G-Man Moves to Humminbird and Minn Kota!

The 2016 BASS Angler of the Year Gerald Swindle is now running Humminbird, Minn Kota and Talons for the 2017 Elite Season. 

2016 BASS Elite Winyah Bay Day 1: Carl Jocumsen Leads with 19-11!

Australian Grab His First BASS Lead!

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Carl grabbed a great limit while most struggled.
(Photo: BASS)

A near two-hour boat ride to the Cooper River just outside of Charleston, S.C., was a risk worth taking for Australian angler Carl Jocumsen on the first day of the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.

After a one-hour weather delay due to a thin line of quickly moving thunderstorms, Jocumsen endured a one-hour, 45-minute boat ride to access his prime fishing locations. Upon arrival, he was restricted to only three hours of fishing before having to make a return trip to the weigh-in site in Georgetown.

The risky ride paid off for Jocumsen, as he currently leads the field of 109 anglers with a limit of five bass that weighed 19 pounds, 11 ounces. Local favorite Britt Myers of Lake Wylie, S.C., is in second place with 16-8, while Matt Herren of Ashville, Ala., is holding down third with 14-6.

2016 BASS Opens Announced.

By B.A.S.S.

B.A.S.S. announced the three-division, nine-tournament Opens schedule today, noting that it kicks off with the Jan. 28-30 Southern Open No. 1 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Kissimmee, Fla., and concludes Sept. 29-Oct. 1 with the final Central Open on the Red River out of Shreveport/Bossier City, La.

“The 2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens schedule offers a diverse group of fisheries,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “Natural lakes, reservoirs, rivers and tidal waters all have a place on this schedule. It should challenge anglers and reward those who are the most skilled and proficient at adapting to the various fisheries and conditions.”

Anglers will compete for a portion of more than $250,000 awarded at each Open event, including a boat-and-motor package to the winners. And the winning pro, if he or she competes in all three events within a division, will earn a berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.

“I look forward to seeing all the competitors and watching the season unfold,” said Chris Bowes, B.A.S.S. senior tournament manager. “I have the unique opportunity to watch firsthand as dreams come true and B.A.S.S. history is made.”

Competitors earn performance points at each tournament, and the Top 5 in each division are invited to join the Elite Series — the most prestigious bass fishing circuit in the sport — the following year. In recent years, nearly all who received Elite bids have joined the tour.

“More than half of the current Elite Series field has qualified through the Bassmaster Opens,” Bowes said. “I’m excited to see who the additions from the 2016 Opens will be.”

Weigh-ins will be held lakeside during the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday of each tournament week. The 12 finalists who earn the right to fish on Saturdaywill weigh their catches in at nearby Bass Pro Shops stores, except for the Lake Champlain event which will remain at the original location.

Registration for B.A.S.S. Nation and Life members begins online on Nov. 17. Other details and complete registration information will be posted on Bassmaster.com.

Southern Opens

No. 1 — Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee, Fla., Jan. 28-30

The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes including Lake Tohopekaliga has been a popular venue for Bassmaster tournaments for more than 40 years. The fishery has hosted 22 Bassmaster events including the 1977 and 2006 Bassmaster Classics. Chad Morgenthaler was the lastest to win there, claiming a 2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open title with 52 pounds, 7 ounces. The local host for the event is Visit Kissimmee and the Central Florida Sports Commission.

No. 2 — Smith Lake, Jasper Ala., March 31-April 2

A clear, deep lake near Birmingham, Smith Lake is noted for its huge spotted bass and outstanding topwater action. One of the Alabama Bass Trail Lakes, Smith has hosted seven Bassmaster events, including three Southern Opens. The local host for the event is the Walker County Chamber of Commerce.

2014 BASSFEST Day 1: Ike is King for a Day.

PLACE	NAME	DAY 1		TOTAL FISH	TOTAL WEIGHT
		FISH	WEIGHT
1	Michael Iaconelli	5	25-12	5	25-12
2	Edwin Evers	5	24- 3	5	24- 3
3	Tommy Biffle	5	24- 1	5	24- 1
4	Takahiro Omori	5	22-15	5	22-15
5	Kevin VanDam	5	22- 9	5	22- 9
6	Matthew Herren	5	22- 7	5	22- 7
7	Jacob Wheeler	5	22- 6	5	22- 6
8	Jason Christie	5	22- 5	5	22- 5
9	Davy Hite	5	21- 8	5	21- 8
10	Jason Williamson	5	21- 3	5	21- 3
11	Scott Rook	5	20-10	5	20-10
12	David Smith	5	20- 6	5	20- 6
13	Greg Hackney	5	20- 5	5	20- 5
14	Fred Roumbanis	5	20- 0	5	20- 0
15	Terry Scroggins	5	19- 7	5	19- 7
16	Brett Hite	5	19- 2	5	19- 2
16	Skeet Reese	5	19- 2	5	19- 2
18	Britt Myers	5	19- 1	5	19- 1
19	John Crews	5	18-14	5	18-14
20	Brandon Palaniuk	5	17-15	5	17-15

2014 Classic Post Game with Kevin Hawk.

Find out how local knowledge helped win this Classic

By Luigi De Rose

Pre-Classic Interview Part 1

Pre-Classic Interview Part 2

Photo: Darren Jacobsen BASS

Well, it has been a week since BASS crowned Randy Howell as its new king. A lot has been penned on Randy’s intuition and the baits he and others used to best the bass at Lake Guntersville. IBASSIN is taking an unique approach to our post-game coverage. We contacted Kevin Hawk, 2010 FLW Cup Champ, Elite angler and Lake Guntersville guide for his perspective on the outcome of the 2014 Classic. We wanted him to reflect on his pre-Classic interviews with the events that occurred throughout the three day event.

We connected with Kevin while he was in Ohio preparing of a future seminar.

IBASSIN:

Thanks for taking the time to do post Classic commentary. One thing I was impressed with was how accurate you were on picking the areas that a majority of anglers fished in the Classic. You stated that Seibold and Alred’s were the place to be. 

Hawk:

The lower end is traditionally a great place to fish for bigger bass. The mentality is to win the Classic. This desire to win makes it so different than other tournaments. Anglers really focus on big bass and Guntersville is full of giants, so Classic anglers need to focus on winning more than just catching bass. It is a winner takes all tournament, so anglers really go for it.

Remember, most of the field has fished Guntersville before so they are aware of the more productive locations.  Many probably did well in practice and knew that big fish lived in the Seibold and Alred’s areas.

IBASSIN:

Tharp, Evers and Mueller didn’t stick to the lower section. They all produced larger bags than most of the field. Are you surprised?

Great Classic Recap from Chad Morgenthaler

Chad qualified for the 2014 Classic with a wild win in Florida claiming the last spot. He was wise enough to make it to day 3 of the Bassmaster Classic.
Check out his blog as he explains how he fished Lake Guntersville.

Click here for link.

Humminbird's 2014 Bass Master Classic Grand Prize

Humminbird is offering an All Access Pass to the Bass Master Classic. 

Click here to win!

Win with IBASSIN on Facebook

Only  hours left until we draw one lucky winner of the new Lucky Craft SKT Magnum Crankbait autographed from Bassmaster Elite Start Skeet Reese.

Like IBASSIN on FACEBOOK to be part of the draw. Dead line Friday, December 13, 2013 at 6 pm Eastern time.

Click here to WIN!

2013 BASSMASTER Bass Pro Shops Central Open #3 Ross Barnett Reservoir Day 2: Tharp Holds Lead

By John Neporadny Jr.

Bass Press Release

RIDGELAND, Miss. — Randall Tharp moved one step closer to achieving his goals for the Bass Pro Shops Central Open at Ross Barnett Reservoir. Catching a 13-pound, 4-ounce limit kept Tharp in the lead of the pro division with 29-4 and enhanced his chances of earning an Open triple crown by winning this tournament, qualifying for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, and finishing atop the Central Open point standings.

"My main goal is to win the points title and qualify for the Elites again," Tharp said. "I have caught a few fish before on Guntersville (the site of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic) and I sure would like to fish that Classic."

The St. Joe Beach, Fla., angler estimated that he caught about 10 keepers today, and about half of the fish bit after 12 o’clock. "It was a little slower for me this morning," said Tharp, who didn't think the 45-minute fog delay this morning hurt him. "Where I fished today was really foggy. I didn't start where I wanted to because I didn't think I could get there safely."

ICAST 2013 Berkley Powerbait's New Chigger Quad with Skeet Reese

At ICAST 2013 in Vegas, we find Bassmaster Elite Star Skeet Reese chatting with IBASSIN.com. This is the 25th Anniversary of Berkley Powerbait. Skeet explains his new Chigger Quad bait. It is an altered version of the famous Chigger Craw.

2013 BASSMASTER Elite Sabine River Champion is Todd Faircloth!

Sabine a dream for Todd Faircloth

By Deb Johnson

BASS Press Release

ORANGE, Texas — “Everything’s bigger and better in Texas.”

Faircloth's big limit was too much for Rojas to overcome.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

That’s what Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, said Sunday as he won the Sabine River Challenge presented by STARK Cultural Venues out of Orange, Texas, trumping Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., by 6 pounds, 10 ounces.

“It means a lot to me to win here,” Faircloth said. “I won one in Texas in Amistad, but that’s not real close to my home. Winning here in front of my home crowd is special. I’ve got a lot of family and friends here, and a lot of people I grew up fishing with and against.”

Faircloth’s win — his fourth Bassmaster Elite Series title and second in Texas — was a victory in a four-day tug-of-war with Rojas. Rojas led the first day, then Faircloth took the lead away from him on Day Two.

The third day, Rojas got it back, and led Faircloth by 3-9, a considerable deficit on the stingy and tough Sabine River system. But Faircloth pulled away on Day Four by weighing a 14-9 limit, easily getting the best of Rojas, who had a single fish Sunday that weighed 4-6.

2013 BASSMASTER CLASSIC: Late Winter on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees

Skeet Reese enjoying the spoils of victory.
(Photo: BASS)

A lot is unknown about this Classic lake. Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, situated in northeast Oklahoma lies in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. A typical highland reservoir with several large rivers, it has a surface area of 46 500 acre and 1300 miles (2100km) of deep, rocky shoreline. Much has been written of the famed willow tree fishing but that is after the warm spring rains elevate the lake above its normal pool of 742 feet. Lake levels will remain slightly below normal pool but the forecast does indicate rain or snow.

B.A.S.S. has held events at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, the sight on the 2013 World Championship, but usually during the summer or late fall. This year, winter has been true to form. Cold, windy and snowy lake conditions are what the 53 competitors faced during recent days. This has been the first real winter we have had in three years, so comparisons to the last few Classics are mere educated guesses. 

In recent years, the lake has undergone a residential boom. Numerous luxury homes now dot most shorelines. Several areas have adopted special by-laws restricting boat speeds and limiting fishing access. How much will these by-laws come into play during the tournament? This can only be determined once competition starts.

Stay tuned for daily BASSMASTER CLASSIC COVERAGE

Gussy Ready for 2013 FLW Tour

FLW Press Release

(photo: FLW)

Canadian bass fisherman Jeff Gustafson announced Thursday he has committed to fishing the entire 2013 Walmart FLW Tour season. Gustafson competed in the four FLW Tour Opens in 2012 and cashed checks at each, despite being a rookie with little or no previous lake knowledge. He finished the season 14th in the points race.
Known in the industry as “Gussy,” the Keewatin, Ontario, angler has quite a reputation in the North Country as a guide and tournament angler – having won both the Kenora Bass International and the International Falls Bass Championship. In addition, the 30-year-old hosts his own TV show called “Fishing with Gussy” as well as writes a weekly outdoors column called the “Livewell” for the Fort Frances Times. Gustafson is also active on social media and quickly became a fan favorite this season on FLW’s On-The-Water coverage page.
“Having a solid rookie season in the Opens makes me even more excited for next year,” said Gustafson. “Fishing the tour down south was an eye-opening experience. Now that I’ve got my feet wet I’m ready for a full season.”
Gustafson will once again run a Kruger Farms/International Comfort Products-wrapped Lund Predator with a 225-horsepower Mercury Optimax.
The 2013 FLW Tour season opener kicks off Feb. 7 on Lake Okeechobee, the same fishery where Gustafson notched a top-20 finish this February.

Boyd Duckett Wins Bass Elite on Oneida!

By Deb Johnson

Aug 26, 2012

BASS Press Release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Boyd Duckett used to count on his red shoes as his talisman. Now it seems his two-week-old son is bringing him all the luck he needs.
In pro fishing, it’s half-jokingly called “the baby pattern” because pros with new kids have proved to suddenly be more motivated. And that was true for Duckett when he came from behind Sunday to win the Ramada Championship on Oneida Lake by 6 ounces, snapping up a win that Day Two and Day Three leader Randy Howell had hoped might be his.
But Duckett was driven by something else, too. The 2007 Bassmaster Classic champ was determined to qualify for the 2013 Classic, and he knew he’d likely have to do it via the win-you’re-in rule. Sitting 53rd in points going into Oneida, he knew that the only way left for that to happen was the Aug. 23-26 Oneida Lake event.

2012 Bass Elite Oneida Lake Day 3: Howell Still Leads and Chapman Wins AOY

By Deb Johnson

Aug 25, 2012
BASS Press Release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Randy Howell was all smiles Saturday afternoon. He took the lead in the Ramada Championship for the second day in a row. Minutes later, his close friend and angling cohort Brent Chapman won the 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year award.
But as far as Howell’s day on the water went, he was shaking his head.

Weather changes killed Randy's pattern but he adjusted
enough to keep the lead.
(Photos: BASS)

“It was a crazy day, I’ll tell you,” said Howell. “It was 11:30 and I didn’t have but one fish. I actually caught that one at 11. By 11:30, I knew my fish just weren’t going to bite there today.”
But the Springfield, Ala., pro adjusted. He brought 15 pounds, 10 ounces to the scales to stay in command in the 2012 season finale of the Bassmaster Elite Series. Howell’s three-day total of 47-12 kept him in front of Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., whose 14-0 of Saturday landed him in second place — again — with 45-6.
Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., had 45-3, 2-9 behind the leader, to stay in third place. But that was the end of the replay of the top three from Friday. Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Fla., moved into fourth, up from eighth, with 44-8. Jason Quinn of Lake Wylie, S.C., popped up from 10th into fifth place with 44-4.
They lead the Top 12 who will compete Sunday for the Ramada Championship trophy, $100,000 and an instant qualification for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.

2012 Bass Elite Oneida Lake Day 2: Howell Leads and Chapman Controls AOY

By Deb Johnson

AUG 24, 2012

BASS Press Release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — As he squeezed out a 12-ounce lead Friday in the Bassmaster Elite Series’ season finale, Randy Howell was feeling a whole lot more love for Oneida Lake.

Randy is power fishing for smallmouths.
(Photos: BASS)

Oneida was the scene of his precipitous fall from a first-day lead in 2009, and the setting of a win just out of reach in 2011. And those weren’t the only times he’s driven away from the upstate New York lake feeling frustrated.

But now, the Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Springfield, Ala., says he’s got something key figured out about Oneida Lake’s big smallmouth and largemouth populations.

“I love this lake. I have 100 waypoints on this lake from fishing it, and there’s fish on a lot of them,” he said.

Howell brought 16 pounds, 6 ounces to the scales Friday for a two-day total of 32 pounds, 2 ounces and the lead in the Ramada Championship. He stayed 12 ounces in front of Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., who sacked the day’s biggest bag — a 17-11 — to jump from 27th place from Day 1.

Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., pulled up from eighth place into third by producing consistently over two days: 15-7 Thursday followed by 15-9 Friday. Fourth by Friday was Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., with 30-14. Day 1 leader Michael Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J., unable to come close to his huge first-day catch of over 20 pounds, slipped to fifth place with a two-day tally of 30-9.

The field was cut to 49 for Saturday’s competition. By Sunday, only the Top 12 will compete for the event’s $100,000 first-place prize and an entry in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.

This flat is full of bait and smallies. 

Howell has virtually earned enough points for a Classic berth already, but he’s shooting for a win. Not to mention the satisfaction of conquering a lake that’s gotten the better of him in the past.

“It’s exciting to catch them better the second day,” Howell said. “I’ve had some tumbles on the second day.”

2012 Bass Elite Oneida Lake Day 1: Ike Take Lead with 20lbs.

By Deb Johnson

AUG 23, 2012

BASS PRESS RELEASE

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — If Michael Iaconelli didn’t believe in magic before the Ramada Championship began, he sure sounded as if he did when the day was done.

“Magic” was the word he used over and over as he described his day of building a 20-pound, 3-ounce weight Thursday to put him in the lead at the Bassmaster Elite Series season finale on Oneida Lake.

Ike Loves New York!
(Photo: Seigo Saito BASS)

“It was one of those magic days, when everything fell into place,” Iaconelli said on stage as he weighed the day’s largest bass, a 5-5 largemouth. 

Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J., stacked up a decent lead.  He was 3 pounds, 7 ounces, ahead of Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kan., in second place with 16-12. Iaconelli had 5 pounds on the pro in 12th place.

Chapman — the top contender for the 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year crown to be determined at Oneida — inched ahead of J Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Ga., with 16-6. Tied for fourth at 15-15 were Clark Reehm of Shreveport, La., and David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn. Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., was sixth with 15-12.