Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Top Bass Tri-Lakes Sunday: Johnston Brother Continue to WIN!

Cory and Chris are on one of the hottest streaks of all time.
(Photo: Lures and Tours)


Pos Weight Team Fish BigBass Captain Last Captain First Partner Last Partner First

1 22.26 77 5 5.03 JOHNSTON CORY JOHNSTON CHRIS
2 20.81 84 5 4.82 GARNIER PETER LAFLEUR ROB
3 18.99 64 5 5.27 ROCHE MIKE ROCHE SCOTT
4 18.74 37 5 0 HAYASHI JAY PARKER TREVOR
5 17.82 11 5 4.17 GUARD BILL COOK CRAIG

Top Bass Tri-Lakes Saturday's Results


Pos Weight Team Fish BigBass Captain Last Captain First Partner Last Partner First

1 22.25 77 5 5.85 (Big Fish #1) FIGUEIRA JOE GONSALVES DUANE
2 20.34 88 5 5.26 JOHNSTON CORY JOHNSTON CHRIS
3 19.03 1 5 0 DEAN JARROD COCKS GERARD
4 18.98 90 5 4.87 GARNIER PETER LAFLEUR ROB
5 18.02 30 5 4.21 COLUCCI RON MAGLIO MIKE

Bullet Weights Fish Head Sinkers


Realistic “Fish Head” Sinkers from Bullet Weights®

Monday, July 30, 2012

CSFL Lake Muskoka: Ruscio and Quesnelle Win!


COMPETITIVE SPORT FISHING LEAGUE
BASSMANIA   TOURNAMENT TRAIL – NORTHWESTERN TOUR
LAKE MUSKOKA,   GRAVENHURST – JULY 29, 2012

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship: Raveling and Luhman WIN!



Pos Team Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Total Captain Partner
1 3 19.73 17.49 17.84 55.06 Mark Raveling Mike Luhman
2 20 16.71 16.24 18.88 51.83 Chad Johnson John Janousek
3 5 16.63 18.23 15.69 50.55 Jeff Gustafson John Peterson
4 91 17.25 16.00 16.81 50.06 Jim Sandelovich Karl Howells
5 14 15.37 18.27 16.41 50.05 Ted Heyens Leo Heyens
6 37 15.00 18.33 16.69 50.02 Scott Ourada John Allen
7 31 16.67 16.37 15.89 48.93 Troy Norman Jay Samsal
8 7 15.24 18.00 15.65 48.89 Darren Ward Tony Holenko
9 42 15.40 17.07 15.86 48.33 Dennis Barnard Scott Gobeil
10 18 13.44 17.34 17.46 48.24 Steve Sandberg Scott Sandberg


Thursday, July 26, 2012

World Record Experience!

Just got back from my big bass experience from Japan's Holy Grail of fishing, Lake Biwa. I booked a two day guide with one of Japan's top sticks, Jun Shoji. The trip will be written up in Ontario OUT OF DOORS magazine in the 2013 Fishing Annual. He is an awesome guide and we caught some great average of fish. He is known for putting anglers on big bass. Most of his clients come to Biwa with the desire of catching a fish over 5 pounds. He doesn't disappoint and I enjoyed some nice fishing.

Here is a sample of one of the bass we caught on Lake Biwa.



On a funnier note, I just saw one of the worst photos of me on Jun's website. He has a daily blog that reflects his day on the water. As a full time guide and super hard core tournament angler, he keeps the blog very up to date. I look so ugly. My wife instructed I needed to wear a sun blocking buff. The only problem it acted like Spanxs, the spandex girdle for women and it squished all my fat from my neck into my face. See for yourself. Click HERE!  

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Oakville marina explosion: 3 passengers ‘blown straight out’ of boat after fuelling up


Oakville marina explosion: 3 passengers ‘blown straight out’ of boat after fuelling up!


Jason Christie Wins BASS Northern Open!


(BASS Press Release)
A win and a trip to the Classic!
What a week.
(Photos: BASS)
DETROIT — Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., claimed that his status as a non-local enabled him to stay focused and win this week’s Northern Open on Michigan’s bountiful Lake St. Clair, but he’s hoping to have a local advantage when he fishes the 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake, the body of water where many consider him a prohibitive favorite. 
Christie slammed the door shut today with 22 pounds, 13 ounces, to beat a field studded with Tour-level stars and a cadre of top local sticks. It was his third straight bag heavier than 21 pounds, and it will enable him to fulfill a lifelong dream.
“No. 1, you dream about fishing any Classic,” he said. “But to get to fish a Classic on your home lake is a dream come true.”
Besides his Classic berth, Christie won a fully rigged Nitro Z-9 bass boat with a Mercury OptiMax 250.
He said that his advantage over the many St. Clair regulars was that he didn’t have many decisions to make. He found one key area in the mouth of the Detroit River with patchy 

FLW EverStart Series Northern Division Lake Champlain: Kenny Wins!


Up and down week delivers EverStart Northern victory for Florida pro.
21.Jul.2012 by David A. Brown
      (FLW Press Release)
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. РHis week was the clich̩d "emotional roller coaster," but Straight Talk pro J.T. Kenney considers that a price well paid, as his ride ended with not only an EverStart Series Northern Division victory on Lake Champlain, but a significant career milestone.
JT wins at what he love doing; fishing grass.
(Photos: FLW) 
The Champlain win – Kenney's third top finish in FLW competition – pushed him past the prestigious mark of $1 million in career earnings – $1,060,828, to be exact. Making his home in Palm Bay, Fla. Kenney shared a reflective moment while holding his trophy and contemplating the enormity of his achievement. 
"When I first started fishing, I never would have believed I would win a million dollars with a fishing rod in my hand," he said. "I was just a kid from Maryland who loved to go fishing when somebody said there's a tournament and we out to go fish it. Fifteen years later, here I am."
Now, for the roller coaster explanation, Kenney was the only pro to break 20 pounds more than once, but he had a toe-stubber in the middle. On day one, he weighed the event's second-heaviest catch (21-8), but stumbled a little on day two with a 14-pound, 14-ounce bag that dropped him to ninth. In the final round, he stormed back up the leaderboard and took back the lead with a bag that weighed 20-6 and finished with a tournament total of 56-12 and a 3-ounce margin of victory.
"Ninth to first – I would have never thought," Kenny chuckled once his win was official. "I thought maybe ninth to third or fourth, but not this."

Cory Johnston Wins the Canadian Open with 71.9 pounds of Bass!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Cory Johnston for his commanding win at the Kingston Canadian Open of Fishing. This is his second win in a row. Very impressive from an impressive angler.

Don't forget to scroll down to check out the Co-anglers. Paul Legacey won with a very impressive end results. Pros and co-anglers share the same weight for their limit. Co-angler do not fish for the own individual weight. They for a team for the day and share the bounty.


Saturday, July 21, 2012

2012 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2 Detroit River Day 2: Giants Everywhere!


(BASS Press Release)
DETROIT – The weather changed for all of the competitors at the Northern Open on Lake St. Clair today, but the sun continued to shine the brightest on local angler Brian Metry. Many pros complained that the emerging sun and fierce winds didn’t have their expected effect, but Metry added 22 pounds to his 23-05 catch from Day One and has a 14 ounce lead over Oklahoman Jason Christie.
Everyone in the Metry family gets to hold a giant.
(BASS Photos)
“They were really crunching it today,” Metry said, referring to his Jack-It Products crankbait. “I’m fishing a deep spot where the water is cool, and the current is helping to replenish the area.” He intends to make the same rotation tomorrow, starting in a place where he can virtually will a 15-pound limit to the boat, then going to his big fish spot to upgrade. Starting with an early limit helps him to relax, he explained. “I have all kinds of temptation to do it differently, but if I stick to my game plan instead of following temptation I might win this thing.” 
Despite adding 21-07 to his 23 pound Day One catch, Christie said the fishing was tougher. He only landed 10 keepers and caught the last good one with 10 minutes left to fish.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Canadian Open of Fishing Day 2: Cory Johnston Sacks 26 pounds!

Here is the Top 10.

place/angler/day 1 weight/day 2 weight/ total (pounds)

1.  Cory Johnston 20  26  46
2.  Derek Strub 22.5  21.9  44.4
3.  Chris Johnston  23.1  20.8  43.9
4.  Charles Sim  20.75   22  42.75
5.  John Whyte 23.05  19.55  42.6
6.  John Macdonald 23.4  18.8  42.2
7.  Bob Izumi 21.2  20.5  41.7
8.  Jamie Janzen 18.8  21.7  40.5
9.  Barry Graves  20.55  19.9  40.45
10.  Rob Laframboise  19.75  20.3  40.05

Big Bass (tied)
Cory Johnston and John Whyte with 5.65lb. smallmouth

Co-Anglers
place/angler/2 day total (pounds)


1) Steve Stinson 49.10
2) Kevin Ormerod 45.30
3) Darren Izumi 43.40
4) Kari Neumayer 41.10
5) Paul Legacy 40.90 

2012 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2 Detroit River Day 1: Co-Angler Report

Got a quick up-date from Don Sangster. He is fishing as a co-angler in the  Bass Pro Shop Open #2 on the Detroit River. 


I'll summarize how the day went for him and his pro-angler Cliff Blackford from Michigan. Overall, it rained like hell. Brutal weather as Don put it. Rained the entire day with a strong Easterly. Don commented that the only area that didn't get wet was the insides of his eyelids.


Unfortunately, Don's weight was 8.03 pounds for 3 bass. Those fish put him in 128th place. The co-anglers have a 3 fish limit and the pro-anglers have 5. Don lost two big ones that killed his day. Cliff was on really good size bass in practice but they didn't materialize. Cliff's best 5 went for 15-02 and that has him sitting in 106 place. They spent the day fished the river in 23 to 33 feet of water. Cliff stuck with tubes for most of the day while Don had his luck with a Carolina rig. He also experimented with tubes and drop shotting. Both caught lots of bass but not the right ones. The good thing is one big bass can have you leaping up the leader board.  

Don's Day 2 partner is John Leader. His catch has 18 pound plus, so Don is optimistic of a great days.


Good luck to him and we'll have another report from him tomorrow. 

2012 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2 Detroit River Day 1: Co-Angler Report

Got a quick up-date from Don Sangster. He is fishing as a co-angler in the  Bass Pro Shop Open #2 on the Detroit River. 


I'll summarize how the day went for him and his pro-angler Cliff Blackford from Michigan. Overall, it rained like hell. Brutal weather as Don put it. Rained the entire day with a strong Easterly. Don commented that the only area that didn't get wet was the insides of his eyelids.


Unfortunately, Don's weight was 8.03 pounds for 3 bass. Those fish put him in 128th place. The co-anglers have a 3 fish limit and the pro-anglers have 5. Don lost two big ones that killed his day. Cliff was on really good size bass in practice but they didn't materialize. Cliff's best 5 went for 15-02 and that has him sitting in 106 place. They spent the day fished the river in 23 to 33 feet of water. Cliff stuck with tubes for most of the day while Don had his luck with a Carolina rig. He also experimented with tubes and drop shotting. Both caught lots of bass but not the right ones. The good thing is one big bass can have you leaping up the leader board.  

Don's Day 2 partner is John Leader. His catch has 18 pound plus, so Don is optimistic of a great days.


Good luck to him and we'll have another report from him tomorrow. 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Canadian Open of Fishing Day 1: John MacDonald Leads with 23.40!


Day 1 Top Ten
1) John MacDonald 23.40
2) Chris Johnston 23.10
3) John Whyte 23.05
4) Derek Strub 22.50
5) Josh Myers 21.25
6) Bob Izumi 21.20
7) Dave Rochette 21.15
8) Steve Voros 20.95
9) Tom Tarasoff 20.90
10) Mike Desforges 20.75


Big fish 
(Tied) John Whyte and Paul Legacy with 6.3 lb big fish

2012 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2 Detroit River Day 1: Rain and Giant Bags!


Big bags of Smallmouth rained down at
the weight in.
(Photo: BASS)
DETROIT – The most useful piece of fishing equipment for the anglers fishing the first day of this week’s Bassmaster Northern Open on Michigan’s Lake St. Clair wasn’t a particular rod or reel. It wasn’t a super-secret lure. Nor was it a high-tech GPS unit. 
All of those items came into play, but by far the most critical item was a good rainsuit. At times, the rain ranged from strong to very strong, and it didn’t stop altogether until the weigh-in started.
Many of the locals claimed that the precipitation and cloud cover would hurt the bite, but the evidence seemed to contradict that belief. If a rainsuit was the most important possession one could bring to the event, a good culling system was a close second.

2012 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2 Detroit River Day 1: Massive Bags Showcased!

Day 1 Standing. 
It took over 20 pounds to enter the Top 12. 
Fifteen pound even is only good for 108th place!


place/angler/limit (5) weight/ Day 1 weight
1 Brian Metry 5 23- 5 5 23- 5
2 Jason Christie 5 23- 0 5 23- 0
3 Ryan Cooper 5 22- 6 5 22- 6
4 Al Farace 5 22- 3 5 22- 3
5 Michael Trombly 5 21-14 5 21-14
5 Brian Ward 5 21-14 5 21-14
7 Ben Parker 5 21-12 5 21-12
8 Jonathon VanDam 5 21-10 5 21-10
9 David Walker 5 20-11 5 20-11
10 Robert Cook 5 20- 9 5 20- 9
11 Scott Dobson 5 20- 8 5 20- 8
12 Troy Sitar 5 20- 7 5 20- 7

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Frog Time in Japan


I had to stop off at one of the many tackle stores in the neighbourhood. A quick chat with the head bass sales guys told a clear story. Hollow body frogs are tops. Dotted with a network of ponds, reservoirs and rivers, the region around my in-laws has an abundance of shallow, weedy bass spots. 

When I questioned the gaping hole in the lure display, the sales rep laughed, “That’s where our top selling frogs are pegged.” “So, what is the top bait?” I quickly asked.  Surprisingly, it is Daiwa’s D-frog. I didn’t even know Daiwa makes a frog. He pointed to the laminated lure chart, which displayed the array of frog patterns. "Oh, I see!" I replied as the sales guy smiled.

Yeah they do make a frog and it must be special. The store has a huge selection of familiar frog lures from similar brands such as: Spro, LiveTarget and Snag proof plus numerous Japanese made versions from Deps, Evergreen, Jackall, OSP , etc.

Well, I have a new quest. Find one of these D-Frogs and see first hand what the excitement is all about. You might have better luck finding one than I do. Once a shipment comes, D-Frogs only last a few hours before their gone again.

Click on the word D-Frog to see a link.  It has the same frog chart and a short clip of the D-Frog in action



Monday, July 16, 2012

IBASSIN: What's up for July?

What a wild week. ICAST certainly grabs a lot of interest. Thanks for all the hits. The Power Pole Drift Paddle, Minn Kota and LiveTarget plus a host of new releases kept me busy. I didn't make it to ICAST this year. I was on a plane bound for Japan. That's right, IBASSIN is in Japan and will report on the action from over here.

July already has a trip to Lake Biwa with super pro and guide Jun Shoji. He and I will spend a few days fishing and trying to catch the next world record. (Biwa is where the world record largemouth bass was caught)  I don't think we have a chance but we do have a shot of bass over 10 lbs. That would be super cool.

Don't fret, Ontario regional tournaments will still be a main point here. I have my friends busy fishing and hopefully winning. Don Sangster, friend and outdoor writer, is a co-angler for the BASS Open on St. Clair. Last time, he posted a 20th place finish after a very poor day 3. I wish I had a blog about that because there was some great gossip about that tournament. He'll check in with me with the full report. Good luck Don!

While in Japan, I will be invading any tackle store I can trick my wife into visiting. I have a few posts ready to go from my first tackle store adventure. Wow, they have so many super-high quality reels and rods. Open up a master catalogue and they have almost all of them. The saltwater spinning reels are totally awesome to browse.

I could go on and on and I will but not in this post. You'll have to come back later.
Also, please have a look at the survey. It will help focus my blogs to what you find interesting.


 

Friday, July 13, 2012

ICAST 2012 : MINN KOTA NEW ENDURA MAX

Stay Out on the Water Up to Five Times Longer
With Minn Kota®’s New Endura™ Max


RACINE, Wis. (July 2012) – Minn Kota® introduces its new Endura™ Max transom-mount trolling motors, featuring Digital Maximizer™ technology, which allows the motor to run up to five times longer on a single battery charge. That means more time on the water for the angler.

Endura Max also includes variable speed control for more precise and smooth speed adjustments and improved boat control. In addition, Endura Max includes an integrated push-to-test battery meter.

ICAST 2012: New Frogster Video



New at ICAST 2012 from Centro is the Frogster. This is a new and unique twist on frog fishing. Not hollow bodied, this frog as a hidden hook that becomes exposed on the hook set. Check it out. It really is a neat idea.

ICAST 2012: Mustang Survival New PFDs

Mustang Survival Launches New Products at ICAST 2012
  Mustang Survival will launch its new 2013 recreation product line at this year’s ICAST show. The 2013 product line up will include a brand new inflatable PFD made with Membrane Inflatable Technology™ (M.I.T.) and the waterproof and breathable Catalyst Flotation Pant. To celebrate the launch of these new products, Mustang Survival will be hosting its annual VIP reception for its key industry contacts at the show.

ICAST 2012: Rapala's new B


Rugged Splendor
With The Tooth-Shattering BX™ Series From Rapala®
MINNETONKA, Minn. (July 6, 2012) — In the game of firsts, no lure manufacturer sets the bar quite like Rapala®, and the new BX™ Series featuring the first-of-its-kind BX Swimmer and BX Minnow is no exception.
Staying true to its roots, the heart of the Rapala BX Series boasts a balsa core that is embodied in a durable copolymer shell for unmatched toughness and incredible finishes, creating a truly masterful series.
“The BX Series is the liveliest, yet toughest balsa-constructed bait ever produced,” said Mike “Ike” Iaconelli, Rapala pro angler. “By wrapping these balsa baits in a copolymer shell, it allows anglers to tangle with the strongest jaws in both fresh and saltwater applications without comprise, all while producing incredible action and displaying eye-popping finishes.”
The BX Swimmer features an articulated body that harnesses a durable pivot system, producing a slow-sinking bait with methodical swimming action that entices strike after strike. The BX Minnow is a sleek minnow-shaped bait with flat sides that flaunts a strong flash on the roll as it slices and twitches through the water.
Both baits feature internal X-Foil, along with molded 3D heads, gills and scales that meld together to form lifelike finishes unlike anything seen on balsa lures.
Cast or trolled between 4-to-6 feet, the BX Swimmer locks hold of its predator with two size 03 Black Nickel VMC® Treble Hooks, and at 4-¾ inches long and weighing ¾ ounce, this cage fighter is ready for battle.
Measuring 4 inches long, the BX Minnow weighs 3/8 ounce, and with two size 04 Black Nickel VMC Treble Hooks, it is ready to tango with the largest of species.
“Designed with the clear intention that it would embody the traditional attributes Rapala balsa baits are known for, with the heavy-duty toughness that fighting large-tooth fish demand, the BX Series of baits is making a hard splash with fresh and saltwater anglers alike,” said Iaconelli.
For both the BX Swimmer and BX Minnow, anglers can choose from 10 color patterns including Blue Back Herring, Blue Pearl, Firetiger, Gold Shiner, Perch, Purpledescent, Rainbow Trout, Silver, Smelt and Yellow Perch.
Get ready for a gnarly good time.

ICAST 2012: Normark's Range of Great Stuff



  
 Rapala Defines ‘Innovation’ at ICAST 
 
Ground-breaking. Inventive. Revolutionary. Avant-garde. These are declarations manufacturers of fishing equipment all hope describe their newest products. Many attach them to their goods. Few, however, are truly landmark creations.
The doors swung open at ICAST-the fishing industry’s largest showcasing of new products for the upcoming year. Within the immense Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, Rapala once again defined the term “innovation” as it relates to the fishing tackle trade.
Several Rapala brand products were showcased during the three-day event, all ranking supreme in quality and improvement and will be available to anglers soon:
Rapala BX Minnow
Combining the unmatched responsiveness of balsa with rugged durability of plastic, the new Rapala Balsa Xtreme Minnow opens a new era in fishing lures.
Rapala BX Minnow
VMC Wide Gap
A bass angling staple, the VMC Wide Gap hook has a traditional design with new and improved features. Resin closed eyes to ensure even the thinnest braided line will not slip through and an offset behind the eye making it ideal for larger softbaits. Pair that with the VMC signature three-degree “tweak” points and anglers have wide-gap hooks that provide hassle-free and instant hook sets each and every time.
VMC Wide Gap
Sufix 832 Advanced Lead Core
Sufix, the trendsetter in fishing line, continues to set the market on fire with the introduction of Sufix 832 Advanced Lead Core, the first lead core line to combine both Dyneema and GORE performance fibers.
Sufix 832 Advanced Lead Core
MarCum LX-9
Imbued with MarCum’s full menu of famed patented sonar features, LX-9 is the culmination of a decade of intelligent sonar engineering. An 8-inch flat panel color LCD (with RCA video out) plays live video, multiple user-defined sonar displays…or both simultaneously - the readouts actually merge into a single, easily viewable image. Industry exclusive Sonar Footprint™ Technology displays area of bottom coverage at any depth. A customizable “Dashboard” reveals digital depth, battery voltage, range, sensitivity, interference rejection (IR), as well as on-screen displays of water temp, camera depth, and relative camera direction. Sonar is also temperature capable when used with an optional High-Speed Transducer.
MarCum LX-9

ICAST 2012: Best of the Best




ICAST 2012 Overall Best of Show – Hobie Cat, Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12

Best of Show – Apparel – Columbia Sportswear, Airgill Chill Zero Long Sleeve Shirt

Best of Show – Boat - Hobie Cat, Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12

Best of Show - Boating Accessory – JL Marine Systems, Inc. – Power-Pole Drift Paddle 

Best of Show – Combo – Pure Fishing, Inc., Penn Battle Combo

Best of Show – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors, Humminbird 360 Imaging

Best of Show - Eyewear – Costa, Costa 580 P Sunsrise Lenses

Thursday, July 12, 2012

ICAST 2012: New Shimano Reel.

The brand new Calcutta D is out. Learn from Dave Mercer and Mark Zona about its features.

ICAST 2012: Minn Kota New Chargers

Minn Kota®’s New Precision On-Board Battery Chargers
Deliver Fastest Charge and Ultimate Battery Protection


RACINE, Wis. (July 2012) – Anglers can get out on the water sooner and stay there longer with Minn Kota®’s new Precision On-Board Battery Chargers. Offered in one-, two-, three- and four-bank models, with 15 amp True Rated output per bank, the Precision Chargers deliver the fastest charge on the water.

“Simply put, our Precision Chargers provide anglers with exactly what they want the most, the fastest charge time and ultimate battery protection,” Minn Kota Marketing Director Joe Brown said. “Precision Charger technology optimizes charging, providing longer run times and extending the life of your batteries.”