Memorial Day

Hope you and your family enjoy this special day in peace. 

Remember the ones who ensured we all could live with freedom and peace. 

SEM Outdoors Mega Jigs Tube jigs with IBASSIN

The best jig for the job!
By Joel Isenberg




The Mega Jig Tube jig heads are one of the finest on the market. Each jig is tear-drop designed for easy insertion even with skinny tubes. Each jig is poured with a 4/0,  60 degree flat eye hook in your either Mustad or Gamakatsu.
These tube jigs are available in: 1/8 , 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 1oz.

Tackle: http://semoutdoorscom.ipage.com/store/page5.html

Women in the Outdoors on the Rise!

As overall numbers of hunters and anglers have remained relatively steady in recent years, one thing is certain; within that group of adventure-seeking outdoor enthusiasts, the number of women participants continues to climb. Today, women make up more than one-quarter of all anglers (nearly 27 percent), while just over one in 10 hunters (11 percent) are women. As a result of their growing numbers, women hunters and anglers are increasingly a force outdoor businesses are attempting to reach. To help those companies and organizations seeking to understand the modern sportswoman, Southwick Associates has created their annual "Women in the Outdoors in 2015" which is available for free on their website.

 

Key statistics and findings in the updated report include: 

• Forty-four percent of female anglers who fished freshwater fished for largemouth or spotted bass.
• Seventy-two percent of female freshwater anglers used artificial lures, the most by far. Second was live bait, used by 59 percent of female anglers.
• Fifty-six percent of female anglers who fish saltwater do so for any fish that bites.
• Ninety-six percent of female anglers fish with rod and reel, more than those who fly fish, ice fish, bow fish, noodle or fish with a cane pole combined.
• Just as with male hunters, the whitetail deer is the most sought after North American game animal by women (60 percent).
• A higher percentage of men (76 percent) than women (59 percent) shoot rifles, but a larger percentage of women (47 percent) use shotguns than men (43 percent).
• A larger percentage of women (28 percent) also enjoy archery than men (23 percent).
• Ammunition was the most purchased hunting/shooting equipment in 2015 by both women (82 percent) and men (83 percent).           

Curado 70 For The Curado 25th Anniversary

2016 marks the 25th anniversary of one of our all-time favorite reels - the Curado. We're building on our legacy with the new Curado 70!

For 25 years now, the Curado continues to be the go-to baitcasting reel for bass and walleye, red fish and trout. Now offered with a new compact Hagane Body and a new model size perfect for pitching, ipping and casting lighter lures, the Curado 70 also features an enhanced SVS In nity braking system designed for nesse and ipping techniques. X-Ship Technology provides even more smoothness and durability – just as anglers have expected from Curado reels for more than two decades. This new addition offers unparalleled cast-ability, industry leading durability, and precision control in a compact and rigid body. With the latest innovation from Shimano, the new Curado 70 is not one to miss.

Wacky Bass Candy Hook with IBASSIN

Awesome hook for Senko fishing
By Joel Isenberg



If you love to fish a Senko or stick bait then you have to try the Wacky Bass Candy Hook by S.E.M Outdoors Mega Jig. They've added 1/16oz of weight to a 3/0 Gamakatsu wacky hook to help you get to the bottom faster and deeper. The great part is that you don't have to use any nail weights. Learn why this hook should be part of your tackle.

Tackle: http://semoutdoorscom.ipage.com/store/page5.html

Matt Herren Wins the TTBC with 51-12 pounds!

It's Herren's time at TTBC
By Andrew Canulette
BASS PRESS RELEASE

When the final day of the 10th annual Toyota Texas Bass Classic began, Matt Herren held a slim 12-ounce lead over Bryan Thrift.

When the day was done, Thrift had closed the gap – but not enough to win.

Junk fishing his way to victory. (Photo: BASS)

Herren, an Elite Series pro from Alabama, had a three-day total of 51 pounds, 12ounces, which was eight ounces more than Thrift. The victory netted Herren a $100,000 cash prize, a Nitro Z20 boat with dual Power-Poles, and bragging rights in one of the most prestigious bass fishing tournaments.

But most importantly, it got Herren his first professional level win in nine years (he previously won an FLW stop in 2007.) He has never won a B.A.S.S. Elite Series event.

“Man, it’s incredible,” Herren said, after weighing a 17-4 limit on Sunday. “A lot of hard work goes into this, and there’s a lot of people who pay a big price to let me do what I do. They all know who they are … It’s amazing. You always wonder every day when you get up; you finish second, you finish third. It’s like ‘When? When is my time?’”

Mercury Marine Increases Manufacturing Capacity

Merc revs up production

Originally posted in Angling International

Mercury Marine is adding 45,000 square feet to its manufacturing capacity in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Mercury Marine President, John Pfeifer:
"We have very robust growth initiatives planned 

The global marine propulsion company is also investing in new equipment to streamline its manufacturing process and is expanding its office space by 8,000 square feet. The work will be completed in January 2017.

The expansion means that Mercury Marine has invested more than $730m into capacity, technology and product development since 2009. It is the second major development of the Fond du Lac site in the past year.

“Demand for our product in the global marketplace has afforded the opportunity to grow our manufacturing capabilities,” said Mercury Marine President John Pfeifer. “This move will allow us to increase production and capacity to ensure we meet the growing needs of our customer base.

“In 2009 we made a commitment to grow our global headquarters in Wisconsin and create new jobs. We continue to do both. We have very robust growth initiatives planned over the next few years.”

Mercury employs 5,000 people worldwide, more than half of which work in Fond du Lac.

The Search | Rapala Fishing

Rapala has created a great video that channels the inner desires of what makes us fish. This captures the heart, mindset and emotion that fishing and the pursuit of fish is really all about.

KVD Wins the 2016 BASS Elite Toledo Bend

The King had returned. 
By Bryan Brasher
BASS PRESS RELEASESuperstar professional angler Kevin VanDam often deals with a different set of circumstances than the average angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series.

With such a sparkling resume, many fans' expectations for VanDam are much higher. With such a recognizable name and face, the number of people who want to catch a glimpse of him doing his thing on the water is sometimes off the charts.

Because of all that, many people have wondered aloud these past five years if VanDam would ever win another major tournament. But he was never one of them — and now, he's silenced all of his doubters.

Van Dam scratches out his 21st BASS title. (Photo: BASS)

VanDam slammed the door on a wire-to-wire victory at the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend with 21 pounds, 6 ounces of bass on Championship Sunday. The big bag gave him a four-day total of 96-2 and his record 21st victory in a B.A.S.S. event.

"This was the most challenging tournament I've ever won," said VanDam, who raised his career earnings with B.A.S.S. to just over $5.9 million with Sunday's $100,000 payday. "The first two days were pretty good, but the last two days were really, really tough.

"It's normally not hard fishing here. But with the pressure out there this week, trying to be there at the right time when the conditions were right, it was tough."

VanDam caught 29-5 Thursday and 20-11 Friday to lead the field into Saturday's semifinal round with 50-0. But with the weekend, the lake became more crowded — and at times, VanDam had as many 50 boats following him from spot to spot.

2016 BASS Elite Toledo Bend Day 3: KVD Leads by 5 Pounds Going into Final Day.

KVD cranking in the biggest ones.
By Bryan Brasher
BASS PRESS RELEASE
Kevin VanDam continued his charge toward a possible wire-to-wire victory in the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend with a Saturday catch of 24 pounds, 12 ounces that pushed his four-day total to 74-12.
But he said to make no mistake: The fishing has definitely gotten tougher.
"It was one of the toughest days I've ever had on the water — absolutely brutal," said VanDam, who is vying for his record 21st career B.A.S.S. victory. "I only caught five fish all day, and the last one came very late."

One monster each day keeps KVD as king. (Photo: BASS)

As other anglers in the Top 5 started fast, VanDam only had one fish that weighed just under 5 pounds by 10:30 a.m. But then he worked the same deep-diving crankbait magic he worked the first two days, landing a giant largemouth that tipped the scales at 8-11.
It was 2 p.m. before he landed his third and fourth keepers — one that weighed 2-plus pounds and one that weighed just over 3. Then just when he seemed destined to come in one shy of a five-bass limit, he caught a 5-pounder on his final stop with only minutes remaining.

2016 BASS Elite Toledo Bend Day 2: KVD Leads with 50lbs.

KVD steady as leader board flip flops.
By Bryan Brasher
BASS PRESS RELEASE
The biggest thing Kevin VanDam has caught so far this week has been himself.

But there could be far bigger catches ahead of him if he remains on his current path at the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend.

KVD works his magic with a 10XD. (Photo: BASS)

VanDam had to have a treble hook removed from his hand during Friday’s second round after landing his biggest fish of the day. But it didn’t stop him from catching five bass that weighed 20 pounds, 11 ounces and helped him hold onto the tournament lead with a two-day total of 50-0.

“The fish had just one hook in its mouth, and those Mustad treble hooks are really sharp,” VanDam said. “The fish kind of shook as I was trying to take the hook out, and it jerked one of those trebles right in my hand. I had a crankbait with one hook connected to my hand and the other connected to a big bass.”

2016 BASS Elite Toledo Bend Day 1: KVD Smashes Them + Big Bass

Top 5 anglers have 10 Bassmaster Classic victories between them
By Bryan Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Kevin VanDam wanted badly to fish offshore during the three-day practice period for the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend. But a steady 20-mph wind just wouldn’t allow it.

The winds died Thursday as the tournament began, and fishing fans in central Louisiana got to see why VanDam was so anxious to move away from the banks.

KVD on his game off-shore. (Photo BASS)

The pro fishing superstar from Kalamazoo, Mich., brought in a five-bass limit that weighed 29 pounds, 5 ounces to top the leaderboard on a day when 12 anglers caught at least 20 pounds. He leads a star-studded Top 5 that includes 69-year-old Missouri legend Rick Clunn (24-10), North Carolina pro Hank Cherry, Jr. (24- 7), 2012 GEICO Bassmaster Classic winner Chris Lane (23-14) and reigning Classic champion Edwin Evers (22-11).

“I started on the shallow pattern and caught a good limit early, and that gave me the confidence to go and fish deep,” said VanDam, who has four Classic titles on his resume. “I didn’t get to fish deep in practice the way I like to because of all the wind. So I fished a lot of places today that I hadn’t fished at all this week.

Contrasting Q1 sales for VMC Rapala and Shimano

Two of the world’s biggest fishing tackle manufacturers reported contrasting sales fortunes in the first quarter of 2016.

Originally posted in Angling International

Lure making giant, Rapala VMC Corporation, reported First Quarter net sales of €69.7 million – 6% down from the previous year (€73.9 million) – while fishing tackle sales at Shimano increased 5% compared to the same period in 2015 to 16,796 million yen.

Despite reporting a slow start to 2016, Rapala says that its financial guidance for the year remains unchanged and that it expects net sales and comparable operating profit to be above last year’s levels.

President and CEO Jorma Kasslin told investors: “The year started a bit slow, but did not include any major surprises. In North America the ice fishing season ended up being short, but now attention has shifted to the summer fishing.”

He added that although the Russian business environment continued to be ‘challenging’, there were some signs of stabilisation in the market. “Conditions are also difficult in some other regions, but we are well positioned to face the challenges.”

Shimano’s fishing operation is dwarfed by its bicycle components business, which saw its net sales drop by 20.3% from the same period last year to 65.3 billion yen, resulting in a 16.2% decrease in group sales compared to 2015.

Canadian Mark Cavanaugh Wins B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional!

Giant last day limit secures win.
BASS PRESS RELEASE
Canadian Mark Cavanaugh caught his winning catch of largemouth within the first half hour of fishing this morning to win the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Cavanaugh, of Port Perry, Ontario, won the tournament after three days with a total weight of 45 pounds, 3 ounces. A 5-bass limit weighing 19-7 anchored his Day 3 catch.
"They were feeding fast and furious soon as I arrived," said Cavanaugh, a member of the Port Perry Bassmasters. "It didn't slow down until after I caught my limit and then the fish just shut down."
William Lortz II of Rochester N.Y., finished second with 41-7. Jason Vaughn of Bridgeville, Del., took third with 40-12. Casey Smith of Macdeon, N.Y., was fourth with 40-7. Mike Wolfenden of Warwick, R.I., was fifth with 39-11.

Fishing deep and shallow sets Mark up for success. (Photo BASS)

With exception of Smith those anglers also caught the heaviest individual weights for their states. Each top placing boater and non-boater from the 17 states and Ontario competing in the tournament advanced to the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors. Date and location of the championship will be announced soon.
Jon Robia of Norawood, N.Y., won the non-boater division with a total weight of 25-10. John Bernard of McKees Rocks, Pa., took second with 25-3 and Matt Becker of Finleyville, Pa., was third with 25-2.
Cavanaugh's fishing area improved daily as evidenced by his scorecard. On Day 1 the Canadian returned to the scales with a limit weighing 10-8 to put him in 52nd place. The next day he moved to 10th based on the lift provided by a limit weighing 15-4. He finished the tournament with the limit weighing 19-4.

Buddy Gross Wins 2016 Walmart FLW Tour Pickwick Lake with 74-5lbs!

Wire to wire for rookie.
by Rob Newell
FLW PRESS RELEASE
There are no more secrets.
That phrase has become cliché in tournament bass fishing. And to a large degree, it’s true. With the advent of modern electronics, which feature mapping and imaging, every square foot of a lake bottom can be scoured, mapped and captured on an SD card.
But what grows on that mapped lake bottom can change and these days true bass fishing secrets tend to hide in the seams of environmental changes to waterways. For instance, consider how exotics like gobies and zebra mussels have changed fisheries in the Midwest.
Anglers who ply the same waters day after day, year after year are the first to notice these changes in ecosystems and how the changes begin to influence bass behavior. Once these anglers detect a change in how bass relate to the ecosystem, they discover approaches and tactics that give them huge advantages in tournaments.

Gross wins despite poor last day. (Photo: FLW)

One such angler who has seen just such a change along the TVA system in recent years is Walmart FLW Tour rookie Buddy Gross of Ringgold, Ga. Gross fishes Lake Guntersville quite a bit and over the last few years he has seen a change in Guntersville’s vegetation that can best be described with one word: Eelgrass.

2016 Walmart FLW Tour Pickwick Lake Day 3: Gross Going for Wire to Wire Win!

Shad and grass keep Gross in the grove.
FLW PRESS RELEASE
For the third day in row, Walmart FLW Tour rookie Buddy Gross of Ringgold, Ga., walloped a 20-pound plus limit on Pickwick Lake and in the process pretty much walloped the rest of the field.
Gross toted 22 pounds, 12 ounces of bass to the scales in the Walmart FLW Tour event presented by Quaker State and hosted by Florence/Lauderdale Tourism on day three to take a commanding lead by nearly 15 pounds with a three-day total of 69 pounds, 7 ounces.
Gross will be hard to catch tomorrow, especially given the fact that no one else in the top 10 seems to be as dialed in as he is right now.

 

What Gross catch on Day 3.

Gross has discovered something very unique on Pickwick Lake that he wants to keep quiet until the final day, just for good measure. Essentially, there is a shad spawn occurring on this distinct cover he has found and the bass feeding on the shad are big. The only problem is the shad spawn is only good for three or four fish early. Then he has to grind around the rest of the day to fill his limit.
Today Gross caught three good fish and a keeper quickly off his primary spot. After going bite-less for a couple of hours he left it and went to a secondary area that he says is more of a typical Tennessee River ledge with more traditional cover on it. The secondary area yielded three 4-pounders in a short span of time, filling out his limit and giving him a couple of solid culls.

2016 Walmart FLW Tour Pickwick Lake Day 2: Gross Extends Lead by 9lbs!

Local advantage paying off for Gross and Neal.
by Rob Newell 
FLW PRESS RELEASE
Day two of the Walmart FLW Tour event presented by Quaker State and hosted by Florence/Lauderdale Tourism on Pickwick Lake was much calmer and tamer than day one. The wind waned and there were no lock issues for those venturing to Wilson. Given the calmer conditions, many thought more big bags would be brought to the scales since pros could actually fish in the main drag of both lakes. But on day two, only three limits crossed the 20-pound mark as many of Pickwick’s best sticks were left scratching their heads as to why more fish are not stacking up out on the ledges for the post-spawn feedbag.

Its become a battle of the roommates and Gross and Neal go for the win. (Photo: FLW)

One of those 20-plus limits belonged to day-one leader Buddy Gross of Ringgold, Ga., who weighed 21 pounds, 3 ounces to extend his advantage over the rest of the field by nearly 9 pounds.
Though Gross is an FLW Tour rookie, he has had an experienced shoulder to lean on this week in the form of his roommate, well-known Tennessee River ace Michael Neal, who is always cool under pressure. Neal has not only helped Gross stay focused this week, but he also tipped Gross off to the lure that has been Gross’ go-to bait thus far. The real irony of this whole scenario, however, is that Neal is in second place and will be gunning for his own roommate going into the weekend.
Top 10 below

20116 Walmart FLW Tour Pickwick Lake Day1: Gross Grabs Lead with 25 Pounds!

Wild weather sink many pros.

by Rob Newell

FLW PRESS RELEASE

The day one fishing at the Walmart FLW Tour event on Pickwick Lake presented by Quaker State and hosted by Florence/Lauderdale Tourism might best be described as windy, weird and wild.

Windy because a northwest wind of 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 28 mph throttled the field of anglers who were hoping to fish open water areas in the lake’s lower end. The wind blowing against the current stacked up sizeable rollers better suited for the ocean. The weigh-in line buzzed with stories of speared waves, wet clothes and damaged equipment.

Despite windy conditions several ledge guys did very well. (Photo: FLW)

Weird because in a very unfortunate turn of events, some 30 pros and co-anglers who locked up into Wilson Lake this morning were basically locked out of the lock in the afternoon due to a barge that had issues when locking through. Most of those anglers were penalized for being late and about 20 of them missed their check in times altogether and ended the day with a zero, despite catching some solid limits.

Stren's Power Knot: Great Line for the Price!

Stren’s Power Knot 

By Luigi De Rose

Line is only as good as its knot and that’s the focus of Stren’s Power Knot. Power Knot is self-lubricating, giving knots extra security when cinched. Expect easy handling from this low memory line which will be offered in green and clear from 6lb to 20lb test 220yard spools. MSRP $5.99 -$6.99.

Takahiro Omori Wins 2016 BASS Elite Lake Wheeler Tournament in Grand Fashion!

Omori Wins!

By Thomas Allen

BASS PRESS RELEASE

In 2004, Japan native Takahiro Omori won the GEICO Bassmaster Classic during the final minutes of the final day. On Championship Sunday of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Wheeler Lake, Omori earned another win after putting together a final-day catch of five bass weighing 25 pounds, 3 ounces.

Big spook and swim bait pave way to big
win for Omori! (Photo: BASS)

Omori, who now hails from Emory, Texas, finished with a four-day total of 81-6, more than 4 pounds ahead of Saturday's leader, Dave Lefebre of Erie, Pa.

Omori struggled on Thursday's opening round of competition weighing only 10-7, which put him in 72nd place. He made a powerful comeback on Friday, catching 23-3, which bumped him all the way up to fourth place.

Following Saturday's competition, Omori climbed into second place after weighing a mixed bag of large- and smallmouth bass for 22-9. The former Classic winner kept his momentum rolling and produced the tournament's heaviest limit of bass on Sunday for an impressive come-from-behind victory.

2016 BASS Elite Wheeler Lake Day 3: Dave Lefebre Controls Wheeler!

Lefebre vs Omori Shoot Out.

By Thomas Allen

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Championship Sunday in Decatur, Ala., will be a shootout as the top anglers battle for the coveted first-place title and the $100,000 that goes with it.

With one day of competition remaining, Dave Lefebre of Erie, Pa., remains in the lead after weighing five bass for 20 pounds, 10 ounces at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Wheeler Lake.

Fishing shallow kept him above the rest. (Photo: BASS)

Lefebre's success comes after a relatively unproductive three days of practice fishing.

"On the first day of the event, I wasn't sure if the pattern I had found was sustainable for more than one day," Lefebre said. "I mean, it was the only spot I found during practice that was producing any good bass at all, and I typically like to have several spots — each with back-up plans."

Lefebre was very pleased with his results on Thursday and Friday, but after weighing 20-10 during today's semi-final round, which pushed his three-day total to 60-9, he is confident that he can win the tournament from his location.

"As soon as I culled out my smallest fish, I backed off the spot around 11 a.m., hoping to save some fish for tomorrow," he said. "I had my limit early enough that I didn't even get a chance to fish the best brushpiles in that part of the lake. Each time I have fished those brushpiles over the past couple of days, I've caught a big one. Keeping those spots untouched for tomorrow is a bonus."

While Lefebre's best areas remain fresh for Sunday's championship round, Takahiro Omori of Emory, Texas, is chipping away at Lefebre's lead after weighing 22-9 for a total of 56-3 in three days of competition.