2025 Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair Day 1: Trey McKinney Soars to the Top!

Canadians: Evan Kung 19th, Cory Johnston 28th, Gustafson 31th, Chris Johnston 39th & Gallant 75th 

BASS Press Release

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. –— In his first three years as a Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Trey McKinney has come to realize a northern smallmouth bass is smarter than a southern largemouth. On Day 1 of the Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair, McKinney found the right cadence to trick five big brown fish into biting.

The 20-year-old phenom from Carbondale, Ill., leads the 101 Elite Series field with 24 pounds, 11 ounces, anchoring his bag with a 5-10 smallmouth. McKinney’s lead over second-place Matt Robertson is just 11-ounce while Will Davis Jr. trails by 1-8.

“I’ve never been nervous for a tournament, but I was nervous for this one,” McKinney said. “I think the main thing will be staying consistent on finding new areas as the days go on.”

Despite reports of a tougher than usual bite, Lake St. Clair once again proved why it is one of the best smallmouth lakes in the country. Forty-four anglers landed limits of 20 pounds or better on Day 1 and 100 anglers landed a five-bass limit. Two pounds separates the leader from 16th-place Pat Schlapper.

To prepare for this tournament, the 2024 Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year spent several days on Lake Michigan. While Lake St. Clair and Lake Michigan are vastly different fisheries, McKinney has learned smallmouth have the same tendencies no matter which body of water they are in. 

That realization has helped the young angler quickly get a grip on northern fisheries. 

“Smallmouth are smallmouth. They have the same instincts,” he explained. “A lot of it is cadence. They are sight feeders. Everyone says largemouth are smarter, but I think smallmouth are smarter. When you present your bait, it has to look so natural for a big one to eat it. How you present the bait to them is the difference between them eating it and bumping it.”

New JACKALL Chan Wake Bait 130

The new Chan Wake Wake bait from Jackall is one cool topwater lure. Listen to Big Jim Laughlin as he explains all the great features of this tail spinner wake bait.

New Megabass Northern Secret Limited Edition Colour for 2017 with Nick Cousvis

Nothing works better on big bass than a jerk bait and Megabass makes some great ones. Megabass has created a custom colour that is designed for northern waters. Their new Northern Secret should be awesome on monster smallmouth. Listen to pro-staff and top angler Nick Cousvis as he explains this Limited Edition Northern Secret.

ICAST 2016 New Molix Supernato Beetle Topwater with Mike Iaconelli and I...

One of the coolest baits at the 2016 ICAST show was the Molix Supernato Beetle topwater bait. Ike explains why it is a must for anyone looking for an edge or just because it looks so damn cool!

ICAST 2016 New Storm Wiggle Wart with Brandon Palaniuk BASS Angler

The Storm Wiggle Wart is one the most effective crankbaits ever made. If you want to catch bass around rocks or wood then this is the bait for you. Storm pro Brandon Palaniuk explains why you need it.

ICAST 2016 New Crawfish Rapala with Mike Iaconelli

Mike has the latest colours available in DT and Balsa lures from Rapala. He'll explains which colours he loves and when to fish them so you'll be successful.

ICAST 2016 EverGreen's JT Pencil Topwater with Justin Kerr

The JT Pencil Topwater is one of the very best from EverGreen International. Now that Diawa USA is supplying North America with these baits, its time to take a serious look at them. Justin Kerr, a Western pro, explains all the details.

ICAST 2016 The Froglet by Lunkerhunt and Matt Arey

The Froglet is a longer version of the famous LUNKERHUNT frogs. Its longer length makes it an ideal walking bait that will pull big bass from the heavy cover. FLW Pro Matt Arey explains the detailed the details at ICAST 2016.

New Zodias Froggin' and Crankin' Rods from Shimano!

SHIMANO EXPANDS ZODIAS BASS ROD SERIES WITH THREE NEW MODELS

FOR CRANKBAITS, CASTING INTO HEAVY COVER

Frogging or Cranking the ledges is summer time fishing. Here's some great news from Shimano on their technique specific designs, Shimano adds three rods to its 14-model Zodias (ZDS) bass rod line-up with the new ZDS 170M-G, ZDS 176MH-G and the ZDS 175H.

While the current Zodias series provide anglers with rods designed to perform as needed with all types of lures – be it worms, jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits, the new Zodias rods are constructed for specific lure and situation use. The 7-foot ZDS 170M-G and 7-foot-6 inch ZDS 176M-G crankbaits rods have longer reargrips for long-casting leverage, and include glass composite material within their Hi-Power X blank for the softer action needed. The heavy power, 7-foot-5-inch ZDS 175H is ideal for braided line applications, especially when launching frogs into heavy grass. A long reargrip provides added casting distance leverage.

All the Zodias rods blanks feature Hi-Power X construction, eliminating blank twist for both better casting distance and accuracy. Hi-Power X is a unique process to support the lightweight blanks, with carbon tape added in a 45-dgreee ‘X’ pattern on the outside of the blank. The tape process provides what is called ‘torsional rigidity’ to keep the blank from twisting during the cast – and with it, more distance and a more accurate lure presentation.

The new Zodias rods also include the sensitivity and strength of lightweight CI4+ material reel seats, plus lightweight semi-micro guides.

Curado 25th Anniversary with Dave Mercer

In honor of the Curado's 25-year legacy, we're talking to top anglers about what the Curado means to them. See what Dave Mercer has to say about his over-twenty years of experience fishing with and talking about the Curado with the Shimano family.

Jason Christie's Old-School Approach Talk of the Bassmaster Classic

Oklahoma pro Jason Christie ended up one spot short of winning the 2016 Bassmaster Classic at Grand Lake, Okla., finishing second to fellow Oklahoman and Bassmaster Elite Series roommate Edwin Evers. Though he didn't win, Christie's old-school spinnerbait approach was the talk of the tournament, even among fellow competitors.

With the cold and muddy water, Christie wanted a bulky bait that he could fish slowly. He fished a 1-ounce BOOYAH Blade spinnerbait that he altered by replacing the single No. 5 Colorado blade with a huge No. 6 gold Colorado blade, and used the new YUM Pulse swimbait as a trailer.

"I used that combination because I wanted to increase the strike zone in that dirtier water," he said. "The fish couldn't see so well, so I wanted them to feel the bait."

Pitching a JACKALL Sasteki Craw into the Trees with Luigi De Rose and IB...

Enjoying a hot day on the water. The largemouth bass were tucked under the overhanging trees and one of the best ways to get one them out is to pitch a JACKALL Lure's craw on heavy PowerPro line.
Bait: Jackall Sasteki Craw in Black Blue Flake
Line: Power Pro 50lb

Jackall's Cool Topwater Popper

Blitz Bass with Binksy!
By Luigi De Rose

At first glace, the Binksy looks odd. Tail spinner, belly blade and a concave face have transformed this Jackall topwater to much more than your average popper. Belly blades have been the rage for the past few years in Japan. The added flash and glimmer of silver is a huge attraction. When ripped along, it create a strong pulse. Blade vibration is a unique concept for a topwater bait and most North American bass have never seen such a bait. The tail spinner allows it to rip well with short rod pops plus it ensures the feather tail hook remains downward in the water. Skittered across the surface or chugged along isolated cover, the Binksy will provide more action than traditional poppers.

At 2.75" long, it is ideal for smallmouth, spotted and largemouth bass. At 3/7oz, this compact bait will cast very well on casting gear. A dressed rear hook and matching belly treble will hold anything that bites it.

 The Jackall Binksy is available in 10 colour patterns. Anglers will find top-notch quality consistent with all Jackall Lures.

For more JACKALL LURES CLICK HERE

Rapala® Shadow Rap

A lot of great baits are being released just ahead of the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. Here is another winner from Rapala.

Five Fabulous Fall Baits for Bass: Crankbaiting

Crank your way to success.
By Luigi De Rose

Depending where you live, crankbaits can be the most or least popular choice for fall fishing.  Crankbaits are just as useful for finding pods of bass as they are at catching them. Schooling bait and cooling water temps will bunch up bass. Cranking a plug allows anglers to cover immense sections of water while remaining productive at catching bass regardless of their mood. Once a sense of feel is established while using this lure, it can also be used to telegraph the bottom.  Weed, rock, sand even mud can be detected simply by interpreting the reaction of the bait as it comes in contact with the bottom.

Bait selection has been a huge hurdle for anglers. Consider these factors when reaching into your tackle bag.

Key factors:

• ·      Water depth
• ·      Cover
• ·      Water temps
• ·      Baitfish
• ·      Water clarity

Each factor will determine size, style and colour scheme of the crankbait you knot on.

Rapala and Storm Pro-angler Jacob Wheeler knows
the importance of the square bill. This Storm Arashi
Wake Bait is a great fall crankbait when the bass are shallow.
(Photo: IBASSIN)

Darker water and heavy weed grown will force you to select shallow running or square bill baits. Square bills run through cover well and excel around wood or rocks.  If the water is warm or the sun pops out long enough to warm up a cool day, an afternoon crankbait bite might be the way to turn around an otherwise slow fishing day.

If the lake has a strong population of both smallmouth and largemouth select deeper diving cranks than can be cast very far and run along the bottom. Smallmouth can be boat shy particularly in crystal clear waters, so heavy baits than can be rocketed great distances is a huge plus.  Smallmouth love crayfish this time of year and scour the bottom looking for them. Scraping the bottom with a natural craw colour patterns can be a winner but don’t shy away from brilliant orange or chartreuse.  Neon bright colours can trigger smallies when all else fails.

The Shad Rap from Rapala is an
amazing cold water bait. 

Cold water won’t kill a crankbait bite but you’ll have to adjust accordingly. Start cranking much slower and it might be wise to switch from a large, plastic plugs to slimmer, balsa wooden baits. Wooded baits, such as Rapala Shad Raps, provide great action without being too erratic for docile bass.

There is a lot to consider when looking for autumn bass. Crankbait fishing is complex but it can also be as simple as chunkin’ and windin’.  Always consider the local conditions and rotate between lure size and diving depth before giving up on these amazing baits. 

2014 ICAST Gadgets: Never Slip Bait Tape

By Luigi De Rose

I am not a gadget guy. I pride myself in not getting overburdened with hoards of things. Things, stuff, toys, general items that should make my life easier, more effective and better organized only if I used them. But, I don't use them nor buy them. It is not that I don't like a better mouse trap, I just prefer to create my own way instead of buying someone else's idea.  I have been accused of ignoring loyal readers, you lovely people, by not posting enough gadgetry.  So, after reflecting on the resent 2014 ICAST, here is a beauty. The Never Slip Bait Tape.

This is truly an amazing gadget and yes I took 2 free samples. Why so good? It looks great, it is simple to use and it really works. Bait Tape is a 3/16" x 2" plastic strip that is self adhesive. It will not bond to the bait but only to itself creating a powerful collar around Senko baits or grubs or worms to jigheads. The Bait Tape is a slick replacement to 0-rings for wacky rigging or glue used to keep the soft plastic bait snug to the jig. It can even mend mangled bait giving new life to badly torn ones.

At ICAST, they had a retractable scale used to demonstrate Bait Tape's sturdiness. I was amazed as the needle passed 30lbs of pressure. The white Senko ripped part but not once did the tape separate.

Here are some stats:

• 10 colours including clear
• doesn't interfere with bait's action
• increase life span of bait
• keeps all  jig trailers snug to hook
• super easy to use

LINK: http://www.tomleogrande.com/Neverslip/

2014 ICAST Megabass Quick Walker Topwater Glide bait with Aaron Martens ...

2014 ICAST we find Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens in the Megabass booth. He is considered one of the very best with topwater. Lets listen with IBASSIN.com as Aaron Martens explains all about the Quick Walker

2014 ICAST ABU Garcia Revo Beast bait casting reel with IBASSIN

2014 ICAST in Orlando, Florida find the IBASSIN.com team in the ABU Garica booth. Their new Beast won the 2014 ICAST Best New Bait casting reel award. Come along with IBASSIN.com as we find out why this super reel is such a winner.



The Beast was born for throwing big baits. Whether it's a heavy schooling rig, large swimbait or other big lure, the Abu Garcia® Revo® Beast excels. Wrestling big fish from heavy cover is in its DNA. Armed with a 22-pound max drag and deeper spool for extra line capacity, the all-new Abu Garcia Revo Beast will change the way anglers fish.

2014 ICAST Z MAN Pop ShadZ Soft Plastic Topwater bait with Casey Martin ...

2014 ICAST finds IBASSIN.com in the Z-Man booth with Casey Martin. This FLW Tour pro explains this cool bait.

Foremost among the launch is the Pop ShadZ™, a 5-inch soft plastic topwater bait unlike anything else on the market. Both fresh- and saltwater anglers alike recognize the effectiveness of poppers at calling in fish from a distance and eliciting surface strikes.

2014 ICAST Wright & McGill New Skeet Reese Pro Carbon Rods with Skeet Re...

New from ICAST 2014. Bassmaster Classic Champ Skeet Reese explains what makes his new Signature Series Wright and McGill Pro Carbon rod so amazing. Listen in with IBASSIN.com has he explains the features including the 2 triggers on the handle of this new rod released at ICAST 2014.