Chris Johnston Wins! Chris Johnston Wins!

Chris Johnston wins the 2020 BASS Elite on the St. Lawrence becoming
the first Canadian to win an Elite title!
More information to come.
(Photo: BASS)

2020 Bassmaster Elite St. Lawrence River Day 2: Paul Mueller Hold Lead with 52-02lbs!

Canadians Chris Johnston 2nd, Jeff Gustafson 12th & Cory Johnston 19th
By David A. Brown
BASS PRESS RELEASE

Mueller continues to lead, Chris Johnston ounces behind.
(Photo BASS)

After sacking up 27 pounds, 1 ounce during Thursday’s opening round, Connecticut pro Paul Mueller added 25-1 Friday and maintained the lead in the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with a two-day total of 52-2.

Committing his day to the massive waters of Lake Ontario, Mueller started on rock transitions in about 40 feet, but he seemed to struggle in the early going.

“Some of the places I had, they really suspended and those fish got tougher to catch,” Mueller said. “I realized I had to get away from that and once I found fish on the bottom, those fish were easier to catch.

“The fact that the shallower fish didn’t suspend is kind of intriguing, but I also think the deeper fish were feeding on something else other than gobies.”

Mueller got things moving in the right direction around 11:30 a.m. when he boated a 4 1/2-pounder, the first of four big fish he’d catch in about an hour. Moving into shallower areas and fishing rock structure in 20 to 26 feet proved to be the key decision.

He caught all of his fish on a drop shot with a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm in the natural shad and goby colors. Noting that his fish seemed much spookier in the day’s clear, calm conditions, Mueller said he had to transition from vertical drops to a cast-and-drag presentation.

“The fish definitely got a little more finicky, and they definitely got a little more boat shy,” Mueller said. “I think boat shadow, livewell noise and the pinging transducer all contributed to that. The big thing for me today was keeping away from the fish.

2020 Bassmaster Elite St. Lawrence River Day 1: Paul Mueller Claims Lead with 27-01lbs!

Canadians Chris Johnston 2nd, Cory Johnston 19th & Jeff Gustafson 47th
By David A. Brown
BASS PRESS RELEASE

Despite Mueller's giant 7-13lb smallmouth, he only has a 1 ounce
lead over Christ Johnston. (Photo: BASS)  

Paul Mueller grabbed the Day 1 lead at the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence with an astounding limit weighing 27-1. Read more!

Tournament wisdom says you can’t win on Day 1, and you can’t win with a single bass.

But one giant bass certainly helped Connecticut pro Paul Mueller to a fantastic start Thursday, as he took the opening-round lead at the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with a 27-pound, 1-ounce limit. His bag was anchored by a massive smallmouth that weighed 7-13.

Seeking to add another 2020 Elite win to his season-opening victory on Florida’s St. Johns River, Mueller spent his day in Lake Ontario, where he targeted rock transitions in 15 to 35 feet. His area was thick with gobies — a prime smallmouth forage — but Mueller said his open-minded approach was essential to his success.

“I didn’t get locked into a certain depth, even though I caught more fish deeper in practice,” Mueller said. “Today, I caught fish shallower and my Garmin LiveScope was the key. It told me if they were there or not.

“That’s going to be a big deal for me this week — using that LiveScope to pinpoint these fish daily because these fish move. Smallmouth are here today and gone tomorrow. With good electronics, you’re able to stay with them. I’m hoping I can just be consistent.” 

One of 17 competitors to break the 20-pound mark, Mueller caught all of his bass on a drop shot rigged with a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm. He alternated between the natural shad and goby colors and used a custom 3/8-ounce Do-it Molds drop-shot weight. 

ICAST 2020: Zman Wins ICAST Hard Lure Awards with JackHamer Stealth Blade

Placing a precious jewel in the crown of the bladed jig category it helped create, Z-Man recently won Best Freshwater Hard Lure at the fishing industry’s preeminent trade show, the 2020 International Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST). Among a multitude of new lures, the exceptional new Z-Man bladed jig garnered the winning votes cast by media and tackle buyers in ICAST’s New Product Showcase. Already renowned for its phenomenal run of fish-catching, tournament-winning success, the Z-Man / EverGreen ChatterBait JackHammer has now been joined by a subtler, ultra-refined bladed bass jig.

“The JackHammer StealthBlade is the antidote for bass that have seen endless parades of traditional bladed jigs,” divulges Brett Hite, pro angler and designer of the eminent ChatterBait JackHammer and its radical new finesse offspring, the JackHammer StealthBlade. The driving force behind the patented new ChatterBait design, a clear, finely-chiseled polycarbonate blade produces a totally different sound and vibration, but like its predecessor, starts thumping intensely with the first half-turn of the reel handle. “I’d say the vibe of the StealthBlade feels a little tighter, hunts with a slightly higher frequency vibration,” asserts Hite, who has won over a million dollars on bladed jigs. “The clear, covert blade is heard, but not seen by bass. It gives off a fresh vibration that hunts in evasive ways and gives the jig’s head a sweet rolling action. The StealthBlade’s compact size adds to its appeal in heavy pressure situations.”

ICAST 2020: Set The Hook's Crush Worm

NetBait, in partnership with STH Bait Co introduces the Crush Worm. The Crush Worm is poured with super soft high floating plastic salt and scent. The Crush Worm is available in three sizes 3.75" Crush Worm, 3.5" Stumpy Crush Worm and the 3" Jr. Crush Worm.

ICAST 2020: Lunkerhunt's New Fishing Bag

No boat? No problem. Lunkerhunt’s LTS Avid series backpacks are feature-heavy bags built to handle the roughest of treks. TPE-coated waterproof fabric and heat-sealed seams provide a water-resistant base for this 48L hauler, which includes 2 plastic tackle trays and a spacious interior designed to hold all your gear. Making fishing-on-the-go easier and safer are superior organizational features, such as two adjustable rod holders that free up your hands when on the move, and a shoulder-strap mounted pliers holder to keep the most important tool in your arsenal within reach at all times. The Avid backpack also comes with a built-in carabiner, mesh water bottle holder, watertight side pocket perfect for valuables, and MOLLE mesh onto which you can strap or clip additional gear. The dry pack clip closure and bottom carry straps round out the remaining features of the Lunkerhunt LTS Avid Backpack.

PRODUCT FEATURES

• 2 Adjustable rod holders
• Mesh water bottle holder
• Molle webbing for adding accessories
• Built in carabiner holder
• Plier holder on arm strap for easy access
• Made of TPE-coated waterproof fabric
• Includes 2 tackle boxes
• 48L Capacity
• Easy access side pocket for valuables like phone, wallet, and keys.
• Dimensions: 14in Wide, 10in Deep, 19in Tall

Scott Burns and Wayne Misslebrook Win 2020 CSFL Lake Scugog #2 with 17.42lbs!

COMPETITIVE SPORT FISHING LEAGUE

LAKE SCUGOG | PORT PERRY, ON

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2020

1. SCOTT BURNS & WAYNE MISSELBROOK, 17.42
2. GEOFF DAVIS & SAM DAVIS, 15.26
3. STEVE ROWSWELL & COLE VARDY, 14.34
4. MIKE SLOCKI & JOHN HAWLEY, 13.78
5. DOUG MONAHAN & ERIC MACHOLD, 13.52
6. GREG ELCICH & PAUL LEBLANC, 11.78
7. GARRY MANSHOLT & TYLER MCCLURE, 11.76
8. MIKE BRAYFORD & RYAN ARCHIBALD, 11.56
9. EVAN KUNG & ANDRUS KUNG, 11.26
10. MIKE WILLIAMS & DUANE JACOBS, 11.22
11. JEFF TRIPP & ADAM SINCLAIR, 11.14
12. VINCE REYNOLDS & ROB CHAU, 11.06
13. DANNY GOBOITSIOS & SOTIRI THEOFILAKTIDIS, 10.83
14. CALEN HOGBEN & DAVE HOGBEN, 10.14
15. SEAN PALMER & MATT HUBBLE, 9.66
16. COOPER GALLANT & COLBY BAKER, 9.34
17. MURDOCK GRAHAM & JAYSON SALIBA, 9.24
18. SAM LISTRO & JAYDEN KEISSLING, 9.06
19. JOE FORD & LINDA FORD, 6.74
20. TOM TSATSKAS & CARLO PUIATTI, 5.92

FULL STANDINGS

Zack Langdon and Dave Langdon Win 2020 CSFL Lake Scugog #1 with 19.05lbs!

COMPETITIVE SPORT FISHING LEAGUE

LAKE SCUGOG | PORT PERRY, ON

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2020

1. ZACK LANGDON & DAVE LANGDON 19.5

2. RYAN CROWLEY & JAY SHORT 15.72

3. SEAN PALMER & MATT HUBBLE 15.58

4. DOUG MONAHAN & ERIC MACHOLD 15.5

5. GREG ELCICH & CHRIS MONK 15.48

6. GARRY EVANS & BROSE STRICKLAND 15.48

7. STEVE ROWSWELL & COLE VARDY 14.98

8. ROB SACCOCIA & TOMMY NAPIC 14.36

9. GEOFF DAVIS & SAM DAVIS 14.04

10. SCOTT BURNS & WAYNE MISSELBROOK 13.86

11. GARY MANSHOLT 13.7

12. GARRY WILLIAMS & KARL IRONS 13.62

13. JEFF BLANCHARD & ALVAN IRONS 13.48

14. PETER WOROSZ & MIKE RICHARDSON 13.38

15. MARK ROWLEY & JENNA POPP 13.36

16. CALEN HOGBEN & DAVE HOGBEN 12.82

17. ROSS BARTOLO 12.74

18. JERRY MINSHULL & STEVE BELBIN 12.48

19. MIKE HURTLE JR. & MIKE HURTLE 12.38

20. VINCE REYNOLDS & ROB CHAU 12.3

Full standing

ICAST 2020: Set The Hook's New Drifter

NetBait in partnership with STH Bait Co introduces the Drifter. A classic, handcrafted and hand-poured bait with year round application for Bass, Walleye and Ice Fishing. The Drifter is 2.75 inches/69 mm in length. Super soft salted and scented, the Drifter moves freely in drop shot applications with out you having to shake it. 3D eyes give the Drifter a life like appearance to get every fish to stop and have a look.