Costa FLW Series Lake Okeechobee Day 2: Lambert Lead!

Huge Storm Rocks Lake!

by Kyle Wood

FLW PRESS RELEASE

Jason's Big O beast made a huge difference. (Photo: FLW)

While Lake Okeechobee may lack offshore structure that Jason Lambert is used to, that hasn’t stopped him from catching good limits of Florida bass this week. By the time the scale closed on day two of the Costa FLW Series Southeastern Division event – which is presented by Power-Pole – the Pickwick Dam, Tenn., pro quietly overtook the top spot thanks to a day-two bag of 15 pounds, 7 ounces.

Combined with his day-one catch of 16-9, Lambert now has an overall weight of 32 pounds even. That means he will carry a slim 1-1 lead over Florida stud Glenn Browne into the final act of the Costa Series season opener.

If you know anything about Lambert’s career, you know that summertime on the Tennessee River is his element. What you may not know is just how much he loves to fish grass, which he is out to prove this week.

“People think that all I do is fish offshore,” says Lambert, who will be entering his third season on the Walmart FLW Tour. “But really I love fishing grass. I’ve had a good practice and a lot of fun this week. It feels good to be fishing down in Florida.”

Costa FLW Series Lake Okeechobee Day 1: Cherkas Lands Lead!

Canadian Chris Johnson Sitting 8th!
by Kyle Wood
FLW PRESS RELEASE

Huge 250 Pro field fishing this event. (Photo FLW)

The opening day of competition for the Costa FLW Series Southeastern Division event on Lake Okeechobee – which is presented by Power-Pole and hosted by Okeechobee County Tourism – was a textbook example of what a cold front does to Florida bass.  Catching a limit wasn’t the issue, however, connecting with 4- and 5-pound bites was. Peter Cherkas of Des Moines, Iowa, was able to scrounge out a strong limit worth 20 pounds to take a narrow lead over Zach Crider of Tunnel Hill, Ga., by a mere 12 ounces.
With so much water to fish on Okeechobee that virtually all looks like it should hold a 10-pounder, settling in on a certain area and combing it thoroughly can be the best bet for success. Most anglers find an area roughly the size of a few football fields to pick through during tournament hours, while Cherkas dialed in an area big enough to cover with his Power-Poles down.
“When I pulled into my area this morning there were some other boats around it so I stayed off,” says Cherkas. “When the other boats moved out enough that is when I moved in. I dropped my Power-Poles and didn’t touch my trolling motor until 10 a.m.”
Cherkas bucked the trend of fishing slow and worked one area thoroughly to rack up the bulk of his weight by 11 a.m. Due to how tough the tournament is you can understand why he opted to remain tight-lipped about his presentation and type of area he is fishing.
The Iowa pro did unveil that the area he is fishing is something you can pattern. He got one bite from the specific area in practice – an 8-pounder – and spent more time just searching for other places like it. While he succeeded in doing so, he also isn’t too sure if they are as good because he didn’t want to burn his areas up by checking them today.
“I have been down [in Florida] for almost three weeks now,” explains Cherkas. “The fish have moved around so much from day to day and that is my biggest concern. I think I know where they may move to if they pull off of my primary area. It shouldn’t take long to find out if they are still there come tomorrow morning.”
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Randall Tharp Teaches You How To Punch Heavy Matted Grass.

The 2013 Forrest Wood Cup Champ and Bassmaster Elite pro, Randall Tharp explains how to improve at heavy cover punching. A lot of anglers are beating the cold this winter by hunting big bass in Florida. One of the best techniques is punching and it requires the correct gear. Learn from one of the very best as Tharp explains how to be better at punching.

ULTRA TUNGSTEN's New Wacky Jigs

Wacky rigging and flick shaking made easier with ULTRA TUNGSTEN.

By Luigi De Rose

Ultra TUNGSTEN has a great jig for all you finesse anglers. The new Wacky Jig is an easy answer if you need Senko or Flick Shake worms to run deeper. ULTRA TUNGSTEN's new jigs offer a super strong jig head teamed with sharp hook which makes rigging so much easier yet keeps the bait working great.

 Here's a run down on its features:

• black, chip resistant head 
• super strong ultra sharp hook
• environmentally friendly/lead-free 
• super compact, 97% Tungsten head
•  1/8oz MSRP $6.99
• 3/16oz and 1/4oz MSRP $7.99

What's Wacky Rigging? 

What's Flick Shake? 

Sharpen Up Yours Skills with a Navionics Webinar

Itching to do something regarding fishing? Try a webinar. Navionics' schedule is packed with dozens of informative and entertaining webinars hosted by presenters with deep experience on a variety of topics. Click the links below to register now for any of our January webinars. Check the full schedule to sign up for other upcoming webinars – more will be added throughout the year – or watch webinars you may have missed at Navionics.com/webinar. 

Register now for any of these webinars:

January 5: 9 PM / 03:00 CET    

“Breaking Down Swimbaits” — Josh Douglas/Seth Feider

January 7: 7:00 PM / 01:00 CET    

“Le Secret D'une Prospection Gagnante” — André Morin/Hugues Sébire

January 11: 8 PM / 02:00 CET    

“Shallow Water Electronics” — Bernie Schultz 

ULTRA TUNGSTEN's New Arky Jig

Smaller is better with ULTRA TUNGSTEN's New Arky Jig
By Luigi De Rose

Ultra TUNGSTEN has just released it's new Arky style bass jig. Its compact size, due to a pure tungsten head, makes it ideal for punching or where a compact bait is needed. With direct input from Canadian Pro-Angler Dave Chong, this jig focuses on the minor details. Each jig is wire tied, large XX strong Mustad hook, chip resistant paint and features a duel rattle chamber.

 Here's a run down on its features:

• available in 3/8oz and 1/2oz sizes
• 4 colour combinations: black, black/blue, black/purple & blue/okeechobee craw
• environmentally friendly/lead-free 
• super compact, 97% Tungsten head
• MSRP $6.99

Blood Run Tackle's Floating Line for Shallow Bass

Try some steelhead line this year!
By Luigi De Rose
 

Here's a line that most bass guys are not aware of but should consider. Blood Run Tackle produces a floating monofilament line for river anglers who float fish. This line remains on the surface making it ideal for all topwaters, shallow spinnerbaiting, wake baits or any other near surface presentations.

Unlike Fluorocarbon and braid which tend to sink; forcing baits down. These floating lines won't ruin the lure action. 

Blood Run Tackle's Floating Mono is available in 10lb and 15lb tests in a range of colours from clear to Hi-Viz orange and yellow.

For more info.
www.bloodruntackle.com

Merry Christmas from IBASSIN!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy the good in the world and share it with the people you love and enjoy. 

2016 Top Bass Tournaments Announced!

Top Bass Announces its 2016 line up of bass tournaments in southern Ontario.  With eight qualifying events and a two-day Classic on Rice Lake in early September, these season will fill up in a hurry.
Link to TOP BASS

TOP BASS FISHING SERIES

2016 TOURNAMENT DATES

Q1

June 19 Sturgeon Lake

Q2

July 2 Rice Lake #1

Q3

July 3 Rice Lake #2

Q4

July 16 Lake Scugog

Q5

August 6 Balsam Lake

Q6

August 14 Lake Seymour

Q7

August 27 Tri-Lakes #1

Q8

August 28 Tri-Lakes #2

CLASSIC

September 10 & 11 Rice Lake

Cyber Monday: Time to Treat Yourself.

The internet is awash of deals today. Have a look at these great sites to find that early Christmas present or just that something special you deserve. Good luck and remember to get the free shipping!