MLF Bass Pro Tour taps Raleigh, N.C. Lakes for March 2019 Destination

Major League Fishing today announced that Raleigh, N.C., is the third destination for the 2019 Bass Pro Tour, and that three prolific nearby lakes will be used over the course of the event's March 26-31 competition dates.

 

Falls Lake, Shearon Harris Reservoir and Jordan Lake are the waters to share in the prestige of hosting bass fishing's newest and highest profile tournament series, which features 80 of the best professional anglers in the country.

 

"North Carolina is well-known for its outdoors and natural beauty and our amazing lakes are no exception," said Tori Collins, Associate Director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance. "We're excited to showcase the fishing-rich culture of our region and all the Raleigh area has to offer to the best anglers in the country and spectators alike."

 

"Raleigh is a great example of how our Bass Pro Tour format allows us to take advantage of smaller venues with excellent fishing opportunities among multiple lakes instead of our having to pick a spot based only on size," said MLF's Michael Mulone. "I know our guys are excited about visiting these great bass fisheries during the prime spring period. It's sure to be a wildly entertaining competition."

 

Located in the Cape Fear River drainage, Shearon Harris Reservoir is a 4,000-acre power plant lake considered to be one of North Carolina's most prolific bass fisheries. A Wildlife Resources Commission fact sheet reports that an impressive 41 percent of the largemouth bass surveyed in 2017 were within the lake's 16- to 20-inch slot limit. It also noted that back-to-back tournaments in 2017 were won with five-fish limits weighing over 40 pounds.

Falls Lake also gets high marks as a bass fishery. The 26-mile-long lake is said to have three very distinctive segments across its length, meaning that at least one area could be at the peak of bass spawning activity in the late March timeframe, potentially increasing the chances of a bass 10 pounds or more showing up.

 

Merry Christmas from IBASSIN.com

Wishing you and your whole family a very Merry Christmas!

Bass Pro Tour / MLF Cup Events Breakdown

A lot of fishing fans are not sure how the Bass Pro Tour will look from beginning to end of a bass tournament. This charts should shed some light on helping sort out to a winner will be crowned.

Minn Kota Talon with Koby Kreiger BLUE TOOTH READY!

The Minn Kota Talon is an amazing shallow water anchor. Available in 4 sizes and all the way up to 15 feet, this thing is amazing. Check out all the options from Koby Kreiger. They're even BLUE TOOTH ready!

Fishing division steers Johnson to another record year

Booming business for Minn Kota & Humminbird
originally posted in Angling-International

Johnson Outdoors’ flagship fishing division, which includes the likes of Humminbird and Minn Kota, helped the group deliver record results for the second year in a row.

Strong demand for its products, and those in the company’s diving brands, propelled an 11% increase in sales. Operating profit for the year grew 38%.

“Unprecedented growth in our fishing business has driven record results for the second year in a row on the strength of revolutionary consumer-driven innovation. Our goal is consistent, bigger, better new product success like this across our entire brand portfolio,” said Helen Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“Importantly, deeper, richer consumer understanding is at the core of everything we do. Going forward, our ability to connect with more consumers in new, more meaningful ways will enable us to fully leverage and maximise investments in digital transformation, marketing sophistication and e-commerce to enhance performance in all segments and channels.”

The company also reported that its Watercraft Recreation business, which includes its fishing kayak brands, saw declines across all segments which had a negative impact on its revenue.

It has also been announced that a former CEO of sports giant Nike has been appointed to its Board.

William Perez was also President and CEO of S.C. Johnson & Son, the $10b sales household cleaning supplies multi-national, from 1996 to 2004. After leaving to join Nike, he then became President and CEO of chewing gum maker, Wm. Wrigley, from 2006 to 2008. He was also a senior advisor at New York Investment banker, Greenhill and Co., from 2010 until last year.

In 2017 he founded FamGen, a firm specialising in consulting family-owned businesses on strategy, planning and global expansion

“Bill is a proven business leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all facets of running a global company,” said Johnson-Leopold. “We will benefit from his insights and counsel as we develop new strategies to enhance value to our market and consumers.”

Ontario Independent Environmental Watchdog to be Eliminated

Who's watching our resources?
By Steve Galea
originally posted oodmag.com

The responsibilities of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario will be transferred to the Auditor General of Ontario and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, if Bill 57, the Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018, is passed as written.

The Bill was introduced at Queen’s Park on Nov. 15 by Ontario’s Conservative government. It proposes, among other things, to transfer ECO staff to the Auditor General. It will also assign the Auditor General the duty of appointing a Commissioner of the Environment from employees of the Office of the Auditor General. The Commissioner of the Environment may, subject to the direction of the Auditor General, exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Auditor General under the Act.

The Bill has passed second reading and has been referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

Michael Zupanic, communications and outreach coordinator for the ECO, said, “The bill has not yet passed. If and when the bill passes, our office will be consulting with the Speaker to understand when and how these changes will take effect.”

“The OFAH strongly supports environmental oversight,” said Angelo Lombardo, executive director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. “However, in saying that, we need environmental oversight that respects and represents the interests of all Ontarians, including the millions of anglers, hunters, and trappers. We’ve had concerns with this office and its positions in the past, and it’s

Matthew Robertson Wins 2018 BASS Team Championship Harris Chain of Lakes!

2019 Bassmaster Classic field set

By Andrew Canulette

BASSMASTER PRESS RELEASE

Off-shore spot vaults Robertson into Classic.
(Photo: BASS)

Matthew Robertson said he’s spent the past 20 years working toward a chance to compete in the Bassmaster Classic.

Following a commanding performance at the Bassmaster Team Championship and the ensuing Classic Fish-Off, Robertson’s time has arrived.

Robertson, a 32-year-old resident of Kuttawa, Ky., was dominant both Friday and today on the Harris Chain of Lakes here in central Florida. His two-day total weighed a whopping 57 pounds, 9 ounces, which gave him almost a 24-pound cushion over the nearest competitor in the field of six anglers.

Robertson caught a five-bass limit on Friday that weighed 25-10, but he saved his best for last — a 31-15 sack that was the heaviest bag weighed in either the Team Championship or the Fish-Off.

Robertson teamed with Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation Team Trail partner Wendell Anderson on Thursday to catch a 29-1 limit; the second-heaviest of the week. Robertson’s 25-10 limit on Friday was the third heaviest.

The victory earned Robertson the 52nd and final berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The Classic, the most prestigious bass fishing championship in the world, will be held March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tenn.

“Those guys (already in the Classic) don’t know who I am right now,” Robertson said. “But come March, I want them to show them what I can do.”

The Top 3 finishers among 197 teams entered in the national team championship qualified for the Fish-Off, which began Friday as the anglers competed individually for a spot in the Bassmaster Classic. Robertson and Anderson finished second in the team event, largely because of that 29-1 limit on Day 2, which vaulted them from a tie for 59th place after Day 1 straight into the Fish-Off.

2018 BASS Team Championship Harris Chain of Lakes Day 1: Matthew Robertson Leads Final 6!

Final 6 Fish Off Today

By Andrew Canulette

BASSMASTER PRESS RELEASE

Robertson has been "on em" all week.
(Photo: BASS)

Matthew Robertson has been wearing a hat the past few days that pretty much sums up his experience this week on the Harris Chain of Lakes.

“ON ‘EM,” the hat reads in block white letters against a black field.

Robertson was “on” the Florida-strain bass yet again today, the first round of the Bassmaster Classic Fish-Off — a tandem event that followed the Bassmaster Team Championship held here earlier this week.

Robertson caught a five-bass limit today that weighed 25 pounds, 10 ounces. That put him more than 4 pounds ahead of Jayme Copenhaver III of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Team Trail; Copenhaver caught a 21-6 limit Friday.

Members of the top three duos from the Team Championship qualified for the fish-off, which offers a single berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods to the top finisher. After fishing alongside each other all week — all year, in fact — the teammates had their weights zeroed today as they began competing individually on the Harris Chain.

Though there’s still a full day of competition remaining, Robertson certainly looks like he could become the angler to fill the 52nd and final spot in the world championship of bass fishing. The 32-year-old Kuttawa, Ky., resident teamed with Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation partner Wendell Anderson to finish second in the team tournament earlier this week. They bagged a 29-1 limit on Thursday (the heaviest of the two-day event) to leapfrog dozens of teams and reach the fish-off.

Robertson’s 25-10 today was the second heaviest bag weighed this week — trailing only the 29-1 he and Anderson posted a day earlier. After launching from Ski Beach Park at 6:45 a.m. ET, Robertson headed to Lake Harris, where he needed only an hour to catch a limit.

He upgraded his catch a few times later in the morning, but with more than 25 pounds in the livewell, the hardest work of the day was done.

His heaviest bass weighed 5 3/4 pounds, and the lightest was a 4 1/2-pounder, which proved the consistency of the bite he’s located here in the central Florida fishery.

“I’m just going out there and fishing my style,” Robertson said. “The fish are there. I’ll just see if I can get five bites.”

Robertson wants to fish professionally, and he said he’s spent the past 20 years preparing for the chance to compete in the Bassmaster Classic. With only one day of solid fishing between him and his lifelong goal, his confidence is high.

“I’m fishing calm and collected,” he said. “I’m making the right decisions and not letting my emotions get the best of me. I’m ready for this.”

Samples and Purcell Win 2018 BASS Team Championship

Final 6 Fish Off Today

By Andrew Canulette

BASSMASTER PRESS RELEASE

William Samples and Charles Purcell weren’t supposed to compete in the Bassmaster Team Championship held today on the Harris Chain of Lakes in central Florida.

Duo win team portion under terrible cold fronts.
(Photo: BASS)

But officials with the Anglers Choice Team Trail asked them a week ago if they could step in as alternates after another duo that did qualify couldn’t attend. Samples and Purcell made the most of the opportunity and won the Team Championship with a two-day total of 10 bass that weighed 42 pounds, 10 ounces.

Samples and Purcell outlasted a field of 197 teams from 35 states and three foreign countries to earn the win. That number included 14 fishing teams that finished ahead of Samples and Purcell in the Anglers Choice yearly standings.

Samples lives in South Boston, Va., and Purcell hails from just across the border in Townsville, N.C. They won a Nitro Z20 and Mercury 225 Pro XS boat/motor combo valued at $42,000 with their improbable victory.

“Everything just went wrong for us at the beginning of the year, until we pulled it together,” Samples said about their season on the Anglers Choice circuit. “I fell in the water in the first tournament of the year at Smith Mountain Lake. It was 46 degree water. It cost us $5,000. We had a monkey on our back until late spawn, and then we buttoned it up. We won a tournament a couple of weeks ago, and now here we are — winning the Bassmaster Team Championship.”

Samples and Purcell were in second place after Day 1 of the tournament with a five-bass limit that weighed 21-9. They were almost as good today, with a 21-1 limit of five bass.

“We found a spot in practice that I told (Purcell) was going to be a 30-pound hole,” Samples said. “Every fish we weighed came from (within 75 yards) of that hole. The bite started about 10 o’clock and ended about 11:30 a.m. In that hour and a half, there was a flurry.”

“We worked hard for this all year,” Purcell said. “Everything that could go wrong did, until we pulled it together. This is an incredible feeling.”

Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Announces Inaugural Event

Kissimmee to Kick Off Season
PRESS RELEASE 

Major League Fishing officials announced today that the MLF Bass Pro Tour will head next month to Kissimmee, Fla., to kick off its inaugural season. Though the majority of the Jan. 29 - Feb. 3 action will take place on historic Lake Toho, the championship round will be held on another nearby body of water out of respect for the Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) tournament that follows. 

News of the MLF Bass Pro Tour shook the fishing industry when it was announced in September. After obtaining the support and commitment of 80 of the world's top anglers, MLF was able to begin conversations with potential tournament destinations in mid-October.

"We're delighted to welcome the inaugural Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour to Kissimmee," said John Poole, Executive Director of Kissimmee Sports Commission. "We pride ourselves on our destination's championship bass fishing lakes, which have been home to many marquee tournaments throughout the years. The impact of this event will benefit the industry's prominent presence in Kissimmee for years to come."

While all 2019 locations are nearing announcement, Major League Fishing must first go through an extensive vetting process that includes an extensive survey of the area and lakes for each venue prior to confirmation. Unlike all other bass tournaments, MLF gives fans a real-time virtual onsite experience of angler coverage by using industry-leading communication technology requiring highly specialized connectivity needs to be able to feed all of MLF's integral components, like its live-streaming MLF NOW! and SCORETRACKER© live.

Neko Rig Hack! Never Loose Another Weight Again!

Neko rigging is a super popular bass fishing technique but loosing all those nail weights is a major pain! Check out this bass fishing hack that attaches a wire keeper onto nail weights saving you money and time on the water. This approach is ideal for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass!

2019 FLW Tour Roster Announced

Curtis Richardson & Charles Sims representing Canada

FLW PRESS RELEASE

Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) announced today the complete professional angler roster for the upcoming 2019 FLW Tour season, the 24th season of the FLW Tour. The 2019 FLW Tour features seven regular-season tournaments around the country with competition kicking off at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Jan. 10-13, in Brookeland, Texas, and culminating with the world championship of bass fishing – the FLW Cup at Lake Hamilton, Aug. 9-11, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

There was enormous demand to compete on the 2019 FLW Tour, with 210 anglers registering for a slot on the prestigious tournament circuit in its final year of priority registration before switching to a strict qualifying process and a 150-pro field in 2020. To accommodate all anglers earning priority entry through the 2018 FLW Tour, Costa FLW series, T-H Marine BFL All-American, YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship and TBF National Championship plus sponsor entries, the 2019 FLW Tour field will feature 170 pros.

The top award at each qualifier is $125,000 with $300,000 going to the winner of the FLW Cup. Since the final field exceeds the published payout basis of 150 pros, FLW will survey all 170 participating pros to finalize the 2019 payout structure.

FULL ANGLER LIST BELOW

Ontario's Government for the People Launches New Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service

New system to buy a license

Ontario's Government for the People has launched a better way for hunters and anglers across the province to get their Outdoors Cards and hunting and fishing licensing products.

"Our government is making life easier and allowing you to get outdoors quicker," said John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. "We have launched a new licensing service that makes it easier to buy hunting and fishing licences. It was designed with hunters and anglers in mind."

The new licensing service is easy to use, with new mobile features and a single Outdoors Card. It can be accessed online at huntandfishontario.com, at participating ServiceOntario locations or at one of over 700 licence issuers across the province. Use it now to purchase Outdoors Cards, fishing licences and small game licences.

"We've improved our service so you can get out on the lake or into the woods in less time by purchasing licences from the comfort of home," said Yakabuski. "Interacting with your government should be seamless, and we've replaced the old service with one that serves everyone in the province."

For more information on the new Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service, please visit http://www.ontario.ca/outdoorscard.

Cyber Monday

Open those wallets.
Cyber Monday can be the best day of the year
to pick up that something special or two of those something special. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing all our fan and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Old Town Topwater PDL boat

Newly released at ICAST 2018, the Old Town Topwater PDL boat will change the way you fish. Listen as David Hadden takes us through this fantastic fishing rig.
Old Town is proud to unveil its all-new Topwater™ Series, which offers great Old Town performance in a compact, nimble format. A marriage of stability and performance, the Topwater—with the all-new ultra-stable DoubleU™ hull—quietly glides through any water condition while providing a stable, comfortable stand-up fishing platform. Equipped with thoughtful onboard tackle and rod management and a revolutionary universal transducer mount, even the most discriminating anglers will be impressed by the overall fishability of the new Topwater Series: paddle versions Topwater 106 and Topwater 120; and a pedal-driven model, the Topwater PDL.

“The growth and popularity of kayak fishing has brought many new companies into the marketplace but unfortunately we have seen a glut of poorly-made and engineered boats in the sub $1000 category,” says David Hadden, Brand Director, Johnson Outdoors Watercraft. “Our goal with the Topwater™ Series was to engineer a boat that gave a great on the water fishing experience, which would allow anglers to catch more fish and be more comfortable. We also wanted it to outperform

Patrick Sébile’s A Band of Anglers acquires SpoolTek

Sebile rebuilding again

originally published in Angling International

A Band of Anglers, the company founded last year by award-winning lure maker Patrick Sébile, has acquired SpoolTek, the US company renowned for its patented concealed leader technology.

Sébile said: “Ever since I was a teenager, I have realised the importance of lure leverage in losing fish. When I saw the SpoolTek concealed leader technology, I immediately wished I had invented it myself. A Band of Anglers is thrilled to own this patented technology and have big plans for it.”

SpoolTek’s leader technology is the product of snook specialist Dave Justice and medical device inventor Chris Walsh. “I am extremely proud and happy that one of the world’s most famous and accomplished anglers and lure designers – Patrick Sébile – will now own and drive the development of SpoolTek,” said Walsh. “I am also confident that A Band of Anglers CEO Brian Anderson will bring the brand Dave Justice and I created worldwide exposure and international success.”

Humminbird® Announces New Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar

Anglers can now choose the mode for their needs, delivering bigger and better fish arches, maximizing detail and target separation

Humminbird^® is giving anglers another advantage in finding and catching more fish with the announcement of its new Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, designed to deliver the best 2D sonar returns ever with minimal setting adjustments.

Through its new Low Q transducer, Humminbird allows the user to choose from multiple settings to maximize their 2D sonar based on application and goals. It is included with select new HELIX third generation (G3/G3N) and SOLIX second generation (G2) units and the new Minn Kota^® Built-In MEGA Down Imaging^™ trolling motors. The transducer will also be available as an aftermarket product compatible with second and third generation HELIX models and all SOLIX models.

“The easiest way to explain Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar is that we are providing flexibility within 2D sonar based on different frequencies and cone angles,” said Justin Freeman, Humminbird product manager. “Anglers can choose Wide Mode, which delivers a wider cone angle and big, clearly defined fish arches to ensure that what you’re seeing is actually a fish. Narrow Mode gives you a tighter cone angle which allows you to clearly distinguish fish, bait and structural details and provide the ultimate in target separation even when fish are tight to bottom.”

Wide Mode chirps between 140 and 200 kHz and Narrow Mode chirps between 180 and 240 kHz. When combined, they work together to create the most complete 2D picture. Anglers can choose the correct mode for their style of fishing, ultimately leading to the strongest sonar returns ever in a Humminbird unit and a clear screen with minimal adjustments to sensitivity.
 

2019 Bassmaster Elite Field Set!

Field capped at 75
By Bryan Brasher
BASS PRESS RELEASE

With another season just three months away, B.A.S.S. officials announced Wednesday that the field for the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series has been set.
 
The prestigious circuit, which will feature higher payouts and lower entry fees than ever before, will consist of 75 anglers (about 40 fewer than last year), including three who have won both the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods and the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year award.
 
The season-opening event is scheduled for Feb. 7-10 on the St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla.
 
“Every year when our anglers leave the takeoff site for the opening day of the first tournament, the excitement in the air is just amazing — and that will certainly be true this year,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “As in past years, we have some familiar faces who have already accomplished great things with us.
 
“Then, we also have some new anglers who are bound and determined to become superstars themselves.”
 
Missouri legend Rick Clunn, who owns four Classic trophies and the 1988 AOY award, is back from last year’s Elite Series field, along with North Carolina pro David Fritts, who won the 1993 Classic and the 1994 AOY trophy. Jay Yelas, a veteran Texas pro who won the 2002 Classic title and 2003 AOY award, will also be joining the Elite Series after several years with other circuits.
 
Other big names returning from last year’s Elite field include Keith Combs, a two-time B.A.S.S. winner who is right on the cusp of the $1 million mark for career earnings, 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship tournament winner Seth Feider of Minnesota and Nevada pro Chris Zaldain, who holds two B.A.S.S. wins of his own.

ANGLER LIST BELOW 

Lest We Forget

Historian say that it takes 3 generations to forget the past and that current generation is likely
to repeat the mistakes their ancestors made. Lets hope no one forgets these brave men and women. 

Officially Sold!

Pure Fishing sold for $1.3 billion

originally posted by Angling International

Newell Brands has today announced that it has agreed the sale of Pure Fishing to a New York-based private equity group in a deal that is worth $1.3 billion. Sycamore Partners is the surprise choice of new owner for the business. It is unknown in fishing circles and owns no outdoor leisure-related industries. It specialises in consumer, distribution and retail-related investments.

In the same press release, Newell announced the sale of Jostens, another brand deemed surplus to requirements, for $1.3 billion. The two deals will add approximately $2.5 billion to the Newell Brands balance sheet. The proceeds of the sale of Pure Fishing will come as a surprise to many analysts and those within the industry who valued the business at between $500 million and $1billion.

“We are pleased to announce another step forward in our Accelerated Transformation Plan, with the signing of the Pure Fishing and Jostens transactions,” said Michael Polk, Newell Brands President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have full confidence that these businesses will continue to thrive under new ownership, as they leverage their strong positions in the market place.”

Spy Bait Seasonal Secrets with Duo Realis Pro David Williams

Late fall is big bass time. Late fall can also be difficult to catch them as bass are in transition. Learn from FLW Tour pro David Williams as he gives some great advice on using the Due Realis Spin bait to catch lots of autumn bass.

Kyle Walters Wins 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship with 44-03lbs!

2019 FLW Cup for Eric Luzak (Canada) Top International angler 

by Curtis Niedermier

FLW PRESS RELEASE

When Kyle Walters wants to punch mats with big tungsten and sling hawgs around his boat, he doesn’t need to travel very far from his Grant-Valkaria, Fla., home to do it. That’s one of the perks of living in the Sunshine State. There is grass and bass everywhere.

Walters is also a businessman who builds custom homes and a father of four, so he has good reasons to stick close to home to scratch his bass fishing itch. That’s why, when you browse Walters’ FLWFishing.com profile page, you’ll see that he doesn’t venture too far from the typical Florida tournament waters where he competes in T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League and Costa FLW Series tournaments.

Yet this season, Walters fished the entire Southeastern Division of the Costa FLW Series for the first time since 2004. And his reason had nothing to do with fishing Florida waters. He wanted to fish the championship on Lake Guntersville.

In 2013, Walters won the BFL Regional on Guntersville with a very Florida-like approach of punching mats up around the BB Comer Bridge. It was his biggest tournament accomplishment to date, and it earned him a $60,000 prize package.

Walters wanted another crack at G-Ville. So when FLW announced that the famed north Alabama reservoir would host the 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship, he told his buddy JT Kenney that they had to fish the Southeastern Division to try and get to the championship.

Mission accomplished. Walters qualified by finishing 23rd in the Southeastern Division standings, and this week he put a flipping stick in his hands and punched his way to the Costa FLW Series Championship title with a two-day tournament total of 44 pounds, 3 ounces. His total prize package is worth $92,700.

“If you’d have told me when I started fishing the BFLs that I was about to win this championship, I’d have told you you were crazy,” Walters said about midway through the final weigh-in, once Bryan Thrift, his closest competitor, failed to surpass Walters’ weight.

The champ says he has no intentions of pursing an FLW Tour career. He lives vicariously through buddies like Kenney, who recently retired from professional fishing, and fishes for the sport and a love of competition.

This week, though, he definitely put together a pro-level performance to hold off some of the best sticks in the game.

Walters spent both days (day one was cancelled due to the risk of severe weather) flipping main-river grass mats up around BB Comer. When he won the 2013 Regional, he says he flipped hydrilla that had canopied over on the edge of the main channel. That grass was washed out recently due to heavy rains and high flows. This time he keyed on the bank side of the same mats, which grow on a ridge that parallels the channel for miles.

Two key areas – one a mile or so above the bridge and one a couple miles below it – produced all of his keepers. The spot above the bridge was 4 to 5 feet deep, with a mix of hydrilla and milfoil. Dead eelgrass and other vegetation had blown in on top of the grass and created dead, brown mats. Below the bridge, he mostly flipped hydrilla that was about 8 feet deep. The deeper spot produced a big kicker on Friday and his final keeper today. The upper spot was his real moneymaker. It’s where he sacked up a mid-20s bag early this morning, before culling out a 2 1/2-pounder on the second spot with 90 minutes left to fish.

Walters shared the area above the bridge with his buddy Robert Crosnoe, who finished third. The two Floridians shared notes in practice and realized their best spot was the same one. They basically prowled opposite ends of the key stretch. Crosnoe added 23-5 on Saturday to go with Walters’ 24-4 closing limit, proving just how great the spot was.

“Robbie was a real class act today,” Walters adds. “He had a stretch he was going to give me if I needed it, but I didn’t end up needing it. He’s a class act.”

In practice, both Walters and Crosnoe flipped beaver-style baits rigged with a screw-lock bait holder instead of a hook. In the tournament, Walters did work with a pair of Beaver-style baits, including a black and blue/green pumpkin Gambler Stinger. A former college basketball player who stands 6 feet, 7 inches tall, Walters is a big man and doesn’t need much help getting leverage on giant bass, but he went in geared for hawgs with a 7-foot, 11-inch Halo JT Kenney Signature Series rod, 75-pound-test Halo Winch braided line, a 4/0 straight shank hook and 1 1/2-ounce Picasso tungsten sinker.

2019 FLW CUP QUALIFIERS below

MLF Bass Pro Tour anglers vote no entry fees for 2019

First series ever to cancel entry fees!

The top anglers in the world who make up the 80-man field in the new Bass Pro Tour have exercised their voting rights to say "no entry fees" for the 2019 competitions. The decision has eliminated the single largest expense per event that each angler has historically had to incur throughout their careers until now.

The professional bass anglers who comprise the 80-man field in Major League Fishing's (MLF) new Bass Pro Tour have voted no to required entry fees for their participation in the 2019 tournament competitions.

 

The no-fee decision is the first of its kind for a high stakes professional bass fishing series and reveals the kind of autonomous authority the Bass Pro Tour participants have as a group for guiding the future of their events and the sport.

 

No entry fees means the cash payouts per event will be less than initially announced, although still higher than what the anglers have become accustomed to on other trails. Another advantage to this decision is that the anglers effectively eliminated one of the greatest expenses and upfront cash hurdles professional anglers had to incur annually.

 

"What brought this great group of anglers together in the first place was the allure of being able to ultimately control our own destiny because collectively we now make the rules," said Gary Klein, who was instrumental in the formation of MLF and the Bass Pro Tour. "It's all about the big picture of what we want this sport to be and getting it there. We call this 'Major League' Fishing for a reason and no entry fees is a monumental move in our achieving that distinction."

 

The MLF expansion with the new Bass Pro Tour has advanced rapidly since being announced in mid-September. It was made possible when Bass Pro Shops and Outdoor Sportsman Group (OSG) pledged additional support to an already long list of MLF sponsors.

  

In addition to the pro tour, MLF will continue its popular Cup events and General Tire World Championship, airing on Outdoor Channel and CBS, respectively. All events will use the same entertaining MLF format of catch, weigh and immediate release of bass during competitions.

"Things are moving fast and each new step this group takes seems to be another giant leap in bringing attention to fishing," MLF President and CEO, Jim Wilburn said. "It's a pleasure to watch the enthusiasm and sincerity of the greatest bass anglers in the world as they take the reins in advancing the sport to the benefit of everyone who loves to fish."

Johnston Brothers Bassmaster Elites for 2019

Cory and Chris moving to BASS
By Luigi De Rose

From left to right: Cory Johnston, Jeff Gustafson, and Chris Johnston
(Photo by Jeff Gustafson)

Canadian fishing brothers Cory and Chris Johnston have made the decision to move to the Bassmaster Elite in 2019. Cory stated in his Facebook announcement that fishing in the Bassmaster Classic has been a childhood dream and this move to the Elites is a step in the right direction to fulfilling that dream. They will be joining fellow Canadian Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson who announced his decision two weeks ago. 

Lane, Swindle & Avena Classic Bound!

3 more join 2019 Classic
By Brian Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Adrian Avena told his followers on social media Thursday night that Friday’s final round of the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Classic Bracket on Carters Lake would be the most important six hours of his career.
 
Then he went out and made the most of the opportunity.
 
The New Jersey pro was one of three anglers — along with Gerald Swindle and Chris Lane of Alabama — who won their head-to-head matches during the Bracket finals to earn berths into the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
 
Avena, who will be making his first trip to the Super Bowl of Professional Bass Fishing, caught a five-bass limit that weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces, to easily win his match with Japanese pro Shin Fukae, who boated only one keeper that weighed 1-5.
 
“Today was all about making a dream come true,” Avena said. “I’ve never had a day of fishing that meant more, and I’m so glad it happened the way it did for me.”
 

2018 Bassmaster Elite Classic Bracket Day 2: 6 Battles for 3 Classic Spots.

Final 6 ready to fish 

BASS PRESS RELEASE

The picture is steadily growing clearer at the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Classic Bracket on Carters Lake, with the two-day semifinal round now complete and six anglers qualified for Friday’s finals.

A trio of head-to-head matchups on Friday will pit Gerald Swindle vs. Scott Rook, Chris Lane vs. Greg Vinson and Adrian Avena vs. Shin Fukae. The anglers’ weights will start back at zero, and they will fish from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET with the winners of each match advancing to the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

Lane had one of the most impressive days Thursday, landing three big spotted bass that weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces. Combined with the 2-3 he caught Wednesday, it gave him a two-day total of 10-12 that was more than enough to win his match against Michigan angler Chad Pipkens, who finished with 7-11.

“Knowing I had a little bit of a lead allowed me to fish with an eye toward tomorrow,” said Lane, a former Bassmaster Classic winner who lives in Alabama. “Tomorrow’s going to be amazing with a Classic berth on the line. It’ll either be really exciting or really disappointing.”

Lane’s biggest bass came at 8:18 a.m. when he landed a gigantic 4-10 spotted bass near a boat dock. He added two more fish on a Whopper Plopper the rest of the way to seal the win.

Pipkens caught a nice bass on a jerkbait with just over 30 minutes remaining in the morning session to keep pressure on Lane. But it wasn’t enough.

“I don’t think I would have made any different decisions today except maybe picking up a jerkbait a little earlier,” Pipkens said. “But that’s the way it goes. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

2018 Bassmaster Elite Classic Bracket Day 2: 12 Battles for 3 Classic Spots.

Stingy lake mean every bite counts

By Brian Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Twelve anglers took part in six head-to-head matchups during Wednesday’s semifinal round of the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Classic Bracket on Carters Lake.

The lake was stingy — and that’s putting it mildly.

After a bright full moon that likely caused the bass to feed heavily throughout the previous night, Arkansas angler Fred Roumbanis turned in the biggest weight of the morning session, landing five bass that totaled a modest 6 pounds, 13 ounces.

That was more than enough to give the top-seeded Roumbanis the lead in his bracket-style matchup with 12th-seeded Scott Rook who zeroed for the morning. The seeding order was determined Tuesday during a one-day fish-off.

“With this full moon, the fish are feeding all night long and that makes them really finicky,” Roumbanis said. “Using Garmin LiveScope, I can see the bass down there and I can see exactly what they’re doing. But you still have to trick a fish that’s full into biting.”

The morning session featured six anglers in three head-to-head matchups that lasted from 8-11 a.m. ET. Roumbanis started early with a 13-ounce keeper and then finished his limit with a 1-11 spotted bass at 10:43 a.m.

“I’m just following big schools of bait in about 20 feet of water and catching suspended bass,” Roumbanis said. “It’s not easy to force a bite.”

Rook, who has already announced his intentions to retire after this season, focused primarily on topwater fishing and failed to put a keeper in the boat.

2018 Bassmaster Elite Classic Bracket Day 1: Boom Boom Bested them with 16-01lbs!

Only 12 remain

By Brian Brasher

BASS PRESS RELEASE

 

Fred leads stingy bracket format tournament.
(Photo: BASS)

The first round of the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Classic Bracket on Carters Lake was a one-day tournament to determine the seeding for three separate competitions that will each send an angler to the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

With that one-day tournament in the history books, the stakes will now get higher every moment until the Classic Bracket concludes Friday.

After Tuesday’s opening round, 15 anglers were allowed to weigh their five biggest bass with the Top 12 advancing to the upcoming three-day, bracket-style competition. The anglers qualified in the following order: 1. Fred Roumbanis (16 pounds 1 ounce), 2. Greg Vinson (13-10), 3. Keith Combs (12-6), 4. Ray Hanselman Jr. (10-0), 5. Chris Lane (9-12), 6. Gerald Swindle (9-10), 7. Mike McClelland (9-0), 8. Chad Pipkens (8-8), 9. Adrian Avena (6-13), 10. Shin Fukae (6-11), 11. Dustin Connell (5-5) and 12. Scott Rook (5-4).

Marty Robinson (4-12), Takahiro Omori (1-15) and Bill Lowen (0-0) were eliminated.

“Today’s goal was just to advance,” said Hanselman, of Del Rio, Texas. “I just wanted to try and fish clean and make sure I made it into that Top 12. I figured a little something out (during Monday’s practice round), and it helped me today. But there aren’t a whole lot of places to do it on this lake.”

Starting Wednesday, the weights will go back to zero, and six matches will be held from 8-11 a.m. ET, pitting No. 1 vs. No. 12, No. 2 vs. No. 11 and No. 3 vs. No. 10. Then during the afternoon session from 12:30-3:30 p.m., three additional matches will pit No. 4 vs. No. 9, No. 5 vs. No. 8 and No. 6 vs. No. 7.