MUSTAD ® EXPANDS RANGE OF KVD ELITE TRIPLE GRIP ® TREBLE HOOKS

 The KVD family of Treble Hooks is growing! 


When KVD designs a treble hook you know it's worth taking a second look.   The first KVD model ( TG76NP-BN) had a short shank and extra strong wire, which allowed anglers to upsize their crankbait hooks without having them tangle with one another.   The extra strong wire also offered better hook-setting power and more muscle for powering fish away from heavy cover. 

Now Mustad has added two new versions of UltraPoint® KVD Elite Triple Grip® Treble to meet angler needs for a broader range of applications.   

The TG58NP-BN   Features standard wire diameter and standard shank length.   The longer shank length increases the distance between the hook points and the lure body, raising hook-up percentages. A great option when hooks are spaced far enough apart to prevent tangling. 

The TG78NP-BN also features the new longer shank length, but in 1X strong, like the Original KVD Triple Grip. 

Mustad has also added extra strong round bend hooks to their line-up as well. 

Of course, all Ultrapoint hooks include 4.3 Micro Sharp Point Technology know for it's balance between sharpness and durability. 
  

Ranger Boat Website

RANGER BOATS UNVEILS REDESIGNED WEBSITE EXPERIENCE

Enhanced website offers easier navigation, increased product detail

FLIPPIN, ARK. (August 8, 2012) New boat buyers and fans of the legendary boat brand will find a new-look homepage, easier navigation, enhanced product descriptions and other information as part of the redesigned RangerBoats.com. 

2013 FLW Schedule - No Opens for Next Year!

The 2013 Forrest Wood Cup heads to Red River

28.Aug.2012

FLW Press Release

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – FLW, the world’s premier tournament fishing organization, has announced the 2013 Walmart FLW Tour schedule. The 2013 season will be comprised of six tournaments featuring up to 160 of the best bass anglers in the world. The Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing, will be held on the Red River in the Shreveport-Bossier City area of Louisiana.

2012 BASS MASTER Classic Qualifiers

BASS Press Release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Thirty-one Bassmaster Elite Series pros were winners on Sunday, even though their victories didn’t involve trophies or titles.

What they received were coveted qualifications for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 22-24 on Grand Lake out of Tulsa, Okla. The Top 28 in the 2012 Elite points standings were officially awarded the berths at the Aug. 26 close of the regular season, the Ramada Championship on Oneida Lake.

2012 Top Bass Seymour: Agouros and Fernandes Win

Pos	Weight	Team	Fish	BF	Captain Last	Captain First	Partner Last	Partner First
1	19.28	2	5	4.54	AGOUROS	SPIRO	FERNANDES	TIM
2	18.39	38	5	5.13	CHAPMAN	GLENN	HUGHES	JERRY
3	16.53	47	5	0	GRAY	MIKE	HUNTER	MARK
4	16.13	1	5	0	DEAN	JARROD	COCKS	GERARD
5	15.61	42	5	0	LAZENKA	KEVIN	JOHNSON	ROD
6	15.42	21	5	4.21	LANZINGER	RON	DAY	ANDREW
7	15.25	3	5	0	MACNEIL	MICHAEL	ANDERSON	PAUL
8	15.07	61	5	0	MCINTYRE	MATT	IRONS	JEREMY
9	14.97	53	5	0	GUINDON	TRAVIS	CARR	CHRIS
10	14.94	62	5	0	WILLIAMS	MIKE	IRONS	KARL

Boyd Duckett Wins Bass Elite on Oneida!

By Deb Johnson

Aug 26, 2012

BASS Press Release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Boyd Duckett used to count on his red shoes as his talisman. Now it seems his two-week-old son is bringing him all the luck he needs.
In pro fishing, it’s half-jokingly called “the baby pattern” because pros with new kids have proved to suddenly be more motivated. And that was true for Duckett when he came from behind Sunday to win the Ramada Championship on Oneida Lake by 6 ounces, snapping up a win that Day Two and Day Three leader Randy Howell had hoped might be his.
But Duckett was driven by something else, too. The 2007 Bassmaster Classic champ was determined to qualify for the 2013 Classic, and he knew he’d likely have to do it via the win-you’re-in rule. Sitting 53rd in points going into Oneida, he knew that the only way left for that to happen was the Aug. 23-26 Oneida Lake event.

Larry Nixon Wins the 2012 Walmart FLW Tour Open on St. Clair

26.Aug.2012 by Brett Carlson
FLW Press Release
WOODHAVEN, Mich. – With his spot in bass fishing history already secure, it would be easy for Larry Nixon to coast for a few years before riding off into retirement. But Nixon simply isn’t wired that way; the competitive fire still burns. This week at the Walmart FLW Tour Open on Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, Nixon clinched his fourth FLW Tour win and his second on Lake St. Clair – a week before his 62nd birthday no less.
After a poor practice, Nixon was apprehensive about his chances to even cash a check. He’d go hours without a bite, but every time he’d return to one particular area, he’d get bit and then immediately leave. What Nixon didn’t know was that this 1/4-mile stretch of St. Clair, located on the south end near the Belle River, was absolutely loaded with giant smallmouths.

2012 Walmart FLW Tour Open Lake Erie Day 3: Legendary Nixon Takes Lead Win Big Sack

25.Aug.2012 by Brett Carlson
FLW Press Release
WOODHAVEN, Mich. – Bucking the normal trend of diminishing weights, Larry Nixon has improved his catch each day of the Walmart FLW Tour Open. After sitting in relative obscurity on day one with 17 pounds, Nixon rallied on day two with nearly 23 pounds. Today he upped the ante to 23 pounds, 11 ounces and is one day away from his second tour title on Lake St. Clair.

Larry is trying to capture his 3rd national tournament
on St. Clair. Can he do it fishing amongst several other
top 10 anglers?
(Photos: FLW)

After a relatively poor practice, Nixon was pleasantly surprised to learn his one area that had potentially was actually loaded with giant smallmouths. This spot, a 1-square-mile stretch of water, is essentially a flat with a clean, hard bottom that has scattered rock and grass. It also possesses a considerable amount of baitfish – namely perch and emerald shiners. The area is so big crowding is not an issue, but each of the top three pros are fishing it, as well as ninth-place Shinichi Fukae and 10th-place Chris McCall.
“In practice I really thought I stunk,” said Nixon. “But you never know what you have until you fish it hard. Today was one of those great days. I got on my best waypoint and they were just loaded there. I caught them and caught them, and I was getting concerned because they were mostly 2- to 2 1/2-pounders. Finally I caught one real big one, and another that was pretty big. It really wasn’t as good as yesterday to be honest.”
Nixon has fittingly named this spot “awesome” on his GPS and said it produces best right away in the morning. In fact, the General said he had close to 20 pounds by 8 a.m. By the end of the day, he had caught roughly 25 keepers.

2012 Bass Elite Oneida Lake Day 3: Howell Still Leads and Chapman Wins AOY

By Deb Johnson

Aug 25, 2012
BASS Press Release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Randy Howell was all smiles Saturday afternoon. He took the lead in the Ramada Championship for the second day in a row. Minutes later, his close friend and angling cohort Brent Chapman won the 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year award.
But as far as Howell’s day on the water went, he was shaking his head.

Weather changes killed Randy's pattern but he adjusted
enough to keep the lead.
(Photos: BASS)

“It was a crazy day, I’ll tell you,” said Howell. “It was 11:30 and I didn’t have but one fish. I actually caught that one at 11. By 11:30, I knew my fish just weren’t going to bite there today.”
But the Springfield, Ala., pro adjusted. He brought 15 pounds, 10 ounces to the scales to stay in command in the 2012 season finale of the Bassmaster Elite Series. Howell’s three-day total of 47-12 kept him in front of Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., whose 14-0 of Saturday landed him in second place — again — with 45-6.
Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., had 45-3, 2-9 behind the leader, to stay in third place. But that was the end of the replay of the top three from Friday. Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Fla., moved into fourth, up from eighth, with 44-8. Jason Quinn of Lake Wylie, S.C., popped up from 10th into fifth place with 44-4.
They lead the Top 12 who will compete Sunday for the Ramada Championship trophy, $100,000 and an instant qualification for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.

Brent Chapman is 2012 Bassmaster Angler of the Year

By Deb Johnson

Aug 25, 2012

Bass press release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Maybe Brent Chapman will let up now. The man many regard as the most focused, single-minded angler of the 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series has accomplished exactly what he set out to do at the beginning of the season.
Saturday, Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kan., was crowned 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, one of the sport’s prestigious achievements. The title comes with a $100,000 prize.

What a year! He wins an Open, then an Elite
and finishes with AOY!
(Photos: BASS)

“This is what we all strive for,” Chapman said as he accepted the trophy in front of a crowd at The Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, where the Bassmaster Elite Series is holding its final two weigh-ins of the regular season.
“I feel like a huge weight has been taken off my back,” Chapman said. “To achieve a lifetime goal — well, I’ve never done that before. It’s probably going to take several days before it sinks in. It’s truly unbelievable.”
The newly crowned Angler of the Year triumphed in the most hotly-contested race in many years. He took the lead in points after the third event. One of his closest friends and traveling buddy, Randy Howell, was one of his strongest threats. Howell even took the lead from Chapman at one point (but they remain friends to this day). Todd Faircloth, and after him, Ott DeFoe, stepped up and turned up the heat.
Coming into the final event on Oneida Lake, Chapman was 13 points ahead of DeFoe, and 20 points in front of Faircloth. Others, such as Terry Scroggins, could have made a run on Chapman by shining at Oneida and walking through a door Chapman opened if he had made mistakes.
It would have taken both that open door and a stellar performance at the New York event to catch Chapman. He remained focused, he worked on his tackle until the wee hours each day, and he slept when he could. He was always forthright about the state of his nerves — up, then settled, then keyed high, then easier again. Even under the extra pressure, he remained gracious — and all along was a contender for the Ramada Championship title.

2012 Bass Elite Oneida Lake Day 2: Howell Leads and Chapman Controls AOY

By Deb Johnson

AUG 24, 2012

BASS Press Release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — As he squeezed out a 12-ounce lead Friday in the Bassmaster Elite Series’ season finale, Randy Howell was feeling a whole lot more love for Oneida Lake.

Randy is power fishing for smallmouths.
(Photos: BASS)

Oneida was the scene of his precipitous fall from a first-day lead in 2009, and the setting of a win just out of reach in 2011. And those weren’t the only times he’s driven away from the upstate New York lake feeling frustrated.

But now, the Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Springfield, Ala., says he’s got something key figured out about Oneida Lake’s big smallmouth and largemouth populations.

“I love this lake. I have 100 waypoints on this lake from fishing it, and there’s fish on a lot of them,” he said.

Howell brought 16 pounds, 6 ounces to the scales Friday for a two-day total of 32 pounds, 2 ounces and the lead in the Ramada Championship. He stayed 12 ounces in front of Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., who sacked the day’s biggest bag — a 17-11 — to jump from 27th place from Day 1.

Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., pulled up from eighth place into third by producing consistently over two days: 15-7 Thursday followed by 15-9 Friday. Fourth by Friday was Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., with 30-14. Day 1 leader Michael Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J., unable to come close to his huge first-day catch of over 20 pounds, slipped to fifth place with a two-day tally of 30-9.

The field was cut to 49 for Saturday’s competition. By Sunday, only the Top 12 will compete for the event’s $100,000 first-place prize and an entry in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.

This flat is full of bait and smallies. 

Howell has virtually earned enough points for a Classic berth already, but he’s shooting for a win. Not to mention the satisfaction of conquering a lake that’s gotten the better of him in the past.

“It’s exciting to catch them better the second day,” Howell said. “I’ve had some tumbles on the second day.”

2012 Walmart FLW Tour Open Lake Erie Day 2: McDonald Take Control with St. Clair Bass

McDonald sacks 25-pound limit on day two of FLW Tour Open

24.Aug.2012 by Brett Carlson
FLW press release

TRENTON, Mich. – Lake Erie stole the spotlight on day one of the Walmart FLW Tour Open as the top three pros all opted for the big lake. Day two was a different story as one particular area of Lake St. Clair delivered three giant stringers – the heaviest belonging to Indiana pro Bill McDonald.
Each of the last two days McDonald has started with just one rod on his deck – a drop-shot rig. What he’s doing isn’t anything special – just dragging around plastics in 14 to 16 feet of water. But the area he’s fishing is more than special.

Bill is on them! He got biggest today on the first cast.
(Photos: FLW)

“I just had a phenomenal day,” said McDonald. “The biggest fish in my bag I caught on my very first cast.”
That 5-pound, 10-ounce smallmouth anchored McDonald’s 25-pound, 2-ounce limit and tied as the heaviest bass of the day in the Pro Division.
McDonald said he basically fished one spot and was done at 10:30 this morning, but stuck around to halfway guard the area, which is essentially a flat with scattered rock and grass.
“I would say it’s a 200-yard stretch of water that I’m just drifting through and hitting different waypoints. I’m sharing the area with Larry Nixon but it’s not like we’re bow to bow or anything. Today there were lots minnows and perch in the area and I think that’s helping.”
McDonald has been executing almost flawlessly despite the sheer strength of these giant smallmouths. To date, he’s lost just one fish.

2012 Walmart FLW Tour Open Lake Erie Day 1: LE Leads as Big Bags Abound

Arizona pro sacks 22-14 to lead FLW Tour Open

23.Aug.2012 by Brett Carlson

TRENTON, Mich. – As expected, over two thirds of the field at the Walmart FLW Tour Open pointed their boats north Thursday morning towards Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River. But the few that ventured south to Lake Erie found exactly what they were looking for – giant smallmouths in the 6-pound class. In fact, each of the top three pros opted for Erie instead of St. Clair.

Le lands big smallies to take lead in very close day 1.
(Photos: FLW outdoors)

While the bites on Erie weren’t as numerous, the average size was impressive. Leading the pack is veteran pro Thanh Le, who caught the biggest smallmouth of his life today. His 6-11 brute was also the heaviest bass of the day and it anchored his 22-pound, 14-ounce limit.

Le went to his first spot, which was his best spot in practice, and was disappointed to only find catfish and drum. His fortune changed at spot No. 2 as the 6-11 bit. He moved again, caught two or three more and steadily climbed until he had a limit in the Ranger at 11:30 a.m.

“I went to Erie because I hate grass fishing; I prefer targeting rocks and structure,” said Le. “On Erie, they’re either there or they’re not.”

Le said he visited seven places and essentially hit all the productive water he has. Most of these areas have water 20 to 30 feet deep.

“I’m fishing tubes and drop-shots, barely dragging it along the bottom. I am not getting a lot of bites, but the ones I'm getting are big.”

2012 Bass Elite Oneida Lake Day 1: Ike Take Lead with 20lbs.

By Deb Johnson

AUG 23, 2012

BASS PRESS RELEASE

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — If Michael Iaconelli didn’t believe in magic before the Ramada Championship began, he sure sounded as if he did when the day was done.

“Magic” was the word he used over and over as he described his day of building a 20-pound, 3-ounce weight Thursday to put him in the lead at the Bassmaster Elite Series season finale on Oneida Lake.

Ike Loves New York!
(Photo: Seigo Saito BASS)

“It was one of those magic days, when everything fell into place,” Iaconelli said on stage as he weighed the day’s largest bass, a 5-5 largemouth. 

Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J., stacked up a decent lead.  He was 3 pounds, 7 ounces, ahead of Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kan., in second place with 16-12. Iaconelli had 5 pounds on the pro in 12th place.

Chapman — the top contender for the 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year crown to be determined at Oneida — inched ahead of J Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Ga., with 16-6. Tied for fourth at 15-15 were Clark Reehm of Shreveport, La., and David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn. Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., was sixth with 15-12.

The HAUL part 2 (Cool lures from Japan)

Here is more of what I bought. I cannot show some of the baits because many are presents. I don't want to reveal them just yet.

D- Frog! Got one. These are the hottest frog out there. I got the last one.
My wife asked, "why only one?" What happens if it works well?  You'll only have one.
(Didn't think of that, plus it was the only one left) 

Senko hooks. Love those weedless Wacky hooks. I make my own
but these are more professional. Left is Diawa right is Zappu.
(Sorry the flash killed the shot)

FOR THE REST OF THE PHOTOS. PLEASE VISIT IBASSIN.COM ON FACEBOOK. Like it if you wish.

2012 CSFL LAKE COUCHICHING: Torlee and Conroy Win.

Here is the results from the Lake Couchiching only tournament. This is the last of the NorthWest Tour.

2012 CSFL Lake Scugog Tournament Results: Donaldson and Donaldson Win.

Lake Scugog is a difficult place to fish in August. The fishing pressure is intense. Plus, the water levels can be down and weed growth chokingly high. On this shallow fishery, some of the best places in July are just too shallow or dense to fish. 

Here is the results from the combined BM100 and Central Tour.

2012 BASS Northern Open Cayuga: Gluszek Swept Tournament

By Ken Duke

BASS Press release

AUG 18, 2012

Seneca Falls, N.Y. — New Jersey’s Pete Gluszek hasn’t fished a Bassmaster Classic since 1999, but he’ll be back in 2013 after winning the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open on New York’s Cayuga Lake. Gluszek went wire-to-wire at the event, posted the best catches in the field on each of the first two days and a finishing with a three day total of 56 pounds, 1 ounce. It was good enough to outdistance second-place finisher Stephen Browning of Arkansas by 4-12.

Victory!
(Photos: James Overstreet BASS)

Gluszek fished two patterns to catch his bass — starting deep and finishing shallow, contrary to conventional bass fishing wisdom.

“Early in the morning I was flipping and pitching milfoil in 10 to 16 feet of water,” Gluszek said. “I was using a black 5-inch Yamamoto Senko behind a 1/2-ounce Round Valley tungsten sinker. Later in the day, as the sun came up, lots of bass were moving shallower and I caught them by skipping a weightless black Senko underneath boat docks.”

Gluszek focused his attentions on a 15-mile stretch of water in the central part of Cayuga Lake. He made the switch from his deep pattern to his shallow water pattern at about 11:00 each morning.

For the win, Gluszek earned $4,800 in cash and a Triton/Mercury boat and motor package worth more than $45,000, but the automatic berth in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake has him excited, too. He last fished the championship in 1999 when he finished 31st on the Louisiana Delta.

EverStart Northern 1000 Islands: Lucarelli Wins, Izumi 2nd.

New Hampshire pro finds sweet redemption in EverStart Northern event

18.Aug.2012 by David A. Brown

FLW Press Release

CLAYTON, N.Y. – About this time last year, New Hampshire pro told the weigh-in crowd that he wanted to go home and forget about the 1000 Islands. Good thing he didn't really let the bitter pill of a 75th-place finish obscure his memory; otherwise, he wouldn't have left the 2012 EverStart Northern event with the first-place trophy.

Joe, with tournament angler dad Steve, enjoy the win.
(Photos: FLW) 

Lucarelli got off to a good start on day one by placing 13th with 19-6. He'd follow a day later with his first of two bags over 20 – this one a limit that weighed 21-15 and moved him up to third place. In the final round, Lucarelli turned in his best performance and weighed a bulging bag of smallmouth that went 22-8 (second-largest of the event) and pushed his aggregate to a tournament-winning total of 63-13.

"It feels great to win this (after my 2011 disappointment)," Lucarelli said. "This fishery keeps getting better and better. I've been coming here for about 10 years and I remember when we used to be able to come here and catch 17-18 pounds and it really meant something. You wouldn't be (in the top-10) if you caught 17 or 18 pounds."

2012 Northern Open Cayuga Day 2: Gluszek Grabs Day 2 Lead

By Ken Duke

Bass Press Release

AUG 17, 2012

Seneca Falls, N.Y. — Conditions on New York’s Cayuga Lake were different today — overcast and cooler than yesterday — but not different enough to shake the first round leader in the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open. For the second straight day, New Jersey’s Pete Gluszek, a two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, brought in the heaviest catch of the round. His Day 2 limit weighing 20 pounds, 14 ounces gives him a 4-7 lead over Brian Bylotas (35-11) of Pennsylvania. Arkansas Elite Series pro Stephen Browning is third with 35-7.

Pete game plan is working overtime.
(Photos: James Overstreet BASS)

“Everything changed today for me,” Gluszek said. “I had to change up the depths I was fishing and used completely different methods today. The areas that were red hot yesterday were cold today.”

EverStart Northern 1000 Islands Day 2: Canadian Strub Takes Lead

Stois moves atop co-angler field in EverStart Northern event

17.Aug.2012 by David A. Brown

(FLW Press Release)

CLAYTON, N.Y. – Holy mother of pearl! Actually, that's probably the mildest of exclamations uttered by EverStart Northern Division anglers who ventured to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River and witnessed what an approaching cold front does to Lake Ontario. Reports from wave-weary anglers told of 7-footers at takeoff and you just know it didn't get any better all day.

Big smile from Derek Strub when he shows off
these two brutes!
(Photos: FLW) 

Now, for land bound visitors to upstate New York's 1000 Islands region, this weather change will make for a lovely weekend of cool, clear pre-fall pleasantness. But of course, bass boats do not operate well on terra firma, so the options were – the lake or the river. Everyone knows there's a whole lot more bass in the lake, but there's also a lot of wide open water that gets awfully angry when blown upon by strong winds. On the other hand, the river – while certainly not immune to windy conditions – offers more protected areas while all those islands break the blow and offer some relief.

Yesterday, more anglers fished Lake Ontario and the big water did not disappoint. Today, fewer boats ventured past the mouth of the river, so it's not surprising that the weigh-ins saw more largemouth, which also exist in the lake but are more common in the river. Overall, smallmouth again dominated the weigh-ins and that's no surprise.

EverStart Northern 1000 Islands Day 1: Big bags and Canadians Fair Well.

16.Aug.2012 by David A. Brown
(FLW Press Release)

CLAYTON, N.Y. – It's known for big smallmouth – lots of them – and the 1000 Islands region did not disappoint in the opening round of EverStart Northern Division action.

Also interesting is the tight spread atop the leaderboard. Two pounds, 7 ounces separates first from tenth and there's only a pound difference between the No. 1 and No. 5 positions. Drilling deeper, we find a single ounce separating second from third, as well as third from fourth.

Hartman takes lead in smallmouth fest.
(Photos: FLW)

Today's strong showing was no surprise, given the clear, calm conditions that allowed anglers to run wherever they desired on a relatively calm Lake Ontario. Now, that won't be the case when tomorrow's forecasted winds of 15-20 mph deliver the bill for today's little piscatorial shindig. Needless to say, those who got 'em today are happy they did. The fish are going to bite tomorrow too, but getting to one's spots and holding on said locations will likely prove challenging.

Jamie Hartman, of Newport, N.Y. leads the show with 22-7. He spent his day in the St. Lawrence River and actually found today's calmness to be somewhat of a liability. He fished a dropshot and used a creeping presentation to get the job done.

"I kept the cadence really, really slow because they were very picky today," he said. "I think it was just the slick weather. I was fishing really slick water and there was high, bright sun. They would eat, but you just had to figure them out."

2012 Northern Open Cayuga Day 1: Gluszek's 19 pounds Takes Lead.

By Ken Duke

AUG 16, 2012

(Bass Press Release)

Pete Gluszek takes lead of Cayuga.
(Photos: James Overstreet BASS)

Seneca Falls, N.Y. — Two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Pete Gluszek of Mount Laurel, N.J., is ready to make it three Classics. Gluszek leads the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open on Cayuga Lake with an opening limit of five bass weighing 19 pounds, 3 ounces. Just six ounces back is Bassmaster Elite Series pro James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas. 

The Haul! What I bought.

Some might be disappointed after reading this. It is easy to loose your mind in a big fishing store here. When on vacation, people always buy. Shoes, cloths and for me and you, fishing gear. But, you have to bring it all back. I would love to splurge on a few rods but the airplane gorillas would make kindling out of them. Also, this stuff isn't cheap. If you were starting out, you could blow a couple grand just to get a few rods and reels with gear. I was thinking of getting a new Shimano reel. At $625, it will have to wait for another trip.

When in Japan, I always try to get something I cannot get in Canada or the States. Also, I tend to fish targets and shallow water, so my eyes focus on those types of lures. I am not a big crankbait guy. Stores are full of cranks. I use to be on pro-staff ages ago with Bill Norman and recently Rapala has been good to me, so I think I have plenty. If I fished less grass then I might hit the crankbait aisles harder.

Here is a look at a small fraction of my haul.

EverGreen Shower Blows Shorty. Should be a smallmouth killer.
There was a sale on EverGreen so I got it for $12 but it is about $19.

Look at that tail!

Return Trip to Japanese Tackle Store

This is a return trip to a local Japanese tackle store. Amazing stuff. Check out all the Megabass, Evergreen, Daiwa, Deps, OSP, Jackall stuff. These stores really have a lot of top end tackle.

Top Bass Rice Lake Sunday Aug 12: Bourdeau and Demerjian Win!

Quick report:

Cleve Bourdeau and Peter Demerjian win the Sunday tournament on Rice Lake with a 5 bass limit for 20.15 pounds. The day before, the two came second with 18.54 pounds. Boy, what a weekend when you can land 10 bass for almost 40 pounds!

The pair won $3600 for their efforts. 

More results and photos coming. 

Bourdeau and Demerjian know smallmouth.
(Photos: Lures and Tours)

For more photos check out Lures and Tours's album

Direct to the album - http://www.luresandtours.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=168

 

Kenora Bass Invitiational: Wiebe and Tully Win with 52.61 pounds!

Aaron Wiebe and Peter Tully take win over Day 3 leaders Jim and Ben Gustafson. On the final day, Wiebe and Tully's bag of 18.85 was enough to capture victory with a three day total of 52.61 pounds.

Final results below.

2012 Forrest Wood Cup: Jacob Wheeler Wins!

Indianapolis angler becomes youngest pro to claim Forrest Wood Cup

12.Aug.2012 by Brett Carlson

(FLW Press Release)

Wheeler becomes yougest to win Cup.
(Photos: FLW)

DULUTH, Ga. – At 21 years of age, Jacob Wheeler is barely old enough to sip his hard-earned victory champagne. But he executed a game plan and held his composure like a seasoned veteran at the 2012 Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Lanier.

During prepactice, Wheeler used a jet boat to run up and explore the Chattahoochee River. He got the idea from fellow Rapala Pro Staffer Ott Defoe, who did it somewhat successfully back at the 2010 Cup. The first two days Wheeler confidently caught 13- and 14-pound limits. But there was one major problem. His tournament boat wouldn’t allow him to access much of that productive water. After exploring other vessel options, Wheeler decided to travel as far as his Ranger would let him. To his surprise the largemouths were still biting slightly downriver; the potential was there.