Z-Man Unviels New Sinking ElaZtech Baits!

 Z-Man® Unveils Proprietary Superplastic Material with Natural Sink, Expanded Applications, and Legendary Durability

Z‑Man is advancing the platform again with a proprietary Sinking ElaZtech formula that introduces natural sink, added density, and expanded versatility to the company’s signature superplastic.

Designed for Density

The new Sinking ElaZtech material was developed to complement the original floating formula, giving anglers a second performance profile within the ElaZtech family. The new material maintains the lively action and durability anglers expect, while adding a controlled natural sink, increased density, and a slightly firmer feel.

“Our original ElaZtech formulation excels at a variety of different applications, but we identified several situations where a sinking formulation could actually enhance performance and really round out an angler's soft bait toolkit,” said Z‑Man Director of Product Development Jose Chavez.

The added density and predictable sink rate make Sinking ElaZtech material ideal for soft stickbaits, jerkbaits, and other lures that benefit from a slow, natural descent through the water column when rigged unweighted. The firmer composition also improves hook retention and penetration for Texas‑rigged baits and enhances performance around vegetation, wood, and other cover. These characteristics extend the advantages of ElaZtech material into finesse approaches, mid‑depth presentations, and heavier‑cover techniques such as flipping and pitching.​

Engineered for Excellence

Developing Sinking ElaZtech material required close collaboration between Z‑Man’s product development team and material scientists to create a formulation tailored specifically to these new applications.

Happy 250th Independence Day!

Wishing you a fantastic Fourth of July filled with spectacular fireworks, joy, and memorable celebrations as America marks its semi quincentennial milestone

30th Anniversary of Sun Line Sniper

In the early ‘90s, fluorocarbon wasn’t widely used for full-spool applications. It was known for being stiff, hard to manage, and mostly reserved for leader material. But in Japan, where pressured fisheries and finesse presentations dominated, there was a clear need for a fluorocarbon that offered stealth, strength, and castability all in one.

That’s where Sunline stepped in. In 1994, they introduced Dai-Riki Bass Special FC Sniper, a full-spool fluorocarbon line built for bass anglers. It was smoother, more manageable, and far more sensitive than most options at the time. Designed to hold up in clear water and around structure, it gave anglers a new level of confidence when it came to fishing light line, and it didn’t take long for it to develop a cult following in Japan.

 

2000s: Crossing Over — FC Sniper Hits the U.S. Market

As the influence of Japanese tackle and techniques grew in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, American anglers began to take notice of the gear dominating overseas. FC Sniper slowly made its way into the U.S. market, and those who tried it quickly realized it wasn’t just hype; it was different.

Unlike the stiff, wiry fluorocarbons that many American anglers had grown used to, FC Sniper was castable, sensitive, and durable. It performed equally well on spinning gear and baitcasters, especially in finesse situations where light line was critical. From club tournaments to national trails, it started showing up on more and more reels, especially in the hands of serious bass anglers who valued performance over marketing.

 

Key Evolution Milestones in FC Sniper’s History

FC Sniper’s long-standing success comes from more than just a strong start. What really sets it apart is how Sunline has continued to improve the line without

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Wishing all our Canadian readers and wonderful Canada Day!

 

Harold "The Legend" Allen passes at age 81!

By Craig Lamb

BASS Press Release

Harold Allen, a legendary B.A.S.S. pioneer whose career began in the mid-1970s, passed away peacefully on June 26 after a prolonged illness. He was 81 years old. 

Born and raised in East Texas, Allen honed his angling skills as a guide on Toledo Bend, which back in its early heyday of the 1970s was a haven for some of the nation’s top bass guides. Specifically at mid-lake where the top names were based in Hemphill, Texas. A cadre of guides emerged as powerhouse anglers on the B.A.S.S. tour due to their considerable time spent on the big bass fishery. Most of them fished over 200 days each year, keeping them sharp regardless of where the tour stopped. 

B.A.S.S. founder and president Ray Scott collectively called that group of anglers the “Hemphill Gang” with Allen as a founding member. Others included Tommy Martin and Larry Nixon, both of whom won Bassmaster Classic titles, and John Torian and Jon Hall. 

Alabama pro Greg Vinson comes out on top in his home state for the NPFL victory at Stop #4 of the 2026 Season.

Story by Justin Brouillard, NPFL Press Release

A week of ups and downs, added pressure each day, weekend boat traffic and increasing winds on Showdown Saturday—those were just a few of the challenges the field faced this week at Stop Four of the NPFL on Logan Martin Lake in Oxford, Alabama.

Veteran pro Greg Vinson saved his best for last, catching the biggest bag of the tournament on Showdown Saturday to earn his first NPFL victory with a three-day total of 46-2. Vinson opened the event with 15-10 on Thursday, survived a tough Day Two with 12-10 to sit in seventh place, then rallied with a 17-14 limit on the final day to secure the victory.

“I have been doing this a long time, guys,” Vinson said. “Over 20 years. I worked my way up with the full support of my family, my son Gaige, my wife Steph, my friends. So many ups and downs in this sport. There were so many times I didn't know if I had another year left. I put it in God's hands, and He kept me in this game. I've had a rough couple of years, questioning things, but God gave me direction. This moment tells me God wants me to keep fishing.”

Also saving his best day for last, Jon Canada finished second with a three-day total of 44-9. Fishing from the dam to roughly 2 miles below it, Canada relied on years of history on Logan Martin to identify several productive stretches. Increasing his weight each day, Canada opened with 12-11, added 14-10 on Day Two, and capped off his tournament with 17-4 on Showdown Saturday.

Alabama pro Wes Gore finished third with 43-10, while South Carolina's Corey Casey placed fourth at 43-1 after leading the tournament entering the final day. Rounding out the top five, Indiana pro Bill Lowen finished with 42-0.

Jordan Osborne claimed Big Bass honors at Logan Martin with a 6-0 largemouth caught on Day Two.

Finesse Pays Off for Vinson

In his home state, Greg Vinson made it all come together, earning his first major victory. It was a long time coming, and it came on arguably the toughest day of the week on Logan Martin. With increased boat traffic, Vinson still made his pattern work.

Enter to Win $748 in Premium Glide Bait Gear with Sun Line

We have teamed up with KGB, SPRO, and Best on Tour to bring you the Ultimate Glide Bait Giveaway! You Could Win: Sunline Big Bait FC in all 3 sizes (20lb, 22lb, & 25lb), a KGB Legend (Crusher), Professor (Classic Exclusive Color), & Chad Shad (7" - Fukuju), a SPRO KGB K-Rig & a SPRO KGB Lil' Guy.

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Shaw pulls off epic comeback to claim first Bass Pro Tour win at Grand Lake

Banks Shaw surged up from behind to win his first Bass Pro Tour trophy with 82 pounds, 15 ounces on 28 scorable bass. Photo by Phoenix Moore. 

By Mitchel Forde, Bass Pro Tour

Press Release

GROVE, Okla. — Virtually the entire Championship Round at Zenni Stage 6 Presented by Toyota looked like a duel between Zack Birge and Dustin Connell, with Banks Shaw among the also-rans. Birge and Connell distanced themselves from the rest of the pack early and built an advantage of more than 20 pounds over the rest of their competition entering the third period. The two multi-time Bass Pro Tour winners swapped the top spot on SCORETRACKER® as they traded blows, with one of the two leading from the second minute after lines in until 16 minutes before lines out.

Then Shaw swooped in and stole the show, the Stage 6 trophy and the $125,000 paycheck that comes with it.

Putting together perhaps the best final period in Bass Pro Tour history, the 22-year-old phenom roared back from a nearly 30-pound deficit to claim his first BPT win going away. Shaw totaled 82 pounds, 15 ounces on 28 scorable bass to top Connell by 8-13. That earned the Tennessee pro his fourth MLF win of 2026 and the biggest triumph of his young career.

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

1. Banks Shaw – 82-15 (28)

2. Dustin Connell – 74-2 (28)

3. Zack Birge – 64-5 (21)

4. Alton Jones Jr. – 55-5 (20)

5. Bobby Lane – 46-2 (18)

6. Jake Lawrence – 31-4 (11)

7. Spencer Shuffield – 28-1 (10)

8. Ron Nelson – 27-8 (10)

9. Keith Carson – 24-7 (8)

10. Brent Ehrler – 20-11 (8)

Full results

All-in approach pays off

Change was the theme throughout this rare summertime visit to Grand. Anglers

Michael Harlin wins the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Upper Mississippi River presented by Battery Tender

By David A. Brown, BASS Press Release

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Redemption came in a most unexpected manner for Michael Harlin, who overtook a local legend to win the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Upper Mississippi River presented by Battery Tender.

After placing 68th on Day 1 with 12-3, the pro from Osage Beach, Mo., added a second-round limit of 17-11 and rose to sixth. In the final round, Harlin added the day’s heaviest bag, 17-3, tallied a three-day total of 47-1 and edged La Crosse’s own Tom Monsoor, who had led for two days, by a pound and 3 ounces.

Rising 67 places from the opening round certainly qualified as redemption for Harlin, but winning the final Division II event had an even deeper meaning. Four months prior, a self-reported culling violation in the division opener at Sam Rayburn Reservoir disqualified his Day 1 weight and ultimately resulted in a 196th-place finish.

“After Rayburn, I couldn’t have felt much lower, it was a tough drive home,” said Harlin, who placed fifth in the second Division II event at Grand Lake. “I felt like, after that Rayburn, there was a chance something like this might happen, but I would have never guessed that it would be here.”

Happy Father's Day!

 

2026 Skeeter FXE Bass Boat

Introducing the All-New Skeeter FXE | Engineered Dominance

Three years of development. Hundreds of hours of testing and refinement. One goal — build the most dominant bass boat Skeeter has ever put in the water. This is the all-new Skeeter FXE.

Fun Event for Opener!

 

Click the photo for the link. 

B.A.S.S., Pro Football Hall of Fame announce landmark partnership, Celebrity Pro-Am Tournament on St. Lawrence River

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced today a landmark partnership that will bring together two of America's most passionate sports communities for a unique celebration of competition, camaraderie and outdoor recreation.

The organizations will host the inaugural Bassmaster Randy Moss Pro Football Hall of Fame Pro-Am on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, on the world-renowned St. Lawrence River in Clayton, N.Y. The event will pair Pro Football Hall of Fame members with Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series anglers for a one-day tournament showcasing the skills, personalities and competitive spirit of some of the greatest athletes in sports.

The celebrity Pro-Am will be accompanied by a free fan expo and afternoon weigh-in celebration, giving fans unprecedented access to Hall of Fame football legends and the world's best bass anglers.

The partnership will extend beyond the Pro-Am tournament itself. B.A.S.S. will have a major presence during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival in Canton, Ohio, Aug. 5-9, 2026, where Bassmaster will host fan engagement activities and introduce football fans to the sport of bass fishing during the annual Hall of Fame celebration.

The partnership represents a natural connection between two organizations built on tradition, excellence and a passionate fan base. While one honors the legends of professional football and the other serves as the worldwide authority on bass fishing, both organizations share a commitment to preserving their heritage while introducing new generations to their respective sports.

Jason Christie Wins 2026 Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/ Albmarle Sound

BASS Press Release  

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — At no point did Jason Christie think he was going to win the Maxam Bassmaster Elite Series at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound. That is until he held the trophy over his head. 

The Dry Creek, Okla., pro caught a four-day total weighing 92 pounds, 7 ounces, outlasting Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Fisher Anaya and Ohio native Hunter Shryock for his second victory of the 2026 season. That total weight was done with only 19 bass after he fell short of a limit on Day 2.

“Even today, I thought my luck was going to run out,” Christie said. “I could go up there tomorrow and not catch one. It was so random where I was catching them.”

This marks Christie’s 10th B.A.S.S., joining Kevin VanDam, Rick Clunn, Denny Brauer, Larry Nixon and Roland Martin as the only anglers to win double-digit Bassmaster events. Seven of those victories are Elite Series wins, two are Opens victories and last but not least a Bassmaster Classic. 

All of that was done in 139 events. 

“They’ve all been surprising,” Christie said. “Whenever I have a good practice, I usually don’t catch them. Practice here was not good. I just really had to keep my bait wet. I didn’t even catch a limit one day.”

Christie made the trek up to the Chowan River every day of the tournament, staying in the front half of the river so he only had to get gas once. Most of the bass were located 2 feet under the surface in 6 or 7 feet of water. As hard as he tried, he could never find a consistent pattern to run. He caught bass off cypress trees, laydowns and stumps, but nothing stayed consistent. 

One dock, however, saved his tournament. Fellow competitor David Mullins told Christie about that dock after Day 2, and Christie caught over 28 pounds off that one dock between Semifinal Saturday and Championship Sunday. 

“It is the best dock I have ever fished. It took care of me yesterday and today. Without that, I wouldn’t be standing here.” Christie said. “It was something about the current. When I would pull up there would be baitfish jumping out of the water.” 

After Day 3, Christie remarked he had a new arrow in his arsenal. That bait was an unnamed urchin-style bait in watermelon he purchased at a Scheel’s event several weeks ago. He doesn’t know the name, but it carried him all week on the Chowan.

“I’m 100 percent serious when I say I don’t know the name of them,” he said. “I bought one, tried it at home and caught two bass on it. I had to work an event at Scheels, and I bought three or four there. I won (using) that one.”

2026 Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/ Albmarle Sound Day 3: Christie Jumps into Lead!

Canadians: Cory Johnston 47th

Oklahoma pro Jason Christie has taken the lead on Day 3 of the Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound with a three-day total of 66 pounds, 7 ounces. Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

BASS Press Release

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Jason Christie can’t believe he is leading the 2026 Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound. 

The nine-time B.A.S.S. champion entered this tournament just trying to get plenty of points to stay inside the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour cutline. Instead, Christie is out in front with a three-day total of 66 pounds, 7 ounces with the opportunity to claim his second blue trophy of the 2026 season.

“(I'm) Absolutely shocked. This tournament was all about getting points for the Classic,” the 2022 Classic champion said. “Missing it two years in a row, and the next one being at Hartwell, it wouldn’t be a cool Hartwell Classic if I wasn’t there.” 

Remarkably, he leads this tournament after falling one bass short of a limit on Day 2. After opening the tournament with 24-1, Christie only brought four bass weighing 15-8 to the scales Day 2. Then, the Oklahoma pro cracked 26-14 on Semifinal Saturday, the second biggest bag of the day. 

He anchored that limit with a 9-7 largemouth that took over Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament. 

2026 Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/ Albmarle Sound Day 2: Arkansas pro Stetson Blaylock has taken the lead!

Canadians: Cory Johnston 48th, Chris Johnston 57th, Gustafson 79th, Kung 83rd & Gallant 94th

Arkansas pro Stetson Blaylock has taken the lead on Day 2 of the Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound with a two-day total of 42 pounds, 4 ounces. Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

BASS Press Release

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Stetson Blaylock has never liked vast tidal fisheries like the Albemarle Sound. Success seems to find him anyway. 

The Arkansas pro leads the 2026 Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound with a two-day total of 42 pounds, 4 ounces. Blaylock added 18-12 to his 23-8 Day 1 limit to take a 4-ounce advantage over Alabama’s Wesley Gore heading into Semifinal Saturday.

“Anytime you are in contention, it is a good thing. But you want to be in contention with bass you know are getting better, and I’m not sure if they are getting better. I have a lot of decisions to make before takeoff, but I’m in a good spot.” 

Fishing was noticeably better across the system on Friday. Multiple bags over 24 pounds hit the scales, including one limit over 26 and another over 27 pounds. 

Blaylock’s first Elite Series victory came at Winyah Bay in 2019, another coastal system along the Carolina coast. In that tournament, he was able to focus on one tactic most of the tournament. So far this week, the six-time Classic qualifier has been able to lock in on a pattern once again.

“I keep saying I don’t like these types of fisheries because there are so many things you can do,” Blaylock said. “There’s going to be someone tomorrow who scraps their plan, does something different and catches a big stringer. That is something I struggle with. At Winyah Bay, I was able to stay in one area all four days. That’s what has been best for me, not running around.”

One area far from takeoff in Elizabeth City has produced the bulk of Blaylock’s limit. With higher salinity across the system, Blaylock has tried to find the freshest water possible. Along with a good population of bass, there’s a plethora of baitfish in the area as well. 

“It is a well-kept area,” he explained. “The trick here right now is finding fresh water. I’m going way way back in this river, and I feel the further back you get, the better opportunity you have to catch a big fish.”

2026 Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/ Albmarle Sound Day 1: Chris Zaldain Snatches Lead!

Canadians: Chris Johnston 40th, Cory Johnston 57th, Gallant 60th, Kung 84th & Gustafson 92nd

Texas pro Chris Zaldain has taken the lead on Day 1 of the Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound with a total of 25 pounds, 8 ounces. (Photo: Seigo Saito/ BASS) 

BASS Press Release

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Live by the sword, die by the sword. Chris Zaldain plays the game often, and on Day 1 of the Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound, the veteran mastered the sword. 

The Californian turned Texan caught 25 pounds, 8 ounces to take the Day 1 lead on the massive eastern North Carolina waterway. Zaldain will carry a 1-7 advantage over second-place Jason Christie and a 1-8 advantage over third-place Justin Hamner. 

Big numbers were expected ahead of this tournament, the seventh of the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season. While 11 bags over 20 pounds hit the scales, no angler approached the pace that Kyle Welcher set during the 2025 season. 

A true summer tournament is something Zaldain really looked forward to, especially after finishing dead last at Santee Cooper a few weeks prior. Air temperatures have been well over 90 degrees this week and water temperatures are in the 80s. 

“I had no preconceived notions. I didn’t force anything. I let the fish tell me what was going on,” the nine-time Classic qualifier said.

It has been drier than normal this spring and early summer throughout the region, and salinity has increased throughout the system as a result. Finding clean, fresh water was at the center of his meticulous practice strategy. 

“I paid very close attention to what the wind was doing,” Zaldain explained. “I used the Deep Dive app to help with that. The other thing I use in that app is the streamflow feature. It shows you where the cleanest, freshest water is coming in. I was able to spend my practice time there.”

He started in one of the several rivers that connect to the Albemarle Sound and got bit. He moved to the next river and got bit doing essentially the same thing. At that point, he knew he could run it anywhere.

“I purposely stayed out of the river I knew I was going to go to and worked on my pattern in other rivers,” Zaldain said. “Fishing big lines, big rods and catching big fish.”

Are the Pros Tired of FFS Sonar?

MLF BASS PRO TOUR Pro Mark Daniels Jr. says he's realized that Forward Facing Sonar is killing the fun and adventure of bass fishing. Check out the video to understand his perspective of FFS in fishing. 

What do you think? Should it be banned from tournament fishing? Leave a comment.

Banks Shaw Wins 2026 Stop 5 Presented by K&N Filters on Lake Eufaula!

Another win in 2026 for red hot Shaw! 

Banks Shaw earned his second win of the season with rally at Eufaula.
Photo by Rob Matsuura.

By Jody White, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Press Release 

EUFAULA, Okla. – Starting the final day of Stop 5 Presented by K&N Filters in third place, Banks Shaw looked like the odds-on favorite to win. While Cal Lane and Drew Boggs had the edge by weight and place, environmental factors well outside their control didn’t look good. The deluge of rain on Day 2 affected all the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech pros, but Lane and Boggs were fishing shallow, well up a creek that rose higher and flowed faster by the minute.

On the main lake and fishing for more stable fish, Shaw didn’t have those same concerns. After sacking up 20 pounds, 6 ounces to jump into contention on Day 2, he followed up with an even 18 pounds on Day 3 for a 52-10 total and the win. Also walloping them on Day 3, Dylan Nutt moved up to finish second with 51-12 for the second event in a row, and Lane and Boggs fell to third and fourth, respectively.

For the win, which was his second Pro Circuit win of the season, Shaw pocketed $100,000. He also moved into the lead for 7 Brew Angler of the Year; and with a 13-point edge over Ryan Lachniet, he’ll look to go back-to-back. The winner of the Invitationals Angler of the Year in 2025, Shaw stands a great chance to close it out when the Pro Circuit regular season finishes up at Lake Champlain in July.

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