
Thompsonville’s McCord Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Rend Lake
WHITTINGTON, Ill. (July 19, 2021) – Boater Brennon McCord of Thompsonville, Illinois, won the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine at Rend Lake Presented by TINCUP Whiskey in Whittington, Illinois. McCord earned $11,119 for his victory at the event, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 contingency bonus.
| RANK | BOATER NAME/HOMETOWN | BASS | WEIGHT | AWARD |
| 1st | Brennon McCord of Thompsonville, Ill. | 5 | 12-5 | $11,119 |
| 2nd | Donald Marshall of Smithton, Ill. | 5 | 12-0 | $2,059 |
| 3rd | Toby Corn of Paducah, Ky. | 5 | 10-5 | $1,574 |
| 4th | Luke Budde of St. Louis, Mo. | 5 | 9-9 | $961 |
| 5th | Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill. | 5 | 9-7 | $824 |
| 6th | Scott Rice of Cobden, Ill. | 4 | 8-11 | $755 |
| 7th | Robert Atchison of Sesser, Ill. | 4 | 8-8 | $652 |
| 7th | Brad Schoenrock of Opdyke, Ill. | 4 | 8-8 | $652 |
| 9th | Lon Aylsworth of Wildwood, Mo. | 4 | 8-7 | $549 |
| 10th | Tom Silber of Labadie, Mo. | 3 | 8-3 | $480 |
| RANK | STRIKE KING CO-ANGLER NAME/HOMETOWN | BASS | WEIGHT | AWARD |
| 1st | Jarred Sample of West Frankfort, Ill. | 3 | 8-1 | $1,544 |
| 1st | Bill Cearlock of Springfield, Ill. | 3 | 8-1 | $1,544 |
| 3rd | Dane Bondurant of Witt, Ill. | 3 | 6-8 | $687 |
| 4th | Tyson Elko of West Frankfort, Ill. | 3 | 6-7 | $480 |
| 5th | Ryan Taylor of West Frankfort, Ill. | 1 | 6-5 | $694 |
| 6th | Amanda Black of Toledo, Ill. | 2 | 6-4 | $360 |
| 6th | Levi Kohl of Edinburg, Ill. | 3 | 6-4 | $309 |
| 8th | Cordell Beckmann of Breese, Ill. | 3 | 5-15 | $275 |
| 9th | Tad Cain of La Place, Ill. | 4 | 5-14 | $240 |
| 10th | Brian Huber of Saint Peters, Mo. | 3 | 5-9 | $216 |
| AWARD | NAME | CONTINGENCY | PAYOUT |
| Boater Big Bass | Jeremy Mull of Pawnee, Ill. | 5-pound, 10-ounce bass | $565 |
| Strike King Co-Angler Berkley Big Bass | Ryan Taylor of West Frankfort, Ill. | 6-pound, 5-ounce bass | $282 |
| Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus | Brennon McCord of Thompsonville, Ill. | Eligible Phoenix Boat* | $7,000 |
| ANGLER | BAIT | COLOR |
| Boater | 3/8-ounce Jig | Black & Blue |
| Strike King Co-Angler | Cearlock: Double willow-blade spinnerbait Sample: Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver |
N/A Black & Blue |
| EVENT | DATE | LOCATION | HOST |
| Illini Division – Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship | Oct. 7-9 | Lake Norfork, Mountain Home, Ark. | Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce |
| 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American | June 2-4, 2022 | Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs, Ark. | Arkansas Dept. of Parks and Tourism & Visit Hot Springs |
The top six finishers in each regional will then qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.
The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube .
Gamakatsu® Adds a Weedless Option With the Round 26 Weedless Jig Hooks
Tacoma, Washington (XXXX) - Round head jigs are among the most popular styles, largely because of their versatility. Gamakatsu® adds a weedless option to their versatile jig head selection with the Round 26 Weedless Jig Hooks.
Like the original Round 26, this version features a standard lead collar, but adds dual offset rebarb wire keepers to securely and firmly hold a wide range of soft plastic baits. It also features a dual-titanium, wire weed guard that will not break, offering the added versatility to fish in and around heavy cover, where the bigger, more elusive lunkers lie.
The symmetrical round head sinks quickly with minimal action on the drop, then a 90-degree bend allows the hook shank to sit flat with the eye pointing upward for a vertical or lateral retrieve. It also features Gamakatsu’s 604 series jig hook with a deep gap for more reliable hook-ups and the sharpest points in the industry for penetrating and holding more fish. Go ahead and toss the Round 26 Weedless at heavy cover this season.
Round 26R Weedless Features:
- Allows for weedless fishing in and around cover or bottom
- Dual titanium wire holds its shape and will not break.
- Strong round bend hook
- New version dual wire keeper and collar securely holds plastic.
- Sizes: 2/0 (1/16, 1/8, 3/8 ounce)
- 3/0 (3/16, ¼ ounce)
- 4/0 (3/8, ½ ounce)
- Qty/Pkg: 3
Gamakatsu’s Spring Lock Spinner Adds Attraction to Soft Plastics
Tacoma, WA (XXXX XX, 2020) – Gamakatsu built a better mousetrap when they designed the all-new bait lock spring and made it fish even better by adding to the system with lockjaw-defying features. The new Spring Lock Spinner from Gamakatsu makes your favorite swimbaits and other soft plastics even more effective by adding flash and vibration to attract fish from even greater distances.
Getting the most action out of your soft plastics has never been easier, thanks to Gamakatsu’s all-new Double Down Spring Lock. The revolutionary design features two retaining wires wound in parallel, making rigging simple and providing even more grabbing power, so baits won’t slip no matter how hard you fish. So go ahead, rip your bait through dense cover and spin the hardest boat side figure eights; your bait will stay put.
The new rigging system has innovative features that draw strikes from pressured fish, and is built on a premium 2x strong hook to handle the biggest predators. Combining the 28-degree hook eye and premium spring lock allows you to keep your bait in place, so it runs true every cast. Available in sizes 3/0 up to 12/0, you can rig a variety of baits to take advantage of the Spring Lock Spinner’s added attraction. They’ll stay put, thanks to the groundbreaking Double Down Spring Lock design.
The weight is positioned in the middle of the hook, which imparts a tantalizing fall that imitates a dying baitfish. To force the most reluctant fish to bite, the Spring Lock Spinner’s nickel willow blade flashes, flutters, and vibrates its way to more hookups.
Use Gamakatsu’s new Spring Lock Spinners added attraction to compel even the most unwilling predator to bite. The Spring Lock Spinner is available in sizes from 3/0 to 12/0 to fit nearly every bait on the market to target bass, pike or muskellunge. Weights from 1/16 to 3/4 ounces let you control the depth allowing you to cover the water column from top to bottom in any conditions.
Spring Lock Spinner Features:
- Nickel willow blade delivers flash and sound to lure predators from a distance
- Double Down Spring Lock bait screw is an easier, more efficient way to keep soft plastics perfectly positioned
- Extra-wide gap permits rigging the biggest baits with plenty of room to set the hook
- Neutral weighting provides a tantalizing fall and erratic action that triggers bites
- 2x strong forged carbon steel hook stands up the hardest hook sets and biggest predators
- Size 3/0 (3/16)
- Size 5/0 (1/4)
- Size 6/0, 7/0, 9/0 (3/8)
- Size 10/0 (1/2)
- Size 12/0 (3/4)
Gamakatsu® Launches the Under Spin Head Mini
Tacoma, Washington (XXXX) - Proving that bigger isn’t always better, Gamakatsu® has launched a mini version of their popular Under Spin Head when a little finesse is in order.
The Under Spin Head Mini features Gamakatsu’s premium size 1 Finesse Heavy Cover 60-degree hook, the wide gap design means you can still rig bulkier plastics and have plenty of bite. Ideal for smaller finesse presentations, the head profile is streamlined to glide through cover. Gamakatsu’s Spring Lock holds swim baits and other plastics gently but firmly, keeping the presentation straight on the hook.
Attention-getting, recessed lifelike eyes provide a focal point for predators. The small chrome willow blade is attached to a quality ball-bearing swivel so it spins freely, even with slow retrieves to simulate baitfish and create a subtle trigger.
Under Spin Head Mini Features:
- Premium Gamakatsu ball bearing swivel allows blade to rotate at slow retrieve speeds
- Lifelike head design and eyes
- Premium nickel size 3 willow leaf blade
- Spring lock holds plastics secure
- Sizes: 1 (1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8 ounce)
- Color: Plain Lead
- Qty/Pkg: 1
Gamakatsu® Tungsten Wobble Head: Hybrid Design for Ultimate Performance
Tacoma, Washington (XXXX) – Wobble Head jigs give anglers another way to target bass on an offshore structure. Gamakatsu’s new feature-packed Tungsten Wobble Head proves that not all wobble heads are created equal. With thoughtful design and quality manufacturing, Gamakatsu’s hybrid head design combines the snag resistance of a football head and the action of the cobra style head.
With a head design that unites the benefits of both a cobra head, for passing through grass, and a football head, for snag resistance on a hard bottom, the Tungsten Wobble Head creates a natural looking, slithering action that draws major attention from nearby bass. Ideal for slow-swimming retrieves, the head increases the action of any plastic bait along the bottom. The Tungsten Wobble Head features a chip-proof black matte finish paint job which blends in with plastics and your lure’s surroundings to generate more strikes. The weight size is stamped into the side of each weight making it easy to identify when it's time to make a change.
The precision wire harness is tuned to exacting tolerances and a recessed line tie helps it stay weedless. The use of tungsten keeps it compact and offers increased sensitivity. The wire harness offers easy rigging with a variety of Gamakatsu hooks. Increased action, versatility of design, toughness, and maximum usefulness are all to be found in the new Tungsten Wobble Head from Gamakatsu.
Tungsten Wobble Head Features
- Hybrid head design combines snag resistance of football head for hard bottom with cobra style head to pass through grass more effectively.
- Special shape increases the action of any plastic bait along the bottom
- More erratic when slowly swimming
- Tungsten material for increased sensitivity and compact profile
- Promotes easy rigging for any number of Gamakatsu hooks
- Recessed line tie further increases its weedless ability
- Weights (ounces): 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1
- Color: Matte Black
- Qty/Pack: 1
Gamakatsu® Introduces The New G-Power Flip & Punch Hook
Tacoma, Washington (XXXX) - Bass fishing innovation is nothing new to professional angler and Gamakatsu pro Aaron Martens. With Aaron’s brilliant insight, Gamakatsu has developed the new G-Power Flip & Punch Hook. A step up from the G-Finesse Heavy Cover Hook, the newly designed heavy style is the ultimate in-between hook for heavy to super heavy cover.
The TGW (Tournament Grade Wire) hook, paired with its welded eye, make this hook the strongest in Gamakatsu’s G-Series lineup. When using larger baits and weights for punching through grass mats and flipping into heavy timber, anglers need a hook that’s versatile in all types of cover and able to withstand extreme conditions. “Gamakatsu nailed it with the G-Power Hook,” said Jeff Roberts, Gamakatsu sales manager.
Aaron thought of everything when it came to the new G-Power Flip & Punch Hook. This hook has a shortened point length providing less hook exposure in heavy cover; however, it leaves ample amount of the hook exposed to penetrate through the biggest of bass mouths. Reeling in a five-pound bass is a task of its own, but when adding two pounds of weeds to it, the odds of losing that fish increase. Just like Aaron, all anglers want to land the fish of a lifetime and leave the salad for the dinner table.
Gamakatsu’s new G-Power Flip & Punch Hook comes in a variety of sizes 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0 and is complemented by the Nano Smooth Coating finish ensuring this hook maintains Gamakastu’s reputation as the sharpest hook in the boat.
G-Power Worm Flip & Punch Hook Features:
● TGW and Nano Smooth Coat
● Aaron’s custom tin keeper
● Shortened point length for faster hook penetration
● Heavy wire for serious flipping and punching
● Size: 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0
● Color: Nano Smooth Coat
● Qty/Pack: 4
Gamakatsu® G-Shield Tungsten Weights Add Japanese Quality to Casting, Pitching and Flipping
Tacoma, Washington (XXXX) – Gamakatsu®, the longtime leader in hooks, has revolutionized the fishing world with ultra-sharp tools for every specialized technique. Now Gamakatsu brings its legendary attention to detail and innovative thinking to the tungsten weight market. The new G-Shield Tungsten Weights are available in standard worm weights, flipping weights and punch weights.
All three versions of the G-Shield weights feature a specially designed composite insert that not only protects an angler’s line, but also provides 360 degree protection for the knot. No more breaking off on the hook set or in heavy cover – these are made to eliminate the issues caused by uneven and rough tungsten. Furthermore, the insert is wider at the base than at the insertion hole so the hook eye can recess itself into the weight, thereby creating a more compact, lifelike and snag-resistant offering. All of the weights also come in a chip-proof black matte finish paint job which blends in with plastics and your lure’s surroundings to generate more strikes. The weight size is stamped into the side of each weight making it easy to identify when it's time to make a change.
Each shape provides distinct best-in-class advantages. The worm weight is the all- purpose champ, best for casting into light cover or dragging plastics across bare lake and river bottoms when subtlety is essential. It’s available in six sizes from 1/8 ounce through 3/4 ounce. The flipping weight is slightly wider, and excels when flipped or pitched into heavy cover – it goes in and comes out easily. The flipping weight comes in six sizes from 3/8 ounce to 1 1/4 ounce. Finally, the punch weight will penetrate thick overhead canopies that resist other shapes. It’s bulbous at the front, creating a weight-forward design that builds inertia when it first contacts likely bass-holding cover. That means the lure will enter cleanly and relatively quietly, inviting even the wariest bass to strike in reaction. These start at 3/4 ounce, and are also available in 1, 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 ounce sizes. These are the true beasts of the mat-punching world. They are also durable, so they’ll save money in the long run – all while putting more bass in the boat.
G-Shield Tungsten Flipping Weight Features:
Weight size is stamped into the side of each weight Sizes: 3⁄8, 1⁄2, 5⁄8, 3⁄4, 1, 1 1/4
Color: Matte Black
G-Shield Tungsten Worm Weight Features:
Weight size is stamped into the side of each weight 1⁄8, 3/16, 1⁄4, 3⁄8, 1⁄2, 3⁄4
Color: Matte Black
G-Shield Tungsten Punch Weight Features:
Weight size is stamped into the side of each weight 3⁄4, 1, 1 1⁄4, 1 1⁄2, 2
Color: Matte Black 
Gamakatsu® Introduces Cover Neko Hook for Finessing Around Targets
Tacoma, Washington (XXXX) – Gamakatsu®, the world’s leading manufacturer and innovator of fishing hooks and terminal tackle, is introducing the Cover Neko hook to perfect the newly-popular technique of Neko Rigging. Their design is based largely on the input of Major League Fishing pro Shin Fukae, the only angler to win an Angler of the Year award at the tour level in both Japan and America. He’s won nearly $2,000,000 since moving to the U.S. full-time, and credits much of those earnings to his mastery of finesse techniques. He has been instrumental in bringing the Neko technique to the United States and explaining it to appreciative anglers.
Current Neko Rig hooks are easy for amateurs to learn and can be used with a variety of soft plastics, but prove difficult for use around brush, laydowns and grass. Now, with Fukae’s tweaks and Gamakatsu’s legendary quality, the perfect Neko hook exists. The Cover Neko Hook consists of a shiner-style straight eye hook with an attached swivel to prevent line twist. There’s also a strong, 90-degree wire keeper to lock plastics in place. Taken together, it’s a tool that will let anglers fish through cover easily while maximizing hook-up percentages. These new hooks come three to a pack, in the three most popular sizes.
Cover Neko Features:
- Shiner straight eye hook for weedless Neko fishing
- Swivel prevents line twist
- Strong 90-degree wire keeper locks plastic in place
- Sizes: 1, 1/0, 2/0
- Color: NS Black
- Qty/Pkg: 3
Snag Proof Returns with Reengineered Bobby’s Perfect and Phat Frogs
American Baitworks Brings New Life to two of the best selling topwater frogs ever made!
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi (July 14, 2021) When American Baitworks acquired Snag Proof in 2018 we
knew that major improvements were needed in the product line. After almost 24 months of developing a new
manufacturing process, product design, proprietary hook development, all new color patterns and upgraded
packaging, the new Bobby’s Perfect and Phat Frogs have arrived.
Snag Proof Bobby’s Perfect Frog
Just like Bobby’s Original Perfect Frog, the Bobby’s Perfect 2.0 has been made even more effective. Working
with the original designer Bobby Barrack, the all-new Bobby’s Perfect has undergone a complete
reengineering.
All new features in the Bobby’s Perfect Frog make it unbeatable:
1. Water Evac System - designed to naturally expel any water infiltration while the frog is being fished for unbeatable buoyancy and consistent performance
2. Rear-weighted balance - Snag Proof’s design is engineered to keep the frog heads-up when stationary and deliver maximum action when worked through sparse or the thickest of cover
3. Braid-secure Line Tie - Snag Proof’s machine-welded line tie eliminates even the slickest braided lines from slipping through the eye of the two-piece through-wire hook system
4. Super Hollow Body - The hollow cavity design of Snag Proof frogs works together with our super-soft injection molded body and Water Evac System maximizing body compression and delivering higher percentage hook ups
5. 15 New 360-degree Hand Designed Graphics - Each Snag Proof design is created right here in the USA by our internationally renowned and award-winning lure designer Andrew Gardner. Snag Proof designs cover 360 degrees of the frog body so EVERY angle a fish sees is covered in 15 new designs
Another key feature developed by the master himself, Bobby Barrack, is how easily the frog will walk-the-dog. Bobby’s Perfect Frogs will walk-the-dog much more efficiently because we trimmed the portion of the bait that the rubber legs run through. This reduces the amount of plastic on the end of the bait for less resistance and less material to get in the way of setting the hook. The Bobby’s Perfect frog will be available at tackle retailers across the country in Fall 2021
Snag Proof Phat Frog
Completely redesigned from front to back, the new Snag Proof Phat Frog features a flatter profile to help it track smoothly through the weeds with legs that are set farther back for improved hook-up ratios and terrific walkability. Built with a new injection process, each Phat frog is made with a consistent shape and super soft hollow body, so they collapse easily to expose the razor-sharp hooks. Snag Proof’s new machine welded line tie eliminates the gap that previously existed, so there is no chance of losing fish from slick braided lines slipping.
Engineered with a rear button weight to keep the frog in a head-up position, the Phat frog always has the optimal posture to produce maximum action and the weight will never fall out. An innovative water evacuation system naturally expels any water infiltration during a cast for unbeatable buoyancy and consistent performance. Designed and created in the USA by internationally renowned and award-winning lure designer Andrew Gardner, the Snag Proof Phat Frog is available in new paint designs that cover 360-degrees of the frog body so every angle the fish can see is covered. The Phat Frog is now available at tackle retailers across the country.
American Baitworks’ Scum Frog Painted Trophy Series is Poppin!
All new PTS Poppin Frog delivers proven designs and performance
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi, USA (July 14, 2021) – Topwater anglers know that a popping frog can deliver open water bites like nothing else and the new Trophy Series Poppin Frog delivers performance and so much more! Scum Frog has been in the frog game for decades and the company continues to innovate and design new topwater’s built around the highest quality components at a reasonable price. Like the ALL NEW Trophy Series launched in 2019, the Painted Trophy Series Poppin Frog features 10 new hand-designed colors.
The Scum Frog Trophy Series Popper (TSP) gives you that killer “ka-bloop” sound proven to drive fish crazy and produce serious topwater blow-ups. The TSP also does double duty delivering amazing “walk-the-dog” action - helping you switch on the fly and adapt to the fish and changing conditions. The Painted Trophy Series’ realistic color schemes mimic several different types of bass forage. Each color has been meticulously designed by award-winning, internationally renowned lure artist Andrew Gardner.
All Scum Frog models are manufactured at American Baitworks in Ocean Springs Mississippi, USA.
Unlike most frogs that are produced with automated manufacturing overseas, Scum Frog
production is done by hand, by American employees ensuring the time and care it takes to meet
the company’s high-quality control standards. Plus, anglers don’t have to worry about the paint
design wearing off because Scum Frog uses a proprietary system that digitally prints onto the frog
making them extremely durable.
Like all Scum Frogs, the Trophy Series Poppin Frog has a patented keel hole in the bottom to make it self-draining. Each time you lift the bait to make another cast, water automatically drains. That means there’s no need to “squeeze” the body to remove water which is required of many other brands. The Trophy Series Poppin Frog weighs in at a 1/2 ounce and its legs are made with 40-strand silicone skirt material that is color matched to the lure body perfectly.
Scum Frog, a subsidiary of American Baitworks, makes a frog for every action, size and price point in the market.
Halo Fishing Rods Unleashes the Halo HFX Series
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi - March 10, 2021. American Baitworks has set a new standard in performance and affordability with the all-new Halo HFX Series Fishing Rods. The HFX Series has an impressive 13 rod models – 4 Spinning and 9 Casting, to cover virtually every length and action any angler could ask for.
“Anglers demand a lot from their fishing rods – performance and value are always at the top of that list.” says Halo Fishing Rods President, Walt Roberts. “We are seeing a shift in fishing where anglers are expanding their rod arsenal as they adapt and learn new techniques. We developed the HFX series to cover multiple techniques from Finesse to Power fishing.”
Halo Fishing starts each rod with unbeatable blanks, constructed of the highest-quality Japanese graphite. When Halo designed the all-new HFX Series, we did exactly that – with Toray graphite blanks that deliver ultimate sensitivity, in casting and spinning models from 6’10” to 7’11” in medium light to extra heavy actions.
Halo’s exclusive 4Finger™ reel seat offers an exposed blank design to allow fingers to feel the slightest bait touch. Sensitivity is further enhanced with integrated Sensi-touch cork composite rings that deliver more feel through the grip than conventional foam grips.
The HFX’s stainless steel guides are built to handle even the toughest braided lines but still super sensitive for the lightest fluorocarbon, and our Align™ guide system ensures perfect alignment of guides from handle to tip.
“We know a lot of our customers work hard all week so they can fish harder every weekend.” says Roberts. “The American Baitworks team is passionate about providing customers the highest quality products and equally committed to a vastly improved customer service program for anglers and our dealer network.”
Every feature of the HFX has been meticulously thought through by our team of designers and pro anglers to create a rod series with unbeatable features and value. Backed by a 5-year limited warranty and 100s of hours of product design and testing in the best office in the world – on the water!
For more information about and to check out the new Halo Fishing Rods, please visit www.americanbaitworks.com.
Berkley PowerBait Gilly
Versatile bait delivers the most realistic swimming action in addition to PowerBait flavor.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Bass fishing in Japan continues to influence American anglers, especially when it comes to new finesse presentations and swim baits. Always in search of an on-the-water advantage, Berkley pro Mike Iaconelli regularly looks abroad to find the next big technique, which led to the inspiration for the new Berkley PowerBait Gilly.
Berkley’s bait scientists took Ike’s notes and put their own unique stamp on it, including the infusion of the bait with the famed PowerBait flavor that makes fish hold on longer for more hooksets. Beyond flavor, Berkley designed the bait so the hollow head section is soft enough to collapse during strikes and keep the bait swimming upright regardless of how it’s rigged. The tabs built into the tail section give the bait a remarkably lifelike motion in the water, looking exactly like an easy meal. Texas rigged sideways, on a jig head or even a dropshot, the new Gilly is as realistic as it is versatile.
KEY FEATURES
• Pro-inspired design from Berkley pro Mike Iaconelli with heavy influence from Japanese designs and techniques
• Remarkably lifelike shape, color and action
• Hollow head section collapses easier with strikes and helps keep the bait oriented in an upright posture when swimming
• Packed with Berkley’s famed PowerBait flavor so anglers have the chance to set the hook on every bite
• Can be rigged weedless sideways as a Texas rig; or on a jig head, with a weighted swimbait hook, line-through stinger hook rig or on a drop shot
• Available in HD Tru Colors and standard injected colors
Berkley PowerBait Gilly
Sizes: 90mm and 90mm HD • 110mm and 110mm HD • 130mm and 130mm HD
Package Count: 90mm – 4 • 110mm – 3 • 130mm – 2
Colors: HD Warmouth • HD Yellow Perch • HD Sunfish • HD Pumpkinseed • HD Bluegill • HD Crappie • Black Blue Fleck • Blue Shiner Gold • Ike’s Green Pumpkin Blue Flash • Green Pumpkin • Pumpkinseed • Watermelon Candy
MSRP: $6.49 Standard Colors/$7.49 HD Tru Colors
Available: September 2021
American Baitworks Adds to Your Jigging Arsenal with the Freedom Flash
Through the ice or open water – the flash does double duty to get more bites
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (July 14, 2021) So much flash we decided to name it that! The Freedom Flash brings vibration, flash and 10 fish-catching colors in a vertical ice or open water jig presentation.
Maximum flash & vibration
The premium, eco-friendly zinc body carries an Indiana blade mounted on the belly which swings loosely on the drop and the pick-up to maximize both flash and vibration while creating the erratic action of a baitfish in trouble.
Through wire construction & bait keeper
The through-wire construction transmits every blade vibration throughout the bait and guarantees maximum strength from the line tie to the hook when fighting fish. The bait also features an elongated wire tail with a removable hook system that enables anglers to pull the treble hook off, slide a minnow head on the wire, and lock in that head by adding the hook back on. This bait is the complete package, combining vibration, flash, strength and scent.
Premium paint finishes
The Flash’s body is wrapped in a diamond pattern with super-tough “Gator-grade” UV paint, that
will stand-up to catching even the toothiest of fish through the ice or in open water. All Freedom
Flash’s are finished with 3D red eyes and have glow color options.
Designed to be retrieved vertically through the ice or on humps and rocky points in open water, the erratic action of the Freedom Flash, mimics the flutter of a baitfish in action. The Freedom Flash is a hard bait designed to impart action with even the slightest twitch of the rod.
Get more flash in your arsenal this season with the Freedom Flash - Available Fall 2021
For more information about any of our new products for 2021/22 or to become a dealer, visit
www.americanbaitworks.com
Abu Garcia Veritas Combos
Casting and spinning combos packed with iconic Abu Garcia features.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The secret is out on Abu Garcia’s Veritas rod lineup. Feature-rich with striking aesthetics and performance that rivals rods costing twice as much, the acclaimed Veritas rod is now paired with an Abu Garcia Zata V reel, available as an Abu Garcia Veritas combo. The lineup includes four casting and five spinning combos to suit the most popular techniques for bass anglers, all of which are 15 percent stronger and 5 percent lighter than previous Veritas models.
Both the casting and spinning combos feature 10+1 stainless-steel ball bearings in the reels and rods constructed of 30-ton graphite combined with Powerlux 100 resin for a combination of strength and sensitivity in a lightweight rod. Like the highly regarded Veritas line of rods, the new Abu Garcia Veritas combos feature a split-grip design and a distinctive all-white design that, like its performance and features, helps it stand out.
ABU GARCIA VERITAS CASTING COMBOS
Key Features:
• Abu Garcia Zata V low profile reel
• 10 stainless-steel ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
• Graphite frame and sideplates
• Carbon Matrix drag system
• Duragear brass gear
• Infini brake system
• Compact bent handle and star
• Lube port
• 3-year limited warranty
Models: 7-0 MH (right- and lefthanded configurations) • 7-3 H (right- and lefthanded configurations)
MSRP: $284.95
ABU GARCIA VERITAS SPINNING COMBOS
Key Features:
• Abu Garcia Zata V spinning reel
• 10 stainless-steel ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
• Lightweight, aluminum frame
• Rocket Line Management System
• Rocket Spool lip design
• Machined-aluminum, braid-ready spool
• Everlast bail system
• Stainless-steel main shaft and components
• 3-year limited warranty
Models: 6-9 ML • 6-6 M (2-piece) • 7-0 M • 7-0 M (2-piece) • 7-0 MH
MSRP: $284.95
SPRO® Introduces New Colors of Aruku Shad
- Bumble Bee
- Blue Gill
- Bonsai
- Blue Perch
- Barbie
- Crawfish Gold
- Clear
- Chrome Purple
- Craw Chartreuse
- Frozen Perch
- Golden Dragon
- G Nugget
- Golden Perch
- Icy Barbie
- Killer Gill
- Marble Brown
- Purple Perch
- Pink Perch
- Purple Neon
- Pearl Shad
- Real Perch
- Rosey Perch
- Red Tiger
Spiderwire DURABRAID
The toughest braided line in fishing.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Already a leader in braided fishing line performance, Spiderwire is now the most abrasion-resistant conventional braided line with the introduction of DURABRAID, which is 25 percent tougher than conventional braids.
Increased abrasion resistance means that anglers using DURABRAID can confidently fish and land fish in and around heavy cover, the likes of which other lines can’t even touch. In addition to increased abrasion resistance, Spiderwire DURABRAID delivers the same easy management and casting that are hallmarks of the brand. Available in Moss Green filler spools from 6-80lb test he versatile Moss Green color, DURABRAID backs up its claim as the toughest braided line in fishing by producing even stronger knots and unequalled shock absorbency.
SPIDERWIRE DURABRAID
Key Feature: 25 percent tougher than conventional braids
Spool Sizes: 150 yards • 300 yards • 3,000 yards
Color: Moss Green
Pound-Tests: 8 • 10 • 15 • 20 • 30 • 40 • 50 • 65 • 80
MSRPs: $13.99-15.99 (150-yard spools) • $27.99-$31.99 (300-yard spools) • $279.99-319.99 (3,000-yard spools)
Available: November 2021
American Baitworks Gets Topwater Heavy with the Freedom Tackle Mischief Minnow HD
Building on the success of the original Mischief Minnow, American Baitworks introduces the
Freedom Tackle Mischief Minnow HD thrash bait!
The secret to the Mischief Minnow’s performance is the unique custom shaped patent-pending
Kilter blade design which is center-mounted on the bait's body by an angled blade pin. The Mischief
Minnow is designed to put fish in the boat with premium paint finishes, super-sharp
Gamakatsu short shank treble hooks and the exclusive Freedom Color-Matched Custom Shaped
Kilter Blades.
Brand New Features
The Mischief Minnow HD has three brand new features that bass, predator and saltwater anglers
have asked for!
• Through-wire construction now means that even the toughest fish won’t get away with a
single wire connecting line-tie and hooks through the body of the Mischief Minnow
• Weight Transfer System – cast further every time with the new weight transfer system on
board every Mischief Minnow HD that not only adds distance with stainless steel ball
bearings, but also adds sound to this loud clacking thrash bait in a larger 5.5” body
• Predator/Saltwater Patterns – we’ve added some impressive designs and paint finishes to
the Mischief Minnow HD for 2022 that are simply unbeatable
How to Fish
Working the bait is simple with a steady retrieve - relying on the custom blade design combined with
the side-to-side body rolling action which mimics a wounded baitfish on the water’s surface. The
Mischief Minnow’s unique thrashing action combines sound, wake vibration and Kilter blade flash –
a true triple threat in topwater fishing.
At rest, the high float body relies on a nose-up presentation that thrashes into action with the
slightest twitch. Use a straight retrieve or mix it up with a pause-and-rip to entice bone-jarring
strikes!
The Mischief Minnow HD is designed to put fish in the boat with premium paint finishes, super-
sharp Gamakatsu Short Shank treble hooks and the exclusive Freedom Color-Matched Custom
Kilter Blade.
The Mischief Minnow HD will be Available Fall 2021
For more information about any of our new products for 2021/22 or to become
SEAGUAR REVEALS NEW ENTRY LEVEL BASIX™ FLUOROCARBON FISHING LINE
|
Goodbye mono and fluoro pretenders. Hello, genuine Seaguar fluoro. Here comes BasiX™, a mainline that delivers all the benefits of 100% fluorocarbon at a price everybody will love. |
|
|
Seaguar, the inventor of fluorocarbon fishing lines, is introducing BasiX Fluorocarbon to meet the demand from anglers who are managing a budget but not willing to sacrifice quality and performance in their fluorocarbon line. “We’ve spent our first 50 years developing high-performance lines and leaders used by pros, captains, guides and avid anglers across the country,” says Gerry Benedicto, Seaguar General Manager. “With BasiX, we’re looking forward to serving the millions of anglers who are either fishing for the first time, getting reacquainted with the sport or managing a tight budget,” he added. Seaguar BasiX™ Fluorocarbon is made from 100% custom Seaguar fluorocarbon resins, so it’s virtually invisible underwater and boasts the kind of knot strength and abrasion resistance you expect from Seaguar. It’s a soft, supple, easy-casting line that comes off a reel smoothly for a fret-free fishing experience. Benedicto noted that Seaguar is in a unique position to make fluorocarbon lines that meet the needs of anglers across the budget spectrum. “We are the only fluorocarbon line company making our own fluoro resins, so we control the process from start to finish. That’s why we’re able to adjust formulations and constantly expand our portfolio of products to offer performance lines at an incredible value.” Available in retail stores in mid-January, 2022, new Seaguar BasiX Fluorocarbon will be available in 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 20 lb tests on 200-yard spools with a MSRP of $9.99 |
|
|
A note about Seaguar BasiX fluorocarbon and TactX Braid.We are introducing BasiX Fluorcarbon and TactX™ Braid as part of our Seaguar 101™ introduction. Designed for anglers keeping a tight eye on their spending, these value-packed lines get you fishing genuine Seaguar in a budget friendly way. So now, whether you’re on top of your game, perfecting your game or just getting your game started, there’s a Seaguar line that’s right for you. We know every cast counts and will continue to support all anglers with lines and leaders that are….Always the Best. |
Abu Garcia Zenon Rods and Spinning Reels
A new level of super-premium, high-performance fishing gear that’s as light as it is tough.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The new Abu Garcia Zenon spinning reel, Abu’s lightest spinning reel ever, is the result of an asymmetric magnesium body, the removal of wasted space from conventional spinning reel design and a host of other design breakthroughs. Representing the highest quality in the super-premium spinning reel category, the new Zenon (Size 20) weighs just 4.9 ounces and is silky smooth, making it ideal for long days on the water.
Available in a Size 20 and Size 30, other premium features of the new Abu Garcia Zenon spinning reels include a dropshot keeper, friction-free main shaft support and a premium drag system that’s ultra smooth, especially for light line applications. Easy to reel and comfortable to hold all day, whether paired with a new Zenon rod or other premium Abu Garcia rod.
Abu Garcia’s new Zenon rods are the lightest and most sensitive rods the company has ever made. The Zenon line includes four casting and three spinning models, all of which feature premium carbon blanks and the company’s exclusive Powerlux 1000 resin system. This combination of components produces a powerful, ultra-light and ultra-sensitive blank without increasing weight or blank diameters. These unmatched levels of sensitivity give anglers the confidence they can detect even the subtlest strikes.
The Zenon’s reel seat delivers hypersensitivity around the exposed blank sections and improves comfort for all-day fishing. Titanium alloy guides with thin zirconia inserts and a carbon handle split-grip design help make this rod ideal for the highest levels of fishing competition, whether it’s fishing for money or pride.
ABU GARCIA ZENON SPINNING REELS
Key Features:
• Asymmetric magnesium body
• V-Compact rotor
• Extremely lightweight Hybrid Rocket Turbine Spool
• Spare machined-aluminum shallow spool
• Lightweight carbon fiber handle
• Friction-free main shaft support
• Drop shot keeper and spare dust cap
• Weights: Size 20 – 4.9 ounces • Size 30 – 5.4 ounces
MSRP: $519.95
Available: September 2021
ABU GARCIA ZENON RODS
Key Features:
• Abu Garcia’s most sensitive rod
• Powerlux 1000 graphite construction
• Ergonomic, Abu-designed reel seat
• Carbon split-grip design for reduced weight and increased sensitivity
• ROCS (Robotically Optimized Casting System) guide train for maximized casting distance with lighter lures
• Titanium alloy guides with super-thin zirconia inserts allow for a lightweight, balanced rod
• Fuji hook keeper folder down to prevent line tangling and adapts to any position on the rod
• Limited 5-year warranty
Casting Models: 6-9 ML (4.0oz) • 7-0 M (4.1oz) • 7-0 MH (4.1oz) • 7-2 H (4.9oz)
Spinning Models: 6-10 ML (3.3oz) • 7-0 M (3.4oz) • 7-0 MH (3.5oz)
MSRP: $399.95
Available: September 2021
Top 25 Collegiate Bass Fishing Pre-Season Poll for the 2021-22 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia: Rankings 21st – 25th
Teams Ranked 21st-25th are revealed as the Association of Collegiate Anglers provides the results from its first-ever pre-season poll
Published by: Kyle Curry
8:00 AM July 19, 2021
Association of Collegiate Anglers
San Antonio, TX (7/19/2021) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers, which operates the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year program presented by Abu Garcia, is excited to showcase the pre-season rankings for college bass fishing according to a voting poll of top coaches, schools, media personnel, and fishing industry personalities with experience in college fishing.
This poll is a one-of-a-kind poll, similar to rankings in other college sports that will help kick off the season-long race for the prestigious School of the Year title. Every day this week the ACA will count down and showcase teams that made it into the top 25, and then in the near future, the first rankings for the 2021-22 season will be announced based on finishes during events this summer. Today’s article will show teams that were selected 21st-25th in the pre-season rankings.
- Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
2021 Final Ranking: 18th
School of the Year Titles: 1 (2012)
Arkansas Tech has a rich history when it comes to top finishes in college bass fishing. Located in Russellville, AR, home to Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas Tech was picked 21st in the ACA Top 25 Pre-Season Poll by the pollsters, and
it’s no secret this fishing school could easily finish higher with top finishes at one of several events near its campus this year, as well as events far from home.
“It says a lot about our program! We have worked hard the last few years to send teams across the country to compete in as many tournaments as possible! To have members of the college fishing community identify our program as one of the best in the country means we are doing something right,” noted Tristan Weaver, Vice President of the Arkansas Tech University Bass Fishing Club.
Arkansas Tech University won the first-ever School of the Year title during the inaugural season of the program in 2012. The small school in central Arkansas edged out the likes of Louisiana-Monroe and the University of Arkansas to take the first-ever title.
Following an 18th place finish in the 2020-21 School of the Year Standings, Tristan is keeping things in perspective as he hopes the club can improve on its Top 20 finish last season. “This upcoming season, our main goal is obviously to be school of the year, but a top 12 finish would be great for our program! We are hoping to have some ambitious freshmen start school in the fall and get to work at this season’s tournaments, along with our other anglers that have been competing!”
- Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX
2021 Final Ranking: 24th
Stephen F. Austin State University ranks 21st in the pre-season poll. The highest vote the club received in the poll was 2nd place by college insiders, which means some believe this is a Top 10 team in the nation that could contend for a School of the Year title. Stephen F. Austin is one of the longest-running and most storied programs in collegiate bass fishing. Though they have never won the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, SFA Bass Fishing Club members have had strong showings at events all across the country through the years to include several wins.
One of the most notable alumni from this club is Andrew Upshaw. After completing his college career, Upshaw pursued his dream of becoming a full-time professional angler. Over the course of the past 10 years, he has secured numerous major tournament victories, competed in over 125 events, and earned upwards of $500,000. In addition to Upshaw, there have been several others from the school go on to fish in professional level events, as well as work in the fishing industry.
- East Texas Baptist University
Marshall, TX
2021 Final Ranking: 34th
The next team to be featured in the poll is East Texas Baptist University. East Texas Baptist is ranked 23rd in the pre-season poll according to college fishing insiders. Coming off of a 34th place finish in the 2021 School of the Year standings, the college bass fishing community believes that the team from Marshall, TX will have an improved season during the 2021-22 race.
East Texas Baptist has competed on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series for many years and is widely respected as a top collegiate fishing program. Look for East Texas Baptist to have a strong season over the course of the next 10 months, and should they fish a full schedule of events…it’s possible this talented team of anglers could finish the year as one of the Top 10 teams in the nation.
- Clemson University
Clemson, SC
2021 Final Ranking: 27th
Coming in at 24th in the rankings is Clemson University. Clemson finished last season ranked 27th, following an 18th place finish in 2020.
“The Clemson Bass Fishing Team is honored to be considered a Top 25 team in the country. It’s a great way to start the year, and as a team, we take pride in representing our college to the best of our ability, as well as the college bass fishing community,” said Robert Wise, Clemson University Bass Fishing Club member. “This program has come a long way and being recognized by others in the college fishing world as one of the Top 25 teams in the country definitely shows the hard work and dedication that this team has put into this sport.”
Clemson currently has a strong roster of anglers. The club dedicates a lot of resources to getting out on the national tournament scene and competing in as many events as possible. That is the formula required to finish high up in the rankings at the season’s end.
“Our team’s goal is to continue to advance in every aspect of the sport, such as increasing the number of teams in each tournament, and letting the results show Clemson belongs in the Top 25 teams in college bass fishing,” added Wise.
Numerous members of the club have a strong history out on Pickwick Lake. Look for the Clemson University Bass Fishing Club to make a lot of noise at the 2022 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops as the event returns to Florence, AL and Pickwick Lake, which could lead to them finishing higher in the rankings then being predicted.
- Greenville University
Greenville, IL
2021 Final Ranking: 21st
The final team to be included in this rankings reveal is Greenville University. A prominent and well-respected college fishing program, Greenville comes in at 25th in the collegiate bass fishing pre-season poll according to the voting panel. Greenville finished the 2021 season ranked 21st overall. The team’s 2020-21 campaign included points earned at the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open, and the Pickwick Slam.
In recent years, Greenville has experienced a good deal of turnover among its roster. Several of the team’s top anglers have graduated, leaving the door open for younger underclassmen to come in and carry the torch for the program. If these younger anglers can find their way and have some good showings, Greenville will continue its run as one of the best 25 teams in the nation, and possibly move into the Top 10 this year.
Berkley Fusion 19 3X Treble hooks
COLUMBIA, S.C. — New for 2021, Berkley is expanding its Fusion19 line of hooks to the saltwater market with the introduction of the Fusion19 3X Treble Hooks. Designed specifically for saltwater fishing, the new Fusion19 3X Treble Hooks feature heavy-gauge 3X wire that is laterally forged and finished with a corrosion-resistant, anti-rust coating for a hook break strength that’s 24 percent stronger on average versus leading competitors. The O’Shaughnessy bend design stands up to the toughest saltwater fish while an extra-sharp needle point guarantees a solid hookset every time. Available in five different sizes and sold in an angler-friendly, resealable clam package, Berkley Fusion19 3X Treble Hooks are incredibly tough and durable enough for most any saltwater fishing scenario.
• 3X laterally forged wire for added strength
•Innovative, resealable clam package
AVAILABLE: July 2021
SIZES AND SPECIFICATIONS
Hook sizes: 6 • 4 • 2 • 1 • 1/0
Piece count: 8 (sizes 6, 4), 6 (sizes 2, 1, 1/0)
MSRP: $6.99
Berkley Stunna
Designed in conjunction with back-to-back Bassmaster Classic champion and jerkbait expert Hank Cherry.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hank Cherry is the best in the business when it comes to getting the most out of a jerkbait when bass fishing. His collaboration with the Berkley scientists produced one of the hottest baits in bass-fishing history: the new Berkley Stunna. The Stunna played a crucial role in Cherry’s 2021 Bassmaster Classic performance as he became just the fourth angler to win back-to-back Bassmaster Classic titles.
Born from Cherry’s vast knowledge of jerkbait techniques and the unparalleled design expertise of the Berkley bait team, the Stunna has all the characteristics needed for a jerkbait to fool even the most-pressured and least-aggressive fish. With increased action, casting distance, Fusion 19 treble hooks and durability all at the forefront of the design, the Stunna also delivers a unique and slow sink rate to trigger even more bites.
KEY FEATURES
• Excels when jerked, twitched or with sweep-and-pause retrieves
• Maximum darting action with easy 180-degree head turns and side flash when fished aggressively or jerked
• Natural, slow sink when paused to entice less-aggressive fish
• Dual brass weight paired with tungsten weight transfer for maximum casting distance
• Equipped with ultra-sharp, medium-shank EWG Fusion19 hooks
• +1 model features a protruding billow to allow for increased dive depth
• Twice the bill strength of other jerkbaits
• Available July 2021
SIZES AND SPECIFICATIONS
112
Dive Depth: 3 to 6 feet
Weight: 1/2 ounce
Hook Size: 6
Sink Rate: 8 seconds per foot
MSRP: $14.99
112 + 1
Dive Depth: 6 to 10 feet
Weight: 1/2 ounce
Hook Size: 6
Sink Rate: 8 seconds per foot
MSRP: $14.99
COLORS
Hankie Pankie • MF Tennessee Shad • Northern Lights • Perch • Phenom • Silver Dolla • Stunna Shad • Stone Cold • Stealth Shad • Table Rock • Black Gold • Blaze • Bronzeback • Shad Fillet
Ito’s Mega Bag Earns Bassmaster Elite Series Win At St. Lawrence River
Taku Ito, of Chiba, Japan, has won the 2021 Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with a four-day total of 90 pounds.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
July 18, 2021
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Saving the best for last may not have been his intention, but Taku Ito’s eye-popping 26-pound limit propelled the Japanese sensation to a convincing victory at the Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with a four-day total of 90 pounds.
Hailing from Chiba, Japan, the second-year Elite placed 38th on Day 1 with 17-15, then improved to 11th with a second-round limit of 22-14. Day 3 saw Ito secure his Championship Sunday berth by adding 23-3 and improving to seventh.
Earning $100,000 for his Elite win, Ito anchored his third and fourth days’ limits with 6-pound smallmouth, both of which earned $1,000 daily awards for Phoenix Boats Big Bass.
“I love Waddington — I’m very, very happy,” Ito said with the engaging sincerity Elite audiences have come to love. “When I was 8 years old, I won the (Bassin’s Black Bass with Hank Parker) video game and now, on the St. Lawrence River, I won the Bassmaster Elite Series.
“Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams. Bassmaster!”
Ito, who placed sixth at last year’s St. Lawrence River event, devoted all four days to Lake Ontario. The first two days, he fished rock structures in approximately 20 feet. On Saturday those areas failed to produce, so he relocated to a spot in 26 to 27 feet near Chaumont Bay.
Calling this spot “Taku Disneyland” for its abundance of fish, Ito caught his Day 3 limit there and started on the spot Sunday.
“I was driving about two hours (each way) and I had about two hours and 30 minutes of fishing time,” Ito said.
Arriving at his spot this morning, Ito thought his graph was malfunctioning when he saw what appeared to be a false bottom at 13 to 14 feet. To his delight, it was a massive school of Lake Ontario giants.
“Usually, smallmouth are on the bottom, but today there was a school of big smallmouth suspended,” Ito said.
Ito said he noticed a distinct water clarity difference, and he assumed the fish had followed the clean water into his area. Also, Ito said the gobies he incidentally caught on his drop shot were a couple of inches larger than the 3- to 4-inchers he saw the previous three days.
“My spot had bigger gobies today, so maybe the smallmouth were there for the big gobies,” Ito said.
Ito caught some of his bass on a drop shot with a 4-inch Ecogear Aqua Swim Shrimp rigged on a 1/0 Ryugi Talisman hook with a 1/4-ounce Ryugi TG Delta sinker.
He also caught keepers on a Neko-rigged 5 1/4-inch Nories Latterie straight worm and a Berkley Hit Worm. For this rig, he used a 3/16-ounce Neko weight and a 1/0 Ryugi Talisman hook.
“I was using many Japanese techniques,” Ito said. “I would cast and sometimes the fish would take (the bait) while it was falling. Sometimes, I kept my bait on the bottom for 10 seconds, 15 seconds, with no action.”
Justin Atkins of Florence, Ala., finished second with 88-12. Atkins tied Gerald Swindle of Guntersville, Ala., for eighth place on Day 1 with 21-6, then added 22-14 and rose to fifth. He caught 23-10 on Day 3 and moved into second before settling at that position with Sunday’s limit of 20-14.
“I caught all of my fish out of the lake,” Atkins said. “I found a flat that had some grass and rock with some sand mixed in 12 to 20 feet. There was big school of fish on it, and I was using my Lowrance Active Target to look for them.”
Atkins caught his fish on a drop shot with a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm and a 3/32-ounce Marabou jig with a piece of MaxScent worm on the shank. That adjustment added bulk and scent appeal, which helped convert more bites into hookups.
“I really liked the brown Marabou jig this week,” Atkins said. “I had some followers on black, but the brown, for whatever reason seemed to get them to trigger.”
Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, finished third with 88-10. On Day 1, the 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year tied Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., for sixth place with 21-12.
Wendlandt added 23-3 on Day 2 and moved up to fourth. Catching 20-10 on Semifinal Saturday kept him in that spot until his final-round limit of 23-1 advanced Wendlandt one more spot.
“I fished the lake and used a lot of different depths, but the shallowest I caught one was probably 12 feet and the deepest was 28,” Wendlandt said. “The best seemed to be about 20 feet.”
Wendlandt caught his fish on a 3/16-ounce Ned rig and a drop shot with a green pumpkin minnow-style bait.
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., won the $1,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for the week with a 6-5. Walters also claimed the $1,000 daily Big Bass award for Day 2.
Bernie Schultz of Gainesville, Fla., who led Days 1 and 2 and finished eighth, won the $1,000 daily Big Bass award for Day 1.
Schultz took home an additional $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, while Chris Groh of Spring Grove, Ill., earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Ito also earned $4,000 for winning while Wendlandt claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
The Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River was hosted by the Village of Waddington and St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. This tournament is supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism awarded as part of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. The tournament and all associated festivities were planned to ensure the safety of anglers, marshals, staff and fans.
2021 Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River 7/15-7/18
St. Lawrence River, Waddington NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 20 90-00 100 $102,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 23-03 Day 4: 5 26-00
2. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 20 88-12 99 $35,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 23-10 Day 4: 5 20-14
3. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 20 88-10 98 $30,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 23-03 Day 3: 5 20-10 Day 4: 5 23-01
4. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 20 88-00 97 $35,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 22-02 Day 3: 5 23-01 Day 4: 5 19-06
5. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 20 85-00 96 $40,000.00
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 19-06 Day 4: 5 19-05
6. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 20 82-07 95 $34,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 5 24-04 Day 4: 5 18-00
7. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 20 81-11 94 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-13 Day 2: 5 21-15 Day 3: 5 19-06 Day 4: 5 19-09
8. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 20 80-06 93 $18,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-05 Day 2: 5 22-09 Day 3: 5 16-15 Day 4: 5 15-09
9. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 18 69-07 92 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 24-02 Day 4: 3 08-10
10. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 16 64-00 91 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 21-08 Day 3: 5 19-12 Day 4: 1 02-12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 06-02 $1,000.00
2 Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 06-05 $1,000.00
3 Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 06-00 $1,000.00
4 Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 06-00 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 06-05 $1,000.00
Estes Wins Toyota Series Event on Lake Champlain
Thirty-Six States and Four Countries Represented at Northern Opener as Anglers Compete for Qualification to the Toyota Series Championship and a Shot at $235,000
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (July 18, 2021) – Toyota Series angler Stephen Estes of Auburn, New Hampshire, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 21 pounds, 15 ounces to win the three-day Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. at Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, New York. Estes’ three-day total of 15 bass weighing 61-3 earned him the win by a 2-pound, 3-ounce margin over second-place angler Matt Becker of Finleyville, Pennsylvania, and earned Estes the top payout of $44,000 in the first tournament of the 2021 Toyota Series Northern Division.
Estes fished the dream on Lake Champlain, weighing in all smallmouth and averaging more than 20 pounds per day. Looking hard for the mother lode, Estes said he started his four-day practice period with 90 hours on his motor – by the time he was back at the dock after Day 3 of the event, he had over 126 hours logged.
“I was just doing a lot of looking and trying to find something special,” said Estes. “I don’t like to fish around other people and I felt like that was the deal and I just happened to stumble across it. I was idling around and I saw bait and decided to drop the Lowrance ActiveTarget down. I wouldn’t have known the fish were there without the ActiveTarget.”
Estes said he set his target range out to 120 feet, catching fish anywhere from a long cast away to right under his boat. One of his keys on the first two days when it was windy was an independent pole mount from Cornfield Crappie.
“I bought that mount maybe a year or so ago,” said Estes. “I started with LiveScope on the trolling motor, then I changed trolling motor brands and now I’m running all Lowrance. The Lowrance isn’t quite as easy to line your bait up, because the arrow isn’t perfect, but the whole point of the independent mount is when you’re on Anchor Mode, you can independently control it – that was huge the first two days. I keep a remote in my pocket and it has foot pedals.”
Throwing a drop-shot on a 6-foot-9, medium action Hammer Rods spinning rod with 10-pound Vicious No-Fade Braid and an 8-pound Seaguar Tatsu leader, Estes went with a ½-ounce Eco Pro Full Contact Drop Shot Weight and a drop-shot bait from Hawg Pours Hand Made Bass Baits called the Hawg Teaser.
“Every fish was different,” he said. “I caught some fish suspended, I’d watch my drop-shot fall, I’d see it stop falling and set the hook. I would never feel the fish bite. I’ve been doing that for three years and I’ve learned to watch my bait real close.
“Some of the fish I was catching 100 feet out from the boat – I can’t make a cast with a drop-shot further than 100 feet according to ActiveTarget,” continued Estes. “There was no rhyme or reason and I can’t tell you how many fish swam up to my bait and didn’t bite it. I just kept my head down and kept fishing and put it in front of a lot of fish.”
Though he had to relocate his fish a bit each day, Estes definitely hit the mother lode daily throughout the event. His co-anglers nearly always caught big weights as well, and doubles from the front and the back were common. Given the fish he found and his skill with electronics, it would have been a feat to beat Estes this week.
“I had a feeling [after Day 1] but I chose not to acknowledge it,” said Estes. “This is just an awesome feeling. I never expected this at all, this group of anglers is so good.”
The top 10 pros on Lake Champlain finished:
1st: Stephen Estes of Auburn, N.H., 15 bass, 61-3, $44,000
2nd: Matt Becker of Finleyville, Pa., 15 bass, 59-0, $18,000
3rd: Bryan Labelle of Hinesburg, Vt., 15 bass, 57-13, $12,750
4th: Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, 15 bass, 57-7, $10,750
5th: Kyle Hall of Cleburne, Texas, 15 bass, 57-7, $9,750
6th: Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 56-9, $8,625
7th: Martin Villa of Charlottesville, Va., 15 bass, 55-7, $7,300
8th: JJ Judd of Saint Albans, Vt., 15 bass, 54-4, $6,300
9th: Joseph Thompson of Coatesville, Pa, 15 bass, 53-14, $5,300
10th: Jason Bacon of Nutting Lake, Mass., 15 bass, 53-1, $4,200
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Nick Radtke of Greenwood Lake, N.Y. took home an additional $150 for the Day One Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division, with a bass weighing 5 pounds, 9 ounces. Kevin Martin of Crown City, Ohio won the Day Two Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division, bringing a 5-pound, 4-ounce bass to the scale.
Becker took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Kyle Gelles of Pingree, Idaho won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 14 bass weighing 48 pounds, 10 ounces. Gelles took home the top prize package of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Lake Champlain finished:
1st: Kyle Gelles of Pingree, Idaho, 14 bass, 48-10, Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat w/115-hp outboard
2nd: Ted Kephart of Philipsburg, Pa., 15 bass, 48-3, $5,375
3rd: Jeff Crowley of Goodrich, Mich., 15 bass, 46-5, $4,300
4th: Carter Wijangco of Naperville, Ill., 15 bass, 45-10, $3,650
5th: Stephen Draghi of Sparrowbush, N.Y., 15 bass, 45-8, $3,350
6th: Jakob Labelle of Hinesburg, Vt., 13 bass, 37-15, $2,650
7th: Sakae Ushio of Tonawanda, N.Y., 12 bass, 37-11, $2,150
8th: John Detweiler of Harleysville, Pa., 11 bass, 35-12, $1,825
9th: Tommy Sikes of Como, Texas, 12 bass, 35-8, $1,530
10th: Romano Duncan of Andover, Mass., 11 bass, 33-7, $1,290
In the Strike King co-angler division, the $100 Day One Berkley Big Bass award winner was Geoffrey Montgomery of Seneca Falls, N.Y. with a 4-pound, 15-ounce bass, while the $100 Day Two award went to Randy Brown of Lugoff, S.C., with a 4-pound, 14-ounce bass.
The Toyota Series at Lake Champlain was hosted by the City of Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau. It was the first of three regular-season tournaments in 2021 for Northern Division anglers. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will take place on August 3-5 – the Toyota Series at the California Delta in Oakley, California. For a complete schedule, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2021 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2021 Toyota Series Championship presented by A.R.E. will be held Oct. 28-30 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. on the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook , Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Spearpoint Performance Hooks Goes to ICAST 2021 with a Fury Revolutionary Hook Brand Adds Flipping Hook to Arsenal
Visalia, Calif. – July 12, 2021 – Visalia, Calif. based manufacturer, Spearpoint Performance Hooks, arrived at virtual ICAST in 2020 with a modicum of finesse when they introduced their GP Finesse and Wide Gap models.
For ICAST 2021, Spearpoint brings the Fury.
Expanding on their lineup of patent pending hooks, Spearpoint Performance Hooks is pleased to announce the Fury Flip, a 2X strong flipping hook, built from premium high carbon steel, honed to a needle-sharp point with a large barb plated with a black nickel finish and topped off with a molded keeper barb and finished with a welded eye.
As with the GP Finesse and Wide Gap versions, the Fury Flip is constructed around Spearpoint’s patent pending VGrip® design that helps perfectly present soft plastic lures, but more importantly securely holds onto fish once they have been hooked. VGrip® technology ensures that each fish is hooked deep, and that the hook securely holds, resulting in some of the highest hook-to-land ratios on the market.
Erik Hennesay, Spearpoint Performance Hooks CEO said the project has been in the works. “Our plan has been to provide a comprehensive lineup of hooks for the consumer, and the Fury Flip is the next step in that progression,” said Hennesay. “There is probably no more geographically universal technique than flipping, and the Fury Flip allows us to let anglers take advantage of our VGrip® Technology’s effectiveness, in a hook designed to handle most everything.”
In testing, Hennesay, and Vice President Art Nubaryan and their local pros put the Fury Flip through its paces on the famed big bass waters of the California Delta. They tested with a range of Fluorocarbon and braided line strengths, which resulted in hook-to-land ratios that reached 100-percent efficiencies.
In addition to landing efficiency, anglers were given one hook and asked to provide feedback on point retention and flexing. The result is that anglers reported the points retaining sharpness for most of the day without needing sharpening, and zero instances of sprung or bent hooks.
Hennesay reported that he and Nubaryan were more than encouraged with the feedback. “We saw very clean rigging on all types of lures, and hooks that performed very well,” said Hennesay. “The Fury Flip has performed beyond our expectations, and we are thrilled to present it to the industry at ICAST and to hear what anglers think when they get a chance to fish it.”
Fury Flip will be available in 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0 sizes, will come in four packs that will retail for $7.29. It will be available at Spearpoint Performance Hooks dealers by January of 2022. Dealer incentives for orders at the show are available.
Perkins Claims TNPFL Pickwick Crown
COUNCE, TENNESSEE – With his smallest bag of the event on the final day, Counce, Tennessee’s Brandon Perkins takes the win on his hometown Lake Pickwick with a three-day total of 55-pounds, 11-ounces. Adding 16-pounds, 10-ounces to his already 7-pound lead to begin the final day, Perkins managed an 8-pound margin of victory.
Emotional on stage yet again, Perkins had this event circled since the moment the schedule was released, and wanted nothing more to take a win for his hometown crowd.
“Thank you all so much. The money doesn’t even matter, I’m not going to get it anyways,” laughed Perkins (looking at his wife). The trophy, heck, not even the trophy, the support I have been given this week is way better than any trophy I could get. Regardless, the good lord has blessed me this week more than I already deserve.
Fishing offshore ledges all week on Pickwick, Showdown Saturday didn’t go as Brandon Perkins has hoped. Getting off to a semi fast start this morning, things quickly turned south for the local angler.
“I caught a limit early which helped me calm down but after that I did everything I could to make it stressful,” laughed the Counce, Tennesse angler. “I lost fish all day long, I was a wreck.”
Things got better and worse as the day continued. At the last spot of the day, a few casts and a few lost fish added to the stress.
“I saved a pile of brush piles and the weather wasn’t even good for it so I didn’t bother. I made a run to another spot I saved and got there and it was covered with a few boats. I got down to that last stop and pulled in. First cast, I lost a 4.5-pounder at the boat, it was in my hands.”
That wasn’t the worst of it. Three casts later, another 3.5-pounder jumps off. Then, like it was meant to be, Perkins was able to wrangle a 3.75-pounder to the boat and it culled a small fish. Fishing a power technique, Perkins used an unnamed spoon all week and notes the grind it has been.
“I am going to need a week to recoup after this tournament. I have been fishing crazy and violently. I don’t know if it is my rotator cuff or what, but my arms are sore.”
David Gaston
Gaston started his day with a big fish and another decent fish but the bite slowed down drastically after the morning flurry.
“It took me a lot longer to catch a limit than I thought but this afternoon when live went off, I culled a few times and ended up doing okay.”
Fishing a chatterbait shallow, and a jigging spoon deep, Gaston mixed it up all week and has done enough to move the Progressive AOY Standings around a bit. Starting the event in the top five, he will be the highest finisher of those anglers and will look to continue that effort at the next two events.
“I have never been to Winnebago and I’ve been to Grand Lake once, two years back. To be honest, I am not looking forward to either of those events, I think they are going to be tough, and I don’t like fishing in tough tournaments.”
Joel Willert
“Today was better than the last two days weight wise and I started this morning where I caught them yesterday. It took a look longer to catch a limit than I had thought but I could see them out there and I waited them out.”
With 13-pounds in his bag when he abandoned the spot that has been so good to him, Willert made a move which turns out to be the key decision on the final day.
“I pulled up and there were a ton of fish. I ended up catching the biggest fish of the day and culled a few times too. That got me to my weight. I had a great practice and I thought coming in to the event that I had a shot to win. I fished confident and it worked out.”
Although the Prior Lake, Minnesota pro feels confident offshore using his electronics, ledge fishing is actually new. Willert had never ledge fished before this event and he adapted quickly.
“My goal this year was to cash checks, not because of the money, but to stay consistent and be around in the Progressive AOY race. I should move up some after this event and looking ahead, I should be in my wheelhouse at the next one, and although I have some history with Grand Lake, I have never been there in the fall and I don’t quite know about that one yet.”
Timmy Reams
With consistent bags all week, Timmy Reams brought 17-pounds, 3-ounces to the scales on Showdown Saturday to finish the event in 4th place. The Morgantown, West Virginia angler weighed a 6-pound, 9-ounce bass to anchor his bag. Fishing a grass bed all three days, Reams worked a reaction bite to secure his top five finish.
“I was down near the power plant and I found one stretch of grass and I milked it for three days for all it was worth. I don’t know if the fish live there or if they move in and out from the ledges to feed, but I fished a jackhammer for three days.”
On days one and two, a white jackhammer was the ticket, but Reams noted the switch to bruised green pumpkin helped him catch his biggest bag of the event. Using a ½ ounce chatterbait, Reams broke out a wacky work early on the final day to secure a limit.
“I had to get a quick limit and they bit the wacky worm good. Coming into the event, I knew I had found some fish but had no idea it would hold up for three days. I was sharing some water with David Gaston and it worked out for both of us. I want to thank some sponsors – Henny Rods, Deep Creek Docks, High Mountain Off-Road and SPE Motorsports.
Marc Schilling
With a three-day total of 46-pounds, 15-ounces, Marc Schilling add 16-pounds, 8-ounces to his total to end the tournament in the 5th place spot. With bags of 9-pounds, 14-ounces, 20-pounds, 9-ounces, and todays weight, Schilling relied on a 6-pound, 9-ounce kicker on day two to anchor his tournament. Schilling was cranking ledges with a 10XD Strike King Crankbait to catch his fish.
Shawn Murphy
Starting the day in the second spot, Shawn Murphy weighed his lightest bag of the event in on the final day. With 12-pounds, 13-ounces, Murphy had a three-day total of 44-pounds, 8-ounces to finish in the 6th place spot.
“Today was really a grind for me. I have been catching 25 to 30 keepers a day and today I only got 9 bites. I have no idea why other than maybe the little breeze and overcast had them spread out more. I could see them it was just tougher to get bites.”
Sticking with his area for most of the day, rotating in and out all day, finally Murphy was able to get some fish to bite. Stroking a ¾ ounce football jig, the Nicholasville, Kentucky angler got it done and kept himself in contention. Coming into the event, Murphy had anticipated 13.5-pounds a day would get paid and didn’t see the tough event coming.
“I really didn’t think the like would fish this tough. Its going to be around 10-pounds a day to get paid and I guessed a lot more. I thought I had enough schools located where I could catch them but I wasn’t sure because I didn’t fish anything in practice. I am thrilled with a top ten and looking forward to taking the points and getting to the next event. I want to thank my sponsors – Day’s Boat Sales, Central Kentucky Sonar, Vexus Boats, Mercury Marine, Power Pole, Shimano, and Lowrance.
The Rest of the Best:
7. Jesse Millsaps 44-5
8. Pug Clements 43-9
9. Bryant Smith 41-15
10. Michael Brewer 40-6
FINAL RESULTS
Johnston Moves Into Lead Of Bassmaster Elite At St. Lawrence River
Cory Johnston, of Cavan, Canada, is leading after Day 3 of the 2021 Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with a three-day total of 68 pounds, 10 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
July 17, 2021
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — For the past three days, Cory Johnston has mentioned saving certain fish he’d previously located for when he needed a big bite. On Saturday, he started with a trio of those difference-makers and took over the Day 3 lead of the Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with a three-day total of 68 pounds, 10 ounces.
Hailing from Cavan, Canada, Johnston tied his younger brother Chris for second place on Day 1 with 23-7. He added 22-2 on Friday and slipped to third before moving into the top spot with Saturday’s limit of 23-1. Heading into Championship Sunday, Johnston leads Alabama pro Justin Atkins by 12 ounces.
Johnston said the smallmouth he targeted first were bed fish in about 8 feet. Picking off three solid keepers in short order gave him an early cushion and allowed him to “go fishing.”
“I fished a lot of shallow stuff today — 15 feet or less,” Johnston said. “Every spot was different; some were rock, some were sand, some were weed. It was a mix of everything.
“The strategy was: hit as many spots as you can and hope you get the right ones to bite.”
As he’s done the first two days, Johnston said he fished multiple spots throughout a 90-mile stretch from the take-off area to Chaumont Bay outside the mouth of the St. Lawrence. He caught his fish on a drop shot with an 8- to 10-inch leader.
“I had a limit by the noon hour,” Johnston said. “I upgraded a little bit, but not much. I didn’t want to burn too many fish.”
Essential to his execution was Johnston’s use of a Flogger — a cone-shaped device with a clear, flat screen that sits at the water’s surface and allows him to view details below. Similar to looking through a dive mask, without the submersion, the Flogger provides key perspective that aids in presentation.
“It shows you your bait, it shows you where the fish is and it shows you the sweet spot,” Johnston said. “You’re seeing how the fish reacts to your bait. I can catch them eventually, but it just speeds up the process.”
Looking ahead, Johnston said he’ll follow a game plan similar to the one he employed Saturday.
“I’m excited to get back out there tomorrow; I left a few out there,” Johnston said. “I probably could have culled a few more times, but I’m trying to play the game and save as many fish as I can.
“I should have three good ones saved for tomorrow and then I’m going to have to go fishing. I’m hoping for 23 pounds tomorrow; that’s my goal. I think if I got 23 I’d be hard to beat.”
Hailing from Florence, Ala., Atkins is in second place with 67-14. After tying Gerald Swindle for eighth place on Day 1 with 21-6, Atkins added 22-14 and rose to fifth. On Saturday, he weighed 23-10 and gained three more spots.
Spending his day in Lake Ontario, Atkins targeted a range of spots he’d previously fished along with a few new areas. One of his new spots yielded a 5-pounder.
Atkins caught his fish on a drop shot with a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm and a 1/16-ounce brown Marabou jig. The latter also benefitted from the MaxScent appeal.
“I’m cutting a piece of a MaxScent The General (stick worm) and threading it onto the hook of the jig,” Atkins said. “That adds bulk to the Marabou, but I’m using a piece that’s even with the bottom of the feathers, so the fish can smell it and taste it when they bite.
“Those fish are really bad about just nipping at the Marabou jig and not getting it. I use a really limber rod, so you can tell when they get it. I think with a little bit of MaxScent on that jig, it helps them get it.”
Chris Johnston, of Peterborough, Canada, is in third place with 65-11. The first Canadian to win an Elite title at last year’s St. Lawrence River event, Johnston added 19-6 to his first two days’ weights of 23-7 and 22-14.
“I caught four of my five in the river today,” Johnston said. “I lost a big one in the lake and I lost a big one in the river — that hurt.
“I was targeting the transitions of sand patches and grass in 15 feet or less. Sometimes, you’d pull up to a spot and there’d be five or six fish there and sometimes, it would be a ghost town. They move a lot, so you’re just hoping to run into them on that stuff.”
Johnston caught his fish on a drop shot, a wacky-rigged 4-inch Senko and a 1/8-ounce black Marabou jig.
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., leads the Phoenix Boats Big Bass standings with a 6-5 caught on Day 2.
Josh Stracner of Vandiver, Ala., won the Rookie of the Year title with 547 points. Edging fellow Alabama pro Justin Hamner (536), Stracner said he focused on maintaining a strong mental game, even when his chances of winning the ROY title appeared bleak.
“Just keeping my head screwed on right was probably the biggest key,” Stracner said. “I held my own the first part of the season, but at the halfway point, I kind of got behind. Going into (Lake Champlain) last week, I was in fifth place and all I was worried about was making the Classic.
“Today, I did both; I made the Classic and got Rookie of the Year. It’s pretty hard to believe.”
Sunday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET from Whittaker Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3:15 p.m. The Top 10 remaining anglers will be vying for a $100,000 first-place prize.
Live coverage can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET.
The Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River is being hosted by the Village of Waddington and St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. This tournament is supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism awarded as part of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. The tournament and all associated festivities are being planned to ensure the safety of anglers, marshals, staff and fans.
2021 Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River 7/15-7/18
St. Lawrence River, Waddington NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 15 68-10 100
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 22-02 Day 3: 5 23-01
2. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 15 67-14 99
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 23-10
3. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 15 65-11 98
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 19-06
4. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 15 65-09 97
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 23-03 Day 3: 5 20-10
5. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 15 64-13 96 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-05 Day 2: 5 22-09 Day 3: 5 16-15
6. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 15 64-07 95
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 5 24-04
7. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 15 64-00 94 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 5 23-03
8. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 15 62-02 93
Day 1: 5 20-13 Day 2: 5 21-15 Day 3: 5 19-06
9. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 15 61-04 92
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 21-08 Day 3: 5 19-12
10. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 15 60-13 91
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 24-02
11. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 60-09 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 21-05 Day 3: 5 18-03
12. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 59-04 89 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 20-10 Day 3: 5 20-02
13. Seth Feider New Market, MN 15 58-15 88 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-00 Day 2: 5 20-03 Day 3: 5 16-12
14. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 15 58-12 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-02 Day 2: 5 18-15 Day 3: 5 17-11
15. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 15 57-11 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 21-05
16. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 15 57-06 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 22-05 Day 3: 5 20-13
17. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 15 57-02 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 19-00 Day 3: 5 19-09
18. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 15 56-10 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 5 21-03
19. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 56-10 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 21-00
20. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 15 56-05 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 19-04
21. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 15 56-03 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 18-00
22. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 15 56-03 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 19-01 Day 3: 5 17-13
23. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 15 56-02 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 5 16-04
24. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 15 55-10 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 20-06 Day 3: 5 17-04
25. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 15 55-08 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 19-13 Day 3: 5 17-04
26. Darold Gleason Many, LA 15 54-15 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 16-10 Day 3: 5 17-11
27. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 15 54-01 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 17-14 Day 3: 5 15-14
28. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 15 53-14 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 5 15-00
29. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 15 53-04 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 18-15
30. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 15 53-01 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 5 17-04
31. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 15 53-00 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 18-02 Day 3: 5 18-01
32. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 15 52-13 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 18-04 Day 3: 5 19-00
33. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 15 52-13 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 17-06
34. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 15 51-15 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 15-01
35. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 15 51-13 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 15-00
36. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 15 51-02 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 19-15 Day 3: 5 13-02
37. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 15 51-00 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 16-06
38. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 51-00 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 17-12
39. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 15 49-00 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 18-06 Day 3: 5 14-03
40. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 15 48-11 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 19-10 Day 3: 5 14-08
41. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 14 48-03 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 4 11-13
42. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 15 48-01 59 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 12-12
43. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 15 48-00 58 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 18-12 Day 3: 5 13-01
44. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 15 47-01 57 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 11-13
45. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 14 43-11 56 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 4 07-13
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 06-02 $1,000.00
2 Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 06-05 $1,000.00
3 Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN
Perkins takes over at TNPFL on Pickwick
By Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons and Ben Kennedy
With his biggest bag of the tournament, local angler Brandon Perkins gets it done on day two with 19-pounds, 15-ounces. Perkins showed some emotion as he weighed in and has a total weight of 39-pounds, 1-ounce going into Showdown Saturday with a 7-pound, 6-ounce lead.
“Having my family at take-off and seeing all you guys out here, it’s exciting. I am not usually one to get emotional but this is awesome,” Perkins told the crowd of fans.
Catching them pretty steady all day long, Perkins has figured out a way to catch fish in and around other anglers. Fishing slower today, the Counce, Tennessee angler took day one to sample his schools and figure out which ones he could fish the most effectively and which ones had some bigger fish.
“I literally burned an entire tank yesterday and today I only burned 9 gallons. I slowed way down and fished less spots, but I still moved around a lot. I still did not fish a bunch of stuff either.”
On Showdown Saturday, more of the same can be expected from Perkins.
“I don’t want to run as much, I don’t want to camp, but I will sit and try to get them fired up. I still don’t know, its Pickwick on a weekend, it’s going to be crowded and I don’t know what I will be able to fish or not.”
Obviously, Perkins being with the Progressive AOY race, the question has to be asked.
“I am trying to do what I need to do to win this event. I want to win it. AOY was a goal obviously and I felt like going in, I had a shot if I fished my strengths, but these guys keep catching them, they are so good. I just want to win this one.”
Shawn Murphy
Fishing extremely consistent this week, with bags of 15-pounds, 10-ounces yesterday and 16-pounds, 1-ounce today, Shawn Murphy is executing flawlessly on his offshore ledges. With a two-day total of 31-pounds, 11-ounces, Murphy will go into Showdown Saturday in the 2nd place spot.
“I am fishing offshore ledges like a lot of guys and I am just fishing and trying to find new schools every day. I have two key areas where some of my bigger bites are coming from and one of the areas has not had any pressure, and one has.”
Rotating between ledges in depths between 12 and 20-feet, the Nicholasville, Kentucky pro is fishing swimbaits, jigs, and crankbaits depending on how the fish are acting and noted a couple things he is doing to get his fish to bite even with other anglers rotating through.
“There are definitely some key details and techniques to help me get some bigger bites. I completely missed the afternoon bite today as a big storm blew through and blew my area out. Hopefully tomorrow I can get the afternoon bite going.”
Another detail worth noting. Murphy is using forward facing sonar and gives credit to Central Kentucky Sonar.
“My Lowrance units and all the sonar is flawless. Those guys gave me the cleanest and most phenomenal sonar install.”
Marc Schilling
With the tournaments largest bag, Marc Schilling followed up a day one bag of 9-pounds, 14-ounces with a 20-pound, 9-ounce bag. With a two-day total of 30-pounds, 7-ounces to finish the day in the 3rdplace spot. Shilling relied on a 6-pound, 9-ounce bass to anchor his day two weight.
Joel Willert
Joel Willert added 15-pounds, 9-ounces to his day-one bag of 14-pounds, 8-ounces to go into Showdown Saturday with a total weight of 30-pounds, 1-ounce and the 4th place spot.
Committing to offshore ledges coming into practice, Willert spent three days idling and hardly made a cast. Locating lots of schools, the Prior Lake, Minnesota angler knew the potential was there to have a good event.
“Coming into the first day, I know I had some big schools and a lot of schools overall. I have been running and gunning as I planned and have been catching them good. I had a tougher day yesterday but got things a bit more dialed today.”
With an early limit, Willert was able to settle in and kept running the lake until he would find an open school. Noting that there has been pressure, Willert says he has not had any issues so far.
“I have a few areas to myself, but the ones I don’t, everyone’s been good so far. I am going to start on my best spot tomorrow and I saved around 15 schools that I have not looked at, and I have some shallower brush.”
David Gaston
With 13-pounds, 15-ounces, David Gaston once again finds himself inside the top five with a two-day total of 29-pounds, 15-ounces. With slightly less weight than yesterday, Gaston has been consistent, but is once again a bit disappointed with the result.
“Today was worse for me, way worse, less fish and less quality. I lost more again today, a 4 and 3-pounder and both would have helped. I am around fish I just need to get to catching them.
As for the final day, Gaston is going to keep doing more of the same and keep the same mentality he has had all season long.
“I ain’t got a clue (for tomorrow). I have to get out and act like I am not even in a tournament, and I do have a few places I have saved. I can’t get spun out over this, If I keep doing my job and doing what I have been doing, the AOY thing will work itself out.
Gaston is running a mix of baits including a worm, spoon, hair jig, and a chatterbait. With the weather change supposedly coming for Showdown Saturday, the Sylacauga, Alabama angler is hoping to get back to catching them like he was this week in practice.
“Practice was phenomenal. My weights this week compared to practice are way lower. I know the rain will help the offshore grass bite for me which would help. Besides getting wet, I am looking forward to going at them.”
The Rest of the Best!
6. Jesse Millsaps 29-14
7. Timmy Reams29-13
8. John Soukup 29-2
9. Bryan Smith 29-1
10. Pug Clements 27-0
Feider Secures Bassmaster Angler Of The Year Title At St. Lawrence River Elite
Seth Feider, of New Market, Minn., has won the 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year title with 792 points.4
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
July 16, 2021
WADDINGTON, NY — Seth Feider of New Market, Minn., wrapped his arms around a lifelong dream as he kissed the Bassmaster Angler of the Year trophy on Day 2 of the Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.
The seventh-year Elite Series pro currently sits in eighth place with a two-day total of 42 pounds, 3 ounces, so he’ll be competing for at least one more day. More importantly, though, his points total of 792 gave him enough of a cushion to secure the coveted AOY title no matter how he finishes the tournament.
“It’s a milestone; it’s a (lifetime of) work,” Feider said. “Ever since I was a little kid, every minute fishing was to get to this, it feels amazing.
“It feels like the weight of the world is off my shoulders now that it’s all over. It’s been a stressful last couple of months.”
While Feider can relax and make plans to spend the $100,000 prize that comes with the AOY title, there is still much to be decided this week.
Leading the event, Gainesville, Fla., pro Bernie Schultz overcame a painful loss Friday to maintain the top spot with a two-day total of 47-14. Schultz added 22-9 to the 25-5 he weighed on Day 1.
How painful? Put it this way: Schultz is one of the coolest heads on the water, but when Bassmaster LIVE showed a big fish that Schultz estimated at 5 pounds come unbuttoned right at the boat, the seasoned pro experienced an understandable moment of obvious exasperation.
Returning to the same 250-yard flat near Chippewa Bay where he caught his Day 1 limit, Schultz found the fish scattered over various sections of broken bottom comprising rock, gravel, sand and grass clumps.
“The composition changes depending on what part of the flat you’re on,” Schultz said. “There’s a secondary channel edge that the flat drops into, and I think that’s what’s bringing the fish to it. They have that deep-water access nearby.”
Schultz said he is catching fish in 8 feet of water, although he’s caught them in 5 or less when he’s fished this spot in previous years. Presuming this to be a postspawn positioning preference, Schultz said he is mostly fishing for unseen fish.
“They prefer open areas,” he said. “They like that other stuff around them, but they like to be on clean bottom.”
Schultz tried to capitalize on the morning’s dim, overcast conditions with a Rapala X-Rap Pop, but to no avail. He ended up catching his fish on a 1/4-ounce VMC Ned Head jig with a 3-inch Yamamato Senko in the green pumpkin/watermelon laminate color.
“I actually use the 4-inch Senko and I cut an inch off the end,” he said. “I do that because the 4-inch Senko has a wider diameter and it fits better against that jighead. It’s a plumper bait and the fish seem to like that look.”
On Thursday, Schultz led the Phoenix Boats Big Bass standings with a 6-2. On Friday, he had two that went 5-1 each.
Chris Johnston, of Peterborough, Canada, is in second place with 46-5. Having tied his older brother Cory for second on Day 1, he added 22-14 to Thursday’s bag of 23-7.
Johnston, who became the first Canadian to win an Elite title at last year’s St. Lawrence River event, spent the majority of his day in Lake Ontario, not far from the mouth of the river. He hit about 10 different spots and caught his fish in 5 to 30 feet of water.
“It was nice today; it laid down and I could move around, which was nice,” Johnston said of the day’s calm conditions. “I hit a couple of new spots, and one of them ended up having quite a few fish on it.”
Johnston caught his bass on a mix of reaction and finesse baits. His biggest fish of the day was 5 1/4.
Hailing from Cavan, Canada, Cory Johnston bolstered his first-round effort of 23-7 with Friday’s limit of 22-2 for a third-place total of 45-9. Targeting a mix of main-river rock reefs and isolated boulders, he caught his fish on a drop shot.
Johnston said he fished multiple spots throughout a 90-mile stretch from the takeoff area to Chaumont Bay outside the mouth of the St. Lawrence.
“This place is incredible; I say that every time we get to fish here,” Johnston said. “I left some fish out there for tomorrow and I found a few new ones.
“I ran a lot of the same stuff I ran yesterday and ran some new stuff and found some new groups of fish.”
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., captured the Day 2 Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 6-5.
Chris Johnston is in second place in the Angler of the Year standings with 729 points. Former AOY (2017) Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, is in third with 702 points, followed by Walters with 668 and Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., with 667.
Josh Stracner of Vandiver, Ala., leads the Rookie of the Year standings with 552 points.
The Top 45 remaining anglers will take off at 7 a.m. ET from Whittaker Park. The weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3:15 p.m.
Live coverage for each day of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.
2021 Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River 7/15-7/18
St. Lawrence River, Waddington NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 47-14 100 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-05 Day 2: 5 22-09
2. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 46-05 99
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 22-14
3. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 45-09 98
Day 1: 5 23-07 Day 2: 5 22-02
4. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 10 44-15 97
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 23-03
5. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 44-04 96
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 22-14
6. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 42-12 95
Day 1: 5 20-13 Day 2: 5 21-15
7. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 42-06 94
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 21-05
8. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 42-03 93
Day 1: 5 22-00 Day 2: 5 20-03
9. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 41-08 92
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 21-08
10. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 41-01 91
Day 1: 5 22-02 Day 2: 5 18-15
11. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 10 40-13 90
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 22-14
12. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 40-03 89
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 19-08
13. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 39-14 88
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 18-08
14. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 39-02 87
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 20-10
15. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 38-14 86
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 17-02
16. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 38-06 85
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 20-06
17. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 10 38-06 84
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 19-01
18. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 10 38-04 83
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 19-13
19. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 10 38-03 82
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 20-08
20. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 38-03 81
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 5 17-14
21. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 38-00 80
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 19-15
22. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 10 37-09 79
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 19-00
23. Darold Gleason Many, LA 10 37-04 78
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 16-10
24. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 37-01 77
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 18-00
25. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 36-14 76
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 18-11
26. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 36-13 75
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 17-06
27. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 10 36-11 74
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 5 17-09
28. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 36-09 73
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 22-05
29. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 10 36-06 72
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 17-03
30. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 36-06 71
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 18-01
31. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 35-14 70
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 16-09
32. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 35-13 69
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 17-10
33. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 35-10 68
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 16-03
34. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 10 35-07 67
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 17-01
35. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 10 35-07 66
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 17-02
36. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 35-05 65
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 17-09
37. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 10 35-04 64
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 16-00
38. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 34-15 63
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 18-12
39. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 34-15 62
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 18-02
40. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 34-13 61
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 18-06
41. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 10 34-10 60
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 15-12
42. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 34-05 59
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 16-00
43. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 10 34-03 58
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 19-10
44. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 33-13 57
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 18-04
45. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 33-04 56
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 16-13
46. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 10 33-03 55 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 15-13
47. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 33-01 54 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 15-15
48. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 9 32-14 53 $5,000.00
Day 1: 4 10-08 Day 2: 5 22-06
49. Mike Huff London, KY 10 32-13 52
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 18-15
50. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 32-13 51 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 18-01
51. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 32-12 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 18-08
52. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 10 32-12 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 16-05
53. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 32-11 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 18-10
54. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 32-11 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 16-07
55. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 32-10 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 15-00
56. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 32-05 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 16-15
57. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 32-02 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 17-02
58. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 10 32-01 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 16-04
59. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 31-14 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 18-03
60. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 31-11 41 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 14-13
61. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 31-10 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 18-15
62. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 10 31-08 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 11-14
63. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 31-06 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 14-11
64. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 31-05 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 15-04
65. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 30-09 36 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 18-00
66. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 30-08 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 14-06
67. Bryan New Belmont, NC 10 30-06 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 12-04
68. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 30-05 33 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 16-07
69. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 30-05 32 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-06
70. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 10 30-04 31 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 16-10
71. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 30-01 30 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 12-03
72. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 10 29-14 29 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 12-11
73. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 10 29-14 28 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 14-12
74. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 29-11 27 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 13-15
75. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 29-10 26 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 14-14
76. David Fritts Lexington, NC 9 29-05 25
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 4 13-14
77. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 8 29-04 24 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 5 20-03
78. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 10 29-02 23
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 16-01
79. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 29-01 22
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 19-03
80. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 10 28-15 21
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 14-01
81. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 10 28-10 20
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 13-07
82. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 10 28-09 19
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 15-07
83. Frank Talley Temple, TX 10 28-08 18
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 13-15
84. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 28-00 17
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 14-03
85. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 10 27-13 16
Day 1: 5 17-14 Day 2: 5 09-15
86. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 27-07 15
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-10
87. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 27-00 14
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-07
88. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 26-10 13
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 11-02
89. Rob Digh Denver, NC 8 23-03 12
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 3 05-14
90. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 9 21-01 11
Day 1: 4 09-00 Day 2: 5 12-01
91. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 7 20-03 10
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 2 04-12
92. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 13-10 9
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
93. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 12-15 8
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 2 06-00
94. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 6 11-03 7
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 5 09-00
Sumrall more confident in the long run
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
If you follow Caleb Sumrall on social media, you know the Southern Louisiana pro isn’t afraid of a long run. He jogs 10 to 15 miles a week, and at one point ran 48 miles in a 48-hour period.
That’s on land.
Thursday during Day 1 of the Farmer’s Insurance Bassmaster Elite on the St. Lawrence River, Sumrall made the longest run on water of his pro career – as he headed 1 hour and 27 minutes west down the St. Lawrence, darn near to Lake Ontario.
It paid off big time with a 22-pound limit. Strong enough for 4th place, just behind Bernie Schultz and the Johnston Brothers.
“That’s by far the furthest I’ve ever run my 21-foot Xpress aluminum. It and my Yamaha didn’t let me down. I’m real proud of that, and I’m also proud of my decision making this year. I’ve grown way more confident and calmer about what I’m doing each day,” reflects the Carhartt pro.
Ironically, just one year ago, Sumrall shared his thoughts in a story we worked on togetherdetailing what a tough learning curve smallmouth had thrown his pro career. Obviously, he’s overcome it nicely, and is now hitting his share of home runs “up north.”
“I never stopped trying to learn. I’d come north a week early before practice started for asmallmouth dominated Elite Series event, and fish on similar waters near the upcoming event to learn as much as I could, and get dialed-in,” he says.
Asked if his buddies, Elite Series smallmouth gurus, Chris and Cory Johnston have tutored him any, Sumrall grinned and said every now and then they’ll offer a hot tip.
Still, much of Sumrall’s newfound smallmouth success is truly self-taught. And that’s always better in the long run.
Josh Ray takes lead in TNPFL on Pickwick
Courtesy of the National Professional Fishing League
By Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons and Ben Kennedy
Josh Ray brought 19-pounds, 14-ounces to the scales to take the lead on day one of the NPFL event on Pickwick Lake. Taking the gamble and camping on a spot he felt lucky to get on, the afternoon paid off as he was able to scramble enough weight to take the top spot.
“I fished two spots all day and I sat on one spot for most of the day. I may or may not get back on that school tomorrow but I was the second flight today and I was shocked it was open.”
Starting on another school, Ray milked it for over an hour before making a move. Noting several guys tried to pull in on him, the camera boat was backed off, but other anglers tried to make a move into the area.
“It’s terrible dude, I hate the Tennessee River because of that. I am making a 30-minute run and the bait doesn’t matter really, it’s more about the timing of it all.
Brandon Perkins
The most local angler of them all, Brandon Perkins feels lucky to have the weight he had even though it could have been better. Weighing 19-pounds, 2-ounces, the Counce, Tennessee angler resides in the 2nd place spot 12-ounces behind the leader.
“It worked out today, its better on paper than it actually was. I had so many issues from my livewell, to the live camera microphone. I even caught a decent fish and it had some sort of jig or hard thing in its belly and it was thinking about dying on me. I let it go and had to forfeit a limit at one point.”
Giving up his 5th fish may have hurt, but the Perkins used his knowledge to rotate enough spots and catch fish when it mattered. Culling 2 to 3 times after the live coverage ended, Perking burned 40-gallons of gas and never went more than 15-miles from the take off.
“This morning, I lost a 3.5-pounder right off and man it was stressful. I went to multiple schools that vanished. I spent 20 to 30-minutes trying to relocate them and I never did. I also had a sneaky spot and I went by it first thing and there were three boats side-by-side on that spot, no joke.”
With the run and gun mentality, some days it helps, and some days it hurts. Perkins knows he had the chance to sit on a school all day and hope they fired, but that’s not his game.
“I had two spots open this morning and there is a 20-pound bag on both. I left them and let them go. It’s a question of if they will fire and if so, how long do you wait?”
Buck Mallory
With 16-pounds, 9-ounces, Buck Mallory hold down the 3rd place spot after day one. The Lawton, Michigan angler rode a 4-pound, 14-ounce kicker to catch his weight for the day.
David Gaston
With 16-pounds on the day, David Gaston survived the first day of competition on Pickwick but is less than thrilled with how his day went. Holding down the 4th spot after day one, Gaston made big moves in the Progressive AOY race and has himself in a good spot going into day two.
“For me, it was way worse than I thought it would be. I lost two 5’s and a 4-pounder. After live coverage, I got three more fish, but man, it was tough today to get a decent bite.
Covering a lot of water, Gaston was fishing around other anglers but was still getting bites when others were not. A full tank of gas burned; Gaston is going to spend some more time this evening mapping out a route for tomorrow.
“I got back and the gas light was on. I burned a whole tank and I was almost out. It’s disappointing because I should have had a big bag but it is what it is. I didn’t fish a single ledge all day, but I was fishing deep still.”
With the shake up in the leaderboard, the Progressive AOY race is heating up. Know it or not, Gaston had a plan and stuck with without the AOY race in mind.
“I worry about each event, and my goal is to fish well enough to get a check. That’s it. I don’t worry about AOY but it would be the cherry on top.”
Mike Comeau
After catching only three fish in practice, Mike Comeau had no idea what to expect for today’s competition. Bringing 15-pounds, 10-ounces to the scales, the Vermont angler finished the day in 5thplace and made work of a sweet spot he found in practice.
“I spent a lot of time idling and was looking for grass. I fished a fair amount but only caught a couple fish. I was not sure how it would go but I had no pressure, just went fishing. I had one stretch and I got there this morning, it all happened fast.”
Knowing it was a timing deal, Comeau does have some places he has saved for tomorrow and is hoping to repeat his success tomorrow with similar weather schedules. A dead fish penalty also cost him a pound off his weight so he actually had over 16-pounds on the day.
“There is nobody around me. I did try to expand on my area after I got my weight, and I even shook a few off. I had that dead fish and culling would have been hard. I have two sneaky areas left to fish, and after a few hours tomorrow on my starting spot, I am going to go exploring some of those areas.”
Major League Fishing’s REDCREST 2021 Special to Air Sunday on CBS, Discovery Channel Airing Pre-Empted Due to Shark Week
| TULSA, Okla. (July 15, 2021) – Major League Fishing's REDCREST 2021 Special Presented by Old Wisconsin Sausage –the Bass Pro Tour Championship filmed earlier this year on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama – will premiere nationwide Sunday, July 18, on CBS from 2 to 3 p.m. ET. The program showcases the 40 top professional bass anglers from the 2020 Bass Pro Tour, competing across five days at the Bass Fishing Capital of the World for the prestigious REDCREST Championship and the top prize of $300,000.
Sunday’s airing on CBS will showcase the highlights from all five days of the event with behind-the-scenes angler commentary and interviews, as well as a thrilling final-day shootout between some of the top anglers in the sport, including Dustin Connell, Ott DeFoe, Takahiro Omori, Bryan Thrift and Jacob Wheeler. The event was hosted by the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce. The Discovery Channel airing of the Bass Pro Tour General Tire Heavy Hitters event, originally scheduled for this weekend, Saturday, July 17, has been pre-empted for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. The episode will now air next weekend as regularly scheduled Bass Pro Tour programming resumes on Discovery next Saturday, July 24, from 7 to 9 a.m. ET. The full, updated television schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com. For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. |
Schultz Commits To Protected Spot For Lead In Bassmaster Elite At St. Lawrence River
Bernie Schultz, of Gainesville, Fla., is leading after Day 1 of the 2021 Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with 25 pounds, 5 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
July 15, 2021
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — A patient approach to what Bernie Schultz described as a slow area rewarded the Gainesville, Fla., pro with a five-bass limit that weighed 25 pounds, 5 ounces to lead Day 1 of the Farmers Insurance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.
“I found a spot near where I fished last year,” Schultz said of his upriver area, near Chippewa Bay. “I haven’t seen another tournament boat in two years and I hope I don’t — unless it’s a camera boat.”
Schultz, whose best finish on the St. Lawrence was sixth place in 2013, described his spot as a flat approximately 200 yards long with depths of 3 to 8 feet. Starting on one end of the flat in practice, he quickly caught a 4-pounder, and by the time he’d completed his drift, he had another 4- and two 3-pounders.
“It’s a really good area and it’s protected,” Schultz said. “That’s what I like about it — it has everything the fish want and it has everything I need to fish, no matter what the weather does.
“There are numerous islands and I’m cradled right in the middle of them. I decided to start there today and it was a good call. It started quickly and I left them biting.”
Despite an impressive performance, which included the day’s Phoenix Boats Big Bass — a 6-2 — Schultz said the spot he fished required such a laborious effort that he believes most anglers would have abandoned it.
“It’s a precise drift that I’m making,” he said. “It’s slow enough that if anyone practiced there, they probably would have gotten discouraged.
“The fish are in certain sections of the flat and I had to locate them today because they moved a little bit. I had a 5, that 6-2 and a 3-pounder pretty quickly, but after that I had to move around on the flat to find them.”
Schultz fished a diverse arsenal of baits including a 1/2-ounce Hildebrandt Drum Roller spinnerbait, a Shimano jerkbait (debuting next week at ICAST), a 1/8-ounce black Marabou jig, a drop shot with a green pumpkin Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm and a Ned rig with a 3-inch green pumpkin watermelon laminate Yamamoto Senko.
It is a well-known truth that two of the biggest obstacles to winning on the St. Lawrence share the same last name. Today, brothers Chris and Cory Johnston, of Peterborough and Cavan, Canada, respectfully, strengthened that lore by catching identical 23-pound, 7-ounce limits and sharing second place.
Adding to the statistical oddity, the Johnstons nearly matched one another’s top fish. Chris caught a 5-5, while his older brother had a 5-4.
Chris Johnston, who won last year’s St. Lawrence River Elite, started his day by running upriver to the Clayton, N.Y., area and targeting fry guarders — male bass that hover near the spawning bed to protect recent hatchlings — on flats in 8 to 10 feet. He found a handful of these fish early in practice but noticed Wednesday that a couple of them had left.
“I was a little disappointed yesterday, so today I thought I’d better go catch the ones that are left in that area,” he said. “That gave me a good start to the day, so I could relax a little bit.”
Around midmorning, Johnston left this area and added a few keepers, including a 5-8, in Lake Ontario’s Cape Vincent area. Contrasting his 2020 victory, he said the fish are significantly less concentrated this week.
“They’re not set up good like they were last year,” he said. “They’re scattered anywhere from 5 feet to 25 feet. I don’t have a spot that has a big group of them so I’m looking and trying to find random fish.
“The reason is that there are still fish spawning. There are fish that are guarding fry and fish that finished spawning a month ago and they’re already making their way out. There are fish up shallow trying to do their thing, and they’re everywhere in between.”
Cory Johnston devoted his day to the river and fished a hodgepodge of locations. Covering a 90-mile stretch from Waddington to Lake Ontario, he fished traditional rock reefs and shoals from 5 to 35 feet.
“I just kind of ran all over the place, wherever the wind allowed me to go,” he said. “I caught all of my fish in the river; I didn’t weigh a fish out of the lake.
“I didn’t have any specific area, I just hit 30 spots. I have a game plan and I have something in my back pocket where if I need a fish I can grab one quick in a couple of little areas. I needed a couple today and that’s what I did.”
Seth Feider of New Market, Minn., maintained his lead in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 795 points. With a 66-point margin over Chris Johnston (729), Feider just needs a decent showing Friday to conclude his best professional season with an AOY title.
Former AOY (2017) Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, is in third place with 702 points, followed by Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., with 676 and Caleb Sumrall of New Iberia, La., with 669.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Whittaker Park. The weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3:15 p.m. After Friday’s weigh-in, only the Top 45 anglers will advance to Saturday’s semifinal round.
Live coverage for each day of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.
