2016 BASS Elite Wheeler Lake Day 2: Dave Lefebre Sacks 21 Pounds to Grab Lead.

Battle of shallow vs deep.

By Thomas Allen

BASS PRESS RELEASE

With a rapidly approaching severe thunderstorm, the Bassmaster Elite Series anglers rushed through Friday's weigh-in to stay ahead of the potentially dangerous weather. Erie, Pa., angler and Bassmaster newcomer Dave Lefebre is the Day 2 leader after catching an impressive limit of bass that weighed 21 pounds, 3 ounces.

Lefebre's not limited to one pattern. (Photo: BASS)

Like most of the anglers, Lefebre had a difficult practice and was only able to isolate a single area that was producing the kind of fish he thought could carry him through to Championship Sunday at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Wheeler Lake.

Lefebre is competing during his first year as a Bassmaster Elite Series pro, but he is no rookie. He spent 13 years fishing the Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) tour, earning six wins and nearly $2 million in prize money.

"I knew I had more weight than yesterday, but I was pleasantly surprised to find I had caught better fish today than I had expected," Lefebre said, who weighed 18-12 on Thursday for a combined two-day total of 39-15. "I feel like I could have weighed even more yesterday and today if I executed better. I've been leaving that area after I have a good limit hoping to keep some fresh bass for the next day."

2016 BASS Elite Wheeler Lake Day 1: John Crews Grabs Lead with 20 Pounds!

Crews rockets into lead.

By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

By nature, fishermen can be storytellers, and the top-shelf professional anglers that make up the Bassmaster Elite Series are no exception. Before the tournament began, the vast majority of the 108-angler field claimed the three official practice days were very unproductive — if not downright difficult.

It's standard procedure for tournament anglers to hold their cards close to their chest, especially during the days leading up to official competition. However, practice was certainly difficult for some at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Wheeler Lake.

John Crews grabs lead as most struggle. (Photo: BASS)

Reality or a well-played bluff, all but eight anglers weighed five-fish limits of bass during the first round of competition on Wheeler. In all seriousness, effectively and consistently catching bass immediately following the spawn can be a difficult prospect as the fish are in need of recuperation. And, that is exactly what the anglers are faced with in in northwestern Alabama.

Heavy Drop Shot for Shallow Bass!

At the recent 2016 BASS Elite Bull Shoal/Norfork event, several of the top anglers did very well with heavy drop shotting. Switching to bait casting and heavier line, the drop shot is amazing when the fish are pressured or just off the bite. Elite angler Chris Zaldain lead most of the event by heavy drop shotting the shallow bushes. Check out this video on how to rig and fish a heavy drop shot.

Sufix's NanoBraid for Light Line Anglers

Sufix's New Nano Line

By Luigi De Rose

 

NanoBraid features an ultra-thin diameter for extreme sensitivity and long casts without sacrificing strength. Made from 100 percent Dyneema fibers, it boasts a uniform diameter, increased abrasion resistance and superior knot and shock strength. Expect uniform spooling, easy casting plus tremendous strength. Available in Sufix’s Aqua Camo in 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 pound tests, it is a great match for small outfits. MSRP $34.99

Randall Tharp Wins 2016 Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork!

Tharp thumps ‘em

By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

The tournament format was complicated.

It was one event on two lakes over the course of four days.

But through all of the shifting and changing, Florida pro Randall Tharp decided to keep things simple — and that stay-the-course approach ultimately led to a victory in the Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork event.

Tharp used a 4x4 Jig — the Randall Tharp Signature series that he designed for the company — in the golden craw color pattern with a green pumpkin Zoom Big Salty Chunk to catch his fish all four days.

Nothing like your first Elite win. (Photo: BASS)

His final total of 61 pounds, 10 ounces was more than 2 pounds better than that of second-place finisher Skeet Reese (59-8).

Chris Zaldain (58-12), Matt Herren (58-10) and Bill Lowen (58- 5) made up the rest of the top five.

2016 Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork Day 3: Tharp Leads Going into Final Day!

Top 12 head to Norfork for Final Day.
By Bryan Brasher
BASS PRESS RELEASE
Randall Tharp suffered through one of the toughest seasons of his professional career in 2015, but it seems to have given him some extra motivation for this year's campaign.

Tharp opened the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series season with back-to-back Top 20 finishes — and now, he has caught enough fish at this week's Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork to move himself into position to claim his first Elite Series win.

Big rods and jigs jumps Tharp to lead. (Photo: BASS)

He brought in five bass Saturday from Bull Shoals Lake that weighed 16 pounds, 4 ounces and moved from fifth place to the top of the standings with a three-day total of 45-8. The tournament, which began Thursday on Norfork Lake and moved to Bull Shoals Friday and Saturday, will shift back to Norfork for Sunday's championship round with Tharp leading the remaining Top 12 anglers.

"I started in the same place today where I lost a big one (Friday), and I never had a bite," said Tharp, who has three Bassmaster Open victories but none on the Elite Series. "Where I pulled my trolling motor up (Friday), I just decided to keep on going. I kept the trolling motor down until 11 o'clock, and that's how I caught most of what I had.

"It was new water — a lot shallower than what I had been fishing — and I just fished everything in front of me."
Tharp said he was struggling early, but a slight change in technique helped.

2016 Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork Day 2: Zaldain and Lowen Tie with 30-14lbs!

Round Two on Bull Shoals starts tomorrow

By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

The format for the Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork is one of the more complex in the trail’s 11-year history.

A full field of 108 Elite Series anglers began on Norfork Lake Thursday and moved to Bull Shoals Lake for Friday’s second round. The remaining Top 50 will fish Bull Shoals again Saturday, with the final Top 12 moving back to Norfork for Sunday’s final round.

Zaldain and Lowen both favour shallow water making
day three a great battle. (Photo: BASS)

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, there are now two anglers deadlocked atop the leaderboard.

Chris Zaldain of San Jose, Calif., and Bill Lowen off Brookville, Ind., have each caught 30 pounds, 14 ounces — and though they took different paths to get there, they will share the lead as the unique tournament heads into the semifinals.

2016 Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork Day 1: Matt Herren Grabs Lead with 17lbs!

Anglers head to Bull Shoals for Friday.

By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Matt Herren came into this week’s Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork, with a free-wheeling attitude.



“My motto for the week is just to fly by the seat of my pants,” Herren said. “Since we’re fishing two different lakes, I figure that’s all you can really do.”



Big bass lands Matt lead.
(Photo: BASS)

So far, the strategy has worked very well.

Herren caught five bass Thursday on Norfork Lake that weighed 17 pounds and took the lead in the first-of-its-kind, two-lake Elite Series event. His catch was bolstered by a 6-pound, 1-ounce largemouth that bit during the final minutes.

In an unusual format, the 108 Bassmaster Elite Series anglers will divide their time between two nearby Ozarks lakes near Mountain Home.

After competing today on Norfork, the full field moves to Bull Shoals for Friday’s round, after which the field is cut to 50 anglers, who will again compete on Bull Shoals. The Top 12 anglers after Saturday will return to Norfork for the final round.



Herren feels confident now as the tournament shifts to Bull Shoals Lake for the next two rounds before coming back for Championship Sunday on Norfork.

“I just had a really fortunate day,” Herren said. “I got on something early and had a good limit of fish. But with about 15 minutes left in my day, I caught a 6-1. 

Pure Fishing acquisition by Newell Brands completed.

Newell Brands has completed its acquisition of Newell Rubbermaid and the owner of Pure Fishing, the Jarden Corporation.

Originally posted in Angling International

The $15.4 billion transaction, which was announced in December last year, has created a $16 billion consumer goods company that includes some of the world’s best known brands, including Yankee Candle, Graco, Irwin, Rawlins, Coleman and in recreational angling, the Pure Fishing stable of companies. The new business has been renamed Newell Brands Inc. and will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

“The combination of our two great organisations creates a powerhouse consumer goods company and sets up a very exciting long-term growth and value creation company,” said Michael Polk, Newell Brands Chief Executive. “I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead Newell Brands and the development of our business. We expect Newell Brands to unlock far greater upside than either company could have done on their own.

“Our immediate focus will be to deliver our 2016 financial objectives, start the work of integrating the two companies and develop long-term corporate and portfolio strategy that will guide the choices we make and the realisation of the company’s full potential.”

For the balance of 2016 the operating structure will remain largely unchanged with Jarden and Newell Rubbermaid commercial operations running alongside each other. William Burke will serve as President of the Jarden Group and will lead the business, working closely with Richard Sansone, Chief Operating Officer.

Martin E. Franklin, Founder and former Chief Executive of Jarden, and Ian Ashken, Co-Founder and former Vice Chairman of Jarden, have joined the Newell Brands Board of Directors.

Denny Brauer Approved Seaguar Flipping Fishing Lines

Seaguar Flippin Line

By Luigi De Rose

Designed by legendary flipper Denny Brauer, Seaguar’s Flippin Line focuses on big bass in cover. Offered in both Fluorocarbon and braid, expect ultra-abrasion resistant, tremendous power with great knot strength. The Fluorocarbon comes in 20lb, 25lb and 30lb tests for anglers who want the invisibility of Fluorocarbon yet demand control. Flippin braid is constructed using 8 ultra-thin strands in a tight, round profile weave in green, 50lb and 65lb tests MSRP $20.99 - $35.99

Scott Canterbury Wins 2016 Walmart FLW Tour Beaver Lake Event!

Finally notchers first tour win.

FLW PRESS RELEASE

Quaker State pro Scott "Hammerbury" Canterbury used to be able to tell stories about Walmart FLW Tour events that he almost won, could have won or should have won.

Scott pulls off big win! (Photo: FLW)

In his rookie season in 2008 there was Lewis Smith Lake where he finished runner-up by a pound and a half.

In 2012, another pound and a half deficit cost him a win at Beaver Lake.

At Toho in 2015 he missed winning by 11 ounces.

But perhaps none of his close calls were more painful than the 2014 Forrest Wood Cup where he missed a $500,000 payday by a single ounce. The fishing world could only watch in dismay as video footage showed Canterbury having the winning fish hooked and it coming off halfway to the boat.

For nine years as a pro angler, Canterbury’s career has been littered with crushing close calls and heartbreaking bass.

Today, Canterbury can shelve all those stories; he won’t need them anymore. Today, Scott Canterbury became an FLW Tour winner at the Walmart FLW Tour event presented by Jack Link’s on Beaver Lake.

By checking in limits weighing 12-14, 18-3, 14-6 and 17-0, Canterbury won with a four-day total of 62 pounds, 7 ounces. In the end, he beat runner-up Darrel Robertson by 1 pound, 3 ounces.

Scott Canterbury Wins Walmart FLW Beaver Lake with 62-07lbs!

Congrats to Scott Canterbury on his first Walmart FLW Tour event at Beaver Lake, Arkansas. Him four day total of 62-07lbs beat Darrel Robertson by one pound. More to come

2016 Walmart FLW Beaver Lake Day 3: Scott Canterbury is King of the Day!

Gustafson finished 11^th.

by Rob Newell

FLW PRESS RELEASE

After weighing in 14 pounds, 6 ounces on day three of the Walmart FLW Tour presented by Jack Link’s on Beaver Lake, Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury finds himself in a precarious position: the tournament leader. This is a bit disconcerting for Canterbury because after nine years on Tour, he has not been able to close out on a win. He has been close and has finished in just about every spot in the top 10 except first – including two runner-ups in the Forrest Wood Cup.

Scott leaps into lead as tournament goes into final day. (Photo FLW)

Canterbury has been here before – it’s unnerving, but familiar territory for him. With only a 1-pound, 4-ounce lead going into the final day, he his well aware of the problems pursuing him in the rearview mirror.

“I’ve got the best in the world behind me – Mr. Beaver Lake, Matt Arey, and the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time) himself Andy Morgan,” Canterbury says. “Then there is Jeff Sprague who as been catching them every day. I can’t catch less than 15 pounds tomorrow and have shot at it. The lake is fishing too well right now. So all I can do is just go out there, go fishing and do the best I can.”Canterbury’s three-day total for the event is 45 pounds, 7 ounces. He has accrued most of that with a high-speed pitching technique that involves making more presentations in a day than anyone else and doing it on water that he has never fished before.

2016 Walmart FLW Beaver Lake Day 2: Darrel Robertson Leads with 31-02lbs!

Jeff Gustafson Grabs 10th!

FLW PRESS RELEASE

The Beaver Lake lead shuffle has begun. Day two of the Walmart FLW Tour event presented by Jack Link’s saw leaders from day one slide back and those with big limits made a run up the outside to take their positions. Similar to Daytona in NASCAR, the lead always changes often at the Beaver Lake FLW Tour event.

Robertson just 1 ounce ahead of tight field. (Photo: FLW)

Day two dawned windless with sunny skies, but by mid-morning it had turned overcast with a little breeze.

As the saying goes, Beaver Lake is all about getting the big bite and how true it is. For the second day in a row, he who had the big fish of the day is leading the tournament.

Yesterday, JT Kenney caught a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass to anchor his leading weight. Today, Darrel Robertson caught a 5-pound, 8-ounce largemouth – the big bass on day two – and it loaded down a limit weighing 16 pounds, 4 ounces to propel Robertson to the lead; his two-day total now stands at 31 pounds, 2 ounces.

2016 Walmart FLW Beaver Lake Day 1: JT Kenney Grabs Lead with 18-05lbs!

Good fishing crams leaderboard.

FLW PRESS RELEASE

JT Kenney’s first bass of the morning to start the Walmart FLW Tour event presented by Jack Link’s on Beaver Lake was a 6-pound, 10-ounce largemouth.

After landing it, he kneeled down in the boat and punched the water with his fist in an act of “punching Beaver Lake back.”

One big bass helps vault Kenney into lead. (Photo: BASS)

For most of his FLW Tour career, Beaver Lake has been JT Kenney’s nemesis. One year he zeroed in this event, failing to catch a single keeper in two days of competition.

“Yeah, that’s what the punch in the water was for,” Kenney laughs. “When I got that big one in the boat it was like years of misery delivered back with one punch. I’m sure it didn’t hurt the lake too bad, but it made me feel better.”

Kenney’s big bass claimed the big bass honors for the day and helped put him the lead on day one with 18 pounds, 5 ounces.

2016 Walmart FLW Beaver Lake Tournament Starts Now!

The Beaver Lake event in Rogers, Arkansas starts today. Stay tuned each day for the results and on Sunday when the winner will be crowned.

Lew's New Braid, Fluorocarbon and Monofilament Lines for 2016

Three Options of Great Fishing.

By Joel Isenberg

Lew’s APT monofilament

This legendary reel maker is now producing line. Their APT monofilament, braided and Fluorocarbon lines provides great choices. The APT Mono features enhanced cross-link polymer technology and will come in clear from 6lb to 25lbs tests. MSRP $12.99-$13.99

Lew’s APT Braid

The APT Braid is a green, round line made from 100% Japanese Dyneema Fiber in 6lb to 65lb test spools. MSRP $$24.99-$29.99

The APT Fluoro

Constructed with Japanese resins it provides great quality line that is consistent with Japanese exports. Spools from 6lb to 25lb tests. MSRP $22.99-$36.99

Brett Hite's New JackHammer Vibrating Jig from Evergreen.

Chatterbaits are king in spring!

By Luigi De Rose

Brett Hite with the new JackHammer. (Photo: James Overstreet)

The chatterbait has now claimed its second Bass Elite victory in a row and doesn't seem to be losing any steam. Any vibrating jig sporting a coffin shaped blade has been filing livewells across the south for over two months. When bass swim shallow its chatterbait time.

One angler who has built a career on the back of a vibrating jig has been Arizona angler Brett Hite. Hite needed to learn how to compete on grass lakes so he decided to learn the chatterbait. This investment had claimed both his FLW wins and another two victories on the BASS Elite Tour. Brett almost grabbed another win this past weekend at Winyah Bay but was edged out by Britt Myers who also fished a chatterbait to claim his first BASS trophy.

In the courts, Z-Man lures has received the rights to manufacture the Chatterbait and has laid claim to any versions of this popular lure. Choices have become very limited. Elite pro Brett Hite has turned to Japanese based Evergreen International, one of his sponsors, to craft his own version called the Jackhammer. We know almost nothing about this bait. All that has been released is that Morizo Shimizu and Brett Hite teamed up to create it and for many that is all that is needed to give it a seal of approval.

Don’t expect to find the JackHammer at your local bait shop. This is a web only purchase for now. If you like fishing something new or different than this is a great springtime purchase.

Britt Myers Wins 2016 BASS Elite Winyah Bay with 56-03 lbs!

Myers masters Winyah Bay!

By Thomas Allen

BASS PRESS RELEASE

For the fourth day in a row, Britt Myers of Lake Wylie, S.C., made a long run to the Cooper River near Charleston, S.C., knowing that he needed to make all the right moves to claim the championship title.

Fishing ditches and stumps in an old rice field lands Myers his first win!  

Due to a strong cold front that shut the fishing down, Myers was forced to scrap his original game plan and try something new. The adjustment proved to be the right decision, which produced 9 pounds, 5 ounces of bass, and a four-day total of 56-3 during Championship Sunday at the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.

Myers had only three fish by late Sunday morning, and he knew a change in presentation was necessary if he were to remain in contention for the title.

Britt Myers Wins the 2016 BASS Elite Winyah Tournament!

Britt squeaks by with 9.5 final day limit. More to come (Photo: BASS)

2016 BASS Elite Winyah Bay Day 3: Brett Hite Scores Lead!

Down To Three!

By Tomas Allen

BASS PREE RELEASE

Despite a powerful cold front accompanied by strong northerly winds, many of the Top 51 anglers still made the long grueling run to the Cooper River near Charleston, S.C., to catch their fish.

Saturday was a shootout between the Top 3 anglers, which ended with the third lead change in as many days.

Hite using new chatter bait to perfection. (Photo: BASS)

Brett Hite of Phoenix, Ariz., successfully plucked 18 pounds of largemouth bass from the same area he has been fishing the past two days. Hite will leave the docks on Championship Sunday with a three-day weight of 50-2, looking for the second victory of his career at the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.

2016 BASS Elite Winyah Bay Day 2: Britt Myers Uses Local Knowledge of Tides to Lead!

Local Myers Knows Secrets of South Carolina

By Thomas Allen

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Britt Myers fully understands the amount of risk that comes with making a near two-hour boat run to access his fishing spots, but on Friday the gamble paid off in a big way.

Britt working grass flat and ditches to secure lead.
(Photo: BASS)

Myers, of Lake Wylie, S.C., brought in a five-bass limit that weighed 21 pounds, 7 ounces, which catapulted him into the lead with a two-day total of 37-15 during the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.

After a weather delay on Thursday, Friday’s take-off was on time and preceded a beautiful spring day that produced some impressive bass.

Kelly Jordon of Flint, Texas, weighed the heaviest limit of the tournament so far with 24-7, pushing his two-day total to 32-12. Brett Hite of Phoenix, Ariz., is in third with 32-2, while Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas, is holding down fourth place with 26-1. Randall Tharp of Port St. Joe, Fla., rounds out the Top 5 with 25-8.

With two days remaining, Myers won’t divulge specifics yet, but he is confident that the right bass will be where he’s fishing at least one more day.

2016 BASS Elite Winyah Bay Day 1: Carl Jocumsen Leads with 19-11!

Australian Grab His First BASS Lead!

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Carl grabbed a great limit while most struggled.
(Photo: BASS)

A near two-hour boat ride to the Cooper River just outside of Charleston, S.C., was a risk worth taking for Australian angler Carl Jocumsen on the first day of the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.

After a one-hour weather delay due to a thin line of quickly moving thunderstorms, Jocumsen endured a one-hour, 45-minute boat ride to access his prime fishing locations. Upon arrival, he was restricted to only three hours of fishing before having to make a return trip to the weigh-in site in Georgetown.

The risky ride paid off for Jocumsen, as he currently leads the field of 109 anglers with a limit of five bass that weighed 19 pounds, 11 ounces. Local favorite Britt Myers of Lake Wylie, S.C., is in second place with 16-8, while Matt Herren of Ashville, Ala., is holding down third with 14-6.

Curado 25th Anniversary with Dave Mercer

In honor of the Curado's 25-year legacy, we're talking to top anglers about what the Curado means to them. See what Dave Mercer has to say about his over-twenty years of experience fishing with and talking about the Curado with the Shimano family.

Diawa J-Braid

Diawa's New  J-Braid

By Luigi De Rose

This titan Japanese company’s all new J-Braid delivers high quality performance at an affordable price. An 8 strand woven construction ensures it will remain round and spool nicely.  Offered in 330 yard and 165 yard filler spools from 8lb to 80lb tests in dark green, chartreuse and multi-coloured versions. The 165 yard spool has much more line that regular spools of 110 yards so you're saving right off the bat. J-Braid is strong, easy knotting and super smooth. It offers great casting distance and strength when you really need it. 

MSRP $17.99 - $31.99

www.diawa.com

New Rapala Shadow Rap Shad with Scott Walcott.

Rapala's new jerk bait with custom smallmouth colours!
By Joel Isenberg



Rapala's new Shadow Rap Shad is an amazing jerkbait that suspends slightly then slowly floats up nose first. From gentle twitches to hard rips, this Shadow Rap Shad will produce tremendous side to side action. Pro-staffer and guide Scott Walcott explains this bait along with its new matte finishes that are ideal for clear waters.

Pelican International Expands Kayak Production

Kayak Company Making Waves

Originally posted in Angling International

Canadian manufacturer Pelican International is opening a second production facility to keep pace with the growing demand for its plastic kayaks.

Capacity at the company’s current plant in Laval, Quebec has reached maximum and the business has had to contract out some of its work.

Marketing Director Vincent Bedard pointed to recreational fishermen as one group turning to thermoplastic kayaks. Pelican became the official sponsor of the 2016 Kayak Bass Series in January.

The new site, in Salaberry, south Quebec, will reportedly cost tens of millions and the factory will occupy 145,000 square feet of an old weaving mill, to which a further 160,000 square feet will be added.

Pelican exports to more than 50 countries and claims to be the largest plastic boat maker in the world. It specialises in thermoforming, a much faster process than rotational moulding, and has produced well over two million boats.

The company employs around 450 people at seasonal peaks at Laval and anticipates hiring 200 at Salaberry in the next few years. Pelican was founded in 1968 and has been owned by brothers Antoine and Christian Elie since the 1980s.