Monday, November 11, 2024

LEST WE FORGET

 


IBASSIN.com wishes to thank all veterans on this special day.  

Hayden Marbut Wins 2024 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Bass Boat Technologies on Wheeler Lake!

Canadian Andrew Campbell Wins International Division


By Jody White

MLF Toyota Series Press Release

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A lot happened in bass fishing in 2024. And the way off-seasons are these days, there could be more to come. But, if the year is going to be known for anything, it might be as the year of the minnow.

While strolling a jighead minnow won plenty of money in 2023 and earlier, it was often a technique plied by frontrunners, and rarely the majority of the field. This year, “Top 10 Baits” stories featured a cavalcade of minnows (or lies about them) – some named, some “unnamed” and known, and some still largely unknown. So, it seems a little fitting that the year ended like it began, with a big win by a minnow master.

Keith Poche gave it a great run, but in the end, Hayden Marbut convincingly won the Toyota Series Championship Presented by Bass Boat Technologies on Wheeler Lake – catching every fish on a minnow. It’s a bait that everyone in the field has now, but it’s still possible for the cream to rise to the top with any given technique, and Marbut has proven time and again that he’s a master at it. Weighing 21 pounds, 6 ounces on Day 1, the young Alabama pro set the bar high, and he stayed on the gas all the way. Weighing 19-10 on Day 2 kept him within striking distance after Poche dropped an incredible 27-pound stringer, and when the shallow-water expert faltered on Day 3, Marbut was there with 16-12 for a 57-12 total and the win.

Earning $235,000 for his efforts, the win also qualified him for REDCREST on Guntersville, which happens to be his home lake. Marbut has now banked $345,555 on the year in Toyota Series winnings alone – a spectacular amount of money for a 21-year-old and more than many pros win in several years. Of course, a hefty proportion of that is in the form of Phoenix MLF Bonus earnings, which he cashed in on twice this year.

Friday, November 8, 2024

New Sizes and Colors Now Added to a Proven Slow-Sinking Cold Water Killer - the Berkley Stunna

 

The Berkley Stunna line-up expands with new sizes and colors


The Berkley Stunna, originally launched in 2021, was a standout performer right from the get-go, playing a pivotal role for the Champion in the 2021 Bassmaster Classic. First developed in 112 and 112+1 sizes, the Stunna has all the attributes anglers look for in a jerkbait to  entice pressured and neutral fish into biting. New for 2024, the Stunna has expanded its size options to 100, 100+1, and 112+2.


Like the original sizes of the Stunna, the new 100, 100+1, and 112+2 sizes feature the same darting action anglers have had great success with the product in the past, along with a natural slow sink that triggers bites from onlooking and fickle fish. The single tungsten weight transfer system allows for increased casting distance and effortless, repetitive casting for long days out on the water.

Details below

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Roster announced for 2025 Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour season

 


BENTON, Ky. – Major League Fishing announced today the roster of 66 pros who will compete on the Bass Pro tour in 2025, the seventh season of professional bass fishing’s premier tournament circuit. Offering the highest payout in professional bass fishing, the Bass Pro Tour will award $150,000 to the winner of each Bass Pro Tour regular season event – 50% more than any other league – plus $100,000 to the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year in 2025. The season will kick off Jan. 30 through Feb. 2 at Lake Conroe in Conroe, Texas. 

Full payout tables for the 2025 Bass Pro Tour can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

For the first time in Bass Pro Tour history, the full field will compete simultaneously in the Qualifying Round on days one and two. From there, top anglers will advance to the Knockout Round on day three and ultimately the Championship Round on day four. Every day of catch, weigh, immediate-release competition will be broadcast live on MLFNOW! and streamed to MajorLeagueFishing.com, the Major League Fishing app, and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) and Rumble platforms.

“It’s always one of our most anticipated announcements every season – when we unveil the anglers who will be competing for the sport’s top prizes on the Bass Pro Tour,” said Kathy Fennel, Executive Vice President & General Manager of Major League Fishing. “We’re looking forward to kicking off our 2025 Bass Pro Tour season in just a few short months at Lake Conroe. The 2025 roster is a fantastic mix of anglers and the race to qualify for REDCREST, Heavy Hitters and the 2026 Bass Pro Tour is going to be more exciting than ever.”

FIND YOUR FAVUORITE ANGLER BELOW

Monday, November 4, 2024

Marine Batteries: How to Stay Positive!

 

GET MORE LIFE OUT OF YOUR MARINE BATTERIES

Marine trolling motor and cranking batteries can be a frustrating subject for many anglers. Overcharging. Undercharging, Neither are good.


We're here to make it simple for you. This short article breaks down some of the most important things to consider when it comes to marine battery maintenance and 8 tips for extending the lifespan of your marine batteries.

  1. Charge after every use and allow the battery to receive a full charge
     
  2. Avoid high voltage fast charging cycles - Stick to recommended voltage requirements and unplug immediately after the charge is complete OR see the next tip.
     
  3. Don't over-or under-charge - Over or under-charging can shorten the overall life of your batteries. Find out how to apply a safe and fast charge.
     
  4. Avoid storing in very cold or hot temperatures - Bring your batteries inside over winter when your boat is in a non-heated storage area.
     
  5. See the remaining tips and recommendations - Keep your batteries fresh for the 2025 fishing season.
For more information link over to MINN KOTA

Friday, November 1, 2024

Up-Grades to the Abu Garcia Veritas Rods and Combos

 

Abu Garica's best-selling rod for freshwater bass fishing just got a major upgrade

Offering anglers features and benefits normally seen in rods priced above the $200 mark, the new Veritas rods are crafted with Abu Garcia’s Powerlux technology, strengthening the blank and increasing resistance from breaks or fractures while also eliminating unwanted weight. The 30-ton graphite blank helps ensure a light and sensitive feel, the split grip EVA grips and ABU-designed full contact reel seat offer added sensitivity and maximum comfort for long days on the water.

Also offered in two rod lengths for both the baitcast and spinning combo configurations, the Abu Garcia Veritas combos include an updated 10+1 bearing system in both options.

KEY FEATURES – RODS

  • 24/30 Ton graphite with Powerlux 100 resin
  • ABU designed reel seat
  • Split grip EVA grips
  • Available in 41 different skus

MSRP: $99.95 - $149.95

KEY FEATURES – BAITCAST COMBO

  • 10 stainless steel ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
  • Graphite frame and side plates
  • Carbon Matrix drag system
  • Duragear brass gear
  • Infini brake system
  • Compact bent handle and star
  • Lube port

MSRP: $299.95

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Bassmaster Elites no longer pay to play

 B.A.S.S. has announced the no-entry-fee 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series to put professional bass fishing's highest level of competition on par with other major sports.



Professional bass fishing will never be the same. Ever. That’s a huge statement. In this case, it’s true. B.A.S.S. just announced that the Bassmaster Elite Series, heading into its 20th season, will no longer require entry fees. Yes, you heard that correctly. In 2025, competitors of the most prestigious tournament trail on the planet, for the first time ever in the history of B.A.S.S. competition, will no longer fish for their own money. No longer are Elite Series pros required to pay to play.

 

This historic decision was not made lightly. B.A.S.S. has long believed that the ultimate goal of the organization’s highest level of competition should be on par with other individual professional sports, like golf and tennis, which do not require pros to pay entry fees to compete. However, on the heels of record-breaking viewership of Bassmaster LIVE on FOX networks and Bassmaster.com, paired with strong long-term partnerships, this ultimate goal has been realized.

 

“We have been looking at this model for quite some time,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “But, we wanted to make sure that when we flip this switch, which we believe will change the face of professional bass fishing, that the concept is sustainable for the future. For the past several months, we’ve done our due diligence and came to the realization that, with the money we planned to allocate to payouts in 2025, we could offer attractive payouts without putting angler money at risk. This change greatly reduces the risk and financial strain required to compete at bass fishing’s highest level. Now, the Elite Series is in a league of its own, and the only league equivalent to other major individual sports.”

PAYOUTS BELOW

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Drop Shotting with Shin Fukae: Selecting the best main lines and hooks for your fishing

 



Shin Fukae is one of the very best on the MLF Bass Pro Tour, FLW Tour and BASSMASTER Opens. He can credit much of his success to the drop shot rig. Heck, he qualified for the Bassmaster Classic with a win using a drop shot. Listen to how Shin sets up this gear and his top baits.

Monday, October 28, 2024

Ever Green's New DVX-18

 Ever Green stitches together crankbait and jerkbait body parts to create the monster of all hardbaits, the new DXV-18.



From the cosmos of fishing, Ever Green’s new DXV-18 – part of the DD X-Over family – is a beautifully engineered crossover lure, merging the body shape and actions of a crankbait and jerkbait. Created in collaboration with Bassmaster Elite favorite, Morizo Shimizu, the resulting “Frankenstein bait” strikes mortal fear in deep ranging bass. 

A larger and advanced diving bill sends the DXV-18 to 18-feet, even deeper with lighter braided lines. The bill’s unique curvature promises a quick plunge and straight run on the retrieve, too. The bill design also accommodates the snapping action associated with hard jerkbaits.