Happy New Year!

 

Wishing you and your family great love and joy for 2021

TACKLE WAREHOUSE PRO CIRCUIT ROSTER

Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the roster for the 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers. Kicking off its 26th season of professional competition and the second year since the acquisition by MLF, the 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit roster will showcase a field of 165 of the top professional anglers in the world.

“We are extremely excited about the combined star power of the anglers on the 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit roster,” said Daniel Fennel, MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations. “Combining Bass Pro Tour pros with seasoned Pro Circuit veterans and a fantastic class of rookies from across the country, we expect 2021 to be one of the most highly competitive seasons in our 26-year history.”

2021 schedule 

The 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit roster features a solid field of tournament veterans, including the return of bass-fishing legend Larry Nixon – after recovering from shoulder surgery – and multiple former FLW Cup champions including Darrel Robertson (1999), Dion Hibdon (2000), Anthony Gagliardi (2014) and Brad Knight (2015). They will be joined by John Cox, the 2016 FLW Cup champion who recently accepted his invitation to the MLF Bass Pro Tour, and 19 other Bass Pro Tour anglers who are taking advantage of the opportunity to fish upwards of 20 pro-level events between the two circuits.

The 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit will also showcase numerous former Pro Circuit Angler of the Year (AOY) winners, including Ron Nelson (2020), Anthony Gagliardi (2006), Shin Fukae (2004) and David Walker (1999). The roster will include 28 rookies from around the world, including Italy’s Jacopo Gallelli, Cal Lane – son of Bass Pro Tour pro Chris Lane – and Cody Huff, a standout Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI angler from Bethel University.

The field will be showcased throughout six regular-season tournaments, with competition kicking off on Lake Okeechobee, Feb. 11-14, in Clewiston, Florida, and culminating with the 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE championship on the Mississippi River, Aug. 17-22, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The top award at each regular-season tournament is up to $135,000, with $235,000 going to the 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE champion, including the lucrative $35,000 MLF BIG5 Phoenix Bonus for qualified anglers.

“It’s going to be fun getting back with many of my old friends and going tournament fishing again,” said Nixon, who is returning in 2021 for his 43rd year of fishing professionally. “I had surgery on January 6th last year and thought I’d be able to come back after six months and fish in the last tournament or two of the season, but that didn’t work out. I really missed my friends and the competition and am looking forward to a great year. I’m excited to go back to Lake Okeechobee, Smith and Murray – this is a stellar tournament schedule all the way around.”

FULL ANGLERS LIST BELOW

James Watson Joins Charger Boats

For over 46 years Charger has built the most durable, fishable boats on the water. Charger Boats are designed with performance and comfort as their top priority. With composite construction, modern instrumentation, updated graphics, redesigned seating and more along with four decades of experience it’s hard to beat a Charger Boat. 

 

Whether you’re a seasoned tournament professional or a “rookie” weekend angler, Charger boats give you a distinct advantage when you’re driving down the lake, taming a big river or trolling the back of a reclusive cove. You’ll feel confidence in your Charger every time you hit the water. 

 

Joe Dorris President of Charger boats shared “I am a strong supporter of our military forces, and I knew the first time I met James he needed to be with the Charger family.  We are honored, and it is a great privilege to have James running and fishing out of a Charger 210 Elite for the 2021 season.  The entire Charger family and team wish James the very best of luck in 2021 and Go Army!”

 

Merry Christmas to All!

 

Wishing you and your loved ones a
Merry Christmas. Please stay safe and healthy.

Winter Slow Down

 

The winter slow down is upon us. IBASSIN.com will not be actively posting 
for the next week or two. Don't worry, if something interesting, news worthy or industry changing emerges we'll be right on it. 

BASS Announces 2021 Bassmaster Opens Events

On Thursday, B.A.S.S. officials revealed the schedule for the 2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens trail with a later start date than usual and a change in format from the past three seasons.

Instead of two divisions with four tournaments, this year’s Opens circuit will include three divisions — Southern, Central and Northern — with three events in each.

All nine tournament winners will earn an automatic berth to the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk if they fish all events in their division. Additionally, the top three finishers from each division’s points standings will receive an invitation to fish the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series, as will the top three from the overall standings accumulated in all three divisions.

“We’ve only been done a couple of weeks, but I’m already so excited about the 2021 schedule we’ve put together,” said Bassmaster Opens Tournament Director Chris Bowes. “This last season, with all of its stops and starts, was the hardest of my life. But I’m so proud we were able to get it all in. And every event was critical in a season that saw our Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year race decided by just one point.

2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens schedule

Southern Opens
March 4-6, Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
Apr. 15-17, Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.
Sept. 23-25, Lake Norman, Charlotte, N.C.

Central Opens
Apr. 1-3, Lewis Smith Lake, Jasper, Ala.
Apr. 29-May 1, Pickwick Lake, Counce, Tenn.
Oct. 21-23, Grand Lake, Grove, Okla.

Northern Opens
May 13-15, James River, Richmond, Va.
July 29-31, Oneida Lake, Syracuse, N.Y.
Sept. 9-11, St. Lawrence River/1000 Islands, Clayton, N.Y.

Pre-spawn Bassin' Coming to Southern Ontario

Smalllmouth protection key to regulation changes. 

By Luigi De Rose 

Not every rule applies to all situations. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry have taken anglers and environmental needs under consideration to modify the 2021 FMZ 20 bass fishing regulations. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass will now have an open season from January 1 to May 10. This pre-spawn or trophy bass season will not allow anglers to keep or kill any bass. 

Largemouth bass will reopen on third Saturday of June which is consistently with this regions bass seasons. Smallmouth will open weeks later on the first Saturday of July. Postponing the smallmouth season ensure greater protection during the spawn. 

For more information click here. 

Wiggins secures final Classic spot with Team Champ Win

By Andrew Canulette

BASS PRESS RELEASE

There were times Saturday when Jordan Wiggins wondered if he had enough magic remaining to write the fairy-tale ending for a special week on the Harris Chain of Lakes.

He had to work for it, but the 29-year old Cullman, Ala., resident proved in the end that dreams really do come true in central Florida.

Wiggins won the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off on Saturday with a two-day total of 10 bass that weighed 31 pounds, 9 ounces. His limit of 9-0 on Day 2 was significantly less than the tournament-best 22-9 he caught a day earlier, but it was enough for him to punch his ticket into the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. 

The Classic is scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts near Fort Worth, Texas. Wiggins is the 54th and final angler to qualify for the next edition of the biggest bass tournament in the world.

“I’ve been shaking all day just thinking about making it to the Classic,” he said shortly after receiving a congratulatory hug from his wife, Whitney. “I’ve dreamed of this ever since I’ve been going fishing and I’ve been fishing a long time. This is awesome; just unreal.” 

2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule

After the shortest offseason break in the trail’s 16-year history, B.A.S.S. officials announced Thursday that the Bassmaster Elite Series will open its 2021 tournament slate Feb. 11-14 on the St. Johns River in Florida.

The season-opener will begin just over three months after the final event of a 2020 schedule that was reworked due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a much later finish than usual.

“We’re as excited about this schedule as any that we’ve ever put together for the Elite Series,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “It features a good mix of venues that have become fixtures for B.A.S.S. and a few we’ve been to before but haven’t visited in a while.”

2021 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule

Feb. 11-14, AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.
Feb. 25-28, Tennessee River, Knoxville, Tenn.
March 19-21, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, Lake Ray Roberts, Fort Worth, Texas
April 8-11, Sabine River, Orange, Texas
April 22-25, Lake Fork, Emory, Texas
May 6-9, Neely Henry Lake, Gadsden, Ala.
May 20-23, Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ala.
June 10-13, Pickwick Lake, Florence, Ala.
July 8-11, Lake Champlain, Burlington, Vt.
July 15-18, St. Lawrence River, Waddington, N.Y.
Aug. 19-22, Make-up date

Keith Carson Wins 2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open on Lay Lake with 47-01lbs!

Elite invitation given on last Open of the year

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Borrowing Elite Pro John Cox's boat 
provided enough luck for big win!
(Photo BASS)

Keith Carson had never seen Lay Lake before this week, but leveraging two familiar features allowed the Florida pro to win the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open with a three-day total of 47 pounds, 1 ounce. 

Carson placed second on Day 1 with 16-10 and then moved into the lead after catching the event’s heaviest bag — 18-10 — in the second round. On Saturday, he added 11-13 and won the top prize of $38,783 and a berth in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts.

Carson claimed his first Bassmaster win by fishing similarly to the way he fishes on his home waters.

“I was fishing grasslines near steeper banks up the river in front of the (Gaston) steam plant and about 2 miles north of the power plant,” Carson said. “I grew up fishing the St. Johns River and I’m very familiar with current.”

Working with the current created by Alabama Power Company’s release schedule from the Logan Martin Dam, Carson was able to keep himself in front of active fish most of the day. Discharge releases from the steam plant also helped his cause.

Carson pointed out that the inherently disjointed fall transition, complicated by a cold front that brought significant weather changes — partly cloudy, to rainy, to clear and bright — made consistency tough.

“I knew that whoever would grind the hardest would win,” he said. “There wasn’t any pattern, but there was one bait that I caught all my fish on. I used a Berkley Frittside 5 crankbait in the ghost morning dawn color.

REDCREST 2021 Anglers: Here Are Your 40 Qualifiers

Through an unpredictable 2020 tournament season, one goal remained crystal clear for the 80 anglers fishing the MLF Bass Pro Tour: earn a spot in the Top 40 in Angler of the Year standings and secure a spot in REDCREST 2021. Here are the 40 anglers who qualified to battle it out for a $300,000 first-place payday and bass-fishing glory.

Link here to see you qualified

Greg Hackney and Jason Christie Moving to Elites - John Cox to MLF

 

Qualifying through the BASS Opens, Hackney and Christie has decided to return to the Elites. John Cox shifts over to MLF along to many former FLW joining the Bass Pro Tour. 

For more info click here

Walk the Dog Like a Topwater Pro

Walking the Dog is a technique you must know. This topwater technique is key for walking, poppers and pencil pop lures. Learning to do it correct take some practice but once you know the basics you'll be walking the dog like a pro.

Check this video out to see how to use the reel and rod to keep that lure swinging back and forth.

Check us out at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ibassincom/265989363495983

2021 Bass Master Classic Field Set

 

The 2021 Classic field is set.
Canadian pros Jeff Gustafson and both Johnston Brothers
are in plus many of your favourite pros. Take a look at the Elite, Opens, College and Nation anglers who have earned a spot in the 2021 Bassmaster Classic so far.
Link over here

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Wishing our American readers a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Ben Woo Owner of B1 Tournament Organization Found Guilty in Massive Bass Kill!

Bass Tournament Organizer Fined $9,000 For Not Following Licence Conditions

By Luigi De Rose

The hammer finally fell on Ben Woo and the B1 Tournament Series. On November 10, 2020, Woo has been convicted and fined $9,000 and had his Ontario recreational fishing licence suspended for five years as a result of improper fish care, discarding dead bass improperly and not notifying the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) of the large fish kill according to the tournament licence. 

The infractions occurred during July 13-14, 2019 at their B1 two-day bass tournament held on the St. Lawrence River near Gananoque, Ontario where they suffered a staggering 195 dead bass, many of them smallmouth over 4-pounds. The Ontario Crown determined that fish care stations during the weigh-in process was inadequate.  

Ben Woo and staff later dumped 188 of those dead bass into the garbage, which is an illegal act as no game fish or wild animal is allowed to be wasted without proper steps taken to fully utilize it. 

The MNRF received several calls regarding the incident and the investigate was started on July 15, 2019. 

For the full official statement from the MNRF click here

Tommy Williams Wins Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open on Lewisville with 41-15lbs!

Classic and Elite Status Nearing Completion

By David A. Brown

BASS Press Release

Williams ride out difficult last day to win.
(Photo: BASS) 

Enduring a tough day marked by mishaps and disappointment, Tommy Williams of Shepherdsville, Ky., won the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open on Lewisville Lake with a three-day total of 41 pounds, 15 ounces.

On Day 1, Williams caught a second-place limit of 18-8 and trailed early leader Brandon Dillard by 6-1. Adding a Day 2 limit of 15-8 sent him into Championship Saturday with a 6-3 lead.

Saturday, that margin proved essential as Williams found only three keepers for 7-15, but held on to claim the top prize of $35,934 and a berth in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts.

“Everybody knows how tough it is to win a tournament when you have a missed opportunity and I had a couple of them,” Williams said. “The fish bit funny today. I had fish blow up on a spinnerbait and I lost fish on a flipping stick.

“I fished clean all week, but today, they just pulled off. But it’s been a wonderful experience. Texas has treated me well. This is the first time I’ve been in contention to win one of these events.”

Williams spent his tournament in three areas. Two comprised windward pockets with baitfish blown into dense tangles of shallow wood. The third was a main-lake flat. 

“I spent seven days of practice and it came together on the third day,” he said. “I fished my strengths through the whole thing.”

He flipped the wood with a Texas-rigged green pumpkin creature bait with the tails dipped in chartreuse. On the flat, he fished a 1/4-ounce spinnerbait with a single No. 3 willow-leaf blade and a chartreuse curly tail grub for a trailer.

FOX Sports to air live coverage of all Elite events, Classic in 2021

For the first time in history, all nine Bassmaster Elite events, as well as the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk will feature live television coverage as the Elite Series moves to the FOX Sports platforms beginning in February 2021.

This new multi-year partnership between FOX Sports and Bassmaster allows for more expansive coverage of the tournaments, giving fans an opportunity to follow the action live as the world’s best anglers battle big bass — and each other — on some of America’s most legendary fisheries.

Highlighting the coverage is the iconic Bassmaster Classic on Lake Ray Roberts March 19-21, which will feature three hours of content on the FOX broadcast network and three hours of content on FS1.

Fans enjoy two new ways to catch the action during live weekend broadcasts. During the FOX television programming, an additional livestream with additional anglers will be featured on Bassmaster.com.

On days and times when the Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series tournaments are not being broadcast on FOX or FS1, the award-winning Bassmaster LIVE show will be streamed at Bassmaster.com and on the FOX Sports digital platforms. Bassmaster LIVE, which debuted in 2015, features expert commentary and insight while following the top-ranked Elite anglers.

“There is a huge appetite for live bass fishing and this partnership with FOX provides an incredible opportunity to reach new fans as a record number of people participate in fishing,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “Fishing license sales are up by double-digits this year, and we commend our anglers as well as the Bassmaster LIVE hosts for making use of time on-screen to explain the sport as well as offer tips and techniques to help fans of all levels improve their fishing.”

The Bassmaster Elite Series was one of the only major sports able to complete their full 2020 season, which drew both enthusiastic fans of bass fishing and sports fans craving the thrill of competition to live broadcasts of the Elite Series tournaments. Not only are both dedicated fans and newcomers alike eagerly tuning in to Bassmaster, but participation in the sport is booming across the country.  

Humminbird® Introduces the APEX™ Series: A Premium MFD with a Full-HD Display, First-Class Sonar and Networking Options

 

Humminbird® announces the next level in fish finder technology with the launch of the new APEX™ series. Now combining Humminbird’s best-in-class sonar technologies and full networking capabilities on a full-HD display, APEX delivers the clearest and most-detailed display of sonar and chart technologies and represents the pinnacle of marine electronics innovation.   Humminbird has been a dominant leader in marine electronics for decades by putting the most powerful and intuitive tools in the hands of anglers to help them find and catch more fish. APEX is the most advanced offering to date and offers more custom rigging options and large screen displays than ever before.   The full-HD, 1920 x 1080 display allows anglers to see sonar and chart images with incredible detail, ensuring no fish goes unseen, on their choice of 13”, 16” or a massive 19” display. APEX’s Cross Touch™ Interface is powered by a powerful dual core processor that provides lightning-fast intuitive control, as well as customization of features from either the touchscreen or the softkey inputs. Thanks to its low-profile design, APEX provides a sleek, custom look when mounted in-dash, with your choice of the included front mount in-dash kit or available rear mount in-dash kit, ensuring APEX will be a natural fit at any helm.

Shown in full-HD detail, APEX offers anglers the best possible views and more sonar options with dual channel CHIRP sonar support. Anglers can take advantage of Humminbird’s renown Dual Spectrum CHIRP (2D) sonar and MEGA Imaging+™ sonar included on all models, as well as optional 2D CHIRP sonar transducers for specific applications and premium sonar performance.   APEX provides a dedicated channel for Humminbird sonar technology, including MEGA Side® Imaging+™ and MEGA Down Imaging+®, which now see further and deeper than ever before- with range and depth capabilities up to 250 ft under and to either side of the boat. Additionally, APEX’s second sonar channel provides an independent connection for accessory 2D CHIRP transducers up to 2 kilowatts and includes Airmar® transducer ID, which provides simple configuration of settings for optimal sonar returns.

2021 Ontario Kayak Bass Trail

Ontario Kayak Bass Trail is a tournament series for kayak bass anglers in Ontario. Organized and run by anglers for anglers, the trail events will be located throughout Ontario and feature online registration and scoring systems.

Lest We Forget

 

Lest We Forget!
At 11am today, take a minute to reflect.
We live in a free society. Even if you don't agree with your neighbour,
you have the freedom to have those opinions. 

Clark Wendlandt Wins the 2020 BASS Elite Angler of the Year title!

Canadians Cory Johnston 16th, Jeff Gustafson 30th and Chris Johnston 33rd in AOY!

By Luigi De Rose 

(Photo: BASS) 

Congratulations to Clark Wendlandt, the 2020 BASS Elite Angler of the Year. Taking the title on the second last day of the season, Clark amassed 680 points, three points more than David Mullins who finished second. Patrick Walters, who won the 2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Lake Fork, finished third with 669 points. Wendlandt's grit weathered the most difficult season in recent history. The 2020 Elite season had more drama than a mid-week soap opera. Battling Covid, International lockdowns, a Northern swing slugfest and the challenges of Southern fall fishing, anglers were pushed to their mental and physical limits. The Elite season standing are finalized and the Top 40 Elite angler will qualify for the 2021 Bassmaster Classic at Lake Ray Roberts in Texas, March 19-21st. Due to double qualifications, future BASS events, the final Classic field has yet to be determined. 

To see who qualified, link over the bassmaster.com

,

Patrick Walters Wins 2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Lake Fork with 104-12lbs!

A Blue Trophy and Century Club makes for a perfect Sunday!

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Walters's 29 pound lead over 2nd place simply astonishing.
(Photo: BASS) 

A late-day decision turned victory into a double-dip of tournament stardom, as Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., notched a dominant win at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks & Wildlife Department with a four-day total weight of 104 pounds, 12 ounces.

Walters placed second on Day 1 with 25-14 and took over the Day 2 lead by adding 26-14. On Semifinal Saturday, his limit of 29-6 — the event’s biggest catch — sent him into Championship Sunday with a 25-pound lead.

Today’s limit of 22-10 allowed him to surge across the finish line and secure his spot in the Century Club, which recognizes an angler for catching 100 pounds of fish in a four-day event. Walters won with an all-time Bassmaster Elite record margin of 29-10.

“What a week; it doesn’t seem real,” Walters said. “Everyone wants to catch 100 pounds, and it feels good.”

While his victory was never in serious jeopardy today, Walters found himself a couple pounds shy of his second objective with time running out. A 15-minute flurry in his last hour of fishing delivered three fish that elevated him well past the century mark.

Walters attributes his closing success to a gutsy relocation. All week, he had been targeting suspended bass amid main-lake standing timber in 10 to 20 feet. When he realized his spots weren’t firing, he moved to a small pocket and caught his final three fish around stumps in less than 5 feet of water.

2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Lake Fork Day 2: Patrick Walters leads with 52-12lbs!

Canadians Chris Johnston 44th, Cory Johnston 60th & Gustafson 83rd

By David A. Brown

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Walters ridding a hot streak give 11 pound lead 
over Loughran.
(Photo: BASS)

Patrick Walters said he believes there are fish on every piece of standing timber in Lake Fork, but dialing in the right scenario allowed him to take the Day 2 lead at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with a total of 52 pounds, 12 ounces.

Walters positioned himself well on Day 1 with a second-place limit of 25-14 and trailed Rick Clunn by 3-6. Adding 26-14 today, the Summerville, S.C., angler carries a lead of 11-3 into Semifinal Saturday.

Returning to the standing timber he fished on Day 1, Walters enjoyed a fast start with a limit of 18-15 by about 8:30. His second catch, a 6-1, got his day going in the right direction.

“That made me feel pretty good, catching that 6-1 first thing; it was like, ‘Okay, they’re still here and they’ll still bite,’” Walters said. “I was worried that the big fish just bit yesterday because of weather or something, so I had no idea what I was going to be able to catch.

“It was good to know they would bite again today. Yesterday, I caught a 4-pounder off that same tree where I caught the 6-1 today.”

Walters said that amid the fields of standing timber, he’s looking for a particular type of structure. He declined to elaborate but noted that the right spots also held bait schools. Finding the fish positioned at the right feeding depth meant it was game-on.

“I also checked some of my other areas that I found in practice,” Walters said. “Everywhere on this entire lake has fish. When you set the boat down, there are fish there. You just have to figure out how to catch them.

“I just needed to expand to make sure I wasn’t missing a better area. You don’t know where the bite’s at, so you have to keep putting your feelers out.”

2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Lake Fork Day 1: Clunn become King with 29-04lbs!

Canadians Chris Johnston 40th, Cory Johnston 52th & Gustafson 81st. 

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Clunn king of autumn.
(Photo: BASS) 

A highly specific presentation plus one key bite gave Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., the Day 1 lead at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Lake Fork with 29 pounds, 4 ounces.

Spending his day in the mid- to lower-lake region, Clunn targeted docks with an Ichikawa Rick Clunn RC King Kong Shad 10 squarebill. He found one particular structure most productive and relied on a specific undisclosed presentation.

“I fished several docks, but I caught all but one of my (limit fish) off of one dock,” Clunn said. “I found this dock in practice and it had a lot of fish holding in front of it. Today, I pulled up there and I did not see those fish, but I guess they were there.

“You can throw at that dock all day and if you’re not doing it exactly right, you’re not going to catch them,” he said. “I can fish behind three other boats and if they’re not doing (what I’m doing), I’m going to catch fish.” 

Midday delivered an unexpected opportunity that propelled Clunn into the lead. Moving to another spot, he passed a round, sandy point that looked appealing enough to merit a few casts with a different reaction bait. One of them tempted an 8-9 largemouth, which stands as the day’s second-largest fish. 

“I caught that big one trying to find other places,” Clunn said. “That was just one of those gift fish. I don’t even know where he came from and I couldn’t duplicate the cast.

“In practice, I was catching a few fish late in the day off of stuff like that. Most of the fish I caught, I caught them where I was expecting to catch them. But I didn’t expect to catch that one.”

Noting that Fork’s tremendous number of quality fish justifies its trophy lake reputation, Clunn said he caught about 15 keepers today, but his three big bites (8-9, 6-6 and a 5-9) were the difference-makers.

“This lake is so full of fish, you’re fishing over a thousand to catch one,” he said. “The key here is you have to get those two key bites to get you up over that 20-pound mark.”

A Smallmouth Secret: The Carolina Rig

A Carolina rig is an old school technique to catch big bass. It works exceptionally well on beast smallmouth. If you encounter heavy wind, giant waves, scattered smallmouth or just cannot figure out finesse, then you need to learn how to Carolina rig. Carolina rig is a secret technique to nail smallmouth. You'll be surprised how how IBASSIN.com rigs up for smallmouth. Listen to Luigi De Rose as he goes through the set up, bait selection and when are where to fish the Carolina Rig for smallmouth.

Matthew Robertson Wins 2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open on Cherokee Lake!

Smallmouth shine during impossible fishing

By David A. Brown. 

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Topwater and finesse key to limits
on difficult fishery.
(Photo: BASS) 

When noon found him without a keeper, Matthew Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., made a bold decision that propelled him to victory at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open on Cherokee Lake with a three-day total of 40 pounds, 12 ounces.

Entering Championship Saturday with a mere 3-ounce lead over Denny Fiedler of Wabasha, Minn., Robertson added a five-bass limit of 12-4 to his first two days’ limits of 14-8 and 14-0. He won by a margin of 1-10 and earned a top prize of $35,000. Robertson also won the $500 Garmin Tournament Rewards prize.

He also earned an automatic berth into the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic, which is scheduled for March on Lake Ray Roberts in Texas.

“I’m usually out on the water saying, ‘Maybe I should go here, maybe I should go there,’ but the past two weeks, I’ve just had more faith in myself and I’ve just been rolling with it,” Robertson said. “I’m not second-guessing anything; I’m fishing more deliberately.”

Fresh off a second-place finish at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open on Neely Henry Lake, Robertson had spent his first two days working a small stretch of boulder-laden bottom in 20 feet of water. Intercepting packs of smallmouth bass ravaging bait schools, he caught his fish on a Ned rig and a Neko rig.

With post-frontal conditions bringing bright skies and high pressure, Day 3 found the spot unproductive. Robertson said this prompted him to completely scrap his game plan and switch to something that was right in his wheelhouse. 

“I told myself, ‘I’m going to stay there until noon and see what I have,’” he said. “All I caught was a striped bass, so I pulled the plug. I was so comfortable with that decision, it was no big deal. 

“I pulled into a little pocket close to my deep spot and caught one on a topwater. I figured out what the pattern was and I went to war with it.” 

Robertson said he found his best opportunities in pockets with docks, deeper cuts and flat points with scattered rock. Most of the bass he saw were hunting bait in small feeding groups known as “wolf packs.” 

Cold Weather Preventative Boat Maintenance

Learn how to prevent boat and motor problems during the fall and winter. Follow these tips will ensure your motor, pumps and fuel remains safe. This video will explain some preventative boat maintenance that will keep you on the water and your rig out of trouble.

Cord Bird Wins 2020 Bassmaster Central Open on Neely Henry Lake with 34-01lbs.

Bird Classic 2021 bound

By David A. Brown

BASS Press Release

Quick pace key to finding win.
(Photo: BASS) 

Focusing on current-related habitat enabled Cody Bird of Granbury, Texas, to win the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open on Neely Henry Lake with a three-day total of 34 pounds, 1 ounce.

Bird placed third on Day 1 with a limit of 13-1 and moved into the Day 2 lead after adding 11-9. On Championship Saturday, he turned in a limit of 9-7 and earned the $35,000 top prize for his first B.A.S.S. win.

“I have two seconds, a third, a fourth, two fifths, a sixth and three sevenths — it feels good to finally win one,” Bird said. “I’m just not a closer. This time, when I got up there, I made up my mind that they were going to have to take it from me.

“It took me a while, but it was worth it. I earned this one, for sure.”

Freedom Tackle Mischief Minnow Bladed Topwater Review!

The secret to the Mischief Minnow’s performance is the unique custom shaped patent-pending Kilter blade design which is center-mounted on the bait's body by an angled blade pin.

Working the bait is simple with a steady retrieve - relying on the custom blade design combined with the side-to-side body rolling action which mimics a wounded baitfish on the water’s surface. The Mischief Minnow’s unique thrashing action combines sound, wake vibration and Kilter blade flash – a true triple threat in topwater fishing. At rest, the high float body relies on a nose-up presentation that thrashes into action with the slightest twitch. Use a straight retrieve or mix it up with a pause-and-rip rod technique

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Lee Livesay Wins 2020 Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with 58-02lbs!

Staying with ultra shallow froggin' key to fickle bite

By David A. Brown

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Staying shallow and close pays off for Texan.
(Photo: BASS) 

Lee Livesay had options, but he committed to a singular game plan based on patience and execution to win the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with a four-day total of 58 pounds, 2 ounces.

Livesay of Longview, Texas, turned in daily limits of 13-0, 13-3, 16-13 and 15-2. Notching his first career victory, the second-year Elite Series pro won the top prize of $100,000.

On Day 1, three of the fish that made up his 10th-place sack ate a football-head jig — one on a Hiwassee River bluff and two by the Highway 60 Bridge. He caught the other two by fishing a Scum Frog Launch Frog over main-lake grass mats, a technique that accounted for each of his bass the final three days.

“I stayed in between the Dayton Boat Dock and the Highway 60 Bridge the whole time (Days 2-4),” Livesay said. “It was so tough, you had to keep your bait in the water the whole time. That area is where I had the most bites.

“The farther south you went, the more fishing pressure you got; the farther upriver, the more pressure you got. I had a little zone where I was comfortable. Right where that river comes into the lake, that’s where you have the most nutrients, the most fish and you have current flow. That’s where I decided to set up.”

Livesay was particular about the types of mats he fished, with seclusion and current flow topping his criteria. Also, venturing far into the mats’ shallowest reaches allowed him to target bass that see little to no fishing pressure.

2020 Bassmaster Elites on Chickamauga Lake Day 3: Livesay Leads with 43lbs

Canadians Gustafson 21st, Chris Johnston 38th & Cory Johnston 67th

By David A. Brown

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Livesay overcomes stubborn bass and
flog delay to claim first.
( Photo: BASS) 

The tournament’s shortest fishing day yielded Lee Livesay’s biggest bag, which allowed the angler from Longview, Texas, to take the Day 3 lead of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with a three-day total of 43 pounds. 

After a 2 1/2-hour fog delay, Livesay backed up his first two weights of 13-0 and 13-3 with a Day 3 limit of 16-13 and overtook Day 2 leader Stetson Blaylock by a margin of 1-15.

He did so by fishing a frog around matted vegetation — and was very specific in the type of vegetation he sought.

“I’m doing what I like to do. I like to pick up a big rod and a frog and hunt them,” Livesay said. “I’m not just fishing, I’m hunting individual fish. I know which mats they’re under; it’s just whether they eat it or not.” 

Livesay said he’s targeting mats in two main scenarios. The first are located off small main-river bars. The key is what he calls supershallow water. 

“Everybody’s fishing the deep mats, but you can’t catch them there,” Livesay said. “You might get a hit every now and then, but it’s random. I fish around the shallowest mats with a little rock under them and two of them have current under them.”

Livesay’s other mat scenario is on the back side of an island bar with a small depression in a flat. The area has scattered rock and tiny cheese mats (topped-out grass coated with a bubbly yellowish algae) within a larger mat. 

“It’s 100 percent confidence, knowing where the fish are and not leaving,” he said. “Also, I’m being quiet; I’m push poling into some areas, keeping my trolling motor up and sitting there for (long periods). 

2020 Bassmaster Elites on Chickamauga Lake Day 1: Brandon Cobb Takes Commanding Lead with 19-06lbs

Canadians Gustafson 34th, Chris Johnston 40th & Cory Johnston 73rd

By David A. Brown

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Two 6lbers key to Cobb's big limit
 as field struggles.
(Photo: BASS) 

A big start, a big finish and solid productivity in between gave Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., the Day 1 lead of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with a five-bass limit of 19 pounds, 6 ounces.

A passing cold front created challenging conditions in which bites were few and reports of noncommittal fish were many. With a pair of bookend kickers, Cobb touted execution with two different reaction baits as the key to his success.

“It was not an easy day; I caught six and two of them just happened to be 6-pounders, so that always helps,” he said. “You can’t miss any. You have to boat every fish and just stick to it. 

“It’s so tough, it’s hard to know if you’re doing the right thing. But I stuck with one thing all day, got six bites and turned in 19 pounds.”

Spending his day upriver, Cobb targeted shallow grass and got most of his bites in about 3 feet of water. After his opening spot produced the first of his 6-pounders around 8 a.m., he gave the area a little more time but soon realized he needed to secure a limit. 

“I covered an area of 20 miles; I ran a lot throughout the lake,” Cobb said. “Even though I had some bites in practice, I never really figured anything out; but I could get bites by just covering water.