Crankbaiting with BASS CLASSIC CHAMP and crankbait legend Paul Elias

Paul Elias won the 1982 BASS Classic on a crankbait and he has never looked back. Learn from the master on how he selects his tackle to make cranking easier and more effective. Southern boys if you love ledge fishing, deep water cranking is a must. Northern guys who want a big smallmouth need to be casting one. So, why not learn for the Paul Elias the true crankbait master.

Advanced Jerkbait Fishing with Megabass Pro Nick Cousvis!

Jerkbait fishing is one of the best lures ever invented. Learning to fish one is more difficult than you think. Learn from expert angler and Megabass pro Nick Cousvis. He knows his stuff. Nick explains how to adjust the leader length to get greater depth, more action and how to target giant smallmouth bass. Jerkbaits work well on both smallmouth and largemouth. You simply have to know how to fish them.

Rick Clunn's Tactics for Amazing Fall Bass Fishing

Fall bass fishing can be amazing if you know where to find them. Follow the advise from one of the greatest anglers ever to walk this earth, Rick Clunn. Rick explains how to catch bass in autumn. Trust what he says, Rick's won a few tournaments in his time.

Become an Amazing Drop Shot Angler with Cody Meyer

Another great video to help you become a better drop shot angler. One of the best techniques from Japan, drop shotting works amazing especially in autumn for giant smallmouth and largemouth.
Listen to FLW Pro Cody Meyer as he explains how he drop shot fishes and what gear he likes to use.

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 

Learn From the Best with Navionics

Fish smarter! Join our fall webinars hosted by experienced tournament anglers who will share valuable tips and tricks that will put you on fish! Or, join our sailing specialist’s webinar and start planning your next tropical getaway! See the full schedule, registration links, and recordings of past webinars at Navionics.com/webinar.    Register now for any of these webinars:    September 29: 8 PM EDT / 02:00 CEST    “Classic Fall Walleye Locations and Presentation” — Jim Carroll   September 30: 8 PM EDT / 02:00 CEST    “Using Your Electronics to Find the Best Fishing Locations” — Bill McDonald   October 21: 7 PM EDT / 01:00 CEST    "Night Walleye in the Fall" — Mark Martin   October 22: 7 PM EDT / 01:00 CEST    "Cruising the Bahamas on a Budget" — Jessica Anderson

Learn with Navionics!

Don’t miss out on learning fishing tips, techniques and about Navionics products in the upcoming webinars planned for July! See the registration links, and recordings of past webinars at Navionics.com/webinar.

Register now for any of these webinars: 

 

July 1: 7 PM EDT / 01:00 CEST   

"Froggin' Dirty"  – Chris Murphy

 

July 7: 6 AM EDT / 12:00 CEST/ 8 PM AEST

“Make the best use of your Navionics product!" — John McDonald

 

July 8: 7 PM EDT / 01:00 CEST   

“Locating Saltwater Fish Species" — Paul Michele

 

July 14: 9 PM EDT / 03:00 CEST   

"Saltwater SonarCharts™ Structure Strategies" — Tom Nelson

 

July 15: 7 PM EDT / 01:00 CEST   

"Improve Your Night Bite With a Hydro Glow Fishing Light" — James Vladyka

More Below

Jonathon Van Dam and Mark Zona on Why Low Gear Ratio Reels Work!

Pure power and torque with slower gear ratios.

By Luigi De Rose

The top finishing anglers at the recent Bassmater Elite tournament on Lake Guntersville all stated the need to slow down. Presenting swimbaits at the correct pace was critical to catching the largest bass. The only problem was this most manufactures don’t offer lower speed reels. Anglers had to painstakingly crawl the reel to counter-act the high-speed gear ratio. If they used a slower ration reel, they could have easily matched the mood of the bass. Slower gear ratios have their place unfortunately most angler fail to utilize them.

Need power use a Curado 200PG!

Gear ratios are like tools. They help you catch more fish if you know when and why you need a slower speed reels.  According to Mark Zona, host of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show, loves his fast moving bait but knows that’s not always the best choice of presentations. “I use a slower reel is when the water temperature is less than 55 degrees and the bait I’m fishing has to be presented slower because of bass’ sluggish nature. Here’s a case where the slower reel like the Anteres HG with its 5.6:1 gear ratio – or the new Alderbaran 50 with a 6.5:1 gear ratio if your looking for a lighter, compact reel to cast lighter lures, corrects my hyper nature and allows me to slow down under those conditions.” Advises Mark.

 

“I love them for their pure cranking power” states Jonathon Van Dam about the Shimano Curado 200PG which has a slow gear ratio. JVD says, “I like to use slower reels and I love the Curado. It helps me with my deep cranking or slowly working baits on the bottom.”

 

The new Curado I series are now available in five models – the Curado CU200PG, CU200, CU200HG, and left-hand retrieve CU201 and 201HG. If your after a Curado, pick the Curado 200PG. The 200PG has a slower 5.5:1 gear ratio making it ideal for big baits like the 6XD or 10XD crankbaits advises Van Dam.

 

Another huge plus for a slower speed reel is pure cranking power. Grabbing bass gear for in-shore saltwater species or big walleye, pike and musky demand pure power. Either waking a huge in-line spinner, minnow baits, or spinnberbaits have tremendous resistance in the water and can fracture weak gears. Speed is not just an indicator of power. Strong, machined gears and precision parts ensure years of use without wear.

 

Cold Water Jerkbait Tips with Jackall Pro Cody Meyers and IBASSIN

Jackall pro Cody Meyers explains how to use jerkbaits for smallmouth and largemouth bass when the water turns cold in the fall and winter months. Learn how to adjust your jerkbait for when the bass are shy and the water is cool.

Five Fabulous Fall Baits for Bass: Jerkbaits

Jerkbait are king of fall! 

By Luigi De Rose

*Special Video Feature: Jackall Pro-angler Cody Meyers explains how to fish jerkbaits next week*

Jerkbaits work exceptionally well when the water cools and the bass are thinking of eating.  Largemouth bass love them but smallies get all the glory. Jerkbaits are so versatile that there is almost no wrong method to using them. But, if you’re after superb fall action, the devil is definitely in the details.

Several key factors will affect where and how you fish a jerkbait. Consider these factors before you leave home.

Key Factors:

• Water depth
• Baitfish
• Water colour
• Water temp

Suspending jerkbaits with shallow lips have been all the rage for almost two decades. No one makes them better than the Japanese.  As the saying goes, “you get what you pay for” and that is very true with jerkbaits. An internal weight system, fantastic action, immaculate finishes and the finest hooks all help put more bass in the boat. 

Jackall and Shimano pro Cody Meyers knows
that cold water and jerkbaits like the Dowzvido 90SP
are truly amazing. 

These types of baits simply cast further, look better and have better action. Don't forget that many companies such as Jackall, Lucky Craft and Megabass offer deeper diving versions of their shallow baits. They're tailor made for cold, deep water.

Water colour and temps will play a huge role in how to fish the bait. Establishing a jerk-pause-jerk caddice is a must to catch the eye of a bass.  As the water become chilly the rod tempo must be slowed. A little used technique called strolling becomes stronger as we progress through autumn. Technically, strolling is long line trolling using the wind and trolling motor to propel the boat and bait along deep flats. Gingerly sweep the rod along instead of doing a wild dance is a better match for the conditions.

Bait and bass should determine lure size. Smaller sized baits can trigger moody bass, particularly pressured smallmouth. Down sizing tackle and moving to spinning gear is a must if you wish to launch them any distance.

Don’t hesitate to buck conventional wisdom. Exchange your favourite jerkbait with a magnum one can be great. Giant bass sometimes only want to eat once. A large bait will surely appeal to them.  This is particularly true when fishing around smelt. Smelt are long, nomadic bait and candy to bass. Matching their size, shape and look is a must. 

Jerkbait fishing is the corner stone to fall bass fishing. Often considered superior in the spring, these baits must be utilized in the fall.

Five Fabulous Fall Baits for Bass

IBASSIN's guide to autumn bass fishing

By Luigi De Rose

This week IBASSIN will be highlighting five fabulous fall baits. Each day, one lure will be promoted on its merits of being an essential bass lure for this time of year. IBASSIN has readers from all over the world. These guidelines work best when integrated with local fishing conditions. Remember to  adjust accordingly but don’t neglect subtle daily changes. A few degrees up or down can kill or resurrect a day on the water.

Autumn can be some of the best or worst fishing of the year but it can also be one of the best times to catch a lot of giant bass. Weather is usually unpredictable making boating and fishing a challenge. Try keeping your spirits high during lulls in the action because your luck can change in a heartbeat.  Use this guide to help transform your fall bass fishing. 

2014 ICAST Strike King Rage Blade Blaster with Mark Rose & IBASSIN

ICAST 2014 finds the IBASSIN.COM team in the mighty Strike King booth. We're lucky enough to speak to FLW Tour Pro Mark Rose. Mark Rose is a deep water expert. He'll explain the new Strike King Rage Blade Blaster spoon.

While designing the Rage Blade and the new Naked Rage Blade, the design team at Strike King realized that the unique qualities of the blade on those two baits lent itself to many possibilities. After months of research and development, and extensive field testing, the multi-species minded Rage Blade Blaster is ready for the world!

Learn to fish topwaters better with Zell Rowland and IBASSIN

Tournament pro Zell Rowland is called Mr. Topwater. Learn from the master as he explains to IBASSIN.com how to become better at fishing a top water plug. Zell Rowland explains how to modify your baits for spring, summer or fall and how to adjust to changing water temperatures. He'll advises on how to get the best action from poppers, devil horse prop baits and spooks. Zell also explains how line size will change lure action.

Learn to Master the Jerkbait with Megabass Pro Edwin Evers and IBASSIN

The recent Elite event on Table Rock Lake was won on a jerkbait. Megasbass pro, Edwin Evers finished 6th. Check out this video as Edwin discussed how to be a better jerkbait angler.

Sign Up NOW! Limited Seating for This Weekend

Weekend Itinerary 

Strategies for Smallmouth

Autumn has arrived! For many anglers in the north, there is a shift from largemouth to smallmouth fishing during this time of year. Smallmouth bite well as waters cool. One of the best presentations for searching and catching big smallmouth are spinnerbaits.

Here is a video on what to look for in a spinnerbait for smallmouth.

Jackall's Crosstail Shad with Simon Frost.

 

 

Jackall's Crosstail Shad has been a secret lure for some time. Guide and tournament angler, Simon Frost explains how to fish the Crosstail Shad from Jackall and explains why this bait is so magical.
VIDEO LINK

Bass Talk 2013- Spring Fishing Show Special

One Week to Go!

BassTalk & the Spring Fishing & Boat Show have partnered up to present "The Most Informative Bass Fishing Seminar Series in Canada!" at the greatest possible venue. BassTalk 2013 will take place at the 2013 Spring Fishing & Boat Show on Mon. Feb. 18, 2013 starting at 8 AM concluding at 11 AM; doors will open at 7:30 AM. Four of Canada’s top bass pros will share their knowledge and experience in their detailed BassTalk exclusive presentations (Speakers & topics will be announced shortly). BassTalk is proud to team up with the Pallotta family and the Spring Fishing & Boat Show to bring BassTalk which is “Canadian Bass Pros Talking Canadian Bass Anglers!” to all bass anglers who hunger for knowledge. This partnership great decreases our costs in holding a BassTalk which allows us to provide all attendees with even greater value. As usual we’ll have many awesome silent auction items and draws. A few comments from past attendees, we’re only listing a few because if we listing them all this would become a novel.

BassTalk 2013-“A Match Made in Heaven”

Come Learn with Bass Talk

BassTalk & the Spring Fishing & Boat Show have partnered up to present "The Most Informative Bass Fishing Seminar Series in Canada!" at the greatest possible venue. BassTalk 2013 will take place at the 2013 Spring Fishing & Boat Show on Mon. Feb. 18, 2013 starting at 8 AM concluding at 11 AM; doors will open at 7:30 AM. Four of Canada’s top bass pros will share their knowledge and experience in their detailed BassTalk exclusive presentations (Speakers & topics will be announced shortly). BassTalk is proud to team up with the Pallotta family and the Spring Fishing & Boat Show to bring BassTalk which is “Canadian Bass Pros Talking Canadian Bass Anglers!” to all bass anglers who hunger for knowledge. 

IBASSIN RULES #3

RULES #3 looks at spinnerbaits for smallmouth. Don't just think finesse, big gaudy spinnerbaits can be the ticket for big smallmouth. Plus, they're so fun to fish.