ICAST 2025: Fuzzy NuggetZ™

 

The Z-Man Fuzzy NuggetZ mimics tiny pelagic prey like zooplankton and insect larvae, staying lively even when deadsticked. Its 12-sided ElaZtech® body offers versatile rigging and unmatched durability, while premium silicone skirt fibers deliver nonstop tentacle action. The best value in dice-style baits. 

• Designed for dropshot or weighted wacky rigging
• Dodecahedron (12-sided) shape for multiple hooking points and max   lifespan
• Imitates zooplankton, insects, crayfish and other invertebrates
• 10X Tough ElaZtech® formula for long-lasting durability
• Hand-threaded premium silicone skirt material
• 6 pro-selected colors
• Compact 1/2” bait size

Fuzzy NuggetZ™ (Available Fall 2025)

ICAST 2025:BOOYAH Builds Flash Point Arsenal

 

BOOYAH Bait Company, which redefined jerkbait fishing when it launched the innovative Flash Point Jerkbait, is building the Flash Point arsenal to fulfil angler needs with the release of smaller versions of the Flash Point and Flash Point Deep.

 

The Flash Point Jr and Flash Point Jr Deep are 1/4 inch smaller than the original versions.

Downsizing helps match diminutive forage and adds appeal to fish turned fussy by weather, water conditions or added fishing pressure. Having shallow and deep versions in the smaller size equips anglers for a vast range of situations.

 

Both new models feature the Flash Point’s custom, embedded blade, which creates strike-triggering flash and provides an unparalleled return on forward facing sonar. The new Flash Point Jr and Flash Point Jr Deep also boast the narrow profile, broader rounded back and belly, etched scales and fins that characterize Flash Point Jerkbaits, along with a nose-down suspending posture, irresistible action and tungsten-weight casting system.

 

The Flash Point Jr and Flash Point Jr Deep are 4 inches long and weigh 3/8 ounce and come equipped with three ultra-sharp, carbon steel, SS finish No. 8 trebles and come in the same 12 outstanding and highly popular colors as the original Flash Point.

MSRP: $14.99

ICAST 2025: Scumfrog's BassRat

Expertly Designed: Its unique balance allows anglers of all skill levels to easily walk it nearly 180 degrees with minimal forward movement.

The Softest Frog: Soft, pliable body for instant compression to enhance hook up percentage.  Length 2.5"   Weight: 1/2oz

Custom Hook: Precision-engineered, custom fitted hook for maximum performance.

Realistic Colors: Meticulously designed, realistic rat & mouse prints to enhance lifelike appeal.

ICAST 2025: Lunker Hunt Rumbl Frog

 

Introducing the Lunkerhunt Rumbl Frog, part of our all-new Black Series, launching at ICAST2025. This hollow-body beast is engineered for anglers who grind it out in the gnarliest weed mats and the heaviest cover.

The Rumbl Frog features an internal “Rumbl” bearing that emits a distinct rattle, calling fish in from beyond the strike zone. It’s not only meant to mimic nature, it’s made to provoke violence. When subtle doesn’t cut it, this frog gets loud.

Packed with performance-driven features:

• Internal “Rumbl” Bearing to attract fish through sound and vibration

• Hand-tied nose to 8-pin system for less water intake and maximum durability

• Nano-coated, heavy gauge double frog hook

• Froggin’ trailer hook for serious hook-up assurance included

• Soft, collapsible body that folds away fast for better strikes

• Shrink-wrapped hook to keep water out and performance in

• Traditional and custom paint patterns built to match your water

The Rumbl Frog isn’t just a new bait, it’s a statement. Built for the anglers who don’t back down from cover, and who know that the biggest hits come from the meanest spots.

ICAST 2025: Great Lakes Finesse's New Micro Series Soft Plastics

Great Lakes Finesse, the industry leader in creating small, premium-quality baits and terminal tackle for heavyweight smallmouth bass, has taken finesse to a new level with its new Micro Series. The Micro Series was created for those times when high-pressure systems, heavy fishing pressure or other conditions make the fish extra finicky.

Like everything GLF ever releases, the Micro Series has been tested extensively on big, finicky Great Lakes smallmouth bass and proven itself as an important solution for certain situations.

 

The Micro Series includes downsized versions of GLF’s most popular soft-plastic baits and terminal gear. The baits average 40 percent smaller than the original versions. Unchanged are the shaping, color selections, matte finishes, true neutral buoyancy and toughness that characterizes every GLF bait. Micro Series terminal gear features the same premium components as the original versions.

 

Micro Series soft plastics include a 2.0-inch Juvy Craw, 2.25-inch Drop Minnow and 1.7-inch Snack Craw. Micro terminal tackle includes Mini Micro Tube heads in four sizes ranging from 1/8 to 3/8 ounce, and Micro Sneaky Underspins in three sizes ranging from 3/32 to 3/16 ounce.

MSRP: 6.99

ICAST 2025: Yamamoto"s New Dice Bait: The Uni

The Yamamoto Uni is designed to be absolutely irresistible to bass.

This urchin-style bait features bulbed appendages that catch water and shimmy with every twitch, falling with a lifelike quiver that triggers bites. Its custom Yamamoto formula delivers ideal buoyancy and subtle action, bringing a fresh spin to finesse fishing.

While it gets bit by all bass, the Uni is especially deadly on smallmouth and spotted bass. 🎯 Available Colors: Green Pumpkin Baby Bass Green Pumpkin Purple Copper Natural Shad Green Pumpkin Purple Green Watermelon Red Black & Blue Fading Watermelon Try it on a drop shot, Neko rig, or free rig — the Uni is built to perform.

Drew Cook Wins 2025 NPFL St. Lawrence River!

Cook delivered a commanding wire-to-wire performance, taking the lead early and never letting go.

NPFL Press Release

 It took three days and nearly 700 miles of running, but Drew Cook conquered the mighty St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, going wire to wire to earn his first NPFL victory and a cool $100,000.

With three calm and sunny days—something rare this spring and summer in New York—the NPFL arrived in Massena at the perfect time, and the anglers capitalized on it. Many chose to make the long run to the mouth of the lake, with some venturing into Ontario, setting new records in the process.

Running nearly the furthest and fishing a different area each day to stay on fresh fish, Drew Cook’s three-day total of 77-6 gave him a 2-11 margin of victory. In second place, Kyle Welcher fought to maintain his Progressive Angler of the Year lead. He spent the first two days in third place before moving up to second today, extending his lead from 5 to 7 points, unofficially, over Patrick Walters, who dropped to fourth. Andrew Upshaw capped off his event with his biggest bag on the final day, finishing in third.

South Carolina angler Patrick Walters finished in fourth with 71-13 and Alabama pro Justin Atkins finished fifth with 71-3.

Both Drew Cook and Jesse Wise shared the big bass honors, each landing a massive 6-pound, 10-ounce smallmouth on day two.

Cook Goes Wire-to-Wire

Committing to Lake Ontario and the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, Georgia pro Drew Cook earned his first NPFL victory with a three-day total of 77-6. He took the Day 1 lead with 27-2, the biggest bag of the tournament, and when most struggled to catch big bags on Day 2, he added 25-8 and extended his lead.

On the final day, Cook returned to the big lake and fished another new area, but it took a bit of time to get going. Once he settled around lunchtime, he got into a “newish” area and started catching fish.

“Today was a grind,” he said. “I had a few good fish, but I had to really keep moving to find bigger ones than the high 3s, low 4-pounders I was around. I fished different areas each day, but today I fished a new area I hadn’t been to yet, and caught three of my weigh fish from it.”

2025 NPFL St. Lawrence River Day 2: Drew Cook Leads with 27-07lbs!

Cook Expands NPFL Lead at St. Lawrence River, Welcher Maintains Narrow AOY Lead.

NPFL Press Release

With launch in Massena, New York, the top anglers continue to make the long run toward Lake Ontario, battling big smallmouth cruising the shallow sand flats.

Leading the charge for two consecutive days, Georgia pro Drew Cook has extended his lead at Stop Five of the 2025 NPFL Season at the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York to 3 pounds, 2 ounces.

South Carolina angler Patrick Walters, who started in second place, remains there with 22-8 on a tougher Day Two, keeping him in contention. Alabama pro Kyle Welcher stayed consistent with 24-3 on Day Two, maintaining third place and, more importantly, holding onto his lead in the Progressive Angler of the Year race. All three anglers are making significant runs and have relied on mild weather conditions to catch better-than-average-sized bass.

Robert Wroblewski led the big bass race on Day One with a 6-7 lunker, but Drew Cook took over the big bass honors with a 6-10 smallmouth today.

Cook Cruising in New York

With a two-day total of 52-10, Drew Cook is one day away from earning his first NPFL victory. He started on Day One with a solid 27-2 limit and followed it up on Day Two with 25-8, anchored by a 6-10 big bass. His consistent performance has him 3 pounds, 2 ounces ahead of second-place Patrick Walters.

Like the other top anglers, Cook is focusing his efforts around the mouth of Lake Ontario, and several spots further up the river, rotating through flats where smallmouth are both spawning and roaming. As the tournament goes on and anglers spread out, the pressure is making things tougher.

TOP 10 BELOW

2025 NPFL St. Lawrence River Day 1: Drew Cook Leads with 27-07lbs!

Drew Cook jumps out on top after day one on the St. Lawrence River.

Drew Cook makes long run to Lake Ontario (Photo: NPFL)

NPFL Press Release

Long runs and giant smallmouth – that’s the story of Day One and, frankly, the entire event. Launching in Massena, New York, about 95 miles from Lake Ontario, the early summer conditions are perfect for catching big bass. Drew Cook leads the pack with a 27-2 bag, anchored by a 6-pound smallmouth.

In second place by just 2 ounces, South Carolina angler Patrick Walters weighed in 27-0 and capitalized on a strong start this morning. Kyle Welcher sits in third place with 24-13, while Andrew Ready and Andrew Upshaw are tied for fourth with 24-8.

Robert Wroblewski leads big bass with a 6-7 lunker. Progressive AOY leader Kyle Welcher is in third place with 24-13 on Day One. Greg Hackney, who started the event in second place for AOY, is in 13th, keeping the top anglers tight in contention. Coming into the event, Cook was in 8th place and is now looking to climb the leaderboard with a strong performance this week.

Cook Crushes Day One

Fully committed to fishing “near the mouth” of Lake Ontario, Drew Cook decent run and bounced between several spots, catching better-than-average smallmouth at each. With no forward-facing sonar in the NPFL, he kept things simple—targeting hard structure and keeping a bait around fish.

“It took me a little while to get to my fish, but I stopped and hit a couple of places on the way,” he said. “I’m not doing anything special—just fishing typical smallmouth stuff and targeting areas where they’re setting up.”

He caught his leading limit in about three hours and feels confident heading into Day Two, with similar conditions in the forecast.

“The hardest part is getting there, getting back, and being efficient with my time,” he said. “Yesterday, the forecast showed clouds and rain, but now it looks like tomorrow might be similar to today—and I’m good with that.”

Walters Off to Strong Start

Making a strong start, South Carolina angler Patrick Walters kicked off his day in the river, quickly putting a couple of keepers in the well. Staying true to his style, he bounced between multiple spots around the river mouth, landing big smallmouth along the way.

TOP 10 BELOW

ICAST 2025: Mad Scientist Tackle New Nuclear Ned

 Mad Scientist Tackle coats Ned Head Jig with brilliant UV coatings to achieve maximum radiance

Bass fishing hasn’t been the same since legendary tackle-tinkerer and notorious fishing journal-keeper, Ned Kehde, introduced the world to the “Ned Rig.” Originally a truncated plastic worm affixed to Gopher jig head, the bait has evolved over the years and there are now myriad soft plastic shapes being fished on variations of that original jighead.

Yes, hats off to the overall Midwest Finesse Fishing movement for this fish-catching alternative to big baits and power fishing. Hats off to Z-Man, too, for providing the Ned Rig with a buoyant plastic body, which is prerequisite to achieving that upright Neddyness when stationed on the bottom.  

The second baseline for Ned effectiveness is employing a perfectly architected finesse jighead. The shape of its head needs to accommodate landing at different angles without rolling over – basically, a mushroom configuration. Moreover, a bonafide Ned jig must sport a fine and hazardously sharp hook with a reliable baitholder.  

Sure, reputable Ned-style jigheads are widely available, but Mad Scientist Tackle has upped the ante with specially-coated jigs that are seen in any water clarity and by fish from afar. The company’s distinctive APEX Vision coatings replicate the reflection real minnows and other critters emit, a game-changer on pressured waters and for whoppers that have seen it all.

Happy 4th of July!

 

Wishing all our American fans a wonderful 4th of July!!

Ott DeFoe Wins Zenni Stage 6 Presented by Athletic Brewing Company Championship Round

DeFoe takes down Stage 6 at Potomac for fifth Bass Pro Tour win 

Ott DeFoe topped the field on the Potomac River with 78 pounds, 11 ounces on 32 scorable bass. Photo by Phoenix Moore

By Tyler Brinks

Bass Pro Tour 

MARBURY, Md. – After a week that saw Ott DeFoe near the top of SCORETRACKER® every day he was on the water, the Tennessee pro finally shot to the top when it mattered most, taking down the Zenni Stage 6 Presented by Athletic Brewing Company Championship Round for his fourth Bass Pro Tour regular-season win and fifth BPT win overall.

With a dominant final-day performance, DeFoe stacked up 32 bass for 78 pounds, 11 ounces to beat his closest pursuer in Ron Nelson by nearly 27 pounds. Nelson finished as the runner-up, his best finish on the Bass Pro Tour since joining the ranks last season.

DeFoe is one of the winningest anglers in Bass Pro Tour history, behind only Jacob Wheeler and Dustin Connell, but this marks his first individual win since Heavy Hitters in 2022. It’s his fourth regular-season BPT win, the first since 2021 on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes. He did it in typical DeFoe fashion, too, escaping the bulk of the 66-angler field and fishing far up a creek in the Potomac River backwaters.

Here’s how the Top 10 pros finished the Championship Round:

1. Ott DeFoe – 78 – 11 (32)                

2. Ron Nelson – 51 – 13 (23)            

3. Bradley Roy – 44 – 11 (20)           

4. Cole Floyd – 43 – 11 (21)               

5. Zack Birge – 41 – 09 (20)

6. Adrian Avena – 40 – 12 (20)        

7. James Elam – 36 – 07 (18)           

8. Keith Poche – 35 – 07 (15)

9. Spencer Shuffield – 31 – 01 (15)               

10. Keith Carson – 30 – 01 (14)       

Complete results

DeFoe gets shallow and skinny for the win

Kicking off the event, DeFoe found himself in second place behind Keith Poche after catching 70-2 during the first day of qualifying, most of it early in the day in what would end being his winning area, the extreme backwaters of Neabsco Creek.

O'Canada! National Fishing Week, June 28 to July 7, 2024,

 

The Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation (CNSF) is reminding Canadians that finding adventure can be as easy as walking to the park or taking a short drive to the lakeshore.

National Fishing Week, June 29 to July 7, 2024, is an annual event designed to encourage Canadians to experience the benefits of recreational fishing.

Fishing is an easy and affordable way to connect with nature and with each other. “Here in Canada, there is no shortage of water or opportunities to experience nature,” says Mike Melnik, Managing Director of the CNSF. “Most Canadians don’t have to travel very far to cast a line. Where I live in Ontario, I can walk just a few minutes in any direction and find a place to fish, and I know that’s the same in so many parts of Canada. And because fishing is relatively affordable during this time of high inflation, it means anyone can participate with little investment.”

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

Z-Man® Unleashes BFS-Enabled Bladed Jig

 

Ladson, SC (June 19, 2025) – The thrill of coaxing big fish on stealth tackle and little bitty baits is real. Ponder 6-pound bass on 6-pound test; dueling with pressured packs of fish and hooking up every time. How about vibing with a new micro bladed jig tied your favorite bait finesse (BFS) rod? Addictive, right? If you’re into BFS style fishing—and you absolutely should be—Z-Man® has some good news . . .

“The bait finesse community has been begging for this for a long time, and now, Z-Man® has given us the ChatterBait® MicroMax™, a pro-grade bladed jig optimized for BFS tackle and super selective bass, monster crappie and other species,” notes Jimmy Ly, a leading BFS authority and star of YouTube’s Rawrfishing. 

Tuned to the frequency and subtle idiosyncrasies of BFS and other light tackle techniques, the new Z-Man MicroMax ChatterBait is the first high-level bladed jig created to crush big fish in power finesse mode. 

Echoing the classic ChatterBait sound and action on a higher-frequency scale, the MicroMax features Z-Man’s direct blade-to-jighead connection and trademarked stainless, hex-shaped ChatterBlade®— undeniable forces that continue to propel the ChatterBait’s dominance. Anglers will also appreciate the MicroMax’s erratic hunting action in a more compact package.

Keith Poche Wins 2025 Stop 5 Presented by 7 Brew Coffee on the James River!

By Jody White, Invitations 

RICHMOND, Va. – Keith Poche has a sterling record when it comes to riverine fisheries, with a bevy of Top 10s and wins on rivers proper plus high finishes plucked from the upper reaches of reservoirs. At Stop 5 Presented by 7Brew Coffee on the James River, Poche led the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals event from the start after catching the biggest bag of the event on Day 1 – 23 pounds, 15 ounces. On Day 3, he tallied 12-15 for an even 53-pound total and the win, surviving 20-pound charges from Chad Mrazek and Dustin Smith and staying well clear of his closest competition at the start of the day.

The win is Poche’s third with MLF and his first at the Invitationals level, and he pocketed $80,000 for his efforts. It also sends him into next week’s Bass Pro Tour Zenni Stage 6 Presented by Athletic Brewing Company at the Potomac River (just up the Chesapeake Bay) with some prime time tidal momentum.

The perfect boat and the perfect spot

Famous for running a Gator Trax aluminum boat with a 150-horsepower Mercury, Poche is a master when it comes to getting where others can’t. This week, he caught all but one of his weigh fish out of a hard-to-reach creek off the James, which he could access at any water level – a feat that others in larger tin rigs and standard fiberglass boats couldn’t accomplish.

“That was the X-factor in the whole deal, my boat and motor,” Poche said. “I mean, having that Gator Trax with a Mercury allowed me to win. I could get there. No nobody else could. It doesn’t matter how many fish are in there if you can’t get there. That was the difference.”

In practice, Poche scouted the area, which he’s leaned on before in James events, and he immediately liked his chances.

Happy Bass Opener Southern Ontario!

 

Wishing all our southern Ontario readers a great opener tomorrow!

Shimano Canada Partners with the Competitive Sport Fishing League (CSFL)

Toronto, ON – The Competitive Sport Fishing League (CSFL) is proud to announce the reinstated sponsorship with Shimano Canada!

This exciting partnership brings together one of the world’s most iconic and innovative fishing brands with Canada’s longest-standing competitive fishing league, uniting a shared commitment to advancing the sport of fishing and supporting anglers from grassroots to elite levels.

“We are honoured to welcome back Shimano Canada to the CSFL,” said Andrew Pallotta, President of the CSFL. “Shimano has set the gold standard in fishing innovation and angler support, and their involvement will elevate the experience for our competitors, spectators, and youth initiatives.”
As part of the partnership, Shimano will be featured throughout the CSFL’s events including the Bassmania Series, the MLF Canada Cup Series, and heritage events such as the Canada/US Walleye Event. In addition to sponsoring the CSFL, Shimano Canada has created a contingency “G. Loomis Elite Edge” which will be offered through the CSFL, giving 2025 CSFL competitors the opportunity to win a $10,000 MSRP prize including G. Loomis rods and Shimano reels!

Wes Logan Wins 2025 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller!

Consistency vaults Logan to victory!

Alabama's Wes Logan has won the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller with a four-day total of 63 pounds. (Photo: Seigo Saito/ BASS) 

BASS Press Release

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Ten months ago, Wes Logan found himself in a hospital bed with a gash across his head and a set of broken bones after hitting an unknown object on Day 2 at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain. Logan knows how fortunate he is to even still be alive, making his second Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series trophy all the more meaningful.

“I could be dead. That is the reality of it,” Logan said. “The good Lord wants me here for some reason. I’m truly blessed to be here.”

Arguably the most consistent angler all week, Logan won the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller with a four-day total of 63 pounds, a Father’s Day gift for his father Doug. It is the second win of Logan’s five-year career, the first coming at the 2021 Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake on Mother’s Day.  

“I don’t deserve this,” the Springville, Ala., native said. “I got to fish how I wanted to. I got to pitch a jig like how I grew up with my dad.” 

Opening the tournament in 11th place with 14-12, Logan climbed to fifth on Day 2 with 15-13 before jumping into third on Semifinal Saturday with 15-9. He then landed the biggest bag of Championship Sunday, a 16-14 limit anchored by a 5-1 largemouth, edging out fellow Elite Series pro Andrew Loberg, who had led the first three days, by 1 ounce. 

This victory couldn’t have come at a better time for the “Little Ball of Hate.” After two good tournaments to start the 2025 season, Logan has struggled outside of the state of Florida, so much so that he questioned if he still belonged on the Elite Series stage. He entered Lake Tenkiller in 40th place in Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.