Monroe and Poche Get More Than Slap on the Wrist from BASS.

By Luigi De Rose 

At the recent Southern BASS Open on Lake Toho, Ish Monroe and Keith Poche got into a verbal and minor physical scrap. After their investigation, BASS has announced their disciplinary penalties. Public response to this incident has been huge and options vary greatly depending on who is writing or speaking. Many claim that when viewed under a sporting context like hockey or football, this is a very minor event. Others are discussed with both anglers and demand their heads on pikes. Yesterday, BASS made their announcement. 

Here is their statement:

B.A.S.S. announced today that it has completed its investigation of an incident January 16 involving two professional anglers, Ish Monroe of Hughson, Calif., and Keith Poche of Pike Road, Ala., during the Bassmaster Open tournament on Lake Tohopekaliga, Fla. After interviewing both anglers as well as many of the numerous eyewitnesses of the incident, B.A.S.S. has imposed the following penalties, which are covered in the current Angler Code of Conduct:

For unsportsmanlike conduct, Monroe has been fined $500, the maximum amount for a first offense. In addition, he has been suspended from participation in all Bassmaster Opens for 2015. He already had been disqualified from the Southern Open on Lake Tohopekaliga, forfeiting any payouts he would otherwise have earned.

Also for unsportsmanlike conduct, Poche has been fined $250, the minimum amount for a first offense. In addition, he has been suspended from participation in Bassmaster Opens in the Southern Division for 2015. He, too, had earlier been disqualified from the Southern Open in Florida.

Aaron Martens and Megabass Dissolve Partnership

Megabass of America, the US arm of Japan’s foremost innovator of premium fishing tackle, confirmed today that after 17 years, Megabass’ title sponsorship of Aaron Martens is ending.

“While we are of course disappointed that our professional relationship will not continue in 2015, we certainly understand Aaron’s decision to pursue a new business opportunity,” said Yuskei Murayama, Vice President of Megabass of America. “Aaron is one of the most gifted anglers of his time, and it is no surprise to us that a fledgling brand would invest heavily in his services.”

Partnered with Megabass since his early days on the West Coast circuits, Martens has quickly risen to the top of the national stage. With two Bassmaster AOY titles, three U.S. Open Championships, and multiple victories to his name, Aaron has solidified himself as one of the most consistent, talented, and feared anglers on Tour.

“In many ways, we would not be where we are today without Aaron,” said Murayama, “so we wish to take this opportunity to give thanks for the whole-hearted dedication, passion, and expertise Aaron has shared with us these past 17 years. Megabass is certainly better for it, and will continue to strive to make the kind of equipment that elevates our anglers to ever-greater success. We wish Aaron the best in this next chapter of his career.”

Randall Tharp Picks Up Zoom Baits.

Randall Tharp, the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup Champion and a noted big fish pro, has joined the pro staff of Zoom Bait Company, the pros’ choice for soft plastics when it comes to everything from ultra-finesse to oversized lures. If there’s a specific situation at hand, Zoom offers a lure that excels in that application.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re fishing in your local pond or you’re competing in the Bassmaster Classic, Zoom baits are the very best and catch fish all over the world,” Tharp said.

In a relatively short time on the national fishing scene, he’s amassed a tremendous list of accomplishments on circuits including both the FLW Tour and, more recently, the Bassmaster Elite Series. In addition to the Forrest Wood Cup victory on Louisiana’s Red River, he’s added an FLW Tour Open victory on Lake Okeechobee and three Bassmaster Open victories – on Ross Barnett, Santee Cooper and Guntersville. What do those bodies of water have in common? Most likely it’s that they harbor big fish in gnarly cover, most often grass. While Tharp has proven exceptionally versatile over the years, it’s those big fish, heavy cover situations that call out to him most.

“My first national win was the 2008 EverStart championship on Lake Eufaula,” he recalled. “The winning lures were a Zoom 6-inch lizard, a Zoom Big Critter Craw and a Chatterbait with a Zoom Speed Craw trailer. That seems like a long time ago but one thing hasn’t changed – Zoom is a company that is obsessed with building the very best lures you can use to catch a bass, and their lineup gives me everything I need to do my job.”

Tharp competed in five consecutive Forrest Wood Cups from 2010 through 2014, and next month he’ll compete in his third Bassmaster Classic. Savvy followers of the sport expect him to be in the running to become one of just a handful of pros to have won both major championships – and if that happens you can bet that Zoom baits will be a part of it.

Minn Kota Ulterra

  

Minn Kota has raised the bar even higher with their new Minn Kota Ulterra.
It stows and deploys itself automatically. Its power trim allows you to adjust to what’s below the water in an instant. And with the brand-new foot pedal and your choice of i-Pilot® or i-Pilot® Link™, it all happens at the touch of a button. It’s the motor that has everything. At least, everything we’ve thought of so far.

Randall Tharp & Rapala Join Forces for 2015

For years, Randall Tharp has used a Rapala® knife and cleaning table to prepare dinners of fish caught fresh from the sea. Now he’ll rely on the iconic brand to put food on the table in another way — throwing Rapala baits to win prize money in Bassmaster tournaments. The 2013 Forrest Wood Cup champion has joined Rapala’s pro-staff.

“Previously some of my favorite Rapala products were not even baits,” says Tharp, an Alabama native now living in Florida. “Down where I live, I clean fish with a Rapala fillet knife on a Rapala cleaning table almost every day. That’s how I prepare my dinner!”

Still, Tharp adds, he’s used Rapala baits “long before the last couple of years to put fish in my boat.” His favorites are “the whole DT® Series” of crankbaits and the Original Floating Rapala. The floater is one of his “all-time favorite” lures. “I’ve caught more bass on that little original Rapala balsa floating minnow lure than probably any other lure in my tackle box,” he says.
Tharp is the second Forrest Wood Cup champion on Rapala’s pro-staff. 2012 Cup Champion (and 2013 runner-up to Tharp) Jacob Wheeler signed with Rapala in 2012. Wheeler fishes on the FLW Tour. In 2014, Tharp fished both the FLW Tour and the Bassmaster Elite Series. As a B.A.S.S. rookie, he finished 13th in the Angler of the Year race and qualified to fish in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic Feb. 22-24 on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell.

Rage Fish Attractants Lures Chong as Pro-Staff

Canadian pro-angler David Chong, signs on with Rage Fish Attractants Inc! David is one of the top multi-species anglers and one of the most knowledgeable and well respected professionals in the country. For more info on Dave and his fishing action catch him on Twitter. twitter.com/FishHardDave

David Dudley: Coachin' Corner - Bass Fishing Coach?

Want to improve your bass fishing game or jump a level in tournament competition. Dave Dudley might have the answers. He is now offering his bass fishing knowledge to anyone who needs a bass fishing coach. 


Visit DavidDudley.com, call (252) 423-1171, or email info@daviddudley.com for more information about a coaching trip with David Dudley. Get in David's boat and he'll make you a better fisherman.

Three Time FLW Tour Angler of the Year, Forrest Wood Cup Champion and the FLW's all-time leading money winner David Dudley is a bass fishing coach.

Chad Morgenthaler Wins the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open on Lake Tohopekaliga!

Morgenthaler rallies from 9th to win at Toho.

By Louie Stout

BASS PRESS RELEASE

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Standard opinion among the anglers fishing the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open presented by Allstate was that the tournament couldn’t be won on Toho.

If you wanted big bass, Kissimmee was the place to fish.

Chad Morganthaler proved them wrong, spending all three days on the host lake and rallying from ninth place to win the season opener.

Chad didn't waste time locking into Kissimmee
and avoided the crowds to win and be the
first 2016 Classic qualifier.
(Photo: Shaye Baker BASS)

In a tournament laced with some of Florida’s top anglers, the Coulterville, Ill. veteran pro sneaked into the back door with a big sack on a day when the front runners struggled.

His last day catch of 22 pounds, 3 ounces was more than enough to carry him to the top and give him a 52-7 total.

Kissimmee expert Bobby Lane Jr., who had the second biggest bag of the day (14 pounds), finished second with 48-13 and Todd Auten of South Carolina was third with 48-1. Gerald Swindle of Alabama and second-day leader Brandon McMillian rounded out the top five.

Keith Poche DQ Responce

Photo: Keith Poche Facebook

Following the DQ of Ish Monroe and Keith Poche at the recent BASS Bass Pro Shop Southern Open in Florida, Keith has posted the following statement to his facebook fans.

Here is his statement:
I'm sure everyone is confused about what's going on. First, I would like to apologize to everyone that has followed me, my sponsors, Bassmaster and my fellow competitors for the unfortunate situation on 1-16-15. Just to clear a few things up. I was on the trolling motor when I hit Ish Monroe's boat. I misjudged the wind and current that carried my momentum into his boat. This is my fault and I'm really sorry that my trolling motor hit his rub rail. Next, Ish begin to curse at me and degrade me as a person. I apologized to him about the boat contact. He still continued to yell and saying he was going to jump in my boat and whip my butt. He then jump into my boat and pushed me overboard. I fell against the back of another boat. Hitting my side on the power poles and motor. My hip is now swollen and I'm in a lot of pain. I'm just so thankful I didn't get seriously hurt or bump my head and drown in the current and leave my daughter without a father and my wife without a husband. I've never been in this situation before, so I reported to tournament officials to get proper protocol and they mentioned 911. Just doing what I was told. I wish the best for Ish in the future.

Ish Monroe Statement Regarding B.A.S.S. Southern Open Lake Toho Incident

In light of the recent disqualification of Ish Monroe at the recent Bass Pro Shop Southern Open, Ish has penned a public letter to address the matter. Here it is in it's entirety. 

(ishmonroe.com)

January 17, 2015 - By now you've all heard about the regrettable situation that occurred between myself and fellow Elite Series competitor Keith Poche at the first Southern Open of 2015 at Lake Toho.

I wanted to take a moment to issue an apology to B.A.S.S., the fans of the sport, my sponsors and the industry that supports professional bass fishing and the sport as a whole. I want everyone to know that the last thing I intend to do at any time is shed a bad light on the industry that has afforded me the opportunity to do what I love.

Monroe and Poche Disqualified from Southern Open!

By Luigi De Rose

Most professional athletes respect the unwritten rule that "what happened on the field stays on the field." This sportsman's code exists for ice, racetrack or ring but apparently not for fishing. Yesterday, Friday, January 16, 2015, Ish Monroe and Keith Poche got into a scuffle when Poche rammed Ish's boat at a lock on Lake Toho during the Bassmaster Southern Open tournament. Both had fiery words towards each other then Ish boarded Keith's boat. It is unclear what exactly happened next but both anglers fell into the water. By the end of Friday, Monroe was charged with battery by the local authorities.

The question many fans and pro-anglers have is to what extent does fishing relate to other sports when violations to the rules and unwritten rules of the game are broken. This might be a grey area of sportsmanship that has yet to be governed and the fact that formal charges were laid does intensify the matter ten-fold. So, the question arises, should what happens on the water stay on the water?

Here is the official statement from BASS regarding the matter.

By BASS Communications

JAN 17, 2015

Based on an investigation of an incident Friday during the Bassmaster Opens tournament on Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida, B.A.S.S. today disqualified two anglers from the event. Pursuant to B.A.S.S. rules, Ish Monroe of Hughson, Calif., and Keith Poche of Pike Road, Ala., were disqualified from the Open. Additional penalties for both anglers may be imposed pending the outcome of additional investigations that are ongoing at this time. Because of those investigations, B.A.S.S. will not comment further on the decisions.

2015 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #1 Lake Tohopekaliga Day 2: Brandon McMillan Leads as Standing Flip Flop!

Local McMillan grabs lead with fickle Florida bass.

By Louie Stout

BASS PRESS RELEASE

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Florida’s fickle bass not only played with the heads with the first-round leaders in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open presented by AllState, but they also scrambled the leaderboard.

Local favorite takes lead as bite dies.

On a day when the sun shined and the fish were supposed to bite, big bags were few and far between. That was just fine for Brandon McMillan of Clewiston, Fla, whose 13-pound, 15-ounce limit gave him a two-day total of 38-8, good enough to move him from third to first.
To illustrate how goofy fishing was Friday, New York’s Andrew Slegona – who caught 31 pounds to lead the event after the first day, only had two small bass Friday but fell no farther than fourth (34-9).
“Man, hard to believe that I could stay in the top five with a day like that on a lake like this,” Slegona marveled.
Meanwhile, Todd Auten of South Carolina jumped from 13th to second (36-8), Bobby Lane Jr. moved from 18th to third (34-13) and Gerald Swindle climbed from 17th to fifth (34-3). Only 4 pounds, 5 ounces separate the top five who will join seven other anglers in Saturday’s final.
In the co-angler division, Floridian Alan Agnoli stunned the crowd with three bass weighing 17-11 to take the lead with 24-15. Other Floridians in the top five include Steve Jarrett (18-2), Robbie Anderson (17-13), Terry Law (17-10) and Daniel Lanier (17-9).

Ish Monroe Charged with Battery during Bassmaster Southern Open on Lake Toho.

By Luigi De Rose

The narrow lock where the altercation occurred. (Photo: BASS)

A showdown at the crowded lock between Ish Monroe and Keith Poche on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shop Southern Open on Lake Tohopekaliga resulted in both falling in the water and charges for Monroe.  Ish Monroe has been charge with battery and bail was posted at $1000. The alleged battery occurred early on Friday morning at the lock seperating Lake Toho and Kissimmee Lake. Ish Monroe was moored with another boat waiting for the lock to open when Poche rammed Ish's boat. A yelling match ensued and escalated when Ish reportable tried to board Keith's boat. An altercation occurred resulting in both falling into the water. Monroe continued to fish the entire day catching a 15-12 pound limit good enough for 18th place. Keith returned to the Big Toho Marina after the scuffle to report the incident and seek medical attention.

No word at this late hour if BASS will DQ Monroe due to possible unsportsmanlike conduct or breaking the law during tournament hours.

2015 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #1 Lake Tohopekaliga Day 1: New Yorker Slegona Nail Lead Over Giant Field

Star studded Open sees rookie sack only 30lb plus limit.

By Louie Stout

BASS PRESS RELEASE

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Andrew Slegona’s first fishing trip to Florida is off to a memorable start.
The Walker Valley, N.Y. angler jumped to the first-day lead in the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #1 presented by AllState on Lake Toho with a whopping 31 pounds, 2 ounces.
The former construction worker, who built subway tunnels in New York before pursuing a pro fishing career, was aided by a pair of lunkers weighing 9-1 and 8-10. He had his big bag by 10:30 in the morning.

Matching 9 pounders helped Slegona.

“I caught them out of one area and never saw a boat come within 300 yards of where I was fishing,” said Slegona, who spent last week fishing nearby Florida waters to tune up for the event. “I found this spot in practice and today I realized I was really onto something.”
Slegona said he was flipping hydrilla in 10 feet of water.
“The thing is, this is a morning spot and I hope they’re in there tomorrow (Friday), too,” he added.
Two-time Bassmaster Junior World Champion Joey Nania of Cropwell, Ala. came in in second with 25-1. Brandon McMillain of Clewiston, Fla. had 24-9, Garrett Rocamora of Lithia, Fla. 24-4 and Brad Knight, Lancing, Tenn. 20-13.
Nania’s sack was even more impressive considering it also included a pair of scrawny one pounders, but was helped with bass weighing 8-3 and 8-12.
“I’ve always struggled here and had so many letdowns fishing in Florida, this really felt good,” Nania said. “I had been fishing fast, covering a lot of water, but when my co-angler caught a good one fishing slow, I decided to slow it down. That’s when I caught the 8-12 and figured it out.”
Daniel Lanier Jr. of Winter Springs, Fla. topped the co-angler division with three bass weighing 11-9. Craig Cullen of Vero Beach Fla. came in second with 11-4 and Steve Jarrett of Valrico, Fla. third with 11-2.

Clent Davis Announces Bass Bomb as New Sponsor for 2015

FLW Tour Pro Clent Davis, announces the addition of Bass Bomb fish attractant as a new sponsor for the 2015 season.  After two top five finishes in 2014 on the Walmart FLW Tour, Davis is looking to add accolades to his 2012 Walmart FLW Tour Rookie of the Year title.  

In March, he will begin his fourth season on the Walmart FLW Tour at Florida's Lake Toho.  Starting off the year early in January, Davis will be fishing two events, including the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open stop at Lake Toho and a Rayovac Series Tournament at Lake Okeechobee. 

In 2015,Davis will be using Bass Bomb, a new product from the makers of Buck Bomb. The Bomb products feature a revolutionary scent dispersal system that helps both novice and expert hunters and anglers achieve their outdoor goals. They also have a product line called Fish Bomb for fishermen.

It is common practice for fishermen to use scent to attract fish. Fish Bomb is a unique way of using scent to attract gamefish. In the past, with other scent attractants, fishermen have had to worry about mixing, storing, toting buckets and bottles of their favorite recipe. With these new products, anglers can be armed with a five ounce, shelf-stable, fit-in-your-pocket can of pure baitish oil fish attractant; including the new Bass Bomb, which is available in a combination shad / garlic flavor. Anglers can spray it on lures, soak their plastics and other baits in it or use it to make a slick in a cove; the options are endless when it comes to the uses for Bass Bomb.

2015 Walmart FLW Tour Field

FLW Press Release
The 20th season of the Walmart FLW Tour will feature 152 of the best professional anglers from 26 states and one Canadian province.
FLW announced in October plans to limit the field of the Walmart FLW Tour to 150 professional anglers in 2015. Stacey King of Reeds Spring, Mo., and Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, will be allowed to return to the Tour on exemption after withdrawing in 2014 due to medical reasons, bringing the field to 152.
In addition to offering the sport’s top prizes this season, the FLW Tour will pay out $10,000 down to 60th place, providing tournament anglers with the best overall payouts for the lowest overall investment. The six-tournament season will kick off March 5-8 at Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Fla.
The 2015 Walmart FLW Tour will feature nine former Tour Anglers of the Year and nine Forrest Wood Cup champions, as well as 17 rookie pros.

2015 Walmart FLW Tour Field
*denotes Tour rookies

Here is a list of the full field:
Tracy Adams – Wilkesboro, N.C.
Keith Amerson – Selmer, Tenn.
Matt Arey – Shelby, N.C.
Todd Auten – Lake Wylie, S.C.
Adrian Avena – Vineland, N.J.
Jeff Barth – Marshfield, Wis.
Clayton Batts – Macon, Ga.
Chris Baumgardner – Gastonia, N.C.
Drew Benton – Panama City, Fla.
James Biggs – Euless, Texas

$100,000 Guaranteed Payout and Ranger Boat with Evinrude BRP Motor Up For Grabs!

Renegade Bass, the leader in live release bass tournament fishing in Canada, is pleased to announce the launch of the Thousand Islands Open presented by Hookset.com. This team tournament will take place on the St. Lawrence River July 30- August 1, 2015 in Rockport, Ontario Canada.

Ed Huck Marina will play host for this exciting 3-day event which will be open to a maximum of 100 teams competing for $100,000 in guaranteed prize money plus a Ranger Bass Boat powered by Evinrude BR and the title of Thousand Islands Open Champions. The event will also feature a unique, first of its kind way to win the Ranger Bass Boat powered by Evinrude BRP. The field will be cut in half on the final day. Every team making the final cut-off on the last day of the tournament will receive a Ranger boat key. Only one key will start the Evinrude BRP Motor. This means any of the teams making the final day cut will have the chance to win the boat and motor package with a turn of the key.

Larew signs young million-dollar winner Jacob Wheeler to pro staff

Gene Larew Lures announces the addition of bass professional Jacob Wheeler to its pro staff, bringing together one of the oldest names in soft-plastic lures with one of the youngest million-dollar earners along the top tournament trails.

Wheeler, 24, has amassed more than one million dollars in tournament earnings in his first four years as a pro. His accomplishments include an Ultimate Match Fishing Championship, 2011 FLW BFL All-American championship, 2012 FLW Forrest Wood Cup championship, 2014 Bassmaster BASSfest title and seven other top-10 finishes.

Jacob Wheeler is off to a good start with Larew baits, catching his biggest bass ever this week, a 12 1/2 pounder, while punching a Biffle Bug Jr. around pads  in Florida. (Click to view/download hi-res image)

"Jacob has a lot of reasons to be sporting that grin of his that's as big as the flat bill on his cap; he's had an amazing start to his career," said Larew owner Chris Lindenberg. "While we of course like what we see in his fishing skills, I can honestly say that we like even more the-Jacob-Wheeler person we've come to know better in recent months.

"He's a humble young man that is quick to credit his success to life-lessons learned from a hardworking family that struggled to make it through tough times, and who's been giving back ever since to his loving parents who taught him to fish. His first personal 'splurging' after the $100,000 All-American win, was his buying himself two pairs of Nike tennis shoes instead of just the one he needed."

The Indianapolis angler said he believes it's his strong family culture that led him to Larew. "As a bass fishing fanatic, I knew about Larew, and of course the brand's relationship with legendary angler Tommy Biffle, but I didn't know the folks behind the company name," Wheeler explained.

"When Upshaw (fellow FLW pro angler Andrew Upshaw) introduced me to Chris and his team at ICAST last summer, I felt right at home. Larew is a great fit for me and my fishing style."

As a result of the partnership agreement, Larew branding will have a prominent place on Wheeler's hat, jersey and boat wrap.

Simax Fishing Rod Clearance Sale

Saturday January 10th, 2015 from 8 am - 2 pm

Final Sale - Cash Only

90 Nolan Crt
Unit 23
Markham, ON
L3R 4L9

Randall Tharp Teaches You How To Punch Heavy Matted Grass with IBASSIN

The 2013 Forrest Wood Cup Champ and Bassmaster Elite pro, Randall Tharp explains how to improve at heavy cover punching. A lot of anglers are beating the cold this winter by hunting big bass in Florida. One of the best techniques is punching and it requires the correct gear. Learn from one of the very best as Tharp explains how to be better at punching.