ICAST 2015: Bandit Makes No Mistake with "Mistake" Colours!

BANDIT LURES TO MAKE MORE MISTAKES IN 2016

3 New Dual-Look Cranks Now Available In 100, 200 and 300 Series

Bandit Lures made a huge impact on bass fishing with its “Mistake” color pattern that features a black back and vertical bars over a red base on one side and a chartreuse base on the other, and for 2016 anglers get three new “mistakes” from which to choose. New are the Crossbreed pattern, which pairs up the realistic Baby bass pattern on one side and the equally natural-looking River Bream on the other, Malfunction, which blends two productive crawfish patterns into one bait with Brown Craw Orange Belly on one side and Spring Craw on the other, and Mistaken Identity, which is possibly the craziest mash-up ever. This Bandit takes the vibrant Fire Tiger pattern and pairs it with the muted Root Beer pattern to create a head-turning combination for bass and other gamefish.

The original Mistake pattern wasn’t really a mistake and neither are these. The Mistake pattern was conceived and ordered by a tackle shop, and it was such a success that the company put it in its catalog lineup where it became one of Bandit’s best selling/most productive lures ever. The color pattern was designed to let anglers show bass two different looks without changing baits – a fish under a laydown sees the chartreuse side when the angler casts on the right side of the brush, and the red side when cast to the left side. The same logic applies to Bandit’s new dual-pattern baits.

The new Crossbreed, Malfunction and Mistaken Identity color patterns are available in Bandit 100, 200 and 300 series crankbaits. For more information go to www.banditlures.com.

Mustad® Signs Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Edwin Evers

Heading into his 16^th professional season, “E2” is one of the most successful and popular anglers in Bassmaster Elite Series®.  Evers’ ability to quickly adapt to different fishing conditions and master different species of bass has brought him 8 Elite Series Tournament titles (finishing in the top ten 57 times).  His skill, consistency, and competitiveness has made him a 14 time Bassmaster Classic qualifier; finishing inside the Top 10 in the Angler of the Year race 4 of the past 5 years.  Aside from his Elite Series accomplishments, Edwin was the 2013 Challenge Cup Winner in the Major League Fishing Series, and is also a Co-Host on the very popular “The Bass Pros” television show and video series.   

“We are extremely excited to have Edwin join our team, “says Mustad Sales Manager Steve Tagami.  “He has built a great career and following with a record of accomplishment that speaks for itself.  His personal reputation is top notch, and there is a tremendous amount of mutual respect and appreciation between Edwin and his fan base.  He loves to educate and it really shows in the quality of his seminars, articles, and videos.  Edwin just gets it done!”

Evers says, “Fishing against a high level of competition like I do, it is absolutely critical that I am confident in everything I use.  I have always fished Mustad because I totally believe in the product.  The hook is one of, if not the, most important part of anyone’s fishing equipment, and you can depend on Mustad UltraPoint Hooks to be super strong, and stay sharp.  It makes a big difference in your day and your season when you don’t have to constantly sharpen or change your hooks.”

The New G. Loomis E6X Series of Rods with Jonathon Van Dam and IBASSIN

Check out Jonathon Van Dam as he explains the new EX6 rods from G. Loomis.

G. Loomis E6X Rod Actions Guide

The new E6X rod series from G. Loomis will be on sale in the USA at the up-coming Bassmaster Classic and at select stores immediately after that event. Canadian anglers have gotten a jumpstart and can purchase them right now. With 30 rods, Technique and Classic actions, there is a lot of selection. Here is the breakdown of each rod action. Remember, you can get into the G. Loomis brand for around $200 US with the E6X. Expect the same amazing quality, action and lifetime warranty that G. Loomis is famous for offering to their customers. 

Technique Specific Actions…

E6X 803C JWR -- Probably one of our best all-around bass rods, this 3-power beauty is extremely versatile.  While it's designed for casting jigs and worms, but if you're looking for just one rod to do a lot of different things, you can fish a spinnerbait or topwater with it as well.  At 6'8" it's a great rod for fishing in close quarters.  It has an extra-fast taper that provides excellent line and lure control, making it very accurate.  E6X makes it surprisingly powerful for a rod so light and you'll really appreciate the sensitivity.

E6X 852C JWR -- A light yet powerful 7'1" jig and worm rod designed for fishing smaller baits and lighter line in deep, clear lakes where the fish are a little more finnicky. Because of the lighter tip and the magnum butt-section it makes a great buzz bait rod.  It will cast an unweighted soft plastic jerkbait a country mile.  When the water is clear, the fish are spooky and you need to back off to be successful, this is the right rod!  E6X makes it light, sensitive and sneaky powerful.

E6X 853C JWR -- The do it all, medium-heavy casting rod designed to fish medium-sized soft plastics, soft-plastic jerkbaits, 1/4 to 1/2-ounce jigs and even big topwaters.  The extra length (7'1") increases tip-speed, which in turn, extends your casting range, helps you recover line quicker and is a big help with hooksets. A great alternative for fishing 4-5" hollow belly swimbaits., and also just a great all around casting rod.

E6X 854C JWR -- Our "power" pitching stick designed for fishing in and around brush, weeds and other heavy cover.  It will handle big jigs and big worms in areas where you need to move fish away from trouble in a hurry.  Excellent in deep-water applications where the extra length helps you move a lot of line with a swing of the rod tip.  Whether a big bucketmouth heads for a bush in 25-feet of water or a blow down on the bank, this rod will stop him... quickly!  E6X makes it light and sensitive - something you've come to expect from G. Loomis.

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 New Fenwick Elite Tech Bass Series of rods with IBASSIN

2014 ICAST in Orlando, Florida find the IBASSIN.com team in the Fenwick booth. Their new Elite Bass Series of Bass Rods are really well built and look great. . Come along with IBASSIN.com as we find out why there super rods are such a winner.

ICAST 2014 Halo Titanium Series Randall Tharp Signature Series of rods w...

IBASSIN tracked down Halo Fishing Rod pro and FLW Cup Champ Randall Tharp at ICAST 2014. Randall fishes the Bassmaster Elite tour and Walmart FLW Tour. With that much fishing skill, he knows how to catch bass especially punching in heavy grass. Listen as Randall Tharp explains all the new features of the Halo Titanium Series "Randall Tharp" Flipping rod at ICAST in Orlando Florida.

Rapala Concept Series Reels with Davis Viehbeck and IBASSIN

Rapala has a new fishing reel that you just got to see. The Rapala Concept is a great reel that offers all the top level features. Find out from Davis why this reel is so good.

New Shimano Curado I Series OFFICIAL RELEASE!

ANGLERS ‘GET MORE’ IN NEW SHIMANO CURADO I SERIES REELS –

LONG-TIME ‘GO-TO’ REELS FEATURE LATEST TECHOLOGY

Among avid anglers going back more than 20 years, the Shimano Curado has become the standard baitcasting reel to use for nearly any bass fishing technique – along with other freshwater and inshore saltwater action. As new Shimano technology immerged, the Curado reels evolved with those new features. Anglers now get the most from Shimano with the next Curado reels, the new Curado I series, now available in five models – the Curado CU200PG, CU200, CU200HG, and left-hand retrieve CU201 and 201HG.

By offering multiple gear ratios in the reels – the 200PG has a slower 5.5:1 gear ratio, the 200 and 201 have a 6.3:1 ratio, and the 200HG and 201HG have a fast 7.2:1 gear ratio, “anglers have the right reel for the baits they are using,” said Robby Gant with Shimano’s product development staff, “plus the benefits from our latest baitcasting reel technology including SVS Infinity Braking System, S3D Stabile Spool Design and X-Ship.”

Relying on ‘inner friction’ to provide consistent brake force, Shimano’s innovative SVS Infinity braking system provides easy-to-manage, consistent spool control and brake force on the new Curado I series baitcasting reels. With brake weights using ‘inner friction’ against the raceway during the cast, SVS Infinity controls spool speed especially when using lighter lures, plus the external adjustment knob provides for quick, precise adjustments for either the conditions or when you switch baits.

For “an incredibly smooth feel when casting and retrieving lures, anglers will notice how our Stabile Spool Design (S3D) has a tremendous effect reducing spool vibration,” Gant said. He explains that S3D technology enables Shimano to construct a thin wall aluminum spool to provide better balance.

Rayovac FLW Series Lake Okeechobee Day2: Fels Take Command

Florida pro compounds lead with 10-9 giant

    Story and Photos by Rob Newell FLW Press Release
    

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – After a rather lackluster day one of the Rayovac FLW Series event on Lake Okeechobee, anglers were certain day two was going to be better.

After all, much warmer air and intermittent sunshine drove the water temperatures up into the low 60’s. The bite did improve a tad, but overall it still was not the Okeechobee bag-buster everyone was hoping for.

One man who seems to have the Okeechobee bite wired is Keith Fels of Ocala, Fla.

The bite definitely improved for Fels today as he added 26 pounds, 7 ounces to his 20 pounds, 9 ounces from yesterday to compile a commanding lead with 47 pounds even, some 12 pounds heavier than second place.

Fels's big bass show why Florida is always a great place
for a tournament.

Fels’ limit today included the day-two big bass weighing in at 10 pounds, 9 ounces. He has been the only angler to crack the 20-pound mark each day.

“I had those by 9:30 this morning and I was done,” Fels said. “When I caught the 10-pounder, it culled my little fish and I left the area to save it for tomorrow.”

Fels did reveal he is pitching, but the way he managed to get the 10-pounder in the boat borders on miraculous.

“I made a pitch, got a bite, set the hook and missed,” he said. “I pitched right back in there, got another bite, set the hook and it was on. I fought the fish until it bogged up into a huge wad of vegetation. As I was heaving on the line pulling the wad in, my 65-pound test braid broke up in the rod. The tag end of the line laid across a mat of hydrilla. The fish was so bogged down, it didn’t move. I reached out, grabbed the tag end of line and basically hand-lined the giant wad of weeds to the boat and wrapped up inside was that 10-pounder.”

Ware second

Kent Ware of Wadmalaw Island, S.C., moved up eight spots to second place on the strength of his 19-pound catch today for a two-day total of 34 pounds, 11 ounces.

Ware was the Angler of the Year in the Southeastern Division of the Rayovac Series last season. And here’s the unique part: he did most of it with a spinning rod.

Ware uses a spinning rod most of the time, including here at Okeechobee, to punch vegetation like most do with conventional baitcasting gear.

“It’s what works for me,” Ware said. “I’m just a lot more efficient with a spinning rod. It’s faster and quieter for me and I can get away with lighter baits.”

Here at Okeechobee, Ware’s spinning rod set-up is a heavy action 7-foot G. Loomis rod spooled with 50-pound braid.