HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year from IBASSIN.com
Wish you health, happiness and great fishing in 2014!
Please don't drink and drive. 

CITRIX Rebates

Check out the all-new matte black cosmetics on the feature-packed Citrix baitcast reels. Make your best deal on a Citrix baitcast reel at retail, and then receive $20 cash back by mail.

Purchase a Citrix baitcast reel and a Citrix Tournament rod and receive $20 cash back by mail AND an Okuma factory tournament jersey valued ad $69.99. 

Legendary HMG Gets A New Look

In 1973, Fenwick came out with the first-ever graphite rod, named the HMG (for High Modulus Graphite). Now 40 years later, Fenwick is giving a fresh new look to the rod that transformed the fishing industry and has caught countless fish through the years.

The new HMG combines the time-tested technology of a high-modulus blank with more modern innovations such as its comfortable, durable Fuji 5K reel seat, its strong yet smooth titanium guides, and Fenwick’s easy-grip, soft TAC material. The HMG also sports a newly designed Carbon Bound blank that incorporates carbon thread wrapped around the rod to strengthen the high modulus material while keeping weight to a minimum.

The HMG’s most striking new feature is its completely redesigned handle. While the handle still maintains its iconic TAC grip, the TAC is highlighted with EVA foam accents that add a more modern look and comfortable feel.

The entire handle is also much slimmer than past models, not only making the all-new HMG easier and more comfortable to hold, but also contributing to the rod’s overall 10-percent reduction in weight from the previous HMG.

Fenwick’s legendary HMG is once again reborn for the 2014 season, and is available in 6 baitcast and 17 spinning models to suit the needs of any angler. The MSRP is $99.95.

Merry Christmas from IBASSIN

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!  I will be taking a small break from the web to enjoy my family and help others who have had problems with the resent ice storm. If you are living under the shadow of the recent ice storm, please be careful.

HELIOS Rebates

Tournament-ready Helios baitcast reels, spinning reels and rods become even sweeter with the addition of cash back. 

Purchase a Helios baitcast or spinning reel and receive $30 cash back by mail.  

Purchase a Helios baitcast or spinning reel along with a Helios Tournament rod and receive $30 cash back PLUS an Okuma factory tournament jersey valued at $69.99.

Top Bass Tournament Owner Fined and Banned from Tournaments

Ministry of Natural Resources $5,000 Fine and Two-Year Ban for Walleye Tournament Offences 

NEWS December 16, 2013 

An Aurora man has been fined and banned from the organization, financing, promotion and administration of walleye tournaments for a period of two years. Teodore Gallone of Aurora pleaded guilty and was fined $5,000 for failing to comply with the conditions set out in a licence to transport live fish. The court heard that the Town of Bobcaygeon retained Gallone to manage a live release walleye tournament on Sturgeon Lake on June 9 and 10, 2012. 

Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers conducted an inspection of Gallone’s live release vessel. It revealed that Gallone neither checked nor monitored the water temperature and oxygen levels in the holding tanks during the tournament. Of the 497 walleye caught over the two-day event, 72 died before release, and an unknown number died shortly after. Justice of the Peace Jason Mariasine heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Lindsay, on December 6, 2013. 

Anglers are reminded that live release boats used in competitive fishing events must be licensed to transport the catches of multiple anglers. The licence sets conditions for holding, handling and release that promote the successful live return of fish to the water. To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Snake Skins for Rods

Ran across something cool on the web. Grant Rods custom creates a series of fishing rods with funky exotic snake skins and feather weaves on the blanks. These are high end rods but if you love custom styles have a look.

Click here for their website. 

Skeet Reese's Lucky Craft SKT Crankbait goes to Don H!

The winner of the IBASSIN.com facebook contest for an autographed Skeet Reese Lucky Craft SKT Crankbait is Don H. from Branson, Missouri.

Don H. please send our FACEBOOK page a private message with your full address and we'll get it to you for Christmas.

Like us on Facebook to make sure you don't miss our next contest for some great JACKALL lures.

Win with IBASSIN on Facebook

Only  hours left until we draw one lucky winner of the new Lucky Craft SKT Magnum Crankbait autographed from Bassmaster Elite Start Skeet Reese.

Like IBASSIN on FACEBOOK to be part of the draw. Dead line Friday, December 13, 2013 at 6 pm Eastern time.

Click here to WIN!

Time to Renew

Hey Ontario, is your Outdoor Card going to expire? Mine is and it is now time to renew. 

Starting Dec. 3 you will be able to renew your card online by phone (1-800-288-1155), or at participating Service Ontario centres and licence issuers.

The Ministry of Natural Resources will not be mailing out reminders or forms this year and is encouraging all anglers and hunters to make sure their card is up to date.

Chad Morgenthaler Wins Last Bassmaster Classic Spot!

Chad Comes from Behind to Win on Okeechobee

Okeechobee, Fla. — Chad Morgenthaler of Coulterville, Ill., is the 56th and last angler to qualify for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Alabama's Lake Guntersville, Feb. 21-23. He entered the final round of the Bassmaster Classic Wild Card presented by Star Tron trailing Alabama's Shaye Baker by almost six pounds. Baker led the tournament for each of the first two days, but faltered in the finals.

Chad off to the 2014 Classic!
(Photo: James OVerstreet BASS)

That's when Morgenthaler stepped up. His five bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 12 ounces gave him 63-13 for the tournament. It was enough to surpass Baker, who slipped to third with 59-8. Jesse Tacoronte was second with 59-11 and Russ Lane was fourth with 59-2.

For the victory, Morgenthaler earns a coveted berth in the 2014 Classic, the world championship of bass fishing. It also completes a season in which he achieved every professional goal he set for himself.

"I wanted to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series, so I signed up for all the Bassmaster Opens," Morgenthaler said. "I got an invitation through my seventh place finish in the Southern Opens, and I'm really looking forward to competing in 2014."

His other goal was to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic, a tournament he's fished before. Morgenthaler also fished the championship in 2003, 2005 and 2006. While he didn't make it by winning an Open this year, the Wild Card gave him one last chance.

For his winning catch, Morgenthaler relied on flippin', pitching and punching pennywort and hyacinth mats using a 2-ounce tungsten weight and a Missile Baits D Bomb or Baby D Bomb (Bruiser Flash and Love Bug) rigged on a 5/0 Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Flippin' Hook and 66-pound-test Toray Bawo Finesse Braid. His combo was an 8-foot Carrot Stix Wild Black XXH model with a Lew's Super Duty reel.

"The key for me was that most guys were abandoning the vegetation that had been sprayed and was dying," Morgenthaler said. "I stuck with it a little longer and found out that the fish I found in practice were still there. Catching them wasn't easy, but they were there."

With the win — his first on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail — Morgenthaler bested a field of 48 other anglers including 18 Elite Series pros, a former Classic champ (Boyd Duckett) and nine-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Roland Martin.

Tacoronte was working a similar pattern and method. Known as one of Florida's best at fishing heavy vegetation, he focused on any pennywort he found on matted hydrilla.

"Even if there were just five little pennywort plants on top, I'd pitch in there and often catch a good bass," Tacoronte said. The Florida pro used a Bitter's BMG (black and blue) behind a 2-ounce tungsten weight and rigged on a 4/0 or 5/0 Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Hook. He fished it on a 7-foot, 11-inch Halo Twilight Series Casting Rod and a Lew's Super Duty reel spooled with 65-pound-test PowerPro braid.

After leading for the first two days, Baker was naturally disappointed with the loss. Like the other leaders, he was pitching and punching heavy vegetation. He believes increasing fishing pressure ultimately hurt his primary area and caused his declining catches. On the first day he posted the biggest catch of the tournament at 29-8. On Day 2 he slipped to 19-6 and in the finals he had 12-10, but a culling penalty cost him two pounds, so that his official tally was 10-10.

While the penalty did not cost Baker the tournament, it did drop him into third place.

He was contemplative in defeat, noting that the biggest issue in his life this week was doing well in the tournament, "and if that's your biggest worry, then things aren't so bad." On stage, he thanked his parents and girlfriend for traveling from Alabama to watch the final weigh-in.

2013 BASS Wild Card Lake Okeechobee Day 2: Shaye Baker Keeps Lead.

Baker Closer to Classic

By Ken Duke

DEC 6, 2013

Okeechobee, Fla. — Alabama's Shaye Baker is not just holding on at the Bassmaster Classic Wild Card presented by Star Tron, he increased his lead over the other 48 competitors. After tallying a limit weighing 29 pounds, 8 ounces on the first day, Baker was back with 19-6 on Day Two for a total of 48-14.

Baker still in the lead as day 2 weights sink.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

That's nearly six pounds better than Illinois' Chad Morgenthaler who moved up from- third place on Day Two with a cumulative weight of 43-1. Jesse Tacoronte of Florida is third with 39-15. Thursday's second place angler, Russ Lane of Alabama, fell to fourth with 39-6. They are the only anglers within 10 pounds of Baker.

For the third and final round, only the top 12 anglers will compete. Weights carry forward, and only the winner will earn a berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville in Alabama, Feb. 21-23.

2013 BASS Wild Card Lake Okeechobee Day 1: Shaye Baker Smashed Monster Bag!

Final Chance to Land Bassmaster Classic Spot Getting Narrower

By Ken Duke

DEC 5, 2013

Alabama's Shaye Baker picked a good day to catch the biggest bass and biggest five-bass limit of his life. The young pro's catch totaled 29 pounds, 8 ounces and his best largemouth weighed 9-1 to give him a 4 1/2-pound lead over fellow Alabaman and Elite pro Russ Lane at the Bassmaster Classic Wild Card presented by Star Tron.

This is what 29 pounds of Big O Bass looks like.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

The winner of the event will earn a trophy, cash and — most importantly — the 56th and final berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville, Ala., Feb. 21-23.

In an informal poll of competitors at tournament registration on Wednesday, Baker guessed that the eventual winner would have more than 72 pounds over three days. It was one of the heaviest predictions, and today it became obvious why he was so optimistic.

"I knew I was around some good fish," Baker said, "and I tried hard not to catch them during practice." His 9-1 lunker stands as the Carhartt Big Bass of the tournament so far.

Win a New Lucky Craft SKT Magnums Autographed by Skeet Reese

Like IBASSIN.com on FACEBOOK to have a chance to win the new SKT bait from Lucky Craft.
Contest ends later this month.

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO FACEBOOK

On Tour with Spiro: SMITH LAKE EPISODE 2

If you ever wanted to see the co-angler perspective on the FLW Bass Fishing tour then you need to check out Spiro on On Tour with Spiro Agouros. He offers the rare glimpse of what it takes to fish as a co-angler.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving from
everyone at IBASSIN.  

Death only Seconds Away!

Fast acting chapter boat captains save lives

A reminder on how quickly a mishap can turn dangerous. Read on as Luke Hendry explains how tragedy was averted in the Bay of Qunite, Ontario. 

By Luke Hendry

Fast-acting fishermen – and a lot of good luck – rescued four men from the near-freezing waters of Adolphus Reach east of Picton Saturday morning.

Scott Walcott of Bay of Quinte Charters said he was on a trip with several clients at about 11:45 a.m. Saturday when he spotted trouble about 500 metres off 

http://www.intelligencer.ca/2013/11/24/charter-crews-rescue-4

Win an Skeet Reese Autographed Lucky Craft S.K.T. Magnum DR

Not sure where you live but it is freezing here! Nothing puts a warm smile on an angler's face like winning free lures.

Like us on Facebook and you'll have a chance

to win this Skeet Reese Autographed Newly released

S.K.T. Magnum DR from Lucky Craft USA.

CLICK HERE TO WIN!

Is Pollution Killing Our Fish?

Susquehanna River bass show spike in melanosis

By Rick DandesThe Daily Item

SUNBURY — Recent sampling of adult smallmouth bass on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River has shown an high prevalence of melanosis, according to a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologist.

Is this a result of pollution?

“We noticed it in a few of our sampling locations,” Geoffrey Smith said. “We were out almost every night over the last two months and once we started to see (fish with melanosis), we saw it in almost every survey.”

Smith could not provide information on the cause of the melanosis, the abnormal or excessive production of melanin in the skin or other tissue.

Pathologists from the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who examined the fish tissues agreed that the smallmouth had melanosis, Smith said.

“As far as a cause, I am not certain there has been any movement on that front.”

The concern is whether the melanosis represents melanoma, which would be skin cancer in wild fish.

“If it does,” said William Yingling, a retired physician and avid fisherman from Freeburg, “we need to know why they have cancer. We really need to know why so many wild fish in the Susquehanna have begun showing up with these black spots in large numbers since March 2010, almost four years ago.”

Yingling said he has fished the Susquehanna watershed since he was a teenager and never saw the condition in smallmouth bass until 2010.

DuraSafe E-LOCK®/Swivel Combo Provides Ultimate Protection Against Electronics Theft

Just heard of a friend who got his electronics stolen. Tears have been spilled for the price of replacing them but especially for the loss of 1500 waypoints.  Here is something to consider over the winter. 

NEW BERLIN, WISCONSIN (USA) – The E-LOCK®/Swivel Combo by DuraSafe combines two keyed-alike locks to provide ultimate protection of bracket mounted electronics that utilize a RAM® Mount.

When marine electronics are mounted to a RAM® Mount System, locks are needed for both the electronics unit and the mount. DuraSafe combines these two locks into one keyed-alike package. It is available in three different sizes depending on the RAM Mount System. Small fits B Size RAM – 1” dia. ball, Medium fits C size RAM – 1.5” dia. ball and Large fits D & E size – 2.25” and 3.37” dia. balls.

To take keyed-alike convenience a step further, boaters and anglers who already have DuraSafe locks or require several E-LOCK or E-LOCK/Swivel Combos can custom-order product from DuraSafe with all the keys the same.

The DuraSafe Electronics Lock (E-LOCK®) recently received the North American Fishing Club (NAFC) Seal of Approval after over 100 NAFC members gave the unique lock a 98 percent approval rating in field testing.

The E-LOCK/Swivel Combo is available from marine and outdoor distributors and retailers across the US. New distributors and retailers include A.C. Kerman, Northern Wholesale Marine, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Defender Industries, Tackle Warehouse, Bass & Gas and West Marine. It is now also distributed in Europe by IJsselsport and in Japan by Kisaka Marine.

For more information about the DuraSafe E-LOCK/Swivel Combo and other DuraSafe products, visit www.durasafelocks.com or call 1+262.544.5615.
-0-

DuraSafe – 1785 S. Johnson Road – New Berlin, WI 53146 USA

2014 Top Bass Tournament Circuit Dates and Locations

2014 Top Bass Tournament Circuit Dates and Locations

Event #	Day	Month	Date	Lake
1	Saturday	June	28	Tri-Lakes
2	Sunday	June	29	Tri-Lakes
3	Sunday	July	6	Lake Scugog
4	Saturday	July	19	Rice Lake
5	Sunday	July	20	Rice Lake
6	Sunday	July	27	Sturgeon Lake
7	Saturday	August	9	Balsam Lake
8	Sunday	August	24	Lake Seymour
9	Classic	September	6 & 7	Tri-Lakes
10	TBD	October	TBD	Rice Lake

Specific information on tournament sites, fees and rules can be found on the TOP BASS website. 

Bass Pro Shops announces plans to open fifth Canadian store in Kanata (Ottawa), Ontario

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Bass Pro Shops, an outdoor retailer specializing in hunting, fishing, camping and other related outdoor recreation gear, will locate its fifth Canadian store in Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa, Ontario.  The new 120,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World store will be located at Highway 417 and Huntmar Drive, directly across from the popular Canadian Tire Centre hockey arena in Kanata. The new store will feature the popular Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill.

“We couldn’t be more proud to announce that our fifth Canadian Bass Pro Shops store will be located in Kanata," said Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops.  "We’re also pleased to be chosen as lead anchor in the Broccolini-Laurentide development. The location is both high-profile and accessible, which will allow us to bring Bass Pro Shops’ low prices and friendly, expert service to better serve the area’s many sportsmen and women as well as those visiting Ottawa.”

Ottawa, Canada’s capital and fourth largest city, is located at the confluence of the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Rideau rivers and borders Gatineau, Quebec.  Together they form the National Capital Region--a tourism destination welcoming millions of visitors every year to celebrate Canada’s capital and Ottawa’s many cultural, arts and outdoor recreation opportunities. 

Rapala Getting Angry!

Rapala Angry Birds products are engaging and provide beginners with an easy way to learn fishing. The product family includes lures, key rings, fishing combos, pole fishing rods, float sets, lure boxes, and fishing tackle bags.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer lure fishing or enjoy bait fishing with a float set –we have the Angry Birds gear that will suit your needs.

Be careful and remember to have lots of fun fishing!

Select your product to find more information about our Rapala Angry Birds products.

The "Bass Professor" receives Honour

Doug Hannon, the "Bass Professor", who died in March, 2013 at the age of 66, has been selected with 3 other people to be inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. All four candidates are being recognized for their profound and lasting impacts upon the world of bass fishing. The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization dedicated to all anglers, manufacturers and members of the media who further the sport of bass fishing. It honors those whose contributions to this sport have elevated it to the professional level, and without whom none of this would have been possible. Hannon, an educator, inventor, television host, award-winning author, photographer and conservationist was also noted for catching-and-releasing more than 800 bass over 10 pounds. He was considered by many as the world's greatest authority on bass fishing and was featured in Outdoor Life as one of the O.L. 25, people "whose lifetime achievement has had the greatest positive influence on hunting and fishing".

Lest We Forget

Remember why we have the freedom to fish in clean lakes and rivers. 

Humminbird ONIX and ION

Humminbird® Unveils Most Powerful Electronics Yet

Humminbird ONIX and ION bring bluewater and freshwater anglers unparalleled power via user-friendly Cross Touch™ technology

 

Besides creating leading-edge products like 360 Imaging™, Humminbird® engineers have also been hard at work over the past two years developing a radical new platform that changes everything you know about fishing electronics.

 

“Humminbird ONIX and ION offer a rich user interface that is completely customizable to the individual needs of anglers and boaters, while remaining extremely easy-to-use via a full complement of multi-touch capabilities,” says Dale Logue, Director of Marketing, Humminbird. “The included feature list and available add-ons is unparalleled in the industry and make the units the most versatile, powerful and user friendly on the water.”

 

At the core of the new units, users will discover all the advantages of powerful Humminbird sonar, advanced navigation and Humminbird imaging technologies right at their fingertips, courtesy of a radical new take on Touch Screen operation called Cross Touch™.

 

While some touch units limit operation to finger pointing, Humminbird’s Cross Touch offers Multi-Gesture Control, which lets users navigate menus and activate features with a tap, swipe or pinch. Cross Touch also minimizes false touches from splashing water.

From marking waypoints with your finger, naming those waypoints via a virtual keyboard, to zooming in on fish-holding structure or chart locations for a better look, or swiping and dragging screens to create custom views, fishfinder use has never been more intuitive than this.

 

Cold Weather Preventative Boat Maintenance with IBASSIN.com

Its getting very cold out there! Time to think about some fall boat maintenance.  Fishing is still good but if your motor or boat fails, you won't be happy. 

Asian carp have reproduced in Great Lakes watershed, researchers find

The Globe and Mail newspaper has an informative article on what many fear is the worst species to invade the Great Lakes.

Full Story

Happy Halloween from IBASSIN

 

People really love their fishing gear and Halloween!
Got a cool Halloween image to share, post it on IBASSIN's facebook.

Shimano's Metanium Coming to North America

FROM FLIPPING AND PUNCHING – AND CASTING AND CRANKING –

SHIMANO METANIUM REELS AVAILABLE IN THREE SPECIFIC GEAR RATIOS

MSRP: all sizes - $419.99

Built light for all day fishing comfort, plus with performance features to effectively fish all types of techniques, Shimano introduces the Metanium baitcasting reels series – providing North American anglers with one of Shimano’s lightest casting reels and offered in three different gear ratios. The new Metanium series includes six reels – the 100/101 (left-hand retrieve) with a 6.2:1 gear ratio to reel in 26-inches of line per crank; the 100HG and 101HG reels in 31-inches of line per crank with a 7.4:1 gear ratio; and the 100XG and 101XG with a super fast 8.5:1 gear ratio – ideal for coming tight quick when flipping or punching by retrieving almost 36-inches of line per crank.

Along with being extremely lightweight reels (6-ounces total weight for the MET-100, 101, 100HG and 101H – 6.2-ounces on the 100XG and 101XG), anglers are also introduced to Shimano Micro Module gear system. “This new gear set makes use of smaller teeth – and more of them – to provide more contact points between the drive gear and pinion gear,” said Robby Gant with Shimano’s product development team. “And while anglers worldwide know our reels are smooth, the Micro Module gear system does take this smoothness to another level.”

Shimano Antares Coming To North America

SHIMANO BRINGS NEW FLAGSHIP REEL TO NORTH AMERICAN ANGLERS –

ANTARES BAITCATING SERIES IS ULTIMATE FOR PERFORMANCE

MSRP: all sizes - $599.99

Its ‘flagship’ baitcasting reel series for anglers around the globe, Shimano introduces the Antares 100 and 100HG (left-hand retrieve ANT-101 and ANT101HG also available) reels to North American anglers looking for the ultimate long-distance casting fishing tool. Design for bass and other freshwater fishing techniques, within the Antares series anglers will experience Shimano’s newest innovations for baitcasting reels, including its Micro Module gear system and SVS Infinity brake system.

The four reel series includes the 100 and left-hand 101 models with a 5.6:1 gear ratio, retrieving in 26-inches of line per crank. “This is the ideal ratio to fish lures that keep constant tension on the line such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits,” said Robby Gant with Shimano’s product development team. To fish jigs and worms, soft plastic and Carolina rigs, “anglers will want to turn to the Antares 100HG and 101H reels with a quick 7.4:1 gear ratio. They will crank in nearly 34-inches of line per crank,” Gant notes.