Why Coloured Braided Line is a Must!

A lot of pro bass anglers love coloured braided line. Most weekend anglers don't feel comfortable using red, yellow or white lines as they worry it will cost them fish. Check out this video as we explain the benefits of using coloured braided line for everything from deep-water smallmouth to shallow, heavy cover largemouth.

Check out our playlists! Don't forget to subscribe to IBASSIN.com

Great Lakes Super Series Cancelled 2023 Season

Originally posted on Facebook 

Unfortunately due to lower interest levels, personnel availability and lack of sponsorship we are forced to rethink how the 2023 Glss season will take place as well as moving forward.

We want to inform you that all 2023 dates will be replaced by one single multi day tournament. Details and dates of that tournament are yet to be determined. We are planning for the buy in to be sizeable and have the payouts topped up considerably.

We would like to thank you for all your participation and interest to date and we are very disappointed that continuing on with the 2023 season is no longer feasible. Refunds are available immediately.

Wheeler makes his sixth Bass Pro Tour event win during Toro Stage Four Presented by Bass Cat

Tyler Brinks 

BASS PRO TOUR

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – After yesterday’s nearly 30-pound bag, it seemed inevitable that Jacob Wheeler would win at Lake Guntersville for Toro Stage Four Presented by Bass Cat. He backed up his banner day on Saturday with another day-best total during Championship Sunday as he placed 25 pounds, 6 ounces, on SCORETRACKER®.

Wheeler’s winning weight of 54-15 over the final two days was more than enough to win a Bass Pro Tour event for the first time since he won three during the 2021 season. His two stellar days in Alabama gave him the win by 9-7 over Bass Pro Tour rookie and Guntersville local Jacob Wall.

Planning ahead pays off

It was another dominant showing for Wheeler, who won for the first time on the Bass Pro Tour under the five-fish format. No matter the format this week, he would have won as he consistently fooled big bass and plenty of them while fishing offshore ledges that the lake is known for.

One key to his success this week was staying ahead of the game and continually finding new areas.

Heavy Neko Rig: The Easiest Way to Fish Matted Grass

Fishing matted grass needs the correct tackle. But, what happens when you're not comfortable using a magnum bullet weight and punching rig? Look no further than a heavy spinning rod and reel spooled with braided line and a beefed up neko rig.

Check out this video and learn how to break through the heavy cover without using the big rod.

Neko rigged senko style worm with braid is a great solution if you know how to rig up for monster bass.

Will Davis Jr. Wins 2023 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite At Lay Lake!

Will Davis Jr. of Sylacauga, Ala., has won the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake with a four-day total of 62 pounds, 12 ounces.  ( Photo: Seigo Saito/BASS

BASS PRESS RELEASE

SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. — Throughout the years, Will Davis Jr. estimates he and his father Will have won over $300,000 fishing tournaments on Lay Lake. Today, Davis Jr. added another $100,000 to that total by winning the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake with a four-day total of 62 pounds, 12 ounces.

 

The rookie from Sylacauga, Ala., hoisted the blue trophy in front of what seemed like his entire hometown and the roar that erupted drowned out the thunder from a pop-up thunderstorm.

 

“It means the world to do it in front of my home crowd,” Davis said. “I did it for my wife, dad, my little girl and everyone who came and watched me. I did it for these guys I fish against around here too. They are good enough to be on the Elite Series. I was just really blessed. I had a good job and a good boss, Chris Landers, who let me take off and fish the B.A.S.S. Nation.”

2023 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite At Lay Lake Day 2: Palaniuk Continues to Lead!

Canadians Gustafson 27th, Cory Johnston 52nd, Gallant 63rd & Chris Johnston 67th.

BASS PRESS RELEASE

SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. — Most of this week, Brandon Palaniuk has worn a wry smile on his face. It is one of disbelief more than anything that he has actually found the quality of bass he has during the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake.

 

By adding 16 pounds, 5 ounces Friday to his Day 1 tally of 19-7, the Rathdrum, Idaho, native now has a two-day total of 35-12 and holds the lead for the second day in a row. Alabama rookie Will Davis Jr. is second with 34-3 and veteran Florida pro Bernie Schultz is third with 31-8.

 

“I’m just the clueless leader out there,” Palaniuk said. “I’m 100% in disbelief. The fact I was able to fish for all of those fish the first day blew my mind. The fact I went back there and caught 16 pounds today blows my mind, too. I’m going to have to go again tomorrow because I don’t know what is going to happen. I might have another 15 or 16.”

 

Palaniuk has been maximizing one specific area of Lay Lake and has had to adjust to the conditions every day. Even though thunderstorms moved through the area Thursday night, the water had dropped a couple of inches when he arrived Friday morning. As the day progressed, it began to rise again.

 

“It is almost like a tidal fishery this week,” Palaniuk said. “They keep bringing the water up and down, up and down, so it has been hard for me to get dialed in to any one thing. You can see the water clarity change and you can see the current move in one direction and then back the other. It definitely changes everything.”

 

Friday morning when the water was at its lowest, there was very little activity in the area. The shad were stagnant and the bream beds were not active. But once the water rose, activity increased and the bite improved.

2023 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite At Lay Lake Day 1: Palaniuk Scores Lead with 19-07lbs!

Canadians Gustafson 26th, Cory Johnston 41st, Chris Johnston 58th & Gallant 73st.  

Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, is leading after Day 1 of the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake with 19 pounds, 7 ounces.  (Photo: Seigo Seito/ BASS)

BASS PRESS RELEASE

SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. — Benefitting from a quick start, Brandon Palaniuk claimed the Day 1 lead at the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake with a 19-pound, 7-ounce limit of largemouth.

 

Palaniuk has no idea if he can come close to repeating that performance. But for now, the Rathdrum, Idaho, native holds an 11-ounce lead over South Carolina’s Bryan New and a 2-pound lead over North Carolina’s Matt Arey.

 

“I knew today was super important with what I had and what I found,” he said. “Literally, I was hoping to catch enough today to carry me through a good event. I have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow. I have a brushpile I think I can catch 6 pounds of spotted bass out of. That might be my starting spot.

 

“I have spent four days on this place and still don’t feel like I have a clue.”

 

The two-time Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year also claimed the award for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day with a 5-14 lunker largemouth he caught sight fishing. Palaniuk said that bass weighed at least a pound more when he noticed it in practice on Wednesday.

 

“She dumped her eggs from yesterday to today. Yesterday she was super wide,” he said.

 

When he went back this morning, Palaniuk noticed it 40 feet away from the bed.

The Rap-V Pike Bladed Jig

Follow along French anglers Alban Choinier and Vincent Lopez for a day on the water in the hunt for pike as they try the new Rap-V Pike Bladed Jig.

The Rap-V Pike Bladed Jig combines elements from multiple lures and blends them into a full-sensory attack! Fitted with a welded silicone skirt and a uniquely printed and snag-reducing blade, this lure swims with irresistible flash and vibration. The versatile and easy-to-fish Rap-V Perch Bladed Jig is effective in any type of situation. The lure’s construction allows for using a trailer for increased volume.

Printed Blade •  Lead-Free Construction •  Welded Silicone Skirt •  

Rap-V 3D Holographic Eye •  Trailer Keeper •  VMC® 7250 Black Nickel 6/0

John Cox Wins 2023 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals on Lake of the Ozarks!

By Jody White

MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING 

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. – The final day of the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals on Lake of the Ozarks came down to the wire, with the top three pros in a virtual tie, unofficially. In the end, John Cox pulled it out, weighing 17 pounds, 9 ounces to defend his lead, totaling 55-14 and earning $82,800 and a trip to REDCREST.  

Cox ended up edging out longtime friend and tournament partner Keith Carson – a year apart in age, they grew up two streets from each other in DeBary, Florida. Carson turned in a four-fish effort on Day 1, but charged hard the rest of the way, adding 20-12 on Day 2 and 19-2 on Day 3. Without a doubt, a fifth keeper bass of any size on the first day would have earned Carson the win.

“I felt stuff in that weigh-in that I’ve never felt at any of the other weigh-ins,” Cox said. “I wanted Keith to win; because he’s my buddy, I want him to do well. It’s bittersweet, but, it felt good to win, and to get to go to REDCREST. That’s huge, that’s unreal; when I heard that, I was like ‘Please let me win.’ Every time I miss one of those, it’s terrible. I watched it at Norman, and I was heartbroken I wasn’t there.”

Cox and Carson take a team approach to practice, with the multi-tour pro Cox often getting in a little late. This time, Cox only practiced for about a day and a half, and to hear him tell it, that was mostly wasted time.

Bernard Yong- Set's X-Rig

In honour of Bernard Yong-Set, here's another story of his craftmanship. We were coming back from ICAST in Vegas. I was hanging out in the airport terminal with Bernard and I was explaining my new, breakthrough article in www.oodmag.com on the Jika rig later to be called the Tokyo Rig. This was 2011,  so it was the first English article on this new rigging option. Bernard called me up a week or two later with a new and improved version of the Jika. He called it the X-Rig and it is currently being sold by Mustad. 

The ICAST Winning VMC Spin Shot

The passing of Bernard Yong-Set reminded me of the creativity a lure designer. Dave Chong and I attended the funeral service and he recalled the story of how he and Bernard were dropshotting for perch one spring. Dave complained about the horrible line twist and that was enough to get Bernard's mind working. That's how the VMC Spin Shot was born. The VMC Spin Shot soon won ICAST's Best Terminal Tackle award and Bernard was filled with glee. Think of all the knock-offs of this design. All from the creativity of Bernard. 

Bernard Yong-Set Creator of the VMC Spin Shot Passes

 

It is with great sadness that we announce that our Founder, Bernard Yong-Set, has passed away after a lengthy battle with disease.

From the invention of the original Stringease One-Handed Stringer (that still features in our logo today) to Stay-Lok snaps, Fastach clips, and countless innovations in-between, his goal was to make the best, most dependable, most reliable products to help you land that big fish. We hope that you’ve all found success with his products.

If you so choose and if you are able, consider donating in Bernard’s name to your local Parkinson’s organization, a local wildlife conservation organization in your area, or just get outdoors and enjoy some fishing when you can.

He was caught by this world for a brief period of time and now he’s been released. May the fish always be biting.

Funeral information and Virtual Guest Book

Luke Palmer Wins 2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes!

Palmer 42Lbs ahead of 10th place!

BASS PRESS RELEASE

CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — At the Championship Sunday takeoff, an ominous weather forecast told of a coming storm. By day’s end, it was clear Luke Palmer was the storm.

 

Turning in an absolutely crushing final-round performance, the fifth-year pro from Coalgate, Okla., posted a four-day total of 96 pounds, 14 ounces to win the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes.

 

Palmer started the event strong with a Day 1 limit of 21-3 that put him in 10th place and followed with a second-round bag of 23-9 that moved him up to third. After adding 26-3 on Semifinal Saturday, Palmer slammed the door on the victory with a massive limit of 25-15 on Championship Sunday.

 

He earned his first blue trophy and the $100,000 first-place prize, besting second-place angler Mark Menendez (82-11) by a whopping margin of 14-3.

 

“I’ve been waiting a long time to hear you say that,” Palmer told Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer after his ‘Elite Series Champion’ announcement. “I was so close to doing it last year, to finally get it done — I wanted to break 100 pounds, but I’ll take 96-14.”

 

Notably, Palmer’s winning margin was the sixth-largest in Bassmaster history. The victory, Palmer said, provided an important shot of confidence.

 

“This is special,” said Palmer, who finished fourth in the 2022 Elite on Santee Cooper. “You work your whole life and you start second guessing yourself and you wonder ‘Am I good enough to do it?’ I was good one time and one time is better than no time.”

 

Anchoring his final bag with a 7-5 Santee Cooper stud, Palmer was the only angler to catch a limit every day of the event. The final day would bring significant limitations, but Palmer outpaced the impediments.