Michael Neal Wins 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on Lake San Rayburn!

Second win in a row for Neal

By SEAN OSTRUSZKA

Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit 

BROOKELAND, Texas – It’s simple: Michael Neal lived up to his nickname. Today, he once again was the “Real Deal.”

Technically, every angler launching on the final day of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me event on Sam Rayburn had an equal opportunity to win, as the weights were zeroed. In reality, today was all about Neal and what the hottest angler in the sport could do.

He didn’t disappoint.

The reigning Angler of the Year cracked the biggest bag of Guaranteed Rate Stop 1 Presented by Ark Fishing, 26 pounds, 5 ounces with an 8-9 kicker, to take home his second major victory in four months. And the scary thing is, he lost some fish today he figures could’ve pushed him to the 30-pound mark.

When you have momentum in this sport, it’s remarkable what an angler can do. And no angler may have more momentum than Neal right now.

TOP 10 BELOW

2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Lake San Rayburn Day 2 Cancelled Due to High Winds

MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit 

Day 2 of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me event on Sam Rayburn has been postponed due to high winds.

After going out on the water himself to survey conditions, Senior Director of Tournament Operations Daniel Fennel made the call to postpone Day 2 of  Guaranteed Rate Stop 1 Presented by Ark Fishing. 

“Due to current wind and forecasted wind, we decided to postpone Day 2 of the event,” Fennel says. “There are pretty strong winds projected all day, and we had to make the safe call for the field.”

The plan for the remainder of competition will be released shortly and this story will be updated with further details at that time.

2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Lake San Rayburn Day 1: Josh Bulter Scores Lead with 19-15lbs!

Rayburn stingy on cold start to new year.

By SEAN OSTRUSZKA

Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit 

Butler stings 19 pounds as most struggle on Rayburn.
(Photo: MLF) 

“I feel like I’m fishing at St. Clair.”

That’s not something one would expect to hear Michael Neal say on Day 1 of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Fuel Me on Sam Rayburn. Big tackle, giant fish and mega bags – that’s what anglers expect at Sam Rayburn.

Yet, there was Neal with a deck full of spinning rods and finesse techniques, plucking suspended fish from deep water. And he wasn’t alone. Because this week, it seems anglers should expect the unexpected at Guaranteed Rate Stop 1 Presented by Ark Fishing. That includes the leaders.

While 2021 Angler of the Year Neal is in the top five, the top three is comprised of sophomore Josh Butler and a pair of rookies, Jeff Bridges and Keith Carson. All three cracked more than 19 pounds, with Butler’s 19 pounds, 15 ounces setting the pace.

While solid weights for most fisheries, they’re quite modest for Rayburn, and all three admitted their results today were unexpected. Granted, for different reasons.

Neither Butler nor Carson had any tournament experience on Rayburn prior to this week, and their practices reflected that they said.

“I figured I could catch 12-13 pounds,” said Butler, who is fishing offshore. “I just so happened to catch two over 6. I knew I could catch a lot of 2-pounders. So, I’m not going to say I got lucky and caught those two big ones. I hope it’s not luck. I hope I can duplicate it, but I don’t know.”

Sign up to join ISAP webinar on aquatic invasive species prevention

The movement of watercraft represents a significant pathway of spread for aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Ontario. To prevent watercraft users from inadvertently transporting AIS, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) has now regulated watercraft (boats, canoes, kayaks) and watercraft equipment as “carriers” under the Invasive Species Act, 2015 effective January 1, 2022.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THE FOLKS WITH ISAP CAN EXPLAIN.

On January 27, staff from the Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP) will be hosting an informative webinar on AIS prevention in the Lake Simcoe watershed, which will include an overview of the new boater-pathway regulations. 

PLEASE CLICK HERE to register for the webinar. We hope you’ll join us.

Team Nitro and Mercury for Erik Luzak!

New season, new rig

By Luigi De Rose 

New Z21XL Nitro and Mercury rig for Erik Luzak in 2022. “I’m super pumped! This new Nitro is a faster hull design and the storage is unbelievable. The adjustable seats, the front deck, everything…it’s very well laid out.” Explains Erik.

Erik’s fishing the Toyota Series Northern along with a full CSFL season. Being closer to home allows greater opportunities to fish more local events something he missed dearly while competing on the Tackle Warehouse Tour over the last few seasons.

“When I sold my Ranger last fall, I wanted to still be part of the White River Marine organization as they have an amazing contingency program that rewards Nitro, Ranger and Triton boat owners for winning. The bonus cash prize is great incentive when picking out a boat…plus Nitro is such a great company to work with. I’m supported by the Vaughan, Ontario store and they’re such nice people to work with.” States Erik.

“All my sponsors were fully behind me when I declined my 2022 invite to fish the tour.” States Erik. “PowerPole, Lunkerhunt and FXR Pro Fish, Nitro and Mercury pledged to support me regardless if I continued to fish the tour or not. Covid made travelling a challenge. It just became too difficult to manage.”

Luzak is bi-coastal and splits his time between his home in British Columbia and his Balsam Lake, Ontario residence. Adding the border crossing into that mix just made it almost impossible.

Follow Erik’s season on the slopes of British Columbia or fishing adventures.

https://www.facebook.com/ErikLuzakFishing/

Zaldaingerous Moves to 13 Fishing!

The 2022 BASS Elite season will see Chris Zaldain casting 13 Fishing gear. Here's the release video! 

Roland Martin Survey!

Monday's post generated a lot of chatter and IBASSIN.com wants to hear from you. Take a second and fill in these 2 surveys. If you missed yesterday's post link over from here. 

http://www.ibassin.com/2022/01/shocking-reveal-for-living-legend.html

Should Roland Martin have received Elite sponsorship? CLICK HERE

Should have BASS let Roland Martin fish for free?  CLICK HERE

Shocking reveal from a living legend

The state of tournament fishing from one of the best in the business.

By Luigi De Rose

In a recent video, Roland Martin made two shocking reveals as he recapped his 2021 season. The first, was his acceptance to the 2021 BASS Elites. Scott Martin, his son, qualified for the 21 Elite season and the rumor was that Roland would join him. Roland applied under the legend status and was granted an invitation but he declined.

Why would the Roland decline a chance to rejoin BASS? Lack of sponsorship money and support. Simply, the fishing industry, one that has profited greatly from the industry that Roland helped developed didn’t deem him worthy enough. Even though Roland is one of the most recognized anglers in bass fishing, he couldn’t secure enough sponsorship to complete. Let that sink in.

As the story continues to permeate, scores of fans are furious. How can the fishing industry deny Martin this opportunity?  How could BASS as a business miss this golden opportunity to reward one of the true pioneers of bass fishing a come back? Imagine the publicity if Roland won the 2022 Classic at 80 years of age?

On a business level, the amount of potential viewer clicks and impression generated from this media savvy father and son team through the Elites is unfathomable. The possibility of year long media bites of Roland and Scott trying to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic would be commonplace. How many historic recaps of Roland throughout hit career would save a full day of inactivity on BASS Live coverage?

Randall Tharp Teaches You How To Punch Heavy Matted Grass

One of the best winter time techniques is flipping and pitching especially when you get a cold front.  Listen to the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup Champ and MLF pro, 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.

MLF Senior Director of Operations Bill Taylor Announces Retirement

For the past few seasons, with words and actions, Major League Fishing (MLF) Senior Director of Operations Bill Taylor had laid the groundwork for his departure from the duties he’s overseen and controlled since 2001. Taylor made it official this week, as MLF announced that the longest-tenured tournament director in the company’s history is stepping away.

Taylor, who was the tournament director for the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit (and now-defunct FLW Tour) for more than 19 seasons, officially announced his retirement as of January 1. It marks the end of an incredibly successful reign during which Taylor helped usher in numerous tournament eras, from the first wrapped trucks and boats to the internet age, to expanded live-streamed tournament coverage, and through the acquisition of Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) by MLF in 2019.

“I told Kathy Fennel some time ago that I’d know when it’s time – and it has been such a fun ride – but it is time,” said Taylor, who turned 74 in August. “Those 4 a.m. wake-up times are getting pretty tough. I was blessed to have a great job that allowed me to do a little bit of fishing and hunting each year. But being tied up for several weeks each year, away from my family, my phone always ringing – it’s weighed on me quite a bit over the last few months. I’m happy that I am able to retire and I’ll have more time to spend with my family and do a little more fishing and hunting.”

2021 Bassmaster Recap Show: St. Johns River and Fort Loudoun/Tellico

If the cold weather is already killing your bass fishing mojo, then you need to check out this Bassmaster Elite video. Enjoy highlights from the first part of the 2021 season; its great time wasted. 

Molix signing with Italian MLF Pro Jacopo Gallelli

Gallelli, centre, is flanked by
Paolo Vannini and Stefano Sammarchi of Molix.

Molix is pleased to announce the sponsorship agreement with Jacopo Gallelli, emerging figure and first Italian to fish, as a professional, in the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, Toyota Series and Bassmaster Open in the United States.

The collaboration with Jacopo is about Soft Baits, Frogs and Hollow Body, Jigs, Vibration Jigs, Blade Baits and Wire Baits in Molix brand, which Jacopo will use in competitions and other initiatives. It will be an exclusive testimonial and will actively participate in the development of new products.

"... I've known the brand and the guys from Molix forever, I've always been passionate about their products, exploding passion after 2nd place at Lake Champlain at the B.A.S.S. Pro Tour achieved thanks to the 1/2 oz Kento. col. Wild Craw 126. Very happy about this new agreement, we will do a great job together!" claims Jacobo.

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW CANCELS IN-PERSON EVENT FOR 2022!

 Pandemic-related restrictions halt industry’s flagship Show

Organizers of the Toronto International Boat Show (TIBS) have announced that the annual event, scheduled to be held in-person, has cancelled for 2022.

 Preparations had already been completed for the Show, with move-in set to begin in less than 30 days. Following months of strategic preparation, North America’s Largest Indoor Boat Show was ready to unveil an all-new reimagined floorplan.

 The event was set to showcase more than 300 exhibitors, plus 250 seminars & workshops inside the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place. A new initiative for the show was the launch of a 5000 square foot Boater’s Resource Centre, featuring 15 industry and government organizations. The rapidly developing Omicron variant and newly mandated capacity limitations at large events in Ontario meant that the in-person show could not move forward as planned from January 22 - 30. “The COVID Omicron variant is driving dramatic regulation changes across the Province of Ontario,” said Linda Waddell, President & Show Director of Canadian Boat Shows. “We are very disappointed to be making this announcement today, knowing we had an exceptional show planned to be ready on time following months of condensed and collaborative efforts with our partners and exhibitors.” 

Ontario Fights to Curb Invaders with New Regulations

New boating regs aim to reduce spread of invasive species

Click here to link to new regs.
(Photo: Skeeter Boats) 

Originally posted at oodmag.com

New provincial boating regulations focusing on “Clean, Drain, Dry” principles and practices aiming to reduce the spread of environmentally damaging invasive species come into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

Watercraft and watercraft equipment were regulated as carriers of invasive species after amendments to the Invasive Species Act following a 2021 review. A public comment period ran from April 21 to June 7.

Precautions now law

Boaters – including canoe and kayak users – now must take extra precautions when moving watercraft over land. They cannot move their boat unless drain plugs and other devices used to control drainage of water and equipment have been opened and removed.

This requirement does not apply to livewells, if the person transporting live fish has a licence to do so under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The regulation also does not apply to drinking water, marine sanitary, and closed engine cooling systems.