Monday, July 31, 2017

Matt Becker Wins 1000 Island Costa FLW Series Tournament!

Both Johnston Bros. and Climpson in Top10!
FLW PRESS RELEASE

Matt Becker of Finleyville, Penn., smoked 25 pounds, 2 ounces from Lake Ontario on the final day of the Costa FLW Series presented by Evinrude at the 1000 Islands to earn the win. Becker weighed 21-4 on day one, 19-14 on day two and sealed it with the third-largest bag of the tournament on the final day for a total of 66-4. For his efforts, the Costa FLW Series rookie took home $44,400.
Giants smallies like these are a must to win.
(Photo: FLW)
This year’s Northern Division stop at the 1000 Islands turned into a battle on Lake Ontario. Besides Ed Casey, every pro in the top 10 spent the vast majority of their time fishing offshore in the easternmost Great Lake. Making a significant run to two offshore places near Galloo Island each day, Becker was as committed as anyone to the Ontario bite.
“This is my second time here,” explains Becker.
TOP 10 BELOW

Drop Shot Rigging

Rigging is key to success!
By Luigi De Rose

The drop shot is one of the best rigs at catching bass. It might be the best for smallmouth especially when they're deeper than 10 feet. Learning how to rig a drop shot is easy once you get the hang of it. Follow these rigging tips for amazing success regardless of the time of year.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Aaron Martens Wins 2017 BASS Elite Lake Champlain Tournament!

23-05Lbs limit on Sunday seals win!
BASS PRESS RELEASE
From 19th place to 1st!
(Photo: BASS)
Nobody thought it was possible, Aaron Martens least of all. But on the final day of competition at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Martens massed a 23-pound, 5-ounce sack of bass and stunned the crowd, and the field, who all thought such a feat was impossible. He edged second-place finisher Seth Feider of Bloomington, Minn., by a little less than a pound.
 
“I'm still in shock,” Martens said, surrounded by reporters behind the stage, trophy at rest beside him on a chair. “I can’t believe I won. It still hasn’t set in yet.”
 
Martens, originally from California but now a resident of Leeds, Ala., wasn’t sure how much his limit weighed — it’s difficult to judge weight at a tournament where winners can be decided by ounces. But his bag included a 6-2 largemouth that was second only to Seth Feider’s 6-4 bass, which won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award of $1,500 for the tournament.
 
“I didn't know how much I actually had,” Martens said. “The only time all day when I thought I had a shot to win was when I saw 23-5 on the scales. The BASSTrakk (unofficial leaderboard) said I had 20-11. I thought I maybe had 22. But I just didn’t know. I overestimated BASSTrakk the first day, so maybe I got a little gun-shy and underestimated today. I’m still really in shock.”
 

Saturday, July 29, 2017

2017 Bass Elite Lake Champlain Day 2: Wheeler Takes Lead!

Gunning for 2nd win this season
BASS PRESS RELEASE
The second round of the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels dawned with clear, high skies and still-as-glass conditions. Jacob Wheeler of Indianapolis, Ind., took advantage and boated a 20-pound, 12-ounce limit of smallmouth bass, which catapulted him 29 spots up the leaderboard to first place with one day left to fish. His two-day, 10-fish total is 38-8.

Wheeler’s story is remarkable not only because of his dramatic movement up the standings, but also because he did it with smallmouth. Although Champlain is a legendary smallmouth fishery, tournaments here, when held in late July and early August, are traditionally won with at least some largemouth. Even second-place Seth Feider, a smallmouth specialist, is targeting largemouth, and he weighed four of them today.

“Obviously it was a heck of a day,” Wheeler said. “I caught about 50 bass today and had the fish on to have a legitimate 22-pound bag of smallmouth. I think there’s 20 more pounds in that same area. This lake is phenomenal. You just can’t beat a lake where you can catch 20 pounds of smallmouth.”

Friday, July 28, 2017

2017 Costa FLW Series 1000 Islands Day 1: Cory Johnston Leads with 23-07lbs!

Three time AOY Johnston leads tight field
FLW PRESS RELEASE
Cory becoming one of the hottest smallmouth sticks ever.
(Photo: FLW)
Cory Johnston was the first man to weigh in, and he set the bar high on day one of the Costa FLW Series presented by Evinrude on the 1000 Islands. Leading off with 23 pounds, 7 ounces of smallmouths plucked from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, the FLW Tour pro leads by 9 ounces over fellow Tour pro Kurt Mitchell.
Cory Johnston was the first man to weigh in, and he set the bar high on day one of the Costa FLW Series presented by Evinrude on the 1000 Islands. Leading off with 23 pounds, 7 ounces of smallmouths plucked from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, the FLW Tour pro leads by 9 ounces over fellow Tour pro Kurt Mitchell.
“It went a little better than I thought it would,” says Johnston of his effort on day one. “I wasn’t sure how big my deep fish were. I knew there were 4-pounders, but it turns out there were some 5-pounders mixed in.”
Johnston is as local as they come, and between he and his brother, Chris, the pair has hundreds of days on the water at the 1000 Islands. Because of that, the leader from Cavan, Ontario, had plenty of options.
“I started in the river and then made it out to the lake and caught most of my fish there,” says Cory, who hasn’t decided on a plan for Friday yet. “The wind is supposed to switch directions, and I have a lot of stuff that should be sheltered. But I might just go back to where I caught them today. I’m going to have to see what the wind does in the morning.”
Cory says he fished both shallow and deep, and landed 10 or 12 solid fish. He did lose a key 5-pounder late in the day. Fishing a deep spot in the river, the big smallmouth broke his line after surfacing near the boat.
Top 10 pros
1. Cory Johnston – Cavan, Ont. – 23-7 (5)
2. Kurt Mitchell – Milford, Del. – 22-14 (5)
3. Joseph Fonzi – Gasport, N.Y. – 22-8 (5)
4. Cal Climpson – Sharon, Ont. – 22-6 (5)
5. Jason Putman – Cicero, N.Y. – 21-11 (5)
6. Jason Bacon – Nutting Lake, Mass. – 21-6 (5)
7. Matt Becker – Finleyville, Penn. – 21-4 (5)
8. Ryan Smith – Galloway, N.J. – 21-1 (5)
9. Dylan Hays – Sheridan, Ark. – 21-0 (5)
10. Dean Meckes – Clayton, N.Y. – 20-14 (5)
“It went a little better than I thought it would,” says Johnston of his effort on day one. “I wasn’t sure how big my deep fish were. I knew there were 4-pounders, but it turns out there were some 5-pounders mixed in.”

Thursday, July 27, 2017

2017 BASS Elite Lake Champlain Day 1 Cancelled Due to Weather!

BASS PRESS RELEASE
Everyone out! (Photo: BASS)
The first day of the much-anticipated Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels has been canceled because of rough-water conditions.
B.A.S.S. Tourname.t Director Trip Weldon made the call shortly after returning from a test drive to the edge of Cumberland Bay on Lake Champlain, where the first-round takeoff was to have taken place.
A sustained south wind drove waves as high as 4 feet, he estimated.
In a statement to anglers and others, he said, “Day 1 is canceled due to rough seas running north and south. I took a ride out into the lake, and we made a decision it is not safe to go today.”
While weather forecasts called for moderate winds today, gusts were driving waves dangerously high. Elite angler Hank Cherry lobbied Weldon to cancel fishing for the day. Others who are staying in lakeside accommodations, as Cherry is, supported the decision.
Weldon noted that Elite Series rules call for the full field of 109 anglers to compete on Friday and Saturday, and the final round will include the Top 51 competitors on Sunday.
The Elite at Lake Champlain is the eighth of nine regular-season tournaments in the Elite Series. At stake is $100,000 for the winner and valuable Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points.
Takeoff Friday, weather permitting, will be at the Plattsburgh City Marina at 6:15 a.m. ET.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Kevin Van Dam Wins 2017 BASS Elite St. Lawrence River with 90-03lbs!

Van Dam Slays them on Sunday!
By Bryan Brasher
BASS PRESS RELEASE

KVD dominated the St. Lawrence! (Photo: BASS)
By noon Sunday, Kevin VanDam was already working his way back to toward Whittaker Park, where the weigh-in would be held about three hours later.

He knew it was over — and so did most everyone else.

After leading the first three days, VanDam caught five bass today that weighed 23 pounds, 12 ounces to punctuate a dominant victory in the Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Go RVing. His four-day total of 90-3 is one of the highest ever recorded by an Elite Series angler weighing in only smallmouth bass.

The closest angler to KVD was Mississippi pro Brock Mosley, who finished 8 pounds back with 82-3.

“I fished my very first B.A.S.S. tournament here on the St. Lawrence River in 1987,” said VanDam, who earned his B.A.S.S.-record 24th victory. “Someone told me today that this is my 300th tournament with B.A.S.S., and I had no idea. So, all of that makes this really special.”

VanDam earned $100,000 for first place and $1,500 more for landing the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week — a monster 6-5 smallmouth that bit early Sunday morning. He also won the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award of $500 for leading Friday’s second day of competition and the Power-Pole Captain’s Cash Award of $1,000 for being the highest-placing angler who is registered and eligible with a client-approved product on his boat.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

2017 Bassmaster Elites St. Lawrence River Day 3: KVD Readies for Wire to Wire Win!

Jonathon Van Dam 2nd! 
BASS PRESS RELEASE
Two Van Dams are more dangerous than one.
(Photo: BASS)
It's been every pro fisherman's nightmare for more than 25 years.
Superstar Kevin VanDam — a Michigan native and arguably the best smallmouth angler in the history of the sport — is hammering the smallies with no sign of slowing down.
And now, the remaining anglers in the field have just one more day to overtake him and keep him from recording his 24th career B.A.S.S. victory wire-to-wire style at the Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Go RVing.
VanDam added five bass that weighed 22 pounds, 10 ounces Saturday and maintained the lead he's held from the start with a three-day total of 66-7.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

2017 Bassmaster Elites St. Lawrence River Day 2: KVD continues to lead with 43-13lbs!

Fast current big plus for smallmouth anglers
BASS PRESS RELEASE

Kevin Van Dam focused on smallmouth and the win. (Photo BASS)
One the biggest names in professional bass fishing history managed to hold his ground at the top of the leaderboard during Friday's Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Go RVing.
Kevin VanDam — a four-time winner of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic and seven-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year — caught five bass that weighed 19 pounds, 8 ounces and remained in the lead with a two-day total of 43-13.
The 23-time B.A.S.S. winner from Kalamazoo, Mich., said Friday's weather conditions in upstate New York didn't help the technique he's using.
"When the wind is blowing the same direction as the current, it really speeds it up — and this afternoon it was really blowing," he said. "That makes it a lot harder to get a good drift, to get that weight moving with your bait so it's really natural to the fish.
"When it's calm and the current is slow, it's a lot easier to get them to bite."
If that's the case, Saturday's weather forecast, which is calling for much lighter winds, favors VanDam — and he has little margin for error.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

NAVIONICS Cartography Enhances Mobile Apps




New Software Development Kit Enables Chart Integration by Third-Party Developers
Navionics, the leader in content and location-based services for the recreational boating and outdoor markets, has released a software development kit (SDK) which enables iOS app developers to integrate the world’s best charts within their mobile apps.
Navionics provides a complete cartography resource encompassing depth data in up to 1 ft/0.5 m HD contours, spot soundings, detailed shorelines, navigational objects and much more, all updated daily, which can enrich the user experience of apps designed for sailing, fishing, diving and more.
Several applications will soon offer Navionics charts to enhance functionality, such as ProNav’s trolling motor route creation, Pro Angler’s fishing locations, Sail Timer’s tack display, AnemoTracker’s wind data and Siren Marine’s vessel tracker. The Navionics+ subscription, which can be purchased within the Navionics Boating app, provides access to Nautical Chart and SonarChart™ for marine areas and lakes, plus daily updates.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

2017 ICAST Winner Hunninbird Mega Imaging

Once reserved for select HELIX and SOLIX® MEGA Side Imaging GPS combo units, the MEGA Imaging advantage will be available to anglers who want the finest detail in Down Imaging GPS combo units.
Racine, Wisconsin, July 12, 2017 – In 2016 Humminbird® took sonar into the Megahertz range with MEGA Imaging™. With nearly three times the output of standard imaging, MEGA’s high frequency creates the most detailed images ever seen on a fish finder. These images were initially limited to MEGA Side Imaging GPS combo units. Now, Humminbird is expanding its incredible imaging technology to MEGA Down Imaging GPS combo units.

2017 ICAST Sunline's Siglon PEx4

Siglon PEx4


A high quality four strand PE line that is available at an awesome retail value. It features great lineal and knot strength with a tight weave, high abrasion resistance with low diameter size, high sensitivity and low color bleed. Available colors are dark green and high visibility orange. Offered in spool sizes of 165 yd and 1968 yd. Pound tests are 10lb, 12lb, 16lb, 20lb, 30lb, 40lb and 50lb.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

2017 ICAST Z-Man's NedlockZ HD Jigheads

TT Lures® NedlockZ HD Jigheads and 3" TRD HogZ add fuel to the ‘Ned Rig’ fire.

Designed specifically for Midwest finesse Ned Rig applications, TT Lures NedlockZ HD Jigheads are equipped with 

extra-heavy duty Mustad® UltraPoint® hooks, making them ideal for use with heavier tackle. Featuring a signature mushroom-shaped head preferred by finesse enthusiasts and innovative split keeper that easily rigs and holds both ElaZtech and conventional soft plastics securely in place, they’re the next breakthrough tool in Z-Man’s incredibly popular Ned Rig lineup. Available in 1/15-, 1/10-, 1/6-, and 1/5-ounce weights, in green pumpkin and black finishes, a 5 pack of TT Lures NedlockZ HD Jigheads retails for $6.99.



Mimicking a variety of invertebrates that make up the bulk of a bass’ diet, the 3" TRD HogZ is a ribbed, compact-profile creature bait designed to pair perfectly with Z-Man’s Finesse ShroomZ and NedlockZ™ jigheads for Ned Rig applications. Featuring legs and twin tails that quiver at the slightest movement, its buoyant ElaZtech body stands up off the bottom at rest, bringing the bait to life. TRD HogZ are a game-changing option for Ned Rig anglers experiencing tough bites, or simply seeking to maximize their time on the water with as much fish-catching action as possible. Available in 10 colors, a 6-pack of 3" TRD HogZ retails for $4.49.

Monday, July 17, 2017

2 Must-have Bass Baits for Covering Clear Water

Here's a video I did for Ontario OUT OF DOORS Magazine. It features the speed worm and the whopper plopper; two super baits for shallow clear water. These baits are fantastic at covering water and catching big bass.

Friday, July 14, 2017

2017 ICAST The Lunkerhunt Prop Fish Sunfish and Prop Fish Shad

Prop Fish are available in both Sunfish and Shad styles and 6 fish catching patterns for each style. 

The Lunkerhunt Prop Fish Sunfish and Prop Fish Shad have been designed after two of the most popular freshwater gamefish forage species. Like the Prop Frog, they also feature a soft plastic hollow body.

What makes the Lunkerhunt Prop Fish unique is its single prop system.  This single prop system has a subtler action than that of the double prop system of the Prop Frog. During the retrieve, the Prop Fish has a surface churning action that closely mimics bait fish breaking the surface, as well as cutting through and around cover. The Prop Fish excels when fish are pressured, spooked, and super shallow. It has a weedless hook system and streamlined body shape that enables it to effectively torpedo through and skip under cover, which enables it to get into the hard to reach places where no other prop baits have been before. When fish strike, high quality, super sharp, weedless hooks are there to greet them.

MSRP $8.99 USD.