Happy Thanksgiving to all our American Buddies.

Hank Parker Moves to Lew's after Decades with Abu!

Two legendary names in fishing, Lew's and Hank Parker, have teamed in a promotional agreement for 2015 to carry the family fun of fishing message into millions of American households across the county.

Legendary angler Hank Parker is
moving to Lew's as of  2015.

"Hank Parker's Outdoor Magazine" will celebrate its 29th consecutive year on television when its 2015 season begins on Dec. 29. The Lew's brand got its start in the 1950s, but has been on a rapid resurgence in popularity ever since new ownership in 2009 has steadily introduced an all-new lineup of rods, reels, combos and accessories.

"Lew's and Hank Parker's images and brands have closely paralleled one another over the past three decades, meaning we take our fishing seriously but have a lot of fun in doing it," said Lew's CEO Lynn Reeves. "While the sport will always be about the sheer pleasure of spending time together on the water with family and friends, it's the avid fishing enthusiasts like Hank that help inspire and educate all ages to get involved in the activity. Our goal is to introduce more people to fishing."

Parker, who was once introduced during a CBS Morning Show appearance as the "rod-n-reel" answer to legendary pro basketball player Michael Jordan in "popularity and talent," had success first as a bass tournament angler and champion before turning his popularity into a full-time career as an outdoor show TV host.

Help Fuel Continued Advancement for America’s Fastest-Growing Lure Brand

Driven by a steady increase in retail product placement stemming from heightened consumer awareness and sales, Z-Man Fishing Products is excited to announce several key extensions to its 2015 marketing mix. The bulk of the company’s upward media progression will focus on Pro Staff expansion, a growing commitment to leading industry broadcast show sponsorships, and the continued creation and distribution of original digital video content.

If you have what it takes contact them. 

Contact: Jeff Espy, Adventure Advertising, LLC


jeff@adventureadv.com; (678) 730-4770

Backwoods Rods: A Real Canadian Gem.

A Nickel for Good Luck!
By Luigi De Rose

Being an outdoor writer has perks and one of them is seeing amazing fishing gear. IBASSIN readers have enjoyed photos and read stories of my trips to Japanese tackle stores and discoveries at ICAST but rarely do we celebrate local talent. Backwoods Rods is a Canadian rod company that takes craftsmenship to the next level. 

The ALPS Nickel Butt Cap
offers a truly unique Canadian touch.

Daniel Sturges and his Backwoods fishing rods caught my attention recently. The on-line world is flooded with companies trying to lighten your wallet but most often nothing is ever too exciting. 

Backwoods Rods seemed different right off the bat and the more I discovered about the him and his team of three master rod builders, the more interested I became. 

 Daniel makes several species specific rods but I focused on the bass gear. Over his 18 years of rod building, Daniel has created 140 models so customers can obtain the exact action, size and feel they crave. 


Here is a photo essay and run down of his bass rods.

First is a 7'6" Telescopic Flippin/Pitchin Styx with a Anodized "Dual Trigger Reel Seat" Titanium/Zirconium "Flanged" Casting Guides. They also do a 7'10" -1 Pc. Rattin/Frog Rod as well as a Swimbait Rod with Split Cork Handles.

Components and rod blank are brought in from Batson Enterprises in Sequim Washington. They start 

with a Rainshadow RX8 Rod Blank which are extremely light yet very powerful.

More custom rod work below

Turn Your Phone into Fishing Machine

SonarPhone is an exciting enhancement to the Navionics Boating app that connects your mobile device to sonar via Wi-Fi and displays the results in split screen with Navionics charts. It also enables enhancements to future SonarCharts™ anywhere you go. The new sonar feature is available now on Navionics Boating app for iPhone and iPad and is coming soon for Android devices!  We hope you enjoy trying it out.

JACKALL LURES HOOKS NOTED ANGLER DAVE MERCER

When it comes to fishing, especially bass fishing, there are not many anglers that bring both expertise and fun to it like Dave Mercer. Along with filming his ‘Fact of Fishing’ show and emceeing the weigh-ins at B.A.S.S. tournaments, Mercer will now be on the water using the latest in Jackall Lures soft baits.

Dave's hooked on Jackall!

“Dave’s dynamic personality and how he can relate to bass anglers of all skill levels is an ideal combination to introduce even more anglers in North America to Jackall soft baits," said Bob Mahoney, who helps oversee the Jackall marketing efforts done by Shimano. "We’ll look forward to bringing his fishing knowledge and input - as he does for Shimano - to our associates at Jackall in developing new baits, new colors and new fishing technique ideas.”

Mercer has already been using an assortment of Jackall softs baits, from FlickShake worms and Cover Craw creature baits, to just introduced baits like the Sasuteki Craw and Scissor Comb. He’ll offer his expertise on fishing soft plastics at seminars this coming winter throughout North America, and also on his TV shows airing on the Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network, SportsNet 360 and ESPN International.

Protecting Our Resources

Help prevent the entry of asian carp into our waterways just got a whole lot easier. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters along with Invasive Species Centre have a new site and phone number to call if you spot one of these nastiest.

Report a sightings at: 1-800-563-7711 or www.asiancarp.ca

X ZONE Lures up for sale.

Popular Canadian soft plastic lure company is currently up for sale.
Mark Kulik, owner of X Zone, feels that this is a wise life decision to sell
his company. X Zone gained market shares with strong sales from it's drop shot
slammer. The company pour several drop shot style baits plus has recently done well
with a line of swimbaits. 

LEST WE FORGET.

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in 1918, World War I—one of the most significant wars in the history of mankind—ended. Since then, thousands of brave men and women have lost their lives while serving our great country. Today, we stop to honor them. 

Paul Mueller Wins 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship!

Muller's Win Bumps Brownridge from Classic Spot

By Tyler Wade

bass press release

MONROE, La. — When it counts, Paul Mueller knows how to catch a big limit of fish.

That’s what he did on the final day of the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on the Ouachita River, when his 14-pound, 9-ounce sack earned him the top spot and the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy.

Mueller, of Naugatuck, Conn., has a track record of catching the big ones when he needs them.

Mueller's big bag on the final day knocked Doug Brownridge out of
 Classic appearance. Doug would have been the second
Canadian ever to make it to the Classic.
(Photo: BASS)

He did it earlier this year at the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic when, after a dismal first day that threatened to eliminate him from competition, he went and caught 32 pounds, 3 ounces — the biggest five-bass limit in Bassmaster Classic history — to show that he was still in the game.

Mueller’s final three-day weight on the Ouachita was only a little more than his one-day record-busting bag in the Classic at 32 pounds, 15 ounces.

2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Day 2: Carden Remains Leader

Despite engine problems and changing conditions Carden continues to excel. 

By Tyler Wade

bass press release

MONROE, La. — Coby Carden took a gamble on Day 2 of the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Louisiana’s Ouachita River, and it paid off.

“I did something completely different today,” said Carden after the Day 2 weigh-in. “Because I was near the front of the takeoff line, I thought I could be one of the first ones to Bayou D’Arbonne.”

Canadian Doug Brownridge moved up to 6th with 17-7.
Unfortunately, two other Eastern teammates rank higher.
(Photo: BASS)

His spot on Day 2 was nowhere near his Day 1 area, where he caught 11 pounds, 8 ounces and took the lead of the tournament.

But he knew he couldn’t count on getting that one big-fish bite in his primary area and wanted to cement his lead in the championship and earn back-to-back Bassmaster Classic berths.

It was a good call. Carden caught 11 pounds, 12 ounces in the bayou. Then, at 10:45, he was heading back down the lake. He found a great fish and got her to bite three times, but he couldn’t get her to commit.

He decided to move on, and that’s when his motor started acting up.

“My high pressure fuel pump had gone out,” said Carden. “I could prime the bulb and run for a quarter-mile, but then I’d have to stop.”

2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Day 1: Carden Take Lead!

Canadian Doug Brownridge sit in 10th. 

By Tyler Wade

basss press release

MONROE, La. — Jennifer Carden of Calera, Ala., likes to see her husband in first place. And when she comes to Coby Carden’s events, she usually gets exactly that.

Jennifer surprised Coby by driving all day a couple of years ago with their two kids in tow to the 2013 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional, and he not only led each day but he won the event.

Jennifer and the kids showed up again last night — unexpectedly — and Coby now has the Day 1 lead of the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Louisiana’s Ouachita River.

Cody Carden's big bass vaults him into the lead.
(Photo: BASS)

“She likes surprises,” said Coby with a laugh after the first weigh-in of the event. “Let’s hope it works out again this time.”

Coby Carden has had a pretty great run the last two years. He won the 2013 divisional, went on to win his division last year at the championship, competed in the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic and finished in the top half of the field, and then won his state again this year at the 2014 divisional.

He wants to get back to the Classic again, but that’s not all: He wants to win it.

“That’s just the competitor in me,” said Carden, a member of the LA Po Boys club in Alabama. “I want to win.”

But he has two more days of tough competition before a Classic win is even a possibility — a fact that has not escaped him.

2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Start Today

Wishing Canadian Doug Brownridge the best of luck at the Nationals! 

Photo: BASS

For more on this tournament link to www.bassmaster.com

Shimano Revamps Website

QUESTIONS BEFORE THE CAST? VISIT SHIMANO’S NEW WEB SITE

IRVINE, Calif. – October 30, 2014 – For Immediate Release -- Jump online today to see the new Shimano – at least in cyberspace – with the launch of the tackle makers upgraded web site at http://fish.shimano.com. The link brings you directly to a new way to learn about not only Shimano tackle and fishing lifestyle gear, but also customer and technical service information and dealer locations throughout North America.

  “This is a huge upgrade to let anglers learn everything and anything about Shimano tackle and gear,” said Robert Armstrong with Shimano’s fishing tackle online team. “You’ll able to quickly compare all our reels to make the right decision on the size and features for your personal fishing needs, and then check out our entire rod line-up to match it up with the right model that suits your choice in lengths, actions and line weight designations.”

Armstrong notes the new web site is dominated with product information. “In all our talks with anglers over the past year at tournaments, fishing shows and tackle dealer events, the overwhelming request was they wanted us to provide every available detail and specifications possible on our rods, reels and fishing gear. You’ll see that quickly in our new upgraded site. ”

Anglers can stay updated on Shimano events, shows, pro anglers and other information by liking Shimano on Facebook - www.facebook.com/fishshimano.