Friday, December 29, 2017

Manufacturers Optimism High for 2018

Angling Trade recently conducted an informal phone and email poll with 10 top executives from leading fly fishing brands, and we asked them what their “optimism level” was for the coming business year.  Seven said they were as optimistic as they ever had been, and expect a strong sales year in 2018.  Two were guardedly optimistic, but admitted that they worried about natural factors like flood and fire, lack of snow/water, so they were more reserved in their opinions.  One thought we’ be pretty flat next year, but added that this past year was good, so maintaining is “a good thing.”
Factors that lead to this optimism included the hope that with the market soaring, disposable income among many in the fly demographic will increase, and that could prompt more travel, and more gear buys.  Many also noted that they see increased focus on the women demographic really starting to take a strong foothold, and the number of female angling aficionados will grow stronger

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

FACTS OF FISHING IS BACK!

FACTS OF FISHING IS BACK! The 2018 season was one of the most amazing & fun Mercer has ever experienced. Check out the trailer!
Airtimes:
Outdoor Channel
Premiere Wed Jan 3 @ 12:00pm
Sat @ 6:30am
Sun @ 11:00am
Mon @ 6:00am
Sportsnet 360
Premiere Sat Jan 6 @ 9:00am
Sun @ 9:00am
We will also air on WFN - World Fishing Network later in the year

Monday, December 25, 2017

Merry Christmas

Wishing all our valued readers a very Merry Christmas. 
Enjoy your families and all the great food.

Monday, December 18, 2017

3 Scorching Hot Bass Tactics


It's FREEZING outside! Here's a great video from Ontario OUT OF DOORS magazine on 3 Scorching Hot Bass Tactics for summertime bass. Luigi De Rose explains how to make it happen when the sun is bright and humidity is super high.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Tom Brooke Receives Honourary Membership in Canadian Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus





Former Shimano Canada V.P. honoured
Keep Canada Fishing press release
The Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus of Canada has named Tom Brooke, former President of the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association (CSIA), an Honourary Member of the Caucus.
The announcement was made in Ottawa on Tuesday December 5th at the Annual General Meeting of the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus.

Tom is credited as the inventor of the Shimano Live Release Boats in the mid-1980s, versions of which operate today to ensure that millions of tournament-caught fish in North America are released alive and unharmed to their home waters.

“I am honoured to be able to recognize the dedication that Tom Brooke has to fishing and all of Canada’s outdoor heritage activities,” said Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus. “He exemplifies everything that the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus stands for and, as someone who I have known for many years, I am very pleased to welcome him as an honourary member.”
Tom Brooke is well known in recreational fishing circles throughout North America especially in his previous role of V.P. Operations for Shimano Canada. Also, he is no stranger to Parliament Hill as member of the CSIA Government Affairs Committee.  “Having been associated with the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus for a number of years,” stated Brooke, “I have come to appreciate the hard work and dedication so many MP’s put into their work not only for our great outdoors but on behalf of all Canadians through their public service. To be made an honourary member of such an outstanding group of men and women is a real honour.”

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

2018 FLW Tour Roster Announced


Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) announced today the complete professional angler roster for the upcoming 2018 FLW Tour season, the 23rd season of the FLW Tour. The 2018 FLW Tour features seven regular-season tournaments around the country with competition kicking off when FLW returns to Lake Okeechobee, Jan. 25-28 in Clewiston, Florida, and is headlined by the world championship of bass fishing, the Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Ouachita, Aug. 10-12 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Demand for entry into the 2018 FLW Tour was unprecedented, with well over 200 pros registering last week. Per the FLW Tour qualifying process, 160 pros gained priority entry based on finishing the 2017 FLW Tour ranked in the top 100 pros or in the top 10 co-anglers, finishing a 2017 Costa FLW Series division ranked in the top 10 pros, or winning the TBF National Championship or the T-H Marine BFL All-American as a boater.
Additionally, there was record demand for sponsor entries, which do not count toward the maximum field size. To accommodate qualified anglers and sponsor entries, including those from loyal Ranger boat owners, the 2018 FLW Tour will feature 187 pros.

Monday, December 11, 2017

Maurice enters bankruptcy: creditors named

Big losses for many key companies
Originally posted in Angling International
One of North America’s largest distributors of fishing gear has filed for bankruptcy in a move designed to facilitate its takeover.
Troubled Maurice Sporting Goods, which is said to owe creditors up to $100million, has announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its assets to private investment firm, Middleton Partners, a company with a history of investing in distribution and consumer-based businesses.
A list of creditors, which is topped by Normark (owed $1.47m) and Shimano North America (over $900,000) has been released and is published below.
The company and its subsidiaries filed its voluntary petition for reorganisation under Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, Wilmington.
Middleton Partners, the Northbrook, Illinois company, has signed a letter of intent to purchase Maurice as a strategic buyer and is currently finalising an Asset Purchase Agreement. In accordance with the US Bankruptcy Code, other companies will have an opportunity to submit competing offers for the assets. The transaction is expected to be completed within 30 to 45 days.
“We are extemely pleased that Middleton Partners is going to purchase the assets of Maurice and continue our strategic vision and customer and vendor relationships,” said Jory Katlin, Maurice President and Chief Executive Officer.
“It has been a challenging couple of years, but I am excited that we have found the right partner to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and unleash new funding to fuel future growth.”

Friday, December 8, 2017

Govreau Brothers Win 2017 Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Norfork Lake!

Chong and Brownridge 3 pounds off win
Andrew Canulette
BASS PRESS RELEASE
Brett and Beau Win Team Championship.
(Photo: BASS)
Freezing temperatures made catching bass extremely difficult Thursday during the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship.
But brothers Brett and Beau Govreau of St. Louis, Mo., stayed hot on the second and final day of team competition on Norfork Lake. Entering Day 2 in second place with a five-bass limit of 14 pounds, 5 ounces, they followed on Thursday with another limit that weighed 11-13.
That gave the Govreaus a two-day total of 26-2 and helped them win the tournament that attracted 162 of the finest tandems from team trails covering 33 states, as well as Canada and Australia.
The Govreaus fish on the US Anglers Choice team trail. Ryan Butler and Dustin Lippe of the Joe Bass team trail placed second overall in team competition with a two-day total of 24-12, and the father/son duo of Robbie Dodson Jr. and Robert Dodson Sr. finished third with 24-10.
With the win, the Govreau brothers collected a Nitro Z20 and Mercury 225 Pro XS boat/motor package valued at $41,995, including a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance electronics. The duo also will be honored at the annual Bassmaster Classic Night of Champions in March.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

2017 Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Norfork Lake Day 1: Mulkey & Mulkey Lead with 15lbs!

Canadian teams fair well on first day
Andrew Canulette
BASS PRESS RELEASE
Sean Mulkey hold part of this Day 1 15-03lb leading creel.
(Photo: BASS)
Some bass tournament anglers like to run and gun, and others like to methodically work a spot looking for the right bites.
David and Sean Mulkey of the Joe Bass team trail in Missouri had no choice — they were forced to stay in one spot on Wednesday during the first round of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship. Their boat broke down during the first hour of fishing, and they had no other option than to remain where they were and hope for the best.
The father-son tandem found the bass they needed, and they now lead the two-day national team fishing championship taking place on Norfork Lake in northern Arkansas.
The Mulkeys, who reside in Ash Grove, Mo., boated a five-bass limit that weighed 15 pounds, 3 ounces. That total gave them an edge over brothers Brett and Beau Govreau of St. Louis, Mo. who are in second place with five bass totaling 14-5.
In all, 162 two-person teams (324 anglers) from 33 states and two foreign countries (Canada and Australia) are taking part in the team championship on 22,000-acre Norfork Lake. Each qualified for the event as one of the top performing teams on their local tournament trails this season.
The Mulkeys made the best of what could have been a frustrating day after their motor “blew up” while running in open water shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Customize Maps on your Boating App


The Navionics Boating app offers a rich set of invaluable features, allowing you to easily customize the map to fit your needs!

Open the app and go to Menu > Map Options:
• Turn Easy View ON to magnify icons and text
• If you’re in an area where water fluctuates due to droughts or floods, adjust the Water Levelsetting to alter contours and spot soundings accordingly
• Use Depth Shading to highlight depths up to a select value
If you selected the SonarChart™ layer, SonarChart™ Density allows you to customize the amount of 1ft contour detail you want to see.

An active Navionics+ subscription allows you to gain access to even more tools withAdvanced Map Options:
• Change the map display to a Satellite imagery or Terrain elevation view
• Turn Fishing Mode ON to engage the Fishing Range tool, perfect for anglers who want to target depths to catch a certain fish species. Simply enter the minimum and maximum desired values
• Easily adjust the depth value of Shallow Areas
• With Depth Contours, display bathymetry up to a select value

Monday, December 4, 2017

Focus on Classic Fall Tactics During Warm Late Season Bassin'

With the weather so warm, don't forget to rely on classic fall tactics even in December. No one is better during the fall that 4 time Bassmaster Classic Champion Rick Clunn. Rick prefers spinnerbaits and top waters when the bass are in the coves along sharper banks. Have a listen to the master as he explains why this time of year can be amazing.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

B1 Early Bird Registration Ends Dec 1



Last day to register for the Early Bird for 2018! Register for an individual event or for the the entire TOY TOUR and benefit from a 1st pool blast-off draw at every event!

Register Online Today: 
http://www.berkleyb1.com/registration.html

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

G. Loomis EX6 Series of Rods

Here's a video of JVD with the G. Loomis EX6 rods he loves to use. They're are top quality gear. They'll make a great gift for the one you love...YOU!

Monday, November 27, 2017

Cyber Monday Baby!


Today might be the best day of the year to score some super fishing deals. Here's some super places to look for that new gear for 2018!

Stringease
https://stringease.com

Set The Hook
http://setthehook.ca

Carrot Stik Rods
https://www.carrotstix.com

Tacklewarehouse
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com

Bass Pro Shop
http://www.basspro.com

Land Big Fish
http://www.landbigfish.com


Thursday, November 23, 2017

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Rapala Gift Guide Part 2

Rapala® Floating Aerator
While Rapala® is best known as the world’s premier lure-maker, the brand’s expertise doesn’t stop there, especially when it comes to gear that makes anglers lives’ easier. Enter the Rapala Floating Aerator, a compact accessory guaranteed to be a welcome addition on your loved one’s next fishing trip.
Small in size, the Floating Aerator consistently punches above its weight class and offers big-time results. It helps keep bait alive longer by gently mixing air into water, aerating 1.5 liters (0.4 gallons) per minute. Ideal for most bait-storage containers or enclosures, this portable device features a floating, water-activated switch, air-release stone and offers 18 hours of continuous run time. When it’s set to run at 15-minute intervals, it will provide up to 36 hours of run time.
Not only does this gift keep bait kickin’ longer, it also ensures anglers’ dollars will go further at their favorite local bait shop for years to come.
Rapala® Premium Fillet Knives
No serious angler’s gear collection is complete without a premium Rapala fillet knife. Expertly crafted by legendary Finnish blade manufacturer Marttiini, all Rapala fillet knives are constructed of the finest European stainless steel, delivering razor-sharp blades that will last a lifetime. This holiday season, choose from a wide variety of Rapala fillet knives to give the outdoors enthusiasts in your life a gift ready to handle any filleting chore.
From the iconic birch-handled Fish ‘n Fillet®, the knife the taught the world to fillet, to electric and long-lasting battery-powered options, Rapala fillet knives are the No. 1 choice of anglers worldwide and this holiday season’s must-have stocking stuffer.
Visit Rapala.com to browse the brand’s full catalogue of fillet knives, including options specifically designed for niche game species.
New Rapala® RipStop™
This holiday season, surprise your loved ones with a lure unlike any other: the new Rapala® RipStop™, a fast-ripping, hard-stopping bait described as a cross between a hard plastic jerkbait and a soft-body swimbait.
The bait’s never-before-seen rear plastic boot tail sets it apart from the competition. Not only does the boot tail create a hard-rolling, slashing action that mimics the live-minnow movements of a soft plastic swimbait, but it also causes the bait to stop on a dime when paused. The RipStop’s body shimmies as it comes to rest, then slowly rises, a natural motion that indicates an easy meal for hungry predators.
A terror for bass and other popular gamefish, the workhorse RipStop may be fished as a twitch bait, popped and ripped like a jerkbait, or cast and reeled in with a steady or variable-speed retrieve, providing a host of options to elicit heart-pounding strikes in any scenario.
Featuring two-part plastic construction with a non-inserted lip, RipStops weigh 1/4 ounce, cast a mile with far with little effort and dive 3 to 4 feet. The bait measure 3 ½ inches, is available in 14 appetizing color patterns and comes armed with two sticky-sharp VMC® light-wire treble hooks.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Rapala Gift Guide Part 1

Rapala® Mag Spring Pliers & Precision Line Scissors
Experienced anglers know having the right tools on-hand can make or break a day on the water. This holiday season, thrill your family and friends the latest from Rapala®: The Rapala Mag Spring Pliers and Precision Line Scissors.
Breaking new ground, the new Rapala Mag Spring Pliers utilize an ingenious patent-pending “Mag-Spring” system that keeps pliers open and ready for action, making it easier to use while busy holding a fish or rod. The Mag Spring Pliers comes ready for action with a pivoting, quick-draw sheath with belt loop and clip and a handy lanyard connection.
Traditional scissors just don’t cut it when you are using superlines. Another great stocking-stuffer, the new Rapala Precision Line Scissors excel at cutting and trimming micro super lines, as well as all other traditional fishing lines. Super lines are tough on a pair of scissors, dulling the blades in record time.
A great gift your friends or family will use for years, this pair features German stainless steel blades with premium titanium coating that extends life up to 15 times longer than other models.

Rapala® 50 lb. High Contrast Digital Scale
Ensure friends and family know when they’ve hauled in a record-setting hawg with the new Rapala® 50 lb. High Contrast Digital Scale, the brand’s most groundbreaking scale to date.
Sure to be a memorable gift this season, this cutting-edge digital scale is packed with features that set a new standard and promise make the life of every angler easier.
Its reverse-image LCD illuminated screen makes it easy to read the weight of your catch, even on bright, sunny days. Its intuitive directional pad operation system delivers easy navigation through a variety of menu options — including quick reference for minimum and maximum bin size, as well as total weight.
The 50 lb. High Contrast Digital Scale also comes with a fish-friendly gripper and alternate stainless steel hook for fast, safe weighing.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Humminbird® Introduces the New SOLIX™ 10

When Humminbird® introduced the SOLIX™ Series in January, it redefined sonar by integrating its most revolutionary technological features into a new line of powerful, easy-to-use fish finders. For 2018 Humminbird has expanded the series with the SOLIX 10. Its 10.1-inch screen makes it ideal for use at the bow or on more compact console settings. The SOLIX 10 helps anglers find and catch more fish with the most advanced sonar, image clarity and mapping capabilities in its class.

Crystal-clear images
The SOLIX 10 comes in two models: one featuring Humminbird’s exclusive MEGA Imaging™ with GPS and CHIRP Digital Sonar, and another with GPS and CHIRP Digital Sonar only. Humminbird’s ultra-clear MEGA Imaging™ is the first Down and Side Imaging technology to enter the megahertz range with performance that’s nearly three times greater than traditional 455 kHz frequencies. It results in the clearest, sharpest on-screen images ever seen.
 
B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk gives credit to MEGA Imaging for his 2017 victory at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, saying “I found brush piles that other guys drove right past with their sonar units. During practice I stacked up tons of waypoints on brush that held good fish, and during the tournament I was able to go back, see where the bass were on the piles, and smash them.”
 

Monday, November 13, 2017

Buy Yourself a New Reel! You've Earned it!


With Christmas coming up soon, it might be a great time to treat yourself to a new fishing reel. Listen to Mike Iaconelli as he explains why you need to invest in a top of the line reel.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Sales Up for Rapala North America Despite Turbulence

Originally posted by Angling International
Rapala’s third quarter performance has kept the company’s year-to-date net sales figures close to those of last year.
Third quarter net sales were boosted by the North American market (+9%) and, despite challenging market conditions, show an overall 2% increase on the same quarter last year.
Rapala’s strategy to improve profits, lighten the balance sheet and improve operational performance is proceeding well, says the company.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Bradford Beavers Wins 2017 Costa FLW Series Championship with 45-12bs!

Big topwater key to win. (Photo: FLW)
On a tough and topsy-turvy Kentucky Lake, Bradford Beavers ground out about 15 pounds per day and came away with his first big win in the Costa FLW Series Championship. Totaling up 15 bass for 45 pounds, 12 ounces, the up-and-coming Ridgeville, S.C., pro earned a $50,000 prize package and qualified for the Forrest Wood Cup for the second year in a row.
Beavers started decently and managed to stay consistent every day, basically playing the shallow bar game that Kentucky Lake is known for in the fall. He essentially had two or three spots that produced for him the whole tournament, with one real sweet spot, and he found them all on the last day of practice just north of New Johnsonville.
“I wanted to fish down there because I saw it had more shallow water, and that’s where the grass used to be from what I read,” says Beavers, who needed 35 hours in practice to catch his first keeper. “But when I saw the forecast I was a little bit scared of the wind. I know it gets rough out here, so I practiced the first three days within reasonable range. It was so bad, I talked to my dad every night and said, ‘this could be embarrassing.’ It was that bad. So, I said to heck with it, I’m gonna go where I want to go. And I caught three fish and found that spot.”
Beavers’ three spots were nothing too remarkable – shallow bars (one with some stumps, two without) on the main lake, but not right on the channel. Beavers estimates he caught most of his fish in less than 2 feet of water. Though the places were unremarkable, he did try and avoid pressure somewhat by staying on the back of his bars, where he figured fewer people had gotten to, and he also tried to be super stealthy.
“I had to run my trolling motor on like 25 to keep from spooking them,” says Beavers. “Every once in a while you’d spook one with the boat and see the puff of sand with him going by. It’s hard to be that stealthy in shallow water, but I tried move low and take advantage of the wind and use the Power-Poles. I covered my best spot yesterday and spent six hours to go 300 yards to get 15 bites.”
Beavers did the majority of his damage off one bar the first two days. On the final day, he split his efforts between it and his third spot.
Throwing a bone and chrome-colored Heddon Zara Spook accounted for his fish on days one and two, but he made a key change to a pearl white Zoom Magnum Fluke midway through the final day.
“Yesterday I had 15 bites and only caught six of them. Today I had 12 and caught six of them,” says Beavers. “They got very smart in that spot. This morning I’d throw the Spook out there and they would blow up behind it; they wouldn’t even hit it. So, I picked up a Fluke, and right away I caught one, and then I had three other bites on it and I lost them all. So, I changed how I rigged it, and it caught two more there.”
Starting out with his Fluke simply Texas-rigged worked for one fish, but adding a treble hook as a trailer was the change that enabled Beavers to win. After finishing out his best spot, he moved on to spot No. 3 and finished his limit and culled with a 4-pounder.
“I’m speechless. I never thought I’d win one of these,” says Beavers. “I won a BFL this year, and I thought that was unbelievable. I’ve been in the top 10 in four of these, and my fish have always fallen off on the last day. It’s just unbelievable.” 
Top 10 pros
1. Bradford Beavers – Ridgeville, S.C. – 45-12 (15)         
2. Todd Hollowell – Fishers, Ind. – 37-7 (11)       
3. Larry Stoafer – Leavenworth, Kan. – 34-13 (11)
4. Tim Fox – Meridan, Miss. – 34-0 (10)   

Saturday, November 4, 2017

2017 Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake Day 2: Foster Jumps into Lead with 33.06lbs!

Leaderboard flip flops big time.
By Jody White
FLW PRESS RELEASE

Chad Foster jumps into lead.
(Photo: FLW)
The fishing was pretty tough on day one of the Costa FLW Series Championship at Kentucky Lake, and there’s no doubt it got tougher on day two. Kentucky Lake isn’t giving them up easily right now, but Chad Foster pieced together four quality fish to move from third to first with a total of 33 pounds, 6 ounces. Foster weighed 19-13 on day one – a strong sack that paled in comparison to Bryan Thrift’s 27-8 – but his day two catch of 13-9 has him in the lead by 1-13.
Running south toward and past New Johnsonville, Foster is focusing on isolated shallow spots with bait and a few other key ingredients.
“There’s a bunch of fish. I’m getting the bites, but they were biting weird today,” says Foster. “There were five or six of them that didn’t really eat the bait. I’d maybe have them on for a crank, and they’d come off. I feel fortunate to have four. I had the bites to have another 18 pounds, but making them commit is the hard part.
“It was slick calm this morning, and I think they were getting too good of a look at the bait. I caught my two biggest fish in three casts as soon as the wind started blowing.”
Slinging a topwater like many others, Foster isn’t just rolling down shallow main-lake bars. He’s targeting more specific locations.
“It’s all shallow. It’s 6 inches to 3 feet deep, but there has to be bait there,” says the Pequot Lakes, Minn., pro. “There’s one spot with schools of gizzard shad the size of the bait tanks. You’ll see them [bass] come blast them, and then I fire over there and they don’t hook up.”
Given more wind and perhaps more current, Foster could be in line for a good final day, but with weights so close and the lake so unpredictable it’s anyone’s game.
Top 10 pros
1. Chad Foster – Pequot Lakes, Minn. – 33-6 (9)
2. Larry Stoafer – Leavenworth, Kan. – 31-9 (10)
3. Bryan Thrift – Shelby, N.C. – 31-1 (7)
4. Bradford Beavers – Ridgeville, S.C. – 30-13 (10)
5. Tim Fox – Meridan, Miss. – 28-13 (8)
6. Jason Abram – Piney Flats, Tenn. – 28-8 (10)
7. Todd Hollowell – Fishers, Ind. – 28-7 (9)
8. John Soukup – Agra, Okla. – 27-7 (10)
9. Michael Matthee – Centurion, South Africa – 27-1 (8)
10. Bill Chapman – Salt Rock, W.Va. – 26-13 (10)
CURRENT DIVISIONAL LEADERS
A slot in the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be awarded to the top finisher at the Costa FLW Series Championship from each of the five U.S. divisions and the International Division. The next five highest finishers regardless of division also receive a spot at the Cup.

Friday, November 3, 2017

2017 Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake Day 1: Bryan Thrift Takes Massive Lead!

Fall fishing freezes out some of the best
FLW PRESS RELEASE
Thrift proves why he is a winner!
(Photo: FLW)
Day one of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake started slow for bass-fishing superstar Bryan Thrift, but it quickly turned into another epic outing for the 2017 FLW Tour Angler of the Year when he piled about 25 pounds in his livewell on one spot this afternoon to top off a 27-pound, 8-ounce limit. The performance has him in first place by a margin of 7-1 over Alabama pro Cameron Gautney.
Justin Hicks of Roanoke, Va., leads all co-anglers with 16-13.
Top 10 pros
1. Bryan Thrift – Shelby, N.C. – 27-8 (5)   
2. Cameron Gautney – Muscle Shoals, Ala. – 20-7 (5)                 
3. Chad Foster – Saint Cloud, Fla. – 19-13 (5)      
4. Sheldon Collings – Grove, Okla. – 18-4 (5)                    
5. Bradford Beavers – Ridgeville, S.C. – 15-13 (5)                       
6. Kurt Mitchell – Milford, Del. – 15-8 (5)            
7. Ron Nelson – Berrien Springs, Mich. – 15-7 (5)           
8. Dustin Smith – Grand Island, Fla. – 15-3 (4)    
9. Todd Hollowell – Fishers, Ind. – 15-2 (5)
10. Jason Abram – Piney Flats, Tenn. – 14-15 (5)           
Current divisional leaders
A slot in the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be awarded to the top finisher at the Costa FLW Series Championship from each of the five U.S. divisions and the International Division. The next five highest finishers regardless of division also receive a spot at the Cup.
Here are the day one leaders from each division:
Southeastern – Bryan Thrift – 27 pounds, 8 ounces – first place
Central – Cameron Gautney – 20 pounds, 7 ounces – second place
Southwestern – Sheldon Collings – 18 pounds, 4 ounces – fourth place
Northern – Kurt Mitchell – 15 pounds, 8 ounces – sixth place
Western – Brent Shores – 13 pounds, 13 ounces – 15th place
International – Michael Matthee (South Africa) – 11 pounds, 9 ounces – 26th place (tie)

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Garmin acquires Navionics

Garmin is proud to announce that it has acquired Navionics S.p.A., a privately-held worldwide provider of electronic navigational charts and mobile applications for the marine industry.
Navionics has long been known as a leading supplier of highly accurate navigational charts and mobile applications for boaters. By combining Navionics’ content with Garmin’s BlueChart and LakeVü content, we will be able to offer the best available breadth and depth of coverage to our marine customers. Going forward, we plan to retain the Navionics brand and will continue to support Navionics’ existing customers.
“Since our founding, Navionics has been passionate about creating products that enhance the boating experience,” said Giuseppe Carnevali, Navionics founder and president. “Garmin shares our passion for serving the marine industry, and is an ideal company to carry the strong brand and reputation of Navionics into the future.”

Monday, October 30, 2017

Matt Belzil and Jason Clay Win the 2017 Jack Link’s Lake Simcoe Open!

Pending new Canadian tournament record caught!

Matt and Jason hoist part of their winning bag.
(Photo: Derek Strub)
Anglers were greeted to a breezy and wet morning early Saturday morning at Port of Orillia. Each of the 47 teams knew that late October can be cruel. The last few years, this tournament had seen brutal conditions: massive waves, freezing temperatures and fickle bass. But as this year’s tournament progressed, the wind changed direction and slowed dramatically making conditions ideal.

As the teams filed passed the stage, the crowd was treated to some of the heaviest 5-bass limits ever weighed in Canadian history. Third place went to Steve Robotham and Sabastian Roy who netted 30.13lbs. Ryan and Callum Johnson brought even a heavier bag totaling 31.06. The brother’s sack was anchored with a 7.29lb mammoth smallmouth to grab second. But the day’s best limit went to Niagara Falls residences, Matt Belzil and Jason Clay who collected a record breaking limit of 31.84lbs.

Matt and Jason were elated with the win and but soon were met with a weird twist of luck. According to the Lake Simcoe Open rules, any team who sets a new Canadian record is entitled to an additional $20 000. But, the new weight of 31.84lbs is in dispute. Being only a sliver more than the old record of 31.55lbs set by Joey Muszynski and Mark Moran at the 2010 Open.

According to the Aurora Bassmaters Club, the host of the event, no official results have been released. The official standings and decision on the new record will be release shortly after verification. IBASSIN.com will keep you informed as this story transforms.


Saturday, October 28, 2017

New Canadian 5 Bass Tournament Record Set at the 2017 Jack Link's Lake Simcoe Open.

Jack Link's Lake Simcoe Open set new Canadian record. Jason Clay and Matt Belzil win the Open and record with 31.84 lbs! Three teams had over 30 pound!
(Photo:Derek Strub)

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Renegade Bass Tour Announces New Elite Tournaments for 2018

Renegade Bass Tour will host 4 Elite qualifier events in 2018 bass tournament season as well as the 2018 Tour Championship.  Each Elite tournament will be capped to 50 teams. One of motivations to a limited tournament field is to build upon RBT TV and the opportunity for anglers to showcase their talents for Canadian and US television and our growing library of digital streaming content online.  Teams will continue to compete for a $5000 first prize purse and priority registration is given to teams or anglers who competed in an RBT Tour or RBT Open event in a previous season. 

The tour will launch on Big Rideau Lake June 23rd, 2018 hosted by Rideau Ferry Marina. The historic Big Rideau Lake is a popular destination for recreational anglers from across Canada and the United States and one of the jewels in Rideau Lakes system. The RBT then moves to our most Eastern destination with a return to Cornwall, Ontario on July 7 on Lake St. Francis, one of the most diverse bodies of water in Ontario and Quebec and the traditional lands of the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne and the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. The battle for the RBT Team of the Year continues on July 21st as the Town of Morrisburg and welcomed by our gracious hosts; the North Dundas Chamber of Commerce to the historic town bordering what is arguably the best smallmouth bass fishery in the world.  The tour will finish up where it started in the Rideau Lakes system (and the site of the 2016 RBT Championship) on the combined lakes of Dog and Cranberry. The event will be hosted August 18  by the beautiful village of Seeley’s Bay, Ontario.
  The RBT Canadian Championship will be held on Sept.8 & 9 and the body of water will be announced at the RBT Tour Event on July 21st. Registration will open on October 28, 2017 at the 2017 RBT Anglers General Meeting and it is expected the field will fill quickly for the 2018 qualifiers. Entry fees and details are available on the Renegade Bass Tour website.