B.A.S.S. announces three-division schedule for 2024 Bassmaster Opens

 

2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens

Division 1

Feb. 1-3, Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, Fla.
March 7-9, Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County, S.C.
Oct. 10-12, Lake Hartwell, Anderson, S.C.

Division 2

Feb. 15-17, Lake Ouachita, Hot Springs, Ark.
May 2-4, Logan Martin Lake, Lincoln, Ala.
June 20-22, Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Okla.

Division 3

July 11-13, Lake St. Clair, Macomb County, Mich.
Aug. 22-24, Leech Lake, Walker, Minn.
Sept. 12-14, Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.

B.A.S.S. officials announced Thursday the schedule for the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, once again mixing frequent destinations with some that have barely been touched by the organization during its 55-year history.

The Opens circuit, which has become one of the most competitive and most followed in the sport, will again feature three divisions with three events in each. Winners of all events will be eligible for a berth in the 2025 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota, but only the anglers who fish the Elite Qualifiers Division (all nine events) will be eligible to earn invitations to the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series.

Nishine Lure Works DS Drop Shot Hook with IBASSIN.com

The new Nishine Lure Works DS drop shot hook is really something new. This new style of hook ensures baits run straight and swim naturally. You do have to use a specific knot but don't worry, it's easy to tie. Come along and learn all about the new Nishine Lure Works DS Drop Shot Hook.

Expertly crafted with precision and innovation, the Nishine Lure Works DS Hook Drop Shot Hooks rely on a specialized construction that is enhanced for the Drop Shot technique. Unique from other drop shot hooks on the market, these feature a modified 90-degree bend that is purpose-built to be a platform for the Snell Knot with an elongated tag end. The Snell Knot and modified bend work in tandem to hold your favorite finesse plastic in a perfectly horizontal position to tempt the most lethargic fish into biting. In addition to their innovative bends, the Nishine Lure

Patrick notches surprising win at 2023 Bassmaster Open on Lake of the Ozarks

Canadian Jamie Bruce 9th

Kyle Patrick of Cooperstown, N.Y., has won the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake of the Ozarks with a three-day total of 53 pounds, 11 ounces. (Photo: BASS)

BASS PRESS RELEASE

No one was surprised that Kyle Patrick won the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake of the Ozarks.

Except for Kyle Patrick himself.

The pro from Cooperstown, N.Y., put together a stellar week of work that yielded a three-day total of 53 pounds, 11 ounces. Admittedly, Patrick did so on a lake where he never would have anticipated winning.

“It’s hard to take it in right now; it really is, because this is the last place I would think this would happen,” Patrick said. “People always say, when it’s your time, it’s your time. I genuinely could not do anything wrong this week.

“I had my prop go (on Day 2). I had a lower unit issue in practice. I had all these things stack up, but I just kept catching them.”

Patrick started strong by turning in a Day 1 limit of 19-15 and sharing the lead with JT Thompkins of Myrtle Beach, S.C. Adding a second-round limit of 15-6, Patrick slipped to second, just 1 ounce off the lead.

Championship Sunday saw Patrick step on the gas with a limit of 18-6 that secured the win by a margin of 3-4 over Japanese stick Daisuke Kita. Patrick won $44,134 and earned an automatic berth in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota scheduled for March 22-24 on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees near Tulsa, Okla.

2024 FXR Walk Through

 

Take a look while Skeeter Pro Jason Christie takes us through the features and benefits of the 2024 FXR!

Jackson Kayak Announces The Return of the Big Rig FD and Cruise FD

Big is back and it is time to Cruise! Jackson Kayak is proud to announce the return of the Big Rig FD and the Cruise FD

By popular demand, two of the most popular kayaks are BACK! The Big Rig FD and Cruise FD have been updated and revamped for 2024. Featuring the fast, reliable, and durable Flex Drive Mark IV system.

The Cruise FD is the fastest pedal drive in the fleet. Cutting through wind and waves like butter. Making it an incredible recreational and fishing option.
 
The Big Rig FD has had a facelift and is better than ever. New EZ-HILO seating, upgraded features, and the New MKIV drive make it BIGGER and better than ever. The ultimate BIG boat is back and better than ever.

Walkthrough Videos will be available here. (After launch at 4:00 EST)

Cruise FD https://youtu.be/NrEVK7hMwDg

Big Rig FD https://youtu.be/RHk1vmhUR6g
 

---

About the Big Rig FD



The beloved Jackson Kayak Big Rig has returned, this time fully integrated with our Mark IV Flex Drive System. Our highest solo capacity kayak, the Big Rig FD is for those who want to bring everything and the kitchen sink out on the water and yet enjoy the stability and fishability only our Big Rig series can provide.

 

FEATURES

• Tons of room and volume for all your gear
• Massive amount of storage space in bow and aft storage wells
• Four-hole bolt pattern on the stern to support accessories such as the PowerPole and Torqeedo trolling motor

Visit with BASS Elite Angler Seth Feider Tomorrow!

 

CSFL Season 2024 Registration Open Now!

 

Local Company Acquired by Pradco!

Great Lakes Finesse becomes international under the guidance of tackle giant. 

By Luigi De Rose 

A quiet revolution has been taking place in the last few years and Southern Ontario is the epicenter. The quest to catch world class smallmouth with tiny, well designed soft plastic baits has grown. The Great Lakes and its giant smallmouth have attracted anglers from near and far along with numerous national tournament circuits. For locals and pros alike, the smallmouth have gotten smarter and the boom in electronics has demanded great skill to catch them. 

Great Lakes Finesse was the brainchild of Dan Miguel and Brandon Kemp. “For us, we’re in the business of catching fish. We want the best baits for ourselves and our customers.” stated Miguel, “ We don’t focus on the dollar, the focus is making the best baits that fill the gap in the industry. That gap is tiny, durable soft plastics.”

Dan states, “I’m a tournament angler. I want something better.  I want to win. Our plastics and jigs are better and we put a lot of attention into them.  Finesse fishing is tricky as ultra-soft baits are easily damaged and traditional baits lack the range of precise colours. Great Lakes Finesse is best known for producing muted, shine-free finishes and poured with tear-resistant plastic.. 

Great Lakes Finesse have had a strong presence since starting in 2021. They knew they were on to something when scores of BASS Elite, BASS PRO TOUR and Tackle Warehouse pros were dropping serious bucks online. The summer of 2022 was booming as USA anglers rang up long shopping orders and local sales were brisk. 

Their best sellers are the Sneaky Underspin and miniature tube' heads on the terminal side. The soft plastic 2.75" Drop minnow and 2.10" Snack Craw are top baits. 

"“The timing was spot on for selling. Pradco headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama,  was looking for a company that held their own in the smallmouth and north eastern American market. We were looking to expand and needed the power of a company like Pradco to make that transition. March 1, 2023 the deal was inked. News of the deal leaked at ICAST 2023.  

Fans don’t need to worry. Dan Miguel assures loyal customers that he continues to be at the helm of all research and development and the quality will remain. It is a partnership and not a colonization between the two companies. 

Find out for yourself how great Great Lakes Finesse is for yourself. 

https://www.greatlakesfinesse.com/

Seth Feider Coming to Oshawa!

 

Come join BASS Elite Star Seth Feider in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada!

2023 Bassmaster Classic Champ, Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson, Lands New Title Sponsorship

 

Northland Fishing Tackle and longtime ally Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson ink long-term deal. When Northland Fishing Tackle founder John Peterson first fished against Jeff Gustafson at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship in the mid-2000’s, he had no idea they would become lifelong friends. Looking even farther ahead, Peterson never would have dreamed “Gussy” would also develop as a world-class angler and go on to win the 2023 Bassmaster Classic. Today, Peterson is proud to know that the relationship between Northland and Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson’s is growing faster and better than ever. Seeking to bolster this relationship, Northland is proud to announce that starting with the 2024 season, the company will act as Gussy’s title sponsor in all B.A.S.S. events moving forward into the years ahead.

B.A.S.S. announces 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule with nine events in six states

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For the first time since 2018, the Bassmaster Elite Series won’t be kicking off its season in Florida, opting instead to open its 2024 slate at the big-bass factory of Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Louisiana/Texas border Feb. 22-25.

2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule
 

Feb. 22-25, Many, La., Toledo Bend Reservoir

Feb. 29-March 3, Yantis, Texas, Lake Fork

March 22-24, Bassmaster Classic, Tulsa, Okla., Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees

April 11-14, Leesburg, Fla., Harris Chain of Lakes

April 18-21, Palatka, Fla., St. Johns River

May 9-12, Columbia, S.C., Lake Murray

June 13-16, Decatur, Ala., Wheeler Lake

June 27-30, Cullman, Ala., Smith Lake

Aug. 8-11, Plattsburgh, N.Y., Lake Champlain

Aug. 15-18, Waddington, N.Y., St. Lawrence River

 

B.A.S.S. officials made that announcement Wednesday, along with the entirety of a nine-tournament schedule that will span six states and visit fisheries that have ranked among the best in the United States, both recently and historically.

Major League Fishing announces 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals schedule

BENTON, Ky. – Major League Fishing announced today the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals schedule, which will feature six regular-season stops, and showcase 150 of the best anglers in the world competing for hundreds of thousands of dollars across some of the top bass fisheries in the United States.

MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational anglers will compete over three days in a five-fish, weigh-in format. In addition to lucrative prize money, the winner of each of the six Invitationals will receive an invitation to compete in REDCREST 2025, Major League Fishing’s most prestigious tournament. The season-long Invitational Angler of the Year (AOY) will also earn a berth into REDCREST 2025, for a total of seven REDCREST qualification opportunities throughout the season.

Locations and Dates Below

Bassmaster Classic 2023 Winning Bait Now Licensed, Branded, and Distributed by Northland Fishing Tackle

 

Northland and Bass Tactics founder, Bryan Gustafson, agree on exclusive deal for streamlined manufacturing, sales, marketing, and distribution of Gussy’s 2023 Classic-winning bait.

Northland founder John Peterson, Jeff Gustafson and Bryan Gustafson Smeltinator creator. 

The 2023 Bassmaster Classic wasn’t the first time that Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson had stacked big weights and solid limits of smallmouth bass on the Tennessee River out of Knoxville, Tennessee. Back in March of 2021, Gussy first put the “moping” technique to use, sinking Kenora, Ontario-designed Smeltinator Jigs to fill his ‘well for weigh-in at the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite. Over two years ago, Gussy went wire-to-wire for all four days of the event, weighing 63 pounds, besting second place by an impressive seven pounds. Gussy trailered home to the far north with over $100,000 in his pocket. 

Word of the “moping” technique traveled quickly through social wires, sending serious bassers on the hunt for Gussy’s favored jig head—Bass Tactics’ Smeltinator Jig.

Two years later and Gussy did it again ‘moping’ suspended smallmouths with the Smeltinator Jigh on forward facing, proving the money method for a Bassmaster Classic title, the $300K payout and honors as the top bass stick on the planet.

The Smeltinator is hardly new to the fishing scene. The jig and the moping technique has been dominating the Canadian tournament scene for a decade. Gussy, Northland Fishing Tackle founder John Peterson, Canadian professional angler Jamie Bruce, and Bryan Gustafson of Bass Tactics have won many tournaments and cashed big checks at events like the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship and the Kenora Bass Invitational using the Smeltinator Jig and the moping technique.