Expanded Shimano Pro-Staff Ready for 2019 Tournament Season!

BPS, Elites and FLW Tour heavy with Shimano Pros

As the professional bass fishing tours kick off their 2019 seasons, there are both established anglers and rising stars ready to show off their skills using the latest in Shimano tackle, G. Loomis rods, PowerPro braided line, and Jackall bass baits.

JVD donig Shimano/ G. Loomis proud on BPS tour. 

“All of us at Shimano are excited to be working with and providing exceptional tackle to some of the best bass anglers both in the U.S. and Canada,” said Kurt Mazurek with Shimano North American Fishing, Inc. “With 2019 being an interesting year for the pro-level bass fishing trails, we are anxious to watch how the three major circuits can generate more interest in bass fishing, and in turn, push Shimano to always be a leader in fishing tackle technology.”

On the Bassmaster Elite circuit, pro anglers including Keith Combs, Brett Preuett, Bernie Shultz, and newcomers Greg Dipalma and Ed Loughran are all using Shimano rods and reels. Clent Davis, the 2018 FLW champ, will now be using Shimano reels as an Elite angler.

Part of the ‘Canada invasion’ to the B.A.S.S. Elite angler ranks, Jeff Gustafson, Chris Johnston and Cory Johnston will be casting Shimano reels spooled up with PowerPro braid, Shimano and G. Loomis rods, and an assortment of Jackall lures.

The FLW tour will see Alex Davis, Josh Douglas and Brandon McMillan flying the Shimano colors. Davis and Douglas also use G. Loomis rods and spool their Shimano reels up with PowerPro.

On Major League Fishing’s new Bass Pro Tour, the Shimano brands are well represented. Continuing their use of Shimano reels are James Elam – now also using Shimano rods, and David Walker and Jonathon VanDam, who both also use G. Loomis rods. Aaron Martens continues to fish with Shimano Curado DC and Metanium casting reels, along with Stella spinning reels. New to the Shimano team is past Bassmaster Classic and FLW Cup winner Luke Clausen all rigged-up with Shimano reels and G. Loomis rods.

“We have long-time pros who continue to show they know their way around just about any lake, anglers just starting their professional fishing careers, and a solid group with plenty of experience who can easily be at the top of the leaderboard at any of the tournaments,” Mazurek said. “Having them use Shimano rods and reels, G. Loomis rods, PowerPro braid and Jackall lures at the events helps us prove the tackle’s durability, performance and fish-catching features to the hundreds of thousands of bass anglers who follow pro bass fishing. We look forward to all the upcoming events from B.A.S.S., FLW and MLF.”

Dustin Connell Wins 2017 BASS Elite Ross Barnett Event with 64-13lbs!

Big storm didn't phase rookie Connell
BASS PRESS RELEASE

Rookie Connell outlasts Van Dams
(Photo: BASS)

Severe storms may have caused the postponement of the final round of fishing Sunday, but nothing could stop Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Dustin Connell of Clanton, Ala., from claiming victory in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett.

Connell caught a five-bass limit weighing 12 pounds, 15 ounces today, pushing his four-day total to 64-13 and holding off a late-charging veteran Kevin VanDam, who ended with 62-10.

Hoisting the coveted first-place trophy overhead — and pocketing the $100,000 that goes with it — has been Connell's dream since childhood.

Shimano's New Aldebaran Baitcasting Reel with Jonathon Van Dam and IBASSIN

The brand new Shimano Aldebaran is finally available. Bassmaster Elite Angler, Jonathan Van Dam explains why this is the lightest, most enjoyable to fish reel on the market. IBASSIN.com found out that the Shimano Aldebaran has X-Ship for extreme strength. The Aldebaran only weights 4.7 ounces making it one of the lightest casting reels ever made. Available in right and left handed retrieves, the Aldebaran reels come in 6.5:1 or 7.4:1 gear ratios for easy fishing. When you consider the Aldebaran comes with SVS infinity, Silent Tune and Shimano Stable Spool design, this light-weight wonder is one awesome reel.

Our Hottest Rod and Reel Video of the Year!

The new E6X rod series introduces anglers to what G. Loomis rod designers refer to a ‘swing-weight’, the proper rod balance needed when fishing ‘tip up’ techniques like pitching/flipping and casting tubes, jigs, soft plastic jerkbaits and drop shot rigs, and ‘tip down’ lures like crankbaits, spinnerbaits or swimbaits. “Proper balance lets anglers concentrate on what is happening on the end of the line, rather than the tip of the rod,” said G. Loomis’ Bruce Holt. “With the E6X series and the G. Loomis’ Multi-Taper Technology behind them, we can provide light, sensitive, yet powerful rods for all types of bass fishing techniques – what anglers know and come to expect form G. Loomis and all at a very comfortable price.”

There are 12 E6X technique specific casting rods designed for jig & worm use, for flipping and punching, crankbait and spinnerbait specific, along with four technique specific spinning models for small jigs, tubes and worms, plus two drop shot spinning rods. Holt notes that both the casting and spinning jig & worm rods have the needed extra-fast tips, the crankbait rods have the needed slower, softer actions, while stiff, powerful actions are found on the flip/punch rods and unique actions are featured on the spinnerbait, swimbait and drop shot rods. The entire technique specific rods feature split grip handles with cork grips, along with Fuji reels seats and guides.
The 12 Classic multi-purpose E6X models include six ‘Mag Bass’ and flipping action casting rods, and six spin jig spinning rods. They all feature fast tapers with powerful but-sections, load easily for casting accuracy. All the E6X Classic rods come with full cork grips, Fuji guides and Fuji exposed blank trigger reels seats.

“Offering both performance and value, just about all anglers can experience what G. Loomis rods are all about,” said Holt. “The rods really become an natural extension of you, providing the fish-catching fingertip sensitivity that anglers who know expect from G. Loomis rods. And while we have a main focus on bass fishing, anglers will discover E6X rods that have great actions and lengths for walleye, northern pike and inland striper situations.”
As with all G. Loomis rods, the new E6X rods are handcrafted in Woodland, Washington USA. For more information, visit gloomis.com, call 800/GLoomis, or stop by your nearest G. Loomis tackle dealer.

Check us out at:
www.ibassin.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ibassincom/265989363495983

2015 Bassmaster Elite Lake St. Clair Day 1: Jones Leads with 23.10lbs.

Three bags over 23 pounds!

By Thomas Allen

bass press release

DETROIT — Weather is always a dynamic element in competitive bass fishing, but it is the biggest factor when the tournament is taking place on big lakes.

The Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair is the final event of the regular season, and many anglers are putting it all on the line to garner a berth in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro next March.

Alton takes lead as pack is ounces behind.
(Photo: BASS)

Texas pro Alton Jones took control of the event by bringing in 23 pounds, 10 ounces of smallmouth bass to the scales after the first day.

“When you’re fishing the Great Lakes, where wind is a dominating weather condition, my goal is to locate the best drift over the best piece of structure,” the 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion explained. “My practice time was spent finding the right drift, but it only produced small fish for me this morning. I knew they had moved, and after I found them again — only a few hundred yards away — it was a pretty consistent bite.”

Jones expects the bass he found to move again by Friday with another weather change predicted. He caught about 15 fish throughout the day and expects the numbers to be similar again in the second round.

“My big-fish spot contributed my best fish of the day, and several opportunities to cull up,” he said. “I found numerous spots that I’ve devoted my attention to, and I really hope they will hold up as the tournament goes on. But, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure if they will.”

Brand New E6X Rod Series from G. LOOMIS!

EXPERIENCE G. LOOMIS WITH NEW E6X ROD SERIES 

30 RODS IN BOTH TECHNIQUE SPECIFIC AND CLASSIC ACTIONS

Suggested retail: from $179.99 to $199.99

Designed around a performance platform with a focus on weight, balance, sensitivity and action, anglers of all levels can experience what G. Loomis is all about with the new E6X rods series, soon to be available for spring ’15 fishing action. The series includes 30 casting and spinning rods, offered in both technique specific models with exacting actions, and ‘Classic’ models with easy to cast, more forgiving actions for use with a variety of lures.

The new E6X rod series introduces anglers to what G. Loomis rod designers refer to a ‘swing-weight’, the proper rod balance needed when fishing ‘tip up’ techniques like pitching/flipping and casting tubes, jigs, soft plastic jerkbaits and drop shot rigs, and ‘tip down’ lures like crankbaits, spinnerbaits or swimbaits. “Proper balance lets anglers concentrate on what is happening on the end of the line, rather than the tip of the rod,” said G. Loomis’ Bruce Holt. “With the E6X series and the G. Loomis’ Multi-Taper Technology behind them, we can provide light, sensitive, yet powerful rods for all types of bass fishing techniques – what anglers know and come to expect form G. Loomis and all at a very comfortable price.”

There are 12 E6X technique specific casting rods designed for jig & worm use, for flipping and punching, crankbait and spinnerbait specific, along with four technique specific spinning models for small jigs, tubes and worms, plus two drop shot spinning rods. Holt notes that both the casting and spinning jig & worm rods have the needed extra-fast tips, the crankbait rods have the needed slower, softer actions, while stiff, powerful actions are found on the flip/punch rods and unique actions are featured on the spinnerbait, swimbait and drop shot rods. The entire technique specific rods feature split grip handles with cork grips, along with Fuji reels seats and guides.

2014 ICAST Strike King Lucky Shad with Jonathan Van Dam & IBASSIN

2014 ICAST in Orlando, Florida we meet Jonathan Van Dam. Van Dam is an Elite angler on the Bassmaster tournament trail. We find him in the Strike King Lure company booth promoting the Lucky Shad deep diving jerk bait.

Lucky Shad
The Strike King arsenal of crankbaits has become a mainstay in the boats and tackle boxes of anglers all over the world. In the process of doing so, we have refined certain baits and styles to accommodate a need, yet apply our improved design to them. The all-new Lucky Shad is born from that concept by being spawned from a traditionally popular profile, yet incorporating modern design techniques.

2014 ICAST Strike King Naked Rage Blade and Rage Minnnow with Jonathan V...

2014 ICAST in Orlando, Florida we meet Jonathan Van Dam. Van Dam is an Elite angler on the Bassmaster tournament trail. We find him in the Strike King Lure company booth promoting the Naked Rage Blade and new Rage Minnow. This is a great spin on a proven bait.

More fishing info go to:
www.ibassin.com

Naked Rage Blade
Leaning on the knowledge base and needs of the best bass pros on earth is a luxury that Strike King does not take for granted. New designs, upcoming trends and modern concepts are constantly being funneled into our new product development. This process allows us to produce exciting and innovative ways to target bass. The all-new Naked Rage Blade is a culmination of this.

Bassmaster Elite Diamond Drive Arkansas River Day 3: Denny Domination

Denny Brauer Remains the Leader after Day 3

By Deb Johnson
BASS Press Release

Brauer Still on Top.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — If they’re honest about it, most bass pros would have to admit they’ve learned from Denny Brauer. Saturday, the famed pro from Camdenton, Mo., schooled some of the best in the business by keeping his lead for the third day in the Bassmaster Elite Series Diamond Drive.
Brauer’s catch of 10 pounds, 12 ounces, fended off the changing lineup of fellow Elite pros who have been doing their best all week to wreck Brauer’s chance at a 17th Bassmaster victory. But with 44-13 over three days, Brauer stayed 10-2 ahead of Saturday’s frontline challenger, John Murray of Phoenix, Ariz., who ended his day in second place with 34-11.
Only the top 12 anglers after three days made it to Sunday’s final round. They will compete for $100,000, a 2012 Bassmaster Classic berth, and points in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
Murray, among others in the Top 12, said he was resigned to fishing for second place on Sunday. But Brauer, a pro who has captured the sport’s most coveted titles — Bassmaster Classic champ and Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year — still was not convinced that a 10-pound lead was enough to win no matter what Day Four brought.

Bassmaster Elite Diamond Drive Arkansas River Day 3: Mid Day Up-Date

By Luigi De Rose

On any river that has commercial barge traffic or electric generation, Saturday is always a different day. River traffic and water flow changes dramatically due to so many people not working on the weekends and a decrease in electrical energy demands. What all this means to the fisherman is that the current created by barge traffic or water flowing through turbines, is less and the bass reposition. If the current tapers off to a dribble expect the bite to die. 

According to bassmaster.com, the mid-day report's unofficial weights looks like this:
standing/name/fish/day 3 weigth/total
1 Denny Brauer 3 6-00 40-01
2 John Murray 4 10-09 33-12
3 Aaron Martens 5 12-00 33-06
4 Jonathan VanDam 5 16-00 31-10
5 Ish Monroe 5 10-08 31-07
6 Gerald Swindle 5 10-00 30-11
7 Billy McCaghren 2 3-12 28-03
8 Kevin VanDam 1 2-00 27-11
9 Timmy Horton 5 13-05 27-01
10 Keith Combs 3 5-00 24-10
11 Greg Vinsom 2 3-04 24-09
12 Takahiro Omori 1 2-01 24-07
13 Clark Rheem 2 3-03 23-15
14 Ben Parker 4 8-11 23-10
15 Randy Howell 3 5-13 23-09

Another factor is the locks. Yesterday, 5 anglers arrived late to the ramp due to delays with the locks and all suffered a late penalty. If one of the leaders comes in late today and their day's weight has deductions, the leader board can change in a hurry. Jonathan Van Dam is a great example of how one good day on the Arkansas River will change everything. On day 1 he scored a big ZERO and on day 2 his five fish limit weighted 15-10 lifting him into the Top 50. It appears he is doing well again and has leaped into the Top 10.
Stay tuned!