SkyhoundMedia and Great Lakes Fishery Commission Unveil “THE FISH THIEF: A Great Lakes Mystery”

 New documentary explores the ecological threat of invasive sea lampreys on the Great Lakes

Ann Arbor, MI—SkyhoundMedia, a celebrated production company specializing in exploring nature’s impact on society worldwide, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission are proud to unveil “THE FISH THIEF: A Great Lakes Mystery.” This award-winning documentary tells the true story of the remarkable people tackling the mystery of why the most prized fish in the Great Lakes--the largest freshwater ecosystem on Earth--nearly vanished. This near cataclysm destroyed jobs and businesses and devastated towns and Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada.

“THE FISH THIEF,” narrated by Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons, delves into the extraordinary effort to uncover the cause of a devastating environmental crisis. Was it overfishing, pollutants, or something else? Scientists on both sides of the border worked tirelessly to solve the mystery. In a dramatic eleventh-hour breakthrough, they discovered the true culprit: the invasive sea lamprey. This notorious predator arrived in the Great Lakes in the early twentieth century, triggering an ecological crisis and nearly wiping out populations of lake trout, whitefish, and other cornerstone species. The impact reverberated across the region, ruining local industries, damaging small town economies and Indigenous communities, and destroying the livelihoods of people on both sides of the U.S. and Canadian border. A dedicated group of international scientists, policymakers, and conservationists banded together in a race against time to address this ecological invasion. While their effort continues, their work to date has dramatically influenced the region’s environmental and economic future and underscored an urgent message: protecting natural resources is essential not only to local prosperity but also to global well-being.

B.A.S.S. announces three-event EQ schedule

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – B.A.S.S. has announced the schedule for the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers series, in which anglers will compete for the opportunity to advance to the organization’s top tour.

For the 2025 season, the Bassmaster Opens Series evolved into an eight-event season comprised of two divisions, each featuring four tournaments. Anglers placing in the Top 50 in each division’s Angler of the Year race will advance to the newly installed Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers series. This stand-alone series will feature three events, spanning from September through November, to qualify anglers for the Bassmaster Elite Series.

“This schedule is strong and will be a challenge for the group moving from the Opens to the EQs,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “It’s a diverse schedule, and I think we’re catching each of those fisheries at a really good time for anglers and fans alike. I’m looking forward to seeing how the new EQs shake out this year.”

Clarke Wins 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Clarks Hill Reservoir presented by SEVIIN!

Arctic Blast Shorts First Opens of 2025!

Winter blast never hinders Clarke. (Photo: BASS)

By Christopher Decker

BASS Press Release

EVANS, Ga. — It didn’t result in many bites, but Chase Clarke perfectly executed a big-bass pattern to win the weather-shortened St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Clarks Hill Reservoir presented by SEVIIN with a two-day total of 47 pounds, 7 ounces.

The 2022 Auburn University graduate caught three 6-pound or better largemouth during the tournament, two on the first day that lifted him to a daily total of 25-14 and one on the second day that anchored his 21-9 Day 2 total. Those two bags propelled him over second-place Blaine Bunney by 6 pounds.

“I caught the right ones, but they were frustrating. They were so hard to catch,” the Virginia Beach pro said. “I figured I would only catch 10 or 11 bass a day, and I figured if I did that, I would have a good bag. Both days I happened to catch 6-pounders. I couldn’t have drawn it up any better.”

With the win, Clarke is the first angler to clinch their spot in the 2026 Bassmaster Classic, given he competes in the final three tournaments in Division I. Clarke was in contention to win an Open at Leech Lake last year, but fell short with a third-place finish.
As he drove to the boat ramp this morning, those same feelings he felt the final morning at Leech came flooding back to him.

GeigerTec Marine Scope Switch FFS Mount Walkthrough

 

New product alert. GeigerTec Marine has come out with their new Sonar Switch FFS Mount. Elevate your FFS game and see more detail at greater distances with better clarity with this new mount from GeigerTec Marine! Available for Garmin LVS32, LVS34 and LVS62, and Lowrance Active Target 1 and 2 transducers.

Billet aluminum construction

•  No tools and no knobs required to go to Forward View, Down View, and Perspective View

• Effortless adjustment in true 10° increments

• True 0° Forward View and Low Shaft Design to allow for precise bait tracking and unmatched clarity

Available at Radioworld 

New Nishine Saugeen 40

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New Nishine Saugeen 40

Sink Rate: 50cm/1sec

Body length: 40mm

Weight: 3.1g(about 1/9oz)

This model is originally developed for trout and creek chub fishing in the stream.

I made this lure because I want let my daughters enjoy lure fishing more.

In lure testing, Saugeen 40 caught a lot of fish with many species and brought us good memories and smiles.

Saugeen 40 has unique system to generate action.

It has our original “Tail Drive System” and belly blade that gives very realistic swim action into hard plastic body.

I believe this Saugeen 40 is going to be totally new type of finesse hardbait.

Expected releasing date : February - March, 2025

Elite Anglers Cox and Feider Sign with Vexus® Boats

 There’s no question John Cox and Seth Feider are two of bass fishing’s most accomplished pros, and they’re also among the sport’s most entertaining and authentic characters. Each has their own highly relatable style, but both offer a genuine connectivity that led them to join Vexus® Boats recently.

“Cox and Feider have flirted with the idea of running our boats for quite some time, but much like life, it’s all about timing, and now’s the time in our relatively young company’s history to make them a part of the Vexus family,” says Vexus leader Keith Daffron. 

“Our employees here in Flippin, Arkansas, as well as our dealers around the country, are pretty fired up about this news. But I promise you, if John and Seth weren’t the genuinely good family men they are, this would never work,” adds Daffron. “They also exhibit a sincere appreciation for the premium quality of our boats and have great relationships with our dealers, which is critical.”

Feider will run the new sleek-profile VXs20 fiberglass Vexus and has a long-standing friendship with In Tune Marine of Central Minnesota. Cox, who’s never met a stranger, shares a longtime relationship with Clark Marine in Tennessee as well as dealers in his home state of Florida. He will run the new 250-hp rated AVX2100 aluminum boat to chase shallow bass, but don’t be surprised if you also see him gathering redfish and gators throughout the Sunshine State from an aluminum center console Vexus ACX2210.

Shimano Unveils the Ultimate Tackle System For Technical Swimbait Anglers

Dream lineup of tools ideal for anglers focused on trophy bass

Shimano North America Fishing introduces a revolutionary tackle system that brings together three precision-engineered tools for big swimbait anglers who demand unmatched performance. Comprised of the all-new Shimano Tranx 300 B low-profile reel, Outlier technical swimbait rod, and the Gravitator 220SS glide bait form an integrated system built for the angler who seeks trophy bass. 

"For anglers chasing the biggest fish in the area, this tackle system offers unparalleled precision and performance," said Bob Mahoney, Shimano Freshwater Marketing Manager. "The Tranx 300 B, Outlier swimbait rods, and Gravitator 220SS were designed with one goal in mind: Helping anglers catch the fish of a lifetime."

The redesigned Tranx 300 B baitcasting reel is the cornerstone of the system, delivering exceptional cranking power and durability for big-bait presentations. Shimano’s CoreSolid HAGANE Body creates a seamless, flex-free platform that converts every ounce of effort into smooth, powerful retrieves. The SVS Infinity MD Tune braking system allows anglers to fine-tune performance on the fly, ensuring exceptional control and accuracy when casting heavy or light lures. Features like X-Ship technology and Cross Carbon Drag make the Tranx 300 B a top option for swimbait anglers.

 

Paired perfectly with the Tranx 300 B, Outlier technical swimbait rods push the boundaries of design and utility. Engineered specifically for casting big baits, the Outlier series features Shimano’s Spiral X and Hi-Power X blank technologies for unmatched accuracy, sensitivity and power. Durable Fuji K-Frame guides, a custom CI4+ reel seat, and spiral EVA handles ensure the rod can withstand heavy bait deployment while minimizing angler fatigue.

Completing the system, the Gravitator 220SS slow sink glide bait redefines versatility and action control. Shimano’s ARMABOOST technology enhances casting distance, while the Action Modifying Insert allows anglers to adjust lure behavior to match fish activity. Available in six models, select Gravitator models feature Shimano’s FLASH BOOST technology for enhanced light reflection or SCALE BOOST for a realistic baitfish appearance. The Gravitator 220SS also comes with additional tails. Whether presenting a tight, choppy action or a broad glide, the Gravitator 220SS is a strike-inducing powerhouse. 

Together, the Tranx 300 B, Outlier rod, and Gravitator 220SS form an unmatched system for swimbait enthusiasts who operate outside the tournament norm and aim for the extraordinary.

Nishine Smelt Head Finesse 1/16oz

SmeltHead Finesse is the unique jighead which generates rolling action by itself.

Weight : 1/16oz(1.5g)

Hook : #1

*weight doesn’t include blade, only jighead weight.

The belly blade swings left and right that gives very realistic action and flashings also sound etc.

This jighead is originally for steelhead fishing but of course you can use it for bass fishing is amazingly works good too.

This model was planned to release in late fall of 2024 but i decided to postpone because I found a big potential of zinc material to make this tiny jighead.

Advantage of zinc material is light density which make possible light jighead in bigger profile. This is the totally opposite concept against tungsten material and this character of zinc would perfectly matches SmeltHead Finesse.

However I’ve never used zinc material before and I had to test this material that took half year to learn for new material.

I have to apologize to steelhead angler that we couldn’t release it before steelhead season. We are trying to catch up if we can release this model before end of Steelhead fishing season in this spring.(SmeltHead Finesse is currently being manufactured in the factory.)

Expected releasing date : April, 2025

Shimano Launches Ultegra FD: Performance for Every Angler

Advanced technology and rugged durability at an unbeatable value

Shimano North America Fishing elevates the standard for versatile, high-performance spinning reels with the launch of the all-new Ultegra FD. Designed to meet the needs of anglers across both freshwater and saltwater environments, the Ultegra FD blends cutting-edge technology, lasting CoreSolid construction, and exceptional value into one sleek package.

“The Ultegra FD is built for anglers who demand reliable performance and advanced features without breaking the bank,” said Bob Mahoney, Shimano Freshwater Marketing Manager. “It’s a reel designed to handle diverse conditions, from bass and walleye to leading inshore species, with the durability and smoothness that anglers can count on.”

At the core of the Ultegra FD is Shimano’s InfinityXross technology, which extends the surface of the cold-forged HAGANE Gear to evenly distribute force and enhance gear durability. For seamless cranking power, Infinity Drive technology reduces friction between the spool shaft and pinion gear, delivering effortless winding even under heavy loads.

The reel also features Shimano’s Anti-Twist Fin, a flexible polymer design that ensures even line lay and minimizes the occurrence of wind knots for optimal casting performance. Shimano’s X-Protect technology safeguards the reel from water intrusion, making it a dependable choice for saltwater and freshwater anglers alike.

With its combination of innovative engineering and robust construction, the Ultegra FD empowers anglers to tackle any challenge on the water, offering performance traditionally reserved for higher-priced reels at an accessible price point.

CrushCity Adds Australian Elite Series Star Carl Jocumsen to Pro Staff

 The Australian native, and the only person from that country to fish at the sport’s highest level, will now represent Rapala hard baits and tools, Crush City Plastics, and VMC® Hooks.

Jocumsen enters 2025 having qualified for his third straight Bassmaster Classic. Despite hailing from a country that has no largemouth, smallmouth or spotted bass, he’s fished at the tour level for a decade, producing increasingly impressive results. Those include seven Top 10 finishes on the Elite Series, including a 2019 win on Oklahoma’s Lake Tenkiller.

“It’s pretty unbelievable to see where I’ve come from, making it to the Elite Series and then winning at the Elite level,” he said. “But I put this right up there with that. For a kid from Australia, to have one of the biggest fishing companies on the planet to believe in me is a dream. It’s a confidence-builder.”

He’s seen the immediate success that CrushCity products enabled for the sport’s biggest names, like Jacob Wheeler, Dustin Connell, and Kyle Welcher, and wants to ride that same opportunity to future titles of his own.

Daiwa's Smelthead DX

 Hiroshi Nishine Designs New Underspin 

 In the likes of lures, perhaps no one is more heralded for their contemporary designs than Hiroshi Nishine.

Nishine’s website says it like this: “Hiroshi Nishine’s missions is simple – to stop at nothing and develop the most effective fishing lures in the world. His obsessive attention to detail, precision engineering, and endless testing ensure that nothing is left to chance. Even in mass production, Hiroshi still hand-carves the master prototype from which each mold is made.”

So, when DAIWA set out to develop the world’s first ever saltwater grade underspin jig, Nishine was their first and only call. Welcome the Smelthead DX underspin jig.

“We wanted to bring the new and popular bass fishing jig to saltwater,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin, the company knowing underspin jigs could be equally as effective nearshore and offshore as they are on lakes and reservoirs.

Z-Man® Snags Bassmaster Star Josh Douglas

For a Minnesota native the likes of Bassmaster Opens angler and freshly knighted Z-Man® pro Josh Douglas, a pair of passions have always come naturally—ice hockey and bass fishing. Among the various labels attached to hockey (snipers, grinders, goons, etc.), Douglas might best be described as a playmaker.

In hockey speak, it’s some of the highest praise attainable. A playmaker is the competitor who exploits opportunities others miss. It’s a term reserved for those rare athletes who work hard and play harder, who think their way through tricky conditions, and who excel and win with a balance of persistence, precision and intelligence. Moreover, the playmaker goes out of his way to help others excel in their sport via good-natured guidance.

Douglas, who grew up skating frozen lakes and slapping pucks at nets, eventually discovered an even deeper talent for catching bass. “Played a ton of hockey up through high school, but something about bass fishing just spoke to me on another level,” recalls Douglas, whose earliest goal was to play professional hockey, preferably as a centerman—aka the team’s unsung hero and master of offense and defense in equal measure.

Great Lakes Finesse Teams with Canada's New BASS Elite Evan Kung

Great Lakes Finesse Signs Rookie Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Evan Kung

Great Lakes Finesse is proud to announce the signing of rookie Elite Series Pro Evan Kung to its team for the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series season. Kung, a rising star from Pickering, Ontario, has earned his place on the prestigious Bassmaster Elite Series after a strong showing in the Bassmaster Opens EQ series. As part of the agreement, Great Lakes Finesse will serve as Kung’s title sponsor for the season, joining YUM and BOOYAH in supporting his professional journey.

“We’re thrilled to have Evan join the Great Lakes Finesse team,” said Dan Miguel, Global Brand Manager at Great Lakes Finesse. “His hard work, determination, and impressive finesse fishing skills make him a natural fit for our brand, and we’re excited to support him as he takes on the Elite Series. We believe Evan’s passion for fishing and commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with our values, and we’re confident he will represent our products and the sport at the highest level.”