Z-Man Newest Pro: Seth Feider

For a dude whose BassFan profile lists sideburns and chest hair as his biggest weaknesses, Seth Feider brings an awfully strong salad game. Beyond his rising street cred on the Bassmaster Elite Series, Feider's trademark mustache and spicy blonde mullet have made the Bloomington, Minnesota based bass ace one of the most recognizable anglers in the country.

"Z-Man respects high-end facial hair," quips Joey Prochazka, pro-staff and promotions manager for Z-Man Fishing Products. "Seriously, we're super happy to welcome Seth to team Z. He's the real deal—a genuine dude who shoots it to you straight. Of course, he's already logged a really successful tournament career on the Bassmaster Elite Series, and sits at the top of his game right now.

"No doubt, he'll fit right in with our motley bunch of Z-Man pros—all exceptional anglers as well as good gals and guys; friendly, approachable people who know how to catch fish anywhere there's water."

Ranger Boat's Shake Up Results in Bass Boat Sponsorship Switcheroo

Ranger cancels contracts

By Luigi De Rose

Takahiro Omori joins Bass Cat as scores of 
other Ranger Boat pros move on. (Photo: Facebook) 

Has the penny finally dropped? With the acquisition of Rangers boats by White River Marine Group in 2014, fans and pros alike wondered how that would change the face of bass fishing. Immediate change never transpired but under the strain of Covid, a changing market place and an upsurge in popularity in fishing and boating, 2021 has become the year of change. Ranger Boats has always held the largest pro-bass boat team in the industry. That still holds true but to the shock of many fans and pros alike, there has been a shake up. Surprisingly, some of the most popular and successful Bassmaster, MLF/ Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit were not shielded. 

Boat companies cannot take the brunt of the blame for change. Engine companies hold tremendous power and money. Competitive anglers must go with whom is willing to feed them. Much like boat companies, the engine market is ruled by a few key figures. Mercury is king. Yamaha is a strong second with Honda and Suzuki grabbing slivers of the market share from these two giants.  

Keep a look out for your favourite angler on social media as they might be sporting a new boat title sponsor for the upcoming season.

Here is the current list of anglers as of January 27, 2021

Takahiro Omori: Ranger to Bass Cat

Bill McDonald: Ranger to Bass Cat

Scott Suggs: Ranger to Bass Cat

Cody Meyers: Ranger to Blazer

John Murray: Ranger to Caymas

James Watson: Ranger to Charger

Luke Clausen: Ranger to Charger

Charles Sim: Ranger to Falcon

Tom Redington: Ranger to Pheonix

Ish Monroe: Ranger to Skeeter

Scott Martin: Ranger to Skeeter

Brett Hite: Ranger to Vexus

Jared Lintner: Ranger to Vexus

Jason Christie: Ranger to Xpress Boats

 

Non-Ranger Pros who have switched

Fletcher Shryock: Nitro to Caymas

 Carl Jocumsen: Bass Cat to Falcon

Brandon Coulter: Triton to Falcon

Keith Poche: Triton to Gator Trax Boats

2021 Shimano Product Launch

Celebrating 100 years of purposeful engineering and innovation, Shimano continues a legacy of transforming fishing experiences with five new reels that deliver strength, efficiency, durability – and confidence – every time anglers turn the handle. Introducing the redesigned Ultegra, TwinPower SW, TwinPower XD, Exsence and Calcutta Conquest.

Ultegra is a feature-packed powerhouse that is the perfect choice for the multispecies freshwater or light tackle inshore angler seeking a nimble, versatile spinning reel. TwinPower SW is designed to dominate the offshore realm by seamlessly blending strength with durability. Now featuring Infinity Drive and Heat Sink Drag, TwinPower SW puts anglers in control during intense battles with hard-fighting game fish. TwinPower XD is the toughest model in Shimano's Magnumlite lineup of spinning reels and is packed with premium technologies for the dedicated inshore angler. Exsence provides peak performance for inshore applications, striking an aggressive blend of technology and intelligent design while embracing the perfect balance of a lightweight feel and durability. Calcutta Conquest is the benchmark in smoothness, precision and pure power. With a classic appearance but loaded with the latest Shimano flagship features, the Calcutta Conquest is for anglers that demand the pinnacle of performance.

Swindle Signs with 13 Fishing for Rods & Reels

Swindle Signs With 13 Fishing, Buckle Up! 

Elite Series competitor Gerald Swindle now fishes exclusively with 13 Fishing rods and reels. 13 Fishing’s unique combination of cool-factor and functionality attracted Swindle to sign with the brand. “First off, the rods and reels are lights-out,” says Swindle, Bassmaster Angler of the Year in 2004 and 2016. “But also, I like the 13 image – it’s got a little swagger to it.

Noting Swindle’s “big personality,” 13 Fishing Marketing Director Ben Alcocer says Swindle “is a perfect fit” for the “bold” brand and that “his abilities on the water and his product insight really can't be overstated.”

Swindle’s Bassmaster highlights, in addition to his AOY titles, include 18 Classic appearances and 55 Top 10 finishes.
 
“It’s a great match,” Alcocer says. “We're very excited to work with Gerald to continue to create innovative products and help him bring home wins.”
 
Swindle praised 13 Fishing’s product line for including quality rods and reels in both high-end and economical categories.
 
“Dude, I’m telling ya, for the price of some of these rods and reels, they’re as good as any I’ve ever fished with,” Swindle says. “So, I’m just as happy with a $125 to $150 rod as I am with a $400 rod.”
 
“I’ve fished with the $125 to $150 rods, and they’re light for the dollar but just don’t break.” Swindle continues. I tell the guys at 13 that, and they laugh and say, ‘If Swindle can’t break ‘em, no one can!’ If I can’t break ‘em, you’re getting zero customer returns.”

Jocumsen Signs with Rapala for 2021

Rapala® Australia will help Bassmaster Elite Series pro Carl Jocumsen achieve his dream of becoming the first Down Under angler to raise a Bassmaster Classic trophy. The company this month signed its native son to fish Rapala hardbaits in his quest to top the ranks of Bassmaster competition in the U.S.

“We are proud of how hard Carl has worked and how far he has come over the past 10 years in the U.S. and are happy to help him strive to achieve his goal of fishing the Bassmaster Classic,” says Tim Morgan, Rapala Australia National Sales and Brand Manager. “Now that he is using Rapala, I am sure he will achieve the goal even sooner.”

The only Australian to qualify for and compete in the Bassmaster Elite Series in the U.S., Jocumsen remains the all-time tournament-money-earner back home in Australia, despite not having fished a competition there for more than a decade.

Virtual Toronto International Boat Show 2021

Covid 19 has been a death sentence for the trade show industry. Trying to embrace their audience and link protentional customs with the boating and marine industry, some trade shows are gong virtual. 

January 18 to 21, 2021 the Toronto International Boat Show will go live.

• Virtual Exhibitor Spaces – live chat, email, join a video room, schedule a meeting – or just browse
• Great Boat Show Specials – Compare. Shop. Deal
• TIBS Live – Exclusive live content, created just for boaters. And ONLY at the show!
• Get advice from fellow boaters & expert answers to your questions
• Seminars & Workshops
• Contests
• Buy a Boat & Enter to Win $10,000
• Virtual Show Hours: Monday – Friday 11am – 7pm & Saturday & Sunday 9am – 5pm

 Link here to visit

Mark Zona Joins Team Lew's for 2021 and Beyond

As the new year starts, Mark Zona will be featuring Lew's rods and reels on his Mark Zona's Awesome Fishing Show. Since Lew's fishing was acquired by Strike King Lure Company, the move to Lew's from Daiwa is a natural progression of brand family endorsement. 

To hear the news from Mark himself, link over to his Facebook page right here. 

Best Sellers of 2020: Dartspin has a touch of Sébile magic

The success of A Band of Angler’s Dartspin lure brings back fond memories for product designer and company founder Patrick Sébile. 

By Mel Bagnall

Originally posted by Angling International

It is almost a decade ago that he introduced his Magic Swimmer to the market.

Like the Magic Swimmer, the Dartspin (below) is his company’s best selling lure everywhere that ABOA lures are sold around the world. “There are definitely similarities, which is very encouraging,” says Sébile.

The broad appeal of the Dartspin is no accident. With sizes ranging from 2.5in to 7in (with more sizes to come), it can be used to catch a multitude of species, from freshwater trout, perch and pike to seabass, snook and cubera in the salt. “People are catching asp and chub on the 3.5in model, zander and redfish on the 4.5in, bass and calicos on the 5.5in and catfish or white marlin on the 7in,” says Sébile. “Bottom fishing anglers are using it to catch cod in Massachusetts and shallow water anglers are targeting barramundi in Northern Australia. It fits the needs of lure anglers everywhere.”

The Dartspin combines a soft plastic body with a metal tail blade. The body can be rigged almost any way the anglers wants. The tail blade creates a turbulence and flash; and the link between the body and the blade – a Sébile patent – also creates a vibration that adds to the action.

“The Softough material that constitutes the body is not only long lasting but is also eco-friendly,” adds Sébile. “It will breakdown without releasing harmful chemicals. This was one of the main reasons I chose it. Single use soft plastics are more and more of a problem.”

To view more of Angling International link here. 

Randall Tharp Teaches You How To Punch Heavy Matted Grass

MLF Pro and 2013 Forrest Wood Cup Champ Randall Tharp explains how to improve at heavy cover punching. A lot of anglers are beating the cold this winter by hunting big bass in Florida. One of the best techniques is punching and it requires the correct gear. Learn from one of the very best as Tharp explains how to be better at punching.

2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk moved to June 11-13, 2021.

Due to the ongoing public health emergency and associated limits on large gatherings, B.A.S.S. officials announced today that the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk and Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo originally scheduled for late March would be moved to June 11-13, 2021. 

“It’s our hope that this delay will allow us to alleviate many of the challenges — including any potential capacity restrictions and travel complications — related to hosting both the tournament and Outdoors Expo in the current pandemic environment,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “We look forward to seeing thousands of fans, along with our partners and industry friends, at the 51st Bassmaster Classic. 

“Our team will be working with the Fort Worth Sports Commission and Visit Fort Worth to make this historic trip to Texas an incredible and memorable event.”

B.A.S.S. Chairman Chase Anderson emphasized the importance of cooperation with the city of Fort Worth. “We are so appreciative of Fort Worth officials and our hosts at Visit Fort Worth for working with us during these unprecedented times to reschedule this exciting event and ensure we have an outstanding Classic.”  

For more than 50 years, the iconic Bassmaster Classic has been the premier tournament in sportfishing. Recent Classics held in Birmingham, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn., have drawn record-breaking crowds of 122,814 and 153,809 fans respectively to Classic Week events, including the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo. 

X Zone Lures Signs Carl Jocumsen

X Zone Lures is pleased to announce that they have added Carl Jocumsen to their pro staff. Starting in January of 2021 Carl Jocumsen will represent X Zone Lures and become a major contributor to bait design and promotion for the premium bait brand. 

Carl Jocumsen says ''One of the very first Smallmouth baits introduced to me in the US was the original Slammer back in 2011, it fast became my confidence dropshot bait since that day. To now be apart of the X-Zone team is super exciting for us as their unique, innovative designs are right on my style. Looking forward to fishing with the entire range, working on new baits and having out best year yet in 2021''

Carl joins fellow X Zone pro staffer – Elite Series Pro, Brandon Palaniuk.

“X Zone Lures is very excited to have Carl on our team” says X Zone Lures owner, Jim Van Ryn. “Carl is one of the most versatile pro anglers today. His great personality, excellent fishing skills and his ability to win on all levels is a credit to him as an angler and to our team. We couldn’t happier to have him with us.”

For more about X Zone Lures, visit their site at www.xzonelures.com

NEW: Raptor + Talon Wireless Stomp Switches

The Raptor and Talon Wireless Stomp Switch allows for hands free control of your Minn Kota shallow water anchor. Control one or two anchors independently or simultaneously. Large target, individually mountable arrow indicators conserve space. Battery removal and installation can be completed without removal of mounting hardware. Requires Talon software version 1.460 or newer, or Raptor software version 1.210 or newer. Update your software at minnkotamotors.com/software.

For more technical support link here

Scott Martin Moves to Skeeter Boats for 2021 BASS Elite Season

After 26 years with Ranger Boats, Scott Martin has moved to Skeeter Boats and Yamaha rig. 

Check out the video for the announcement.