Shocking reveal from a living legend

The state of tournament fishing from one of the best in the business.

By Luigi De Rose

In a recent video, Roland Martin made two shocking reveals as he recapped his 2021 season. The first, was his acceptance to the 2021 BASS Elites. Scott Martin, his son, qualified for the 21 Elite season and the rumor was that Roland would join him. Roland applied under the legend status and was granted an invitation but he declined.

Why would the Roland decline a chance to rejoin BASS? Lack of sponsorship money and support. Simply, the fishing industry, one that has profited greatly from the industry that Roland helped developed didn’t deem him worthy enough. Even though Roland is one of the most recognized anglers in bass fishing, he couldn’t secure enough sponsorship to complete. Let that sink in.

As the story continues to permeate, scores of fans are furious. How can the fishing industry deny Martin this opportunity?  How could BASS as a business miss this golden opportunity to reward one of the true pioneers of bass fishing a come back? Imagine the publicity if Roland won the 2022 Classic at 80 years of age?

On a business level, the amount of potential viewer clicks and impression generated from this media savvy father and son team through the Elites is unfathomable. The possibility of year long media bites of Roland and Scott trying to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic would be commonplace. How many historic recaps of Roland throughout hit career would save a full day of inactivity on BASS Live coverage?

Randall Tharp Teaches You How To Punch Heavy Matted Grass

One of the best winter time techniques is flipping and pitching especially when you get a cold front.  Listen to the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup Champ and MLF pro, Randall Tharp explains how to improve at heavy cover punching. A lot of anglers are beating the cold this winter by hunting big bass in Florida. One of the best techniques is punching and it requires the correct gear. Learn from one of the very best as Tharp explains how to be better at punching.

MLF Senior Director of Operations Bill Taylor Announces Retirement

For the past few seasons, with words and actions, Major League Fishing (MLF) Senior Director of Operations Bill Taylor had laid the groundwork for his departure from the duties he’s overseen and controlled since 2001. Taylor made it official this week, as MLF announced that the longest-tenured tournament director in the company’s history is stepping away.

Taylor, who was the tournament director for the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit (and now-defunct FLW Tour) for more than 19 seasons, officially announced his retirement as of January 1. It marks the end of an incredibly successful reign during which Taylor helped usher in numerous tournament eras, from the first wrapped trucks and boats to the internet age, to expanded live-streamed tournament coverage, and through the acquisition of Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) by MLF in 2019.

“I told Kathy Fennel some time ago that I’d know when it’s time – and it has been such a fun ride – but it is time,” said Taylor, who turned 74 in August. “Those 4 a.m. wake-up times are getting pretty tough. I was blessed to have a great job that allowed me to do a little bit of fishing and hunting each year. But being tied up for several weeks each year, away from my family, my phone always ringing – it’s weighed on me quite a bit over the last few months. I’m happy that I am able to retire and I’ll have more time to spend with my family and do a little more fishing and hunting.”

2021 Bassmaster Recap Show: St. Johns River and Fort Loudoun/Tellico

If the cold weather is already killing your bass fishing mojo, then you need to check out this Bassmaster Elite video. Enjoy highlights from the first part of the 2021 season; its great time wasted. 

Molix signing with Italian MLF Pro Jacopo Gallelli

Gallelli, centre, is flanked by
Paolo Vannini and Stefano Sammarchi of Molix.

Molix is pleased to announce the sponsorship agreement with Jacopo Gallelli, emerging figure and first Italian to fish, as a professional, in the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, Toyota Series and Bassmaster Open in the United States.

The collaboration with Jacopo is about Soft Baits, Frogs and Hollow Body, Jigs, Vibration Jigs, Blade Baits and Wire Baits in Molix brand, which Jacopo will use in competitions and other initiatives. It will be an exclusive testimonial and will actively participate in the development of new products.

"... I've known the brand and the guys from Molix forever, I've always been passionate about their products, exploding passion after 2nd place at Lake Champlain at the B.A.S.S. Pro Tour achieved thanks to the 1/2 oz Kento. col. Wild Craw 126. Very happy about this new agreement, we will do a great job together!" claims Jacobo.

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW CANCELS IN-PERSON EVENT FOR 2022!

 Pandemic-related restrictions halt industry’s flagship Show

Organizers of the Toronto International Boat Show (TIBS) have announced that the annual event, scheduled to be held in-person, has cancelled for 2022.

 Preparations had already been completed for the Show, with move-in set to begin in less than 30 days. Following months of strategic preparation, North America’s Largest Indoor Boat Show was ready to unveil an all-new reimagined floorplan.

 The event was set to showcase more than 300 exhibitors, plus 250 seminars & workshops inside the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place. A new initiative for the show was the launch of a 5000 square foot Boater’s Resource Centre, featuring 15 industry and government organizations. The rapidly developing Omicron variant and newly mandated capacity limitations at large events in Ontario meant that the in-person show could not move forward as planned from January 22 - 30. “The COVID Omicron variant is driving dramatic regulation changes across the Province of Ontario,” said Linda Waddell, President & Show Director of Canadian Boat Shows. “We are very disappointed to be making this announcement today, knowing we had an exceptional show planned to be ready on time following months of condensed and collaborative efforts with our partners and exhibitors.” 

Ontario Fights to Curb Invaders with New Regulations

New boating regs aim to reduce spread of invasive species

Click here to link to new regs.
(Photo: Skeeter Boats) 

Originally posted at oodmag.com

New provincial boating regulations focusing on “Clean, Drain, Dry” principles and practices aiming to reduce the spread of environmentally damaging invasive species come into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

Watercraft and watercraft equipment were regulated as carriers of invasive species after amendments to the Invasive Species Act following a 2021 review. A public comment period ran from April 21 to June 7.

Precautions now law

Boaters – including canoe and kayak users – now must take extra precautions when moving watercraft over land. They cannot move their boat unless drain plugs and other devices used to control drainage of water and equipment have been opened and removed.

This requirement does not apply to livewells, if the person transporting live fish has a licence to do so under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The regulation also does not apply to drinking water, marine sanitary, and closed engine cooling systems.

Happy New Year!

 

Wishing all our valued readers a very
healthy and fish filled New Year!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and your family a very wonderful and peaceful Christmas!