Spring time techniques with Shaw Grigsby BASS Legend

Spring time in Florida is the kick off to a new year of bass fishing. One of the very best at catching bass, including giant bass, is Shaw Grigsby. This Florida legend and TV host knows how to find and catch bass during the pre-spawn and spawning periods. Listen to the master as he explains spring time techniques for catching big bass.

Taylor Ashley Wins 2017 Costa FLW Series Southeastern Lake Okeechobee with 68-12lbs!

Swimming a jig crowns a champ!

by Rob Newell 

FLW PRESS RELESE

Lake Okeechobee has been the career launching pad for several young rookie pros through the years. Full-time pros like JT Kenney, Bryan Thrift and Drew Benton all took their first big career wins on the Big O before the fishing world had ever heard their names. Now you can add the name Taylor Ashley of Warrior, Ala., to that list.

Consistence key for Ashley's big win. (Photo: FLW)

At just 19 years old, Ashley won the Costa FLW Series Southeast Division opener presented by Power-Pole on Lake Okeechobee. It was the first FLW Series event Ashley had ever entered. It was the first time Ashley had ever been to Lake Okeechobee. And it ended with his first big career win.
“Four days ago, there was no way in the world I would have said I could have won this tournament,” Ashley says. “There is nothing that can prepare you for coming to this lake for the first time. I studied Google Earth for hours, but it does you no good because everything changes so fast here – the grass, the water levels, nothing looks like you think it's going to look.”

2017 Costa FLW Series Southeastern Lake Okeechobee Day 2: Josh Weaver Grabs Lead with 32lb Limit!

Moving baits drawing biggest strikes!

by Rob Newell 

FLW PRESS RELESE
If you have ever wondered why anglers are forever infatuated with the bass fishing fairyland called Lake Okeechobee, take the case of young Joshua Weaver from Macon, Ga., as an example.

Weaver's 32-10lb limit displays Big O magic. (Photo: FLW)

On day one of the Costa FLW Series presented by Power-Pole, Weaver weighed in a five-bass limit for 17 pounds, 10 ounces. A pretty respectable catch in its own right.

On day two he nearly doubled that catch, hauling in a stunning 32 pounds, 10 ounces of Okeechobee giants to take the overall lead with a two-day total of 50 pounds even.

2017 Costa FLW Series Southeastern Lake Okeechobee Day 1: Gary Milicevic Grabs Lead with 25lbs!

Spawner is key to bigger weights
by Rob Newell 
FLW PRESS RELESE 
 
This time of year, 10- to 12-pound limits are a dime a dozen on Lake Okeechobee. If you don’t believe it, just take a look at the day one stats of the Costa FLW Series event presented by Power-Pole where 211 limits were weighed in out of 250 pros fishing.
Most of those limits were comprised of aggressive buck bass that make beds by the thousands in the shallows while the more wary – and much larger – females lurk around on the outsides of the bedding zones in deeper water or thicker cover.

Two brutes for Milicevic. (Photo: FLW) 

Essentially the difference between a par 10-pound limit and a 24-pound limit on Okeechobee right now is one is a bag full of males and the other is a bag full of females. But targeting just female bass all day is a much riskier proposition that requires being in close tune with staging areas, moon phases, wind directions, water clarities and fishing pressure to know exactly when and where a new bevy of big girls is going to roll up.

NAVPOD PROTECTION FOR BOAT ELECTRONICS

NAVPOD PEDESTAL PODS OFFER SUPERIOR PROTECTION FOR BASS AND WALLEYE BOAT ELECTRONICS

NavPod, manufacturer of high-quality waterproof housings for marine electronics, announced today the release of a new product line specifically designed for bass boats – PedestalPods. Giving anglers the convenience of fishfinders and chartplotters within easy reach, PedestalPods also provide added protection for electronics and security from theft.

The new housings conveniently position displays 20-inches off the deck, located near the bow and at a 45-degree angle for ease of viewing while fishing. This allows anglers to easily reach and access the fishfinder/chartplotter for changes to range, zoom or even to control the trolling motor. Designed to resist impacts, vibration and moisture ingress, PedestalPods are crafted with a thick gauge, UV-stable acrylic capped ABS material and are built specifically with structural rigidity in mind. Built on the proven technology of NavPod’s popular range of PowerPods, PedestalPods are also manufactured with a double gasket system that provides an excellent watertight seal to keep spray off electrical connections ensuring the reliability and longevity of marine electronics.

Displays are easily installed in the pre-cut face of the NavPod. The heavy duty, powder coated aluminum pedestal tube is 3-inches in diameter with a 5-inch round base and has a large 1.75-inch opening. Providing plenty of room for running and concealing wires internally for a very clean look, PedestalPods gives protection for wires and connectors from water intrusion, UV exposure or damage from snagging and ripping connectors out of their sockets.

G-Man Moves to Humminbird and Minn Kota!

The 2016 BASS Angler of the Year Gerald Swindle is now running Humminbird, Minn Kota and Talons for the 2017 Elite Season. 

Jesse Wiggins Wins 2017 BASS Southern Opens on Harris Chain of Lakes with 59-04lbs!

Off-shore wins sight fishing match

By Andrew Canulette

BASS PRESS RELEASE
If Jesse Wiggins is going to keep winning fishing tournaments, someone is going to have to put a rush order on his pro fishing jersey.

Jesse wins Classic spot fishing off-shore with crank bait.
(Photo: BASS)

While most professional anglers are outfitted in fishing jerseys adorned with more sponsors than you can count, the Elite Series rookie sported a plain red T-shirt on Saturday when he climbed from fourth place to the top spot in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open No. 1.

In many ways, the simple red T-shirt is symbolic of Wiggins’ meteoric rise in professional fishing – it’s straight talk, and no frills. The clothing choice was even more appropriate though, considering the only insignia on it (besides that of a B.A.S.S. patch over his right breast) was a Jenko Fishing logo flanking it to the left.

After all, Jenko is the maker of the crankbait Wiggins used to win the first Bassmaster tournament of the 2017 season here on the Harris Chain of Lakes. The 27-year old Cullman, Ala., native caught a three-day total of 59 pounds, 4 ounces to win his second Open in as many years.

Wiggins won a package including cash and a Nitro boat valued at $51,400. He also earned the first berth in the 2018 Bassmaster Classic, even before the location has been announced.

2017 BASS Southern Open Harris Chain of Lakes Day 2: Justin Lucas Take Lead with 43-09lbs!

Field cut to Top 12 for Saturday. 

By Andrew Canulette

BASS PRESS RELEASE
The sun was about to slip below the horizon by the time Justin Lucas came to the stage for Friday's weigh-in of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open No. 1.

Lucas leads with back to back 21 pound limits.
(Photo: BASS)

At that point, about 360 of the 400 anglers already had weighed their bass in front of a healthy crowd at Venetian Gardens. If you had asked just about any of them, they probably would have said it was practically certain that Thursday's leader, Marty Robinson, would hold onto the top spot heading into Saturdays' final day of fishing on the Harris Chain of Lakes.

But Lucas had other plans.

The Guntersville, Ala., resident and California native swooped in at the 11th hour with a five-fish limit that weighed 21 pounds, 14 ounces. That gave Lucas a 43-9 total for two days, and has him more than 2 pounds ahead of Robinson heading into the final round.

Lucas was the only angler of the 200 in the pro division who caught 20-pound bags the first two days of the tournament. He's never won an Open, and he told the crowd he's itching to add to his trophy collection.

"I already have two on the mantle from the Elite Series," Lucas said, referencing his wins on the Potomac River in 2016 and the Sacramento River a year earlier. "But no Open trophies ... We want them all."

2017 BASS Southern Open Harris Chain of Lakes Day 1: Marty Robinson Takes Lead over 200 Pros.

Star studded field descend on Florida

By Andrew Canulette

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Florida bills itself as the “Fishing Capital of the World,” and the Harris Chain of Lakes is one of its crown jewels.

Robinson leads with 23-11lbs on Day 1.
(Photo: BASS)

On Thursday in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open No. 1, the acclaimed Florida fishery showed off a bit – for mid-January, at least.

From the time Alabama pro Deron Patrick started the 3 1/2-hour weigh-in with a 16-pound, 2-ounce limit, until the last of the field of 400 checked in, a steady stream of fish came across the stage. It made for an impressive display and for a momentous first day in the first Bassmaster tournament of the 2017 season.

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Marty Robinson of Lyman, S.C., had the heaviest bag among the 200 boating anglers, with five bass that weighed 23-11. The total gave him a narrow lead in the three-day tournament being held on this 80,000-acre network of lakes.

But he wasn’t the only one who was successful Thursday. Thirty-three pro anglers boated at least 15 pounds of bass, and eight of those bags weighed more than 20 pounds. Closest to Robinson are Hunter Shryock (second place, 22-1) and former Elite Series pro Ken Iyobe (third, 21-14). Others catching 20 pounds or more were fishing legend Paul Elias (fourth, 21-12); Justin Lucas (fifth, 21-11); Jordan Lee (sixth, 21-0); John Pollard (seventh, 20-11); and Chris Heath (eighth, 20-8).

Freedom Lures Helping Grassroots Anglers in Ontario

The Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation is pleased to announce Freedom Tackle Corp. has come on board as a new sponsor to the OBN.

The OBN and Freedom Tackle had been working very hard to come together in a great sponsorship opportunity for the OBN. Freedom Tackle will be sponsoring all aspects of the OBN, being Team Ontario, OBN High School Program, and all other aspects of the OBN.

Freedom Tackle Corp. is committed to providing anglers with cutting edge technology. “We strive to improve the accuracy and efficiency of anglers without restricting their freedom to customize. Think of our products as tools that enhance the systems you already fish with. We pride ourselves in each and every product we produce, which is why every product we sell is unique to the industry and truly one of a kind”

For more information please check out Freedom Tackle at: www.freedomlures.com

The Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation was founded in 1995 and is made up of 24 Senior and Junior clubs from all across the Province of Ontario.

For more information about bass fishing in Canada please check us out on line at: www.ontariobass.com

Humminbird® Introduces New SOLIX™ Series with Exclusive Technologies and Largest Screens in its Class

Humminbird® SOLIX™ Series combines 12” and 15” displays with Cross Touch® Interface, MEGA Imaging™, CHIRP Digital Sonar, AUTOCHART® Live

For decades, Humminbird has led the fishing world by putting new tools and innovations in the hands of anglers to help them find, and catch, fish. Now, Humminbird has combined its best features and placed them into one fishfinder, the SOLIX™. Offering the biggest display in the brand’s history - up to 15 inches – the SOLIX boasts technologies designed to make locating fish easier.
 
A truly revolutionary product, SOLIX delivers game-changing sonar, imaging and mapping capabilities in the largest fishfinder anglers have ever seen. In true Humminbird fashion, these technologies are packaged in an easy-to-use interface and system that can make any angler better.
 
Unprecedented screen innovation
SOLIX is setting the bar for the angling sonar category in display size with two variations – a 12- and 15-inch screen model. Both come standard with Humminbird’s Cross Touch® Interface, letting anglers operate the unit via touchscreen or keypad, all while customizing the screen with up to four independent viewing panes.
 

Project Z Weedless Chatterbait

Chatterbaits are one of the most effective spring time baits. Actually, as long as you have bass in the grass, the Chatterbait is wonderful. The new Weedless Chatterbait sports the same proven, tournament-winning design and upgraded features as the standard Project Z ChatterBait, the addition of a heavy fiber weedguard prevents snagging and fouling around wood, brush, docks, grass, and laydowns. Armed with premium components like 5/0 Mustad UltraPoint hooks, super strong line ties, stainless blades, and 3D eyes, this new weedless bladed jig helps you boldly go where no ChatterBait has gone before!

FEATURES

• ·    Heavy fiber weedguard for increased snag resistance
• ·    5/0 black nickel Mustad® UltraPoint® hook
• ·    Double umbrella Z-Tie™ EZ Skirt® for a fuller profile
• ·    Dual molded keeper barbs to hold soft plastic trailers securely
• ·    Super-strong quick clip line tie for maximum durability
• ·    3D eyes and multi-step, skirt matched paint schemes for an ultra-realistic look
• ·      Made in the USA

Tips for your next bass fishing vacation to America with Aussie FLW Pro Carl Jocumsen.

Travelling to the States for some bass fishing is easier than you think. No matter where you fish, you'll need to find them. So, if you're from Canada or the northern States and you want to have a little bass fishing vacation, then here's a cool video from Australian angler Carl Jocumsen. Remember he makes s his living fishing for American bass.

Legendary Angler Paul Elias Joins TEAM BASS CAT!

Bass Cat is pleased to announce the addition of Paul Elias to their 2017 Pro Staff. Elias, a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame since 2012 continues to set tournament records competing at the sport’s highest level well into his 60s.

Since first competing in a Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) competition in 1976, Elias has consistently been a trendsetter, titleholder, and record setter. He has six Bassmaster wins, including the 1982 Bassmaster Classic, and has amassed over $1 million in B.A.S.S. wias innings. Additionally, his resume includes two FLW wins and nearly $400,000 in earnings from that circuit. Along the way, he’s qualified for 16 Bassmaster Classics and five Forrest Wood Cups, while introducing the world to techniques like “kneeling and reeling” and the Alabama Rig. At a 2008 Elite Series tournament on Falcon Lake, he set the all-time four-day weight record with a total of 132 pounds, 8 ounces.

Garmin Team Expanding!

Garmin is proud to announce the addition of 21 professional anglers to its 2017 marine pro team.

The new additions round out the Garmin team of nearly 70 professional bass, walleye, and crappie fishermen who will be representing Garmin in tournament circuits across North America, including the B.A.S.S. Elite Series and FLW Tour.

The new Garmin pro anglers include: Jimmy Bell (Walleye); Luke Dunkin (FLW); Paul Elias (B.A.S.S.); Anthony Gagliardi (FLW); Jeff Kriet (B.A.S.S.); Bradley Hallman (FLW); Jamie Horton (FLW); Alton Jones. Jr. (B.A.S.S.); Alton Jones Sr. (B.A.S.S.); Shane Lehew (FLW); Billy McCaghren (FLW); Justin McClelland (B.A.S.S.); Mark Menendez (B.A.S.S.); Chad Morgenthaler (B.A.S.S.); Brock Mosley (B.A.S.S.); David Mullins (B.A.S.S.); Keith Poche (B.A.S.S.); Darrel Robertson (FLW); Bryan Schmitt (FLW); Peter Thliveros (FLW); and Andrew Upshaw (FLW). The new anglers bring many impressive accolades to the Garmin team, including previous Bassmaster Classic wins by Alton Jones Sr. and Paul Elias.

They join the dozens of world-class professional fishermen already running Garmin electronics on the tournament trail, including Jason Christie (two-time Elite Series champion), Greg Hackney (2014 Bassmaster Angler of the Year), Chris Johnston (2016 FLW Rookie of the Year), Zack Birge (2015 FLW Rookie of the Year), Jason Lambert (2014 FLW Rookie of the Year), Scott Martin (2015 FLW Angler of the Year), Andy Morgan (three-time FLW Angler of the Year), bass fishing’s elder statesman and ambassador, Bill Dance, and many more. Meet the entire 2017 team here.

2017 Hyper Tour Dates

It's never too early to think of the up-coming tournament season. The Hyper Tour is a great series for anglers to learn and challenge their skills.

RESPECT! The Mark Zona Way to Fish Tournaments

RESPECT! That is at the root of the values Mark Zona wants tournament anglers to follow. Z-man has seen a lot go down on the water. As host of the Bassmasters and a tournament angler for decades, Zona has seen the best and worst. Have a listen to Zona has he give some advise on how to be a great angler.

Mr. Twister's New Buzz Bug

Trailer, crayfish, Double tail all in one

This versatile swim craw which doubles as a big volume double tail provides maximum action and vibration making it an excellent choice for use with skirted lures, as a trailer or in traditional with jighead presentations.

The BUZZ Bug's tough, thick body makes it an ideal choice for flipping with extra-wide gap hooks. Its long craws extend beyond skirted jigs to produce a consistent swimming action on a steady retrieve or when fished fast.
Available in 8 great colours. 

For more info contact:  www.mooselook.ca

Danny Dunn New MC for FLW Canada!

Danny Dunn.

FLW Canada has a new man. That man is Danny Dunn. The new MC for all three events this year and the Championship on September 15-17th.

Danny was thrilled with this new chapter in his career. "I've been in the Canadian Tournament scene for close to 31 years and very few things really excite me, that is until the opportunity to work with the FLW family in 2017 came along. With field of new up and coming talented anglers mixed in with some of the veterans of the sport I truly look forward to not only watching some incredible catches come to the scales but conversing with each angler about their day's catch. Of course this not being my first rodeo I will have a few twists to keep the atmosphere light as well as get the crowds amped up for the weigh ins." states Dunn. 

For more info on these exciting events contact FLW Canada here.

Pflueger President XT and President Baitcasting Reels with Ott DeFoe

Looking for a great deal on a super baticaster? Them have a look at the Pflueger President XT and President Baitcasting Reels. Each are under $100 and offer great ball bearings, casting and dependability you would expect from Pflueger. Listen as BASS Elite Pro Ott Defoe explains all the features of the two super baitcasting reels.