Daiwa Elite Travel Series

 DAIWA’s new ARDITO travel rod series includes a premium telescoping model that morphs into its own case and fits in your backpack or briefcase. 

Of special note are the new ARDITO ‘Jitte’ casting and spinning rods, with a self-contained telescoping rod design concept that will have most anglers saying, “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The groundbreaking design of the ARDITO travel rod is how the 6’7’ARD67B-TR casting and ARD67S-TR spinning rods – each with a full train of eight guides – can telescope into themselves with the handle used to make it completely protected and self-contained. Collapsed and contained, it’s like holding a baton.

Since first touch, DAIWA’s staff has been coming up with new locations and ways to travel with the ARDITO Jitte telescoping travel rods. 

“In our discussions with product development, sales, and marketing staff about the Jitte rod introduction at ICAST, our talks always drifted into unique ways and where these rods would be ideal to use,” said DAIWA’s Field Marketing Specialist Chris Martin. “Those ideas went everywhere from packing them in your Harley saddlebags for a ride to Sturgis and chasing northern pike, yellow perch and crappie in Bear Butte Lake – it’s a short 8 miles from DAIWA headquarters – to that lake or creek you keep seeing on your business travels and daydream about. Now, you have legitimate, packable rod that’ll put you on the water after a long day of meetings.”

Jitte might be the flagship ARDITO travel rod, but there’s an entire series behind it. DAIWA’s technology and construction features are evident throughout the ARDITO telescoping and multi-piece family, making them the new standard in travel rod design and performance.

The 6’8” ARD684MLSF-TR ARDITO Premium Travel Rod is a medium-light, 4-piece spinning rod for use with 5- to 12-pound test with a split-grip cork handle. There’s a full cork handle on the 6’10” ARD6104MHFB-TR medium-heavy casting rod, which is rated for up 20-pound test to tackle big bass and more.

Merry Christmas

 

Wish all our devoted readers and wonderful holiday and a very blessed 2025!

B.A.S.S. shutters Bassmaster Opens Co-Angler Program

Low enrollment linked to cancellation of Co-Anglers

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The longstanding co-angler program within the Bassmaster Opens has been eliminated for the 2025 season, B.A.S.S. announced today. Due to multiple reasons, including fairness to the field of boaters and reduced interest since COVID, the program has been shuttered.

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Co-anglers have been a staple in the Bassmaster Opens since the inception of the league. Not only did these anglers get to compete for great prizes, but they were able to learn from veteran anglers while competing. When COVID struck our nation in 2020, the number of anglers signing up to compete as co-anglers diminished due to state restrictions and general health concerns during that time. The numbers have remained low since.

Last year, boaters expressed concerns that there was a fairness issue if they had a co-angler, and competed against a portion of the field who did not have co-anglers. Out of an abundance of caution to maintain the integrity of the sport for the Opens boaters, the elimination of co-anglers became a topic of discussion. This concern, paired with the reduction of non-boaters since 2020 led to the final decision.

 

B.A.S.S. releases 2025 Kayak Series schedule

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – B.A.S.S. has announced the schedule for the 2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series. The schedule features six stops across six states.

“In 2024 we saw the anglers’ continued commitment to the series, and for 2025 we wanted to add some fisheries that had never hosted a national-level kayak event or maybe hadn’t held one in several years,” said Bassmaster Kayak Series Tournament Director Steve Owens. “And we made our best effort to align those events with prime fishing times.”

The schedule will begin the season Jan. 18-19 at Lake Havasu in Havasu City, Ariz., a first for the series. Lake Havasu is formed by Parker Dam on the Colorado River on the border between San Bernardino County, Calif., and Mohave County, Ariz. Lake Havasu City sits on the Arizona side of the lake, and Havasu Lake is the California counterpart. Havasu features a healthy smallmouth and largemouth bass population in a desert setting.

DATES AND LOCATIONS BELOW

Taku Ito reveals how to make secret bait marinade

 

Shown here is the recipe for the secret marinade pro Taku Ito uses 

to top the Elite leaderboards.

It’s long been one of the biggest mysteries in bass fishing. Now, Takumi Ito is ready to share his secret marinade recipe called “Takumizuke.” 

LINK OVER HERE

Abu Garcia Max SX Spinning Reel

 

Abu Garcia adds impressive upgrades to the Max lineup with the new Abu Garcia Max SX

Drawing from the advanced V-rotor and V-spool technology found in the Abu Garcia Zenon series of spinning reels, the Max SX delivers the same exceptional performance that has made Abu Garcia reels a favorite among anglers. Utilizing Abu Garcia's lightweight graphite a-symmetric body, the Max SX reel offers a streamlined and ergonomic design along with a 6+1 stainless steel bearing system for smooth and reliable action on every cast. 

“We are beyond excited to finally have the updated Max lineup of spinning reels on the market,” said Director of Brand and Product at Abu Garcia, Andrew Wheeler. “We have spent countless hours perfecting the look, feel, and performance of these reels to go above and beyond what anglers expect in a reel at this price.”

The Max SX incorporates Abu Garcia’s Rocket Line Management system and Rocket Spool Lip treating anglers to less wind knots and improved line control. Also available as a rod and reel combo, the Max SX combo incorporates a 24-ton graphite blank and a high-density EVA handle for all day comfort while on the water. The combo also features an Abu-designed reel seat for increased hand and blank contact, resulting in better feel and bite detection while on the water.

Elites Get Advisory Board, Payout Modifications

By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In an effort to facilitate better communication and collaboration with Elite Series anglers, the Bassmaster Elite Angler Board of Professionals has been created, B.A.S.S. announced today. The Advisory Board consists of six Elite anglers who were voted on by their peers and who will speak on behalf of the entire field in communicating with B.A.S.S. in order to provide a more direct and efficient way of discussing current challenges and future opportunities.

The Advisory Board was assembled to include competitors who represent every career phase within the Elite Series ranks: rookies, sophomores, multi-year competitors and veterans. The 2025 Advisory Board roster is comprised of Ben Milliken, Alex Wetherell, Lee Livesay, John Crews, Drew Benton and Mark Menendez.

Bass Anglers Have Your Say!

Do you fish for bass in FMZ 18 (eastern Ontario)?  Your knowledge on the state of bass populations in key lakes/rivers and perspectives on bass management supplement traditional fisheries sampling conducted by MNR.  Please share with others and complete this survey.  The survey link is: https://tinyurl.com/Bass-Survey-Link 

The purpose of this survey is to help our research team understand trends in Black Bass (Smallmouth and Largemouth bass) populations and understand current angler attitudes towards existing regulations and management techniques. These results will help inform future management decisions for the long-term conservation of these species. All participants will remain anonymous. If you change your mind about your participation, you have until April 30th, 2025 to withdraw from this study. We are excited to hear from you: individuals who are directly impacted by black bass management in FMZ 18 of Eastern Ontario.

New from Humminbird®: XPLORE™ Fish Finders and MEGA Live 2

Join fishing legends Mark Zona, Ed Zyak, Kevin VanDam and Bryan Thrift as we unveil our two groundbreaking new products: XPLORE Fish Finders and the much-anticipated debut of MEGA Live 2 Forward-Facing Sonar.

XPLORE™ SERIES Break down the water like never before with a lightning-fast user interface, best-in-class imaging, the industry’s best maps and revamped waypoint management. Available in 9, 10.1 and 12.1-inch displays. ➡️ https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.co... MEGA LIVE 2 Watch every catch unfold in epic detail with enhanced bait tracking, clear target separation, three view modes and 15 optimized color palettes. Compatible with XPLORE, SOLIX® G3 and APEX fish finders. ➡️ https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.co... Both products will be available for purchase in January of 2025. Learn more: https://www.humminbird.com

Humminbird North American Product Launch!

 

Humminbird is having a live, via the web, product release at 12:09pm EST today. Get ready for their announcement of the new Xplorer units and much more. 

(click the logo to jump to Humminbird) 

Berkley PowerBait Drip Swimmer

 

Up your finesse swimbait game with the Berkley PowerBait Drip Swimmer The Drip Swimmer was meticulously designed in conjunction with the Berkley PowerBait Drip Minnow to mimic shiners and other baitfish with an anatomically correct internal core and over-molded body that creates bite inducing contrast and adds unmatched detail to the bait. Berkley’s newest finesse swimbait gives anglers an option with less thump than a traditional swimbait, providing a bait that most fish have never seen before. Featuring Berkley’s proven HD Tru Color technology, the Drip Swimmer gives anglers unprecedented colorway options and increased confidence. The extremely versatile swimbait pairs up beautifully on a drop shot, offset-EWG, or jigheads like the new Berkley Fusion19 Hybrid Jighead. KEY FEATURES • Micro-boot tail delivers tight actions for finesse swimbaiting • Internal core and ultra-high definition colors provide extreme realism • Three sizes to match the hatch • Rig on a drop shot, swim-shot, strolling, jighead, trailer or snap jigs • Available in 14 ultra-realistic colors Sizes: 3” • 4” • 5” Colors: Ghost Perch • HD Spottail Shiner • HD Emerald Shiner • Blue Liner • HD Purple Shiner • HD Pink Shiner • Green Liner • White Shiner • HD Goby • Green Pumpkin Shad • HD Rainbow Shiner • Mutilator Minnow • Black Shad • HD Blacknose Shiner MSRP: $9.99 Available: December 2024

New Humminbird Product: Xplore Series and MEGA Live 2!

 This video is not an official product launch. This is a deep dive to the new Humminbird Xplore and MEGA Live 2 revolutionizing the Hummingbird brand.